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.”
The complete record
Every one of 729 lines we hold for Jo Briskey, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 15.
“This bill says very clearly: businesses should compete by offering better products and services, not by confusing people or manipulating them, or hiding the true cost until the last second. This is what this reform seeks to change, for people in communities like mine, in Maribyrnong—those who are working hard, every single day, to stay ahead of rising costs. A few dollars here and there might seem insignificant to some, but, for many people in my community, those extra dollars are crucial. The hidden booking fee, the subscription that quietly renews, the streaming service that is impossible to cancel, the gym membership that somehow takes three clicks to join but three phone calls to leave—all of these quickly make a dent in household budgets.”
“This bill, the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026, is about fairness. It's about making sure Australians get a fair go, because right now too many Australians feel like the deck is stacked against them. Families are doing everything they can to make ends meet—they are budgeting carefully, comparing prices and looking for value wherever they can find it—and what frustrates people the most is that, when they do the right thing, they still get caught out by hidden fees, confusing terms, automatic renewals or cancellation processes designed to wear them down. Australians are sick of the tricks and traps. And, frankly, of course they are.”
“It improves when government makes sensible decisions that save people time and effort, when it removes friction from the system and when it focuses on making things work better in practice, not just in theory. When Labor came to government in 2022, Australia's productivity growth had stalled. Under those opposite and their nearly 10 years of economic vandalism, wages stagnated, investment slowed—”
“This legislation is about productivity—not productivity as a slogan but productivity as Australians experience it every day in how easy it is to comply with the tax system, to run a small business, to support a local charity or to innovate and invest for the future. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Delivering an Efficient and Trusted Tax System) Bill 2026 does not pretend to be a single sweeping reform. Indeed, it does something far more important than that. It tackles the everyday frictions that quietly hold our economy back. That is how productivity is built: step by step, across the system. Productivity doesn't turn around because of one announcement or one big reform.”
“Time and time again, those opposite, who have sat on the government benches and know the weight of the responsibilities, have failed to rise to the occasion in this crisis. When Australians face hardship, their instinct is to look after one another—to look after their families, their neighbours, their community. Those opposite's first question isn't, 'How can we help?' Their first question is, 'How can we benefit?' This government, under the steady and disciplined leadership of our prime minister, is not interested in playing that game. He's not offloading responsibility to other leaders. He's not boarding a plane for an overseas holiday. He is here and is focused on delivering for every Australian.”
“While those opposite have been consumed by their own leadership dramas, the Prime Minister convened the National Cabinet and brought the states and territories and the Commonwealth together behind a coordinated approach and plan. That led to the appointment of the Fuel Supply Taskforce, the activation of emergency fuel coordination mechanisms and an agreement under the national fuel security framework. Australians will remember what National Cabinet looked like under those opposite during the pandemic, when the then prime minister used it for political cover and attacked state premiers, who were simply trying to keep Australians safe. This is different. This is genuine national unity, and Australians recognise it.”
“We doubled penalties for false and misleading conduct and cartel behaviour by putting fuel companies on notice. We've given the ACCC stronger deterrence tools to protect Australians during this time of uncertainty. We have backed our trucking industry to keep moving so our economy keeps moving. And what do those opposite do? They didn't vote against it. I don't think they're even here, in the chamber. What is that leadership? Real leadership means stepping up and stepping in for workers, for businesses and for families under pressure. We have focused every day on securing and strengthening fuel supply. We released 20 per cent of our fuel reserves, which are actually here in this country—not overseas. We've eased petrol standards. We've halved the fuel excise, which has unlocked more supply and lowered prices for ordinary Australians.”
“All those opposite want to do is talk Australia down, because they are more interested in what they can gain from this crisis than backing Australians. We're not. We're stepping up, and we're stepping in. That is what leadership actually looks like: disciplined, methodical action and the commitment to give Australians the confidence when they need it most. The conflict may lie beyond our control, but our responses do not, and this government is exercising that responsibility every single day. Under this prime minister's leadership, the government acted as soon as the crisis began, and we have acted every day since to give Australian households and businesses the best possible chance to withstand what this global crisis has already thrown at us and what it may still throw.”
