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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“We're building a future made in Australia, supporting good jobs and clean energy industries that will power us forward. We promised that the very first thing we would do would be to cut student debt by 20 per cent, and that's exactly what we did. That's 21,000 people in Bonner who now have less student debt hanging over them and over three million Australians nationwide saving an average of $5½ thousand. We said we would strengthen Medicare and we've done that too. Just this weekend, we tripled the bulk-billing incentive, the largest investment in Medicare in its history. That means more Australians can see a GP for free just by showing their Medicare card, not their credit card. It means families won't have to choose between paying for groceries and seeing a doctor.”
“We've also backed another seven local organisations with over $71,000 in funding through the Stronger Communities Program, delivering for groups like BABI Youth and Family Services, Mackenzie State Special School and Wynnum Manly Seagulls. That's what Labor investment looks like—practical, local and life changing. Nationally this government has hit the ground running. We made a promise to the Australian people to keep focused, to stay the course and to keep building a better future, and we're delivering. We've delivered on making health care cheaper by strengthening Medicare. We're delivering on helping Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn. We're delivering real cost-of-living relief—not slogans but action.”
“My office has also supported over 1,500 residents, helping locals to navigate the NDIS, aged care and secure housing and to understand government services. We've hosted mobile offices each and every month to bring government to the people, not the other way round—because that is what being a strong local voice looks like. From Carina to Carindale, Wynnum to Wishart, and Murarrie to Mansfield, we've supported 23 community and sporting clubs with almost $60,000 in volunteer grants, helping groups like the Mt Gravatt Bowls Club, Bayside BMX and the Rochedale Community Garden continue the work that brings our community together.”
“It is hard to believe that it's been six months since the election, six months since the people of Bonner put their trust in me and six months since the Albanese Labor government was returned to continue building a stronger, fairer and more secure Australia—and what a wonderful six months it has been. In that short time we have achieved a great deal together across our community and, of course, across the nation. Locally in Bonner we've been out every single day, listening, helping and delivering. We held our first-ever Bonner Seniors Expo. Nearly 1,000 seniors came through the doors to connect, learn and celebrate the vital contribution of older Australians. I've also visited 21 schools in the last six months, meeting students, teachers and parents who are passionate about their futures.”
“We strengthen Medicare, we deliver cost-of-living relief and we keep working to build a fairer and healthier future for all Australians.”
“Medicare rebates for insertion of IUDs and birth-control implants will increase by up to 150 per cent, with around 300,000 women each year expected to save up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs under the changes that are being made. The Albanese Labor government is also funding free training for health practitioners in the insertion and removal of IUDs to boost the number of qualified practitioners and improve access to services. In addition a 40 per cent bulk-billing incentive will be introduced incentivising health professionals to provide long-acting contraceptive services and support women to have greater contraceptive choice. These are all part of Labor's landmark women's health package, investing almost $800 million to deliver improved health care for women and girls. This is what a Labor government does.”
“On the weekend we listed even more new contraceptive options on the PBS, and it's great to see menopausal hormone therapies being added to the PBS as well. We are also delivering expanded endometriosis clinics to help deliver earlier diagnosis and treatment—something that will change the lives of women who for years have often had their pain dismissed. The Albanese Labor government is providing Australian women with more choices at lower costs. We know that women have faced a significant range of barriers to accessing health care, often at significant cost, just by virtue of being a woman. Australia has had one of the lowest rates of long-acting reversible contraceptive use in the developed world.”
“We have opened 90 Medicare urgent care clinics across the country, and 47 more are on the way, including in my electorate. The Carindale Medicare urgent care clinic will be opened in the coming months. The expressions of interest have now closed, and I cannot wait to cut the ribbon on that clinic and open it up to members of my community. This will be the first Medicare urgent care clinic in Bonner. Hundreds of locals signed my petition calling for an urgent care clinic in our electorate, and I am so proud to see that Labor has heard them and will see this delivered in the coming months. Labor is delivering tangible, substantial cost-of-living relief, and that will benefit millions of Australians, not just those in my community in Bonner. We are also investing in women's health at a record rate.”
