Matt Burnell
Spence · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Christiana also said: We need Carnival to stop exploiting the workers. We work very long hours and get paid not even peanuts. Australia has built its reputation on fair wages, safe workplaces and respect for working people. Those values cannot stop at the water's edge.”
“Long shifts are routine, often stretching well beyond 12-hour days. Nobody should have to choose between protecting their health and keeping their job, and, after I heard this, nobody can convince me to go on a Carnival cruise in the future. The Maritime Union of Australia deserves enormous credit for exposing these practices.”
“This was about making sure those without a voice had someone prepared to stand up for them. That experience has stayed with me ever since. Perhaps that is why I reacted so strongly after meeting two former Carnival Cruise employees, Queen and Christiana, this week. What they described left me entirely appalled.”
“Queen and Christiana described having to purchase their own drinking water, Wi-Fi, toiletries and sanitary products while living on board. Basic necessities became another cost deducted from wages that were already impossible to live on. No employer should expect workers to pay simply to meet their most fundamental needs.”
“Thank you to the member for Mayo for that fine contribution to this House just now. Before I entered this place, I spent a decade working offshore in the Australian oil and gas industry.”
“I call on AMSA to ensure these rights are respected and enforced. I know the pride that comes from working in the maritime sector. I also know the sacrifices made by those who spend months away from their families to keep global trade and tourism moving. That commitment should never be rewarded with exploitation.”
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“But no matter the title he held, Bruce never lost sight of who he was there to serve—the people of Gawler and the communities that make up Light. His commitment to local government was just as profound. He served as Mayor of Gawler from 1968 to 1972 and again from 1993 to 2000, returning to the role decades later out of a continued sense of duty to his town. Across those years, he helped guide Gawler through periods of growth and change, always with a steady hand, a practical mindset and a deep respect for community voices. Outside of politics, Bruce was also a pioneer in his profession of veterinarian. He became the first self-employed rural vet in the Gawler region, building a practice that supported local farmers and families alike in Williston—a place I now call home, too.”
“Today I speak to acknowledge the life and legacy of Bruce Eastick, a giant of our community in the north and a man whose leadership, wisdom and service helped shape Gawler and South Australia for generations. Bruce's contribution to public life was defined by purpose and a genuine belief that public office is a responsibility to serve others. He served the people of the district of Light for 23 years, a remarkable period of dedication that speaks to the trust his community placed in him election after election. In that time, he held some of the highest offices in the South Australian parliament, serving as Speaker of the House during the Tonkin government and later as Leader of the Opposition from 1972 to 1975.”
“We're putting a billion dollars into training doctors in more communities, strengthening the pipeline and delivering fairer outcomes to communities like mine. We've signed a historic security treaty with Indonesia, strengthening regional stability and Australia's place in our neighbourhood. Those are just our announcements since parliament last sat four days ago. We've been delivering for Australians since we came into government in 2022. We've delivered cheaper scripts, listing new contraceptives, menopausal hormone therapies and endometriosis treatments on the PBS; celebrated three years of free TAFE, opening doors to future workforces; cut HECS debts by 20 per cent; legislated five per cent house deposits, building 100,000 new homes; and delivered record Medicare urgent care clinics and a three-day childcare guarantee.”
“After the greatest public display of chucking the toys out of the cot, the Nats are back with the Libs. The coalition, the 'on-alition', the 'off-alition', the 'I-don't-know-what-alition'—same chaos, new week. One minute, they're breaking up; the next, they're back together, proving, once again, the only thing holding the coalition together is the fear of being alone. While they squabble over titles and egos, Australians are left wondering who's leading who over there. While they remain divided and divisive, the Albanese Labor government remains focused on delivering for everyday Aussies, not serving egos. We're investing $25 billion to support workers across 750 hospitals, backing nurses, doctors and frontline staff.”
“On behalf of the parliament he served and the nation that parliament represents, I extend my deepest love and sympathy to Luch's family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him. May you take comfort in knowing that he was admired, respected and genuinely loved. Vale Luch.”
