Tuesday 29 November 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:45): Earlier this year I wrote in the West Australian newspaper, detailing issues about the youth crime that was plaguing the north-west. Although some criticised me at the time for labelling the Kimberley 'a war zone', I continue to stand by those observations. Nearly a year on, work still needs to be done to curb the youth crime crisis, not only in the Kimberley but in many other parts of WA. It is truly heartbreaking that youth crime is still crippling many local communities across WA, and, although increased police numbers have been a welcome change, more needs to be done.

The appalling handling of the Banksia Hill Detention Centre crisis by the McGowan government shows that Labor are not prepared to tackle the hard issues. Many leading advocates are criticising McGowan's recent summit as nothing more than a political stunt with no commitment to change. The quality of care in detention is one thing, but we must take action to prevent the offending in the first place. We must urgently support these families who are in crisis. We must ensure that state and federal government's youth diversionary programs are fit for purpose, and we must start to make our communities feel safe. Whether it's youth crime, our failing health system in Western Australia or a lack of public housing, our families and our communities in regional Western Australia deserve so much better from the McGowan government.

Tuesday 22 November 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (12:35): It's a privilege to stand here during Youth Voice in Parliament Week to present a speech written by 14-year-old Joshua Patrick from Northam, which is in the great electorate of Durack. I was very impressed by Joshua's understanding of some of the key issues affecting regional and remote Western Australia. I truly appreciate the effort that he has gone to to ensure that his experience is heard.

This is what Joshua wrote: Having personally had lived experience, or had those in my immediate family experience disability; caring role and accompanying poverty; complex medical issues and unnecessary health system battles; the inherent isolation and diminished opportunities for those living in regional (and remote) WA; and domestic violence and sexual abuse, I am well-placed to comment on what the new Parliament should achieve. I am also a passionate, creative experimenter in the realm of affordable, achievable, sustainable environmental practices and solutions.

The recommendations I would prioritise, are: A more flexible, long-term/future-proofing and individualised approach to disability funding disbursement. An increase in the Carer's Pension for families who find themselves suddenly thrust into a caring role where the sole or primary breadwinner must necessarily immediately cease work, with a fraction of the income required to cover fundamental living expenses plus additional medical expenses/travel/parking etc. Greater holistic support services such as treatment options and in-home care for those suffering chronic or complex health conditions and their families/carers.

A greater range of educational and recreational opportunities for young people living in remote or regional WA to provide equal chances for those equally as gifted as their metropolitan counterparts to succeed academically, as well as equal opportunities for geographically disadvantaged young people to excel in the sporting arena. More prompt validation and action when victims of domestic violence, particularly vulnerable children and single mothers, disclose or give cause to suspect domestic violence or abuse. Continued and increased support for schemes to encourage and provide resources for young people with the intelligence, passion, drive, energy, opportunity and creativity to come up with solutions, suggestions or proposals that may prompt society to stop living so unsustainably, whether large- or smaller-scale ideas, such as the Water Corporation's 'Think Tank Challenge', (in which I am a finalist). I hope you will see that I am well-placed to make the above recommendations knowledgeably and from a position of rare and unique insight, due to the diverse range of life circumstances I have personally experienced in my life.

That's the end of Joshua's speech. Thank you, Joshua, very much, for your incredibly thoughtful contribution. I look forward to meeting you soon in Northam to discuss your priorities further.

Tuesday 8 November 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:33): Western Australians know that when the bush is doing well then we're all doing well in our state. The coalition government's Building Better Regions Fund has been a highly successful program that has delivered better facilities and economic opportunities across my electorate of Durack, delivering the services and infrastructure our communities need and deserve. It is a huge shame that Labor has decided to axe the BBRF, as it has made a positive difference to the lives of so many families and communities living in rural, regional and remote Australia.

As the member for Durack, I could not be prouder of the close to 60 planned, under way and completed projects delivered through the BBRF funding—projects such as the Two Rivers Memorial Park in the beautiful town of Gascoyne Junction. They officially opened their new visitor rest stop recently, accompanied by a community celebration. The park has been developed on what was the caravan park site prior to the terrible floods back in 2010, which flattened the area. Now it features an amphitheatre, a shaded playground and—Deputy Speaker Claydon, I know you will love this—the first aerial mustering plane in Australia. I could not think of a better use of this space. Thankfully, the park received nearly $2.5 million through the BBRF, making this remote oasis a possibility. I'd like to pass on my huge congratulations to the Shire of Upper Gascoyne for their vision and for their follow-through. Thanks to everyone who was involved in the wonderful grand opening.

Monday 7 November 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (18:37): Australians are hungry for sustainable energy that is clean and affordable. They want it without raising taxes, without suffering from an electricity grid that cannot keep up with demand and without soaring electricity prices. The coalition understands that. In order to achieve net zero by 2050, significant investment is required to bolster our infrastructure, industries and critical-minerals mining capabilities. The technology we need to transition successfully to cleaner sources of energy, such as electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels and wind turbines requires a diverse mix of critical minerals. The demand for this resource will only further rise to meet the needs of developed nations across the world that are pursuing their own clean energy agenda. Critical minerals are therefore becoming a highly sought after commodity, placing Australia in a unique position to reap the rewards of these natural resources that are abundant across our nation, especially in my fabulous electorate of Durack.

Whilst in government the coalition recognised the strategic value of ready access to our critical minerals, and it developed policies to drive investment and secure production domestically. It was under the coalition government that a $1.25 billion loan was provided to the Australian company Iluka Resources in my electorate of Durack to develop Australia's first integrated rare earth refinery in Western Australia. The refinery will produce separated rare earth oxide products, which are used in a wide range of technologies, including electric vehicles and clean energy generation. Under the Modern Manufacturing Initiative, the coalition also contributed $49 million towards the Australian Vanadium project to process high-grade vanadium from its Meekatharra mine, which is also in the great electorate of Durack. This highly sought after critical mineral will eventually be transformed into energy-storing batteries to fuel the growing domestic and overseas markets. Not only are these projects shoring up our domestic supply and export opportunities, they are also contributing significantly to the employment opportunities and local economies of the surrounding communities. It therefore baffles me that Labor have decided to abandon the resources sector, and the hundreds of thousands of workers and families that it supports, by cutting over $100 million from the rebranded Critical Minerals Development Program. Now is not the time to take our foot off the accelerator. A quick rebranding and slashing millions of dollars in funding is counterproductive and puts our climate targets at risk. Remember, if Minister Bowen's target of renewables making up 82 per cent of the electricity grid by 2030 is to be achieved, we'll need—and these are his words—22,000 solar panels to be installed each and every day for the next eight years, and we will have to install 40 seven-megawatt wind turbines a month.

Now, you don't have to be an industrial engineer—I am not one, I can assure you—to see there is a flaw in Labor's logic. Where are we going to get the materials to ensure that Australia reduces its carbon footprint? And why would Labor punish the very industry they need to meet their ambitious targets? If our international partners are not sourcing their critical minerals from Australia, you can guarantee they will be sourcing these critical minerals from other countries, the mining practices of which perhaps don't come close to the standards that we have set ourselves, which, potentially, could drive up emissions further. Labor needs to stop punishing this crucial sector, drop the politics and continue to build on the hard work that we developed over the last nine years, the good work done by the coalition, to make sure that Australia is known right across the globe as the trusted source, the best source, of critical minerals. Labor should not put that at risk. Drop the politics. Follow our lead.

Wednesday 26 October 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (21:06): After months of anticipation, Labor have introduced this bill into the House. Unfortunately for families, this legislation does not live up to the hype. It fails to significantly address the major concerns within the childcare sector. My disappointment begins with the $4.5 billion price tag that does not deliver a single additional childcare place—$4.5 billion for a policy which is costed for just three days a week. If this Labor government really wanted to get our children attending daycare more times a week, why wouldn't you cost the policy for five days a week? The disappointment continues with the lack of detail to address the workforce shortages that are creating significant pressures on our educators. There are currently 7,200 vacancies in child care, and many educators have left the sector citing low wages, mental health issues, underappreciation, increase in red tape, and burnout as their top concerns.

