David Moncrieff
Hughes · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“We're extending paid parental leave to a full six months, giving families more time with their little ones and more support, because, unlike those opposite, we believe in supporting parents as they raise the next generation.”
“Yesterday was 1 July, a day that saw significant reform from the Albanese Labor government implemented. Starting this week, the Labor government is delivering more cost-of-living relief for workers in Hughes.”
“This legislation ensures that Defence and DVA are better equipped to intervene early and effectively when members, veterans and their families are at risk, saving lives before it's too late. The Albanese Labor government's record of investment for Defence and veteran communities is profound.”
“We have already made substantial progress in fixing the mess left to us by the previous government, under which a backlog of 42,000 claims were never even looked at. That wasn't an accidental oversight. It was a predictable outcome from a party that holds the gutting of Public Service jobs and wage suppression as a proud part of its DNA.”
“My community in Hughes is home to a significant veteran community, ranging across the Sutherland Shire around the Holsworthy Barracks and Moorebank, out to the Macarthur region in areas like Macquarie Fields and Glenfield. I'm sure that many know the gut-wrenching feeling of losing a loved one to suicide.”
“These include aspects such as the establishment of a brain injury program, transformation of research into outcomes, support for service members to transition into civilian life, a new agency focused on veteran wellbeing, improvement in the timeliness of information-sharing between Defence and DVA for claims processing, and much more.”
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“On this side of the House, we know that paying workers a living wage benefits the economy. That's part of the reason why our economic outcomes have been so superior to what they achieved in their time in office. We're also raising the super guarantee to 12 per cent, meaning more Australians will be able to afford a retirement and be more independent of government support in their old age. Paid Parental Leave is also increasing to 24 weeks, with super now paid on all government paid parental leave. There's another $150 in energy bill relief before the end of the year. There's $10,000 in incentive payments for new housing apprentices. We're also helping households with the cost of energy through our Cheaper Home Batteries Program.”
“This is a cost-of-living measure that also strengthens small-business resilience. It's a clear example of responsible government action designed to make a difference without driving up inflation or compromising fiscal discipline. This reform is just another part of the suite of cost-of-living relief being delivered by the Albanese Labor government. Since 1 July, we have delivered a 3.5 per cent increase in the national minimum wage and award wages, making an enormous difference to the lives of the most vulnerable workers. When those opposite were in power, they kept wages for vulnerable people low and they were proud of it. They said that low wages were a 'deliberate design feature' of their 'economic architecture'. They sacrificed the wellbeing of vulnerable Australians for the sake of a perceived economic benefit that never eventuated.”
“When these venues struggle, jobs are at risk, not just behind the bar but across the supply chain. This measure is good for brewers. Many brewers are small, independent producers who rely heavily on keg sales to maintain cash flow and jobs. One such brewer is Slim Pickin's Brewhouse in Engadine, a small-scale craft brewery passionate about crafting unique small-batch rotating beers. Pausing indexation will help brewers like Slim Pickin's manage costs, plan production and continue investing in local communities like Engadine. This reform also has reached beyond pubs and brewers. It flows to farmers, transport operators, equipment suppliers and thousands of small businesses linked to the hospitality supply chain. A pub staying open means it buys local produce. It hires local tradespeople. It keeps money circulating in the local economy.”
“It is a modest investment compared to the benefits for jobs and for communities, and it does not change the overall structure of alcohol taxation or weaken public health objectives. On this side of the House, we remain committed to responsible consumption. We are not saying, 'Drink more beer.' We're saying, 'Let us ensure the price of a pint doesn't go through the roof,' while small businesses are still recovering from the conditions they experienced under the previous government. This is about jobs. Nationally, approximately 160,000 Australians work in the hospitality and brewing sectors that rely on these venues. These are jobs for young people starting out, for parents juggling shifts and for skilled chefs and managers who keep venues running.”
“This measure applies to containers between four and 48 litres—the kegs you see rolled into pubs every day—and to containers over 48 litres used in larger venues. It doesn't apply to bottled or canned beer, spirits or other excisable beverages. This is about helping hospitality operators and about keeping the price of a pint steady for everyday Australians. Across Australia, around 10,000 hospitality venues will benefit and around 75 per cent of those are small, family-run businesses. It means jobs for bar staff, chefs, cleaners and security. It means work for the truck driver delivering the kegs and the farmer growing the barley. It means a pub stays open and the whole supply chain can keep moving. This is a targeted measure, it's temporary, it's fiscally responsible and it will cost the budget around $95 million over four years.”
