Rebecca White
Lyons · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“The bill will enable this information to be requested regarding any approved medicine, not just reportable medicines. This is important, as shortages of any approved medicine can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of people in Australia.”
“The existing clause'or as soon as practicable after the decision is made' will be maintained, acknowledging that unforeseen circumstances can impact a sponsor's ability to report a discontinuation 12 months in advance.”
“This amendment will ensure that the list of critically important medicines specified in the instrument remains as current as possible at all times, for the purposes of mandatory reporting requirements and timeframes.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today, I introduce the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medicines Shortages and Other Measures) Bill 2026.”
“This bill introduces legislative changes designed to address key challenges raised by stakeholders across the medicines supply chain in their consultation feedback.”
“Medicine supply chains are complex global systems and there are numerous points in the supply chain where problems can cause a medicine supply disruption, each requiring a different response.”
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“The amendments made by this bill, together with the associated amendments in the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medicines Shortages and Other Measures) Bill 2026, will reduce costs and regulatory burden for industry. Debate adjourned.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today, I introduce the Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2026. This bill amends the Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Act 1989 to allow the prescribing of annual charges for the inclusion of grouped biologicals in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (the register). The amendments in this bill are related to the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medicines Shortages and Other Measures) Bill 2026, which amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 . They implement several important public health measures, including to enable the secretary to determine common biologicals groups so that similar biologicals can share a single entry in the register.”
“This amendment will ensure that the list of critically important medicines specified in the instrument remains as current as possible at all times, for the purposes of mandatory reporting requirements and timeframes. The bill includes other minor consequential and technical amendments to the Therapeutic Goods Act, including to improve consistency, remove outdated provisions and correct errors. The bill is complemented by the Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2026 which makes associated amendments to the Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Act 1989 to allow the prescribing of annual charges for the inclusion of grouped biologicals in the register. This will ensure that the common biologicals groups measure in this bill is able to operate as intended. Debate adjourned.”
“Such inspections will ensure that unapproved therapeutic goods supplied and used in clinical trials are in accordance with the applicable exemption and approval schemes, and will safeguard the rights, safety and wellbeing of clinical trial participants. This will be implemented by moving existing powers from delegated legislation to primary legislation to ensure that the legislation operates as intended. The bill also enables the instrument made under section 30EJ of the Therapeutic Goods Act, known as the Medicines Watch List, to incorporate other documents as in force from time to time. This instrument lists certain medicines for which a shortage or discontinuation in Australia would be of critical impact.”
“They must bear the cost of maintaining multiple listings for essentially the same product. They may also be required to cancel existing entries when a new product with only a minor change in indication or intended use is approved, resulting in avoidable cost, delay, and administrative burden. This amendment will allow sponsors to combine their entries in the register, avoiding duplication and reducing costs and regulatory burden for industry. Additionally, the bill makes a technical amendment to confer clear legal powers on authorised persons to enter, search and inspect clinical trial sites.”
“The bill will enable this information to be requested regarding any approved medicine, not just reportable medicines. This is important, as shortages of any approved medicine can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of people in Australia. In addition to the medicines shortages and discontinuations measures, the bill makes several other important amendments to the Therapeutic Goods Act. The bill enables the secretary to determine common biologicals groups so that similar biologicals can share a single entry in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (the register). Currently, a sponsor must navigate duplicative processes. This includes maintaining separate entries in the register for biologicals that are essentially the same but have minor differences—such as minor formulation changes or extensions of indications.”
“The existing clause'or as soon as practicable after the decision is made' will be maintained, acknowledging that unforeseen circumstances can impact a sponsor's ability to report a discontinuation 12 months in advance. Further, sponsors who give such notice will be required to update the secretary if there is a change in the initial approach, including if the supply is no longer proposed to be discontinued, or if the discontinuation is to occur at a different time than previously notified. The bill also enables the secretary to require all sponsors of approved medicines to provide, upon request, information about the availability, and any shortage or discontinuation, of their products in Australia. Currently, this information can only be requested about a subset of approved medicines that are designated as reportable medicines.”
