Julie-Ann Campbell
Moreton · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“It was Steven Miles who introduced 50c fares, which go to making sure that people can have relief when they tap their card at the bus or to get on the train. And it was many energy workers who came together to make sure that publicly owned renewables could be back in state government hands.”
“We just heard during the MPI in this parliament every excuse that they could think of—every obfuscation that came to mind, every reason—to not back reform that protects our children. The news I want to give to those opposite is this: we will not lie down when it comes to ensuring that Australian children are safe.”
“It is important to remember that yesterday marked a tax cut, the fifth from this government, for every Australian taxpaying worker. It is important to remember that this government, unlike those opposite, backed in minimum and award wage increases which came into effect yesterday.”
“Yesterday didn't just mark the beginning of a new financial year, it marked the next step in the Albanese Labor government's crusade to ensure that cost-of-living relief is delivered to everyday Australians, and it sits in stark contrast to what we've seen from those opposite this week.”
“If you've ever sat in your car at the Coopers Plains crossing on Boundary Road, you would know that it can feel like an absolute eternity. It's been consistently named by the RACQ as one of the worst crossings in our entire state. Locals in my community have been waiting decades for the promised overpass to that rail level crossing.”
“But if you'd cracked open the LNP's budget last Tuesday, what you would have found as you sorted through the papers is that there was no commitment and no timeline to this important project being delivered, despite the state previously having committed $179.5 million to the project as well.”
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“The Oxley Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in my local electorate on Brisbane's southside is proud to have had over 33,000 visits. An extra $25 billion has gone into public hospitals and we have banned supermarket price gouging. Our government is focused on delivery.”
“It is important to remember that yesterday marked a tax cut, the fifth from this government, for every Australian taxpaying worker. It is important to remember that this government, unlike those opposite, backed in minimum and award wage increases which came into effect yesterday. It's important to remember that from this moment forward, if you're getting paid superannuation, it's getting put on your balance when you earn it. It's important to remember that a Labor government didn't just deliver paid parental leave; it's now expanding it to 26 weeks. It is a time when it is most important to spend more time with our littlest Australians. There have been 137 Medicare urgent care clinics rolled out across the country.”
“It was Steven Miles who introduced 50c fares, which go to making sure that people can have relief when they tap their card at the bus or to get on the train. And it was many energy workers who came together to make sure that publicly owned renewables could be back in state government hands. Those reforms, which were about making sure that Queenslanders have relief that they need when it comes to hip-pocket issues and the cost-of-living matters that are impacting on families every day, are echoed by what the Albanese Labor government has done this week to roll out critical reforms and real, positive changes that will improve the lives of every Australian—changes that help workers and families, that support health care and that help with the cost of living.”
“We just heard during the MPI in this parliament every excuse that they could think of—every obfuscation that came to mind, every reason—to not back reform that protects our children. The news I want to give to those opposite is this: we will not lie down when it comes to ensuring that Australian children are safe. We will not go away, and we will not rest because the sacrifices endured by those parents who have lost their children should not be in vain. This government will do everything to make sure their sacrifice is not in vain. I want to address briefly what the member for Griffith has just said, because, as a Queenslander, I'm very proud of a number of the reforms that the member just mentioned, but I will note that these are Labor reforms.”
“Yesterday didn't just mark the beginning of a new financial year, it marked the next step in the Albanese Labor government's crusade to ensure that cost-of-living relief is delivered to everyday Australians, and it sits in stark contrast to what we've seen from those opposite this week. What we've just seen in this place is an opposition blocking reforms designed to protect children. The members across can sigh, but there's no quorum count this time. It's an important reform, and it's a reform that they've ganged up with the Greens to block. This is something that we've seen before, so in reality it should come as no surprise. We've seen it on climate. We've seen it on housing.”
