Cassandra Fernando
Holt · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Labor was elected with a clear promise: to back working families with real cost-of-living relief. From 1 July, we are delivering. Whether it's a young worker stacking shelves at Woolies while studying or new parents welcoming their first child, Labor is making life a little easier.”
“It is practical, it is targeted and it is exactly the kind of work that growing communities like Holt need. This investment is part of our broader $47 billion Homes for Australia plan. We are making it easier to buy and better to rent, and we are building more homes.”
“But we also have to confront the parts of the system that have made it harder for first home buyers. For too long, the tax system has given investors an advantage over young Australians trying to buy their first home.”
“More homes mean more choice, more affordability and more Australians getting the chance to live near work, family, school and community. But housing does not get built by words alone. It needs roads. It needs water. It needs drainage, utilities and local infrastructure.”
“Housing is one of the great challenges facing our country. It is a challenge I hear about every week in Holt. I hear it from young people who are working hard and saving carefully but still feel the dream of owning a home is moving further away. I hear it from families who want security, stability and a place to put down their roots.”
“They invested just $123 million in housing-enabling infrastructure. They said no to the Housing Australia Future Fund. They said no to Help to Buy. They said no to Build to Rent. They said no to Labor's five per cent deposit scheme. In government they even said no to having a housing minister.”
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“Hundreds of thousands of young Australians substantially depleted or emptied their super balances. Superannuation is not designed as a short-term stimulus tool. It is deferred wages, savings set aside to provide income in retirement. Treating it as a quick fix, as the Liberal Party does, undermines its purpose. The superannuation system is built on a deal between workers, employers, unions and government. Workers contribute through deferred wages. Employers contribute through the superannuation guarantee. Government supports the system through concessional tax treatment. The concessional 15 per cent tax rate is fundamental. It incentivises saving and allows balances to grow more quickly than they would in a standard savings account, but concessional must be sustainable and targeted to the system's objective.”
“By contrast, the OECD average for public pension spending is around 9.3 per cent of GDP. That is long-term fiscal sustainability. This is Labor's responsible economic management. But maintaining that sustainability requires long-term planning. Time and time again we have seen the coalition use superannuation to fix short-term political issues rather than as a long-term economic asset. Under the previous coalition government, approximately $36 billion was withdrawn from the superannuation accounts through the COVID early-release scheme. While many Australians faced hardship during that period, the long-term impact of those withdrawals is significant. Thanks to the coalition, A 30-year-old who withdrew $10,000 could be more than $150,000 worth worse off in retirement.”
“This is the power of compounding, and it is why timely payments matter. We are also strengthening transparency and accountability in the system through improved reporting requirements and mandatory service standards. Australians deserve confidence that their retirement savings are being managed efficiently and responsibly. Australia's superannuation system is globally recognised as world leading. It is already the fourth largest pool of pension assets in the world, and it is projected to become the second largest by 2031. This is not an accident; it is the result of deliberate long-term policy design. Australia is the only OECD country where age-pension spending as a share of GDP is projected to decline over the long-term, from around 2.5 per cent today to approximately 2 per cent by 2060.”
“Every reform in this bill is consistent with that principle. We are also implementing payday super. Historically, some workers have waited months for their superannuation to be paid. Some have discovered years later that it was never paid at all. That is unacceptable. In parts of my electorate, such as Cranbourne West, we have major industrial and commercial precincts. The overwhelming majority of businesses do the right thing, but honest employers should not be undercut by those who delay or avoid paying workers their super. Payday super will ensure that super contributions are paid at the same time as wages. This will reduce unpaid super, improve compliance and allow workers' balances to begin compounding earlier. For a 25-year-old worker, earlier and more frequent contributions can mean thousands of dollars more at retirement.”
“By paying super on paid parental leave, we are recognising that care work has economic value and we are ensuring women are not left behind for starting a family. Over a lifetime, this reform will leave women tens of thousands of dollars better off in retirement. We have also legislated an objective for the superannuation system, something that was first proposed in 2016 by the Turnbull government but never legislated. The superannuation objective strengthens the system against short-term political interference and ensures that any future government seeking to change super must justify those changes against a clear statutory objective. That objective is straightforward—to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside government support, in an equitable and sustainable way.”
