Dan Repacholi
Hunter · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“It's practical and it's most certainly overdue I want to spend a bit more time on why this transparency matters in the real world. When people cannot see the cost up front, they're making decisions in the dark. They might pick the first specialist they referred to without knowing that there are more affordable ones right near them.”
“He said to me, 'I just want to focus on getting better and not having to worry about the bill.' This is the kind of uncertainty that is not accidental. When more of the burden is pushed onto individuals and people are expected to navigate the costs on their own, this is exactly what happens.”
“We tried that, and it simply didn't work. Out of thousands of eligible specialists, only a handful chose to share their fees. That is not transparency. That is a system that leaves patients in the dark. This bill fixes it by using data we already have—medical data, hospital billing data, insurer data.”
“If we make the system clearer, simpler and easier to understand, we remove more barriers. We make it more likely that they will actually take that next step, book the appointment, follow through with treatment and get checked early instead of late. That saves lives. And it's not just about physical health.”
“I've spoken to a family in Singleton whose teenage daughter needed a specialist consultation. They were trying to do the right thing, following the medical advice they were given, and get Olivia the care she needed, but they were given very little clarity on the cost.”
“They can see whether a doctor participates in gap-cover arrangements. They can understand what their insurer is likely to cover. This is common sense. It's something that people expect. This bill also provides transparency around hospitals and insurers. It will show which doctors operate at which facilities.”
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“My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering higher wages and more jobs for working Australians, and what are the biggest threats to this record delivery?”
“But Noel's story isn't just about cancer. It's about guts, determination and looking out for others. Even while going through treatment, he spoke up for people going through and living with rare cancers and pushed for better support. He's a proud member of the Hunter Valley Pie Hunters, and I'm looking forward to catching up with Noel for a beer, a pie, a banh mi and a burger soon. Do you know how we find out about these sorts of things? We go and see our GPS and bulk-billing GPS. The Albanese Labor government has made sure there are more bulk-billing GPS all around this beautiful country. Remember, blokes, if you're out there, go and see your GP, get a blood test and get a check-up. Cheers.”
“Tomorrow is Rare Cancer Awareness Day, and I want to recognise a bloke from Branxton in my electorate Noel Carmona. Noel is a miner, a husband, a dad, a bloke who loves his sport and a beer and is well respected around the community. In 2023, after a cough just wouldn't go away, he was diagnosed with stage 4 thymic carcinoma, a cancer so rare it's been described as one in a million. Since then, Noel has been through more than anybody should have to face. He's had surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and clinical trials. Part of his tumour couldn't be removed because it was attached to his thymus, lung and heart. On top of that, he's had to wear the costs for this treatment himself because it wasn't covered by the PBS, all while still fighting for more time with his precious wife and their young son, Mateo.”
“That is something that everyone in this House should support, and I really hope those opposite get onboard and support this, because at the end of the day the people in the Hunter and the people all around Australia want to see us work together. They want an opposition that works with us in government so we can make Australia a better and fairer place. That is why this bill is so important and that is why I support this bill. I commend the bill to the House.”
“It focuses on the consumers and it responds to real issues that people are facing. As somebody who spends a lot of time talking to people about their health, especially men, who do not always engage early, I know how important it is to remove barriers. Cost uncertainty is a barrier. Lack of information is a barrier. This bill tackles both of those. It also sends a broader message about the kind of health system we want in this country—one that is fair, one that is clear and one that puts patients first. At the end of the day, that is what this is all about. It is about patients. It is about helping people get the care they need when they need it without unnecessary stress or confusion.”
“It gives them the ability to compare and contrast, to ask questions, to make choices and to make the system more accountable. I've spoken to older residents in places like Cessnock and Singleton who are trying to manage on fixed incomes. They tell me they worry about needing specialist care, because they are not sure what it will cost them. That uncertainty should not be there. Health care should be about getting better, not about guessing what the bill will be. This bill helps address that. It strengthens Medicare by supporting better decision-making. It improves private health insurance by closing loopholes and increasing oversight. And it delivers on a clear commitment to transparency. There is still more work to do on health. There always will be. But this is a solid step forward. It is practical.”
