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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“This honour is a fitting testament to the work Professor Robson has undertaken throughout his career and is one that recognises his diligence, creativity and leadership. I know that his work is already serving as an example to students across our community and country of the power of scientific research to expand possibilities and change lives. I was pleased to be able to personally congratulate Professor Robson last week and to extend the warm congratulations of the Prime Minister, the government and our local community in Menzies. His humility, imagination and commitment to learning and teaching exemplifies the very best of Australia's scientific community, and I thank him again for his extraordinary contribution.”
“It is with great pride that I rise to speak today to congratulate Professor Richard Robson, a resident of Menzies, on recently being jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry. Professor Robson has worked for over four decades on world-leading research into metal-organic frameworks. Notably his inspiration for this innovation came through his teaching at the University of Melbourne. He devised a strategy using molecular rods by which a wide variety of molecular building blocks could be linked together to form network structures. They are crystal structures that are typically the size of only a millionth of a millimetre in length. This pioneering work has led to the development of an entire new field of research worldwide.”
“We've introduced vehicle efficiency standards, provided incentives to increase uptake of electric vehicles and invested in more kerbside-charging facilities. To reach our targets we're committing a further $40 million for charging infrastructure across our suburbs and regions, and we'll invest $1.1 billion to boost Australia's clean energy fuel production. At a local level we're delivering $85 million to develop households and businesses improve energy performance, and we have our Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which has now installed more than 100,000 batteries nationwide. This is significant progress and it's popular with the residents of Menzies. I commend this motion to the chamber.”
“Unlike those on the other side, this government does not ignore experts; we listen and we act. We have a clear road map regarding how we will not just lower emissions but seize upon the opportunities the global energy transition presents to become a renewable energy superpower. Key to this is our continuing transition to an 82 per cent renewables energy grid by 2030. Since May 2022 we have added over 18 gigawatts of wind and solar to the grid—a 45 per cent increase since we came to government. Along with our climate targets we announced $2 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to continue driving downward pressure on electricity prices and to help accelerate long-term renewables projects right across our nation. Lowering transport emissions is another key part of our plan.”
“The Liberals and Nationals haven't learned anything from the election, haven't moved on from their three years in opposition and haven't moved on from nine years in government, when they had a ridiculous 20 climate policies—none of which were serious about reducing emissions. There will also be some who say the target is too low. We know there are other bodies that suggest higher targets. Higher targets will always sound good to those who accept we're in a climate crisis. But our targets don't just consider where we need to get to; they consider how we're going to get there. As has been said before, they're ambitious and achievable. The authority has its own internal expertise but also relies on the expertise of bodies like the CSIRO and Treasury.”
“We don't necessarily agree on everything, but we can agree on the necessity and urgency of climate action. The Albanese Labor government understands this also. That is why we have accepted the advice of the Climate Change Authority and set a 2035 emissions reduction target of 62 to 70 per cent. As required by the Climate Change Act 2022, the government must consider independent expert advice from the authority before setting a target. This ensures our decisions are grounded in science and reflect international best practice. There will be some who say the target is too high. Again, those in the coalition are in a civil war over whether or not to abandon net zero.”
“They send us emails—young people who are worried about their future; and parents and grandparents who are worried about the future for themselves, their children and their grandchildren. As a parent of young children, I share their concerns. I've met multiple times with the climate groups that are active in my area—Menzies for Climate, Australian Conservation Foundation Community Eastern Rosellas, and Baby Boomers for Climate Change Action. In the case of Menzies for Climate, they were present throughout the election campaign. They ran a local candidates forum and handed out climate scorecards at every pre-poll. It will surprise no-one that we rated much better than the coalition. I appreciate the constructive and respectful way these groups have always engaged.”
“I rise to speak in support of the motion by the member for Griffith. I am proud to be part of a government that is taking real, ambitious action to address climate change. Those in the coalition are imploding about whether or not they believe in human driven climate change, let alone whether or not they want to do anything about it. Nine years of Coalition government—almost a decade of delay and denial. We accept the science, and we're committed to playing our part to address this global challenge and to seize the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and the renewable energy transition. Many of the residents of the electorate I'm fortunate to represent, Menzies, care deeply about climate change. They raise it when I'm doorknocking and they raise it when I'm making phone calls. They call my office.”
