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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“I rise today to stand with the workers of Myuna Colliery, their families and the Lake Macquarie community being treated as a throwaway item by Origin Energy. For more than three years, I've stood with the Mining and Energy Union, demanding that Origin do the right thing. For more than three years, Origin has stalled and dodged responsibilities. Let's be clear about what's actually happening here. Myuna Colliery was built for one purpose: to supply coal to Eraring Power Station. There is no alternative market for them. Origin has locked in Eraring's operation until at least 2029. They are generating power. They are selling electricity. They are making huge profits. Yet they refuse to guarantee the local jobs that make the operation possible.”
“His leadership during the floods and emergencies across New South Wales, his courage in life-saving rescues and his commitment to mentoring others have made a lasting impact on the community and community safety and resilience. Singleton's Young Achiever of the Year, Layla Korff, represents the next generation of leaders. Through her longstanding involvement with the Girl Guides, community events and youth mentoring. Layla has created inclusive spaces where young people can build confidence, skills and a sense of belonging. These award recipients remind us that strong communities are built by people who show up, look out for one another and give time without exception. Cessnock and Singleton should be incredibly proud of all of you that are involved in this. Thank you very much, and thank you for what you do for our communities.”
“I also want to acknowledge the team at Nulkaba Parkrun, the Community Event of the Year. I duck in there occasionally. I don't do so well, but I do get there. I acknowledge Castiel Martin for the Environment Award; Valerie Randall for the Heritage Award; and the many Community Award recipients, including Cessnock Women's Connect, Pastor Amanda Francis, Happy Paws Happy Hearts Hunter, Patricia Maybury, Charlie McLennan, Colleen Payne and Vicki Steep. I turn to the Singleton Citizen of the Year. Tim Merrick embodies service in the truest sense. For 16 years, Tim has volunteered with the New South Wales State Emergency Service while working full time as a teacher at Singleton High.”
“Tracey has also played a central role in developing Cessnock's annual NAIDOC celebrations, helping to build understanding, pride and respect for Aboriginal culture across the broader community. Her strengths and connections preserve cultural heritage and ensure people feel seen, heard and supported. Cessnock award recipients reflect the breadth of the community and the spirit of our region. Senior Citizen of the Year Janece Harrison continues to give back with quiet determination. Thank you for what you do. Young Citizen of the Year Taylee Short has made a remarkable contribution through her volunteering and community involvement, giving her time to local events, youth activities and community support initiatives. Taylee's willingness to step up, help others and lead by example shows that community service has a strong future in Cessnock.”
“I rise today to recognise some truly outstanding Aussies from the Cessnock and Singleton local government areas whose service, generosity and leadership remind us what community spirit really looks like in the Hunter. In the Cessnock LGA, the 2026 Citizen of the Year award has been presented to Tracey Skene, and it is richly deserved too. Through her tireless work with not-for-profit organisation Kiray Putjung, Tracey has created safe, welcoming and culturally strong spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the region. Her leadership in organising cultural and healing camps, workshops and support programs has provided guidance, connection and opportunity for personal growth for many in our community.”
“My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering cheaper medicines for all Australians and making life-changing medicines available on the PBS? Why is this so important after a decade of cuts and neglect?”
“They don't want a scaled-back service, they don't want stories replaced with content from somewhere else and they certainly don't want to lose the hour-long local bulletin that has kept communities informed for generations. Regional media isn't a nice-to-have; it's essential. It holds decision-makers to account. It tells the stories that won't make it onto capital city news, and it gives people confidence that what matters in their towns, their streets and their workplaces actually counts. Keeping strong locally-produced news alive means backing local journalists, backing local camera operators and backing local voices. If we care about strong regions, we must care about strong regional media and we must make sure it stays truly local.”