“Australian pubs are part of our culture, part of our social life and part of the way that we connect with each other. It's not about what's behind the bar; it's about jobs, families and communities. Sometimes you just want to go where everybody knows your name. But catching up with your mates shouldn't break the bank, and that's why I'm very happy to support this measure. From 1 August 2025, the Albanese Labor government paused indexation of draught beer excise and excise-equivalent custom duties for two years. This crisp, full-bodied reform will mean the tax on a keg will not keep creeping up every six months like the head on a badly poured pint. This is practical, targeted relief not just for pubs, clubs and brewers but for everyday Aussies.”
“One of my favourite ads of all time tells us that a man's got to win, and to win he has to get on top and stay there. You can't do that without a canoe. You've got to have the biggest, strongest, longest canoe. Life can be tough, and canoes can be awkward. So why not just ignore it all with a refreshing Carlton Draught? Beer has played a significant part in Australian society, notably through its advertising. Who could forget the big ad—the very big ad. I can't believe how big it was. A few years ago I went to see The Dismissal with the now member for Banks and, to conjure up the sound of the seventies, they played the 'I feel like a Tooheys' jingle. In our films, who could forget the iconic scene in Crocodile Dundee in which the world was introduced to Michael J 'Crocodile' Dundee in an Aussie pub.”
“Together, we're building a system that meets people with compassion and one that makes it easier to ask for help and easier to get it, because mental health is health, and when we take care of it, our whole community is better off.”
“I also want to thank the families, carers and loved ones who support those experiencing mental ill health. The strength, patience and love you show are the backbone of our community's mental health response. Mental Health Month's theme this year is 'Taking steps on your wellbeing journey'. From my conversations in Liverpool and Miranda, one message stands: out the first step is often the hardest, but it's also the most powerful. This always bears repeating because of the devastating impacts mental health can have in our community. If you're struggling, reach out. If you're not sure where to start, walk into one of our Medicare mental health centres or your local headspace. You don't need a referral, you don't need to wait and you don't have to do it alone.”
“That means more services, more staff and more options for people at every stage of life. It also means acknowledging that one size doesn't fit all. For new parents, we're opening 20 perinatal mental health centres in partnership with the Gidget Foundation. For children, 17 new Medicare mental health kids hubs are being rolled out across the country. For young people, the headspace network continues to grow and evolve. All of this work shares a single vision that mental health care should be accessible, compassionate and local. I want to thank each clinician, counsellor, peer worker, receptionist and volunteer that works so hard across these services. Your work is vital. You're saving lives every day, often quietly, without recognition, but always with impact.”
“That building of resilience is critical, and it will last them a lifetime. When we talk about mental health, we often talk about numbers—how many centres, how many appointments, how much funding. Those numbers matter, but what matters more are the people behind them—the young people who walked into headspace Liverpool and found hope; the peer worker at Miranda who turned their recovery into a career of helping others; and the clinicians at the Liverpool Medicare Mental Health Centre, who open the doors each day to anyone in need with no referral required. These are the people building a better mental health system in real time, and, as a government, we're supporting that with the largest investment in mental health in Australia's history, with $1.1 billion to expand access to community based care backed by Medicare.”
“At Miranda the team shared stories about how they've supported young people dealing with everything from exam stress to family breakdowns, loneliness and depression. They spoke about how they're seeing an increase in family violence and child protection concerns but also that more young people are reaching out for help earlier, which is highly encouraging. In the shire I often hear from families who are trying to support their kids through tough times. Sometimes they're not sure what to say or how to help. Services like headspace Miranda give those families a starting point. They give young people a safe space where they can find understanding and care without stigma or judgement. It's not just for crisis care. Headspace helps young people develop the tools and confidence to manage their wellbeing.”
