Simon Kennedy
Cook · Liberal Party · Australia
“Can you guess how long it took Cory to have his injuries accepted? Eight years—eight years of forms, reports, appointments, assessments, delays and uncertainty. Cory, as I mentioned, is president of the Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch.”
“This Albanese government must accept its obligation in return, must explain why veterans are being pushed through repeated reassessments, must explain why veterans are paying out-of-pocket costs for 400 days while waiting for approval and must explain why doctors are being driven away from DVA work.”
“This has to change. I don't want to continue with political point scoring. I want this to flip. If the members across here today and the members watching in their offices right now can take this back to their party room: we want to stop. Let's make this right.”
“A veteran should not be forced through repeated assessments just to keep receiving care. A veteran should not be paying out of pocket while waiting for a government approval.”
“We've announced it and passed it in a budget, and now we're doing the consultation. How backwards is that? We're raising revenue and giving billions of dollars to hydrogen and billions of dollars to billionaires. We're giving $15 billion to the NRF.”
“Luckily, he had a home which he could borrow against, but for those 17 months he had to borrow against his home and he was under constant psychiatric treatment, with no promise that it would ever be reimbursed. This isn't how a grateful country should treat a veteran.”
The complete record
Every one of 433 lines we hold for Simon Kennedy, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 7 of 9.
“Our GPs deserve respect and a funding model that works. Instead, Labor has delivered the exact opposite—a Medicare system under strain and tens of thousands of people in my electorate out of pocket.”
“This all-or-nothing requirement might sound good in a press conference, but in the real world, where rents are skyrocketing and energy prices are skyrocketing, it's impossible. These small community practices cannot survive on this government's slogans and wishful policy. This government continues to talk about strengthening Medicare, but every number, every clinic and every patient tells a different story. The truth is simple: access is weaker, costs are higher and the system is failing the very people this Prime Minister promised to help. You cannot strengthen Medicare by driving clinics out of bulk-billing, you cannot help families by making it more expensive to see a GP, and you cannot promise Australians won't need their credit card while forcing them to use it more than ever before.”
“Once you add rent, staff wages, medical equipment, digital compliance, insurance and, critically, the skyrocketing bills under this government—for rent and energy costs in particular—clinics are losing money on every consultation. That's why my electorate of Cook has had the largest drop of any electorate in all of New South Wales in bulk-billing rates. It's why we have only two clinics, that are booked out and you cannot make an appointment to, that offer bulk-billing. That's why in my electorate people are paying over $100 on average to see a doctor, and it's not good enough. Prime Minister, start serving the people of Cook and start serving their needs. To qualify for Labor's incentive, a clinic must bill every single patient every single time.”
“Parents who simply need a script, pensioners managing chronic disease, and young people who cannot get in to see a doctor without paying fees they cannot afford. Fewer Australians are now seeing doctors, 10,000 fewer a day. They are skipping potentially life-saving appointments, not because they don't need them but because they cannot afford them. Unfortunately, more Australians are paying to see a doctor than ever before. Some 43,000 extra Australians a day are now paying for a GP visit, many of them in my electorate of Cook. This is exactly what happens when a government uses Medicare as a political football instead of really supporting doctors and clinics like those in Cook. Even with Labor's new incentives, the rebate does not cover the cost of providing quality medical care in my electorate.”
“It has explained publicly why it cannot join Labor's new bulk-billing scheme. The message was both blunt and honest: the government's promises do not match the financial reality, it claimed. Caringbah Family Medical Practice said, 'No business can survive while losing money on every transaction.' This is the truth behind Labor's so-called reform, a policy that sounds generous but that leaves doctors and their practices fitting the bill, and patients far worse off. The Prime Minister told Australia at least 71 times, 'All you need is your Medicare card, not your credit card.' He said it would be free to see a GP under Labor. But today the reality is very different. Paying $100 for a GP consultation is an everyday reality for the people who live in Cook.”
