Ash Ambihaipahar
Barton · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“They enable earlier, more effective information-sharing to support continuity of care, proactive outreach and smoother transition arrangements, including the earlier transfer of relevant information from Defence to DVA so that claims are processed faster, compensation reaches people sooner and individuals identified as being at increased…”
“Care is not yielding; care is valued work, and we are building a system that treats it that way. He speaks of the social conditions for hope. For too many Australians, homeownership has become a source of despair, rather than aspiration. First home buyers can access a five per cent deposit.”
“It is part of the Albanese Labor government's ongoing, deliberate work to implement the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide—a royal commission this government called for while it was in opposition, because we understood that the scale of veteran suicide in this country demanded more than sympathy.”
“When Pope Leo warns against systems that reduce the person to an algorithm, this Labor government answers, 'Not here—not on our watch.' This letter speaks of the value of work not merely as economic activity but as an expression of human dignity. Catholic social teaching has always held that a fair day's work demands a fair day's pay.”
“Pope Leo also wrote that technology must serve human people, not shape them. Labor's reform, Australia's social media ban for under-16-year-olds, says the same thing in the language of legislation—that no algorithm should be permitted to interrupt a child's becoming.”
“But I want to highlight to this House that progress is not the same as completion, and the work does not end with the passage of this legislation. The health and wellbeing of our defence personnel, our veterans and their families must remain a standing priority of this parliament, not fleeting.”
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“It shows up in the 'us versus them' mentality that increasingly defines public debate, and in the digital echo chambers where false claims are repeated until they feel true. I acknowledge the particular works of the member for Cowan, the Minister for Small Business, Minister for International Development and Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Dr Anne Aly has done a lot of work in this space, and I think it's important that the chamber should take the time to look at her work that she has contributed in this space. It's the division and hateful rhetoric we see on our streets online, designed to radicalise Australians who feel left out, angry or alone. We don't need study after study to tell us that we are living in a precarious period. People feel it, they see it, they experience it.”
“In plain terms, what he's telling us is that the world has become more unpredictable, more volatile and less forgiving of complacency. The threats we face are not always obvious and they do not always look like the threats of the past. He went on to say that this fragility is underlined by eroding social cohesion, declining trust in institutions, and a plague of misinformation and conspiracy. These are not abstract concepts—we see them play out in everyday life in how people talk about politics, how they treat one another online and how quickly misinformation spreads. This isn't just something discussed in reports or briefings. It is something that people are living with every single day.”
“Security laws alone do not keep this country safe. Trust, social cohesion and a sense of belonging do that. That is how we combat distrust in government and reduce the appeal of extremism. Without this work at the community level, we make the task of our security agencies, law enforcement and judiciary harder, and we jeopardise the safety of our constituents. It is a duty that goes to the core of a local member's work, and one that I do take very seriously. First, I would like to place these reforms within the security environment we find ourselves in. Mike Burgess, the Director-General of Security for ASIO, has said that Australia has entered a period of 'strategic surprise and security fragility'. He made these comments in February last year.”
“I rise to speak on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025. It's largely a technical bill aimed at amending the compulsory questioning powers in the act. At its core, this bill is about making sure our intelligence laws keep pace with the world around us—a world that is quickly changing, with new threats emerging and extremism on the rise. These changes are not theoretical; they reflect the real pressures our security agencies are dealing with every single day. I want to expand on the context during this speech, while also explaining what this means for the role of being a local MP. While enhancing ASIO's powers is essential, we as elected members must also provide a responsible, reliable and empathetic connection between our constituents and the House.”
“They should be taking that very seriously as well, along with phoenixing and franchising. We heard about it today, and I wish they could take that very seriously, because they have not said anything about that in particular.”
“They are doing amazing work to support workers who have been underpaid and have been working in unsafe conditions, and it's important to highlight that as well. During my time at the ETU, we did a lot of work, particularly during the time of the royal commission, to make sure we were doing the right thing, which we did. During the coalition's time in government, nothing came out of that—just a slap on the wrist. Now, with an Albanese Labor government, more has been done. I also need to highlight that I wish the opposition had taken this more seriously. They have a passion for asserting that the government is turning a blind eye to union corruption, but I think it's also important that they're saying nothing about the significant underpayment that's occurring in the corporate world.”