“Once they do, the transformation can be incredible. As part of the Albanese Labor government's $1.1 billion mental health election commitment, over $200 million will be invested in 58 new upgraded and expanded headspace services. Headspace Miranda will receive $2.5 million through the headspace Demand Management and Enhancement Program to hire additional clinicians and relocate the service to expand capacity and improve care. I visited headspace Miranda to meet with staff and members of their youth reference group and discuss all the great work they're doing. This centre supports young people across the shire, an area that, despite its beauty and strong sense of community, isn't immune to the pressures young people face.”
“At headspace Liverpool I met a team that's passionate about creating a space where young people feel safe to open up. The service is welcoming, warm and led by people who know that early intervention can make all the difference. It's amazing to see how well networked this program is with local high schools and how these programs are growing from strength to strength. That's why the Albanese government is expanding headspace centres to 203 locations nationwide. Speaking to the staff at headspace Liverpool, you can see how seriously they take that mission—their outreach into schools, TAFEs and community organisations means help isn't hidden behind a waiting list or a long drive. It's part of daily life. For many young people the hardest step is the first one, which is seeking the help they need.”
“Mental health isn't an abstract policy. It's deeply personal. It's in every family, every workplace and every street in our suburbs. I've heard firsthand across Hughes from parents worrying about their children; young people struggling with study or work pressures; adults trying to balance family, finances and wellbeing; and seniors feeling isolated. Mental health and resilience is part of all our stories, and that's why this new network of Medicare mental health centres is this government walking the walk not just talking the talk on mental health. I also had the opportunity to visit headspace Liverpool and headspace Miranda on national mental health day. Both of these services do remarkable work supporting young people across south-west Sydney and the Sutherland Shire.”
“For many, centres like this are the difference between isolation and recovery, between being seen and being overlooked. This is what the Albanese Labor government means when it says it's putting mental health at the heart of Medicare. It's about building a system that treats mental health just as importantly as physical health, not just as an afterthought, a luxury or a separate lane of care. In Liverpool alone the Albanese government has invested $18.4 million to fund the centre's operations, and it's already transforming lives. In October this government also opened the new Campbelltown Medicare Mental Health Centre, providing even more south-western Sydney residents with access to free walk-in mental health support and care. When we invest in services that meet people where they are, we strengthen the fabric of our community.”
“They remove the barriers that too often stop people from seeking help—the need for a referral, a diagnosis or even an appointment. You can simply walk in and be seen by a multidisciplinary team of mental health clinicians, nurses, counsellors and peer workers. These are people who understand the complex medical system but, more importantly, understand people. When you step inside the Liverpool centre, there's a sense of calm and care that's not common in health care. It doesn't feel clinical or intimidating; it feels human. There's a sense that help is here and that someone is ready to listen. I met staff who spoke about supporting people at some of their lowest moments—people in distress, people who have been waiting too long for support, people who just needed someone to take them seriously.”
“It's one of 50 Medicare mental health centres now open across the country, part of a new model of care that brings mental health support into the middle of communities— A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 12:03 to 12:18 It's one of 50 Medicare mental health centres now open across the country, part of a new model of care that brings mental health support into the middle of communities where people live, work and seek help. Since opening in 2023, the Liverpool centre has delivered more than 23,000 occasions of service. That means thousands of people across our region—people who might otherwise have gone without care—have been able to walk through the doors and receive the support they need. These centres represent a shift in how we think about mental health care.”
“It's always an immense privilege to meet the people working on the front line of mental health care in our community—people who show up each day with empathy, professionalism and purpose. Right now two in five young Australians are experiencing mental health distress. That is double the rate from 20 years ago. During Mental Health Month I joined the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, to visit the Liverpool Medicare mental health centre, right in the heart of south-west Sydney.”
“This bill will be applied retrospectively to be in effect from 1 January 2017 to 30 September 2025. This is a government that believes in the skills sector and, importantly, this is a government that is investing in the skills sector. I see the scepticism from the member for Goldstein. We know that they don't value things that they don't pay for, but we know that Australians do. And Australians voted for a government that wants to invest in TAFE, that wants to invest in skills, and that's what this bill is part of. This bill modernises the skills sector to ensure that it fits the situation as it exists, and it's another way that the Albanese Labor government is delivering for Australians and delivering for the future of our skills sector. I commend the bill to the House.”
