Kara Cook
Bonner · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“That is Labor making a real difference to everyday Aussies. Building Australia's future also means backing the small businesses that keep our communities and local economies strong.”
“Tresiba is now listed for people living with type 1 diabetes, benefiting around 14,000 Australians, while reducing costs by up to $500 per pack. Rystiggo is now listed for adults living with generalised myasthenia gravis, with almost 5,000 Australians expected to benefit from treatment that otherwise costs up to $10,000 per pack.”
“In my electorate of Bonner, Labor's cheaper medicines policy has delivered 2.7 million cheaper scripts, putting more than $19 million back in the pockets of locals.”
“It is 1 July, and, from today, millions of Australians will be seeing the benefits of the Albanese Labor government's cost-of-living plan come into effect. Australians are receiving another tax cut.”
“One hundred and thirty-seven Medicare urgent care clinics will now be permanent, ensuring Australians can receive access to free health care close to home where all they need is their Medicare card, not their credit card.”
“Through Parent Pathways, he received support to obtain his drivers licence and began flexible work that allowed him to support his family while continuing with his caring responsibilities.”
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“At the opening of the service, I was so delighted to meet with many families whose family members who were being cared for in that unit, and to meet with some of those in the unit. When I toured the unit, it was an absolutely beautiful space. It has a real cottage-like feel and it is right on the doorstep of Moreton Bay, with an incredible outlook and a real sense of community. We are so lucky to have this in our community in Bonner and it was an absolute privilege to be at the opening.”
“The program funds specialist units to provide the care for people with severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and aims to reduce and stabilise symptoms so that those living with dementia can transition into less-intensive care settings. I want to acknowledge those who play a crucial role in caring for someone with dementia at home or in aged care. There are 1.6 million Australians who are doing this each and every day, often unseen. This includes families and aged-care workers. The EM Tooth Residential Aged Care Home is one of a network of 35 units delivering this program right across the country. It is also the first service operating in Brisbane's southside, providing vital care for those with severe dementia, and guidance and support for their families.”
“There will also be opportunities for the community to contribute at hearings right across the country in the coming months. I recently had the privilege of opening the Specialist Dementia Care Program Unit at EM Tooth's Residential Aged Care Home in Manly in my electorate of Bonner. Dementia touches many lives in this country. There are over 411,000 Australians who live with dementia. For those with dementia, about one per cent have very severe behavioural or psychological symptoms and cannot be cared for in mainstream aged-care services. That is why I'm so proud to be part of the Albanese Labor government that is providing a $197 million investment for the Specialist Dementia Care Program right across the country, including a $4 million investment for the unit in my community in Bonner.”
“As a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, I'm encouraging everyone in my community and certainly right across our country to have their say on how we can create a safer and more respectful Australia through the parliamentary inquiry into hate, racism and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The committee will examine systemic racism, the influence of online platforms and the initiatives that aim to combat racism. The inquiry will also look at the threat posed by ideologically motivated extremism towards First Nations people, and the role of intelligence and law enforcement agencies in protecting the community from that threat. Submissions to the inquiry are now open and will close on 1 May.”
“Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting the Wynnum First Nations Allies for a roundtable at my office. They are a local community group committed to supporting First Nations peoples through truth telling, relationship building and advocacy for structural change. The allies meet monthly, host guided cultural and art tours, and host elder-led sessions about lived experiences. We discussed Closing the Gap—the progress made and the work we must do—and the parliamentary inquiry into hate, racism and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Conversations like this matter, and I want to thank the Wynnum First Nations Allies for their very important work.”
“My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. How is the Albanese Labor government tackling the housing challenges facing the country? What other approaches are there?”
“At the Capalaba clinic, over 2,450 people have walked through the doors since it opened in December. That's thousands of locals getting the care they need when they need it most without having to wait at an emergency department. Urgent care clinics are absolutely delivering for my community of Bonner, and I am so proud that we've had the delivery of not one but two locally. So thank you to the Albanese Labor government for continuing to deliver for all Australians.”
