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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“This bill ensures the system works for you, not the other way around. Today we've introduced additional changes that will make super even fairer from top to bottom and more sustainable in the long term. These changes will make a significant difference to low-income workers in my electorate, boosting their super and giving them a better retirement. Let's go back to the first day of a new job. We've all been there—the nerves, the excitement and the stack of paperwork, which is often digital these days, that sits between you and your first shift. It's a moment of transition and, for many, it's a moment of vulnerability. Schedule 1 and schedule 2 of this bill focus squarely on this moment.”
“In my time as an advocate for working people, I have spoken with parents and workers where the conversation isn't about global tax conventions; it's about the 'what ifs': What if I haven't saved enough? What if my super is being eaten away by fees? The bill before us today, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025, is this government's answer. We're delivering this alongside our landmark payday super legislation. Payday super is a once-in-a-generation reform to fix a massive integrity gap. The ATO estimates that $5.2 billion in super went unpaid in 2021-22; that is $100 million every week that workers earned but never received. For a 34-year-old in my electorate, failing to recover these missing funds could reduce their retirement nest egg by $32,000.”
“Former prime minister—and the architect of superannuation—Paul Keating once said, 'Superannuation was always about more than just a savings account; it was about the democratisation of capital, giving every worker a stake in the wealth of the nation they are building.' I see the weight of that promise every time I walk down Union Road or Puckle Street, or when I'm visiting local businesses in Essendon Fields. When we talk about Treasury laws and schedules, we're really talking about that stake in the nation. We are talking about the promise that a lifetime of work in Maribyrnong and across the country, whether you're a teacher in Keilor East or a nurse in Glenroy or a retail worker in Kensington, will lead to a retirement where you aren't just surviving but thriving.”
“It will add an additional $3.1 million in super flowing to the accounts of local workers, and two-thirds of those accounts are held by women. This is what a government focused on the job looks like. While those opposite are hopelessly divided and distracted by their own internal politics, we are getting on with the job of delivering for Australians who need it most. This measure rewards work, it closes the gender super gap and it ensures that the people who care for our children, our elderly and our communities are not left behind in retirement.”
“Because we on this side of the House are a united team focused on delivering for working Australians, today we introduce changes that will make our super system fairer from top to bottom. This is for the early childhood educators shaping the minds of our next generation, the school cleaners keeping our kids' classrooms safe and the aged-care workers looking after our parents and grandparents—workers who've given so much yet have not been given a fair go on their retirement savings. Today, we're changing that. We're increasing the LISTO rate—and increasing it over time so we secure it as a meaningful lift in the super that gives these essential workers a better retirement. I'm proud today to speak on what this means for people, including women, in my community of Maribyrnong. In Maribyrnong alone, 7½ thousand people will benefit directly.”
“Most importantly, we are bringing the silent ranks—the families of those who serve—into the fold of our national policy. We're acknowledging that the ripples of service touch every partner, every parent and every child, and we're telling them: 'Your burden is seen, your role is recognised, and you'll not be left to carry it alone.' We stand on the shoulders of proud local legacy, but our duty is to the present and the future. We owe it to every person today who wears a uniform and to every veteran who has since laid it down to ensure that the promise of service is met with the promise of support. No veteran and no veteran's family should ever have to fight their hardest battle alone. With this bill, we are building a system that finally holds itself to the same high standard that they hold for themselves. I commend the bill to the House.”
“The stories of the men and women I met at the 5th/6th Battalion, the grit of the veterans at the mighty Keilor East RSL and the enduring heart of the members at Flem/Ken RSL all point to a single inescapable truth: the system must be as resilient as the people it serves. This legislation is the institutional embodiment of that truth—a permanent, standalone commission, a watchman on the tower who will never again be silenced or sidelined, a move from temporary fixes to sustained, independent oversight. For a person to heal, they need to know the system looking after them is honest, transparent and safe. Through the strengthened powers and the rigorous accountability deadlines of 2027 and 2030, this bill finally creates the environment of trust.”
