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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“We talked to them about what investing in health care like that meant, we talked to them about the largest investment in women's health and we talked to them about how life changing it was to invest in oral contraceptives, to invest in support for menopause and to invest in making sure that women's health is a top priority. Around 150,000 women will save up to $370 per year from next January with the listing of three new menopausal hormone therapies. These are just a few of the examples of the cost-of-living relief that the PBS and this reform will provide. For some, the PBS listing is even more meaningful. It is simply life changing and potentially even life saving. Under the PBS, medicines that were prohibitively expensive become affordable.”
“Around 8,500 Australian women suffering from endometriosis could save more than $2,300 a year from the listing of specific medicines on the PBS. Similarly, around 50,000 women a year who use Yaz and Yasmin contraceptive pills, which are now on the PBS, will pay nearly one-quarter of the original amount annually from 1 January. It's incredibly fitting that the member for Cooper is in the chamber today, because the member for Cooper was absolutely instrumental in bringing forward a half-a-billion-dollar investment in women's health—the largest investment that this country has ever seen. I had the great privilege of hosting the member for Cooper in my local electorate in Brisbane, in Fairfield. What we did in Fairfield was talk with people in their homes.”
“It's a goal that is echoed in the 2022 National Medicines Policy, which has the aim of providing 'equitable, timely, safe and affordable access to high-quality and reliable supplies of medicines and medicine related services for all Australians.' Medicine affordability is the foundation of Labor's approach and the objective of this bill. As at end of June 2024, there were 930 medicines being subsidised by the government. That is 930 individual, accessible, high-quality, safe and affordable medicines. In recent months we've seen numerous additional medicines added. These include medicines for breast cancer, diabetes, endometriosis and depression, to name just a few. The financial relief is significant.”
“When you compare those legacies, you can see an incredibly stark difference, because, while Labor was creating Medicare, we know that the LNP and those opposite were cutting from health care, while Labor was investing in bulk-billing, we know that those opposite were trying to introduce a copayment, and while Labor is ensuring that everyday health care is being made accessible, whether that be through urgent care clinics, increasing bulk-billing or making sure that medicines are cheaper, those opposite are continually cutting from critical health services that Australians rely on every day.”
“When you compare the legacies of Labor and the coalition, what becomes clear is that Labor has always prioritised health care and, whether it's PBS medicines, investing in Medicare or making sure that women's health care is prioritised, it is Labor that has always led the way.”
“The legacy of these decades of work is that we cannot imagine Australia without a PBS and its provision of affordable medicines to all, because the PBS is not only something that is cherished in this country; it is something that is the envy of the world, ensuring that medication and health care are things that you don't have to worry about when it comes to your hip pocket. It is our responsibility to uphold and build on this legacy—to ensure that the PBS remains sustainable and continues to support Australian families. When we talk about threats to health care in this country, the biggest threat to health care in this country has always been those sitting on the other side of this chamber.”
“At this time, free medicines for pensioners and 139 life-saving and disease-preventing medicines were made free of charge to the general public. This initiative was reflective of core Labor values and a vision for a fairer Australia—one where every person, regardless of their financial circumstances, could live with dignity and with security. In 1953, the PBS was established under the National Health Act, which this bill amends, and in 1960 the PBS became more comprehensive, offering a wide range of medicines.”
“The PBS is a crucial part of Labor's ongoing commitment to making health care affordable, and its creation is central to the Labor story of social care, fairness and equality, because, when it comes to PBS medicines, when it comes to the accessibility and affordability of health care, it is what Labor does. It's in our DNA, it's in our bones, it's in our blood. And Labor has always taken a very clear stance that health care should be affordable and accessible. The Curtin Labor government first attempted to legislate to subsidise various antibiotics in the mid-1940s, but it was deemed unconstitutional by the High Court. The Constitution was subsequently amended, paving the way for the Chifley Labor government to introduce an initial version of the PBS in 1948.”
“So, despite the fact that he couldn't remember what medicines they necessarily took—and this is something that many people in our community face—what was clear is that his medicines and my mum's medicines were cheaper because of a Labor government. The formerly expensive medications such as the ones that my mum and dad take are made affordable thanks to the PBS. The current co-payment for a PBS medicine is $31.60 and from 1 January 2026, my dad and you, Deputy Speaker, my mum and I and everyone sitting in this chamber tonight will pay no more than $25 for a PBS medicine. In fact, millions of Australians will benefit when they purchase their everyday medication.”
