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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“This is a very articulate expression of the purpose of the social safety net. Mr Chaplin received youth allowance from 10 July 2014 to 24 June 2015, at a time where a person's entitlement to youth allowance generally ascertained and paid on a fortnightly basis was determined by various matters, including by applying an income reduction to reduce the rate of youth allowance by reference to the person's income. The relevant method statement for calculating the income reduction required the secretary of the department to determine the amount of the person's ordinary income on a fortnightly basis and required ordinary income to be taken into account in the fortnight in which it is first earned, derived or received.”
“This bill also represents the government's response to the full Federal Court case of Matthew Chaplin v the Department of Social Services, which addressed the method for recalculating robodebt related welfare debts. The case was an appeal on a question of law under section 44(1) of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975, where Mr Chaplin received youth allowance payments under part 2.11 of the Social Security Act 1991, and the question of how and when a person's ordinary income would be considered in the fortnight in which it is first earned, derived or received. In examining this question, the full Federal Court also keenly observed: As a general proposition, the purpose of benefits under the Act is to "maintain a basic level of income for those who [are] unable to receive sufficient income to provide for themselves".”
“Even in this great and successful country, not everyone has the same opportunity to contribute, to access paid work, to work as much as they want to. Illness, disability, accidents or acting as a carer for others—things that no-one wishes for—sometimes intervene to limit the contribution an individual can make. Sometimes it is simply a case of lightning strikes, meaning access to a fair and effective social safety net is critically important. It is also important to strike a balance between the optimal level of government intervention to provide support and the promotion of agency and individual self-reliance. In this respect, this bill is a significant step towards a fairer, more efficient social security system that better supports Australians when they need it most.”
“I rise today to speak on the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025, which is part of the Albanese Labor government's drive to further strengthen Australia's social safety net. Social safety nets are designed to provide a basic level of financial and social support to individuals and families in need, helping to alleviate poverty and prevent economic hardship. Social safety nets play a critical part in reducing income inequality by providing a safety net for low-income individuals and families, helping to ensure a minimum standard of living. An effective social safety net can help break the poverty trap by providing resources and support to individuals and families, enabling them to access opportunities and improve their economic situation.”
“The expansion will include funding for 11 new clinics, bringing the total number of clinics nationally to 33. The existing 22 clinics will receive an extension of funding to continue providing specialist care and support. Urgent care clinics, including one soon to be developed in my electorate of Sturt; more medicines; cheaper medicines; funded menopause and perimenopause health assessments; and more pelvic pain and endometriosis clinics so that women don't have to wait years for a diagnosis and to start treatment—this government says to women: 'Say yes to you. We will keep listening to you and providing dedicated health services for the benefit of the community.'”
“This takes time, this takes patience and this takes tenacity—and it takes government support. The approach Dr Macrow and her team take is to do what they can to achieve an efficient and accurate diagnosis, to make sense of symptoms and to put together an individualised plan. Dr Macrow and Thrive's approach works, and this is why they have a six-month wait list. This is too long if you can't work, can't function and can't participate in society and live a full and meaningful life because of pelvic pain, like Lucie, a resident of Sturt, who wrote to me about her daughter out of desperation. Six months is too long. So on 9 February this year the Australian government announced an expansion of the endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics over three years to 2028.”
“One of the biggest causes of absence from work or reluctance to participate in society is pelvic pain. Pelvic pain is complex and is often not caused by just the one thing. Factors that lead to pelvic pain are interwoven like a spider's web and take time and investment to untangle. Two weeks ago I met with Dr Alecia Macrow, a pelvic pain specialist working at Thrive Family Practice, one of the 22 federal government funded endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics that have been established under the Albanese Labor government. Dr Macrow explained to me that a holistic, whole-of-person approach is required to identify the causes of and the treatment plan for pelvic pain and endometriosis, ideally supported by a practice nurse, practice pharmacist and practice physiotherapist.”
“Contraceptives and fertility drugs being listed on the same day underscores the unique and complex nature of women's health. Women's health matters. This government knows that women's health is an economic imperative as well as a health imperative. The weekend following the Albanese Labor government's announcement of record investments into women's health led to some great conversations whilst I was doorknocking. The announcement was embraced by women—and it was embraced by men, because, like women, men know that, when women are healthy, families are better off, the economy is more productive and there is more contribution to the community and to our country. When women cannot work or cannot work as much as they want or need to because of health issues, productivity suffers and women are disadvantaged.”
