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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“Last week it was also fantastic to celebrate the Ganeshotsav 2025 festival with the Indian community in Liverpool and to see their amazing dances and celebrations of their culture. Lord Ganesha is the remover of obstacles. Just think about how many obstacles the Friends of India organisation have had to remove over the last 30 years. I want to thank Vinod Scindia for his efforts to organise that event and to say a big dhanyavaada and thankyou to the Friends of India for having me along to what was a fantastic occasion.”
“On 15 August the Nepalese community celebrated Teej, which recognises the incredible role that women play in our communities. It was beautiful to witness the incredible dancing and performances and to learn some of the dance moves with them. I'm still very much in the early days of learning those dances; I must say it wasn't always an amazing sight. I want to thank the president of the Macarthur Region Nepalese Community, Usha Khadka, and vice president, Sony Tuladhar, for organising this event and helping Nepalese culture to prosper in Australia. It's fantastic to see so many people coming out to support a community that is very positive and makes such a big contribution to our society in south-western Sydney.”
“It's also been a significant period for our vibrant South-Asian community in south-western Sydney. On 14 August the Pakistani community celebrated Pakistan Independence Day, commemorating 78 years since Pakistan's independence from the British Raj. It was a pleasure to join the Pakistan Association of Australia on 23 August and witness the incredible dances and performances from the Pakistani Australian youth. It was amazing to see such diversity from across the regions of Pakistan on display. It was amazing to see all the different styles from all the different regions of Pakistan. It was fantastic to see that celebration on display. I want to thank the Pakistan Association of Australia and its general secretary, Nabeel Khan, for putting on this incredible celebration of Pakistani culture in Australia.”
“Heathdene has been such an important part of the Engadine community for generations. In August the church and the preschool both celebrated significant milestones, with the Heathcote Engadine Baptist Church celebrating 65 years and the Heathdene Preschool celebrating 50 years. On 17 August it was lovely to join the celebrations with the Heathdene community, which included a puppet show, live music, face painting and a photo gallery celebrating the decades of the preschool and the church. It was great to tour the revitalised facility with Kathleen, who's the director, and see the amazing services that are offered there. I want to thank the Heathdene community for all their contributions to our community over the last seven decades. We look forward to your work continuing over the decades to come.”
“When consumers know their rights are protected, they are more likely to embrace new technologies. When businesses know the rules are clear, they are more likely to invest. By modernising the regulatory framework, we encourage safe innovation; we do not stifle it. Australians expect this parliament to act before problems arise, not after. This is what this bill does. It responds to the finding of the payments system review. It closes gaps in our regulatory framework, and it strengthens consumer protection. It supports competition and innovation. It secures the resilience of a system that every Australian depends upon. I commend this bill to the House.”
“Ministerial directions to regulators cannot single out individual participants. They must be systemwide and consistent with the regulators' independence. These are important protections. They strike the right balance between giving government the tools it needs and maintaining regulatory independence. The payments system may seem invisible to most people. It works quietly in the background. But that is precisely why it must be robust. When it fails, the impact is immediate. When it is misused, the harm is wideranging. By passing this bill, we are future-proofing Australia's payments framework. We are ensuring that it is technology-neutral, flexible and strong enough to meet emerging risks. There's one final point I want to emphasise. This is not about slowing innovation; it's about creating confidence for innovation to thrive.”
“Some have asked whether this bill imposes new costs on business. The answer is that compliance costs are minimal. The bill is estimated to have nil financial impact on the budget and minimal compliance costs. It largely brings existing practices into the formal regulatory framework. What it delivers in return—certainty, consistency and trust—is well worth it. This bill also reflects international best practice. Other advanced economies are modernising their payments systems laws. We cannot afford to fall behind. If Australia wants to remain a leader in safe, efficient and innovative payments, our laws must keep pace. This bill also builds in safeguards. Ministerial powers are not unchecked. Before designating a system in the national interest, the minister must consult with the Reserve Bank and relevant regulators.”
