Jodie Belyea
Dunkley · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“For me, this shift became clear when I was confronted and intimidated by a group of 12 men, from a fringe organisation, intent on preventing me from speaking openly with members of the community, a mother and her daughter. It was a stark reminder that the tone of politics in our country is changing and changing quickly.”
“Over these past few weeks I've had an increasing number of conversations about the state of democracy in Australia. At the Langwarrin probus club I was asked what I thought about democracy and the current state of politics.”
“Democracy depends on engagement. It requires people to ask questions, to listen carefully and to disagree without being disagreeable. It is strongest not when everyone agrees, but when everyone believes they have a place in the conversation. The young people I met reminded me that engagement is not the problem—disconnection is.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. Tomorrow is 1 July. Why is this an important day for those of us who are committed to strengthening Medicare, helping Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn and delivering real change? Is there anything standing in the way of these efforts?”
“It provides strong mechanisms to protect public funds, enforce compliance and maintain the integrity of programs that support healthcare delivery across the country. Importantly, it also provides a framework that can support future primary care initiatives as Australia's health system continues to evolve.”
“This is an important piece of legislation that strengthens the foundations of Medicare and supports the delivery of affordable, accessible and high-quality health care for Australians.”
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“Democracy depends on engagement. It requires people to ask questions, to listen carefully and to disagree without being disagreeable. It is strongest not when everyone agrees, but when everyone believes they have a place in the conversation. The young people I met reminded me that engagement is not the problem—disconnection is. They care deeply about fairness, about truth and about the future they will inherit. Across Dunkley people are telling me the same thing: they want respectful, grounded politics focused on what matters. This is a moment to reject complacency, to engage with one another in good faith and to strengthen respectful debate, because being the lucky country is not guaranteed—it is something we must actively protect, together and always.”
“For me, this shift became clear when I was confronted and intimidated by a group of 12 men, from a fringe organisation, intent on preventing me from speaking openly with members of the community, a mother and her daughter. It was a stark reminder that the tone of politics in our country is changing and changing quickly. Since then, that same hostility has amplified online, with hate and division spreading at an alarming rate. The erosion of respectful debate threatens social cohesion and raises serious concerns about the integrity of our public discourse. Freedom of speech is fundamental to our democracy, but it is not a licence for hate speech. With freedom comes responsibility. The tone of our national conversation matters. It shapes how we treat one another, how we solve problems and how we participate in and sustain our democracy.”
“Over these past few weeks I've had an increasing number of conversations about the state of democracy in Australia. At the Langwarrin probus club I was asked what I thought about democracy and the current state of politics. More recently, I listened to students at the Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula youth forum, who spoke candidly about their concerns for the future. They are worried about rising polarisation, growing anger and the tone of public debate in Australia. Australia is the lucky country. We are fortunate to live in one of the world's strongest democracies, but I fear that our good fortune has made us complacent about engaging with and understanding politics and about the value of our vote. That complacency is becoming dangerous.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. Tomorrow is 1 July. Why is this an important day for those of us who are committed to strengthening Medicare, helping Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn and delivering real change? Is there anything standing in the way of these efforts?”
“Many express concerns that milestones previous generations took for granted, such as homeownership, financial independence, access to affordable university, education and secure employment are becoming increasingly difficult to achieve. As the federal member for Dunkley, I am proud of the work this government is doing to give our young people a fair go through tax reform, housing reform, increasing minimum wages and making free TAFE permanent. Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow but they are important contributors today. Their voices and aspirations matter, and I will continue advocating to ensure they are heard.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula for bringing together more than 40 student leaders from across seven schools last week. Most importantly, I want to thank the young people who shared their perspectives so openly and honestly. What stood out was not only the challenges facing young people but the thoughtfulness of their ideas and their determination to help shape solutions. Students spoke about the rising cost of living, housing affordability, education equity, mental health, job security and feeling disconnected from the political system. These are real concerns affecting decisions about study, work, wellbeing and future aspirations.”
“The latest quarterly bill data shows that the national GP bulk-billing rate was 81.9 per cent for the January to March quarter. On that note, I would like to conclude. Thank you.”
“People want to know they can see a doctor when they need one. They want to know that costs will not be a barrier to receiving care, and they want confidence that Medicare will continue to be there for them and their families. That is exactly why the Albanese Labor government's investment in Medicare matters. We are already seeing results. On 1 November, the government expanded the general practice bulk-billing incentive to all Australians and began providing practices with an additional 12.5 per cent incentive payment if they bulk-bill all of their patients all of the time. This was a major reform. It sent a clear message to general practices that we value bulk-billing and that we are prepared to invest in it, and the results are already becoming clear.”