“The Albanese Labor government values our early childhood educators, and that is why we delivered a 15 per cent pay rise to early childhood educators to support them and their important work. From January this year, all Australian children are now eligible for three days of subsidised care each and every week thanks to Labor's three-day childcare guarantee. I say a big thankyou to Jesse and all our early childhood educators right across Bonner for the incredible work they do each and every day in educating and caring for our children at their earliest and most important stages of life. It's also fantastic to see the real impact our urgent care clinics are already having right across my community in Bonner. Since December, the Carina-Carindale urgent care clinic has already cared for over 2,400 residents.”
“I want to thank them for the extraordinary work that they do right across our electorate and right across the city of Brisbane. I also recently visited Jesse and the team at Mount Gravatt's Active Kids Early Learning Centre. On Saturday, the centre opened its doors to meet the community as part of its open day. It was a wonderful chance for local families to explore the space, meet the educators and get a feeling for the community. Active Kids is a Queensland family owned and operated business with seven centres in operation. The Mount Gravatt East centre supports 153 kids in care, and they are open for enrolment at the moment as well. When I visited, I saw firsthand the care, warmth and energy that makes this centre so special. It was lovely to provide them with some new Australian flags for the centre as well.”
“I recently had the pleasure of spending a morning with my gloves on, weeding and litter clearing with the Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee's bush rovers program in Carindale. They're also known as B4C. In Bonner,we are blessed to have beautiful natural environment, and it's up to all of us to do our bit to protect and preserve it. B4C, together with their fabulous volunteers, certainly do that each and every day. Through the first round of the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, Labor delivered $165,000 in funding to B4C for their Bulimba and Bayside Creek catchments recovery program. If locals are interested in getting involved in the bush rovers program, B4C takes volunteers each and every day of the week, so please get in touch with them. No experience is necessary.”
“It backs prevention through programs that work with men and boys to challenge harmful behaviours and build respectful relationships. This plan also recognises the importance of healing the impacts of intergenerational trauma. Dispossession and discrimination are real, and they continue to shape the experiences of many communities, but so too does the strength of culture, connection and country. That is why healing programs grounded in culture and led by community are central to this plan. Importantly, this plan is not operating in isolation. It does contribute to Closing the Gap, particularly target 13, to reduce family violence, and target 12, to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care. Labor promised to deliver this plan and we have delivered it. The work is not over.”
“It invests in a national network of up to 40 Aboriginal community controlled organisations, delivering specialist, culturally safe, community led services because we know that real change happens when communities lead that change. It funds practical immediate supports, mobile outreach teams in remote areas, safe transport and emergency accommodation so that, when violence occurs, women and children can access help quickly and safely. It supports women to leave violent situations and, importantly, to stay safe after they leave. It invests in early intervention through initiatives like community playgroups, where mothers and young children can connect with elders, accessing parenting support, and link to early help and healing.”
“For decades, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have told us what is needed—community led solutions, culturally safe services and systems that respect their voices through extensive consultation, including direct engagement with women, communities and even children and young people. This plan reflects those voices. It reflects a simple truth—that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children are not just victims or survivors of this crisis; they are central to the solutions. As has been said for generations, they are the nurturers, the teachers, the protectors and the carriers of culture and identity, even in the face of profound adversity. This plan turns those voices into action.”
“It is a genuine partnership between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and it is backed by a $218.3 million investment in new funding to deliver real change on the ground. The reality we are confronting is devastating in our country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are seven times more likely to be murdered by their partners than non-Indigenous women and 27 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence, rising to 41 times more likely in remote and regional communities. This is not just a policy challenge. It is a national crisis, and it demands action. Every woman and child deserves to live free from violence. That is not negotiable. This plan is not just about responding to violence. It is about listening and acting.”
