Anne Urquhart
Braddon · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Today is 1 July. The Albanese Labor government is delivering real change for Australians, with cost-of-living measures starting today. Through tax cuts, expanded paid parental leave, and stronger investment in Medicare and hospitals, we're putting more money back into people's pockets and making it easier for families to access the care t…”
“From today, we are protecting Australian families by making it illegal for retailers like Coles and Woolies to price gouge customers by artificially inflating prices on groceries.”
“Last week I attended a memorial service for Constable Keith Smith, a long-serving and respected member of Tasmania Police who spent 25 years working across northern and western Tasmania. Keith received the Commissioner's Medal in 2011, the National Police Service Medal in 2016 and a 20-year clasp in 2021.”
“It was especially touching when the Central Coast mayor, Cheryl Fuller, announced a local thoroughfare between King Edward Street and Victoria Street in Ulverstone would be named Keith Smith Lane.”
“This also matters because award-reliant workers are disproportionately women, and their work has too often been undervalued and underpaid. Labor has backed wage rises in aged care, is supporting historic pay increases in early childhood education and care, and continues to support fair outcomes in sectors that have contributed to the gend…”
“But low unemployment does not mean that every Australian can easily access work. Too many people are missing out because the employment services system that replaced the CES in 1998 is no longer working for everyone who needs support to find and keep work.”
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“I'm extremely proud to say that the 2026 Young Australian of the Year for Tasmania was awarded to Braddon local Alyssia Kennedy, a remarkable young woman who has turned her own lived experience into meaningful change. After leaving school, Alyssia discovered gaps familiar to many young Australians. Despite strong academic results, she found herself without the practical life skills needed to navigate adulthood: budgeting, managing bills, completing a tax return. She learnt these lessons the hard way, but she was determined that others shouldn't have to. Alyssia created the Upturned Tasmania program Life After School, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world skills. She now works with schools and youth groups to empower young people with the confidence and capability they need to thrive as adults.”
“Along with this clinic, a new Medicare urgent care clinic will open on 9 February, offering bulk-billed extended hours care for non-emergency conditions also in Burnie at the Health Hub. This will be the second urgent care clinic in Braddon and is something I campaigned for in the election. This provides my constituents with better access to urgent care and mental health assistance when they need it most, taking pressure off the emergency department at the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie. On this side, all of us are about delivering on our promises. Over on that side, it's all about division.”
“Thanks to the Albanese Labor government, residents of Braddon now have access to free mental health care with the opening of a temporary pop-up Medicare mental health centre in Burnie. Located in Cooee along the Bass Highway, this walk-in service provides immediate support for anyone in distress—no appointment, no referral, just help when they need it most. It is staffed by a dedicated team of clinicians and peer workers, ensuring that our locals receive the right care at the right time. This temporary centre will remain in place while a permanent Medicare mental health centre is established at the Burnie Health Hub, due open in late 2026. This is the second Medicare mental health centre in Braddon, with a national roll-out of 92 centres right across the country.”
“My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. How is the Albanese Labor government focused on keeping regional communities connected in the air and on the ground? What approaches to regional Australia has the government rejected.”
“With every new centre, every new service and every new conversation, we're building a stronger and more compassionate Australia. But we should also say that every day is a chance to look after our own and others' mental health—not just for the month of October, but all year round.”
“We know that peer workers bring something powerful to the table: empathy and understanding, which then provides hope for people. Next year we'll establish a peer workforce association and conduct a national census of peer workers to better support and grow this vital part of our mental health system and provide the support that those workers need. As we expand the range of free services, we're making it easier for Australians to find that right support. The Medicare Mental Health national phone service number, 1800595212, and the website, medicarementalhealth.gov.au, are there to help people connect with the care that they need. With a phone call or a tap on a website you've got the help that you need. You can go and find them and navigate through. Mental Health Month reminds us that wellbeing is not a luxury. It is a right.”
