Emma Comer
Petrie · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Today I want to celebrate three examples of what makes Petrie such a special place: creativity, community and confidence in the future. First, Redcliffe is fast making its case as the art capital of the world. Across the Peninsula, creativity is everywhere.”
“I also want to acknowledge the Redcliffe Art Society and its Exhibition of Excellence. For decades, the society has supported local artists, encouraged new talent and helped make Redcliffe a genuine cultural hub. To every artist, organiser, volunteer and supporter involved: thank you for adding so much life and colour to our community.”
“They help young people understand that their voices and ideas count and that democracy is strongest when people are informed and engaged. I thank the staff and students and the school community at Bracken Ridge State School, including the principal, Robyne Harris, deputy principal, Ben Laws, and the head of curriculum, Jess Edwards, for t…”
“Quantum computing has the potential to transform industries like medicine, energy, agriculture, logistics, materials, science and more that we can't even fathom today. For our community, it means new opportunities, new skills and a place at the centre of this exciting technology.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. What has been the impact of the Albanese Labor government's world-leading social media ban for under-16-year-olds, and what is standing in the way of strengthening them so that we can better protect Australian children and back Australian parents?”
“We have delivered Medicare urgent care clinics across the country, we are investing in our public hospitals in partnership with the states, and we are ensuring that general practice remains viable and an attractive profession for future generations of healthcare workers. These are not isolated initiatives.”
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“Traditional mobile coverage is currently provided in areas where about 99 per cent of Australians work and live. That is an extraordinary achievement and one that reflects decades of investment by industry and government. But it covers only one-third of the Australian landmass. In the remaining two-thirds, around five million square kilometres, it is not possible to make a triple zero call using traditional mobile services, and that statistic alone makes a case for reform. We rely on telecommunication connectivity to support our families, our businesses and our communities. Most importantly, we rely on it to seek help in an emergency. Whether you are facing a natural disaster, broken down on the highway, injured on the farm or lost in the bush, you should have the ability to call for assistance.”
“We're establishing for the first time a legislative framework to create a universal outdoor mobile obligation. It represents a significant and necessary evolution of Australia's universal services regime. It reflects the way Australians live today, it reflects the way we communicate and it reflects the expectation that connectivity is not a luxury but a baseline necessity. The Albanese government is committed to keeping Australians connected. We believe that every Australian should have access to baseline mobile voice and text services across the entire country. No matter where you live and no matter what you do, you deserve the ability to connect, whether it is to work from home, to run your business, to seek help in an emergency or to simply stay in touch with the people that you love.”
“It is how they receive bushfire alerts, flood alerts and weather-warning notifications. It is how stranded motorists call for roadside assistance. It is how workers on farms, construction sites and remote worksites stay in contact with colleagues and emergency responders. In 2026 connectivity underpins social inclusion. Without it, individuals can become isolated, particularly in regional and remote communities. In the modern era, reliable mobile connectivity belongs in the same category as any other essential infrastructure. It supports our economy, our safety and our sense of connection to one another. That is why reform is necessary, that is why universal outdoor mobile coverage matters and that is why we must ensure that the framework governing telecommunications reflects the realities of everyday life in 2026.”
“In the year 2026 mobile phone coverage is not a luxury; it is a necessity for everyday life. It is how Australians communicate with their families and friends. It is how parents coordinate school pick-ups and after-school activities. It's how carers check in on elderly relatives. It is how people stay socially connected in an increasingly digital world. Remote workers rely on mobile data to participate in meetings and access cloud based systems. It is how Australians access services. Many government services now require an online verification code sent by SMS. If you cannot receive a text message or place a call, you can effectively be locked out of essential services. Without reliable coverage, Australians are getting left behind. Mobile coverage is also fundamentally about safety. It is how Australians call triple 0 in an emergency.”
“It's now time for the Crisafulli government to get on with the job, do what's written on the bunting and deliver for Queensland. We're not asking for too much. The community wants to get home safely on it's Linkfield Road overpass, to see a doctor or go into the hospital expansion. The delay in that is only exacerbating the costs and not meeting the needs of the community. I call on the Crisafulli government to deliver for Queensland.”