“Yes, all you should need is your Medicare card, but, sadly, that is not the case in my electorate of Cook. The numbers are absolutely damning. Since 2022, there has been an 18.8 per cent fall in bulk-billing rates in my electorate. This is the biggest drop of any electorate in all of New South Wales. This is what breaking Medicare looks like. In my electorate of Cook, we only have two clinics that bulk bill. We have no federally funded urgent care clinic. Why, Prime Minister, are you denying the people of Cook essential medical services while parading a Medicare card around through the election campaign saying 'all you will need is this'? In my electorate, having seen the doctor only a couple of weeks ago, the out-of-pocket cost is over $100. Take for example one of my long-standing clinics, the Caringbah Family Medical Practice.”
“Connie, you brought together local businesses, volunteers and supporters for not only a fundraiser but a celebration of generosity, resilience and hope. It was a stunning event and a credit to your vision and everyone who contributed. I congratulate everyone involved for their contribution, showcasing the very best of my community.”
“I want to particularly recognise Dr Rebekah Hoffman and Dr Annalyse Crane, who officially opened the newly refurbished practice earlier this month. Their leadership and the practice's commitment to community and quality care make a real difference for families across Kurnell, who've not had a doctor at all in their community for the best part of a decade. Recently, the Royal Motor Yacht Club at Port Hacking hosted a very special event. It was the McGrath Foundation's Ladies Pink Lunch. It raised an incredible $20,000 for McGrath breast care nurses. These nurses provide vital compassionate support for women and families facing breast cancer. A huge congratulations to Connie McManus, who organised and hosted the event with such passion and professionalism.”
“I want to recognise some of the outstanding people and community events in my local electorate of Cook. Earlier this month, the Jannali Moonrise Festival brought Jannali to life. It was a wonderful family event that, once again, filled our streets with food, music and community pride. It was terrific to see for many local volunteers, small businesses and families taking part. Festivals like this remind us why community is so special right across the Sutherland shire. I would also like to acknowledge the team at Kurnell Family Medical Practice, who continue to deliver exceptional care for the local community. They do this across Woolooware and Kirrawee as well. In Kurnell, they are now a vital part of primary health in this electorate. They are a small, dedicated team that goes above and beyond for every single patient.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday on Sky News with Kieran Gilbert, the member for Solomon promised a 20 per cent reduction to Australia's power bills. The member said: 'It's pretty clear. There's going to be—from what the national market commission is saying, there's likely to be over the next decade a 20 per cent decrease in power bills.' When asked if he stood by this claim, he said, 'Absolutely.' Prime Minister, is a 20 per cent decrease in power bills now your government's policy?”
“They can't survive on wishful policy and underfunded promises. As Caringbah Family Practice put it, 'No business can survive losing money on every transaction.' That's the real truth behind Labor's so-called $8.5 billion Medicare reform, a policy that sounds generous but leaves local doctors footing the bill. Our GPs deserve respect and support, not empty slogans.”
“I wish to speak about what is really happening with health care under this government. Last week Caringbah Family Practice, a longstanding clinic in my electorate, issued a statement explaining why they won't be joining Labor's new bulk-billing program. Their message was simple: the government's promises do not match reality. Even with the new incentives, the rebate still doesn't cover the cost of providing medical care. When you add up staff wages, rent, equipment and compliance, the clinic is losing money on every consultation. To qualify for Labor's incentive, a clinic must bulk-bill every single patient every single time. That all-or-nothing rule might look good on paper, but in the real world it makes full participation impossible in my electorate. These are small community practices, not bureaucracies.”
“The environment minister missed that deadline, and, nearly two years later, we're still debating a bill riddled with uncertainty. Industry and environmental groups alike agree that this bill fails both business and the environment. It won't—”
“I remember Winston Churchill once said, 'This report, by its very length, defends itself against the risk of being read.' Well, this 1,500-page bill, by its very length, defends itself against the risk of being read. That's unfortunate, because, right now, this government has actually alienated both industry groups and environmental groups, and that's hard to do. Trying to ram through this bill, all 1,500 pages of it—something that the parliament cannot possibly engage in, in such a short time—without proper consultation with either industry or environment, is actually hurting democracy and risks hurting the environment and hurting industry. During the last term, the environment minister promised to deliver a full overhaul of the EPBC Act by the end of 2023.”
