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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“Amongst other tests, and before a group is listed, the AFP minister must also obtain the Attorney-General's agreement in writing and arrange for a briefing for the Leader of the Opposition. On top of this, the bill will strengthen and expand the prohibited hate symbols offences in the Criminal Code, and symbols of these hate groups will be listed under the new regime. Finally, the bill will amend the Migration Act to enable earlier, clearer and more defensible refusal and cancellation of visas where a noncitizen poses a risk to the Australian community through conduct that promotes hate, vilification or division, while ensuring consistency with constitutional constraints and existing character powers.”
“Thirdly, the bill will amend the Crimes Act 1914 to introduce a new general sentencing principle that will require the courts, when sentencing a person for a Commonwealth offence, to consider an offender's hate motivation based on race or national or ethnic origin as an aggravating factor. This will encourage judges to apply a higher penalty within the maximum penalty range where hate motivation is a factor in the commission of a crime. Moreover, this bill will establish a new framework within the Criminal Code to enable the listing of organisations as prohibited hate groups. Once an organisation is listed, it will be a criminal offence to direct the activities of, be a member of, recruit for, give funds to or participate in training involving the organisation.”
“Let's be clear about what they do and not fall into a dangerous echo chamber that seeks only to divide this nation. Firstly, there's the introduction of a new aggravated offence for preachers and leaders and for adults radicalising children. Where these actors advocate for violence against others, they will face penalties of up to 12 years of imprisonment. Secondly, the bill will significantly increase penalties for hate crimes. These will capture offences involving advocating or threatening force or violence against protected groups, members of groups, their close associates and their property. Penalties will increase from five to seven years for base offences and from seven to 10 years where there's an added threat to the public order.”
“It is no secret that we are seeing a rise in antisemitism, hatred and extremism in this country, and, more recently, the nation experienced its darkest day, at Bondi Beach in December last year. The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill is part of our response to this horrific event and a piece in the puzzle of restoring social cohesion in our wonderful nation. There are key reforms presented in this bill that I want to highlight because a few constituents have reached out to me with claims about the bill's effects that are untrue and inflammatory. Such claims stem from online disinformation and, sometimes, from those across the chamber. I'm glad we've come together as a parliament to make these changes.”
“I believe Australians and the people of Barton expect us to choose unity and peace—to confront hatred with courage, compassion and the best of the Australian spirit. For those who died on 14 December 2025, may they rest in eternal peace.”
“We must also acknowledge those who were injured physically and psychologically—those who witnessed scenes no person should ever have to witness. We stand in solidarity with you. And we honour the heroes that night—everyday people who showed bravery and selflessness—including those who were wounded and those who lost their lives trying to protect others. This House must affirm, without any qualification, the right of every Australian to live, work, practise their faith and just be in peace and safety, to gather freely without fear, to practise the culture of peace, and to participate fully in Australian life, proud of who they are and proud of the contribution their community has made to our nation. At moments like this, Australia is very much tested. We can allow hatred to divide us, or we can stand together in unity and in peace.”
“That passion brought him to Rockdale Ilinden Football Club, where he joined the association's premier league as a highly talented midfield player. Those who knew him described him as a down-to-earth guy and someone who was warmly embraced by everyone he met. His joyful presence, his respectful nature and his kindness will be deeply missed by his teammates and by all those who knew him. We pray for Dan, and we pray for his family as they grieve a shocking loss. My deepest condolences go to the Rockdale Ilinden football community. I also want to acknowledge the courage of the New South Wales police officers, first responders and healthcare workers who acted with deep calm and bravery. Their actions saved lives, and they represent the very best of public service.”
“That should absolutely disturb every one of us in this place. Antisemitism, along with all forms of hatred, is not something we can afford to downplay or tolerate. It is an evil hatred and has no place in Australia. As a parliament, we must be condemning it and committed to taking meaningful action to remove all forms of hatred to all community groups. This tragedy has also touched my community of Barton. We were devastated to learn that Dan Elkayam, a football player with Rockdale Ilinden Football Club, was tragically killed in the massacre. I was able to attend Dan's funeral to pay my respects, but also to learn that he was a young French national of strong Jewish faith who made Australia his home. He truly embraced the Australian way of life. Football was Dan's passion.”