“But if you'd cracked open the LNP's budget last Tuesday, what you would have found as you sorted through the papers is that there was no commitment and no timeline to this important project being delivered, despite the state previously having committed $179.5 million to the project as well. I've written to the Premier to ask him a few questions: Has their position changed? What's happened to the money? What is the timeline? People in my community deserve to get home to their families faster and more safely, and people in my community deserve to know the answer to these questions.”
“If you've ever sat in your car at the Coopers Plains crossing on Boundary Road, you would know that it can feel like an absolute eternity. It's been consistently named by the RACQ as one of the worst crossings in our entire state. Locals in my community have been waiting decades for the promised overpass to that rail level crossing. That's why I fought hard to make sure that the Albanese Labor government invested an additional $99.7 million to make this long-awaited important project a reality. That's on top of the $179.5 million that the federal Labor government had already invested.”
“And I'm proud because our community knows the drill when it comes to flooding, and we know the drill when it comes to making sure we help each other out. If you live in Oxley, Rocklea, Fairfield, Yeronga, Corinda, Sherwood, Willawong or the many more places that are often flood affected, you know we need to take action as a community. I went to the Oxley Creek Flood Action Group meeting and acknowledged the work of Benarrawa, particularly Paula Callaghan, John Maume, Paula Hardie and Sandi Black. I commend their work trying to build a prepared, responsive, resilient and healthy community and to create neighbourhood disaster plans, particularly around Oxley Creek. And Community Plus in Yeronga, with their CEO, Mel, had a Community Home Resilience Expo, talking about practical ways to improve household resilience.”
“On 7 June I got to visit them and their leadership, president Asad Basit and secretary Dr Naveed Kureshi. Their mission is a really simple one: to promote Urdu language and literature, with a very special emphasis on education. When I went there I got to meet students, parents, teachers and volunteers, who are doing absolutely fantastic work there. I have a growing Indian community in Moreton—7,911 people and getting bigger every day. The community language schools are so important for preserving language and also preserving culture while strengthening social cohesion and community connections. Labor is providing $25 million to support 600 community schools across Australia that help more than 90,000 students to learn 84 languages. I'm very proud to have one of the most resilient communities in this whole nation.”
“On 7 June the dragon boats were out in force at the annual Hakka Dragon Boat Festival, and for the very first time it was held, proudly, in my electorate of Moreton, and we got to see dragon boats down the Brisbane River. As a very proud Australian with a Hakka ancestry, I think it is fantastic that this festival is now happening in my home. Hakka Association President Tony Cheng organised a fantastic event. Dragon boat festivals are a 2,000-year-old tradition. It's very special. We were down at Ken Fletcher Park with 12 dragon boat racing teams and 20 different cultural groups performing on stage. That reflects Moreton's diversity and the 15.4 per cent of Moreton constituents like me with Chinese ancestry. And tucked away into a hall in Acacia Ridge is the Urdu Forum language school.”
“That's why this government is investing in them, and it's why today is an important day. Today, the Albanese Labor government is delivering more paid parental leave. Award wages are going up by 4.75 per cent, and the minimum wage is going up by six per cent. Superannuation will be paid when it is earned. Supermarket price gouging will be banned, and tax cuts will be delivered to every single taxpayer in Australia. Normally, I'd say to look at what those opposite do, not what they say. (Time expired)”
“He said: The days of Australia being an island continent producing finished goods for domestic consumption are over. Finally, what about staying at home with your baby in the first important months of their life? Not on the member for Goldstein's watch. He said: It's a very bad scheme … it's not my choice that women my choice that women have children. It's genetic! We don't really have to imagine what this would be like because we've got the verbal receipts, provided by the shadow Treasurer's worst enemy—the member for Goldstein! I don't want to spend the rest of my time talking about the member for Goldstein's greatest hits because Australians are doing it tough. They've also been impacted by a global conflict that's having an impact on our prices here at home.”
