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.”
The complete record
Every one of 490 lines we hold for Ash Ambihaipahar, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 10.
“While those across the chamber point their fingers, we on this side of the chamber are getting on with the job. Since 2022, the wholesale electricity prices are coming down. The independent Australian Energy Market Commission forecast that prices will decline to 2030 as more renewables enter the grid. This is something we are proud of and is important also for our large-scale consumers like manufacturers and smelters. From next year, the Australian Energy Market Commission will implement new rules that will stop sneaky price hikes, preventing retailers from increasing prices more than once a year. We know electricity retailers are the primary buyers of the Australian wholesale electricity market, purchasing power from generators and reselling it to households and businesses.”
“Their plan is nuclear energy—the most expensive, slowest, riskiest and least pragmatic option available—a plan that will do nothing to help families here in Australia. The truth is simple. In times like these, people don't need slogans. They don't need a scare campaign. We are addressing the cost of electricity across all levels, such as with retail reforms to make sure Australians get the best possible deal and making sure more Australians can bring down the bills for good with more access to rooftop solar and cheaper home batteries, as well as better energy efficiency options. The Australian people need a government—a steady one, a practical one, a responsible one—on their side and that is what this Albanese Labor government is delivering.”
“As someone who's worked on the frontline of community support at St Vincent de Paul Society and someone deeply connected to the people of Barton, I see firsthand the pressures that Australians are carrying. Right now, the cost of living is the No. 1 concern for Australians and across the globe. We on this side of the chamber are not ignorant to the energy bills being high, and we are fixing this energy bin fire that we inherited from those opposite. Those opposite left Australians with an energy system that was fragile, outdated and vulnerable to global shocks. They walked away from renewable investment and refused to build a modern grid. And now, as history repeats itself, those opposite stand here pretending they have a plan. Let's be clear.”
“From bigger budgets to separate streams for home modifications and assistive technology, the new program will deliver a high quality of care to residents in their homes. Finally, we are delivering extra places to people who do need to transition into residential care. Places will now be directly assigned to older people who have been approved for government funded residential care services. Accordingly, mainstream residential aged-care providers will no longer need an allocation of places. Instead, residents will have more choice and control over which provider delivers their services. This is what good reform looks like: a system that listens, respects and delivers for the Australians who built this country.”
“In the first instance, both Paul and Khalid's requests should have been listened to, respected and actioned. This new rights based framework enshrines their voices and wishes in the act. Whilst I'll always be here to support those people, this means that older residents of Barton will be listened to and their choices respected from the get-go. That's what this reform this really about: restoring respect and giving back agency to the people who have given so much to all of us. On top of this, our reforms also increase support at home. We recognise that many would rather stay in their home than move into assisted living facilities. These reforms will help more people to do that.”
“Since becoming the member for Barton, I've had many constituents contact my office requesting help with navigating the system. I want to speak to these examples but will change their names to protect their privacy. Paul contacted my office because he had approved level 3 funding in October 2024 but still had not seen that funding flow through by October 2025. Khalid reached out because he believed his case had been given a priority status but had not been able to get a new assessment. In both of these cases, these constituents felt like they were not being listened to when reaching out for help and that their requests had been ignored. Whilst I'm happy to help in these situations, a constituent should not have to get their local MP involved just to exercise their rights.”
“These new reforms build on this work and further the fight to deliver rights based, dignified aged care for every older Australian. These reforms include three key changes. Firstly, they introduce a rights based framework. The statement of rights makes sure that older people can make their own decisions about their own lives and have those decisions respected. The statement includes the right for every person to have independence, autonomy, empowerment and freedom of choice, quality and safe funded services, respect for privacy and person centred communication. The Older Persons Advocacy Network calls this reform a 'historic moment' in aged care. I particularly want to speak to putting older Australians at the centre of decision-making and empowering their choices.”
“It was too focused on providers and institutions and not on the rights, preferences and dignity for older Australians. These reforms build on the good work we have already completed as a government. We've already mandated 24/7 registered nursing. Because of this, there is a registered nurse on site in aged care more than 99 per cent of the time. We've also invested $17.7 billion to increase the wages of aged-care workers. This means that dedicated staff are paid what they deserve and that their deep knowledge of their residents and the care they need stays in the system. We've also improved the standard of care. In December 2023, only 54 per cent of aged-care homes had an overall star rating of four or five stars—that's 'good' or 'excellent'. Today, 79 per cent of homes do.”
