Ali France
Dickson · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“I rise to speak on the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026 and the related bills. Australia is a big country, and we are a long way from almost everywhere, including, very often, from each other. That makes aviation more than a convenience for Aussies. It is how we travel to see our family and friends.”
“The project was funded, the business case was done, the designing and planning work was done, consultation was done, preferred tenderers identified and the site prepared.”
“The only mention is 'to progress the delivery of a number of hospitals, including the Queensland Cancer Centre'. That's where the information stops. That's because there are no real plans to start the build.”
“Most importantly, it will be free for the consumer to use to pursue a remedy to their complaint. Second, the bills establish an aviation consumer protections charter.”
“The aircraft noise ombudsperson will be independent of Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence, consistent with the commitment made in the aviation white paper. The ombudsperson will have the capacity to publish independent reports and make recommendations to the government for policy or regulatory change.”
“It is the most significant reform to aviation consumer protection this country has seen, and it flows directly from our aviation white paper—our plan to protect passengers while keeping our aviation sector competitive and while keeping our proud safety record intact. Let me set out what these bills actually do.”
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“When we came to government in 2002, the cap on PBS medicines was $42. In 2023, we dropped that to $30. Now, as promised during the election campaign, we have dropped the capped price to $25—the biggest cut to the cost of medicine in PBS history. From 1 January, the maximum co-payment for patients under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, our PBS, will drop from $31.60 to just $25. That's more than a 20 per cent cut in the maximum cost of PBS medicines. For our pensioners and concession card holders, we're keeping the cost of PBS medicines frozen at $7.70 until 2030. This matters. It matters to me. I have spent the equivalent of a flat deposit on medications over the last 15 years after I lost my leg and in trying to save my son during his battle with leukaemia—literally thousands.”
“Let me take you back. It's 2004. Aussie classic Shannon Noll's 'What about me?' is playing on the radio—although, personally, I prefer the original; sorry, Shannon—along with songs like Britney Spears's 'Toxic' and Usher's 'Yeah!'. A new social media platform has launched, a little-known website called Facebook. All the kids want to play Super Mario on the brand-new Nintendo DS gaming console. Shrek 2 is in cinemas. Australia's Ian Thorpe wins the race of the century, defeating Michael Phelps at the Athens Games. Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin feeds a crocodile at Australia Zoo with his baby son, Robert, in his arms—remember that one? And PBS medicines cost no more than $25. Twenty-one years later and the Albanese Labor government is reducing the cost of medicines to 2004 prices.”
“The member for Grey conveniently left out of his speech that under the coalition they froze the Medicare rebates for GPs for over five years. They sat on their hands and watched as the cost of going to the GP went through the roof. The Albanese government will never stop strengthening Medicare, because Medicare is Labor's heart.”
“This includes boosting the availability of free consultations with psychologists and psychiatrists. Anyone living in Australia can also call Medicare Mental Health to speak to a trained professional for advice, support and connection to services that best suit their needs. On this side of the House, we know just how important Medicare is, and we will always work to strengthen it. The same can't be said for those opposite. Who could forget the proposed $7 co-payment for GP visits, pathology and imaging services the coalition tried to implement when they were in government? They also terminated payments to the states for preventive health. They reversed public hospital funding and reduced payments to doctors to discourage bulk-billing.”
“The centres provide a safe and welcoming place where everyone can access free and confidential services and support. They're open for extended hours, there is no appointment or referral needed and they are co-designed with a range of stakeholders, ensuring services meet the needs of local communities like mine in Dickson. Our investment in the Medicare mental health system is just one part of the Albanese Labor government's commitment to strengthening Medicare. We're making medicines cheaper, bringing the cost of PBS scripts down to just $25 or $7.70 for concession card holders—the same price as 2004. We're opening more Medicare urgent care clinics, bringing the total to 90 across Australia. We are also enhancing the clinical capacity of services to better support Australians with complex mental health needs.”
