Zhi Soon
Banks · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Let's be clear: if these companies want to do business in Australia, they must obey Australian laws. It is important to note that the legislation passed by the parliament to institute this ban was the beginning and not the end of this reform. The same is true of the legislation passed yesterday.”
“As the compliance update demonstrates, the need exists, and the legislation passed by this House earlier this week is the consequence of big tech failing to respect Australian law and uphold the standards Australians expect.”
“They are worried about the type of content that is out there online that their children could inadvertently be exposed to. They want to see greater protections for their children online. Keeping Australians safe online, particularly children and young people, is a top priority for this government.”
“Unfortunately, though, in March of this year the eSafety Commissioner published their first compliance update, which contained some unwelcome news. The commissioner had serious concerns about compliance and the practices of some of the platforms in the tech industry.”
“I rise to support this profoundly significant matter of public importance put forward by my friend the member for Newcastle—not least because this is an issue that matters to so many people across our great country but also because it matters to so many parents in my electorate of Banks.”
“A number of locals in the seat of Banks were recognised as part of the King's Birthday Honours, and I want to acknowledge them here. Mark Connell of Oatley was awarded an OAM for services to youth through scouting, and, as an integral part of the 1st Oatley Bay Sea Scouts, he has contributed to the outdoor skills and confidence of countle…”
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“We've rolled out 60-day prescriptions and dispensing, which is saving millions of patients across Australia both time and money, and we took decisive action to freeze the co-payment rate for the first time in 25 years. Investment in the PBS and reducing the cost of medications is a big part of this government's agenda for protecting and strengthening Australia's healthcare system. But it is broader than that as well. On 1 July this year, the Labor government made a $1.8 billion investment in hospitals across the country in partnership with state governments, including $407 million for hospitals in my state of New South Wales, to cut waiting lists and reduce emergency department waiting times so Australian patients can get care on the days they need it most.”
“Lastly, selpercatinib is a medication for the treatment of certain types of lung cancer. With a PBS script, it's $31.50. Without it, the total cost is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. During this debate, the House has heard stories from members, including the members for Dickson and Moore, about how important the PBS and Medicare system have been in their own lives. The PBS truly is the lifeblood, almost literally, for so many Australians across our communities. I mentioned earlier that my community made it clear during the election campaign that they wanted to see government that's delivering a stronger healthcare system and one that is delivering it on an ongoing basis. This government has reduced the number of scripts a concession card holder or pensioner must fill before the PBS safety net kicks in by 25 per cent.”
“That is $7.9 million that my constituents have back in their pocket while still accessing the quality healthcare that they need. I think, while considering this legislation, it is also important for the House to reflect on the impact that the PBS has on Australians. Siponimod is a medication for the treatment and management of relapsing multiple sclerosis. With the PBS, the cost of this medication is $31.50. Without it, it is $2,220. Everolimus, a medication used to prevent organ transplant rejection, costs $31.50 with the PBS. Without it, the cost is $1,469. Molnupiravir, a medication for the treatment of COVID, among other diseases, costs $31.50 with the PBS. Without it, it is $1,103. Aflibercept, a medication for the treatment of macular degeneration and other eye conditions, again costs $31.50 with the PBS. Without it, it is $934.”
“In fact, this government's $689 million investment in the PBS will result in 80 per cent of medications available under the scheme being cheaper than they were four years ago and save Australian consumers more than $200 million a year. This is the sort of change that Labor governments deliver. During the debate on this legislation, we've heard stories from many colleagues about constituents reporting to them that they are skipping scripts and halving doses to try and make their medications go further. This isn't how it should have to be, and we owe it to our community to do all that we can to strengthen the healthcare system through legislation like this to make that a thing of the past. Already, the Labor government's cheaper medicines program has saved patients in my electorate of Banks $7.9 million.”
“This legislation builds on the previous cut in prices delivered in 2023, where this Labor government delivered the largest reduction in the cost of prescriptions in the 80-year history of the scheme, and now goes even further to deliver even cheaper medicines for our communities. These massive cuts in the cost of the PBS medications are a tangible cost-of-living relief for some of the most in need in our Australian community. When combining the provisions of this legislation with the previous reduction in prescription prices, it amounts to a 20 per cent cut in the maximum cost of PBS scripts in the four years since Labor came into government in 2022.”