“Families are budgeting carefully. When health costs are uncertain, it creates anxiety. This bill does not solve every issue in this system, but it's a practical step in the right direction. It gives people more control, more information and more confidence, and it holds parts of the system to account. That is what good reform should do. I want to go back to something very simple. If you were getting work done in your house, you would expect a quote. If you were getting your car fixed, you would expect a price. You would not agree to a job without knowing what the actual cost is going to be. But in health care too many people are asked to do exactly that—sign up for treatment without knowing the full picture. That is what this bill changes. It puts information back in the hands of patients.”
“If we make the system clearer, simpler and easier to understand, we remove more barriers. We make it more likely that they will actually take that next step, book the appointment, follow through with treatment and get checked early instead of late. That saves lives. And it's not just about physical health. When people avoid care because of cost concerns, it adds to stress. It weighs on them. It affects their mental health as well. I've spoken to blokes who say they worry about their bills and it keeps them up at night. That's part of the picture too. Clear information helps take some of that pressure away. It gives people a sense of control, and that really does matter. I also want to touch on the broader context. Health costs are one of the biggest pressures that people are feeling right now. The cost of living is tight.”
“Families are making tough choices about what they can and can't afford, and, when they do pay for private health insurance, they want to know it's worth it. This bill helps rebuild that trust. It puts stronger checks in place, makes the system more transparent and makes insurers more accountable. I've also heard from younger families in Cameron Park who are weighing up whether to keep their private health cover at all. They are looking at rising premiums and uncertain benefits and wondering if it's worth it. If we want people to stay in the system, we have to make sure the system is fair and clear. This bill is part of that. From a men's health perspective, transparency and confidence matter. We know that men are less likely to engage with the health system. We know they are more likely to delay.”
“It requires insurers to seek approval for premiums, not just when they change an existing product but also when they introduce a new one and when they make changes that reduce the cover or the benefits. It brings those decisions under proper oversight. It also strengthens the process around premium approvals. It formalises the premium round. It introduces a clearer public-interest test. It allows the minister to ask for more information and require insurers to justify their applications. All of that is about one thing: making sure Australians are getting value for money. I've had people in my electorate tell me they feel like their premiums keep going up but their cover does not feel like it's keeping up with that pace. The frustration is real.”
“This bill helps change that culture. It sends a clear message that patients have the right to know, and it makes that information easier to access. The second part of this bill deals with something that has been chipping away at the confidence in private health insurance. That's a practice known as product phoenixing. It sounds technical, but it's pretty straightforward. An insurer closes a product and then opens a very similar one at a higher price or with reduced value, and they avoid proper scrutiny in this process. That is not fair on consumers. That is not fair for the people of the Hunter. People think they are comparing apples with apples, but they are not. It undermines trust. This bill closes that loophole.”
“I've spoken to a family in Singleton whose teenage daughter needed a specialist consultation. They were trying to do the right thing, following the medical advice they were given, and get Olivia the care she needed, but they were given very little clarity on the cost. They rang three different clinics and got three very different answers. They ended up delaying the appointment while they tried to work out exactly what they could and couldn't afford. That delay should not happen. Another local, a retiree, Jane from Branxton, told me she felt embarrassed about asking about the costs when speaking to a specialist office. She said she felt like she was being difficult just for wanting to understand how that bill worked. No-one should feel that way. Transparency should be the norm, not something people have to push for.”
“It's practical and it's most certainly overdue I want to spend a bit more time on why this transparency matters in the real world. When people cannot see the cost up front, they're making decisions in the dark. They might pick the first specialist they referred to without knowing that there are more affordable ones right near them. They might assume their insurance will cover more than it actually does, or they might avoid care altogether. That's not a system working for patients. With better information, people can ask better questions. They can ring around; they can compare, and they can make a choice that suits their situation. That's empowering for patients. It also encourages fair pricing across the whole system, because when fees are visible, there is more pressure to keep them at a reasonable cost, and that benefits everyone.”
