Jo Briskey
Maribyrnong · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“This Saturday night, the mighty Melbourne Vixens are back in another grand final, their fifth in seven years, and we're going back to back. Five of these women also put on the green and gold for the Australian Diamonds, arguably the most successful national team our country has produced. But here's what gets me.”
“Yesterday, that ask was again answered in another large step forward—the biggest expansion of paid parental leave since Labor created the scheme. This week, paid parental leave in Australia is now a full six months, 26 weeks, paid at a higher rate at just over $1,000 a week, with income limits lifted so more families qualify.”
“Superannuation now lands with every payday instead of months behind, which protects workers least able to absorb being shortchanged. Every one of those changes helps on its own, but, arriving all at once, they take the real pressure off working families. That is real change delivered.”
“Before I came into this place, I spent about just over five years as the CEO of the Parenthood, Australia's peak advocacy body for parents and carers. Our work focused on how we make Australia the best place in the world to be a parent. I spent many hours in this building helping amplify the voices of parents and the needs that they had.”
“But this government is changing it. We're funding pay rises for female dominated sectors like aged care and early childhood education, and the gender pay gap is the lowest it's ever been. This week, paid parental leave grew to 26 weeks, with super paid on top, so that raising a child no longer costs a woman her career or her retirement.”
“When it began in 2011, it gave families 18 weeks, and I watched it change households. I also watched how quickly it could be put at risk. In 2015, parents who used the scheme exactly as it was designed got branded double dippers by those opposite, as if caring for a newborn were a rort.”
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“As the former CEO of the Parenthood, I saw firsthand how much difference connection makes. I worked alongside parents from all walks of life—shift workers, teachers, nurses, small business owners—all trying to balance the joy and chaos of raising children with the need to earn a living and stay connected to the workplace. I saw how vital it is to have a government that doesn't just talk about valuing care work but actually does something about it. Paid Parental Leave is a core foundation of our workplace relations system. It's an investment in our families, our workforce and our future. As a mum, I know in my bones how crucial that time is—those early weeks and months when you're finding your feet, learning how to keep a tiny human alive and discovering the kind of parent you want to be.”
“When the Albanese Labor government came to office, we made a promise to make it easier for families to balance work and care and to ensure that every child gets the best start in life. We are delivering on that promise. We're expanding the government funded Paid Parental Leave scheme to 26 weeks by 2026—the biggest expansion since the scheme began. We have made it more flexible, so that parents can share leave in a way that suits their family. And, for the first time, superannuation contributions will be paid on government funded paid parental leave, recognising that time spent caring for a baby should not come at the cost of a woman's retirement savings. We know these reforms will help strengthen the connection between parents, particularly women, and the workforce.”
“That's the type of fairness that this Labor government has made a cornerstone of our legislative agenda. Employers have told us they will welcome this clarity. Many workplace representatives have already reached out to express support for this reform, recognising that it helps both employees and managers deal with these circumstances sensitively and consistently. The bill also stops bad actors from undermining reform by unilaterally changing workplace policies after it commences. This is about making sure the law reflects decency and a compassion that can't be taken away by the stroke of a pen. This bill sits within the broader suite of Labor's reforms to strengthen and modernise Australia's paid parental leave system, a system that for too long has left too many families behind.”
“The ability to bargain for pay and conditions above the safety net remains central to our approach to workplace relations. It leads to mutually beneficial conditions for both employers and employees, and it builds trust and dialogue in workplaces. This bill will not affect agreements that already clearly set out what happens if a child is stillborn or dies, including workplaces that offer dedicated stillbirth leave. Instead, it encourages employers and employees to continue negotiating clear, compassionate policies that respond to these heartbreaking moments. This bill strikes a careful balance. It will not require employers to offer paid parental leave if they do not already do so, but, where paid leave is offered, it ensures that it can't be taken away because of tragedy unless both parties have clearly agreed otherwise.”
“It sets out shared expectations so that these moments can be handled with dignity and compassion. This bill introduces a new principle into the Fair Work Act. Unless employers and employees have especially agreed otherwise, employer-funded paid parental leave must not be refused or cancelled because of the loss of a child that either is stillborn or dies early in infancy. That means parents can rely on their paid parental leave entitlements operating as they would have expected, regardless of the outcome of the pregnancy or birth. The bill aligns with the clarity already provided in existing unpaid parental leave entitlements, ensuring consistency across the workplace relations framework. Importantly, it doesn't interfere with bargaining in good-faith agreements.”