“"They would be mad to get rid of Mark Irving." He said, "I might have said harsh things—they're my opinion and Irving may have had another. "I've worked for Irving for two years now, and I've never met a more honest or decent man … I can tell you, everything he did was opposed to corruption and was in favour of fixing the CFMEU." I think that needs to be identified here today, because I listened to the contributions from those opposite and they don't want to face the facts. I also want to reflect on my experience. I heard the member for Fisher indicate his experience. I didn't hear about what he did in his time as a chippie. But, as a union lawyer, I have worked for the ETU and for the Nurses and Midwives' Association.”
“No-one on this side of the House believes that what's happened with the CFMEU is right. We've done things. We've heard about it in question time today. I've heard it from my colleagues here today. No-one is above scrutiny. No-one is above the law. But what I will not accept is this deliberate conflation of what happened with the CFMEU with other unions, and I need to call that out. The other thing I want to highlight in particular is that, prior to question time, the AFR live blog said: Watson told the Queensland commission of inquiry he was "absolutely appalled" to see some calling for Irving's resignation today. "If anything I've said here today would suggest that is an outcome they should think again," Watson said.”
“This side of the chamber supports many things that have been passed in this new term of government but also in the last term, particularly on protecting our workers, but clearly the other side of the chamber does not support these—things like Baby Priya's bill, which we passed; penalty rates; secure work; and also equal pay. These are really important things that the union movement have been fighting for and that we have delivered on this side of the chamber. The Labor Party was born from the union movement. I don't think we need to do a history lesson on this, but it's important to make sure that people in the community of Australia understand that the union movement has done a lot of work for our Australian people. No-one on this side of the House supports misconduct.”
“I note that Valentine's Day is coming up in a few days time. I'm feeling a lot of love on this side of the chamber for our union movement and its great work, but, on that side of that chamber, hearing the member for Goldstein talk about unions, particularly with this MPI today, is appalling. Clearly he loves to hate on unions. I think it's really important that I highlight some other things in embellishment of all the things that have been said today, including in question time. Corruption in any institution, whether it's unions or whether it's businesses—whatever it is, even in government—should be called out. I think everyone on this side of the chamber believes that. It is important to highlight that, because all unions—most unions, I should say—do amazing work to represent millions of workers in this country.”
“My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How are the Albanese Labor government's record investments in Medicare making it easier for Australians to see a doctor for free, and why is it important to lift bulk-billing rates after a decade of cuts and neglect?”
“This legislation represents an opportunity to do something that has too often been delayed: to implant accountability, elevate voices and confront systemic failure with honesty and resolve. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people deserve systems that see them, hear them and support them to thrive. They deserve policies shaped with them, not just for them. By passing this bill, we take a meaningful step towards the future—one where government listens earlier, acts smarter and remains accountable much longer.”
“The legislation also reflects agreed minimum standards developed through shared decision-making processes, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and governance. This is reform grounded in partnership, not imposed from above. Since the commission was established in early 2025, meaningful work has already begun. Relationships have been built with community controlled organisations, networks have been formed across jurisdictions and advice has been provided on policy reforms affecting children and young people. Foundational work, including the development of child-safe and culturally appropriate engagement frameworks, has laid the groundwork for the commission's future role. This bill ensures that that work is not only continued but strengthened.”
“Legislation sends a clear message that this commission is not temporary, discretionary or symbolic. It is a lasting part of our national architecture, and that matters, particularly to communities who have seen too many well-intentioned initiatives come and go. The call for a legislated national commissioner has not come from government alone. It has come from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advocates, leaders and organisations over many years. More than 70 organisations have publicly supported the establishment of this role, recognising the need for an independent national body dedicated to children and young people. The development of this bill has been informed by extensive consultation, and the involvement of the current national commissioner, Adjunct Professor Sue-Anne Hunter, has been integral to shaping its design.”
“The bill establishes clear pathways for collaboration and referral, ensuring issues are handled by the most appropriate body while maintaining a national overview. This coordinated approach reflects the reality that children's lives do not fit neatly within bureaucratic boundaries. Their experiences go across jurisdictions, portfolios and responsibilities, and our systems must be able to do the same. The decision to establish this commission through primary legislation is deliberate and necessary. Without legislative backing, the role lacks the independence, the authority and the durability required to drive change. Interim or administrative arrangements simply do not provide the tools needed to conduct inquiries, compel information or report formally to parliament.”
