Madonna Jarrett
Brisbane · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Parents, teachers and mental health professionals have increasingly expressed concern that social media companies have prioritised engagement and profit over children's wellbeing.”
“Since the introduction of those reforms, we have seen over five million accounts belonging to under-16s deleted off social media. That's an outcome, Member for Casey. This is a very positive development.”
“Protecting big tech or protecting young children—easy choice. Those opposite have the wrong priorities for this country, and we see it time and time again, whether it's keeping Australians locked out of the housing market, not supporting wage increases, voting against higher taxes or not acting on climate change.”
“Fourth is greater protection from online predators, scams and harmful content. Finally, the reforms send a strong message to the technology companies that child safety should be built into platform design rather than treated as an afterthought.”
“Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X are all central to our modern lifestyle. But, while they're great opportunities to learn, to be creative, to connect, they also expose young people to significant risk. I'm going to make a point here: there is research behind this. There are facts that support this.”
“I'm pretty proud that the government is standing strong against big tech because that's what we need to do. We went out alone, but there are 16 more countries that are coming in behind us, which is pretty important. That's a pretty strong contrast to those opposite, who have chosen big tech over Australian kids.”
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“We will always fight to improve the wages and conditions of working people, and that's exactly what this bill does. I commend the bill.”
“We have seen annual real wages grow for 18 months in a row, now, under the Albanese Labor government. This is a government that is taking real action and supporting working people, their families and all Australians. This is the impact of a long-term Labor government that has worked hard to create the right conditions for sustainable, real wage growth. Fair protections like penalty rates matter most to the people who can least afford to lose out, including young workers, women, casual workers and those in part-time jobs. While I'm in this House, I want to be able to say, 'I made this country better, and I made it better for working people.' Under this Labor government, real wages are up, superannuation is strengthening, inflation is down, unemployment is low and income is growing.”
“I'd like to also point out that award-reliant employees are more likely to be women. Gender pay equity is something we must continue to strive for, and this government has achieved a lot in this space. Three million Australians, most of whom are women, are already better off, with a 3½ per cent real pay rise delivered on 1 July. These are three million workers across the country—including cleaners, retail workers and early childhood educators—who are benefiting and who make up the essential fabric of our community. These are industries that are traditionally dominated by women and where historically workers have been paid very little. This pay rise is another step towards realising equal pay for women, and I really commend the government for this.”
“But it doesn't stop there. We will continue to deliver cost-of-living relief for working Australians by delivering new tax cuts for taxpayers, delivering another $150 in energy bill relief, wiping 20 per cent of student debt and strengthening Medicare with more free GP visits and even cheaper medicine. We will make medicine even cheaper so the most you'll pay for a PBS medicine will be just $25 a script. We're making it easier for Australians to get the urgent medical care that they need. Labor will expand its growing network of Medicare urgent care clinics. We've already opened 87 of them across Australia. Labor will now open 50 more, including one in the inner north of Brisbane, in my electorate. We will also make free TAFE permanent. We will continue to deliver affordable child care closer to home.”
“We restored bulk-billing for 11 million Australians, creating an additional six million bulk-billed GP visits. We are delivering cheaper medicines by delivering the biggest-ever reduction in the cost of PBS prescriptions and freezing the cost of PBS medicines. We're making hundreds of medicines cheaper for Australians. Labor also cut student debt and made sure that it never grows faster than wages. We delivered fee-free TAFE. We delivered cheaper child care. We delivered real wage increases for Australian workers. Under this government, real wages are growing again and, with our tax cuts, Australians are keeping more of what they earn. Not only have we seen three consecutive pay rises for Australian workers who are on awards but also Labor has delivered pay rises for aged-care and early childhood educators and care workers.”
“It makes me incredibly proud to be a part of a Labor team and a union movement that continues to lift wages and, therefore, lift all Australians. Change only happens when workers support each other, the union movement is strong, and governments take action to ensure workers are not worse off. But we know there is more work to do. Working people continue to face cost-of-living pressures, which is why the Albanese Labor government is doing everything it can to help in this regard. Last term, we delivered a tax cut for every Australian taxpayer. We delivered $300 in energy bill relief for every Australian household and $325 for small businesses. We tripled the bulk-billing incentive for people who need to see their GP most often, including pensioners, concession card holders and families with children.”