“Transparency is nothing without a timeline. This bill sets statutory deadlines for the completion of two major inquiries into the Commonwealth's implementation of reform: 2 December 2027 and 2 December 2030, the third and sixth anniversaries of the government's response. These are not arbitrary dates. They are deadlines of accountability, guaranteeing the commission will remain a sustained, transparent voice for change long after the media spotlight has moved on. As I reflect on the history of Maribyrnong—the wartime hangars at Essendon airport to the disciplined grounds of Menin Barracks—I'm reminded that we are not just a community that remembers service; we are a community that lives it.”
“This bill delivers exactly that by establishing standalone legislation. The commissioner will be appointed by the Governor-General following a merit based public recruitment process, ensuring the role is held by an individual with a mandate to speak truth to power without fear and without favour. We have also refined the commission's powers to ensure it is a watchdog with teeth. Based on stakeholder feedback, we have strengthened the commissioner's ability to access vital information and expanded witness protection so that anyone can provide evidence without fear of reprisal. Truth only emerges in an environment of safety. These protections are the foundation of the commission's integrity. We are creating a space where systemic failures can be called out and corrected, backed by the full authority of the law.”
“As a qualified psychologist, I know that you cannot treat or support a person in isolation. Mental health is social; it's relational. You cannot heal the veteran if you ignore the family holding them up. By enshrining families in this legislation we are telling the silent ranks—the partners, the parents and the children of our veteran communities: 'We see the quiet work that you do. We recognise you and we are making sure you never have to carry that weight alone.' We are giving the big hearts of Flemington-Kensington and the dedicated volunteers at East Keilor and Essendon RSLs the institutional backing that they have long deserved. One of the strongest messages from the Senate committee and the veteran community was that this commission must be independent in law, in function and in spirit.”
“I see this in the spirit of community and care at the mighty Keilor East RSL. It is always a great honour to stand with them at their Anzac Day dawn service, their Vietnam Veterans' Day service and on Remembrance Day—all led with such dedication and deep pride by their president, John Johnson OAM. John and his team don't just run a sub-branch; they maintain a sanctuary. Whether it's a solemn commemorative service or a Friday night social event, the focus is always on the person standing next to you and the family standing behind them. Yet, for too long, our national systems have not treated these families with the respect and care that they deserve. This bill changes that. It legislates that the commissioner's functions must also include reference to veterans' families.”
“At the Menin Barracks open day and at many services I've attended in my community, I have met the partners holding toddlers, I've met the parents watching their sons and daughters with a mixture of pride and anxiety, and I've met widows and proud children who honour the memory of brave loved ones who have passed on. In my electorate, the RSLs in Essendon, Keilor East and Flemington-Kensington are full of those family members. They are the silent ranks. They are the primary caregivers, the first responders in the home, and the ones who notice the first signs of withdrawal or the quiet onset of a flashback in the middle of the night. When a veteran is struggling, the whole family feels it. These RSLs understand that because they too have lived it—deeply and personally.”
“By creating this commission, we are creating a systemic intervention. We are ensuring there is a body whose sole focus is to dismantle those barriers to wellbeing, to move from reactive crisis management to proactive oversight—a system that will support the heavy lifting already being done quietly and with enormous heart by sub-branches like Flem/Ken. I want to speak now about a change in this bill that I'm particularly proud of—the formal inclusion of veterans' families. There is a group of people who are often overlooked for too long in government responses to veteran affairs.”
“Andrew and Scott gave clarity to what I know as a qualified psychologist—when you lose the structure, that sense of mission and the tribe that military service provide, the psychological risk factors skyrocket. We know that suicidality is often the result of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. When a veteran feels that they no longer fit in the civilian world or when they feel like they're a burden to their families because they are struggling with PTSD or trapped in a complex DVA claim, they enter a zone of extreme risk. The current system has, too often, made those feelings worse. It has been a maze of paperwork and, for too many, too many 'no' answers. Where it should have been a lifeline, it became another barrier, and no-one should face those barriers alone.”