“The commissioner will be able to draw attention to systemic drivers like poverty, housing insecurity, intergenerational trauma and a lack of access to services, and to push governments to address causes not just symptoms. That work directly supports the Closing the Gap framework and strengthens our collective ability to meet those commitments. I had the opportunity to listen to a number of contributions, including that of the member for Moncrieff, and I do recall that she spoke about duplications. This commission is not about duplications. The national commissioner will work alongside state and territory children's commissioners, guardians and advocates as well as other Commonwealth roles, including the National Children's Commissioner and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.”
“Importantly, the commissioner will also play a role in supporting young people to understand and assert their own rights. That empowerment is very critical. This commission helps ensure that children know they have a voice and that their voice matters. One of the consistent failings in this policy space has been the absence of sustained accountability. Targets are set. Reports are written. Recommendations are accepted. But then what happens? This legislation embeds accountability by giving the commissioner the power to monitor, report and advocate over time. It creates a mechanism that cannot be quietly wound back when attention shifts elsewhere. This is particularly important in areas such as out-of-home care and youth justice, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to experience disproportionate harm.”
“Programs that succeed in one place fail to influence policy elsewhere. Lessons are learnt, and then they're forgotten, and then they're relearnt a number of years later. A nationally coordinated commission helps break this cycle. This bill equips the national commissioner with a broad and practical set of functions. The commissioner will be able to examine how Commonwealth policies and programs affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people and to advise government on how those policies can be improved. They will be able to investigate systemic issues, not individual cases, and make recommendations aimed at preventing harm rather than responding to it after the fact. They will be able to speak publicly, to advocate independently and to engage directly with children and young people across the country.”
“The commissioner will provide advice that is informed not only by data and policy analysis but by the voices and experiences of children and young people themselves. These bills ensure that those voices are no longer an afterthought. One of the most important features of this legislation is that it deliberately moves away from a deficient based narrative. Rather than defining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people solely by disadvantage, these bills recognise their strengths—cultural knowledge, resilience, leadership and connection to community. The commissioner's role is not just to identify what is broken but to highlight what works and to promote approaches that are community led, culturally safe and evidence based. That matters because, too often, good practice exists in the pockets but never scales up.”
“The creation of a national commissioner fills a longstanding gap in our governance framework. While there are many individuals and organisations that are doing very important and vital work at the state, territory and community level, there has been no single independent national voice empowered to look across systems, identify where they are failing and press governments to act. The commissioner established under these bills is not intended to manage programs or deliver services. Instead, the role is designed to ask the harder questions: Why do the same problems keep occurring? Why do the same children keep cycling through the same systems? And why does reform move so slowly when the consequences are absolutely very severe?”
“I recall a number of the workers in those teams telling me that, sometimes, children who come to their attention have already been failed by multiple agencies—a very similar vein of what was presented through the contribution of the member for Warringah. Health concerns are flagged but not followed up, school disengagement is noted but not supported, and family stress is recognised but left to escalate. By the time the system intervenes decisively, the harm is already entrenched. That is the cost of disconnected systems and absent accountability. These bills respond to that reality by establishing a national commissioner whose sole focus is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, not as an add-on to an existing role but as a dedicated national advocate with real authority.”
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are dramatically overrepresented in systems that intervene when things go wrong, like child protection, out-of-home care and youth detention, while being underrepresented in systems that provide opportunity, stability and early support. When we say Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are far more likely to be removed from their families or detained at a young age, we are not talking about isolated failures; we're talking about patterns that repeat across jurisdictions, across generations and across policy cycles. During my time at the St Vincent de Paul Society as a regional director, I had the opportunity to look after the Vinnies Support Centre but also to work very closely with Vinnies Services.”
“Too often, the response has been crisis management rather than prevention and control rather than care. This bill is a shift to that approach. It establishes a permanent, independent national body with the authority, reach and focus to drive lasting, systemic improvement. The reality facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people across Australia is stark and persistent. Debate interrupted.”
“I rise tonight to speak in strong support of the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026. This bill is about responsibility. It's about the responsibility to children who have been let down by systems designed without them in mind, the responsibility to communities who have been calling for change for decades and the responsibility to future generations to do better than we have done before. This legislation reflects a clear intention of this Albanese Labor government to place the rights, voices and lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people where they belong: in the centre of the national decision-making. For way too long, policies affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have been reactive, fragmented and short term.”
