Claire Clutterham
Sturt · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Some in this House have asked: how many cups of coffee can you buy with the Albanese Labor government's 1 July 2026 tax cuts? But I ask: how many cups of coffee can you buy with the money that you save from seeing a GP for free?”
“The eSafety Commissioner has identified serious compliance concerns and is actively investigating five major platforms due to their noncompliance.”
“But we need action from the entire parliament, in this place and in the other place, for that to happen. I call on all members and senators to walk together to take this action. I do that because this issue is also deeply personal for me. In my first speech to this parliament, I spoke about my own experience of bullying at school.”
“One of the early scenes in the 2010 movie The Social Network depicted young women at Harvard recoiling in disgust as they discover a website created by one of their peers that allowed male students to compare them based on their so-called 'hotness'. The website was a precursor to what would become Facebook.”
“Social media is a part of the world they have always known, yet they were remarkably forthright about its downsides. They spoke about algorithms that keep them scrolling, the pressure to seek approval through likes and followers, and the impact social media was having on their confidence, self-esteem and mental health.”
“That is why keeping children safe online should be a bipartisan issue. When the Albanese Labor government introduced the social media minimum age of 16 last year, we did so because we listened to parents, educators, experts and young people.”
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“These are primarily governed by the Public Service Act 1999 for Australian Public Service employees, and also the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act for all officials. These quite rightly set very high standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability. Officials are expected to behave honestly, act with care and diligence, disclose conflicts of interest and use Commonwealth resources properly. The Australian public demands this, and the Australian public deserves this. In terms of the operation of the bill, there are two schedules.”
“The purpose of the bill is to amend appointment, suspension and termination arrangements for statutory office holder positions that lead four Commonwealth entities: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office, and my favourite, the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. This objective is being achieved to update and clarify integrity and accountability settings for certain statutory office holders, just as in the Foreign Affairs and Trade and Attorney-General's portfolios. It does so by reforming the statutory framework for appointment, suspension and termination. The intent is to reflect modern community and workplace expectations for Commonwealth officials.”
“I rise today to speak in support of the Commonwealth Entities Legislation Amendment Bill of 2026, but I do start by thanking the member for Riverina for his very kind words. I also talked politics with my dad non-stop, and both of us shared a great love for our wonderful democracy and our parliamentary system, and a respect for those who put their hand up for public work. I also will do my best to address some of the concerns the member for Riverina raised during his remarks, particularly with respect to the watering down of ministerial powers which, with respect, I don't accept is happening with respect to this bill.”
“The government trusts that advice because it has properly equipped our intelligence organisations with the tools that they need to provide that accurate, timely and strategic advice. Under the law, Australian citizens cannot be prevented from returning to Australia unless a temporary exclusion order is in place. These are serious powers that can only be used where the legal threshold is met, and now one citizen has been subject to a temporary exclusion order. We received the advice and we acted on it. If our national security agencies provide advice that additional people in the cohort meet that threshold, we will act. We want to talk about a plan. It's to continue to equip our intelligence agencies with the power they need to provide full and frank advice and to act on that advice for the betterment of Australians.”
“As an Australian citizen living and working in this great country I want ASIO to be able to anticipate, to be able to properly advise government and other stakeholders and to be able to prepare accurate and thorough risk assessments so that dynamic and critical risks can be managed. I want to know that ASIO knows what's going on, what the threats to this country and its people might be and how best to counter them. And I want to know that, when this advice is received and provided to government, the government will act. That is why, when advice was received regarding a temporary exclusion order in connection with one of those citizens seeking to return to Australia, the advice was acted on and implemented. I trust that advice.”
“Australia's security environment is becoming more complex. We've seen recent instances of foreign interference on our shores, which, along with security threats from espionage and politically motivated violence, remain our principal security concerns. So it's important that ASIO's powers continue to evolve to enable them to respond in an increasingly volatile threat environment. Thanks to our legislation, ASIO is empowered to collect the information and intelligence it needs to anticipate Australia's need in this environment. Doing this is illustrative of the government's view that these expanded and new compulsory questioning powers now form an essential part of ASIO's information and collection powers.”
