Trish Cook
Bullwinkel · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Primary care, urgent care and emergency care—patients with non-life threatening urgent conditions can be treated quickly and efficiently in the community close to where they live. This is what strong primary care and urgent care systems look like. They are accessible, responsive and centred on the needs of patients.”
“There are now over 3,800 Medicare bulk-billing practices nationwide, and more than 1,400 of these were previously mixed-billing clinics—so 1,400 have converted to bulk-billing all patients all of the time. Importantly, about 97 per cent of Australians now live within a 20-minute drive of a bulk-billing practice.”
“They're also relieving pressure on GP practices themselves. As a GP nurse, I know that when something urgent walks through the door, of course the scheduled patients, both on my lists and the doctor's lists, will need to wait so that the urgent case is attended to.”
“Since Labor strengthened Medicare bulk-billing and introduced additional incentives for GPs, we have seen five more GP practices in my electorate of Bullwinkel take up bulk-billing. That is five more practices, and all the doctors within those practices, making the choice to put patients first and ensure care is accessible to everyone.”
“This bill has established a clear and enduring legislative framework for Commonwealth primary care incentive payment programs, including the Medicare Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program. These programs are a vital part of how we support access, affordability and quality in our health system.”
“Today I rise in strong support of the Health Insurance Amendment (Incentive Payments and Other Measures) Bill 2026. As federal member for Bullwinkel and as somebody that worked on the frontline as a nurse for decades, I know firsthand just how important a strong, accessible primary care system is to the health and wellbeing of our communi…”
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“This bill is a proud and critical continuation of that nation-building project. But here is the problem. The Australian Taxation Office estimates that, in the 2021-22 financial year alone, $5.2 billion in super went unpaid because the employer either failed to pay the super or paid it quarterly. Let's pause on that number: $5.2 billion. That is $100 million every single week that Australian workers earned but never received. It's not a rounding error; it's a retirement crisis in the making if we don't fix it. It is wage theft, plain and simple. And it is a theft that disproportionately hurts the most-vulnerable in our workforce: younger workers who are just starting out, workers in lower-income jobs, and those in the gig economy or in insecure work.”
“It was the Labor Party, through the grand social and economic bargain of the Prices and Incomes Accord under the Hawke government, that laid the foundation. And it was the Keating Labor government that built the house, legislating the landmark superannuation guarantee in 1992. Today's superannuation is the result of Labor's vision to turn a privilege for the few into a universal right for every worker. We built this system, now the envy of the world, and ever since its creation superannuation has been a defining fault line in Australian politics. Those opposite have consistently sought to undermine it, freezing the rate for years and treating super as a nest egg to be cracked open for other purposes. Labor's job has always been to build, strengthen and protect this legacy.”
“I rise today in strong support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025. This isn't just a minor administrative tweak; this isn't just another line in the budget paper. This is a fundamental reform to the bedrock of our retirement system. It is a promise to Australian workers that the money they earn, the money they're entitled to, will actually end up in their superannuation accounts. It's a reform that is long overdue. Before Labor, superannuation was not a right. It was a privilege, and it was reserved for a select few in high-paying jobs—mostly men—while the majority of working Australians, especially women and blue-collar workers, were left with nothing but the age pension. It was unsustainable.”
“Its primary purpose is the bushfire hazard reduction of the eastern states wattles, which are unable to be composted due to their resilient seed pods, so they need to be burnt. The tradition began over a decade ago, when a resident concerned about the fuel load in the local reserve suggested the community come together to clear it themselves, and they did. It's a collaboration between the Darlington Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, the Bushfire Ready group, the CWA and, most importantly, the students from Helena College high school, who helped gather the wood and make the bonfire the day before. It's a community proactively taking responsibility for its own safety. I'm proud to say that I've also committed $300,000 to provide female change facilities to the Darlington Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade. (Time expired)”
“I rise today to share a story from my electorate of Bullwinkel. It's a story about community, resilience and the remarkable spirit of the people who live in the Perth Hills. This past weekend, the suburb of Darlington held its annual community bonfire. While I was unfortunately unable to attend this year, it's an event that holds a special place in my heart. For many years, my sister Dr Diane Parker, a teacher at Helena College, and I were part of the volunteers who organised the bonfire, and I have seen first hand how it brings out best in our community. To an outsider it might look like a simple bonfire, a fun night out and a sausage sizzle and soup from the local CWA, but it's so much more than that.”