“This is the spirit that makes our nation the lucky country. It's not chance; it's not fate. It is the choice and grit of people like Ken who create and sustain our community. They make it a diverse, open and inclusive nation that we can all be very proud of. Congratulations, Ken. You absolutely deserve this award.”
“Ken had to forge his own path in what was at the time a rough and ready macho subculture. He told me there were many days when he asked himself: 'Should I just give up? Should I just walk away?' In the end, it was his love for and dedication to the sport that kept him pushing through the dark. Ken's message to the younger generation is that if you have a dream, whether that be pro wrestling, coming out or finding your true self and calling, you can reach out to your community. There are people to talk to; there are people who will help. It is clear that Ken's service to the community extends far beyond the boundaries of the squared circle, and he should be proud that, because of people like him, the younger generations no longer have to do it all by themselves. Ken is the embodiment of the Australian spirit.”
“But I didn't meet Dazzler that morning; I met Ken—a gentle, softly spoken bloke with a heart of gold and an undying love for his sport and the generations of Australians, both young and old, who have fought to keep it alive. Dazzler built a reputation as a trustworthy wrestler who took the safety of fellow wrestlers very seriously. He was someone who made his colleagues look good in the ring for the entertainment of the crowd and who passed down technical expertise to the up-and-coming generation. He continues this stewardship in his retirement. He's built not just a career but a home and a family in the sport that he absolutely loves. When I asked Ken who helped him develop his wrestling style and his persona, he simply said, 'Well, back then, you had to just do it yourself.' And it's true.”
“It is no exaggeration to say that Ken was instrumental in keeping Australian pro wrestling alive and can be credited for its continued success and popularity today. When I went to visit Ken not very long ago in his home in the electorate of Barton, I was unsure what to expect from someone known as Dazzler. But, if you look him up, you'll quickly understand why his nickname, given to him by his beloved mentor, Roy Heffernan, eventually stuck. There are many images of Dazzler in his heyday, adorned in wrestling suits that were colourful enough to make a rainbow lorikeet blush. He is often depicted with championship belts slung across his shoulder or in mid-flight, somersaulting off the top ropes.”
“Despite his retirement, his focus remains on lifting up the grassroots sporting tradition he loves and bringing the next generation of athletes along in its success. Ken's career in professional wrestling began in the late 1970s, at a time when there weren't large television contracts to keep the industry afloat. Instead, this grassroots tradition, which Ken informs me dates back to 1885 in Australia, depended on the dedication of people like him. Over two decades, Ken travelled long distances to perform night after night to audiences in their hundreds, crammed into regional venues, leagues clubs and town halls across the country. This chapter in Australian pro wrestling history has been recorded only because of people like Ken and his autobiography, Inside My Squared Circle .”
“Today we reflect on what makes Australia a very lucky country. When I look around in my electorate of Barton, I am constantly reminded that it is everyday people that we must thank for it—people committed to open, diverse and inclusive society, a society where, regardless of your individual differences, if you have a dream and the bravery to pursue it, you can achieve it. But some Australians go beyond achieving their own dreams. They look to their community to help others' dreams come true. I rise today to recognise and celebrate one of them: Mr Kenneth Robert Dunlop, known to many Australians as Ken 'Dazzler' Dunlop, who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to professional wrestling. Ken was the first openly gay pro wrestler in Australia, the significance of which he personally plays down.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. Why is gender equality a priority for our Labor government? And why do all Australians have a responsibility to do more and do better on matters of gender equality?”
“Being a former student of Hurstville Public School myself, I am incredibly proud of the direction the school is taking in promoting inclusivity and celebrating diversity within the electorate of Barton. It's something that was brought home even stronger by the brilliant Arabic drumming performance held by a small group of Hurstville Public School students to commemorate the opening of the sensory playground. In the words of Principal Mark Steed, we hope to see more of these initiatives implemented by the wider community in the future, to continue supporting our young people and especially our neurodivergent young people in the local area.”