“Strathpine is one of three newly launched Medicare mental health centres in the Moreton Bay region, along with Redcliffe and Caboolture, and I've got news for the member for McPherson: they are all fully staffed and ready to take patients. There are currently 43 Medicare mental health centres open nationally, including 11 across Queensland, and we're also getting a brand new centre in Everton Hills in Dickson, which will be open later in the year. In this term, the Albanese government is establishing 31 new and upgraded Medicare mental health centres, taking the total number of Medicare mental health centres to 91. That's 91 investments in better mental health supports for Australians who need it. Whether you've experienced mental health challenges in the past or this is your first time reaching out for support, everyone is welcome.”
“Over seven years of doorknocking, I heard time and again that my community wanted more access to bulk-billed, immediate mental health services, which is why our government is putting bulk-billed mental health care into Medicare and walk-in services in the heart of our communities. At the election, we made a historic commitment to invest $1.1 billion to deliver new and expanded mental health services across the country. This includes the new Medicare mental health centre at Strathpine, which I was lucky enough to visit on Friday with the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. It is walk-in and bulk-billed, with no appointment or cash needed, and, with access to psychologists and psychiatrists, the new Medicare mental health centre at Strathpine will help thousands of locals in Dickson.”
“We all know that looking after your mental health is so incredibly important. I've spoken before in the House about my own struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety after I lost my leg in 2011 and about how I struggled to get out of the house, didn't drive for nearly three years and struggled to get back to work. Mental health is a key component to our health, our wellbeing and our prosperity. I did get back to work as a result of constant psychological support, but that is not everyone's reality. Many people go without the support they need. Socioeconomic status, living conditions and employment status can often impact the likelihood of a person experiencing a mental disorder and whether they are able to get access to services and help. Our government, the Albanese Labor government, understands this.”
“The fact that the vast majority of providers, 15 out of 16, are unregistered and unregulated is a disgrace. We are fixing it. The fact that the states and territories were given the green light to step away, under the coalition, from being the provider of last resort and delivering support where no other provider was willing to set up in a country town has left a deep hole in our mainstream systems of support. We are throwing the sink at that. We also know that children with autism wait too long for diagnosis and early intervention and that while kids in our cities can mostly get access to early intervention supports, kids in regional and remote areas and those from disadvantaged backgrounds really struggle for the basics. That is why foundational supports and Thriving Kids is so important.”
“People on the NDIS should not be paying a cent more than those in the aged care and health sectors. Change is needed not just because of bad actors but because the NDIS is not doing what it set out to do. It has left many with no support while others are overserviced. The other side talk about recent changes to rectify some of this, but they often talk knowing that nine years of turning a blind eye and a general lack of interest in the lives of disabled people allowed the problems of today to fester, run rampant and set in. As soon as we came into government in 2022 we ordered a review, and what I heard was worse than I had ever anticipated. There were no basic fraud or compliance controls in the nine long years the coalition were running the NDIS—zero. That's on the coalition; that's your record.”
“A few weeks ago a local mum, Carol, who has an adult child with cerebral palsy, came to the office distressed and upset over the bill a new service provider had sent them for two trips down the road to and from the Endeavour Foundation. The trip was no more than five minutes; their car had broken down. The bill was $1,000. She was embarrassed and angry and didn't know what to do with it. I seek leave to table a copy of Carol's bill and her email. Leave granted. We know, those opposite know and good providers, which are the majority, know that many bad actors were rorting the travel subsidy. We are listening to the vast majority of providers, who do the right thing, particularly those who travel to areas with no local services. But let's be clear: we need pricing discipline.”
“That is why Labor established the NDIS and why we will always work to protect it and ensure it delivers for those it was set up to support: people with significant and permanent care and support needs. It is also why we are making structural changes to the system—changes that must be made to ensure the system is equitable, safe and sustainable. The NDIS is a lifeline for many and has been a cash cow for many others. Participants know this, providers know this and the general public knows this. Despite knowing this we still fear the change. Most participants and carers are genuinely distressed by the rorting and fraud that was allowed to enter the system by the previous coalition government. They have tainted our lifeline. We feel the scepticism from others. We see the buzzards circling.”