“In February I had the profound honour of standing alongside my mother-in-law, Sandra Creamer, as the Albanese Labor government launched Our Ways—Strong Ways—Our Voices, the national plan to end family, domestic and sexual violence against First Nations women and children, right here in Parliament House. I want to acknowledge Sandra and the many, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have been steadfast in their advocacy to be safe, to be heard and to drive change to ensure that this plan became a reality. This plan stands on the shoulders of that advocacy over not years but decades. It is Australia's first standalone plan dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.”
“I want to start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we gather, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. My husband, Josh, is a proud Waanyi and Kalkadoon man, and I stand here today as the proud mum of three First Nations children. It is an absolute honour to speak on this motion moved by me but brought to this place by the member for Lingiari, and I thank her for bringing this motion to the chamber and for her advocacy over decades in advancing the interests of First Nations Australians.”
“by leave—On behalf of the member for Lingiari, I move: That this House: (1) commends the Government for launching Our Ways Strong Ways Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026-2036 , a plan which is: (a) Australia's first standalone plan that strives for a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children can live free from violence; (b) developed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and state and territory governments; and (c) backed by $218.3 million in new funding, that as an immediate step will invest in a national network of up to 40 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to deliver community-led specialist support services; (2) recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have been: (a) steadfast in their advocacy to be safe and to be heard; and (b) calling for strong action; (3) further recognises that the Government is doing just that by funding support programs like: (a) mobile teams in remote areas to work with families after a violent incident, or offer safe transport and emergency accommodation; (b) plans to help victims leave violence safely and continued support once they have; (c) community playgroups where mums and bubs can connect with elders, receive parenting support, and be linked to early help and healing; and (d) behavioural change and education, like outreach programs for men and boys; (4) notes that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women face unique and significant barriers to getting help, and are: (a) seven times more likely to be victims of intimate partner homicide; and (b) 27 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence, which increases to 41 times more likely in regional and very remote communities; (5) further notes that this plan: (a) will make real progress in addressing Target 13 (family violence) of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and contribute to Target 12 (out-of-home care); (b) responds to eight recommendations in the Missing and Murdered First Nations women and children inquiry report of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Reference Committee; and (c) responds to 12 recommendations in the report of the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches, Unlocking the Prevention Potential: Accelerating action to end domestic, family and sexual violence ; and (6) calls on the Parliament to support this vital plan to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children can live free from violence.”
“It supports our research sector, and it reflects modern science. It will also protect our families, and it will ensure that Australians can take control of their health without fear. I am proud to be part of the Albanese Labor government that is ending this form of discrimination. The message is very clear with this bill: your genes are not your fault, your health decisions should not determine your insurability, and your future should be shaped by your choices, not your DNA. I commend the bill to the House.”
“By making health care more affordable, more Australians will put their health first. This bill is one more piece of that work. What this bill really says is simple—no Australian should be judged by the genes they are born with. No Australian should be denied life insurance because of a condition they may never develop. Genetic information is not destiny. It is not a guarantee of illness. It does not predict when a condition might appear, how severe it might be or whether it will happen at all. This bill restores fairness, it restores dignity and it restores trust in the life insurance system. No Australian should have to choose between knowing their health risks and securing life insurance to provide financial security to protect their family. This is practical and compassionate reform. It strengthens our health system.”
“Those listings have saved families hundreds of thousands of dollars, and, through the $800 million women's healthcare package, we are seeing much needed treatment for women and girls being made cheaper and more accessible. With more medicines listed on the PBS, it's also enabled more than 365,000 women to access more than 715,000 cheaper scripts for oral contraceptives and menopausal hormone therapies. Labor has also invested more than $49 million to provide around 430,000 more services to help women across the country with complex gynaecological conditions, including endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome and chronic pelvic pain. The women's healthcare package includes the first new listing of oral contraceptive pills in more than 30 years, saving 150,000 women hundreds of dollars every year.”
