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.”
The complete record
Every one of 509 lines we hold for Gabriel Ng, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 11.
“It is incredible that some people can bring the hardest experience of their life and channel it into advocacy in this space and in so many other spaces where we have the privilege to meet victims-survivors who advocate around issues in this place. I want to acknowledge the extraordinary advocacy of survivors, families, lawyers and child protection organisations over many years, including organisations such as Bravehearts, Fighters against Child Abuse Australia and the Carly Ryan Foundation, alongside so many others who continued to push this issue into the national spotlight and refused to let it be ignored. I've come into contact with some of these advocates and victims-survivors through our work in the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs inquiry into domestic, family and sexual violence and suicide.”
“This bill closes a loophole that should have been closed long ago, and it helps ensure accountability has real meaning in practice, not just in principle. This debate is about more than just financial enforcement alone. It is about whether the justice system can be weaponised by perpetrators to cause further harm to people who have already experienced immense trauma. This is in circumstances where the court has already recognised harm and a judge has awarded compensation. If survivors cannot access what is owed to them, the justice that compensation can represent is never fully realised. This reform exists because survivors and advocates refused to let this issue disappear.”
“After years of trauma and the stress of legal proceedings, after finally hearing a court acknowledge the harm that has been done to them, victims-survivors are still forced into further, exhausting battles simply to enforce what the justice system has already recognised. And that is why this reform matters. This reform has been in discussion for years. In 2018, the Turnbull government announced it would legislate to allow victims of serious crimes to access a perpetrator's superannuation to satisfy compensation orders. But the legislation was never introduced, and survivors were left waiting. The Albanese Labor government is now delivering the reform survivors and advocates have been calling for for years.”
“The victim-survivor had had to follow them through a number of Federal Court proceedings and then back to the county court in a way that can only be described as systems abuse. Perpetrators are causing further harm and trauma by using the justice system and by frustrating justice. There is a saying that justice delayed is justice denied. This only talks about half the picture, because often legal processes themselves can be traumatic and gruelling. They are, of course, expensive. Sometimes victims-survivors are required to give evidence in civil proceedings in ways that they would usually be shielded from in criminal proceedings. They can consume weeks and sometimes years of people's lives, especially where proceedings are drawn out in the way that they often are by people who engage in systems abuse.”
“That is the problem this bill seeks to address. Too often, survivors have gone through lengthy court processes and secured compensation orders and still been unable to access the compensation they are legally owed. But in reality some offenders have been able to shield assets and avoid responsibility, including through the use of superannuation arrangements and bankruptcy processes. When I worked at the County Court of Victoria as a judge's associate, we had a case that had been in the court for years, through different legal proceedings, where the victim-survivor had successfully obtained compensation, and then, in exactly the circumstances that this bill seeks to address, the perpetrator had filed for bankruptcy.”
“National data tells us that more than half of recorded sexual assault victims in Australia are children and teenagers under the age of 18. They are people we know. They are our neighbours, friends, colleagues and family members. Across communities like ours, there are survivors quietly carrying trauma—raising children, working and moving forward while dealing with experiences that never fully leave them. Years can pass before somebody feels able to speak about what happened to them. Many fear they will not be believed. Many fear reliving the trauma through police investigations and court proceedings. Others carry shame and silence that was imposed on them as children by people who abused trust, power and authority. And, even when survivors do everything the system asks of them, justice can still be incomplete.”
“For survivors, the harm does not end when the abuse stops. In many cases, it follows people for years and decades afterwards. It affects mental health, relationships, education, employment, financial security and the ability to feel safe in everyday life. Victims-survivors may experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, self-harm and suicidality. The reality is this issue touches far more people and families than many Australians realise. According to the Australian Child Maltreatment Study, more than one in four Australians have experienced child sexual abuse. Research shows more than one in three girls and almost one in five boys have experienced child sexual abuse in Australia. These are confronting figures.”