“Luch was a great servant of Australian democracy, not through speeches or legislation but through constancy, professionalism and decency, and through decades of showing up early, staying late and making sure this place functioned with care and respect. His contribution reminds us that democracy depends not only on those who debate and decide but on those who support, sustain and uphold the institution itself. Luch did that for longer than anyone, and since his passing, Parliament House has been a quieter place, but his legacy remains in the memories of colleagues, in the stories shared in these corridors and chambers and in the culture of respect he embodied.”
“I know that it was extremely difficult when we came back for the couple of days' sitting in January. I had the good fortune to speak to a few of our wonderful staff that assist us every day and I know that it was extremely difficult. I think the member for Fisher spoke about legacy and the desire to have people cut from the same cloth as Luch. I think that Luch's presence in this building and his service to this place have left an imprint on each and every single attendant, so I think that there is, without doubt, no risk to the fact of his legacy living on, because I am very certain that every attendant will do everything they can to uphold the values for which Luch stood. We often speak in this chamber about service to the nation.”
“I often come here early in the morning and I leave late at night, and Luch was always someone who I would come across very early, on my path in, and probably the last person I'd see, apart from security, as I'd leave the building, and I was always met with, 'How're you going, boss?' and I'd reply with, 'Good thanks, chief.' The interactions that we had with him were so genuine, at just the purest, simplest level. There was no fuss about all the other noise going on in this place. It was his opportunity to make sure that you felt grounded in this place and that you weren't being lost in the hustle and bustle and noise. I know there have been a lot of comments around how people have felt et cetera, but I do want to extend my condolences not only to his family but, importantly, to all of the chamber attendants.”
“Listening to other members' contributions today, and having had time to think about what Luch meant to me, and to other people in this place, since his passing, I keep coming back to one known fact, and that is that Luch spent his time helping to build this place, and I think it's part of the reason why his fabric is so interwoven into every little facet of this building—someone of the people who helped to build the people's house and then attend us in the House of Representatives for four decades. I think it's quite a fitting achievement for the man.”
“Today I rise to also associate my comments with others' on the passing of a much loved and deeply respected figure in this place, Ljupco Jonceski, known affectionately as 'Luch', but, as an avid Collingwood supporter, to me, I think, the Parliament House's very own Macedonian marvel. He was not an elected member, he never stood to speak at the dispatch box and his name will not appear on the rolls of parliament, but make no mistake: he was part of the fabric of this place.”
“Nick Bolkus served Australia with honour, he served the Labor Party with loyalty and he served the public with integrity. Vale, Nick. May you rest in peace.”
“Nick Bolkus acts as a reminder that good government is built on patience, preparation and principle. Condolence motions ask us to reflect not just on a life lived but on a legacy left behind. Nick Bolkus leaves a legacy of service, of reform and of belief in the Labor cause—a belief that Australia can be fairer; that opportunity should be shared; and that government, when guided by values, can improve lives. To his family and his friends and all who had the privilege of working with him, I extend my deepest sympathies. To his daughter, Aria: I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming South Australian election as the Labor candidate for the seat of Colton. I know you will carry the Bolkus family name with pride while representing the Labor Party, and that your dad's example will continue to guide you as you follow in his footsteps.”
“Within the Labor Party, he was highly respected, a thoughtful contributor and a colleague who brought reason and principle to every discussion. He believed deeply in party unity and in the idea that Labor, at its best, is stronger when it listens, debates and moves forward together. For many members and colleagues, Nick was also a mentor. He gave advice freely, offered encouragement generously and was always willing to share his experience with those coming up behind him. That generosity of spirit is one of the great quiet gifts of public life. In South Australia and across the Labor movement nationally, his passing will be felt deeply, not just because of the offices he held but because of the values he embodied: decency, thoughtfulness, service.”