“And, in just the past three months, Australians have been reminded of this all over again. Former leader of the opposition Sussan Ley had the chance, in the wake of our country's worst terrorist attack in history, to do what every other opposition leader has done in recent memory—back team Australia, call for calm, call for unity. Instead, she manufactured outrage and stoked division, and one by one those opposite fell in behind her. Today, nothing has changed. This new leader of the opposition, rather than working with the government and in the interest of the Australian people, uses this chamber to play politics by spreading misinformation and scaring families who are already anxious while watching the events overseas unfold and then feeling that pressure at home.”
“Australians can see right through this. This matter reeks of hypocrisy and it demonstrates why the current leader of the opposition just doesn't get it. Leadership is not using a global crisis to stoke fear and weaponise real anxiety for political gain, yet that is all those opposite have done since this conflict in the Middle East began. But Australians are not quite surprised at this. They remember what leadership looked like under those opposite when the coalition last were in government. They remember being told, 'I don't hold a hose, mate,' by the then Liberal prime minister, who chose to holiday in Hawaii while regional Australia burned. They remember a vaccine rollout so bungled that, when the rest of the world was reopening, Australia couldn't, because, according to those opposite, it wasn't a race.”
“They voted for tax relief and for a stronger Medicare, and this Labor government is delivering on its promises to them. We started our second term by passing student debt relief and have continued to be steadfastly focused on providing responsible cost-of-living relief at every opportunity we can. We're investing in working families because Labor know that that is an investment in our country's future.”
“I love this reform, and I know I've spoken about it quite often in this place. Another aspect of this reform is on the concession card; the co-payment continues to be only $7.70 until 2030. For Australians with complex medical needs and chronic conditions, these are real savings that are taking the pressure off their bank accounts and making a difference in their lives. You cannot strengthen Medicare without investing heavily in bulk-billing. It is the cornerstone of our health system, and Australians are proud, quite rightly, of our universal access to care, no matter where they live or how much they earn. That's why we've tripled the bulk-billing incentive, which has doubled the number of bulk-billing clinics in my community, so more people can see their GP for free. My community voted for real cost-of-living relief.”
“Another structural reform that we've made will take place in just a few months time. From July 2026, every Australian taxpayer is going to receive another tax cut, and then another one in 2027. Beginning in 2027, we have reformed our tax system to be simpler and to provide real cost-of-living relief by introducing a $1,000 instant tax deduction. This takes some of the stress out of tax time. Aussie workers can now claim a flat rate instead of claiming individual work related expenses. Working people deserve to be able to keep more of what they earn. This Labor government heavily believes in this. At the last election, Labor made a promise to the Australian people. We said that we would strengthen Medicare, and that's exactly what we've been focused on. At the beginning of this year, PBS medicines were capped at $25 a script.”
“No longer are Australians with student debt being lumped with repayments that are measured by total income; now they only repay on the amount of income earned over the threshold, and that threshold has been raised from $54,435 to $67,000. That means if you earn under $67,000, you will not be required to make an annual compulsory repayment. If you earn above $67,000, your repayments are calculated only against the proportion of your income above that threshold. This new repayment system means that people will make smaller compulsory repayments each year and effectively be able to keep more of what they earn and have more money in their pockets. Younger Australians already feel that our economy is stacked against them, but this government recognises their frustrations, and that's why we have taken action.”
“The conflict in the Middle East is another flashpoint that our communities must now face when sitting down to do their household budgets. It's incredibly important that we cut through some of the misinformation and sheer dishonesty of those opposite and be clear with Australians about what this government is doing. While those opposite look to help their own political gains, we focus our efforts on helping Australians. We are responsible and structured. We've delivered reforms that have provided immediate effect, like cutting 20 per cent off student debt and our first round of tax cuts. We're matching this relief with longer term reforms like changes to student loan repayments.”