“I rise in support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026. I'd like to acknowledge the moving contribution of the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, which preceded this, for giving voice to some of the victims-survivors that she spoke about earlier. For all members of parliament, for parents like me and for anyone with children in their lives, there are few crimes more horrifying and more devastating than child sexual abuse. Of course, there is the sickening cruelty and betrayal of the act or acts themselves, which are often perpetrated by someone in a position of trust or authority. But the impacts for victims-survivors can be lifelong. Many may not be aware of or acknowledge, let alone disclose, abuse until much later in life.”
“It has managed to survive because a new house was actually built around it and it was only discovered when that house was demolished. I'd like to thank the Warrandyte Historical Society and the National Trust for the tour and for teaching me about this fascinating local landmark. It's not very big. There's space for not much more than a bed and maybe a dresser. The walls were made from local clay. The roof was made from canvas. It's just a really fascinating example that shows that Warrandyte is one of the oldest places for settlement in Victoria. Thank you to Dwayne Schuler and the whole organising committee and the volunteers for bringing the Warrandyte Festival together. Next year will be the 50th festival, and I can't wait to get back.”
“There were a number of volunteers who had kindly provided their classic vehicles to drive some of the elected members in the parade, and when I was asked, 'Would you like to be in a classic car or a motorcycle sidecar?' my immediate, maybe overly eager response was, 'Motorcycle sidecar!' Once we got to Stiggant Reserve, it was great to have a chat with members of Warrandyte and South Warrandyte CFA and Manningham SES. I also got my blood pressure and blood sugar checked at the Warrandyte Men's Shed stall and stopped in at the netball club stall as well. A really exciting feature of the day was the opening of the slab hut, a historic site that is a remarkably well-preserved example of an early settler dwelling. It could be 100 or even 150 years old or more.”
“Warrandyte arts, the silent disco and the Warrandyte Historical Society also marched. The CFA trucks were out, and Manningham SES were lining the route. And, of course, so were the Warrandyte Pink Ladies, who I've previously spoken about in this place for their incredible work raising money for cancer and other health issues. They won 'most creative float', riding on the back of a classic pick-up, throwing lollies to the crowd, with an arc of big pink balloons overhead. I've been to the Warrandyte Festival previously as a member of the community, but, for the first time, I had the honour of being able to take part in the parade.”
“I rise today to celebrate the Warrandyte Festival, which was held last Friday and Saturday and is now in its 49th year. Warrandyte is in the northern part of my electorate of Menzies, and, in some ways, it's like a small village. It's beautiful and bushy, with a strong sense of community. The Warrandyte Festival is the centrepiece of the local events calendar. It brings together the whole community. Even though it was drizzling on and off last Saturday, that didn't do anything to dampen people's spirits. Saturday kicked off with a parade along Yarra Street from Warrandyte Neighbourhood House down to Stiggant Reserve. There were monarchs of the parade from the Repair Cafe and Mange Management wombat protection. All the local schools turned out—Warrandyte High School, Warrandyte Primary School and Andersons Creek Primary School.”
“This bill takes an important step towards achieving those goals and ensures that the NDIS remains focused on what matters most: supporting people with disability to live with dignity, independence and opportunity. I commend the bill to the House.”
“This bill also introduces antipromotion orders to restrict harmful or misleading practices, and it strengthens the commission's enforcement tools and improves information sharing. The bill includes enabling measures for the agency. It provides clearer pathways for participants who wish to exit, allows the CEO to specify how claims are submitted to support secure digital processes and clarifies plan variations. This bill is not about making it harder for providers, the vast majority of whom do the right thing. It is about ensuring a fair and consistent system, protecting it from exploitation, supporting good providers and building trust. The NDIS is a cornerstone of our social safety net. It reflects our values as a nation and our commitment to fairness and inclusion.”