“He had a deep respect for multicultural Australia and a clear understanding that our diversity was not a weakness to be managed but a strength to be embraced. In every role he held, Nick brought a sense of fairness, balance and intellectual rigour. He was not interested in shortcuts. He believed policy should be well-considered, evidence-based and grounded in Labor's enduring commitment to social justice. Nick was also a strong believer in education, both as a policy priority and as a personal calling. Nick Bolkus represented a particular kind of Labor figure, one defined by substance rather than spectacle. He did not seek the spotlight. He did it because he believed in the hard work of reform, the patient work of persuasion and the enduring importance of institutions.”
“He represented South Australia in the Senate with distinction, and later served as a minister in the Hawke and Keating governments during one of the most transformative periods in our nation's history. Those were years of big reform, years that reshaped Australia's economy, our education system and our place in the world, and Nick Bolkus was there, working thoughtfully, diligently and often behind the scenes to help make that change possible. As the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs and later as the Minister for Administrative Services, he approached his responsibilities with seriousness and care. He believed that public administration mattered, that institutions mattered and that the way government treated people said everything about the values it stood for.”
“Today I speak to honour the life and service of a man whose contribution to the Australian Labor Party was profound, enduring and deeply principled: Nick Bolkus. Nick Bolkus was not a loud figure in Australian politics, but he was one who left a lasting impact on this country—a thinker, a reformer, a believer in Labor values and a man who devoted his life to public service with integrity and quiet determination. Nick entered political life driven not by ego or ambition but by a belief that government could be a powerful force for fairness and opportunity for everyone. He joined the Labor Party as a young man, and from the very beginning he understood that politics was about fair representation for the people of Australia.”
“Local industry benefits, local services benefit and families benefit. That's why the Albanese Labor government has invested in this program, recognising that opportunity shouldn't exist only in a few pockets across the country. It has been built around where people live, where people work and where people are raising their families. That's what this place represents—a practical investment in people and a recognition that potential exists everywhere, even where opportunity does not, unless we choose to build it. In closing, I want to give a massive shout-out to the City of Playford council, who worked tirelessly to ensure that this was able to be delivered in the centre of our community. Thank you for all your hard work.”
“An hour or so can be lost travelling from the north to university campuses every day—hours that could have been spent studying, spending time with the kids or working an extra shift. Over time, it all adds up. That's why this place was designed to bring study closer, bring support closer and make tertiary education feel less distant, because that support matters most when things get hard—not on the first days of O-week but when there's a major assessment due. Fatigue sets in, the kids are sick, the car's broken down, and many begin to think about giving up on the dream. Having a place like this is how people push past that. This place is about encouraging more people to enrol in a university course and helping more people complete them too, because, when more people finish their qualifications, our whole community benefits.”
“It doesn't ask people to magically create more hours in the day; it gives students time, support and space to focus. It also sends a message, especially to young people in the north, that higher education isn't some narrow, linear path. It's about people studying in different ways, at different times and for different reasons. It's for someone fresh out of school trying to get a start. It's for someone working full time and trying to retrain, upskill or pivot to a new profession. But too often in the north the issue isn't motivation or ability. It's whether study is actually convenient, reachable and able to fit around the day-to-day lives of students. The most obvious barrier for people in the north is travel, the tyranny of distance.”
“Uni Hub Playford brings uni closer for students in the north, making tertiary study more accessible for our community. For a long time, the path to university has been much harder than it should be, not because people in the north lack talent and not because we lack the ability to put in the hard yards but because the barriers have been real. In Elizabeth, where the hub is located, only around 7.2 per cent of people have a degree. If people don't have access, they don't get the same outcomes. By making study feel achievable for people living real lives—real life in our community looks like shiftwork, it looks like raising kids and watching every dollar, and it looks like people who are already doing a lot and trying to add study on top. That's why Uni Hub Playford matters.”