“The Flem/Ken RSL describes itself as a small sub-branch with a big heart, and that perfectly sums up the crew. Andrew and Scott walked me through the history of the branch and the quiet, essential work that they do to support our local veteran community, especially the growing number of younger veterans. Scott, a combat engineer, outlined the welfare assistance that they provide not just to veterans but also to their families. Flem/Ken RSL may be unassuming, but its social nights and strong welfare program are doing the heavy lifting of supporting veterans as they make the shift to civilian life. That shift is not just a change of job; it's a fundamental change in identity.”
“It has been operational since September, already undertaking the demanding and critical work of oversight. Today, with this bill, we are strengthening its foundation. We are transitioning the commission into its own standalone legislation, giving it the absolute independence it needs to be respected and the statutory teeth it needs to be effective. We are ensuring that the commission is not just a participant in the system, but a powerful independent force for its transformation. As I mentioned, my electorate is home to three local RSL sub-branches, and, in October, last year I dropped into the Flemington & Kensington RSL sub-branch in the south of my electorate to catch up with president Andrew Konami-Wood and welfare officer Scott Balestra.”
“They called for independent oversight with one sole purpose—to ensure that the systemic failures that led to suicide were identified, challenged and permanently fixed. The commission recognised that too many had known for too long that suicide in the veteran community was not an isolated clinical issue; it was a systemic one—a product of culture, policy and institutional friction. To address it, we need an entity that exists outside the chain of command, with the longevity to outlast political cycles and the authority to demand change, an entity that ensures no-one is left to navigate a broken system alone. In February 2025, the Albanese Labor government acted on this urgency by legislating the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission.”
“No veteran and no veteran's family should ever have to fight their hardest battle alone. The Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025 is how we honour that promise. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was a long, painful but necessary reckoning. It held a mirror up to our nation's soul and revealed a depth of service that was often followed by depth of neglect. The final report contained 122 points of action, but the commissioners were explicit—recommendation 122 was the most important. It was the cornerstone upon which every other reform would depend. They called for a new permanent statutory entity to oversee system reform across the entire Defence ecosystem, not another internal committee, not a body that answers to the very departments it is meant to scrutinise.”
“Major Holmes and I spoke about the unique culture of the Delta Company and how those barracks have served our community for generations. Our community's connection to Australia's military history runs deep. We see it in the legacy of Essendon airport, which served as a vital defence gateway during World War II. We see it in the names of our streets. In fact, 10 streets in the City of Moonee Valley are named in honour of Australian military heroes. We see it in our three local RSL sub-branches, which carry the legacy forward every single day. But our duty to those who serve is not just about preserving their brave and historic contributions; it is about how we protect the lives of the people who put their hand up to protect us—people like those who I met at Menin Barracks and at remembrance services across my electorate.”
“Nestled in the heart of Moonee Ponds stands the Menin barracks, which is home to the 5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment Delta Company. It remains an active Army Reserve base, but it is also a living monument to my community's proud military history. It has a lineage that stretches back to the original AIF and the battlefields of Gallipoli. Last year, to welcome their surrounding neighbours and the broader Moonee Valley community, Delta Company held an open day. Major Braden Holmes walked me through the stations, the machinery and the kit. It was all very impressive. But it wasn't the equipment that stayed with me; it was the people. I met young, enthusiastic cadets. I met men and women who live, work and are raising their families in Maribyrnong and who have made the selfless decision to serve their nation.”
“As of this year, 2026, we are providing $338.60 per week to eligible students while they are on prac. This isn't just a payment; it's a statement of respect. It ensures that a nursing student at Kangan isn't forced to choose between completing their degree or being able to afford their groceries. The contrast in this place is stark. Those opposite spent a decade taking a sledgehammer to TAFE; we have restored it as a vital part of our economy and education system. We are training the tradies who will build our future suburbs and towns. We have moved past the years of neglect; we are now in an era of delivering. I commend the motion to the House.”
