Free TAFE Bill 2024
I fail to understand why this government has an obsession, I suppose it is, with TAFE and not with general VET training overall.
Personal Explanations
The member for McEwen recently issued a social media post claiming that I was asked questions about robodebt deaths and responded in a certain way. This is disingenuous.
Women's Rights
I asked why are left-leaning parliamentarians in Labor and the Greens so hypocritical about the plight of women? Let me be clear: they have had plenty to say in this place and the other about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as it is affecting Palestinian women, yet they are silent about Israeli women who were raped to death on 7 October last year.
Workforce Shortages
I rise to speak on the motion brought in relation to the workforce shortages that Australia is currently experiencing under this Albanese Labor government.
United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
The elimination of violence against women is something I think all of us in this place are absolutely committed to addressing. I recently met with one of my constituents, Aaron Myers who asked me to speak up about this issue
Miscarriage Stillbirth and Neonatal Death
Every year, 15 October marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It acknowledges the shared loss experienced by parents, friends and healthcare workers of those little ones lost too soon, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or by any other loss.
Migration Amendment Bill 2024
I rose to speak on the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024. This bill implements certain measures from the government's Migration Strategy, 'Getting migration working for the nation', related to skilled visas.
Labor fails to deliver new housing
I rose to speak on the government's failure to deliver the new housing that Australia needs. I think it's unfortunate now that the Minister for Housing is leaving the chamber and will not be around to hear what we have to say about her failed housing policy.
National Broadband Network Companies Amendment Bill 2024
Just by way of background, the Rudd Labor government—we all remember that Labor government—announced the establishment of a new NBN Co to build and operate a new fast national broadband network.
Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024
I rose to speak about the Better and Fairer Schools (Funding Reform) Bill 2024, which deals with government funding of public schools.
Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024
The system is often extremely bureaucratic. We have failed many veterans who have returned from overseas duties very different to the way that they left, and we have not properly addressed the areas of not just physical health but mental health, suicidality and, in too many instances, suicide itself.
Banking and Financial Services
It seems that APRA had failed to consult with industry, and it provided no evidence to support the change in policy. So, straightaway, when a regulator with the power of APRA conducts an inquiry and there's a lack of consultation in that way, it does raise serious questions. In Australia we have a banking sector that is already subject to considerable prudential regulation, and I think overall it's intelligent in its approach to ensuring the banking sector's resilience to financial market stress.
Gambling harm is destroying lives
In June 2023 I signed a report, concerning online gambling restrictions. In December 2023 the minister said she would ensure a policy would be resolved 'expeditiously' and would be announced 'without delay'. It is now October 2024 and the government still has not arrived at a policy.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is a tremendous service organisation existing throughout our nation. It provides nutritious, affordable meals, fresh and frozen, delivered by volunteers, to anyone who is no longer able to prepare meals or has difficulty preparing meals due to age, disability or a temporary condition.
The threat to the tax treatment of negative gearing
We saw in the Sydney Morning Herald last week confirmation that Labor has been secretly modelling changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing rules.
Water Polo
Water polo is essentially soccer played by seven players per team in a swimming pool. Many within my electorate of Hughes play water polo, which is enjoying a growth following the successes of our national teams in recent years. At our most recent Olympics, for example, the Stingers won a silver medal and our Sharks finished eighth overall. Our local community was represented by Hughes resident Milos Maksimovic in the Sharks team.
Cost of living
Australians are experiencing a collapse in living standards under the Albanese Labor government that has been brought about by the Albanese Labor government and yet continues to be denied by the Albanese Labor government. Recent polls have shown that Australians now know that the cost-of-living crisis that they are experiencing is directly attributable to this government and to this government's gross overspending and absolute failure to rein in inflation
Paid Parental Leave
I spoke in favour of this legislation, the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Adding Superannuation for a More Secure Retirement) Bill 2024, which commits to superannuation being paid on government paid parental leave for children born or adopted after July 2025.