“In fact, we know by how much because we know that the member for Barker would put a 20 per cent consumption tax on. How do we know that? Because the member for Goldstein said: … we have to move towards a simpler 20 per cent flat personal, company and consumption tax … We know what would happen because bulk-billing would be out the window. How do we know that? Because the shadow treasurer said: transfer of the health financing burden shifted from government to individuals— When he was championing the privatisation of Medicare. Your mortgage payments would be higher if the member for Goldstein were in charge. How do we know? Because he said: Nobody wins from low interest rates … What about making things in this country and manufacturing? We know that would be out the window too.”
“At our urgent care clinics, all you have to do is rock up with your Medicare card and you'll get the treatment that you need, and there are 137 of them across our nation. What did the member for Barker do? He voted against it. Our $25 medicines are taking medicines back to the prices they were decades ago. What did the member for Barker do? He voted against it. When I was preparing to come here and talk about this MPI, I did something that I do not recommend to you. I imagined a world where the shadow treasurer—the member for Goldstein and the mover of this MPI today—was in charge. In doing so, there are a few things I think that we should make very clear. Firstly, what we know if the member for Goldstein were in charge is that everything would be more expensive.”
“I do want to inform the people in the gallery just a little bit about the member for Barker's track record when it comes to helping everyday Australians. When taking 20 per cent off student debt came before this House—a saving to the average student of over $5,000—the member for Barker voted against it. When not one, not two, not three, not four but five tax cuts came before this parliament, the member for Barker voted against every single one of them. And what those tax cuts mean is an extra $2,800 in the pocket of the average Australian. That's a lot of money. Under our legislation, under this budget, 75,000 people who haven't been able to get into their first home will be able to get into their very first home. What did the member for Barker do? He voted against it.”
“I want to be fair to the Leader of the Opposition. Unlike media reports about the shadow treasurer, he's declared his interests. The member for Hume has registered his interests in family trusts and in holding companies, but the question is: what is floating under the Cayman-like waves of those arrangements? On 10 March, the Sydney Morning Herald reported: … But his asset portfolio is both opaque and labyrinthine, with family trusts and holding companies … … … Ultimately, it leaves a lot unaccounted for behind Taylor's main company, Gufee Pty Ltd, so listed on his official register of interests. The Courier Mail in February reported: Mr Taylor holds interests in an estimated nine properties across New South Wales, the majority structured in a network of private companies—”
“When it comes to a digital duty of care and making sure our children are safe, we will not rest. We owe it to our young people and we owe it to our children.”
“As the Prime Minister has said, I'm heartened by the shift in conversation and the global momentum that we've seen since introducing the social media minimum age. But it's clear big tech is not doing enough to comply with the law. There are still too many children on social media. The Albanese government is utterly serious about enforcing compliance by the big social media platforms, and this bill is a very clear signal to Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. It tells them that we expect them not only to do the right thing but to fully comply with the law. Labor is not stopping with this bill. We are driving upcoming work to legislate a digital duty of care, and this will build on the existing reforms and reflects a stronger, more proactive approach to tackling harm in the digital environment.”
“Australia is at the forefront globally when it comes to protecting our children and our young people online. Since Labor's ban came into place in December last year, numerous countries have either passed their own legislation or put restrictions in place. There is no doubt that we have been leading the way, but what this legislation shows is that we know there is more to do. Online safety for children is something that resonates worldwide. Malaysia has banned under-16s from accessing social media. Indonesia has applied an age gated approach with restrictions. Brazil has implemented an under-14s ban, and France has an under-15s ban coming into force in September this year. I could go on.”
“For instance, information obtained by those third parties could challenge or contradict what a platform has reported about its own compliance efforts. This information could also reveal that measures claimed to be in place are not actually working as intended. This helps ensure that platforms cannot rely solely on their own representations without scrutiny, transparency and accountability. Overall, these changes will give the eSafety Commissioner a more complete and a more accurate picture of how platforms are operating in practice day to day. With better access to evidence, the commissioner will be in a stronger position to thoroughly investigate potential breaches and, where appropriate, take enforcement action to ensure that this is a law that is properly followed.”