“The ASIO a nnual threat assessment 2025 also outlined that now, more than ever, information is needed to allow ASIO to anticipate, to look forward and to identify trends, individuals and patterns of behaviour. Credible risk assessments and advice to government and other stakeholders can only be developed in respect of credible information from relevant sources. The role that ASIO plays in keeping Australia and Australians safe from national security threats cannot be underestimated, and there is a need for its powers to be adequate to support this function while, at the same time, responding to a changing security environment. That is why, under this government, ASIO is as well funded as it has ever been, with increased powers of surveillance and questioning, courtesy of legislation introduced into parliament by this government.”
“It doesn't politicise something as critical as national security and the safety and security of Australian citizens. Instead, the priority of this government is to facilitate the safety of Australian citizens. It is to follow the advice of our security agencies and it is, at all times, to conduct ourselves in accordance with the laws in force in this country. In the ASIO a nnual threat assessment 2025 , the Director-General of Security outlined ASIO's outlook to 2030, which assessed that, over the next five years, Australia's security environment will become more dynamic, more diverse and more degraded. We are facing multifaceted, merging, intersecting, concurrent, cascading threats.”
“The premise of today's MPI is incorrect and can be addressed in a simple sentence: there is no plan in the terms suggested. The government has been repeatedly clear on this—repeatedly. There is no plan to bring home the cohort of people currently residing in the al-Roj camp in Syria, and whose recent attempt to leave Syria was blocked by Syrian authorities. There is no plan. The Albanese government's position on this issue has been consistent and longstanding and could not be clearer: no plan. The Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Home Affairs have repeatedly said: 'We are not providing assistance. We are not repatriating individuals from Syria.' The Albanese Labor government's priority is keeping Australians safe.”
“This program provides support to the Lutheran Care's homelessness project, and every fortnight 600 ham and cheese sandwiches and rolls are prepared by a wonderful group of ladies and then delivered to families residing in emergency housing. I've volunteered several times with the ladies at the church and can confirm that the program is executed with military precision. The ham is folded in a particular way, and the cheese is cut just so. That means that every sandwich and roll is prepared with love, care and consideration. Each session takes only about an hour, but that's because there are so many volunteers eager to give up their time to contribute to the community. The ladies of the parish of the Prophet Elias know that small steps can make a big difference, and I congratulate them on their dedication and commitment to helping others.”
“The Greek Orthodox parish of the Prophet Elias in my electorate of Sturt is home to a group of dedicated volunteers who have recognised and responded to the need in the community to support individuals and families doing it tough. Under the leadership of Father John and program coordinator Mary Bambacas, the Five Loaves program is an opportunity for volunteers to come together to connect and provide support to the community. Five Loaves was officially launched in Australia in July 2023 by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, and the parish of the Prophet Elias commenced its activities in April 2024, making it the first church in South Australia to adopt the program, and it hasn't stopped.”
“When it comes to tax policy, lower taxes are the policy of the Albanese Labor government. The Treasurer has been clear. The objective of the budget would be to lift the speed limit on the economy so that it can achieve higher growth with lower inflation and so that Australian workers can earn more and keep more of what they earn.”
“This government has a deliberate mandate to get public and private sector wages growing after the decision of the previous government to deliberately keep them low by design. Wages have moved, but sustainably and not significantly, putting to rest the suggestion that the public sector wage bill is inflationary. On that basis, inflation is expected to peak in mid 2026, and, in quarterly terms, underlying inflation is forecast to start slowing from the June quarter of 2026. This peak is one of the factors as to why the May 2026 budget is being crafted through the lens of responsibility as a solid, future focused plan directed at productivity, spending restraint and tax reform. There is an ambitious agenda on tax, and the centrepiece of that is income tax cuts for all Australian workers.”