“This will mean that local families can continue to see a doctor for free. With cheaper medicines, Australians can get the health care they need when they need it. They won't put off looking after their health. It also eases the financial pressure that many families experience when faced with incredibly hard decisions between things like groceries and medication due to cost-of-living pressures. The Albanese government has made medicines cheaper. Residents in my electorate have saved more than $12.8 million across two million scripts. From 1 January, we have seen the cost of PBS medications drop to just $25 per script. Since being elected, Labor has added over 300 new and amended listings to the PBS.”
“We can create a system that supports people to take control of their health, and this bill does exactly that. It will remove a major barrier to testing, it will support research participation, and it will restore trust in the life insurance system. This type of research and testing also has the potential to reduce out-of-pocket costs. By detecting diseases early on, Australians will save extensive treatment and out-of-pocket costs down the track. That certainly was the case for me. Supporting Australians' health and being proactive in getting the health care they need is a priority for the Albanese Labor government. That is why we have implemented things like tripling the bulk-billing incentive. This will see over 4,800 more clinics convert to fully bulk-billed over the next four years, including 13 in my electorate of Bonner.”
“I know how important it is for Australians to feel confident to do the same, because when people avoid testing, we will all lose—we will lose opportunities for early diagnosis, we will lose opportunities for prevention and we will lose progress in medical research. This bill will ensure that we do not suffer any of those losses and also that Australia keeps pace with the rest of the world. Countries like the United Kingdom and Canada have already acted to protect citizens from genetic discrimination. Without reform, we risk falling behind not just in fairness but in science, so the choice before us is clear. I'm pleased to hear the support from all sides of the chamber on this bill. We know that we cannot allow fear and uncertainty to continue to hold Australians back.”
“It enables early intervention, it guides treatment, it allows families to make informed decisions. We are entering an era where genomics is transforming health care from cancer detection to rare-disease diagnosis to targeted therapies, but that progress means very little if Australians are afraid to access it. This bill will ensure that those healthcare advances translate into real benefits for Australians, not more barriers. Ten years on from that first diagnosis, I happily remain cancer free. I still have regular skin checks every six months and I continue to support clinical trials.”
“Because of that decision, he also stepped back from participating in research. That is the consequence of the current system, and it's not an isolated case. When I spoke to researchers at the PA hospital where I did a number of clinical trials, they told me that they were struggling to get participants because of the genetic-testing consequences for people. Surveys and research have shown that many Australians delay or avoid testing for the same reason. Researchers have often reported difficulties in recruitment. Health professionals have overwhelmingly agreed that change is needed. When people are too afraid to learn about their health, something is fundamentally wrong in the system and does need to change. We know that genetic testing saves lives.”
“This is not just a policy issue; it is a human issue and it is an issue of fairness. We have seen what happens when protections are not strong enough. The industry's self-regulated moratorium was a step forward, but it has not provided the certainty Australians need. Confusion still remains, trust is low and too many people still avoid testing. This is not a system that protects people; it is a system that holds them back, and this bill fixes that. The need for reform is not abstract; it has very real consequences. Some people may have heard of the story of a Bundaberg mother, Judy Honor, who lives with Lynch Syndrome, a genetic condition that increases cancer risk. Her son Dwayne avoided genetic testing not because he didn't want to know about his health but because he feared the impact on his life insurance.”
“For too long, Australians have faced discrimination based on their genetics when seeking life insurance. Insurers have been able to refuse cover, increase premiums or impose conditions on genetic test results. That's exactly what happened to me with an exemption around skin cancer. The result of that is clear; people do delay or avoid testing altogether, even when it could save their lives. This bill changes that. It ensures that life insurers cannot use protected genetic information to refuse cover, raise premiums or impose conditions. It means Australians will no longer have to disclose genetic test results when applying for life insurance, and it gives Australians the confidence to participate in medical research and take control of their health without fear.”