“The second part of this bill strengthens the information-gathering powers of the eSafety Commissioner, which means the compliance of platforms can be assessed when required. The amendments specifically give the eSafety Commissioner stronger powers to request information and documents from any relevant party where there are reasonable grounds to believe that they hold material related to compliance with the minimum-age framework. Importantly, this extends to information provided by third parties, such as age verification services or app store operators, which can help verify, support or challenge the claims made by platforms about their compliance. This includes situations where it is necessary to determine whether a particular service falls within the scope of the law or is meeting those very important obligations.”
“Currently, noncompliance with the minimum-age obligations can result in a penalty of 30,000 units, or a total of $49.5 million. This will increase to 60,000 penalty units, increasing the maximum penalty up to $99 million. This change is designed to increase accountability and send a very clear message that platforms are expected to take the minimum-age requirements seriously and fully meet their obligations. By strengthening the consequences for noncompliance, this aims to deter weak enforcement and encourage more proactive steps to protect our young users. It also brings the penalty framework into line with recent updates to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, ensuring consistency across Australia's regulatory approach and reinforcing that these are obligations that carry real weight and real consequences.”
“These are parents who need someone on their side, and this is a Labor government that is on their side. The Prime Minister made it clear that the leaders for this reform have been parents who have undergone unimaginable pain, and I was incredibly privileged to meet one of those parents in Mia Bannister recently. She came to my daughter's early learning centre, and her role there was to educate other parents, to explain what had happened to her and to talk about the impacts that social media can have on everyone's lives. This is about backing Mia in and this is about backing every parent like her in. This bill takes aim at these platforms in two ways. Firstly, it will increase the maximum civil penalty substantially.”
“This includes practices such as allowing users under 16 to keep retrying age checks until they get through. It could be failing to stop underage users from quickly setting up new accounts after theirs have already been shut down. And we've also seen reporting systems that are difficult to use or ineffective for parents and others trying to flag underage accounts. When you talk to parents, these algorithms, these platforms are the things that keep them up at night. They're worried about what their children are watching. They're worried about the profound impact it may have on their lives. They've heard the stories and they don't want to be another example. It is one of the defining challenges of modern parenting not just in this country but around the world.”
“From the first discussions, Labor has acknowledged that this fast-changing space would require us to adapt accordingly and to make sure that legislation reflected that adaptation and that change. Fighting for the safety of Australian children online is a fight that we are more than willing to have. It's a fight that we should have and it's a fight that we are having. The eSafety Commissioner is currently investigating the compliance of five platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube. This bill strengthens the investigation and enforcement framework for the eSafety Commissioner. So what have these platforms in particular been doing? The eSafety Commissioner's compliance update shows that many of them seem to be doing the very bare minimum to comply instead of taking real, robust and strong action to protect young people.”
“Those of us in this chamber and this place are guilty of sitting up late at night, scrolling through and watching videos; there's no doubt about that. But we did not have the misfortune of growing up in an environment where that was available at the absolute developing moments, the moments when you're deeply impressionable, and this is about safeguarding our children against that. These features are not accidental. They're deliberately engineered to maximise engagement, and this is often at the expense of time; face-to-face socialising; family life, such as playing putt putt with your mum; school work; wellbeing; and development. Scrolling on social media can consume hours of the day and can continue late into the night. That's why the Albanese Labor government is not leaving this important work unfinished.”
“However, in March 2026, the eSafety Commissioner, the independent regulator, publicly released a compliance update which highlighted that a significant number of Australian children under 16 still maintain social media accounts or have found ways to create new accounts by circumventing existing age-verification measures, and that's not good enough. The pressure and reach of these platforms are far from harmless. These platforms are designed to draw people in. They're designed to hold attention. They impact lives. When it comes to young people, that impact is not momentary. It can last a lifetime. Algorithm driven feeds, endless scrolling, constant alerts and unhealthy popularity measures all work together to capture and keep young people's focus.”