“Moments like these remind us that Australia's story is ever growing and ever changing. Our diversity is not to be managed or tolerated but something to be celebrated. Sadly some choose to divide rather than unite. We believe inclusion is strength and that every culture and every faith enriches Australia's story. To all members of the Indian community in Menzies, I hope your Diwali, Deepavali and Bandi Chhor Divas were filled with joy, peace and time shared with loved ones.”
“Since being elected, I've had the privilege of getting to know the Indian community in my electorate better and learning about the faiths and traditions that bring people together. Last Tuesday, I visited the Blackburn Gurdwara to celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, also known sometimes as Diwali and Deepavali, joining the prayers, sharing food and experiencing the community's warmth. I also took part in the turban wrapping, guided by Bir Singh from the Melbourne Sikhs. He explained that the turban is not just a piece of cloth but a sacred symbol of discipline, honour and duty to serve others. I wish to express my appreciation to Sumeet and Gurmeet from the Blackburn Gurdwara for their generosity and hospitality. I thank them and all for gurdwara for their invitation and for always welcoming others into their place of worship with open hearts.”
“It was clear how important this group was for members and their families, because sometimes it's only people who have been through the same experience who can really understand and who you can feel comfortable leaning on. I will be honest, like a lot of blokes I hadn't given prostate cancer much thought. Thanks to these men, and the health professionals who work alongside them, I now understand that one in five Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. It is the most common cancer among men after non-melanoma skin cancer. Men over 40 with a family history are at greater risk, but early detection can make all the difference. Because it might put a few blokes off being tested, it's important to let people know that the digital rectal exam is no longer needed.”
“I rise today to speak about the Box Hill Prostate Cancer Support Group, which does amazing work in my electorate of Menzies providing support to survivors and those living with prostate cancer, as well as raising awareness of prostate cancer. I wear this pin today to show my support for them and to show my solidarity with them. I first had the privilege of meeting this great group of blokes when I attended their information evening at Box Hill Town Hall in September, which of course was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. There I heard from survivors and those undertaking treatment, from their families who support them on their journeys and from health practitioners. They shared stories, they shared experiences and they shared practical tips, and they did it all with good humour and a few laughs.”
“They mean our social security system will work for those who need it most, well into the future. I commend this bill to the House.”
“This bill is a significant step in our ongoing work to restore integrity to the social security system, to restore the strength of the Public Service and to protect families from domestic and family violence in the form of financial abuse. It ensures the mistakes of the past are addressed while embedding fairness and accountability in future practice. It is about fairness. It's about humanity and dignity within the practices of our payment arrangements. It is also about rebuilding trust with the Australian people, who rightly expect public services to act in their best interests and in good faith. Restoring that confidence will not happen overnight. It will only happen under a Labor government doing the work to invest back in these frontline services. These are reforms that will affect millions of Australians.”
“People with historical debts potentially affected by income apportionment between 1 September 2003 and 6 December 2020 will be eligible to apply for a resolution payment of up to $600. These payments recognise that this practice was invalid. They also recognise the need to deal with the legacy of this practice and to create a pathway for people to seek compensation if they were impacted by this practice. This scheme recognises the importance of balancing our support of vulnerable Australians with ensuring taxpayers' money is spent effectively and efficiently. It reaffirms our commitment to a robust social safety net that looks after people and is sustainable for generations to come.”
“It will continue the work of reform, particularly as it relates to the tax and social security systems, so that victims are not responsible for the debts that perpetrators accrue. I am proud to be part of a Labor government that is focused on doing the work of preventing and responding to family violence at every level, including through the introduction of this bill. Historically, income apportionment has been used to determine social security debts. This is not a practice that the Albanese Labor government has ever used. This bill provides legal clarity around this historical practice and, importantly, establishes the income appropriate resolution scheme. This means that this scheme will offer redress for those who were unfairly affected by this practice.”
“This legislation will enable Services Australia staff, when considering a debt waiver, to consider all the circumstances that led to someone knowingly making a false statement to the government. This will include consideration of evidence of financial abuse and coercive control. This will help ensure that systems abuse can no longer be used by perpetrators. While there is still more work to do to make sure all our government service systems act as a firewall against such abuse, this bill is an important step in the right direction. Ending family and domestic violence will mean pulling on every lever available to us to create a culture that promotes safety and financial security for all.”
“And it can also be about accruing debts to enact harm on people—harm that lasts for months and years, as people are unable to gain financial independence. This economic abuse plays a major role in the broader picture of abuse, particularly in cases of intimate partner violence. Sadly, our social services system has not been exempt from being used as a tool of financial abuse. The weaponisation of debt through the payment system is one of those tools perpetrators have used to maintain power and control. This bill delivers on the Albanese Labor government's election commitment to embed safety in Commonwealth systems and ensures that our social security system cannot be weaponised against victims-survivors.”