“FRANCE () (): The NDIS is a lifeline for so many. It can be the difference between isolation, loneliness and intermittent human contact and regular time in the community with people and with support at home. It has also enabled carers to work and re-engage with community and take care of their mental health. Many participants and carers remember what it was like before the NDIS. I stayed in the house all day—just awful. I don't know how we survived. Every time we in this place talk about making change to the NDIS, their fears rise up. They struggle to sleep at night. I struggle. It is a reasonable reaction to the trauma of a severe lack of support before the NDIS.”
“The member for Maranoa doubled down at the Queensland LNP convention over the weekend, because along with the member for Fisher he thinks he is much smarter than the Queensland voters. (Time expired)”
“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says climate change has already slowed agricultural productivity. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences found that, from 2001 to 2020, climate conditions reduced farm profits by an average of 23 per cent. This bill is the clearest sign yet that those opposite are in a shambles. They are not even trying to hide their undermining of the Leader of the Opposition anymore; they've come straight out with it. This is their desperate attempt to cling on to the keystone policy of my predecessor, despite it being shot down by Australians at the election. This bill is not just seeking to repeal Labor policies but also seeking to repeal those introduced by the Morrison and Howard governments.”
“The truth is it's an investment—an investment in Australia's future and an investment in our suburbs and the regions. In Australian suburbs, over 33 per cent of homes now have rooftop solar. With over four million rooftop solar installations, Australia has the highest per capita rate of solar in the world. Solar panels on homes are saving families up to $2,300 a year. Our Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with a 30 per cent discount on solar batteries, is already working to bring on energy storage to cut bills for households and support the grid. We know climate change disproportionately affects cost of living for regional households—for example, due to higher insurance premiums. Worsening droughts and extreme weather from climate change are far worse for farmers and food prices.”
“Big businesses have shifted to net zero practices because, if they want to be competitive, save costs and ensure resilience, they absolutely must. By endorsing Labor's plan in May, Aussies have made a very clear statement to the world that Australia is the place to do business if you're looking to use clean energy to create prosperity. That is why this bill, the Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025, is so bizarre. It goes against the will of the people and it is antibusiness. Responsible emissions targets are essential to Australian jobs. Australia's trading partners, particularly those in Europe and Asia, are more and more demanding that the places they trade with act responsibly. If we don't act, we risk being left behind. Many of those opposite say that this transition is costly, but that simply is not true.”
“The people of Australia overwhelmingly voted at the last election to support better health care, more cost-of-living relief and a strong jobs economy that includes a transition to cheaper renewable energy. This affects everyone. It affects Queenslanders living in the regions, who want more local jobs; young people in our inner cities, concerned about climate change; and farmers, who are seeing and experiencing firsthand the impacts of natural disasters. Reducing our emissions is crucial to creating Australia's future. The world is undergoing one of the most rapid transitions since the Industrial Revolution. Most industrialised nations have committed to net zero emissions. Governments are setting ambitious targets, investors are shifting capital towards clean technologies, and consumers are demanding more sustainable practices.”
“I remind the member for Groom, who's just spoken to the House, about a recent federal election in which Australians were presented with two very distinct energy policies when they voted in May: embracing Labor's plan for a clean, cheaper renewable energy future that secures our economy, is good for our environment and our communities and will deliver the jobs of the future; or the coalition's costly detour down a nuclear path that we all know is slow, risky, expensive and out of step with our national strengths. Australia no longer stands at a crossroads. Aussies made their choice. The Queensland LNP, however, are obviously still in denial, as demonstrated over the weekend.”
“In Strathpine that number is only 12.4 per cent. The evidence shows that, where study hubs are, university participation goes up. Bringing education closer to where people call home will mean more people can go to university, particularly those who might not have thought it was possible before. That's why the Albanese Labor government has opened a new study hub in Strathpine. It's why we are funding paid prac for nurses, teachers and social workers. It's why we are delivering more free TAFE. It's why we are reducing student debt by 20 per cent.”
