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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“Fifteen lives were ended as a consequence of that failure. Australians are, rightly, asking how this happened and how we ensure it never happens again. We must stand unapologetically for the values that define us. Freedom of religion, equality before the law, mutual respect and the absolute rejection of political and religious violence. We must call out antisemitism for what it is, every time it appears, no matter who it comes from or how it is supposedly justified. We must confront radicalisation wherever it takes hold, with strong laws, effective security, proper resourcing for intelligence and law enforcement and the courage to say that some ideologies are fundamentally incompatible with the Australian way of life. Australia has always been a nation of immigration, but it has never been a nation without standards.”
“I have stood where hatred was systematised, where ideology stripped people of their humanity and turned neighbours into targets. Those places remind us that antisemitism is not a disagreement or a grievance; it's a lethal ideology. When tolerated, minimised or excused, it does not fade—it grows. Antisemitism has been growing in Australia. We have seen it on our streets, on our campuses, online and in protests where hatred is dressed up as activism. We have seen Jewish schools targeted, synagogues vandalised and families made to feel afraid in the country they call home. We have heard chants that should never be heard in Australia, and too often we have seen hesitation where there should have been moral clarity. When hatred is left unchallenged it creates the conditions in which violence becomes possible.”
“Among those murdered was Alexander Kleytman, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. He survived the Nazis, and yet in the country he believed would keep him safe he was murdered for being Jewish. My deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of those who were killed. No words spoken in this chamber can ease the grief that you carry, but know that the nation grieves with you and that we honour the lives that were taken far too soon. We have a responsibility in this place to speak honestly about why this happened. This attack was not random; it was an act of antisemitic terrorism driven by a radical Islamist ideology that rejects our values, dehumanises Jewish people and glorifies violence. I have walked the grounds of Auschwitz and Dachau.”
“I rise today with a heavy heart to speak to this condolence motion following the horrific attack at Bondi Beach. Like the Gold Coast, Bondi is a symbol of who we are as Australians: open skies, golden beaches, families coming together, surfers watching the sets roll in, visitors from every corner of the world, sharing an unspoken understanding that this is a country of freedom and safety. That sense of ease and innocence was shattered. What happened at Bondi shocked us not only because of the lives lost and the lives forever changed but also because it struck somewhere deeply familiar. Those scenes could have been Coolangatta, or Burleigh, or anywhere along the coastline that I represent in McPherson. My heart breaks for Bondi. This is not the Australia we know. This is not the Australia that we have built together.”
“Encouraging young people to participate in our democracy is something I'm deeply passionate about, and their curiosity and enthusiasm were truly inspiring. I'd like to also thank Arcadia's dedicated teaching staff, who have been shepherding students through their lessons on government and civics. Each of these moments reflect what I love most about representing the Gold Coast: the opportunity to connect with people, to listen and to play a part in strengthening our community. Thank you to everyone I've met in recent months. You continue to inspire me, and I'm proud to serve you.”
“I recently welcomed the Australian Political Exchange Council's 37th delegation from the United States, giving them a glimpse of the very best the Gold Coast has to offer. The delegation included state legislators, mayors, senior government officials and policy leaders from across the United States. It was an honour to showcase our community, to exchange ideas and to strengthen the ties between our two nations. Finally, I had a wonderful visit to Arcadia College in Robina, where I joined a group of students and taught a civics class a bit about how to work as part of a team in federal parliament. I also discussed the role of a federal member of parliament and how the different levels of government work.”
“It was an absolute joy to celebrate with residents—including Imelda, Jill and Ann, who each turned 90—as they marked this incredible milestone. Moments like these remind us of the importance of community, connection and celebrating the lives and stories of those who helped shape the Gold Coast that we enjoy today. I also had the opportunity to host the Mudgeeraba Chamber of Commerce for an afternoon of discussion and collaboration at my office. Our small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and hearing directly from business owners about their challenges and their successes is essential in being able to best support them. Special thanks must go to the president, John Kennedy, his executive and all members who attended and continue to advocate for the needs of small businesses across our community.”