“Under previous governments—the Palaszczuk government and the Miles government—the work had already begun. The piling had been completed and we were ready to start putting the hospital up. I was driving past it on the weekend and I have to say I did see them actually do something. They covered the worksite in blue bunting saying 'delivering for Queensland'. If it didn't say 'Queensland', you would easily mistake it as being from New South Wales—the Blues— An honourable member: Go Maroons! I'll take that interjection; go the Maroons! The federal government is getting on with delivering health care for our communities. We've got the urgent care clinic at Deception Bay, we have the mental health facility in Redcliffe and we have 30 per cent of GPs now offering bulk-billing.”
“We don't know when it's going to happen. Work started before the state election. What's happening now? Nothing. I challenge the current transport minister in Queensland, Minister Mickelberg, and Premier Crisafulli to take the south-bound exit off the Bruce, sit at that intersection, look my community in the face and say that a staged delivery is what they need. It's not just inconvenient; it's a risk to safety. I've sat at that intersection. You're there for up to 20 minutes and you're seeing other cars get sick of it and pull out in front of other cars. It's totally unsafe, it is unreasonable and my community deserves better. And speaking of delays and increased costs, which is what's going to happen with the delays in this infrastructure, I'd like to talk about the Redcliffe Hospital expansion.”
“Last Friday, I spent the day doorknocking with Bisma Asif, one of the hardest-working state MPs in Queensland. We went out doorknocking to talk to locals, because we were both heading down to our respective parliaments at the start of this week and we wanted to hear about what's important to our constituents directly from them. Street after street, house after house, whether we were talking to Jenine or Paul or David, the Linkfield Road overpass kept coming up. Under the former Miles government, the former transport minister Bart Mellish secured funding from the Miles government. He also secured funding from the federal government of $125 million for the Linkfield Road overpass. Since then the Crisafulli Queensland government have come into power. They have released their recent budget and this overpass funding is in limbo.”
“The RSLs in my electorate are working tirelessly to support our veterans. I want to especially thank Rosemary, who tirelessly volunteers at the Redcliffe RSL. It's people like Rosemary who make all the difference, providing fierce support exactly where it's needed. On our end the government is getting on with the job of removing roadblocks for veterans so that they can access the services they need, the services they've earnt and the services they deserve.”
“The enduring nature of the commission ensures that the voices of veterans and their families continue to be heard and that systemic issues contributing to suicide and poor wellbeing outcomes are continually reviewed and addressed. These provisions ensure continuity, legal clarity and smooth transition so that there is no disruption to the important work of the commission. Taken together, these bills strengthen independence, enhance accountability and embed long-term oversight at the heart of the Defence and veterans support system. They honour the findings of the royal commission, respond to the parliament's scrutiny and reflect the government's commitment to listening, learning and acting. I want to finish by acknowledging the everyday heroes who work tirelessly to support veterans.”
“They ensure that progress is measured, reported on and subject to scrutiny over time. These provisions reflect a clear understanding that system reform is not a one-off exercise. It requires sustained attention, long-term oversight and a commitment to continuous improvement. The government has listened to feedback from stakeholders and has taken action. The changes contained in this bill ensure that the commissioner has the tools necessary to enable the commission to drive meaningful system reform to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force. Importantly, these reforms mean that agencies will be held accountable to consider and respond to the commissioner's recommendations.”
“It also works to access the information necessary to perform oversight functions effectively. It also expands the scope of witness protection, ensuring that individuals who provide information to an inquiry by the commissioner are appropriately protected. This is essential to fostering trust, encouraging transparency and ensuring that people feel safe to come forward. This bill also improves transparency in the work of the commission itself. It introduces statutory deadlines for the completion of two inquiries into the Commonwealth's implementation of the government's response to the royal commission's recommendations. Those deadlines are 2 December 2027 and 2 December 2030, marking the third and sixth anniversaries of the government's response. These statutory milestones are an important accountability mechanism.”
“There is no doubt that the families of veterans play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our veterans. At the same time, they face unique challenges themselves. They are often carers, advocates and first responders, yet their voices are too often overlooked. Through this legislation, the Albanese government acknowledges the significance of veterans' families and recognises that meaningful system reform must consider the experiences and needs of the families alongside those who serve. Third, the commission's functions and powers have been reviewed and the proposed amendments arising from the inquiry process have been adopted. This bill strengthens the independence of the commissioner and the commissioner's powers to ensure accountability.”
“The Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025 builds on the work undertaken by the parliament in February this year, when schedule 9 of the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025 was passed and subsequently examined through a Senate inquiry. The submissions, evidence and findings of that inquiry have directly informed the development of this bill. As a result, the government has implemented several key recommendations. First, the bill establishes standalone legislation for the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission, reinforcing its independence and clarity of purpose. Second, the bill ensures that the functions of the commissioner explicitly include reference to veterans' families.”