“People can walk in or they can get on the phone, and they can get the service they need without long waiting lists. We're also investing in the workforce that makes this care possible. Without fantastic health workers in this area, we just can't do the sorts of things that we want to do. We're investing in that workforce with over 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places and investing in new support to professionalise the peer workforce. We value that lived experience. When we opened the Medicare Mental Health Centre in Devonport recently, I met a fabulous support worker who has had lived experience. I think it makes the journey for someone with a mental health condition much easier if they can actually speak to someone who has had that lived experience as well.”
“It's a really difficult time for young people when they have mental health issues and then have to find the care that they need right in their own community. That's what this delivers. We know that regional communities need to be able to access services. Expanding these facilities in Burnie will mean much more support for young people aged 12 to 25 right where it's needed most. I've sat down with the health and support people in the Burnie health space and they are excited about reaching out more broadly from Burnie, right across the community of Braddon. I'm excited about that. From early next year we'll also roll out a national early intervention service, providing free phone and online support from trained professionals. That's expected to help more than 150,000 Australians each year. We are layering the assistance.”
“This funding will add more staff to meet growing demand, expand individual and group therapies, and improve infrastructure to create safe, welcoming spaces. I found that really important in terms of the Medicare health hub in Devonport, where, when you walked in, you felt a really relaxing, calm environment. That's really important, particularly for young people. It will also enhance inclusive support for First Nations youth, for LGBTIQA+ individuals and our CALD communities. I'm especially proud to say that Burnie will be home to one of those 30 headspace services that I talked about as being uplifted to headspace Plus—providing enhanced care for young people experiencing severe mental health issues, right in our community. They don't have to travel.”
“This includes 91 Medicare mental health centres offering that free, walk-in care from a multidisciplinary team—and, as I said, we've got one in Devonport and are really excited that we'll be opening one very soon in Burnie—20 perinatal mental health centres supporting new and expectant parents; 17 Medicare mental health kids hubs helping children and families with behavioural, emotional and social wellbeing; and 203 headspace services supporting young people aged 12 to 15. We have an expanded headspace service right in Burnie. We're not stopping there. We're investing an additional $72.7 million to boost headspace services right across the nation, giving our young Australians quicker access to the free mental health support that they need when they need it.”
“We know that mental health doesn't discriminate. It affects young people, parents, older Australians, workers and carers. It actually affects all of us, and we know that when people reach out for help they deserve to find it close to home. Across the country, the Albanese government is delivering more mental health services right in the heart of our communities. As part of our plan to strengthen Medicare, we've made an historic $1.1 billion commitment to expand mental health services across the whole lifespan.”
“It's a safe space, a welcoming space and a place where people are seen, heard and supported. I'm proud to say that we'll take a major step forward soon with the opening of a new Medicare mental health centre in Burnie. This centre will join the growing network of Medicare mental health centres across Australia designed to fill critical gaps in the mental health system and reduce that pressure on our hospital emergency departments. Its establishment reflects the Albanese Labor government's commitment to delivering accessible, community based mental health support, particularly in regional areas like Braddon. This is deeply personal for our community. We've seen the toll that mental distress can take, especially in our regional areas, where services are limited. But that stigma still lingers, because of our small communities.”
“We've heard the stories of long wait times, referral requirements and those cost barriers—people struggling in silence, unsure where to turn or unable to afford the help that they need. That's not good enough, and it's not the kind of Australia we want to build. The Devonport Medicare mental health centre changes that. It offers free, walk-in support, with no appointment, no referral and no treatment plan required—just help when and where it's needed most. The model of care is built around the individual. It's staffed by a team of clinicians and peer workers—people with both professional expertise and lived experience. Together they provide support that is compassionate, timely and tailored to each person's needs. Whether someone is experiencing a crisis or seeking ongoing care, the centre is ready to respond.”