“It provides strong mechanisms to protect public funds, enforce compliance and maintain the integrity of programs that support healthcare delivery across the country. Importantly, it also provides a framework that can support future primary care initiatives as Australia's health system continues to evolve. This is sensible legislation, this is practical legislation and it's legislation that supports the broader objective of ensuring Medicare remains strong for generations to come. The importance of strengthening Medicare is something I hear about regularly in my electorate. Whether I'm speaking with families in Frankston, meeting with seniors in Seaford, talking to young parents in Carrum Downs or chatting with local residents at community events across the electorate, accessible, affordable health care is always a priority and welcomed.”
“Primary care incentive programs are a vital part of how governments support the delivery of health care. They encourage best practice, improve access to services and provide financial support to the doctors, nurses and practices that Australians rely upon every day. Programs such as the Medicare Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program are already helping to make health care more affordable for millions of Australians. However, these programs have not always had the clear legislative foundations necessary to support their long-term administration and integrity. This legislation addresses that issue. It establishes a clear framework for Commonwealth primary care incentive payment programs, ensuring they can be administered effectively, transparently and responsibly.”
“But we also recognised that Medicare had been under significant pressure. Australians were finding it harder to access bulk-billing services, general practices were struggling with rising costs and families were increasingly worried about the cost of seeing a doctor. That is why our government has delivered the single largest investment in Medicare's history. Our record $8.5 billion investment is strengthening Medicare, supporting patients, training more doctors and nurses, and helping more Australians so that they can access affordable care close to home. The proposed legislation before the House today, the Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026, complements that investment.”
“This is an important piece of legislation that strengthens the foundations of Medicare and supports the delivery of affordable, accessible and high-quality health care for Australians. At its heart, the legislation is about ensuring that programs we use to support primary care providers have a clear legislative framework, strong accountability and the integrity needed to continue delivering for Australians— (Quorum formed) The Albanese Labor government has made no secret of its commitment to strengthening Medicare. We came to government with a clear understanding that Medicare is one of Australia's greatest achievements. It reflects our value, as a nation, that every Australian should be able to access health care when they need it, regardless of their income, their postcode or their circumstances.”
“In Dunkley, 1,837 first home buyers have purchased a home through the five per cent deposit scheme and we have 19 social homes under redevelopment. Minimum-wage workers are around $12,000 better off thanks to the government's support for higher wages. We want to build an aspirational and affordable Australia. We recognise what those opposite fail to understand: the system has not been working for everyone.”
“For too long, the scales have been tilted against ordinary Australians. First home buyers have been locked out of the Australian dream, and, for too many young Australians, getting ahead has become harder than ever. That is why the recent budget changes are so important. The budget is not just about levelling the playing field for first home buyers. It is about building an aspirational Australia—an affordable Australia. For too long, our tax settings have favoured the few and entrenched wealth in the top 0.6 per cent. Australia now has 178 billionaires—17 more than just a year ago. Meanwhile, nurses, teachers, students and everyday Australian workers are expected to pick up the tab. On this side of the House, we believe Australians should earn more and keep more of what they earn, and that is exactly what this budget delivers.”
“I saw women regain confidence, rebuild connections and begin to imagine a different future for themselves and their children. Women are not asking for slogans. They are asking for action. They want safe homes, fair pay, affordable health care, reliable child care and systems that protect rather than entrench disadvantage. Above all, they want a government that understands the reality of their lives. This budget also helps with the cost of living, which is critical for women's economic security. In Dunkley, it matters. It matters to the women I meet at schools. It matters to women from every corner of this country. This budget says women should expect better, they should expect safety and they should expect fairness. And, under a Labor government, that is exactly what we are delivering.”
“When more women are in the room, the national conversation changes. Women's safety, health, the unpaid work of care and the financial pressures on single mothers are all taken more seriously. I know this not only as a parliamentarian but as someone who has spent decades working alongside women in community life. Before coming to this place, I founded the Women's Spirit Project in Frankston. It grew from a simple belief that women who have experienced disadvantage, trauma and abuse deserve more than a crisis response. They deserve connection, confidence and the chance to rebuild. Through the Women's Spirit Project, I witnessed the strength of women who had long been made to feel alone. When they were offered support instead of judgement, community instead of isolation and opportunity instead of barriers, real change followed.”