“It is so important that, when we look to programs like Medicare and the PBS, we ensure that those who have the greatest need for the life-changing, life-saving programs get access to the care they need—and this freeze does just that. Additionally, this legislation includes specific provisions to protect the availability of discounting by individual pharmacies. To be clear, all medications that can be discounted today will continue to be able to be discounted after the passage of this bill and when the co-payment is reduced to just $25. Indeed, this is not the first time that the Labor government has invested in the PBS to deliver affordable medications for Australian patients.”
“This bill before the House will reduce the PBS general co-payment from $31.60 to just $25 from 1 January next year—delivering on the promise of accessible medications at the heart of the PBS. In 2004, I had just finished high school and was an 18-year-old student studying at university. It feels like a long time ago now, but it was also the last time PBS medications were this cheap. Importantly, this legislation maintains the co-payment freeze for pensioners and concession card holders at $7.70. This is an incredibly important element of the PBS for the most vulnerable Australians, including seniors, and is something that I'm so pleased to see continuing into the future.”
“It is why the government's agenda of cheaper medicines, expanded access to bulk-billing and more fully bulk-billed urgent care clinics was one I was proud to present to the voters in Banks. I gave my commitment to the people of Banks that I would deliver cheaper medicines, and I am so pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this important legislation that delivers just that. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is one of many great Labor initiatives. While fiercely debated at the time of its introduction, it has become a foundational part of our healthcare system. It is our responsibility to ensure that the PBS remains a strong, reliable and accessible program for all Australians.”
“I rise today to support the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025. This government has introduced and passed legislation to deliver on many of its election commitments already. The legislation to deliver our promised 20 per cent cut to student debt has passed this parliament, and our legislation to protect penalty rates for thousands of low-income earners is well on the way. The legislation before the House today delivers on another of our election commitments—that we would make cheaper medicines even cheaper for Australians. My community values their health and that of their families, and that was abundantly clear during the election campaign. My constituents want a healthcare system that is there when they need it and that doesn't break the bank.”
“From 1 October 2025, first home buyers can get into a property with only a five per cent deposit, cutting years off the time required to save for a deposit and saving first home owners thousand in lenders mortgage insurance. The housing crisis is a complex beast that has been decades in the making. While the former government didn't even see fit to have a housing minister for most of their term, this Labor government is getting the job done with an excellent housing minister and an ambitious agenda, including to boost housing supply with targets and programs that make it easier for Australians to get into a place of their own, making sure the next generation are able to have somewhere to live and somewhere to build a home for generations to come.”
“During the election campaign, the thing I heard most often from young people in my electorate of Banks was that they wanted to see a government that would help them get into their first home. I heard many stories in Banks of people who were paying an amount in rent that was similar to what they had worked out they would be paying for a mortgage but were unable to get enough saved to get over the deposit hurdle. That is why I am so pleased that this Labor government's five per cent home deposit initiative is being introduced. It will open the doors of homeownership to so many more hardworking Australians, especially our young people.”
“Congratulations to both schools for notching up these significant milestones in the electorate of Banks. Finally, on 1 August I attended the gala dinner for Charlotte's Wish. Charlotte's Wish was founded by Kelly and Mat O'Brien in the wake of the tragic loss of their 12-year-old daughter, Charlotte, and works to tackle bullying and prevent youth suicide in our communities. The gala was a tremendous success, with Charlotte's Wish raising substantial funds for Kids Helpline. To Kelly and Mat, thank you for all the work you are doing to support Australia's young people, honouring the legacy of Charlotte.”
“I rise to recognise the achievements of some of the wonderful groups in my electorate of Banks. A few weeks ago I was able to attend Lugarno Football Club's presentation day for their junior teams at the masonic club at Mortdale. While the rainfall forced the event indoors, it certainly didn't dampen the spirits of so many of the players and their families in attendance. Thank you to the Lugarno Football Club and it's leaders Sue, Hagop and Atef for all their efforts in putting together a fantastic community event. Earlier this month I had the pleasure of attending the celebrations of Narwee Public School and Penshurst Public School. Narwee celebrated 75 years of its existence while Penshurst celebrated its centenary. Both schools had fantastic histories, and the vibrancy of the communities they serve were on full display.”
