Renee Coffey
Griffith · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“He has also been a leader in sepsis advocacy, helping improve awareness, care and recovery for people affected by sepsis. Professor Hans Peter Soyer received his honour for distinguished service in dermatology, skin cancer diagnosis, medical research and governance.”
“His work aims to find skin cancers earlier, improve patient outcomes and address gaps in access to care, especially in regional, rural and remote Australia. Katarina Carroll AO APM received her honour for distinguished service to law enforcement, disaster management and the community.”
“This year's King's Birthday Honours recognised 14 Griffith recipients whose service reflects the best of our community. In my short few minutes here today, I want to acknowledge a few of them. Matthew Ames received his honour for significant service to community health, engineering, business administration and corporate governance.”
“Christine also contributed to the taskforce on domestic and family violence which delivered the landmark Not now, not ever report. She now serves on the board of DVConnect, continuing to work to support people experiencing violence and abuse. I also acknowledge the other Griffith recipients named in this year's honours.”
“Australia's strength has never come from sameness. It has come from the people who have built lives across difference, from our many First Nations communities with millennia of history and culture—the oldest continuous cultures on earth—to people who arrive with little English, little money and deep hope for their children, people who tur…”
“My friend the member for Reid said in this House in her maiden speech: In just over half a century, we have moved from an embrace of a White Australia policy to a country that is now a majority-migrant nation. But what is more remarkable is how this news was received—not with backlash but with a genuine embrace of modern Australia.”
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“In Griffith we are fortunate to have a community that believes deeply in good health care, in medical research and in looking after one another. We are also home to some of our country's most valued hospitals, medical research facilities and other treatment facilities. We are a community that knows illness is never abstract. It is the specialist appointment in the middle of a workday. It's the test result you wait on. It's the quiet and difficult conversation at the kitchen table about what happens next. It is the hope that early action, good advice and modern medicine can all make a difference. Australians deserve protection from discrimination of all forms when it comes to accessing the health care and health information that they need.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. Corporate profiteering by big gas corporations skyrocketed after the invasion of Ukraine, causing rising power bills. It's happening again thanks to Trump and Netanyahu's war on Iran, which you support. These corporations literally take Australian gas for free and make obscene profits from it. Will you put a 25 per cent tax on gas exports?”
“I am so proud of the work that is happening across the country to strengthen our civics education, our media literacy and ultimately our democracy. I am incredibly passionate about so much of that happening in my community of Griffith.”
“It needs citizens who understand those laws, trust those institutions enough to engage with them and feel confident that their voice matters. That confidence does not appear by accident. We build it, we teach it, we model it, and, yes, we fund it. As we consider these appropriations, I support the investments that strengthen civics education, democratic participation and media literacy across the country, because every time we help a child understand parliament, every time we give a young person a meaningful say and every time we teach someone how to test what they are being told online, we do more than fund a program. We strengthen the democratic fabric of Australia, and that is good investment, indeed.”
“It's about taking the time to weigh the facts, consider the choices before you and decide what matters most to you and your community. When we debate appropriations, we should understand that this is not only about funding services in the narrow sense; it is about whether we are properly funding the habits, institutions and pathways that keep our democratic life healthy. That means backing teachers with resources and professional development. It means making sure civics learning is not left to chance or postcode, and it means supporting school visits, outreach programs and practical democratic experiences. In Griffith, we know that strong communities are built when we feel informed, included and heard. The same is true for our nation. A healthy democracy needs more than just laws and institutions.”
“It means also knowing how information reaches you, questioning what you see online, recognising manipulation, checking sources and understanding the difference between reporting, commentary and misinformation. Strengthening democracy also means supporting informed choice. At the last election, when I was out doorknocking across Griffith, there were times people told me they were still unsure, still weighing things up or did not know where they stood. In these conversations I often encourage people to take the time to read widely, compare policies and use trusted public information, including tools like ABC's Vote Compass, to help them think through the issues before casting their vote. Democracy is strongest when people vote with confidence and understanding. An informed vote is not about following habit or noise.”