“Nationally, over 1,000 have already signed up. In Queensland we have 1,430 GP practices, and over the weekend we saw a doubling of fully bulk-billed practices. That's 408 across the Sunshine State. This means more bulk-billing doctors for more communities, easing pressure on families. When they need to see a doctor, all they're going to need is their Medicare card, not their credit card. As a member of this Labor government, I am committed to delivering real cost-of-living relief for my constituents in Bonner and to building a fairer and healthier Australia. From the mum from Mansfield to the student from Belmont and the pensioner from Wynnum Manly, more constituents in my electorate of Bonner will be able to see a GP for free. But more good news is on the way.”
“Guess what's back again? Bulk-billing is back. Please tell your friends! In Bonner we now have 11 fully bulk-billed GP clinics and counting: Archer Medical Centre; Doctors on Manly Road; Garden City Family Doctors; Good Health medical centres in Garden City, Mt Gravatt and Carindale; Mansfield Family Practice; Mt Gravatt Family Practice; Realcare Medical Centre; Tingalpa Family Health Care Centre; and Yulu-Burri-Ba. This is all thanks to the Albanese Labor government's record investment in Medicare. It's been 40 years since its inception, and we are tripling the bulk-billing incentive. This will mean Australians can see a GP for free and access care when they need it most. This is just the beginning. Over the next four years, we will see around 4,800 GP clinics converted to fully-fledged bulk-billing practices.”
“The Men's Shed movement has long stood as a beacon for men's mental health, a place where men can connect, share skills and support one another. Recently, I also met with the team at TIACS, who are doing incredible work in Brisbane, providing free mental health support for tradies, truckies and blue-collar workers—over 11,000 supports each and every year. Their iconic 'This is a Conversation Starter' shirt has become a symbol of openness and connection, reminding us that starting a simple chat can change and, most certainly, save a life. On World Mental Health Day, it is important that we are reminded of these important community organisations and supports in our local community, and I thank them for all that they do.”
“On World Mental Health Day, I had the pleasure of joining the Wynnum Manly and Districts Men's Shed to celebrate 33 years of the Men's Shed movement across Australia. The Shedder's Big BBQ Breakfast and expo brought our community together over coffee, breakfast and good conversation—a simple but powerful reminder that connection underpins our wellbeing. The event showcased the strength of local partnerships with many community organisations in attendance including the Cancer Council Queensland, Jeff Horn and Bullyproof Australia, Repair Cafe Bayside, It's a Bloke Thing, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, OzFish and Circle of Men. Each plays an important role in promoting health, resilience and belonging within our communities.”
“And we are also training the next generation of builders and tradies who will help our housing industry stay strong. Housing is not just about bricks and mortar; it's about security, and it is about dignity. It's about opportunity, and it's about giving every Australian the chance to build a future, to raise a family and to know that their hard work will be rewarded.”
“Every Australian deserves a safe place to call home. We are also building 100,000 homes exclusively for first home buyers to give them a fair chance in what can be a competitive market. Step by step, Labor is delivering. We know that Australia's housing challenge was decades in the making, and we will not solve it overnight. But we are acting with determination and with purpose. This government made a promise to make the dream of homeownership more achievable, and we are delivering on that promise. We are cutting the time it takes to save for a deposit. We are saving first home buyers thousands of dollars in their mortgage insurance payments. We are providing rent relief for those who need it most. We are building homes for women and children escaping violence.”
“Since coming to government, we have delivered back-to-back increases to the maximum rates of Commonwealth rent assistance—an increase of almost 50 per cent. Today, 6,785 people in Bonner receive Commonwealth rent assistance. That is real help for local families, pensioners and students who are struggling with the cost of rent. We've also taken action for those facing the most serious housing challenges—women and children escaping domestic and family violence. Through the Albanese government's crisis accommodation programs, we are delivering 24 new homes in Wynnum Manly and Mount Gravatt in my electorate of Bonner. These homes are being built under the Safe Places Emergency Accommodation Program and the Crisis and Transitional Accommodation Program, giving families somewhere safe to stay when they need it most.”
“Already, Labor's expanded home guarantee scheme has helped more than 185,000 Australians into home ownership, including 391 people in Bonner. That's 391 individuals and families who will now have a place to call their own, a place to build their lives, raise their children and put down roots in the communities that they love. This program is transformative. For single parents, Labor continues the Family Home Guarantee scheme, allowing them to purchase a home with as little as a two per cent deposit. This is life-changing support and giving single parents—so often mothers—the chance to build stability and security for their children. We will help more Australians into homeownership, but we must also support those who are renting or facing housing insecurity. That is why Labor has delivered rent relief for those doing it tough.”