“They can see whether a doctor participates in gap-cover arrangements. They can understand what their insurer is likely to cover. This is common sense. It's something that people expect. This bill also provides transparency around hospitals and insurers. It will show which doctors operate at which facilities. It will show which insurers have arrangements with those facilities, and it will show the proportion of policy-holders facing different out-of-pocket costs. All of that matters when people are making decisions about their health. At the same time, it protects patient privacy. No personal information will be published. This is about system transparency, not individual exposure. And there will be a process for medical practitioners to review and query the data that's published about them. So this is balanced.”
“We tried that, and it simply didn't work. Out of thousands of eligible specialists, only a handful chose to share their fees. That is not transparency. That is a system that leaves patients in the dark. This bill fixes it by using data we already have—medical data, hospital billing data, insurer data. It brings it together and makes it available so people can compare costs and make informed decisions. We believe in strengthening Medicare and helping people navigate the system. Those opposite have argued that the current model cannot continue and that Australians will either have to pay more or face reduced access to care. This bill takes a much different approach. It puts the information in the hands of patients. That means someone in the Hunter can look up what a procedure might cost in Newcastle compared to somewhere else.”
“He said to me, 'I just want to focus on getting better and not having to worry about the bill.' This is the kind of uncertainty that is not accidental. When more of the burden is pushed onto individuals and people are expected to navigate the costs on their own, this is exactly what happens. There is confusion, delay and people missing out on care. That's exactly why transparency matters so much, and it's exactly why this bill is actually trying to fix this. It improves transparency. It gives Australians access to clear, comparable information about what medical services actually cost. Through changes to the law, it allows the Medical Costs Finder website to publish real data on what specialists charge and what out-of-pocket costs patients can expect. Importantly, this information will not rely on doctors voluntarily uploading it.”
“But when he started asking questions, he realised that there were multiple gaps, with different fees for the surgeon, the anaesthetist and the hospital. He said, 'It felt like trying to price a job without a quote.' That's the reality that people are dealing with. I will give you another example. I spoke with Pete from Cessnock, who had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Like a lot of men, he had not been for regular check-ups. When he finally did, it was serious. He did the right thing. He got the referral. He was ready to act. But when the questions came of how much it would cost, what is covered and what is not, he told me that he felt overwhelmed not just by the diagnosis but by the financial uncertainty that came with it.”
“If you add in cost uncertainty on top of that, it becomes another reason to delay, another reason to say, 'I'll deal with this later.' I've had men in my electorate tell me straight up they did not follow through with a specialist appointment because they were worried about getting hit with a bill they just couldn't afford. Tim, a young bloke from Kurri Kurri, told me he was referred to a cardiologist. He had a young family, a mortgage and rising bills. He asked what it would cost. He couldn't get a straight answer, so he waited. That's not good enough. Health care should not come with that kind of guesswork. Alex from Morisset needed a knee procedure after years of working on the tools. He had private health insurance. He thought it was covered.”
“I've spoken to plenty of people across the Hunter who have walked out of a GP appointment with their referral to a specialist only to hesitate, not because they don't want the care but because they don't know what it's going to cost them. That uncertainty is a real problem. We know that more than 800,000 Australians have delayed or missed specialist care because of cost. That is not just a number. That is people putting off treatment, and that is conditions getting worse. It is families worrying about bills instead of focusing on getting better. As somebody who serves as Special Envoy for Men's Health, I see this play out in a very real way. Blokes are already less likely to go to their doctor. They already tend to put things off.”
“It's an absolute pleasure to do this speech in front of so many of my colleagues. I am standing here today in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026. At its core, this bill is about something pretty simple. It's about making sure Aussies know what they are going to be paying for their health care. It's about giving people confidence in their private health insurance and it's about making sure the system is fair. Right now, for too many people, it unfortunately is not. While we're focused on making the system fairer and more transparent, those opposite have been very clear about their views on Medicare. They have argued that the system is unsustainable and that more of the burden should fall on individuals.”
