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 member for New England is trying to swindle us with the idea that he put forward—that you have to be a believer for the climate to affect you. I can assure you that, whether you believe in climate change or whether, like the member for New England, you don't believe in climate change, it is coming and we must do something about it. The member for New England said that we are alone. He said that Australians should sit on their hands when it comes to this because we can't do anything about it. Well, I disagree. When it comes to climate change, we don't get to put our heads in the sand—or, should I say, we don't get to lie on the concrete. We don't get to lie on the concrete when it comes to climate change.”
“I did have a speech written, but I believe that the member for New England's speech deserves a bit of a change of plan from me. The member for New England said the idea that we can change the climate—the idea that we can do anything or that Australia should stand up and do something when it comes to climate change—is a 'swindle'. He said it was a 'swindle' and he said it was 'insane'. The member for New England is the real swindler when it comes to climate change. He's trying to swindle people into believing that batteries and storing energy won't make energy cheaper, but what we know is that it will. He's trying to swindle Australians into believing that nuclear energy is the great panacea, the thing that can get them there when it comes to climate change and saving money and energy, but we know that it won't.”
“The member for Fadden talks about being passionate about that great Australian dream. If he want to do something, if he wants to deliver on housing affordability, he better come over to this side of the chamber, because that's where the business gets done.”
“It's the Colorbond roof on the bricks and mortar or the VJs of an old Queenslander. Home is important because it helps us build for the future; it helps us plan. We talk about five per cent deposits. What five per cent deposits do is get people into their first homes. Five per cent deposits also mean people are not contributing to someone else's mortgage; they're contributing to their own. What have we seen when it comes to Labor? We've seen half a million homes built since Labor was elected, compared to a measly 373 homes over nine years from those opposite. And we are on our way to delivering 1.2 million homes, an ambitious target that will help make houses more affordable. We've seen the future fund delivering more than 55,000 social and affordable homes. We are training more tradies who have the skills to build more homes.”
“On 31 October, just a few days ago, one of the members of my local team, Kane, and his partner, Jaxen, bought their first home, and do you know how they bought their first home? They put down a five per cent deposit. Within one month of a Labor policy coming to fruition to allow first home owners to put down a five per cent deposit to own their own home, they were able to do that. Kane and Jaxen were like many other young people who had been scrimping and saving to put together that 20 per cent, and they couldn't do it, but then Labor introduced a five per cent deposit for first home buyers. That is the difference when we talk about what we've seen from across the chamber and what we've seen from Labor. Home is symbolic of security, it's symbolic of safety and it's symbolic of stability, but it's also something very tangible.”
“So, when the member for Fadden gets up here and talks about housing, what we know is that they talk a big game but that when it comes to housing—when it comes to actually fixing the fundamental challenge, which is supply—they have never done anything to make a real difference. In fact, when we look at what the coalition's track record is on housing, we see that it has only ever acted to make housing less affordable—less affordable for the young people in my electorate who are worried that they will never own a home, and less affordable for those parents with adult children who are worried that the kids will not be able to get that Australian dream and build a future with a home.”
“In their nine years in government, what did we see? Three hundred and seventy-three homes built in nine years. That is part of not an Australian dream but an Australian nightmare. What did we see? We saw that they didn't even have a housing minister for most of the time that they were in government. That is not part of an Australian dream; that is part of a coalition nightmare. We saw them fail to support free TAFE, and free TAFE is about making sure not only that our young people have cost-of-living relief but also that we are building the trades and skills of the future that we need to build those homes. Failing to support that is not the Australian dream; it is a coalition nightmare.”
“I've got news for the member for Fadden, because, when the member for Fadden talks about the fact that the great Australian dream is being snatched away, those doing the snatching are sitting right opposite. Those doing the snatching are those in the coalition. Those opposite are the ones who have turned that Australian dream into a nightmare. The member for Fadden has to take a cold, hard look at what the coalition has done when it comes to housing. Not only have we seen decades and decades of neglect when it comes to investment in housing, but we've also seen a coalition who talk a big game, bring something to the chamber and then can't look themselves in the eye to see what they've done when it comes to housing policy. Let's have a look at what we've seen from this coalition not just over a couple of years but over many, many years.”