“It also extends to other relevant persons, including the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations secretary, the Commissioner of Taxation and Commonwealth officers. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has communicated with VSL providers about the IT changes throughout the year and continues to communicate with providers about this bill. This government is ensuring that there is certainty in this system and that no-one else will be affected by a problem of this kind in the future. This government is determined to ensure that TAFE has a future in this country. VET student-loan providers are registered training organisations approved by the Australian government to deliver VSL approved courses, including TAFE institutions and private colleges.”
“Providers have also been subject to security controls in the relevant IT systems and integrity safeguards to protect students' personal information. These safeguards include requirements for providers to comply with strict use and disclosure provisions that apply to vet information under the VSL Act, to undergo extensive approval processes to become an approved provider and to notify the department of any student related data breaches. These protections that have previously applied to VSL providers' handling of tax file numbers will continue to do so after the bill's commencement. This bill will apply to all current and former VSL providers and their officers who have handled students' tax file numbers to administer their VSL loan applications and their VET student loans themselves prior to 1 October 2025.”
“The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has, since early 2025, made updates to relevant IT systems to mask tax file numbers from VSL providers and automate the transfer of tax file numbers between relevant systems, meaning that VSL providers no longer need to handle tax file numbers. A tax file number is information that is essential for administering a loans program of this kind. This is because tax file numbers enable accurate tracking and repayment of VET student loans through the tax system. There will be no change to the way students apply for a VET student loan using electronic systems. There have been no VSL student complaints as a result of past tax file number handling practices for the purposes of the VSL program since it commenced.”
“The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations identified that there is no clear role for VSL providers to handle tax file numbers in the VET Student Loans Act 2016. A stronger alignment between relevant IT systems and legislation was required, and that's why this Albanese Labor government is bringing forward the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025 to ensure that this alignment is fixed and this problem is resolved. This bill will retrospectively authorise VET student loan providers handling of students' tax file numbers for administering the VET Student Loans program. This bill will also provide certainty to providers and government officers that their past handling of student TFNs, for administering the VET Student Loans program from 1 January 2017 to 30 September 2025, was lawful.”
“During a review of how VET student loans are administered, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations identified that there was no clear role in the VSL act for VSL providers to handle TFNs and that stronger alignment between relevant IT systems and legislation was required for handling TFNs. Our government is taking steps to fix a problem identified during the review in the last term of government—that of how VET student loans, VSLs, were administered. We've taken action to ensure that this issue is resolved and that there is certainty for students and providers. The bill is a fix for the issue of VSL providers handling tax file numbers when the VSL act of 2016 did not authorise it.”
“It's not an additional power grab. This is just an alignment between the law and the technology that supports the vocational education system. It provides certainty to students, training providers and government officers who have done the right thing administering these loans in good faith. With regard to why is this retrospective and privacy, this change has no impact on students' privacy rights. Since 2017, VET providers have been required to meet strict information security and integrity standards. They must notify the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations if there is any data breach. They face civil and criminal penalties for any misuse of personal information.”
“But during a review of how VET student loans were being administered it became clear that the 2016 legislation did not explicitly authorise providers to handle students' tax file numbers. The tax file numbers needed to match student loans to their tax account. That created a technical inconsistency between what the system was required to do to function and what the law actually said providers could do. Training providers had to collect TFNs to process loans, but the law had never given them the power to do so. This bill fixes that inconsistency and retrospectively authorises VET providers' handling of TFNs from the time the program commenced on 1 January 2017 through to 30 September 2025 when the IT systems of the department were able to remove the need for providers to handle TFNs altogether. This is not an additional loophole.”
“It matters to people right across my electorate of Hughes, from Liverpool to Menai to Ingleburn to Macquarie Fields. It matters to apprentices studying at the Loftus campus of TAFE Sutherland or TAFE Liverpool. It matters to the next generation of builders in Macquarie Fields and to parents returning to work after a break who rely on flexible vocational education to get ahead. It was fantastic to visit Macquarie Fields TAFE with Minister Giles, the Minister for Skills, and see all the members of our community who are learning new skills to help them get to the careers they want to achieve. The VET Student Loans Program replaced the old VET FEE-HELP scheme in 2017. That change was necessary after widespread rorting of the old system.”