“We are doubling Roads to Recovery, we are boosting the Black Spot Program, and we're delivering funding that is open, fair and properly costed. Labor now represents more seats in regional areas than the Liberals and Nationals combined. Regional areas have chosen a government that delivers for them.”
“That was a temporary COVID program. The Liberals and Nationals set it to expire, and now they're complaining about their own decision. What did we do? We backed it with completion. We extended that timeline for councils and we committed an additional $250 million for regional and outer suburban councils. If the Nationals had their way, our regional councils would have $250 million less than they do today. When you add it all up, just this financial year our government is delivering $4.1 million for upgrades, in my electorate, across 25 different projects in Beverley, Kalamunda, Mundaring, York and Northam. The choice is clear. The coalition left a multibillion-dollar black hole and froze funding for our councils, and the Albanese Labor government is making record investments.”
“We've secured $46,000 to fix the dangerous Lilydale Road and Northcote Street intersection in Chidlow, and we're delivering almost $300,000 for the Avon Terrace and Spencers Brook-York Road intersection in York. These are fixes that locals have been calling for for years, and it's our government that's delivering them. We've also created the new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, called SLRIP. That's $200 million per year nationally, which is $50 million more than the two programs that it is replacing. In my electorate of Bullwinkel, this program is funding the $1.5 million extension of Brooking Road in Parkerville, a huge bushfire-risk area. That's a huge win for our local community. You might want to know what happened to the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program—the LRCI, as it was called.”
“In Bakers Hill we're funding a $470,000 upgrade for Sims Road, and in Northam we have $3.6 million rolling out across nine active projects, all chosen by the local Northam shire council. This is direct, tangible investment in our regional communities. But our plan isn't just about maintenance; it's about saving lives. We have increased the annual funding for the Black Spot Program from $110 million to $150 million. This program, of course, targets those dangerous sections of roads that we all know about, delivering practical safety upgrades, like traffic signals, roundabouts and better signage. I'm incredibly proud to say that the Black Spot Program funding is making a real difference in Bullwinkel.”
“In my great state of Western Australia, that includes $432 million for the Tanami Road, $304 million for Karratha-Tom Price road and $220 million for the Great Northern Highway Bindoon Bypass. But, of course, we know that it's the local roads that matter every single day in our regional communities. That's why part of our plan is doubling the funding for the local roads through the Roads to Recovery program. This program is about directly funding our local councils to fix the roads that they know matter the most. It gives them stable long-term funding to plan with confidence. Over the next five years this means $643 million for WA councils. That's a massive increase of $278 million, and we're seeing that investment right in my electorate of Bullwinkel.”
“I rise to talk about something fundamental to the lives of regional Australians: the roads that connect us. For a decade under the former coalition government, our regional roads were neglected and regional people are rightly unhappy. The Albanese Labor government has been working hard to fix this mess. We are now delivering record investment in our regional infrastructure. Our investment means safer roads, more efficient freight routes and stronger local economies, all under funding programs that are open, fair and properly costed. We've committed a 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline exceeding $120 billion. It's the largest and most sustainable investor investment in our nation's history.”
“And we're already seeing the results. Since Labor tripled the bulk-billing incentive for our children and concession card holders last November, Australians in regional and remote areas have had nearly 2.5 million additional bulk-billed visits to the GP. We are delivering a record $1.8 billion for our public hospitals on top of the workforce incentives, and we're committed to finalising the new five-year National Health Reform Agreement to give our hospitals long-term funding certainty. This is in stark contrast to the cuts and neglect of those opposite when they were in government. For the people of Bullwinkel, this means more doctors, lower costs and a stronger public health system, because, in Australia, your health care should be determined by your Medicare card, not your postcode.”