“In preparation for this speech tonight, I decided that I would call my dad, because my mum is a diabetic and my dad—who has recently been through cancer and recovered, after a long bout of chemo—has also been in the wars a bit, having pneumonia following that bout of illness. What happened when I talked to my dad is: he said, 'Why do you want to know?' He then said: 'I take a lot of medicines and I don't know what they are.' But when we spoke for a little bit longer, he eventually got to the place where he started to talk about the medicines that he could remember himself and mum taking, and this is the list that he could get out. He said that they take Nexium; he said that mum takes Diamicron, Diabex and Glyxambi. And, when we looked each of those up, they are all PBS medicines.”
“People across Moreton have already saved $9,700,000 because of a Labor government when it comes to cheaper medicines. The Albanese Labor government's primary focus is providing cost-of-living relief, and we are delivering on that promise day in and day out. This legislation, the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025, will implement a cost-of-living measure that benefits everyone. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, or the PBS, is the mechanism that enables this. All of us here have experienced the positive impact of the PBS, from cheaper everyday medicines, to life-changing access to very expensive medicines, to 60-day scripts saving us both time and money.”
“Tonight I want to talk about my friend Ken. Ken lives in Yeronga in my electorate of Moreton. Ken is a long-term resident of Brisbane's south side. Ken raised his family on the south side in Brisbane and Ken is a bastion of our community—someone who has been deeply involved across the community for many, many years. Ken is also one of the millions of Australians who rely on medicines every day. That's what this bill is all about. Those who rely on medicines deserve to have accessible and affordable health care. When I talked to Ken about what cheaper medicines meant for him and his hip pocket, he told me that he saves $62 every month. That's not with this legislation in place; he already saves $62 every month from Labor's position, from Labor's legislation that already makes medicines cheaper.”
“Traditionally focused on health care, it expands that into new domains, and it marks a landmark for Australia's science and innovation, bridging that critical gap between university research and industry application so that what we think about and what we come up with in our universities can truly benefit our communities with secure work. This project brings together 21 industry partners—collaborations across different universities, from Griffith to La Trobe to RMIT—and brings in the critical work of the Australian Research Council to make sure that when we come up with things in universities they have a true impact in our community every day through critical jobs.”
“Wi-fi, Gardasil and modern solar cells—these are all things that are critical and important innovations from Australia. But too often the benefit and the uplift from critical innovations like this, whether in terms of the economy or of jobs, are not fully realised. That's why I'm delighted to be able to stand today to speak to you about MOBIUS. MOBIUS is a great project in the heart of my electorate of Moreton on Brisbane's south side. It's a project that is being fostered at Griffith University. And Griffith isn't just a university; it is a leader when it comes to innovation. This project advances Australia's biosensing sector.”
“The outcomes of that 2024-25 annual pricing review included recommending new prices for certain therapies where participants were paying more than other consumers, as well as restructuring and clarifying travel charges. What the NDIS is fundamentally about is making sure that some of the most vulnerable people in our community have the support they need every day, and the only way to do that—the only way to ensure this world-changing critical piece, this great institution introduced by Labor—is to make sure it is financially sustainable.”
“The annual price review is a key part of monitoring the scheme to ensure efficiency, equity and financial viability, and the National Disability Insurance Agency incorporates market data, research and public and industry engagement in its review, considering numerous factors such as changes to the minimum wage and the superannuation guarantee. In the last review, the agency also commissioned an independent report into pricing, focusing on a detailed examination of pricing data and patterns. The review is a rigorous process. It's a rigorous process in which this year more than 10 million therapy transactions were assessed and benchmarked with Medicare, private health insurance and 13 other government schemes.”
“The Albanese Labor government is focused on the sustainable growth of the NDIS, and Labor is also determined to ensure that prices are fairer for participants, providers and workers in the sector and that there is a transparency for the Australian taxpayer about that process and outcome. This means ensuring that participants are not overcharged. It also means that our investment in the NDIS has to go to our frontline workers and participants. It means clarity around pricing arrangements. It is the participants and the frontline workers of the NDIS who are the lifeblood of this scheme.”
“As Minister Butler recently said, Australia's NDIS has gone from a dream of generations of disability activists to an entrenched and beloved institution, and we need to keep it that way. To be able to keep it that way, what the NDIS needs is financial sustainability so that the NDIS remains a reality and remains a critical support for all of those participants who use it day in and day out. It is imperative we ensure the long-term viability of the NDIS so that future generations can access it, and Labor takes this responsibility incredibly seriously. Cost projections showed the annual cost of the NDIS would grow from about $35 billion in the 2022-23 year to more than $50 billion in the 2025-26 year and exceed $90 billion a year within a decade.”