“When you chat to young people, it's not long before someone mentions their favourite YouTuber or asks if you've seen a particular reel or TikTok and then shares it with you, much in the way that in the past we used to reference the morning's newspaper headlines in everyday conversation. The social media companies that we're talking about here are large, influential, big and global. They've got resources, they've got expertise and they have the capacity to meet their obligations to uphold the social media ban for under-16s.”
“Since the ban, more than five million social media accounts belonging to under-16s have been removed, restricted or deactivated. Last December's ban, however, was not ever meant to be a one and done, because when you are on the leading edge, as we have been on this important reform, you must always strive to keep getting better. That's what this bill does. We need to keep pushing forward to protect young Australians from the constant and, quite frankly, powerful influence of social media. These days social media companies are big household names. I'm talking about platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube.”
“Another said: My daughter is six and she watches YouTube. She is already displaying signs of body issues, not wanting to eat, wanting to be beautiful. The rabbit hole that is available through the algorithms is horrible. This is the last one: Now I feel backed by the government and relieved that our country is taking the online safety of our youth seriously. Many parents are blind to what their kids get up to online. Those last two points are particularly impactful. They reflect a core priority of the Albanese Labor government: keeping Australians safe online and keeping Australian children safe online. That's the reason we're here today debating the Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2026.”
“On 10 December 2025, the Albanese Labor government launched the social media ban for children aged under 16. It captured global attention. It was lauded by world leaders as world leading, and it was celebrated by many other governments across the globe. But I want to take a moment to highlight how Australian parents and how Australian carers, the drivers of this law, reacted. I think that the quotes, while you may have heard them before, are worth repeating. Shortly after the ban came into effect, one mother said: Our son can no longer access his apps—this has already had a profound effect. This morning my son said, 'Mum, do you want to do something with me after school today, like putt putt or something else together?' Normally he would be consumed with his phone, watching mind-numbing videos.”
“Tomorrow, people who work at early childhood centres as educators and workers—the people who look after you every day—will get that 4.75 per cent pay rise. We welcome you to this House. Our job is to make your life better, and even though we live in a challenging time, your future is very bright.”
“Today there are three very special little visitors to the gallery: my niece, my nephews and my niece. They're just up there. And what an appropriate time for us to talk about what we do in this place and what the Labor government is delivering for Australians. Given that it's their first visit to Canberra, and their first visit to Parliament House, what greater day to visit than the day before 1 July. On 1 July—tomorrow—your mum and dad, along with every other taxpayer in this country, will get a tax cut. Tomorrow, if your parents or your friends' parents want to expand your family, they will be able to access 26 weeks of paid parental leave. Tomorrow, the first National Environmental Protection Agency will roll out and come into effect so that the environment that you will live and work and raise your families in will be protected.”
“In that moment he denies Lewis Lee, OAM, a pillar of my community, who is one of the cornerstones of our multicultural community on Brisbane's south side. In that press conference, he used the phrase 'it's pretty simple'. Well, to the Leader of the Opposition, I say: it's pretty simple; why can't you say the word?”
“In my first speech in this place, I spoke about my multicultural roots and my family, who immigrated to this place in the late 1800s from China. When they moved here, they built things. They built their families, and they helped build our community. Like so many other people in our country, they are a stark reminder that multiculturalism is not a new concept; it's an old one. It's one that's helped build this country. When the opposition leader stands up in front of a big media pack, when he's got all the cameras on him, when he denies multiculturalism and when he cannot get the word out of his mouth, in that moment, he denies Moo Yat Fah, who helped build the Darwin to Pine Creek Railroad. In that moment, he denies my grandfather, Harry HoyPang Moo, who fought for this country in World War II.”
“At the same time, it seeks to improve the efficiency of government operations by streamlining regulatory and administrative processes. Ultimately, workhorses such as this bill have an important role to play in the journey of so many Australians.”