“October was Mental Health Month, a time to reflect on and to raise awareness of the wellbeing of every Australian. It's a time to speak openly, to listen deeply and to act with compassion. In my electorate of Braddon, we have a powerful reason to celebrate. We just marked a major milestone for mental health care in our region, with the official opening, alongside Assistant Minister Emma McBride, of the new Medicare mental health centre in Devonport. This isn't just another health facility; it's a lifeline, a place where people in distress can walk through the door and find support without barriers, without judgement and without delay. For too long, mental health support has been out of reach for many Tasmanians, particularly in our regional areas.”
“We are working on that really hard as a government, and we need more people to come on board to get the skills to be able to build those homes. There will also be more technicians for renewable energy. As I said earlier, we have a very big renewable energy hub right on the north-west coast of Tasmania, and I want to see our young people have opportunities to get trained to be technicians and work in those renewable energies that provide really great future jobs and good, secure jobs for the future for those young people. It means stronger local businesses and a stronger regional economy. This bill is about doing the right thing for students, for providers and for the integrity of our loan system. It ensures that VSL can keep supporting Australians without the complexity that's there, without uncertainty.”
“The bill starts the day after royal assent, so it's really urgent that we get this bill dealt with. It confirms that past practices were lawful, but it also introduces a safer and more modern way to handle that sensitive data like tax file numbers and that data that students have. Why does it matter? Well, it matters particularly because VET student loans make training more accessible. They let students defer fees and gain skills in our areas that the economy needs most around science, technology, engineering—in our licensed trades. They help tackle skills shortages and create better job outcomes. In Braddon, the area that I represent in Tasmania, that means that there will be more nurses in a hospital—we need a lot more of them—and more skilled trades for housing projects.”
“These are the sorts of opportunities that students get when they go through a VET course. The VET Student Loans program has been helping Australians access training since 2017, but during a recent review we found something important—that the law didn't clearly allow providers to handle tax file numbers, even though they needed to at the time for the system to actually work. We're fixing that, and that's something this bill is doing. Since early this year, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has upgraded its IT systems so providers will no longer see the tax file numbers. They're now masked and transferred automatically. This government is investing $42.2 million over four years to build a modern VSL platform. From 2026, the program will run on a new secure system for assessments and payments.”
“Without VET student loans, many of these students would face upfront costs they simply could not afford, and we see a lot of students make the decision about whether to actually get involved in a VET course based on whether or not they can afford it. Free TAFE has been tremendous in supporting many students, both young and mature, in realigning their careers and changing the shape of what they want to do for the rest of their life. That measure has been really helpful. This bill's changes around student loans will make a difference in people's lives. The bill ensures that the system underpinning those opportunities is sound, secure and futureproof. We want more aged-care workers. We want more electricians for renewable energy projects, and we need more chefs in a local cafes and restaurants.”
“We have a fantastic region to showcase and we need really high-skilled people. People can get on board, get skills and training and get involved in those courses to help showcase our region through events like the Wynyard Tulip Festival, which runs every year. It's run by a small committee, but they need lots of volunteers and people with skills. There's also the Unconformity festival, which happens every two years in Queenstown, on the West Coast, and brings in people both from all over Tasmania and from mainland Australia, and there are also international people that visit there. Having really well-trained people with the skills and the opportunities to showcase those regions is vitally important.”
“Those construction and advanced manufacturing jobs are very, very important for the renewable rollout that we are seeing right across the country but particularly in my region of Braddon, in Tasmania, and we need to back in apprentices and trainees and give them every opportunity to go through the VET system and get trained. Students at TasTAFE's Burnie and Devonport campuses are completing diplomas in things like agriculture, project management and nursing skills. These are essential for strengthening our hospitals, advancing our renewable energy projects and also supporting our local businesses. Private providers in Braddon play a vital role too. They deliver courses in hospitality, tourism and tour guiding, which create pathways for jobs that showcase our region.”
“We know that there are many young and mature students out there who are looking at getting assistance to get through a VET program, and, in my home region of Braddon, the importance of VET cannot be overstated. Across the electorate of Braddon, VET student loans have helped locals train for many jobs like aged-care and disability support. Those sectors are growing rapidly as our population ages, and we want to encourage more people to get into those roles. It's really important. The loans have also backed apprentices and trainees in construction and advanced manufacturing. These are the industries that drive major projects in Tasmania, like the Marinus Link and beyond.”