“It was an act of terror, deliberately targeting the Australian Jewish community as they gathered together to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, a festival that symbolises light, resilience and hope. Many other cultural groups, in a similar vein, celebrate light over darkness. That such hatred was unleashed at a moment of faith and joy is deeply confronting for all Australians. From the night of the attack, in the days that followed, I was in contact and met with the members of my local Jewish community—including Dr George Foster from the Southern Sydney Synagogue based in Allawah, who has done an amazing job to support the local Jewish community in such a challenging time. What I heard was not just sorrow, but distress—distress that simply gathering to celebrate or to be visibly Jewish in public comes with risk.”
“Across our country, people are grieving, searching for answers and struggling to comprehend how 15 innocent lives were taken and many people were injured at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025. That night it started off as a place of joy and celebration, and it was turned into a scene of terror. On behalf of the people of Barton, our thoughts and prayers are, first and foremost, with the families and loved ones of those who were murdered and the Jewish community. Their loss is immense, and no words offered here today can truly ease their pain, but they deserve to know that this parliament stands with them in solidarity. This attack was not random.”
“The fight against racism is not a moment; it is absolutely a movement. It's not a single law; it is a lifelong effort. It's not the work of one parliament; it is the work of an entire nation that believes in fairness. Australia is at its best when we treat every person with respect. Australia is at its strongest when we cherish our diversity as a source of pride. Australia is at its most united when we stand up clearly and courageously against racism in all forms. The Racial Discrimination Act gave us the foundation. It is our task to build the future. On behalf of the people of Barton, a community shaped by migration and strengthened by diversity, I am proud to stand today to honour the 50th anniversary of this landmark legislation.”
“It can weaken the social cohesion that all Australians rely on. As leaders, it is our duty to push back clearly and firmly. In my first speech I spoke about the privilege of being the daughter and granddaughter of people who sacrificed so much so that I could stand in this Chamber. I spoke about representing a community that embodies the best of multicultural Australia. I spoke about the responsibility I feel to fight for fairness, for justice and for the dignity of every person in Barton. Those convictions are strengthened by the legacy of the Racial Discrimination Act. As we mark the 50th anniversary, let us pay tribute to the lawmakers who passed it, the activists who demanded it and the communities who needed it. But let us also honour the next 50 years, the generations who will depend on us to defend it.”
“As someone who has worked closely with communities through the St Vincent de Paul Society, I've seen the way discrimination, even subtle or systemic, compounds disadvantage. It limits pathways to employment. It affects health outcomes. It creates social isolation. It sends a message that some people are less valued. We are not simply recognising a historical achievement. We are recommitting ourselves to the vision of a nation where equality is real and not rhetorical. The founding words of the act are as relevant as they were in 1975. They say that racial discrimination is unlawful in any area of life. Those words must continue to guide us, especially in the era of global uncertainty, rising extremism and economic pressure. History has shown that in times of hardship, racism can resurface. It can be used by those who seek division.”
“We see it in the prejudice experienced by our First Nations people, whose rights and voices must never be ignored. We see it in humiliating behaviour, particularly this week from Senator Hanson in the Senate, who's clearly said she has no respect for the people in this House, let alone the people of Islamic faith. We also see it in new forms, including algorithmic bias, discrimination in AI and inequalities in data and technology. These are challenges the original drafters of this act could never have imagined, yet they now fall on us to confront. It is our responsibility, as parliamentarians and as Australian citizens, to ensure the Racial Discrimination Act continues to evolve so it remains powerful and relevant for the next 50 years.”
“I see it in the confidence of young people who grow up speaking two or three languages at home. I see it in the parents who know their children will be judged on their character, not the colour of their skin. I see it in the friendships, in the local businesses, in community organisations and in faith groups that together form the social fabric of our community. But anniversaries are not only moments of celebration; they are moments of reflection, because the work of the Racial Discrimination Act is not finished. It cannot be finished while racism, in any form, still exists in this country. We know it persists. We see it in the rise of online abuse. We see it in misinformation campaigns targeting migrant communities. We see it in casual racism that still sits beneath the surface of national conversations.”
“The Racial Discrimination Act was a promise to all of those communities that the law would stand with them, not against them. It was a promise that the lapses of our past—including the White Australia policy, exclusionary practices and harmful sways—would not define our future. It is a promise that we must continue to uphold. Over the last 50 years this act has changed lives. It has empowered people who face discrimination to seek justice. It has shaped policies and behaviours across both public and private sectors. It has strengthened multiculturalism as a core Australian value. It has shown generations, including mine, that belonging is not something you must earn at the expense of your identity. Belonging is a right. In Barton I see the legacy of this legislation every single day.”