“Legislation passed to cut student debt by 20 per cent, benefitting millions of Australians but particularly women, who hold the majority of student loans, and the Commonwealth paid prac payment commenced for students of nursing, midwifery, teaching and social work. This continues the long tradition of Labor delivering for women's economic equality, and I look forward to spending my time in this great House working with fantastic Labor women of the federal caucus to continue to deliver on economic reforms and demonstrate to Australian women that their government will treat them with respect and recognise that their issues matter.”
“That's in addition to the government's record investment in Medicare to restore bulk-billing in our communities and open more urgent care clinics. And it's about ensuring Australian women are represented in seats across this House and across decision-making tables, with historic representation in this parliament of 49.5 per cent across both houses and a gender-equal cabinet, both driven by many fantastic Labor women. The government is delivering on its commitment to relieve the cost-of-living pressures and their impact on Australian women. Since 1 July this year, award wages increased by 3.5 per cent, benefitting up to 2.9 million Australians on low wages, including many women and young people, who are more likely to be reliant on such wages.”
“This government funded pay increases for sectors that do some of the hardest yet most undervalued work in our economy, including in aged care and early childhood education, to ensure that recognition is not just in its rhetoric but actually in the pay packets of people and women across this country. It's about taking women's health seriously, with a $792 million package of investments. That includes 22 endometriosis clinics opened, with a further 11 to come, and expanding their scope to provide menopause care; new PBS listings to provide more choice and cheaper medicines; and adjusting the Medicare Benefits Schedule to include extended consultation times and increased rebates for specialist care.”
“The Labor government has integrated gender equality into the Fair Work Act, supported the Fair Work Commission's gender based undervaluation review and funded pay increases in industries with female dominated workforces. The government's agenda is not just about economics; it is about government treating Australian women with respect. It's investing in keeping Australian women safe, with $4 billion to combat gender based violence through prevention initiatives, improving consent education, making justice more accessible for victims-survivors and putting $1 billion towards crisis and transitional accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence. It's about valuing the work women do.”
“It was a great morning, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Julia, Stefan and their little boy, Artie, for welcoming the three of us as well as my partner, Bridget, and our little girl, Dorothy, to their home to make this very important announcement. This government's agenda to deliver for Australian women is substantial, with lifting wages and closing pay gaps at its very core. Women's participation in the workforce has never been higher, and the gender pay gap in Australia has never been smaller, with women earning $217.40 a week more on average than in May 2022, when Labor came into government. Working women are earning more and keeping more of what they earn, with Labor's program of tax cuts for every taxpayer leaving 90 per cent of women taxpayers better off.”
“I rise to support the member for Brisbane's motion. The Labor government is absolutely committed to driving economic equality for women. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of welcoming the Prime Minister and the Minister for Social Services to the suburb of East Hills in my great electorate of Banks, where we announced not only that paid parental leave would be extended to 24 weeks as of 1 July this year but also that, from next year, paid parental leave would be extended further, to 26 weeks, to ensure that Australian families can access a full six months of paid parental leave. Additionally, it was announced that, from 1 July this year, the Albanese government would deliver superannuation on paid parental leave for the very first time, ensuring that working women are not penalised in their retirement savings for having a family.”
“The Liberal Party told Australia's young people that, not only would they not help with their student debt, they would also be sending more students into debt by axing fee-free TAFE. When the Liberals and Nationals um and ah about whether to support our students, this Albanese Labor government is providing relief to young people, protecting the integrity of our HELP system and expanding access to the transformational power of higher education for every single Australian. Federation Chamber adjourned at 11:29”
“We've also established paid prac payment support for 68,000 students of teaching, nursing and midwifery, and social work so that they can complete their compulsory practical training without ending up worse off. Again, I've talked to dozens of young people in my electorate who've already benefited from this paid prac payment, making their study and work-life situation a little bit easier. This side of the chamber is delivering on its ambitious agenda to support young people to get qualified and experience the transformational power of tertiary education, an experience that I myself have had and that so many people in this chamber have had. Labor went to the election promising to protect fee-free TAFE and cut student debt.”