“Despite spending quite a bit of time this month here in Canberra, my weekends have been spent out and about in my community. Recently I hosted a community barbecue in Flemington with members of our proud Somali diaspora. It was a chance for me to speak directly to them about what matters to them and their families, and what pressures they're experiencing. Also in that time between sitting weeks, I held a mobile office in Keilor East, again providing an opportunity to speak directly with local residents about what matters to them. On both these occasions, the topic that was consistently raised was around the pressures that many people are under around rising cost of living. That issue is front and centre in the minds of many, many working Australians.”
“This bill is measured, responsible and an immediate economic response to a global crisis. It delivers real financial relief, it supports our most vital national supply chains and it reliably helps local families balance tight household budgets during these tough and demanding times. I commend the bill to the House.”
“It is exactly those hard-won disciplined budget savings that have deliberately made adequate financial room for practical and immediate public support, like we are doing today, without irresponsibly adding to long-term domestic inflationary pressure. We are releasing more fuel from our minimum stock obligations, strongly backing our critical domestic oil refineries and significantly strengthening the ACCC to crack down hard on corporate price gouging. The ACCC will rigorously ensure that these vital fuel savings are passed on directly to everyday motorists at the local petrol pump. Whilst we cannot control international conflicts, we absolutely can control how we respond to them here at home. We are responding by always backing working Australians. We are responding by actively supporting small family businesses.”
“This brief delay depends largely on local storage capacity and regional fuel delivery schedules. However, Treasury reliably estimates that this major reduction will directly reduce our national headline inflation rate significantly. Specifically, it could reduce headline inflation by around half of a full percentage point through the critical weeks leading to the June quarter 2026. At a difficult time when global inflationary pressures remain stubborn, that specific reduction is meaningful economic intervention. Since coming to office this government has acted responsibly to consistently deliver targeted cost-of-living relief while carefully managing the broader national economy. We have methodically delivered more than $114 billion in budget savings and necessary spending reprioritisations across multiple economic budget updates.”
“Global energy markets are volatile and unpredictable right now. Responsible government leadership means always having the right policy tools kept safely in reserve ready to act if and when the Australian people need it. This includes carefully adjusting settings to successfully facilitate states and territories returning additional GST revenue flowing directly from these high oil prices. Schedule 3 ensures the Minister for Transport can quickly make temporary regulatory changes to the fuel tax credits and the road user charge when volatile situations need intervention. We saw back in 2022 that wholesale prices can change quickly. It can take a short temporary period, usually one to two weeks, for those reductions to fully flow through to the local bowser.”
“On a long-haul route from Melbourne to Brisbane, those savings rapidly compound, protecting the tight margin of transport businesses everywhere. Furthermore, we are sensibly deferring the previously scheduled six per cent increase to the road user charge. We understand that new operational costs on our vital freight operators during a time of global energy crunch can only feed the challenge. Supporting our truckies through this time is about keeping our supermarket shelves fully stocked and our retail prices down for everyone. When freight starts costing more, every single consumer pays the final price. We recognise that. Schedule 2 of the bill gives us essential economic flexibility. It formally allows the Treasurer to legally reduce the fuel excise by 50 per cent while this period of unpredictable circumstances requires it.”
“This bill also recognises that rising fuel costs affect much more than the individual motorist driving to work. When our hardworking truckies pay more for their diesel, those inflated costs unfortunately bleed into our wider economy. They show up in weekly grocery bills, in crucial building supplies for new homes and in the final retail prices for basic, everyday, essential household items. That is why, for the same three-month period, the heavy vehicle road user charge will be reduced to zero. This move delivers a combined saving of 32.4c per litre for our heavy vehicle transport operators. For a typical large freight truck with a 400-litre tank, that represents a saving of around $130 every single time they stop to fill up.”