“This bill introduces legislative changes designed to address key challenges raised by stakeholders across the medicines supply chain in their consultation feedback. These legislative changes will strengthen key aspects of the mandatory reporting scheme under the Therapeutic Goods Act, to enable Australia to be better prepared for shortages and discontinuations of critically important medicines. Specifically, this bill includes amendments to require sponsors to notify the Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing of any decision to permanently discontinue the supply of reportable medicines in Australia at least 12 months in advance. This will provide more time for health practitioners and patients to make plans for ongoing treatment, where needed.”
“Medicine supply chains are complex global systems and there are numerous points in the supply chain where problems can cause a medicine supply disruption, each requiring a different response. Although many improvements have been made since the introduction of the mandatory medicines shortages and discontinuations reporting scheme, the Australian government is continuing to make improvements to the way that supply disruptions are monitored and managed to further reduce impacts. The government has undertaken extensive consultation over the past two years to better understand the most pressing challenges and barriers experienced by individuals and businesses in Australia relating to medicines shortages and discontinuations.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today, I introduce the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medicines Shortages and Other Measures) Bill 2026. This bill amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Therapeutic Goods Act) to implement several important public health measures, including in relation to the management of medicines shortages and discontinuations. Medicines are essential for the health and wellbeing of Australians. This means that shortages and discontinuations of medicines can cause significant impacts for Australian patients, and the health practitioners and systems that support them. Interruptions to the supply and availability of medicines in Australia can occur for various reasons, and unfortunately some supply disruptions can be unavoidable.”
“The panel included Holly McConnon, the Karana TNL co-captain; Lauren Dykes, the Brighton senior women's captain; Kath McCann, the Chief Marketing Officer for the Tasmania Football Club; and myself. We spoke about some of the challenges that women face playing sport, particularly participating in the higher premier league sport. We also spoke about the opportunities and the brilliant relationships and friendships that are created. I congratulate the club for putting this on and giving us the chance to talk about this. I also congratulate them on the supportive and inclusive culture they've built that has seen a lot of girls participate in premier league footy for the very first time and for the great role modelling they are demonstrating to girls who are watching and cheering them on. Well done to the Brighton Robbins Football Club.”
“Our government is responding by developing a national food security strategy, which is an initiative delivered through the Minister for Agriculture's portfolio, but we're also responding to provide food relief to Australians, with a $460 million commitment over five years, so that we can support those most at risk. I congratulate these students for learning how to use food waste and turn it into nutritious meals. I also want to congratulate the Brighton Robbins Football Club, where I attended an event recently. We had a ladies day to raise money for Tassie Mums, a charitable organisation in my state that helps to collect and redistribute essential baby and children's items to families who are experiencing hardship. Chelsea was the MC for the day. She did a marvellous job.”
“They also learnt that that's enough to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground more than nine times. So, through the FEAST program, they are understanding how to use the items in their home, which they might have otherwise thrown out, to prepare nutritious meals for themselves and their loved ones. And the kids were doing a great job! I was so impressed with their behaviour and the way they were really engaging and learning about the subject matter. They were having a lot of fun while doing it. And they made some terrific, tasty-looking cupcakes. We know that food waste is a really significant issue in our country.”
“I rise today to celebrate Deloraine High School and its OzHarvest FEAST program. I had the great joy of visiting recently and meeting with student leaders and the broader class to talk about the work they're doing to understand food waste. As they were performing and cooking in the classroom, I was just so impressed by the way they communicated and worked together as part of a team and what they've learnt about food waste in Australia. The FEAST program is delivered through OzHarvest. Ronni Kahn, the founder, was at the school, along with Jenn Heggart, the OzHarvest state manager for Tasmania. Through that program delivered by their classroom teacher, Leanne Wickham, they were taught that 2.1 million households are experiencing food insecurity and regularly skipping meals, and that Australia wastes 7.6 million tonnes of food every year.”
“by leave—I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Intelligence Services Act 2001 , Mr Wallace be appointed a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. Question agreed to.”