“We've worked with relevant agencies to remove HELP debt from debt-to-income reporting and made it easier for those with student debt to take out a mortgage and get into a place of their own. I've spoken to young people across my electorate about this and benefits have already started to be reaped across our great country. We've made fee-free TAFE permanent and protected 650,000 students enrolled in fee-free courses from having to shoulder a debt while they get qualified for some of the jobs and skills we want most in this great country. We've expanded FEE-FREE Uni Ready courses to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds to get ready for higher education. We've introduced legislation to combat gender based violence at universities and ensure that campuses across our country are safe for every single student.”
“In effect, the average income earner who holds a student debt will pay $850 less per year while still having the option to pay down their debt more quickly if they wish to do so. This is not just about student debt relief and reform. It is a tangible cost-of-living relief for so many people in our communities. This is not the beginning nor is it the end of the Labor government's investment in and reform of higher education. On this side, we supported changes to indexation in response to inflation last year which, when combined with our 20 per cent cut, will see $20 billion of student debt forgiven. We've established the Australian Tertiary Education Commission to drive reform of the sector. We are making it easier for more people from the outer suburbs and regional Australia to go to university and realise their potential.”
“While some in this place had derided this policy as something that will give no benefit, the Australian people, particularly young Australians, know that this will be incredibly beneficial to them. No matter whether they studied at university, TAFE or took up an apprenticeship, if they have student debt it will be cut by 20 per cent. The legislation introduced last week is not just about reducing student debt but also about making the system fairer by raising the minimum threshold and changing the system that calculates minimum repayments. Instead of the current system, which calculates this based on your whole wage, the marginal system we are introducing will see repayments calculated on the amount you earn above the minimum threshold. The average income earner in my electorate earns about $78,000 a year.”
“Last week, in my first speech in the House, I spoke about my belief in education as a tool that can transform the lives of our young people and the importance of promoting intergenerational mobility. I'm so pleased to be part of an Albanese Labor government that is acting to make our higher education system fairer and more accessible and to help more Australians with the burden of student debt. The legislation that was introduced last week and passed by the House on Tuesday will cut the debt of over three million Australians, including 20,509 people in my community of Banks. That is 20,509 people for whom the student debt burden is lighter. It is 20,509 people who have got qualified, have invested in themselves and will now have more money in their pockets.”
“The Picnic Point Primary School P&C has been approved for $2½ thousand to complete the construction of a war memorial on their school grounds, in conjunction with the Panania Diggers club. Picnic Point was my primary school, and I'm so pleased this government can support it. The Tower Street Public School P&C has received $10,000 to construct a unique outdoor learning space to enable greater collaboration among students and to be a focal point for cultural celebrations. It is also a school I am very familiar with, having gone to after-school care there for a number of years as a young man. Finally, $8,000 has been earmarked for the Lugano Public School P&C to purchase picnic tables for their playground, to double as an outdoor learning space. I'm so pleased to congratulate these groups in my electorate for their great work.”
“I stand to acknowledge some of the 19 fantastic groups in my electorate that are receiving funding from the Stronger Communities Programme. The Padstow RSL does fantastic work supporting our community, especially our veterans. They have received $15,000 to undertake refurbishments and expand their memorabilia cabinet, ensuring that the contributions of our veterans are never forgotten. Every member of this place knows the contributions that scouts groups make to the personal development of our young people. The Oatley Bay Sea Scouts in my electorate are no different, and they have been approved for $10,000 in funding to renovate their boatshed and replace the rusting doors with a future-proof solution.”
“Congratulations to the whole club, particularly club president Lance Condon, for putting together a fantastic evening to celebrate that I was able to attend. I would also like to recognise the Revesby Rovers Football Club, who recently brought the community together to hold a fundraiser in support of the Mark Hughes Foundation. In doing so, they raised over $30,000 to support patients experiencing brain cancer and research into combating it. Congratulations to the Revesby Rovers for their fantastic work not only in supporting the great work of their foundation but in continuing to promote local support for the young people of Revesby.”
“I recently had the privilege of welcoming the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors to the electorate of Banks. Together we visited the Holy Spirit Aged Care Centre, in Revesby. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many residents at Holy Spirit for taking the time to talk to the minister and I—including Peter, who told us about his time playing rugby league for the mighty Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. I would also like to extend my thanks to the staff at Holy Spirit Revesby for their wonderful hospitality and incredibly hard work. Local sporting clubs make a tremendous contribution to our communities, providing an avenue for both athletic participation and personal development for our young people. I would like to recognise the recent milestone of the Connells Point Rovers Football Club, who are celebrating their 60th season.”