“Over the past few weeks, I've had the privilege of engaging with a wide range of groups across our wonderful southern Gold Coast community, each highlighting the strength, diversity and spirit that make our region so special. I recently had the pleasure of attending and presenting at one of the regular afternoon tea meetings hosted by Gold Coast Retirees Inc. This association plays a vital role in keeping our retirees connected, informed and engaged, and I thank the president, Mark Morrell, for his commitment to this initiative. I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with members about the issues that matter most to them and to acknowledge the invaluable contribution that they make to our community. Another highlight this month was joining the 90th birthday celebrations at Tricare in Clear Island Waters.”
“I congratulate each and every one of those students. To every student across the southern Gold Coast: congratulations and well done.”
“I'd like to place on record the recipients so far: Alasdair McCall from Hillcrest Christian College; Georgiana Georghiou from Silkwood School; Lyric Wilkinson and Sophie Spaull from Mudgeeraba Special School; Ella Henderson from Hillcrest Christian College virtual learning; Isaac Elmore, Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School; Claire Robertson, Robina State High School; Talissa Bellette, Elanora State High School; William Davis, Varsity College; Ayla Geralds, Somerset College; Saskia Birner, All Saints Anglican School; Jackson Fietz, Arcadia College; Sophie Fraser, Gold Coast Christian College; Ava Le Cornu, the BUSY School; Heath McLachlan, St Andrews Lutheran College; and Isabella Anderson from the Industry School For our primary- and middle-school students, I was very pleased to present my Spirit and Service Award, recognising one young person from each school who looks out for others.”
“As the 2025 school year draws to a close, I would like to congratulate all the year 12 students who have completed their high school journey. I wish each of you the very best for your exciting new chapters. It was an honour to join our local schools in celebrating the year's achievements and to present my Future Leaders Award to acknowledge an outstanding year 12 student from each school. These young leaders demonstrate initiative, integrity and a genuine commitment to making a difference.”
“Australians want affordable power and responsible action on emissions reduction. Labor has delivered neither. It's time for a plan that actually works. It's time to put Australians, Australian families and businesses first, not last.”
“This scheme would bring on new supply faster, keep existing reliable generation in the system until real alternatives are ready and crowd in private investment so taxpayers aren't forced to shoulder the burden. Third, we will support more gas supply, fix regulatory delays and ensure Australian consumers aren't left behind in their own market. Fourth, we'll pursue energy abundance by removing the ban on zero-emissions nuclear technology, by protecting reliability and by using all of Australia's resources responsibly. Finally, we will reduce emissions year on year in line with the Paris Agreement, through technology, choice, energy abundance and industry led innovation, not through taxes or mandates or by punishing families and businesses. Emissions reduction will be driven by technology and genuine progress, not political theatre.”
“They deserve better than slogans, secrecy and promises that never materialise, and that's why the coalition has put forward a new energy plan, a practical plan to bring down costs, strengthen reliability and responsibly reduce emissions. Our plan focuses on results Australians can afford, not targets that Australia can't meet. We must restore reliability at the centre of Australia's energy policy. First, we want to change the national energy objectives so planning is built around price, reliability and security, not political targets. Second, we will introduce the technology-neutral affordable energy scheme. It would support all forms of reliable generation: gas, hydro, batteries, coal and renewables in the right places. There's no ideology and no picking winners. It's just the affordable, reliable power that Australians need.”
“The Prime Minister is happy to export Australian resources to fuel foreign energy grids and drive global emissions, but he refuses to let Australians benefit from the same standard that he holds for the rest of the world. He forces higher power bills and unaffordable targets on our nation while criticising anyone who questions the price that we are being asked to pay. And now the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the part-time energy minister moonlighting as an international climate frontman, wants you to trust him on a new 2035 target that experts say is built on spin and fantasy. The government won't release the costings. They won't release the modelling and they tried to hide the briefing that confirmed exactly what every family already knows: under Labor, power prices keep going up. Australians have been let down.”
