Sally Sitou
Reid · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“I withdraw an unparliamentary remark that I made yesterday during the MPI. In withdrawing that remark, I would also like to apologise to you and to members of this House. I used a word that was not up to the high standard that we would expect of this place and the high standard that I expect of myself. I apologise.”
“If you vote against tax cuts for all Australian taxpayers, if you vote against helping first home buyers to buy their first home, if you vote against super on government funded paid parental leave, if you vote against payday super, if you vote against same job, same pay, then you are voting against all Australians.”
“Today, 1 July, is an important day. Mark it in your diaries. I do want to thank the shadow treasurer for bringing this matter of public importance to us, because it gives us on this side of the House an opportunity to talk about all the changes that are coming in today, because today all Australians get more help.”
“While Labor is strengthening Medicare, increasing bulk-billing rates and making Medicare urgent care clinics a permanent part of our healthcare system, the Liberal Party froze the Medicare rebate and they wanted to introduce a GP tax. Again, no rebranding is going to change that.”
“Today, Australians can access three hours of free energy through our solar sharer program. Today, the Albanese government says to all Australians that we are working hard to help you. More than 14 million taxpayers get another tax cut. But what did the coalition do when the tax package came before the parliament? What did they do?”
“It is good economic policy because it keeps parents connected to work, it supports women's participation and it gives parents more time with their children. Today is a great day because we are saying to parents, 'We want you to spend more time at home with your children.' We are expanding the government's paid parental leave to 26 weeks.”
The complete record
Every one of 234 lines we hold for Sally Sitou, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 5.
“They entertained policies that would have allowed super to be raided in ways that risk permanently eroding retirement balances. Some on their side have even questioned the very foundations of compulsory superannuation itself, including the newly minted Leader of the Opposition and the shadow Treasurer. They presided over a system where unpaid super became a systemic problem. By contrast, Labor has increased the superannuation guarantee to 12 per cent. We are paying super on paid parental leave. We are introducing payday super so that workers are paid what they are owed when they are owed it. Through this bill, we are continuing that work. This bill is the latest part of our suite of reforms to make sure that our superannuation system remains world class. We are taking steps to make it even better, fairer and stronger.”
“We're proud to strengthen it at every turn and at every opportunity because we understand something that those opposite too often forget. Superannuation is not a bonus, it's not a windfall and it's not some spare change. It's deferred wages. It's income earned through hard work set aside to provide security in retirement. It should always work to serve ordinary working Australians. The difference between the two sides of this House on superannuation could not be clearer. Under those opposite, superannuation was treated as negotiable. They froze the superannuation guarantee at 9.5 per cent for years, denying workers thousands and thousands of dollars in retirement savings over their lifetimes. They fought against increasing it to 12 per cent. They described compulsory super as a burden on business.”
“Labor built Australia's superannuation system, and it remains one of the most significant economic and social reforms in modern Australian history. It reshaped retirement in this country. It lifted retirement incomes, it reduced reliance on the age pension and it created one of the largest pools of national savings in the world. We ought to be incredibly proud of it. Most importantly, it gave working Australians a retirement they could look forward to with financial security. Before compulsory superannuation, too many Australians faced retirement with little more than the pension. Today, millions retire with a combination of superannuation and government support and with greater financial independence. We on this side of the House are proud to have created superannuation. We are proud to defend it whenever it's attacked by those opposite.”
“At its heart, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Bill 2026 asks a simple question: what and who is superannuation for? Is it for ordinary working Australians—our teachers, nurses, early educators and police officers—who are putting aside a little each fortnight so they can retire with dignity and security? Or is it a vehicle for unlimited tax concessions for balances so large they far exceed what anyone would need to fund a dignified retirement? This legislation answers that question clearly. Superannuation exists to deliver income for a dignified retirement for everyday Australians, not to provide indefinite, uncapped tax advantages. This legislation strengthens that principle responsibly and proportionately.”
“A couple of years ago, during the Ferragosto festival in Five Dock, I had the pleasure of bringing the Prime Minister to Raineri's. This week I presented the Prime Minister with his very own Raineri's T-shirt, which I'm sure he will wear with pride. The shop remains open, just as Peter would have wanted, only closing for his funeral. Rosaria and her sons will keep Raineri's going. If you get a chance, head to the shop and honour the great man by having a panini for Peter.”