“Superannuation is about making sure that, when those hardworking Australians reach retirement, they can do it with dignity. This Labor government has acted to make the superannuation system fairer and stronger. One of the most significant reforms we have delivered is paying super on paid parental leave. For too long, women have retired with significantly less super than men—currently around 25 per cent less on average. That gap is not a coincidence. It reflects structural inequalities, time taken out of the workforce to raise children, part-time work, lower average wages and unpaid care responsibilities. In Holt, where so many young families are growing, this reform will make a tangible difference. A mother taking time off to care for her newborn should not be financially penalised decades later.”
“For communities like mine, in Holt, this is not abstract policy; it is real life. Holt is one of the youngest and fastest growing electorates in the country. Families in Cranbourne, Narre Warren South, Hampton Park, Lyndhurst, Clyde, Tooradin and Pearcedale are working hard to build a better future. Many are first home buyers. Many are migrants who came to Australia seeking opportunity and stability. They are young parents balancing work and family. They are nurses, aged-care workers, retail staff, warehouse employees, early childhood educators, construction workers and small-business operators. They are not thinking about complex tax structures. They're thinking about paying the mortgage, covering childcare costs and making sure their kids get ahead.”
“I rise to speak in support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Bill 2026. Labor is the party of superannuation. It was Labor prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating who had the courage and foresight to create universal superannuation through the Prices and Incomes Accord. At the time it was a bold and contested reform, but it was grounded in the simple belief that working Australians deserve dignity and security in retirement—not uncertainty, not poverty and not dependency. What began as a three per cent employer contribution has, through steady and responsible reform, grown to a 12 per cent superannuation guarantee as of 2025. That increase represents one of the most significant structural improvements to retirement incomes in our nation's history.”
“That's why the Albanese Labor government is backing this great community with $75,000 this year, as part of a $225,000 commitment over three years, providing ongoing support to help the market grow and become a permanent fixture on our local calendars. I thank the Bright Community Organisation, especially Ahmad Ghowsi and Ibrahim Hassan, along with the volunteers, stallholders and sponsors who make it possible. (Time expired)”
“The Dandenong Ramadan night market is back, and it is bigger and better than last year. It was fantastic to be there on the opening night with the member for Bruce in his electorate, and it was wonderful to have the Prime Minister join us as Thomas Street came alive, with thousands of families, friends and neighbours from different faiths and backgrounds. Moments like these are a powerful reminder of what social cohesion looks like in action. I'm also proud that, this year, the market expanded into my local council area, the City of Casey. Having a cultural celebration of this scale come to Casey is a huge win for our community. Events like this bring people together, showcase culture and highlight the incredible food, music and small businesses that make our south-east so vibrant.”
“I would like to thank the following schools for making this event a grand success: VTA Tamil School, Gyan Jyoti Pathsala Cranbourne, Sunkalp-Ek Nischay, Sada Virsa Punjabi School, Bal Chautari Lynbrook, Dhamma Sarana Temple, VSL Kannada, Hindi Shiksha Sung, Bharathi Academy and Andisha Community Language School. Thank you for all the work that you do.”
“Last week I hosted an International Mother Language Day high tea. I was joined by representatives from language schools right across Holt. They are dedicated people who give their time, often as volunteers, to keep culture, identity and heritage alive in our community. In Holt, 165 beautiful languages are spoken. This diversity is our greatest strength. But language is more than just words. It carries our stories, our history and our deep sense of belonging. On a personal note, as I raise my son Ilija, I want him to grow up connected to his heritage. That's why I hope he will learn not only English but also Singhalese, and, from his father's side, Macedonian. The work of our local language schools make this possible for families like mine.”