“When faced with your own mortality and with choices about whether to proceed with receiving those results, I do remember wondering how many people would opt out, how many people would choose not to know because of the complications for them with their life insurance? How many would potentially walk away from life-saving treatment and testing not because of the fear of the illness but because of the fear of the financial consequences that might follow for them and, most importantly, for their family. That is why I rise today to support the Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025. This legislation is about giving Australians certainty—certainty that they can take steps to protect their health without being penalised for it.”
“After that, I sought support from the Cancer Council Queensland, I joined fundraising efforts like the Melanoma March, and I enrolled in clinical trials, hoping that my experience might help others. It was during those trials that I first encountered the challenges around genetic testing. I remember being told that participating and providing DNA samples could affect my ability to get life insurance. I was asked whether I wanted to know if there were any indicators of future illness and warned about the consequences of receiving those results. At that time, as someone who was under 30, it was a pretty confronting conversation to have.”
“I still remember walking through the city on my lunch break in Brisbane many years ago, when my phone rang and my dermatologist's number came up. I had had regular skin checks since I was 16. I grew up in central Queensland, in a small town called Yeppoon. I spent long days at the beach and did competitive sailing with not a lot of protection, and it had its consequences. Over the years, I had many biopsies. My last routine check before that phone call, a suspicious mole was removed, and, this time, it came back. That phone call was life-changing for me. It was a melanoma, and I was 27 years old. In the years that followed, I was diagnosed with two more melanomas in different locations. In total, I had three melanomas diagnosed before I turned 30.”
“Learning should not be limited by cost or by rigid systems, and the results speak for themselves. Research shows that VET graduates are now more likely to be employed and to earn more. On average, graduates see income increases of over $14,000 after completing their qualification, and 84 per cent are employed after finishing their course. That is the value of skills and that is the value of TAFE. Labor understands that education does not stop at 18 or 21. Nine out of 10 jobs in the next decade will require post-secondary education, and that is why supporting TAFE is not optional; it's essential. Free TAFE is delivering for young people, for jobseekers, for women, for First Nations Australians and for people with a disability. It's removing barriers, lowering costs and opening doors.”
“Already, more than 11,000 apprentices have started in housing construction and over 12,000 are training for clean energy jobs. If we are serious about building homes, we must also build the workforce to deliver them. We are also seeing something else shift, and it matters—more women are entering traditionally male dominated trades. The number of women starting apprenticeships is up 32 per cent, and women now make up 62 per cent of free-TAFE enrolments. That is not just progress; that is also transformation. We are also making it easier for Australians to keep learning. There is a new national credit recognition framework, and we are reducing the barriers between TAFE and university. This means that students can receive credit for their existing qualifications, cutting the time and cost of a degree.”
“Now, because of fee-free TAFE, she is on her way to becoming one of those nurses herself. Rhys, a Brisbane student studying cybersecurity, said free TAFE had changed the trajectory of his life and set him up for a future in an industry where his skills will always be needed. That is what this policy is about—not just qualifications but transformation. Free TAFE is also helping us build the workforce Australia needs. Today there are 50,000 more apprentices in training than before the pandemic, and we've seen a 28 per cent increase in construction apprentices, which are critical to building the homes Australians need. Through the Key Apprenticeship Program, we are supporting apprentices with up to $10,000 to help cover the costs of tools, fuel and living expenses.”
“In my electorate of Bonner, I see that impact each and every day. From Wynnum to Wakerley, from Ransome to Rochedale, locals are gaining skills, changing careers and building better futures. They are studying everything from nursing to construction, from accounting to cybersecurity. Importantly, they are saving thousands of dollars while they are doing it. A student studying accounting at the Mount Gravatt campus can save up to $4,800, and a nursing student can save more than $16,000. That is real cost-of-living relief and that is also real opportunity. Behind these numbers, there are powerful stories—people like Stacey, a Diploma of Nursing student in Queensland. She was inspired to become a nurse by battling stage 3 ovarian cancer and being cared for by nurses she describes as 'the best people I've ever met in my life'.”