“I want to pay tribute to the life of Peter Raineri, who passed away last week at the age of 90. For more than 40 years, he and his wife, Rosaria, turned their Five Dock deli, Raineri's Continental Delicatessen, into a local institution, a place loved not just for their focaccia and deli staples but for the warmth and friendship behind the counter. A few years ago, Raineri's paninis went viral on social media. Their paninis became known as the best in Australia—all for just $15. Despite their fame and long lines of customers, the Raineris always found time for a chat and a good laugh. Peter, Rosaria and their family didn't just run a shop; they built a community in that little deli, and we are forever grateful.”
“They never listened to what Australians wanted, and my message to Australians is very clear: Labor will always listen to what you want because we are focused on you. They wanted cheaper health care; we have provided them cheaper medicines and a record increase in bulk-billing rates. They wanted cost-of-living relief, and we've provided student debt relief and tax cuts. I welcome the Leader of the Opposition. Maybe it's time you start listening to the Australian people and not to the extreme members of your party.”
“I send a warm welcome to the new leader of the opposition. It's the first time he has had the job in this chamber. It's certainly not a sentiment he afforded the previous leader of the opposition. In his first speech as Leader of the Opposition, the member for Hume said his party was in the position that they're in because they stopped listening to Australians, and he is right. They are tone-deaf to the needs of the Australian community. At two elections, the electorates wanted action on climate change. Those opposite gave them a nuclear energy fantasy and dropped net zero entirely. The electorates said they wanted help with the cost of living. Those opposite refused to support energy bill relief and tax cuts. Australians want us focused on them, and those opposite can only focus on themselves.”
“I have met the most extraordinary people in my electorate, those who are newer to this country and those whose families have been here for generations. They've embraced the very best of the Australian story—our freedom to speak out, to hold a faith and to build the life we want and our responsibilities to those around us so that we may all prosper together. I hope you see in their stories, and in mine, the power of the Australian story, because stories like ours are possible only in countries like Australia. Our success here is one of the best expressions of Australian values. Where else would it have been possible that we can live with freedom, respect, fairness and, above all, equality of opportunity?”
“My story is both improbable and yet typical of so many migrant families in Australia. My parents fled their homeland fearful of what might happen to them because of who they were and the values they held. My family is of Chinese heritage, but my parents were born and raised in Laos. They fled their homeland and were incredibly lucky Australia gave them refuge. When my parents came here, they had very little formal education and spoke very little English, and yet they were able to thrive here. They worked hard in factories, where they were able to find secure work with good conditions. They gave my brother and me the opportunities that they never got. My family thrived here. I am the proud daughter of migrants, I am a federal member of the Australian parliament and I proudly represent one of the most diverse electorates in the country.”
“What impact would that have on hospitals, aged care and the agriculture sector? Do we want to make it harder for Australians who are bringing loved ones here? These are questions that those opposite could never answer when they were trying to make changes to the migration system, but they are all legitimate discussions to have. This is something that we as a country need to discuss openly and honestly. But we should always do so with compassion and humanity and never resort to the term 'mass migration', because the term 'mass migration' masks people's stories and their contributions. We must never forget that our migration system is made up of people—people with names, stories, aspirations, and a contribution to make. In the migration debate I hope we never forget those people—like my parents, Phet and Syphan Sitou.”
“We've also provided additional resources to our security agencies so they're better able to conduct security checks. This year, our permanent migration program is 185,000 people, the same as last year. Seventy per cent of those are skilled visa holders. They are people working in areas where we desperately need more workers—aged care, child care and health care. The rest of those visas are predominantly for families, for Australians falling in love overseas and bringing their partners and children back home. I think we should always be looking at the shape and size of our migration system, making sure it continues to work for the interests of Australia. But we need to be honest about the consequences of pulling down on some of those levers. Do we want to reduce the number of skilled workers?”
“The political debate in Australia has become more and more heated, particularly around discussions on immigration. Our immigration system must work to strengthen Australia, keeping us safe and helping us prosper. We should have a mature discussion about it, but it must be done with honesty, nuance, compassion and facts. Post COVID, when the borders reopened, we did see an influx of people to Australia. We were in very unusual circumstances. It was Australians returning home and international students enrolled at education institutions who were finally able to come onshore, and immigration was too high. It needed to come down, and we've done that. It's come down 40 per cent in the last few years. We've made significant changes to our migration system to improve its integrity and set more sustainable levels.”
