Leon Rebello
McPherson · Liberal National Party · Australia
“But it's becoming really frightening when there is nowhere else to go if i can no longer afford rent and health care too. Another person said: As a still working, self funded semi retiree (73years) old, I feel disillusioned and disgusted by our current govt, who seem to be hell bent on removing any incentive to be a self sufficient, hard…”
“I'm going to read out some of the comments that ordinary Australians in the 65-plus category have sent to me and give them a voice in this place, because those on the opposite side of this parliament are prepared to go against them. I quote one person: 'That's a joke, Leon. We currently struggle to maintain existing low cover.”
“A lot of them are hanging on by the skin of their teeth financially, when they need their insurance the most and after paying premiums for years with minimal claims. Labour will pay the price if they mess with older Australians … Another person said: So this is over $1200 for the two of us.”
“We received over 2,000 responses to those surveys, and most of the responses focused on the fact that these are older Australians who have worked for this country, who have done the right thing for so many years, and now they're finding themselves in a really difficult spot as a result of this government's characterisation of them.”
“And I say to those opposite, the ones who have contributed to this debate and those who are sitting in the chamber today or watching, you should really look at yourself and look at the content of what we're saying, because this is about your parents, it's about your grandparents and it's about people that you represent, or are supposed to…”
“I commend my friend and colleague the member for Gippsland for moving this motion in relation to the government's failure to govern for older Australians. I am livid.”
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“The coalition has been trying to bring the government to act for some time over the last few weeks, and now we're seeing in this place that, despite the fact that we've had four out of the last five weeks sitting here in Canberra, we have a situation where the government is looking to all of a sudden wake up to the fact that there is a fuel crisis and to try and get some legislation through the parliament. Let's not forget that ensuring fuel gets through the system is the responsibility of the minister. But what are we seeing? We're seeing this part-time energy minister instead outsourcing responsibility to taskforces, to the ACCC, to people who don't always believe in fuel itself.”
“Not only does that kind of mixed messaging provide uncertainty but it also undermines the level of confidence that I think Australians require at this time from their government, because, if supply is truly strong, why is it that shipments are being cancelled or delayed? Why are Australians being told to change their behaviour? Why are fuel stations running out of petrol? On Friday I received contact from constituents to advise me that in my electorate of McPherson on of the most well-known fuel stations down the southern end in Bilinga had gone through this experience, and my understanding is that they continue to do so. This points to a system failure in relation to distribution, not just supply.”
“As a country, we're importing over 90 per cent of our refined fuel, and we hold some of the lowest reserves in the OECD. That's very important because it leaves us vulnerable to global shocks, to conflict and to supply disruptions and, when that happens, it's not just Canberra that feels it; it's families, it's farmers, it's truckies and it's regional communities. At a time when we are uncertain about fuel supply in this country, we're seeing mixed messages coming from those opposite. First, it was 'no problem' then we heard 'don't panic' then we heard, 'Oh, it's the fault of Australians who are going out and buying too much petrol.' Now we're hearing language surrounding a national crisis, with advice to people across the country to work from home.”
“I rise today to speak on fuel security. Now, fuel security is not an abstract policy issue; it's a national security and economic stability issue impacting the daily life of Australians. Before I start, I'd like to just touch on the contribution of the member for Moreton. The member for Moreton said, 'Right now is a serious time.' I hope the member reminds the Prime Minister and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy that it is a serious time the next time that they enter this chamber during question time. They avoid answering our questions and they laugh in the opposition's face. I hope that the member reminds the Prime Minister and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy that this is in fact a serious time. Right now as a country, and this motion touches on this, we are quite dangerously exposed.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. Godden Food, a food wholesaler who operate through my electorate between Sydney and Brisbane with 50 trucks, were told at 3 pm yesterday that they could not access any fuel from their distributor. They state that, as a result, this will lead to an increase in food prices at the supermarket. Prime Minister, when will you take action to ensure the fuel gets to where it needs to get to?”