“We work hard, we keep it real, and we produce something that is world class. To all the growers, to all the winemakers, to the cellar door staff, to the tourism operators, to the families behind these wines: we say thank you. And you know who else we say thank you to? We say thank you to the people buying these wines, giving this employment out there and getting in that little sip in of the Hunter's best and the world's best wines. Thank you for what you do. You make our region proud. Cheers!”
“Stuart Hordern from Brokenwood Wines was named Winemaker of the Year. Jerome Scarborough and Liz Riley from Scarborough Wine Co. were named Viticulturalists of the Year. Ollie Margan from Margan Family Wines was named Young Achiever of the Year. Wine Fairy Events was named Tourism Operator of the Year. Rydges Resort Hunter Valley won the Accommodation Operator of the Year for the second year in a row. And Tommo and his team at Thomas Wines were also named Cellar Door of the Year. I want to congratulate every single one of you—John Hordern, Brett Keeping, Greg West, Stuart Hordern, Jerome Scarborough, Liz Riley, Ollie Margan, the team at Wine Fairy Events, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, Thomas Wines and, of course, De Bortoli and Tyrrell's—for those national wins. wins. This is what the Hunter does.”
“These awards are not just a win for a winery; they are a win for our whole community. This year at the Hunter Valley Legends Awards, John Hordern and Brett Keeping were named Hunter Valley Wine Industry Living Legends, and Greg West was named Hunter Valley Tourism Industry Living Legend. These are people who have put the hard yards in for decades. They've grown the grapes. They've made the wine. They've opened the doors for visitors and backed the region when it really mattered. John built Horseshoe Vineyard and helped establish Hunter Wine Services. Brett helped drive vineyard expansion right across the Upper Hunter and stood up for this amazing industry. Greg spent decades promoting the Hunter through wineries, cellar door and development and tourism events. And the good news is the next crew is carrying on in this style as well.”
“If you want to know what makes the Hunter so special, you definitely don't start with a brochure. You start with a glass of the world's finest. Back home, we've always known the Hunter makes the best wine in the world, and the trophies are proving it again. At the 2026 National Wine Show of Australia, De Bortoli wines won the Sweet White Trophy with its 2022 Noble One. Tyrrell's Vineyards won the semillon trophy with its 2017 Vat 1 Semillon. To the people of the Hunter, the last result feels about right. Semillon is not just something we make; it is part of our story. What we love and what I love about the Hunter is that these wines don't happen by accident. They come from generations of families working on this land, who get up before sunrise, who watch the weather like a hawk, and who put their heart and soul into every single vintage.”
“Like many small business owners, they made sacrifices, missing family events to keep serving their community. While this marks the end of an era for the post office in Drinan Street, postal services will continue, with Piggott's pharmacy at Huntlee taking on the licence and ensuring the important service remains available locally. On behalf of the people of the Hunter electorate, I want to thank Margaret and John for their service and contribution to the Branxton area and wish them a long and happy retirement. Just like Margaret and John have done for 22 years, the Albanese Labor government is delivering. It is delivering cheaper medicines, cheaper child care and a tax break for every single working Australian. We'll keep delivering, and thank you, John and Margaret, for what you do.”
“I want to recognise and thank Margaret and John Wilson, who retire this month after 22 years running the Branxton post office. In 2003 they moved from Sydney to Branxton and took on a business that became much more than a workplace. For more than two decades they were familiar faces in the community, helping locals with postal services and building friendships along the way. During that time, they've seen the post office change from passports, book banking and letters to a hub for online shopping and parcel deliveries, while the growth of Branxton and Huntlee brought many more customers through the door. Many locals will remember John continuing to serve customers while receiving treatment for bowel cancer during COVID, reflecting the dedication and resilience that both he and Margaret brought to their work.”