“Anniversaries give us the opportunity to reflect. They acknowledge those, from First Nations people through to a myriad of ethnic communities, who have made a difference and a big impact on this country economically, socially and culturally. We all make a difference—individuals, community organisations and government. I see this every day in my electorate of Moreton. But this anniversary is also a reminder that we must continue to fight for what we believe in when it comes to racial discrimination.”
“It is nice to talk about colour and vibrancy and clothing from all of the many parts of our globe, but it is not enough. It is nice to talk about the beautiful dancing and music and culture that so many different communities bring to our community, but it is not enough. When we support our multicultural communities, when we stand against racial discrimination, we have to back them in, not just with words, not just with niceties, but with action. I say to our multicultural communities, to those who have experienced racial discrimination, to those who have experienced the hurt that can come from people treating you differently for the way you look: Labor stands with you. We stand with you not just today, as we celebrate an important milestone with the Racial Discrimination Act, but we stand with you every single day, and we will back you.”
“And, when you do the math, that's a lot. It was a time when I came to know what a dog whistle sounds like. And I think that, when you look like me, you do know what that sounds like. When you look like Minister Aly, you do know what that sounds like. So I did actually want to talk about something that the minister says, because I think it is a really important point when it comes to multiculturalism in this country. The minister talks about going beyond the concept of food when we talk about multiculturalism. I want to explain this. It's the idea that, when you stand up for multiculturalism, you stand up against racism, and you stand up for that melting pot that we are so proud of. It is nice to talk about food and how good all of the different types of cuisine that we get from across the globe are, but it is not enough.”
“They make us collectively better, because it's not only those differences that we bring that make us stronger; it's also the fact that we share fundamental values as Australians that sits behind that and drive us together as a country to make it stronger. As I said before, legislation in this space is necessary but insufficient. We can never take for granted the tapestry that we have woven when it comes to our multicultural country. The concern that I have at the moment is that there are people who are pulling at the threads of that tapestry. There are people who are picking away at that and want to make the multicultural success something of the past. It starts as a dog whistle, but it ends with a drumbeat. I grew up in the 1990s in Queensland. It was a time when Pauline Hanson and One Nation held 11 seats in the parliament out of 89.”
“Over 29 per cent of Australia's population was born overseas and 48 per cent of Australians have a parent born overseas. The top five countries of birth in Australia by number in 2021? England, India, China, New Zealand, Philippines. I am incredibly proud to represent the most multicultural electorate in all of Queensland. My electorate has 39 per cent of people who were born overseas. And can I tell you that Australia is absolutely a multicultural success story? It's a multicultural success story, and, whether you call that a melting pot or whether you call it a salad, we are stronger for it. We're stronger for it because our differences—our differences in terms of experiences, what we bring to the table—make us collectively better.”
“In 1995, we saw amendments to this act, amendments on racial vilification, to make it unlawful in section 18C. These laws, all of them, are important, but they are not enough, because laws are not enough to change something. Laws help us set the framework to get there, but it is all of us who must make them real, who must bring them to life, who must ensure that those fundamental values of fairness, of equality, are upheld every single day, not just when we put an act through the parliament. This act is underpinned by those principles, of equality, of fairness. Australia has the world's oldest continuous culture, as well as non-Indigenous Australians, who identify with over 300 different ancestries. It is estimated that, before British colonisation, over 250 First Nations languages and 800 dialects were in use in this country.”
“It makes it against the law to treat someone unfairly because of their race, because of their colour, because of their descent, because of their national or ethnic origin or immigration status. It is rooted in the idea of fairness and that it doesn't matter what colour your skin is. You should be treated equally. For employment, it prohibits discrimination during job advertisements, recruitment, selection processes, training, decisions, promotions and employment terms. In services, it makes it unlawful for service providers, including banks, insurance providers, government departments and transport providers, to discriminate against someone based on their race. In housing, it makes it unlawful to discriminate in renting or in buying.”
