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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“Christmas is a time of joy and giving but it is also a time when many in our community are doing it tough. It's a season that reminds us of the power of giving and of the importance of looking after one another. For the past two years I have hosted Curries and Carols, a charity fundraiser that brings together three things I cherish—Christmas, a curry and the spirit of charity. This year I was proud to support Find a Penny Foundation, an organisation doing incredible work providing free meals to those in need. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we raised $2,000 to help them continue their vital work. I want to express my gratitude to Bibi and her amazing team at Find a Penny for their efforts throughout the year in providing support to our community. Your compassion and dedication make a real difference in people's lives.”
“This is the future Labor is building. This is the future this government is delivering. And this is why we will always invest in our kids, our schools and our great nation.”
“That means millions of extra dollars for schools in Hampton Park, Lyndhurst, Lynbrook, Narre Warren South, Clyde, Cranbourne, Botanic Ridge, Devon Meadows and Pearcedale, ensuring that students in Holt will receive the education that they deserve. An extra $2.5 billion for Victorian public schools may sound like a lot, but this is not just spending. This is an investment—an investment in our children, an investment in our workforce and an investment in the future of our country. Labor knows a strong and well-funded public education system does not just benefit students; it benefits the entire nation. A child who receives a great education grows up to be a skilled worker and a thoughtful citizen. A strong education system means a strong economy, a fairer society and a future where no child is left behind.”
“With this investment, we hope to increase the number of students who graduate year 12 and increase the proportion of students achieving strong and exceeding skill levels in reading and numeracy, and we hope to boost student attendance and provide better support and training for teachers. Labor is building Australia's education system from the ground up. From strengthening child care all the way through to university, we know how important a strong education system is for our country. The Victorian school funding agreement will mean an extra $2.5 billion for Victorian public primary and secondary schools over the next 10 years. By 2034, Victorian public schools will be fully funded for the first time in history.”
“As Education Minister Jason Clare has said, this agreement will provide more individualised support for students who need extra help, a commitment to evidence based teaching practices that are proven to improve literacy and numeracy, and an increase in mental health support in schools to ensure students have the wellbeing services they need to thrive. This agreement will also include reforms to help students catch up and finish school. This includes a year 1 phonics and early numeracy check to identify students who need additional support, because the earlier we intervene, the better their outcomes. It also includes initiatives to support training teachers.”
“We have provided tens of thousands of Australians with free TAFE as part of a multibillion-dollar skills agreement, helping more people gain the qualifications they need for secure, well-paying jobs. But our commitment does not stop there. We have secured one of the largest increases in public school funding in Australia's history, because every child, no matter their background or postcode, deserves a high-quality public education. Under this new agreement, the Commonwealth will provide an additional five per cent of the schooling resource standard to Victorian public schools, which will increase funding by $2.5 billion over 10 years. This is the largest-ever investment in Victorian public schools by the Australian government. This isn't just about more money. What truly matters is what funding delivers for our students and teachers.”
“Education is the foundation of our society. It is the key that unlocks opportunity, prosperity and a better future for all Australians. Labor is strengthening our education system from the ground up. Since coming to government, we have taken significant steps to invest in education at every level. We have expanded access to early childhood education, making it more affordable for families and saving the average family over $2,700 per year. We have supported the early childhood workforce to attract and retain the best educators by providing these staff a 15 per cent wage increase. We have invested in our universities to ensure they remain world-class institutions.”
“While they call free TAFE 'wasteful spending', they are more than happy for the government to fund billions for corporate lunches. This really shows their priorities. Labor knows a strong trades sector means a strong economy. A strong economy means more opportunities for all Australians. Unlike the Liberals, Labor will never take our TAFE sector for granted. I want to conclude by acknowledging the dedication of the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese; the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles; and Brendan O'Connor for driving these reforms.”
“We will also increase the allowance for apprentices who live away from home—the first significant increase in over 20 years. This boost is necessary to support tradies to finish their courses. This means better support for the workers we need to keep building homes and to address the housing shortage. Labor are taking these measures because we know we need a strong TAFE sector to build our country's future, to revitalise our manufacturing sector and to start making things right here in this country, and to build the homes our country needs for the future. By lifting our apprentices, we are also lifting up the families and local businesses that rely on their income and expertise. For too long, the Liberals have neglected our trades sector.”