“We know that the system has not been working for Australians, and that is why we are working very hard to improve it to make sure that it is, and that it remains, one of Australia's greatest human rights achievements. It is great reform, and we are committed to strengthening it to make sure that Australians who rely on it can continue to access it. The budget investment that we have been able to deliver in health for our community is good not only for the individual Australians who rely on it but for our entire economy. It improves access to participation, and I feel very proud to be part of a government that values health in the way that ours does. Proposed expenditure agreed to. Ordered that consideration in detail of the bill be made an order of the day for the next sitting. Federation Chamber adjourned at 19:27”
“We've also been able to launch a menopause and perimenopause public awareness campaign, which is destigmatising a thing that happens to every single Australian woman and is improving access to good, accurate information about where they can access the help that they need. We are investing in aged care by providing dignity to older Australians and making sure that they are able to access the care that they need as they get older in their own community. The funding of $3 billion that we've provided in this budget is on top of other commitments that we've made in previous budgets. There has also been a significant investment in reforming the NDIS.”
“In my own home state of Tasmania, you can now do end-to-end training at campuses in Burnie, Hobart and Launceston, and that is really important for us to be able to grow our own workforce and for them to remain working in our regional communities in particular. I'm also really proud of the work we've done in women's health. This has been a significant commitment—nearly $800 million—that has supported women right around our country to be able to afford the medicines that previously were not listed on the PBS and to be able to access the care they need through our endometriosis and persistent pelvic pain clinics. All 33 of those clinics that we promised are now open.”
“We know that what this means now is that approximately 97 per cent of the population are within a 20-minute drive of a bulk-billing practice. This is helping more Australians afford the health care that they deserve. We've also seen improvements in people being able to access cheaper medicines, with millions of Australians being able to access medicines capped at $7.70 if you hold a concession card or $25 for other medicines listed on the PBS. We've also invested in the workforce. We value our staff and those who contribute to the Australian health sector. We've invested over $662 million, and that workforce package is supporting people right across regional parts of our country to participate in GP training. By 2028 we will fund 2,000 new GP trainees every year, and we are delivering these courses from regional universities.”
“We invest in strengthening Medicare, and what we have been able to deliver for Australians has made their lives easier. More than three million Australians have been able to visit a Medicare urgent care clinic, getting free access to urgent care. We've seen a significant increase in the number of bulk-billing GP practices right around the country. There are over 3,800 GP practices that have now moved to fully bulk-billing, and that number continues to grow every week. On 1 November last year, 1,400 of those 3,800 were mixed billing, so we have seen a significant number of them move to fully bulk-billing, and that is improving access to health care not just in metro and urban areas but in our regions and in our rural communities.”
“When this coalition were in government, they froze the Medicare rebate for several years, ripping billions of dollars from primary health care, and proposed a co-payment to go and see your GP. That was under former prime minister Tony Abbott, the same person the Liberal Party has now appointed as their president. If that doesn't speak to their priorities, then I don't know what does. Then, of course, we had a period during the last election where, certainly in my electorate, the candidate for the Liberal Party couldn't say whether Medicare urgent care clinics would remain open, let alone remain free. Those opposite don't value Medicare. They never have. They don't understand the importance of access to affordable health care. The Labor Party does. We build it.”
“When we came to government in 2022, we had a situation where it had never been harder or more expensive to find a doctor. Bulk-billing was in freefall after a decade of cuts and neglect, and that's why strengthening Medicare was such a key focus for our government. Today, we've heard members opposite give an impression that they don't support Labor's investment in the Medicare urgent care clinic network. It's staggering to hear this, given how successful and how important they've been, but also not surprising to notice their lack of enthusiasm when you look at their history and realise that it shouldn't be difficult for us to understand why they're coming at it the way they are.”
“Ultimately, that's what our housing policies are all about—a safe place to live for Sarah and her kids, making renting a bit more affordable and a real shot at homeownership for people like Jessica and Romain. A fair go for all Australians.”
“We're delivering on our 100,000 new homes for first home buyers plan, including through the recent agreement that we've struck with the Tasmanian government. With $165 million of federal support on the table, we'll deliver enabling infrastructure to support 4,000 new homes, including more than 2,100 just for first home buyers. In my electorate of Lyons, there will be significant new investments in communities like Brighton, Sorell and Meander Valley, where 2,700 new homes will be developed, with almost 1,100 reserved just for first home buyers. On top of that, I was recently able to join the Prime Minister to announce 1,000 new homes at Dowsing Point. These are homes that will help thousands of people find a place to call their own.”