“That's why this government invested $550 million to tackle fraud and strengthen oversight, and now we're in the position where more claims are processed and reviewed in a single day than were reviewed in an entire year under those opposite. The bill strengthens integrity and safeguarding within the NDIS through targeted reforms. It introduces a tiered penalty framework so penalties reflect the seriousness of misconduct and deter wrongdoing. Registration conditions will be expanded, and information-gathering powers will be enhanced. Banning powers will also be extended to additional actors involved in the scheme, including auditors and consultants, ensuring consistent standards.”
“Two parents provided an example of a tradie who submitted an invoice to do modifications on their home to accommodate the needs of their disabled son. When the tradie heard that the modifications were for the NDIS, they submitted another invoice for a much higher figure. These conversations demonstrated an important point that participants and families are asking for greater integrity in the system, to protect them and their loved ones and ensure that every taxpayer dollar is spent as it should be—improving the lives of people with disabilities. In 2022, when we came to government, the scheme faced unsustainable 22 per cent annual growth and inadequate fraud controls. It was not just financial risk; more importantly, it risked harm to participants and the social licence for the scheme.”
“It provides essential care that allows their children to live with dignity and comfort and to have the chance to go on outings and socialise—things that we often take for granted. These carers valued the NDIS deeply, but alongside that appreciation was another concern about the future. Many spoke about what would happen when they are no longer there to advocate for their children. They want certainty that the system will be safe, that providers will be accountable and that safeguards will be strong enough to protect their children from harm or exploitation. Many also spoke of rorting, and those that did recognised that, unless there was greater integrity in the scheme, it risked losing public support.”
“In my electorate of Menzies, the NDIS is one of the issues we hear most about. It is not always raised in every conversation, but, for those that rely on it or for families who care for someone who does, it is their No. 1 issue. It shapes their daily lives and their future. Those who use it value it deeply. They recognise it as a vast improvement on what came before. Last year I met with Nakisa and a group of parents and carers who rely on the NDIS to support their children. It was clear how much love and care they put into ensuring their children have the best possible lives. It was also clear that this often put a strain on them, both financial and emotional. The NDIS is central to providing them the support that they need.”
“I rise to speak on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2026. The National Disability Insurance Scheme is one of the most significant social reforms in Australia's history, and it is reform grounded in Australian values of dignity and fairness. We invest in people with disabilities so that they can have the greatest possible degree of independence and participation, not only because it is the just thing to do but because it is the smart thing to do. The significance of the NDIS being called an 'insurance' scheme reflects the fact that anyone, any of us, could acquire a disability. Having worked as a personal injury lawyer, I have seen that, no matter what your position is in life, an accident can have lifelong, catastrophic consequences.”
“Their ongoing commitment is especially commendable considering, like other members of our local Iranian community, they continue to face uncertainty and fear for their loved ones in Iran and the trauma of their persecution at the hands of the Islamic republic regime in Iran. Thank you to Shahram Niazian, Dot Haynes OAM, Frank Smit, Harmic Singh, Srikanthan Ratnasingham and all the members of the Manningham Interfaith Network for your work bringing the Menzies community together.”
“I rise today to acknowledge the important work of the Manningham Interfaith Network. In a time when there are those who seek to divide us and who say that people of different races and religions cannot live peacefully together, Manningham Interfaith Network's commitment to building social cohesion and understanding across barriers has never been more important. I popped along to their community barbecue on Sunday in Ruffey Lake Park. We had Frank Smit from the Manningham Uniting Church manning the barbecue. We had volunteers from the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple in Box Hill giving out sausages to community members and families at the nearby playground. We also had members of the Baha'i community, who are very active in the interfaith network because the Baha'i believe that all religions have the same core spiritual truths.”
“My question is to the minister for immigration. Can the minister provide clarity about the arrival control determination regarding Iranian visitor visas. Who is affected and who is not affected, and who will be shown compassion in sympathetic cases?”