“It recognised that everyone in this country is entitled to the same respect, the same safety and the same dignity, regardless of race or background. That principle sits at the heart of the electorate of Barton. Barton is one of the most multicultural communities in the nation. Our residents come from every continent, every faith tradition and every culture, and we are stronger because of this. I'm proud to represent a community where diversity is not just tolerated or accepted but absolutely celebrated as our greatest asset. But the truth is that, for many decades in this country, people of colour, First Nations people and multicultural communities faced systemic discrimination. It occurred in housing, in employment, in education and in access to services. Many still face it today.”
“When I delivered my first speech in this place, I spoke about the journey of my life. So many migrants arrived here with hope, humility and a fierce determination to build a much better life. I spoke about growing up in my electorate, about the pride I feel in my Sri Lankan and Papua New Guinean heritage—raised by a Maltese and Italian family—and about the pride I feel being Australian. I spoke about the lessons of my late grandfather, a man who taught me that service, kindness and dignity are the measure of a life well lived. What I did not get the chance to say, but wish to say today, is that their lives and mine would have been very different if not for the Racial Discrimination Act. When the Racial Discrimination Act passed this parliament in 1975, it did something incredibly simple yet profoundly transformative.”
“Today I rise to acknowledge and honour the 50th anniversary of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 16:22 to 16:46 This is one of the most profound legislative markers in Australia's modern story and a law that has shaped the lived experience of millions, including families like mine and communities like Barton. The passage of the Racial Discrimination Act was not just a legal reform. It was Australia declaring formally and finally that equality before the law is not optional, not conditional, not aspirational, but fundamental. Half a century on, we recognise that this act continues to be a pillar of our democracy, our social cohesion and our identity as a nation that believes in fairness.”
“It gives them tools to protect themselves, to move safely and to build their lives without fear. This bill strengthens our migration system by prioritising integrity, transparency and dignity. It is a step forward to a fairer and more accountable system, it is a step forward to reducing exploitation, and it is a step forward honouring the values of equality and respect that every Australian deserves, regardless of where they were born.”
“It enhances protections for temporary skilled migrant workers, it promotes transparency, it strengthens system integrity, and it supports the many employers who do the right thing. As a member of this parliament, as someone who has worked in employment law and as someone who represents one of the most diverse electorates in the country, I know how important this reform is. I know how much it matters to local families, to new arrivals, to workers who want a fair chance and to employers who want a trusted system. Migration has shaped the story of Australia for generations but so has fairness. We are a nation that prides itself on giving everyone a fair go. This bill helps ensure that those values remain central to our migration system and that temporary skilled workers are not left behind.”
“For example, while this bill does not include labour market testing reforms, the government has already streamlined those requirements by reducing advertisement obligations and removing unnecessary administrative burdens while maintaining strong local worker protections. Similarly income thresholds and the indexation for the skills and demand visa are already set through regulatory changes made in December 2024. They now automatically adjust each year on 1 July in line with the average or weekly ordinary time earnings. This ensures the system remains fair, competitive and aligned with economic realities. This bill is a pragmatic, responsible and much-needed measure.”
“Here they come, rushing to comment on how we're importing voters, how the colour of my skin must mean I'm a part of some big greater conspiracy and how this bill is going to ruin Australia as we know it. Newsflash—'Australia as we know it' is multicultural! Those people who are lucky enough to be permitted to work here must learn the importance of our employment law system. We can only teach them such rights and values if they are entitled to them in the first place, and we can only hope to build the homes and staff the hospitals that our country needs through skilled migration. Anyone who denies this fact is dreaming. This bill is not the end of the work; it forms part of a broader reform agenda.”
“We're talking about people—people like the workers who came to me when I was a lawyer because they had been underpaid by $10 an hour for a night work shift, people like the woman whose employer confiscated her passport to stop her from leaving and people like the young tradesperson who was threatened with deportation if he refused unpaid overtime. These experiences stay with people for years. They shape their view of this country, and they shape how safe they feel in their workplace, in their community and in their new home. We owe it to them to get it right. Australia's reputation as a safe and fair place to work should never depend on luck or on the goodwill of the employer. It must be built into the system itself. It must be grounded in transparency and oversight. Now cue all the trolls and the bots on socials.”