“In my electorate of Maribyrnong, the Kangan Institute in Essendon stands as a shining example of this transformation. I have visited the Essendon Health Hub many times, and the energy there is infectious. The campus is a vital pipeline for our healthcare sector, training the nurses and health service assistants who will look after us and our families. But our success requires more than just a classroom. It requires a sense of security. For too long, students in high-pressure fields like nursing and social work have faced the crushing reality of placement poverty. They're expected to work hundreds of hours in mandatory clinical placements while somehow still paying the rent and putting food on the table. That is why our Commonwealth prac payment is a landmark reform.”
“This is a historic reset. For the first time, we have a unified national plan, a shared stewardship model that ensures that the Commonwealth and the states are finally moving in the same direction. The results of this serious, methodical approach are already visible. Under our watch, workers in occupations where there was once short supply have steadily increased. This is what happens when you treat TAFE as an essential cog in our economy. By legislating free TAFE as a permanent fixture of our education landscape, we have removed the financial barriers that once locked capable Australians out of the workforce. We have delivered close to 600,000 places, ensuring that 'fee free' isn't just a slogan but a permanent statutory right for Australians.”
“You cannot ease pressure on our healthcare system without a steady pipeline of nurses and carers. You cannot navigate a global energy transition without the workforce that's capable of rewiring the nation. And you cannot build Australia's future with a weakened VET sector. That is why we are backing our future tradies with real, direct support. Through our Key Apprenticeship Program, we are providing $10,000 incentive payments for apprentices in the construction and clean energy sectors. This is a $2,000 boost every year of their training and a final payment upon completion. It is designed to help our young people stay in their trade, manage the cost of living and get the tools they need to build the 1.2 million homes Australia needs. This work goes hand in hand with our landmark five-year National Skills Agreement.”
“But for 10 long years, under the previous coalition government, that bridge was allowed to crumble. We didn't accidentally inherit a skills shortage in 2022; we inherited a decade of deliberate ideological neglect. We saw TAFE campuses stripped of their funding, instructors pushed to their breaking point and a vocational system that was treated like a second-class option. Those opposite sat idly by while the National Skills Agreement lapsed and our workforce planning fell into disarray. They viewed TAFE as a line item in a budget to be cut rather than an engine to be fuelled. This government has stopped the rot and started to rebuild. We recognise a fundamental truth that those opposite have never been able to grasp. You cannot solve a housing crisis without the carpenters, plumbers and electricians to build the homes.”
“I want to acknowledge the member for Holt for bringing forward this motion for debate. I'm proud to speak on a topic that not only is close to my heart but is absolutely foundational to the communities I represent in Maribyrnong: the future of our national skills and training system. When I'm out in my community chatting with locals, the conversations are almost always about two things: the cost of living and the pressure that people are under, and opportunity. People in Melbourne's north-west are aspirational. They want to know that their children can access a secure, well-paid and fulfilling career. They want to know that, if they need to pivot mid-career, the door to retraining is open. They want to know that the bridge between education and a better life is strong.”
“Before the end of last year, the Albanese Labor government committed $1.5 million in interim funding to enable the services to continue to 26 July. This pause has meant families didn't have to scramble at the end of last year just to find new doctors before Christmas, and it's given us the space to find a permanent solution. An independent review is well underway, supported by both the federal and Victorian governments, and I want to thank those local residents and healthcare workers who have taken part in this process. To the people of Kensington: I heard you last year; I hear you now. My focus remains unwavering. Working with both the federal and state governments will ensure that not only will we keep the doors open for now but we'll make sure that we keep the community health model for the long term.”
“I rise to provide a further update on a matter I first brought to this House late last year: the future of cohealth's general practice services in Kensington. When cohealth management made the sudden announcement that they intended to close their doors just prior to Christmas last year, our community was rightly shaken. This clinic isn't just bricks and mortar; it is part of the very fabric of Kensington, providing a lifeline to our most vulnerable, from refugees and families on low incomes to residents living with chronic illness. From the moment that announcement was made, I stood shoulder to shoulder with my community in Maribyrnong, in Kensington. I told this House then that our community cannot lose these services, and I took that message straight to Minister Butler. I'm proud to say that our community advocacy delivered.”