“With respect to the facts, claims that government spending is now a very large share of the economy are exaggerated. Reserve Bank estimates that were published on the Reserve Bank of Australia website after the Reserve Bank of Australia met in February 2026 estimated that what we now know as public demand or spending by all governments, federal, state and local, expanded by 2.2 per cent during the course of 2025. Consumer spending expanded by 3.1 per cent. Home building expanded by 5.5 per cent, and business investment expanded by 2.5 per cent. Both public and private sector wages have been growing sustainably, around an average of 3.5 per cent in recent years, with no sign of the significant spike that occurred in the 1970s and which saw considerable upward pressure on inflation.”
“It's not linear, and it's not as simple as saying, 'Just cut this,' 'Just do that,' or, 'Just change this.' It is certainly not as simple as just alleging that the so-called out-of-control spending is the primary and only cause or saying that if you didn't spend on one thing, like the $25 billion spent on public hospitals in partnership with states and territories, inflation would be lower. Bare allegations of this nature do not assist the Australian voter. Slogans regarding petrol and fire do not assist the Australian voter. Facts do, and what also assists is an understanding that governments do actually need to spend at the same time as endeavouring to finding efficiencies and savings and undergoing departmental reform and budget restructure. That is what this government seeks to do.”
“It's an oversimplification to blame government spending. Governments of the day have the privilege and responsibility to take measured and practical steps within their sphere of reference to tackle inflation, but condemning the Treasurer for this and that is an easy shot that does nothing to assist the Australian voter. Australians know that contributors to inflation are a mix of fluid and ever-changing factors that need to be constantly monitored and adapted to. Factors like the time of year, private demand, climate, the labour market, global challenges—more real than ever—and government policy all play a role in the ingredients that make up inflation. Sometimes one factor plays a bigger role, sometimes smaller.”
“The Treasurer has been repeatedly clear that he takes responsibility for his role in the fight against inflation. He's been clear that inflation is too high, and no member of this government has shied away from that. The Treasurer is fighting hard. We know that inflation is significantly lower than its peak and significantly lower than when we came to government, but that is history, and we know it is too high. The Treasurer has also been clear that the economy, including productivity, cost of living and growth, is central to the Albanese Labor government's agenda. Increases to productivity and growth are what this government's policy initiatives are directed at, as are help and assistance to Australians with the cost of living. Inflation and what drives it are not linear. It's not black or white, one thing or another.”
“This is what this treaty is—a deliberate decision of government to partner with our ally and friend, Indonesia, in order to continue to build relationships, increase understanding and promote stability.”
“This underpins work already in train to deepen Australia's economic engagement with Indonesia, which is not only of significant value to both countries but is a key part of Australia's strategic endeavours to diversify our economy through growing and emerging markets in South-East Asia. The treaty also quite rightly affirms the party's commitment to dialogue and to transparent, predictable and responsible conduct to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation, and to prevent conflict. Dialogue, communications and proactive discussions take away guesswork. They build relationships and build trust, which in turn operates to minimise the risk of conflict. We don't want conflict in our region. It is not welcome in our region. Peace, stability and regional resilience are what we strive for and what this treaty reinforces.”
“Stable regions have stable economic environments that enjoy the right settings to grow and thrive for the benefit of all citizens. Of course, deepening Australia's economic engagement with Indonesia has remained and will remain a key priority for the Albanese Labor government, evidenced by the agreement to strengthen two-way investment through a memorandum of understanding between the Australian government and the Indonesian sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, which will increase cooperation and information-sharing and help to identify opportunities for increased two-way investment, enhancing our shared economic security and resilience.”