“The change strikes the right balance between fiscal responsibility and fairness to the people who use the system. We remain firmly committed to ensuring that our social security services focus on preventing serious systems abuse. Family and domestic violence can be complex and corrosive in the way it is perpetrated. When I was volunteering at community legal centres and working as a judge's associate at the courts, I saw firsthand the epidemic of family violence and systems abuse. As the member for Bonner put it so well, family violence is not just about physical abuse. It is about coercive control. It is about financial abuse. It can be about systems abuse, dragging people through the courts to continue to exert control on them.”
“It should be acknowledged there are significant administrative costs involved in chasing and recovering very small debts, which often outweigh the value of the debts themselves. That is why we are increasing the threshold for small debts for the first time in over 30 years, lifting it from $50 to $250. This change will make a substantial impact. This will waive around 1.2 million debts that would have been raised in the 2025-26 financial year. It's a commonsense reform; it will save time, it will reduce the administrative burden and it will allow Services Australia staff to focus on things that matter most. By increasing this threshold we are making the system more efficient and productive, but we are still maintaining appropriate safeguards to protect against fraudulent activity.”
“We've ended the use of external debt collection agencies by government, bringing this work back under proper oversight. We've engaged community legal services to support vulnerable people who may have debts and need advice and advocacy, and we've increased payments and improved accuracy so that Australians receive the support they are entitled to. These changes have made a real difference. This bill builds on this record and takes the next step in establishing a more efficient social security system. We know that Australians generally engage with the social security system in good faith. The overwhelming majority of people who rely on this support do the right thing.”
“This legislation is another step in rebuilding trust, strengthening fairness and ensuring government services are delivered with the dignity and respect that every Australian deserves. This government has made the investments to make sure our service system works for the Australians who need it. We have taken necessary steps to improve the way our social security system functions so that it is fair, efficient and centred on people. This has included recruiting around 3,000 more frontline staff, like the staff that I met at Services Australia in Box Hill, to improve access to services and reduce pressure on existing workers. We've reduced call wait time at Services Australia so that Australians can reach the help they need faster. We have lifted claims processing rates, which means more money is getting back into families' pockets.”
“The actions of this government stand in stark contrast to the coalition. Those opposite will always argue for smaller government and outsourcing of critical services. They show their contempt for the Public Service with arbitrary staffing caps and, at the last election, a cut of 41,000 positions. This had nothing to do with the job that needed to be done and everything to do with neoliberal ideology. Outsourcing is not only worse for workers; it is inefficient. It means higher staff turnover, a failure to develop institutional expertise and less secure jobs for those doing essential services. For Australians, hollowing out the Public Service comes as at a cost. It is a cost borne by the most vulnerable in our communities.”
“As a former public servant, I greatly appreciated the time Assistant Minister Gorman took with the staff, thanking them for their service and recognising the essential work they do. One of these staff members had been working as labour hire but was given a permanent APS job under this government. She spoke about her relief at having secure work—of the certainty, stability and ability to plan for the future that this provided. I was also pleased to see that staff from the NDIS were co-located with Centrelink staff. Often people seeking help from the government will be facing multiple issues. The truth is that government services can be siloed or a bureaucratic labyrinth. Co-location is one way we can not only better use government resources but also create a better experience for those seeking to engage government assistance.”
“We know that it takes a Labor government to put people back at the centre of our government services. It is what we were elected to do. This legislation demonstrates that commitment clearly, and it builds on the work we did throughout our first term in government to restore integrity to our public services, rebuild capability in the public sector and ensure decisions are made in the public interest. Recently I had the pleasure of visiting a Services Australia office in Box Hill, in Menzies, with the Assistant Minister for the Public Service, Patrick Gorman. There we met dedicated, expert staff who support the public to gain access to essential government services.”
“People who turned to the social safety net in their time of need were made to feel like criminals. Its impact on public faith and confidence in our social security system cannot be overstated. That is why this government has been so committed to rebuilding the system and restoring trust and fairness. We know that a functional social safety net is a cornerstone of a decent and compassionate society. That is why the Albanese Labor government established the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme—to get to the truth of what happened, to give a voice to those harmed and to make sure this never happens again. We have accepted or accepted in principle all 56 recommendations made to government. That work is ongoing. It will continue to drive meaningful changes to how we manage social security payments and debts in Australia.”