“The Liberal Party's election review, which was so atrocious they tried to hide it, found that the former member for Dickson was one of the least popular leaders ever. It's hard to imagine how they would do worse. Well, the Liberal Party decided to keep digging. The now leader of the opposition was the architect of their economic policies. As the shadow Treasurer, he went to the election promising higher taxes and bigger deficits. When it came to economic policy, the cupboard was bare. Their big idea was taxpayer funded long lunches for bosses. While those opposite oppose lower taxes and cost-of-living relief, we're going on with making sure Australians can earn more and keep more— (Time expired)”
“Last week in Menzies, I was out doorknocking, and I spoke with a young family. Both parents were working, doing their best to stay ahead of rising costs, and they told me that every dollar they had would make a difference. That's why the Albanese Labor government's tax cuts matter—one this year and one next year. In Menzies, around 86,000 taxpayers will be receiving a tax cut, with an average benefit of $2,708 a year, or about $52 a week. That is money back in the pockets of locals to help with groceries, bills, school expenses, and yesterday marked one year since the now leader of the opposition said the coalition would oppose tax cuts for every taxpayer, just as they've opposed every cost-of-living measure we put in place to help hardworking Australians.”
“This is just another way in which we're making sure that people are treating their conditions early and they're getting the health care they need early, when they can manage it themselves, and we're also helping with cost-of-living relief, because we recognise that there has been pressure on the household budgets of Australian families and we want to make sure that we're addressing that. I'm proud to be part of a government that's delivering for my community and delivering for everyday Australians. I commend this bill to the House.”
“So this is an investment not just in health but in all Australian workers and all Australian families being able to access the health care they need when they need it. In my electorate, that's already yielded huge results in the last three months. Ten new bulk-billing clinics have opened in Menzies. This brings the total to 26, which is an increase of 67 per cent. This is affordable health care when people need it. One of the other areas in which we've been able to deliver is $25 scripts for PBS listed medications. This is the lowest cost for PBS medications in 20 years.”
“This represents the largest quarterly increase in over 20 years outside of the pandemic period, and that's just since November, when the new bulk-billing measures came into effect. There are now more than 3,400 bulk-billing practices across Australia and more than 96 per cent of Australians live within a 20-minute drive of a bulk-billing clinic. We know that primary health care is the most efficient form of health care. It's the most affordable and the cheapest form of health care, because if we address health issues sooner, then we know that they won't get worse and they won't cause a bigger cost in terms not only of the healthcare system but also of making sure that people are able to keep working and being productive members of the community.”
“The festivals always go off without a hitch and look flawless and get bigger and bigger every year, but I know that's because of a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes, so full credit to the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse. As well as that, we're also providing things at a national scale which are delivering for people in my electorate of Menzies. Of course, we went to the election promising that we would increase bulk-billing rates, making the biggest investment ever in Medicare in its 40-year history, and this is one of the areas in which we've been able to deliver most in terms of health care. Recent data shows that bulk-billing rates have increased to 81.4 per cent nationwide.”
“I think it's one of the best Chinese New Year festivals that we now have in Melbourne. Over 100,000 people get through there. It recognises not just Chinese culture; now there's also Korean culture and Vietnamese culture. Similarly, we were able to see some fantastic lion dances and traditional performances. I'm grateful to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister Wong, for visiting that festival and sharing it with my local community. I'd also like to acknowledge all of the hard work of the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse. Bihong Wang, Richard Shi, Charley, Shaun and Tim and all the volunteers put in so much work.”
“So I'm very grateful to the Jackson Court Traders Association and to President Con, whom I saw on the day of the festival. People commented that they hadn't seen Jackson Court so alive. There were lion dancers. There were stalls. The colour red was everywhere. There was the opportunity to do calligraphy. There were traditional Chinese musical instruments and a lot of different ways in which the local community could experience Chinese culture, including enjoying some delicious local food, and I think that's something that a lot of people enjoy. So I was very proud to be able to deliver that. As well as that, we saw the Box Hill Chinese New Year Festival delivered. That's been running for a long time and it's become a real staple of the cultural calendar, not just locally but on a much broader scale.”