“Our $7.9 billion is designed to make it easier for people in Bullwinkel to see a bulk-billing doctor. For the first time, from 1 November, we're expanding bulk-billing incentives to all Australians and creating an incentive for practices that bulk-bill every single patient. Here is the crucial part for my community: those incentives are higher in the regional and rural areas. This means any Medicare-eligible patient in Bullwinkel bulk-billed for a standard consult will attract a higher Medicare payment for their GP than a patient in the city would. A GP at a rural practice that bulk-bills every visit is expected to earn $24,000 more than a mixed-billing practice that provides the same services. So this is the direct, practical and funded incentive to make bulk-billing more viable for our local clinics.”
“It's a new specialty field within general practice, and this is a game changer. We aren't just training more doctors; we're training the right doctors for our communities—doctors with specific advanced skills where they're needed in primary care, in emergency medicine and often in obstetrics and mental health. This year, Australia will see the largest cohort of future GPs in our history. More than 1,800 doctors are commencing training. And, crucially, at least a quarter of these doctors are GPs in training in that new specialty of rural generalism. These are the doctors who will staff our local clinics and hospitals for years to come, and our government is funding their training. And, of course, finding a doctor is only half the battle—affording one is the other.”
“The Albanese Labor government understands this, and we understand that a strong Medicare supports people. It eases cost-of-living pressures, and it takes pressure off our hardworking hospital staff. That is why we're getting on with the job of strengthening Medicare for all Australians, especially those who live in regional and rural communities. Through the 2025-26 budget, we're investing $7.9 billion to strengthen Medicare. This includes $644 million for more Medicare urgent care clinics and $660 million to build upon our health workforce. You can't have a strong health system without a strong health workforce. For too long, communities across Bullwinkel have struggled to attract and retain doctors and health professionals when they need it. That's why I'm proud of our government's work in formally recognising rural generalism.”
“Today I rise to speak on the motion from the member for Indi and thank her for bringing this critical issue for rural health to the floor of the House. For my constituents in the rural portion of the seat of Bullwinkel, this isn't a theoretical debate; it is a matter of daily importance. It's about ensuring our families can get a doctor's appointment when they're sick. It's about having the confidence of quality care, knowing that it is available locally without a long drive to the city. It's about supporting our dedicated local clinics and hospital staff, who do such a fantastic job in the rural communities. As a former rural and remote area nurse myself and a general practice nurse, I know that our rural communities deserve to be able to get the care they need, when they need it and close to home.”
“When people are too sick or can't wait for a GP but it's not an emergency department issue, they have the option of going to the urgent care clinic, where they just need their Medicare card. We believe that the investment in this is not just numbers on a page; we're committed to helping people, particularly in rural areas such as those in my electorate.”
“This policy means that a doctor or nurse practitioner who chooses to live and work in a rural town like Beverley, Toodyay, Northam or York or in an other country or remote community could have their entire HELP debt wiped clean through this policy. But it's not just a policy; it's a powerful statement that we value our regional workforce and we will back it in. After a decade of neglect, we are delivering doctors and nurses to regional areas and we are providing the support our system needs. We have more doctors and more bulk-billing, and we have urgent care clinics that are taking the immense pressure off emergency departments. We said we would deliver 50 in 2022; we delivered 87, and now we're committing to another 50.”
“Speaking as a nurse and midwife, I'm particularly thrilled by our government's commitment to my colleagues. We are funding an additional 400 scholarships for nurses and midwives to extend their skills and become nurse practitioners or endorsed midwives. These highly skilled clinicians are the backbone of regional health care, and supporting them to work within their full scope of practice means better care for everyone. But we know that one of the biggest barriers for young health professionals wanting to work in regional areas is the burden of student debt. That is why our HELP for Rural Doctors and Nurse Practitioners initiative is so crucial.”