“Whether you are paying through a debit card, a buy-now pay-later app or a digital wallet, you should know the system is regulated, fair and safe. You should not have to worry that gaps in the law leave you unprotected. For small businesses, this is about confidence. Many small shops rely heavily on digital payments. They deserve clarity and consistency in the rules and assurance that competition will be protected. The updated framework also ensures that small businesses benefit from clear access regimes, meaning they are not unfairly blocked from participating in major payments systems. For the broader economy, this is about resilience. Payments are the plumbing of commerce. If they fail, or if trust in them is undermined, the economy suffers. By updating the framework, we reduce risks before they turn to crises.”
“And it raises maximum penalties to reflect the seriousness of noncompliance. A company that ignores a regulator's direction should face meaningful consequences. For context, under the old regime, failure to comply with a direction attracted 50 penalty units. Under this bill, the maximum penalty doubles to 100 units per day of noncompliance—500 units for corporations. That sends a clear signal that regulators mean what they say and that compliance is not optional. Civil penalties also bring it into line with other areas of financial regulation, such as corporate law and consumer protection. They reduce reliance on criminal prosecutions, which are costly and time consuming, and instead allow proportionate responses to breaches. For consumers, this is about trust.”
“That balance protects regulatory independence while allowing timely government intervention when the national interest is at stake. The third thing that this bill does is it modernises enforcement and penalties. A regulatory framework is only as strong as its enforcement tools. The current penalty regime in the act is outdated. Maximum penalties are too low. The only enforcement route is through criminal proceedings, which are heavy handed and slow. This bill creates a civil penalty framework alongside criminal offences. That gives regulators a more flexible set of tools—civil penalties for routine breaches; criminal penalties for the most serious misconduct. It also allows enforceable undertakings so regulators can secure binding commitments from participants without resorting to court every time.”
“That ensures flexibility, speed and expertise. This is an important change. It recognises that payments are no longer just financial plumbing issues; they cut across competition law, prudential stability, consumer rights and anti-money-laundering frameworks. By nominating the right regulator for the right issue, government avoids duplication and ensures effective oversight. As someone who used to work for the prudential regulator, I can wholeheartedly put my faith in the professionalism of our prudential and financial regulatory landscape. This bill also requires the minister to consult with the Reserve Bank and other regulators before exercising these powers, and ministerial directions must be system-wide, not targeted at individual companies.”
“The payments system review recommended giving government a broader role, and this bill does exactly that. It gives the minister the power to designate a payment system if, and only if, it's in the national interest. That is important because payments issues today are not confined to financial stability. They touch on cybersecurity, data integrity, consumer protection and even national security. For example, the spread of digital wallets raises privacy questions, and the rise of foreign backed stablecoins can create sovereignty questions. In such cases, it is appropriate for government to be able to act directly, not just rely on the Reserve Bank's limited remit. The bill also allows the minister to nominate specialist regulators. Depending on the circumstances, ASIC, APRA, the ACCC or AUSTRAC might be the right regulator to act.”
“It matters because, today, your payment might involve five or six different actors before it reaches its final destination. Without clear definitions, regulators cannot capture the whole chain, which creates blind spots. Those blind spots are where risks accumulate—risks like unfair fees, misuse of consumer data or instability in new digital assets. By updating definitions, this bill ensures that new technologies are captured from the outset, rather than after problems arise. It makes our framework resilient, not reactive. The second thing that this bill does is strengthen accountability and flexibility. Under the old act, only the Reserve Bank could designate a payment system and only on public interest grounds. That was a narrow test. It did not allow action on issues that fall outside financial stability or competition.”
“It ensures that a system falls within the regulatory net whichever way it makes payments possible—whether through traditional currency, stablecoins or other digital units of value. The bill also updates the definition of 'participant'. Right now, the law is limited to formal members of a designated system, but many entities play a critical role without being formal members. Think of things like Apple Pay, Google Wallet or buy-now pay-later providers. The new definition captures the full value chain of entities that facilitate or enable payment. This is not about regulating retailers or everyday merchants who sell goods and services. It's about ensuring that those who operate or enable payment systems are accountable under the law. Why does this matter?”