“I was also proud to support some of our local community festivals with a $200,000 commitment, and those festivals have now been delivered. Just last month, I had the privilege of welcoming Minister Aly, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, to the Manningham Chinese New Year Festival. This was the inaugural version of the festival, held in Jackson Court in Doncaster East—a wonderful local shopping strip and a great venue for our latest Chinese New Year festival. I live quite close to that area. I am someone who grew up in the area; we always used to go into the city in order to celebrate Chinese New Year. The fact that we can do this in our suburbs now really does mean a lot to me. It's good to see people being able to celebrate Chinese culture but also share that culture with the wider community.”
“As you may know, Mr Acting Deputy Speaker Freelander, there are times when people won't put their hand up to go and see a counsellor or put their hand up to go and see a psychologist until their mental health reaches quite a severe stage. That delay of a few months or even weeks in being able to access help—let alone any cost barriers—means that some people may not get the help they need when they need it. A Medicare mental health hub will mean that there are free, walk-in, accessible mental health supports when people need them. I was really proud to announce that with Assistant Minister McBride. Work is now underway to establish that hub. I was out doorknocking on the weekend, letting people know about it. It's an investment in the local community that people have really welcomed. It's expected by the community to open late this year.”
“One of the local commitments that I'm most proud of is the Box Hill Medicare mental health hub. We know that the mental health system has a lot of gaps in it. I'd like to get to a stage, as I've said before, where mental health is treated the same as physical health. When I speak to young people in my electorate, I hear a lot that mental health is one of the highest priorities for them. There's a missing middle in the mental health system for people whose conditions aren't so severe that they may need to go to hospital as an inpatient but are severe enough that they can't be managed. As well as that, we hear about long waiting lists to see counsellors.”
“Anyone who's been around to that intersection knows it's one of the most dangerous intersections in the electorate. It had a pretty high speed limit, with blind corners around school drop-off and pick-up areas. Around peak hour, it gets pretty congested, and people take some pretty dicey turns when the road is really busy. So this is a much-needed and overdue investment. Consultation in collaboration with the Victorian state government is now complete, with the local community being really invested in the outcome of this project. Many residents have shared their safety concerns about this notorious intersection. One of the positive outcomes from this already is that the speed limit in the area has been lowered to 60 kays an hour. We'll continue to work with the Victorian government to deliver on this important commitment.”
“They hold life-drawing classes. They've been trying to twist my arm to be a life-drawing model for a little bit, but I've been refusing them—it may not be the best move for a political career! But they're wonderful, active members of the community, and I'd like to acknowledge all the hard work of people like Grant Purdy, Bruce Turner, Marion Cooper and Andrea McMahon for their work with Warrandyte arts and their important advocacy in securing an investment of over $187,000 to upgrade the old Warrandyte firehouse. Another electoral commitment that we've been able to make is to the five-ways intersection in Warrandyte which borders my good friend the member for Deakin's electorate. That is a $25 million commitment for planning and early works.”
“As I was walking around with them, there were holes in the floor—I was a little bit afraid that my leg would go through—and that made a pretty good argument for making an investment in this space. They use the front of the old firehouse—a beautiful heritage-listed stone building—as their pottery studio. I was lucky enough to visit recently with the minister for infrastructure, Catherine King, and see the pottery group in action. They made some beautiful pieces that were drying in the kiln. As well as, importantly, providing a creative outlet, it provides an opportunity for people to get together, talk about any issues they may be having in their lives, reduce social isolation and feel part of the wonderful Warrandyte arts community, which is very active. They hold regular plays, but they also hold all kinds of activities.”
“Both those commitments are taking place with support from the respective local councils—in particular Sparks Reserve, which has a commitment from Whitehorse council. They're at the stage where contracts are being signed. Those election commitments are progressing, and I look forward to seeing and following each stage of delivery. We were also able to support some of our local arts organisations. We've got the Warrandyte arts and mechanics institute, located in the northern part of my electorate. They took me for a tour of their pottery studio, which is located in the old Warrandyte firehouse. This was one of the visits that illustrated how much need there was in the community for local investments. The back of the firehouse is made of wood and had been eaten by termites—so there were holes in the walls.”