“My community is home to many extraordinary people, but these five individuals truly represent the very best of us. They remind us that whether it's through global advocacy, transformative public service or 50 years of local sporting devotion, one person's commitment can leave a legacy that lasts for generations. Their stories are the stories of Maribyrnong, defined by hard work, a sense of justice and a deep seated care for our neighbours. We are a better, stronger and more compassionate community because of their efforts. On behalf of the Maribyrnong electorate, I congratulate each of them on their well-deserved honours in the 2026 Australia Day list. I thank them for their passion, their integrity and their enduring service to our community.”
“We also recognise Victoria Ryan from Airport West, who was awarded the Australian Corrections Medal, having dedicated over 30 years to Corrections Victoria and currently serving as the general manager of the Metropolitan Remand Centre. She has navigated the complexities of our justice system with professional steel and deep empathy, proving that a safer community is built through rehabilitation and fairness. Finally, there's Kate Gavens from Ascot Vale, who was awarded the Public Service Medal. As Victoria's inaugural chief conservation regulator, Kate built an agency from the ground up that prioritises transparency and the protection of our biodiversity, embedding cultural safety and community trust into the core of environmental law.”
“We also salute two local recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia. Ralph Plarre from Essendon is a man who transformed a family bakery into a sustainable powerhouse. Ferguson Bakehouses are beloved by so many Victorians. Ralph hasn't just baked bread; he has nourished communities across Melbourne to East Timor and Uganda, proving that business success and humanitarian spirit can and should go hand in hand. Joining him is a true local legend: Susan Rainey from Moonee Ponds. For 50 years, Susan has been the heartbeat of the Essendon squash community. Since 1970, when she first opened the doors of the Essendon squash courts she has been a mentor and a founding pillar of the sport. Her five decades of service are a masterclass in grassroots devotion.”
“It's an honour to rise today to celebrate five remarkable local individuals whose lives of service have profoundly shaped the community I represent and Australia as a whole. Recognised in the 2026 Australia Day Honours, these local champions remind us that the heart of our nation is found in those who dedicate themselves to the service of others. Take Brendan Schwab from Moonee Ponds, who has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. In the global arena of advocacy, Brendan has been a titan, a pioneer for athletes' rights. He has used his legal brilliance to ensure that those who entertain us on the field are protected by fundamental human rights off it. His work has elevated the dignity of professional sport on a global and local scale, and we are incredibly proud to claim him as one of our own.”
“We've invested $8.5 billion to reverse the decline that was seen under those opposite, and we've seen 6.5 million extra bulk-billed visits. These aren't just statistics. These are parents who can afford to get to the chemist. These are seniors who aren't afraid of the GP bill. The coalition froze Medicare; we have funded it. They broke the system; we are fixing it. This is what it looks like when a government puts the health of the nation first. I commend the motion.”
“These are clinics staffed by professionals who have a deep and fundamental understanding of our community's needs. They know that, when a local family can access care without the stress of a gap fee, the whole community is healthier, more productive and more secure. Because of our 12½ per cent bonus for exclusively bulk-billing practices, clinics like these in my electorate are thriving. They are the frontline of a stronger Medicare. They are among the thousand practices that have recently indicated they are transitioning to 100 per cent bulk-billing—that's a thousand more doors open to families who were previously worried about the cost of a check-up. Medicare was created by Labor and protected by Labor, and today it's being strengthened by Labor.”
“This is the Labor way. We don't just protect the Medicare of the 1980s; we build the Medicare of the future. Perhaps most importantly, we are restoring the heart of our healthcare system by bringing back universal bulk-billing. We were told the decline was terminal, but we've proven that when you value doctors, doctors can value their patients. By tripling the bulk-billing incentive and extending it just last November to every single Medicare card presentation, we have made it financially viable to be a bulk-billing doctor again. We see the success in the heartbeat of my own community. Look at the Moonee Ponds Super Clinic. They are part of a wave of over 3,300 practices nationwide that are now fully bulk-billing. Look at the Gladstone Park Family Medical Centre.”