“This bill, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Payments System Modernisation) Bill 2025, tackles those risks. It brings the law into line with how Australians live, trade and pay in 2025. There are three pillars to this bill. The first thing that this bill does is update definitions. The current definition of 'payment system' is too narrow. It only focuses on the circulation of money in a funds transfer system, and that leaves major gaps. It does not clearly capture digital wallets, closed-loop systems like American Express or the growing number of services that facilitate payments in new ways. This bill replaces that outdated definition with a modern, technology-neutral one.”
“They asked, 'Haven't you heard of a card?' It was just ridiculous that these young people would be paying with cash. Even at that time I thought that was fairly reasonable; I still used cash. But, for young people now, it's such a different economy to what we used to have. The way that money moves in our economy has changed dramatically, but the laws that underpin these movements have not kept pace. The Payment System (Regulation) Act dates back to 1998. At the time it was written, smartphones did not exist, digital wallets were unheard of, cryptocurrencies were decades away and even contactless cards were still in the future. This act served us well for its time, but it is now out of step with reality. That lack of synchronicity creates risk for consumers, for small businesses and for the economy as a whole.”
“(): Payments are something that Australians are engaging with in everyday life, sometimes dozens of times a week. These days, that looks like tapping cards for groceries, paying bills online, splitting meals through apps and subscribing to services that debit our account each month. These payment methods were unthinkable decades ago. For younger Australians, buy-now pay-later platforms are a part of everyday life. For many small businesses, digital wallets are now as common as cash registers once were. I remember when, about 10 years ago, I was working at Woolworths Jannali on the cash register and there was a bunch of young teenagers that came through. One of them wanted to pay with cash, and all of his friends were teasing him because he was paying with cash.”
“The students danced to 'Who Let the Frogs Out', which I have not yet been able to get out of my head. They performed with the school bands, and they participated in resilience activities, where the students shared what they were grateful for, which included everything from their family and their friends to McDonald's. It was beautiful to see so many of the children able to ignite their potential with the support of dedicated teachers and families. The day allowed visitors to learn more about the incredible opportunities offered to students by the school, both directly and through the digital QR trail. I want to acknowledge and thank principal Ms Newell-Courtney, the staff and the parents and families for all their efforts in putting together such a strong and impressive program. Thank you so much to all our public schoolteachers.”
“I also want to thank Rita Pearce, Pat Pillai and my dear friend Mary Hayman for the countless hours of hard work and passion that they put into ensuring that this project was a success and to congratulate them on the incredible work that these efforts have produced. Well done. As someone from a family of teachers, I know how much amazing work our public schoolteachers do to help our young people reach their full potential. That's why I was so excited to attend Loftus Public School's Public Education Week open day. I was absolutely in awe of the presentations of the students. This year's theme was 'Ignite your potential'. It was a terrific opportunity to see the children across the school come together and highlight their achievements. The assembly showcase demonstrated the talent and the confidence of the students.”
“Hand-stitched donated items were combined to create soft sculptural installations, transforming complex internal systems into approachable, playful and evocative artworks. All of this is to raise awareness of the importance of gut health to mental health and wellbeing and to promote community connection. I want to acknowledge the contributions of Professor Georgina Hols and the Microbiome Research Centre for bringing the most cutting-edge understanding of the research that has gone into the microbiome to the project, which is now helping those of us outside of the field to better understand it.”
“Science plays such an important role in our modern world, but it's not an area everyone feels confident to speak about or to explore their curiosity for. That's why I was so proud to open the Gut Feelings exhibition during Science Week at Sutherland Shire's Hazelhurst Arts Centre. Gut Feelings is a community art project supported by the Australian government through Inspiring Australia. It has brought together science and art to explore the connection between the gut, the brain and the trillions of microbes within us that make up our gut microbiome. It does this through a unique medium: knitting and fibre arts. Knitting and fibre arts offer a familiar, accessible way for people to engage with science and feel part of something larger.”