“Approved sponsors will be informed at the time of application that their information will appear on the register, consistent with existing obligations under the Privacy Act. Barton is one of the most multicultural electorates in the country. People from more than 70 cultural backgrounds call it home. Many local families arrived in this country as migrants or refugees. Many worked incredibly hard in jobs where English was not their first language, conditions were difficult and exploitation was always a risk. My own family made that journey. I grew up witnessing the strength, resilience and sacrifice that defines migrant communities. When we talk about this bill, we are not talking about a conceptual policy.”
“It is worth exploring one simple question: why do we need this bill? The answer's very straightforward. We need these protections because exploitation continues to exist—and we've heard from some of the speakers across the chamber who agree with this—because transparency combats exploitation and because good employers should not be undercut by bad ones. If we do not pass this bill, the rollout of the public register will be delayed and so will these integrity measures. Workers will remain less protected, genuine employers will have fewer tools for transparency and the system will remain more vulnerable to misuse. The register will not include any identifying information about individual workers. Privacy will be fully protected. It will only reflect publicly available information about employers.”
“These reforms were previously part of the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024, which lapsed when parliament ended before the election. The Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee noted that most submissions supported the measures, and the committee recommended that the bill pass the Senate. The government's response to that report was tabled on 20 October 2025. We are now moving forward with these important amendments again. If this bill passes, the register will be implemented either on a fixed date by proclamation or six months after the act receives royal assent. This window allows time for regulations, technical development, stakeholder engagement and functionality to be built in the department's website. This is necessary for proper implementation.”
“They want to hire skilled workers from overseas to fill shortages and grow their business, but they also want confidence that competitors who cut corners cannot get ahead by exploiting workers. This bill helps create the level playing field that we need. It complements the work we have already done through the Migration Strategy released in December 2023, including the development of the new Skills in Demand visa. That strategy was grounded in significant consultation with unions, employers, migrant communities and experts. It recognised the need for better integrity measures, greater worker protections and a migration system that supports productivity and fairness.”
“Some did not know they were allowed to change sponsors. Others were misled into believing that reporting exploitation would automatically result in their removal from the country. When a worker's entire future rests on a single employer, misinformation becomes a powerful tool of control. Greater transparency disrupts that dynamic. A public register gives workers a clear line of sight to their rights and options. It gives them the confidence to seek support, the freedom to move to another legitimate sponsor and the ability to plan their lives with security rather than in fear. This measure also supports small and medium businesses that do the right thing. Many small-business owners in my community want a fair and transparent system.”
“It will give regulators and the public greater oversight of the system. And it will increase accountability for employers who participate in skilled migration. Many temporary migrant workers I met in my time as an employment lawyer described the same underlying problem: they did not feel they had any safe or realistic avenue to challenge the wrongdoing. Even when they knew they were being underpaid or threatened, the fear of visa cancellation or the loss of their job kept them silent. In practice, this meant that the sponsorship system, designed to bring skills into Australia, too often became a mechanism that tied workers to exploitation. The lack of visibility in the system made this worse. Workers relied almost entirely on whatever information the employer chose to provide. Many did not know whether their sponsor was compliant.”
“Some did not even know whether their employer was legitimately registered. This bill directly addresses these issues. At its core, the Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025 establishes the authority for the Department of Home Affairs to publish and maintain a public register of approved work sponsors. The register will include the name of the approved sponsor, the approved sponsor's Australian Business Number, the postcode linked to the ABN, the number of sponsored workers and the occupations associated with those sponsorships. This is not simply an administrative database; it's a tool for transparency. It will give temporary skilled migrant workers the ability to check the legitimacy of their sponsoring employer. It will help them identify new sponsors if they wish to change jobs.”
“To understand the importance of this bill we need to be honest about the dynamics of power in workplaces. Workers who are on temporary visas often depend entirely on their sponsoring employer for their right to remain in Australia. This creates an enormous imbalance. When a worker fears losing their visa, every unreasonable demand begins to feel like something they must tolerate—longer hours, underpayments, threats, unsafe workplaces and even intimidation. As an employment lawyer I sat with workers who carried this fear silently. They did not want to cause trouble. They wanted to fit in and contribute. They simply wanted a chance to build a better life. But the lack of transparency in the sponsorship system meant that many did not know their rights or their options.”
