Tom French
Moore · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“I rise to speak in support of the Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026. At its centre, this bill is about whether a kid growing up outside capital cities can look at university, TAFE or any form of tertiary education and see a real path rather than a distant idea.”
“That is not always an exciting word, but it is a necessary one. For too long, parts of the higher education policy have been pulled towards short term politics, institutional competition and funding settings that do not always meet national needs.”
“It can go to academic support. It can go to scholarships and grants. It can help meet the higher cost of operating campuses outside the major cities. In this bill, the base equity amount is $1,535 and the base regional amount is $1,398.”
“That is why I'm less interested in reciting every number in the legislation and more interested in what those numbers mean when they land in a family living room in a regional town. They mean a student in Merriwa does not have to see university as something for other people.”
“I know the value of a trade, and I know that university is not the only path to a good life, and it should never be treated as the only respectable path. A good tertiary system is not university versus TAFE. It is not degree versus trade.”
“In plain English, that means we're moving to a system where growth in university places is planned and funded more sensibly. The Australian Tertiary Education Commission will have a formal role in allocating Commonwealth supported places.”
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“A shorter window means faster reconciliation and earlier detection of abnormalities. Honest providers benefit from certainty and clear expectations while those who exploit the system lose the opportunity to rort. Regulators, in turn, gain sharper tools to detect and pursue misconduct. That is not bureaucracy for its own sake. It is targeted, intelligence led compliance. Proportionality remains central. The framework educates where mistakes are inadvertent, escalates when behaviour is reckless and imposes firm consequences when fraud is deliberate. That balance is what builds trust in the system. Faster, clearer processes mean more timely access to care for patients in Beldon, Currambine and Edgewater. Red tape should never become a barrier at the front door of health care.”
“In government, we have delivered cheaper medicines, stronger bulk-billing incentives and Medicare urgent care clinics to provide timely walk-in care for urgent but non-life-threatening needs. We have also increased Medicare rebates after years of neglect. This bill builds upon that record of reform. It advances integrity, access and accountability, the three elements that sustain public confidence. It targets fraud, error and waste while backing the overwhelming majority of providers who act with honesty and professionalism. Above all, it ensures patients remain at the centre of the system. The bill reduces the timeframe for bulk-billed claims from two years to one year, tightening oversight and improving integrity. Integrity delayed, after all, is integrity denied.”
“Cost-of-living pressures are real, and health expenses are often the silent burden within the household budget. When families skip medicines or delay care, the risks are not abstract. They are real and they are long-lasting. This bill helps lift that burden and remove those impossible choices. Our task is clear. We must strengthen Medicare, the PBS and their integrity so that every public dollar reaches the patients it was intended for. That is the clear purpose of this bill. Labor built Medicare, and Labor built the PBS. And, every time Labor has been in government, we have worked to reinforce and expand these foundations. This bill continues that tradition with focus and determination.”
“I rise to speak in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025. This bill is about fairness, trust and the future of Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. It is about making sure these pillars of our health system remain strong, sustainable and accessible for every Australian. In this country, health care cannot be treated as a privilege. It cannot be reduced to a commodity, rationed or auctioned to the highest bidder. It must remain a right guaranteed to all. That is why, when people in my electorate of Moore visit a pharmacy or a GP, they should be able to count on certainty—certainty that (1) the cost will be affordable and that (2) the system is fair, rigorous and sustainable.”
“Phil is urging us to raise awareness, to promote early testing and to ensure that no patient is dismissed because of their age. She also champions the need for continued research and investment so that treatments are better targeted and lives are saved. She speaks honestly about the wider impacts—on families, on children, on careers and on relationships—of facing cancer at a young age. To ensure her voice is heard at the highest level, I have written to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, to share Phil's story and advocate directly to him. Phil's courage, advocacy and commitment to others embody the very best of our community. On behalf of this House and the people of Moore, I want to thank her and commit to carrying her message here in the parliament. (Time expired)”
“I rise to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Philippa Greenwood-Jones, a remarkable woman from Moore who has turned her battle with bowel cancer into a mission of advocacy and hope. On 21 August, I had the privilege of meeting Phil, and she shared her story. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with stage III bowel cancer at the age of 40. Despite treatment at the Joondalup Health Campus, her cancer has since spread, and she's currently recovering from chemotherapy. Instead of retreating, Phil has become a voice for others and is here today as an envoy for Bowel Cancer Australia as part of their Call On Canberra campaign, which calls for greater awareness of this disease. She reminds us that bowel cancer does not just affect older Australians. Increasing numbers of younger people are being diagnosed.”