“We're going to see an increase in holiday cancellations. We're seeing families who have probably been looking forward to travel after working very hard but being unable to travel and take time with their families. We need a government who is not only prepared to act but prepared to act in a way such that we can work with them. We've been very constructive in the sense that we've said, in relation to the first part of this legislation, that we're happy to provide some support. But the way it's been rushed is, again, characteristic of a government that is arrogant and out of touch.”
“We've seen multiple national cabinet meetings. We've seen a government that has ultimately been caught flat-footed and asleep at the wheel. And it's not only individuals who are hurting; it's small businesses. Many of us on this side of the House have been involved in and run small businesses. It's those people who are really struggling at the moment. These are the ones who are wanting to make sure they have a future for their business, for the people they employ, and no guarantee is being given by this government. As the coalition, we will definitely scrutinise this legislation, especially in the Senate. But the way it has been put through today is characteristic of this government. We're approaching Easter, a time that is very special to Australians. But what are we going to actually see?”
“I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge my colleague the federal member for Wright, someone who is very familiar with the transport industry. He has worked as a transport operator, and he spoke very passionately about this topic earlier in this debate. The country is at breaking point. We are not seeing any sort of meaningful action here. There's no talk about solutions, no talk about, for example, adjustments to the fuel excise. There's no talk about what the government is actually doing. Instead, the talk we have heard has been confusing and conflated, especially when it comes to the presentations by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy during question time over the last couple of days. We've seen the government contradicting itself. We've gone from there being no fuel problem to a national crisis being declared.”
“Theirs is a company that purchases between 7,000 litres and 10,000 litres at a time. Between just the 28 February and 18 March, they've seen an increase in their costs from $1.63 a litre to $2.73 per litre. This cost is being passed on, as you'd expect, to their clients, and it is, in turn, being passed on to builders and to the cost of construction. Many of the people and the companies who use these cranes engage in the construction of both commercial and residential housing as well. The impact we're seeing on families from rising fuel costs is multifaceted, and it's compounding, because we're already seeing a government that has presided over an incredible cost-of-living crisis. We're seeing inflation that is out of control, and we are now seeing families having to add, to their already growing burden, the increased cost of fuel.”
“I rise to speak today for many people across my electorate who are struggling with fuel supply. Let me be clear, though, about what is happening here. The coalition recognised the urgency of the first of these bills, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026. We recognise the urgency of it. But what's also happening is that, in the purest form of arrogance that has long characterised them, the Albanese Labor government have bundled it up with another piece of legislation, the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, which we only received earlier today. Petrol and diesel prices are rising across the country. I spoke recently to Jon and Sharon, who own a family crane company in my electorate, and they have seen a considerable rise in the cost of fuel.”
“For them, fuel climbed from around $1.63 a litre to $2.73 a litre between 28 February and 18 March, and they are bracing for it to go even higher. For a family business, that's not an inconvenience; it's a threat to viability. This is what happens when a government loses control of the economy, loses control of fuel security and loses touch with the people it is meant to serve. Australians are hurting, and this government has no plan.”
“I have an announcement to make: this government has lost control. After four years in office, Labor now owns this economy, and Australians are paying the price. Last week Australians copped the 14th interest rate rise under this government. That's 14 blows to family budgets, 14 blows to small business and 14 reminders that Labor has no answer to inflation. Inflation in Australia is now the highest in the developed world. While households are cutting back, this government keeps spending. This government pretends that Australians are not hurting, but we on this side of the House know that they absolutely are. They feel it at the checkout, they feel it in their mortgage and they feel it when they fill up their car. In my electorate, John and Sharon, who run a family crane business, told me exactly what this looks like in the real world.”