“The test was administered 1,359 times prior to 1909, with just 52 people granted entry to Australia. After 1909, not a single migrant made to sit the test passed it. This is our history. It's something that we must remember. After World War II, the Chifley government began to relax the policy to allow refugees from continental Europe to come to Australia. This included those who fit the image of White Australia and that ideal but also migrants from other backgrounds in regulated numbers. In the 1970s the Whitlam government, a Labor government, completely eliminated it. The first piece of federal legislation to make racial discrimination unlawful in Australia was the Racial Discrimination Act. It was introduced by the Whitlam government and passed on 11 June 1975. Today and this year, we celebrate its 50th anniversary.”
“But there was a break. Can I tell you—in 1901 the doors were shut to people who looked like me. The doors were shut to people who looked like my family. In December 1901, the Immigration Restriction Act came into law. It was among one of the first pieces of legislation that was introduced. It was designed to limit non-British migration to Australia, and it represented the formal establishment of what we now know as the White Australia policy. The act gave immigration officers the power to make any non-European migrant sit a 50-word dictation test—initially in any European language and, after 1905, in any prescribed language, with languages chosen at the discretion of the immigration officer. It was easy to ensure failure for migrants deemed undesirable—failure of people who looked like me.”
“I'm incredibly proud to be one of the 15 per cent of Australians of Chinese heritage in my local electorate on Brisbane's south side—Moreton. My family immigrated to this country from China in the late 1800s. My gong gong's family, the Moo family, came to Darwin first. We suspect that perhaps their name wasn't originally spelt or pronounced 'Moo', m-o-o. My po po's family immigrated again at the same rough time to Melbourne—the Lau Gooey family. We suspect that that name may not have been spelt g-o-o-e-y. This was the world that my family came into. It has been almost 150 years that they've been here, and there are so many different families with a similar story to mine. People from different multicultural backgrounds contributing to our economy, contributing to our culture, contributing to our society—that is something that continues.”
“Passing this legislation promptly gives employers, payroll providers, super funds and the ATO the time that they need to prepare for the July 2026 date. Every delay means more workers missing out and more money lost that could have supported their retirement, and Australians are too important for that to happen.”
“There is absolutely strong support for aligning super payments with wages—that much is very clear. The bill reflects stakeholder feedback in terms of IT system readiness, hence the support for a compliance approach and seven business days to pay. Last night I talked about the fact that superannuation is a great Labor reform. It sits alongside the dismantling of WorkChoices. It sits alongside the introduction of Medicare, and, for the minister in front of me, perhaps, one day it will sit alongside the introduction of our great batteries program. It sits alongside those because, at its heart, it's about dignity for working people. At its heart, it's about getting Australians what they deserve. At its heart, it's about setting people up for their future. And there is no doubt that it is vital to act on this now.”
“This is about making sure that we help small businesses, that we help businesses who are trying to do the right thing to do the right thing. This reform also benefits employers by aligning with payroll. It reduces the end-of-quarter administrative pressure and the risk of large liabilities building up. We are trying to ease the burden by smoothing out some of the challenges and liabilities, but also, again, by making it fair. And we have undertaken stakeholder feedback. Treasury consulted on the draft legislation from March to April 2025, receiving 167 submissions and engaging with more than 200 stakeholders across roundtables, bilateral meetings, talking with our communities, talking with business, talking with people about what this will mean for them.”
“Single Touch Payroll data is already reported, and this data-matching capability means earlier intervention, it means fewer unrecoverable debts and it means better outcomes for working people in this country. To support this rollout, the government is investing more than $400 million. This is $400 million to get more than $5 billion back into the pockets of the hardworking Australians who have earned this money—a very small price to pay for peace of mind, for entitlement to what they earn now for their future and for their dignity in retirement. Importantly, the ATO will take a facilitative approach in the first year by helping employers who genuinely tried to comply, even if they face technical challenges.”