“Regional media matters because local stories matter. For more than 60 years, NBN News has been part of the fabric of the Hunter. It's been through floods, fires, factory openings, factory closures, footy grand finals, school achievements and community heartbreaks. It's how the people see themselves reflected on the screens all around the Hunter. So it's encouraging to see regional media being invested in. The recent purchase of NBN News by WIN Network is a reminder that local broadcasting still has value. But investment must come with a clear commitment that local content must stay local. People across the Hunter are rightly concerned about what change might mean.”
“It's decency when division is easy. And it's action, not words alone. Today we remember the 15 lives stolen. We honour those who helped. We stand with those who are hurting. And we recommit ourselves to confronting hatred wherever it appears, together as Australians.”
“Jewish Australians have made a profound contribution to this country across business, medicine, science, culture, education and public life. Australia is stronger when every community feels safe, respected and valued. This is not about politics; it is all about values. It's about the kind of country we want our children to grow up in—one where difference is respected, not feared, where disagreement never turns into dehumanisation and where violence is never excused. This moment demands unity that refuses hatred—unity that says violence will never win and unity that meets fear with courage and division with decency. Australians are at our best when we look out for one another, stand up for our neighbours and choose fairness and kindness over fear and cruelty. The answer to hatred is not more hatred. It's resolve in the face of fear.”
“No Australian should ever have to ask that because of who they are, how they pray or the traditions they pass on to their children. When people feel the need to hide their faith or avoid gatherings out of fear, this is not freedom. This is not the Australia that we believe in, and this is not acceptable. Confronting antisemitism is not the job for one community alone; it is a responsibility for all of us—governments, institutions, leaders and everyday Australians. Silence allows hate to grow, and calling it out, stopping it and standing up to it are how we push back. This motion also affirms the right of every Jewish Australian to live, work, worship and learn in peace and safety, to gather without fear, to practise their faith openly and to participate fully in the Australian way of life.”
“We honour the first responders, healthcare workers and surf lifesavers who acted with calm, skill and determination to save lives. Their actions mattered. Their professionalism mattered. Because of them, lives were saved and families were spared unbearable losses. We also honour everyday Australians who showed incredible bravery—people who stepped up and stepped in to help strangers, shield others and try to save lives at great personal risk to themselves. Some were wounded, and some were killed while protecting others. They are heroes—not because they wore a uniform but because they acted with compassion and courage when it mattered most, in moments of fear and uncertainty. This tragedy has forced many Jewish Australians to ask a very painful question: am I safe here? Am I safe here in Australia?”
“It has no place in Australia, not in our streets, our schools, our workplaces, our places of worship or our politics. We condemn it without hesitation and without condition. The attack at Bondi has left deep scars not only on those who were injured but on everyone who witnessed the horror of that night. Men, women and children will carry that trauma for a long time, and some will carry that for the rest of their lives. They deserve our care, our support and our understanding not just in the days after this tragedy but in the months and years that follow, as healing takes time, and support must endure. In the midst of this horror we saw extraordinary courage. We honour the police officers who ran towards danger.”
“On 14 December, 15 innocent people were murdered at Bondi Beach. They were mums and dads, sons and daughters, friends and neighbours, who had gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, a moment of faith, family and light, and instead they were met with violence and hate. To their families and loved ones, I offer my deepest condolences. No words can ever ease your grief. No speech could undo what has been taken from you, but today this parliament and this nation stand with you in sorrow and in solidarity, united in mourning and remembrance. What happened at Bondi was not random; it was deliberate. It was an act of pure terrorism, and it was targeted at Australia's Jewish community. We must say that clearly. We must not soften it, and we must not look away. Antisemitism is pure evil.”
“Mental Health Month is not just a date on the calendar. It is something that should be looked at every day of the week, and I urge every male out there to make sure you are looking after your health and your mental health as best as you can because mental health and physical health go hand in hand. If we're struggling, we need to be talking to our GPs. Get out, and see your GP. Do yourself a favour on your birthday—book in an appointment with your GP. Make it normal to see them. Get a blood test, and talk about your mental health. If you are struggling, reach out because help is available. Please make sure you do it, and remember it's not weak to speak.”