“This budget builds on that momentum, with a $617 million investment to deliver even more doctors and nurses where they are most needed. We are expanding GP training, with an extra 400 places from 2028. Crucially, we are creating powerful incentives for junior doctors to choose general practice, bridging the pay gap that they face when they leave the hospital system and also providing them with paid parental and study leave. This funding is a game changer for regional and outer urban areas like the electorate of Bullwinkel. For too long we have struggled to get young doctors to make a life in the country, but initiatives like the Single Employer Model trials, which give medical registrars the security of a single employer while they train in rural general practices, are making that choice easier.”
“When we came to government three years ago, Medicare was in the worst state of its 40-year history. That's why I'm so incredibly proud to be part of the Albanese Labor government that is turning this around. We are not just patching up the damage; we are rebuilding our health workforce and strengthening Medicare for generations to come, and the results speak for themselves. In the last two years, more doctors joined our healthcare system than at any time in the past decade. An extra 17,000 doctors have registered to practise across Australia. That is the strongest workforce recovery in memory. We are seeing many junior doctors training to become GPs, primarily because they can finally see a government that values and invests in primary health care.”
“Today I rise to speak in support of the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, and I do so not just as the member for Bullwinkel but as somebody who has spent their entire professional life on the front line of our health services. Before I entered this place, I spent my career as a nurse and midwife. I have cared for people when they're sick and injured, I have comforted worried families and I have seen firsthand the incredible pressure on our doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. I know what a strong, properly funded public health system looks like. Over the last decade, I saw what a decade of cuts and neglect from the opposition did to it. I saw money taken out of hospitals. I saw dedicated GPs struggling to attract and retain the healthcare workers that they so desperately needed.”
“I continue to work side-by-side with our local councils and farming communities to support our sheep farmers as we navigate this transition. By seizing the opportunities in renewable energy and building a world-class local processing industry, we can ensure a bright future for Western Australians. (Time expired)”
“That is why I organised and introduced the live sheep transition advocate, Dr Chris Rodwell, to accompany us at the roundtable. We had frank and open discussions about the transition plan and the comprehensive support available. As my colleague Minister Collins announced, this support is real and rolling out now. Grant programs opening today include the Farm Business Transition Program and the Community Wellbeing Program. Let me be perfectly clear: I stand with our WA farmers today and every day. Our commitment is unwavering. We want farmers not only to farm sheep but to do so in a more profitable and sustainable way in Western Australia, adding value to the economy and supporting local families and communities. The goal is to build a stronger domestic industry that is secure for generations to come.”
“One major discussion focused on the incredible potential for renewable energy right across the Wheatbelt. We weren't just talking concepts; we were talking about real, tangible opportunities for solar and wind projects that will create local jobs, provide a new revenue stream for farmers and local governments and enhance our energy security. We listened to the CEOs and presidents of the local governments who raised concerns and explained how their local governments may be affected by local renewable projects. It was a genuinely positive and forward-looking conversation about powering the future of the region of WA. The other major issue we discussed at the roundtable was the transition away from live sheep exports by sea. I acknowledge that this is a significant change for our farming communities.”
“I recently instigated a roundtable discussion out in the Wheatbelt, engaging with local councils about the issues and the opportunities that lie ahead for the Wheatbelt. I was absolutely delighted to welcome the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, my colleague Josh Wilson, to join me. His expertise was invaluable as we worked with the Avon Regional Organisation of Councils and brought together the vibrant shires of Bullwinkel, Toodyay, Northam and York, as well as the shires of Durack, Goomalling and Victoria Plains. We were also pleased that the Shire of Chittering could join us. It added another important local voice to the conversation. There were also representatives from other regional councils further to the east, which totalled 18 participants and 20 local governments of the Wheatbelt area.”
“It is our government's answer to the question 'Who is watching out for Australians?' This bill ensures that a triple 0 custodian, a guardian of this sacred service, is enshrined in law, not just policy. It gives our communications watchdog, ACMA, the teeth it needs to hold massive corporations to account. The bill gives our government the power to step in during a crisis to demand answers and to direct action. Because of the swift action of this government, this bill turns policy into legislation, into certainty, and it's our promise that the lifeline of triple 0 will be available when needed. I take this opportunity to thank all the workers who man the triple 0 calls, including my next-door neighbour, Amanda. It can be a very stressful job, and they play a crucial role in saving lives on a daily, if not hourly, basis.”