“If someone didn't pay you your wage, there would be consequences. If someone doesn't pay you your super, there must be consequences. And if they still don't pay, employers will face penalties of up to 50 per cent of the unpaid amount. It's a big stick for a big problem. Labor wants employers to fix mistakes quickly and ensure workers are compensated if those mistakes happen. And the ATO will use Single Touch Payroll data and match it with super funds data to detect missed payments quickly—almost in real time. When we talk about updating legislation, when we talk about rectifying challenges, we need to use the full force of what we have in terms of technology. We need to make sure that we are using the digital space for good, and we are using it to make our systems fairer. That's what this is about.”
“The ATO can match missed payments early, before they become unrecoverable. And don't forget we are talking about $5.2 billion here in unpaid super. The upshot is a secure future, easier to track your pay when it comes to superannuation and the ability to plan for your future. The bill increases the superannuation guarantee charge. This is the penalty employers face when they don't pay super on time. It will now apply for each and every payday. Updated superannuation guarantee charges means that notional earnings to compensate for workers lost investment returns will be included. It means an administrative uplift, additional charges to reflect enforcement costs and inspire employers to voluntarily rectify, and choice loading penalties if employers ignore their employees selected funds.”
“It's something that we all learned in primary school, and it's something that, when it comes to super, means that even the smallest changes, even the smallest number, the smallest amount that you have not been paid for the super that you've earned now, can have an enormous impact when it comes to your retirement. That's what this bill is all about. It's about making sure that there is fairness, that you get what you deserve, that you get what you earn, that you get what you are entitled to when it comes to superannuation. From 1 July 2026, employers will be required to pay super at the same time they pay wages—not quarterly, not later, not never, but on payday. Contributions must reach the employee's fund within the seven business days. It's simple, but it's an effective change. Workers can check that they have been paid.”
“ATO investigations show that a typical case of missing super can equate to two years worth of contributions. It's a big impact and it's a big impact on those who are the most vulnerable in our society. For an average 35-year-old, that could impact their retirement savings by $35,000 worth of contributions. We're talking about a big impact. We're talking about big money. We're talking about the kind of numbers that can change people's lives and make them better or, without that money, make them worse. Another way young people are losing out is when a business goes bust. The same 35-year-old could lose $90,000 off their super. When we talk about super, it's important to remember the concept of compounding interest.”
“If you're a teacher grading papers, putting together a lesson plan, you deserve your super. If you're an early childhood educator like the ones looking after my daughter and the many children who go to day care and kindy every day, you deserve to be paid your super. If you're a sparky working on a big project or on someone's home, you deserve to be paid your super. If you're a nurse—many of whom do shift work—looking after people when they're sick, you deserve to be paid your super. If you work in retail at the checkout, you deserve to be paid your super. It doesn't matter what profession you are in, everyone deserves it, because they've earned it. Unpaid super particularly hurts younger Australians and those in insecure jobs the most, the ones who can least afford to lose out on super payments.”
“It's not something that comes on top of your wage. It is part of your wage, and because of that it is an entitlement. It's something that you deserve, not something that you should have to scrap or scrape for. It's something that you have earned. The ATO estimates that $5.2 billion in super went unpaid in 2021-22. That is $100 million per week—every week, $100 million gone, $100 million that workers earned but were never paid. That's not just a number. That's people's futures being short-changed. That's their lives being short-changed. That is the hard work, the toil, that they have put in day in, day out that has not been given to them. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025 will ensure that workers actually receive the super that they are owed when they are owed it.”