“We must balance the economy and the environment. The member for McNamara previously said that his side is allowing debate on the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and related bills, and I thank him for that. But our environment deserves more than slogans; it deserves action that's practical, balanced and accountable. In the electorate of Cook, we know this better than most. From the seagrass beds of Botany Bay to the dunes of Cronulla, our community treasures its coastland and its bushland. We see firsthand what happens when environmental policy loses touch with local realities and industry. Yes, we want policies that protect our coastline, not bureaucracy that strangles investment or paralyses progress, and we certainly don't need another 1,500 pages of red tape from a government that's all talk and no delivery.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister promised Australians—I quote—'real, permanent, meaningful help with the cost of living'. However, in my home state of New South Wales, more than four in 10 people are concerned about going without food. More than a third have skipped meals to cover the essentials. More than one in three will need financial assistance in the lead-up to Christmas. In only three short years, this promise is neither real, permanent or meaningful. When will the government address the cost-of-living pressures facing Australian families?”
“These men did not volunteer. They were called upon by their government, by their country. They left behind families and careers. They served their country with courage and distinction. Yet many were never awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal because of a technicality. They fell just short of the 181-day service requirement and were never awarded this medal. I call on the government to fix this travesty. These men faced the same dangers, endured the same hardships and put their lives at risk for their country, for their families and for the betterment of our society. This is about fairness and good faith. I call on the government to exercise its discretion, which it can. Justice demands it, and there is precedent for doing so. Award these men and women the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. They deserve that much.”
“Congratulations to them. This project involved designing and installing and commissioning complex electrical and data systems that underpin the entire operation of the light rail network—the kind of quiet excellence that makes major infrastructure possible. To be judged the best in Australia is a remarkable achievement and a reflection of the skill and dedication of their local team. I congratulate them for flying the flag of Cook and for the strength of the Sutherland Shire's trades and small business community. Well done. Finally, I would like to draw the House's attention to an issue of national conscience. The Ramsgate-Rockdale RSL sub-branch, with the support of RSL New South Wales, has written to me. They are looking to secure the recognition of approximately 2½ thousand national servicemen who served in Vietnam.”
“I joined local volunteers who planted over 400 native trees and shrubs, helping restore one of the Sutherland Shire's most beautiful spaces. It was inspiring to see families, students and retirees all working side by side. Bushcare is a grassroots environmental stewardship organisation—just ordinary people, local residents, rolling up their sleeves to create something lasting. Every tree planted that morning helped us achieve a healthier Sutherland Shire for the next generation. Another success story from my local community comes from Taren Point—the New Era Group, a homegrown business that has achieved national recognition. At the 2025 National Electrical and Communications Association excellence awards, the New Era Group won the Industrial Large Project of the Year for their outstanding work on the Parramatta light rail stabling yard.”
“The Sutherland Shire has almost a quarter of a million residents, yet we have no Commonwealth funded urgent care clinics, and we only have two bulk-billing GP clinics in the entire Sutherland Shire to service 250,000 people. When families in my electorate are told they would pay less to see a doctor, it is simply not true. They're reaching for their credit cards just to access basic care, and it's going up. It shouldn't take a charity or a fundraiser to keep local health services strong in the Sutherland Shire, but thank goodness for Marie Simone and her generosity, because it stands in stark contrast to a government that's failing the Sutherland Shire or wilfully overlooking it. The same spirit of contribution was on full display recently at Gunnamatta Park on National Tree Day.”