“I was also able to advocate successfully for an investment in the Box Hill United soccer club and their Sparks Reserve field—an investment of $3.925 million to upgrade their existing pitch to a synthetic pitch. That means that more of their players will be able to play for more of the year, that they're going to have more home games so their parents won't have to drive them back and forth long distances to play away games, and that they'll be able to train more of the year. Like basketball, soccer is growing and growing in Melbourne's east. Providing more people the opportunity to play the beautiful game will be a great benefit to the local community and to all the people who are involved in the club—people like George Petheriotis, the president, and Scott Findlay, who advocated so strongly for this much-needed upgrade.”
“This investment will go towards girls' change rooms to make sure that more of their female players have an appropriate place to get changed, and towards improving their general facilities, making sure that their courts are up to standard and safe for players to continue to play on. I acknowledge all the hard work and advocacy of their president, Derek Pangbourne, as well as committee members Mitch Burich and local legend Michelle Timms, who, as we know, has given so much to women's basketball not just in the local area but in Australia. Their advocacy meant that I was very proud to support this investment for both the Bulleen Boomers and the wider community—and all the local teams who come and play at the stadium as well.”
“Basketball is absolutely booming in Melbourne's east, and that's especially the case with the women's game. When Bulleen Templestowe Basketball Club, the Bulleen Boomers, approached me early on in the election campaign, they told me how their female players, because they didn't have enough space to get changed, were getting changed in the car park before getting in for the games, that the change rooms they did have were pretty small—you wouldn't want to see a sweaty group of boys or girls getting changed in close proximity to each other there—and that the floor cleaner was in the same room, so it was badly in need of an upgrade.”
“We have a wonderful, hardworking community full of devoted volunteers, hardworking small-business owners, conscientious young people and hardworking families, and I'm committed to making sure we get our fair share of investments. We've done that through our local sporting clubs. Sporting clubs play such an important role in our community. They help our young people stay active and make sure that they're getting enough exercise, but they also provide a sense of community. Through the volunteers, which are often the parents of players, they provide a sense of community and the chance to give back to the community. We're making a long-overdue investment in Bulleen Templestowe Basketball Club, at Sheahans Reserve. We've committed $3.5 million to upgrading the basketball stadium there.”
“This bill is all about delivery of the commitments we took to the last election. We, as a government, are focused on delivering on the things that matter to everyday Australians, and I'm focused on delivering for my electorate of Menzies—investments in our local infrastructure, in our community organisations, in our local festivals, in cost-of-living relief, in health care, in education and in housing. I'm extremely grateful to the people of Menzies for providing me the opportunity to represent our local community and create real outcomes. Our government is incredibly grateful to the people of Australia for their endorsement at the last election, and we're working every day to make sure that Australians know we've got their backs. Unfortunately, my electorate of Menzies has not always received the investment it deserves.”
“Volunteers put in over 5,000 hours and plant close to 50,000 plants annually, helping create greener indigenous spaces across residential, public and community areas in Menzies. Greenlink have created an environment where every volunteer is valued for their expertise and interests. There is no doubt that this is the secret of the longevity and success of their organisation, which has spanned several decades. Thank you to Robert, Emi, Trevor, Gabrielle and everyone else at Greenlink for the tour and for the delicious morning tea. I look forward to returning soon to help fill out my own garden with beautiful Indigenous plants.”
“Greenlink nursery in Box Hill in my electorate is a wonderful example of the way in which our community benefits from the dedication, hard work and generosity of volunteers. This indigenous plant nursery is 100 per cent volunteer run, and it was clear how much passion they have for the flora that is native to the City of Whitehorse and restoring the environment of the area to how it once was. It was a pleasure to visit the nursery recently and learn firsthand from the expertise of volunteers about the unique seeds, saplings, shrubs and trees. I saw firsthand how organised and efficient the Greenlink team are at producing thousands of plants that are available at affordable prices to the local community every year.”