“Providers have always been subject to strict integrity safeguards, including compliance with disclosure provisions under the VSL Act, extensive approval processes and mandatory reporting of any data breaches. These protections have applied in the past and will continue to apply, and, with the new IT architecture, we will go further. Tax file numbers will be masked from providers, and the secure handling of sensitive identifiers, which is really important, will occur within government systems designed expressly for that purpose—not for other purposes but expressly for that purpose. The bill is not just about fixing a technical gap. It is about supporting Australians who rely on VET to build their careers.”
“Updated IT systems in the department now mask tax file numbers from providers and automate their secure transfer between relevant systems; in other words, the future design eliminates the need for providers to handle tax file numbers while preserving the essential function of the program. A tax file number is essential for an income contingent loan program like VET student loans because the loan is repaid through the tax system. A tax file number enables accurate tracking of a student's loan. It ensures the correct linkage to their Australian Taxation Office account and supports repayments as the student's income grows. Without a tax file number, the integrity of the program would be compromised.”
“First, it retrospectively authorises the handling of those tax file numbers by VET student loans providers and relevant Commonwealth officers for the purposes of administering VSLs from 1 January 2017 to 30 September 2025. This ensures that the good-faith actions taken to administer the scheme were legally supported. Second, it provides certainty to providers, government officers and students that past practices where tax file numbers were used to correctly link a student's loan account to their Australian Taxation Office record were lawful and appropriate. Third, from 1 October 2025 providers will no longer need to handle tax file numbers at all.”
“However, during a review of how VET student loans were administered, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations identified that the Vet Student Loans Act 2016 did not explicitly authorise providers to handle TFNs. The program operated as intended, providers acted in good faith and the system functioned to help Australians access training without upfront costs, but the legal footing needed to be clearer. This bill addresses that gap. It clarifies the authority retrospectively so that everyone involved—providers, Commonwealth officers and the department—has certainty that their past handling of TFNs for the administration of loans was lawful. The bill does three key things.”
“I rise today to speak in support of the VET Student Loans (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2025. This bill is about fixing a problem identified during a review of how VET student loans were administered under the previous government. It is a practical measure that ensures certainty for students, providers and the integrity of the system. Since the VET Student Loans Act commenced in 2017, VET student loans providers and registered training organisations, including TAFEs and private colleges, have played an important role in administering loan applications. In practice, this involved handling tax file numbers for the purpose of verifying a student's identity and ensuring loan repayment through the tax system.”
“This is about keeping our local venues open, keeping people in work and keeping communities connected—values that sit at the heart of the Labor tradition. It is good, steady, responsible government in action, targeted relief, real results and a fair go for Australian workers and small-business owners alike.”
“The government remains committed to evidence based health policy and responsible consumption. The pause does not change the overall structure of alcohol taxation or weaken public health objectives. This measure is time limited, fiscally responsible and carefully calibrated to help small businesses through a challenging period. It is another example of Labor governing with balance and purpose, backing small business, protecting workers and ensuring that Australians can continue to enjoy affordable, responsible hospitality at their local pub or club. This decision also shows that the Albanese government is in touch with community life. We understand the pressures small businesses face and we act decisively to support them.”
“It forms part of a broader package of small-business supports that includes extended instant asset write-offs, support for digital transformation and lower energy costs for small operators. This policy reflects Labor's belief that responsible government can ease pressure on families and businesses while maintaining the economic discipline required to keep the budget sustainable. It's a demonstration of Labor's partnership with the hospitality, tourism and manufacturing sector industries that drive local jobs and form the backbone of many regional economies. The pause ensures that small brewers and publicans can continue competing fairly against large multinational producers, protecting diversity and competition in Australia's beer and hospitality industries.”