“by leave—I present a corrigendum to the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services of the 47th Parliament, entitled Wholesale investor and wholesale client tests .”
“On this side of the House, we believe in strengthening our health system. This bill cuts the price of medicines and increases their availability to vulnerable Australians. It eases the squeeze on households and reflects the Australian value that your income should not be the primary determinant of the health treatment that you receive. This government is one that cares about all Australians—about their health and about their financial wellbeing—and that is reflected in this bill. I thank the House.”
“The work that pharmacies do is much more than just as a retailer for medicines. Pharmacists like Ahmad, who runs the local pharmacy in Macquarie Fields, do so much work behind the scenes to keep our community healthy, connected and functioning. I went to see firsthand the work that Ahmad is doing in my community with the member for Dobell, the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health. It was so apparent how much our cheaper medicines policies are helping our pharmacists keep our community healthy. When medicines are cheaper, people fill their scripts on time. They take appropriate doses as they are prescribed. The medicines work as they are designed to. They reduce rates of serious illness. That keeps pressure off our GPs and off our hospitals.”
“This bill means hundreds of dollars saved each year for households with multiple prescriptions. That is money that goes back to food, bills, school shoes and electricity. That is money making a meaningful difference. In making medicines cheaper in a tangible way, we're helping with cost of living, but it's not just good for the wallets of residents in my community; it's good for their health too. Someone with asthma who needs a preventer, a person managing high blood pressure or a family with diabetes—their scripts are not optional; they are essential. By cutting the costs, we help them stick to their treatment, stay healthier and avoid bigger health problems down the track. The cost of untreated illness is far greater. It shows up in emergency wards, in longer hospital stays, in lost work and in families under stress.”
“That's money back in the pockets of residents like those in Wattle Grove and money they're not seeing added to the weekly bill just to fill prescriptions. Now we're going further. We're reducing the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme general patient co-payment from $31.60 to $25 from 1 January next year, delivering on the Albanese government's election commitment. That's a more than 20 per cent cut in the maximum cost of PBS medicines, which will save Australians over $200 million each year. Four out of five PBS medicines will become cheaper because of our government's $689 million investment. Pensioners and concession card holders will continue to benefit from the freeze to the cost of their PBS medicines, with the cost frozen at its current level of $7.70 until 2030.”
“This government delivered the largest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS, with the maximum cost of a general script falling to $30 from $42.50. It also provided more free and cheaper medicines sooner, with a 25 per cent reduction in the number of scripts a concessional patient must fill before the PBS safety net kicks in. This government introduced 60-day prescriptions, saving time and money for millions of Australians with ongoing health conditions and in January 2025 this government froze the cost of PBS medicines, with co-payments not rising with inflation for all Australians for the first time in 25 years. Our cheaper medicines policy has already saved Australians $1.5 billion. In my electorate of Hughes, the savings from cheaper medicines have reached nearly $7.4 million as of July 2025.”
“If you'd handed me $25 in 2004 I would have taken it straight to the Bosco primary tuckshop and bought 25 Paddle Pops—not all of them chocolate; maybe even a banana one. No-one today would believe that Paddle Pops cost only a dollar each. It was, indeed, a dark day in Australian history when Paddle Pops went up to $1.10. Paddle Pops aren't the only things that have gone up in price over the last two decades. Medicines have risen significantly too. Before the election, I doorknocked a lot of houses in Wattle Grove and told them what the Albanese Labor government had done to make medicines cheaper and its plans to make those cheaper medicines even cheaper. Now we are delivering on those plans and building on what this government achieved in the last term.”