“Strengthening social connection through sport, volunteering, culture, clubs, Men's Sheds or community groups is often one of the most effective ways to protect men's wellbeing. Men themselves can also take practical steps to protect their mental health—sleeping well, eating well, staying active, limiting alcohol, spending more time with mates, reconnecting with hobbies, reaching out early when something feels wrong and getting help to build resilience, balance and wellbeing. But when things get tough, support is always available. Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Men's Line, the Suicide Call Back Service, 13YARN, Kids Helpline and headspace are ready to assist at any hour for any reason. These services provide confidential and non-judgemental support, and we need to make sure we keep getting people to reach out to them.”
“Check in again later because one conversation is just the beginning, not the end. These small moments all matter. These conversations save lives. Workplaces can do even more by encouraging open discussions, providing mental health training, offering flexible work arrangements, building supportive environments and promoting early intervention. Employers can help reduce risk and create healthy cultures. Workplaces that value mental health do not just protect workers; they build stronger, safer and more productive teams. Communities also play a powerful role. When men feel connected to family, friends, culture or community, they are healthier and safer. When men feel isolated, unconnected or ashamed, their risks increase significantly.”
“As important as funding and programs are, they alone cannot overcome the biggest barrier which is, unfortunately, stigma—stigma around mental health, stigma around seeking help, stigma around what it means to be a man. Too many men still believe that asking for support shows weakness. Too many fear being judged. Too many think they'll be letting their families down if they admit they are struggling. But, in truth, speaking up is a sign of strength and a sign of responsibility and courage. Every Australian can play a part in breaking down that stigma. Movember promotes a simple and effective method called ALEC—ask, listen, encourage action and check in. Ask a mate how he is really going. Listen carefully without rushing to fix or judge. Encourage action such as talking to a GP, calling a support service or opening up to somebody close.”
“SMS4dads, developed by the University of Newcastle, sends out simple but powerful messages to new dads, reminding them they are not alone and providing guidance during the early and often overwhelming months of fatherhood. For First Nations men, who face suicide rates around three times higher than non-Indigenous men, culturally safe services like Brother to Brother and 13YARN are absolutely vital. These services are run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They recognise the importance of culture, community and connection in healing. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy is designed with strong community leadership, supports long term change and local self-determined solutions.”
“That includes expanding bulk-billing incentives, more affordable psychology and support that meets people where they are. Importantly, these programs are designed specifically for men because we know that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work. The Men's Table gives men a safe, structured and confidential place to talk openly with other men. MATES in Construction, MATES in Energy and MATES in Manufacturing provide practical support for workers in high-risk industries. These programs save lives not just by offering professional help but by building cultures where it is normal to check in on your mates. Dads in Distress assists separated fathers who often feel isolated and unsure of where to turn. DadBooster provides online support for new fathers navigating the huge transition into parenthood.”
“I've spoken to farmers who carry enormous financial pressures and the weight of generational expectations. I've spoken to tradies who will not mention how they're feeling on site because they do not want to make things awkward on site. These experiences are real, and they are far more common than many people realise. This is why addressing men's mental health requires a whole lot of community effort and why the Australian government continues to invest significantly in mental health services, prevention and support. This year, around $7.8 billion is supporting mental health services, suicide prevention initiatives, digital programs and growth of a strong mental health workforce. Through Strengthening Medicare, more than $1 billion is helping Australians—especially young people—access support earlier and more easily.”
“For generations, Australian men have been taught, directly and indirectly, that expressing emotion is a weakness, that asking for help is embarrassing and that suffering in silence is the strong thing to do. This old stereotype is costing lives in this country. The risks are even higher in male dominated industries such as construction, mining, transport, agriculture, emergency services, defence and fly-in fly-out work. These industries come with long hours, isolation, physical strain, high-pressure environments and irregular shifts that disrupt routines and relationships. Many men in these sectors feel significant pressure to push through and avoid being seen as a burden or a problem. I've spoken to miners who work two weeks on and one week off and feel completely disconnected from their families.”