“It is ridiculous that those doing the right thing, providing tangible, life-changing support, are hit harder than the fraudulent providers who we've seen absolutely rorting the system. The government says it's protecting the NDIS. How can this be, when up to 10 per cent of claims—that is, $5 billion a year—may be fraudulent. That is not protection; that is neglect. Every dollar stolen is a dollar taken from someone who genuinely needs support. So before this government cuts one more plan, it should start by doing the one thing it has failed to do—cut the fraud, clean up the system and restore integrity to the NDIS. Australians with disability deserve better than this, and, frankly, so do the taxpayers who are funding it.”
“Then Pete and Drew were sent an invoice for two hours—$236 for 25 minutes. Only when confronted on camera did that invoice shrink to $24. How on earth is this happening? This is not care; this is an absolute racket. And, while this is happening, families are having their plans quietly cut. Participants are being told to do more with less, and providers that are doing the right thing are being squeezed to breaking point. When I speak to the hardworking local physiotherapists or OTs on the southern Gold Coast, it absolutely crushes my heart. These therapists might only be able to bill for two hours, but then they're smashed with six hours worth of paperwork and reporting, a cost that they must absorb themselves.”
“I rise to speak on a matter of significant and growing concern across my community and across Australia. Recently, every single one of us in this place was sent a video that should make every Australian furious. It exposes what is happening right now in the NDIS—not theory, not spin but reality. Investigative journalists Pete Z and Drew Pavlou went into suburbs packed with NDIS providers—and what they found should shock this parliament. Drew and Pete were threatened, assaulted and called 'retarded'. In one case, a provider banned for fraud—shut down and stripped of registration—reappeared in the same location with the same phone number under a different name. In another case, Pete and Drew booked a simple studio clean. The cleaner stayed 25 minutes. They brought no equipment and they used tissues from the unit.”
“They deserve access to that retirement, and they deserve a government that is going to stand up for them, get their own expenditure under control—that is, government expenditure—reduce the pressures on inflation and create a situation where people who have worked for this country can retire comfortably and not have to keep working.”
“Australians are working harder and they're falling further behind because of this situation. I represent an electorate that has an average age slightly higher than the national average. I expect that many people in my electorate who thought they would be at the point of their life where they're ready to retire, spend time with their families, and maybe travel and see the world are now facing the tough economic choices where they're having to work longer. It's just not good enough. People who have worked and contributed to this country for so many years deserve better.”
“While this motion talks to what is happening to older Australians, others are not exempt. Young people are not exempt, and people who have entered into the housing market are not exempt. We're now also seeing the long-term consequences of this government expenditure. We're seeing a situation where Australians are now facing a trillion dollars in debt, right on their doorstep, and $1.2 trillion in debt by the time we get to the next election. That means we're going to see less money for services and more pressure on those who are holding the tax burden. And every dollar that's spent on interest is a dollar that is not spent on Australians. The largest collapse in living standards across the developed world is something we should not be proud of in this parliament. It's something this government should not be proud of.”
“And this isn't abstract economics; it's pressure felt at every kitchen table. It's pressure felt across every bill, payment and mortgage repayment, or even on rent day. Despite the fact that the Treasurer may insist this is attributable to what is happening abroad, we know that this is homegrown inflation, and the 13 interest rate rises prior to the most recent interest rate rise and prior to what's happening in the Middle East are a testament to that. We're seeing a situation where government spending is outpacing economic growth by a measure of four to one. We're seeing $50 billion in new discretionary spending, and savings are simply reallocations of existing expenditure. We all should adhere to one principle here, and that is that you cannot spend your way out of inflation; you'll only make it worse.”
“But now, because of the real financial pressure that Australians are under, they're having to work longer. This motion highlights a deep and concerning trend in Australia. The cash rate now—having had, like I said, 14 increases under this government—has not come out of nowhere. It's a result of a government that is addicted to spending. Because of this economic vandalism, we are seeing inflation hurting Australian households across my electorate of the southern Gold Coast and across the country as well. We're seeing 16 per cent more for food, 18 per cent more for health, 22 per cent more for rents and 39 per cent more for insurance. As we all know, it's almost 40 per cent more when it comes to electricity. Mortgage holders are paying a lot more now than they had to previously—in the thousands per year.”