“Even though as a child and as a young person I'd experienced isolated instances of racism that were enough to remember, they didn't make a significant impact on me. Pauline Hanson's maiden speech made me feel, for the first time, like I was a second-class Australian—that I wasn't as Australian as others in some people's eyes. There are some in this place who maybe aren't as overt as Pauline Hanson is now to this day but who will dog-whistle. I warn those people who might engage in that type of politics, who might imply racism or hint at discrimination for political advantage, that, for people of a migrant background, a dog-whistle is a megaphone. We know what you're saying. We hear what you're saying. It doesn't go past us. There might be some parts of the community that you reach, but we in multicultural Australia are modern Australia.”
“At the 2025 election, Australians across the country voted overwhelmingly for a parliament that reflects the diversity of modern Australia. If you look at our side of the parliament, we're beginning to reflect that diversity. It's not just about tokenism; it's that people from different backgrounds bring different skills, different cultural knowledge and different language skills. That allows us to better govern for all Australians regardless of their background. That is why we have a dedicated Minister for Multicultural Affairs who is sitting in cabinet for the first time. It's a clear signal that we value diversity and recognise that it's central to who we are as a nation. In my first speech, I also spoke about the effect of Pauline Hanson's maiden speech on me.”
“Around 44 per cent of people living in the electorate were born overseas, and around 58 per cent of people have a parent born overseas. It's one of the most diverse electorates in the country. Within a few suburbs, you'll find people of Chinese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Italian, Greek and Iranian backgrounds and from many other parts of the world. This diversity shapes our community. You can see it in our schoolyards, where kids of all backgrounds play together; in small businesses, where the Manningham Business Network has people from a range of backgrounds coming together to collaborate; and in our community organisations. It shapes the language spoken at home and the festivals that we celebrate in our local streets. It also is a constant reminder that modern Australia is a diverse Australia and that Australia works if we work for it.”
“In my career, I've been fortunate enough to work across the three arms of government. I've worked in the executive as a public servant, in the judiciary as a judge's associate and as a lawyer, and now I'm fortunate enough to be able to work in the legislature. We in Australia were one of the first countries in the world to give women the vote. We invented the secret ballot—in other parts of the world known as the 'Australian ballot'. We have a compulsory system of voting that means that we must speak to the middle of Australia—to the majority of Australians—and it also encourages all Australians to have their say. These are institutions that we can celebrate and also that we can rally around regardless of our backgrounds. In my electorate of Menzies, the success of multiculturalism is visible everywhere.”
“My mum is an Anglo-Celtic Australian, and my wife is Japanese. So I know that multiculturalism works because I live it every single day. My life has been enormously enriched due to my connection with British culture and Chinese culture and Singaporean and Japanese cultures. That's why I joined the then department of immigration and now Department of Home Affairs and worked in migrant and refugee settlement and multicultural affairs for over a decade. I know that multiculturalism works, but I know it's also something that we need to work on—that social cohesion doesn't just happen, but it's something that we have to back up both in our words and also in our actions as a government. I also love our institutions of government, and I think we as a country don't celebrate them enough sometimes.”
“We've seen British migrants and Afghan cameleers and Chinese miners, Sikh Anzacs, Persians, Greeks, Italians—people from every country on earth. Our modern Australian identity is one defined by diversity. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world. I'm a product of this multicultural Australia. My father, John, is a Chinese Singaporean immigrant. He came to Australia in the 1970s and has worked as a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer. He's only retired this year, although he'll still take the occasional shift because he can't help himself. Like many migrants of this generation, he arrived with skills and determination and a belief that this country offered an opportunity and a fair go. That is what it has delivered, and he is extremely grateful for all the opportunities that Australia has provided.”