“This bill will ensure safeguards are maintained for the community, while delivering sensible and practical amendments that will positively impact individuals, that will positively impact businesses and that will positively impact government agencies and their staff. The Albanese Labor government is looking at the big picture of regulatory reform, from small daily improvements which make things simpler for everyone and everyday Australians through to the unlocking of productivity and economic growth. This bill advances four key priorities designed to modernise and improve that regulatory environment. It aims to reduce complexity by simplifying requirements for business, making it easier for them to understand and comply with their obligations.”
“They have parents to care for. They have jobs to go to. Finding even the smallest ways to make their lives easier is important. It's not just important; it's worthwhile. Bills such as the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026 may not make the headlines tonight, but they're vital for our economy. Regulatory reform enables productivity growth. It boosts labour and it boosts capital availability for ongoing growth. Regulatory reform also directly improves people's lives in small ways that add up to big ways, with streamlined experiences meaning that people are spending less time dealing with those government services.”
“Finally, the Better Regulation Working Group is examining regulatory requirements and red tape within the higher education sector and will develop practical actions to reduce regulatory burden. What we have seen is technology change and systems move. We have more tools at our disposal now than ever. That means making sure that, where we have the opportunity to remove barriers, to take down roadblocks, to take down administrative burdens that are in place, we do take them down. And that's what this work is. It is part of a systematic working through of so many bills, so many departments, across this very big and broad Australian government, and we're taking the barriers down. We're taking them down so that people can use government as they intend. We know that people are busy. They have busy lives. They have kids to look after.”
“This review will identify processes that have excessive administrative and compliance burdens. It will also look into burdens imposed by larger organisations onto smaller businesses, such as contractual terms and proprietary platforms. Thirdly, the Treasury is conducting a project to modernise the National Construction Code with the aim of decreasing the number of state-by-state variations and testing AI tools. The next review concerns the Board of Taxation's Red Tape Reduction Review, which will provide a report to the Treasury by 30 June this year on ways to reduce red tape in our taxation system. In the meantime, the Council on Federal Financial Relations is reviewing approval pathways for data centres and seeking to reduce barriers to setting up new data centres.”
“We know that, where administrative burden can be removed, we know that, where costs can be made more affordable, and we know that, where pathways can be streamlined, that work must be done. As I said at the outset, it might not be the most interesting topic for many people, but it's important because it impacts on people's lives every single day. The government is also instigating targeted reviews of sectors where there are overlapping or duplicate regulatory burdens on businesses. There are six reviews currently underway. The first is the Council of Financial Regulators investigation into financial sector regulation, which is expected to result in $961 million in regulatory burden reduction. Another example is the 'white tape' review being driven by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.”
“This will reduce the administrative demands on older Australians as well as on Australian consular staff, who are often involved in helping complete those certificates. These are just a few examples of the amendments contained in this bill, amendments that reduce compliance time and costs and improve Australians' experience of dealing with government services. Australians come to governments when they need help. Australians come to governments when things might not be going well. That experience should be a good one, should be an effective one, should be an efficient one. That's what this bill does. The work doesn't stop here, however. As part of Labor's commitment to continuous improvement, the government will continue to bring forward omnibus reform bills regularly. Our work is not done in this space.”
“For example, it removes the requirement to cancel nominee arrangements with Services Australia in writing. Nominees are authorised individuals who support people receiving social security, family assistance or paid parental leave by helping them manage their dealings with Services Australia. The changes in this bill mean that nominees who wish to cancel their nominee appointment do not need to follow up a phone call with written notification. Instead, they can simply 'tell us once'. It also improves the experience of certain Commonwealth pension recipients aged 80 and over who have lived outside Australia for two or more consecutive years. The amendments mean that Services Australia will, in some instances, be able to use information it has already obtained from other sources instead.”