“Stability, resilience and a sense of security are singled out in the Jakarta treaty as imperative, and it is recognised that working together collectively is the most effective way to achieve and maintain that environment. In the words of the Prime Minister, the best way to secure peace and stability in our region is by acting together. The need to continue to generate, maintain and then further build regional security is also keenly illustrated in the treaty, in that both Australia and Indonesia express a desire to contribute to regional security and stability in order to ensure circumstances in which their aspirations can be best realised for the economic development and prosperity of their own countries and the wider region.”
“These significant features mean an extension of the existing security and defence cooperation between the two countries, demonstrating the strength of the partnership and the depth of the trust and cooperation between Australia and Indonesia. In signing the treaty, both Australia and Indonesia recognise that they, and indeed the region, benefit from stability and peace. When Australia is peaceful and stable and when Indonesia is peaceful and stable, both nations benefit. Having peace and stability across Australia and Indonesia, and meaningful cooperation between us, sends a strong message to the rest of the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. That message is that, when collective responsibility is used to secure and maintain peace and stability, everybody benefits.”
“Firstly, there is consultation in relation to security, with Australia and Indonesia agreeing to regularly consult at leader and ministerial level about matters affecting their common security and to develop such cooperation as would benefit their own security and that of the region. Second is consultation in the event of adverse challenges to either party or to their common security interests. This includes, where appropriate, consideration of measures which might be taken either individually or jointly in accordance with each party's relevant processes. Thirdly, whilst reflecting the policies and priorities of each party, the treaty includes an agreement to promote mutually beneficial cooperative activities in the security field in areas to be identified by the two parties together.”
“The Jakarta treaty, a new bilateral treaty on common security, is now another critical element of Australia's relationship with Indonesia. As one of our closest regional partners, it's a relationship Australia deeply values. Entering the Jakarta treaty with our Indonesian friends is a demonstration of our desire to strengthen that friendship—the trust, the mutual respect and the unbreakable bond between us as regional neighbours and regional partners. Our long history of friendship and cooperation is confirmed to continue with the Jakarta treaty. The Jakarta treaty is balanced, strategic, sustainable and practical, and there are three substantive features.”
“Farida told me that her pharmacy had experienced an overwhelming response to the $7.70 per script rate for concession card holders. With many of her patients needing multiple scripts, the half-decade long freeze on increases to the concessional PBS co-payment, which began on 1 January this year, has actually been a life saver. Farida's patients with concession cards will pay a maximum co-payment of $7.70 until 2030. This freeze provides certainty about the maximum cost of PBS medicines. Seven dollars seventy means that people do not decide to not fill a script; they fill it, getting the immediate health care they need and deserve. Farida, like the Albanese Labor government, knows $7.70 scripts for concession card holders are not only good for the hip pocket but good for the community.”
“Last week, with Assistant Minister McBride, I visited the Windsor Village Pharmacy—located in the north-eastern part of my electorate of Sturt—to speak to pharmacist Farida about the Albanese Labor government's cheaper medicines initiative. The Windsor Village Pharmacy is a family-run pharmacy with a focus on community. Owners Farida and Rodaina purchased it in 2007 with the goal of providing easy, convenient and patient-focused pharmacy solutions for the local community and the patients of the neighbouring Paradise Medical Centre. Farida and Rodaina have decades of pharmacy experience. They know their community, and they are deeply committed to providing personal, tailored services to each patient who walks through their door.”
“In South Australia, almost 8,000 people, including hundreds of people in my electorate of Sturt, have taken advantage of Labor's five per cent deposit scheme—not 20 per cent; five per cent—giving them a foot on the property ladder and getting them into their own home so they too can now buy the furniture that they like, play the music they like and get a couple of pets. Most importantly, they're going to get the same kick, the same thrill, that I did every time I drove up my driveway and turned the key to open the door to my own home. A five per cent deposit means that the life-changing prospect of homeownership is now within reach for many more Australians, and that matters to people in every community in every part of this country.”