“But the record is clear—this outage was the fault of Optus and Optus alone, and they will be held accountable for the 631 calls that went unanswered and, sadly, the three or four deaths which resulted. But their failure has exposed a deeper problem—a decade of neglect under the previous government. The warning signs were flashing for years. In May 2018, under the coalition, there was an outage affecting 4,000 calls, and what was their response? Nothing. No laws were changed. No custodian was created. We cannot hope to do things; we need to act. Our government is cleaning up that decade of neglect, and this bill today is the product of our swift action.”
“To imagine that thread being cut is to imagine the unimaginable. That terror became a reality for 631 Australians during the Optus outage a few weeks ago. It was a catastrophic failure of a private company to meet its most basic social obligation, and it's completely unacceptable. The Albanese Labor government acted swiftly. We acted decisively, and, unlike those in the opposition, our priority is protecting Australians, not protecting corporate interests. And let's be clear about what we're seeing from the opposition. They seem hell-bent on letting Optus off the hook and wasting parliament's time, waving around old emails to manufacture a political scandal.”
“I rise to speak to the triple 0 legislation that we have passed today in this House. This bill is about the most fundamental promise a government can make—that when you are in peril and you reach out for help, your call will get through. As a remote-area nurse and member for Bullwinkel, a bushfire-prone area, I know the value of triple 0 all too well. In 2014, my communities in my electorate of the Perth Hills were devastated by the Parkerville-Stoneville-Mount Helena fire—a fire that, before it was extinguished, tore through the community, destroying 57 homes and scarring the landscape and the people for years to come. At that time or phones were everything, as they are in times of reporting any fire activity or other emergencies. Our phones are the one thread that we cling to.”
“My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government making medicines cheaper for all Australians? How are new medicines being listed on the PBS making new treatments available for Australians with serious illnesses?”
“From cheaper child care for families and fair funding for our public schools to real relief from student debt and greater access to universities for regional Australians, the Labor government is delivering. And that's not to forget fee-free TAFE, financially supported apprenticeships and paid prac for teachers, nurses and social workers. I commend this bill to the House.”
“But we know that for many in regional Australia the biggest barrier to higher education is distance, and that's why our government is doubling the number of university study hubs, bringing university closer to where people live. I'm immensely proud that in Bullwinkel we are seeing the direct benefits of this policy. The Lumen Wheatbelt regional university study hub in York is already changing lives, and I'm thrilled that we'll soon be opening another hub in Northam, in the heart of the regional area of Bullwinkel. These hubs are not just buildings; they are gateways to opportunity, allowing local people to pursue their dreams without having to leave their homes and communities.”
“The commitment extends right through to higher education, where we're building a better and fairer system so that more Australians can have a crack at going to university and can succeed when they get there. We are taking decisive action to ease the burden of student debt. We have already wiped $3 billion in debt for three million Australians, ensuring that student debt can no longer grow faster than wages. Now, through legislation recently passed, we are wiping by 20 per cent the student debt of every Australian student with a HECS debt. This isn't some abstract national figure; this is real, tangible impact right in my electorate of Bullwinkel, where 13,000 students and graduates will benefit directly from this 20 per cent cut.”
“Then, as children move into their school years, our commitment continues. For too long our public schools have been left behind. When we came to government, no public school outside of the ACT was on a path to full and fair funding. Our Better and Fairer Schools Agreement changed that. This is the biggest new investment in public schools by an Australian government ever. An additional $16.5 billion over the next decade will put every single public school on a pathway to 100 per cent of its full and fair funding. But let me be clear: this is not a blank cheque. This funding is tied directly to reforms that we know will make a difference: more small-group tutoring to help students catch up, a focus on phonics and numeracy in the early years, and more mental health and individualised support where these are needed.”