“They organise, they welcome new members, they cheer on players and, in doing so, they build the confidence and resilience that shape not only athletes but stronger communities. In an age where many of us are pulled towards our screens, community sports stands as a powerful place for connection, friendship and shared memories. And, as women's sport continues to grow and inspire young girls across Holt, I want to thank Vicki Harding and the entire HSD Cricket Club committee for their incredible work and hosting such a meaningful event.”
“These moments are incredibly meaningful, and Lohri provides a beautiful way to begin a new chapter surrounded by love and community. May the warmth of the Lohri fire bring everyone good health, wealth, happiness and prosperity. That same spirit of connection and community was evident at the Heinz Southern District Cricket Club's annual Ladies Day high tea, a celebration of the vital role that women and families play in sport. It was an afternoon complete with market stalls, delicious snacks, raffles and, of course, door prizes. It brought together mothers, wives, grandmothers and supporters, the true backbone of every local club. Behind every match, behind every fundraiser, there are families providing essential support emotionally, practically and psychologically.”
“Last month I joined the members of Compassionate Hands to celebrate Lohri. For many Sikh and Punjabi families in my electorate of Holt and, indeed, across the world, this festival holds a deep cultural and personal significance. Lohri marks the harvest season, but it is also so much more than that. It is a celebration of gratitude, family and community, bringing people together around the Lohri fire to share stories, laughter and hope for the year ahead. I want to thank the entire Compassionate Hands team, especially the president, Jagdeep Singh Sukhija, for organising such a wonderful event and for creating spaces where culture, faith and community can celebrate together. I also want to send my very best wishes to the families who celebrated their very first Lohri welcoming a new baby or celebrating a new marriage.”
“Instead, they finally got their keys and moved into their own home in Narre Warren South. That is what this policy is about. Like Mark and Jana, 2,565 first home buyers in Holt have fulfilled the great Australian dream of homeownership.”
“For many first home buyers, the dream of owning a home can just feel out of reach. Saving for a 20 per cent deposit while paying rent, groceries and bills is simply too much. That's why the Albanese Labor government's home deposit scheme is making such a real difference in my electorate of Holt. By cutting the required deposit from 20 per cent to just five per cent, it's helping everyday Australians get their foot in the door years sooner. I want to share the story of Holt locals Mark and Jana. Like so many in our community, they were working hard and doing everything right but were stuck watching house prices rise faster than their savings. Thanks to the five per cent deposit guarantee, they didn't have to wait another five or 10 years. They didn't have to hand over thousands to an insurance company for lenders mortgage insurance.”
“In my electorate of Holt, I hear from constituents every single week about how free TAFE has unlocked doors they never thought possible. As a proud TAFE graduate, I know firsthand that TAFE changes lives. That's why Labor didn't just defend free TAFE; we proudly made it permanent for more than 100,000 Australians each year. When we back education, we back Australia's future.”
“Three years ago the Liberals called free TAFE 'wasteful spending'. The Leader of the Liberal Party even promised to scrap it. Well, fast forward to today, and more than 725,000 Australians have enrolled in a free TAFE course. We know that our nation is facing critical skills shortages. From construction to nursing to care work, shortages are felt in every community. Whether it's training plumbers and electricians to build the houses our country is in desperate need of or training aged-care workers to support Australians who once supported us, Labor's free TAFE is saving students thousands of dollars while strengthening our workforce, and it has been working, with skills shortages dropping across our economy.”
“Every apprentice represents another step forward in addressing our longstanding housing shortage. So I ask those opposite: how can you stand in this House and call opportunities wasteful? How can removing barriers to education and helping Australians secure stable employment possibly be anything other than responsible nation building? But perhaps this is the difference between the Liberal Party and Labor. Those opposites see costs; we see investment. They see spending; we see opportunities. They look at the past; we are building Australia's future. The National Skills Agreement is about ensuring Australians have the skills our nation needs. It's about productivity. It is about prosperity. Better yet, it's about fairness. That is why I am so proud to stand with a party that will always invest in our TAFE sector.”
