Gabriel Ng
Menzies · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Labor stands for equality of opportunity, and at the heart of equality of opportunity is accessible, universal health care. That's why, from 1 July, we'll deliver over $25 billion in additional funding for public hospitals over five years, including $5.8 billion in Victoria alone for places like Box Hill Hospital, which do so much to supp…”
“Since we cut the maximum cost of PBS medicines to $25—and $7.70 for concession card holders—members of our community have saved over $600,000 at the pharmacy counter. Some of these medicines would have cost patients tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs.”
“Happy financial New Year Eve, as everyone says. Every single day, the Albanese Labor government is focused on making things better for hardworking Australians in my community, in Menzies, and right across the country.”
“From tomorrow, the $20,000 instant asset write-off becomes permanent, helping small businesses right across the country with their cash flow. From tomorrow, paid parental leave reaches a full 26 weeks—six months of support for new parents to be shared amongst them, as they see fit.”
“A couple of weeks ago, I joined the Bulleen-Templestowe Basketball Club at their Big Freeze at the B to raise funds to fight MND. Coaches, clubs, volunteers and, yes, even their local federal MP put their hands up for the ice bucket challenge.”
“The good news is that survival rates have dramatically improved, with over 80 per cent of children surviving with treatment. That progress is a direct result of research, funding and the dedication of clinicians and scientists.”
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“My question is to the Minister for Communications. How is the Albanese Labor government working to strengthen Australia's world-leading social media laws to protect young Australians from online harm, and what is standing in the way?”
“Since we cut the maximum cost of PBS medicines to $25—and $7.70 for concession card holders—members of our community have saved over $600,000 at the pharmacy counter. Some of these medicines would have cost patients tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. Now, they're the same cost they were in 2004, when Shannon Noll's 'What About Me' was at the top of the charts. I'd like to acknowledge our hardworking emergency doctors, nurses, GPs, pharmacists and every single health professional across Menzies and across the country. Better funded hospitals, more bulk-billing, cheaper medicines and urgent care clinics—that's what the Albanese Labor government promised and that's what we're delivering.”
“Labor stands for equality of opportunity, and at the heart of equality of opportunity is accessible, universal health care. That's why, from 1 July, we'll deliver over $25 billion in additional funding for public hospitals over five years, including $5.8 billion in Victoria alone for places like Box Hill Hospital, which do so much to support members of my community in Menzies when they need it most. At the last election, we promised we'd get bulk-billing rates up, and that's exactly what we've done. In Menzies, we now have 29 bulk-billing practices, up from 19 since just last year. Since 1 July, 10 new medicines have been added to the PBS, including treatments for five different cancers along with new listings for severe asthma, autoimmune disorders and growth hormone deficiency.”
“From tomorrow, the $20,000 instant asset write-off becomes permanent, helping small businesses right across the country with their cash flow. From tomorrow, paid parental leave reaches a full 26 weeks—six months of support for new parents to be shared amongst them, as they see fit. And from tomorrow we're banning supermarket price gouging, ensuring the duopoly doesn't rip off hardworking Australians at the checkout. Only the Labor government has a positive vision for Australia: an economy that works for people and not the other way around. That means higher wages, combined tax cuts of over $2,800, protecting people from price gouging and support for families.”
“Happy financial New Year Eve, as everyone says. Every single day, the Albanese Labor government is focused on making things better for hardworking Australians in my community, in Menzies, and right across the country. From tomorrow, we're giving every worker a tax cut, reducing the lowest tax rate and putting more money back in people's pockets every single pay day. From tomorrow, those on the minimum wage will receive a six per cent pay rise, taking their pay to $1,000 a week for the first time. And some of our lowest paid workers, those on award wages, people working in essential services like aged care and child care, will receive a 4.75 per cent, much deserved pay rise. From tomorrow, payday superannuation begins, giving workers more certainty and more chance to accrue retirement savings.”
“It was wonderful to visit La Trobe University's Science of Language and Reading, or SOLAR, Lab recently with the Minister for Education, Jason Clare; the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Ged Kearney; and some of our Victorian state colleagues. The SOLAR Lab provides the opportunity for researchers and teaching students to observe and learn the latest in educational innovation. We got the opportunity to watch one of the outstanding teachers from Templestowe Heights applying these techniques in practice. The real stars, though, were the Templestowe Heights students, who were doing an amazing job applying their learning by reading passages from Hatchet , a book so old that even I studied it at school.”