“They happen when gender equality is treated as a core economic policy. That is why the Women's Budget Statement matters. A Labor government introduced the world's first women's budget statement in the 1980s, and, in 2022, the Albanese Labor government brought it back. It outlines the impact new budget measures have on women. Through gender-responsive budgeting, every proposal is tested against its impact on women as part of the budget process. That means asking who benefits, who misses out, who is safer, who has more opportunity and who still needs support. This is how we make gender equality part of our economic agenda, not separate from it. And it reflects something we should be proud of: representation. Our government is majority women: 56 per cent of the Labor caucus are women.”
“So far, women have saved more than $647 million across almost 139 million prescriptions on the PBS. And this budget includes an additional $2 billion to strengthen Medicare. We have opened 33 endometriosis clinics under this government and provided $2.7 million to improve access to long-acting reversible contraceptives, like IUDs and implants. Health matters and safety matters but so does opportunity. Since 2022, women's workforce participation has reached a record high. The gender pay gap is at its lowest ever recorded level. Women's average weekly earnings have grown by almost $300 per week. More than one million families have benefited from cheaper child care. Australia's global gender equality ranking has improved from 43rd to 13th. Those outcomes do not happen by accident.”
“This builds on broader action we are taking: a 50 per cent increase in Commonwealth rent assistance, $1 billion for crisis and transitional accommodation for women and children, the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and 30,000 new social and affordable homes. In communities like Dunkley I hear about the need for housing. The stress is real. I hear about it from young mums, grandparents raising children and women trying to start again after trauma. A woman cannot plan for her future if she does not have a house over her head. So housing security is not separate from women's safety but is fundamental to it. This budget also continues our record investment in women's health because, too often, women's health has not been taken seriously enough.”
“That matters deeply because economic security is safety, as is a fair system. Housing is safety too. Everyone should have a safe place to call home, especially women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. That is why this budget includes support that helps women leave unsafe situations and rebuild their lives. We are investing $59.4 million over four years for community housing providers, supporting young people at risk or experiencing homelessness. Girls and young women make up 66 per cent of homelessness service users, and many of those young people have also been affected by gender based violence.”
“It can continue long after a relationship ends. That is why we are investing $183 million to make the child support system both safer and fairer. Right now, there is around $2 billion in unpaid child support debt in Australia, and women make up around 83 per cent of recipients. The average debt is nearly $8,700. For many families in Dunkley, $8,700 is significant, particularly with the cost of living. It is money for braces, for a child's school excursions, sport registration fees, music lessons and groceries. It's food on the table. These reforms are the most significant changes to the child support system in nearly 20 years. They will crack down on financial abuse, reduce the scope for weaponisation of the system and help ensure more children and families get the support they are owed.”
“More than $4 billion has been invested to address gender based violence, strengthening legal assistance with $3.9 billion in new funding. This funding has boosted 1800RESPECT by $41.8 million and builds on the introduction of 10 days paid domestic and family violence leave. This leave and these measures support the first ever First Nations led plan to end family violence against women. It continues the full implementation of Re spect@Work , including a legislated positive duty. These are not small changes. They are structural changes. They acknowledge that violence against women is not private, it is not inevitable and it is not something governments can ignore. This budget also recognises something women in my community know too well. Violence is not just physical. It can also be financial. It can be coercive.”
“That is why I am proud to stand with the majority of Labor women in this government that understand that women's safety must be at the centre of the budget—not an afterthought and not a footnote but a national priority. This morning I was very fortunate to sit with the Minister for Social Services and the Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence to talk about a range of consultations that will be rolled out over the second half of the year to talk about the impact of domestic and family violence and how we build a second plan to address this scourge on our communities. This budget shows what that looks like in practice—how we work with people in the community and support women. Since Labor coming to government, $800 million has been invested into women's health.”
“One of the clearest lessons in public life is this: when women are around the table, things change. They change because women bring lived experience, practical thinking and an unshakeable focus on the everyday realities families face. They ask different questions, they see different pressures and they push for different priorities. For example, on Monday, the federal government launched the menopause and perimenopause campaign to better understand the signs and symptoms of menopause. That matters in every parliament, but it matters especially when we talk about domestic and family violence. This issue is not something happening elsewhere to someone else. It is happening in our suburbs, in our streets, in our schools and in our communities. It affects women and children in Dunkley, just as it does across the country.”
“The world our young people is navigating is volatile and unpredictable, but the leaders I met showed me they are ready for that challenge. They are keen to work collaboratively, authentically, and are determined to lift others up as they go.”