“Part of the challenge is that men often show signs of mental ill health in ways that can easily be misunderstood. For many men, poor mental health does not always include or look like sadness. It may come out as anger, frustration, disengagement, drinking more than usual, withdrawing from mates, losing interest in activities once enjoyed and loved, changes in behaviour at work, or physical symptoms such as headaches, insomnia and ongoing stomach pain. These signs can easily be overlooked—not because people don't care but because men themselves have grown up believing they should hide emotions, suppress vulnerability and simply soldier on.”
“It's an enormous and preventable loss that should give us all the time to pause and reflect on these horrifying statistics, because behind each and every one of those numbers is a real life—a father, a son, a brother, a mate, a co-worker, a neighbour. When a man dies by suicide, it never just affects one person. Families carry that grief for years and years. Children grow up without their dads. Partners lose the person they planned a life with. Mates feel shock, guilt and heartbreak. Communities feel the loss deeply, often for generations. Despite this enormous burden, men remain far more likely not to seek any help. Only around one-third of men experiencing a mental health condition saw a health professional last year. Many waited weeks or even months before reaching out and, tragically, some never reached out at all.”
“I rise today to speak about Mental Health Month and, in particular, the mental health of Australian men. This is an issue that cuts across every part of our society. It affects every community, every workplace and every family. No matter where you live, what work you do or what your background is, every community in this country has men who are doing it tough, often without saying a word. The truth is simple, and it's also very confronting: Australian men are struggling with their mental health, and too often they are struggling in silence and also in isolation. Last year alone, 2,529 Australian men died by suicide. That is more than three-quarters of all suicides in our nation. For men aged 15 to 44, suicide remains the leading cause of death. It's ahead of accidents, it's ahead of diseases and it's ahead of anything else.”
“Through remembrance walks, ribbon tying and deeply personal stories, they remind us that suicide is not inevitable, but preventing it takes all of us. Zerosuicide's messages are simple but powerful: connections save lives, early support saves lives, and a system that refuses to let people fall through the cracks saves lives. I want to especially acknowledge Paul Withall and his incredible team for their leadership and the tireless work that they do. Your courage in bringing these stories, these shoes and this message to the nation ensures that the men we lost are not forgotten and that those still struggling are not left behind. Thank you very much, Paulo, for what you do. Keep up the great work.”
“Too many Australians are dying in silence, and we need to be honest about the scale of this crisis. Every day, seven men take their own lives. Every year, more than 2½ thousand families get that knock on the door that changes their world forever. This isn't just a statistic; it's a national emergency. Today, on the lawns of Parliament House, that reality was laid bare: 2,550 empty shoes were lined up on the grass, each shoe representing a man or a boy we lost in just one year—no names, no faces, just silence, a silence that speaks louder than any speech delivered in this place. The Zerosuicide community awareness program, alongside Dads4Kids, brought together community advocates, frontline workers, lived experience speakers and parliamentarians across two days to confront this crisis head on.”
“The VET Student Loans Program helps make that possible, and this bill makes sure it will continue to run properly and securely. While it may look like a small technical measure, it has huge impacts. It keeps the system strong, it protects students, it reassures providers and it ensures that the law reflects what is happening in the real world. That is why I'm proud to support the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. It's another step in strengthening our training system, backing Australian students and doing what good governments should do: fix problems properly and make things work better. I commend the bill to the House.”
“This is good, practical government. It's what happens when you pay attention, listen to the experts and take the time to fix the small things that keep the system running smoothly. The VET Student Loans Program is an important part of Australia's education system. It helps people to get skilled, find work and build a better life. It deserves to operate on strong, clear and lawful foundations. And that's exactly what this bill delivers. Investing in skills is one of the smartest things a government can do. It builds our workforce, it supports small local business as well as large business in this country, it gives people pride and purpose, and it helps communities like mine in the Hunter to thrive. We want every Australian, no matter where they live or what their background is, to have the chance to study, train and succeed.”