“She also volunteers with the Women's and Men's Alliance, a local group that provides support for First Nations people. Charlene, who also studies law at QUT, got a high distinction in contracts law. Charlene recently started a paid role as a paralegal at a local law firm. I'm told these were the first high distinctions in law they have both achieved since beginning their studies. Jackie and Charlene attribute their success, in part, to having the great facilities at the hub available for them to study together, particularly in the lead-up to their exams. They also take advantage of on-site tutors. These are just two examples of many of the great results achieved by the hub students. Currently, around 45 per cent of young people in their 20s and 30s have a university degree in Australia. That's not the case in Dickson.”
“No matter where you live, how much you earn or how much is in your bank account, everyone should have the opportunity to further their education. That's why the Albanese Labor government is cutting student debt by 20 per cent and why the Albanese Labor government opened Queensland's very first Suburban University Study Hub at Strathpine in the great electorate of Dickson. The new study hub, on Gympie Road, is providing student support and facilities for students who are studying a university or TAFE course without having to leave the community. At the opening of the hub with Minister Clare, I met students Jackie and Charlene, two third-year law students who love the new hub at Strathpine, and I just received an update on their studies. Jackie, who studies law at QUT, recently got a high distinction in constitutional law.”
“The bill also preserves the commission's existing powers under section 160 of the act to vary a modern award to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty or to correct an error. The safeguards in the enterprise bargaining framework remain unchanged. Parties will still be able to bargain at the enterprise level to reduce existing penalty rates and overtime rates, so long as the commission is satisfied the enterprise agreement meets the better off overall test, ensuring that the take-home pay of these low-paid workers is not reduced. That's incredibly important. I say to the people of Dickson who are working this weekend: you've earned every single cent of your penalty rates. Thanks to this bill, we will help protect that right.”
“The bill will commence the day after it receives royal assent, reflecting the government's election commitment to move quickly to protect penalty and overtime rates for Australia's lowest paid workers. It will ensure award reliant workers continue to be fairly compensated for working overtime; unsocial, irregular or unpredictable hours; weekends; public holidays; or shifts. The bill preserves the commission's existing powers under section 144 to insert flexible terms into awards that allow employers and employees to enter into individual flexibility arrangements, including to vary penalty and overtime rates as long as the existing legislated safeguard of ensuring they are better off compared to the standard terms is met. The words 'ensuring they are better off' are so important.”
“We stopped the underpayment of workers through the use of the labour hire loopholes. We ended the forced permanent casual loophole, providing a proper pathway to conversion for casuals who want it, and we gave workers a right to clock off through the right to disconnect. This bill adds new section 135A to the act to establish a clear principle that—when exercising its powers to make, vary or revoke modern awards—the Fair Work Commission must ensure that the specified penalty or overtime rates are not reduced and that modern awards do not include terms that substitute employees' entitlements to receive penalty or overtime rate where those terms would have the effect of reducing the additional remuneration any employee would have otherwise received.”
“It is part of our core business, and so it should be. Electorates like mine are made up of good working-class people. They work hard to provide for their families, pay the bills, pay off their mortgage or save for a house. Many work early mornings, late nights, weekends or public holidays to do so. We took to the election a commitment to protect the penalty rates of modern award reliant workers, and that's exactly what we're doing. This builds on the Albanese Labor government's strong record of protecting and improving workers' rights and conditions. This government has advocated to the Fair Work Commission for minimum and award wage rises every single year since we were elected in 2022. We banned pay secrecy clauses and criminalised intentional wage theft.”
“I knocked on so many doors of houses that had people working from home. Many of the people I talked to, that I had a chat with, would often say when I came to the door, 'I have to be quick because I'm working from home.' These dedicated professionals were shocked to hear that those opposite wanted to strip them of their ability to work from home and force them back into the office. We all know what happened next. The coalition, those opposite, performed a spectacular mid-campaign backflip, realising that would mean a huge change, particularly for female workers. This is just another example of how they don't understand the plight of working people. We know they want to strip workers of their entitlements. The Albanese Labor government is committed to delivering and protecting fair pay and decent conditions for Australian workers.”