“Labor talk tough on climate, but their results say everything. Australia's emissions remain at 28 per cent below 2005 levels, exactly where they were the day the coalition left office. In other words, Labor's emissions reduction has flatlined—all pain and no progress. Yet they continue to insist that their targets—physically unattainable, economically reckless and never properly costed—are the only way forward, and they want Australians to bankroll this failure, even as cost-of-living pressures bite harder than ever before. While families struggle to afford groceries and to keep the lights on, Labor are chasing headlines, lecturing Australians and approving fossil fuel projects they then condemn in public. The hypocrisy is staggering.”
“Australians deserve affordable energy and responsible emissions reduction, and the coalition believe we can do both, but affordability must come first. This is what families and businesses in my community tell me every day. They're desperate for a government that understands the pressures that they are facing, but, instead of relief, Labor has delivered an energy system that is failing. Prices are soaring, and the targets are pure fantasy. Labor promised cheaper power—a $275 cut to your bill, I remember. Instead, under this prime minister, the average household is paying around $1,300 more. Energy prices have risen by almost 40 per cent. Factories are closing. Business insolvencies are at record highs. Investment is stalling, and emissions haven't moved an inch since the coalition left office.”
“I thank Audrey and all our veterans for their extraordinary service. None of us here would enjoy the freedoms we have today without them.”
“I'd like to thank each and every one of the volunteers and the workers at the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital for everything they do for our community. Earlier this month our community gathered for Remembrance Day to honour all who've served our nation to safeguard the freedoms that we cherish today. It was wonderful to see so many young people and also school groups who attended and took part in local services. This ensures that the next generation will carry forward this reverence for our veterans, and that is critical. In the lead-up to Remembrance Day I had the honour to meet 104-year-old Sergeant Audrey Kingsbury from the Coolangatta RSL Sub Branch. Audrey served as an Army signaller during the Second World War, and I was inspired to hear her story of service, her quiet strength and her lifelong dedication and devotion to our nation.”
“Also joining them are representatives from the RSPCA and Australia Zoo. The Currumbin Wildlife Hospital does vital work in protecting our wildlife. In 2024 they faced their most demanding year on record, admitting more than 16,000 sick, injured and orphaned native animals, a surge driven by the devastating impacts of natural disasters, disease and ongoing habitat loss. The hospital has delivered groundbreaking progress through applied research programs that are changing the trajectory for some of Australia's most at-risk species, including our beloved koalas. The team is here in Canberra this week to advocate for, amongst other things, certainty in their recurring funding. I'm proud to help amplify their needs to ensure that they can continue their vital work in conservation, research and caring for our wildlife.”
“It's been another busy and uplifting period for our southern Gold Coast community. I've met with local residents, businesses and community groups who've celebrated milestones and cherished opportunities to come together as we move into the festive season. I'd like to extend my warm congratulations to all southern Gold Coast students on a fantastic school year, particularly the year 12s, who celebrated their final day last week. It has been a pleasure to join our school communities as they wrap up the year and to help recognise students whose achievements, character and contributions make our community proud. I'd also like to make very special mention of and welcome representatives from the incredible Currumbin Wildlife Hospital in my electorate, including senior veterinarian Dr Michael Pyne OAM, who is here in the chamber today.”