“For a family sitting around the kitchen table, balancing the mortgage and the grocery bills, this isn't just policy change; it's breathing space. We didn't just stop at the chemist. We've ensured that when your child gets sick at 2 am—we've all been there—you are not left in the dark, due to the launch of 1800MEDICARE, a 24-hour direct helpline where you can get high-quality health advice that brings peace of mind and that is delivered right there at the end of the phone line. Recognising the modern challenges our nation faces, we have opened a new digital front door to care. The Medicare Mental Health Check In is now live, providing immediate free access to health self-help tools and support. We are meeting Australians where they are—online, on their phones and in their moments of need—and removing the barriers to seeking help.”
“So it's been interesting to hear the contributions of those opposite and the manufactured outrage over Medicare in this motion, given their past performance. On 1 January this year, this Labor government continued to turn the page. As the calendar turned to 2026, a suite of landmark Medicare initiatives moved from promise to reality. These weren't mere administrative tweaks at the margins; they represent a fundamental shift in the standard of care and a statement to the recommitment that we are making to a truly universal healthcare system, the core to who we are as Australians. It started at the pharmacy counter, where we've slashed the PBS copayment for general patients to just $25, the lowest price that we've seen for essential medicines in over 20 years.”
“There is no greater symbol of the Australian fair go than your green and gold Medicare card. It's a promise that, in Australia, when you get sick, you'll get help. Today I rise to outline the work of the Albanese Labor government, a government that hasn't just talked about the promise; we've put the investment behind it to make it a reality once again. When we first took office in 2022, and when we were returned to government by the Australian people in 2025, we inherited a primary health system on life support. Let's be blunt about why. For six long years, the coalition chose to freeze Medicare rebates. They chose zero indexation. They chose zero support for GPs. The rising cost of doctor's visits wasn't an accident; it was a direct result of those opposite and the decision they made to starve Medicare.”
“When we allow housing insecurity to become the norm, we entrench disadvantage. But, when we invest in affordable, accessible homes, we open doors to stability and to a fairer future. Addressing Australia's housing challenge will not happen overnight. It requires sustained effort, cooperation across governments and a willingness to treat housing as a public good, not just as a market commodity. Every Australian deserves the dignity of a safe home, and, when we strengthen housing security, we strengthen the nation itself. House adjourned at 17:00 The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Boyce ) took the chair at 09:30.”
“Stories like this remind us that housing is not just policy; it has real life impacts. It's not abstract; it's about families finally having a space to breathe; children having a quiet place to sleep, to play, to study; and parents feeling the relief that comes with security. It's about dignity. While local projects make a powerful difference, they sit within a broader national effort to address decades of underinvestment in housing supply. The Albanese government's reforms recognise that housing is essential to economic participation, social wellbeing and equality of opportunity. For young people especially, access to secure homes shapes the entire course of their lives. They can pursue education, build savings and start families of their own and remain connected to their communities.”
“Thangjam and Kristine and their new baby have just moved into their new home in Swift Walk, a fantastic two-bedroom unit. The minister and I got to say g'day to them. Before, Thangjam and Kristine were living in shared accommodation with nine others. They were making the best of it, but, as their family was due to expand, it was clear this was not the environment that would have given them the best chance at living their most settled and successful life. Now, they have a place to call theirs, a place to create memories, opportunities and stability for their beautiful new family. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank them for welcoming both the minister and me into their new home. It was such a delight to see them settling in and thinking about the future that they have for them and their young child.”
“Locally, I'm proud to see the Albanese government backing major projects that will deliver—and are already delivering—new social and affordable homes in Melbourne's north-west. In December of last year, I welcomed Minister O'Neil to Kensington in the southern part of my electorate to see firsthand the successful completion of a new housing project as part of the Swift Walk redevelopment. This massive injection of housing into our local community, the largest that Housing Australia Future Fund has completed to date, has delivered 362 new homes, including 272 social and affordable homes. For locals in Kensington and the surrounding suburbs, moving into Swift Walk has meant leaving behind long-term overcrowding and finally having a space of their own.”