“Making it permanent ensures that this opportunity will be available for generations to come. We are guaranteeing 100,000 new TAFE places focused on areas of national skill shortage each and every year going forward. This is to ensure more Australians can access quality training in areas where we need skilled workers most. In my electorate of Holt, I've spoken to apprentices forced to juggle two jobs just to keep their training going. Some told me they had to pull out of their apprenticeships altogether when the cost of daily life—rent, bills, travel—became way too expensive. That's why we are introducing the housing construction apprenticeship program. This will provide a $10,000 incentive to apprentices in residential construction trades. This means that someone who wants to become a plumber or a bricklayer will have extra support.”
“We also inherited a workforce sorely lacking in skilled tradespeople—a gap that was holding back our economy and denying Australians the chance to learn secure and rewarding skills. That's why we've made it a priority to invest in our trades and TAFE system. Through the National Skills Agreement, we are delivering a historic $12.6 billion investment to rebuild TAFE. This agreement, signed with states and territories, will provide 300,000 fee-free TAFE places in areas in critical need, including aged care, child care and the digital economy. We've also made free TAFE permanent because we believe that every Australian deserves the opportunity to gain the skills they need to build a better future. Free TAFE has already helped over 355,000 Australians access training since its introduction.”
“Today I stand in strong support of this motion recognising the Albanese government's steadfast commitment to supporting apprentices and rebuilding our trade sector, addressing the crucial skill shortage created by the previous government neglecting investment in TAFE and trades as vital for our country's future. Many of us know that for everyday Australians real opportunity is far more than a talking point; it can be the difference between scraping by and setting a solid foundation for the future. I have lived that reality myself. Before I set foot in this chamber, I spent 15 years baking and stacking shelves, and it showed me what a genuine chance at training and a stable income can mean for a person's life. When we took office, we inherited a TAFE system that had been neglected for over a decade.”
“I thank all firefighters in Holt, especially those at Hampton Park, Narre Warren, Clyde, Devon Meadows, Tooradin and Warneet-Blind Bight CFAs, for their dedication to protecting our community every single day.”
“Last week marked 16 years since Black Saturday, Australia's deadliest bushfire disaster. That tragic day is forever etched in our nation's memory. Fuelled by extreme heat, nearly 400 fires burned across Victoria. More than 19,000 CFA personnel responded, selflessly sacrificing their time and in some cases their lives to protect others. The devastation reached communities across the state, including suburbs once thought safe. Homes were lost even in our own community, in Narre Warren South. While we have learned valuable lessons that have helped save lives, bushfire seasons are becoming more intense. We saw this with the Black Summer fires of 2019, the recent Los Angeles wildfires and this year's fires in the Grampians. Investments in data and aircraft are vital but they mean little without firefighters on the front line.”
“Congratulations to all the players and teams in my electorate on an incredible season. I look forward to catching a few more games before the season wraps up in March.”
“There's nothing better than sitting down on a hot summer's day with a cold drink in hand and watching the cricket. What a summer of cricket it has been. From Australia's dominant Boxing Day Test win over India to another fantastic victory just last week in Sri Lanka, it has been a season to remember. While we have been cheering for the debut of Sam Konstas and celebrating our national success, I want to take a moment to acknowledge our local cricket teams, who have been giving it their all this summer. On Australia Day, I had the pleasure of attending the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association's Kookaburra Cup final, hosted by Devon Meadows. It was a great match, with Tooradin Cricket Club reclaiming its T20 championship title over Koo Wee Rup. I want to thank the Devon Meadows club president Mick for inviting me along.”