“I rise to speak on the government's reforms to aged care that came into effect over the weekend just passed. Every older Australian deserves the same care and respect they gave this country through a lifetime of work, love and contribution. These long overdue reforms put care and respect back at the heart of the system. Everyone with older loved ones has had to battle with the aged-care system at one point or another. It is a difficult transition period and you find yourself confronted by tough decisions around your loved one's health, home and quality of life. On top of this, we have all heard and lived the horror stories unearthed by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. In the words of the commission, the system was delivering substandard and unsafe care for Australians.”
“My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. How is the Albanese Labor government working to build more homes for Australians, what other approaches are there and what is standing in our way?”
“On industry, we've announced a new net zero stream in the National Reconstruction Fund. The $5 billion in this particular fund will help large industry decarbonise whilst helping renewable and low-emission manufacturers scale up. On transport, we've expanded the use of electric vehicles, brought in a new vehicle efficiency standard and invested in more kerbside charging facilities. This is all on top of the work regular Australians are already doing, because they understand climate change and its risks as well. Around 1,000 batteries are being installed across the country every day, with home solar panel uptake being quite literally through the roof. So, as the motion says, the government is delivering on its promises, which Australians voted for this year, to act on climate change.”
“Our most recent data shows that emissions fell by 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the year to March 2025. This is a result of our work in slashing waiting times for renewable projects, incentivising home batteries and expanding clean fuel use. This is just the beginning, and we know there is much more work to be done. Our biggest sources of emissions are electricity, transport and industry, and we have a plan for each of them. On electricity, we are upgrading our energy systems so that we can deliver more renewable energy from remote areas to our cities and towns. We have already added over 18 gigawatts of wind and solar to the grid by undertaking this task. These upgrades also help balance the variability of renewables, ensuring homes have reliable, clean power, no matter the weather.”
“This is the reality for communities across Australia, yet the opposition are still in denial. Maybe they're too busy fighting themselves in some back room of parliament to step outside and actually see it. Whatever it is, they have their heads in the sand and we don't have time to wait for the tide to come in. As Rudd said, that would be reckless and irresponsible, and we must act now. The government accepts the Climate Change Authority's recently published national climate risk assessment. Every action we take today towards our climate goal of net zero by 2050 can help avoid the worst impacts on Australians. Following the authority's advice, we've set an emissions reduction target of between 62 and 70 per cent by 2035. And emissions are coming down.”
“I rise to speak on this motion moved by the wonderful member for Griffith. It's a very important motion for my community in Barton as well. It outlines the Albanese government's commitment to both recognising and responding to climate change. Recognising and responding are two separate things. The first, recognition, was delivered by the Labor Party way back in 2007 when the wonderful Kevin Rudd—Kevin 07—called climate change 'the great moral challenge of our generation' and warned that delaying action would be 'reckless and irresponsible'. It's now 2025, and the National and Liberal parties still can't get their head around it at all. Climate change is real, and we're feeling the impacts right now: more floods, more fires, more extreme heat and more violent storms.”
“We in this chamber have a responsibility to make systems work for people, not against them. We have a duty of service for these people to recognise their hardship, to help lift them up into better lives. We cannot bring fairness to every corner of the social security system overnight, but with this bill we are taking important practical steps in the right direction. As the member for Barton, I welcome these changes. As a lawyer, I know how overdue they are. And as someone who believes in the dignity of every person, I will always stand up for a social security system that reflects compassion, fairness and justice.”
“I know, too, that my team will be ready to help anyone in my electorate of Barton who finds themselves in this situation, who can simply attend my electorate office at Level 2, 24 Montgomery Street, Kogarah or send me an email at ash.ambihaipahar@aph.gov.au. We have a dedicated space for quiet conversations and staff on hand to help you navigate that system. The empathetic and efficient team at Services Australia Rockdale will also be on deck, as they are always there to help a lot of our electorate members. This bill begins to change the culture of our welfare system. It says: no more chasing debts that cost more to collect than what they're worth; no more punishing women who've already endured abuse; and no more letting historic injustices fester.”