“The principal there, Abby Kilfoy, and their P&C leader, Glen, know how critical that is, because everyone who is a person with disability deserves dignity, deserves support and deserves to participate in our community. That's what they do day in, day out at the Kuraby Special School, and, when it comes to the NDIS, they are some of the participants who make up the 717,000 people who now have the choice to control their own supports. It enables them to access reasonable and necessary services, supports and equipment for the care that they need, for the care that their families need, for the care that they deserve. In particular, they need that care to work towards personal goals and to access their community just as those students did when it came to the Kuraby Special School and the Ekka.”
“What I would say to this House is that it was on Labor's watch when the NDIS became a reality. People facing profound disability had not had the opportunity to seek that support until a Labor government put it into place. The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a critical Australian institution. It's a world-leading piece of public policy reform that, on the individual level, changes the lives of participants for the better, every single day. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet some of those participants at the Kuraby Special School family fun day. It's a day that's put on for kids with disability who do not get the opportunity to go to the Ekka.”
“Only a Labor government will continue to implement cost-of-living support; only a Labor government will stand up for working people; only a Labor government values their contributions, not just on one day but on every day; and only a Labor government will safeguard the penalty and overtime rates that they deserve for their hard work each and every day. I commend the bill to the House, and I want to make sure that people understand that this bill is for everyone who works every day and deserves those penalty rates. (Time expired)”
“This bill ensures the fair and decent treatment of award based workers, hardworking Australians who rely on penalty rates and overtime rates every single day. And this is in Labor's DNA. It's at our core. It's what we believe in. It's what we do every single day. We wake up in the morning with the drive to make sure that working people have a fair go, and you cannot have a fair go unless you are receiving what you need to when it comes to wages and when it comes to penalty rates. This is what this legislation is designed to do—to protect the fair go of working people in this country.”
“So, when we talk about this bill, we are not talking about an amorphous impact on something that we don't understand. We are talking about real working people and the impacts that penalty rates and overtime rates have on them every single day—and not only on them but on their families and their communities. It is important that this bill be passed urgently so the Fair Work Commission can apply the amended legislation to the cases of the retail, clerical and banking sectors that are currently before it. The amended legislation will come into effect the day after it receives royal assent, reflecting both this urgency to protect working people and the Albanese Labor government's commitment to implementing our election promises, something that we have seen again and again in these first two sitting weeks.”
“These are the things that this Albanese Labor government is delivering—not tomorrow, not the day after, not next year, but today and this week as our first priority as we come into this place. At the first speech I was able to make last week, I paid tribute to a number of local working people in my community. I paid tribute to Maria, a teacher aide in Acacia Ridge. I paid tribute to Brian, a blind-cleaning company scheduler in Annerley. I paid tribute to Ryan, a young apprentice tradie living in Salisbury. Each of these people have a story to tell when it comes to the economy of our nation. Each of these people make up the bedrock of what keeps our economy moving. And what they deserve is the wages and the entitlements that allow them to keep doing that for our country.”
“The right-to-disconnect legislation protects workers after they've clocked off for the day, and the closing loopholes legislation empowers casual employees, gig workers and truck drivers. Eligible casual employees can now choose whether they want to switch to a permanent basis at work. Those opposite wanted to walk this reform back, but the Australian people told us what they wanted on 3 May. The Australian people told us that they wanted cost-of-living relief. The Australian people told us that they wanted 20 per cent off student debt. The Australian people told us that they wanted cheaper medicines. The Australian people told us that they wanted penalty rates and overtime rates fundamentally protected.”
“The wage price index grew 0.9 per cent in the March quarter 2025 to be 3.4 per cent higher through the year. Real wages grew one per cent through the year to the March quarter 2025. More than one million jobs were created during the government's first term, and that is a record for a parliamentary term. The landmark same job, same pay reforms delivered pay increases for workers across the country. It ensured that those working as labour hire are not paid less than permanent employees when they are doing the same job. This reform had further benefits in improving culture in the sector, increasing the number of permanent roles and promoting stability across the economy. Labor has passed legislation that has fairness for workers at its core.”