“This is a cost-of-living measure that also strengthens small-business resilience. It's a clear example of responsible government action, designed to make a difference without driving inflation or compromising fiscal discipline. The Albanese Labor government has listened to industry feedback from brewers, from publicans and from the small-business groups, who have consistently called for relief from automatic excise increases during a period of high inflation. We've heard them and we've acted on that. Our approach is pragmatic and balanced. It provides targeted support where it's most needed while ensuring excise arrangements return to normal after the pause.”
“It helps them to plan ahead, retain staff and also reinvest in their businesses, which is really important for the future. It's a lifeline during a time of economic pressure. Across Braddon, the pub is the heart of the community. Keeping those doors open actually matters. This measure reinforces the government's commitment to regional Australia, it helps protect tourism and local hospitality jobs, and it supports Australian brewers, particularly small and independent producers who supply draught beer to local venues. Many of these brewers rely heavily on keg sales to maintain cash flow and jobs. The benefits of this policy reach beyond pubs and brewers. They flow to farmers, transport operators, equipment suppliers and the thousands of small businesses linked to the hospitality supply chain.”
“Allowing workers to continue enjoying a social moment at the end of the week without added financial pressure, it also provides tangible benefits to brewers such as Communion, Island State and Boag's brewery, as well as publicans like Ben. By helping them manage costs, plan production and invest in their communities, this policy supports both local industry and the social fabric of all of our towns. Approximately 160,000 Australian workers work in the hospitality and brewing sectors. These are real jobs, they're local jobs, and they rely on venues staying open and profitable. This excise pause will help stabilise the tax component of a pint for two years, reducing pressure on venues to pass rising costs on to customers. For small publicans and family run clubs, this decision offers certainty.”
“It supports employment, it drives tourism and it contributes to regional events. Its presence in Launceston is a source of pride for many residents. I hosted a 'beers and banter' event at the Beach Hotel in Burnie not that long ago alongside local publican Ben to mark the Albanese Labor government's announcement of a pause in the indexation of draught beer excise. During the event, I spoke with local posties and other community members enjoying their well-earned Friday evening knock-off drinks. The response was overwhelmingly positive. They welcomed the decision as a practical and meaningful measure. They were excited that the price of a pint will remain stable. This pause in indexation ensures that the price of a pint remains stable.”
“It's a growing business that supports local jobs, partners with regional suppliers and brings people together through great Tasmanian beer. And, of course, we have the renowned and famous James Boag Brewery in Launceston, an iconic institution in Tasmania's cultural and economic landscape. Situated on the banks of the North Esk River, the James Boag Brewery has been a cornerstone of the region since its establishment in 1881. For over 140 years, the brewery has produced beer that embodies the purity and the character of Tasmania, utilising pristine local water, regionally sourced ingredients and a time honoured brewing tradition passed down through generations. Beyond its contribution to Tasmania's brewing heritage, Boag's plays a significant role in the local economy and the local community.”
“It also supports our brewers, especially small and independent producers, who rely on keg sales to stay afloat. (Quorum formed) Take Communion Brewing in Burnie, in the electorate of Braddon, for example. This family-friendly brewpub is the heart of the CBD. It brews all its beer onsite, with names inspired by local heritage, like the Paper Maker, a nod to Burnie's industrial past. Communion is more than a brewery; it's a community hub, a local employer and a proud contributor to the region's cultural and economic life. Island State Brewing in Devonport is another fantastic example. Known for its bold, locally crafted beers and its commitment to quality, Island State Brewing supplies venues right across the north-west coast and beyond.”
“It's where locals find work, where small brewers find customers and where regional economies find strength. These venues are the heart of our communities and they deserve our support. This excise applies to containers between eight and 48 litres, those commonly used in pubs and clubs and larger containers used in hospitality venues. It's tightly targeted. It doesn't apply to bottled or canned beer, spirits or other excisable beverages. That's deliberate. This is about supporting our hospitality operators, not the retailers. Around 10,000 venues will benefit from this measure, and about 75 per cent of those are small family-run businesses. These are the venues that sponsor the local footy team, host charity raffles and employ young people starting out in the workforce, many of them university students.”