“Applications close this Friday, so I encourage any young people out there listening to get their applications in before it closes. I want to acknowledge the incredible work of Bryce Corbett and the entire team behind this project. Bryce completed his fellowship with the Winston Churchill Trust in 2025, and his work on international best practice in teaching media literacy to primary school children is a valuable contribution to the national conversation. Today, civics education cannot be separated from media literacy and digital literacy. That's why it matters that the Australian curriculum includes civics and citizenship across years 3 to 10, supported by the government's Civics and Citizenship Education Hub. In 2026, being an informed citizen means more than knowing the three levels of government or understanding how a bill becomes law.”
“We need to help them build the habit of asking questions and teach them how to sort fact from spin, evidence from assertion and reporting from rumour. Programs like Squiz Kids and their Newshounds podcast do exactly that. They make big national and global events understandable without talking down to children. They foster curiosity, build context and show young people that being informed is not intimidating but empowering. Squiz Kids is also running a 'PM for a Day' competition right now, which asks Australian children aged seven to 13 to consider what would be the one thing they would do to make Australia a better place. The winning student and their parent or guardian will travel to Canberra later this month, which will include a visit here to question time and a visit to Government House hosted by the Governor-General herself.”
“I also want to acknowledge the extraordinary passion and commitment of the Speaker of the House that he has shown in delivering these programs in electorates right across the country, and to thank him for his tireless work in ensuring our next generation has the skills, tools and knowledge to lead us through the challenges ahead. In Griffith, we have a strong example of what democratic education can look like when it's practical, engaging and built for the real world. Squiz Kids is a homegrown Griffith story and one I am so proud to talk about. It's smart, accessible, age-appropriate journalism for young people. It takes the news seriously, and it takes children seriously too. If we want the next generation to value democracy, we need to invite them into it early.”
“When a student can ask the Speaker a question in their own classroom and when the Australian Parliament House flag is brought onto their school oval for us as the starting point for broader conversations about citizenship, something shifts. Parliament becomes less distant, politics becomes less intimidating, and public life becomes something that they can imagine themselves participating in. Programs like these help young people understand that democracy is not only about election day; it's about participation, responsibility, respect and shared ownership of our public life. They create moments that can begin a much deeper connection to civic life.”
“It was a terrific opportunity for local students to engage directly with our democracy in a way that was hands-on, tangible and memorable. Students learned about Federation, the parliament and the democratic process, not in the abstract but in their own school community. They had a chance to ask questions, to take part directly and to connect those lessons to the symbols and institutions that shape our national life. That is what good civics education should do. It should not leave students feeling that parliament is a faraway building occupied by other people; it should help them see that our democracy belongs to them too.”
“Across these programs, the Speaker works with local members to visit schools and make civics education accessible to more students, especially those who cannot visit Canberra. Since February last year, the program has already reached more than 145 schools across Australia, including regional and remote schools. The member for Riverina was just discussing how much he enjoyed the visit by the Speaker to a school in his electorate. If a young person cannot get to Canberra, then taking parliament into schools and communities is a practical and meaningful way to close that gap. Last September I was proud also to host the Parliament in Schools and APH Flag Roadshow at Cooperoo State School with the Speaker of the House.”
“It was great to meet students Bridget and Harmony from Townsville late last year and answer their questions about being in parliament, and also to catch up with Dwayne, one of the organisers, and Uncle Benny, who has been a mentor in the program for so many years. I was so proud to have been involved with the first WEX program and it is great to now be involved as a parliamentarian. But civics education is not only about bringing students to Canberra; it's also about bringing parliament to students. It is strongest when it is practical, when students can see institutions up close, ask questions directly and understand that democracy is not remote or inaccessible. That's why the Parliament in Schools program, run by the Speaker of the House alongside the APH Flag Roadshow, is such an important initiative.”