“They elected a government that believes that Australians value getting 20 per cent off their student loans because it lessens financial burdens that keep young people out of homeownership. They elected a government that believes that Australians value investments in TAFE and investments in Australian skills because of the value that skills add to the Australian economy. The VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025 represents additional recognition of the value of the skills sector. It's a bill that represents real certainty to students, training providers and the government alike. This legislation is about fixing a gap. It ensures that the Vocational Education and Training Student Loans Program—the system that helps tens of thousands of Australians train for essential jobs—continues to operate on firm and lawful footing.”
“On this side of the House we believe in technical education. We believe in equipping Australians with the skills they need to succeed in their futures. Those opposite don't believe in TAFE; they don't believe in the skills sector. On this side of the House we believe in making TAFE more affordable. That's why we've drastically expanded access to fee-free TAFE right across the country. Those opposite say that if you don't pay for something you don't value it. Well, in May, Australians showed that they disagree. They elected a government that believes that Australians value bulk-billing, even when they don't pay for it, because it keeps Australians healthy and working.”
“It has operated for over 60 years and has built a reputation for delivering support that's practical, respectful and centred on the individual. The new Sutherland head office brings staff and services together in a modern space designed for collaboration and better outcomes. It creates a strong base for the organisation's future and reinforces Sylvanvale's longstanding connection to the Sutherland Shire. I congratulate Sylvanvale on this significant step and thank them for the contribution they continue to make to our community.”
“We were deeply honoured by the presence of His Holiness and grateful for the time he spent encouraging and uplifting those he met. I also want to pay tribute to him for his longstanding efforts to promote peace, mutual understanding and the importance of living with purpose and service to others. It was also great to meet with His Holiness again during his visit this week in Canberra, and I want to thank him for his commitment to Indian orthodox communities in Australia. It was also a great privilege to attend the opening of Sylvanvale's new head office in Sutherland. Sylvanvale has been a significant part of the community in the Sutherland Shire for decades, but this milestone represents a continued commitment to support people with disability and strengthen services across the Sutherland Shire.”
“This sense of unity and pride was on display at the dinner held in honour of His Holiness at St Thomas Indian Orthodox Cathedral in Wattle Grove in my electorate of Hughes. The warmth and generosity on display from the congregation was outstanding and reflected the strong community spirit that defines so many of our local cultural and religious groups. It was amazing to see so many people from different orthodox and non-orthodox traditions of Christianity come together in a spirit of ecumenism, recognise the significance of the moment of His Holiness's visit and acknowledge the deep spiritual connection that his presence provided. Hughes is home to a thriving and growing Indian community, and events like this highlight the value of multiculturalism and the way people from diverse backgrounds strengthen our nation.”
“The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is one of the oldest Christian traditions in the world. It traces its origins to the travels of St Thomas in the first century. I'm very honoured that my electorate of Hughes contains the St Thomas cathedral of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and it was my honour this week to welcome to Sydney His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II on behalf of the Australian government. His Holiness is the Catholicos of the Indian Orthodox Church throughout the world and the spiritual leader of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christians. His visit was a moment of great significance for the Indian orthodox community in Australia and in Hughes. It offered an opportunity for families, young people and elders to come together in celebration of their heritage and their faith.”
“The people of Hughes are passionate, diverse and proud to be Australian, and they want their stories reflected. They value fairness and contribution. The expect that, when a service operates in Australia and profits from Australian households, it also invests in Australian culture. This bill meets that expectation in a balanced, proportionate and effective way. Australians love their television. They love their film. This bill gives Australians the opportunity to love Australian film and media like that. I commend this bill to the House.”
“Over time, this has the potential to erode the presence to Australian voices. A stable requirement ensures that, even as technology changes, our identity is not diluted. Residents in Hughes want Australian stories on their screens. They want Australian children to grow up watching Australian programs that reflect their lives and surroundings. They want an arts and cultural sector that offers good jobs and strong career pathways. They want the creative talent in south-west Sydney and the Sutherland Shire to be supported, not overshadowed. This bill responds to those expectations. It supports economic development. It strengthens cultural expression and representation. It gives certainty to creators and businesses. It ensures major global companies that benefit from Australian audiences contribute meaningfully to Australian storytelling.”