“Our cheaper childcare policy is already delivering real cost-of-living relief for over a million Australian families. For the average family receiving the subsidy, this has cut out-of-pocket costs by about $7,000 compared to what they would ordinarily have paid. This stands in stark contrast to the legacy of those opposite, under whom childcare prices rocketed by 49 per cent in just four years. We also recognise that a quality system is built by a quality workforce, which is why the 15 per cent pay rise for our dedicated early childhood educators is so vitally important. And we're going further; we're working towards a three-day guarantee, which will ensure that, as of January 2026, each child is guaranteed access to at least three days of high-quality early learning. It will give every Australian child the best possible start.”
“I rise today to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 and to highlight the Albanese Labor government's profound commitment to building a better and fairer education system for all Australians. We on this side of the House understand a fundamental truth: education is the great enabler. It is the key that unlocks the door of opportunity, giving the next generation of Australians the very best start in life and equipping our nation for the challenges and complexities of the future. Our vision for education is comprehensive; it starts with our youngest citizens. The Albanese government is committed to building a universal early childhood education and care system that is safe, affordable and accessible for every family.”
“And, of course, round 3 of the Regional Connectivity Program awarded just over $115 million towards 74 projects, which also included a dedicated Central Australia stream to improve connectivity for First Nations communities. This bill is a testament to the Albanese Labor government's commitment to a fair, accountable and trusted telecommunications system. It is a win for consumers, a win for integrity and a win for a more connected Australia. I commend the bill to the House.”
“This is why the Albanese Labor government is also delivering historic investment in regional connectivity. A large part of my seat is considered regional. The $55 million Mobile Black Spot Program, which had applications close this April, will provide resilient mobile coverage in disaster-prone areas, and certainly Bullwinkel is a disaster-prone area with regard to bushfires. The $50 million Regional Roads Australia Mobile Program pilot programs, which also include an $8 million allocation for Western Australia, will test new solutions to increase mobile coverage on our regional highways and major roads, improving safety and connection.”
“These are not standalone measures. The bill is a vital piece of our government's broader consumer protection agenda. Since coming to office, we have already introduced new industry standards to support consumers experiencing financial hardship, and we just saw recently the implementation of a new standard that requires telecommunications companies to support and assist consumers experiencing domestic, sexual and family violence. We also amended the Competition and Consumer Act earlier this year to introduce consistent obligations on telcos, banks and digital platforms to prevent and disrupt scams. This bill is a crucial pillar in that ongoing work. As the member for Bullwinkel, I know the important of connectivity, not just for consumer protection but for the economic and social wellbeing of our community.”
“This is a reform that will incentivise better behaviour and weed out those that are doing the wrong thing. This may sound like a technical change, but in fact the impact is profound. Under the current legislation, even if a telco is caught red-handed breaching a code, no matter how egregious the breach, ACMA can only issue a direction for them to comply with the code. It is only if the provider then fails to follow that direction that ACMA can take stronger enforcement action. This bill removes that clunky and time-consuming two-step process. It makes compliance with these codes mandatory from the moment they are registered. This gives ACMA the ability to take immediate and decisive enforcement action, providing a stronger incentive for industry compliance and ensuring that consumers are protected without delay.”
“It will provide a clear line of sight, ensuring that every provider is known and accountable. This means that dodgy providers will no longer be able to operate in the shadows, preying on consumers without being held to account. It also introduces a powerful deterrent. ACMA will be empowered to stop CSPs from operating in the market if they pose an unacceptable risk to consumers or cause significant consumer harm. This power will be used as a last resort, with suitable checks and balances in place, but it provides the regulator with the necessary authority to protect consumers from the worst actors in the industry. It means consumers can have greater confidence in the providers that they choose, knowing there is a system in place to ensure that they are held to account.”
“It ensures that the Federal Court can impose a penalty that is a genuine deterrent. Effectively, it strongly encourages companies to prioritise ethical conduct over a quick profit. The second crucial reform of this bill is the establishment of a carriage service provider, or CSP, registration scheme. This was a longstanding issue for the previous Labor and coalition governments, and this lack of visibility is a black hole for regulators. The limited visibility of the carriage service provider has hampered ACMA's ability to actively educate providers on their obligations and to target compliance efforts. This bill changes that. By establishing a CSP registration scheme, we will increase the visibility of the market and give ACMA and other government agencies the ability to streamline complaints and compliance processes.”
