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.”
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“So the alternative between this side of the House and that side of the House is clear for that eight-year-old child. The shadow Treasurer has no policies and no vision, and it's no wonder he can't debate the Treasurer.”
“Because of successive tax cuts by the Labor government, the average New South Wales taxpayer will receive around $2,500 in tax cuts by 2027-28. This means more money for school supplies, extracurricular activities and family expenses. And each time we've wanted to give all Australians a tax cut, those opposite have opposed it. Good health care is also essential for that child's future, and we are making health care more affordable. We've tripled the bulk-billing incentive for concession cardholders and children who need to see a GP, and the Medicare data shows that this investment is restoring bulk-billing for more than 11 million patients who this change covers. More than nine in 10 GP visits are now bulk-billed for those patients.”
“So that means that that eight-year-old child will get high-quality education, and, as he grows up and decides whether he's going to go to TAFE or university, we've got plans to help there. We're making free TAFE permanent and introducing 100,000 more places, ensuring that young people can pursue further education without financial barriers. This is good for the child because they get the skills for a lifelong career, and it's good for the country because we can get workers into areas where we've got skills shortages. If he chooses to go into university, next year we are going to wipe 20 per cent off HECS debt because university is an investment, and it shouldn't be a burden. This child's family will benefit from Labor's tax cuts because every taxpayer will receive a new tax cut of up to $800 over the next two financial years.”
“Let me talk you through what we are going to be doing not just for the next five years but for the remainder of his life. This eight-year-old child is most likely going to attend a public school. In this budget the Labor government will lift our contribution for public schools from 20 to 25 per cent of the schooling resource standard by 2034 in New South Wales so that public schools will be fully funded—something that students in New South Wales have been waiting more than a decade for. That's $41 billion of investment into our public schools in New South Wales so students will get smaller class sizes, better learning resources and additional support for teachers.”
“But there was one debate that he agreed to participate in, and that was with the member for Parramatta, my colleague here. I guess that made sense to him. The shadow Treasurer and the member for Parramatta, Rhodes scholar and Rhodes scholar—he thought he had an even match. Unfortunately, he was wrong, because the member for Parramatta, by all accounts, cleaned up in that debate. So he's now said no to all debates, and I can understand, because there is no long-term vision in their plan. We do have a vision—a long-term vision—and I'll take the premise of this MPI. Let's not take it over five years; let's take it over the lifetime of a child. I'm going to talk you through what the four budgets that we've had mean for an eight-year-old child. That's the age of my son.”
“I appreciate the contribution from the member for New England. I know that he, in his former life, was an accountant. That's why we had the long explanation about assets, dollars and making the books balance. My question to the member for New England, then, is: how would you explain—how would you advise—a party that had a $600 billion black hole in their books? What advice would you be giving to your coalition members about how you would be filling that black hole? What sort of asset would you be investing in? Because, to me, that sounds like a dud asset. We all know why we are standing here to debate this MPI proposed by the shadow Treasurer. It's because he's running scared. He refuses to debate the Treasurer. Why is he refusing to debate the Treasurer? It's because he has no policies to debate the Treasurer with.”
“My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government helping Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn? Are there any threats to this?”
“My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How has the Albanese Labor government prioritised acting on energy prices? What would alternative energy policies mean for household bills and the budget?”
“My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government's energy plan helping Australian families and small businesses with their energy bills? What proposals for the energy system would leave Australians worse off?”
“We help them dream bigger dreams. We want to lift your wages, lift your aspirations and lift this country. The Leader of the Opposition cuts people down. He wants to cut jobs, make cuts to Medicare and cut free TAFE. We build, and they cut.”
“Recently I met a young man studying to be a glazier at Lidcombe TAFE. He had left school early and had been working in a warehouse. He told me he thought this would be his lot in life until he found out about free TAFE. This young man wanted a better life for himself. He aspired to learn new skills and start his own business, and, because of free TAFE, he was able to lift his ambitions. The skills he learns as a glazier will contribute to constructing new homes that we need. He will earn more money, and he'll employ local people. But what does the Leader of the Opposition want to do? He wants to cut free TAFE and, with it, cut dreams, cut ambition and cut aspiration not just for this young man but for the half a million Australians who are already enrolled in free TAFE. That's the difference. This Labor government lifts people up.”