“In my first speech in this place, I spoke about the former coalition government's betrayal of the Australian people through robodebt. Vulnerable Australians were relentlessly harassed by the former government for debts they did not owe—debts that had been inaccurately and illegally calculated. This was not simply a failure of administration; it was a profound moral failure. It showed contempt for vulnerable Australians and revealed the ultimate consequences of a public service that had been hollowed out by years of neoliberal ideology and cronyism. The damage caused by robodebt was clear for all to see. In some heartbreaking cases, the unjust harassment and pressure were so severe that it led to people taking their lives. Families were left grieving.”
“By putting in place a more robust framework, we can restore community confidence in the system and make sure people know it operates with integrity and compassion. Importantly, this legislation also addresses a deeply troubling issue. As the member for Bonner so eloquently put it, based on her experience as a family violence lawyer, financial abuse that occurs within the contexts of domestic and family violence is a scourge that is too often enacted using our social security system. Too often, perpetrators exploit the payment systems to exert control and harm. These reforms will ensure that our social security system is no longer a tool for abuse but a source of support for those who need it most. This bill reflects our commitment to a social safety net that is fair, humane and worthy of the trust the Australian people place in it.”
“The Albanese Labor government is committed to delivering a fairer, more efficient social security system that Australians can trust. After years of neglect from those opposite, it has fallen to this government to take on this important task—repairing a system that has too often failed the people it was meant to support. We believe in a strong and reliable social safety net—a key to Labor's values and a key to a fair society. It is there for all of us at different times in our lives, and its integrity must be protected so it continues to serve Australians who are doing it tough. This bill is a step in rebuilding trust. It reforms the way we manage social security system debts to ensure greater fairness, transparency and accountability.”
“Australians are still feeling the pressure, and we're going to keep working to make sure the relief is reaching them. We are delivering real, practical and ongoing help with the cost of living, energy bill relief, reducing student debt by 20 per cent and tax cuts for every Australian—one last year, one this year and one next year. (Time expired)”
“Under Labor, we have made real progress in the economy and in the budget. We've brought inflation down from a number with a six in front of it to a number with a two in front of it. It is now around four-year lows. Annual real wages have been growing for seven consecutive quarters. Interest rates have been cut three times in six months. More than 1.1 million jobs have been created since we came to government—a record for any government in its first term. The average unemployment rate is the lowest of any government in 50 years. We've navigated the Australian economy through tough times, and we've done it while growing wages and keeping unemployment low. Because of the Albanese Labor government, more Australians are in work, earning better wages and paying less on their mortgages. We know the job isn't finished.”
“Of course, good economic management isn't just about how we manage the budget; it's about what we do with it. At the last election, those opposite ran an out-of-touch platform of taxpayer funded lunches for bosses, restricting working from home, scrapping the Public Service and a taxpayer funded nuclear fantasy that would drive power prices up. Australians, and the people of Menzies, endorsed our investments in Medicare, in mental health, in fully and fairly funded public schools and in cost-of-living relief. Not only are we better at managing the budget but we've ensured that we have an economy that works for everyday Australians. The fact is that when we came to office inflation was rising, and interest rates were rising too; real wages and living standards were falling; and debt and deficit stretched as far as the eye could see.”
“They said they'd offset spending. Four out of five times they didn't. They said they'd bank revenue upgrades. They kept only 40 per cent. We have banked almost 70 per cent of revenue upgrades since coming to office, reducing debt and interest payments. They said they'd cut the payments-to-GDP ratio. It went up even before the pandemic hit. They said they'd rein in debt; instead, they almost doubled it. We reduced debt by $188 billion last year. It is now projected to peak at around 37 per cent of GDP compared to the 45 per cent peak projected under the coalition government. Since coming to government, we have found $100 billion in savings. In their final budget, those opposite delivered none. The Albanese Labor government is managing the budget responsibly, and we will not take lectures from those whose record speaks for itself.”
“It is rich that the member for Casey would bring this motion forward, when his party in government completely failed to reduce debt while cutting essential services that affected many Australians. The irony is that the rules set out by our predecessors were not worth the paper they were written on, because not once did the Liberals follow their own rules. The member for Casey refers to fiscal rules which the previous coalition governments broke time and time again. They said they would deliver a surplus. They went none from nine—doughnuts! In contrast, we have delivered back-to-back surpluses in our first term, the first government to do so in two decades. We improved the fiscal outlook by $209 billion compared to what we inherited in our first term, the biggest budget turnaround in a parliamentary term in history.”