“Their pain should not be compounded by the fear of losing income or being forced to return to work while still recovering, not only from the immense grief and trauma but from childbirth itself and the physical toll that that takes. They deserve clarity—clarity about their entitlements, about their financial situation and about their right to take their time to heal. Baby Priya's parents weren't afforded that dignity, and no parent should ever have to go through what they went through. We also know that they are incredibly difficult situations for both the managers and their colleagues to navigate. No-one should have to make discretionary calls on something so delicate and so devastating. This bill provides clarity for parents, for employers and for the whole workplace.”
“This bill is named after Baby Priya, who died when she was just six weeks old. I want to begin by acknowledging Priya's mum and dad. I want to thank them for their courage, their compassion and their determination to make sure that no other parent goes through what they did. Their advocacy has turned tragedy into reform, and today their daughter's legacy is a part of the legislation that will help protect thousands of families in the future. They have ensured that their little girl's life will continue to make a difference and that her story will forever be a part of our kinder, fairer Australia. Parents should have the time to grieve the loss of a child.”
“I rise today to speak about something that no parent ever wants to imagine: the loss of a child. When that happens, no-one should be faced with questions about their pay or their leave on top of their heartbreak. Parents deserve compassion, certainty and time to grieve, not confusion about their rights at work. That's why the Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya's) Bill 2025, known as Baby Priya's bill, is so important. It's about making sure that, in those unimaginable moments, parents are treated with dignity and fairness and that they don't lose their paid parental leave just because they've lost their child. This bill delivers on an election commitment made by the Albanese Labor government, a commitment to build a fairer, kinder, more caring Australia, where families are supported when they need it most.”
“With experts leading, workers trained, small businesses supported and a government that puts fairness first, Australia can make AI a tool for good—one that builds opportunity, strengthens work and delivers a fairer, smarter future for us all.”
“Through the Industry Growth Program, we're helping small businesses innovate safely with strong data and privacy protections, because technology without trust won't succeed. Australians deserve confidence that their information is secure, their rights are protected and AI is used fairly and transparently. When Labor talks about technology, we don't talk about disruption for its own sake. We talk about progress, the kind that lifts people up and doesn't leave people behind. AI isn't the future; it's here now. The question isn't whether it will reshape our economy but whether working people and small businesses will have the power and protection within it.”
“Already 68 per cent of Australian businesses use AI, yet we still lag behind the United States and China in training employees and employing skilled AI workers. If we don't understand the technology shaping our economy, we can't chart our own course as a sovereign nation. That's why Labor is building capability at home and strengthening cooperation abroad, developing skills locally while ensuring AI serves people, not power. Australia must shape its own future, not be swept up in an AI arms race. Through one million free TAFE and university places and $47 million for the next-generation AI graduates, we're giving Australians the skills to guide this technology responsibility.”
“They spoke of Kids Help Phone in Toronto, Canada's national youth mental health helpline, where AI is already being used to save lives. Their system triages messages, identifying high-risk cases, such as when a young person expresses suicidal thoughts, and moving them up the queue. It automatically transcribes and summarises notes, cutting hours of admin and allowing counsellors to focus on care. Importantly it learns from the caller's own words, allowing responders to use language that feels familiar and respectful. It's not replacing people; it's empowering them to do their work better. That's the model we should strive for: technology that strengthens human connection, not replaces it. The potential for AI to transform our society and economy cannot be understated.”
“Unions like the Finance Sector Union and the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance are leading the way, partnering with employers that address AI safety with consultation, transparency and upskilling. This collaboration is already delivering real results. Just today, the Attorney-General announced that our government will protect Australia's creative industries by ruling out any carve-outs for the tech sector when it comes to applying copyright laws to training AI. That's how progress should happen—through partnership, not imposition. Last sitting week, I met with Safe Steps, Victoria's family and domestic violence support service. They spoke about how new technologies could help frontline workers respond faster and more effectively to women and families in crisis while keeping empathy at the heart of every response.”