“In addition to vital funding support from the Community Building Partnership grant program, I pay special thanks to Mark Steed, the principal of Hurstville Public School, without whom the idea for the sensory playground would not have been sparked, as well as the Hurstville P? St George's Hurstville Anglican Church; Kingsgrove Community Aid Centre; and X-Life running group, headed by a wonderful councillor, Councillor Ben Wang of Georges River Council. These Barton community groups have shown us what community collaboration across education, politics and faith can achieve for the development of our kids and society at large, and I thank these groups for their indispensable consultation and fundraising efforts in bringing this vision to life.”
“A special auditory zone allows the kids to experiment with outdoor musical instruments including drums and xylophones—something I'm sure many parents in the local area are happy for their kids to get out of their system before coming back home. These types of spaces have been shown to enrich cognitive, emotional and social development for all students, particularly neurodivergent children, and they redefine how we think about childhood development and inclusion. Never has it been more important to foster reaching out into our environment, into our communities and to our neighbours with an attitude of curiosity, open-mindedness and willingness to grow together. These are not only values that are important for the younger generation but values that we must continuously remind ourselves to embody as well.”
“I rise today to celebrate one of the many examples of community collaboration and inclusivity that define my electorate of Barton. In December last year, Hurstville Public School opened the first dedicated sensory play area within the Georges River LGA—a wonderful playground designed to support childhood development through the engagement and exploration of their senses. Through the sensory playground, the lucky kids of Hurstville Public School are encouraged to meander along footpaths varying in texture from asphalt to sand to grass, and to spin totem poles and abacuses. It invites hands-on engagement with their environments. In another zone, the smell of scent infused playdough wafts around the air.”
“This is sensible reform, it is patient focused reform, and it is reform that reflects the realities of modern healthcare in Australia. I commend the bill to the House.”
“For nurses, this bill represents recognition: recognition of their education, recognition of their clinical judgement and recognition of the role they play in our society by delivering high care to all Australians every day. Having worked alongside nurses through the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives' Association, I know how deeply this recognition matters. It's not about status. It is about being trusted to do the job they are trained to do—in partnership with others and in the best interests of the Australian people. This bill delivers on the Albanese government's commitment to strengthen Medicare, support our health workforce and improve access to affordable medicines. It empowers nurses, it supports patients and it builds a health system that is more responsive, more equitable and more sustainable.”
“This is not about replacing doctors or diminishing any other profession. It is about using the full health team efficiently and effectively so patients receive the right care from the right professional at the right time. The bill ensures that medicines prescribed by designated registered nurse prescribers under the PBS remain subject to the same rigorous processes that apply to other prescribers. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee will continue to assess which medicines are appropriate for prescribing under this model, ensuring decisions remain evidence based and cost effective. This protects the integrity of the PBS while expanding access for patients.”
“In many communities, access to a GP can involve long travel times and extended waits. Enabling appropriately endorsed nurses to prescribe certain medicines allows people to receive care locally, safely and affordably. This is about fairness. Where you live should not determine how easily you can access essential medicines. This reform aligns directly with the work of the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce and the U nleashing the p otential of our h ealth w orkforce : s cope of p ractice r eview . It recognises that workforce reform is essential to the long-term sustainability of Medicare. By allowing nurses to work to their full scope of practice, we improve efficiency across the system, reduce duplication and ensure that all health professionals can focus on the areas where they add the most value.”
“This is the gold standard of modern health delivery. The first cohort of designated registered nurse prescribers is expected to complete their education, receive endorsement and commence prescribing from July 2026. This phased approach ensures the workforce is well-prepared, systems are ready and patient safety remains paramount. For patients, the benefits of this reform are real and immediate. It means quicker access to medicines for common and ongoing conditions. It means fewer unnecessary appointments simply to obtain a prescription. It means less pressure on overstretched general practices and emergency departments. It also means care that is delivered closer to home. For the people living in rural, regional and remote areas this reform is very important.”
“Assigned registered nurse prescribing is the result of years of extensive research, consultation and policy development led by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia in collaboration with the Australian Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer. In December 2024, all Commonwealth, state and territory health ministers approved a new national registration standard endorsement for scheduled medicines designated registered nurse prescriber. That standard came into effect in September 2025. Under the standard, registered nurses must meet strict education, experience and competency requirements to gain and maintain endorsement. Prescribing must occur within an agreed scope and under a formal prescribing agreement with another authorised health practitioner. This is collaboration. This is team based care.”