“We're also supporting renters, who have seen an increase in Commonwealth rent assistance by more than 50 per cent since we were elected, and that's helping to make renting more affordable for more than 8,500 families in Lyons. We understand that the ultimate goal for many renters is to one day own a home of their own. That's why I'm really proud that our five per cent deposit scheme has supported nearly 800 of my constituents into homeownership. Tasmanians like Jessica and Romain, who were facing eviction from their rental because it was going to be sold, were able to become owners of their home through the five per cent deposit scheme. That's why our government is reforming the capital gains tax and negative gearing to refocus incentives on new builds and to give young people and first home buyers a real crack at owning their own home.”
“I rise this morning to note the substantial investment the Australian Labor government is making in housing in my electorate of Lyons and to share some of the stories of people whose lives have been transformed as a result. We are delivering nearly 300 social and affordable homes through the Housing Australia Future Fund in towns like Campbelltown, Carrick, Hadspen, Bridgewater, Triabunna and Perth—a program that the Leader of the Opposition has pledged to cancel if the coalition is elected. These are new homes that will support the people in my electorate, like Sarah and her kids, who recently told me that they've been waiting 12 years on the state Liberal government's social housing register.”
“I want to assure the House that, on this side of the parliament, every day when we're having conversations with ministers and in our community, our ambition is to make sure we deliver equity and opportunity for Australians, no matter where they live.”
“They need to stay close to their families, and, for their own health and wellbeing, they want to stay in their local communities as they age. This budget includes measures to support the construction of up to 5,000 new aged care beds each year. This will also help more older Australians stay in their local communities, including regional communities. These reforms are designed to support regional providers, who face higher operating costs and care for some of our country's most financially vulnerable older Australians. This budget has kept regional Australia in mind as we have worked to deliver a fair outcome for all Australians, no matter where they live.”
“In addition to the initiatives across those areas I've just described I do want to touch on some other the points. I know the honourable member has an interest in aged care. This is a budget that has continued to add to the investment our government made in the last budget and that we saw through the changes to the Aged Care Act. This budget adds an additional $3.7 billion to strengthen Australia's aged care system. This will mean that more than 500,000 older Australians in regional, rural and remote areas who can currently access aged care services are supported by more than $2 billion in annual government investment. This is so important, because I know that, in my own community, there are lots of people who want to remain in their home community. They don't want to move to the city to access these services.”
“If we don't have fertiliser, we can't grow the food that every person here and across the country eats every single day. That's why the honourable member for Franklin, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, has worked so hard to secure those fertiliser supplies to continue to come into our country. It's also why our government has invested in these initiatives as part of this budget—because we understand how vital our farmers are for our country's prosperity, for the strength and the fabric of our community and for the health of our nation. It's not lost on me that we have a responsibility when we come to this place, as representatives of regional electorates, to make the case on their behalf, which is what we've been doing.”
“We've obviously halved the excise, and that is delivering some relief at the bowser for people who rely on a car to get around, which is very true for people who live outside the cities, where public transport may not be reliable or may not be available at all. That's also why we're doing what we can to bolster our fuel security for the future. We delivered a $10 billion Australian fuel security and resilience package to safeguard our nation's energy sovereignty because we can't just have a response for the here and the now; we have to be thinking about the medium-to-long term as well. This is a package will secure the fuel and the fertiliser supplies that Australia needs. I understand as well as anybody else who grew up in the country how vital it is to have those critical inputs available when you need them.”
“We are investing in increasing supply. The minister just spoke in question time about some of the new investments that are contained within this budget. Across the course of our government, there's been a $47 billion commitment to housing for Australians. We are making the tax system fairer, and that will help 75,000 young people put a key in the door of their own home. That is going to transform the lives of Australians not only in our cities but in our regional and rural communities too. The honourable member spoke about some of the challenges that we see not only in her electorate but also in other parts of regional and rural Australia and mentioned, of course, the fuel supply challenges we're seeing because of the global insecurity caused by the war in the Middle East. Our government has responded swiftly.”
“I've met with the young people who are studying in these locations, and they've told me that, because they can do this in their local community and not travel two hours or more to go into the university, it's actually given them an opportunity to pursue a tertiary qualification. We are doing what we can to invest in our regional communities for our young people to provide them the education and training pathways to build our regional workforce, so we can deliver those services that support Australians who live outside the cities. We have been investing in housing. I'm sure your community is just like mine. When you go and have conversations with people about some of the challenges—about young people being able to enter the housing market but also the challenges attracting workers to our regional communities—housing is often a key barrier.”