“AI could add over $100 billion a year to our economy and create tens of thousands of jobs by 2030, but those gains must be shared fairly between workers, small business and the communities that power our nation. Labor is backing the opportunities through the $15 million National Reconstruction Fund, including $1 billion for critical technologies like AI, and a new network of AI adopt centres to help small businesses innovate responsibly, ensuring that benefits reach everyone, not just big tech. We're also working with the unions through the AI employment and workplace relations working group, to make sure technology involves workers and evolves with them not against them.”
“Artificial intelligence is changing the way we communicate, work and live. Just as with every major shift in our economy—from the industrial age to the digital one—how we manage this change will determine who it works for. Handled well, AI can lift productivity, open new markets and make work safer and more rewarding. Handled poorly, it can leave small businesses struggling to keep up and working people without a fair say in their future. That's why the Albanese Labor government is determined that Australia's AI future will have people, particularly workers, front and centre. If technology is going to transform our society, it must do so in a way that strengthens it not undermines it.”
“I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the enormous changes that artificial intelligence (AI) will create for Australia and Australians; (2) welcomes the Government's commitment to ensuring that AI: (a) contributes positively to a Future Made in Australia; (b) delivers benefits to all Australians, not just a small number of individuals and businesses; and (c) is developed, deployed and used in a way that keeps Australians safe; and (3) recognises the work being led by the Government to ensure that Australians are ready to take advantage of AI, including, more than: (a) $47 million for the Next Generation Graduate program; (b) one million free 'introduction to AI' scholarships delivered from TAFE NSW to give Australians the fundamental skills to adopt and use AI; and (c) $17 million to create four AI Adopt Centres, which are supporting businesses across the country to use responsible AI enabled services to enhance their businesses.”
“It honours our commitment to women's safety and gender equality. It reflects our values of kindness, fairness and accountability. And it restores dignity to a system that millions of Australians rely on. For decades, Australians have had to put up with a debt management system that too often has treated them as case numbers instead of people—treated them without dignity. Enough is enough. This is a bill about justice, compassion and common sense. It's about government working for people, not against them. I commend the bill to the House.”
“We will not waste dollars chasing cents. We will not allow old, unjust systems to persist simply because they were complicated to fix, because that's not fairness, and it's not government at its best. Government at its best is a force for good. It uses the levers of government to make people's lives better, fairer and kinder. That's what this bill does. It corrects historic wrongs, it reduces stress and red tape, it protects those who've experienced abuse, and it helps rebuild public trust in the system designed to serve us all. Labor has always believed in a safety net that gives dignity, not despair—a hand up, not a put-down. For too long, these outdated practices stood in the way of that principle. Today we are putting fairness back where it belongs. This bill is fiscally responsible, socially just and morally right.”
“They will mean that single parents juggling jobs and care won't face the stress of small debts for honest mistakes. Students and apprentices working casual shifts won't be penalised for income mismatches. Pensioners taking on a few hours of work won't lose their dignity over a $100 notice. People with disability will be able to navigate the system without fear of bureaucratic penalty. And victims-survivors of family violence will finally have laws that protect them, not punish them. That is fairness in action. That's government doing what it should: helping people to live with dignity. These reforms are modest but meaningful. The $250 threshold is practical. Fraud safeguards remain strong. Fiscal discipline remains firm. What changes is the spirit in which this system operates. We're saying that we will not punish honesty.”
“One of the clearest lessons from the robodebt royal commission is that governments must never again create or tolerate systems that lack legality, compassion or accountability. Robodebt was different to income apportionment, but the warning is the same. When governments prioritise debt recovery over fairness, they lose sight of their purpose. When flawed methods replace sound judgement, when people are treated as numbers and when harm is dismissed as collateral, trust in government erodes. Trust, once lost, is hard to rebuild. This bill helps rebuild that trust. It brings clarity, it delivers fairness, and it puts compassion back where it belongs—at the heart of public administration. These reforms will touch the lives of millions, including many in my electorate of Maribyrnong.”