“He said he had a regular savings plan but he was still only halfway to what he needed for a deposit. I told him about Labor's plan for a five per cent deposit, but, at that time, it was still to come into effect. Today, I am proud to say to him and to so many others like him in my community of Bonner that support is now in place. It means that he and thousands of others like him will be able to buy their first home sooner. They'll be able to begin building equity, and they'll have the security and pride that comes from a home of their own. Before the election, Labor promised to make it easier for Australians to buy their first home, with a deposit of just five per cent. We have delivered on that promise, and we have delivered ahead of schedule.”
“I am so proud that the Albanese Labor government has delivered five per cent first-home deposits for every first home buyer from 1 October this year. This change will cut years off the time it takes to save for a first home deposit. It will help Australians into their own home sooner, and, because the government will stand behind these loans, first home buyers will no longer be forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars in lenders mortgage insurance. That is real relief, and it is making a real difference to first home buyers in my electorate of Bonner and right across the country. I have previously spoken in this place about doorknocking in Wishart during the election campaign. I met a young tradie who had just finished his apprenticeship. He told me, with some despair, that he could not see how he would ever be able to afford a home.”
“There is no justice in being punished by the very system you turn to for help. This bill is technical in name but transformational in impact. It gives people a fighting chance and says clearly, 'We will no longer allow abusers to use the social security system as another tool of control.' As a former domestic violence lawyer, as a member of parliament and as someone committed to a fair and just society, I will always fight for those who feel unseen, unheard and unsupported. I am proud to share their stories today so that they can be heard by all of Australia. This bill delivers on our promise to do better for the most vulnerable in our community, and I commend the bill to the House.”
“This bill is part of a broader, whole-of-government approach to combat violence against women and children, including $4 billion in investments to end gender based violence; 10 days of paid domestic violence leave, and today marks the anniversary of that becoming law; the permanent Leaving Violence Program; funding for housing and legal supports, including our record investment in the National Legal Assistance Partnership, supporting many community legal centres and also our legal aid commissions, who provide services to those seeking to navigate the very complex system that is social security; and a national audit of Commonwealth systems to stop perpetrators from weaponising them. This is what systemic reform looks like. There is no dignity in being trapped by someone you love.”
“Would they have received the help they needed to flee violence, feed their children or access justice? Would Ashley have seen her case reviewed? Would the woman with the locked cupboards have been supported? Or would they have faced longer delays, colder bureaucracy and a system unable or unwilling to understand their trauma, like we saw through robodebt?”
“Since coming to office, the Albanese Labor government has made real investments in social security, including raising the rate of Jobseeker and the age pension; expanding Commonwealth rent assistance; increasing paid parental leave to 26 weeks by 2026, with superannuation included; and changing the parenting payment single arrangements to support single parents, the very people who face the most significant financial stress when escaping violence. These reforms have helped thousands of people in my electorate of Bonner and millions more across Australia, and this bill builds on that process. What is the alternative in this circumstance from those on the other side? Through you, Deputy Speaker Young, I ask those opposite: what would their cuts to 41,000 public servants have meant for the women I just spoke about?”
“It raises the debt waiver threshold to $250 for the first time in 30 years. This means 1.2 million small debts, many outdated and uneconomical to pursue, will be wiped. It improves debt waiver rules, ensuring that those engaging in good faith aren't penalised while still preventing exploitation of the system. It also supports the debt resolution scheme, offering up to $600 for those affected by historical income apportionment errors between 2003 and 2020. It also protects frontline services by allowing Services Australia staff to focus on helping those in need, rather than chasing minor or unjust debts. It's a modern, compassionate approach to welfare administration, not a punitive one.”
“That is what safety in legislation looks like. In my career I have sat across from women who believed they were to blame—women who cried not because they had no money but because they had no control, women who felt invisible to the system—and I've seen how small changes and big changes in law can have a monumental impact on their lives. We have seen this in recent years through the monumental amendments to the Family Law Act and we see it here again today. What we do here in this chamber matters. This bill will offer women like the ones I've described a pathway forward. It restores dignity and it restores justice, and in some cases it may save lives. Beyond financial abuse, the bill delivers broader reforms that support the integrity and efficiency of our social security system.”