“Many older Australians won't have to stretch out doses to make their prescription last longer. There will be fewer Australians with chronic conditions waiting weeks before filling a script because they simply cannot afford it. These are choices that no Australian should have to be making in a modern economy like ours, and under this measure they won't have to. We have one of the best health systems in the world, but it will only remain strong if we take the required steps to protect it. Strengthening our healthcare system is exactly what the Albanese Labor government was elected to do. This bill cuts the maximum cost of a PBS script for general patients from $31.60 to $25. Those are real savings on the pharmacy bill every month for five million Australians. The last time a script cost $25 was in 2004.”
“Looking after each other is a key part of what it means to be Australian. It's why Australians are so proud of Medicare, it's why Australians are so proud of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and it's why I am so proud to support the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025. Being able to afford medicines that keep us healthy and well is not something that only the wealthy should be able to afford. When I'm out in my community talking to the hardworking families of southern Sydney, the cost-of-living pressures associated with health care are raised with me all the time. That's why the Albanese Labor government is delivering this key cost-of-living measure. It will mean that a lot of parents won't have to skip filling their own scripts so that they can afford medicine for their kids.”
“Younger householders and struggling families in higher-cost suburbs like Menai, Engadine, Moorebank and Wattle Grove will benefit from this faster— (Time expired)”
“That's why I am so proud that we're delivering five per cent deposits for first home buyers. From 1 October 2025, every first home buyer will only need a five per cent deposit. That will cut years off the time it takes to save for a deposit, helping young people into their first home sooner. Our five per cent deposit scheme lowers barriers to getting into homeownership by reducing deposit timelines and cutting around $23,000 to $34,000 in mortgage insurance costs, allowing more people in my community to enter the housing market faster. Under this model, a first home buyer can buy a medium home priced at $844,000 with a deposit of just $42,000, shaving eight years off the time it takes to save for a deposit and cutting up to $34,000 in lenders mortgage insurance.”
“Housing affordability is one of the most pressing challenges for my community and for my generation. It's a challenge that those opposite didn't want to face during their nine years in government. They spent nine years squandering opportunities to deliver meaningful opportunities for those struggling to afford housing. They took it so unseriously they didn't even appoint a housing minister for most of that time. Young people who grow up in Hughes do not like to leave it. Why would they want to? But the unaffordability of the housing market means that they have to move away from their support systems, their friends and their connections. The Albanese Labor government were elected to take real action on housing, and that's what we're doing. Saving for a home is challenging for young people, especially early in their career.”
“As part of their commitment to the community, they donated a total of $50,000 to five incredible local organisations: the Formal Project, Lifeline Macarthur, the Top Blokes Foundation, the Rotary Club of Ingleburn and the Campbelltown Domestic Violence Committee. Each received $10,000 to continue their vital work within our community, and I know that that money will make a real difference to the lives of those that are helped by those fantastic organisations. Congratulations to Glenn and the team from Ingleburn RSL for reaching this fantastic milestone and, more importantly, for the 50 years of giving back to the community. Here's to the next 50 years of Ingleburn RSL.”
“The CEO, Glenn Cushion, and the board of directors welcomed life members, sub-branch executive and members, 50-year members and guests, including the mayor of Campbelltown, Councillor Darcy Lound, to attend this memorable event celebrating this fantastic milestone. I want to thank Glenn, the board and Councillor Lound for some great stories on the history of the area and the club's positive impact on the community. One of those stories that stood out to me was that the Chester Road location was opened by the local member at the time, a young man by the name of Gough Whitlam, who also happened to be the Prime Minister. But this wasn't just in time for self-congratulations from the club. Like the community that they are, the club used this milestone to give back.”
“They built a miniature tram stop, including a ticket station and a 'next tram' display. I know that the kids of the shire will be enjoying this fun piece of equipment for decades to come. I'm so happy that they'll have this link to the heritage of the area as they grow with the community. Thank you to our mayor, Councillor Jack Boyd, the D Ward councillors, especially Diedree Steinwall and Peter Tsambalas, and the staff of the Sutherland Shire Council for all your work on this project, and thanks again to Minister McBain and the Albanese Labor government for delivering for the people of Sutherland. In June, I was lucky enough to attend an event for the Ingleburn RSL, which has been a stalwart of the community for generations. Recently, it celebrated 50 years at its Chester Road location.”