“Locally, only 9.7 per cent of people in the electorate of Spence held a bachelor's degree or higher—the kind of gap that doesn't close on its own. In mid-2023, the interim report of the Australian Universities Accord was released. As its first priority action, it recommended the establishment of what were then called tertiary study hubs. From that point, my goal was obvious: bring one of those hubs to the north. Now, I can proudly say that we have delivered that. South Australia's first and only suburban university study hub is proudly at its new home at the Elizabeth TAFE, all thanks to the Albanese Labor government's $66.9 million investment in this program—a program that makes it clear that your postcode isn't going to put a ceiling on what you can do in life.”
“Last week I was joined by the Minister for Education to officially open Uni Hub Playford, our very own suburban university study hub located right in the heart of my electorate of Spence. This journey started quite some time ago, when I was a newly elected MP. I visited schools, speaking with students, teachers and principals. I spoke with families who wanted more for their children. I spoke with workers who were looking to upskill but didn't know how they could fit that around their busy lives. And I started listening to reports and statistics, some of them quite sobering. A Jobs and Skills Australia report stated that nine out of 10 new jobs created in our economy will require some form of postschool qualification and that over half of those will require a higher education qualification.”
“My question is for the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to build more houses and help more Australians into homeownership? Why is a focus on delivery, not division, so important?”
“This is about providing real housing accessibility for South Australians who want the security of their own home, and it would not have been possible without the united, cohesive and driven leadership from the Albanese and Malinauskas Labor governments and our unwavering dedication to delivering for Australians. Whilst those opposite continue to be divided, divisive and too busy fighting with themselves, we are driven in our pursuit of helping Australians purchase their first home. We are focused on delivering real progress, real supply and real hope to make sure anyone has access to their own home.”
“Dorothy from The Wizard o f Oz clicked her heels three times and said, 'There's no place like home.' And she's right. There is no place like home. And a home is exactly what John, Yolanda and Luca Tramantono from Munno Para in my electorate of Spence have been able to build with the help of the Albanese government. They graciously hosted us on the weekend for a historic announcement by our government, an announcement that includes a landmark agreement to unlock 17,000 new homes for South Australians, including nearly 7,000 homes for first home buyers. The $800 million investment marked a major milestone in delivering our election commitment to help build 100,000 homes for first home buyers.”
“May those who have lost their lives rest in eternal peace, but may their memories live on and may their families find comfort, in time, surrounded by a community and a nation that refuses to look away.”
“It is now on all of us in this place to uphold and set this standard: to refuse to excuse hate; to refuse to qualify it or downplay it; and to make it clear that Jewish Australians have every right to live their lives without fear or intimidation and without further acts of wanton violence. In my electorate of Spence, we grieve with Australia's Jewish community. When an atrocity such as this happens, it doesn't remain in one place. It reaches across our country. It leaves entire communities shaken, searching for reassurance that they are safe in the nation they call home. To the Australian Jewish community: I stand with you, and we, here in this place, stand with you. We stand with you in grief and in solidarity.”
“That courage deserves to be recognised in this place—an example of the best of humanity, in the face of the worst unfolding in front of them. That courage in a moment of crisis does not remove the responsibility that sits with all of us here today. No Australian should ever have to think twice before celebrating their faith in public, and no Australian should ever feel they have to hide who they worship in order to feel safe or in order to be safe. In Australia, we cannot become a place where Jewish Australians are made to feel that their faith must be practised quietly behind closed doors, because that is not who we are. We are a proud multicultural, multifaith nation. Every Australian should be able to live their life openly, safely and with dignity.”
“This wasn't a random act of violence, nor an act of senseless violence. This was a targeted, premeditated act of antisemitic violence. It was an act of evil. It is a reminder, albeit a confronting one, that Australia is not immune from hatred directed at people because of who they are or who they worship. We have always wanted to think of this kind of violence as not something that happens on our shores, but it is a reality that we must now confront, no matter how ugly this may be. Even in that darkness, Australians did what Australians do best. In the face of such immeasurable evil, and at the very real risk of injury or death, they steeled themselves and made the conscious decision to run towards danger, not away from it—doing so to protect, in most instances, complete strangers.”