“Before concluding, I acknowledge the chair, the member for Macnamara; the deputy chair, Senator O'Sullivan; and members of the committee for their considered and diligent contributions to this inquiry. I would also like to thank the Australian National Audit Office and the Attorney-General's Department for their cooperation and the committee secretariat for its continued professionalism and support. I commend the report to the House.”
“The department has accepted all of the ANAO's findings and has indicated a willingness to learn from these failures and improve its future practice. While this is welcome, the committee is not yet persuaded that that the department is positioned to deliver the full suite of services required. This includes a nationally available information and referral service for victims and survivors, which remains under evaluation and was not examined as part of the ANAO audit. Accordingly, the committee makes two recommendations in report 514: (1) that the Attorney-General's Department provide an immediate update on the status of these services; and (2) that the department report again within six months on its implementation on the ANAO's recommendations, including concrete examples drawn from ongoing and planned procurement activities.”
“Although funding for these services was allocated in the 2021-22 budget, the market was not approached until late 2023. A contract for the national offending prevention service was eventually executed in July 2025. However, negotiations for the service intended to support non-offending family members collapsed in October 2024. At the time of reporting this, there remains uncertainty as to when or how that service will now be delivered. The committee notes the Attorney-General's Department's acknowledgement that, while these procurements were complex, the processes were unacceptably slow. It is particularly troubling that the Attorney-General was not appropriately briefed on these delays and was only advised of anticipated timeframes in mid-2023.”
“Given the significance and sensitivities of these services, the Australian National Audit Office conducted an audit of the procurements in 2024-25. The ANAO found that the processes did not involve open and effective competition, were subject to substantial delays, accepted non-compliant tenders for evaluation, failed to meet ethical standards and did not achieve value for money. In particular, the audit identified that preferred tenderers failed to comply with mandatory pricing requirements at the request-for-tender stage. They were nonetheless evaluated and ultimately offered contracts. The evidence received by the joint committee throughout this inquiry was consistent with the ANAO's findings. Of particular concern to the committee were the significant delays.”
“On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit. I present the committee's report, Report 514: Inquiry into the procurement of mandated national support and advocacy services for victims of child sexual abuse . Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). by leave—The report examines the procurement processes used by the Attorney-General's Department to deliver two mandated child sexual abuse related national services. These procurements arose directly from recommendations of the 2017 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse—recommendations that went to the heart of ensuring victims, survivors and their families receive timely, accessible and appropriate support.”
“My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government backing workers in the gig economy? Why was this change necessary, and how does it compare to other approaches?”
“From 1981 to 2006, Henry led the organisation with vision, compassion and unwavering dedication. The success of CASS continues to this day thanks to the leadership of current chairperson Professor Stephen Li and all the board members. What truly sets CASS apart is its people—the hundreds of staff and volunteers—and I want to thank them and congratulate them for 45 years.”
“The Chinese Australian Services Society, or CASS, is a pillar of care, connection and compassion not just for Chinese Australians but for Korean, Vietnamese and Indonesian communities across New South Wales. On 8 March, CASS will be celebrating its 45th anniversary—a truly remarkable milestone. CASS began with a simple but powerful mission to help newly arrived families settle in Australia. Today that mission has grown into one of the most comprehensive community service networks across New South Wales. Each week, CASS supports more than 8,500 families through a wide range of services that span every life stage, from child care and settlement support services for newly arrived migrants to disability services, home care and residential aged care. At the heart of this story is Mr Henry Pan, the founding chairperson of CASS.”
“I want to thank all the teachers of the Concord P&C for their work in advocating for these changes, all the staff who have worked so hard over years to push for better facilities, and, of course, I want to thank the New South Wales Minns Labor government.”
“The new upgrade includes 40 new permanent classrooms, including specialist learning spaces for visual arts, performing arts and PDHPE; new support learning units; a brand-new hall and canteen; and upgraded facilities all across the school. It's fantastic. Last week, I had the opportunity to join the Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning, Courtney Houssos; Principal Mr Victor Newby; President of Concord High School P&C Amber Hooker; and the school captains to have a tour of the new facilities, and it was fantastic. Mr Newby said that it was an upgrade that had been some time coming, after having to use spaces across the school that were not designed to be teaching spaces, and all the students were really excited to be starting there.”