“It is a case of building more houses—we need more houses—and that is why Labor has an ambitious target of 1.2 million new homes within the next five years. But this is a challenge, and this is why we are taking steps to ease red tape, to make land and building approvals easier, to reform the building and construction code, to make it easier for builders to build the homes that we need. This is where free TAFE comes in, free TAFE for those in the building and construction industry, because we know that we need more houses and houses don't build themselves. We need highly skilled, highly qualified tradespeople to do that work so that young Australians can get into a home to secure their future.”
“I can't believe what I paid and how long it took me to save for a 20 per cent deposit.' But time has passed since then, and it has gotten more expensive. We know this. It's even harder to save for a 20 per cent deposit, even if you have a good job and a good income. The housing environment that we find ourselves in was decades in the making, and there is no quick fix. The Albanese Labor government understands this. It understands that housing is a life-defining challenge for so many Australians and that people are working hard, saving and sacrificing and they still can't afford their own home. This is not fair, because secure housing is a right. This is why the Albanese Labor government has a $45 billion three-pronged plan of attack to build more homes, to make it easier to buy and to make it easier for renters.”
“I got a kick out of it every time—the knowledge that this was my house, the knowledge that I was building my future and that I would have security of housing, a roof over my head, and in Adelaide, a place that I love. That feeling, that kick, that thrill, that sense of pride, is what I want for all Australians—to feel that sense of security as they drive up their street, as they drive up their driveway, as they get out of the car and unlock the front door to their own home. I want Australians to be able to put down roots in a community, to feel the pride and the sense of relief that I felt when I was able to access the housing market. When I bought my house, I had a good job and a good income, and I remember thinking: 'Gosh, this is actually really expensive. This is crazy.”
“So being back home with mum and dad was a very strong motivation to try and buy a house, and I ended up buying the second house that I saw. I lived by myself in that house with my pets for about four years until I met the man who would go on to become my husband and moved in with him. But that house meant so much to me—and still does—because it was mine. I worked hard to save to buy it. No-one helped me. My parents are hardworking people, but they didn't have the money to help me buy a house. I did it on my own, and it's my little piece of the earth. I vividly remember getting a kick every single time I drove home from work, from the shops, from the gym, from wherever I had been, and turned onto my street, turned up my driveway and parked in the garage of the house that I owned.”
“I bought my first house in 2017, when I was 35. I'd been living overseas for almost the past decade—actually in the beautiful part of the world that the member for Calwell is from. I was seeing the world, working hard and having unforgettable experiences that shaped the person I am today. I came back to Adelaide in late 2016, and it was necessary for me to move back in with my parents. But, having lived out of home in various rental properties and share houses since I was 23 years old, I couldn't wait to move out, to put down roots in my own little piece of the earth, to get a couple of pets, to play the music I wanted to play, to cook what I wanted when I wanted, to buy the type of furniture I liked and to create a little garden in a small backyard.”
“Schedules 1 and 2 will similarly prosecute this right by streamlining the process to identify the appropriate fund in which to make superannuation contributions so new employees will receive their contributions quickly and not make disadvantageous decisions due, again, to the influence of advertising. Schedules 1 and 2 of this bill are consistent with the objective of the superannuation system in Australia, which is a dignified retirement for working Australians. Our superannuation system is the envy of the world. Labor is the party of workers and the party of superannuation. I commend this bill to the House.”
“The effect is that these amendments help bolster an employee's social security at the retirement stage by ensuring new employees are paid super contributions on a timely basis and into the most appropriate fund for them, avoiding any procedural delays that may arise in the onboarding process or through the influence of advertising. With respect to the right to a standard of living and security as set out in article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this article acknowledges that everyone has the right to a standard of living which is adequate for the health and wellbeing of them and their families and the right to security in old age, which we all hope we get to.”
“These human rights are prosecuted by schedule 1 and schedule 2 of this bill because they enable employers to identify the appropriate fund in which to make timely superannuation contributions for new employees. The prohibition on advertisements in onboarding software platforms during the onboarding process protects new employees from making uninformed or inappropriate decisions around the opening of new superannuation products because of advertising. It reduces confusion and it reduces pressure on employees during the commencement of a new job, which is often an inherently stressful time in an employee's life.”