“There's one in particular, in my electorate, where they've seen electricity prices go as high as $7,000 a month. Now, that is something that is absolutely unconscionable, and I don't know how long businesses can deal with that. While that is happening, Chris Bowen's climate change and energy department has spent $350,000 of taxpayer money on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the last three years alone, including $61,000 on an inclusion strategy and action plan. That's telling about Chris Bowen's priorities, at a time when energy costs—”
“This week, it's quite timely for me to speak about this. We've seen the revelation of what's been happening with the BOM website, with over $96 million for a website that we have received terrible user feedback on. That's one example of something that the government has done which is wasting the hard-earned taxpayer dime. Everyday Australians, including those in my electorate, are, frankly, sick and tired of this kind of government waste. They work absolutely bloody hard, and the last thing they need is for the government or bureaucrats in Canberra to be wasting their money. One of the biggest frustration points for people in my community is in relation to the energy costs that they're experiencing at the moment. We've had a conversation through my office and I've had the opportunity to go and meet with a number of small businesses.”
“When I am out in my community—and I have had the opportunity to continue doing a number of listening posts at shopping centres, at the Burleigh Heads markets and at the beaches—people come up to me and speak about the issues that matter to them. There is no doubt that individuals and businesses are struggling at the moment, whether it's with the increased costs of housing, the increased costs of renting a shopfront or the increases to prices at grocery stores. People are struggling, and cost of living remains their No. 1 concern. Now, at a time when we in parliament and the government, I guess, are trying to manage this, we are seeing government expenditure blow out of proportion. There are a number of different instances that we have seen which form a broader pattern of government waste.”
“What this means is that we are seeing longer wait times, higher fees and more people putting off getting important medical treatment. Affordable and accessible health care has always been a fundamental part of the Australian way of life. Every individual deserves proper health care, and no-one should have to choose between paying household bills and getting the help they need. In the time I have left, I'd like to touch on another issue that is not only important to people in my electorate of McPherson but something that I get correspondence on and have interactions with members of the broader Australian community in relation to. This is the concept of government expenditure—even, dare I say it, government waste. We are experiencing a significant cost-of-living crisis in Australia.”
“It's disappointing to have a situation where we have people who've worked very hard and contributed to our economy and to our country, and they're now in a situation where they're having to choose between meals and medical care. That's not the Australian way. Local GPs are telling me that the current funding arrangements are not keeping up with the rising costs of providing quality health care. As a result, we're seeing more doctors being forced to stop bulk-billing or limit the number of patients that they can see without fees. I recall a time where the Prime Minister said that all you need to be able to see a doctor is your Medicare card. That's not the experience that we are seeing on the southern Gold Coast. Locals need their credit card.”
“Another issue I would like to touch on in this grievance debate is in relation to Medicare. Locals are currently telling me that access to a doctor, affordable medical care and the strain on our health system are top-level issues that face them and their families. Over the past year, bulk-billing rates in my seat of McPherson on the southern Gold Coast have fallen by 12 per cent, making it harder for many people to see a GP without facing significant out-of-pocket costs. This decline is placing real pressure on households—particularly on older Australians, young families and those managing chronic health conditions.”
“Daily congestion continues to choke our roads and frustrate many residents. It affects tradies heading to worksites, parents on school runs and visitors travelling to our beaches and local businesses. I really want to see upgrades that ease that congestion, that improve safety and that support our growing community. In a similar vein, another priority of mine is to see a solution to Exit 82 on the M1, the notorious double roundabouts in front of the Robina Town Centre. It's an absolute traffic bottleneck and a single choke point that wastes thousands of hours in lost productivity each and every year. It creates gridlock every day that affects local residents and businesses alike. The people of the southern Gold Coast deserve infrastructure investment and infrastructure that is based on need, not postcode politics.”
“I think about the many southern Gold Coast locals who commute on a daily basis up to Brisbane. At the moment they have to get in their cars, drive to either Varsity Lakes Station or Robina Station, park their cars and then get on the heavy rail to Brisbane. This project would remove that congestion on our roads, in particular on the M1. It would not only support those Brisbane commuters but also provide direct access to the Gold Coast Airport, which is one of the nation's fastest growing gateways. That means we would finally have a situation where people can land on the Gold Coast and be able to commute directly to Brisbane. This extension would take cars off the road, it would connect people to jobs and tourism, and it would make the southern Gold Coast a stronger, more liveable community.”