“My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering on its commitments to help Australian workers earn more and keep more of what they earn?”
“Thank you To my partner, Bridget: you inspire me every day with your kindness, intelligence, can-do attitude and sense of humour. Thank you for your incredible and unwavering support. To our lovely little girl, Dorothy: you mean the world to us. Dorothy is named after the great Labor senator Dorothy Tangney, her fifth cousin, or great aunt, as we like to say, and the first woman elected to the Australian Senate. What we do, we do for you, Dorothy.”
“You worried, before we came to Australia, whether we would be accepted. Hopefully me speaking here today in this House and the achievements of your daughter are testament to the fact that we have. To my sister, Dr. Yin-Lan Soon: you are my hero. Thank you for always being here for me. To my aunties Barbara and Meilin, to my uncle Yeow Leng and my late uncle Nelson, to my cousins Wayne, Ryan, Stacey, Lennox and Aubrey, to my in-laws—the Smith, Lawrence and MacPherson families, to my brother-in-law, Kevin, to my nieces, Elinore and Abigail, and to my lifelong friends Scott Walters, Wilson Kwok, Victor Hua, Edwin Ho, Jerry Lee, Kim Nguyen, Henry Huynh, Stefan Heap, Rey Reodica, Ronny Azzi and, and Chris Kazanis, as well as the rest of my family and friends in Australia and Malaysia: you have been with me every step of the way.”
“You were the architects of our success. I look forward to seeing your amazing careers ahead. Thank you also to Teryn Crick for all of your support with the campaign. My sincere gratitude goes to my colleagues in the federal caucus for their encouragement and support, both during the election and since. This gratitude includes the Prime Minister, who came to Banks during the campaign, as well as the many ministers who came out to campaign alongside me during the campaign and who have visited me since. Also, thank you to my New South Wales state parliament and ministerial colleagues, including the Premier Chris Minns and the member for East Hills, Kylie Wilkinson, for all of your support. Now, for my family. To my parents, Beow Hong and Ee Lay, you have shown my sister and me boundless love and we are who we are because of you.”
“My thanks also goes out to the mighty union movement, with special thanks to the United Workers Union, the Community and Public Sector Union, the Financial Sector Union and the Electrical Trades Union. Thank you, also, to the whole team at the Revesby Workers Club for all your support and for flying the flag for working people in South-West Sydney. I would also like to express my gratitude to the New South Wales Labor head office and the national secretariat, particularly Dominic Ofner, George Simon, David Dobson, and Paul Erickson. Thank you also to the Young Labor movement whose hard work has helped me and so many in this chamber. To not only Thomas Arthur, who led the 2025 Banks campaign, but also to Declan Davis and Thomas Gao who led my campaign in 2022: for your intellect, tireless work and commitment, I will forever be grateful.”
“There were also many volunteers that kept on showing up, time after time: Derek Russell, Michael Warner, Vince Smith, Aaron Choy, Mary Studdert, Jaden Kelly, Graeme Wilkinson, Margaret and Patrick Brady, Chloe Walsh, Wendy and Kim Stevenson, Sue Wyatt, Paul Judge, Margaret Hermann, Gerry Selvaraj, Andrew Galuzzo, Bethany Pankhurst, Kate Rainbird, Veronica Ficarra, Matt McDonald Ronnie, Simon Byrnes, Roy Cho and Ronnie Wang. I can see many of you up there today. We did it, thank you! Also, I send a massive shout-out to the team from the Riverwood Community Centre, who are here today. Every time I visit your centre it reminds me of the greatness of multiculturalism in our community. Thank you for coming. I'd also like to recognise the Rotary Club of Padstow and the Lions Club of Lugarno.”