“Australians deserve to know that we have learned from those mistakes and that our systems are transparent, lawful and humane. When I doorknock in Rockdale, Kingsgrove, Hurstville and across my electorate of Barton I hear the same thing again and again: people just want systems that treat them fairly, clearly and with dignity. They don't want bureaucracy that punishes them for being poor, sick or in a crisis. Moreover, we want to make sure these people can access help to navigate the new resolution scheme. We're equipping Economic Justice Australia and the Australian Council of Social Service with $400,000 each. We want to make sure they have the resources available for those impacted by the scheme.”
“It clarifies the law to close off the uncertainty. More importantly, it establishes the Income Apportionment Resolution Scheme. That means that people who have potentially affected debts between 1 September 2003 and 6 December 2020 can apply for a resolution payment of up to $600. It's not perfect justice. Nothing can fully undo the harm caused. But it is recognition. It is a step towards closure. It is an acknowledgement that the system got it wrong. And, at its core, this bill is about respect—respect for the people who use the social security system, most of whom are engaging in good faith, trying to do the right thing, and juggling low incomes, insecure work and the rising cost of living. It's also about making sure people can trust the social security system after the trauma of the robodebt scheme.”
“Services Australia is here to help you rebuild and move forward, rather than binding you to the violence of your past, because we understand that financial security is a core part of ending domestic violence and that safety is not just physical; it's economic.' I know that this part of the bill may sound a bit technical, but for thousands of Australians it matters deeply. From 1991 to 2020 a method known as income apportionment was used to calculate debts. The practice was inconsistent with the law at the time. It was unfair. And while it has not been used under this Albanese Labor government, we cannot simply reopen decades worth of historical cases—some of them already repaid, many involving people who've since passed away—without causing fresh uncertainty and distress. So this bill draws a line in the sand.”
“It gives Services Australia the discretion to waive debts in cases where coercion or financial abuse was a factor. It builds on the work of the 2024 joint parliamentary inquiry into financial abuse and reflects our commitment to entrench protection into every arm of the Commonwealth. As someone who's worked with vulnerable clients, I cannot overstate the importance of this change. It tells victims-survivors: 'We see you, we believe you and we will not allow the system to be weaponised against you. When you come forward, you do not have to do so with fear of debt or of unjust consequences.”
“From my time working at the St Vincent de Paul Society in New South Wales, looking after a rather large team covering from Wyong to Helensburgh out to the Blue Mountains, including my own electorate of Barton, the Vinnies team and I saw the terrible impacts of coercive control and financial abuse on the lives of many people, mainly women, escaping domestic violence. Under our current laws, if a person accrued a debt because they were coerced into signing forms or providing false information they could still be held liable. This debt is yet another burden that hangs over the victim at one of the most difficult times in their life. Think about that for a moment: the victim is punished for their abuser's actions. That is not only cruel; it undermines our commitment to end violence against women and children. This bill changes that.”
“According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, one in four women and one in 14 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15. As a community, we now understand what has long been true—that violence extends beyond the physical and appears as emotional and financial coercion too. For many that find themselves in this situation, that looks like credit cards being taken out in their name, the emptying of joint bank accounts and the diversion of welfare moneys to another account.”
“This impactful reform means Services Australia can focus more on what it should be doing—that is, supporting people who need help, not wasting energy hustling for small debts. It also says to the taxpayer, 'We are spending your money wisely, focusing on serious misconduct and fraud rather than chasing loose change from those doing it tough.' Another part of this bill I want to highlight is the protection it gives to victims-survivors of family and domestic violence. As many in this chamber will know, financial abuse is one of the most insidious forms of coercive control. It is a way for perpetrators to trap partners and children to keep them dependent and to punish them long after they have escaped.”
“I'm not saying these procedures are out of place; we should be strict on the paperwork required to receive payments from Services Australia and the checks and balances that come along with it. But, for someone already experiencing disadvantage, with low computer literacy skills, escaping violence without all their relevant documentation or with little time on their hands because they're looking after kids or relatives, it can be really easy to make a mistake when applying for payments. In circumstances like this, we should be giving people a helping hand rather than punishing them for their small mistakes. Where debts appear to stem from fraud, Services Australia has the power to investigate them more closely. But the majority of those Australians holding these debts have received them through no fault of their own.”