“This legislation also protects the public by imposing civil penalties for breaches. When rules exist, they must be enforceable. The ACMA will have powers to determine classes of expenditure and revenue and to request notifications from service providers. These delegated powers are made through disallowable instruments, which protects parliamentary oversight. In relation to why the level of regulation is necessary where the market already produces Australian content, the answer is simple: without clear requirements, local content becomes vulnerable to fluctuations in global investments. Large platforms commission programs from many countries at once, and decisions are not always made with the Australian public in mind. Our content can be deprioritised or replaced with cheaper imports.”
“It also makes consequential amendments to the ACMA Act so that the authority can administer these obligations. It establishes clear rules, including a three-year carryover period for expenditure and a statutory review after four years to ensure the scheme is working as intended. This balances certainty with accountability. Services have flexibility to manage expenditure across years, while the public can trust that the system will be evaluated and improved over time. The requirement only applies to major services with more than one million Australian subscribers. It excludes platforms that feature predominantly user-generated content, services that rely solely on advertising or those with limited appeal. It ensures the scheme targets the largest players without burdening small platforms.”
“Lastly, this bill ensures strong and continued representation for all Australians. The Hughes community is very diverse. Families from many cultural backgrounds call Hughes home, and Australians want these stories, the stories of modern Australia, reflected on screen. Residents bring perspectives shaped by their heritage, their personal histories and their connection to local places. If we want a future Australia to feel seen and understood, our screens must reflect that diversity. The current market does not always guarantee this, but this bill introduces a stable requirement that improves representation and supports stories that come from communities like ours. The bill amends the Broadcasting Services Act to introduce Australian content requirements for subscription video-on-demand services.”
“Sydney is home to businesses that supply equipment, post-production services, sound design and filming support. When Australian productions increases, these businesses grow. It means jobs in our local communities. It means the growth of local spending. That's of direct economic benefit for Hughes. Thirdly, it supports young people. There are thousands of young creatives in Hughes. Students in schools across the Sutherland shire, Liverpool and Campbelltown LGAs study media, film and performing arts. They are capable. They are ambitious. They are eager to contribute to an industry that feels increasingly global and competitive. By increasing Australian commissions, we give these students clearer pathways for their careers and more opportunities to develop skills close to home.”
“The first full-length narrative feature film was created right here. On Boxing Day 1906, The Story of the Kelly Gang opened at the Athenaeum theatre in Melbourne. It was the first multi-reel, feature-length film ever produced in the world, and it was produced right here. So our history of the film industry is long and important, and for the people of Hughes this bill does several important things. Firstly, it strengthens local industries. Our area is home to producers, editors, animators and creatives who work across the screen sector. Many residents commute into the city each day to work in production houses, studios or digital design firms. This bill helps secure jobs for these workers by giving producers more certainty that local content will be commissioned. Secondly, it supports small business.”
“It requires major streaming services with over one million Australian subscribers to invest at least 10 per cent of their total program expenditure into new Australian commissions or first-release acquisitions of eligible program formats. These formats include drama, children's content, documentary, arts and educational programs. Alternatively, services may choose the option of investing 7.5 per cent of their gross Australian revenue. Without a new tax and without a new levy, it's a simple requirement to reinvest a small part of the value these platforms derive from the Australian public back into Australian stories. It mirrors arrangements that already exist for other broadcasters and ensures Australians will continue to see themselves represented on screen. Australia has always played an important global role in the film industry.”
“This is what Australian cinema can achieve when it's given a fair go. Our films goes straight to the pool room! But the media landscape has been stacked against Australian creators for too long. This bill builds on the government's efforts to change that. Families in Barden Ridge, Hammondville and Macquarie Fields gather at home in the evenings to watch dramas and documentaries. They love David Attenborough, as we all do, but they also want to hear Australian voices telling Australian stories that matter to Australians. That's why this bill matters to people in Hughes. It ensures that, no matter what screen they choose to watch, there is guaranteed access to Australian productions that reflect our identity and our values. This bill is straightforward.”