“To their families and loved ones: we cannot undo what has been done; we cannot take away your grief; but in this place, here today, we can honour their memory, we can mourn with you and we can stand with you, and we can commit ourselves to ensuring that our country never accepts hatred as normality and to doing so whilst the Australian Jewish community carries this grief—a grief so profound that no family or community should ever have to carry it. These lives were lost on the first night of Hanukkah, as Jewish Australians came together to mark a moment of faith, identity and tradition—Hanukkah, a time of lights; a time of resilience; a time of gathering together, openly and proudly, to affirm what you believe and who you are; a time meant for moments of joy and togetherness, not fear.”
“I rise today to join the Prime Minister and many other members to express my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of Edith Brutman, Dan Elkayam, Boris and Sofia Gurman, Alexander Kleytman, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Peter Meagher, Reuven Morrison, Marika Pogany, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Adam Smyth, Boris Tetleroyd, Tania Tretiak, Tibor Weitzen and Matilda, aged just 10 years old: 15 people, 15 souls, 15 innocent lives. They were loved; they were known; they were part of families, part of a community and friends to many; and they should still be here.”
“Condolence motions remind us that politics is not just policy or contest; it is the people, people who dedicate their talents, their energy and, at times, their health to the service of others. Graham Richardson was one of those people. He lived a big life. He leaves a big legacy. To his family, his friends, his colleagues in the Labor Party and all who mourn him today: I offer my deepest sympathies. May they find comfort in knowing his work changed this country for the better, and may they know that his contribution will be remembered not only in the history books but in the lives of Australians who benefit from his determination and his belief in a fairer nation. Vale, Richo. May you rest in peace. Debate adjourned.”
“That clarity and that conviction are rare. Richo's passing marks the end of an era for Labor—an era defined by bold reform, tough decisions and unwavering belief in the transformative power of government. But his legacy lives on in the environmental protections he helped deliver; in the electoral victories he helped secure; in the culture of strategy, loyalty and purpose he instilled in the party; and in the countless Labor MPs, staffers and members who learned from him, formally or informally, what it means to serve. Richo faced significant health battles over recent years, yet even in illness he remained engaged, insightful and committed. His courage in those final years was immense. He continued to write, to analyse, to mentor and to speak his mind. He continued to give back to the movement that had given him purpose.”
“He was a human—imperfect, fiery, passionate and utterly committed to his cause. But that is what makes a political life real. He believed in government as a force for good, he believed in the power of solidarity and he believed in the idea that no Australian should be left behind, and he fought for those beliefs with a seriousness and intensity that shaped a generation of Labor thinking. In the electorate of Spence, in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, where working-class traditions run deep, there would be many who remember Richo not as a distant political figure but as a symbol of Labor's determination to keep fighting for ordinary families. He spoke in a language people understood. He didn't hide behind jargon or niceties. He cut through. And, whether you agreed with him or not, you always knew where he stood.”
“Richo was known for many things: his sharp political instincts, his unmatched ability to read a room, his blunt humour and, yes, his famous willingness to do whatever it takes for the party he loved. But beneath all of that was a deep loyalty to colleagues, to friends, to the labour movement and to the ordinary Australians he believed Labor existed to serve. He never drifted from those roots. Even after leaving parliament, his voice remained unmistakeably Labor, on television, in commentary, at party events and in quiet conversations with leaders seeking his counsel. People listened to him not because he demanded it but because he understood politics the way few ever will and because his advice was always grounded in purpose, not ego. Richo was not a saint, nor would he want to be remembered as one.”
“By his 20s, he was already deep in the engine room of the New South Wales branch, learning, negotiating, persuading and doing whatever he had to do to keep Labor competitive, united and capable of governing. And then came his extraordinary career in the Senate, where he quickly became one of the most influential political thinkers of his generation. As Minister for Social Security and then as minister for the environment, he carried the same unwavering purpose of improving people's lives. The preservation of our natural heritage, of Kakadu and the Daintree, bears his fingerprints to this day. He understood something profound: working people deserve not only economic security but a country worth passing on to their children. In the great tradition of Labor reformers, he fought hard and sometimes fiercely to make that vision real.”