“That provides opportunities for young people living in regional parts of your electorate, my electorate and electorates right around the country to be able to pursue their dreams and get a qualification that helps them remain in their local community, contributing to their families and to our economy. We are investing in study hubs in regional parts of Australia to support young people who want to pursue a university qualification. In my electorate of Lyons, in St Helens and in Sorell—which are in the northern and southern parts of my electorate—our government has funded study hubs.”
“We've provided more than $600 million to grow our health workforce, supporting hundreds more GP and rural generalist training places, as well as 100 Commonwealth supported places for medical students a year from this year and hundreds of scholarships for nurses and midwives. There are more incentives now than ever before for doctors and nurses to work in our regions, building on the hundreds of places that we've already delivered. The other pathway for young people in particular is through vocational education and training. Our government has invested in free TAFE, and we have made that permanent.”
“We have a goal of training 2,000 GPs each year by 2028. This year, the government funded 1,600 places, and we expect more than 1,750 places to be filled, which is the largest cohort ever. This includes more GP and rural generalist training through the Remote Vocational Training Scheme, which supports training in rural, remote and hard-to-fill locations. We've also waived HECS debts for doctors and nurses that work in our regions for five years, to attract them to the areas outside our big cities. We are using incentives to try to address the workforce challenges that do exist across some of our tougher-to-staff places, including in our regions.”
“Our government has made a concerted effort to invest in additional supports, particularly in health, to ensure we can build that workforce, but it does take time. There's a number of investments that we've made to attract healthcare professionals to our regions. We are also investing in GP training. In my own home state of Tasmania, we now have end-to-end training of medical professionals in Launceston, Burnie and Hobart. This has also seen an increase in the number of places. What this means—and you would know this as well as I—is that, when you can train young people in their own communities, they are more likely to stay there and work there. These are going to be the doctors of tomorrow, working in our regional communities, and that will help more Australians access the health care that they need.”
“That means that people in my own town, in my own home community, are finally able to go and see a bulk-billing GP and have their healthcare needs met without any out-of-pocket expenses. We have invested in Medicare urgent care clinics right across the country. There will soon be 137 of these delivering urgent and free health care for people, no matter where they live. These are making a profound difference to the lives of people living in regional parts of the country. One of the challenges I note the member raised is about workforce. There's no doubt there can be challenges in supplying the workforce that we need to support the delivery of health care and other essential services right across the country, particularly in regional parts of our country.”
“We represent more regional seats in this place than any other political party, and we are proud to be able to make that contribution on behalf of our communities. This budget does deliver for them. We have seen significant investments that improve the lives of people right across our country, including in regional parts of our country. Whether it is looking at what we're doing in health—I'm very proud, in my own home state of Tasmania, to see the increase in bulk-billing rates. That is changing the lives of people who are living in our regions as well as in our cities. In my own electorate of Lyons, prior to the changes that came into effect last year, there were just six bulk-billing practices. We now have 18, and all of those 18 bulk-billing practices are in regional parts of Tasmania.”
“I'm very pleased to be able to speak to the matter of public importance brought on today by the honourable member, as somebody who lives in and represents a regional electorate in my home state of Tasmania. I grew up on a farm, milking cows and feeding pigs and feeding cattle. My family still have that farm. I'm very proud to come from a community called Nugent, where our primary source of income is agriculture. I understand how important it is to stand up for regional parts of our country, because that is the whole reason I put my hand up for politics in the first place. It's the reason that I'm here trying to make a difference, and it's the reason why so many of my colleagues are here, too.”
“The vast majority of providers do the right thing. They deliver safe, quality services that change lives. This bill is not about them. It is about the minority—those who recklessly or intentionally cause harm, exploit or defraud people with disability. To them I say: you don't belong in the NDIS. Importantly, it is also about people with disabilities and their families. To them I say unequivocally: your wellbeing, your dignity and your life is just as valued as any other Australian. I commend this bill to the House. Leave granted for second reading debate to continue immediately.”