“When we create opportunities, young people engage, and this group rose to the challenge. I've been incredibly inspired by the calibre and by the thoughtful ideas they shared for the future of Dunkley. The value of this program was reinforced through a recent event hosted by the Committee of Frankston and Mornington Peninsula, where 100 young leaders from schools across the electorate discussed the challenges they face. The impacts of social media, artificial intelligence, housing affordability and cost-of-living pressures were common themes. These issues are complex, considerable and in many ways unprecedented, and young people were talking about how these issues impact their mental health and wellbeing.”
“Their insights, empathy and determination were genuinely inspiring. Through the program, participants explored leadership, change-making and conflict resolution while also learning the often-understated importance of kindness and respect. In doing so, they grew in confidence, strengthened their self-esteem, and developed a deeper understanding of how they can contribute positively to our community. I want to sincerely thank the Speaker of the House for working with us to mentor the group. His stories and reflections demonstrated the power of authentic leadership and the importance of seeing people beyond the tip of the iceberg. I also thank Senator Darmanin, Rod Glover and the many special guests who contributed their time and experience to guiding these young leaders.”
“It has long been my passion and commitment to listen to, learn from and empower younger generations. It is why I became a youth worker and it is why, as the member for Dunkley, I pledged in my first speech to do all I can to support young Australians and ensure their voices are heard and listened to, and that they have the skills and confidence to lead change into the future. That commitment is what inspired the inaugural Dunkley Emerging Leaders Program, which concluded last Friday, with a presentation event showcasing the passion of young people from our community. Throughout the program, we heard from an extraordinary group of 18- to 25-year-olds, emerging leaders who explored their sense of purpose—their why—and identified the change they want to see in the Dunkley community.”
“Securing the NDIS means making difficult decisions now to ensure the scheme remains strong into the future. It means tackling fraud, improving quality and safeguards and restoring sustainability. This bill ensures support continues to go to Australians with permanent and significant disability—as originally intended. We must never lose sight of the people at the centre of this system: the participant striving for independence, the parent fighting for their child, the support worker dedicating themselves to caring for others, and the families who simply want reassurance that the supports that they rely on will be there well into the future. There are things that remain unclear as we work through the process of the reforms, but I say to the people in my community: I will continue to advocate for your voices as we go about this reform.”
“When providers ask for stronger registration requirements they are asking for participant safety, when they raise concerns about unregistered operators they are asking for integrity and fairness, when they raise concerns about the failures of the pay system they are asking for efficiency and accountability, and when participants ask for better communication and fairer review processes they are asking to be treated with dignity and respect. These are reasonable expectations. The NDIS remains one of the most important social reforms in Australian history. Labor created it because we believe Australians with disability deserve opportunity, dignity and inclusion, and Labor are reforming it because we believe future generations deserve that same promise.”
“People need clear information. They need transparency. They need proper consultation and accessible explanations about what is changing and why. Communication cannot be treated as an afterthought. The government must engage directly with participants, carers, providers and advocacy organisations. It must ensure misinformation is corrected quickly and clearly. It must listen carefully when legitimate concerns are raised by the community. Trust will determine whether these reforms succeed. Many of the concerns being raised by providers and participants are not arguments against reform; they are arguments for getting reform right.”
“While these reforms are necessary, I also want to acknowledge something very important: any change leads to fear, uncertainty and confusion about what these reforms mean. There is misinformation circulating online and within communities that is creating enormous distress for participants and families. Some people feel they will lose all supports. Families worry they will be abandoned. Providers fear instability and uncertainty about future arrangements. Many people simply do not know who or what to believe. We must acknowledge those fears respectfully and seriously, because for many families the NDIS is not just another government program; it is the difference between independence and crisis and between inclusion and isolation. That is why communication from government is critical as these reforms are implemented.”
“Importantly, the government has committed to consulting with the disability community as these reforms are being implemented. That consultation matters because reforms done with the community will always be better than reforms done to the community. The reality is that urgent financial controls are needed to secure the future of the scheme. The government has already brought growth down significantly from the unsustainable levels inherited from the previous government, and National Cabinet has agreed to work together to bring growth to more sustainable levels over time. This is not about dismantling the NDIS; it is about ensuring it survives, because no scheme can continue growing indefinitely without risking its long-term future.”