“When I put this motion forward, it noted that the cash rate had risen to 3.85 per cent, which marked at the time the 13th interest rate rise under this government. Since then, we have had yet another rise, the 14th interest rate rise, under this government, taking the interest rate to 4.10 per cent. The impact of this is significantly affecting not only young people in my electorate but also older Australians, and that's what I'd like to touch on in particular today. I rise here because too many Australians are being forced to work longer, and this isn't by choice; this is by necessity. We have a situation where people who have worked very hard for the benefit of this country thought they would be retiring comfortably and planned out their life in a certain way.”
“I move: That this House: (1) notes that the cash rate has risen to 3.85 per cent, marking the 13th interest rate increase under the Government; (2) recognises new data showing a record 760,100 Australians aged 65 and over are now in the workforce, the highest level since records began in 1995; (3) expresses concern that nearly 100,000 more older Australians feel it necessary to work or delay retirement or are returning to work due to cost of living pressures; (4) condemns the Government's economic mismanagement and unchecked debt fuelled spending, which has contributed to rising inflation and increasing household costs for power, rent, groceries and mortgages; and (5) calls on the Government to take urgent action to address the cost of living crisis, curb spending pressures driving inflation, and ensure older Australians are not forced to delay retirement due to financial hardship.”
“But we need to make sure that we're putting forward policies that don't just congratulate ourselves like this motion does but that stand in a way that's going to make lives better for Indigenous Australians—not just throw money at problems that are not being solved. I say to the government that standing here commending the government for spending on a new program, a new initiative or a new framework is not necessarily something that we should be proud of. I'd like to see the results first, and then I'd be more than happy to support a motion like this.”
“Importantly, we get up in this place—and we're very privileged to be here—once every year and we talk about Closing the Gap and Closing the Gap targets, but there's very little effort that goes into assessing how we're going on those targets and calling out the real issues that are preventing us from meeting those targets. We've got four—just four—of the 19 Closing the Gap targets that are on track. If you look at the key indicators that are going backwards, these are serious areas that should be of concern. We're seeing key indicators going backwards in terms of incarceration, suicide, child development, out-of-home care and others. We as the coalition want to work constructively with the government on this because it's in the interests of all Australians.”
“But, given the track record of the government, it would be remiss of me not to question whether this spending will be effective—because what have we seen in the broader pattern of this government's spending on Indigenous programs? We've seen billions spent across Indigenous programs, and I'm sure that that is out of genuine concern. I don't think those on this side of the House would question that. But we have seen worsening outcomes. We've seen the $300 million A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia Plan, but we don't think that that's actually made Central Australia better or safer. We've seen a $730,000 bill for the First Nations ambassador's travel expenses over just two years, but I'm still waiting to hear the answer to the question about what outcomes that spending delivered on.”
“We all know that we need to make sure that the taxpayer money that is being invested in these programs is actually getting the result not only for taxpayers but for the communities and the individuals to whom the programs are targeted. This isn't administrative oversight. It's a conscious decision which avoids scrutiny. The government has shut down dedicated scrutiny in one of the most critical policy areas. They've reduced visibility over how billions in taxpayer funds are being used. Now, what have we seen in terms of the spending in this space? We've seen a government that's allocated $218.3 million in funding for these services.”
“Community safety outcomes are not improving at the pace that our communities expect. Announcing the program is not the same as delivering a result. The motion asks the House to commend new funding and new programs, but what we've seen is that the government's developed a pattern of avoiding scrutiny when it comes to existing Indigenous programs. For the first time in 17 years, there were no standalone Senate estimates hearings for cross-portfolio Indigenous matters. We've seen the deliberate removal of a key mechanism here, one that's designed to test spending, to examine outcomes and to hold ministers and their departments accountable.”