“Electronic claim forms will replace outdated processes, saving time and reducing fraud. A 90-day cooling-off period will protect participants who choose to leave the scheme, ensuring decisions are made with care. This bill, as amended by the Senate, also introduces whistleblower protections that will support those in the NDIS who see something to say something. These reforms were not written in isolation. They were shaped by the voices of participants, their families, carers, providers and states. We held forums across the country, online and in person, because this scheme belongs to the people it serves. And what did we hear? We heard that accountability matters. We heard that penalties must be strong enough to deter harm. We heard that predatory behaviour must be stamped out. We listened, and now we are acting.”
“First, it strengthens safeguards. We are giving the NDIS commission the powers it needs to protect participants. That means tougher penalties—up to $16 million for corporations that breach the law and prison terms for those who recklessly or deliberately put lives at risk. It means expanding banning orders to capture not just providers and workers but auditors and consultants who compromise safety. And it means introducing anti-promotion powers to stop unethical advertising, because the NDIS is not a marketplace for exploitation. Second, it improves integrity and responsiveness. We are tightening compliance requirements so the NDIS commission can act swiftly when harm is suspected. And we are introducing evidentiary certificates to streamline enforcement because justice delayed is justice denied. Third, it modernises the scheme.”
“We cannot ignore the findings of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The stories were harrowing. They revealed a system that was fractured, underresourced and too often blind to harm. Australians with disability told us in no uncertain terms the days of abuse and neglect must end. The findings of the independent review into the NDIS reinforced this call. The review told us the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission must be more responsive, more powerful and more trusted. It told us that regulatory gaps are putting lives at risk. It told us that, without reform, the integrity of the scheme and the safety of its participants cannot be guaranteed. That is unacceptable. This government will not stand by. This bill delivers on our commitment to reform the NDIS. It does three things.”
“Those who defraud the NDIS are exploiting the hundreds of thousands of Australians who rely on the life-changing support the NDIS delivers. We were left with a mess in coming to government. Under the former coalition government, the NDIS was a soft target. Our government acted quickly, investing over $550 million in tackling fraud and noncompliance, setting up the Fraud Fusion Taskforce and passing the getting the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Act to place it on a sustainable footing. But there is more work to do, and this bill is an important step. Today I introduce the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill to the House. This legislation will ensure that the NDIS remains true to its purpose—safe, strong and centred on the people it serves.”
“I present the revised explanatory memorandum to this bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Albanese Labor government is committed to ensuring the NDIS is a pillar of Australia's unique social safety net. That means that we are committed to ensuring the National Disability Insurance Scheme provides essential disability supports for people with permanent and significant disability today and into the future. We are committed to an NDIS that is fair, consistent and empowering for people with permanent and significant disability—an NDIS that is sustainable, effective and safe and operates with integrity. This government has been committed to taking fraud and misconduct in the NDIS seriously.”
“On behalf of my community, I express our deep gratitude for their tireless efforts, and proudly recognise the significant contributions they have made.”
“The challenge for all of us is to nominate a woman who we see doing great things in our community so they get the recognition they deserve, whether they are volunteering every season in the footy club canteen, running a small business, working to breakdown stereotypes in male dominated industries, educating the next generation in our classrooms or serving our community at the local health clinic. You don't need to be an astronaut, as impressive as that is, in order to receive a nomination for an award. These honours exist to acknowledge Australians who make meaningful and lasting contributions anywhere in our community. Each of these recipients awarded in 2026 exemplifies the very best community-minded service.”
“I'm lucky to see firsthand the incredible contributions made by people from all walks of life, people who help build— A division having been called in the House of Representatives— Sitting suspended from 09:40 to 09:58 I'm lucky to see firsthand the incredible contributions made by people from all walks of life, people who help build up our communities and our country. There are so many others who do incredible things but go without recognition, especially women. In the Australia Day 2026 Honours List, women represented just one in four of all appointments and awards. There is no good reason for this. Afterall, we all agree that men and women should be treated equally, and we recognise that they contribute in an equally impressive way to building the strength of our community.”
“Mr Will Smith OAM has been acknowledged for his service to the youth of Tasmania. As CEO of JCP Youth and the program director for BEAST, Will has shown exceptional dedication to empowering young people and fostering positive life outcomes. Mrs Kim Brundle-Lawrence AFSM OAM has been honoured for her exceptional service to the Carrick Fire Brigade. With more than 35 years of dedication to the Tasmania Fire Service, Kim has contributed enormously to community safety, resilience and emergency response in Northern Tassie.”