“Initiated by a former Labor government and the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation in 2010, the WEX program provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with a hands-on experience and knowledge about career pathways in the Australian government. It helps young people see that there is a place for them in public institutions, in policy, in leadership and in service. That is powerful, because representation is not only about who sits in this chamber but also about who can imagine themselves contributing to the institutions that shape our country. Programs like WEX help make that possible. They widen the pipeline, broaden aspiration, create opportunity and strengthen democracy by ensuring more young Australians can see themselves reflected in the systems that govern them.”
“Held for the first time last year by the Minister for Youth, the forum creates space for young people to engage directly with government policy questions and decision-makers. It sends a simple but powerful message: young Australians are not just the subjects of policies; they are stakeholders in it. I am proud that the Albanese Labor government reinstated funding for this program after it was discontinued under the previous coalition government. If we are serious about participation, access has to be broad and inclusive. Democracy is its healthiest when pathways into public life are open to young people from all backgrounds, all communities and all parts of this wonderful country. That's why the Work Exposure in Government program, the WEX program, matters.”
“Programs like this can be life-changing. They can open the door for future leadership, community advocacy, public service or simply a deeper sense of civic confidence. Constituents often ask me when I first imagined that I might one day represent our community here in Canberra. The truth is I had not really thought about it until I visited this place as a school student in 1999 and had a chance to meet one of my absolute heroes, former Democrat Senator Natasha Stott Despoja. Experiences like that stay with you. They can turn parliament from something distant and abstract into something real, human and possible. The National Youth Forum is another important part of this work.”
“Young people need to build confidence in democracy, and they do that when they are given genuine opportunities to take part, to speak, to contribute and to be taken seriously. That's why the National Youth Parliament is so important and such a fantastic new initiative that will be run for the first time later this year. Bringing together one person from each electorate across Australia to take part in a hands-on parliamentary program is exactly the kind of investment we should be making. It will gives young Australians a chance to experience the processes of parliament directly, to see how ideas are debated, how legislation is considered and how representation works in practice. Just as importantly, it will show them that democracy is not something done to them; it is something that they can help shape.”
“The PACER program provides financial assistance to support students' on-site learning about national, democratic, historical and cultural institutions here in Canberra. That matters, because educational opportunity should not depend on a school's postcode or budget. In 2023, rebates for students from disadvantaged areas increased significantly, with rebates of up to $1,275 per student available depending on the distance travelled. That increased support has also been extended through 2026 and 2027. Programs like PACER help more young Australians experience our national institutions first-hand, and that kind of access can leave a lasting impression. If we want stronger democratic engagement, we cannot stop at classroom learning. Participation also has to be practised.”
“That's down from 53 per cent and 38 per cent respectively in 2019, and the results were described as the lowest since the assessment began in 2004. The report also showed a decline in participation in school based civics activities, especially at year 10 level, with the largest drop in excursions to parliaments and law courts. That should concern all of us, and it is not because young people don't care. The same ACARA material makes it clear that students continue to value learning about our civics and their institutions. The problem is the gap between interest and access, between concern and understanding, and between wanting to participate and being shown how. An important scheme in place to support this work is the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate, PACER.”
“As the chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, the member for Bennelong said when releasing the From Classroom to Community report that all Australians need to be informed to participate in our democracy and elections, particularly at a time of rising disengagement, distrust and misinformation.' That same report found that the quality of formal civics education varies considerably across jurisdictions and across schools, and the warning signs are clear. The 2024 national assessment program report from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, ACARA, showed that 43 per cent of year 6 students and 28 per cent of year 10 students reached the proficient standards in civics and citizenship.”