“Those tax cuts are ensuring that Australians can keep much more of what they earn every single week. Furthermore, this fuel relief sits right alongside our historic investments into Medicare. We're delivering more free bulk-billed visits to the local doctor when young families need it most. We've established a nationwide network of urgent care clinics so parents can get their kids seen for free without waiting in crowded hospital emergency rooms. This bill puts a bit of extra breathing room back into the weekly household budget at a time where people are experiencing it rough and every dollar counts. We are providing confidence and relief because we on this side of the House have been steadfastly focused on cost-of-living relief every single day that we've been in office.”
“For motorists, the daily math is pretty straightforward. A typical 65-litre tank of fuel will cost nearly $19 less to fill up. That financial relief is immediate. There's no complex red tape, and there's no waiting for a government rebate to arrive. It applies at the pump, which directly benefits anyone who needs to fill up their car. Whether you live in the outer suburbs, in the regional towns or drive incredibly long distances for work, you will see the benefit. This specific relief does not sit in isolation. It is a core part of our comprehensive and broad plan to ease the financial pressure on working Australians. This measure works hand-in-hand with our tax cuts for every single taxpayer. We redesigned those tax cuts to ensure that middle- and low-income earners receive maximum benefit.”
“Importantly, we are doing this without undermining our budget discipline or compromising our long-term economic reforms, which are setting Australia up for the future ahead. This bill is carefully drafted and does three distinct and key things. First, it halves the fuel excise for a strict three-month period. Second, it provides direct, tangible and practical support to the critical freight and transport sector. Third, it gives the government the necessary flexibility to do even more if global economic conditions deteriorate further. Schedule 1 clearly sets out the main fuel excise measure. From 1 April to 30 June 2026, so from midnight tonight, the fuel excise and excise equivalent customs duty on both petrol and diesel will be slashed in half. The current rate will drop from 52.6c a litre down to 26.3c a litre.”
“We understand how hard it is out there in the suburbs and the regions across our great and vast nation. This legislation gives immediate effect to the major announcement made yesterday by the Prime Minister, the Treasurer, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. We moved quickly because the circumstances demanded it. Whilst those on that side of the House focus on advancing their own political interests, we on this side of the House remain focused on advancing the national interest—assuring Australians that we act with purpose and responsibility. That is why the targeted measures contained in this bill are temporary, highly targeted and squarely focused on getting ordinary Australians through a difficult period of intense global disruption.”
“That severe volatility flows through our domestic system. It shows up, and has been showing up, at the local bowser. It's raising transport bills and, ultimately, the price of everyday goods on supermarket shelves. Families are watching the numbers on the petrol pump click higher and higher—knowing it eats into their weekly household budget. We know that, for many hardworking Australians, fuel is not an optional extra in their budget. You need it to get to work, to run your small business, to drop the kids off at school and to stay connected to your family and local community. When prices rise this sharply and suddenly, working people feel boxed in. They feel like they simply can't catch a break. That is exactly what this bill, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Fuel Excise Relief) Bill 2026, seeks to address today.”
“Right now, Australian households are under a lot of pressure. Like many around the world, we are dealing with a sudden, sharp spike in fuel prices that is driven by events far beyond our shores. When global instability pushes prices up here, at home, it is households and small businesses who feel the pinch almost immediately. The view of this government is very clear. Australians should not be left to shoulder the cost of a war on the other side of the world, and that is why the government is stepping in to provide relief. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to send shock waves through global energy markets. International supply chains are severely strained, crude oil prices are incredibly volatile, and today oil is trading at about twice the level it was at the beginning of the year.”
“Young people deserve a chance at entering the housing market. Working families, especially single-parent households, deserve stability. Renters deserve the rights and freedoms to make the house they live in their home. Labor is working every day to deliver more and more of our massive housing plan, and it's about time that those opposite stop standing in the way of the Aussie dream of homeownership.”