“Today we pause to remember a towering figure in the Australian Labor Party—a strategist, a fighter and a loyal servant of the movement—Graham 'Richo' Richardson. Richo was many things over his long public life: a senator, a minister, a commentator. But, more than anything, he was Labor to his bones. He understood the party not as an institution but as a living thing carried forward by people, by values and by the promise of a better life for working Australians. He dedicated every waking hour of his career to that mission. Born in 1949 and raised in a family steeped in Labor tradition, Richo was shaped early by the stories of struggle and solidarity that define our movement. He joined the party as a teenager, not for prestige but because he believed in something bigger than himself.”
“So, whether you're in Angle Vale, Salisbury, Gawler or Elizabeth, keep an eye out for the green and gold bulk-billing signs going up around the practices in your communities. We're making Medicare what it was always meant to be: universal, affordable and there when you need it. In Spence, the results are already being felt in waiting rooms, in family budgets and in the confidence people have in getting the care they need. Labor will always care for Medicare. I care for Medicare. The Prime Minister cares for Medicare. But the question that's on everyone's lips is: do those opposite care for Medicare?”
“Medicare is at the heart of our healthcare system, and, in communities like Spence, it's a lifeline. That's why the Albanese Labor government is making historic investments to strengthen Medicare and bring bulk-billing into more communities than ever before—because no Australian should ever have to choose between their health and their hip pocket. I'm proud to report that in the north we are seeing the results. The bulk-billing rate for GP visits in Spence reached 83.4 per cent in the June quarter of 2025. That means that more people in the north are seeing a doctor without paying out of pocket. Even more encouraging, 22 GP practices in Spence have now indicated their intention to become Medicare bulk-billing practices. That's 22 local clinics stepping up to provide fairer access, thanks to Labor's tripling of the bulk-billing incentive.”
“This pause on draught beer excise isn't just economic; it's social. It's cultural, it's Australian and it's smart, responsible and timely. That's why I proudly commend this bill to the House.”
“When workers feel supported, everyone benefits. I'm proud that we're not only listening to brewers, publicans and industry groups but also co-designing solutions with them: practical, responsible and targeted measures that reflect what the industry has asked for and what the moment demands. This is a government acting with care, clarity and confidence in the role that small business plays in shaping the Australia we all share. The support for this measure—from the Brewers Association and the Australian Hotels Association to independent brewers across South Australia—shows we've listened. Every time we support a pub, we support jobs. Every time we ease pressure on a local venue, we make connection more accessible. Every time we stand up for small business, we stand up for our values.”
“This decision aligns with our broader commitment to back in small businesses, not just with words but with tangible support—from digital transformation grants that help venues modernise booking systems and manage inventory to energy efficiency incentives that allow clubs and hostels to cut power bills by upgrading refrigeration or installing solar, from extended instant asset write-offs that allow investment in kitchen upgrades or new tap systems to training support that ensures young workers in the north can develop hospitality skills and advance their careers locally. This is a government that sees value in small business, not only as an engine of the economy but as a cornerstone of national life. When small businesses succeed, communities stay strong. When the local pub thrives, the town thrives.”
“This pause in excise helps level the playing field for them too against bigger competitors and unpredictable costs. It means they can plan production runs, stabilise overheads and focus on growth, not just survival. This measure also supports the hidden workforce, the people you don't always see in the front bar: the truck driver delivering kegs at dawn, the cleaner ensuring the club is spotless before the doors open, the refrigeration technician who fixes the cool room so the beer stays cold even in the middle of the searing South Australian summer. These are not just lines on a budget passed through parliament; they are our neighbours, our family members and our constituents.”