“We see it in the pride young people feel when they first learn how a bill becomes law, and we see it when local families want their children to know not just what Australia is but how Australia works. That's why I want to speak today about civics education, media literacy and democratic participation. If we want a stronger democracy, we must invest in people's capacity to take part in it. In my first speech to this place, I spoke about the importance of civics education and media literacy in upholding our democracy. Australia is rightly proud of our compulsory voting. It is one of the great strengths of our democratic system. But compulsory voting on its own is not enough. Asking people to vote is not the same as equipping them to participate fully, confidently and critically.”
“While we can discuss appropriation bills in terms of numbers, line items and balance sheets, at the heart they're about our national priorities. They tell us what we value, what we are prepared to build and what kind of country we want to be. For me, one of the clearest tests of any spending is whether it strengthens the foundations of our democracy. Democracy itself is not self-sustaining. It does not run on inertia nor does it endure simply because we inherited it. It depends on people understanding it, trusting in it and believing that they have a place in it. In Griffith, we see that every day. We see it in our schools, in our community halls, in the questions people ask at local forums and in the care people take before they cast a vote.”
“For 35 years the Chicks in Pink fun run has brought Queenslanders together in hope and in action, and this year it raised $2 million. Every dollar raised helps fund better research, treatment and equipment as well as practical support for women going through breast cancer. I want to thank the Mater Foundation, Mater Chicks in Pink, every volunteer, every fundraiser and everybody who laced up on Sunday. This is community—my community—at its very best: compassionate, determined and making a real difference.”
“On Sunday, my community once again turned out in force for the Mater Foundation's Chicks in Pink fun run. And what a powerful show of solidarity it was. I understand Sister Angela Mary Doyle had prayed for good weather, and thankfully the rain held off just long enough for the event to go ahead and for that sea of pink to make its way through Brisbane. The Mater in South Brisbane is such a special place for people in my community. Like so many families across Brisbane, I was born at the Mater and one of my sons was born there. Our community knows how connected we are to this institution and to the care, compassion and expertise it has provided for generations. One in seven Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and one in four of those Queensland women will be treated at the Mater.”
“We stand with Ukraine because borders cannot be redrawn by force. We stand with Ukraine because we stand for freedom and for the right of all nations to live in security, to raise their families in safety, to speak their language and to determine their own future. We may be half a world away, but we recognise what Ukrainians are defending: a home, a democracy, a people's right to exist and to choose their own path. Meeting with Ukrainian parliamentarians yesterday reinforced that this is a fight not only for Ukraine's territory but also for freedom, sovereignty and the right of a people to choose their own future. Slava Ukraini!”
“Recently, I was honoured to join with our local Ukrainian community at Kangaroo Point in my electorate of Griffith for a solemn vigil in remembrance and solidarity. It was an emotional evening as we stood together to mark four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and 12 years since the illegal occupation of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine began. The Australian government stands firmly with Ukraine against Russia's aggression. Since February 2022 we have provided more than $1.7 billion in humanitarian and energy assistance, and military assistance also. We stand with Ukraine in defence of its sovereignty and its right to live in peace. We reiterate our call on Russia to end this unprovoked and unjustified war, and comply with its obligations under international law.”
“That contribution deserves respect, especially as Sussan was the first female leader of the Liberal Party. This International Women's Day, let us do more than offer warm words. Let us build politics where women are not expected to fix broken cultures on their own, where women's leadership is not conditional and where respect for women is measured not by slogans but by who is heard, who is backed and who gets to shape the decisions. That is the standard women in Australia deserve. This International Women's Day, I acknowledge all the women in this place on our side and, of course, on the other side as well.”
“We've backed changes that put gender equality more firmly at the centre of our workplace laws. We've supported wage increases in female-dominated sectors, and we're investing in women's health with cheaper contraceptives, better support for menopause and endometriosis. I'm proud to be part of the continuation of the first majority-women government. This Labor government has achieved this not only because we listen to women; we are women. I take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Sussan Ley for her service. We will have our political differences, as we should in a healthy democracy, but service in this place demands resilience, discipline and sacrifice. It demands time away from family. It demands fortitude under constant scrutiny.”