“But what young people, working families, single parents and low-income Australians should be asking them is this: Why did you vote against the help-to-buy scheme supporting 40,000 low-income Aussies into homeownership? Why did you vote against the build-to-rent program building 80,000 new long-term leases? Why did they vote against the five per cent deposits and decry the building of 100,000 new homes? Those opposite have simply given up on homeownership, on renters and on supporting young people. Labor has not given up. We're stepping up. Australia's housing crisis didn't happen overnight, and it won't be fixed overnight either. But this Labor government has made a commitment to an ambitious plan that is aimed at chipping away at the problems that have been left unchecked for generations.”
“The reality is that, while this government have taken massive steps to reform our housing sector and deliver real solutions for the housing crisis, there is still a lot of work to do, and we acknowledge this. We also acknowledge that there are a lot of people out there who are still some time away from buying their first home. That is why we are delivering our build-to-rent program to help increase housing options for those who need it most. In my community, close to 2,000 new homes are under construction or in planning stages thanks to Labor's build to rent, and we've delivered the biggest back-to-back increase to the Commonwealth rental assistance in 30 years. This increase has helped over 6,300 low-income households in Maribyrnong to pay their rent. When those opposite inevitably get up to speak, they'll complain and they'll whinge.”
“Behind them sits a united caucus focused on delivering real housing reform, delivering for the communities we represent. Our social and affordable housing target sits within a broader housing plan that includes making it easier to buy and making life better for renters. It's ambitious and it's backed by a $45 billion investment. Our Home Guarantee Scheme has been operating for six months and has allowed over 1,200 people in my community to buy their first home with just a five per cent deposit. This scheme is about helping young Australians and single parents enter the housing market that, for too long, they've been locked out of. When I speak to young people in my community, many of them raise the issue of housing. What was once considered an Aussie dream has turned into a living nightmare for them.”
“When it comes to housing in this country, there is only one party of government that's serious about tackling this crisis. Labor has 25,000 social and affordable homes either in construction or in planning right now across this country. We have been in government for half the time those opposite were, yet we're already delivering on our ambitious agenda to build 55,000 new homes. Why the stark contrast? As the member for Wright has said in the past, apparently there wasn't a housing problem in this country when they were in government. Seriously? Their heads were so far in the sand that they didn't even have a minister for housing. But this Labor government understands how big the task at hand is. Not only do we have a minister for housing in cabinet, we also have a special envoy for social housing and homelessness.”
“That's over 1,000 vulnerable and low-income Australians who now have a place to call home. That's over 1,000 homes close to the city, to public transport, to bulk-billing clinics and to other services. That's well over 1,000 people who can live and work in the communities that they love, where they are close to family and friends. I've got another number for you: 373. That's the number of social and affordable homes that the coalition built in the nine years they were last in government. Don't let them fool you. There was a housing crisis back then too, yet not a single one of those 373 homes was built in my community—not one. This Labor government has delivered nearly triple the number of social and affordable homes in my electorate alone than those opposite delivered across the entire country in the nine years they were in government.”
“I move: That this House: (1) notes that the Government is delivering on its commitments to ensure that more Australians have a safe and secure place to call home by: (a) working with the states and territories to make renting easier, fairer, and more affordable; (b) backing first home buyers with the expanded 5 per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers and the Help to Buy scheme; and (c) building more homes, including more social and affordable homes around the country; and (2) acknowledges that this housing delivery is already changing the lives of Australians who otherwise may not have had an opportunity to access home ownership or put a roof over their head. One thousand and thirty—that's the number of social and affordable houses that this Labor government has helped deliver in my electorate of Maribyrnong.”
“The High Seas Biodiversity Bill is Australia's contribution to a nature positive future. It strengthens our standing as a global environmental leader, a reliable regional partner and a nation willing to act when the moment demands it. I proudly commend the bill to the House.”