“The commission will have a dedicated and sustained focus on suicide prevention. It will ensure that agencies responsible for implementing the royal commission's recommendations are held to account. It will promote long-term cultural and structural change and drive the reforms necessary to reduce the rates of suicide and suicidality among serving and ex-serving ADF members. To perform this role effectively, the commission must have the independence, functions and powers necessary to meet these objectives and to maintain the trust of the Defence and veteran community. That is precisely what this bill delivers.”
“These bills build on the foundation by ensuring that the commission is placed on the strongest possible legislative footing. The role of this new statutory entity is clear: it is to provide independent oversight and evidence based advice to drive system reform, with the objective of improving suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for the defence and veteran community.”
“The royal commission deemed recommendation 122 of its final report to be the most important recommendation. The recommendation called for the establishment of a new statutory entity to oversee systems reform across the whole defence ecosystem. The royal commission was unequivocal in its findings. It identified that fragmented responsibility, insufficient oversight and a lack of sustained accountability had contributed to systematic failures with devastating consequences for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families. In acknowledgement of the significance and urgency of the recommendation, the Albanese Labor government legislated the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission in February 2025. The commission has been up and running since the end of September last year.”
“A key feature of this bill is strengthening the independence of the commission. To support that independence, it provides for the appointment of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner by the Governor-General. This is a significant safeguard. It ensures that the commissioner is appointed through a formal, merit based and public recruitment process, and that the role is clearly established as independent of Defence and other agencies. Prompt passage of this bill will facilitate the appointment of the inaugural commissioner in accordance with the provisions relating to appointment and terms, ensuring that the commission is fully operational and able to carry out its critical functions. These reforms must also be understood in the context of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.”
“This bill also reflects the government's response to the recommendations from the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee following its report on 29 August 2025 into the existing enabling legislation. That committee recommended, among other things, that the functions of the commissioner explicitly include reference to veterans' families. Wellbeing does not exist in isolation. Supporting veterans means supporting the people who stand behind them. This recognition strengthens the commission's work and ensures reform is informed by the lived experiences of the entire defence and veteran community. The government has listened carefully to the committee's findings, to the evidence put forward by stakeholders and to the concerns raised during the inquiry process.”
“They reflect the government's commitment to ensuring that the system reform across the defence and veterans system is enduring, transparent and accountable, and that it has sustained focus on suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes. This Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025 replaces the current enabling legislation for the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission. In doing so, it transitions the commission and the commissioner out of the Defence Act and into standalone legislation. This approach is deliberate. It reflects the seriousness of the role the commission is intended to play and reinforces its independence from the agencies it oversees.”
“It is how we ensure that the findings of the royal commission do not sit on a shelf but instead drive lasting cultural and structural change. It is about saying clearly and unequivocally that the lives of our defence personnel and veterans matter not only in service but long after it ends. I'm honoured to speak in support of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025 and the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. Together they represent an important step in strengthening the independence, authority and effectiveness of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission and the Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner.”
“They were not isolated tragedies. They were the result of systematic failures that compounded trauma, injury and distress over time. That is why the royal commission identified its recommendation to establish a new independent statutory entity to oversee reform across the entire defence ecosystem as a key recommendation—not because it was easy but because it was essential. This was a call to action and a call for enduring oversight, real accountability and sustained reform long after the headlines fade and the hearings end. The families who came forward did so not just in grief but in hope—hope that their loss would lead to change and hope that the future generation of serving and ex-serving members would be better supported than their loved ones were. This legislation is part of how we are going to honour that courage.”
“The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was one of the most confronting and sobering inquiries this country has ever undertaken. It heard testimonies that no family should ever have to give or experience—parents speaking about the children they lost, partners describing the lives forever changed and mates remembering those who never made it home, not from war but from the aftermath of service. Again and again, the royal commission was told the same story of people who served their country with pride, who asked for help when they needed it and who became lost in a system that was fragmented, a system that was too was complex and too often unresponsive, a system that failed to see the human cost of delay, confusion and silence. The royal commission made clear that these deaths were not inevitable.”
“Strong, connected communities are safer during emergencies and recover faster afterwards. Taking a few small steps now can help protect lives, reduce stress and keep our community safe when the next weather event arrives.”