“It states in strikingly blunt terms that the female vote is clearly a problem for the Liberal Party. It goes further, acknowledging that capable female candidates were left trying to overcome leadership and policy settings that had already alienated women. That says a lot. It says the women in the Liberal and National parties were asked to carry the credibility of a political project that too often did not listen to women, did not speak to women and did not understand what women across Australia were asking for. On this side, the Albanese Labor government is delivering for Australian women—cheaper child care; making paid parental leave bigger, fairer and more flexible; superannuation on paid parental leave; and 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave. We've banned pay secrecy clauses.”
“As International Women's Day approaches, I recognise the women in this parliament, the women in our communities and the women who keep our country moving every single day. International Women's Day is about celebrating progress, but it's also about telling the truth—and one truth this parliament should be able to say plainly is that the women in the Liberal and National parties are the best asset they have on that side of the chamber. I'll say it again: the women in the Liberal and National parties are the best asset they have on that side of the chamber, by a country mile. That's not just an observation from this side; their own election review makes this painfully clear. Their review says that their former, former leader was seen as lacking connection with women.”
“From our communities to our classrooms, we all have a role to play in making sure children are supported early, that Auslan is recognised and valued, and that no child is left behind because the support they need is too hard to access or comes too late. When we improve hearing care, we do more than support learning. We support connection, we support dignity and we give every child the chance to flourish. So I would just like to say thank you to Brett and to Deaf Connect.”
“I also want to acknowledge the many other organisations, advocates, educators, interpreters and community groups who work alongside them to support our deaf community. Their work helps to build a more inclusive Australia where more people can participate fully, communicate confidently and feel genuinely connected. One of the programs we discussed was Auslan90, delivered by Deaf Connect with support from SBS. It's a simple and powerful initiative that provides the day's top stories, in a format designed specifically for Auslan users, alongside weekly deep-dive videos that give more context on key issues. It's practical, accessible and empowering. It recognises a simple truth: access to information is part of participation, and participation must be universal. That's what World Hearing Day is calling on us to remember.”
“And when they need support, that support should be there early, clearly and without barriers. Around 30,000 people use Auslan, with over 16,000 reporting in the 2021 census that they use it at home. For the first time, the 2021 census included Auslan as a prompt when asking what language was used at home, ensuring that the language was recognised and shown through the datasets. Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with Brett Casey, the CEO of Deaf Connect, and it was a valuable conversation. I want to sincerely thank Brett and the entire team at Deaf Connect for the work they do to support the deaf and hard-of-hearing Australians, their families and communities. Brett has served as Deaf Connect's CEO since 2010, and that continuity of leadership has helped shape practical, community focused support over many years.”
“Today is World Hearing Day, and this year's theme is 'From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for all Children'. This theme highlights the unique hearing and language journeys of all children and families, and it is a timely reminder of the importance of inclusion and learning, and of making sure every child has the chance to participate fully in their life at school and in their community. This year's campaign focuses on preventing avoidable childhood hearing loss and on ensuring children with ear or hearing issues are identified and supported early. In Griffith we know just how much this shapes a child's life. It shapes how they learn in the classroom, how they build friendships and how confident they feel in the world around them. When children can hear, communicate and connect, they are better able to thrive.”
“That's what our plan delivers—more rooftop solar, more batteries and more cheaper renewable energy in the system. It means lower bills over time, lower emissions, a fairer energy market and a grid built for the future.”
“Queensland added the most rooftop solar capacity in the first half of 2025, with 326 megawatts installed in just six months. When you walk around my community in Griffith, it's hard to find houses without rooftop solar. By the end of 2025, Queensland remained the state with the most rooftop solar installations, at 1.16 million systems. Energy Queensland also reports that around 48 per cent of detached homes in Queensland now have solar, one of the highest rates around the country. Queenslanders have understood for years that rooftop solar is one of the most practical ways to cut household costs, with 44 per cent of households in my electorate now fitted with solar panels. We've also added batteries into that calculation, which means lower bills, greater resilience and a cleaner energy system overall.”