“In May 2025, I joined the federal health minister and the dedicated and caring staff at Repromed on Fullarton Road in my electorate of Sturt to make critical announcements in relation to women's health. For the first time in 30 years, new categories of contraceptives would be listed on the PBS. That's 30 years! Slinda, a contraceptive that for some women is their only option, would be listed on the PBS, reducing its prohibitive cost of over $300. We know that, thanks to this government's cheaper medicines legislation, that cost will reduce even further to $25 from 1 January 2026. On that same day it was also announced that Pergoveris, a fertility drug, would be listed on the PBS too, making it more affordable for women and their partners wanting to start or expand their family.”
“The last parliamentary sitting week in September coincided with Women's Health Week. The theme for this year's Women's Health Week was 'Say yes to you' and was about encouraging women to make their health and wellbeing a priority. Too often women put their health and wellbeing last. Too often women's health has been put last by governments. Too often women's health has been put last, or even dismissed, by the medical profession or by the education system that trains our future doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. Women's health needs are complex. They are unique. Women are not 'small men'. Women are women who come in all shapes and sizes, who require both an active and meaningful response to their health needs and who deserve a proactive and sustainable approach to their unique health needs.”
“As to whether it is doing this and whether it is working as intended, the bill sets a legislated review of the operation of the act every five years to ensure that the legislation remains contemporary and supports the operation of an efficient and effective modern public health agency. This legislated review will be in addition to the initial review of funding and operations scheduled after two years. We know we weren't prepared last time. The establishment of the Australian CDC is critical to ensuring that we are prepared next time and can better protect the health and wellbeing of Australians in a fair way that is proportionate to the risks.”
“It obliges the CDC to give evidence-based public health advice to federal and state ministers, state and territory government health agencies, international agencies and specialist non-government health organisations. A data driven, evidence-based approach is the only way to ensure public confidence and trust in the operation of the CDC—to ensure public confidence and trust in the risk identification conducted by the CDC, in the data it collects, in the data it uses and in the advice it gives with respect to public health management. There is no other acceptable method to do this.”
“The amendment to the Freedom of Information Act reinforces this protection by making clear that certain information held by the Australian CDC will not be subject to release under freedom-of-information requests or under the director-general's duty to publish public health advice and is designed to find equilibrium between the public interest, the public's right to information and the need to safeguard sensitive information. In this respect, the bill also enables the Australian CDC to collect, use and share public health information. It requires it to be transparent in this operation and to publish the recommendations that it makes to governments so all Australians can get across the advice. An evidence based approach to public health is required by this bill.”
“This will result in the CDC having direct management oversight of the registry to help reduce and improve our understanding of preventable occupational respiratory disease. This bill also amends schedule 3 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Schedule 3 is a list of acts that contain provisions exempting documents from disclosure if the acts contain secrecy provisions. The CDC must be bound by strong safeguards designed to protect certain information, including the personal information of individual Australians, from inappropriate disclosure.”
“A further piece of legislation affected by the transitional provisions is the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry Act of 2023, which established the registry of the same name. This registry stores data on occupational respiratory diseases in Australia, which are respiratory diseases caused by hazards in a person's work or workplace. Because a core capability and focus of the Australian CDC will be the more effective and efficient use of available public health data, including data on non-communicable diseases and issues at the interface between human health and environmental health, this bill transfers responsibility for the National Occupational Respiratory Disease Registry to the CDC.”
“Pursuant to Article 4 of those regulations, the National Health Security Act establishes a national focal point to consult with responsible Commonwealth, state or territory bodies, with the World Health Organization and with other countries in relation to public health events of national significance. With respect to the current arrangements for the national focal point, pursuant to section 9 of the National Health Security Act, the role is performed by the secretary of the department of health. This bill transfers this function from the secretary of the department of health to the Director-General of the CDC, which means that the CDC and the director-general will be the independent and central point of contact for significant public health events affecting Australia in and beyond our borders.”