“The reforms also address a difficult but necessary issue: defining more clearly what the NDIS is designed to fund. When the NDIS was created, it was never intended to replace mainstream systems like schools, hospitals, child care or aged care. It was intended to provide reasonable and necessary disability supports for people with permanent and significant disabilities. That distinction matters because, if every gap across every government system is shifted onto the NDIS, the scheme will eventually become completely unsustainable. If the scheme becomes unsustainable, the people who rely on it the most are the ones who are going to suffer. That is why clear eligibility requirements and planning frameworks are necessary not to unfairly exclude people but to restore clarity, consistency and confidence in how the scheme operates.”
“That is why strengthening provider registration requirements for high-risk services is so important. These changes will ensure that the overwhelming majority of funding flowing through the scheme goes to registered providers who meet proper standards of safety and accountability. That means stronger oversight, improved quality and better protections for participants and their families. The government is also improving plan management arrangements and strengthening payment oversight so the NDIA has greater visibility over where money is going across the scheme. These are important reforms because the NDIS became a soft target for fraud and exploitation under arrangements that lacked sufficient safeguards and guardrails. Australians expect taxpayer money to support participants, not fraudsters.”
“These reforms are about restoring the scheme to its original purpose, supporting Australians with permanent and significant disability with reasonable and necessary supports while ensuring the scheme remains sustainable for future generations. The government's reforms are focused on tackling fraud, slowing unsustainable cost growth, improving quality and safety, strengthening provider integrity, clarifying eligibility and ensuring supports are directed where they are most needed. These are necessary reforms. Australians rightly expect vulnerable people to receive safe and high-quality care. Good providers who pay staff properly, who maintain strong governance and who take participants' safety seriously should not be forced to compete against operators who are simply trying to make a quick buck.”
“The Albanese Labor government understands that securing the future of the NDIS means confronting the problems that threaten its sustainability, integrity and public confidence. The reality is that, under the previous government, NDIS growth reached 22 per cent annually with no moderation in sight. Costs were escalating rapidly, fraud and exploitation were increasing, oversight was inadequate and confidence in the long-term sustainability of the scheme was being eroded. We cannot protect the NDIS by pretending these issues do not exist. We protect it by fixing them. That is what this bill seeks to do.”
“These are real and practical market realities that cannot simply be ignored. I've also heard from constituents frustrated by lengthy review and appeals processes. Families have told my office that they have struggled to access supports while waiting for Administrative Review Tribunal matters to be resolved. Others have raised concerns about internal reviews occurring without meaningful consultation or preparation. These stories matter. This information matters. The voices of the people that come and talk to me matter because they remind us, and me, why we are here. Behind every policy discussion is a person trying to live their life with dignity and security. This is why we need reform.”
“Many registered providers in my community are deeply worried about whether they can survive under the current system. These are organisations that invest heavily in compliance, staff training, participant safety and quality governance. They are trying to do the right thing, yet they are forced to compete against unregistered operators who face far lower costs and significantly less oversight. Providers have told me about unregistered operators enticing vulnerable participants with gifts, cash incentives and promises that simply should not exist in a properly regulated care market. Meanwhile, compliant providers are struggling under rising operational costs, carrying the burden of meeting proper standards and obligations. This is creating a race to the bottom, and, ultimately, participants are the ones put at risk.”
“I've heard from organisations forced to create separate spreadsheets just to manage compliance failures within the portal. Workers are uploading explanation letters repeatedly because they cannot properly close out reports they are no longer responsible for. Providers cannot end support coordination relationships properly within the system. All of this creates enormous administrative burden, and much of that work remains unfunded. These are not minor frustrations. They're inefficiencies that take time, resources and energy away from participants themselves. They reduce the capacity of providers to focus on care and support. I've also heard serious concerns about the growing imbalance between registered and unregistered providers.”
“Over the past few years, I've heard those concerns loud and clear from people throughout my community. I've spoken to participants who feel exhausted by endless bureaucracy and delays as well as to families who feel overwhelmed trying to navigate processes that are often confusing and inconsistent. I've heard from support coordinators and providers who say they are spending more time battling administrative systems than supporting participants. One of the biggest issues repeatedly raised with my office has been the failures within some of the systems. Providers have described spending hours every single day manually tracking reporting obligations because the system continues to generate tasks even after a participant has changed provider, received a new plan or tragically passed away.”
“I hear about participants in the office trying to maintain their independence and their dignity through the packages that they receive, and I meet with workers and providers who care deeply about the people they support and desperately want and need this scheme to continue and to succeed. That is why this conversation matters to me. The NDIS is one of Australia's proudest achievements. It's been transforming lives for quite some years and has given Australians with disability greater choice, greater independence and greater opportunity than ever before. It is a scheme Australians should be very proud of. But, if we genuinely care about protecting the NDIS for future generations, then we must also be honest about the problems that have emerged within the system.”