“The school was bursting at the seams, with almost 30 per cent of Concord High School students learning out of demountable temporary classrooms. The first time I met the P&C in 2022, they spoke to me about the challenges at the school, including the fact that the toilets were of such an awful standard that the children were choosing not to drink water or were going across to the park to use the toilets there. A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 09:41 to 09:53 I'm so excited by the upgrade at Concord High School. It is now fit for purpose for the ambitions of those students.”
“School is back for 2026, much to the joy and relief of parents everywhere, including my own colleagues here. Now is a great time to reflect on what Labor governments have been delivering for public education and local public schools across Australia. Under the Albanese Labor government, we are delivering the biggest investment in public education under the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement—an investment of $16.5 billion over 10 years. We are finally on a path to full and fair funding for every public school, including in my electorate. It ends years of underinvestment by former coalition governments. We are backing public education, and this commitment to public education is being matched by the Minns New South Wales Labor government. There's no better example of that than the major upgrade to Concord High School in my electorate.”
“Linda Reynolds CSC. The committee also extends its appreciation to all previous members of this committee and to the secretariat for their continuing diligence and expertise in supporting its work. I ask leave of the House to present executive minutes on reports of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit. Leave granted. I present executive minutes on report Nos 498, 502, 505, 506, 507, 509, 511 and 512 of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit.”
“This report speaks to the work of the previous committee and highlights its role in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance across the Australian public sector. During this period, the committee held 21 meetings, including five public hearings. The committee commenced four inquiries and presented eight reports that contained a total of 42 recommendations for government. The committee also undertook a range of other non-inquiry activities in line with its legislative responsibilities, including considering and confirming the appointment of the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The committee acknowledges and thanks the former chairs of the committee, the Hon. Julian Hill MP and former MP the Hon. Linda Burney, for their leadership over the 2024-25 period, as well as the former deputy chair, former senator the Hon.”
“On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I present the committee's report entitled R eport 513 : Annual r eport 2024 - 25 . Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). by leave—In accordance with the Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is required to report annually to the parliament on the work it has undertaken. The committee's work includes reviews of the Australian National Audit Office reports and conducting inquiries where it identifies issues requiring further examination. The committee also determines the audit priorities of the parliament and makes recommendations to the government on the budget estimates of the ANAO and the Parliamentary Budget Office.”
“We will also make it easier to build the things our country needs, such as housing, renewable energy and critical mineral projects. This infrastructure will mean future generations will be able to thrive. We are all custodians of this land and we must leave it better than we found it. I thank the Prime Minister and the Minister for the Environment and Water for delivering on that promise and for honouring a proud Labor tradition—the one that knows that economic growth and environmental stewardship must always go hand in hand.”
“We all come to this place with a solemn promise to make our country better for future generations. At times we've taken steps towards that promise, at times we've fallen short, and every so often we achieve something that truly honours it. Today is one of those days. Today we've secured an agreement that delivers the most significant overhaul of our environmental laws since the Hawke government. This is not just a policy change; it is a generational leap forward. For the first time, Australia will have a strong, independent national environment protection agency. We will impose tougher penalties for the gravest environmental breaches and we will give our nation the power to act swiftly when nature is under threat. This reform meets the scale of the challenge before us.”
“(): My question is to the Minister for Defence. How is the Albanese government continuing to stand with Ukraine against Russia's invasion, including through military support? Why is a consistent approach so important?”
“My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering on the plan backed by experts to provide cleaner, cheaper and more-reliable energy? Why is listening to trusted expert advice important? How does this approach compare with others?”
“Australians have made it clear, twice, that when it comes to the environment they want progress, not politics. We can protect what makes Australia special while building the homes and clean energy projects that will shape our future by passing this bill. Every day we wait is another day our environment slips further behind. Every day we wait is a day we could be building the renewable energy projects and the housing our children need. Let's get this done to deliver on what Australians sent us here to do: to build a cleaner, more livable future for future generations to come.”