“Since taking office, the Albanese Labor government has always advocated for wage increases. Their recent submission to the Fair Work expert panel recommending it award an economically sustainable real wage increase was successful. Penalty rates and wage increases must never go backwards. If they did, it would erode intergenerational fairness and the concept of a fair go for all. As I mentioned in my first speech, restoring intergenerational fairness is a key part of my focus as Brisbane grows over the next decade. This is an issue that is incredibly close to my heart. I saw the firsthand damage when governments, like the conservative Bjelke-Petersen government, sacked and targeted workers, their families and even my community during the SEQEB dispute. That's why I will always stand to protect penalty rates and wage increases.”
“We know bosses like to say getting rid of penalty rates will improve productivity, but as the member for Dickson pointed out earlier today a recent study showed no new jobs were created as a result of lower penalty rates. Lowering pay for workers is just a cost-saving exercise to boost business and company profits at the expense of working people. Right now there are submissions before the Fair Work Commission from industry and business associations that want to strip away penalty rates. The coalition also oversaw stagnation for nearly a decade, which led to inflation rising and left the country with falling real wages. When the Albanese government first came to office, real wages were falling by 3.4 per cent and had gone backwards for five consecutive years.”
“Here we are, 80 years later, and the way we work has not changed, and neither should this principle. But since the 1940s, we've seen successive governments and industry try to take away penalty rates for hardworking Australians. During the recent election campaign, the coalition refused to rule out penalty rate cuts for Australia's lowest paid workers. And we know the coalition continues to do this; we heard it again earlier today. Peter Dutton voted eight times in parliament in favour of cutting penalty rates. They want cuts to penalty rates for workers, but are happy to support free lunches for bosses. It's a stark difference between a government that wants the economy to work for people and an opposition that continually undermines working people.”
“In the 1940s, it was the union movement that fought and campaigned hard for the introduction of penalty rates. The concept was simple: an understanding and recognition of working particular hours or days during the evenings, weekends, public holidays or in conditions that might be dangerous or unpleasant. Penalty rates arose as part of a broader desire to recognise working people's needs to physically recuperate, spend time with their family and live a life beyond work, and to properly remunerate them for the sacrifice to work inconvenient hours that may take them away from these important friends and family. Penalty rates were created to make sure workers are properly compensated for the sacrifices they make to work these inconvenient times or under certain conditions.”
“They work late nights and on weekends; they have to spend time away from their families and loved ones. I'm proud to be part of a Labor government that continues to support and deliver increased wages and protect penalty rates. History shows that, when the union movement is strong, the working class can prosper. And we have a proud history in Australia of having a strong union movement that has always stood on the right side of history. Unions fought hard for superannuation reforms. They fought for Medicare. They campaigned hard for women to get the right to vote. They made sure that the decriminalisation of abortion was implemented across states and territories. They have long fought for justice for First Nations people and reconciliation. They continue to fight for gender pay equity, and the list goes on.”
“As we know, hospitals and aged-care services, like the RBWH in my electorate, take care of our community, and they often require staff to work late nights, weekends and public holidays. A paramedic working a typical roster would be roughly $742 worse off over the Easter break without penalty rates. An aged-care worker at a residential facility in Albion working a typical roster would be roughly $620 worse off over the Easter break without penalty rates. This is real money for real people. It's also our bus drivers and train drivers, who transport us across the electorate, who rely on penalty rates. It's workers across the Brisbane community who deserve penalty rates for the essential services they provide to us to make our city operate. Penalty rates are an acknowledgment of the important work of these hard workers in my electorate.”
“In Brisbane, hundreds of frontline staff from across the casino industry recently stopped work, many of whom had worked through the toughest period in the industry's recent history, including the regulatory crisis and public scrutiny. Maria, a cleaner for Star, chose to take her first-ever union action by going on strike because reductions to penalty rates would see her $20 worse-off per week. She said that might not sound like much to many people, but for a cleaner who has to watch every dollar it's a huge impact. I stand with Maria and the United Workers Union members who are still fighting to protect their penalty rates and to be respected at that casino.”