The Coalition has asked the Labor government several times how many additional educators will be needed under this policy, and they have failed to answer that every single time. Additional hours and pressures for Australians already working the sector are not being addressed by the government. How can Labor ensure that the childcare positions provided for families right now, let alone the additional spots that will be required in the coming years, will have their workforce to support them? The inability of the Labor government to support educators only exacerbates the accessibility crisis that many Australians are facing today and tomorrow. Around one-third of Australian families, or 9 million Australians, live in a childcare deserts. I think we have heard quite a bit about that during this debate today. A desert is defined as one place for every three children. Fifty per cent of childcare deserts are located in metro locations—which I think is a surprise to some people who do live in cities—and fifty per cent in regional, rural and remote locations, including in my electorate of Durack. My office has been inundated this year with calls for help from constituents who are struggling to find care for their children, from Kununurra to Karratha, from Bakers Hill to Geraldton. Right across the length and breadth of the electorate families in Durack have shared similar stories. Childcare services are simply too few and too far between. So many mothers in our communities have reported anxiety in trying to find care for their child before their maternity leave period ends so that they can return to work and earn an income. Labor's record is in stark contrast to changes that were implemented under our coalition government.

Under the coalition, more than 1.3 million children, from around one million families, had access to childcare subsidy. Investment in child care almost doubled this financial year, to $11 billion, and we abolished the annual cap on the childcare subsidy. We are also truly revolutionising the early childhood education system, rolling out the biggest reforms to be seen in 40 years. Two hundred and eighty thousand more children are in early childhood education. In March 2022, the coalition provided a higher subsidy of up to 95 per cent for families with multiple children in early childhood education at once, increasing workforce participation and cheaper access to care. In the coalition we believe in choice. We believe that parents who work or study should be able to access care, whether through formal or informal arrangements. I support any mum or dad, no matter where they live, who wants to work or to earn a few more dollars or, indeed, be the only breadwinner, to get ahead with their family. We support that, and that is a coalition policy. That is our value. That is our principle. I think our record in government reflected this position. It is clear that this bill is light on detail, and it's light on real change for Australian families. We've got inflation on the rise and cost-of-living pressures placing significant pressure on the budgets of so many Australian families. Relief is needed right now. There's no point talking about having cheaper child care or not paying very much at all for child care if there's simply no childcare place available or, in many places, no home to house the childcare worker. These are the pressures that everyday Australians are dealing with right now. That's the issue we should be dealing with.

Wednesday 28 September 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:05): It is a great pleasure to be here. I rise to speak on the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Incentivising Pensioners to Downsize) Bill 2022. Australia is currently facing a housing shortage, with many young families unable to secure suitable homes. The supply of housing is the most significant factor in this crisis. Throughout the pandemic, house prices soared, with high demand and low housing supply pushing the dream of homeownership further down the road for many young families. In order to free up family homes in the market for young families, it is vital that older Australians are able to downsize when they no longer want to maintain that large family residence and that they are not penalised for doing so.

The coalition are supporting this bill, as the measures within it were first announced by us on this side. It does exactly what we committed to do at the last election—that is, to double the asset test exemption to two years when pensioners downsize from their family home, giving them more time to plan their future and, I might add, less lawn to mow. More importantly, we are supporting this bill because it will provide pensioners with the ability to extend from 12 to 24 months their existing asset test exemption for principal home sale proceeds from which a person intends to purchase a new principal home. As the shadow minister has stated, the best way to support older Australians in incentivising them to downsize is to remove the disincentives that exist in the system. The measures in this bill follow a strong framework laid out by the previous coalition government.

During our time in government, we announced that Australians aged 65 or over could, from the proceeds of selling their home, make a non-concessional contribution of up to $300,000 into superannuation from 1 July 2018. Earlier this year, we further enhanced this measure, reducing the eligibility age from 65 to 60. The results of these policies speak for themselves, as we saw 36,800 individuals contribute some $8.9 billion to their superannuation under this measure, from July 2018 to January 2022. Imitation, of course, is the most sincerest form of flattery, and there is no greater measure of the success of these policies than Labor adopting our commitment from the previous election to further reduce the eligibility age to 55 for non-concessional contributions. But the flattery from the Labor government does not end there. As I mentioned earlier, the very measures sought to be implemented in this bill were first announced by the coalition at the federal election. So successful and robust is the homeownership framework built by the coalition that it can not only withstand a Labor government but continue to grow in spite of it. We have a strong track record of not only helping older Australians who are looking to downsize but also assisting young families into their first home through measures such as our home guarantee schemes. During the previous government, the coalition supported more than 300,000 Australians in the purchase of a home. We supported almost 60,000 first home buyers and single-parent families into homeownership through measures consisting of the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme and the New Home Guarantee, and the Family Home Guarantee, with a deposit of as little at five per cent and two per cent, respectively. The coalition government protected the residential construction industry, with more than 137,000 HomeBuilder applications generating $120 billion of economic activity. This action was paramount in not only keeping the construction industry afloat but ensuring that it was in a position to respond to the housing demand that the country now faces. Responding to the strains on low-income earners, we provided $2.9 billion of low-cost loans to community housing providers to support 15,000 social and affordable houses, saving $470 million in interest payments, to be reinvested in more affordable housing. In total, we unlocked 6,900 social, affordable and market dwellings through the coalition's $1 billion infrastructure facility to make housing supply more responsive.

Through this framework of tangible and measurable achievements, we then announced this very policy, working in tandem and building on a variety of measures to provide further supply and removing impositions for first home buyers. While the coalition will be supporting these measures today, there is much more that should be done to address housing supply shortages and to foster growth in ownership across the country. Earlier this year, the coalition government was already providing additions to our framework to address these concerns. At the recent federal election, the coalition government made a commitment to establish a super homebuyer scheme to allow first home buyers to invest up to 40 per cent of their superannuation, up to a maximum of $50,000, to help with the purchase of their first home. We would have built upon our First Home Guarantee by raising the number of low-deposit guarantees for first home buyers to 35,000 each financial year, and we would have increased property price caps for the Home Guarantee Scheme to ensure that Australians continued to have a choice when purchasing their home. We would have also continued to support our regions by incentivising the purchase of new-build homes, providing 10,000 low-deposit guarantees each financial year for those moving to or within regional areas.

Opportunities for homeownership among single-parent families would have been expanded by increasing the number of low-deposit guarantees for single-parent families to buy a home, with a deposit of as little as two per cent, to 5,000 each financial year. Finally, we would have also supported greater investment into affordable housing, with an additional $2 billion in low-cost financing for social and affordable dwellings, bringing total low-cost financing to $5.5 billion, supporting around 27,500 dwellings. In stark contrast, Labor is committing funds in an off-budget fund to support a housing program that currently has no substance and lacks detailed costings or an implementation plan. Labor's Help to Buy scheme is, at best, a niche program that very few Australians would even qualify for, let alone want to participate in. Significantly, this scheme will do nothing for housing affordability, because it does not support supply—the aspect of housing affordability which this bill directly aims to address. If there is one thing that is abundantly clear from Labor's track record in this space, it's that they are better off implementing coalition policies instead of coming to their own conclusions. Owning your own home is still a fundamental part of the Australian dream. Eighty-five per cent of renters aspire to own their own home. Homeownership offers security and stability for both individuals and families. A home is the largest purchase most Australians will make in their lives. And, without a doubt, it will be their most important and cherished asset. That's why it is so vital that government does not stifle supply, providing the economic conditions that allow these dreams to be fulfilled. I commend this bill to the House.