“It says to perpetrators: you will not hide behind government systems to control and cause further harm. It empowers officials to consider all the circumstances of a debt—not just whether a false statement was made, but why it was made—whether it was made under threat, under coercion, under the shadow of control. Crucially, it ensures that survivors like Ashley will finally be eligible for justice. Ashley was under psychiatric care, navigating the trauma of domestic violence. Her partner, acting as her nominee, falsely declared their income, resulting in a $7,000 debt in Ashley's name. Under current rules, because her partner knowingly underreported the income, Ashley was denied a waiver. This bill changes that. It ensures that officials can look at the broader circumstances, including abuse, and provide justice.”
“It recognises that our social security system, while essential, has also at times failed to protect those it was designed to serve. For too long, coercive and controlling partners have weaponised this very system against women, often leaving them with debts they never knew existed or punishing them for seeking help. This bill introduces new powers for Services Australia to take into account coercion and financial abuse when deciding whether a social security debt should be waived. Financial abuse is one of the most insidious tools used by perpetrators of domestic and family violence. It is used to entrap women and to make them feel that leaving isn't possible, that they can't survive on their own, that the very institutions designed to support them will penalise them if they try. This bill says to survivors: we see you.”
“That was regardless of whether it was cold goods to feed their family or clothing for their children. These are not isolated cases. They are part of a pattern of abuse that is sophisticated, sustained and deeply gendered. Too often these forms of control are either misunderstood or invisible, especially within our systems of government. These are all examples of coercive control, domestic violence and financial abuse. These stories are one of the many reasons I rise today to strongly support this bill. This bill is about more than numbers or technicalities. It's about people and it's about providing safety and justice. This legislation may appear administrative in nature, but make no mistake: its real impact lies in how it will change lives.”
“Her autonomy was reduced to a request, her life controlled room by room, cupboard by cupboard. Another woman had to survive on a jar of coins. Her partner would give her a weekly allowance of a few coins to feed the family, and if she disobeyed him in any way that jar remained closed. I also represented a senior executive, a highly accomplished woman, who was forced to deposit her entire salary into her partner's account each and every week. He demanded to see her payslips and receipts. If she failed to provide evidence of her earnings, or spent money without permission, there were consequences. Another woman was tracked electronically in real time. Each time she made a transaction, her partner was notified. If he didn't agree with the purchase, he would demand she return it immediately.”
“Before I speak to the technical elements of the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025, I want to begin by sharing the stories of some of the incredibly brave women I had the privilege of representing in my previous work as a domestic violence lawyer for more than 10 years. These women did not have bruises that were visible to the public. Their injuries were inflicted silently, through control, isolation and economic manipulation. They suffered coercive control and financial abuse in homes that were meant to be their sanctuaries. One woman I represented lived in a home where every door and cupboard had a lock. Her partner wore the only key around his neck. If she wanted to access food, medicine or her children's clothing, she had to ask permission.”
“We know that Australians believe that too—just like Therese and her family in Mansfield and just like the thousands of households across Bonner that have embraced batteries, solar and sensible climate action. They know it's affordable, they know it's sensible and they know it's the future.”
“This is what real action on climate looks like, nationally and in my backyard of Bonner. The choice before us is clear: a cleaner, cheaper energy future or a political stunt that takes us backwards. But this bill isn't just a stunt; it's a test. We all know that the member for New England is planning to move on from his seat—he has made that clear—but what this bill will demonstrate is whether we'll see anything new or different from the coalition or just the same old faces still denying the science, still denying the economics and still denying Australians a better future. Only Labor believes in a future made in Australia. Only Labor believes in clean energy, smart investment and protecting what makes this country special. Only Labor believes climate action should benefit all Australians, in the bush, in the suburbs and by the bay.”
“Recently, the member claimed that net zero and climate change policies were 'ludicrous crusades' and 'immoral'. The member also said that we have 'spent years scaring children about the weather'. Does the member for New England want Therese and her family to pay more for power? Have the 645—and counting—families in my electorate of Bonner that are set to have lower bills been scammed? This government is backing Australians like Therese and her family, with real policies, real investment and real action. Since coming to office we've cut emissions to 29 per cent below 2005 levels; added over 18 gigawatts of renewable energy, enough to power six million homes; delivered $12.7 billion in clean energy investment in the last year; and passed energy-saving reforms that are cutting bills and creating jobs.”