“Australians hate it when political parties play politics instead of making progress, and, given the choice between politics and progress, the Greens always choose politics. They teamed up with the coalition in 2009 to block the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, setting back climate action for over a decade; they teamed up again with the coalition to prevent Labor's improvements to the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act; and now, again, they're standing in the way of strengthening our environment laws. They're also making disingenuous arguments that it's a choice between certainty for business and the environment, and they're wrong. We don't have to choose, because Labor is delivering this bill to do both—to provide cleaner energy, more housing and stronger protection for the land and wildlife that we love.”
“It stayed sitting on her desk for 500 days. Under the coalition's watch, the environment suffered, and we are paying for it. Professor Samuel himself described the opposition leader's opposition as a political game and said that it made him feel 'frankly, a little angry'—and, after half a decade of coalition negligence, who can blame him? That criticism isn't just limited to those opposite; it also extends to the Greens, because they have a history of blocking sensible reform that would deliver stronger protections for nature and certainty for business. Here we have an opportunity to deliver better outcomes for the environment, and the Greens are refusing to support it.”
“Professor Graeme Samuel, the author of the Samuel review, has been unequivocal in his support. He said that the bill introduced by Labor implements the 'totality' of the recommendations he made in his report and that it is a 'quantum leap forward' for both environmental protection and business certainty. Environment groups have also engaged constructively with the government, and the Business Council of Australia has said the reforms 'present an opportunity to fix a broken system'. Despite the broad support from experts, environmental groups and the business sector, those opposite continue to stand in the way. It's been five long years since the Samuel review was delivered, and who was the Minister for the Environment at the time? The Leader of the Opposition. She gave her support then, but what did she do with the report? Nothing.”
“The third pillar is greater accountability and transparency in decision-making. Every Australian deserves confidence that, when projects are approved, they meet clear environmental standards and are assessed openly and fairly. These reforms will shine a light on environmental decision-making, ensuring communities know what's being approved, why it's being approved and who's responsible for upholding those standards. We desperately need these environmental law reforms, and I thank the Minister for the Environment and Water for his engagement with me and so many stakeholders. It's thanks to his hard work and the work of so many people in the Labor caucus that this bill is being introduced with the backing of experts, environmental groups and businesses.”
“The EPA will be an independent regulator that will make sure our environmental laws are enforced fairly and transparently. The national standards will protect and restore environmental areas and species by ensuring projects don't just offset their impact but leave the environment better off. The second pillar is more efficient and robust project assessments and approvals. Australia's current environmental laws are slow, unpredictable and riddled with duplication. It can take longer to get an approval for a housing project or a renewable project than it does to actually build it. These reforms will change that. We will make decisions about approvals faster, clearer and more consistent. By improving cooperation between the Commonwealth and states, we can cut red tape and streamline assessments without cutting standards.”
“We also owe it to them to build critical projects for the nation, like more housing, public transport and the renewable energy projects that we desperately need. The current environmental approvals are too slow, complex and expensive. For far too long, our environmental protection laws have been unable to protect the environment or deliver on critical projects, and that is why the Labor government has introduced the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025. The reforms we are proposing are about striking the right balance. It's built around three key pillars. The first is stronger environmental protection and restoration. We will establish Australia's first-ever national environmental protection agency and set national environmental standards.”
“The wetlands in Sydney Olympic Park and Homebush Bay are home to 400 native plant species and 250 native animal species, including the endangered green and golden bell frog. I know how important it is that we protect and cherish our natural environment. It's what Australia is known for. I'm the patron of the Labor Environment Action Network, something I'm incredibly proud of. I want to thank all the members and the leadership of LEAN, particularly Felicity Wade, Louise Crawford and Penny Pedersen. They have helped me better understand these bills and how this will help protect our environment. I think the entire labour movement are indebted to them for their extraordinary advocacy, because they know we owe it to our children to do what we can to preserve our natural environment for them and future generations.”
“So, when I read last year that the conservation status for giant clams had moved from 'vulnerable' to 'critically endangered', it brought home the fragility of our environment and the urgency to protect it. I promised that, once Max learnt to snorkel, we'd take him to see the giant clams in Samoa. I've now brought forward that trip. I was struck by the wonder of nature because of those giant clams. I think, for my son, it was the trip to the Great Barrier Reef two years ago. He was blown away by the sea life and coral and became very fond of a big parrot fish called Wally, who swam alongside us as we snorkellled in the reef. Sadly, our much-loved Great Barrier Reef is facing severe threats. Even in my own inner-city electorate, my community is surrounded by some of the most incredible natural environment.”