“What I love most about Waratah Park, apart from the inclusive nature of its all-abilities status, is the incorporation of the local elements—things like the native waratah flower and the Sutherland-Cronulla steam tramline which has been incorporated into the equipment at the park. At the opening, it was great to see the children passing through this icon of New South Wales, the waratah, our state floral emblem. As a bit of a public transport nerd, I love that part of our local transport history is being recognised with the Sutherland-Cronulla tramline being reflected in it. I want to thank the Sydney Tramway Museum, just across the road from the new park, for their additions to the park, including real artefacts from the tram heritage of Sydney. I also want to thank the Menai Men's Shed for their contribution to the park.”
“It's just another example of how the Albanese Labor government is delivering for the Hughes community and delivering much-needed infrastructure right across the country. I want to thank Minister McBain for her commitment to the program, which is making a real difference in my community. The Waratah Park followed the highly successful all-abilities playground at Cooper Street, Engadine, which opened just over a year ago. I drive past that park quite regularly and I've rarely seen it empty. It has been great to see the success and popularity of this inclusive facility, with families with all abilities enjoying it. That success has been replicated at the Waratah Park since its opening.”
“In July, I was really excited to be able to attend the opening of the Waratah Park upgrade on behalf of Minister Kristy McBain. The park is another fantastic facility for families in the Sutherland Shire. It's a park that reflects the unique history of our area, and it is going to provide many benefits to our community's children and the next generation for many years to come. The Sutherland community has advocated for a long time for increased access to playgrounds, especially ones that reflect the diverse needs of our growing community, and there was a real joy in the community as this government has been able to deliver for them, thanks to $1.2 million in funding from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program that went towards Waratah Park playground through Sutherland Shire Council.”
“Project Youth have had an office in Menai, in the heart of Hughes, since 2002, and in 2014 they started Cafe Y, later called Cafe Social, which served as a hospitality training hub for vulnerable youth. The community was so sad to see this service come to an end a few weeks ago, but I want to pay tribute to the impact that it had over its 11 years. Three hundred and forty-eight people were directly supported through trauma informed wraparound employment services that produced job-ready candidates. The work of Project Youth does continue, even though Cafe Social has finished, and it's across those three teams that it continues to play a vital role in giving young people the support that they need to fulfil their potential. I want to thank Project Youth for the incredible work that they continue to do.”
“All young people in our community have a lot of pressures with which they need to deal, but these pressures are compounded when there are other disadvantages that young people face. That's why I'm so proud of the work that Project Youth do in my community. They offer programs that provide support for young people aged 12 to 24 across southern Sydney facing a range of disadvantages, including homelessness, mental ill health, drug and alcohol dependency and unemployment. These are programs that enable young people to be connected, safe, achieving and healthy. They're qualities that all young people should be able to reach. Project Youth have been doing incredible work in my community for decades. They began with just three staff members in 1993, and now they run 22 programs across three teams.”
“My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to address the generational housing challenges facing Australians, and how will it progress this work in a second term?”
“The enormous honour of serving in this role is not lost on me. It's something I will never take for granted. I'm not entitled to serve in this role. I know that I have to earn it every day. I am here to ensure that this community is not overlooked, and I intend to fulfil that purpose. Sport is a big part of life in Hughes, and politics is a lot like sport. You have your team that you follow through thick and thin. You have thumping victories and razor-thin losses. But, while democracy can feel like a spectator sport, it isn't. A democracy cannot function without active engagement and participation from elected representatives, not just at the ballot box and not just during campaign season. Our democracy thrives only when people step off the sidelines, and that is what I'll fight for every day in this place.”