“Many workers in my electorate of Brisbane deserve and rely on penalty rates to make ends meet. This includes our proud retail, pharmacy, hospitality, hospital, aged-care, casino and airline workers, amongst others. Many airline workers at Brisbane airport, like Ben, work late nights, weekends and public holidays to connect our community with the rest of the world. Airline workers rely on penalty rates, and Labor's same job, same pay laws saw wages rise by up to $20,000 a year or by 42 per cent for some workers. That's not a small amount of money. But we know that airline companies continue to look for loopholes to undermine this important work.”
“I rise to support the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025. On this side of the House, we will always stand up for working people. At the election, we committed to protecting penalty rates, and now the government is delivering on that promise. If you work weekends, public holidays, early mornings and late nights, and rely on penalty rates through the modern award safety net, you deserve to have your penalty wages protected. This amendment establishes a principle requiring the Fair Work Commission to ensure that penalty and overtime rates are not reduced. This will protect 2.6 million award-reliant workers across the country. We know that 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.”
“Whether it's a woman fleeing a situation of domestic or family violence, a veteran looking for their own place, a young family looking to get into the market or a frontline worker priced out of the community, getting a home will change their life. Having a safe home gives people long-term security and stability and a sense of belonging. Their own home will enable them to set down their roots and create long-lasting memories. Labor is working to deliver more homes of every type because more homes mean more affordable housing. That's why I'm proud to be standing here. I'm proud to be Labor; this is what Labor governments do.”
“About 9,000 Brisbane locals receive Commonwealth Rent Assistance, 80 homes are currently being delivered under the Housing Australia financing programs, and almost 3,000 dwellings have been built under the build-to-rent program, which the opposition are trying to demolish. We can't forget that those opposite sat on their hands for almost 10 years without even a housing minister for most of that time. It's always left to Labor to come in and clean up their messes. Disappointingly, in the last parliament, we also saw the blocking of the Housing Australia Future Fund, and, frustratingly, there have also been local protests against sensible development. This can't continue. We have to be better than this.”
“From 2026, we will further expand the Home Guarantee Scheme—the five per cent deposit scheme—so that will be open to every Australian looking to buy their own home. Already, over 1,500 in our local Brisbane community have a home under this program. Lastly, Labor's Help to Buy equity scheme, which opens up further later this year, means the Commonwealth government will pitch in up to 40 per cent of the upfront cost of your home, which means a smaller mortgage for first home buyers. Labor's housing investments are making a real difference to people across the country and the people of my electorate.”
“This is all about providing vulnerable people with a safe home—people like Karen, a Brisbane local in her 60s who I met during the campaign. After fleeing domestic violence for seven years she finally got her own home. She can decorate it as hers, she can leave the dishes to tomorrow if she wants to and she can use the washing machine without checking first. She can live her life her way. I am also very proud of what this government is doing to help realise the Australian dream of owning a home. We are investing $10 billion to build up to 100,000 homes reserved only for first home buyers, with no competition from property investors. This funding will support enabling infrastructure, land purchases and construction to get these homes built near work and family, and only for first home buyers.”
“Homelessness is growing across the country, and data shows that middle-aged women are the fastest-growing cohort. In recognition of the need to address this challenge, the Prime Minister appointed the member for Macnamara as the Special Envoy for Social Housing and Homelessness. Labor is also working to deliver 55,000 social and affordable homes. We're investing $1 billion into crisis and transitional housing through the NHIF and $275 million through safe places, emergency accommodation, and crisis and transitional accommodation—that's a mouthful—programs for women and children escaping domestic violence. Labor is providing $93 billion to the states and territories through the National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness, and this includes $400 million per year in dedicated homelessness funding that states must match.”