“While we cannot foreseeably reopen every case spanning decades, repayments and even deceased recipients, we can bring legal certainty and moral resolution. That's what this bill does. It provides legal clarity to settle the issue, and it creates the Income Apportionment Resolution Scheme to deliver fairness. Under the scheme, people with debts raised between 1 September 2003 and 6 December 2020 can apply for a resolution payment of up to $600, depending on their case. This isn't about compensation for its own sake; it's about acknowledging error—acknowledging that the system got it wrong and giving people closure. To ensure accessibility, the government will support Economic Justice Australia and ACOSS to assist people through this process. Through this scheme, we can provide recognition without reopening old wounds.”
“The government is consulting on further reforms to ensure that perpetrators, not victims, are held accountable for debts incurred through abuse. This bill is a crucial first step, but it is not the last. For too long, government systems have unwittingly reinforced abuse. This bill begins to undo that. From 1991 until 2020, Services Australia used a method known as income apportionment. When someone submitted payslips without daily breakdowns, Services Australia would spread their income over multiple fortnights to calculate eligibility. The intent was practical, but the practice was inconsistent with law. It should never have been used that way. To be clear, this government ended income apportionment, but millions of historical debts were calculated by using it.”
“If an abuser-partner forces someone to sign forms, to provide false information or to hide income, that victim can end up carrying a debt that isn't truly theirs. That's cruel, double punishment; it's abuse followed by bureaucracy. This bill changes that. It gives Services Australia explicit power to waive debts in cases where coercion, control or financial abuse are at play. When an officer considers whether someone knowingly made a false statement, they must take into account the context of coercion or abuse. This reform directly responds to the 2024 joint parliamentary inquiry into financial abuse. It aligns with our national plan to end violence against women and children, and it delivers our commitment to embed safety in Commonwealth systems. We're not stopping here.”
“They deserve a system that treats them with fairness, respect and dignity. This is what responsible government looks like: maintaining compassion with fiscal responsibility. As the Prime Minister has said, kindness is an Australian value, and our government reflects that value in action. We know that family and domestic violence remains one of the greatest challenges our nation faces. Within that, financial abuse and coercive control are among the most common and devastating forms of harm. Too often, perpetrators weaponise systems—banking, tax and, yes, social security—to entrap their partners. Right now, the law doesn't adequately allow Services Australia to waive debts incurred through coercion or financial abuse.”
“That $75 might mean a skipped meal, missed medication or not being able to pay the electricity bill that fortnight. That's not a fair system; that's a failure of compassion. This bill fixes that. We are lifting the threshold from $50 to $250. That means that in 2025-26 around 1.2 million undetermined debts will be waived—will never need to be raised in the first place—and 1.2 million Australians will be spared needless anxiety. That's 1.2 million administrative processes removed from the system, and a public service freed up to focus on people, not paperwork. Let me be clear: this is not about letting bad actors off the hook. We are maintaining all safeguards against fraud and deliberate misuse, but what we are saying, and saying clearly, is that the vast majority of people that interact with this system do so in good faith.”
“The small debt waiver has existed since the nineties, but since its introduction the threshold has remained frozen at $50—not indexed, not adjusted, just stuck. Meanwhile, government payments have tripled in value since 1993. What was once small three decades ago is no longer small today. The result? Services Australia has spent countless hours chasing debts of $50, $70 or $100, sometimes spending more to recover the debt than the value of debt itself. It's wasteful, it's wrong and it causes real harm. Imagine a single parent from Airport West receiving a letter from Services Australia demanding repayment of $75. They've done their best to report every shift, every hour and every payslip, but a small timing error has triggered the debt.”
“Taken together, these reforms will wipe away nearly half of the undetermined social security debt backlog, simplify debt management for the future and ensure Services Australia can focus on what matters most: helping people who need support. Our social security system speaks to who we are as Australians—a fair and compassionate people who believe in lending a hand to those who need it, without judgement. It exists to uphold dignity, not diminish it, yet for too long a flawed system has too often done the opposite. Outdated rules like income apportionment and absurdly low thresholds for small debts have caused needless hardship. This bill recognises that reality and takes decisive action to put things right.”