“The good news is that survival rates have dramatically improved, with over 80 per cent of children surviving with treatment. That progress is a direct result of research, funding and the dedication of clinicians and scientists. This is why it was important to join the fun run, as every dollar raised went to the Cancer in Kids Auxiliary at the Royal Children's Hospital, who are transforming how we understand and treat childhood cancer. Thanks to everyone who took part, particularly to President Wendy Yang and the Box Hill Silk Road Lions Club, for raising over $8,000. Every dollar brings us one step closer to a future where no family has to face childhood cancer without hope. Templestowe Heights Primary School is one of our fantastic schools in Menzies that are leading the way in evidence based teaching.”
“This year's event was the perfect opportunity to honour Neale's legacy of courage, selflessness and hope. Congratulations to the club for raising over $4,200 for such an important cause. The Box Hill Silk Road Lions Club is a fantastic community organisation in Menzies that brings together the Asian Australian community across Box Hill and eastern Melbourne to do real-world good. It was wonderful to join them at the Gardiners Creek Reserve for their five-kilometre fun run alongside 300 other participants, including those from the Box Hill Hawks and the Melbourne Loong Football Club, who came out on a chilly morning for a very worthy cause. Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death amongst children in Australia—a confronting fact, especially for those of us who are parents.”
“A couple of weeks ago, I joined the Bulleen-Templestowe Basketball Club at their Big Freeze at the B to raise funds to fight MND. Coaches, clubs, volunteers and, yes, even their local federal MP put their hands up for the ice bucket challenge. I give a big thankyou to David, Stav and Mitch, who obviously enjoyed tipping an especially big bucket of ice water on me, as well as to all the volunteers for organising this amazing event again this year and cooking up a delicious spaghetti dinner to help us warm up afterwards and keep the young players fed. I also got a chance to meet the young women's team and see how badly needed our federal government investment of $3.5 million is for building female-friendly change rooms. The Big Freeze at the B came only a few weeks after the passing of the great Neale Daniher.”
“The message was the same: 'Back us in, cut our costs, support us to keep serving our customers and the community.' This tax reform package delivers exactly that. We are extending the 50 per cent active asset CGT reduction to businesses with a turnover of up to $10 million. We are making the $20,000 instant asset write-off permanent, delivering $890 million in cash-flow support and saving small businesses 366,000 hours in record keeping. We are delivering a permanent two-year loss carry back so businesses can return to profitability faster. Those opposite had every chance to deliver reforms like these, and they chose not to. For the businesses in Box Hill, Doncaster, Templestowe and Donvale, this is a government that has their backs.”
“There are over 22,000 small businesses in Menzies. They are the tradie in Doncaster who built his business from the back of a ute, the family running the restaurant in Box Hill that has fed the community for decades, the accountant in Templestowe who has set up her own practice and the pharmacist in Donvale who provides health care to the community. They take risks. They back themselves. They employ our neighbours, and they anchor our local communities. On budget night, the Treasurer said that we would consult with small businesses and startups, and that's exactly what we've done. I reached out to my community and hosted a small business roundtable, and I heard from business owners from right across my community.”
“A particularly moving piece spoke about the hardworking migrants who came to Australia, who celebrate their culture and who pass on traditions to the next generation. I particularly want to thank the club's committee for their extraordinary generosity in awarding me an honorary membership to the club. I look forward to continuing to support them to ensure the club remains a strong and vibrant centre of our community for years to come. Thank you again to Louis, Frank and all the committee members for a wonderful evening full of music, food and dancing. Grazie.”