“Make sure you're getting your information from trusted sources. Download emergency warning apps, tune in to ABC Emergency or your local radio station and follow emergency service channels online. It's important to have access to critical, real-time information when it matters most. I encourage everyone to take just 15 minutes to make or update a household emergency recovery plan. Know what you'll do, where you'll go and how you'll stay in touch if you need to leave quickly. Don't forget to include your pets, important documents, medications and an emergency kit with the essentials. Finally, please look out for one another, just as our community already does. Emergencies don't affect everyone in the same way, and a simple check-in with a neighbour, especially someone who may need the extra support, can really make a difference.”
“As such, the Albanese government has made preparedness the national priority through the establishment of NEMA, the $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund, increased investment in aerial firefighting, upgraded flood-warning systems and the creation of a national emergency stockpile. In Queensland alone hundreds of millions of dollars are being invested to reduce risk and strengthen resilience, particularly in North Queensland. We are committed to supporting communities before disaster strikes, standing with them during the crisis and walking alongside them through the recovery. The high-risk weather period is not over yet. I want to encourage everyone in our community to stay informed and be ready to act if conditions change. What matters most right now is that we are prepared, informed and connected.”
“These measures are about more than dollars; they are about dignity, stability and giving communities the tools they need to recover. I want to thank the emergency service personnel and first responders for their work in keeping Australians safe: firefighters, SES volunteers, police, paramedics, defence personnel and the community volunteers that have worked tirelessly in extreme heat and dangerous conditions to protect lives and property. We all share a responsibility to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters in a changing climate, and the frequency and ferocity of these events are set to increase.”
“More than $66 million has already been announced through the joint Commonwealth and state disaster recovery funding arrangements. This funding will support communities, farmers and businesses. This includes primary producer grants, emergency fodder support, small-business recovery grants, mental health and wellbeing programs and critical infrastructure repairs. Personal hardship assistance and disaster recovery allowance payments are helping families meet immediate needs while they begin the long task of rebuilding. In Victoria nearly $330 million has now been committed under joint Commonwealth and state arrangements to support recovery from the January bushfires. Assistance includes clean-up programs, emergency accommodation, mental health services, primary producer grants, concessional loans and restoration.”
“The full scale of the damage is still emerging, but we already know the losses are significant, with stock losses of around 50,000. These events underline just how exposed many communities are to severe weather events. For primary producers, small-business owners and households, the loss of homes, stock, equipment and income is not only financially devastating but emotionally exhausting. Many Australians have lost property or livestock as a result of these disasters. We express our deepest sympathies to the Australians who have lost their incomes, their homes or their lives during these events. The Albanese Labor government has been working closely with the Queensland government to activate disaster assistance across 46 local government areas.”
“This motion rightly acknowledges the scale and seriousness of the natural disasters that Australians have endured over the summer of 2025 and 2026, and today we pause to reflect and recognise the loss, the hardship and the extraordinary efforts of those responding on the ground. Australians have had a tough summer. Queenslanders have been hit with major flooding and Victorians with fire. Across our country we are witnessing the impacts of extreme weather. In Victoria communities have faced devastating bushfires, with more than 400 homes lost and a loss of around 20,000 sheep. Families have lost not just their houses but memories, livelihoods and a sense of safety. In Queensland communities have been hit with extraordinary amounts of rainfall, particularly across the north and the north-west.”
“My wonderful team of local volunteers and I have been out to let the community know that the clinic is open. I spoke with Jan from Deception Bay, who recently had a fall that required stitches. Her GP doesn't do emergencies, and her local hospital's wait times are too long. Jan went to the new Deception Bay urgent care clinic, where she had a minimal wait time and comprehensive care. Importantly, she didn't pay a cent. For too long, Deception Bay residents have been overlooked and undervalued and have missed out on the health services they need—not any more. This community deserves better, and this new urgent care clinic is an important first step. It's a win for Deception Bay. It's a win for affordable and accessible health care. It's a win for Petrie.”
“I am proud to speak on a major new development for our community, the opening of the Medicare urgent care clinic in Deception Bay. Located on Bailey Road, this clinic is a game-changing addition to our local health care. It's open seven days a week, and, crucially, it offers fully bulk-billed walk-in care. Locals don't need to make an appointment or worry about out-of-pocket costs when they need help. For too long, the community has had to travel to hospital emergency departments for issues that don't require emergency care. From sprains to minor injuries, infections and illnesses that need prompt attention, this new clinic helps ease the pressure off busy local hospitals, freeing up emergency departments to focus on the more serious cases.”