“Businesses must complete and submit their data for the current cycle but also set new targets for the next one at the same time, increasing the overall administrative workload. This bill simplifies this process by adding a 12-month period at the end of a target cycle. This will give employers time and space to develop well-considered meaningful targets. It allows more time for a detailed review of the previous cycle, which will lead to better informed planning. Ultimately this will drive more lasting progress toward gender equality in our workplaces across this nation. The Regulatory Reform Omnibus Act 2025 focused on promoting a 'tell us once' framework for dealing with government services. This bill backs in that concept and extends it.”
“By requiring employers to collect and publish data on pay, workforce composition and policies, it encourages organisations to identify and address gender gaps such as pay inequality and underrepresentation in leadership. Having women in leadership roles isn't just about equality. We know that businesses that have diversity in their leadership go better. They have better outcomes and therefore become better drivers of our nation's economy. This is a practical tool for improving both workplace culture and economic outcomes. We know that advancing gender equality boosts workforce participation, improves productivity and contributes to stronger long-term economic growth. However, this reporting can also be complex for businesses, many of whom are struggling with time. There is currently added regulatory pressure at the end of a target cycle.”
“If an IP attorney is found guilty of misconduct, it will be harder for them to reregister. The bill also grants plant breeders a six-month grace period to renew their rights if they are behind in their annual renewal fee. Plant breeders currently lose their rights automatically if that payment is late. The amendment means that these valuable rights are not automatically lost due to a timing error due to an administrative error. A second focus of this bill is workplace gender equality reporting. This reporting is important because it promotes transparency and accountability. We know that when women participate in our society—in our workforces—the economy does better, and it is a driver of better economic outcomes.”
“Let's take a look at some of the specific measures in this bill. First, the bill will update Australia's trademark and intellectual property laws to make them fit for purpose. It will implement an enhanced system for registration and management, making it less onerous for small businesses to protect their brands. In a trademark dispute, the register of trademarks is currently limited to a fixed schedule of costs to be awarded, regardless of the amount spent in legal fees. The amendments in this bill will give the registrar flexibility to determine costs, which will provide business with confidence in the system and deter poor behaviour. To maintain public confidence in the IP attorney profession, the bill will ensure that investigations and discipline of patent and trademark attorneys can progress, even if an attorney deregisters.”
“He set out the government's approach to tackling the challenges facing us by promoting responsible savings, improving intergenerational fairness and building a stronger, more productive and more resilient economy. The keyword here is 'productive'. Increased productivity is how we will boost wages and incomes, leading to improving living standards. It's how we'll grow our economy sustainably and put downward pressure on prices, by improving efficiency and by lowering costs for everyday Australians. And it's how we will strengthen our economic resilience, helping businesses and workers better adapt to global shocks and changes. A key mechanism for achieving these aims is better regulation. The rules which people follow need to promote a fair and streamlined system. This is where this bill comes in.”
“It's focused on increasing regulatory certainty and decreasing the cost of compliance for Australian businesses. The need for this was affirmed by the 2025 Economic Reform Roundtable and the Productivity Commission, and it's part of Labor's strategy to boost a more agile, robust and efficient economy. Regulatory reform like this might not be the No. 1 thing on everyone's discussion list, but it is important because it helps Australians access the essential services that they rely on more quickly and more easily. It's useful to look at this bill in the context of the current economic debate, the current economic climate and the current economic landscape, which has been affected by the global oil shock and events beyond our shores and beyond our control. Last month the Treasurer laid down the 2026-27 federal budget.”
“The Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2025 passed the Senate six months ago. I mention this because the passage of that bill was an important step in the Albanese Labor government's regulatory reform agenda. It contained 60 measures that improved efficiencies in 13 different government agencies, and these measures were designed to decrease the day-to-day regulatory burden on Australians, on industry and on service providers, and to increase government efficiency. And here we are again today for a very similar reason—to debate the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2026. Like its predecessor, this is a comprehensive bill. It contains 21 measures, amends 26 different acts, repeals two acts and will enhance the operation of 19 different government agencies.”