“I'm pleased to say that the Liberal leader was receptive, engaged and committed to working with us on practical solutions for our city's future. It's important that our city has a long-term vision, a plan that manages population growth and tourism by planning smarter and investing strategically. And, as we look to the future of public transport in our city, interconnectivity is key. The southern Gold Coast cannot be an afterthought in the government's infrastructure map. We must be better connected to the rest of South-East Queensland. I've spoken many times before about the extension of the heavy rail from Varsity Lakes all the way to Coolangatta, with stops at Burleigh Heads and Elanora and going down towards the airport. That's a commonsense project that would absolutely transform our region.”
“I rise in this grievance debate to speak in relation to a number of issues. My home on the Gold Coast is defined by its natural beauty, its unmatched coastal lifestyle and its incredible sense of community. It's no wonder our region is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. But with that growth come some very real challenges—challenges that cannot be ignored, delayed or dismissed. Our infrastructure, our housing supply and essential services must keep pace with the people who call the southern Gold Coast home. During my very first day in this parliament I sat down with the Leader of the Opposition and the CEO of Experience Gold Coast, Mr John Warn, to ensure that our city is front and centre of the national conversation.”
“On the coalition side, we're more than happy to be constructive and to work with the government. But let's be realistic about the results and let's be realistic about the effect that tokenistic measures could have. We support this bill, but we look forward to seeing a lot more addressed that is currently overdue.”
“In my electorate of MacPherson on the Gold Coast, we have an incredible, vibrant entertainment culture. We are one of the centre points of tourism, not only in Queensland but across the nation. This bill should go even further for the people in my electorate—the small business owners, the individuals and the people visiting—to actually see the benefit. As I said when I started this speech, as a coalition, we do support this bill. However, it doesn't go far enough and it doesn't do anything to address the structural problems that we are seeing in Australia in relation to our government expenditure and to ease cost of living. We must act now and we must act effectively because small government announcements here and there are not going to work. The time is now to address overdue reforms and overdue tax reforms.”
“Australia's alcohol taxes raise about $8 million per year and, as I said, the freeze will cost $90 million a year, which is only two per cent of the annual alcohol tax receipts, with excise on alcohol indexed to CPI twice a year. This freeze also only applies to draught beer served on tap. As I said, it amounts to a cent per pint, so most people watching this will not actually notice much of a price difference. The alcohol industry is an industry which supports so many people across my community on the southern Gold Coast. It directly supports the employment of 176,000 full-time equivalent jobs. The alcohol manufacturing industry employs around 22,500 people, the alcohol-related retail sector employs a further 21,000 and the hospitality sector employs a whopping 126,300 people.”
“That is tiny—very, very small—compared to the $8 billion that is collected annually from alcohol taxes. More should be done for Australia's hospitality and alcohol industries. These are businesses who have gone through COVID, have gone through record high inflation and incredible cost-of-living pressures. As governments and as members of parliament, we must do our part. If Labor is serious about cost of living, it must stop the spending spree and it must start growing the economic pie. This is something that I have spoken about on numerous occasions in this place. We are seeing a crisis of short-term governance. We need to think long-term. One of the things we need to think about long-term in this place is intergenerational debt, to which Labor has added $100 billion just in the last three years.”
“Because of this economic vandalism, we are seeing households paying more: 15 per cent more for food, 15 per cent more for health, 19 per cent more for housing, 37 per cent more for insurance and, of course, nearly 40 per cent more for electricity. There is nothing in this bill that resembles anything such as a strategy to address the government's spending spree, which is fuelling inflation. There is no plan to fix the $600 million illicit alcohol tax which has been previously identified by the Australian tax office. There is no sign of a broader excise reform conversation. These are just piecemeal freezes. It is great to give the government their headline that we are 'axing a beer tax' but it is not even that. The measure is worth just $90 million over the forward estimates.”