“It provides legal certainty and peace of mind that everyone was operating properly. And I want to make something else clear: Commonwealth officers are bound by the same standards and laws as always. They must continue to follow the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act and the Public Service Act. Nothing in this bill changes those obligations for any of them. In summary, this bill fixes a problem identified in the administration of the VET Student Loans Program. It aligns the legislation with how the system is actually meant to be operated. It provides retrospective authorisation that providers and officials are protected. It strengthens privacy protections. It doesn't change the way students apply. It doesn't give anyone any new powers. And it gives confidence and certainty to everyone involved.”
“It's about making sure the system works as it should behind the scenes, so students and providers can focus on what really matters: learning, training and building a future. It's also worth noting that this bill doesn't cost anything. It doesn't change the way students apply for their loans. The Electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form, or eCAF, will keep working exactly the same way as it does now. The difference now is that, behind the scenes, everything is properly aligned between the IT systems and the legislation. This bill also protects the integrity of government officers who were doing their jobs in good faith. It makes sure that officials in the department, or the tax office, who helped process these loans weren't unknowingly breaching the law because of a gap in some wording.”
“When we make sure the system behind that training is strong and fair, we're investing in those people. The Albanese Labor government has been clear that we're backing skills and training. We've delivered hundreds of thousands of fee-free TAFE places so that cost isn't a barrier for people who want to study. We've worked with the states and territories on a new National Skills Agreement that puts TAFE right at the heart of the system. We're investing in modern training facilities and better equipment. We're rebuilding trust in vocational education because we know how vital it is for Australia's future workforce, and this bill is part of that story. It's a small fix but a hugely important one.”
“It gives students confidence that their personal information was handled properly. It gives providers confidence that they've done the right thing. And it gives the public confidence that the VET student loan system is being managed with integrity. Every year, thousands of Australians rely on vocational education and training to build better lives for themselves. They're the people training to be electricians, mechanics, childcare workers, aged-care workers, chefs, welders, boilermakers and hospitality staff, or maybe even fitters like me. They're the backbone of this country and the people that keep things running. In regions like mine, across the Hunter, vocational training is a huge lifeline. It's how people get their start. It's how industries find skilled workers, and it's how local communities keep growing.”
“It's about showing that government is paying attention, that we're fixing the things that need to be fixed and that we're not afraid to clean up problems that have been sitting there for years. We all remember what went wrong under the old VET FEE-HELP system. There were rorts. There were scams, and huge amounts of taxpayer dollars were wasted. People were signing up to courses they didn't even know they were in. Some of the stories were absolutely heartbreaking. Labor fixed that mess by replacing it with a better, stronger and more transparent system, and we've continued to make sure it keeps improving. This bill is part of that work. It's not about rewriting the rules; it's about confirming that the existing rules have been followed and are solid and lawful.”
“That's because the system has always had strong protections in place. Approved providers have to go through a detailed approval process before they can even offer VET student loans. Their directors and senior staff are checked to make sure they're fit and proper people to run a training business. They have to meet ongoing compliance requirements. If they misuse personal information, or fail to protect it, they face serious civil and criminal penalties. They also have to notify the department if there's ever a data breach. These rules have been there since day one, and they're staying in place. Nothing in this bill weakens them. It just makes sense that everything is now legally watertight and in line with how systems operate. When we talk about fixing systems like this, it's about more than just tidying up paperwork. It's about trust.”
“Some people might hear the word retrospective and think, 'Hang on, what's going on here?' Retrospective laws should always be used carefully, and they should only ever be used to fix something that needs to be fixed and not to change the rules after the fact. That's what's happening here. This bill doesn't change anyone's rights. It doesn't remove any protections. It doesn't let anyone off the hook. What it does, though, is confirm that everything that's already been done under the VET Student Loans program has been done properly and lawfully. It gives certainty to students, providers and the government. It's worth noting that, since the program started in 2017, there haven't been any complaints from students about how tax file numbers were handled. There's been no evidence of misuse or privacy breaches.”