“It was the same thing they said when we introduced Medicare: that it wouldn't work, that it wasn't okay, that we'd all be ruined. They said something incredibly similar when it came to an increase in the minimum wage just recently. When the Prime Minister said that he would increase the minimum wage, and he said 'Absolutely,' those opposite thought that it was a joke. Those opposite thought that it wasn't possible. We on this side of the House say that not only is it possible; it makes the lives of Australians better, it makes their retirements more dignified, and it makes the system fairer. This is a long-overdue reform. Payday super is not just a policy change. It's a fundamental fix to a broken system that has allowed billions in superannuation to go unpaid. When it comes to superannuation, this is not a bonus. It's not an extra.”
“Globally, twice the rate of international peers, super is a great Australian success story. It gives millions of everyday Australians the chance to live the life they want in retirement, while saving the budget money over the long term. It's a win-win. I am incredibly proud to be part of a Labor government that continues to bolster it and make it fairer for hardworking Australians. Make no mistake about it: we are the envy of the world when it comes to our superannuation system. We are a world leader in securing financial independence for all Australians. We need to remember what the coalition said at the time super was first introduced. What they said was that we'd all be ruined. They said that this was something that would collapse our economy. They said that it wouldn't work.”
“In contrast the final budget outcome from 2024-25 confirms that the Albanese Labor government has delivered the largest nominal budget improvement ever achieved in a single term. The work to repair the budget started on day one, and since then Labor's responsible economic management has turned two Liberal deficits into two Labor surpluses. In our third year, we have substantially reduced the deficit and have been committed to paying down debt. While the opposition only care about themselves, Labor is focused every day on delivering a responsible budget and spending that supports Australians.”
“Let's take a closer look at those achievements. When Labor came to government in May 2022 the Australian economy was under severe strain, and the economic outlook was bleak. Inflation had surged to 6.1 per cent and was continuing to rise. Thanks to years of policy confusion and inaction, everyday Australians were left with a severe housing shortage and limited access to vital healthcare services. Wage growth was stagnant, and there was instability in the energy sector. The coalition's report card for their years in government included a litany of broken promises and failures, and they said that they'd offset spending, but net decisions were negative for four in five of their budget updates.”
“They would cut health investment, and we have seen them do that again and again. It's absolutely a stalking horse to hide their track record when it comes to the budget because we know what they did when they were in government. Budget deficits are the hallmarks of an LNP government. When it comes to this government, not only are we undoing what they did in when they were in government but we are also investing in everyday Australians. We have heard from four members of the opposition on this topic this afternoon and they have complicated what is in essence a very simple conversation about contrast. On the one hand you have proven fiscal record—unfortunately, one of deficit for the coalition honed over nine years of economic mismanagement—and contrasting that, on the other hand, you have the achievements of the Albanese Labor government.”
“But after listening to speaker after speaker from the coalition, I have found that this debate is not about that. This debate is a stalking horse for the coalition's priorities right now and those priorities are themselves. Because while Labor is focused on delivering for everyday Australians, the coalition is focused on infighting, on chaos and on themselves. What have we heard from the LNP, from the opposition people who have been speaking on this debate today? We have heard a lot about the denial of climate change. We've heard a lot about how they don't believe net zero should be a policy. We've heard a lot about what shouldn't be spent. When the LNP and opposition talk about what shouldn't be spent, that is a cover for what they would cut. We know what they cut because they've told us. They would cut free TAFE.”
“Where else do the LNP think the Albanese Labor government's spending, which is prioritised on the things that matter to people most, is astonishing? Second, we've spent money on housing, with five per cent deposits, and on making sure this government is investing in building houses so our young people and people trying to get into the market for the very first time have the ability to have a house when it matters most. Third is the cost of living. This is astonishing, particularly when you look at the LNP's track record on the investment that this government has sought to make into costs of living, with 20 per cent off student debt, much cheaper medicines and free TAFE. When I came here today, I expected a debate on what is important to the Australian people when it comes to spending.”