“We know that investing in early education reduces inequality and lifts entire communities and families, and we know that when we support families we strengthen our economy. That's why Labor is making these changes; when we invest in our children, we invest in our nation's future. This is about fairness, this is about opportunity, this is about ensuring that no child, no matter their background, is left behind, and this is about the fundamental difference between the government and the opposition. They want to test Australian families, and we want to guarantee that they are supported.”
“The Australian Institute of Family Studies reviewed the Liberals' childcare reforms from 2021 and found that the so-called simplifications made the system harder to navigate and pushed children from disadvantaged families out of early education. These reforms simply did not work. An independent economic analysis shows that scrapping the activity test will boost Australia's productivity and workforce participation, especially for single mothers, First Nations families, and parents in casual and shift work. This change just makes sense. We've all heard the argument that we can't afford to get rid of the activity test, but the truth is we can't afford not to. We know that children who start school behind their peers often struggle to catch up.”
“Since we came into government, we have seen the establishment of more than 1,000 new childcare services, including 325 in regional and remote areas. That's 90,000 additional places in early education and care. Still, we know there is more to do. That's why we're not just investing in more places; we're also tackling affordability and quality, and as part of this reform we are introducing an early education service delivery price to ensure funding is sustainable, that services remain accessible and that families aren't priced out of the system. The experts are backing us. Dr Angela Jackson from Impact Economics found that the current activity test actually discourages parents from entering the workforce.”
“Let me be clear—no family will be worse off. But this is just one step. Our commitment to universal early education goes beyond these changes. We've already made child care more affordable for more than one million families. We've secured a 15 per cent pay increase for early educators because they deserve to be paid fairly for the invaluable work they do in nurturing the minds of our very youngest. We are investing an additional $1 billion to build and expand childcare centres in areas where families need them most: our outer suburbs, regions and remote communities. Critics argue that this policy will put pressure on supply, that there aren't enough childcare places, but let me give you the facts.”
“Early childhood education is not just about learning letters and numbers; it's about building confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love for learning. That's why our government is introducing the three-day guarantee. We believe government should be here to guarantee your child has access to quality early learning, to guarantee that learning will be high quality and affordable, and to guarantee that if you choose to go back to work you can do so. From January 2026, all families will be guaranteed three days—that's 72 hours—of subsidised early education each fortnight. For First Nations children, we are guaranteeing 100 hours. More than 100,000 families will see increased education hours. More than 66,000 families will be better off in the first full financial year of the implementation of this policy.”
“The Liberals' activity test, introduced in 2018, promised to encourage workforce participation and simplify childcare payments. Instead, it did the opposite. Data shows that thousands of children from low-income families lost access to early education. More than 25,000 families didn't pass the coalition's test of who deserved affordable early childhood education and who did not. The number of children in low-income families in early education dropped from around 32,000 in 2018 to just 6,500 in 2019—an extraordinary drop. These are the children who would benefit most from early learning, yet they were the ones who were left behind. The Liberals won't support kids and families who need good-quality and affordable early childhood education, but they will support free lunches for bosses. We can see the priorities that those opposite have.”
“Every child deserves the best possible start in life, but right now too many kids are missing out on early education because of outdated rules that just don't work. The Liberals' activity test has been making it harder for families, especially those who need it most, to access early childhood education. In 2018 their changes meant that kids from low-income families lost access to crucial learning time. That's why we're introducing the three-day guarantee. This is the critical difference between those opposite and the Albanese Labor government. Those opposite want to test, and we want to guarantee. The coalition want to test families' ability to access and pay for child care, to test whether your child deserves an education and to test whether you deserve to go back to work, and they'll be the judge of whether or not you pass.”
“This incredible organisation has engaged 1,800 volunteers; organised over 150 events; raised more than $3 million; built 920 houses across Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea; and supported 2,400 families. Locally, they have supported the fabulous Lucas Gardens School in Five Dock since 2003, raising money for physiotherapy, classroom technology, the all-ability school bus, incursions to the school and the all abilities playground. They have engaged in regional partnerships, working with the Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council to empower Indigenous youth, and are raising money to support Australians affected by floods in Queensland and bushfires. To President Lance Brooks, Vice-President Hannah Rayment and every volunteer: thank you so much for your time, generosity and commitment.”