“This is a 40-fold increase in penalties—a powerful statement that this government is serious about consumer protection. But we go even further. The bill modernises the penalty framework to give the flexibility for fines to be based on the benefit gained from such conduct—up to 30 per cent of the relevant provider's turnover. This means that, for a company with a very high turnover, the penalty can and should be significantly more than $10 million. This penalty framework aligns our telecommunications sector with standards that we see in other industries, like energy and banking, as well as the Australian Consumer Law. This is about creating a level playing field, where the penalty for the breach is truly proportionate to the harm caused and where no company, no matter how large, can treat consumer protection as an optional extra.”
“For a multinational corporation generating billions of dollars in revenue, a quarter-of-a-million-dollar fine is simply a slap on the wrist. It is, as my colleagues have also said, simply a cost of doing business. It is an amount that does not deter harmful practices. It sends a message that it's more profitable to break the rules and pay the fine than it is to do the right thing by your customers. This is fundamentally wrong, and it erodes the trust that Australians place in their service providers. This bill dramatically changes that. It amends the Telecommunications Act to increase the maximum general civil penalty for breaches of industrial codes and standards to 30,300 penalty units, which, at the time of drafting, is just shy of $10 million.”
“It supports our kids' education, it enables small businesses to trade, and it connects us with our loved ones, especially in times of crisis. Australians deserve a telecommunications system that is fair, accountable and, most of all, trustworthy. For too long there have been many poor practices in the industry. This bill changes that. It's a comprehensive package of reforms that will equip the Australian Communications and Media Authority, ACMA, with the modern, effective tools it needs to protect Australian consumers from poor and harmful practices. The core of this bill can be distilled into three key reforms, and I wish to speak to each of them today. The first reform is that we are increasing maximum civil penalties. In the current framework, the maximum civil penalty for a serious breach of industry codes and standards is $250,000.”
“I rise today to speak on a matter which is critical to the lives of every single Australian, and it's a matter that goes directly to the heart of our government's values of fairness, accountability and trust. I am speaking in strong support of the Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025. Enhancing consumer safeguards—that's what it's all about. As the federal member for Bullwinkel, I represent an electorate that stretches from the periurban fringes of Perth to the wheat belt, where, every single day, our families, businesses and emergency services rely on telecommunications to function. In today's world, connectivity is not a luxury; it's the lifeblood of our communities.”
“It's about trusting Indigenous leaders and ensuring that they have the tools to continue to care for country, even when a document has reached its expiry date. This is a straightforward bill with enormous purpose. It is about closing a loophole, strengthening a partnership and empowering the people who have been the rightful custodians of this land for millennia. I commend the bill to the House.”
“It doesn't change the role of the Director of National Parks or any existing arrangements; it simply removes an unnecessary bureaucratic roadblock that hinders the very partnership it seeks to foster. In essence, this bill is an acknowledgement. It is an acknowledgement of the enduring leadership of traditional owners and their rightful place at the centre of conservation. It is an acknowledgement that the knowledge and wisdom that they've passed down for generations is not just history; it is a living, breathing guide for the sustainable management of our lands. In my own electorate and across Western Australia, I have seen the powerful outcomes that are possible when we empower traditional owners and work together in genuine joint partnerships, and this bill is a reflection of that principle.”
“This is a measure of common sense and respect. It ensures there is no gap in decision-making authority between the expiration of one management plan and the commencement of the new one. Without this bill a board could be rendered powerless at a critical moment, unable to make a decision on an urgent matter such as fire management, a biosecurity threat or a necessary change to visitor access. Such a delay could have serious implications for the health and public safety of people visiting the area. This bill will support the effective participation of Indigenous people in matters relating to the management of their own country. It will ensure the continuity of decision-making, allowing for seamless governance.”