“In Bonner, we've had one of the highest uptakes of batteries under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program in the entire state—645 and counting. Our community is leading the way because we know what's sensible. In August, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Prime Minister and Minister Bowen to visit Therese and her family, who have lived in the suburb of Mansfield in my electorate for 33 years. They've had solar for years, but it wasn't until our government introduced the 30 per cent battery rebate that they installed a home battery. In Therese's words, it was 'affordable and sensible'. That's the kind of practical, commonsense approach Australians are taking in the suburbs and regions right across our country. Sadly, we're not seeing the same sense from the member for New England with this reckless bill.”
“Don't just take my word for it. At the Queensland LNP convention this year, an overwhelming majority voted for the federal coalition to abandon net zero, describing it as a 'dangerous scam'. Not one elected MP or senator spoke in favour of keeping the net zero policy at the federal level—not one. The coalition and the member for New England could not be more out of touch with the Australian people and with science. Net zero is not some woke slogan. It's not a culture-war battleground. It's about our suburbs and regions. It's about topping our roofs with solar panels. It's about ordinary Australians making smart choices to cut costs, lower emissions and create a better future for their kids. And it's already happening in communities like mine.”
“It's not Halloween just yet, but it's getting scarier and scarier on the other side of the chamber. It says everything you need to know about the coalition that their ideological compass post election has seemingly been set by the member for New England, even when he's no longer sitting in their party room. So lacking are they in any positive vision for the future that they're outsourcing their policy direction to Senator Canavan and One Nation not just to repeal Labor's progress on climate action but to undo even the commitments made under prime ministers Morrison and Howard. While the Albanese government's first piece of legislation was to cut student debt by 20 per cent, the coalition's first priority is to repeal Australia's net zero target, a move that would damage our economy, our environment and our international credibility.”
“It was created with the belief that gender should never determine a person's safety, salary or sense of belonging. We fund a public service that knows gender matters, and today, on the anniversary of former prime minister Julia Gillard's misogyny speech, we reaffirm our commitment that not now, not ever, will we be lectured to by men about sexism or misogyny in this place—because we and the Labor Party are here to end it.”
“This year's Women's Budget Statement also highlights our $792 million investment in women's health, with dedicated endometriosis clinics, expanded menopause support, cheaper reproductive health care and new Medicare items that acknowledge women's distinct health needs. We are now seeing the results of Labor's focus on women and the Office for Women's hard work. According to the Global gender gap report 2025 , Australia has now risen 11 places in the global rankings to 13th out of 148 countries—our highest result ever. Under the coalition government, we had dropped to a shameful 50th. That was the cost of their indifference and, at many times, outright distain for women. Last year, we celebrated 50 years of the Office for Women, which was established by the Whitlam government.”
“This is how we close the gender pay gap, and, under Labor, it's now at its lowest point on record. We also need to challenge the idea that certain jobs belong to men. Right now, only 21 per cent of occupations are gender balanced. Women are still vastly underrepresented in trades, construction and technical roles, and that's not because of capability; it's because of outdated, exclusionary systems and stereotypes that push women out before they even get started. Labor is dismantling those barriers. Through free TAFE, we've seen an 80 per cent increase in women entering male dominated apprenticeships and a 115 per cent rise in women training as electricians. Almost 60 per cent of free TAFE students are women. The data is clear: it's working. These are jobs with dignity, security and decent pay, and women belong in every single one of them.”
“And we are reforming the justice system so that victims-survivors of sexual violence are no longer retraumatised by the very institutions meant to protect them. We also know that economic inequality is gender inequality. Women still do the majority of unpaid care. They are overrepresented in low-paid, insecure work and they retire with far less superannuation than men. But Labor is changing that story. We've made child care cheaper, we've expanded paid parental leave and we are paying superannuation on parental leave for the first time ever. We've delivered fairer tax cuts—90 per cent of women are better off under our plan. Women are earning $255 more per week than in 2022, and we've lifted the minimum wage, which helps those in sectors like aged care, early childhood education and health.”
“That's why the Office for Women works across government to influence, shape and advocate for policies that make a tangible difference in the lives of women. Since May 2022, this government has delivered over $9 billion in targeted measures to improve outcomes for women, not as an add-on, not as an afterthought but as core government policy. We are funding women's safety with $4 billion in investments to end gender based violence and $3.9 billion in legal assistance. We have legislated 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave. We are implementing every single recommendation of the Respect@Work report. We have legislated a positive duty on employers to actively prevent harassment.”