Tuesday 27 September 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:33): Since the pandemic began, the housing crisis in WA's north is the worst seen in the region's history, leaving pretty ordinary houses in Karratha with a median rental price of $700 a week. In South Hedland, there's been a growth of 73 per cent in the weekly median rent, from $375 to $650. The housing crisis in regional Western Australia is crippling our towns and forcing out our essential workers, our nurses, our childcare workers and, in some cases, our teachers. WA's housing minister, John Carey, has claimed that those calling for an audit of the number and condition of vacant state houses are 'out of touch'.

Out of touch? Minister, it is you who is out of touch. The state government is out of touch for not realising that this is urgent, and we require urgent action. There are currently close to 2,000 state government houses sitting empty and in need of repairs. Meanwhile, the number of people on the waiting list for social housing in Western Australia is close to 19,000. Minister Carey has boasted that the state government has $12.8 million allocated to repair state houses. Well, that is good news—get on and spend it. The state Labor government needs to get its head out of the sand, get out of west Perth, and start taking seriously the housing needs of regional and remote Western Australia.

Monday 26 September 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:53): I rise to speak in support of the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Self-Employment Programs and Other Measures) Bill 2022. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit our shores, the threat to businesses across Australia and in my seat of Durack were seen as potentially devastating. From the small businesses on the main streets in Broome and Geraldton to the smaller strips throughout the Wheatbelt, together with the large mining giants of the Pilbara, it seemed that no one was safe. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the coalition's strong economic management had supported the creation of over 1.5 million jobs, and, as my friend and colleague the member for Barker reminded us in this place earlier, perhaps it was more like 1.8 million. We saw that the economy was growing. Australia had record labour force participation and in March 2022 unemployment was 5.2 per cent. We were determined when first elected to government in 2013 to put in place the strong economic policies and labour market programs that would allow our economy to bounce back and, most importantly, support Australians into work.

We have to remind ourselves sometimes of exactly what the coalition inherited when we first came into government in 2013. When Labor left office, the youth unemployment rate was 12.7 per cent. In January 2022, the youth unemployment rate was at nine per cent, some 2.6 points lower than pre-COVID levels. Before the pandemic, welfare dependency had fallen to its lowest level in 30 years, from 16.5 per cent under Labor to 13.5 per cent in June 2019 under the coalition government. We reduced the tax rate for small businesses from 30 per cent to 25 per cent, the lowest rate in 50 years. But potentially our most significant achievement in government was balancing the budget in 2018-19 for the first time in 11 years. This was significant, considering the debt we had inherited from those opposite. The coalition's long-term plan for jobs and growth meant that we entered the pandemic from a position of economic strength, and this is something that we should be incredibly proud of. The alternative had Labor been in power and able to continue with their economically damaging policies, as we saw during the Rudd-GillardRudd era, may have left Australia in an incredibly vulnerable position.

When we left office in May 2022, the unemployment rate was at 3.9 per cent, an almost 50-year low. The Albanese government also has us to thank for the current unemployment rate of 3.5 per cent, a rate that I sincerely hope that we are able to maintain. But this did not happen by accident. Getting people off welfare and into work was a priority of the coalition whilst we were in government. After all, as we have said many times, the best form of welfare is a job. It is not just a saying; it's true. It has also been a core value of mine that the best way to support my vulnerable constituents throughout my electorate of Durack is to create opportunities for independence and self-reliance. It is not always easy to lift yourself out of difficult circumstances, and this is where government can make a tangible difference by providing a helping hand. The coalition government transformed the way that employment services are being delivered, with the introduction of Workforce Australia. Earlier this year Workforce Australia brought together all of the relevant departments under one single identity, replacing jobactive and the current employment services network. This new model is now in place and is providing more personalised services to better target jobseeker needs, invest in those jobseekers who need it and make greater use of digital technology. We spent a number of years working with jobseekers, providers, peak bodies and employers on developing a model that works for all and supports a pathway for Australians to get off welfare and get into a job. The new model seeks to build on the success of jobactive and give jobseekers the best opportunity to find employment through a tailor-made approach.

This bill is a result of that change and will ensure the intentions of making Workforce Australia a one-stop shop for Australians and Australian businesses to find work, retain work and find access to other government initiatives in employment and skills. Due to the introduction of Workforce Australia, which came into effect on 4 July, this bill effects changes in the name of the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, or NEIS, program, ensuring that payments made under it are treated in the same way as for other NEIS payments. The main amendments in the bill will make sure that the family, social security and veterans entitlements laws operate in the same way in relation to self-employment assistance payments as for other NEIS payments because of the name change. Since it commenced in 1985, NEIS has helped almost 200,000 people start their own businesses and move off income support by creating their own jobs. Importantly, many of these people have then gone on to create employment opportunities for additional people.

What a remarkable achievement that must be! The Self-Employment Assistance program commenced on 1 July 2022 to replace NEIS assistance throughout Australia. Self-Employment Assistance program and NEIS participants can now receive a fortnightly payment of $642.70 for 39 weeks and, if eligible, rent assistance for up to 26 weeks. Workforce Australia was the biggest reform to employment services since the Howard government's reforms in the 1990s. It shows our commitment to help Australians into work and modernises one of the biggest expenditure areas of government. It was reform like this that allowed the coalition government to leave behind a strong legacy that the Albanese government, quite frankly, are very lucky to have inherited. I'm very proud to stand on that record and continue to work where I can on improving employment opportunities for constituents in my electorate of Durack and for Australians more broadly. I commend the bill to the House.

Monday 26 September 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:35): This morning the Albanese government's betrayal of the Australian people was put on display for all to see. The announcement of $50 million for alcohol and drug treatment services is an admission that the abolishment of the cashless debit card will see alcohol and drugs pour back into vulnerable communities. This is an admission from Labor that they are happy to pursue their twisted ideology, even if it risks plunging areas that have struggled with domestic violence and social dysfunction back into chaos. I can assure you it's no laughing matter. Always happy to play political games, now Labor are rushing through amendments to the CDC legislation to save face, against the backlash they have received. But it is too little, too late. It is clear the Albanese government prioritises ideology above the needs of at-risk communities. There is no doubt that the cashless debit card has saved lives, helped individuals manage their income and put food back on the table. The minister says she consulted the affected communities prior to the decision to abolish the CDC. Please, Minister, do not disrespect my community of the East Kimberley and please do not take them as fools. It was a Labor Party election commitment in opposition to scrap the CDC. So any consultation was merely window dressing. I think we all can agree on that. The inner-city Labor elite may not care about the effects of removing the cashless debit card, but we on this side care about the 17,000 people whose lives may be torn apart as a result of this reckless decision.

Monday 26 September 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (10:50): If there was something everyone in my home town of Kalgoorlie knew about the Dellar family when I was growing up, it is that we were all sports mad. My siblings and I relished any opportunity that we got to kick a ball or to shoot some hoops. If it wasn't for my mother's own personal experience, hockey might have also been on the table. But it was not just the athletic component that drove our desire to be involved in sport. Community participation, creating new friendships and strengthening existing bonds are all a by-product of being involved in sports, and nowhere is this truer than in regional communities. And I know Madam Deputy Speaker Sharkie understands that as well.

Last week, together with the shire president, Anthony Middleton, I had the privilege to cut the ribbon at the grand reopening of the Pauline Mataka sports court in Newman. The redevelopment was jointly funded by the Shire of East Pilbara together with $1 million from the coalition government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, which was funding that we provided during COVID to our local councils. Talk about a very proud local member moment—watching the young athletes take to the courts after the official ceremony was such a delight. Young athletes, their families and the broader Newman community now have state-of-the-art netball courts, basketball courts and also tennis facilities. And, Madam Deputy Speaker, they deserve nothing less. Growing up in a regional town, I understand that sporting facilities and other opportunities are not always on par with those that are available in the city. But the coalition will never accept such discrepancies as normal or acceptable, because we understand how vital sport is to our regional and our remote communities. I was so proud to witness a group of young female netballers train. They are currently training three times a week in the hope of representing Western Australia's state team. Newman is close to 1,200 kilometres away from Perth, so all their growing and all their training must be done on home soil. I think everyone would agree that these girls deserve a court that's not covered in cracks or uneven or unusable when it rains, and they now have something that is fit for purpose.