“It is also about economic responsibility. Our fisheries, tourism and coastal communities all depend on healthy functioning oceans. Protecting the high seas is an investment in Australian jobs, long-term sustainability and economic resilience. This bill is about the future. It is about ensuring that our children grow up in a world where wilderness still exists, not only on land but in the deep and distant parts of our oceans. There will always be those that say we should wait or do less, but climate change is not waiting, biodiversity loss is not waiting and ocean degradation is not waiting. This bill is a statement that Australia has turned a corner and that under Labor science, evidence and responsibility guide our environmental policy, not denial or delay.”
“Third, it requires environmental impact assessments for activities undertaken by Australian entities beyond our borders, applying the same rigour offshore that we expect here at home. This bill also reflects Australia's commitment to regional leadership. For Pacific Island nations, the ocean is not just an environmental asset. It is culture, food, security and identity. They have been among the strongest advocates for high seas protection, and this legislation ensures Australia continues to stand with them, not speak past them. Australia currently co-chairs the preparatory commission for the first Conference of Parties later this year. If we want to shape the rules that will govern the global ocean, we must be a full participant, not an observer. This bill ensures Australia has a seat at the table.”
“We were a founding signatory when the treaty opened for signature, and in January this year the treaty formally entered into force after reaching the necessary number of ratifications. This bill provides the domestic legislation required to give effect to this international commitment. It does three critical things. First, it establishes clear rules around marine genetic resources, ensuring transparency and fair benefit sharing so that discoveries of the deep ocean benefit all humanity, not just the most powerful nations. Second, it creates a pathway for establishing marine protected areas on the high seas, giving the global community the ability to say that some places are simply too precious to be exploited.”
“If we protect our waters but allow ecosystems beyond them to collapse, our domestic conservation efforts will ultimately fail. That is why the high seas biodiversity treaty and the legislation before the House today is so important. This treaty has been more than 20 years in the making. For decades scientists and diplomats pointed out that while international law governed navigation and seabed resources it failed to adequately protect life itself beyond national borders. In June 2023 the world finally acted. The biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction treaty was adopted, a landmark achievement for multilateralism and environmental governance. Australia was there on day 1.”
“Under the Albanese Labor government, Australia's environmental record has shifted decisively from a decade of denial and drift to ambition, action and leadership. Labor has protected more than half of Australia's domestic marine environment, making our marine park system one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Just last year Labor expanded the Macquarie Island Marine Park, an area roughly the size of Germany, placing vast ecosystems under high level protection, safeguarding critical habitats for seals, albatrosses and countless other species. We have committed to the global 30 by 30 target, protecting 30 per cent of oceans by 2030, and Australia is well on track. But the ocean does not recognise jurisdictional boundaries. Migratory species do not stop at maritime borders.”
“For too long, the high seas, the 60 per cent of the world's oceans that sits beyond national jurisdiction, have been treated as a lawless frontier, a place of unrestricted extraction, exploitation and neglect. Today, only around one per cent of the global ocean is fully protected. Imagine if we treated our forests or our wetlands with the same disregard. We would never accept it, yet the high seas regulate our climate, store vast amounts of carbon, sustain global biodiversity and generate around half the oxygen we breathe. Before speaking about the high seas though, it is important to acknowledge the credibility Australia brings to the table. You cannot lead globally if you are failing locally.”
“When people around the world talk about Australia, they often talk about our oceans. They talk about our beaches, our reefs, our wildlife and our identity that is shaped by the sea. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Twelve Apostles and from the Ningaloo Coast to the Southern Ocean, many of our most treasured natural wonders are defined by water. Eighty-five per cent of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast. The ocean is not just a feature of our geography; it is fundamental to who we are as a country. But being so deeply connected to the ocean gives Australia a responsibility not just to look at what lies within our borders but to look beyond them.”