“Buona sera, Deputy Speaker Swanson. The Veneto Club has been an institution in my community of Bulleen for over 50 years. It's a hub not just for people from the Veneto region of Italy and our local Italian community but for the wider community, who come for the delicious, authentic food; the wonderful company; and the rich culture. It's home to the FC Bulleen Lions, a salami festa, the men's shed and so many other community activities. It was a pleasure to join the Veneto Club at their 2026 President's Dinner last Friday evening at the invitation of President Louis Crema. The Sala Venezia room was full of locals and people who had come from across Melbourne to celebrate another successful year. A particular shout-out goes to the Veneto Club Choir, who had the whole room singing along to some classic Italian songs—bravissimo!”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering real, lasting cost-of-living relief for Australians while helping with the aspiration of homeownership? What other approaches is the government being asked to consider?”
“Let me be clear about what this means. It means keeping distortions that have priced a generation out of the housing market. It means protecting a system that delivered 400 per cent growth in housing unaffordability. That's not a plan; that's a promise to protect a broken status quo. My dad came here with nothing. My mum worked hard. They didn't have intergenerational wealth, but they were able to buy their first home. That should be possible for all Australians, including the young people in my community today. This government is making sure that that remains the case, and I commend this bill to the House.”
“From 1 July 2027, the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount will be replaced by cost base indexation so investors pay tax only on real gains above inflation, bringing the capital gains tax discount back to its original purpose. Key protections remain. Age pension and income support recipients are exempt from the minimum tax. The four existing small-business CGT concessions are fully retained. Investors in new builds can choose either the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount or the new indexation arrangements. Treasury estimates these reforms will support, as I said, 75,000 additional first home buyers. This legislation, as I said, is built on a simple principle: a tax system should work in the interests of hardworking Australians, not just those who have already accrued wealth. Those opposite have pledged to repeal this entire package.”
“So, from 1 July 2027, negative gearing for residential properties will be limited to new builds, because we want to encourage housing supply. We know that that is a big part of the picture of housing affordability, and that is our focus. But these measures are also an important part of ensuring that people can afford to buy their first home. Losses on existing investment properties purchased after budget night will only be deductible against residential property income. Very importantly, those who already hold investment properties and have signed contracts will be fully grandfathered. We know that people have planned for their retirements with their investment properties, and that's something that we'll be honouring. Existing arrangements do not change.”
“This is a government that is consistently, year after year, putting money back into the pockets of working Australians. We've cut taxes five times in five different ways. Schedules 1 and 2 of the reforms go to the heart of why so many Australians feel locked out. House prices have risen 400 per cent over the last two decades. Just 44 per cent of Australians aged 25 to 34 now own a home. The current settings have actively fuelled inequality. The 50 per cent capital gains tax discount introduced by Howard and Costello in 1999, together with negative gearing, dramatically incentivised investment in established housing. Combined with unconstrained negative gearing, it created a system that rewards property investors at the expense of first home buyers.”
“The ATO estimates this measure will save $380 million in compliance costs every year, so it's an efficiency measure. Schedule 3 of the bill introduces the working Australians tax offset, a $250 annual tax cut for every Australian who earns income from work, starting from the 2027-28 financial year. That's permanent structural improvement to the tax system. It will benefit 13.3 million Australians. Millennials and gen Z are expected to make up around two- thirds of the beneficiaries. The offset increases the effective tax-free threshold for workers by $1,785 to $19,985, or up to $24,985 for those also eligible for the low-income tax offset. Combined with our previous rounds of tax cuts and the instant tax deduction, the average Australian worker will be over $2,800 better off by 2028.”
“I'll start with the $1,000 instant tax deduction. From 1 July 2026, workers will be able to claim a $1,000 instant deduction on work related expenses without needing to keep receipts. The member for Warringah was talking about simplifying the tax system, and that does exactly that for people who are on low and middle incomes. Think about what this means for a nurse at Box Hill Hospital keeping track of uniform costs or a tradie in Warrandyte holding onto fuel receipts. There's no paperwork. From 2026-27 around 6.2 million workers are expected to benefit from this measure, with an average tax saving of $205. More than half of those workers will be women. More than three-quarters will earn under $100,000 a year. This, as I said, is simplifying the tax system. It saves time and it puts money back in the pockets of working Australians.”