“I want to thank the union movement, notably Unions NSW; Julia Angrisano of the FSU, my former union; Graeme Kelly and the USU, my current union; and Michael Caine of the TWU for their help during the campaign. Julia, I don't know what we would have done without you. You're a superstar. I also want to thank New South Wales Labor, including Dom Ofner, David Dobson and Callum Bain for your enormous help in preparing me and my office for this place. And, of course, I want to thank my family for your incredible support. I could not be here without you. As many have stated, this path takes a huge toll on families, and, yes, I don't think it's something that you've ever wanted to be involved with, but I'm very grateful for it. Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank the people of Hughes for placing their trust in me.”
“I also want to acknowledge my predecessors in this place representing the north-eastern corner of the Macarthur region, the member for Werriwa and the member for Macarthur. I have big shoes to fill. I am very grateful to you both for your ongoing advice and counsel. I also want to thank the Hon. Anoulack Chanthivong, the state member for Macquarie Fields and New South Wales minister, for all that you did in assisting me to reach the community that you have served during your time in public life. I also want to thank the Sutherland District Trade Union Club, the spiritual home of shire Labor for generations. I want to thank Senator Tony Sheldon and Senator Jenny McAllister, who both took the time to visit my campaign, and I want to thank Minister Tanya Plibersek for visiting my campaign as well.”
“Finally, Anthony Duff was the first person who believed that I could do this. I'll never forget that, at the first suggestion of me running, he offered to do whatever it took to help, and he delivered. From booth kits and corflutes to calling volunteers and giving advice on every stray thought that came into my head, he did it all. I am so grateful to Anthony. I also want to acknowledge my predecessor as member for Hughes, Ms Jenny Ware. Ms Ware brought dignity to the office of Member for Hughes after a tumultuous period for representation in our community. I want to recognise the sincerity with which she approached her role and thank her for the sacrifices that she made in putting up her hand for it. I wish her and her family all the very best.”
“Diedree Steinwall sustained the Labor brand in Hughes during its darkest days and won her ward for the first of three times during a period when it was widely thought impossible, and Maryanne Stuart took back Heathcote and showed us that modern Labor could succeed in the Sutherland Shire when we engage and when we follow through. There are so many hardworking Labor members and volunteers without whom I could not have made it here. I won't have time to name them all, but there are three I would like to call out. Stuart Munn's enthusiasm and energy knew no bounds and did so much to sustain mine. Greg Poulter put so many hours of effort into making our campaign succeed. I'm not entirely sure when Greg slept during the campaign, but I am so grateful for all of the work that he did to bring us home.”
“Our country can never be complete for as long as we fail to come to terms with our past, and we must work to remedy injustices that are ongoing. My team and I worked hard to win this seat, but we stood on the shoulders of giants. The success of my campaign was built upon the hard work of others who kept the flame alive during the wilderness years for Hughes. The former member for Miranda Barry Collier and the late former member for Menai Alison Megarrity—thank you for setting the benchmark for effective local engagement in this community. Along with former shire deputy mayor Dawn Emmerson, Barry Collier set a high standard on doorknocking, to which I hope to live up.”
“I want to honour those who put their hands up to serve this country in our defence forces. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide made it clear that we still have significant work to do in improving the support we provide to our veterans. I'm proud that our government has accepted the overwhelming majority of its recommendations and I look forward to working on their implementation and continuing to advocate for better outcomes for those who have served. We also must reckon honestly with our past and continue the work of building a more just and reconciled nation. I hope to continue in the tradition of my predecessors Les Johnson and Robert Tickner in this place of First Nations justice and advancing the cause of reconciliation.”
“I have been an active participant in the Labor Environment Action Network and I will continue to advocate for our national environment in this place. I'm also the only member of this place who represents an electorate with a nuclear reactor, with the Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation's Sydney facilities located in Lucas Heights. ANSTO produces around 85 per cent of Australia's nuclear medicine, and one in two Australians will require nuclear medicine at some point in their lives. We are fortunate enough to have this world-class institution contributing to both our understanding of science and the strength of our health system. My electorate also includes the Holsworthy Barracks, one of the Army's major defence presences in New South Wales.”