“I rise today to speak in support of the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the associated bill—a practical, targeted and responsible measure from the Albanese Labor government, one that backs our pubs, clubs, brewers and hospitality workers right across Australia, including in the electorate of Braddon in regional Tasmania, where I come from. From 1 August 2025 the government will pause indexation on draught beer excise and excise equivalent customs duties for two years. This is a sensible decision that supports small businesses, protects jobs and helps keep the price of a pint stable for everyday Australians. In towns across the electorate of Braddon, the local pub is more than a business; it's where people gather for sport, celebrations and support in their tough times.”
“While many of her peers may not fully understand the demands of her role, Taya continues to show incredible strength. Despite these responsibilities, she's still a teenager with really big dreams. She plays club football, performs in musicals, takes on leadership roles in school, works part time and maintains a social life. She speaks honestly about carer burn out and the struggle to balance her own needs with Kye's and reminds us that caring takes a village. She's grateful for the support around her. Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of our young carers, and my hat goes off to her.”
“This week I had the privilege of attending Carers Australia's young carers Australia barbecue right here in Parliament House, where I met the wonderful Taya and her mum, Kathryn, from Burnie in the electorate that I represent. Taya is an extraordinary 15-year-old and a proud young carer. She cares for her younger brother Kye, who has level 3 autism, is nonverbal and lives with a global development delay. When Kye was first diagnosed, Taya knew nothing about autism or the challenges ahead, but she embraced her role with courage and resilience. Her caring responsibilities are significant. She manages toileting, nightly medication, getting both herself and Kye ready for school, ensuring someone is home to meet his bus and providing constant supervision. These are just some of the daily tasks that make life more complex for her family.”
“As one parent told me, 'Without this support, I didn't know how I'd keep working. Knowing there's a safe, quality place for my child means everything to our family.' This is a great outcome for our community. It demonstrates our commitment to making early childhood education accessible and to supporting working families in Braddon. I also want to thank the Latrobe Council, the state government and Lady Gowrie Tasmania for supporting the federal government to deliver this much needed service in Latrobe when it looked like there was going to be no other opportunity. Everyone has worked really hard together, and I want to thank all of them.”
“The closure of St Patrick's Child Care Centre in Latrobe on the 24 December would have created a significant gap in early learning services for families in the Braddon electorate that I represent. Surrounding centres are already operating at capacity, and this planned closure placed immediate pressure on parents who rely on quality care to stay in the workforce. I was pleased to announce last week that the Albanese Labor government has stepped in to support local families. Lady Gowrie Tasmania successfully secured $334,000 in federal funding to redevelop a temporary early learning space on Gilbert Street in Latrobe. This interim solution will ensure continuity of care for children and peace of mind for parents until the permanent Cotton Street centre is completed between July and September next year.”
“Another 50 urgent care clinics will open this year, and bulk-billing will expand in November. We're already seeing practices take up that bulk-billing incentive, and I think that will continue to keep rolling out. We're not chasing headlines; we're delivering outcomes—that's what we're doing. We're delivering for regional Australians. We're backing workers, families, students and retirees. We're investing in our future while easing the pressure today. We'll keep working every day to make sure no-one in regional Australia is left behind, because on this side that's what good government looks like. That's what leadership looks like and it's what our regional communities deserve. I'm proud to represent the Albanese Labor government in the electorate of Braddon to deliver for regional Tasmania and people in my region.”
“This support is targeted, it's responsible and it's reaching people who need it most. But we're not stopping there. More relief is rolling out through the remainder of 2025. Tax cuts for every taxpayer kicked in last year, and there are more rounds coming next year and the year after. That's long-term relief, not short-term spin. Medicare is expanding. I hear often from people that this is the best thing that government has done. The urgent care clinics, the Medicare walk-in centres for mental health—these are the things that make a difference to people who live in Devonport, in Burnie and in places around regional Australia where they can walk into an urgent care clinic. Regional people in my community can get that care when they need it, without having to pay for it on their credit card.”