“If you lead a club or community group, please do two things this week: (1) jump onto the ASF SmartyGrants portal, confirm your details and, if eligible, submit your Future Stars application by Sunday night; and (2) contact my office about the Volunteers Grants program so we can line up your documentation and flag upcoming rounds. This is what practical support looks like: targeted help, low admin burden and real benefits at the clubroom door. It's kids in new uniforms who feel they belong; it's volunteers focused on people, not paperwork; and it's community life, from Beldon to Craigie, from Currambine to Padbury and from Sorrento to Ocean Reef, getting stronger week by week. To any club who needs a hand with the SmartyGrants or the Volunteer Grants program: get in touch. I'm here to help.”
“But sport is only part of our volunteering story, through the Australian government's volunteer grants program, local not-for-profits can access small, practical grants for equipment training, screening checks, communication tools and, this year, insurance, recognising the real cost of volunteering. Expressions of interest are managed through your local federal MP's office, and my team in Joondalup stands ready to assist eligible groups. These programs work because they are simple, targeted and impact focused. They cut red tape, back volunteers and lower barriers so more kids can join a team, more neighbours can get support and more community groups can thrive. To every coach, treasurer, registrar and volunteer across Moore, thank you.”
“At Whitford Hockey Club, generations play together, from juniors picking up the stick for the first time to seasoned players representing WA—I'm looking at you, Len Collier! At the Joondalup Districts Cricket Club, boys and girls learn teamwork and persistence, and parents and volunteers turn a Saturday morning into something more than sport. At the Joondalup Bowling Club, our seniors stay active, connected and competitive, demonstrating that sport is truly lifelong. These are the clubs that would directly benefit from low-admin, practical grants, and the whole community benefits when they thrive.”
“My office can help confirm eligibility and finalise your application this week. The sports foundation equipment in kind model is backed by partners, so clubs can stretch budgets further and reduce fees. When a club receives gear, participation rises, volunteers spend less time chasing funds, and the focus returns to coaching, safety and inclusion. That's the kind of smart, targeted help communities expect from governments and partners working together. In Moore, these programs matter, because our clubs are not just places for sport. They are the hubs of community life. At the Carine Netball Club, women and girls develop confidence, fitness and friendships on the court.”
“Equipment, not cash, is shipped to your club so you can get straight back to training. Applications, made through the ASF SmartyGrants portal, are now open, and close at 12 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. I need to change that. If your club is thinking about applying, this is the week to do it. For local clubs in Joondalup, Kingsley, Duncraig, Hillarys, Kallaroo and Mullaloo, here is how to be competitive: first, check the eligibility and create or update your club profile on the ASF's SmartyGrants portal; second, be specific—the number of balls, safety gear, training bibs or nets you need, who benefits, girls teams, all-abilities programs, or juniors in growth suburbs; third, have your ABN incorporation details and two quotes ready so assessors can see value and readiness.”
“I rise to acknowledge the volunteers and community clubs that are the heartbeat of the electorate of Moore—the coaches, the managers, the treasurers and the committee members who keep our kids active, seniors connected and suburbs strong. Across Australia, the Australian Sports Foundation is making it easier for clubs access targeted help through its SmartyGrants portal. This is a single place to apply for grants that put equipment and uniforms in the hands of community clubs, quickly and with low admin. These are practical grants that lower cost for families where every dollar counts. Right now, I want to highlight the Swysh Future Stars Grant, delivered through the Australian Sports Foundation. It provides up to $5,000 in sporting equipment for eligible volunteer-run clubs with members aged 20 or under.”