“We're talking about young people from rough families, single parents or Australians who have a disability. These are the people most likely to be receiving these payments and thus receiving debts in the first place. For many of these people, the myGov email landing in their inbox isn't just a notification; it's sometimes a heavy pit in their stomach. That notification of a debt means a complete recalculation of their budget, where their next meal is going to come from or how the already-overdue bill is going to be paid. We also know that Services Australia can be very difficult to navigate for people without in-depth experience of government and its procedures.”
“This bill increases the waiver threshold to $250. That means approximately 1.2 million debts, many of which would be impossible to recover without spending more taxpayer money in administration than the debts themselves. It will simply not be raised. This is the right outcome. Economic Justice Australia, the peak advocacy organisation for community legal centres that assists people with Services Australia, calls this reform 'a game changer that removes a lot of unnecessary stress from people's lives'. Indeed, these are people that are already vulnerable and experiencing hardship. People on income support are more likely to live under or near the poverty line. These same people have often accrued debt because of systemic overpayment or miscalculation issues—that is, through no fault of their own.”
“For 30 years, the so-called small debt waiver has been frozen. It's current range is $50 to $200—$50, unchanged since the 1990s, when the average cost of rent or a grocery bill looked nothing like it does today. In 2025, a small debt of $50 is insulting. It doesn't reflect the real world. This so-called small debt is no longer a reflection of what 'small debt' means to people today. To put it in plain language: this threshold was set when petrol was under 70c a litre, the median rent in Sydney was around $170 per week, and power prices were half of what they are now. Times have changed. Our welfare system must keep up with them. The administrative costs of chasing a $150 debt often exceeds the debt itself, which means taxpayers lose too. This reform is not about leniency. It's about efficiency, compassion and common sense.”
“I can tell you, when a person feels like they're being buried in red tape, when they've been hit with a debt they don't understand, when they are made to feel like a criminal for a simple mistake, that is not just a policy failure; that is a failure of justice. This bill delivers a long-overdue reform. It brings compassion, common sense and accountability back to the way we treat people who rely on our social security system. We want the system to be a bridge, not a barrier. That's why we've introduced this bill into the House. Firstly, this bill amends the small debt waiver threshold. The small debt waiver is a legal mechanism under the Social Security Act that allows the government to forgive certain low-value debts owed by welfare recipients where it's not cost-effective for the Commonwealth to take action to recover them.”
“I want to speak about this piece of legislation, the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025, that cuts to the very heart of fairness in our social security system. For way too long, the rules that govern how debts are raised and managed have been outdated, inefficient and, at times, downright unfair. This bill before the House finally begins to put that right. I come to this debate not only as a member for Barton but as someone who spent more than a decade in the law, advocating for people who were often up against systems that were stacked against them. For many people that find themselves relying on social security payments, the system can either be a bridge to a new life and a bright future or a bureaucratic barrier that keeps them trapped.”
“I will always support legislation like this, because every Australian deserves a system that protects and empowers them and ensures that no-one is left behind.”
“Under the expanded waiver introduced by this Labor government, Gemma's broader circumstances, including the coercion and abuse she suffered, would finally be taken into account. She would have the chance to seek justice and relief from a debt that was never truly hers to bear. The Albanese Labor government is keeping its duty to put safety at the very heart of our Commonwealth system, to ensure that our social security framework can never, ever again be weaponised against those escaping violence. This is an important step towards a fairer and more compassionate system, one that truly supports those who need it most. At its core, these reforms are about restoring dignity, security and hope for Australians who have endured abuse.”
“Under these reforms, Services Australia will be able to take into account the full context behind a debt, including cases where coercion or financial abuse has led someone to make false statements. Let me give you an example. Gemma received the disability support pension for several years. During that time she had a partner who later turned out to have been secretly working. After they separated, Gemma discovered this and reported it to Services Australia, only to find herself with a $10,000 debt. Gemma has limited English and has endured years of domestic violence. The pension she receives is her only income, supporting her and her children through ongoing financial hardship. Under current legislation, Gemma was denied a special circumstances waiver because her former partner had knowingly made false declarations about his income.”
“It's also about connecting people with wraparound supports, referral services and safety planning because this isn't just about financial relief; it is about saving lives, restoring dignity and giving people the strength to rebuild on their own terms. We also know that our social security system can be complex, even overwhelming, for those already navigating trauma or crisis. The Albanese Labor government recognises that, at times, perpetrators of violence have exploited gaps in the system, leaving victims-survivors with debts that were never really truly theirs. That's why we've introduced legislation to reform the special circumstances debt waiver, extending Services Australia's power to waive social security debts incurred as a result of domestic and family violence.”