“I rise to speak to this motion because housing is a human right and we do need to work collectively to address the challenges we face in this area. I thank the member for Bradfield for her contribution. Everyone should have a safe place they call home. When I was a child my family provided just that to a number of foster siblings, so I saw very early on how this can change someone's life forever. As the minister said earlier today, the challenges we face in housing have been a long time in the making and they are complex. This Labor government recognises that. This is why we have made the single biggest investment in housing since World War II. Our $43 billion plan sees investment across homelessness, social housing, homeownership support for low- and middle-income earners and additional rent assistance.”
“My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. How is the Albanese government delivering on its commitment to build more homes, and is the minister aware of any alternative approaches?”
“It caused a lot of angst among young people, including people in my electorate, and Labor fixed it. Labor is doing a lot to help with the cost of living. On top of the reductions that this law introduces, we've seen tax cuts and energy bill relief coming, and we heard today about more bulk-billing. But we also know that young people often get jobs in hospitality to support their studies. This bill is all about delivering on a promise. It's about giving everyone a fair go. It's about making the education system fairer and restoring generational equality.”
“Our government has established, as of 1 July, a Commonwealth prac payment to support about 68,000 eligible teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students. On top of this, our government has locked free TAFE into law. This landmark policy has seen more than 650,000 enrolments across the country, with 170,000 of those courses already completed. From 1 January this year, the Labor government also massively expanded fee-free uni-ready courses. This is important because it provides a different pathway to finish school and is helpful to those especially from disadvantaged backgrounds or who just don't like school to access TAFE or university. Last year the government wiped $3 billion off HELP debts and fixed the system so that indexation on HELP debts can never increase faster than wages. The fact that this happened is unfair.”
“They have a chance to do this with this legislation, not just by voting for it but by actually speaking in support of it. Young people made their voices heard at the election, and they have put their faith in our government to deliver on reforms that will make a difference in their lives—young people like Angus, who I mentioned earlier. He runs his own small business walking dogs to support himself while studying his bachelor of communication at QUT. And there's Nathan, who recently graduated and is now completing his PhD in mechanical aerospace engineering. Nathan will now be $9½ thousand closer to getting a deposit on his home. And there are people like Mason, who studied advanced programming at TAFE and has now gone on to university to study IT and computer science. It's not just this reform that Labor has delivered.”
“Unsurprisingly, before the most recent election the coalition attacked this policy. They called it 'profoundly unfair' and said Australians would see no benefit from this policy. With comments like these, it's no wonder young people are abandoning the coalition in droves, and a recent report confirms that. I'm not surprised. Young people are finding it tough. They want to be listened to, and that is what Labor is doing with this bill. Just this week we also heard those opposite say that there is no such thing as a free lunch, referring of course to student debt. But those opposite love a free lunch, like the tax cuts for the highest earners in the country or the free lunch for bosses that they wanted to bring back. If the LNP want to be taken seriously they need to start listening to our young people.”
“To the people of Brisbane and across Australia: if you've got a debt of $50,000, this law will cut it by $10,000. All up, this bill will cut student debt by more than $16 billion. And the good news is that it will be backdated to 1 June this year. This bill also proposes structural reform to how the repayment system works. As noted by Bruce Chapman, the architect of HECS, this is the single most important change to the HECS system in over 35 years. These changes will make repayments cheaper, and they kick in later, when workers are earning more money. Again, this will help young Australians who are trying to save for a deposit on a house or who are trying to build up their own piggy bank—like Angus, or my sons, who live in Brisbane, who are young and starting to make their own way in the world.”
“Whether you are a professional, at 37 per cent of our Brisbane workforce, or a technician, tradie or community and personal service worker, who make up another 20 per cent, you will benefit from this student debt reduction. Professionals, builders, bakers, nurses, teachers, paramedics and the rest who have finished your education with a debt and are working in your chosen field: you will benefit from this student debt reduction. If you are still studying you will benefit from this debt reduction. No matter how you choose to study, this government wants to make sure education isn't a barrier to leading a decent life. We've heard tonight that the average student debt today is about $27½ thousand. This legislation will cut that debt by about $5½ thousand.”