Last Tuesday was a moment of personal reflection for me as I watched these young athletes in Newman take to the court. Our regional and remote communities are overflowing with athletic talent, and the sad reality is that the dreams of many are never realised due to the disadvantage of growing up so far away from the city. This kind of inequity must become a thing of the past. I will never stop fighting for rural and regional Western Australians to make sure that they receive the same opportunities and access to quality facilities like those that we've recently supported in the beautiful town of Newman.

Friday 23 September 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:08): I rise today to speak on the condolence motion for the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In the last two weeks, it seems much of the world has stopped to mourn the passing of Her Majesty. The depth of love, respect and admiration for the Queen has been felt not just in the Commonwealth but also across the globe. Her Majesty was an inspiration and guiding light to many. Her Majesty made several visits to regional Western Australia, sharing her sense of dignity, grace and strength and, occasionally, sense of humour. Today it is my privilege to recount memories shared by some of my Durack constituents.

One clear recounted memory was of the Queen's visit to Geraldton in 1988. My constituent and much-loved local Barb Thompson was lined up with her husband and baby son. They had all rushed down from the service station they owned, still in their work clothes, and were very excited at the prospect of seeing the Queen. As the Queen passed by, Barb's husband smiled at the Queen and said, 'G'day Your Majesty.' To their surprise, the Queen turned around and came back to speak to them. Her Majesty admired their eight-month-old son, stating: He is a dear little boy. I have a few grandsons myself. She then tickled the little one's toes for a moment. Those photos taken at this encounter were published in newspapers right across the country—a very proud moment for Geraldton. Barb recalls the Queen's warm, friendly and genuine manner, as well as her sparkling blue eyes and the beautiful brooch she wore that sparkled in the Gero sun. An additional memory from another constituent, who was a year 8 girl from a farming family, remembers a very strong female leader and a woman who held herself with poise and power. She loved her fabulous yellow outfit and recalls thinking, 'Why blend in when you can stand out?'

The Queen was no stranger to Durack, having made numerous visits to my vast electorate during her royal tours. Next March will mark 60 years since the Queen stepped onto the Old Town Jetty in Roebuck Bay in Broome. This was a very exciting sight for Broome, considering most locals were used to seeing pearling boats at the jetty as opposed to royal yachts. Sporting her signature pearl necklace, the Queen spent her time in Broome chatting with locals and admiring the local pearling harvest. It must have been a very proud moment for the Broome pearlers that day, knowing how much the Queen loved and appreciated pearls, something that the Queen and I have in common. Since her passing, many have had the time to reflect on the sense of stability that Her Majesty gave us. She was a constant, reliable fixture in our lives—for most of us, all our lives. The passing of the Queen is a loss of familiarity. It is a little like losing your favourite auntie or someone very dear to you, an important person in your life. As a woman who likes to dress in bright, beautiful colours, I was very inspired by Her Majesty's incredible, immaculate dress sense, and I don't think enough has been said about this. Her Majesty set an impeccable example in every way, and her attention to detail with her appearance gave us just a bit of an insight into how she managed her duties as our sovereign. Personally, I'm not surprised at the outpouring of love and respect for our Queen from all corners of the globe. But I'd long thought that it is a real shame that all the good things that people say about someone upon their passing—it would be good if they could say those things when that individual was alive. I only hope that our majesty, our sovereign, our Queen knows just how much she was—is—loved, admired and respected.

On behalf of the people who call Durack home, I would like to express my sincere condolences to the royal family, particularly to King Charles III. It is clear how much the King loved his mother. She was Queen to us, but she was 'dear Mummy' to him. I wish our King a long life and to be given a chance to fulfil his duty with grace and devotion, just as his mother did before him. I recall with fondness the time I met King Charles on Lady Elliot Island in 2018. He was very respectful and kind and warm, and he was particularly interested in how long it had taken me to get to Lady Elliot Island from regional Western Australia. I assured him it was almost a whole day. Like many other electorates, my offices in Broome and Geraldton have received several touching messages of sympathy, lovingly and thoughtfully written in our condolence books. One entry, by Mr Chris Whiting of Nabawa, comes to mind, an entry which I believe sums up the mood of the nation. Chris wrote the following: RIP ma'am. I served for 14 years. Best boss I ever had.

The SPEAKER: Well said, Member for Durack.

Thursday 8 September 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:44): In 2022 it is inexplicable that any town in our nation could be likened to that of a war zone, yet early last month reports from the beautiful town of Carnarvon in my electorate of Durack said otherwise. In a letter addressed to Premier Mark McGowan, shire president Eddie Smith said some parts of the town looked 'like a war zone and at times were exactly that.' It is a harrowing tale, all too familiar to those living in regional Western Australia, with stories of ongoing domestic violence, child abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, youth crime—the list goes on. You can help alleviate these problems by providing access to better services for at-risk youth and for struggling families, but community leaders in Carnarvon are saying that too many state government services are being managed from Geraldton, some 500 kilometres away.

Durack is the largest electorate in Australia, spread over some 1.4 million kilometres, with over 300 towns and communities. Access to services is a constant challenge. You cannot simply travel from one suburb to the next in 10 minutes by simply jumping on a bus. This problem is not unique just to social services providers or just to Carnarvon. Councils are struggling to find chippies and other tradies. The local cafes are struggling to hire coffee-makers and chefs. Childcare centres can only staff a quarter of what the demand requires from them. If Labor, state and federal, actually took a moment to consult with the community leaders on the ground and take into consideration the unique challenges of remote and regional Australia, they would know that a lack of housing lies at the core of these workforce issues. Put simply, if you cannot house your workforce locally then what chance do regional communities in Western Australia have of attracting workers? How can they possibly grow? How can they develop?

Western Australia's resources sector alone—a majority of which is based in my electorate of Durack—is going to need another 40,000 workers by mid next year, according to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA. When I visited the beautiful town of Tom Price, only last week, I was told that the senior high school has 12 teacher vacancies. The feedback that I got on the ground was that this was due to a lack of housing. Now, that's on the McGowan government—it's their responsibility to get the teachers and to house them. In WA, there are close to 19,000 people currently on a waiting list for social housing, and, of those 19,000, over 3,400 call Durack home. These are not just people struggling with homelessness but also other very vulnerable people in our community, like victims of domestic violence. I'm sure that Premier Mark McGowan and the housing and lands minister, John Carey, are aware of the housing crisis that's hurting communities in my electorate. But they are not behaving like it is a crisis. Local families and businesses are suffering.

So I ask: Where is the outrage? Where is the sense of urgency? Where is the action? I understand that close to 2,000 social houses across the state of Western Australia are empty and are in need of repairs. This is shameful, while Labor are trying to build new houses in an incredibly over-inflated market with blowing-out building costs. We know the story about how hard it is to get a house built. They need to focus on fixing up the stock of houses that they currently have in their control. Of course the state government is not the only provider of houses. We know that businesses, especially the mining industry in Durack, are owners of housing stock, as are private individuals and local councils. But, for such a wealthy state, you would think that putting a roof over the heads of vulnerable Western Australians and of our key service providers in regional WA, like our nurses and our police, would be a priority for the McGowan government. But it doesn't appear to be. Yalgoo in my electorate has over 200 residents. The residents of that town need and deserve services, just as you and I do. They are struggling to find professionals to deliver these services, because they have nowhere to house them. When I visited Yalgoo recently—and my word, the wildflowers were wild!—I learnt of a contracted nurse who had been forced to live in housing provided by the local council because the health department housing provided to her was unsafe.