“Every one of these policies is making a difference to families in our community, and every single one of these policies has been opposed by Peter Dutton. The contrast is clear—”
“Lobster, caviar and steak tartare—this is the bill that the taxpayer will be footing for under Peter Dutton's economic plan. While the Liberals plan to hand out tax cuts to the wealthy and fund luxurious lunches for business owners, Labor is delivering real relief to working Australians, especially those in the outer suburbs who are feeling the pain of cost-of-living pressures. Unlike the Liberals, we understand what families in Holt and across Australia are going through. That's why Labor has delivered a tax cut for every single taxpayer, $300 in Commonwealth energy bill relief and cheaper child care. Labor has wiped billions off student debt, delivered pay rises for aged-care workers and early childhood educators, delivered fee-free TAFE and—that's not all—delivered cheaper medicines.”
“That's why I will keep working for you in federal parliament to deliver more relief, more opportunities and a stronger future for every family in the electorate of Holt.”
“As a result, 96 per cent of families in Holt are better off, with the average taxpayer saving $1,700 a year. And that's not all. We introduced a $300 energy bill rebate to help families manage rising electricity costs. Families have already received $150 with another $75 on the way next month. This has helped push down power bills by 17.9 per cent across the nation. These reforms are all about helping families focus on what matters the most—each other. Every single dollar you save is another dollar that goes towards supporting your family. I understand this and the government understands this. While the Liberal Party is focused on giving billions of dollars of taxpayer money to pay for CEO lunches, I know that families are still feeling the pressure of the cost of living.”
“It is what building a stronger future looks like, because when we invest in our children we invest in a brighter, fairer and more prosperous Australia. Under Labor, that's exactly what we'll keep doing. But we know families need more than just childcare support. They need relief from the rising cost of living. As someone who has spent most of my life working for minimum wage, I know how important it is to save every single dollar. Last year, backed by passionate members of this House, the Prime Minister made the brave decision to redesign the coalition's unfair stage 3 tax cuts. Under the coalition, billions would have flowed into the wealthiest households. Instead, Labor redesigned the tax cuts so that it benefits low- to middle-income families.”
“Labor believe no family should have to make that choice. That's why we are taking the first step towards universal early childhood education. We will start ensuring every child can access at least three days of subsidised care a fortnight by abolishing the unfair activity test. This test has hurt low-income families the most, forcing parents to ask themselves, 'Is it worth it?' Labor are saying: 'Yes, it is worth it. Your child deserves a quality education; you deserve support.' As Wendy Black, director of policy at the Business Council of Australia, has said: A contemporary, universal childcare system can ensure … Australians have the foundational skills they … need over their lifetime and maximise the human talent pipeline of our nation. This is what investing in families looks like.”
“For too long, early childhood educators, who nurture and shape our children in their most important years, have been underpaid and undervalued. That's why Labor delivered a 15 per cent pay rise for them. This investment is already making a difference. One provider, Goodstart, saw a 35 per cent increase in job applications since signing on to the agreement. That means more passionate educators staying in the sector and more children getting the quality care they deserve. We are also investing $1 billion to expand childcare places right where they're needed the most—in growing suburbs like Clyde, Cranbourne West and Botanic Ridge. Thousands of families are moving in every year. They need accessible, high-quality child care. This will be life changing for parents, especially mothers, who are too often forced to choose between work and care.”
“We are making sure parents have the support they need from the very start of life. Labor created paid parental leave because parents deserve time to bond with their newborns. Now we are expanding it to 26 weeks, giving mums and dads more time with their little ones. For the first time, we are paying superannuation on paid parental leave because no mother should retire with less simply because she took time out to care for her family. Supporting families doesn't stop there. We know that child care is not just about convenience; it's about giving every child the best start in life. This is why we've made early childhood education more affordable for 96 per cent of families, saving them an average of $2,700 since we introduced our reforms.”
“We stand for families, we stand for a stronger, fairer and more compassionate Australia and we will never, ever back down from that fight. Families are at the heart of everything this government does because families are the foundations of our lives, our communities and our future. Labor understands this. In Holt, which covers Hampton Park, Narre Warren South, Lynbrook, Lyndhurst, all of Cranbourne, Clyde, Pearcedale and Tooradin, I see this every day. Holt is where young families move to start their lives together. It is where they get married, buy their first homes and welcome their first children into the world. Nearly three-quarters of households in our community are families with children. Their hopes and dreams drive me every single day. That's why I have been laser focused on delivering for them.”