“I love TAFE. My mum was a TAFE teacher for decades in Central Queensland, and I saw every single day the difference she made to those students in training the early childhood education teachers of the future. When I think about being here in this place and the importance of being in this place, there is nothing more important than fee-free TAFE. That is why I'm so proud of the Albanese Labor government's commitment to making fee-free TAFE permanent. From next year we are going to deliver 100,000 free TAFE places every single year, and the impact is already being felt right across the country. We've got more than 740,000 people enrolled in fee-free TAFE, and in Queensland alone there have been over 134,000 enrolments and more than 45,000 course completions. These are not just numbers; they are lives being changed.”
“My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. What actions is the Albanese Labor government taking to support Australian farmers to continue producing food and fibre during the conflict in the Middle East?”
“The S tatus of women report card shows that meaningful change is possible when governments, communities and individuals work together, but it reminds us that equality is not inevitable. The persistence of gender based violence, the ongoing gender pay gap and the barriers women face in workplaces and communities show there is still much work to be done. International Women's Day reminds us that the pursuit of equality is not only about improving outcomes for women and girls; it's about building a fairer, stronger and more inclusive Australia for everyone. As the member for Bonner, I am committed to continuing this fight.”
“In my electorate of Bonner, I've met many women who are forging new paths in emerging industries. One example is Zaahra, an apprentice at the Tesla workshop in Mount Gravatt who is supported through the government's new energy apprenticeship scheme. As one of only a small number of female apprentices nationally within the organisation, she is helping demonstrate that careers in advanced manufacturing and clean energy are open to women. Her story reflects the broader change that is occurring across the country. Our government has also expanded and extended paid parental leave to 26 weeks and ensured that superannuation is paid on that leave, recognising that caring responsibility should not come at the expense of women's long-term financial security.”
“This segregation contributes directly to the gender pay gap and limits opportunities for women across many industries. That is why the Albanese Labor government is taking practical steps to support women's economic security. That includes pay increases for workers in feminised industries such as aged care, early childhood, education and health care. These are essential professions that have historically been undervalued despite the critical role they play in our society. Through free TAFE, more women are also entering industries traditionally dominated by men. Women commencing trade apprenticeships have increased by more than 30 per cent, and almost 60 per cent of free TAFE students are women. These programs are helping to expand career pathways and break down barriers.”
“This investment will help ensure that women and girls can access the health care they need throughout their lives. This includes improving access to contraception, reproductive health care, menopause support and specialist services. The Status of women report card highlights the importance of ensuring women can access health care that reflects their specific needs. Access to appropriate health care is not simply a medical issue; it is a matter of equity, dignity and also economic participation. Gender equality cannot be achieved without economic equality. The S tatus of w omen report card also highlights that workforce segregation remains a persistent challenge, with four in five Australians working in occupations dominated by either men or women.”
“The government has also taken action to ensure that government debts cannot be used as a further tool of financial abuse, recognising the complex way in which perpetrators exert control. Importantly, the Status of Women Report Card highlights that violence is evolving. Technology is increasingly being used to monitor, harass and control women. Our government has taken steps to criminalise deepfake pornography and image based abuse, with penalties of up to six years in prison, and to regulate online platforms through the eSafety Commissioner. Women's health is another area where targeted action is critical. For too long, women's health had been under-researched, underfunded and under-recognised. The Albanese Labor government's women's health package is seeking to remedy that—an almost $800 million investment designed to address these gaps.”
“This plan represents the most comprehensive national strategy ever undertaken to address gender based violence. It includes significant investment in prevention, early intervention, crisis response and long-term recovery. It includes our commitment to 10 days of paid domestic and family violence leave, ensuring that victim-survivors can take time away from work to seek safety and support. We've invested $1 billion in funding for crisis and transitional housing, recognising that safe and accessible accommodation is critical for those leaving violent relationships. We need to stop asking the question, 'Why doesn't she leave?' and start asking, 'Where would she go?' That is also why the Leaving Violence Program has been made permanent, with $5,000 in financial support available for women escaping violence.”