“Labor has also committed more than 100,000 free TAFE places each year across the country. While the Liberal Party dismissed this as wasteful spending, more than 725,000 Australians have enrolled. Know how life changing this can be. Research shows that students who complete a vocational education can earn a median income $11,800 higher in the year after finishing their course. This is not wasteful; this is transformational. This is the difference between getting by and getting ahead. We have also strengthened the pipeline of construction workers through support for apprentices. More than 11,400 apprentices have already commenced trades under our $10,000 Key Apprenticeship Program. Each of these apprentices is not just training for a career; they are the workers who will build the very homes Australia so urgently needs.”
“After a decade of underinvestment in vocational education by the Liberal and National parties, Australia faced growing skill shortages in crucial fields such as construction, aged care and nursing. Communities felt the consequences. Housing supply fell behind demand, infrastructure projects slowed, and vulnerable Australians struggled to find qualified care workers. That is why we were elected. We committed to rebuilding TAFE and restoring it as a national priority. In 2023, we delivered the National Skills Agreement, a landmark five-year partnership with every state and territory to invest $12.6 billion into vocational education and training, and the results are already clear. Skill shortages have fallen every single year since then, from 36 per cent in 2023 to 29 per cent in 2025.”
“TAFE is fundamental to the future of our nation. It is a vital component of our tertiary education system, equipping Australians with the hands-on practical skills our economy depends on. As a proud graduate of TAFE, I know firsthand how vocational qualification can empower people and unlock opportunities that may once have felt out of reach. TAFE changes lives. It opens doors, because—let's be honest—university does not suit all of us. For many Australians, learning practical, job-ready skills aligns far better with how we learn than sitting in a lecture theatre all day. There should be no hierarchy when it comes to education. A skilled tradesperson is just as vital to our nation's prosperity as any other profession. The Albanese Labor government recognises this.”
“I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that the Government inherited the most severe skill shortages in half a century, after a decade of neglect and an absence of any national skills agreement; (2) recognises the Government for securing the landmark five-year National Skills Agreement, giving Australians easier access to training no matter where they live; (3) emphasises that the agreement resets how Australia plans, funds and delivers vocational education and training, backed by $12.6 billion over five years, including $3.7 billion in additional funding to strengthen the skills system; (4) observes that the Government's training reform and investment is delivering real outcomes, with national skills shortages easing over three consecutive years, and occupations in shortage falling from 36 per cent in 2023, to 33 per cent in 2024, and 29 per cent in 2025; and (5) commends the Government's efforts to support Australians to upskill and reskill so more Australians get qualified for well-paid jobs in the sectors that employers and industries need including housing, care and support services, clean energy and digital capability.”
“They matter for Australia, because a strong, fair and future-ready tertiary education system is one of the most important investments we can make for our people and for our prosperity. I'm proud to be a part of a government that takes education seriously. My parents taught me that education is a gift, but, in a country like Australia, it shouldn't just be a gift for a lucky few; it should be a right for everyone regardless of where they live or how much their parents earn. This bill sets us on that path. It builds on the architecture we need for the future. It delivers on the promise of the universities accord. I want to thank the Minister for Education, Jason Clare, for his leadership on this. He has listened to the sector, he has listened to the students, and he has acted. I commend this bill to the House.”
“They neglected TAFE, cutting billions of dollars from the sector. They created uncertainty and failed to plan for the long term. They left us with a system that simply was not working for students. Labor is doing the opposite. We are backing students, we are supporting skills, we are strengthening equity, and we're putting long-term stewardship back at the heart of the system. For my community in Holt, these reforms matter deeply. They matter for the young person who wants to be the first in their family to graduate. They matter for the parent retraining to secure a better future. They matter for the aspiring teacher, nurse or social worker who wants to serve their community with dignity.”
“The accompanying Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025 ensures these reforms are implemented smoothly and responsibly with the necessary amendments to existing legislation to support continuity and clarity. I must contrast this clear, long-term vision with the approach of those opposite. At the last election, the opposition opposed the creation of ATEC, arguing it was unnecessary. They are currently busy breaking up and making up again, disconnected from the reality of modern Australia—a pattern we have seen from them since the very start of the 48th Parliament. When they were in government, they treated higher education as a cost to be shifted onto students, not an investment in the nation. They tried to deregulate fees.”