“This ensures that strong oversight, accountability and safeguards remain in place, protecting patients, taxpayers and the integrity of Medicare. This is not a radical change; it is a carefully designed reform that modernises our legislation to reflect contemporary healthcare practice. It is also important to be clear about what this reform is and what it is not. This bill does not create unsupervised prescribing. It does not lower standards. And it does not compromise patient safety. I had the opportunity to also listen to the contribution made by the member for Mallee, who was making rather bold assertions about this particular policy. She referred to it as being 'lazy', that it doesn't have enough evidence.”
“This bill takes a sensible step towards addressing that imbalance. The Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025 makes targeted amendments to two key pieces of legislation. First, it amends the National Health Act 1953 to allow registered nurses who are endorsed under the relevant registration standard to become authorised prescribers of certain medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This means that when those nurses prescribe approved medicines, patients can access them at PBS subsidised prices, ensuring affordability and equity. Second, the bill amends the Health Insurance Act 1973 to ensure that prescribing services provided by designated registered nurse prescribers are subject to the Professional Services Review scheme.”
“It reflects what nurses have been saying for many years, that with the right training, safeguards and collaboration they can do more and patients would be better off for it. Registered nurses make up about half of the Australian health workforce. They are the pillar of our health system, delivering care across hospitals, general practice, aged care, disability services, community health and beyond. They are also the most geographically dispersed health professionals in the country. In many rural, regional and remote communities, nurses are not just part of the health system; they are literally the health system. Nurses are highly educated and highly regulated but also deeply trusted by the public of Australia. Yet, despite this, their scope of practice has not always kept pace with their training or the needs of patients.”
“I heard from nurses who were trusted to manage complex clinical situations but could not take the final step of prescribing a medicine—even when it was safe, appropriate and well within their competence. I had the opportunity to listen last night to the contribution of the member of Indi on this piece of legislation. I, too, heard about nurses who spent hours chasing signatures, making phone calls and sending patients elsewhere for tasks that they could have easily resolved, quickly and safely, in the same consultation. I heard from patients, particularly older Australians and people living with chronic illnesses, who bore the cost of that inefficiency in delays, inconvenience and sometimes worsening health conditions. This bill responds directly to those experiences.”
“Before coming into this place, I worked closely with the New South Wales Nurses & Midwives' Association. In that role, I had the privilege of listening to nurses from every corner of our health system, whether it was in the public or private system, in metro hospitals or regional clinics, or in aged-care facilities or community health services. I witnessed their pride in their professionalism, their commitment to patient care and their willingness to step up, often in incredibly challenging times. But I also heard their frustration. I heard from nurses who knew exactly what their patients needed but were constantly constrained by systems that no longer made sense.”
“We are seeing higher rates of chronic and complex disease. Demand for primary and acute care continues to rise while workforce shortages—particularly in general practice, aged care and rural and remote services—place real strain on patients and providers alike. For too many Australians, accessing health care has become more difficult than it should be. We know people are waiting longer for appointments. Emergency departments are under pressure, and in some communities people are travelling long distances or delaying care altogether. If we are serious about strengthening Medicare then we must look honestly at how our health system operates and how it can operate better. That means using the skills we already have in our workforce more effectively.”
“I rise to speak on the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025. This is a bill that goes to the heart of how we deliver health care in this country, who we trust, how we use our workforce, and whether Australians can access the medicines they need when they need them without unnecessary delay or cost. This bill is more than a legislative amendment; it is absolutely about modernising our health system in a way that reflects reality on the ground. It is about recognising the skill, training and professionalism of nurses, and it is also about ensuring Medicare continues to serve Australians not just for today but into the future. This reform matters because Australia's health system is facing pressures that are both known and deeply felt by communities across the country. We have an ageing population.”
“I ask those in the chamber to really look at the way the legislation is being presented to us today. The reality is that it was hatred and extremism that pulled the trigger.”
“The proposed changes to the Migration Act will strengthen the existing character powers to better protect the Australian community from noncitizens suspected of engaging in hate-motivated conduct or extremism. I had the opportunity to listen to a number of members of the House speak on the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026 this morning. I think the reality is that we don't need a royal commission or an investigation. We can all watch the footage of what happened on that dreadful night of 14 December last year. The guns didn't fire themselves. The guns were in the hands of individuals who were holding hate and extremism in their hearts. The reality is that this particular bill shouldn't be addressed on its own. This legislation came as an omnibus bill, and it should be seen in its entirety.”