“These figures remind us that gender based violence remains a national emergency. The report card also reveals the disproportionate impact of violence on First Nations women. First Nations women are 32 times more likely to be hospitalised and 11 times more likely to be murdered than non-Indigenous women. Women with a disability are also significantly more likely to experience violence from a current or former partner. Nearly two in three women with a disability will experience violence in their lifetime. These findings reinforce an important truth: gender inequality intersects with other forms of inequality, and addressing violence requires targeted and sustained action. That is why the Albanese Labor government is delivering the $4 billion National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.”
“The report also highlights progress in representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in highly skilled professional roles. More First Nations women are entering careers in fields such as health, education, environmental science and policy. This achievement reflects the strength and leadership of First Nations women and the importance of ensuring opportunities are accessible across all sectors. It also reflects that they have a genuine seat at the tables where decisions are being made. Violence against women remains one of the most pressing issues facing our nation. We know that more than one woman a week was murdered last year in our country. Those murders have continued this year. The report also highlighted that nearly one in four women in Australia have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15.”
“While there is still work to be done, this represents a meaningful step forward and reflects the impact of policies designed to improve women's economic security. We are also seeing positive changes in caring roles within families. The report card highlights that more fathers are taking on primary caring responsibilities. In medium and large private-sector employers, men now account for 20 per cent of primary carer parental leave recipients, while 33 per cent of recipients of government funded paid parental leave are fathers or partners. That shift matters. Greater participation by men in caring roles supports gender equality at home and helps ensure women can pursue opportunities in education and, of course, the workforce.”
“As the member for Bonner, I am proud of the Albanese Labor government, a government that has placed gender equality and women's safety at the centre of its agenda. Last week, the Status of Women Report Card was released. This report provides an important annual assessment of the wellbeing of women in Australia. It examines the social, economic and safety outcomes experienced by women and evaluates how government policies and social attitudes are shaping progress towards equality. Importantly, the report provides insight into not only the progress that has been made but also the areas where challenges still remain. There are some encouraging signs of progress. The report shows that the national gender pay gap continues to narrow and now sits at 11.5 per cent.”
“It's also about honesty and acknowledging that, despite the progress we have made, women in Australia continue to experience inequality, discrimination and violence simply because of their gender. Addressing these issues requires sustained commitment, thoughtful policy and leadership at every level. As a former domestic violence lawyer and CEO of Basic Rights Queensland, I have seen firsthand the impact that gender inequality and violence can have on women and their families. I've worked alongside women who have experienced profound hardship but who have also found incredible courage. I've also had the privilege of working with advocates, community organisations and frontline workers who dedicate their lives to ensuring that women are safe, respected and supported.”
“What a pleasure it is to speak today on this significant matter. It's also Queensland Women's Week this week. I am delighted to talk about International Women's Day, where we recognise the strength, resilience and achievements of women right across our country and the world. It is also an important moment to reflect on the barriers that women continue to face and the work that still lies ahead if we want to genuinely achieve equality. This year's theme is 'Balance the Scales', and it reminds us that progress towards equality requires collective effort. When governments, communities and individuals invest in women and girls, the benefits are felt right across families, workplaces and, indeed, the broader community. International Women's Day is not just about celebration.”
“My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. How is the Albanese government securing national fuel supplies? Why is working with the transport industry so important at this time? What can all members of this House do to encourage Australians to use our fuel supplies as they normally would?”
“I saw firsthand the extraordinary work that they do providing compassionate, practical support to people navigating complex legal issues often at times of crisis. We know how dedicated their staff and volunteers are, and I cannot think of a better organisation to lead this important work in Queensland. It is no coincidence that these issues are prioritised by our government with a majority women caucus. We must make our systems work better for women and survivors. I say to all victims-survivors: the Albanese Labor government sees you, we believe you, and we stand with you always.”