“These bills implement four key parts of the government's 2026-27 budget tax reforms: first, a $1,000 instant tax deduction for work related expenses, effective from this financial year; second, the working Australians tax offset, a new $250 annual tax cut for over 13 million workers from July 2027; third, reforms to capital gains tax, replacing the 50 per cent discount with cost base indexation and a 30 per cent minimum tax; and, fourth, limits on negative gearing of residential properties to new builds. Together, these reforms will reduce the tax burden for over 13 million workers, support 75,000 more Australians into homeownership over the next decade, deliver $3.5 billion in new business tax measures and cut compliance costs by $540 million a year. By 2028 the average Australian worker will be over $2,800 better off.”
“The system has made it easier for people to buy their fifth investment property than their first home. That is not the Australia of a fair go for all, and it is not the Australia that the Labor government is prepared to accept. This budget we took on the challenge of restoring something that should never have been lost: the basic principle that if you work hard and if you aspire to own your own home, everybody can have the opportunity. That ambition should be rewarded. The next generation should have the same opportunities as the ones that came before. And that's why we're enacting the most significant tax reform in a quarter of a century. It is pro-worker, pro-aspiration and pro-investment.”
“These are communities built by people who believed that if you worked hard and played by the rules the system would give you a fair shot. But something has changed. The young people I speak to across Menzies are working just as hard as my parents did and as their parents did, yet many of them have said to me they don't believe they'll ever own their own home. We've stood up a youth advisory committee, and we speak to people at schools. We knock on people's doors. And young people will overwhelmingly say, with a kind of resigned laugh, 'I don't think I'll ever own my own home.' Many people of my generation and of younger generations have never been able to achieve that dream. House prices have gone from four times the average income to eight times that. Homeownership among Australians aged 25 to 34 has fallen by seven percentage points.”
“My mum was the first in her family to go to university. When we were growing up, she was a hospital worker. She'd go to her shifts in her bright blue uniform with bright blue mascara and a big perm. It was the eighties! While working, she studied a law degree, bringing me to lectures when I was a baby, and she became a lawyer. My parents worked hard and sacrificed and bought their first home in Doncaster East in the electorate that I'm now proud to represent. They built a life and gave me and my sister opportunities that they never had, and for that we are very grateful. That story is not unique to my family. It is the story of my community of Menzies. It's the story of hardworking people in Doncaster, Box Hill, Warrandyte and Templestowe and the other suburbs that it's my honour to represent here in this place.”
“I thank the member for Wentworth for her considered and measured contribution. I rise today to speak on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026 and the related Income Tax Rates Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Bill 2026. At the heart of these bills are two key principles: that workers should not carry the undue burden of the tax system and that everyone should be rewarded for their hard work and aspiration by having the opportunity to buy their own home. These go to the very Australian value and the very Labor value of a fair go for all. My dad migrated from Singapore to Australia in his 20s with nothing. He's worked as a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, first for Ansett Australia and then for Virgin Australia, for over 40 years now. He's supposed to be retired, but he still takes the occasional shift.”
“When 50 per cent capital gains tax discount was introduced in 1999, it distorted the housing market, and this budget fixes that.”
“They're going to be able to work on their home, to put down roots in the community, to plan for the future and plan for their families and to send their kids to local schools without thinking that they might have to move to another suburb if their landlord decides, 'No, I'm going to sell up' or 'I'm going to put a family member in the house.' It's really important that all Australians have the ability to aspire to homeownership, because it's an essential part of the social contract: that governments can promise people hope for the future and a secure future. Homeownership is an essential part of that. We've seen that there's growing wealth disparity in Australia. Again, the ability for people to own their own home is a really important part of addressing that.”
“That's not a trajectory that we want to allow to continue, just like we don't want to continue on the trajectory of decreasing home ownership rates. That's something that this budget addresses as well. We want all Australians to be rewarded for their hard work and their aspiration, with the opportunity to buy a home of their own. We want them to be able to have a level playing field when they go to an auction with property investors. We're already seeing stories of first home buyers being able to go to auctions and now not being outbid by property investors. First home owners can go and get a key for the first home that they're going to own and be able to put down roots.”