We need action. This is shameful. McGowan needs to act

Wednesday 3 August 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (21:21): I rise to speak on the Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022. I do not support this bill. But please do not assume, because I am standing here today to speak against this bill, that I do not agree with taking serious action on climate change and reducing Australia's contribution to global emissions. I do. We failed to form government in May 2022. My greatest disappointment is that we have consistently failed to demonstrate to Australians that we have taken real action on climate change. The coalition government's record over the past nine years demonstrates clearly that we, on this side of the House, were not only effective in reducing emissions; we were capable of doing it in a safe and responsible manner—that is, without raising electricity prices and taxes, without shutting down coal and gas production or exports, without job losses, without impacting household businesses or the broader economy.

The coalition's emissions reduction story has been one of consistent achievement. We met and exceeded our Kyoto targets for 2020. Our emissions are more than 20 per cent below levels measured in 2005. Before the election, Australia was on track to reduce emissions by up to 35 per cent by 2030—well above our target of 26 per cent to 28 per cent. Before the election, we announced our commitment to net zero by 2050. Under the coalition, Australia's emissions reductions outpaced the record of the United States, New Zealand, Japan and every other major commodity-exporting nation. We should be proud of our record. We set the global standard on the world stage for all to see. It was a great honour to have contributed to our success, serving as the former Commonwealth environment minister. In 2018, I proudly represented our nation at Katowice, in Poland, at the climate change conference called COP24. Far from being ridiculed or criticised for the Morrison government's climate inaction, Australia was praised for the actions it was taking to reduce emissions, like the Emissions Reduction Fund and our investments from CEFC and ARENA, and also the world-leading, accurate and transparent way in which our nation captures emissions data.

Whilst I was chairing the COP24 subcommittee, which included representatives from the US, Canada and New Zealand, it was clear to me that Australia had a very positive reputation for its professionalism and its action on climate. In fact, I had many side meetings at that COP24 meeting with a variety of countries who were very keen to understand the actions we were taking, because there were very few countries who were actually taking action. There was a lot of desire, but we were taking action, and that was recognised. That was back in 2018. This was at a time when many nations simply had emissions targets but no plan to achieve them. For many countries today, that is still the case. Australia, at that 2018 event, was hailed for its actions. But you would not have read about any of this success in the media back at home, because clearly this did not support that cement hardened narrative that a Liberal-led government was taking no action on climate. Sadly, nothing has changed since then.

I really look forward to the media holding the Albanese government to account on their 43 per cent emissions target with the same dogged determination that they've been able to apply to the ex-coalition government since 2013. Labor say they want an end to the climate wars. Well, Labor's behaviour has been a PR war. We may have lost that last battle, but Labor's base has been lost now to the Greens. Once this legislation inevitably passes, we will need to urgently turn our attention to how we meet the 43 per cent target. Ambition is simply not enough, and we know that wind and sun will not be enough either. While we all agree that renewables play a vital role in Australia's domestic energy supply, they need to be balanced responsibly by other solutions. If we're serious —and we should be serious about lowering emissions—uranium must be part of the conversation. In Western Australia, there is now a ban on new uranium mines. I proudly approved the last uranium mine when I was the environment minister. I call on state Labor and federal Labor. We need to start having the conversation in a very respectful way and make sure our Indigenous Australians know what's at stake.

Wednesday 3 August 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:33): In 2018, regional WA was faced with the gut-wrenching possibility of state Labor closing the Moora Residential College. After a relentless local grassroots campaign, I was proudly able to deliver $8.7 million to save Moora college. In the same year, I successfully fought alongside local families against Premier McGowan's plans to close the Schools of the Air.

Late last year, the Labor government abused their parliamentary majority to decimate regional representation—shameful. It's Labor again demonstrating either that they do not understand regional WA or that they simply don't care. So it is no surprise that communities reliant upon the agricultural region in my electorate of Durack are increasingly anxious about the rapid spread of foot-and-mouth disease in Indonesia, given that Labor are now at the helm at the state and federal levels. We on this side understand that you do not get a second crack at this. The export of red meat, livestock, wool and dairy would be lost overnight. WA Labor's agriculture minister, on the other hand, 'would not say it would be catastrophic'. Oh, it would be catastrophic, alright.

Only recently were people who were in the UK during the mad cow disease outbreak, some 20 years ago, enabled to give blood. That includes me as well. I will continue to hold the state and federal Labor governments to account to ensure that regional Western Australia, and regional Australia more broadly, has the protection it needs and deserves.

Tuesday 2 August 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:43): Mr Deputy Speaker Goodenough, congratulations on the deputy speakership role. I stand here today in absolute disbelief. Labor's relentless pursuit of damaging remote and regional Australia is consistently present in their words and their actions. Federal Labor have consistently demonstrated that they don't understand or, worse, don't care about regional Australia, particularly the very remote parts of our country. In the first sitting after the election, Labor has decided to scrap the cashless debit card. By doing so, we'll see thousands of Australian families revert to a life of financial uncertainty. This will put many families in an incredibly dangerous situation. Labor has recklessly walked away from the communities of Ceduna in South Australia, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay in Queensland and the Goldfields. The card is also being scrapped in O'Connor, my dear friend Rick Wilson's electorate, and in my seat of Durack in the East Kimberley. Labor has told the nearly 18,000 participants that are currently using the cashless debit card, including the 1,335 people in the East Kimberley, that it is no longer here to support them. We should not be very surprised that Labor is happy to walk away from these communities. This is the sadness of it, because, after all, they're just regional communities, aren't they? Labor doesn't care about regional communities.

The shire president of Wyndham-East Kimberley, David Menzel, recently commented that he expects to see an increase in social issues after the card trial ends. Local Kununurra community leader Des Hill has expressed concerns over the scrapping of the cashless debit card. Mr Hill understands that certain individuals were abusing their money on alcohol, gambling and drugs. Mr Hill also understands that solutions such as the cashless debit card can provide assistance to local families in dealing with these endemic issues. Executive Chair of the Wunan Foundation in East Kimberley, Ian Trust, said that, although the cashless debit card was not a silver bullet, it was 'something that could have been improved and made better. Going back just to cash welfare is going back to a status quo—and we have had that for 40 or 50 years and that hasn't worked'. He is a very, very respectful and respected man in the Kimberley and he speaks the truth. This is just commentary from leaders on the ground who have to deal with the issues of remote and regional communities every single day. They are a long way from Canberra. Support for the cashless debit card does not stop there. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the trial had been beneficial for communities. He said: It gives opportunity for the more senior people in families and the elders and some of the Aboriginal communities to use the money on food for the kids and other things. It just seems to settle the community down and gives them better opportunity to spend their money on priority needs. This is Western Australia's most senior law enforcer, who, I have no doubt, knows the issues being faced on the ground in the East Kimberley.

If Labor actually took the time to truly consult with law enforcement and Indigenous and community leaders, then they'd be aware of the benefits of the cashless debit card, especially in my electorate of Durack and across the sites that I mentioned earlier. They would be aware that 41 per cent of participants surveyed who drank alcohol reported drinking less frequently. They would be aware that 48 per cent of participants surveyed who used drugs reported using drugs less frequently. They would be aware that 48 per cent of those who gambled before the trial reported gambling less often. Instead, Labor have chosen to ignore the facts in order to appease their virtue-signalling base. They are not interested in making the difficult decisions to make Australian lives better. They are only interested in playing politics and pandering to the city elite.