“It's the workers at Coles, including at my local Arana Hills, who help us all with our groceries. It's the chef who cooks me up a big Aussie breakfast on the weekend at our local cafe. It's the admin worker who is working overtime in health. They keep the country running on weekends, public holidays, late nights and through shiftwork. Award reliant employees are more likely to be women, work part-time, be under the age of 35 and be employed on a casual basis. These workers deserve to be paid fairly for missing out on time with their families and loved ones. These are the workers who can least afford to have their pay cut, but we know those on the other side struggle to understand modern-day workers. Like many members on this side of the House, during the recent election I knocked on so many doors in my community of Dickson.”
“Surprise, surprise, they found no evidence of jobs being created by cutting penalty rates. All it did was reduce the take-home pay of low-income workers and the flow-on effect was less money spent in the wider economy. That means less money spent at local small businesses. Casual retail workers in my electorate of Dickson earn about $26 an hour for weekday work and about $40 an hour for Sunday work. This can make a huge difference. A retail worker would be $353 worse off over the Easter break. A pharmacy worker would be $1,018 worse off over the Easter break. A cook at a cafe, a chef, would be $562 worse off over the Easter break. These entitlements are essential for workers in sectors like retail, admin and hospitality, where they are often working outside the normal nine-to-five hours.”
“I emphasise the word 'try' because he referred the bill to a committee that doesn't exist. But we know what those opposite think about penalty rates. In 2017, they were supportive of the Fair Work Commission's decision to reduce penalty rates for more than 700,000 workers in retail, hospitality, fast food and pharmacy awards. They argued then that the cuts were 'helpful', that cuts to penalty rates would create more jobs and that penalty rates were 'killing jobs'. Sound familiar? They're saying the same thing today. We just heard the same scare campaign from the member for Cook. He obviously does not support this bill. The thing is, researchers looked into the impact of penalty rate reductions, analysed employment data of more than 1,800 employees and 200 owner-managers in the retail and hospitality industry.”
“Did you know that some of Australia's biggest employers are trying to reduce penalty rates for retail workers, clerical workers and even banking workers? Big retailers like Coles, Woolworths, Kmart and Costco are currently pushing to scrap penalty rates in the Fair Work Commission. We know, if successful, this would leave hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers worse off. That is why we introduced new laws to protect penalty rates and stop take-home pay packets from being lowered. We know young people, students, families and, in particular, low-paid women need those penalty rates to pay the bills and get ahead. We promised to protect penalty rates during the election campaign, and now we are delivering. Yesterday, we saw the member for Goldstein try to delay our laws, to delay penalty rate protections.”
“I'm so pleased to support this bill, which will mean that pathology services continue to be bulk-billed for most Australians.”
“New and expectant Australian parents will get free, personalised mental health support thanks to a $16.7 million investment by the Albanese Labor government to open another eight perinatal mental health centres around the country. I should quickly talk about our Medicare mental health centres that we're setting up across the country. This is going to be a game changer for people who need immediate mental health support. They can walk straight into a clinic and get the help they need. I'm really pleased that we're going to have two in my electorate of Dickson. I'm really looking forward to those opening up and being able to support our community with mental health services. Overall, Labor is delivering more bulk-billing services across the board for all Australians.”
“We're helping Australian women suffering from endometriosis and complex gynaecological conditions have access to longer specialist consultations covered under Medicare. We're supporting women's health by opening endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics. Labor will open an additional 11 clinics for a total of 33 clinics across every state and territory. This will mean that Australian women can access the care they need closer to home. All 33 clinics will be supported to extend their focus to also provide specialist support for menopause and perimenopause. We're investing in free mental health support for Australian parents.”
“Labor is growing the health workforce to deliver more doctors and nurses than ever before. This includes having the largest GP training program in Australian history and hundreds of scholarships for nurses and midwives to extend their skills and qualifications. We're investing more than $790 million in women's health, something I am incredibly proud of. And I tell you what, at every door I knocked on that was answered by a mum or a young woman, I talked about our women's healthcare package, and people overwhelmingly said, 'Thank you so much.' Reducing the cost of women's health is incredibly important to me and my electorate. Labor will provide Australian women with more choice and better treatment at a lower cost, making contraceptives cheaper and funding more treatments for menopause.”