“For people who care about our natural environment, there is always an origin story, a time when they were struck by the awe and wonder of nature, and that moment came for me later in life. My husband and I were working in Samoa in our late 20s. Many of our Samoan colleagues at the time told us to go down to a local village to do some snorkelling and see the giant clams. I was sceptical about these clams—how magnificent and great could they be? We snorkellled out to the marine sanctuary, and it was there that I was struck by the wonder of these creatures because they were truly spectacular. They were really big, but what struck me most were the iridescent colours, which almost glowed through the water. It's an awe and wonder that I shared with my son, Max.”
“My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government helping Australians take advantage of reliable renewable energy? What policies would deliver less reliable forms of electricity? Why is certainty so important?”
“We've delivered reform to our aged-care system, ensuring dignity for older Australians; we've strengthened Medicare, to make it easier for all Australians to see a GP; and we've cut student debt by 20 per cent, to help young Australians get ahead. Australians asked for a government that would listen and deliver and, six months on, that's exactly what we are doing. Unlike those opposite, we're focused on Australian people not on keeping a toxic relationship together.”
“We've had a beautiful rendition of 'Scar' by Missy Higgins here in parliament. It was the break-up song of my generation. I suggest to the coalition it should be the theme song of their party room, because it's time they broke up. The Nationals have dumped their net zero targets, so I think it's time the Liberals dumped them. Let go of this toxic relationship. Unlike the shambolic coalition, our commitments to the Australian people remain strong and unwavering. Today marks six months since Australians elected the Albanese Labor government for a second term. In six months we have set an ambitious and achievable climate target of 62 to 70 per cent emissions reduction by 2035, helping us deliver net zero by 2050. We've made it easier for people to buy their first home by expanding the Home Guarantee Scheme.”
“They're smart, compassionate and determined to shape a fairer future and a kinder Australia. We need to offer them hope as parliamentarians.”
“He said: Growing up in Australia right now feels like standing on the edge of something huge. I'm still a teenager, but I can already see how tough things are going to be as I get older. Between school pressure, social media and trying to figure out where I want to go in my life, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. There's this constant pressure to succeed, to look perfect, to know exactly what you want to do with your life—I'm still figuring it out and that should be okay. But it doesn't always feel like it is. I also worry a lot about the world I'm growing up in—climate change is a real problem. It feels like my generation is expected to fix everything, but we don't even know where to begin. Young Australians like Kayla and Bailey inspire me to work harder.”
“It helps us take control of our time, our thoughts, and our actions which affects everything we do in life. Next, managing money. We all need to learn how to budget, save, and spend wisely. My dad is a financial planner, and he's told me many stories of adults who feel stressed because they never learned this in school. Finally, managing relationships. This means understanding others, working in teams, and handling conflict calmly. Skills like communication and empathy are just as important as maths and English. If we learned these life skills early … we'd be more confident, capable, and ready for the real world. Let's not just learn facts, let's learn how to live. That's how we build a better tomorrow for young Australians. I agree. Bailey, during his time in my office, also reflected on what it is like growing up in Australia today.”
“I love meeting with and hearing from young people in my community, as all of us in this place do. They remind us why the work we do matters, because it's all about building a better future for them. Today I'd like to deliver the words of two outstanding young people in my electorate: Kayla, who took part in the Raise Our Voices campaign, and Bailey, a high school student who joined me for work experience. Kayla said in her speech: I believe the government should create a new school subject that teaches real life skills like managing ourselves, money, and relationships. First, managing ourselves. Knowing facts is great, but it won't help if we can't manage stress or bounce back from failure. This skill helps us build good habits like going to bed on time, staying calm, and doing the right thing even when we don't feel like it.”
“All of us in this place came into our roles to ensure that we build a better future for all Australians but particularly for young Australians. So, to all young Australians across the country, the message is very clear. The coalition does not have your back. They haven't had your back for a really long time. The Labor government does. We're committed to improving our environment and to ensuring that you have good-quality education and that you are not saddled with debt when you graduate, and we're determined to act on climate change.”