“It doesn't let them collect or use tax file numbers in the future. In fact, it does the opposite. In 2025, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations updated the IT systems used to run the Vet Student Loans program. Those updates mean that, from September 2025, providers no longer needed to handle a tax file number at all. The system now automatically and securely transfers that information between the student and the government systems. The TFN is masked so providers can't see it, store it or use it. This bill isn't about giving more access; it's about closing the gaps and strengthening privacy. It makes sure everything that's been done since 2007 is lawful and everything going forward is even more secure.”
“There is no clear legal wording that allowed them to handle those TFNs under the VET Student Loan Act. So this bill fixes that problem. It retrospectively authorises approved VET student loans providers to have handled students' tax file numbers since the program began on 1 January 2017. It also covers government officials and agencies that were involved in administrating those loans, like the department, the Commissioner of Taxation and other Commonwealth officers. In simple terms, the bill says that what providers and officials did to help students access VET loans was lawful. It gives everyone certainty and protects them from any potential legal issues that could have come up because of a small gap in the law. It's important to point out that this bill doesn't give providers any new powers.”
“When the new act was written, it didn't clearly say that VET student loan providers were authorised to handle students' tax file numbers. The old system allowed it. The new one didn't mention it, but the IT system and the processes that linked the loans to the tax system stayed the same. That has meant that, since 2017, providers have still been collecting and using TFNs while students applied for VET student loans, because you can't set up a student loan without a tax file number. It's what allows repayments to happen through the tax system once a student starts earning enough. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations picked up on this issue during a review. They realised that, while providers had been doing everything right in practice, the law hadn't kept up.”
“The victims were often everyday Aussies—people on low incomes, people trying to upskill and get back into the workforce, young people who were just starting out and people in rural and regional areas like mine in the Hunter who just wanted a fair go. The system lost trust, and the students lost out. In 2017, the government replaced VET FEE-HELP with the VET Student Loans program. It was a complete overhaul. It brought in a whole new act, the Vet Student Loans Act 2016, with stricter rules, tighter controls and better protection for students and taxpayers. It weeded out the bad operators, made sure only quality providers could access the scheme and brought back a bit of faith in the vocational training system. But there was one small detail that slipped through the cracks.”
“It gave vocational education students access to income-contingent loans, meaning they could study now and pay later when they were earning enough. It was supposed to be a good thing, and it ran under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, the same law that runs student loans for university students. Under that old scheme, training providers were allowed to handle students' tax file numbers, or TFNs, because they was needed to set up the loans and link them to the students' Australian Tax Office accounts. But, as we all remember, that scheme went badly off the rails. A handful of dodgy private providers took advantage of this system, signing people up for useless courses, offering free laptops and fake incentives and pocketing millions in taxpayers' dollars.”
“It doesn't come with a big new announcement or a big funding package, but it is still important because, when you're dealing with something as serious as people's education and personal information, you've got to make sure the system is rock solid. If you're a student taking out a VET student loan, you want to know your personal details are protected. If you're a training provider, you want to know that your rules are being followed and that you're following them. And if you're a taxpayer, you want to know that the system is fair, transparent and being managed correctly. That's exactly what this bill delivers. To understand what this bill does, it helps people to look back at how the system started. Back in 2008, the government introduced a scheme called VET FEE-HELP.”
“I'm really proud to stand here today to speak about the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. It might sound like a mouthful, but it is a simple, commonsense fix that makes sure our vocational education and training loan system works the way it was supposed to. This bill is about making sure students and training providers have certainty. It's about cleaning up the technical issues in the law so that everything's being done to help students get their training loans properly and lawfully. It's about making sure our system continues to be safe, secure and fair. Now, this isn't one of those flashy bills that gets all the headlines.”