The federal Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, insultingly referred to the cashless debit card as a Liberal Party ideological obsession. Well, let me say this very clearly: if doing your best to help the most vulnerable people in your community is nothing more than a Liberal Party ideological obsession, then I will take that moniker any day you like. We are coming to expect this sort of rhetoric from the new Labor government. Those opposite have made reference to a recent report from the Australian National Audit Office which details the implementation and performance of the cashless debit card trial. Labor claim that this report highlighted a lack of evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of the cashless debit card. Maybe you could call that gilding the lily or being disingenuous, as this could not be further from the truth. The ANAO report clearly outlines how the cashless debit card's first performance indicator—how well the card supports a reduction in social harm in communities—was related and measurable. The second performance indicator—the extent to which participants are using their cashless debit card to direct income support payments to essential goods and services—was also found to be related but not measurable at this time. The ANAO report made two specific recommendations, and neither of them was to abolish the cashless debit card, because even the ANAO—and I don't always agree with what they say—know that removing this measure hastily and without proper consultation with communities and leaders on the ground is irresponsible and it's purely dangerous.

The abolishment of this card will flood the affected communities with welfare cash, in turn exacerbating the issues we have spent so many years working to curb: alcohol abuse, drug abuse, gambling addiction, children going without food, and family violence. Now, I agree that the cashless debit card is by no means a silver bullet; we have never claimed that it is that. But we do know that the cashless debit card is having a positive impact on the lives of Australians who need it most. And let me tell you, Mr Deputy Speaker: these Australians are some of our most vulnerable. If this bill, the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Repeal of Cashless Debit Card and Other Measures) Bill 2022, is passed, the Albanese government will be directly responsible for whatever horrible circumstances our most vulnerable are left to live with. Shame on Labor!

Monday 1 August 2022

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:33): I doubt that there would be a member of federal parliament who does not want Indigenous Australians to have the same opportunities as non-Indigenous Australians—the opportunity to have an education, to get a job, to raise a family, to have a safe roof over your head and to live a long life. Sadly, that is not the experience of many Indigenous Australians who live in my electorate of Durack. I believe that there could be support for a referendum on constitutional enshrinement of our Indigenous Australians. However, I don't believe that simply asking a 'yes' or 'no' question, without detailing the practical steps that will be taken in the event that the 'yes' vote gets up, gives the referendum the best possible chance of success.

We should respect the Australian people and give them sufficient detail to understand the form and purpose of the voice in the referendum. Some have argued that a voice to federal parliament will ensure that the closing of the gap and those issues will get resolved and that our Indigenous women and children will be able to feel safe at home and in their communities. I am very willing to have an open mind on this issue, and I sincerely hope that this is the case, but if the voice is nothing more than symbolism— Honourable members interjecting— Ms PRICE: Please be respectful. If it is nothing more than purely to please the city elite and there is no meaningful change for all Indigenous Australians right across our great nation then we will all have failed.

Monday 13 February 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:42): During last week's question time I asked the Minister for Social Services a question regarding Labor's decision to scrap the cashless debit card in the East Kimberley and how it was leading to poorer outcomes in some of our country's most vulnerable communities. The Labor government has scrapped the CDC without putting in further support for these very vulnerable communities. Instead of taking responsibility and admitting that Labor had got it wrong, the minister's response was quite unbelievable. The minister said that the antisocial behaviour in Kununurra, often fuelled by alcohol, was due to flood affected displaced people from Fitzroy Crossing now living in Kununurra. The minister said:

I do understand that, as a result of and connected to the disruption and dislocation of many people across the region … there has been a rise in antisocial behaviour in Broome, Derby and Kununurra.

So not only are the people in Fitzroy Valley coping with the upheaval of their lives due to floods—many have lost their homes and have nothing more than the clothes on their backs—but they are now being accused by this out-of-touch minister of being responsible for the bad behaviour of some welfare recipients in Kununurra. This was a distasteful show of ignorance. It's insulting to the people of the Fitzroy Valley and demonstrates just how out of touch this minister is. The minister owes the people of the Fitzroy Valley an apology. This is a matter of urgency, and she should come in here and deliver that apology now.

Thursday 16 February 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:11): I rise to speak on the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Bill 2022. The Liberal Party has always believed a government's role is to minimise interference but maximise initiative. We as a nation are at our best when we as policymakers give private industry and individuals the opportunity to be the best they can be, whilst providing a helping hand but only when necessary. It is not our job to get in the way of Australian businesses' day-to-day goings-on, to impose unnecessary bureaucratic red tape or to own part of the personal property they earned through their own hard work. That is what the Liberal Party believes, Deputy Speaker Goodenough; I can guarantee you that. But I can also guarantee that that is not what those opposite believe. They are too arrogant to believe that individuals have the capacity to create opportunity without government holding their hand during the process. In fact, they are so arrogant they tell people what they need instead of listening to what they want. This typical top-down approach that the Australian people are unfortunately becoming all too familiar with, with the Albanese government since they've come to power, is riddled throughout this bill we are debating. Typical Labor—all focus on the politics but useless with policy.

In Australia, we build things. We build them well. Our manufacturers are some of the best in the world, and I am incredibly proud of that. Our exports are lauded for their quality and reliability, making Australian-made products a sought-after commodity right across the globe. Our manufacturers create jobs, providing financial security for hundreds of thousands of Australian families right across the country. Manufacturing at home is a key part of our nation's ability to ensure we protect our sovereign interests from threats abroad.

During the last term of parliament, as the Minister for Defence Industry, I led with the passionate belief that if you can't build at home you cannot defend your home. Never has this mantra been more important than in the geopolitical environment we currently find ourselves. Right now our manufacturers are being threatened with rising cost of living, rising electricity prices and rising inflation. I am genuinely concerned about the direction in which our economy is going and the impact it'll have on our ability to build on Australian soil.

Now is not the time to play politics with our manufacturing sector. Sadly, this is what we are seeing with the inexperienced industry minister. With power prices forecast to spike by 56 per cent over the next two years, many businesses across the country may be pushed to the brink. I am particularly concerned about the impact this is going to have on our fabulous Australian defence industry.

The coalition understands how important manufacturers are to this country. That is why, when we were in government, we introduced valuable programs that created opportunities for hundreds of businesses right across the country such as the Modern Manufacturing Initiative, known as the MMI, and many initiatives to support our incredibly important critical minerals projects. Labor, on the other hand, have used their first eight months in power to prioritise their union mates and have decided to forge ahead with radical industrial relations legislation that will leave our industries in a devastated position. Never has there been a more inappropriate time for that focus.

The October budget was the perfect opportunity for our Prime Minister to assure Australian manufacturers that the government still had their back, but instead he used it as an opportunity to spitefully wipe out key features of the coalition's industry policy. We saw next to nothing in the budget to begin the rollout of the National Reconstruction Fund. The Labor Party are happy to redirect the MMI funds, but they have failed to roll out their own program, creating a void that is no doubt being felt by industry right around the country right now. You only need to review the large number of successful MMI applications to see the geographical spread and the very important mix of industries that we have been supporting.

The coalition provided $2.5 billion to create the MMI program to support our sovereign manufacturing capability, to empower over 200 projects right across Australia, with money going to, for example, the Forager Food Co. in Tasmania, for a freeze-drying and processing facility; Sealite in Victoria, for automating electronic circuit board capability; Sun Cable in the Northern Territory, to improve solar array manufacturing; Techno Plas in South Australia, to improve food packaging; and First Graphene Ltd in Western Australia, to support an optimisation and automation project. Industry invested significant funds to prepare for the application process of the MMI. Some went as far as building up their own infrastructure or capacity in key areas to make their submissions more competitive. Other businesses had begun to roll out their programs because they had received a commitment from our government that they would receive financial assistance with their project. They were told their application was successful, and they had begun operating accordingly—quite reasonably, I would say. Then there is a change of government, and the first thing the minister does is put a halt to funds that were assessed by independent experts and the department. It shows a complete lack of understanding of how delays such as these can significantly delay or damage critical manufacturing projects.