“First, I would like to pay tribute to Marie Simone, Lisa Black and the whole Sutherland Shire hospital fundraising team. Through Marie's leadership and generosity, they recently raised over $56,000 at a fantastic fundraiser I attended. The funds will go directly towards expanding Sutherland Shire's cancer centre. I thank Marie and everyone involved for what they're doing for our local community and our local hospital. But, while our community is stepping up, the same cannot be said for the federal government. According to new figures just released by the department of health, Cook recorded the largest fall in GP bulk-billing rates anywhere in New South Wales. I'll repeat that. My electorate of Cook had the largest fall of bulk-billing rates anywhere in New South Wales, down 18.8 per cent since 2022.”
“In my electorate, manufacturing businesses are being crushed by this government's irresponsible energy policy. FJP Manufacturing's electricity prices are up 76 per cent in just two years. This government is driving us off an economic cliff, and this madness has to stop. I call on the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to stop this reckless policy, stop killing Australian manufacturing and put this country back on track.”
“These Australians are not asking for luxuries; they're asking to help afford a treatment that allows them not to go blind, to live in dignity, to drive, to read, to stay connected to their family and sometimes stay in employment. So I call on the Minister for Health and Aged Care to review the support and how we support Australians with macular degeneration, including whether those PBS co-payments and the safety net thresholds remain fit for purpose. On behalf of my constituents, please look at it.”
“Another wrote of months of treatment explaining the steady financial strain it has placed on them and their partner, both of whom are on part-time pensions. Even with Medicare rebates, patients face hundreds of dollars in out-of-pocket costs each year. For pensioners on these fixed incomes, this burden quickly becomes unsustainable. These pensioners are being crushed by cost-of-living—they talk about higher energy prices—and, on top of this, macular degeneration is actually bleeding them dry. It is the leading cause of blindness in all of Australia. Around one in seven Australians over 50 shows signs of the disease. Without treatment they lose their vision, independence and quality of life.”
“Imagine the difference those hours could have made to the people spent being looked after in homes instead of in administration. These are not isolated complaints; I hear them all the time. They are symptoms of a system that has become too focused on providers and not focused enough on people. The government promised older Australians they would be supported to stay in their homes and these promises are not being kept. I also want to raise another issue affecting many older Australians: the cost of treating macular degeneration. In recent weeks, several local residents have contacted me. One had just been diagnosed and described the shock of being told they would need ongoing injections directly into their eyeball to slow the disease.”
“Across my electorate, older Australians and their families are telling me the same thing: the aged-care system and the home-care package system are failing them. One of my constituents Donna Rowe reached out about her father, Richard. Richard is almost 94 and, while his family waited urgently for a needed upgrade to his home-care package, the paperwork sat idle. He is now in hospital in full-time care. Families feel as though the system delays in the hope that frail people will die before their package is approved. That is what these constituents telling me and this is completely unacceptable. Others, like Carla Pennini, pointed the cost of bureaucracy. Her parents' provider took more than 23 per cent of their package in administration fees alone. That was the equivalent of 120 hours of care to her parents lost to paperwork.”
“One in four year 4 to year 9 students report being bullied every few weeks or more. Some schools think the solution is that victims must simply be resilient. But what does 'resilience' really mean? Leila's ideas include encouraging martial arts to build perseverance and a positive mindset, and creating a task force in every school to help children thrive. Leila, I thank you for your courage and compassion in bringing this message to parliament, and I urge action for the protection of young Australians.”
“Leila, a very smart 10-year-old girl from my electorate, wrote this speech: Imagine waking up every morning not with excitement for the day ahead, but with a heavy burden— not because of tests or tiredness, but because of bullies. Now, ask yourself this: How would you feel? This is the harsh reality faced by me and many other children around Australia. There should certainly be a more effective approach to bullying, as it can improve children's education and wellbeing, and give them the tools to overcome adversity and grow as a person. Around Australia, bullying undoubtedly affects children's wellbeing. It causes immense stress and lowers self-esteem, impacting their grades and their future. Studies show that children who are or were victims of bullying are at higher risk of anxiety, stress and depression—sometimes lasting into adulthood.”