“When the member for Herbert opened his speech today he said, 'Let's look at what this government spends money on,' because he believed that it was quite astonishing. He said it was quite astonishing, and I want to have a look at what this government spends money on. Let's find out what the members opposite think is quite astonishing. First, the Albanese government has its eye firmly fixed on health care—on investing in urgent care clinics that make health care more accessible and more affordable in our suburbs; on bulk billing—making sure bulk-billing doctors are everywhere across our nation; and on women's health—making the biggest investment into women's health that this country has ever seen.”
“Young people deserve affordable housing, rental security, and fair chances to buy homes one day. To build a future where young people thrive, we need a government that invites us into the decision-making process, and shows us that our voices truly matter. These are not my words today. They're the words of 19-year-old Sahar from Moreton. Sahar participated in the Raise Our Voice in Parliament program. As part of that program, young people have a platform to share their ideas. I'm so proud and privileged to be able to share Sahar's ideas with you today.”
“(): When I think about 'building a better tomorrow', I think about what young people need. We need action on mental health: more school counsellors, youth mental health hubs, and accessible help. Education is another place where we need change. We are told to dream big, but sometimes it feels like we are being prepared for a world that no longer exists. Schools should teach us skills for the future and provide pathways into trades, STEM, aviation, technology and healthcare. We need programs that connect first-time job seekers with real opportunities and paid internships. Every young person should graduate feeling capable and confident that there is a place for them in the workforce. It's hard to imagine a future where we can be independent when even renting is becoming impossible.”
“This bill is an example of responsive and responsible leadership by the Albanese Labor government. It will ensure a fit-for-purpose ART and provide greater efficiency and certainty for applicants. If we go back to 1975, when the AAT was created—by a Labor government—and look at the fundamental principles that sat behind the creation of the original tribunal, that is what this bill is about. The AAT was created to make sure that merits review was fair and that, when it came to decisions of government, people had a place to go to put their case forward for review. This bill upholds those fundamental principles and makes the ART fit for purpose so that we have fairness, transparency and a clear review process that deals with people's issues efficiently every single day. I commend the bill to the House.”
“It is designed to enable quick and fair decision-making and timely outcomes for applicants. This bill does not stop applicants from putting a comprehensive case before the ART. What it does do is give the tribunal the tools to process cases efficiently and fairly, and it upholds the merits review system, which is absolutely critical to Australian legal processes. It also bolsters public confidence in the ART and strengthens the integrity of our visa and migration system. Tribunal decisions on the basis of written reviews will increase efficiency and save money, meaning more applicants will be able to have their matters considered. It will also efficiently and reliably address the unprecedented increase in applications for student visas. In 2024-25 student visa refusal matters accounted for almost 40 per cent of all lodgements to the ART.”
“This means faster processing time for applicants, and it means that people who are seeking to make these kinds of applications will have answers more quickly. Fundamentally, the ART is about ensuring a fair merits review process, with an opportunity to have one's case heard. It is about making sure that people are treated with procedural fairness. An important part of that process is people getting answers within a reasonable amount of time. The efficiencies that are put forward in this bill are all about making sure that people get an answer as soon as possible. Administrative review continues to be an important feature of our legal system. While part of the system, the ART is not a court and does not have the same legal, procedural and evidential rules.”
“The bill also amends the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 to give the tribunal more power to choose to make a decision based on written materials rather than an oral hearing on other processes regarding temporary visas. Safeguards in place include that the matter at hand be determinable without an oral hearing, that it is reasonable to rely on written submissions and that all parties to the matter have been able to make submissions as to whether an oral hearing is, indeed, required. These changes to the functions of the ART mean that the highly experienced and expert ART members will be able to spend more of their time assessing the content and circumstances of applications as opposed to sitting in hearings and managing caseload processes.”
“The tribunal can also continue to request additional information regarding the matter at hand. These amendments to the Migration Act 1958 are a reasonable and efficient approach to take with student visas, which are short term and in relatively low volume. These adjustments will help clear the review's backlog, give genuine applicants peace of mind and deter people who aren't genuine from using the system to just stay longer. It will be possible to add additional temporary visa types to this category in the future, but it is important to note that permanent and protection visas will not be assessed in this way. These matters are inherently more complex and, in the case of protection visas, often concern a more vulnerable cohort.”