“They provide the governance, the coordination and the stewardship that the system has lacked; they support diversity and excellence across institutions; they place equity at the centre of system design; and they help ensure our tertiary education system is fit for the future. This is about building a system that serves students, supports educators, strengthens our workforce and underpins Australia's long-term prosperity.”
“This collaboration will ensure advice and decisions are informed by the best available evidence and aligned across portfolios. The interim ATEC commenced operations on 1 July 2025. They have been laying the foundations for the permanent commission, and this legislation builds directly on that work. The second bill before the House makes the necessary amendments to the existing legislation to support the establishment of the ATEC. It amends the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 and the Higher Education Support Act 2003. These amendments allow the ATEC to advise the minister on the higher education standards framework and facilitate a new mission based compact process. Together, these bills respond directly to the challenges identified by the universities accord.”
“This report will provide comprehensive assessment for the health and performance of the system. It will identify emerging trends and challenges, track progress against participation and attainment targets, assess how well the system is meeting Australia's skill needs and evaluate whether barriers for underrepresented groups are being removed. This transparency and accountability is vital. It will ensure governments, providers and the public have access to clear, evidence based information about how the system is performing and where future reform is needed. The ATEC will work closely with other agencies, including Jobs and Skills Australia, TEQSA, the Australian Research Council, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research and state and territory governments.”
“The ATEC will provide expert advice to government on a wide range of higher education matters. This includes advice on policy setting and strategic direction, the cost of teaching and learning, student demand, skills and workforce needs, and improving access and outcomes for pupils facing systemic barriers. It will also advise on how to bring higher education and VET closer together and how to achieve any tertiary attainment targets set by the government. While the ATEC will not have decision-making powers in relation to VET, it will play an important role in advising ministers on opportunities for better coordination and collaboration across the tertiary system. Each year the ATEC will prepare and publish a state of the tertiary education system report.”
“Mission based compacts will give universities the flexibility to pursue their distinct missions while contributing to the diversity of the sector, delivering on national priorities and meeting the needs of the students and communities. The ATEC will also be responsible for implementing a new funding system. This system will provide demand driven places for equity students at a systems level and needs based funding linked to the number of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, First Nations students and students studying at regional campuses. This is critical reform. It recognises that equity is not an add-on but the core responsibility of the system. It will help more students from underrepresented backgrounds access university, and it will support them to participate and succeed once they're there.”
“Importantly, at least one commissioner must have substantial experience in VET, reinforcing the commitment to a genuinely partnered tertiary system. Formal independence is a foundational element of the ATEC's design. The minister will not be able to direct the ATEC on the content of its advice or require it to make a particular decision about a provider. This independence ensures that the ATEC's work is transparent, evidence based and free from undue influence. The ATEC will have a broad range of advisory and decision-making functions. It will negotiate mission based compacts with individual universities. These compacts will set out the role each institution plays within the system, including the number of domestic and international students they teach.”
“The bill also enshrines the national tertiary education objective. This objective provides a unified whole-of-system vision for tertiary education, complementing existing objectives for higher education and VET. The ATEC will be required to have regard to this objective in the performance of its functions, ensuring coherence and alignment across the system. The ATEC will be led by three independent commissioners, including a chief commissioner and a First Nations commissioner. Commissioners will be appointed by the Minister for Education for terms of up to five years. Collectively, the commissioners will bring a balanced expertise across higher education, vocational education and training, tertiary governance, stakeholder engagement and regional Australia.”
“These include ensuring the higher education system has the capacity and capability to meet Australia's current and future student, skills and workforce demand. It includes increasing equitable access to, participation in and success within the higher education system for all students. It includes promoting coordination and collaboration between the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, higher education providers, industry, employers, unions and the public. It includes recognising the central role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the higher education system and improving access, participation and outcomes for First Nations students. And it includes improving coordination and collaboration between higher education and the vocational education and training system.”
“And we have made HECS better and fairer by cutting 20 per cent off HECS debts as of 1 June 2025, capping indexation to the lower of CPI and WPI, moving to a marginal repayment system and lifting the minimum repayment threshold, meaning more money in the pockets of millions of Australians. Establishing the ATEC is another cornerstone of this reform agenda. The ATEC bill establishes the commission as an independent statutory authority with clear objects and functions. It is designed to provide stewardship to the higher education system and to strengthen the system so that it can deliver high-quality teaching and learning, as well as internationally competitive research and research training. This bill sets out the objects of the ATEC clearly.”