“Unfortunately, because of some of those tactics used by those opposite—the scaremongering, the fear campaigning—they destroyed tourism in our area over Easter. We had businesses that were crying out to us, telling us, 'We're not getting the people through.' People were too scared to drive from Sydney to the Hunter because they were scared about getting fuel. There's more fuel in Australia now than there was before this conflict even started. This was a scare campaign; you guys were scaring motorists and travellers from coming up to the Hunter. That's what you guys opposite were doing.”
“Think about the apprentice who's been driving from Edgeworth to the job site on the other side of Singleton. Think about the cleaner finishing a night shift and heading home before sunrise. These are all people that depend on their vehicles every single day, and fuel isn't an option for them. That's why we're doing this. That's why we're working on this cost-of-living relief and helping with fuel. I also want to touch on a couple of points that the member for Wannon and those opposite brought up through the whole time we were going through this. I'm in the Hunter, and it is an absolutely beautiful area that people visit every day of the week. We're the second-largest tourism destination outside of Sydney in New South Wales.”
“But, while conditions have improved, the pressure hasn't disappeared. People are still doing it tough. Families are still carefully managing their household budgets. Businesses are still watching every dollar, and truckies are still facing substantial operating costs. That's why this bill matters. It recognises that recovery takes time. It avoids a cliff edge, and it provides a gradual return to normal settings rather than an abrupt change. That is simply better policy. It is better for households, it is better for businesses and it is better for economic stability. For communities right across the Hunter and this country, the smoother transition will make a real difference. Think about the disability support worker driving between clients across Teralba and Cooranbong. Think about the aged-care worker travelling between shifts.”
“Aussies have been dealing with the consequences of events far beyond our shores. The conflict in the Middle East created significant disruption to global fuel markets. Oil prices rose sharply, supply chains came under pressure, and motorists, families and businesses felt those impacts right here at home. Australians didn't create these problems, but they've had to pay for them, unfortunately. The Albanese Labor government recognised that reality and acted. Earlier this year we introduced a temporary 32c per litre reduction in fuel excise for three months. That provided immediate relief when global fuel prices were at their absolute highest. Since then, conditions have improved. Petrol prices have come down significantly from their peak. Diesel prices have also eased, and that's extremely welcome news for the area of the Hunter.”
“Every time they fill up, every time they go to that servo and fill that tank, that's $11. Now, $11 might not sound like much to a lot of people. But, for plenty of Aussies, $11 does matter. That's milk and bread. That's school lunches. That's helping cover the electricity bill. That's money staying in the household budget rather than disappearing at the bowser. When you're filling up every week, those savings certainly add up. I think it's important to be clear about what this bill actually is. This isn't a permanent change. It's not a blank cheque, and it's not pretending that global events do not have consequences. It is a targeted and temporary measure designed to help Australians while fuel markets continue to stabilise. It's practical support at a practical time.”
“It's how people earn a living. It's how families function. That's why fuel costs hit so hard. This bill tells those beautiful Aussies, 'We understand the pressure, and we're taking practical action to help.' This bill extends fuel excise relief from 1 July to 2 August 2026. It means petrol and diesel excise will remain at 16c per litre, lower than it otherwise would have been during that period. Without this legislation, the original temporary fuel excise reduction would expire on 30 June and motorists would have to face the full increase immediately. Instead, this bill provides a much smoother transition into that. It tapers the support rather than ending it overnight. For a family filling a standard 65-litre fuel tank, it means a saving of around $11 every trip.”
“When people in places like Wyee, West Wallsend, Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, Broke and Singleton pull into a servo, they are not talking about excise rates or international oil markets. They're thinking about whether they can afford to fill the tank before dropping the kids off at school; whether they can go to work and back before payday; whether they can take the kids to the footy, the netball or the basketball that weekend; and whether they can keep the family budget afloat for just another week. In communities like those in the Hunter—where many people travel significant distances for work, where shift workers are on the road before dawn and home long after dark, and where public transport doesn't always get people to where they need to go when they need to get there—the car is often not a luxury but a necessity.”