“Importantly, the legislation also strikes the right balance between accountability and independence. It allows ministers to set the framework within which functions are carried out while making clear that directions cannot relate to the content of ATEC's advice, the decisions it makes or individual providers. That balance protects the integrity of expert, evidence based advice while maintaining democratic oversight. Since 1 July 2025, an interim ATEC has already been operating. They have been laying the foundations for the permanent commission, and the legislation before the House builds on that work.”
“A university in regional Victoria has a different mission to a university in the Melbourne CBD. They have different strengths. They serve different student cohorts. Mission based compacts will allow universities the flexibility to pursue their specific goals while ensuring they contribute to national priorities and meet the needs of their students and communities. ATEC will also be responsible for implementing a new funding framework, including demand driven places for equity students at a system level and needs based funding that reflects the number of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, First Nations students and students studying at regional campuses. This is about getting students into university and backing them to succeed once they are there.”
“It will assess whether the system is meeting Australia's skills and workforce needs while removing barriers for underrepresented groups. ATEC will not operate in isolation. It will work closely with Jobs and Skills Australia, with TEQSA, with the Australian Research Council, with the National Centre for Vocational Education Research and with state and territory governments, ensuring its advice is grounded in evidence and informed by real-world needs. One of the most significant reforms in this bill is the introduction of mission based compacts. These agreements recognise a fundamental reality: Australia's universities are not all the same, and they should not be forced into a 'one size fits all' model. Different institutions serve different communities.”
“It will support us to move forward to that 80 per cent attainment target by doing four crucial things: encouraging diversity among our higher education providers so we don't have a cookie-cutter system; providing expert, evidence based advice for government's higher education system settings; monitoring skills and equity targets; and helping to deliver a joined-up system that makes it easier for students to move between TAFE and uni to get skills they need. ATEC will provide advice and reports to governments. It will undertake and coordinate research and data analysis. Crucially, it will publish an annual report, strengthening transparency. It will tell us how the system is performing. It will highlight emerging challenges. It will track our progress towards participation and attainment targets.”
“The Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 establishes the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, or ATEC. Establishing ATEC was a key recommendation of the accord. It will be an independent statutory body. It will be the steward for the tertiary system. It will play a crucial role in delivering reform. Its mission is clear: to help deliver the future tertiary education system Australia needs.”
“As we promised, we have made HECS better and fairer by cutting student debt, capping indexation so it never grows faster than wages and lifting the repayment threshold. This is real cost-of-living relief for graduates in Holt and across Australia. These reforms are already changing lives, but the accord was also honest about what has been missing for too long. The panel, led by Professor Mary O'Kane AC, identified a clear gap in our system: there was no steward. There was no-one holding the map, looking at the whole picture and guiding the system towards our national goals. This absence of stewardship was identified as a crucial gap in Australia's ability to plan for future skills needs, improve equity and deliver quality outcomes for students and the economy. That is the gap these bills address.”
“We are introducing paid prac for the first time for teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students, because we know placement poverty is real and students should not have to choose between paying their rent and finishing their placements to become the essential workers our country needs. We have strengthened the student voice by requiring higher education providers to allocate at least 40 per cent of student services and amenities to student led organisations. We have established the National Student Ombudsman and a national code to prevent and respond to gender based violence, because students deserve safety and accountability and universities must be held to the highest standards.”
“We need a plan, and we need a steward to drive it. The Albanese Labor government has not waited to act. We have already hit the ground running, implementing 31 of the 47 accord recommendations in full or in part. We are doubling the number of university study hubs by establishing 20 new regional hubs and 14 new suburban hubs. This is about bringing higher education closer to students who cannot always relocate or commute long distances. For students in the outer suburbs, this is the difference between giving up or getting a degree. We are increasing the number of free university bridging courses, opening doors for students who have the potential to succeed but just need extra support to get started.”