“However, local gems of films like Love You Like That struggle to get the national spotlight in an environment that favours big international players. I'm sure, Deputy Speaker Georganas, that you will be rushing home to stream it online as soon as you're out the chair, now that you know what it has to offer, but other content isn't so fortunate. When Australian film and television is allowed to shine, we know that it is highly successful on the world stage. Programs like Bluey have children all around the world saying, 'Airport? I'm not going to the airport,' in an Australian accent. Colin from Accounts brought to the screen the relatable situation of falling asleep on the T4 and waking up at Waterfall and dared to imagine a world in which Waterfall had a big Chinese restaurant. Mad Max : Fury Road had fans all around 'witness' it.”
“Eric wrote, directed and produced the feature film Love You Like That and shot it entirely in the shire. Starring Mitchell Hope and comedy great Steph Tisdell, the film celebrated our local area on screen and achieved national success, screening in over 90 cinemas. It's now streaming in the USA, Canada, the UK and here in Australia, proudly showcasing the beauty and heart of the Sutherland shire to international audiences. Hughes is a photogenic place. We have the beauty of Bundeena, the marvels of Maianbar, the rare beauty of the Royal National Park, the spectacular Simmos Beach, the healthy hum of the Heathcote National Park, the gentle run of the Georges River and a thriving and healthy koala population. Hughes has a lot to offer, and Australia has a lot to offer the world of film, television and streaming.”
“Secondly, it allows a place for every story, reflecting the breadth of our stories and the contribution of all Australians as creators of culture. Thirdly, it recognises centrality of the artist, supporting the artist as a worker and celebrating artists as creators. Fourthly, it provides strong cultural infrastructure, providing support across the spectrum of institutions which sustain our arts, culture and heritage. Finally, it engages the audience, making sure our stories connect with people at home and abroad. This bill builds on the structure put in place through the national cultural policy. For so many in my electorate, arts are an important part of life. In September, I had the opportunity to met with Eric Nash of Glasshouse Productions, a local filmmaker from the Sutherland shire.”
“As a brother to one of those in the creative sector, I know how much value is added to our society by the arts sector and how devastated the arts community were to know that the Liberal-National government didn't see their value. Fortunately, the Australian people rejected this antediluvian and backward-thinking approach. They elected an Albanese Labor government to bring back an Australia where creativity and the arts could flourish. In its first 12 months in office, the Albanese Labor government released its national cultural policy, aptly named Revive. Revive is structured around five interconnected pillars, which set out the government's strategic objectives. Firstly, it puts First Nations first, recognising and respecting the crucial place of First Nations stories at the centre of Australia's arts and culture.”
“The 2014 federal budget slashed almost $60 million of the arts and cultural development funding and also slashed about $68 million from Screen Australia and the Australia Council—cuts that devastated the arts community and shattered the trust of artists and creative workers across this nation that Australia was a place where a career as an artist could be built. Those opposite's efforts damaged the industry. They sought to create an environment where the arts couldn't flourish, just as they sought to create an environment where manufacturing couldn't flourish. They dared our manufacturers to go offshore, and that's exactly what our vehicle manufacturers did. Those efforts almost did the same to the arts sector.”
“This legislation aims to ensure that we maintain a significant arts and culture industry in Australia. Streaming services really took off around the world during the mid- to late-2010s. It was an enormous opportunity for regulatory reform for those who were in government during that time to ensure that Australians were positioned to take advantage of this transition in consumption. Did we have a government during those years that was innovative and forward thinking? Unfortunately not. We had those opposite in government. While overseas companies were swooping into Australia to take advantage of these changes, those opposite did nothing to ensure that Australians would benefit from it. In a challenging landscape, Australian streamers like Presto and Quickflix collapsed. On top of that, those opposite butchered the arts sector.”
“Pay TV has Australian content requirements. Streaming services do not. This gap means Australian stories are being overshadowed by a global library of content created elsewhere. That's why I'm so happy to support the Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025. This is practical legislation that will strengthen our cultural sector and deliver clear benefits for communities like mine in southern Sydney. Fifty-sex per cent of Australians believe the arts benefits their wellbeing, but half of Australians are not attending arts events as much as they would like, with cost and location cited as significant barriers to arts attendance. It's clear that Australians want access to arts, entertainment and media right here in Australia.”