“With the $10,000 incentive payments for those entering housing trades as well as fee-free TAFE, again in regional communities, we are supporting jobs and helping build the homes that our communities desperately need. We're cutting emissions and costs. On the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, we hear the energy minister almost every question time tell us about the areas where the cheaper home batteries are actually being installed. That will make a huge difference to people. I've heard directly from constituents in Spreyton and Devonport, who are already seeing the benefits of those batteries. We're easing student debt. Student loan balances have been cut by 20 per cent for three million Australians. These are issues that are meaningful for people right across the country but in particular those in regional areas.”
“The superannuation guarantee has risen to 12 per cent, helping to secure a better retirement for locals who've worked hard all their lives. We have introduced that payday super for workers to get a better deal so they don't get ripped off. Families are better supported. Paid parental leave has increased to 24 weeks and, for the first time, superannuation is paid on government PPL. That's a gamechanger for young families planning for the future. Energy bill relief is real. Another $150 is on the way before the end of this year, to help households manage rising costs and keep the lights on. We are backing apprentices. Many of those apprentices work and live in regional Australia.”
“Since 1 July, a suite of measures rolled out right across the country, and I've seen firsthand my electorate how they're helping households in regional Australia. Wages are up. The national minimum wage and award wages have increased by 3.5 per cent, a direct boost for thousands of workers in regional areas—workers in our factories. The previous speaker spoke about the farmers, we have lots of farmers in our region, and they support the workers in those factories that, now, many of whom will get the benefit of the wage increase we have provided to them, which is a direct boost for thousands of workers. It's money in their pockets, not promises on paper but money in their pockets. Superannuation is stronger.”
“I rise today to speak on the matter of public importance, borne to the chamber by the member for Page. The MPI is really a load of rubbish. Honestly, it's not worth the paper it's written on. The Albanese Labor government understands that families in our region are doing it tough. Whether it's rising grocery prices, energy bills or housing costs, the pressure is real. I come from regional Australia. I travel to regional Tasmania regularly. I see the difficulties that people face. That's why the Albanese Labor government is focused on responsible, targeted cost-of-living relief and relief that makes a real difference to the lives of people, particularly those living in regional Australia. We're not here to play politics with issues facing those Australians; we're here to deliver on the promises we made, and that's exactly what we're doing.”
“Through the Black Spots Program, we're delivering $685,000 to improve dangerous intersections in Braddon and, under the Better Active Transport grant program, we're funding $1.27 million for stages 3 and 4 of the Spreyton connector in Devonport and $192,000 for the Wynyard to Smithton shared user trail feasibility study, supporting active transport and tourism. Across the country, we are delivering for regional Australia. We have increased the Black Spot Program to $150 million annually, and created the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program with $200 million per year to improve safety and productivity on local roads. We're investing in safer roads, stronger communities and a better future for Tasmanians and for regional Australia. We're listening to locals and delivering on our commitments.”
“Under phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, eight local councils in Braddon received over $4 million to deliver priority road and community infrastructure projects: Central Coast Council, nearly $800,000; Circular Head Council, over $800,000; the city of Burnie, almost $500,000; Devonport City Council, over $500,000; King Island Council, over $400,000; Latrobe Council, over $300,000; Waratah-Wynyard Council, over $500,000; and the West Coast Council, over 300,000. These are rural, regional and remote areas in north-west Tasmania.”
“We're also backing Braddon's communities and industries by increasing support through the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, our highway to the mainland. The Albanese Labor government has boosted TFES assistance by 25 per cent, delivering additional funding over the next two years. This targeted investment will help reduce freight costs for local producers, manufacturers and exporters, making it easier for Braddon businesses to compete, to grow and to create jobs. In the electorate of Braddon, which I represent, we're seeing real results on the ground.”