“Over the coming decades, around 80 per cent of our workforce will need a post-school qualification, whether that is a certificate III from TAFE, a diploma or a university degree. In fact, Jobs and Skills Australia tells us that more than 90 per cent of employment growth over the next decade will be in jobs that need post-school qualification. Think about that figure—nine out of 10 new jobs. That is a massive undertaking for our nation. It means we need more people walking through the doors of our TAFEs, and we need more people studying at our universities—and, perhaps more importantly, we need those two systems to work together. We need better coordination and clearer pathways, creating a more joined-up tertiary education system that supports Australia's long-term prosperity. We cannot leave this to chance.”
“In February 2024, the Albanese Labor government released the final report of the Australian Universities Accord. This was not a report written in isolation behind closed doors in Canberra. It was the product of deep consultation right across the country. It was built on conversations with students, educators, unions, industries, state and territory governments and communities like mine. It set out a clear blueprint for higher education reform—not just for the next few years but for the next decade and the decade after that. That report told us some hard truths. It told us that the system we have today is not fit for the future we face tomorrow. It told us that, in years ahead, the nature of work in Australia is going to change fundamentally. More jobs will require more skills.”
“Last month, Australians across the country came together to celebrate one of our great national days, Australia Day. In Holt, we celebrated this day at my annual Australia Day community barbecue in Lynbrook. It was wonderful to see members of our community come together, flying our national flag with pride, sharing stories and reflecting on the values that unite us as Australians. Those values of democracy, freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity are central to who we are as a nation. Australia, for so many people, represents a land of opportunity and hope. It is a country built on a fair go where hard work is respected, diversity is embraced and people are given the chance to contribute and belong no matter where they come from. It is the spirit that defines Holt, and it is the spirit that continues to shape our nation.”
“Luch, when I do go back to your home country, I will always remember everything that you've said and everything that we have shared over the last few years. It will always be a part of me. Thank you for everything. You are deeply, deeply missed. I also extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Mary, his kids, his family and his friends, and especially to the Macedonian community. His presence is deeply, deeply missed throughout Parliament House. We love you, Luch. I am missing you so much; every question time or 90-second debate, I miss you. Vale Luch.”
“Every morning, he would say good morning to me and how are you, and would speak with such great affection about his culture, his religion, his community and also his family. When I was first elected, everything felt new and everything was overwhelming. I felt nervous in the House sometimes, but somehow Luch always knew. He would quietly bring me a glass of water. He knew exactly how I liked my glass of water—with no ice—and he would say, 'Ms Fernando, pretend it's vodka,' just to make me laugh and settle my nerves. It was such a small gesture, but it meant so much to me. Those little moments of kindness are what I will always remember. Walking through these halls now, the House feels a little bit different without him. He was a devoted husband, colleague and friend.”
“I rise today with a very heavy heart to mark the passing of Ljupco Jonceski, who was known to many of us in this place as Luch. For more than four decades, Luch dedicated his working life to service in the Australian parliament. His contribution may not always have been visible to the public, but his presence and work strengthened the way this place functioned every single day. I was fortunate to share a very special bond with Luch—one that was deepened by my role as chair of the parliamentary friendship group for the Republic of North Macedonia. Luch was incredibly proud of his Macedonian heritage and he shared that pride very generously with me. He loved teaching me Macedonian words.”
“They are highly skilled professionals who step into complex and often emotionally charged situations to ensure accuracy, dignity and fairness. The work you do every day is so vital, and it supports thousands of members in our community. In closing, I want to thank the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Dr Anne Aly, and the Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, for ensuring that the government's translating and interpreting services remain strong into the future. For that reason, I commend the bill to the House. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time. Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.”
“It was Labor that laid the foundations of modern multicultural Australia, recognising that diversity strengthens our nation, but only when people are supported to participate fully. This bill continues that proud tradition. It recognises that language should never be a barrier to opportunity. It recognises that government services must be accessible to everyone, not just those fluent in English, and it recognises that a strong, cohesive Australia is one that everyone can understand, engage in and belong to. TIS National is not just a service; it's a lifeline—a bridge between systems and people. This bill ensures that that bridge remains strong. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the interpreters themselves.”