“The bill also amends the National Health Security Act 2007, in that the CDC will take on responsibility and be accountable for coordinating surveillance data from states and territories for diseases on the national notifiable disease list. In partnership with the Minister for Health, this will create an obligation on the CDC to ensure that the national notifiable disease list is up to date and includes relevant diseases that present genuine and identifiable risks to public health. Australia is required under Article 13 of the International Health Regulations 2005 to develop and maintain capacity to respond promptly and effectively to public health risks and public health emergencies of international concern.”
“These transferring functions include functions pursuant to the Biosecurity Act 2015, in that the director-general will have the ability to determine listed human diseases, a key decision which determines which human diseases are monitored at Australia's borders and where efforts are focused to prevent their spread domestically and abroad. This measure has its focus in prevention, ensuring the CDC can identify human diseases posing a risk to Australians in a timely manner. The Biosecurity Act will continue to have application, in that the CDC will be obligated to provide advice on human health risks if needed to support the analysis of the biosecurity risk of imported goods for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.”
“Facilitating regular reviews and stress-testing Australia's overall pandemic preparedness in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency is another priority, together with establishing a national public communications function and establishing technical advisory committees to engage with subject matter experts and, importantly, to engage with community partners and stakeholders. The CDC, though, will ultimately become the authoritative source—the single source of truth—of public health advice and information for the public, for government officials for those working in public health. With this goal in mind, the bill establishes the director-general as the head of the CDC and an advisory council to advise the director-general and will transfer some existing statutory public health functions to this director-general.”
“The recommended priority functions are designed to create a next-generation, world-leading public health surveillance system so that risks to public health can be promptly identified, promptly understood and then proportionately addressed. Linkages to other health authorities operated by our original partners will be a part of this, and the CDC will also build foundations for a national communicable disease data integration system, which will include working with the Department of Health and Aged Care on updated communicable disease plans.”
“Within its terms of reference, the COVID-19 response inquiry report sought to determine and lay the building blocks for what Australia can do better next time by gathering information from people across government, the health sector, community groups and industry who were involved in Australia's COVID-19 pandemic response. The response inquiry report contained detailed recommendations, including a number for immediate action. One such recommendation was finalising the CDC and, in doing so, prioritising certain functions for systemic preparedness so that the CDC can function as a trusted and authoritative source on risk assessment and communication and a national repository of communicable disease intelligence capability and advice.”
“The Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025 will establish the Australian Centre for Disease Control to begin on 1 January 2026. For the purposes of the framework in the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, the CDC will be a non-corporate Commonwealth entity. The bill operates by amending or repealing other existing legislation, with the purpose of streamlining accountability and responsibility for public health and for facilitating a single source of information, guidance and management of risks to public health, including the risks that may be posed by any future pandemics. Firstly, however, the establishment of the CDC delivers on the Albanese government's election commitment in response to recommendations from the COVID-19 response inquiry report released in October 2024.”
“If there is another pandemic and if the worst possible outcome is realised, in that there are genuine and identifiable risks to public health and the health system such that Australians are again asked to implement restrictions in their daily lives, they won't do it unless there is public confidence in the basis for the request. They will not do it, and they should not be asked to do it, unless there are transparent, scientific and evidence based reasons provided to them from a single source of authority. The Australian Centre for Disease Control will play an important role in this, in that it will strengthen public health capability, improve our preparedness for future pandemics and safeguard the health and wellbeing of all Australians. In doing this, it must operate in a way that instils public trust and confidence.”
“That work has started and needs to continue so that the public trusts and has confidence that future responses to pandemics are underpinned by medical science, data and evidence—not polling, opinion, misinformation, conjecture or guesses but science. This is the principle that underpins this important bill. As the COVID-19 response inquiry report articulately put it: The goal is to combine a balanced, proportionate and adaptable response to the threat with an approach that protects health and the health system and minimises the risk of harm to Australians and the widening of existing health, social and economic inequities.”
“It warned that the likelihood of us seeing another significant event is growing—probably within the lifetime of many Australians. Even without this forecast, it was clear that many lessons needed to be learned from the response to COVID-19 to ensure that Australia is better prepared, with a whole-of-government approach that is transparent, fair, coordinated and, most importantly, proportionate to the risks in a way that allows Australians to live their lives, to run their businesses and to attend educational institutions, workplaces and community events to the absolute fullest whilst protecting those who are vulnerable and protecting and shoring up our health system.”
