Cameron Caldwell
Fadden · Liberal National Party · Australia
“I rise today with a heavy heart, because the scourge of domestic and family violence is no longer just a headline in the media for our local community. This week it has been happening in our own backyard. In Biggera Waters, 23-year-old Mallorie Jane Roberts, a young mum with a little son, was allegedly shot and killed in her own home.”
“I also want to acknowledge the courage of neighbour Sharon Burgess, who did what every decent Australian hopes they would. She called triple zero and desperately tried to save Mallorie's life until paramedics arrived. Sadly, Mallory could not be saved. Then, in Hope Island just a couple of nights ago, another horror unfolded.”
“To all of us in this place: we must be clear; domestic and family violence must be called out wherever it occurs. Backed by our brave police, frontline services, neighbours, families and a community that refuses to look away, we must work together to end domestic and family violence.”
“My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. In February 2026, a constituent of mine, Mr Austin, aged 98, had his aged-care application reviewed by Labor's AI tool. Despite his age and having suffered a life-threatening fall, his application was assessed as 'low priority'.”
“I second the amendment. I support the Manager of Opposition Business. This is a worthwhile amendment to the motion and one that respects the longstanding traditions held in relation to the conduct of this committee.”
“The housing minister has talked about a 10 to 20 per cent 'correction', and that should concern every Australian with a mortgage. That's not a housing plan; that's an admission that this government has lost control. Sadly, the great Australian dream has turned into a nightmare under this Labor government.”
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“But where this government has failed Australian families in child care is that they get lost in the concept of creating something that will turn up on a corflute at a polling booth at the federal election this year. Mark my words: as we walk into polling booths, there will be corflutes that say 'Cheaper child care'.”
“There are a lot of parents out there, a lot of mums, who are going to say, 'Well, if they're removing the activity test, that is the best news I've had this week, because it means I'm not going to have to spend 45 minutes on the phone to Services Australia.' One of the things that's happened during this term of the Labor government is that they couldn't run a chook raffle let alone a government department giving any kind of level of service. There will be a huge sigh of relief at any reduction in the time that you have to spend dealing with Services Australia, under this government, because, I've got to say, that'll save parents a lot of time.”
“All are doing an amazing job to make sure that on a day-to-day basis our children are given the best start in life. But it's not easy to stand in this place and support the approach Labor have taken to child care during this term in government. In the end, people are working—and often have to work—in order to pay the bills, and child care becomes an absolute necessity in order to get yourself to your place of work and apply yourself to that job. The activity test as introduced was to try and incentivise and facilitate parents getting back into the workforce, and that is I think a very worthwhile intention.”
“I also think it's important to note the role they play in being part of the fabric of a local suburb or community, and I'll get to some of that a bit later in relation to where there's a lack of child care through parts of Australia, which is regrettable. In the suburb of Labrador, directly across the road from my office, we've got the Jacaranda Early Education Centre. Last week I visited them because they asked me for a set of three flags, and I was very proud to deliver those. And throughout the suburbs of my electorate there are some amazing childcare centres—for example, Runaway Bay Kindyland, Goodstart Early Learning at Parkwood, Bonny Babes at Hope Island, Harmony Early Education at Hope Island and the Little Scholars School of Early Learning at Ormeau.”
“I thank the minister for her contribution. I know she's genuinely engaged, as a parent of twins, in the childcare and early education system, as am I, because I have two young daughters who have literally, in the last half an hour, just got home from day care. So, standing in this place I have an appreciation, more than most, for the importance of early childhood care and education. I want to start by saying a heartfelt thankyou to all those hardworking early childhood educators who look after my daughters and look after many families' children while they're at work. I stand in this place today, and my wife was able to work today, because of a service provided by some very caring individuals.”
“Under the Albanese Labor government, it has been harder and more expensive for women to access critical primary health care. The GP bulk-billing rate has collapsed from 88 per cent under the coalition to just 77 per cent today, leading to over 1.5 million Australians avoiding GP visits due to cost concerns. So we will hear a 'Mediscare' campaign at the next election, but the coalition is the only party that can be trusted to get Australia's healthcare system back on track.”