“The most recent census showed that 3.4 per cent of Australians have low English skills, meaning they do not speak English well or at all. Some of the highest demand for interpreting services comes from communities with heritage in Vietnam, Greece, Korea, Italy and Spain—communities that have helped shape and build modern Australia. These services are relied upon daily by police, courts, aged-care providers, GPs, hospitals, the ATO, the Administrative Review Tribunal and the Federal Court. Without interpreters, justice cannot be delivered fairly, health care cannot be delivered safely, government cannot be accessed equally. Labor understands this. It was a Labor government, led by Gough Whitlam, that dismantled the White Australia policy.”
“Whether it's a woman escaping domestic violence, a new mum trying to access the parenting payment or an older Australian trying to access health care, this service provides great benefits. Up till now, these translating and interpreting services have been delivered by successive Australian governments without explicit legislative authority. While such arrangements are not uncommon in government, they carry risk. They rely on administrative practices rather than statutory certainty. This bill fixes that. It provides a clear legislative framework that formally empowers the secretary of the Department of Home Affairs to continue delivering translating and interpreting services. It ensures transparency, accountability and continuity. We know the demand is real.”
“In times of crisis—whether they be bushfires, as we've recently had in Victoria, floods or public health emergencies—clear communication saves lives, and these services ensure that no-one is left behind when urgent information must be understood. Crucially, these services are used by women escaping domestic and family violence. Language barriers can trap women in violent relationships. It can isolate them from society and limit their knowledge of where they can reach out to. It can prevent victims from seeking help, reporting abuse, understanding intervention orders or accessing crisis accommodation. For women who do not speak English fluently, an interpreter can be the difference between safety and continued harm. That is why this bill matters.”
“It helps new arrivals find work, enrol their children in schools, secure rental property, open a bank account and access Medicare and other essential services. This is why TIS National is so vital—because a modern multicultural Australia only succeeds when residents are able to integrate and engage fully with Australian society. TIS National not only supports engagement with government agencies; interpreting services are also available for non-government interactions, including with doctors and other healthcare providers, ensuring patients understand diagnosis, consent to treatment and receive safe care. These services are also used by trade unions to help workers understand their rights and protect themselves from exploitation and by real estate agents and housing providers to help families find secure accommodation.”
“When people understand their rights, their employment conditions and their responsibilities, they are able to enter the workforce sooner, contribute more quickly and help drive Australia's economic growth. One of the best services delivered by TIS National is the free translating service. If a person has been granted a long-term visa within the last two years, they are entitled to have up to 10 personal documents translated free of charge. That includes birth, death and marriage certificates, school certificates, academic transcripts, letters of reference, bank statements, employment records and medical documents. These translations would otherwise cost hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars. By removing that cost, the government removes barriers to employment, education, housing, health care and settlement.”
“For older migrants, parents, and grandparents who move here to join their children, learning English is a much more difficult task. That is why translating and interpreting services are so crucial in electorates like mine. In Holt, 47 per cent of residents speak a language other than English at home. Most speak English at an extremely high standard. We are also home to one of the largest refugee populations in the country. This diaspora from Afghanistan, Cambodia and Sri Lanka has escaped conflict. It represents families, small-business owners, carers, factory workers, cleaners, nurses and grandparents—people who contribute every day to our community but who struggle to access services without support. Language access is not merely a matter of convenience for these people. It is fundamental to participation and economic opportunity.”
“Like many migrant families, the Fernando family relied heavily on family friends and community members to translate for us—a reality that thousands of my constituents in Holt continue to rely on every day. I learned English by reading classical novels such as Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. It was hard work. When I first started, it would take me more than three months to finish a single novel. Through the hard work, perseverance and support of incredible teachers, including Ms Tassle, Mrs Rainsford, Mr Hall and Mr Jappie, those months to finish a novel turned into weeks and those weeks turned into days. Learning a language is hard at any age. Learning a new language is far easier when you are younger.”