“At the beginning of the pandemic in Australia, in February 2020, there was much uncertainty as state and federal governments tried to manage what was very much a fluid situation. There is no doubt that this led to confusion, panic, anger and ultimately a mistrust in government as a patchwork of advice, restrictions and recommendations were rolled out in different ways and at different times across the country. We were not prepared for the pandemic, and this lack of planning led to a response that was slow, confusing and characterised by a multitude of different sources of information and advice—often conflicting with each other. There will be another pandemic; of this, we can be certain. The recent COVID-19 response inquiry report identified that pandemics are predicted to occur, on average, every 20 years.”
“I rise to speak on the Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025. The 2019 COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most significant events to impact Australians in the last century. Some would argue it was the most significant, with lingering physical and mental health impacts still being felt across the country today. We know that most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions—like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease or cancer—are more likely to develop serious illness. And we know that COVID-19 can be fatal.”
“Ben and Josh deserve this opportunity. The companies that Jigsaw partner with, that provide meaningful work for Australians with a disability, include DXC Technology, a business based in my own electorate of Sturt that assists global companies with IT and AI challenges. This is the very demonstration of the dignity of work, where all work is valued, no matter what industry it is in and no matter who performs it. This government believes in the dignity of work and will always strive to create an environment that reflects that and facilitates stable and sustainable employment opportunities for all Australians. More people are in work than ever before, in secure, well-paying jobs that help them, their families and their communities. Proposed expenditure agreed to.”
“So I say to Rachel at Goodstart and Emma at Wattle Park kindy: your work is valued. Another sector of our economy that this government values is workers with a disability. I recently met Ben and Josh, who work for Jigsaw, a not-for-profit social enterprise, and who wouldn't otherwise be considered, ever, for mainstream employment, because of the characteristics they didn't ask for but were born with. Ben, who is a paid administrative trainee, told me that he couldn't wait for his alarm to go off in the morning on his working days because he couldn't wait to get to work. Performing administrative work in a supportive environment with his colleagues gives Ben purpose, a pay cheque and a chance to grow and develop. And Josh, a digital trainee, also derives satisfaction from getting up and contributing to his community through his work.”
“But aged-care workers, disability carers and early childhood educators have been recognised by this government as providing a service that is truly valuable, and recognised through the delivery of consistent pay rises that are designed to encourage people to stay in these valuable industries to continue to serve their fellow Australians. That is the whole point of the care economy which is deeply valued by this government. Workers in the care economy are valued by this government—including the wonderful and tireless early childhood educators that work in my electorate of Sturt, whether it be at Goodstart Hope Valley on Grand Junction Road, Wattle Park Kindergarten at Wattle Park, or Kozy Kids at Glenside, all of whom I've had the pleasure to meet, and I've seen firsthand just how challenging their work is.”
“Encouraging collaboration and partnership and negotiation between all of these stakeholders was a large part of the point of this government's industrial relations reforms, which have proven to be good for the economy, good for the community and good for individual Australians. We are also growing the workforce. Importantly, as of January this year, there have been almost 40,000 enrolments in the government's free TAFE program in the building and construction industry and just over 150,000 enrolments in the care economy. For so long, the care economy, where ordinary Australians dedicate themselves to serving others, has been undervalued and dismissed as unproductive—something to be valued less than other industries.”
“That commitment is demonstrated by the creation of more than 1.1 million new jobs since we came to government across the public sector and across the private sector, in industry, defence, mining, education, health and, yes, the care economy. Employment has risen by 8.6 per cent. There are 10 million Australians in full-time employment. The gender pay gap is at record lows, and women's participation in the workforce is growing, currently standing at just under 64 per cent. Unemployment is also at record lows. Employers, employees and unions are sitting down at the table together to have constructive discussions, to negotiate positive outcomes that work for everyone.”