“Every day, people in deep financial hardship come to organisations like Vinnies—people who are simply trying to find a way to move forward when they can barely afford to stand still. The Leaving Violence Program, which became permanent from 1 July this year, provides critical financial assistance for people who are planning to leave or have recently left a violent partner. This government recognises the insidious link between financial stress and the vulnerability experienced by victims-survivors of domestic violence. Through this program, individuals can receive up to $5,000 in financial support. But it's not just about the money.”
“I also know too well the devastating impact that family, domestic and sexual violence continues to have in our communities. But it's not just Vinnies doing the heavy lifting. Across my electorate of Barton we see incredible organisations like the Salvation Army in Hurstville and the Kogarah Storehouse working tirelessly to ensure that no-one is left behind. This Labor government shares that mission. We are focused on ensuring that people, especially those experiencing domestic and family violence, get the help and protection they deserve. Today I want to highlight two key measures that deliver real, practical support: the leaving violence payment and the special circumstances debt waiver.”
“I rise to speak on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026. I understand deeply the significance of this bill and what it means to the people who depend on us to get it right. During my time at St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, I had the privilege of working alongside the frontline workers who operate our Vinnie's support centres and van services in New South Wales, as well as the extraordinary Vincentian members and volunteers who dedicate their time and hearts to helping those most in need. Through them, I have seen firsthand the hardship faced by the most vulnerable members of our community. That is why I know the importance of strengthening entitlements within our social security system to ensure there is always a genuine safety net for those who fall on hard times.”
“My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government strengthening Medicare by investing in urgent care clinics? Why is this investment so important after a decade of cuts and neglect?”
“While those across the chamber want to gaslight the rest of Australia, we on this side of the chamber understand that it is about giving public health policy to the Australian people, making sure that we are prioritising that advice and policy and ensuring that it enshrines preparedness, trust and equity in its approach. It is yet another example of evidence based, fair and practical reform by this Labor government. That will always be our priority.”
“My biggest concern is the amount of distrust and damage the coalition government did to the institution of the federal government and the public health system at a time when there was so much uncertainty—also letting down the state and territory leadership. The CDC is about never repeating the same mistakes that the coalition government made in the lead-up to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is about restoring faith in the people to trust good, independent public health advice—restoring their trust in government—because this Labor government is proactively working to address this through the bill.”
“Instead, family members were tasked with communicating complex but often contradictory messaging to their loved ones. Again, this created a lot of confusion. A lot of the time, this meant people were not following the actual public health advice. For advice to be credible, it must be context specific, informed by lived experience, accurate and efficient. The CDC will be dedicated to ensuring its advice embodies these principles. As you can tell from my experience and what my electorate and, I'm sure, a lot of people across Australia have experienced, it is something we cannot go through again.”
“Last year it held public consultations, and in doing so the interim CDC stated that it understands that people have concerns about the way governments use their data. So they asked Australians to share their concerns and expectations. Such an open, genuine approach is essential to the idea of credibility and trust, because if we don't bring people with us we let conspiracy and misinformation bloom. I think this is particularly important in CALD communities like mine. I remember, during the COVID-19 pandemic, poorly translated materials spreading like wildfire through group chats. People laughed at these government directives rather than following them. Then, in some cases, there was simply not any material available in translated form.”
“Furthermore, the Australian Centre for Disease Control will publish credible, accessible public health information. This is essential to rebuilding trust that public health delivery will be done well and will be done right. Too many of us were scared by misinformation about Pfizer versus AstraZeneca or airborne versus surface-borne spread. We were scrambling with whispers of RATs posted on a Facebook community group. We were lining up for hours down on King Georges Road at Roselands waiting to do a test. This bill explicitly frames the CDC as an authoritative source of public health advice and information. This puts it above the reaches of Scotty from marketing. Indeed, its mandated public function is to be above the spin. The interim CDC has already proven its dedication to this purpose.”
“In each case, the absence of clear, coordinated national leadership meant that people felt forgotten. Obviously, such poor communication breeds resentment, disunity and noncompliance—all of this at a time when we should have felt like one country working together to get through the pandemic. On top of this we saw that when the data was delayed it cost lives. If Australia had faster genomic sequencing and clearer data sharing, we could have contained outbreaks sooner and may have avoided many of the long, blunt tools like lockdowns and curfews that hurt families and small businesses. The CDC will make sure that labs and states share their information and findings efficiently. In future, the CDC will be trusted to make equitable and effective decisions.”