“As the Clean Energy Council said: The more renewables in the system, the less we need to depend on unreliable coal-fired power and gas over time, which will provide much needed cost-relief on bills. We're also seeing this on rooftops across the country. Rooftop solar provided 12.8 per cent of Australia's electricity in the first half of 2025, with 26.8 gigawatts installed across 4.2 million homes and small businesses by June. By the end of 2025, rooftop solar had grown to 28.3 gigawatts and contributed 14.2 per cent of electricity supplied to the grid across the year. That is a powerful national asset, built suburb by suburb, roof by roof and household by household. As a Queenslander myself, I am pleased to report that in Queensland we are leading that work.”
“The Australian Energy Regulator said wholesale electricity spot prices have fallen since late 2022 thanks to lower fuel costs, increased renewable energy and government action. AEMO also reported a record 77.2 per cent renewable contribution on one day in September, alongside an 11 per cent lift in rooftop solar output for the quarter. This shows the direction we need to keep moving in. More renewables and more storage in the system mean less dependence on unreliable coal fired power and more protection from the price shocks that come when ageing generators fail. It also means a cleaner grid, lower emissions and real progress towards the climate goals Australians expect us to meet.”
“Since May 2022, more than 19 gigawatts of variable renewable generation has been installed across the country. That includes more than 10 gigawatts of rooftop solar, 4.6 gigawatts of utility solar and 4.4 gigawatts of wind. That is enough to power more than six million households. In the September 2025 quarter, AEMO reported that higher renewable output and lower market volatility helped bring down wholesale electricity prices across every region of the national electricity market. Wholesale prices averaged $87 per megawatt hour nationally, down 27 per cent on the year before, and Queensland recorded the lowest average quarterly spot price in the market, at $72 per megawatt hour.”
“That is why the Albanese Labor government's plan is clear—more cheaper, cleaner energy and a better deal for households. We are modernising the grid so Australia can make better use of the best sun and wind in the world. We are backing renewables, firmed by storage, hydro and gas, because that is the practical path to lower bills, lower emissions and a more reliable system. The Australian Energy Market Operator's own planning says the lowest-cost path for Australia is renewable energy connected through better networks, firmed with storage and backed by gas when needed. So the answer is not delay. The answer is to keep building the modern system properly and to do it in an orderly way. Australia's renewable transition gathered pace in 2025, with a record number of projects given the green light.”
“In Griffith, energy affordability is a real cost-of-living issue. Families are opening their power bills and doing the sums again. Small businesses are watching every overhead. People are budgeting carefully and still feeling the strain. We know that. We have acted to ease that pressure, and we know there is more work to do. But the clean energy transition is not only about affordability; it is also about the kind of environment we leave to the next generation. It's about cutting emissions, reducing pollution and moving away from an ageing coal system that is becoming more expensive, less reliable and harder on our climate. For communities like Griffith, those goals belong together. Cleaner energy and cheaper energy go hand in hand.”
“It builds on the strength of our not-for-profit sector by extending deductible gift recipient status to organisations that continue to deliver immeasurable public benefit, helping them to fundraise, to plan and to keep showing up for the communities that they serve.”
“It's a vote of confidence in the power of parents to help build a fairer, more equitable Australia. That's the point. When we make it easier for Australians to support the organisations delivering real public benefit, we strengthen the fabric of our community. This bill brings together a set of practical measures that speak to the kind of economy and community we want to build. It strengthens how superannuation works at the moments that matter so workers are informed, protected from inappropriate sales pressure and better placed to keep more of what they earn for retirement. It honours Australia's commitments as a host of major international sporting events with clear, targeted and time limited tax settings that help deliver the rugby world cups and the jobs, tourism and participation legacy that can flow from them.”