“It's an absolute pleasure to follow the member for Wannon on this conversation, and I've got a few things I'll get to there on what he had to say. Every Aussie knows the feeling. You pull into the servo. You look at the numbers on the bowser and hope the tank doesn't need quite as much as you thought. For a lot of families, a lot of tradies, a lot of truckies and a lot of small businesses, fuel prices aren't some economic statistic; they're a weekly bill. They're part of the household budget, they're part of the cost of running a business and they're part of the reason people are still feeling pressure, even though we've made real progress on inflation. That's why I'm pleased to support the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief No. 2) Bill 2026.”
“To all the other Olympians around the world, happy Olympic Day to you as well. You know what can make this happen? We work hard. We train hard in what we do to represent the country at the highest levels. And you know what we need? Sometimes we need good health care to make that happen as well, and the Albanese Labor government has now opened 137 urgent care clinics all around this country. When you're training hard, when you pull a hammy or when you hurt yourself, you can get in there and get the help you need. Make sure you get to one of the 137 urgent care clinics all around the country.”
“I want to say to my fellow 4,585 Australian Olympians: happy Olympic Day. Today is Olympic Day. Thank you for what you've done for this amazing country of ours: Australia. Thank you for representing at the highest of levels. Thank you for working so hard and putting everything in front so that you can be representing this beautiful country on the world's biggest stage. You're amazing people. Thank you for what you do and not only for what you do—but thank you to all the mums, the dads, the grandparents and support staff out there that help get your brother, your sister, your son, your cousin or your nephew to the Olympic Games. Thank you for all the work you've done. To all the coaches out there and to all the support staff, thank you for the work that you've all done as well in helping those 4,585 Olympians in this country.”
“Do the test, and send it back. It's one of the only times you can put some crap in an envelope and send it back to government and it actually might save your life. If something doesn't feel right, make sure you go and talk to your doctor. You're never too young to have bowel cancer. Don't tough it out. Don't ignore the signs. Unfortunately, only 41.7 per cent of those test kits get sent back to government for us to check. And, unfortunately, too many people are getting checked too late and finding out they do have bowel cancer. If having one uncomfortable conversation today means more Aussies get checked, then it's a conversation worth having. Make sure you check your bowels.”
“Bowel cancer is one of those things that a lot of people don't like talking about. It's not exactly the best pub conversation, but the truth is it affects thousands of Aussie families every year and too many lives are being lost because people put off getting checked. The good news is that bowel cancer is one of the most treatable cancers if it's found early, and that's why the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is so important. The test is simple. It can be done at home and it could save your life. We all know someone who reckons they'll get around to it later. They feel fine, they're busy and they don't think it'll happen to them. But bowel cancer does not wait for a convenient time. So my message is pretty simple: if the kit turns up in your letterbox, use it. Don't put it in the drawer. Don't leave it on the kitchen bench.”
“Whilever there's a demand for it on the international market, we will supply that demand. Thank you for what you do, day in and day out. Keep up the great work, and I'm looking forward to having a beer with you. Cheers!”
“It's a story written by miners, tradies, engineers, machine operators, truckies and small-business owners. It's a story of communities that have helped power Australia for generations. As the member for Hunter, I'll always stand up for those workers and those communities. When mining succeeds, the Hunter succeeds. When mining invests, local businesses grow. When mining creates jobs, local families benefit. When mining contributes billions in taxes and royalties, every Australian shares in that success. The Hunter has helped build this country. Our workers have helped power this country, and our mining industry will continue to play a vital role in Australia's future. To all the miners out there in the Hunter and all around Australia: thank you for what you do. Whilever people want to buy our coal, we will sell them our coal.”
“Australia is already a world leader in iron ore, metallurgical coal, lithium and mineral sands. We are also rich in critical minerals that the world needs for advanced manufacturing, renewable technologies and national security. That's why this government has backed the resources sector while investing in Australia's future. Since 2022 the government has announced more than $28 billion to grow Australia's critical mineral industry and strengthen our position in the global supply chains. For a community like the Hunter, that means opportunity. It means new investment, it means new jobs and it means giving local workers confidence that their skills will continue to be valued for decades to come. The story of the Hunter has always been a one of hard work.”