“My husband works in the disability sector, and I've worked in the sector. Every day he sees the dedication of support workers, therapists, carers and providers who are doing everything they can to support Australians with a disability to live full, independent and dignified lives. I also have a family member who relies heavily on the NDIS, so these reforms are deeply personal to her as well. So, when I talk about this scheme, I don't see figures on a balance sheet; I see people—families trying to navigate complex systems while caring for loved ones and parents lying awake at night worrying about whether the supports their child relies upon will continue.”
“Before I speak to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026, I first want to acknowledge the incredible organisations in the community of Dunkley for the work they do supporting people with disabilities. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the Brotherhood of St Lawrence and also Grace Professional Services and Sandi Grace, who is the CEO, who has worked tirelessly over the last few years to deliver services to those with a disability. Dunkley has a range of organisations that provide a range of services, so these reforms are really important to me and to the community. Before I speak about the legislation, budgets or policy settings, I want to begin by saying this issue is also deeply personal to me.”
“For those buyers, this is the difference between waiting and entering the market, between hoping and owning, between being locked out and getting a foot in the door. So when I look at this budget, I see a government that understands the scale of the housing challenge and is acting on it now. It is investing in the infrastructure that unlocks supply, backing the delivery of social and affordable homes and helping more Australians into homeownership. For Dunkley residents, that means a stronger foundation for the future, more homes, more opportunity and more security.”
“This investment is a direct reflection of years of sustained advocacy from the Home Time campaign, which has worked tirelessly to elevate the voices of young people with lived experience of homelessness and ensure they are heard in the policy process. There is always more to do, particularly on this issue, but this is an important step forward in addressing youth homelessness and building a much fairer housing system. This budget also builds on real help for first home buyers. In Dunkley, 1,837 residents have already taken up the five per cent deposit scheme. Nationally, 75,000 additional Australians are expected to access first homeownership, who would not have done so without the measures introduced by this government in this budget.”
“In my electorate of Dunkley, we've currently got 19 social homes being redeveloped. In Dunkley, we need to build 33,000 homes by 2051. That is a big task, and it will only happen if government is prepared to invest, plan and partner with local communities. Over the past year, I've met regularly with Home Time and listened firsthand to the experiences of young people facing homelessness and housing stress. These conversations brought into sharp focus the reality that too many young Australians are struggling to find safe, stable housing at a critical stage in their lives. That is why I was proud to see $60 million allocated to a youth housing incentive in the budget. This measure will unlock thousands of additional tenancies, helping young people avoid homelessness and providing the stability they need to build a stronger future.”
“The Albanese Labor government is delivering a further $2 billion in housing enabling infrastructure, bringing the government's total investment in that infrastructure to $6.3 billion. To build homes, we need strong foundations: roads, sewerage, water and community infrastructure that allows those homes to be built. This investment is more than 50 times more than the opposition invested in housing after almost a decade in office. This new funding lifts the government's total housing investment to $47 billion. That is a very serious investment because the housing challenge demands a serious response. Through the investment, the government is delivering 55,000 social and affordable homes, which is nearly 150 times what the opposition built during its time in government—more homes for families, workers and people doing it tough.”
“To the member for Fadden: a couple of fun facts. Immigration is currently down 47 per cent. During a decade in government, the Liberal National party built 373 homes. You had 10 years in government, and you only built 373 homes. This housing budget extends on the incredible work the Minister for Housing has done these past few years. For communities like Dunkley, this investment is not a side issue or a future issue; it is the issue right here and now. Across every community within Dunkley, for people who want some basic security, the chance to rent affordably or the chance to buy and build a future close to family, work and schools, this is increasingly possible. This is why this budget matters to Dunkley residents.”
“The petitions presented cover a range of topics, including menstrual leave entitlements, Iran, foreign interference, historic Defence sites, arts, education and training, and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. There are currently 79 petitions open for signatures on the House e-petitions website, with more certifications to follow at the committee's next meeting. The range of petition topics on the e-petitions website highlights the Australian public's desire to engage with parliament. On 11 May 2026, the committee held a public hearing for its inquiry into the standing orders relating to petitions. The public hearing allowed the committee to hear a variety of perspectives from a range of stakeholders. On behalf of the committee, I thank those who took the time to provide important evidence to the inquiry.”