“Employment gives us purpose. It helps us build self-respect. It forms part of our identity. It makes us productive and is a means for us to make a productive contribution to society. It gives us agency and direction over our lives. It helps us network, to make connections and to build friendships. Not every day, I accept, but sometimes it even makes us happy because we can leave a legacy through our work, even a small one. Work allows us to learn and develop skills. Work is a tool to help us create meaning in our lives. Supporting work, supporting jobs growth and supporting workers and employers are the bread and butter of the Australian Labor Party. The dignity of work and the creation of opportunity for long-term, meaningful employment will always be supported by this government.”
“I was very proud to attend in my capacity as the member for Sturt because, for the first time since the feast's inception, the federal government contributed funds to the organising committee to help them put on a day to remember. This 70th anniversary was truly a wonderful community celebration. The food area had to be seen to be believed, with pasta, tripe, gelato and zeppole as far as the eye could see. Thank you, Mr Zollo, for your energy. Thank you, Dames di Montevergine, for your commitment to your faith and your community. But the biggest thank you has to go to the volunteers who worked day and night to make the event possible, especially the volunteers in the many kitchens operating across the event. E stata una festa di ricordare. Congratulazioni a tutti.”
“On Sunday 28 September 2025, I had the privilege of attending the 70th Madonna di Montevergine feast, including the procession, mass and party held on the grounds of the St Francis of Assisi School at Newton in my electorate of Sturt. The morning mass emphasised the importance of kindness and empathy for others, and the evening party emphasised food, culture, connection, language and family. Beautifully led by the Madonna di Montevergine organising committee president, Mr Dominic Zollo, the festival was supported by community organisations, including Radio Italia 531—especially John di Fede and Eleonora Finoia—which broadcast the event across South Australia and beyond.”
“Home of Australia's defence manufacturing and home to a world-class precinct that drives innovation and strategic defence projects, South Australia is a central player in this delivery. Proposed expenditure agreed to.”
“South Australia's involvement is not just limited to the marine environment; the Albanese government has partnered with the Malinauskas government to invest $200 million in the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility, which—with the support of my former employer, Boeing Defence Australia—will bolster Australian sovereign defence capability and allow the Air Force's P-8A Poseidon and E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to undergo deeper maintenance in the one facility. This purpose built, four-bay aircraft hangar uses almost 2,000 tonnes of structural steel, more than half of which came from the Whyalla steelworks—again, based in South Australia. This government has a laser-sharp focus on delivery, particularly with respect to the delivery of the deterrence capability that this country needs.”
“The workforce required for that build will almost exceed 10,000, with 4,000 workers employed to design and build the infrastructure for this submarine—again, at Osborne—and a further 4,000 to 5,500 direct shipyard jobs created to build these boats. There can be no argument that this isn't one of the greatest industrial endeavours that Australia has ever undertaken, and South Australia will be at the heart of it.”
“At its peak, the Hunter Class Frigate Program is expected to support 3,000 direct jobs, with a supply chain supporting a further 5,000 indirect jobs. These workers will have the benefit of world-class infrastructure, including automated shipbuilding facilities and advanced welding technology. In an era of rapid geopolitical change and uncertainty, a meaningful and genuine deterrence capability is critical. The CCSMs, LOTE and the Hunter class frigates are all essential components in Australia's deterrence strategy. And, given we are an island continent, the SSN-AUKUS class submarines will play an equally critical role.”
“This critical capability includes the sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy's Collins class submarine, the life of which will be extended through LOTE as the infrastructure is ready, skills upgraded and workforce recruited to build the future nuclear-powered program for the build of the SSN-AUKUS class. The site is also home to the Hunter Class Frigate Program, which delivers warships which advance operational technology and, importantly, strong deterrence capability to the Royal Australian Navy. Crucially, all six Hunter class frigates will be built at the Osborne shipyard, a further demonstration of this government's commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding and its commitment to South Australia as the right location to be the beating heart of this, an endeavour that I will always champion.”
“I was incredibly proud to have attended the sod-turning ceremony for STAC at the start of this year when the Albanese Labor government confirmed its $480 million investment in that facility, which has now seen its first trainees and apprentices begin courses, under the tuition of industry experts. Further, more than 4,000 Commonwealth supported places have been allocated across 16 universities nationally for the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Student Pathways program, including 700 places at the University of Adelaide and 330 at Flinders University. The Osborne Naval Shipyard, where I spent many years of my pre-politics career, is Australia's premier naval construction facility. Critical capability is being developed and sustained at this location, providing meaningful, well-paid and sustainable employment for thousands of people.”