Never has a lack of industry experience by the Labor frontbench been so clearly on display as in this pathetic approach to support our nation's manufacturing capability. The National Reconstruction Fund is a very, very poor funding model. The National Reconstruction Fund is another attempt by the Labor Party to realise their ideological obsession of government ownership over what rightfully belongs to private industry. Instead of a competitive grants program, as offered under the coalition's Modern Manufacturing Initiative, Labor has opted for loans and acquiring equity. We know, from similar schemes rolled out by previous Labor governments, that equity and loans schemes are less accessible than grants, and manufacturers may struggle to meet return-on-investment thresholds or, indeed, be able to put together the detailed business cases in-house.

Our approach was funding projects to help to build scale and capture income in high-value areas of manufacturing where Australia either has established competitive strength or emerging priorities. Labor's approach is to roll out a process that excludes certain industries with small margins or disrupted supply chains, risks crowding out private investment opportunities and will uproot manufacturers who are unable to meet their loan agreements with the government. There is a better way to manage this process, and Labor have utterly failed to grasp this point.

Perhaps the biggest shame this bill highlights is that our fabulous space industry is not a priority for this Labor government. As a former minister for science and technology, I know how devastating this news will be for many new and existing businesses that operate within the space sector. Under our leadership, the government proudly supported funding to locally design, develop, manufacture and deploy specialised space products, equipment, systems and services for export to international markets to support national and international space stations. Our Prime Minister and the inexperienced industry minister, however, have sent a very clear message to the space sector that while they are in charge the industry will suffer—space does not matter to this mob. We are yet to understand the basis upon which this shift in focus was made.

Times are difficult and they are not going to improve anytime soon; we all know that. Interest rates are up; inflation is up. Right now our manufacturers need our help to ensure that they can navigate the strong headwinds currently caused by our faltering economy. It is time the government put forward a sensible plan to deliver support for our manufacturers that will assist them now, not in 12 months time when Labor finally decide to roll out their own fund. Our manufacturing sector is growing. There is no denying that. But, as COVID demonstrated and as we've talked about in this place many times, we need to ensure that our manufacturing sector diversifies so that we don't get caught out with many products that are not made here in Australia. We must support our existing and new manufacturers before it's too late. Let me tell you, Mr Deputy Speaker, this bill is not the answer.

Monday 6 March 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:14): I rise today to hold the Labor government to account for their dismal record on internet and phone connectivity for this country. Under Labor, the NBN was such a train wreck of a project that its network passed only three per cent of Australian premises at a whopping amount of money: $6 billion. The rollout was so badly managed that contractors downed tools and stopped construction work in four states around the country. When the coalition took over responsibility for the NBN, we set about fixing the problem in a methodical way.

Our strategic review recommended using a combination of rollout technologies—the multi-technology mix. We invested $4.5 billion in 2020 to ensure that 75 per cent of premises across Australia could connect to much faster broadband speeds. A key part of this commitment was to upgrade two million fibre-to-the-node sites to fibre to the premises to access these very high speeds. Importantly, this was financed through the NBN accessing private-sector debt at low interest rates over the long term, meaning that no additional investment by the Commonwealth was required. As part of this initiative, NBN Co aim to invest $700 million over the next three years to provide 90 per cent of all Australian businesses with access to business grade fibre at no upfront cost.

Transforming the access and affordability of business grade fibre and increasing competition and choice have proven to have been critical in our economic recovery from COVID-19. This was a game changer for small and medium-sized businesses in boosting productivity, fostering innovation and allowing businesses to embrace opportunities for growth. If the NBN had not been rolled out with such speed and purpose by the former coalition government using all available technologies, millions of premises throughout Australia may have languished on ADSL speeds of eight megabits per second on average or endured, indeed, having no internet service at all. Because of the coalition's approach, the NBN was there for Australians when they desperately needed it after the pandemic hit. Almost overnight, we had to adapt the way we worked, learned, accessed vital services and kept in touch with our loved ones.

Labor's record on the NBN is appalling. During the 2013 election campaign, the then minister for communications, Anthony Albanese, the member for Grayndler, announced with great fanfare that broadband was now available to 5,400 homes and businesses in Sydney. What he didn't say was that close to 1,000 of these homes were service class 0 and a massive 98.6 per cent had no fibre connecting the home at all. At the time of the 2013 federal election, NBN Co said it had passed 209,000 premises but close to 80 per cent of these had no fibre going into the home. We've seen this play before. It's typical Labor—very good with PR but absolutely hopeless when it comes to implementing policy.

NBN is critically important to regional and remote Australian communities, but so too is mobile telephone connectivity. Sadly, Labor has poor form with this technology as well. Their Mobile Black Spot Program was a failure, riddled with dodgy deals and mismanagement. Let me be very clear: the coalition government takes the issue of mobile black spots very seriously. In fact, since 2013, we've invested $308 million in our Mobile Black Spot Program, delivering new or improved mobile coverage to more than 1,200 communities right across the country. Labor claimed their program would deliver 765 new base stations. In reality, it was only 499. To make matters worse, many of the base stations were built in areas that already had coverage, while many areas with no coverage were left to languish.

I was extremely disappointed—shocked, even—to hear that, in Labor's new round of mobile black spot funding, 74 per cent of selected locations are in Labor's electorates. While Labor has once again looked after their own, our regional communities have been ignored, and they are suffering as a result. In my own very large electorate—the largest electorate in the land—there was only one site selected in this latest round. It is quite unbelievable. Minister Rowland needs to fully explain her role in personally selecting this list of sites so that we can clearly understand what the basis of it was. The Labor government has consistently demonstrated that they don't understand Australia, and this is another example.

Wednesday 8 March 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (09:36): On Friday of last week I was honoured to speak at and to be a part of the commemorations for the 81st anniversary of the Broome air raids, held at Bedford Park in Broome. On 3 March 1942, Broome was forever changed. The town was rocked by the second-worst air raid in Australia's history, with Japanese bombers destroying much of the town and leaving a trail of destruction and devastation in their wake. The loss of life was substantial, with reports of up to 88 lives lost—unimaginable for such a small town. One witness from that fateful day was quoted as saying:

They left a trail of smoke behind them and set fire to everything they hit. In a few minutes the whole harbour was covered by a pall of thick, black smoke, through which it was impossible to observe what was going on.

During the service—which was made even more poignant because we were unable to gather last year for the 80th anniversary, due to Tropical Cyclone Anika and COVID restrictions—I was reminded of the bravery and the sacrifices that were made during those dark days in World War II. I was certainly reminded of the hardships faced back then, and our history shows that the people of Broome were and always have been tough, resilient and determined.

For those lucky enough to have visited our magical town of Broome, you may already know that it is much more than just those beautiful pearls and the beautiful beach, with Cable Beach having been crowned the third-best beach in the world. And of course there are those famous sunsets and also those camels. I know that Madam Deputy Speaker is very familiar with those! Broome is a place that is rich in history and culture, a place where the community is made up of people from all walks of life, people who have always been strong and resourceful and who are proud to call Broome home. It is a town which proudly displays and celebrates its cultural background and diversity, and rightly so. On that hot Broome morning last Friday, it felt like we stood together not just as a community but as a family. We mourn together, but we also move forward together.

We must also forgive and learn from the lessons of the past. These lessons have never been more important to heed, given the current uncertain geopolitical environment that we live in. I commend all those who were involved, including the Shire of Broome, Broome RSL sub-branch, the St Mary's College drama and dance students, the Broome Primary School choir, Vanessa Mills from ABC Kimberley and our fabulous ADF representatives, for what was a very moving and thought-provoking service. It was wonderful to be joined by so many community members and by our friends and partners from Japan, the UK and the Netherlands. May we never forget the sacrifices made by our servicemen and our citizens, men, women and children alike, on that day in Broome on 3 March 1942. Lest we forget.