“Family and domestic violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is a grave and an urgent issue. But acknowledging the problem is not the same as solving it. The motion in front of me today asks the House to commend a government that has consistently failed to deliver the real outcomes. The motion commends announcements, plans and funding, but it actually ignores the real-world outcomes. The government is very good at launching plans but far less effective at delivering results, because, as we all know, more Labor announcements and more spending don't automatically mean better outcomes. We continue to see national plans, action frameworks, advisory groups and consultation processes, but, despite all of this, many of the key Closing the Gap targets are not actually going the right direction. They're going backwards.”
“They deserve a government that is prepared to lead so that we as a country can make the most of this transition for the benefit of Australians.”
“It is the private sector that does that. So government should, in coming up with these strategies, work with the private sector. They should take lessons from, for example, the people that Senator Bragg and I met with—people who are at the forefront of this technology revolution. They're the ones government needs to be listening to. Instead we've got a government that doesn't really know what it's doing when it comes to AI. They've had different messages coming from different ministers. We've had one saying we need to have a light-touch approach. Another one said, 'There are no plans to change it.' Then there's another one who has publicly called for a dedicated AI act. I think the people of my electorate and the people in the tech space across this country deserve better.”
“The fact that there is no current plan for workers that would be displaced by AI is problematic, and I think it's incumbent on the government and the relevant minister to come into this place and tell us what their plans are, what their strategies are, for those individuals. We need to have a complex approach to that because we need to be targeting education. We need to make sure that those people are educated in alternative streams of employment. We need to make sure that they're able to use AI. But we also need to make sure that new industries have the support they require, and we all know, especially those of us on this side of the chamber, that, when it comes to making sure that those industries are set up and act effectively, it's not typically government that has the best track record of doing so.”
“I go into a lot of schools and universities in McPherson and see firsthand that the next generation is being upskilled in emerging technologies such as AI. We can use it productively, but we just need to get that balance right, and that's ultimately where I think this conversation needs to go. It's all about balance and about getting the balance right between embracing new technologies as a country, which we haven't always been very good at, and making sure that we are taking the Australian community and the business community with us on the journey. The only way that Australians will benefit from AI is if this transition is managed effectively.”
“That's why one of the things that this motion touches on is the fact that the government has not developed an AI transition plan for Australian workers. I would have thought that, for a government that typically talks itself up about what it does for the Australian worker, it would have had some experience in putting something like that together—partly because we want to make sure that the government's got a strategy but also partly to provide a level of assurance to small-business owners in my electorate and across the country as well. The scale of AI change is quite rapid, and we are starting to see routine tasks being automated. I think that as a parliament we should welcome that. We want to make sure that we're upskilling a new generation.”
“I recently had the opportunity to host Senator Andrew Bragg in my electorate, and we had a roundtable with a lot of the leaders of tech groups and new startup companies in my electorate. One of the things that came out of that really good discussion was that people felt government was behind the ball when it came to emerging technologies, including things such as AI. AI is becoming a lot more familiar to Australians, and we're seeing it in our daily lives. But there is a part of it that also raises certain concerns. I hear from people, especially across small businesses, who are starting to see the implications of AI. Sometimes they're good and they enable us to be more efficient and more productive, but sometimes AI can also provide a level of concern in terms of job security.”
“When I started as the federal member for McPherson, in my first speech I made reference to the fact that government needs to have a vision that looks to the year 2100. We need to have a vision that looks beyond each electoral cycle, considers what Australia will look like in the future and, in doing so, considers the needs of Australians in the future and how we're evolving as a society. I think about my electorate when I look at this motion because I have Burleigh Heads in my electorate, which I'm very, very proud of, and— An opposition member: A lovely place! Burleigh Heads, in addition to being a lovely place, is an absolutely booming area for tech and for the tech startup industry in particular.”