“Fairness is not just a value; it's what defines the classic pub test. It's fairness for a mum-and-dad operator running the local tavern who are trying to keep staff on, stay competitive and avoid raising prices on their regulars. It's fairness for a casual worker clocking off a late shift who depends on those weekend hours behind the bar or in the kitchen to help pay rent or cover textbooks. It's fairness for a pensioner visiting their favourite club for a midweek meal, relying on those outings not just for sustenance but for social connection and companionship. It's fairness for the brewer in a regional town who is not just making beer but employing locals, sourcing local supplies and maybe even sponsoring the local sports club.”
“It is steady leadership, all with the plan to try to make life for the average Aussie battler better. We know that inflationary pressures continue to affect families here at home, and we're not immune to global cost increases, but we are responding with discipline, care and action. That's the mark of responsible government—staying focused when the economic pressures are high and delivering relief with actions like this bill. The draft beer excise pause is part of that same philosophy. We understand the importance of a beer off the tap with your mates, and we want to protect that. This is temporary, targeted and tightly scoped. It doesn't undermine our health commitments, it doesn't rewrite the alcohol tax system, but it does offer relief when it counts and where it counts.”
“We're increasing paid parental leave to 24 weeks, ensuring you can spend more time with your family and still feel supported. We've cut 20 per cent from student loan debts for more than three million Australians. We've cut tax for every taxpayer and have legislated more cuts to come. For students in critical sectors like teaching, nursing and social work, we've rolled out Commonwealth practical placement payments, recognising their contribution and easing placement costs. We've delivered long-overdue pay rises for aged-care workers, and we've rolled out relief on emergency bills, health care and essential services, all while keeping inflation heading in the right direction. Although I could go on about the positive changes this Labor government has ushered in already, it is worth noting it is not all just smart policy.”
“One shift cut at a brewery could mean fewer deliveries, slower distribution or deferred upgrades. It's all connected, and we're acting to protect those connections. We know the industry has done it tough: COVID lockdowns, staff shortages, delivery delays, rent increases—all of it compounding year after year. This isn't just a tax measure; it's a lifeline. It's a signal that the government understands and is willing to act. That's what good government looks like: listening, not lecturing; partnering, not posturing; delivering relief where it's needed most. This measure forms part of a broader suite of cost-of-living support delivered by our government. We've raised the minimum wage and award wages by 3½ per cent. We've lifted superannuation contributions to 12 per cent, helping you feel more comfortable in retirement.”
“Let me be clear, this is also about regional resilience. In the north and in towns right across Australia the pub is often the last true gathering space. When the banks are closed, the post office is gone and the sporting clubs struggle, it's the pub that remains. Lose that and you don't just lose a business; you lose a community anchor. This policy protects that anchor and keeps it firmly grounded. It supports independent brewers and microbrewers, those who don't have the marketing might of multinationals but who live and work in the same towns as the people they serve. For them, keg sales are often the difference between breaking even and shutting the doors. For the wider supply chain—the real grain growers, the forklift drivers, the fitters and turners—this pause keeps production moving.”
“This bill, and the benefits it draws, is a decision grounded in fairness and pragmatism, because small-business owners can't plan properly if they're blindsided by tax rises every six months and patrons shouldn't be priced out of their local by the incremental hikes that compound year after year. There are around 10,000 hospitality venues around the country that will benefit directly from this measure. Roughly 75 per cent of those are small, independent businesses, many of them family run and many employing locals. Altogether, the brewing and hospitality sector supports over 160,000 jobs tied to draught beer. From brewers to truckies, this measure reaches them all and ensures they have certainty. It helps them hold their margins and it gives them the confidence to keep investing in staff, venues and innovation.”
“This measure is targeted. It applies only to draught beer poured from eight- to 48-litre containers—your typical keg sizes—and to larger containers used in high-volume hospitality settings. It does not apply to packaged beer, spirits or wine. This isn't about retailers or bottle shops. This is for pubs, clubs and hospitality venues. Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Damian McGee, who runs the Exchange Hotel in Gawler. He told me that he was fully supportive of this bill. It means that patrons get a fair go when they're at the pub and are not hit by an unfair price hike. It also means that business gets retained—a benefit for everyone involved in running a business.”