“That means investing in training is not an optional extra. It is a national necessity. National Skills Week reminds us that investing in people, their training and their future is the strongest way to strengthen our communities. From Joondalup to Mullaloo and Duncraig to Ocean Reef, the people of Moore are living proof that when skills are built locally opportunity grows locally. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in supporting vocational education and training, and I am committed to ensuring that the people of Moore have every opportunity to build the skills that they need for today's jobs and tomorrow's industry.”
“Skills matter because they give individuals agency over their lives. A trade certificate, a nursing diploma or a hospitality qualification is not just a piece of paper. It is security, mobility and dignity. Skills matter because they strengthen families. When a parent has stable work, children benefit from security and opportunity. When a young person gains a trade, they gain independence and pride. Skills matter because they strengthen businesses. Small businesses in Moore tell me repeatedly that access to trained staff is the difference between expanding and stagnating, between taking on another apprentice and turning down contracts. Skills matter because they strengthen our economy. Australia cannot compete on low wages. We compete on quality, on safety and on the excellence of our people.”
“Our government is making training more accessible through fee-free TAFE and VET places. Already, thousands of Western Australians have taken up these spaces—people who might otherwise have been priced out of training. By removing cost barriers, we are opening doors to those who want to skill up, change careers or return to the workforce. We're also strengthening pathways between schools and training providers, ensuring that young people can transition smoothly into apprenticeships and traineeships. A student in year 11 today can step directly into a VET course tomorrow and into secure work the year after. These are not abstract policies. They are real investments that will help the people of Moore secure good jobs and help local businesses find the skilled workforce they need.”
“Parents, carers and students themselves also embody the spirit of National Skills Week when they embrace these opportunities and commit to building a better future through training. This year's skills week aligns with the Albanese Labor government's record investment in vocational training. Through a partnership with the Cook government in WA, we are doubling the Strategic Industries Fund, positioning Western Australia to attract advanced manufacturing, defence and clean energy projects. These industries do not arrive without workers. Every renewable energy project needs electricians and engineers. Every advanced manufacturer needs fitters, machinists and technicians. Every hospital expansion needs nurses, aged-care workers and allied health professionals.”
“The academy does not just produce police officers; it produces professionals trained to serve, protect and lead. Skills are not built by institutions alone. I wish to acknowledge small businesses across Joondalup and Wanneroo that take on apprentices and trainees, often at great cost to their bottom line. But they have an eye on the future of their industries, and these businesses are classrooms in their own right. Community organisations also play a critical role. Groups such as Motion by the Ocean, Dadbury, North Beach Scout Group and the St Vincent de Paul Society lead, mentor and create environments where young people can learn responsibility and resilience.”
“At Edith Cowan University's Joondalup campus, students benefit from world-class infrastructure. A new health and wellness building, an award-winning library and hub, and even an on-campus outdoor cinema contribute to the vibrant student life. Situated in our learning precinct and accessible by public transport, ECU demonstrates that higher education is not just about lectures; it is about creating an environment where students and staff can collaborate, innovate and succeed. And then there is the Western Australia Police Academy. Recruits there undergo a rigorous 28-week training program that blends theory with extensive practical skills, from physical preparedness and emergency response to criminal investigations and leadership development.”
“At the Kendrew Crescent campus, students enrol in cutting-edge programs including the recently completed $21.3 million electric vehicle training centre. This facility teaches maintenance of hybrid and electric vehicles with industry-standard tools and simulators, preparing students for the clean transport future that is already arriving in our suburbs. Just minutes away, at the McLarty Avenue campus, a fully functional simulation hospital gives nursing and health students real-world experience in a hospital-like setting. Students practice not just clinical skills but teamwork, communication and crisis management—skills every patient and every family depend upon. These facilities prepare students for the evolving needs of employers in modern workplaces, ensuring graduates are job ready from day one.”
“We are fortunate to have the Joondalup Learning Precinct at the heart of Moore, bringing together Edith Cowan University, North Metropolitan TAFE and the Western Australia Police Academy. This precinct is a model of how education, training and professional development can coexist in one hub. These institutions are not just neighbours; they collaborate. One example is the Joondalup Learning Precinct Mentoring Program, which connects staff across all three institutions to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and support workplace performance. It is exactly this kind of joined-up thinking that ensures our education and training ecosystem keeps pace with the needs of students and employers. North Metropolitan TAFE's Joondalup campuses deliver outstanding practical training.”