“They said that inflation couldn't come down if we were giving working people more money, and we have seen inflation come down from having a six in front of it to a two in front of it. They said that we couldn't keep unemployment low if we were giving working people more money, and we see unemployment at record lows under this Albanese Labor government. They say it again and again, and what we know to be true is that these are scare campaigns designed to make sure that working people do not have the wages and conditions that they need and deserve, and this bill is there to protect them. This is in stark contrast to the years of stagnation under the former government, where wages fell for five quarters leading up to the 2022 election.”
“Labor has consistently backed in minimum wage increases at every annual wage review since May 2022. Minimum wages have again been increased from the first of this month by 3.5 per cent. This is direct cost-of-living support for three million workers—one that working people deserve—including cleaners, retail workers and early childhood educators. ABS data in May this year showed that annual real wages have grown for 18 months in a row under the Albanese Labor government. That's growth for six quarters in a row. Those opposite—we saw them do it during the election campaign; we've seen them do it again in this chamber this week and last week—would have you believe that wages can't be increased without negatively impacting other parts of the economy, but the facts speak for themselves.”
“I've spent much of my working life standing up for and standing beside working people, and, when you stand beside working people when they are facing significant challenges at work, whether that be facing discrimination in the workplace, whether that be facing a loss of wages or whether that be discrimination, an unfair dismissal or being sacked—these are all things that impact working people every day. When you stand next to those workers, you realise how critical pay and conditions are. The only things that those opposite have ever stood for when it comes to workers are stripping their pay, stripping their conditions and making their lives worse off. This bill continues the work of the Albanese Labor government to implement workplace relations reform, to uphold the rights of workers and, crucially, to get wages moving again.”
“We saw it in 2007 with the introduction of Work Choices and with the introduction of AWA and the corrosive effects that those had on our entire society, not just for working people but for their families. They were blatant about their support to cut penalty rates for retail and hospitality workers in 2017, and just yesterday we saw the antics of the shadow minister for industrial relations and employment as he sought to delay a bill which only seeks to secure protections for penalty rates and overtime rates for the working people of this country. In contrast to that, Labor has a proud record for advocating for higher wages for workers.”
“If these employer applications were successful, workers would stand to lose thousands of dollars each year, and that is something that working people cannot afford and that working people should not cop. We need to protect these workers' penalty rates. After all, the hard workers in retail and hospitality often work outside those usual nine-to-five hours and work across the weekends, when the rest of us are spending time with our families. Finally, relative to all employees, award employees are more likely to be women under 35 who work part time or casually. The Albanese Labor government will safeguard their wages as well as their participation in our economy. We know that those opposite will not fight for workers' rights. In fact, they have a longstanding opposition to penalty rates and overtime rates. We've seen it time and time again.”
“It also outlines that modern awards do not include any terms that replace employee penalty rates or overtime entitlements where the result would be a reduction in the employee's take-home pay. This bill is necessary for several reasons. Firstly, modern awards can roll up penalty rates and overtime rates into one rate of pay which can leave workers worse off, and we are a Labor government and we do not leave workers worse off. Secondly, there is an urgency to this bill. The Fair Work Commission is currently assessing submissions from employers in the retail, clerical and banking sectors to remove the penalty rates of lower paid workers from awards.”
“Penalty rates are an entitlement. And penalty rates are critical to ensuring that those who are the lowest paid in our society are given the entitlements they deserve to help them get through every single day. One of the things that became very clear when speaking to thousands of Moreton residents over the last year was just how much workers rely on their penalty rates. The Albanese Labor government believes in people earning more and keeping more of what they earn, and our No. 1 focus remains continuing to deliver cost-of-living relief for the Australian people. This bill amends the Fair Work Act 2009. It will establish a clear principle that, when the Fair Work Commission is making, varying or revoking modern awards as per its remit, it must ensure no reduction in penalty rates or overtime rates.”
“If you're on an award and you work on the weekend, this bill is for you. If you work early in the morning or late at night, this bill is for you. If you work on public holidays, this bill is for you. Your wage must reflect that, and your wage must be protected. You deserve to know what your entitlements are, and you deserve to know that your entitlements are secure. I think it's important, when we talk about penalty rates and when we talk about overtime rates, to acknowledge what penalty rates are. To do that, it's important to understand what they are not. Penalty rates are not a bonus. Penalty rates are not an extra. Penalty rates are not a prize. You'd be forgiven for thinking that penalty rates are any of those things, if you listen to those opposite talk about them. Penalty rates are fundamentally, at their core, a wage.”