“A game changer—that's how Economic Justice Australia described the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025. It's a reform that will make our social security system fairer, simpler and more humane. At its heart, this is about people. It's about respect, dignity and decency—values that sit at the centre of Labor's purpose. For too long, too many Australians have faced unnecessary stress, confusion and, at times, outright injustice through the way our social security debts have been managed. This bill is about fixing those longstanding problems. It reforms how we treat small debts, strengthens protections for survivors of financial abuse and, finally, resolves the decades-old issue of income apportionment once and for all.”
“From John and Susie Rerakis at Athos Cafe in Strathmore to Father John Frangos at the parish of St Dimitrios in Moonee Ponds, the contributions of Greek Australians are woven through our community life. Our local sporting clubs, community organisations and cultural events ensure this proud heritage endures, strengthening bonds of family, friendship and faith. Yesterday I had the great pleasure of attending GreekFest in Moonee Ponds. Now in its third year, this festival stands as a vibrant expression of Greek culture, showcasing music, dance, art and cuisine, as well as the remarkable community spirit that defines Maribyrnong. Across Maribyrnong the story of Greek migration is one of enterprise, generosity and belonging, a legacy that continues to enrich— (Time expired)”
“Tomorrow, 28 October 2025, we join Greeks, Greek Australians and friends around the world in celebrating Ohi Day, a day that stands for courage, conviction and pride. Eighty-five years ago, Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas said a single powerful word to the Italian ultimatum: 'Ohi!'—'No!' That moment sparked Greece's heroic resistance and inspired people everywhere to stand firm in the face of tyranny. But Ohi Day is more than history; it's a living symbol of the Greek spirit—resilience, unity and the determination to stand tall in the face of adversity. In my electorate of Maribyrnong we see that spirit every day. Greek Australians have helped shape our suburbs, schools and small businesses for generations.”
“We are rebuilding a mental health system that is public, coordinated and equitable—one that delivers for those who need it most. For too long, the stigma attached to mental health meant it came a distant second to physical health. The Albanese Labor government is changing that. We are expanding services, rebuilding the workforce and embedding lived experience at the heart of our reform, because this is what Labor stands for: care, access and equity, no matter your postcode, no matter your pay cheque. There's still work to do, but we're delivering the change Australians voted for and a system that they deserve: one that's fairer, kinder and there when people need it most—no more stigma; no more lives lost—helping all Australians to live happy, healthy lives.”
“As a child and youth psychologist, I know firsthand how critical early intervention is. It can mean the difference between years of silent struggle and the chance to thrive. That's why I'm a strong advocate for headspace in Moonee Valley and why I'm proud to work alongside Minister Butler and Assistant Minister McBride to make it a reality. Reforming mental health care is not a one-off task; it's a long-term commitment—one that demands collaboration between governments, the health workforce and those with lived experience. The previous coalition government failed to make the necessary structural investments. They left a system that was fragmented and inaccessible, and a workforce stretched to its limit. We're fixing that.”
“And that's on top of the additional $361 million over four years under our new mental health services, in a stronger Medicare package, which includes $163.9 million for a new national early intervention service that anyone can access for free whenever they need it. I'm especially proud that this commitment reaches into my own electorate of Maribyrnong. Today is headspace day, and soon young people in Melbourne's north-west will have better access to free wraparound support through a brand-new headspace service in Moonee Valley. The Albanese Labor government is investing $6.2 million over four years to establish this service, and it's expected to open in the first half of next year. This is all part of a broader $200 million investment to deliver 58 new, upgraded or expanded headspace services across the country.”
“It will deliver 31 new and upgraded Medicare mental health centres—free walk-in services where Australians can get their help without a referral or an appointment; 20 new youth specialist care centres, for young people with complex needs, offering wraparound support including mental health care, drug and alcohol services, and pathways to study and work; and eight new perinatal mental health centres, to support new parents during those early months when life can feel really overwhelming. Of course, none of this works without the people to deliver it. That's why we're creating 1,200 new training places for mental health professionals and peer workers—skilled, compassionate people, ready to listen, to support and to care.”
“That's why the Albanese Labor government is investing $1 billion to roll out even more places across Australia so that people can go and access free public mental health care, backed by Medicare. Every Australian, no matter where they live or what they earn, deserves access to affordable, compassionate care. We know there are deep structural issues with the current system. We know the workforce shortage is real. The reform won't happen overnight, but we're getting on with the job of fixing it. Our billion-dollar mental health package represents the single largest expansion of free public mental health services in our nation's history.”