“They want to reintroduce ministerial direction 80 banning refugees from sponsoring family members. And it doesn't stop there. They want to slash Australia's humanitarian intake, cutting offshore humanitarian visas from 20,000 places to just 13,000 places per year. That means fewer people finding safety, fewer families finding hope and fewer children finding a future free from fear. This is the Liberal Party's legacy: cruelty, division and heartlessness. Labor rejects this. We believe in fairness. We believe in compassion. We believe that no child should be separated from their parents and that no person should be denied the chance to rebuild their life in safety. This is why we fight for families who call Australia home.”
“For 10 long years, they were left in uncertainty, unable to return to the homes they had fled, unable to build secure futures and unable to reunite with their families. Labor could not let that injustice continue. Since being elected, we have given 19,150 people the dignity and security they deserve, transitioning them on to permanent visas and finally giving them a pathway out of limbo. Just as importantly, we have reunited families. We have granted 8,000 visas to the partners and children of these families because no government should ever be in the business of keeping families apart. Yet the Liberal Party want to undo this progress. They are already threatening to revoke resolution-of-status visas, ripping stability away from thousands of people who have already endured so much.”
“Family is everything. It is the foundation of our lives, our communities and our future. Labor understands this. That's why family must be at the heart of everything we do as a government, because when families are together, they thrive, and when families thrive, the entire nation is stronger. For too long, thousands of families in Australia were torn apart, left in limbo by a system that refused to see them as people, as parents, as children and as loved ones. These were people who came to our shores seeking safety, arriving before Operation Sovereign Borders came into effect in 2013. They fled war. They fled persecution. Many fled the brutality of the Taliban. They sought refuge in Australia, the country that prides itself on giving people a fair go. But for over a decade, the Liberal Party denied them that fair go.”
“He paved the way for people like me to follow, breaking barriers and showing our community that multicultural Australians belong in the rooms where decisions are made. Jude was more than just a political role model. He was a dear friend and a mentor. His loss is deeply felt, but his impact will continue to be seen in the legacy he left behind. He will always be missed. Rest in eternal peace, Jude.”
“As chair of the parliamentary friends of Sri Lanka, I am committed to fostering even stronger ties between our two nations. Happy Independence Day! I'm honoured to stand here as the first Sri Lankan born member of the federal parliament, but I am not the first Sri Lankan born member of any lower house in Australia. That was Jude Perera, who was elected as the member for Cranbourne in 2022. Six months ago, we lost Jude, and I want to reflect on his legacy. For 16 years Jude dedicated himself to representing the people of Cranbourne in the Victorian parliament. He was a tireless advocate, a leader in our community and an inspiration to so many, including me. When Jude was elected, there were very few people who looked like us in any parliament across Australia and none in this House.”
“Seventy-seven years ago today, the country of my birth, Sri Lanka, gained its independence from Britain. It was a moment of great pride for Sri Lankans, marking the end of more than four centuries of colonisation by European powers: first the Portuguese, then the Dutch and, finally, the British. For many, independence was the start of a new chapter filled with hope and ambition. Like any nation, Sri Lanka has faced challenges along the way, but one thing that has remained constant is its deep and enduring friendship with Australia. That friendship is reflected in the Sri Lankan Australian community, which I am so proud to be a part of. Today, more than 145,000 people of Sri Lankan heritage call Australia home. We have built our lives here, contributed to our communities and embraced the opportunities that our new home has given us.”
“It's a place where hard work and determination can turn dreams into reality. If a young girl from Sri Lanka can be elected to this House, then anything is possible in our great nation. Happy Australia Day!”
“We recently celebrated one of the most important days of the year, Australia Day. Australia Day is a time to celebrate who we are as a nation, our history, our people, and the values that make this country so great. Over the last 277 years, people from all walks of life have come to this continent, bringing ambition, courage and a deep love for Australia. This love was on full display in Lynbrook on Australia Day at my annual Australia Day barbecue. It was great to see the community gather to celebrate the values that we hold so dear. As former Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard said, 'What makes us Australian is not where you come from, it is the values you share: democracy, equality and respect for one another.' Australia is a land of freedom, opportunity and stunning beauty.”