“Right before the election the Prime Minister announced the landmark deal with the states and territories—that our public schools will be fully funded, and fairly funded, right across the country. This will deliver record funding to schools and introduce targeted reforms, which will help students to catch up, keep up and finish up. But support doesn't and shouldn't stop there. In my community of Brisbane there are more than 25,000 students across TAFE, vocational schools and education. There are also more than 34,000 with student debt. That's the third largest concentration in the economy. This equates to approximately $1.1 billion in debt. This bill means that the young people of Brisbane will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the reduction in student debt, which I am proud to be part of delivering.”
“The government will also roll out the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, which will boost access to early education and care in areas of need, including in the outer suburbs and regional Australia. Our education system relies on professionalism and the dedication of our educators. Labor recognises the critical role they play in teaching our kids, which is why Labor is supporting childhood educators with a 15 per cent pay rise. I was recently at a Goodstart centre in Ashgrove with the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Senator Walsh, who delivered this good news to local educators. Of note, though, most were female, which I guess is unsurprising, given the profession, but this is important because more women getting paid more goes a long way to delivering gender pay equity.”
“That is why I am proud to be part of a government who is delivering better and fairer education for all. Education has the power to change lives. On this side of the House, we believe in supporting our young Australians through their entire education journey. This support starts in early years with our cheaper childcare policy. More than a million Australian families have benefited from cheaper child care, delivering real cost-of-living relief to households, including those in Brisbane. This is good for children, good for families and good for Australia. We also committed at the last election to the three-day guarantee starting from January next year. This will deliver a guaranteed three days a week of formative early childhood education. It means more than 100,000 families will be entitled to more hours of subsidised education and care.”
“The opportunity to study enabled my sister and I to pursue our careers and build our lives. I want young people across Brisbane afforded the same opportunity I was given to potentially live the life that they want. However, setting yourself up for life through education should not put undue financial pressure on any of us and our families. At a time where there are cost-of-living pressures, people are feeling an even greater impact of study debt, so it was right that the government do something about it and that they do it now. During the election campaign, the Prime Minister made a commitment that, if elected, one of the first things we would do is introduce legislation to wipe 20 per cent off student debt, and that is exactly what we are doing. Having access to affordable education is an important foundation in anyone's life.”
“Deputy Speaker Scrymgour, first let me congratulate you also as the first First Nations person to lead from that chair. I rise tonight to support the Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025. As I mentioned in my first speech to this House, my mum, Luella, who still lives in my electorate, couldn't fulfil her dream of becoming a teacher because her parents couldn't afford for her to go to college. My twin sister and I were the first in our family to attend university, and this would not have happened had university not been affordable. As one of eight kids with mum staying at home and dad working as a sparky, there was no way they could have afforded for us to attend university. That is why I am forever grateful that, all those years ago, Labor made university accessible and affordable for all.”
“Brisbane has the third-highest concentration of people with student debt, at more than 34,000. While campaigning, I heard from many young people and their parents about how they were so excited by the opportunity that study could bring to them but also that it was a barrier for them financially. Education has the power to change lives, and as the government we have a responsibility to make sure education isn't a barrier to living a decent life. Labor stands for a fairer society for all no matter where you come from, and our commitment to reducing student debt is a real part of that.”
“I'm proud to stand here part of the government that is committed to making education affordable and accessible no matter where you live or your financial circumstances. As I mentioned in my first speech, my mum, Luella, who still lives in my electorate, couldn't fulfil her dreams to become a teacher because her parents couldn't afford it. My twin sister, Chris, and I were the first in the family to attend university, and this would not have happened had university not been affordable. As one of eight kids and dad working full-time as a sparky, there was no way my parents could ever have been able to afford for us to go to university. That's why I'm ever so grateful for getting the opportunity to study and I'm ever so grateful to the Labor government.”
“This includes opportunities for education to aspire to be what they want to be; to buy their own home, raise a family and not be burdened by excessive debt; for our daughters not to be disadvantaged; for the LGBTIQA+ community to live as their true selves; for First Nations people to genuinely feel we share their history and walk with them; for our vibrant migrant community to flourish and enrich us; for everyone to have a safe home; and for our environment to thrive. I will be a leader who will listen and care for our community. I will be a leader who will bring us together. This will require pragmatism, respect and courage from all of us. My commitment to Brisbane is that my door is always open. Friends and colleagues, it took a community to get me here.”