“For people in Flemington, Moonee Ponds, Gladstone Park and Airport West, that's real money back in their pockets—not a promise; not a headline; delivered. To ease pressure on families when they get sick, we've doubled the number of fully-bulk-billing GP clinics in Maribyrnong, so more people can see their doctor and walk out without paying a cent. Cost-of-living relief that's real and targeted; healthcare that's there when you need it—that's Labor delivering. But, in these uncertain times, global instability demands serious, steady leadership, focused on the national interest not the next headline. What do we see from those opposite? No plan; no policy; just noise and opportunism. Australians deserve better than that. They deserve a government working every day to make their lives easier. That's what Labor is doing.”
“On Saturday, I was with the volunteers at the Strathmore footy club for their season launch. Their new president, Ben, and his team weren't just kicking off the season; they were also seizing the opportunity to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, based out of Essendon Fields. That's what community sport is all about: people stepping up for each other. Ben and his committee are working hard, and, like all Australians, they deserve a government that works just as hard for them. That's exactly what we're doing. On this side of the House, we are focused on delivery. That's why, today, we've moved to halve the fuel tax for three months, to put more money in people's pockets. That's why, from July, every taxpayer in Maribyrnong and across the country will receive a tax cut.”
“Our job, though, is to respond responsibly, to protect consumers, to ensure that volatility is not used as a cover for misconduct. That's what this legislation does. The government's priorities are clear. We are focused on addressing inflation, lifting productivity and navigating global uncertainty. Ensuring fairer petrol prices, stronger fuel supply chains and fairer deals for our trucking industry is a key part of this work. These bills are about fairness. They are about accountability and making sure Australians get a fair go. Those opposite can continue their political games, but this government will continue doing what Australians expect: acting in the national interest, protecting consumers and delivering real practical outcomes. I commend the bills to the House.”
“It sits alongside a broader package of action we are taking to address fuel affordability and security. We are boosting fuel supply by releasing 20 per cent of the baseline minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel. We are getting more fuel into the market by temporarily amending fuel standards. We are working with the ACCC to ensure fuel gets to where it is needed, particularly in regional communities, and ramping up fuel price monitoring. And we are engaging with our international partners to strengthen supply chains and fuel security. This is a comprehensive, practical response to a challenging global environment. The recent conflict in the Middle East has increased uncertainty. Australians are not immune to it.”
“We will not let big corporations treat Australian consumers like mugs. We are calling on the opposition to support this bill because this is about holding companies to account when they do the wrong thing. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 doubles the maximum penalties for serious breaches of competition and consumer law from $50 million to $100 million per offence for false or misleading conduct or cartel behaviour across the country. We have already acted in this space. We increased penalties fivefold to up to $50 million and strengthened the powers of the ACCC, including extending petrol price monitoring enabling on-the-spot fines. But this legislation goes further. It ensures even bigger penalties for servos and suppliers who are ripping off Australian motorists.”
“It is not about helping Australians; it is about politics, plain and simple. At a time when there is conflict unfolding in the Middle East, when global energy markets are under pressure and when Australians are, understandably, watching closely, leadership matters. Australians deserve calm, clear, factual information. They do not deserve an opposition trying to manufacture fear for their own political gain. The Albanese government has introduced this legislation—to up penalties at the petrol pump, as well as making it better, easier and fairer for our trucking industry—for a very clear reason: to help consumers get a fair go and to support our trucking industry. The conflict overseas should never be used as an excuse to profit from Australians. That is why we are putting petrol companies on notice.”
“Instead, what we see is that the opposition are more interested in the headlines than in outcomes—more interested in exploiting a global crisis than in responding to it responsibly. We see that plainly in the way that they have approached this very debate. There is a well-established convention in this place: government legislation is introduced and then time is provided—typically around a week—before the second reading debate proceeds. That time exists for a reason. It allows the opposition to properly scrutinise legislation, to consult stakeholders and to engage in good-faith consideration of the detail. That is how this parliament is supposed to work. They have rushed into this debate to manufacture outrage and urgency rather than to do the work responsibly. This is just a stunt.”