“I rise to speak against this motion. Those opposite desperately try to cling to the fantasy that they are the better economic managers, because they have nothing to offer the Australian people but an outdated fiction. The reality is this: if you are looking for the party of good economic management, look no further than the Labor Party. The Hawke and Keating governments built the modern, open Australian economy. The Rudd government steered Australia through the global financial crisis, and the Albanese Labor government has navigated Australia through an international inflation crisis, keeping unemployment low, increasing wages and delivering cost-of-living relief, all while better managing the budget.”
“This includes in services like headspace, our national youth mental health service. Of course, today is headspace day, and we acknowledge the really important work that headspace do in addressing the growing rates of youth mental health issues. The Albanese Labor government has recognised that important role, with further investments.”
“I know that we have a long way to go before the mental health system provides enough support to address what is, in a lot of ways, a growing issue. We know that diagnosed mental health conditions are rising amongst young people. By looking at inquiries like the royal commission into mental health that occurred in Victoria, we know that there is a missing middle where access to counselling services, counsellors or psychologists takes too long and that there aren't enough acute care beds. Significant progress has been made in Victoria by the Victorian Labor government because of their commitment to mental health and their commitment to taking on the recommendations of that royal commission. Nonetheless, there is still more work to do, and the Albanese Labor government is committed to that work with our significant investment.”
“Yes, it's great that they'll be rewarded by the greater financial incentive to bulk-bill, but they also have a strong commitment to delivering accessible and affordable health care. We greatly appreciate the dedication of all of the GPs across the electorate of Menzies in ensuring that primary health care remains accessible to the majority of people. This month is also National Mental Health Month, and the Albanese Labor government has made an election commitment of a further $1 billion to go towards mental health services. We know that mental health is an essential part of health, as important as physical health, and we want to ensure that it remains similarly accessible and affordable. Like a lot of people, I have family and friends who've been affected by mental health issues.”
“I rise today to talk about the Albanese Labor government's commitment to health. During the election campaign, one of our signature policies was a record investment in Medicare so that we could triple the GP bulk-billing incentive, making health care more accessible and affordable, and so that nine out of 10 GP visits would be bulk-billed by 2030. We know that this policy will work because we tripled the bulk-billing incentive for minors and for seniors and we've seen a significant uptake in bulk-billing rates for those cohorts. Last week I was fortunate to have the Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, visit my electorate of Menzies. We visited St Andrew's Clinic, a fully bulk-billing clinic that opened six months ago which provides some fantastic services to the community in Doncaster East. They're a very dedicated GP clinic.”
“At the last election, the coalition made no secret of its priorities. They put forward a plan to cut 36,000 Public Service jobs, reducing the workforce by 20 per cent. What they chose to label as 'unnecessary spending' is in truth a foundation of essential services that Australians rely on every day. When a baby is born, it is Services Australia that issues the first Medicare card and processes parental leave. When a young person starts their first job, they rely on the ATO to make sure they get their tax file number. Every year, public servants process 121 million Centrelink and Medicare claims, manage aged care, regulate the NDIS and process passports. I commend this bill to the House.”
“When this government took office, it inherited a backlog of more than 42,000 veterans' claims. Some veterans had waited for over two years before their cases were even assessed. This did not happen by chance. It was a direct consequence of years of staff caps and neglect under the coalition. I visited the Box Hill RSL during the election campaign. I heard from veterans the effect of the delays in processing their claims and how they felt undervalued by their government. It is a shameful way to treat people who have served their country. Today, that picture has changed; 97 per cent of those claims have now been cleared, and what once took more than a hundred days is now being allocated in just a fortnight. The message is simple: when governments fail to invest in a public service, it is everyday Australians who pay the price.”
“Most importantly, when the Albanese Labor government came to power, public servants felt valued by their government again. Years of underinvestment by coalition governments resulted in backlogs, delays and even the disastrous robodebt scheme. We can see the turnaround most clearly in frontline services. Between April and June this year, Services Australia processed 4.2 million Medicare and Centrelink claims and handled over 10 million calls. Extra staff brought in by this government have helped to clear backlogs that grew during the pandemic, and they have cut processing times dramatically. Paid parental leave claims now take just three days, down from 20 days. That's seven times faster. Childcare subsidy claims take eight days, down from 21—three times faster. New family tax benefit claims take eight days, down from 40—five days faster.”