“One only needed to open their phone to see residents partying it up in Bondi, enjoying so much more of their freedom, breaking so many more restrictions than people living in south-west Sydney. It felt like our multicultural, working and middle-class communities were being targeted while those on the beach side were living it up. The reasoning for these targeted lockdowns was poorly communicated, and it appeared as if there was a lack of evidence supporting the decision. As such, residents jumped to the conclusion that these lockdowns were yet another manifestation of discrimination by the coalition government. The same story played out in remote communities that waited too long for vaccines and in aged-care facilities that were left without proper PPE.”
“This means it will connect data from across hospitals, laboratories and even agriculture, to be certain that no one warning sign goes unnoticed. It's about prevention just as much as response. All in all, this will provide a modern approach to national public health data to enable quicker and more accurate detection of risk as well as more consistent responses across borders and a strong foundation for pandemic planning and management. Again, this evidence based approach provides certainty to Australians. They can be sure that when a decision is made it is fair, effective and essential. These were not common sentiments during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, people in the south-western parts of Sydney felt very unfairly targeted by area-specific lockdowns.”
“One of the most important things about the Australian Centre for Disease Control is that it will begin operating on 1 January next year, not when the next pandemic happens, because much of the preparation for the next public crisis starts now. By the time illness breaks out, we are already behind. The CDC will ensure that experts, labs and governments are already working in step, speaking the same language, sharing real-time information. That preparedness will save time, money and, most importantly, lives. Moreover, the CDC will modernise Australia's national disease surveillance and data systems as a frontline defence against sickness. This includes rolling out a national wastewater surveillance program to detect emerging diseases. At the same time, it will contribute to whole-of-government responses to these same emerging threats.”
“Of course, there will always be a place for politicians to lead people through a crisis, but, in doing so, this leadership should be based on evidence and effectiveness. The CDC will provide this strong, non-partisan basis. In turn, it will partner with other Commonwealth agencies, state and territory governments, leading organisations in the scientific and research communities, peak bodies and community groups to navigate through these times of crisis. So waiting for the post-National-Cabinet press conference in the future may not feel like waiting for a new episode of MAFS to come out. Good government is not entertainment. It's measured, thoughtful, trustworthy and confident leadership. That is exactly what the CDC will achieve. As a former scientist myself, the detail is in the data. Data is at its best when it's collated over time.”
“We had no clarity on what would end lockdowns, who should get what vaccine or when border restrictions would be lifted. I'm not saying that any one of these directives were right or wrong; they were simply confusing. This sort of confusion undermines confidence in our public health system. In times of crisis, we need clear, independent, timely and transparent decision-making. Otherwise, we risk people taking their health into their own hands and, ultimately, endangering the health of others. The Australian Centre for Disease Control will rectify this gap in authority. Because it is independent, it need not worry about the politics of the day or the different priorities of state governments. Instead, it is a statutory agency that will act on scientific evidence and high-quality analysis built up over time.”
“In examining these elements, we can see how transparency, accountability, efficiency and equity are at the heart of these reforms. These are words I find myself using again and again in this chamber because that's what our government stand for and what we strive to achieve in every piece of reform we introduce. The Australian Centre for Disease Control will be an authoritative public health institution. Authority is not something you would say that the Morrison government had during the pandemic. They were all over the place. They ducked responsibility at every turn. It was 'not their job'. We all scratched our heads when the premiers recommended closing schools and the federal government did not, when three people were allowed to attend weddings but nine were able to join in outdoor group exercise.”
“One part of this commitment will be delivered through establishing the Australian Centre for Disease Control, or CDC, as recommended by the COVID-19 response inquiry report and delivered by this bill. At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, most comparable countries had a body like the CDC and, because of that, the rest of the world's response, vaccine rollout and lockdowns were clearer and more effective than our own. We cannot lag behind next time a public health disaster strikes. In this speech, I want to step through some of the key parts of the Centre for Disease Control and why they are important. These include making the CDC a central, authoritative public health institution; having it provide better data and analytics; and publishing credible, accessible public health information.”