“We cannot talk about health care without talking about mental health. Every one of us knows someone who has struggled—a relative, a friend, a colleague—or perhaps we ourselves have. Mental health challenges don't discriminate: they affect people in every community, across every age group and every walk of life. And, sadly, for too many, it ends in tragedy. Unfortunately, mental illness has a long history of being stigmatised and misunderstood. Our mental health has been treated as less important than our physical health, but the truth is: mental health is just as important. And, just as we expect to be able to see a doctor when we're physically unwell, Australians deserve access to high-quality, affordable, mental health care when they need it.”
“For the people of Maribyrnong, and indeed all Australians, this bill represents the kind of government they deserve: fair, transparent, accountable and committed to building a better future—a government that delivers on its promises, strengthens institutions and safeguards the economy for all. This is not abstract policy; this is practical, nation-shaping work—work that restores trust, drives growth and protects the values Australians hold dear. That is why I commend to build the House.”
“It strengthens corporate transparency and accountability, ensuring markets are fair and trustworthy. It maintains trust in charities, giving confidence to donors, volunteers and our communities. It improves governance of financial regulators, providing stability and thoughtful oversight. It tidies up our laws so they can work as intended, removing unnecessary obstacles and clarifying protections. It extends energy market safeguards, protecting households and businesses alike. And it gives small businesses certainty and confidence, supporting investment growth and local economies. In short, this bill builds, protects and delivers. It rejects another decade of drift, secrecy and neglect. It demonstrates a government that understands its responsibility to everyday Australians, to businesses, to charities and to families.”
“This measure complements other steps to support small businesses, including $900 million through the National Productivity Fund to cut red tape; $33.4 million to improve payment times and strengthen oversight; over $60 million to boost digital and cybersecurity capabilities; and broader support, like our two new tax cuts, $150 in energy relief for over a million businesses, cheaper home batteries and protections against unfair trading practices. The Albanese government is backing Australia's small businesses to thrive, with practical measures that improve cash flow, lift productivity and build confidence because this is how good government supports growth and opportunity—with actions, not hollow slogans like those opposite. To conclude, let us be absolutely clear about what this bill delivers.”
“Whether it's a cafe in Moonee Ponds buying a new coffee machine or a tradesperson from Oak Park purchasing new tools, up to 4.1 million businesses nationwide, including more than 1.15 million in my home state of Victoria, can access this support. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They are the tradies, the handymen and the family-run shops, cafes and hairdressers that give character and vibrancy to our suburbs. This instant asset write-off was first introduced by Labor because cash flow is everything for small businesses. Time-limited extensions like this balance practical support with responsible fiscal management and allow settings to adapt to economic conditions.”
“When it comes to energy, all those opposite can offer is division and delay, whereas we will continue to offer protection, fairness and a just transition to cheaper, cleaner energy. Every day that we're in this place we're backing households and small businesses. This bill includes a measure to help Australian small businesses invest, grow and prosper. Schedule 7 extends the $20,000 instant asset write-off until 30 June 2026. This helps businesses with an annual turnover under $10 million improve cash flow and reduce compliance costs. Small businesses can continue to immediately deduct eligible assets costing less than $20,000.”
“I've spoken to families in Keilor East and small businesses in Ascot Vale, who want to know that they've got a government that is focused on helping them manage their needs and their energy costs, and that's exactly what we're doing. Whether it's energy bill relief or cheaper batteries so they can take advantage of more renewable energy in the market, these are all safeguards that this bill delivers. When it comes to cleaner, cheaper energy, this is what this government will remain steadfastly focused on. Contrast that with those opposite, who had previously opposed the original legislation, who are against cheaper power through renewable initiatives, and who said no to relief for households and small businesses.”
“They remove obstacles to compliance, strengthen clarity, and ensure that laws operate as intended. The previous government had 10 years to implement such reforms. They did not, because good governance was not their priority. But it is ours, which is why we're also focused on delivering for Australians fairness and protection in the energy market, especially as we transition to cleaner sources of power. This bill extends the consumer safeguards of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Prohibiting Energy Market Misconduct) Act until 2031. Independent reviews confirm that these safeguards are effective. They constrain misconduct, protect households and businesses, and ensure a level playing field.”