“These are not abstract categories; they are apprentices on the tools in construction, hospitality staff serving in our cafes and restaurants, healthcare professionals caring for patients in our hospitals, and educators shaping young minds in our schools. Skills training underpins the prosperity of our region and provides the backbone of our local economy. National Skills Week provides a moment to reaffirm our government's commitment to supporting training pathways that deliver real jobs closer to home. When skills are taught locally, people stay locally and communities thrive. This is particularly important in electorates like mine, where many residents both work and raise their families in the same suburbs they grew up in.”
“I rise to speak on the importance of National Skills Week and to acknowledge the critical role skills, training and vocational education have in the lives of Australians, particularly in my electorate of Moore. This week is more than a celebration; it's a reminder of how deeply skills shape our economy, our communities and the dignity of work. As someone who began working as an electrician before studying law, I understand firsthand the value of practical, hands-on skills. When you've stood on a job site at six in the morning and wired a switchboard or guided an apprentice, you appreciate what training really means. Vocational education opens doors, not just to employment but to lifelong opportunity and resilience. In Moore, from Joondalup to Duncraig, Mullaloo to Ocean Reef, our communities rely on skilled workers.”
“My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. How does the Albanese Labor government's recent decision on new frigates help build a future made in Australia and keep Australians safe? Why was this decision so important after a wasted decade in defence industry?”
“As the president of the Whitford Senior Citizens' Club and through many other groups, Pam keeps showing up. Earlier this month, the City of Joondalup recognised her as an honorary freeman, acknowledgement of her decades of service. Pam's tireless energy has powered Labor campaigns federally and in WA. Pam was there for my campaign in Moore and on state campaigns in Hillarys, at prepoll, on the phones, rallying volunteers and offering the steady counsel only a former MP can provide. Pam, on behalf of a grateful community: thank you.”
“I rise to recognise Pam Beggs, local legend, Labor stalwart and a woman whose service shaped Perth's north. Pam served in the WA parliament from 1983 to 1993 as the member for Whitford. Among the first women in the WA Labor ministry, she held key portfolios, including Tourism, Housing and Transport. As housing minister, she worked with Homeswest to expand affordable homes for young families across the north. Today, Labor builds on that legacy with our new policy helping first homebuyers secure a property with a five per cent deposit. Later, as transport minister, she championed the northern rail and, in 1992, rode the first train to Joondalup, a milestone that has set up the growth in our electorate. Her commitment did not stop at the chamber door.”
“It invests in prevention, protects health and strengthens the economy. Let us pass this bill. Let's make medicines cheaper. Let us give Australians certainty and peace of mind. I commend this bill to the House.”
“The Howard government attempted to increase co-payments, and it was Labor that resisted and restored affordability. Today the Albanese Labor government is cutting the cost of medicines for millions of Australians. Every time Labor governs, health care becomes more affordable. Every step is about opening the door wider, not narrowing it. Every step is about fairness, dignity and security. This bill is about fairness. It is about dignity and it is about giving Australians one less thing to worry about when they are sick. I am here today because medicine was affordable, because my brother made a gift and because public policy helped protect that gift. I want every Australian to have the same chance. That is what we are doing with this bill. It backs the people of Moore. It backs families across Australia.”
“They keep small-business owners at work, managing chronic conditions while continuing to employ staff and serve customers. Affordable medicines reduce avoidable hospital admissions, ease the pressure on ambulances and keep people engaged in study, work and volunteering. They also reduce reliance on disability support pensions and carer payments by keeping people healthy enough to remain in the workforce. They support parents by reducing the number of days taken off work to care for sick children. In short, healthier Australians mean a stronger economy. That is why this bill matters, not only to health policy but to national productivity. This bill is part of a consistent Labor story. Whitlam had the vision to create Medicare. Hawke and Keating strengthened the PBS.”