“We're talking about sensible efficiency here—efficiency that can be achieved without sacrificing the robustness of process or procedural fairness that is inherent in the work of the ART. The measures contained in this bill were informed by the Rapid Review into the Exploitation of Australia's Visa System in 2023, otherwise known as the Nixon review. As a result, all student visa refusal matters will undergo this new, on-the-papers process. Student visas are appropriate for on-the-papers reviews due to the nature of the issues under review, the temporary nature of the visa and the low volume of relevant documentation. The tribunal will still be required to give applicants the opportunity to make written submissions, as well as giving applicants certain adverse information and requesting return comment.”
“We don't want applicants left waiting without an answer for months, particularly when an efficient merits review would provide a response. Put simply, people need clarity. People need clarity because clarity allows them to plan their future, plan for their family and plan what they are going to do next. Currently, oral hearings are required in the majority of circumstances, even when matters could be investigated and resolved through written submissions. Written submissions which rely on objective facts, such as the presentation of a specific document or the eligibility for a visa, demonstrate how a matter can be reviewed efficiently 'on the papers', meaning no oral hearing is required.”
“Every year, tens of thousands of Australians depend on this process to challenge decisions that can profoundly affect their lives, their families' lives and their futures—decisions that determine whether someone receives a permanent visa, qualifies for the pension, secures veterans compensation or obtains essential NDIS support. That is why public trust in the tribunal is a non-negotiable. It's an absolute must. It's fundamental. In terms of this bill, the ART has been operational since October 2024. During this time it has become apparent that some of its procedures require more flexibility. This bill addresses these matters and will lead to the timely resolution of emerging delays. This is mainly occurring with reviews concerning temporary migration.”
“The President of the Administrative Review Tribunal must be a judge of the Federal Court of Australia, and judicial deputy presidents must be a judge of either the Federal Court of Australia or the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Other appointments must be enrolled lawyers with varying degrees of substantial experience, specialised training or experience in relevant subject matter. This is important because the tribunal's work is absolutely vital. Its members are tasked with reviewing decisions made by government agencies, ensuring that laws and policies are applied correctly but also fairly.”
“After thorough consultation with the public, the Administrative Review Expert Advisory Group and multiple parliamentary committees, the Albanese Labor government legislated to replace the compromised and mismanaged AAT with a new body that Australians could trust: the Administrative Review Tribunal, or the ART. The important word here is 'trust'. Labor knew it was vital to restore public trust and confidence in our independent merits review system. Accordingly, one of the features of the new ART was a transparent, merit-based appointment process, independent of political influence, because people want to know that the process of merits review is fair and robust. People want to know that the process of merits review works in this country. The new ART outlined stringent qualification requirements.”
“Research by the Grattan Institute in 2022 revealed that a staggering 20 per cent of the AAT's 320 members had political connections to the appointing government. Worse still, many of these appointments bypassed merit-based selection processes. Some appointees lacked the necessary qualifications or experience. It was obvious that a body structured in this way could not credibly claim to be impartial or competent in reviewing government decisions. Labor came to government committed to providing the Australian people with an administrative review body that operated independently, free from political interference.”
“In July 2015 the former coalition government merged the Migration Review Tribunal, the Refugee Review Tribunal and the Social Security Appeals Tribunal into the AAT. Unfortunately, this consolidation was poorly executed and left behind a problematic legacy, including financial instability. When Labor came into government in 2022, we inherited an AAT that was labouring under a host of serious issues. The coalition left behind a tribunal that was overwhelmed by a massive backlog of cases and outdated digital systems that were ill equipped for modern demands, but these weren't the only changes. The tribunal was heavily influenced by political appointments. The former government appointed up to 85 individuals with direct ties to the Liberal Party, including former MPs, former candidates, staffers and close affiliates.”