“A big thank you to coach Kruger Roache, who joined the club 12 months ago and elevated the quality and experience of the team. To everyone at Briars women's rugby: you've made us all very proud. I would like to recognise and thank Communities for Communities in Canada Bay. They've had a wonderful summer of activities, including their annual Christmas carols. This volunteer-run charity began with a conversation between friends at the Drummoyne swimming pool. Since its inception in 2002, the charity has worked to create lasting partnerships between our community and communities around Sydney, around Australia and around the world. Through Christmas carols, Drummoyne fun days, the Gravy Day Apron Fundraiser, their gala dinners and other events, Communities for Communities demonstrate how to think globally and act locally.”
“It was the trip of a lifetime, and the players covered the cost of the trip themselves through fundraising. I visited their training session before they left to wish them well and was so impressed by their commitment to their club and their sport. The team included many international debutantes on their first overseas tour. They made it to the finals and played well, winning their first game 45-5 and their second game 38-10 and placing eighth overall. Congratulations to the president of Briars women's rugby, David Lannan; all the coaches; volunteers; and players. A huge congratulations to women's player Ameena Kanj, who has also been selected to play in the Lebanon 7s national team. She'll be Briars women's rugby team's first international cap.”
“In recognition of his and the council staff's achievements, the Inner West Council was awarded the AR Bluett Memorial Award in 2023 for the most outstanding council in New South Wales. Some of the achievements of the Inner West Council under Peter's leadership include redeveloping Ashfield Aquatic Centre, introducing food recycling for every home, rolling out the biggest electric vehicle charging infrastructure anywhere in Australia and, later this year, completing the Cooks River to Iron Cove GreenWay. Thank you and congratulations, Peter, for your decades of service in the community. I would like to recognise and welcome home the Briars women's rugby team, who had the honour of travelling to Japan in January to compete in the prestigious Nanairo Cup.”
“Tonight I want to acknowledge the incredible people who make our community so wonderful. On Australia Day, Peter Gainsford, general manager of the Inner West Council, was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to local government. Prior to his appointment to the Inner West Council, Peter was the general manager of the City of Canada Bay, another council in my electorate. He is also a long-time resident in the community, so he has deep and extensive roots in my electorate. Peter has had a 40-year career in local government and exemplifies the career possibilities in this sector, rising from his first role as a carpenter's apprentice to general manager. As general manager, he has championed transformative change in the Inner West.”
“It has more than 30 teams, including junior girl and boys right through to senior teams. The success of the Drummoyne Water Polo Club rests on its members and volunteers—people who have been involved with the club for many years. Congratulations to the entire team. Thank you for fostering a love of this great sport in our local community. I look forward to attending your annual club day later this month.”
“Congratulations to the Drummoyne Water Polo Club on being awarded a Play Our Way grant for their female participation and empowerment program. The club was awarded the grant for their plan to increase the involvement of girls and women in the sport from the ground up. As well as introducing policies to welcome and sustain young and adult female athletes, they are working to increase the number of female coaches, referees and officials. In 2024 they elected their first female president—a huge congratulations to president Sally Gates. She's already made an indelible mark on the club. They've seen a 20 per cent rise in women members, and that will continue to rise with the support of this grant. Drummoyne Water Polo Club is one of Australia's largest water polo clubs.”
“I'm delighted that dozens of women are taking part in the group. They are GPs, surgeons, researchers, gynaecologists, physios and women with lived experience. They've identified the priority health issues for women in my local community, and it's wonderful to see some of those issues already being addressed by the Labor government. A member of that group said to me, 'Women shouldn't have to suffer in silence', and I'm pleased to be part of a government that is finally listening to women.”