“Moreover, the bill aligns with this government's commitment to promoting Australia as a destination for highly skilled migrants. We need smart, qualified people to meet the skills shortage in our economy and boost productivity. Those people are going to work in Australia only if they can be guaranteed safe, secure work. The bill before us today is a practical, targeted and integrity-focused reform that strengthens protections for temporary skilled migrants. It creates a public register of approved work sponsors, increases transparency and allows migrant workers to verify the legitimacy of employers and seek new sponsorship opportunities without fear. These are not abstract administrative changes; they are protections that can change the trajectory of real lives.”
“I must say, the United Workers Union does important work to support migrant workers here in this country, because the reality is that migrant exploitation happens in Australia. It happens in our cities, suburbs and regions. It happens in our restaurants, construction sites, food processing plants, farms, cleaning companies, care sectors and gig work. It often involves workers who are here legally and are doing the right thing, yet are taken advantage of by someone who believes that they will never speak out. This is a serious issue. It's a moral issue, it's an issue of economic fairness and it's an issue of national character, because any system that depends on silence or fear is a system that fails not only migrant workers but every worker.”
“I rise to speak on the Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025. I do so as not only the federal member for Barton but also someone whose professional life before entering parliament was spent, for a lot of the time, in the space of employment law. For over a decade, I represented workers who were underpaid, mistreated, threatened or simply too scared to speak up. I saw firsthand how vulnerable temporary migrant workers can be and how quickly hope turns into fear when safeguards fail or when devious employers—and I must say, only a few—see vulnerability as an invitation. I heard some comments from the member for Mallee tonight, particularly around bold assertions regarding the United Workers Union.”
“I again thank the member for Indi for her contributions and also the member for Mayo for sharing the experience with her daughter. As someone who's also taught students and who has experience of supporting students at the University of Sydney and in my capacity at St Vincent de Paul, I completely understand these challenges.”
“It's important to highlight that this is the first time that a Labor federal government has introduced this. We're starting with students who are studying nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work, to address the urgent need for more students in these areas. Going back to the universities accord, it's talking about particular courses of priority and focusing on the skill shortage. To further support students with the cost of living, Labor is cutting 20 per cent from everyone's student debt. I know that, in my electorate, this message has been well received. You can see from the results of the election that it is something that people supported and voted for. I am really proud that we will be able to deliver that in the coming days.”
“You've heard today from a number of people on this side of the chamber that we've developed this policy position over a period of time in the Labor Party. I'm very proud that we have made these changes and that we have support in the chamber on this here today. But I understand that there's a lot of work to be done to help those who are studying these particular courses. Since 1 July 2025, around 73,000 students across Australia have been eligible for $331.65 each week. It is the first time ever that a federal government has provided financial support to students while they complete their mandatory prac placements; I think it's pertinent to highlight that. There is a review, and there is opportunity to expand, but this is a conversation that we can continue to have not only in the chamber but outside as well.”
“Having the opportunity to reflect on some of the stories that we're hearing in this chamber today, including from the member for Indi—the reality is that the universities accord has recommended the government focus on nursing, on care and teaching professions. This is a responsible government responding to advice provided to us to prioritise key roles and courses. The 2023 employment white paper also identified that those in care and teaching professions are key enablers for the economy and that unpaid placements discourage many students in care and teaching professions from enrolling in and completing courses. And, as the Minister for Education has said, the accord is not a plan for one budget but a blueprint for the next decade and beyond.”
“Also I've had the opportunity to speak to a number of HSU members—and I've had really active conversations more recently—who work in the allied health profession. This Labor government understands that it's quite tough for students when they're completing mandatory placements. That is why we are delivering on real cost-of-living support, which includes this Commonwealth prac payment. I believe this assistance is quite careful; it's quite considered. The payment is helping those who are studying to become teachers, social workers, nurses and midwives so they can solely focus on upskilling.”
“On the tail end, prior to coming into this House, I had the opportunity to work with St Vincent de Paul Society for a couple of years. In that capacity, I had the opportunity to look after a very big patch of New South Wales going up from Wyong, out to the Blue Mountains and down to Helensburgh. That captured a number of great institutions, a number of universities, where a lot of youth Vinnies members did a lot of engagement on those campuses with students dealing with cost-of-living challenges, with housing and accommodation. So this comes from a place of experience and understanding. I want to acknowledge that everyone in this chamber seems to be singing from the same song sheet, knowing that those are the challenges for a lot of students in this industry.”