“The Prime Minister has made it clear from the very outset that this is not a government that just says things, this is not a government that talks; this is a government that makes commitments and follows through on them. We saw that last week. We've seen that this week. We've seen it in 20 per cent off HECS, we've seen it in the introduction of cheaper medicines and now, today, we see it in this bill to make sure that the commitments that we have made to working people across the breadth and depth of this country on penalty rates and overtime rates are delivered. Modern awards stipulate employee entitlements, such as pay, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates and overtime. They are part of the critical safety net of minimum wages and entitlements for Australia's lowest paid workers.”
“The baker who starts at 3 am every day to bake your fresh bread, the barista who makes your coffee on a Sunday morning and the nurse working through the wee hours of the night—all of these people work to serve others. All of these people work to serve our community. Those who work when the rest of us are enjoying time off from work deserve to be recognised with fair pay and conditions. It was a Labor government and a Labor election commitment to protect penalty rates for 2.6 million workers who are on modern awards. That is exactly what the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025 will do. This is another example of the Albanese government fulfilling its commitment to delivery.”
“When I was at school, my local golden arches was a short walk away from my house. I was a frequent visitor to that Macca's. Sometimes it was for a Happy Meal, but mostly it was because I worked there as a casual, like thousands of young Australians all across the country. Back then, my hourly wage had a four in front of it. It wasn't much, but that's what penalty rates were there for and that's why they were all the more important. They remain so for millions of people who rely on them every single day. Labor has always been at the forefront of making sure that people are paid fairly and of returning penalty rates and other critical award conditions to millions of workers across the country. The Monday to Friday, nine-to-five working day is still the norm in our society. We value weekends as downtime and public holidays as special.”
“I will finish with the words of a constituent and current Griffith University student, who told me, 'I'm so happy about getting 20 per cent off HELP; I'm less stressed about money and I'm less stressed about post-grad study that I want to do.' Breaking down barriers to further education; supporting our nation to grow and prosper; and building a better and fairer education system benefits us all. Today we will leave a lasting legacy for our students of tomorrow.”
“At every stage of education, it is Labor that's investing. From January this year we've expanded the fee-free uni-ready courses which support even more students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access university. Around 68,000 nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work students now receive a payment for their compulsory pracs thanks to Labor. Free TAFE has inspired 650,000 enrolments across Australia, and 170,000 courses have been completed. These newly qualified workers will become the backbone of our workforce and the lifeblood of our economy. I am proud that in my first two weeks in this place our focus has been on taking action on the cost of living and driving the Albanese Labor government's education agenda with 20 per cent off student debt.”
“APRA and ASIC have now concluded this process, and it is more positive news for those with student debt. APRA is now advising banks to remove HELP debt from debt-to-income reporting, and ASIC has amended its regulatory guidance, signifying that HELP debts are different to other forms of debt, as the repayment amounts are dictated by an individual's income. These measures will assist those with student loan debt to access critical finance for things like housing. As the child of two teachers, I know how important education is. Labor is the party of education. The government's achievements in education in its first term speak to that. Labor has implemented reforms in the early childhood education and care sector, in primary and secondary education and throughout the tertiary education sector.”
“This legislation also raises the minimum amount that you have to earn before you need to start pay offing your debt. It is increasing from $54,435 in the 2024-25 FY to $67,000 in 2025-26. After this bill is passed, people will only have to pay a percentage of the part of their income that is above the minimum repayment threshold. This is a reform that not only directly responds to recommendation 16 of the Universities Accord final report; it's also a reform that will have a significant impact on people who are just entering the workforce. I know from speaking to people with HELP debt on Brisbane's south side that they have too often encountered difficulties with accessing financial loans. In February this year the Treasurer requested banking regulators review that system.”
“This is what's making sure that we have reduced barriers to student debt is all about. It's not just about addressing cost of living; it's also about investing in the skills that we need to drive our nation forward and to deliver those critical promises, like on housing, that the Albanese government has committed to. The total amount of student debt wiped is around $16 billion. I mentioned earlier how excited the students of Griffith University were to learn about receiving a 20 per cent cut to their HELP debt. They were also relieved. They were relieved because, for the majority of students, the prospect of paying off a large debt once they have graduated is daunting. The impact that this debt can have on their capacity to borrow money for other reasons, such as housing, can be discouraging.”