“They share a deep belief in the mission and goals of their organisations and feel confident to do their jobs with honesty and integrity. I know from personal experience and from friends who work in the Public Service that, when the Albanese Labor government came to power, it was like a breath of fresh air to the Public Service. Jobs that had been outsourced to labour hire firms were converted into secure, permanent roles. In the Department of Home Affairs, where I worked, a number of jobs in the essential Translating and Interpreting Service—which provides translating services for migrants and refugees when they visit their doctor or use government services—were converted into full-time, secure roles. Staffing shortages, which had festered for years and which resulted in delays for essential services, were finally addressed.”
“That is why I welcomed the Albanese Labor government's commitment to rebuilding and strengthening the Australian Public Service. The latest APS Employee Census is proof that our commitment is delivering results. It shows a stronger, more resilient Public Service—one that is engaged, innovative and focused on delivering better outcomes for Australians. These results demonstrate that, when we invest in people and systems, we build a service that is confident in its purpose, proud of its work and better equipped to serve the community. Staff are reporting stronger motivation, improved wellbeing and greater confidence in their agencies. Public servants overwhelmingly expressed their willingness to go above and beyond in their roles.”
“I am proud to speak on this Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 and on expenditure for Prime Minister and Cabinet, which is an essential part of the Public Service. It's the Public Service that I was proud to work in for over a decade before becoming a lawyer. There will always be those who deride the Public Service, including, sadly, some of those on the opposite side of this chamber. But I know that the Public Service is an institution that is filled with hardworking, dedicated public servants with deep expertise and commitment to serving the Australian people. The Albanese Labor government recognises and respects the fact that the Public Service makes up the bulk of the executive arm of government and is essential to the delivery of the policies of governments of any persuasion.”
“The last time Australia had a national preventive health agency was under a Labor government. Once again, it is Labor taking the responsibility to ensure that Australians have the health protection they deserve. That is the vision of the Albanese Labor government: an Australia where health decisions are guided by science, where transparency builds trust and where the systems are strong enough to protect every community—an Australia where the public can rely on and trust the information they receive, safeguarded from misinformation and political opportunism. This legislation brings us closer to that vision. That is why I commend this bill to the House.”
“It will ensure that our country's capacity to protect Australians is on par with, and in some areas better than, comparable nations in the OECD. The benefits go beyond infectious diseases. While the CDC's initial focus will be on communicable diseases, its remit will expand over time to include chronic and occupational illnesses, climate related health risks and other emerging challenges. Establishing the CDC is not just a response to the challenges of the past; it is investment in a safer, healthier and more resilient future. This bill lays the foundation for a national agency that will protect Australians from the health threats of tomorrow. That is what Labor governments do. We strengthen the health system and invest in the long-term wellbeing of our communities.”
“That stands in stark contrast to the confusion and secrecy that too often characterised the coalition government's approach. The CDC will be a statutory authority with clearly defined responsibilities and a mandate to advise not only the federal government but also the states, territories and even international partners such as the World Health Organization. This is a genuine reform, driven by evidence and shaped by the hard lessons of recent history. Before we came to government, Australia was the only OECD nation without a dedicated CDC. That absence left a gap in our ability to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. That is why we are prioritising this bill. Establishing the CDC will deliver practical and measurable benefits for the public, for governments and for the health system.”
“It was a failure of planning and investment by the coalition government. Health care is at the heart of Labor's mission. We understand that protecting public health is essential. When the coalition cuts, Australians pay. The Albanese government is determined to ensure that never happens again. This bill demonstrates our commitment to rebuilding and strengthening Australia's public health capacity after nine years of coalition cuts and neglect. The Australian Centre for Disease Control will not only safeguard the public from future health emergencies but also uphold transparency and accountability. In an era of misinformation and political opportunism, the CDC will be required to publish the recommendations it provides to government. This will help the public see the evidence behind decisions and build trust in the advice given.”
“Instead of having a ready, independent source of expertise to guide national decision-making, each state and territory was left to handle the crisis largely on its own. Here we see the dangers of the Liberal ideological opposition to a strong Public Service. In the last election campaign, we saw the Liberal opposition put forward an arbitrary number to cut the Public Service by, without regard for the measures that were needed and the way that public services needed to have sufficient resources to perform their functions—for example, protecting public health. The absence of a national coordinating body left us vulnerable to inconsistent approaches and delayed action. There was no failure of our public health professionals in the COVID-19 pandemic; they served the nation with courage and skill.”