“This will mean that those families will have real cost-of-living relief. Those households will have real cost-of-living relief. We want a system where work is not taxed at a higher rate than wealth, where a nurse or a teacher or someone working in retail or hospitality—the hardworking people in our electorates—are not paying a higher rate of tax than somebody who's receiving income that's achieved through passive means in things like shares and property investment. This is part of the big reforming budget. We have structural issues within our economy. We have an ageing population, we have a shrinking workforce, and we want to make sure that those hardworking Australians can continue to get ahead. An increasing proportion of that tax burden is falling on working Australians.”
“It'll save people time. It'll also save public administration. It will provide real cost-of-living relief for people who need it most. We'll have the $250 working Australians tax offset, a permanent targeted tax cut that will benefit 13 million workers, and systemic change that will address bracket creep and will mean that the total amount of our tax cuts for the average worker will benefit them $2,800 in a year. That is going to make a real difference for households that we know are having a hard time, that we know are struggling with cost-of-living pressures thanks to things like international inflation pressures, the war in the Middle East—which those opposite often like to deny is having effects at the bowser and having flow-on effects throughout the supply chain.”
“We're also providing a tax cut at the end of this financial year in just a few weeks—again, a tax cut that was opposed by those opposite—and we'll provide a tax cut at the end of the next financial year. Thanks to this budget, we'll also have the $1,000 instant tax deduction. For those workers in our electorate, they won't have to collect piles of receipts in order to claim that deduction. We know that there's too much life admin for everybody, particularly for busy working families who've got kids to look after, who have to pay the bills, and who've got to run their kids around to school sport in between their busy jobs. They don't have time to collect all this paperwork, and so this instant tax deduction is especially going to benefit those hardworking taxpayers and hardworking families in the low- and middle-income bracket.”
“We welcome this MPI from the member for Goldstein and from those opposite to talk about tax, because we're the party of lower taxes. We took lower taxes to the last election. Those opposite opposed them and those opposite are going to oppose our tax cuts again this time. We're cutting income taxes five times. In the last term, our stage 3 tax cuts provided tax cuts for all Australians and, importantly, they preserved our progressive tax system against those opposite, who sought to flatten the tax system so that those on lower incomes and those on higher incomes were taxed at the same rate. Our stage 3 tax cuts particularly benefited low- and middle-income earners, those who need relief from cost-of-living pressures the most.”
“Our government has recently announced additional sanctions and travel bans, bringing the total to over 230 sanctions against individuals and entities linked with the regime and the IRGC. This is on top of expelling the Iranian ambassador and listing the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism. This is stronger action than any previous government has taken. To the Iranian people in my electorate: I want to thank you for your continued engagement, for your contribution to our community and for your strength and resilience at this incredibly difficult time. The Albanese government and I as your local member will continue to call out the actions of the Islamic Republic regime and will continue to stand with the brave people of Iran and with all Iranian Australians.”
“Such reductive language is not fitting for someone who seeks to lead this country. I know that Iran is a great country and a great civilisation with a great people and a terrible, oppressive, murderous government in the Islamic Republic regime. I know some people will be hoping for an end to the war in Iran, but I also know that many Iranian Australians do not want a return to the status quo. They will be hoping for change. I know that many people in my community have expressed strong support for Reza Pahlavi. I believe that Iran's political future should be determined by the Iranian people. I stand with all Iranians across society in their fight against oppression.”
“I'd also like to thank the Australian Iranian Society of Victoria for their ongoing engagement and for holding their Nowruz celebration at Victoria's Parliament House a couple of months ago to mark the new year and share the beauty of Persian culture through a tradition that is over 3,000 years old. Thank you to Afrooz, Kam, Houra and all those involved at AISOV for your tireless work and advocacy. I'm grateful to the Manningham Baha'i community for meeting to raise their concerns regarding the ongoing oppression of the people of their faith, particularly prisoners on death row being subject to torture and even mock executions. Another troubling discourse that our Iranian community have had to deal with is, unfortunately, the statement by the opposition leader suggesting Iran is a bad country.”
“I want to particularly thank the Iranian community in my local area, who have taken the time to meet with me and members of the government to help us better understand how we can support them. I'm incredibly grateful to House of Persia in Doncaster for bringing together community leaders and hosting the Minister for Home Affairs, as well as the member for Deakin and me, for important and honest conversations. Thank you to president Frank Parvizian and the entire committee at House of Persia for the work you do supporting our community. I want to acknowledge local business owner Shahrzad Shirkhanzadeh and Dr Minoo Ghamari for taking time to talk to me about their concerns and how the Australian government can better support Iranian Australians.”