“My sincere thank you to the Banks Labor federal electoral council leadership, namely Andrew Ogden, Noreen Whittaker, Karno Gangopadhyay and Peter Gayton. I would also like to recognise the Labor stalwarts in Banks: the Melham family, Linda Downey, Alan Ashton—and the whole Ashton family—Ian Stromborg, John Rodwell, Morris Iemma, Kevin Greene, John Choueifate, the Gambian family and the Bai family. There are also wonderful elected officials in Banks that have supported me: Mayor Bilal El-Hayek, deputy Mayor Karl Saleh, counsellors David Walsh, Kathryn Landsberry, Elaina Anzellotti, Leon Pun, Gerard Hayes and my new colleague, the member for Barton, during her time in local council.”
“I would like to pay tribute to David Coleman, the previous member for Banks. Thank you for your service to the community and the work of you and your staff over the years. I would like to pay special tribute to Daryl Melham, who was the member for Banks for 23 years. Daryl might not remember this but I first met him as a year 6 student from Picnic Point primary school in this House. Daryl has only ever asked one thing of me, and that was to be myself. Daryl, I know you couldn't be here today in person, but we did it. Thank you to the countless volunteers that helped support the campaign in Banks. There are simply too many individuals to name them all, but I would like to recognise some people who made particularly important contributions over the course of our campaigns in 2022 and 2025.”
“We can be leaders galvanising action on issues such as climate change and trade cooperation, addressing human rights violations and ending conflicts. Whilst we are not a big country by population, we are a great one. We are uniquely placed in the Asia-Pacific. We have strong relationships in our region but also across the world, allowing us to be a leader—something we should continue to embrace. I have always believed that a threat to peace and security anywhere is a threat to peace and security everywhere. This is why international relations and diplomacy are so important. In order to be here, I have stood on the shoulders of giants. I would first like to thank the people of Banks for entrusting me to represent you at federal parliament and to be your champion in accessing the services and support you need.”
“Do we have information that we can share to equip a small-business owner with data to inform their business decisions and to increase their likelihood of success? Equally, can we equip consumers with more data to help support them with their decision-making? I mentioned previously my interest in social capital. We can also do more to explore how this can be utilised to understand and drive economic productivity. I'm also deeply passionate about Australia in the global context. Having served as an Australian diplomat, I know how important Australia's voice and actions can be on the international stage. We have a role to play demonstrating how people of different backgrounds, creeds and interests can come together, living peacefully and harmoniously together. Australia is respected by the international community.”
“Good education policy is good economic policy. I can remember the name of every single teacher I've had since kindergarten. That is because of the profound effect they've had on my life. I also believe we must think about economic policy more creatively than we have in the past. We can do more as government to promote well-functioning markets. There is comprehensive research by economists like Alvin Roth on how to make markets more effective. We should look to intervene in order not only to prevent market failures but also to boost efficiency and productivity in different markets. We should also explore how we can use data held by government more effectively to support business growth.”
“But my passion for education runs deeper than overarching statements, understanding what makes good education and how we can translate what we know from research about effective teaching and learning into classrooms around our country. This means supporting teachers and school leaders, equipping them with the tools to support generations of kids to explore what they are good at, what they are interested in and what is productive to support our continued growth and development as a country. I see Australia's potential as an education superpower, one that is a world leader and is at the cutting edge of teaching practice, the adoption of technology and student empowerment and agency. This is not only in our schools but in our early education centres and our higher education institutions, including universities and TAFEs.”
“Whether you live in Milperra, Revesby, Panania, East Hills, Padstow, Picnic Point, Riverwood, Narwee, Punchbowl, Roselands, Penshurst, Oatley, Lugarno, Mortdale, South Hurstville, Hurstville Grove, Carss Park, Kyle Bay, Connells Point or Blakehurst, I will work day and night to ensure that your voices are heard, that you have the services you need and that government is focused on improving your lives. As I've told every person who has walked through the Banks electorate office since I have been elected, that office is not mine but yours. It is the community's office, and I hope to use it to make the lives of every single person in the electorate better. My campaign slogan was Because You Matter, and I really mean it. I'm also deeply passionate about education. Education is transformational. It was my life and has been for generations.”
“I'm a person who believes strongly in evidence based or informed policymaking. We should rely on robust evidence to guide our decision-making. Where we know what works, we should adopt. Where we don't, we should try and evaluate. As governments, we need to be humble in recognising what we do and do not know and what we do and do not do well. We must test, learn and adapt. Another thing you get asked about as a new member is what you want to contribute. First and foremost is my commitment to the people of Banks.”