“Too often people focus only on what comes out of the ground. They forget what flows back into our communities. Mining helps fund Medicare. Mining helps fund our schools. Mining helps fund our infrastructure. And mining helps fund emergency services and national defence. According to industry data, Australian mining paid around $74 billion in taxes and royalties in a single year. That's money that helps deliver the services Australia depends on every single day. The Hunter understands that better than most. We know that a strong resources sector and a strong future go hand in hand. We know that skills developed in mining today will help build the industries of tomorrow, and we know that, as the world changes, Australia has an enormous opportunity to remain a global resources powerhouse.”
“More than 1,000 local suppliers are directly supported by the industry, and mining generates around $2.7 billion in annual direct spending through business purchases—community contributions and payments that all flow back into our region. That's thousands of families who rely on this industry. That's thousands of workers who get up every day, put their boots on and head to work knowing they're helping support their family and contributing to Australia's prosperity. It's also hundreds of local businesses that rely on a strong resources sector. Whether it's an engineering shop in Mount Thorley, a cafe in Morisset, a transport operator in Cessnock or a family owned business in Singleton, the benefits of mining flow right across our region. That's why we need to have honest conversations about what mining delivers.”
“The sector contributed more than $50 billion in company tax and almost $22 billion in royalties, helping fund schools, hospitals, roads and services Australians rely on every single day. Mining alone delivered $231 billion in exports last year, and employs more than 310,000 Aussies. It remains Australia's most productive industry, and one of our greatest economic strengths. But for me, these numbers aren't just national statistics; they have real meaning to me in the Hunter. In my electorate, mining supports thousands and thousands of local jobs. Those workers earn more than $396 million in wages each year, supporting local households, local shops and local communities.”
“Today I want to talk about one of the industries that has helped build our nation and continues to power communities like mine in the Hunter. When people talk about mining, they are not talking about some distant industry. In the Hunter, mining is our neighbours; it is our night shift workers; it is the apprentices starting their careers; it is the small businesses supplying equipment, meals, transport and services; it is the families putting food on the table; and it is the communities that have been built on generations of hardworking Aussies. Mining matters to Australia and mining matters to the Hunter. Across Australia, the resources sector continues to be one of the biggest contributors to our national prosperity. Resources and energy exports were worth around $385 billion in 2024-25.”
“My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. How is the Albanese Labor government working with our farmers, fishers and producers to secure more fuel and fertiliser to help keep Australia's food production system strong?”
“To every other winemaker, wine producer, cellar door and grower in the Hunter Valley: thank you for what you do, for what you do for our area and for what you do for the people of Australia every single day.”
“We know the passion our local winemakers and growers put into what they do, and we know the Hunter keeps producing wines that stand up against the very best in the world. The Hunter has the trophies and awards to back it in. This recognition is a credit to Aaron, Alison, their whole team and everybody that has supported Mercer Wines along the way, from growers to customers to trade partners, friends and the wider Hunter community. It's another proud moment for Mercer Wines and another proud moment for the Hunter Valley. The Hunter Valley has so much to offer. We have the world's best wines, as I've said thousands of times in this place.”
“The Hunter Valley has done it again. We all know the Hunter produces the best wine in the country and, I would argue, the best wine anywhere in the world. Now we've got another award to prove it. I want to give a massive congratulations to my mate Aaron Mercer, from Mercer Wines, on being named Rising Star of the Year Australia at the Real Review's Top Wineries of Australia Awards 2026. This is a huge achievement. The Real Review is one of the most respected wine authorities in the country. For a local Hunter winemaker to take this title out tells us a lot about the quality that's coming out of our region. Anyone from the Hunter already knows that. We know how hard the work that goes into every vintage is.”
“But the plan also identified important gaps that still need further work: questions around impact on non-target species, questions around water quality, questions around disease transmission through river systems, questions around broader environmental— A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 13:20 to 16:00”