“It is not only the last 12 months, though, that have been difficult but 47 years of trauma caused by the Islamic Republic regime. The communications blackout has lifted in recent days, which has allowed further reports to come out of the horrific actions of the regime both during the protests earlier this year and under the cover of the current conflict, where the regime has continued to carry out executions and arrests of those it deems dissidents. Local people have also expressed to me fears of supporters of the regime operating here in Australia. Small-business owners and their families in my electorate who have displayed the Lion and Sun flag have reported being targeted for violence and abuse. I want to assure those people that these concerns are treated incredibly seriously, and I will continue to raise them at the highest levels.”
“It is a great honour to represent the largest Iranian community in Australia in my electorate of Menzies. They are our business owners, colleagues, artists, volunteers and friends and our children's classmates, giving so much of themselves and their rich culture to our country. It has been a difficult year for our Iranian community. The conflict in the Middle East has caused further fear and uncertainty for loved ones and compatriots but also hope that the Islamic Republic regime in Iran may be weakening. This comes after the brutal crackdown against protesters by the regime earlier this year, which saw tens of thousands of Iranians killed and terrible human rights abuses—all of this amongst a communications blackout that heightened that fear and uncertainty.”
“We're backing 2.7 million small businesses—the engine room of my electorate in suburbs like Box Hill, Blackburn, Bulleen and Doncaster—with a $20,000 instant asset write-off. And we've done it responsibly, with $64 billion in savings, debt down and a budget $264 billion stronger than we inherited. And this morning came more good news. The Fair Work Commission handed nearly three million workers a pay rise of 4.75 per cent, with those on the minimum wage receiving an increase of six per cent. We backed a real pay rise above inflation, and it is here. We're committed to helping Australians every day and building for tomorrow.”
“We've delivered a budget that backs the hard work and aspiration of everyday Australians across the country and in my community of Menzies. We're cutting income taxes, putting over $2,800 a year back in the pocket of the average worker, a new $250 tax offset and a $1,000 instant deduction—real cost-of-living relief that will help people right now. We're delivering cheaper medicines. Urgent care clinics are here to stay. We're increasing bulk-billing. There were 19 bulk-billing clinics in my electorate at the end of last year; there are now 29. We're levelling the playing field for first home buyers so they aren't priced out by property investors. We know the status quo is broken. We don't want a generation locked out of homeownership. We want every Australian to have the opportunity to own their own home.”
“Our multicultural community is also reflected across these grants. The Asian Business Association of Whitehorse received $60,000 for the Bloom and Nourish wellbeing program, targeting social isolation. The Australian reading club received $70,000 for a year-long multicultural and intergenerational reading program. The Melbourne Hua Yu Home, the Melbourne Chinese opera, the Whitehorse Chinese Senior 'You Yi' Friendship Association, the Youth of Zhangzhou Association Victoria and the Seniors Happy Life Club each received grants to celebrate culture, reduce isolation and build belonging across our community. Health is a key focus in Melbourne's east, with Eastern Health receiving $75,000 for a First Nations health education hub. In business, the Whitehorse Business Group will receive $75,000 as well for a business forum and jobs expo.”
“The NYP Dragons Water Polo Club will receive over $13,000 to run a junior invitational series along the SRL corridor, getting children aged eight to 13 involved in sport, building friendships and connecting communities. For Tennis ATC in Mont Albert North, three grants totalling over $176,000 will resurface courts, upgrade lighting and renovate the clubrooms. In disability inclusion, Alkira Disability Services, who I was fortunate to visit recently, will receive over $75,000 to explore transforming their Thurston Street site into a purpose-designed community hub, co-designed with people with disabilities and with their families, and it will also receive over $31,000 for accessibility improvements at AlkiraBiz Cafe, where people with disabilities build hospitality skills and confidence.”