“This history is unique, and we should all know it, embed it, celebrate it and use it to advance reconciliation and walk together as a stronger nation. Sovereignty was never ceded. My vision for Brisbane is grounded in realism but is also a little aspirational. We have a privileged opportunity to recalibrate generational inequality and strengthen social cohesion. Our kids deserve the same opportunities I and many in this room had.”
“Everyone, regardless of their heritage, skin colour, sexual orientation, religion or ability, must be afforded equal rights and feel safe in our community. Not one of us is any better than the next, and no-one is entitled. A must here is truth-telling of the historical and current injustices facing First Nations people. Our children may no longer have to walk through separate kindy doors like I had to, but there is a long way to go. The original custodians have over 65,000 years of knowledge and connection to this land which has always steered this country forward. I was reminded of this recently during a NAIDOC event, when young Sandy, probably in her early 20s, proudly shared her story and that of her forebears.”
“We need to continue to look for solutions for them, including more community batteries. I call on the local LNP council to stop playing politics and stop blocking our Newmarket community battery. It was promised back in 2022, and we need it delivered. Over the next decade, we need to see our infrastructure and renewables programs come together to create a long-lasting and sustainable footprint in Brisbane. This will need all levels of government working together on appropriate planning, community consultation, and environmental and heritage protection, including for 2032. It also includes reforms to our environmental laws, which I am proud this government is committed to. Lastly, we need to be more inclusive.”
“They will now have easier access to life-changing care. Addressing climate change is also extremely important to Brisbane, and this starts with Australia becoming a renewable energy powerhouse. I truly believe Brisbane can play a leading role here. This will support our net zero targets and reduce electricity prices. Queensland is rich in critical minerals, and we are on the doorstep of Asia, which is transitioning to renewables. This creates a unique opportunity to grow our local renewable energy capabilities and manufacturing. I'd like to see more Brisbane businesses and education providers innovate and grow and build the skills that we will need for this transition. Battery and solar power incentives will encourage the uptake of renewable energy, and that's absolutely great, but we also know renters need more support.”
“As one of eight kids, our family relied on it. I also heard many stories, while on the campaign trail, about how affordable health care is the difference between living a decent life and not living at all. While doorknocking one day, one lady cried. She thanked me and asked me to pass on her thanks to our prime minister because her best friend will now live because her cancer treatment is on the PBS and she can afford it. So I am just so proud to be standing here and saying that, down the track, we will be delivering Labor's new urgent care clinic and new Medicare mental health clinic in Brisbane. Our community will get to see a doctor for free closer to home, and they won't have to wait those long, long hours in hospital waiting rooms. I also met many young people on the campaign trail who are suffering mental health challenges.”
“Karen is in her 60s, and, after fleeing domestic violence around seven years ago, she finally got her own place. This means so much. She can decorate it as hers. She can leave the dishes to tomorrow, if that's what she wants to do, and she can use the washing machine without checking first. She can live her life her way. I'm really proud of what Labor's doing to help realise the Australian dream of owning a home. This gives people long-term security and stability and a sense of belonging. It will enable people in our communities to set down their roots and create long-lasting memories. We can't forget the renters, though, who are trapped paying the equivalent of a mortgage in rent, and I want to explore how housing policies can do more to help them. When it comes to health, I will always stand up for Medicare.”
“My friend Ben, who is in the gallery today, has been forced to live in eight homes since 2020, and he now lives in an area where he has no connection to his community. More people are couch surfing or rough sleeping. What Brisbane needs is more affordable and social homes across all our suburbs. We saw in the last parliament the blocking of the Housing Australia Future Fund. Frustratingly, there have been local protests against sensible development. We can do better. We also need to set realistic and achievable goals to eradicate homelessness. This is particularly important to me. Women my age are the fastest-growing group of homeless, and I saw this while I was on the board of 3rd Space. Also, here's a little story: during the campaign, I met Karen.”