“While this will provide that less than 1c of relief per pint, in the context of this government, I'm sure we will take anything we can get right now. There is a long way further that we need to go. Recent inflation data has highlighted just how ineffective this policy will actually be in helping everyday Australians. Those of us who are out in our communities speaking to members of our community, to small businesses and to families hear every day the real effects of this cost-of-living crisis, with the government's reckless spending keeping inflation higher for longer. We have seen Australian taxpayers paying $50,000 every single minute just on the interest on Labor's trillion-dollar debt.”
“I've had the opportunity to take the Leader of the Opposition to visit Peta and the team at the Burleigh Brewing Company in the past. We also have the very well-known Balter Brewing Company in Currumbin. Absolutely, member for Grey. We also have Currumbin Valley Brewing. We have some incredible surf lifesaving clubs, bowls clubs, golf clubs and other clubs that serve beer. I will say that what we're seeing from the government is only a patchwork fix in the face of high inflation. It is being sold as a government measure designed to ease the cost of living. We're not seeing the bold structural reform that is needed, we are not seeing the changes that are needed and that so many Australians are crying out for.”
“I rise to speak on the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025. I'll start by saying that the coalition supports these bills, but we do want to make a few points. We support the freeze to the beer excise indexation, and we will not stand between a cut to the beer tax and the government, but we must be upfront and honest with Australians—this freeze delivers less than 1c of relief per pint. I'll come back to the merits of the bill and where we're at as a country, but I will say that, in my electorate of McPherson, we have some incredible breweries and some incredible venues that serve beer. I'm very fortunate in my electorate to have Black Hops Brewing in Burleigh as well as the Burleigh Brewing Company, which is very well known.”
“As a community, we must support men where they already are—on work sites, in offices, football fields and surf clubs—so that the first conversation does not have to be in a waiting room. We must make early intervention real in schools, in TAFEs and in universities, ensuring there's no wrong door and no dead end. Mental health must always be a national priority, and the test of a commitment to this will not be through words spoken or through dollars invested. It's whether in a moment of crisis an Australian can get the meaningful and effective support that they need. Right now, unfortunately, far too many can't. I'd like to say to anyone who's listening to this speech or who's reading it: anyone who's asking for help is not weak; they are courageous. You're needed, you're loved and your life has immeasurable worth.”
“If the pathway to therapy becomes harder, or if services become less viable to deliver, the outcome will not be savings. It will be more people in crisis. This brings me to my point. At a time of record demand, we've seen the number of Medicare subsidised psychology sessions halved from 20 to 10, leaving a massive gap in support. That's why, while I welcome government members recognising the urgency of mental health, I must ask: what are we actually doing to meet the need? Awareness is important. Education is important, but recognition without reform is not enough. The solutions needed are practical, not radical. While it's vital that the government has the support systems in place for those who need it, a very large piece to this, particularly in men's mental health, is having the courage to speak up and recognise when to seek support.”
“Constituents in my community have told me about the NDIS's tendencies when it comes to participants transitioning to work. Participants who are recovering, able and longing to get into work and contribute are being shot down within the system. We know that work, routine and social connection are some of the best ways to support recovery and mental wellbeing. Yet participants in my community tell me they're being explicitly discouraged from re-entering the workforce. These are people in recovery who are ready to move forward. Yet NDIA planners are making them second guess their progress, reinforcing dependence instead of providing support. As reforms continue, we must ensure Australians with complex needs do not lose access to essential supports.”
“Important national frameworks were set in motion under the coalition: the National Men's Health Strategy and the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. These frameworks are now moving through the system, but they require ongoing backing, proper resourcing and consistent review if they're to deliver what they were designed to achieve. We must also be honest about the intersection between the NDIS and mainstream mental health systems. Roughly one in 10 NDIS participants enter the scheme with the primary psychosocial disability supports that are essential for their stability. With that being said, I want to point out the importance of offering both support and a meaningful pathway to recovery for these participants.”