“With respect to human rights, schedules 1 and 2 engage with the right to social security as set out in article 9 and article 11 of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and the right to a standard of living and security under article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 9 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognises the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to health, and acknowledges the importance of adequate social benefits in reducing the effects of poverty. Article 11 of CEDAW recognises the right to social security, particularly in cases of retirement, unemployment, sickness, invalidity, old age and other incapacities to work as well as the right to paid leave.”
“The exceptions to this are to show employees their stapled fund and also the employer default fund. Schedule 2 therefore is also consistent with the objective of superannuation as set out in section 5 of the act, because it helps to prevent the evaporation of fund balances, helping members to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement. Employees stand to benefit from greater savings that compound over their working lives through fewer unintended multiple accounts or through funds that are not fit for purpose or not in their best interests.”
“Employees sometimes forget about super funds that they have, and the advertising of superannuation products during onboarding can not only cause confusion but act to pressure employees to select the fund that might not be in their best interests or to open yet another fund that they don't need. There is no doubt that onboarding software is a critical productivity tool for employers, but consumer harm may be the result if superannuation funds are advertised on these platforms during the onboarding process. With choice of fund and stapling provisions available, such advertising is not really necessary. This ban will protect employees from being influenced into making quick and uninformed decisions, opening inappropriate products and unintentionally creating duplicate accounts.”
“Like schedule 1, schedule 2 is also compatible with the objective of superannuation as set out in the act, because it will operate to preserve savings to deliver income for that dignified retirement that all working Australians deserve. It will also ensure that onboarding service providers can continue to deliver value for employers, but in a way that is safe, equitable and sustainable for employees. With some limited exceptions, schedule 2 operates to amend the Corporations Act to impose a ban on advertising certain superannuation products to employees during the employee onboarding process. If employee onboarding software platforms are paid to advertise superannuation products, then the policy objectives of the choice of fund and stapling provisions may be compromised.”
“Under this reform, it will be easier for employees to see, consider and select their existing fund when starting a new job and it will reduce the potential for employees to create unintended duplicate accounts and then pay the fees and insurance premiums that erode their balance. Employers will also benefit because they will receive accurate fund details quickly, reducing the prospect of delays and mistakes. This change will, therefore, help to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement for working Australians. This is entirely consistent with the objective of superannuation as set out in the act.”
“This has the effect of reducing unintended duplicate fees and insurance premiums that erode member balances. Currently, requests for stapled fund details can only be made after an employee does not make a choice of fund selection. Schedule 1 rightly amends the stapling provisions to clarify that employers can request stapled fund details before, at the time or after the employee is given a standard choice form. The effect of this is to assist employers to provide stapled fund details to the employee during the employment onboarding process to help inform their choice of fund. Employees benefit from this.”
“If there is no chosen fund or no stapled fund, the employer may contribute to a new, default fund for the employee. Typically, an employer must give a standard choice form to an employee within 28 days of commencement in order to obtain relevant superannuation fund details for that employee. Stapling in superannuation is where an employee's existing super fund is 'stapled' or linked to them for life, following them if and when they change jobs, and operating to prevent the creation of multiple, unnecessary super accounts when changing jobs, therefore reducing account fees and protecting retirement savings. The objective of stapling is to reduce this unintended creation of new default fund accounts, where employees already have existing superannuation arrangements.”
“Schedules 1 and 2 to this bill are compatible with that objective. The superannuation choice-of-fund requirement is a foundational feature of our superannuation system in Australia, and it operates to ensure that employees can choose which superannuation fund they want their superannuation contributions paid to. They should be able to do this, because the accumulation of funds in a superannuation fund belongs to the person making that choice. The first principle of our system is simple. The employer must contribute to a fund chosen by the employee. If the employee does not make a choice, the employer can then make a request to the commissioner to determine if the employee has what is called a stapled fund. If the employee has a stapled fund, the employer will generally be required to pay superannuation contributions to that stapled fund.”