“For people with arthritis and other chronic pain conditions, access to affordable anti-inflammatories and biologics makes the difference between mobility and immobility, between working life and disability. And for people with dementia or Parkinson's, access to the latest medicines helps maintain function and independence for longer, reducing the pressures for carers and aged care. In each of these cases, cheaper medicines do more than treat illness; they protect productivity, reduce avoidable admissions and strengthen the fabric of society. Cheaper medicines are not just good health policy; they are good economic policy. They keep apprentices on the tools by ensuring injuries and infections are treated properly. They keep seniors active and independent, contributing to community organisations, volunteering and caring for grandchildren.”
“For diabetes, affordable access to medicines prevents complications such as kidney failure, amputations, blindness and heart disease. Each complication avoided saves lives and reduces the cost to the health system. For cardiovascular disease, affordable blood pressure and cholesterol medicines reduce the incidence of heart attacks and strokes, which are among the leading causes of death and disability. For cancer patients, timely access to chemotherapy, pain management and adjunct medicines means better survival rates and reduced suffering. For people with mental health conditions, access to antidepressants and antipsychotics allows them to remain connected to work, study and community. For those with respiratory diseases like asthma, affordable inhalers prevent hospital admissions and reduce emergency call-outs.”
“The government has allocated $3.2 billion in the budget to fund the reforms. That is not simply expenditure; it is investment in health, in productivity and in the dignity of households. The alternative is always more costly. When people cannot afford medicines, they delay treatment. They present in emergency wards with advanced conditions, they take longer to recover and they leave the workforce earlier. Prevention is cheaper than a crisis. That is the economic logic behind this bill. Every script filled on time is a hospital admission avoided. Every affordable dose taken is a step towards a healthier community and a stronger economy. Let me make this concrete by turning to some of the major health challenges Australia faces.”
“They are both frontline health professionals and small-business operators. Predictability allows them to plan stock, invest in staff and provide better services. When communities have strong local pharmacies, health care becomes more accessible. For many people, the chemist is the first doorway into the health system. This bill strengthens that doorway by making it more affordable. Nationally, more than 17 million Australian will benefit. The freeze on co-payments will save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year for families managing multiple scripts, with substantial cumulative savings. With that combined with 60-day prescriptions, Australians will save time with fewer trips to the pharmacy, fewer days off work and fewer hours spent waiting for appointments.”
“That is why I know firsthand that affordable medicine is not a matter of convenience; they are a matter of survival. That is why I am proud to support this bill—because it will ensure Australians who need medicines, whether for kidney disease or any other condition, can afford them. Let me turn to the impact in my electorate of Moore. As at 31 July this year, the savings from the cheaper-medicines policy in Moore is already over $12 million. That is not just a number; it is direct relief in household budgets across Perth's northern suburbs. It means seniors on fixed incomes are paying less for their regular prescriptions. It means families managing chronic conditions are no longer as heavily burdened. It means workers balancing rent, mortgages and medical expenses have greater certainty. Predictable co-payments also assist pharmacists.”
“That gift came from my brother, who gave me one of his kidneys and, with it, a second chance at life. But a transplant is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of lifelong management. Patients must take immunosuppressants every day to prevent rejection. They must take antibiotics to reduce infection risk. They must attend constant monitoring, with every missed dose carrying a risk. The medicines that sustain me—tacrolimus, prednisolone, mycophenolate, pantoprazole—are all on the PBS. Without the PBS, those medicines would cost thousands of dollars a year for most families, and that is simply unaffordable. Because of the PBS, their cost is capped and manageable month after month, year after year. Without them, the transplant could have failed. Without them, my brother's extraordinary gift could have been lost.”
“From that moment, my life was defined by declining kidney function, regular medical testing and the knowledge that one day I would need life sustaining treatment. Chronic kidney disease is relentless. It brings fatigue, dietary restrictions and the constant knowledge that dialysis or a transplant will one day be necessary. It is not a condition that can be ignored. For over a decade I lived with that uncertainty. Every blood test brought new anxiety. Every medical appointment was a reminder of the limitations imposed by the illness. Dialysis loomed in the background. For many Australians, that means hours every second day in a dialysis chair, tethered to a machine, exhausted before and after treatment. It means the inability to travel freely, to work full time or to live independently. In 2020 I received a kidney transplant.”