“The 50 or so players who joined me that morning for the football announcement were all so excited that this means more girls will join our community and grow. And, you never know: there might be another Matilda in the waiting—another Tilly. As Brisbane grows towards the next decade, global developments will challenge us. However, with steady leadership, I do believe we can remain focused on restoring intergenerational fairness, strengthening social cohesion and protecting our environment. This starts with implementing Labor's election reforms—I'll be biased and say especially in Brisbane. First is housing. Ownership is tough, with many, like my sons, living at home well beyond when I did. Renting is tough.”
“Queensland has a very proud sporting history, producing 'the King'; Madame Butterfly; and our Cathy, the golden girl—three greats from my era. But the games are more than a sporting contest; they will provide many opportunities to enrich and strengthen our community. Labor recently committed to finding a female change facility at a large local Brisbane football club. Finally, the girls will have the same facilities as the boys. But this is more than just a building; its recognition that women in sports matter and that sports matter for women. As a swimmer and a lifesaver who trained five days a week, shared sandy beach beds and rejoiced at the nationals, I learnt so much. Through sport we learn confidence, strength, leadership and resilience.”
“You all keep Labor true to its values and will always be there for workers, the engine of our economy. To EMILY's List, who supported and mentored me: it was invaluable. To my friend the Prime Minister: I'll leave it to you to say how long we've been friends! You and your team believed in me. You put your arms around me and you lifted me. Thank you. I can say I am so proud to be here and to be a part of your team. And, as I say as often as I can, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Looking ahead, I see a bigger and brighter Brisbane. People continue to move here in drones, and it's no wonder—but then I'm a little bias. In less than a decade, Brisbane will host the biggest sporting event in the world: the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games.”
“To the hundreds of volunteers, some not even old enough to vote and others first timers; Chris and Lulu, two of my sisters; and the stalwarts, who were there day in, day out, hail, rain, wind or shine—there are too many to name, but, again, thank you. To my irrepressible, energetic and loyal campaign team, including my dear and long-time friend Greg, who is up there in the gallery. There was also Charli, Jack, Alana, Bri, Kate C, Paula and Ben C. You were the cog that kept the wheels turning. To my Labor family, those on the daily phone calls, who doorknocked and provided quiet guidance in the background, especially John, the other Kate, Hayden, Hannah, Grace and Ben D—you know who you are: thank you. To my union, the United Workers Union: a big thank you. To the STA and others within our mighty union movement: thank you also.”
“Friends, my mum and dad are in their 80s, and, for the best part of nine months, they were almost daily features on the Paddington strip, the local shopping strip, showing me off to passers-by. You are such legends. To my husband, John; our lads, Jack and Paddy; and Jess, also over there: you were my sounding board and my rock during the campaign. You managed to keep the house running while I was running in and out. Without you, though, I wouldn't be here, as this journey was only ever going to be ours. A special call-out to you, John, my best friend, my love, my confidant, the man who has always got my back. Everyone on this floor knows how important that is in politics. To my sisters and my brother: I know you always have my back.”
“I thought about it a lot, but, in the end, it was that fear of losing our community values—a fair go for all and looking out for each other—that clinched it. So here I stand. I am extremely grateful and humbled to be the member for Brisbane, and I have so many people to thank for getting me here. First, to the people of Brisbane who put their faith in me, whether it be the Windsor community who helped their neighbour literally drag a piano up a hill and leave it on the footpath so it wouldn't get flooded, the families who we sweated with to fill sandbags, or the elderly Barden resident to whom we sent a clean-up crew: thank you. To Mum and Dad, Jack and Lue Camp, sitting in the back there: you gave me the knowledge and strength to live my values. Your energy and commitment to social fairness glows in me.”
“It was at that time when many in this room will recall that our country's leader didn't hold a hose, he needed his wife to tell him how to have empathy towards women and he commented, on the Me Too march: Not far from here, such marches, even now, are being met with bullets—but not here in this country. On top of this, affordable health care was being undermined. I'd lived in the United States, and I didn't want people here to be like my friend Johnny, who had untreated arthritis because he had no affordable health care. Jokes were being made about water lapping at the homes of our Pacific neighbours, and I thought to myself, 'Australia's better than that.' During the conversation, it was suggested to me that I run for office.”