“Four in five Australians will live within a 20-minute drive of a Medicare urgent care clinic under Labor, and I should mention our amazing Murrumba Downs Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. I've visited the facility many times. So many locals have gone there with their kids and family members, and it's avoided a trip to the emergency department. They love it. We're making medicines even cheaper. Labor is providing cost-of-living relief to millions of Australians by making medicines cheaper. From 1 January 2026, the maximum cost of a prescription for a PBS medicine will be cut from $31.60 to $25. This makes a huge difference, particularly for people with chronic illnesses. Cutting that fee will make a huge difference to how much they spend on their medicines and other things over the year. We're hiring more doctors and nurses.”
“The consequential amendments included in this bill remove all references to the payment of fees for these application categories from 1 July 2025. Accreditation obligations associated with these applications will remain unchanged, thus maintaining the quality and safety of pathology services provided under Medicare. As I have said, the Albanese Labor government is laser focused on strengthening Medicare. We are delivering more bulk-billing for all Australians. We are making the single largest investment in Medicare ever. This will deliver an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits every year so Australians can see a bulk-billing GP. We're opening more Medicare urgent care clinics. We're expanding and growing our network of Medicare urgent care clinics, opening an additional 50 clinics.”
“This bill relates to the fees imposed on the pathology sector for certain categories of pathology applications. It specifies the fees which must be paid for the acceptance and approval of an approved pathology practitioner, an approved pathology authority and accredited pathology laboratory applications. The approval of these applications allows the providers of pathology services to claim Medicare benefits for delivering those services. The 2022 Health Portfolio Charging Review identified that the fees set against each of these application categories have not been reviewed or changed since the pathology fees act came into force a very long time ago. This bill repeals the pathology fees act. It will resolve this misalignment and provide fee relief, in addition to reducing the administrative burden for the pathology sector.”
“Let's not forget that, in their first term of office, the previous coalition government cut bulk-billing payments for pathology and diagnostic imaging, to make patients pay more. Labor is investing in pathology and diagnostic imaging. In my electorate of Dickson, more people in Strathpine now have access to more MRI scans funded through Medicare. The people of Dickson should only need their Medicare card, not their credit card—and that's what we are working towards—to receive the health care they need. That is exactly what our government is working to deliver. This licence is saving locals who get their scans done in Strathpine, and it will give patients in Dickson more choice on where to get their scan. Making MRIs more affordable is another way the Albanese government is strengthening Medicare.”
“Labor will always— A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 10:51 to 11:0 7 I may as well say a couple of lines again because I just love them so much! Medicare is not only Labor's heart but also mine. I have had probably thousands of pathology tests over the past 10 years. My family in general has had thousands of bulk-billed pathology tests over the last 10 years. That's one of the reasons this bill is so incredibly important: we need to continue the bulk-billing of pathology services. Labor will always protect and strengthen Medicare. We're committed to more and better health services, no matter where you live. This is a stark comparison to those opposite.”
“This bill delivers fee relief to the pathology sector, in addition to the $509 million of funding for the sector included in the budget. This will ensure there is no gap and that services will continue to be bulk-billed. We're investing $174 million to increase the Medicare rebate for many common pathology tests for the first time in 25 years, and we're adding PCR tests for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses to Medicare. Medicare rebates will rise each year for labour-intensive pathology tests. This will support the pathology workforce and allow funding to flow through to increased wages. We know Australians want to see pathology services continue to be bulk-billed. Less than one per cent of tests provided outside of hospitals are not bulk-billed at the moment. This investment will help ensure it stays that way.”