“I would like to thank the member for Indi for raising her matter of public importance for discussion in this House, the example of Darcy's story and the other issues raised in the member for Indi's contributions this afternoon. I can hear that there's a bit of consensus in this chamber around some of the challenges for students in higher education. I also speak from a place of experience. Before I was a solicitor, I worked at the University of Sydney for about eight years in the anatomy department—specifically, teaching medical students and a number of other students in the allied health profession. I understand from that experience a lot of challenges that students go through on campus and also in dealing with cost-of-living challenges and accommodation.”
“It protects local jobs, it lowers cost-of-living pressure, it strengthens local economies, it reflects both economic discipline and social understanding and, most importantly, it reflects the core promise of this Albanese Labor government to look after working Australians, to support small business and to govern responsibly and fairly for every community.”
“This two-year excise pause is fair, targeted, responsible and deeply needed. It recognises the role hospitality plays in the lives of Australians in our suburbs, in our cities, in our regions and in electorates like mine, the seat of Barton. It supports the places where we gather to celebrate, mourn, reconnect, unwind and belong. It backs the workers pulling pints, washing glasses, scrubbing kitchens, running events, serving meals and keeping our venues safe and welcoming. It helps small businesses breathe, plan, invest and continue supporting our community.”
“Let me remind the opposition of what the Albanese Labor government has already delivered: wage rises of a minimum of 3.5 per cent and an award increase; super at 12 per cent; an increase in paid parental leave to 24 weeks with super; 150 bucks more energy relief this year; apprentice payments of $10,000; cheaper home batteries; a 20 per cent cut in student HECS-HELP debt for three million Aussies; Commonwealth prac payments for nursing, teaching, midwifery and social work students; pay rises for aged-care workers; cheaper medicines; and expanded bulk-billing. This is real relief, delivered responsibly. While many major economies are facing recessions and job losses, Australia has strong employment and stable growth, and we are navigating global challenges with competence, steadiness and fairness.”
“This is steady, disciplined economic management—low risk, high benefit and temporary. This is one part of a very comprehensive cost-of-living agenda. I listened to some of those across the chamber and observed their line of questioning at question time—no rhyme and no thought. They say the government is spending too much, and then they have the hide to say we're not doing enough for the cost of living. Then we hear today, 'It's not enough, but it does a little bit for small businesses.' Choose your side.”
“By supporting draught production, we protect diversity and fairness in our beer and hospitality markets, not just for the biggest players. I want to be very clear that this policy is temporary. It is fiscally responsible and it does not change Australia's alcohol taxation system. It does not undermine public health objectives. It ensures that the excise returns to normal after two years. The opposition had an opportunity to listen to some of the speeches, and they sound like they are distorting this, because I recall this also being an election commitment from those across the chamber. It's still on the Liberal Party's website to this day, six months after the election. But the fact remains that this is targeted relief. It does not fuel inflation, it protects jobs and communities, and it maintains our public health settings.”
“I must also add that this great policy works hand in hand with the New South Wales Minns Labor government and Minister John Graham, who's working hard to boost the New South Wales economy and revive our night-time economy after a decade of lockouts and then lockdowns by the former Liberal state government. This is what a Labor government does; it supports the economy, and it supports small businesses. This measure also supports independent brewers who rely heavily on draught sales. It helps them manage production, maintain cash flow, retain staff, invest in quality and keep supplying local venues. Local taps in Barton serve beer from passionate independent producers—Sydney brewers who stand for the craft. We are making sure they can keep doing that.”
“This is responsible government. That is the Albanese Labor government. Rather than responding with mantras, we've responded with solutions. We target support where it delivers the most benefit. This industry endured months of pandemic shutdowns, supply chain disruptions, staffing challenges and years of inflation pressures under the opposition, yet these Australians kept going. They adapted and they innovated. They did takeaway and they did home deliveries. They kept food in fridges, beers in kegs and, where they could, they kept staff on the books. They held communities together in some of the hardest times we've known. They deserve support, and we are giving it.”
“I saw the pressure they felt in balancing rising costs with fair pricing for their customers. I saw their pride in employing and training local workers and their generosity in supporting teams, charities and community groups. I've supported business owners who stayed awake at night worrying whether they could afford to keep staff on. I've seen young people transform their lives through their first hospitality jobs, and I want to acknowledge the great work of the mighty United Workers Union in the sector, supporting workers in collaboration with these employers. Hospitality isn't just an industry; it absolutely is a pathway, a community hub and a cultural institution. So, when I say this policy matters, it's not flippant. This is from lived experience supporting the sector. We've listened, we've consulted, we've acted.”