“They're dealing with not only the cost of housing and not only these interest rate rises but the cost of housing and these interest rate rises on top of every single other increase in cost that we're facing under this government. And it all goes back to two main points: (1) a lack of ambition in relation to housing by this government and (2) that this is in relation to the fact that we've got a government that is addicted to spending. It's a combination of those two factors that have resulted in where we're at as a country right now. I have recently been appointed, or elected, to the deputy chair role of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration. As the member for Fadden touched on, we had our first public hearing last Friday or the Friday before, and something came about which I think this House really needs to know.”
“We've also seen a government—and this motion goes to the fact—that has created the failing Housing Australia Future Fund. That has $11.4 billion in it, but—get this—it has only built 895 houses in 2½ years of operation. Now, when I speak to people in my constituency on the southern Gold Coast—in fact, I was at the Burleigh Heads markets for about five to six hours on Saturday morning. We had a number of, especially, young people who are struggling with rentals because we've got a situation on the Gold Coast where the rental market is severely constricted. Then there are others who are young families who have just gotten into their first home.”
“And they've done this by expanding the five per cent deposit scheme from what was a sensible and targeted approach to something that is uncapped and not means tested. So it's a free-for-all approach which has supercharged house prices by 3.6 per cent just in one quarter. Why is that amplified by everything else that this government is overseeing? In the last week and a bit, we've seen an increase—yet another increase—to our interest rates in this country. That takes us to 14 rate rises under this Albanese Labor government. So all of those people who may have gotten into the housing market for the first time under this government's five per cent deposit scheme are now hit. They are absolutely hit with having to pay higher interest rates on those houses.”
“It gives me great pleasure to speak to this motion moved by my dear friend the member for Fadden. I acknowledge also the member for Moncrieff, who is also in the chamber. The three of us represent constituencies of the Gold Coast, and we are no stranger to the issue of housing because we're seeing it right in our backyards. I'm pleased that the member for Moreton recognised the importance of housing. It's just really unfortunate that those opposite and the policies that they reflect do not reflect that fact. The motion today before the House of Representatives touches on a number of different important things and, in particular, something that's become even more relevant over the last two weeks. That is the fact that the government has made Australia's housing crisis even worse.”
“If this government wants to truly restore bulk-billing, it needs to stop writing letters and start delivering the policy settings that make quality general practice sustainable. Because, as we all know, when GP practices cannot survive, it is our communities who ultimately pay the price.”
“A doctor could spend two minutes writing a prescription and move on to the next patient, but a thorough GP will take the time to investigate underlying causes, risk review factors and ensure that nothing serious is missed. The problem is that, under the current system, the doctor who takes 15 minutes to properly investigate the issue may receive the same or even less than the one who rushes through it. As one local GP put it to me, the thorough doctor becomes the poor doctor, and that is the wrong incentive to build into our healthcare system. Our healthcare system should support careful, high-quality care, not rushed appointments and treating patients like numbers.”
“I encourage you to move towards a 100 per cent bulk-billing model as it would better serve the community.' With respect, that is not health policy. An instructive letter does not reduce the cost of running a medical practice. Good policy does. Local doctors in my community have explained the realities that they face under the current system. Under the current bulk-billing model. Many described the pressure to deliver what they call six-minute medicine. This means shorter consultations, higher patient volumes and, in some cases, quick fixes even when a patient's condition requires more time and careful investigation. Take something as simple as high blood pressure.”
“GPS across my community are incredibly committed to providing the best possible care for their patients, but, like any small business, they must also keep their doors open. The costs of medical supplies, subscriptions, software, rents, electricity, insurance, staff and taxes continue to rise, and, as a local doctor told me, there's no billable item in the Medicare rebates for those expenses. When the numbers simply don't add up, practices are forced to make difficult decisions just to stay viable. I recently saw a letter written by a Labor member of this House to a local GP practice which read: 'My constituents have shared their disappointment that your practice is currently not a fully bulk-billing clinic.”