“South Australia plays, and will continue to play, a critical role in Australia's defence manufacturing. Since the execution of the build contract in 1987 in relation to the six Collins class submarines, South Australia has proven itself to have the workforce, knowledge, infrastructure and competency to drive outcomes and deliver capability for this country. Fast forward almost 40 years and South Australia is now home to the Osborne Naval Shipyard, the Edinburgh Defence Precinct, Mawson Lakes and Lot Fourteen and will also be home to the Skills and Training Academy Campus, or STAC, out on the Lefevre Peninsula. The design and build of STAC will be supported by Australia's sovereign submarine build partners, BAE Systems and ASC Pty Ltd, to draw on the deep experience of our partners, ensuring training aligns with industry requirements.”
“Targeted opportunities for all Australians—that is the educational present this government is determined to champion and the educational future this government is determined to build.”
“Once children progress to primary school, they will benefit from the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, which will see the Commonwealth increase its contribution to the schooling resource standard, which equates to an extra $16.5 billion to public schools over a decade. As a product of Australia's public school system, I am very proud of this commitment. I'm especially proud that it's not a blank cheque and that the onus will be on schools to implement reforms with respect to school attendance, student health, individualised support for students, and teacher retention and recruitment. This will be especially important in STEM subjects, where the government will also invest $7 million to expand STEM initiatives in schools.”
“When you have skilled workers who are motivated to stay in the industry because they are being paid a proper wage, you can fulfil your belief that every child has the right to go to an early childhood education centre. The government's three-day guarantee, which will replace the current activity test from January 2026, ensures that every child is guaranteed access to at least three days of high-quality early education. It is not unfair or divisive to provide this opportunity for children, who do not decide where they are born, how much their parents earn or what their parents have the capacity to do from a work perspective. Children don't decide these things. Governments need to provide frameworks for access to quality education from an early age, which is what this government is doing.”
“She deeply valued the education she was receiving and was determined to repay this through service to her fellow Australians as an enrolled nurse. And the, there are the other students who will go on to complete paid practical placements as part of their studies, including eligible teaching, midwifery, nursing and social work students. They will all benefit from the Commonwealth's paid prac placement system. At the other end of the spectrum is this government's investment in building a universal early childhood education system. We know you can't grow it without workers, which is why the government's 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators was so critical.”
“This institution is thriving under the leadership of Fiona Champion, Executive Director of Students, Strategic Planning and Policy. Fiona introduced me to several students, including Rachel, an enthusiastic enrolled nursing student in her mid-40s. Rachel had spent the better part of her 20s, 30s and early 40s raising her four children and then wanted to do something for herself and her community. Rachel explained to me that it was only through the government's free TAFE program that she could take this step because she and her husband couldn't afford for her to stop working and pay tuition. For Rachel, it is simply not true that you don't value something if you don't pay for it. The depth of Rachel's gratitude for the opportunity presented to her was clear.”
“We know that it's important that quality education begins in early childhood and extends through primary school and high school and on to tertiary education, TAFE, VET and apprenticeship programs. Education is a lifelong endeavour, and cementing opportunities for lifelong learning must always be a priority. I see the fruits of the Albanese Labor government's significant educational reforms almost every day when I'm out and about in my great electorate of Sturt. Home to 44 public, private and independent primary and high schools, the people of Sturt value education. The northern part of Sturt is also home to the Gilles Plains TAFE, which I have visited several times to speak to education professionals and students about the emphasis that this government has placed on TAFE and VET.”
“Education lifts people out of poverty. It teaches people to think critically and think for themselves how to identify and solve a problem. It gets people ready to participate in the workforce to build our communities and country. Together with health, it is the single most important factor in building the foundations of a productive economy. A healthy population underpins a healthy economy, and that healthy economy can stretch, grow and become more productive with an educated workforce. Providing opportunities for all Australians to obtain a meaningful education will always be a feature of Labor governments, and the Albanese Labor government is no exception.”
“What can I do for my community?. So I say to Nishreen, Zulficar, Bruce and Anne: thank you. To get old and age is one of life's greatest blessings. (Time expired)”