“I rise in support of the Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025. Medicare is Labor's heart, but it is also my heart. Medicare saved my life and gave my Henry the very best chance of surviving leukemia. My family has benefited from bulk-billed pathology over the last decade, which would probably amount to many thousands of dollars that we didn't have to pay upfront. The Albanese Labor government is committed to delivering more bulk-billed services—not just more GP visits but also more pathology, diagnostic imaging like MRIs and more—and we want to ensure that the current bulk-billed health services continue. Our priority is to ensure that all Australians have access to affordable health care. That's why we are continuing to invest in strengthening Medicare.”
“My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. How will the Albanese Labor government's record investments in infrastructure support communities across the country? Why is this investment needed?”
“I also want to thank our blood, plasma and stem cell donors. Blood donors saved my life when I lost my leg in 2011. Blood and plasma donors also keep many people with cancer alive, including my Henry. Every 27 minutes in Australia, someone will be diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukaemia—like my Henry—and many will need a bone marrow transplant. Please donate to save a life; it is the ultimate gift.”
“The last thing you want to be told as a parent is that there are no compatible matches or no available donors for your child to save their life. Despite a worldwide search for a stem cell match for my Henry, we didn't find one. My youngest son, Zac, an imperfect match, eventually donated when we had run out of time. Henry had his bone marrow transplant in May 2023; he passed in February 2024. This week is DonateLife Week to encourage more Australians to get behind organ and tissue donation. Four in five Australians say they support organ and tissue donation, but only one in three is registered to be a donor on the Australian Organ Donor Register. Registering to save a life is pretty easy to do online, but the impact of filling out a simple form for organ and tissue donation will save someone—it will save someone's Henry.”
“Kindness, a helping hand, opportunity and open doors have got me here, and that's what I will be giving to the people of Dickson.”
“My family; my dad; my son Zac; my partner, Rob; my brother, Phil; his wife, Marika; and the Griffiths all give me so much joy and are my whole world. Thank you for your unconditional love. Zac, I hope I have shown you what is possible even when the universe gives you grief. You and Henry are the loves of my life. I'm so proud of the young man you are, and I know your dad, Clive, and Henry would be looking down on you with pride too. Thank you to the people of Dickson for putting your faith in me. As I said on election night, I will be a representative for everyone in our community, whether you voted for me or not. I am one of the first women with a disability to be elected to the House of Representatives and the first person to unseat an opposition leader.”
“Let's have a coffee.' What you were really saying was, 'Hey, you're one of us.' And that meant so much. I wouldn't be here without your unwavering support. Steven, I've learnt so much from you. Having worked with you over many years, I know you spend more time listening to people than talking, and that is an incredibly important lesson for me as a new representative. Thank you for always having my back. Over three campaigns, I have got an incredible amount of on-the-ground support with all the support you can think of—emotional, strategic, mowing of lawns, all sorts of things—from members of the mighty United Workers Union. Some of you are in the gallery. Thank you. Thank you to all union members who joined our campaign.”
“For the first time, our Dickson campaign was tailor-made for my community, and that made all the difference. Thank you. Perhaps my greatest political believers are the Prime Minister and my former boss and former Queensland premier Steven Miles, who is also in the gallery. When you're running for a third time, there will always be those who question if you're the right candidate. The Prime Minister and Steven have always been in my corner. Their support has meant I've continued to climb the mountain and succeed when many others said I should step away. Prime Minister, I remember our first conversation. You were the shadow minister for infrastructure, in 2018, and you called me out of the blue one morning and just said: 'Hey, it's Albo. I've just landed in Brisbane.”
“His words, his courage, were with me every day of the campaign. Henry was instrumental in getting me to this place. Also pivotal were the Dickson Labor Party branch members, of which there are many in the gallery. Many of you have been campaigning for a Labor win for two decades, asking for nothing in return but the possibility of a good Labor government. Succeeding in Dickson is your win. You have been relentless, you have never given up and I am so happy that I have been a part of your win. Thank you. I also had a very awesome all-female campaign team. Our Queensland state secretary, Katie Flanders, together with Megan Kennedy-Clark and my campaign managers, Emma Holmes and Natasha Maynard, steered us to victory—along with a bit of help from Paul Erickson. They are the very best marginal seat campaigners in the country.”