“I rise to affirm the essential work of the Office for Women within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, which exists to advance gender equality across every part of government. The Office for Women exists to ensure that every new policy, every cabinet submission and every national priority is viewed through a gender lens, and it's working. Since Labor came to office, we have embedded gender-responsive budgeting across the Public Service. We've brought back the Women's Budget Statement, and we're delivering policy reform that recognises and corrects the structural inequalities that women face every single day. We don't pretend that one department can solve gender inequality alone.”
“I'm proud to be part of a government that understands the urgency, that listens to victims-survivors and that invests in safety, justice and prevention—not just words but real action. I commend the work of the department, of Minister Plibersek and of Assistant Minister Kearney, and commend this government's commitment to a safer future for all Australians, free from violence.”
“All of this is informed by the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children and is strengthened by the rapid review that continues to shape our national response. I've sat in court with too many women—up to 90 matters a day—who've felt they had nowhere to turn. That is not the Australia we want, and it's not the Australia that Labor will accept. Only Labor is building a system where women are believed, supported and safe—a system that holds perpetrators accountable and that empowers every victim-survivor to reclaim their life with dignity, with choice and with hope. We still have work to do, but we are making progress that is real, tangible and life changing.”
“Labor is changing that. We're expanding the waiver provision so that Services Australia can consider the broader context, including abuse, when deciding whether a debt should be waived. We've also invested in prevention and education. Our $40 million Consent Can't Wait campaign is reaching young people with powerful, necessary messages. We've partnered with Teach Us Consent and La Trobe University to build the evidence base and ensure we are tackling this issue at its root. We are taking further steps to disrupt cycles of harm, investing in electronic monitoring of high-risk perpetrators, funding behaviour change programs and working with states and territories to improve criminal justice responses to sexual violence.”
“There's $3.9 billion for the new National Access to Justice Partnership, $82.4 million to strengthen responses to high-risk and serial perpetrators of domestic and family violence and $81.3 million to enhance and expand child-centric, trauma-informed supports for children and young people who have experiences of violence. I want to give a special shout-out to Safe Steps, who premiered their film, Unanswered Calls , at parliament this week. The film portrays young people's experience of family violence, and I thank the assistant minister for her attendance at the premiere. Labour is fixing systems that have too often failed women. One example of this is the special circumstances debt waiver. Under the old rules, women who unknowingly incurred Centrelink debts, often because of coercive control or financial abuse, were still held liable.”
“We've made the Leaving Violence Program permanent, offering up to $5,000 in financial support, plus safety planning, to people who are leaving or who have recently left a violent relationship. This replaced the escaping violence payment trial, which supported more than 100,000 people. It sends a clear message: if you need to go, we will help you so you can afford to leave. We've also legislated 10 days of paid domestic violence leave so no-one has to choose between safety and their job. We're investing $1.2 billion in emergency and transitional accommodation because leaving violence shouldn't mean entering homelessness. We've reformed family law to make it safer and easier to navigate. We've also invested in legal assistance services.”
“We know that escaping violence comes at enormous personal and financial cost, and we know too many women have asked themselves not, 'Why don't I leave?' but instead, 'Where would I go?' or, 'How will I afford to leave?' That's why the Albanese Labor government is delivering the most significant investment in women's safety in our nation's history. Since coming to government, Labor has committed more than $4 billion to address gender based violence. That includes funding for frontline services, prevention programs, legal supports and behaviour change initiatives, because we must support victims-survivors but we must also stop the violence before it starts.”
“Ending gender based violence is a national priority for the Albanese Labor government and must be a priority for every single person in this place, because every one of us has a role to play in ensuring women and children are safe, supported and empowered. Before entering this parliament, I worked as a domestic violence lawyer. I sat beside women as they applied for protection orders. I listened to their stories of abuse, fear and control but also of courage. I saw firsthand how broken systems can compound trauma, and I also saw how the right support at the right time can change a life. I carry those stories with me into this chamber. They guide the work I do here and remind me that policy is not abstract; it's personal and, in this place, it's urgent.”
“My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering credible action on climate change and why is this important to the region?”
“We've also invested over $190 million to establish the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program, including 100 new cancer nurses through the McGrath Foundation, helping women navigate their diagnosis and care—no matter where they live. Early detection saves lives, and every woman, no matter her age, background or postcode, deserves the very best chance at survival.”