“Fourth, it expands access to higher cost medicines, particularly for rare conditions where breakthrough drugs have been out of reach for too many Australians. Finally, it removes unnecessary regulatory delays that add costs without adding value, streamlining access so patients can start treatment earlier. Each of these measures has a single purpose: to ensure cost is not a barrier to access. Why are we doing this? It is because every dollar saved at the counter makes the difference between a prescription filled today and one on the shelf. Medicines that remain unaffordable are, in effect, medicines that remain inaccessible. For me, this is not an abstract policy; it is personal. In 2009 I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.”
“Second, from 1 January, 2026, the PBS general patient co-payment will fall to $25. That is the lowest level in more than 20 years, rolling back two decades of price creep. This represents a 20 per cent cut in the maximum cost of PBS medicines, saving Australians more than $200 million every year. Four out of five PBS medicines will become cheaper under these reforms. Importantly, pharmacies will continue to have the ability to discount below the co-payment, ensuring patients benefit from competition as well as government policy. Third, this bill strengthens price negotiations with pharmaceutical companies, ensuring taxpayers receive value for money, while patients gain timely access.”
“On the PBS, the patient contribution is capped at $31.60 this year, and under this bill it will fall to $25 from 2026. For concession card holders, the cost is $7.70. That is the power of the PBS. In countries without a scheme like this, families can be forced to ration medicines or even turn to online crowdfunding to afford essential drugs. That is not the Australian way. This bill takes several practical steps to reduce costs and expand access. First, it freezes PBS co-payments for five years. Concession card holders will pay no more than $7.70 until 2030. General patients will pay no more than $31.60 throughout 2025. This matters because, without that freeze, annual indexation would push costs up automatically year after year, regardless of wage growth. The freeze delivers certainty in an uncertain time.”
“For many medicines, this subsidy is the difference between a script costing $20 to $30 at the counter and costing hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars if left to the open market. The PBS is one of the great pillars of our health system. Alongside Medicare, it ensures universal access. It means a child with asthma in Joondalup can access the same inhaler as a pensioner in Kalgoorlie or a young worker in Sydney, regardless of income. But the co-payment matters. When it rises too quickly, people feel it directly. For families with multiple scripts each month, even small increases compound into a significant burden. That is why co-payment freezes and reductions are so important. To illustrate the point, consider insulin. Without the PBS, insulin can cost several hundred a month.”
“It is about prevention rather than crisis. It is about certainty rather than anxiety. It is about ensuring that essential health care is a right and not a privilege tied to the size of the household budget. Let me turn to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, or the PBS, because that is the mechanism at the heart of this bill. The PBS was first established in 1948 and expanded under successive Labor governments. Its purpose is simple but profound: to ensure all Australians have affordable access to essential medicines. Under the PBS, the government subsidises the cost of medicines. Patients pay only a capped contribution, called the co-payment, and the government covers the rest.”
“Parents may delay filling a child's script until after payday. Apprentices may skip doses so they can cover the rent. These choices are not trivial. They mean chronic conditions go untreated, recovery times are extended and minor illnesses can become major problems. When Australians skip medicines, they get sicker. They end up in emergency departments. They require hospital admissions that could have been avoided. They miss shifts at work, and their families carry the burden. This creates a ripple effect. A skipped blood pressure tablet can lead to a stroke. A missed antibiotic dose can lead to sepsis. A delayed insulin refill can result in a hospital admission. Each of these outcomes is preventable and each is more expensive than the script that was skipped. That is why this bill is before the House.”
“I rise to speak in support of the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025. This bill is about fairness, dignity and ensuring that no Australian has to choose between paying the bills and filling a prescription. Labor built Medicare, Labor built the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Labor will always act to make health care affordable. This bill continues that legacy. Across Australia, households are under real financial strain. The cost of living is high. Families, pensioners and workers are searching for certainty in their household budgets. Medicines are a quiet but constant part of that pressure. Unlike electricity or groceries, the cost of prescriptions is often hidden from debate, but it is an unavoidable reality for millions of Australians. Pensioners may stretch their tablets to make them last longer.”