“I want to make special mention of another organisation that will be listed for DGR status under this bill, the Parenthood Project. In Griffith, we are absolutely a community of families, including parents juggling cost-of-living pressures, the childcare waitlist, the scramble of drop-off and pick-up, and the constant effort to give kids the best chances and a good start. The Parenthood's work is squarely in that lived reality. The Parenthood is an advocacy organisation, working to make Australia the best place in the world to be a parent, backed by a national community of more than 80,000 parents and carers. As the CEO, Georgie Dent, shared with me: DGR status is a game-changer for The Parenthood. It recognises the vital public benefit of our work to make Australia the best place in the world to be a parent and raise a child.”
“In practice, DGR status encourages the community to support the work of these organisations, which in turn helps organisations plan further ahead, invest in staff and expertise and respond quickly when the community needs them, whether that is preparing submissions, supporting campaigns or turning lived experience into concrete reform proposals. It strengthens not only their financial base but also their long-term stability that allows them to keep showing up year after year for the people they serve. In a community like mine in Brisbane, that work really matters. It helps make sure people can participate in community life without fear, and it strengthens the basic Australian promise that everyone should be treated with fairness and with respect.”
“Equality Australia is doing work that is often complex and behind the scenes—detailed law reform, careful policy development and sustained advocacy to close gaps that still leave LGBTQIA+ people exposed to discrimination or harm. For organisations like Equality Australia, fundraising is critical to ensure they can keep the lights on, and the listing for DGR status will bolster their efforts. Before coming into this place, I sat on the board of Fundraising Institute Australia, so I have particular experiences and insights into just how much DGR status can help these charities, organisations and non-profits.”
“Schedule 5 of the bill matters deeply to me and to communities like Griffith because it speaks to the strength of Australia's not-for-profit sector and the quiet generosity that underpins it. For a couple of decades before entering this place, I worked in the charities sector in Australia, leading national charities, so this is particularly important to me and of course important to the sector and the donors who part with their hard-earned money to support the causes. Deductible gift recipient, DGR, listing is valuable for fundraising and is a practical lever that helps organisations attract public support for work that benefits the community, including Equality Australia, one of the many incredible organisations that will be listed for DGR status under this bill.”
“That is why schedules 1 and 2 are so important. If we're asking the system to move to payday super then onboarding processes must be clean, transparent and worker focused. We cannot have a system where super is paid more frequently but workers are still being nudged into unnecessary new accounts or pushed past information that would help them to make a good, genuine decision and choice. Schedule 3 provides targeted income tax and withholding tax exemptions for World Rugby and Rugby Australia strictly limited to income directly related to delivering the rugby world cups. This approach follows established precedent for other major international events hosted here, and it matters for the legacy we leave—jobs, tourism, local participation and especially a lift in opportunities for women and girls in sport as the women's tournament approaches.”
“It looks like someone changing jobs and not even realising they have missing contributions until the debt is too old or the business has folded. We also know that impact compounds, because super is built on time. When contributions are missing, workers not only lose that contribution; they lose the investment earnings on top of it. From 1 July this year, employers will be required to pay superannuation guarantee contributions at the same time as wages, instead of quarterly, and contributions will need to be received by the employee super fund within a shorter window after pay day so workers can more easily track what they are owed and the ATO can detect missing payments earlier before debts become unrecoverable. The system is also being modernised to ensure consequences match the harm when employers do not pay on time.”
“In December last year, the ATO released new data revealing $1.1 billion in unpaid super had been returned to nearly a million individual super funds in 2024-25. That's money that people earned—and it was hard-earned—but did not originally receive. Unpaid super does not fall evenly. It disproportionately affects younger workers and people in insecure work, many of whom live in my area of Griffith. These are the very workers least able to absorb the loss and the least likely to have the time or the power to be able to chase it up. We have unfortunately seen what this looks like in our communities. It looks like younger workers in hospitality juggling shifts, trying to pay rent and assuming everything has been paid properly, only to find out years later that it was not.”