“I rise to speak about men's mental health, the silent killer which too often sits behind a brave face. Three in four lives lost to suicide are men's. Suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australian men under the age of 44, and, among young Australians aged 15 to 24, one in three deaths is suicide. These are not statistics. They're sons, brothers, mates and fathers—lives that were cut far too short. These numbers are heartbreaking, and we truly are in a mental health epidemic. Data shows the proportion of deaths by suicide is edging down. However, reductions in suicide are too often replaced by increased substance abuse. If a man's pain only changes its mask from a rope to a bottle to a pill, we've shifted the ledger, not healed the person.”
“Tradies trying to reach worksites, parents on school runs, visitors heading to our beaches—all are caught in the same daily gridlock. Another priority I've been advocating for, along with local councillor Dan Doran, is a fix for exit 82 on the M1 in Robina, the source of the bottleneck that ripples across Robina Town Centre with its notorious double roundabouts. This single choke point costs thousands of hours every year, and commerce grinds to a halt. I've already communicated these priorities to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, and I hope that this Labor government will come to the table on funding the initial steps, such as business cases, for these projects. The southern Gold Coast deserves investment. Let's get on with it and get it built.”
“Planning for the next era of public transport on the Gold Coast must start with a simple principle: seamless connection and interconnectivity. We need stronger links to the rest of South-East Queensland. A practical, high-impact step is extending the heavy rail from Varsity Lakes through West Burleigh, Elanora and Tugun right down to Coolangatta. This is a sensible nation-building project. It would deliver a direct rail link to Gold Coast Airport, one of Australia's fastest growing gateways, while easing pressure on our roads, opening access to jobs and tourism and strengthening the livability of the southern Gold Coast. Right now, congestion is stealing time from families and productivity from local businesses.”
“Let's call it out for what it is: it's a temporary fix for the problems that this government has created and then failed to address. It's a bandaid on a wound that requires surgery. Young Australians should not be punished for Labor's bad management. Labor's policies are shaped by what looks good on a press release: a cut here, a rebate there. The problem is not solved; it's merely shifted. You don't fix a leak by turning on another tap. Young Australians deserve better than gestures. They deserve genuine reform—reform grounded in fairness, discipline, productivity and responsibility. Labor's policy achieves none of these.”
“How can this government even speak of intergenerational fairness while passing this exorbitant bill onto Australians who are not even old enough to vote yet? Meanwhile, the deeper structural issues remain untouched. Our universities have suffered a 70 per cent fall in global rankings. Graduate employability is declining. PISA results show a long-term deterioration in mathematics, reading and science since the 2000s. The gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students grows even wider, even as per student funding rises. Whilst the government subsidise higher education, supporting those most likely to move into higher earning careers, where is their action to strengthen the broader education system and ensure success opportunities for every Australian? This package is not reform.”
“I spoke up when I was first elected to this place and I said that, as a representative of my generation, I feel obliged to speak about where we're at in terms of our national finances and the problems that this government has contributed to in terms of the generational debt that they are leaving. This is exactly an example of that—subsidising all degrees with no consideration of our skill shortages. That's not smart economics; that's desperate politics. And that's exactly what this measure was about, so let's call it out. In this motion the government claims to be taking action on intergenerational fairness. Can those opposite explain how government spending, which is growing four times faster than the economy while national debt grows by $50,000 every 60 seconds—just on interest—is intergenerational fairness?”
“But what the government congratulates itself on today is not its safeguarding; it's sandbagging. With this motion, the Prime Minister wants a pat on the back for his temporary solution to a problem that he himself created. And let's be honest about why this measure was even needed. Turbocharged by Labor's poor economic management, indexation would never have grown so high if it weren't for their out-of-control spending, which drove up inflation. This $20 billion debt write-off isn't just money that just disappears. It becomes a cost carried by every Australian to benefit just a fraction. It becomes another line on the national credit card charged to future generations who had no say.”