“I also acknowledge the Caringbah Redbacks Football Club, who claimed the under-21 men's champion of champions crown. Well done Liam Page, Jackson Greck, Jackson Fox, Aiden Fielder, Mitchell Backhouse, Jordan McAllister, Luca Alegria Ferreria, captain Luke Cutcliffe, Luca Stonestreet, Andreas Panas, George Michael, Cody Beak, Nicholas Plakias, James Riach, Tyler Slattery, Cooper Higgens, Thomas McLachlan and Luka Oliveri, coach Scott Greck and team manager Steven Backhouse. You are champions in every sense of the word. Congratulations.”
“I'd like to congratulate two outstanding local football teams that have done my electorate proud. The Lilli Pilli Under 16 Girls, who were crowned Football NSW's champion of champions. They won their local comp and the state cup too. I like to congratulate Carla Sparkes, Isabella Paterson, Isabel Adams, Zara Tindall, Caris Troy, Kayla Babington, Juliet Allsopp Lander, Emeline Bourke, Ruby Street, Scarlett Hoerr, Poppy Hulbert, Laura Sutherland, Scarlett Macartney, Ava Degnan, Haylee Hanly and Shaleah Field. Congratulations also to coaches Brad Penfold and Kory Babington and team manager Kane Bourke. I would also like to acknowledge the under-13 boys from Lilli Pilli, who, heartbreakingly, went down in extra time 2-1. Well done boys.”
“You're deaf to actually killing this country through reckless energy policy that will see jobs fly offshore. You call it a Future Made in Australia, but it's actually a future bailed out in Australia. Two days ago, the government announced a $600 million bailout of the Mount Isa smelter and Townsville refinery. So far, we've also seen a $2.4 billion bailout of Whyalla and a $135 million bailout of Nyrstar. Why are we getting these bailouts?”
“I remind the member for McEwen why these manufacturing jobs are going offshore right now. The average cost of the average manufacturing product is about 60 per cent energy. If the member for McEwen were listening this week, if he bothered to go down to the National Press Club, he would have heard the CEO of BlueScope Steel. If he were listening two weeks ago, he would have heard the CEO of BHP say that Australia's energy costs today are two to three times those of comparable economies. Both these industry leaders are warning the Australian government that we are going to lose jobs. We're going to lose jobs, and that means we're going to lose workers. We're going to lose GDP because of how your side is managing energy. You're deaf to it.”
“And it's not just these countries; it's some of the most progressive and innovative companies in the world, from Google and Microsoft to Amazon. They are all looking at investing in and building nuclear. (Time expired)”
“The Tech Council of Australia estimates AI could deliver $115 billion to our GDP by 2030. It could increase productivity by a percentage point. But it's a contest. This is a globally competitive contest, and what is this government doing about it? The uncomfortable truth is that, under Labor, we're slipping behind. The reality is that AI can't be powered by speeches, it can't be powered by slogans and, unfortunately for Chris Bowen, it can't be powered by press conferences either. It depends on hard infrastructure, a skilled workforce and, again, reliable, low-cost energy. This is one of the big reasons that, at COP29—we're trying to get the next COP—31 nations, including the US, the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Korea, all signed up to tripling nuclear power by 2050.”
“There are reports that energy could double in the next few years for artificial intelligence, and it's going to be a defining force for this century. I think everybody can agree on that, and it's going to be every bit as transformative as the internet was. Could you imagine the competitive position Australia would have been left in if we had invested more and faster in the internet when it came about? Unfortunately with AI we actually look like we're being left behind. This entirely new frontier of economic growth is not being embedded in Australian workplaces as fast as it is in the US or parts of Europe. It's going to disrupt and grow manufacturing, health, logistics and finance, and it's happening now. The pace of change is accelerating. The only question is: how much will Australia participate in that versus being left behind?”