“It recognises that raising a child is valuable work, and it should be supported by the nation. These changes are practical. They are fair and they are deeply Labor. We will always look at how to strengthen this scheme further, but, right now, our focus is on delivering what we promised.”
“Their election costings revealed that they would cut $158 million from superannuation on paid parental leave. The current shadow industrial relations minister declared, 'Paid parental leave, to me, is a very bad scheme, and I make no ambiguity about it.' He even said, 'It is not my choice that women have children; it's genetic.' Another senior coalition figure describes paid parental leave as a welfare payment. That is the difference. Labor sees parental leave as an investment in families, in equality and in the nation's future. The coalition sees it as a cost to be cut. We believe parents deserve time to care for their children without sacrificing financial security. They believe it is a handout. Paid parental leave is not just mothers leave; it is parents leave.”
“In countries like Sweden and Norway, generous parental leave has driven higher female workforce participation and better outcomes for families. Australia is moving in that direction with these changes. Adding superannuation to paid parental leave means retirement security is lifted. Women retire with, on average, one-third less superannuation than man. This measure alone could add $5,000 to $7,000 to a woman's super balance per child by retirement. That is structural reform that recognises that care is work and that raising children should not penalise women later in life. Yet those opposite have never believed in paid parental leave. When Labor introduced Australia's first universal scheme, the coalition ridiculed it. They called mothers who access both employer and government schemes double dippers, frauds and rorters.”
“When families tell me they are juggling the cost of living with long hours and raising kids at the same time, I know parental leave is not a luxury; it's a necessity. The evidence is clear. Longer leave improves infant and maternal health and reduces infant mortality. Breastfeeding rates increase, maternal stress decreases and recovery after childbirth is stronger. Research shows that mothers are far more likely to return to the same job within a year if they have access to paid leave, particularly those who are casual and lower income workers. That is job security and family security rolled into one. It also advances gender equality. When dads and partners take more leave, they share the load from the very beginning. That builds a culture of equal caregiving, which benefits children and strengthens relationships.”
“As of 1 July, parents have 24 weeks of paid leave, rising to 26 weeks next year. For the first time ever, superannuation is included—protecting retirement incomes, particularly for women, who retire with far less super than men. The weekly payment rate has risen to almost $950 per week. Parents can now take up to four weeks together instead of just two, and eligibility thresholds are indexed so more families can qualify. That means more time, more money, more flexibility and more security. On average, parents are $12,000 better off than when this government came to office. These reforms will benefit around 180,000 families every year, including thousands in my electorate of Moore.”
“Becoming a parent is one of the most profound experiences in life. There's joy, exhaustion and a love that changes everything. Those first weeks and months are moments you never get back, and they shape the health and wellbeing of a family for years to come. As a dad of two young boys, I know how precious that time is when your baby first grips your finger or when your partner needs space to rest and recover. It is time that deserves to be protected, not squeezed into a hurried week away from work. Paid parental leave is a Labor achievement; it did not exist in this country until a Labor government created it. Before then, too many parents had no choice but to rush back to work or survive without support. Today, Labor is expanding the scheme again—the most significant improvement since its introduction.”
“In contrast, this government is acting decisively, delivering relief today, driving reform tomorrow and building a real plan for cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy. For the people of Moore, this plan means lower energy bills now, fairer energy markets and a clear pathway to cheaper, cleaner power in the years ahead. It's about ensuring families and small businesses don't just get by today but thrive tomorrow. I commend the motion to the House.”
“More batteries means cheaper bills, more reliable power and a faster transition to renewable energy. In Western Australia, we know the importance of getting energy policy right. Our domestic gas reservation policy has protected us from some of the worst volatility that has been seen on the east coast. With targeted relief, fairer energy rules and investment in solar, wind, hydrogen and battery storage, we've been securing WA's energy future while driving new local jobs and industries. Under those opposite, household electricity prices rose by nearly 20 per cent. They talked about cutting bills but delivered hikes. They failed to plan for the clean energy future Australians are demanding.”