“There's also the potential for lower retirement savings, because having your super spread out across multiple accounts can make it harder to track the growth of your fund or to make good investment choices. That's on top of paying all the extra fees and insurance premiums. This can leave you at risk of lower retirement savings, and, as we know, the higher someone's retirement savings are, the better. The highest possible accumulation of superannuation is the purpose of our world envied superannuation system. This purpose is set out in the objective of super in the Superannuation (Objective) Act 2024. It states that the objective is to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside government support, in an equitable and sustainable way. Both the elements 'equitable' and 'sustainable' are equally important.”
“We know that most super funds charge a range of fees related to someone's superannuation account, and, if you have more than one, you're most likely paying these multiple times. Super funds will also often provide you with automatic default insurance cover like life insurance—also called death cover—as well as total and permanent disability insurance and income protection insurance if you meet certain eligibility criteria. You might also end up paying multiple premiums for cover that you might not actually need or might not be eligible to claim under. Another drawback of multiple accounts is increased administration, including with respect to nominated beneficiaries, reading multiple annual reports and having multiple different sets of performance to track.”
“There are many reasons why people have multiple superannuation accounts, and frequent job changes is one of them. It's not uncommon—around four million Australians have more than one—and, of course, you can if you want to. You might want to keep multiple insurance covers, increase your variety of investment options, or, if your super is a defined benefit fund, you might want to retain that benefit. However, there are well documented disadvantages, like paying more than one set of fees, having to keep track of more balances and investments, and retaining and paying for unwanted insurance cover. Plus, you're at risk of ending up with lost super accounts. The key drawback, though, is that having multiple super funds involves increased charges and fees.”
“These amendments are intended to provide greater flexibility for when an employer or their agent may request details of an employee's stapled superannuation fund from the commissioner so that the employer or their agent can provide those details to the employee during onboarding to inform the employee's choice of fund. Secondly, this bill amends the Corporations Act to ban advertising of certain superannuation products to new employees as part of that onboarding process. Schedule 2 will commence on 1 July 2026. The ban under this schedule is intended to reduce the risk that employees are induced or influenced to choose a superannuation product that is not appropriate to their needs, or if it results in the opening of multiple unnecessary superannuation accounts during that onboarding process.”
“I rise to speak in support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025. This bill is comprised of six sections touching on a range of different reforms. Today I will speak in relation to schedules 1 and 2—two of those reforms—and how they reflect and further the objective of superannuation as set out in the Superannuation (Objective) Act 2024. The core purpose of this bill is to implement two policy measures to support the transition to payday super. Firstly, the bill amends the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to support employers to streamline the choice of fund process during employee onboarding.”
“I would like to express my sincere thanks for this initiative, which has made home battery storage more affordable and has allowed us to make better use of our rooftop solar by reducing household energy costs. For many of us in retirement, being able to manage rising energy costs while also contributing in a practical way to a cleaner energy future is something we value greatly. This program has made a real difference to our household. Thank you for highlighting the positive impact these policies are having for local residents. Not just in Sturt but across the country, cheaper home batteries are good for the planet, good for the hip pocket and good for the country.”
“As of this week, 3,247 households in my electorate of Sturt have installed a battery under the Albanese Labor government's Cheaper Home Batteries scheme. That's 3,247 households using clean energy, enjoying lower energy bills and contributing energy to the grid, which lowers bills for everyone. When these figures came out, I shared the results with my community and invited people with a battery to get in touch to tell me how that battery was making a difference. One of those who responded was Peter, who lives in Paradise in the north-east part of Sturt. He said: As a retired resident of Sturt, I am one of the households that has benefited from the Federal Government's Cheaper Home Battery Scheme.”