“It also applies to the big-boy kegs: the 50-litre kegs rolled into hotels and hospitality venues every single day of the week. It doesn't apply to bottled or canned beer. This is all about draught beer that's served over the counter in your local. That's the beer that supports around 10,000 hospitality venues across this beautiful country of ours. About three-quarters of them are small businesses—family run and community backed—and roughly 160,000 workers depend on those venues, from bar staff and cleaners to suppliers and delivery drivers. These are real people and real jobs in every community across the country. By freezing indexation, we're keeping the tax component of a pint, a schooie and, if you're in Victoria, a pot or maybe a little seven—you get them in Victoria as well—stable for two years.”
“Right now, beer tax automatically goes up twice a year, in February and August, in line with inflation. That's what's called indexation. When inflation goes up, so does the tax. Under this bill, we hit pause on that process for two whole years, so the scheduled increases in August 2025, February 2026, August 2026 and February 2027 will not happen. The rates stay the same through the whole period. When indexation resumes in August 2027, it doesn't jump to where it would have been if those hikes had continued. It starts from the frozen rate that we're on right now. That means a permanent reduction in the tax path—a long-term benefit, not just a short-term fix. This measure is targeted and sensible. It applies to beer being poured from kegs, the eight-litre to 48-litre containers connected to taps in pubs, clubs and bars.”
“I said, 'Mate, it's time to give our pubs, clubs, breweries and other locals a bit of certainty.' Having a beer in the Hunter is something most of us enjoy responsibly. This twice-yearly automatic tax hike just isn't working. It's time we find a better way of doing things. The Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 do something simple but really, really important. They pause the automatic CPI indexation of excise and excise-equivalent customs duty rates on draught beer for two years, straight away, from 1 August 2025. It's already happened. We've already been seeing this in the Hunter. The punters have been enjoying it and saving a little bit on their beer as well. Here's what that means in plain English for people all around the country.”
“In Branxton I've been to raffles that have raised thousands and thousands of dollars for local kids. In Kurri I've seen the pubs chip in to sporting clubs when the season's gone a fraction over budget. In Toronto I've met the bar staff who know every customer by name and know who's doing it tough. But running a pub or club isn't easy. Costs are going up everywhere: power, wages, insurance, supply. Every six months the tax on beer quietly ticks up again because of automatic indexation. I don't know too many small-business owners who can plan properly when government keeps moving the goalposts twice a year. It's very hard to plan around. That's why I lobbied the Treasurer hard to take a good look at this.”
“When I talk to the publicans and club managers, they tell me the same thing: the twice-yearly indexation on beer excise is killing them. Every February and every August, prices go up and they have to make a call. Either they absorb it and cop the hit, or they pass it on and risk losing the punters. That's why the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 matters. It's not about fancy economics or Canberra jargon. It's about keeping the doors open in pubs, keeping people in jobs and giving locals a fair go. When you live in the Hunter, you know how important the local pub is. It's more than just a place to go grab a cold one. It's where fundraisers are held, where footy teams celebrate, where mates catch up after a shift and where communities come together.”
“There's one thing you learn quickly as the member for Hunter: it's that a good conversation usually starts over a beer. Not in the office, not in a formal meeting—you're standing at the bar of one of our fantastic pubs and clubs right here in the Hunter. Whether it's the Bellbird Hotel, the Aussie in Cessnock, the Horse and Jockey in Singo, the Morisset Hotel down in Lake Mac, the Kurri Kurri Bowling Club or the Western Workers—that's where you hear what people are really thinking. I've had hundreds of chats in those places, with publicans, bar staff, brewers and locals just trying to relax after a good long week at work. One thing that comes up time and time again is that the cost of everything just keeps going up. That includes the cost of pulling a beautiful beer.”
“When men get help, families and communities get stronger. That's why I'm wearing this suit today—not to stand out, because I already do, but to really start a conversation. TIACS does that every day and saves lives because of it. I want to thank Ed, Dan and Jess from TradeMutt; Sue and the team at TIACS; and the tailors—Sam and the team at Urbbana. I commend this motion to the House.”