“Even the Productivity Commission and industry stakeholders have flagged the Future Made in Australia and said it has vague criteria and has a protectionist tilt. We should be competing on productivity, cost and reliability, not on bailouts. Reports indicate that the combined federal and state support aimed at starving off the closure of the smelter and refinery in Mount Isa and Townsville are tied to costs and market conditions. If we had globally competitive energy and if we had globally competitive industrial relations, we would not need emergency public money to keep these businesses open. We wouldn't need subsidies for households or small businesses just to pay their energy bills. It's not only manufacturing that's suffering.”
“They're working hard with slimmer and slimmer margins to keep these things open, but unfortunately they are up against it and almost closing, as is this big refinery in Queensland. The refinery in Queensland supports about 600 jobs. That's 600 people who would be out of work if it weren't for government subsidies. Unfortunately we're not investing in sovereignty. We're investing in subsidy dependency. We are training Australia's businesses to be dependent on this government, to be dependent on the government teat. These businesses want to stand on their own two feet. They want to compete internationally, but unfortunately they've got one hand tied behind their back. They're fighting the good fight, but this government is not helping them.”
“We're seeing it right across Australia, because at the moment taxpayer cheques are being used to keep companies on life support. We've just seen that recently in Queensland, where the Commonwealth has had to cobble together a package of up to $600 million to keep Glencore's Mount Isa copper smelter and the Townsville refinery open. This is something that should be competing on low-energy prices. It should be competing on it's own two feet, but this government has crippled industry. It's crippling SME businesses in my electorate. They're coming to me. I've toured both of those facilities, seen what they do. I've seen the tens of apprentices they employ every single year.”
“It's good to hear the member for Swan there—an engineer. She has a lot of learning. Perhaps the Prime Minister, if he's watching, could put the member for Swan in the energy portfolio, because God knows we need an engineer in that portfolio. They call it the Future Made in Australia, but I worry it's more like the 'future bailed out in Australia'. Unfortunately we've been unable to supply affordable reliable power to so much of Australian manufacturing, be that FJP Manufacturing in my electorate, where they've seen their energy prices go up 41 per cent last year alone, or HF Powdercoating in my electorate, who have seen their gas prices go up 45 per cent. Both of those businesses have seen their energy prices increase over 60 per cent in the last two years alone. We're not just seeing it in the local businesses in Cook.”
“Don't you question whether your policy is actually built on a house of cards? The last three Liberal prime ministers lowered emissions far more than you. Yes, take your notes, but it's true. Go and check it out and come back and explain to the Australian people why that's the case.”
“We just heard the member talking about how well this government is doing on energy and climate. We've just heard how well they're doing and how much they're doing. They have the National EV Strategy, the performance strategy and the energy strategy. We've heard how much they care about emissions and climate change. All that effort, all that work in 3½ years, and emissions are barely down one per cent. Doesn't that alarm you? Given your strategies, the amount of capital and the amount of energy you are putting into this, emissions are down by one per cent. Doesn't it alarm you that Tony Abbott lowered emissions more than you, that Malcolm Turnbull lowered emissions more than you? They didn't even serve full terms. Scott Morrison lowered emissions four to five times more than you. I would be alarmed.”
“I would like to think, if this were any other person's portfolio, they would sit through it. They would sit through the shadow minister's speech to hear what they had to say. But she's missing in action. She's missing from the debate on triple 0. She's missing from the Murphy review. This is a minister who has no answers at all and is just playing politics.”
“I heard a sister and some parents read the suicide note of a young man who took his own life, unable to escape gambling ads and text messages—the guilt he had as they read through page after page of this young man's suicide note. We heard this government say last term that they would act on it before Christmas. We're already up to another Christmas and we've got a minister here who again is refusing to act, who is being reactive not proactive and who is playing politics instead of addressing policy. Enough is enough. Australians deserve a government that takes responsibility. Australia deserves a government that will take responsibility for triple 0. Australians deserve to be able to trust their government. But we have a minister missing in action. The minister is missing from this MPI today.”