“This is why this government has an ambitious housing agenda, the most ambitious that we've seen for generations. It is why we see housing as one of our central priorities—investing in social and affordable housing, boosting supply, working with the states and territories on planning reform and recognising housing as essential national infrastructure. Through the Labor government's Housing Australia Future Fund, we are delivering thousands of new homes across the country, with more than 5,000 social and affordable homes completed or underway and more than 25,000 in construction and planning. This is part of our broader commitment to deliver 55,000 social and affordable homes for the Australians who need them most. A roof over your head should never be a privilege. It should be an expectation for all Australians.”
“Access to safe, secure and affordable housing is one of the most fundamental foundations of a fair society. It is not simply about shelter but about dignity, stability, opportunity and wellbeing. When people have a secure place to call home, children can focus on learning. Parents can focus on work and caring, and individuals can plan for the future with confidence. When housing is unstable or out of reach, it affects every part of our life—health, education, employment and mental wellbeing. We know there is a housing crisis in this country. For too many, particularly young Australians, they have found themselves locked out of the market. Rents have risen. Supply has fallen. And for many the dream of homeownership has felt increasingly distant.”
“It's why we're making early education more affordable and accessible with our three-day guarantee. We are focused on easing the cost of living and giving every kid the best start in life. But it doesn't stop there. We are also delivering historic, record funding for our public schools—providing more support for students and better resourcing for classrooms and backing our incredible teachers. Labor delivers because education is fairness, it's opportunity, and it's about building a stronger future for Maribyrnong and our country. While we are focused on easing the pressure on families in Maribyrnong and across the nation, those opposite remain hopelessly divided. My community of Maribyrnong, let me tell you this: our focus is different. Our focus is on you.”
“Like many families across Maribyrnong and across the nation, my family is well and truly back into the rhythm of the new year. Gweny is beaming with excitement, having started high school, and Margot is already telling me how much she loves her new grade 4 teacher. But, like households everywhere, we're back to the busy mornings and to the juggle. I want my community, in that juggle, to know this: every day that I come into this chamber, this Labor government and I are firmly focused on you, making sure you and your family get the support that you deserve. This is because we are united and focused on delivery while those opposite remain focused on themselves. The opportunity of education is a deeply held value in our government. It starts in early childhood.”
“This bill, as I said, also positions these services to remain responsive to future needs, recognising the evolving linguistic diversity of Australia and the importance of maintaining capacity, professionalism and reliability in service delivery. For these reasons, and because a cohesive and inclusive society depends on systems that work effectively for all Australians, I commend the bill to the House.”
“This legislation acknowledges and repeats the enduring contribution of multicultural communities to Australia's social, cultural and economic life and affirms that those contributions are not diminished by the language spoken at home. In electorates such as Maribyrnong, this reality is evident across generations—as I said, from postwar migrants who helped build modern Australia to those newer migrants from Africa and Asia who continue that legacy today. For these communities, these services, supported by this bill, are essential. It is about building public confidence in accessibility and fairness of government systems. It supports social cohesion by ensuring that individuals can engage with institutions in a safe, informed and equitable manner.”
“They ensure that during times of crisis, whether they be public health emergencies, natural disasters or sudden surges in humanitarian arrivals, Australia has the language infrastructure needed to respond quickly, clearly and compassionately. They ensure that language services are not an afterthought but a core part of national preparedness. And they ensure that Australia continues to grow and diversify its systems so they grow with us, rather than leaving communities to catch up on their own. This bill is concerned with the practical operation of fairness in our multicultural country. It recognises that meaningful participation in Australian society depends on the ability to communicate with government and essential services and that linguistic background must not be a barrier to safety, access or inclusion.”
“It means ensuring that there is capacity when new communities arrive—not years later, but from the outset—so people can engage safely and confidently as they settle into Australian life. It also means embracing modern service delivery. Telephone interpreting remains a cornerstone, especially for emergency and urgent services that operate 24 hours a day. But video interpreting, onsite services and remote technologies are increasingly critical, particularly for regional access, complex appointments and situations where visual communication matters. This bill ensures that the legislative framework keeps pace with those realities, enabling services to be delivered flexibly, securely and efficiently wherever and however they are needed. Future-ready services are not just about technology; they are also about resilience.”