“I rise today to speak on this government's failures when it comes to health care. Australia is fortunate to have one of the strongest healthcare systems in the world, and that's a system that's been built and strengthened through the efforts of both sides of politics. But what good is a strong system if people in my community can't access the care when they need it? During the last election campaign, the Prime Minister promised more than 71 times that visits to a family doctor would be free, but the reality in my community tells a very different story. Across the southern Gold Coast, bulk-billing rates have fallen by 12 per cent under this government, and the reason for that is quite simple. It's increasingly not financially viable.”
“It's exactly the kind of entrepreneurial success that the Gold Coast is known for, creating jobs, supporting families and contributing to our local economy. There is no doubt that, in the first 10 days of the new leadership team, we put McPherson firmly on the map. The visit sent a clear message: the coalition values the southern Gold Coast, and the people of McPherson have a strong voice in Canberra. I will continue to advocate strongly in this place and across the country on behalf of my community, standing up for our small businesses, for our families, for our young people and for the organisations that make the southern Gold Coast such a truly special place to call home.”
“I'd like to congratulate President Karen Howell and the ladies of the QCWA, who continue to strengthen women and their families across our community through their tireless work. We also visited Fin Design & Effects, where Andrea Hearn and the team showed us their world-class visual effects studio that is based in Burleigh. It was fascinating to see how films recognised across the globe, including Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Elvis , have had their visual effects created right there on the southern Gold Coast. To round out the visit, Senator Hume and I stopped in at Mr Consistent in Burleigh, where Jeremy Davidson and his team have built an impressive local business producing cocktail mixes now recognised across Australia and beyond.”
“A few days later, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Senator Jane Hume, to McPherson as well. We began the day at one of my regular listening spots, the beautiful Tallebudgera Creek. As Senator Hume observed that morning, 'Even in paradise, it's clear that people are doing it tough.' People told us that the cost of everything has gone up—groceries, energy, insurance and housing—while their standard of living is going backwards. Senator Hume and I also attended a special event at the Coolangatta branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association—the heritage listing of their beautiful hall in Coolangatta. The hall has long been a centrepiece of community life, and it will now be an enduring home for the QCWA and the broader southern Gold Coast community.”
“It was an opportunity to hear from Dan and Lauren about their remarkable story and how they've scaled up their family business to exporting their products from Burleigh to the world. But, like so many businesses across the country, they spoke about rising costs, workforce pressures and the need for policies that support and reward enterprise. Our final stop was—my favourite—Blackboard cafe in Varsity Lakes, where we held a roundtable with young women and their families to discuss cost-of-living pressures and choice in child care. I thank Jen Fleming from Childcare Choice for helping to organise that roundtable. It was a valuable discussion. Families spoke openly about the need for policies that give them and, in particular, women choice and the opportunity to get ahead while balancing work and childcare commitments.”
“Locals came up to us to wish Angus very well and share their views on the direction of the country and the issues that matter to them. Those conversations were thoughtful, and they were candid. People spoke about the rising cost of living, the pressures facing small businesses and their hopes for the future. We visited Saul Wiseman and his impressive young team at Cadetshop in Burleigh, a fantastic local business that exemplifies the ingenuity of Australian manufacturing. Cadetshop has built a strong partnership with the Australian Defence Force, producing specialised equipment and items that support our cadets and ADF personnel. We also visited Aussie Chiller, another outstanding small business at Burleigh Heads.”
“I rise this afternoon to share with the House the privilege that it was to recently welcome the new Leader of the Liberal Party, Angus Taylor, and the new Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Senator Jane Hume, to my electorate of McPherson on the southern Gold Coast. Both visits occurred within the first 10 days of their election to these leadership roles. I believe that that says something important. It shows that the coalition does not take the southern Gold Coast for granted. It shows that the people of McPherson are being heard and that they do have strong representation in Canberra. When the Leader of the Liberal Party visited McPherson, we started the day bright and early in true Burleigh fashion—a morning run along the beachfront. After the run, we grabbed coffee with an enthusiastic group of young supporters.”