“At a women's health forum I held with the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney, women spoke openly about the challenges they've faced within the health system. They shared stories of being ignored, dismissed and discouraged. Their stories have stayed with me ever since. They deserve a government that is willing to invest in their health and their future. That's what this Labor government is doing. We've announced half a billion in funding to support better health outcomes for women—listing two contraceptive pills on the PBS, increasing Medicare payments on IUDs, more support for women experiencing menopause and more endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics. I've created a Reid women's health reference group to support the courageous local women who are helping shine a light on women's health needs.”
“We have, unfortunately, had a coalition government that has been completely uninterested in trying to solve it. I'm glad that I'm now part of an Albanese Labor government that is addressing it head-on. While the coalition has spent this entire parliament blocking the Labor government's plan to get thousands of Australians into their own homes, Labor has a simple belief, and that is that ordinary Australians should be able to own their own homes. We're helping more people buy their first homes with smaller deposits through the Home Guarantee Scheme and with smaller mortgages under our Help To Buy Scheme. These programs will help thousands of people get into their own homes sooner. The key part of this is to build more homes. As I said, that is our No. 1 priority—to build more homes.”
“I know it acutely because I live in Sydney. Sydney is considered the second-least affordable housing market in the world, behind Hong Kong. It's a challenge for Sydneysiders. I hear about in my electorate. But it hasn't always been this way, so we have to ask the question: how did we get here? We got here not because of the actions of this government; we got here because there has been a failure by coalition governments at the federal and state levels to take this problem seriously. Housing unaffordability does not spring up overnight. It brews and brews for years and years. Part of the problem is supply. Part of the problem is getting more people to build those homes. Part of the problem is getting appropriate infrastructure. But it is, unfortunately, a perfect storm that has been brewing for a really long time.”
“And we are reminded of the mantra that they use over and over again: if you don't pay for it, you don't value it. They've demonstrated, with their actions when they were in government for nine years and their actions now, that they also don't value housing affordability—helping Australians to get into homes. They didn't back our $10 billion housing affordability future fund. I note that the previous member talked about homelessness for women, particularly older women. I'll tell you what will help those older women into homes. It's the Housing Australia Future Fund. That fund will be building 30,000 homes, and 4,000 of those homes are going to be set aside for vulnerable women. That is the practical help you can provide as a government—actually building homes for vulnerable older women. We know that there is a housing affordability crisis.”
“They are not here to have a serious discussion about what we should be doing to help with housing and affordability. Let's look at the two policies that they are bringing forward: one is to assist in providing additional funding for supporting infrastructure—no additional funds to build the homes, mind you—and the other is to get people to raid their super funds, their retirement incomes. These are the two policies that they've brought forward. As with all other things from those opposite, they always sit on their hands when there's an opportunity to actually do something. With the cost of living, did they back a tax cut for all Australian taxpayers? No. Did they back cheaper energy bills? No. What have they backed? Lunches for bosses.”
“Having been in this House for just over 2½ years now, I know that much of the work that happens here is really important and very serious but also that much of it is performative. And that is what we have had here in this debate. Housing affordability is certainly a matter of public importance, but this debate is purely performative. We know that. Those opposite not only failed to help with housing affordability when they were in government for nine years but also failed to back key measures that we've introduced to help with housing affordability. If you take that as a whole—they failed to act when they were in government and failed to back bills that we've introduced to help with housing affordability—then what can we surmise about this debate? It is purely performative.”
“It certainly isn't workers, because let's remember that those opposite had low wages as a deliberate design feature of their policies. So what does he value? Workers paying for bosses to take long lunches. The Leader of the Opposition was out of touch and reckless as health minister; he continues to be out of touch and reckless and he should never lead this country.”
“The Leader of the Opposition has had all summer to think up something to help families with the cost of living, because he's opposed all the measures we've introduced—opposed $300 energy bill relief, opposed tax cuts for all Australians and opposed cheaper medicines. So what is his bright idea to help ordinary Australians? Colleagues, it's a doozy. His bright idea is to get workers to help pay for their bosses' lunch—a policy as out of touch as it is reckless, costing the budget between $1.6 billion and $10 billion a year. Those opposite are famous for saying, 'If you don't pay for it, you don't value it.' So what does the Leader of the Opposition value? It certainly isn't Medicare, because when he was health minister he gutted Medicare and tried to introduce a GP tax.”