“This is direct cost-of-living relief. It is relief that hits the hip pocket. Less to pay back means people having more choice on how to spend their income. This $3 million includes the almost 280,000 students in the vocational education and training sector. This cohort alone will see half a billion dollars of student debt cut from their vocational education and training student loans and Australian apprentice support loans. We are lucky enough in my local electorate to house the largest trade training centre in the entire Southern Hemisphere. It is TAFE Queensland's SkillsTech at Acacia Ridge. I recently took the Deputy Prime Minister there. While we were there, we had the great opportunity to meet carpenters, people who will build the homes of the future, the homes that we so desperately need.”
“That is nearly 20 per cent of my electorate. The average amount owed on those debts is $31,000. This legislation will help every single one of those people. Cutting student debt was an election promise, and the Albanese government is delivering. The Prime Minister has said from the outset that this is a government that is about delivering on the commitments that it has made. In the weeks since, we have seen over and over again us delivering on the commitments that we made at the election. This bill helps make the HELP system fairer and firmly focuses on easing those cost-of-living pressures that are so critical right now. During the campaign, we promised that this would be our first order of business. It will deliver a debt cut to over three million Australians—those with a student loan debt as at 1 June this year.”
“A key part of this is Labor's commitment to making student loan programs both more affordable and fairer when it comes time to pay the loans back. This sits in absolutely stark contrast to what we have seen from those opposite. What we have seen from the Liberals is that, at every moment, at every turning point, at every decision-making opportunity, they have chosen to vote against cost-of-living measures that will give people who need it the most the support that they need at an incredibly tough time. In this tough time, it is those across the aisle who have said that student debt should not be cut, pracs should not be paid and TAFE should not be free. This is the difference between a Labor government and a Liberal-National or Liberal government. Over 26,000 people in my electorate of Moreton have an outstanding HELP debt.”
“The accord's final report summarises that need for modernisation of the HELP system and the need for the system to have the capacity and ability to respond to changing circumstances to support increased participation in higher education. Recommendation 16 of that final report highlights student contributions that are fairer and that better reflect the lifetime benefits students will gain from studying, as well as HELP loans that have fairer and simpler indexation and repayment arrangements. The Albanese Labor government knows that it is vital to break down the barriers to further education or training. We are committed to every Australian getting the higher education and training that they need for secure, well-paid jobs.”
“In its first term, the Albanese Labor government acted on the need to implement reforms in education, recognising the urgency to develop a long-term plan that would make our education system both better and fairer. Labor commissioned the first review into the Australian higher education system since 2008. If we cast our minds back, 2008 was the year The D ark K night was the highest-grossing movie, and it was the year L ow , by Flo Rida, was in the charts—and I was still at university in ra-ra skirts and double Bond singlets! The review was conducted over 12 months and it resulted in the Universities Accord. The accord's purpose is to focus on the recommendations and outcomes of the review to achieve improved quality, accessibility, affordability and sustainability in higher education.”
“Recently I had the great pleasure of visiting the Nathan campus of the highly regarded Griffith University in my electorate of Moreton on Brisbane's south side. I asked students there a simple question: what is 20 per cent of $27,000? The responses were mixed. There was a bit of head scratching, some puzzled looks, some valiant guesses and a number of correct answers: $5,400. When I explained to the students that $5,400 is the average amount that will be cut from HELP debts based on an average debt of $27,000, they were all unanimous in their excitement. Today I rise to make a statement on the provisions of the Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025 so that Labor can deliver its promise to the students and the graduates of Griffith University and to every student across the breadth and depth of our nation.”
“In terms of what is important for people who are going into trades, it is all about making sure that the tradespeople of the future are given the skills they need. We visited people from carpentry there. Those are the people who are going to build the homes of the future—something incredibly critical. I'm very proud to be part of this Labor government because this is a Labor government that is not only giving people skills of the future that will allow them to have good jobs; it is also a Labor government that will assure that they have free TAFE and that they will have the ability to have 20 per cent off their student debt as well.”
“A couple of months ago, I was in Acacia Ridge and I was standing face to face with the bonnet of a car. The person behind the wheel was the Deputy Prime Minister. He had an excited look in his eye and, at that moment, he put his foot down on the pedal of that car. The engine screamed and the wheels spun, and you might be wondering how I am here today given that experience, but the truth is that we were at a TAFE Queensland SkillsTech in Acacia Ridge. It is a leading trade training centre, the largest in all of the Southern Hemisphere. I'm very proud to have that in our electorate of Moreton. On that occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister was on one of two state-of-the-art chassis dynos that are part of making sure that we give automotive skills to those people who are going to enter the industry.”