“I'm proud to acknowledge every organisation that has received funding through this program, because each grant tells a story about what our community is and what it can become. In sport, the Blackburn Bowls Club will receive $80,000 for a new synthetic playing surface. Box Hill Indoor Sports will receive $61,000 for multipurpose indoor courts. The Box Hill United Pythagoras Soccer Club will receive $59,000 for training equipment. Surrey Hills Cricket Club will receive over $39,000 to honour 136 years of history while preparing for the next generation. The Laburnum Cricket Club will receive over $43,000 for a digital scoreboard.”
“Box Hill will become a major part of the SRL hub—better connections, more economic opportunities, more choices in where people live and work. Education is particularly important for people in my electorate. We're lucky to have a lot of wonderful schools, our public schools are some of the best in Victoria, and SRL will mean that young people will be better able to access universities like Deakin and Monash in Clayton. That is what long-term planning looks like, and that is what delivery looks like for Melbourne's east. But infrastructure is only part of the picture, because, while we build the train lines, we'll also be building the social fabric, the organisations and the people that hold our community together. That is exactly what the SRL community grants program is doing.”
“Today, I want to speak about two things that are going to make a real difference for locals in my community of Menzies: the Albanese government's investment in the Suburban Rail Loop and the community grants. The Suburban Rail Loop East is one of the most significant infrastructure investments in Melbourne's history. It will fundamentally reshape how people move across our city, and make sure that people can get home sooner and with more options. It will connect communities that have long been underserviced by public transport. It will ease congestion, reduce emissions and create tens of thousands of jobs. The Albanese Labor government is investing an additional $3.8 billion towards the SRL East as part of the 2020 627 federal budget, bringing its total federal funding commitment to $6 billion.”
“I rise today to speak about how the Albanese government is delivering for my community of Menzies. Unfortunately, parts of my community have been taken for granted for too long because Menzies was a safe Liberal seat. This led to underinvestment in public transport and underinvestment in local community groups and businesses. Having grown up in the area, in Doncaster, and raised my family in Donvale, I understand this underinvestment all too well. Since having had the great privilege of being elected last year, I've spoken to so many community groups and people who've been calling out for better infrastructure and support for local services and projects. That's why I've been working hard every single day to deliver for the community that put me here.”
“A really common thing that they'll say is that they think that they'll never be able to own their own home. That's why we need to make sure that we're making these changes and addressing this growing wealth inequality and a generation that's locked out of housing. That's exactly what we're doing. Importantly, we're still allowing negative gearing to be made available for new homes, and that's because we know that we want to increase supply to increase affordability.”
“When I was doorknocking, I met some of those people—people in their 50s and 60s who were living at home with kids in their 20s, and they recognised that their children didn't have the opportunity to get into the housing market, and they were concerned as well that their children wouldn't be able to buy houses close to them and that they wouldn't be able to play a role in their grandchildren's future, should their children choose to have children themselves, because they would have to live so far away and so far out that they wouldn't be able to provide that care, and being able to live closer together in well-located homes in suburbs is such an important thing for families. That's a trajectory that we can't continue on. We also have a youth advisory council in my electorate. These are young people aged 16 to 24.”
“They were investing in housing. But it did mean that younger people were getting locked out of the market. They would go to auctions and they would bid, but they would just be outpriced by housing investors who were able to draw on the equity of their existing properties in order to make higher bids. That is part of the reason that we've seen this decline in homeownership. We also have had many people contact my office, not just after this budget but prior to this budget, who were talking about the housing system being broken. Those aren't just younger people, but those are older people as well, who recognise that changes to the capital gains tax discount and changes to negative gearing might not advantage them, but they recognise how important it is that everybody and future generations have the opportunity for homeownership.”
“Last week, I went out doorknocking in my community in Menzies, in Mont Albert. Mont Albert, for those that are familiar with Victoria, is not a particularly low-socioeconomic area. The houses there are pretty big. I was curious to see how our budget measures had gone down there. I do a lot of doorknocking because I think it's really important to get feedback from locals on the measures that we're taking, and I think it's the best way to get honest feedback—having a conversation with people at their door. I knocked on the doors of younger people who were living in the electorate, and, not surprisingly, they really welcomed these changes. Many of them recognised that the system had been stacked against them for a long time because of tax breaks for housing investors. Those housing investors hadn't been doing the wrong thing.”