“The coalition supports affordable and accessible health care for all Australian women. The government's announcement of $573 million in a women's health package is a welcome commitment, but let us not forget that the coalition has pioneered much of this work already. It was the former coalition government that made historic investments in women's health, establishing Australia's first endometriosis-specific clinics and laying the foundation for better health care for women nationwide. You see, women's health care has always been a priority for the coalition. As a father of three girls, I understand that any commitment to women's health is crucial. But right now, across our nation, we have a primary health crisis that has never been worse.”
“If the interest rate were just 5.34 per cent, that family would be paying $477 less per month in repayments—a total saving of $5,364 a year—which is true cost-of-living relief that's being denied by this Treasurer. Under Labor, interest rates have stayed too high for too long. Last year, we were one of the few developed economies where interest rates did not come down. We are paying the price for Labor's bad decisions and wrong priorities.”
“Australians are living through a cost-of-living crisis that is induced by this Labor government. Because Labor can't manage their budget, it's impacting the family budget. The cost of everything has gone up—groceries, insurance and power bills. Families in suburbs like Labrador, Parkwood and Pacific Pines are struggling to make ends meet. Don't be fooled by the rhetoric and the hand gestures from the Prime Minister playing the piano. The cost of living is up, and the standard of living is down. The damage is done, and it has been done by this Prime Minister. The Treasurer has been playing chicken with the Reserve Bank for almost three years, and Australians are paying the price. A family in Pimpama with a mortgage of $700,000 and an interest rate of 6.34 per cent are paying $4,352 a month.”
“I give a special mention to my federal colleagues on the ground: the member for Herbert, Phil Thompson; the member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox; and Senator Susan McDonald. They've been there for their communities in their time of need, and I know that, under the leadership of Premier Crisafulli, we will rebuild and recover. North Queensland, we will be there for you all.”
“My congratulations to Luke Black, the president, David Loft and all the committee on bringing the club family together. My best wishes to Aaron and his family for a speedy recovery. Go, the Tigers! I pay tribute to and acknowledge those fellow Queenslanders in North Queensland who are suffering under a terrible weather event at the moment. When regional Queensland is in pain all of us Queenslanders share that pain, with many of us having family, friends and a shared history with that part of Australia. Tragically, a woman lost her life in Innisfail, which is one of the hardest-hit areas. I was encouraged to see 60 SES volunteers arrive in Townsville from South-East Queensland. I thank all our frontline workers for the effort they have put in to try and keep our community safe.”
“Recently the Runaway Bay Little Athletics Club celebrated 45 years. I thank Rene and the team of volunteers that provide for that club, up to 450 members. Secondly, today I pay tribute to local AFL legend and Labrador Tiger Aaron Shattock—or 'Shatts', as he is affectionately known—who was injured in an accident at his home in December last year. After 25 days in intensive care, Aaron was transferred to a ward to begin his long recovery. Aaron is a former Brisbane Lions player, but more importantly, at a local level, he has been a Labrador Tiger since 2007 in his capacity as player, assistant and head coach as well as committee member. Most recently he was leading the club's new change room construction, which is a great project. In a couple of weeks time the club will hold a working bee to complete preparations for the 2025 season.”
“Today I rise to speak on one of the iconic suburbs within my electorate of Fadden, Runaway Bay. Many people on the Gold Coast will be well aware of the iconic nature of this suburb. It's reached some milestones recently that I thought were worth raising today. Firstly, the Runaway Bay shopping centre recently celebrated its 50-year anniversary, and there will be some activations happening for the community during the next 12 months to celebrate that milestone. Also, the Runaway Bay Seagulls Rugby League Club, which is an iconic and important part of our community fabric, recently celebrated 50 years, at the end of 2024. I was able to be there for that celebration and the launch of their book to commemorate that. Established in 1974, the club still play in their traditional red, white and blue.”