“This bill restores strength and oversight where it was absent, providing stability, predictability and confidence in the institutions that Australians rely on. Schedules 4 and 5 may seem minor, but they are essential. They correct drafting errors, close loopholes and align provisions across legislation. These may seem technical, even mundane, but the impact is profound. Consider, for example: ensuring that sustainability reports, whether mandatory or voluntary, carry limited liability protections, encouraging disclosure rather than discouraging it; streamlining deregistration processes so that businesses are not hampered by red tape; and clarifying import tax credits to ensure that businesses are not penalised unfairly or caught in double claims. These measures demonstrate thoughtful, effective governance.”
“For too long ASIC and APRA have been constrained by inadequate oversight and weakened by the previous government's neglect. Schedule 3 shifts the Financial Regulator Assessment Authority to a five-year review cycle. This is sensible and practical. It allows regulators to implement meaningful reforms between assessments, ensuring the stability of our financial system while avoiding the churn of constant short-term audits. Regulation should be about steady, thoughtful governance, and that is what our government remains methodically focused on. This Labor government is strengthening foundations, ensuring that regulators can protect consumers, investors and businesses alike. In contrast, the coalition lurches from one crisis to the next. It is reactive and unprepared.”
“This bill also contributes to the broader vision, doubling philanthropic giving by 2030, harmonising fundraising rules, expanding pathways to deductible gift recipient status and ensuring that the charity sector has a real voice through representation on the ACNC board. These are nation-building reforms, strengthening the very fabric of our society. Contrast this with the coalition's decade, a period where charities were muzzled, advocates gagged and resources directed to culture wars rather than community building. This government, in contrast, backs charities, backs philanthropy and backs Australians—the millions who give their time, their money and their hearts to making our communities stronger. And 'stronger' is the key word when it comes to our financial regulators.”
“Volunteers deserve to know that the organisations they serve are honest and accountable. This bill backs in the thousands of Aussies who give their time and their money. It strengthens trust in the sector by allowing the ACNC to make limited disclosures where necessary to prevent harm and reassure the public, because trust matters. And trust is not just a national concern; it's local. In my electorate of Maribyrnong we are so fortunate to have some extraordinary community organisations: Helping Hands in Airport West, the Caroline Chisholm Society in Essendon, local neighbourhood houses in Niddrie and Kensington, and countless other grassroots initiatives that knit our community together. These organisations rely on donations and volunteers and on public confidence. They cannot afford for a few bad actors to undermine their work.”
“Charities reach every corner of our nation, supporting those in need, promoting community and driving innovation in social services. A strong charity sector is vital for a strong Australia. It builds connection, trust and solidarity. It fills gaps, lifts people up and helps hold our country together in times of crisis. And yet, right now, public trust in charities is undermined by secrecy. Currently, if a charity is under investigation for serious misconduct, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, ACNC, cannot confirm this publicly. This lack of transparency diminishes public confidence and undermines the work of the vast majority of charities that operate ethically and effectively. Australians who donate their hard-earned money deserve the confidence to know that it's being used for good.”
“Compare this to the decade under the coalition, a decade where corporate tax avoidance was winked at, regulators were left toothless, and integrity and accountability weren't even on the radar. Nothing was done to prevent abuse or to ensure fairness. Under this government, integrity and accountability are well and truly back on the radar, because, when markets are fair and transparent, confidence grows and, when confidence grows, our economy grows. That growth reaches every worker, every household and every community across the nation. But transparency isn't just about corporations. This bill also reforms the charity and not-for-profit sector, one of the largest employers in Australia, supporting over 1.4 million jobs and contributing more than $190 billion annually to our economy.”
“We restore and build public trust. We ensure that the economy works for people, not the other way around. Under our leadership, we have introduced world-leading country-by-country reporting, requiring multinational companies to disclose where they make their profits and where they pay—or don't pay—their tax. We mandated that companies bidding for government contracts disclose the tax residency of their subsidiaries. These reforms weren't just bureaucratic exercises; they were about fairness, accountability and the integrity of our economy. This bill builds on that work. It strengthens corporate transparency, restores trust and ensures that the Australian economy is fair and accessible.”