“How did this go on for 14 hours, and why are we rushing it through? We're closing the gate after the horse has bolted. Now, what we're seeing here is a minister who is reactive not proactive, a government that's reactive not proactive and a government that's keen to play politics but very reluctant to get into policy. Unfortunately, this is not the only area of this minister's portfolio where this is happening. People are also dying in other areas. On gambling reform, it's been 833 days since the Murphy report, which looked at the harms of online gambling. This minister is also responsible for this report and has failed to act. I have personally listened to family members in this parliament who've come here to tell stories about their loved ones who have killed themselves.”
“We know that, unfortunately, three of those people who called, or three people related to those people, died. The sad thing about this outage is that it was preventable. We heard the member for Spence talk about the custodian. We heard about the great powers this custodian will have. Yes, they should have those powers. Unfortunately, a review was done 18 months ago that noted the need for this custodian and the need for the powers. We had the first speaker for the government say, 'We rushed this through in 24 hours.' Unfortunately, they knew about this 18 months ago, yet this custodian was being set up without the powers it needed. This should have been monitored 24/7. The second this went out, it should have been known to the government. The custodian should have known and should have been able to act.”
“The member for Spence is partially right. Yes, Optus is at fault, but so is the government. Today, the member for Spence and the entire government voted against doubling the penalty on Optus. We proposed to double the penalty on Optus and any telco who puts lives at risk. Yet so keen was this government to deflect and to push politics that it voted against that amendment—against punishing Optus and against punishing future telcos. Shameful! They were so focused on blame deflection that they voted against making triple 0 critical infrastructure. Yes, unfortunately, this is not about politics; this is about people. When people call triple 0, they expect someone to answer. They expect help. Unfortunately for 600 people who tried to call triple 0, no-one answered, and they could not get help.”
“For over 100 years, Sylvania Public School has been a cornerstone of life in Sylvania. It's shaped generations of students and built bonds, not only among those students but among the parents, the P&C, the teachers and the community at large. I want to pay special tribute to the principal, Ms Jennifer Birch, the staff, both present and past, and the P&C, whose dedication has shaped this school's legacy. Thank you for the hard work and the contributions you make to the community each and every day in this special school in our electorate. To all of Sylvania school—today's students, yesterday's graduates and tomorrow's graduates—thank you for all you do. Thank you for what you do for our community. I hope the next 100 years will be just as fruitful and just as great as the last 100.”
“At Woolooware High School, the Outstanding School and Community Commitment Award was given to Juliet Golding and Daniel Westwood. Then at Gymea Technology High School, Rhys Evans and Evan Moukatas received the All Round Achievement Award. Congratulations to you! At Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College, Burraneer, the Love of Literature Award was presented to Amelia Buhagiar. Then at De La Salle Catholic College, Taine Wihare received the Aspiring Citizen Award. At Caringbah High School, Hillary Chan and Audrey Wei were presented with the All Rounder Award. Congratulations to both of you! I wish all of the year 12 classes of 2025 in the Cook electorate all the best for the upcoming HSC. I would also like to celebrate the centenary of Sylvania Public School.”
“I'd like to acknowledge and congratulate all of the year 12 kids from the electorate of Cook on completing year 12 and wish them luck for the upcoming HSC exams. Specifically, I'd like to give a shout-out to a few exceptional students I was able to meet and give awards to. Firstly, at St Aloysius' College I was able to present the All Rounder Award to Harry Payne and Hannah Madigan, recognising their excellence across a range of academic, leadership and extracurricular disciplines. At Endeavour Sports High School, Natalia Pepic received the Creative and Performing Arts Award, while Danielle Thompson was recognised with the All Rounder Award. At Sylvania High School, Luka Pili was named Year 12 Leader of the Year. Congratulations, Luka!.”
“My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. The National Ageing Research Institute's submission to the inquiry into aged care and service delivery said, 'People waiting for longer than six months for a home-care package had an 18 per cent higher chance of death than those who wait 30 days or less.' Can the minister confirm that this is true?”