“We've introduced paid prac for the first time for students in teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work, recognising that unpaid placements create real financial barriers. This will change lives. We have required higher education providers to allocate a minimum of 40 per cent of the student services and amenities fee to student led organisations to enhance the experience of students while studying. We have made demand driven Commonwealth supported places available to all First Nations students who meet the entry requirements. We've introduced the National Student Ombudsman and the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence.”
“It means that we must act now to ensure our tertiary education system has the capacity, the capability and the coordination required to meet Australia's future needs. The Albanese Labor government has already acted decisively on this agenda. We have implemented 31 of the accord's 47 recommendations in full or in part. These reforms are already making a difference. We have doubled the number of university study hubs, by establishing 20 new regional university study hubs and 14 new suburban university study hubs, bringing higher education closer to the people who might otherwise miss out. We have increased the number of free university bridging courses to help students gain the confidence and preparation they need to succeed.”
“The Australian Universities Accord : final report released in February 2024 made it clear that the absence such of a steward was a critical gap. Without it, the system has struggled to plan effectively for future demand, respond coherently to skill shortages and deliver equitable outcomes for students from all backgrounds. The accord gives us a blueprint for reform over the next decade and beyond. It tells us something we already know but can no longer afford to ignore: in the years ahead, more jobs will require more skills. Over the coming decades, around 80 per cent of jobs will require a post-school qualification, whether it is a certificate, a diploma or a degree. That means more people studying at TAFE and more people studying at university.”
“They respond directly to the findings of the Australian Universities Accord, and they lay the foundations for a tertiary education system that is fairer, more coordinated, more future focused and better equipped to meet the skills and workforce needs of our nation. At their core, these bills establish the ATEC, the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, as an independent statutory body and a steward of Australia's higher education system. This reform matters, because for too long our tertiary system has lacked a dedicated steward with the responsibility and authority to take a whole-of-system view—a view that looks beyond funding cycles and election terms and a view that is focused on long-term skills needs, equity, quality and national priorities.”
“It has given Australia a shared understanding of the challenge ahead and a credible plan to meet it. The bills before the House today are a direct response to that work, turning vision into action and ensuring the reform agenda does not end with a report but is embedded in the way our tertiary education system is governed and strengthened for the future. Together, the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025 represent one of the most significant reforms to Australia's higher education system in a generation.”
“It is about people at every stage of life having access to learning opportunities that allow them to upskill, retrain or adapt as our economy changes. The accord confronts hard truths about inequity in our system. It shows that talent is spread evenly across the country but opportunity is not. It challenges us to build a system that genuinely opens doors for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, First Nations students, people in regional and outer suburban communities and those who have traditionally been left behind. Importantly, the accord does not stop at diagnosis. It provides practical evidence based pathways forward. It sets clear targets, outlines achievable reforms and emphasises the need for long-term stewardship, coordination and accountability. This is why the universities accord has been so transformative.”
“The accord recognises that tertiary education is about more than universities alone. It is about people at every stage of life having access to learning opportunities that allow them to upskill, retrain and adapt to our economic changes. The accord confronts hard truths about the inequity in our system. It shows that talent is spread evenly across the country but opportunity is not. It challenges us to build a system that genuinely opens doors for students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, First Nations students, people in regional and outer suburban communities, and those who have traditionally been left behind.”
“It was tasked with a clear and ambitious mission: to take an honest look at Australia's higher education system and to develop a long-term plan for reform—not a short-term fix, not a piecemeal response, but a blueprint for the decades ahead. The accord's message is simple, direct and impossible to ignore. If Australia is to prosper in the years ahead, participation, performance and investment in tertiary education must improve. Our future economic strength and national resilience all depend on it. The review makes clear that a strong tertiary education system is not a luxury. It is fundamental to generating the knowledge, skills and research our nation needs. It underpins productivity, drives innovation and ensures Australia can compete in an increasingly complex global economy.”
“Accessible education is paramount to the Australian way of life. It provides opportunity and levels the playing field for those who are not born into privilege. As someone who has previously served on their university council, I've seen firsthand some of the challenges faced by this sector and, as such, I am proud to speak in favour of the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025. It presents the next stage of tertiary education reform, building on the significant progress already made across the university sector. The Australian Universities Accord has been an extraordinary piece of work and one of the most important reviews in higher education in our nation's history.”