“My friend and former colleague David Halpern often refers to this social capital as 'the hidden wealth of nations'. I also share Bob Putnam's views on the importance of social trust not only for social cohesion but as a foundation for economic growth. Social policy is economic policy, and vice versa. I'm also a great believer in making government more human. People are not just numbers and we should ensure we have the systems in place to reflect that. We should make government processes easier for people to navigate and demonstrate compassion in our delivery. We can strike the balance between fiscal responsibility, accountability, transparency and humanity. Often governments have sound strategic visions for their policy agenda but do not give enough thought to their implementation or how people experience said policy. The details matter.”
“For the more academically inclined, I am largely a Rawlsian; I subscribe to the beliefs of the great John Rawls and his principles of justice. What that means is I believe we should have systems of government that, no matter what circumstances you are born into, allow people to live happy, healthy and successful lives, and a society that is productive and supports each other, understanding that true achievement is one that is shared and widespread. I also believe strongly in aspiration. Wanting better for you and your family is to be supported. We must have intergenerational mobility, learning from the research of people like Raj Chetty about the barriers to it and what can be done to facilitate it. I'm also a big believer in social capital, in the value derived from social connections and community.”
“Your work will never go unnoticed in this House. Whilst I've had the opportunity to travel around our country and to places around the world, I live about a five-minute drive from the house I grew up in. My parents are still in Revesby, albeit on the other side of it now, and my sister is close by. We are now raising our own families in the electorate of Banks. As I told all those I saw at early voting or on election day, I drive the same streets you do, I shop at the same grocery stores, I eat at the same restaurants, I go to the same doctors and hospitals and I'm about to experience, as a parent, the same early childhood education and schools you do. Your problems are my problems, your hopes are my hopes and your joys are my joys. As a new member, you get asked what you believe in.”
“Through my time in behavioural economics and education, I've had the honour of travelling to dozens of countries, seeing firsthand how different governments do things. It gave me ideas on how Australia, as great as it is, could do things better. Having high expectations of your government is a good thing. I've also had the pleasure of working with teachers, school leaders and education policy experts across our great country. I have seen their hard work in action, the profound role they play in our communities and the lengths they go to to make sure no child is left behind. I've also seen their innovation, creativity and empathy. This extends to teachers in regional, rural and remote communities. Unsurprisingly, the research is clear that the biggest in-school impact on a child's outcomes is their teachers.”
“Since then I've had the privilege of a career that has taken me from the prime minister's office here in this house to serving as a diplomat in Afghanistan and working with governments, not-for-profits and businesses all around the world on the application of behavioural economics and improving education standards globally. In Afghanistan I saw firsthand the horrors of war and conflict. I learnt the importance of having trusted institutions, of combating corruption and of the basics of economic growth. I also learnt about large-scale poverty and the delivery of humanitarian assistance. More broadly, though, in my time in diplomacy, I saw how international agreements were negotiated and the work of our security services and defence force. I saw our alliances in practice and what they mean.”
“One moment I was eating a devon sandwich, the next a curry laksa, a kibbeh, a banh xeo or a panipuri. I'm a proud Asian Australian. I'm a proud Malaysian Australian. I'm a proud Chinese Australian. But, most of all, I am a proud Australian. I was lucky enough to attend university, where I studied law and a broad range of subjects, from political science and international relations to economics. During uni I had a range of jobs—everything from putting up Christmas decorations in a shopping centre to serving food at a football stadium and from shouting, 'Out!' as a tennis linesperson to working as a management consultant.”
“I also spent countless hours at Bankstown Basketball Stadium, imagining myself as a future NBL or NBA star, despite my smallish stature, and on the tennis courts across the area, preparing for my never-to-come debut at Rod Laver Arena. I could also be found, air guitar in hand, pretending I was part of Powderfinger, You Am I or Something for Kate. It was a childhood rich in diversity. My sister and I were welcomed into the households of families of backgrounds from all around the world. They took us in and treated us as their own. Whether they came from Egypt, like the late Mrs Zammit, Lebanon, like the Abrahams, Vietnam, like the Tans, India, like the Vengurlekars, or otherwise, they showed me that multiculturalism was not just a word but a way of life. It involved sharing food, sharing traditions, sharing hardships and sharing laughter.”