Wednesday 8 March 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:29): On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander Affairs, I present the committee's report incorporating dissenting reports entitled Inquiry into community safety, support services and job opportunities in the Northern Territory.

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).

Ms PRICE: by leave—I rise, as I said, to table the report of the inquiry into community safety, support services and job opportunities in the Northern Territory. This inquiry was conducted by the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. I am the deputy chair of the joint committee, and Senator Pat Dodson, from the other place, is the chair.

As noted in the acknowledgement in the report, the report predominantly discusses provisions and initiatives relating to the stronger futures legislative package and its precursor, the Northern Territory National Emergency Response Act 2007, commonly known as the intervention. The terms of reference of the inquiry were as follows:

Community safety, support services and job opportunities in the Northern Territory, with particular reference to:

a. The preparation for the sunsetting of the Stronger Futures legislation

b. Community safety and alcohol management

c. Job opportunities and Community Development Program reform

d. Justice reinvestment communities services, and

e. Any related matters.

The most significant outcome of the sunsetting of the stronger futures legislation was the cessation of alcohol restrictions in parts of the Northern Territory. It is worth noting that, during the course of this inquiry, soon after 24 January 2023, the Commonwealth government announced a $48 million investment in Central Australia's community safety. This followed a visit by the Prime Minister to Alice Springs. Around this time, the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory and the Prime Minister announced the appointment of Ms Dorelle Anderson as the Central Australian Regional Controller. Ms Anderson's role was to consult broadly about the potential to reintroduce alcohol restrictions and to give consideration to an opt-out model for alcohol protected areas, and to report by 1 February 2023, which she did. On 14 February 2023, the Northern Territory reintroduced alcohol restrictions in town camps and communities.

On behalf of all committee members, I would like to thank all those who took the time to provide a submission and/or provide evidence either in person or by video. The committee is incredibly grateful to you for taking the time to share the often difficult life experiences of your community members. The committee understands that you have often been asked to repeat these often painful stories, and we are incredibly grateful for your contribution. Thank you to all the committee members for your participation. I give a special thanks to the committee secretariat, members of whom I note are sitting here in the House today. Thank you very much. I appreciate that you did the best you could under very extreme circumstances and under a very tight timetable. I commend the report to the House and move:

That the House take note of the report.

Wednesday 8 March 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:40): I rise today to update the House on the devastating floods that hit the Kimberley region my electorate of Durack. I was recently briefed by the department of fire and emergency services about the ongoing recovery efforts. It is clear that this is a continuing crisis that will require a significant amount of resources to manage. Roads, bridges and other key infrastructure have been destroyed. Many of the residents living in Fitzroy Crossing and the surrounding Indigenous communities were displaced. Small business owners have watched on as a lifetime of hard work literally washed down the drain.

The flood is one of the worst catastrophes the Kimberley has faced in recent times. If it were not for the hard work of DFES; the main roads department; the ADF, whose personnel travelled from all parts of our nation to lend a hand; together with the hard-working local community organisations the result could have been far worse. The fact that not one life was lost during the flood is a testament to the hard work of the boots on the ground in the Kimberley. Seeing our troops in the many different uniforms working across those affected areas certainly boosted community morale.

During my travels to Fitzroy I met with local leaders and received updates on how the recovery efforts were progressing. We all acknowledge that although great work is being done there is still such a long way to go. It is still raining in the Kimberley. DFES have continually advised that the Fitzroy River is dangerous because the water is moving fast and can rise quickly. It also has rubble and dangerous objects in it that may not be visible.

The Department of Communities are still working to get people back to their homes and communities. It is important to recognise that up to 80 per cent of the homes in Fitzroy Crossing are owned by the WA state government. Mining dongas will be used as the first step in providing temporary accommodation. Recently, additional temporary accommodation has been announced in the form of humanihuts. These repurposed, climate controlled shipping containing like structures, with folding insulated walls, will be placed into Fitzroy Valley communities for people to live in whilst their homes are being repaired or rebuilt. Rebuilding may take some time, but my hope is that we can rebuild Fitzroy Crossing and the surrounding areas to suit the community needs and to avoid future flood damage.

We are talking about some of the most vulnerable Australians here, people who need our ongoing support to help rebuild their lives after suffering from this natural disaster. I must stress that the economic recovery from this devastating flood event will be prolonged and challenging. An example of the flow-on effects from these floods is the very valid concerns regarding current workforce shortages. We are seeing this all around Australia. This is not a new topic of conversation. Local industry stakeholders are concerned existing shortages will be exacerbated by the floods, and rightly so.

The East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry have submitted a request for a deed of variation to the designated area migration agreement, know as the DAMA, to extend this service across the whole of the Kimberley. I fully support this request, knowing that even prior to the floods we desperately required more workers in the Kimberley. I have spoken directly to the immigration minister on this issue in support of this extension.

I want to acknowledge the current logistical nightmare that's being caused by the recent flooding in the Northern Territory. This is not the flooding of Fitzroy Crossing, but this is the recent flooding in the Northern Territory which has impacted people on both sides of the NT and WA border. The wet season in the Kimberley is always a time of both heat and heavy rainfall. As we expected, river levels have risen once again. Intense rainfall and bad weather have disrupted the supply of goods into the region since the start of the year, with many Kimberley businesses impacted.

Kununurra is experiencing a severe food shortage, after being cut off by this recent flooding. The East Kimberley's sole freight route has now been locked, leaving the town's supermarkets battling with shortages and panic buying. I am pleased to hear that the ADF is going to provide aerial support and that DFES will provide food via Wyndham. Coles has a supermarket in Kununurra. Being one of our largest national supermarket chains, it has a continuing responsibility to ensure food supplies to the vulnerable residents of Kununurra and surrounding areas. So I say to Coles: please, please treat the East Kimberley with respect and do everything you can to ensure a consistent supply of food into Kununurra. That will help curb the panic buying and go some way to normalising the town and this wonderful community. Coles, please do better.

Thursday 9 March 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:41): There have been significant animal health regulatory changes made to the live sheep industry: a moratorium on shipments to the Middle East during the Northern Hemisphere summer; increased space—up to 38 per cent more than in 2017—for each animal on ships, as well as improved ventilation requirements; the introduction of independent government observers to monitor the effectiveness of exporter shipboard arrangements; a heat management plan to identify ways to mitigate potential risks; phasing out older ships and upgrading others in response; automatic environmental sensors to log daily temperatures and humidity on each deck; and investigations into any voyage where the mortality rate is one per cent or more. That's pretty good news, you'd think. I think that's pretty good news, noting the member for O'Connor is in the House here with me today.

Labor's determination to shut down the live sheep trade, I believe—and I think is there for all of us to see—is yet another anti-WA Albanese government decision.

I know that Labor think that this is a vote winner for their east coast city dwellers and that it's simply to please the uneducated activists. But the live sheep trade is important to Western Australia, and it's very important to Western Australian farmers. It is worth at least $100 million to our economy. The question is, which important Western Australian industry will the Albanese government come after next? (Time expired)

Thursday 23 March 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (10:19): I rise today to bring attention to the severe housing shortage in the town of Exmouth, located in the electorate of Durack. Exmouth, a naturally beautiful township with a rich history, is surrounded by the dramatic gorges of Cape Range National Park and by Australia's largest fringing reef, the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef. According to recent data from the Regional Australia Institute, Exmouth is one of Australia's fastest-growing towns, and I can see why. Who wouldn't want to live in this beautiful place?

This is a vibrant community—a community that relies heavily on the tourism trade. The whale shark swimming season started earlier this month. Opportunities to swim with these magnificent creatures are very rare, with the Ningaloo region being, I believe, the only place in Australia where, indeed, you can do this. Incidentally, a little-known fact about these gentle giants of the sea is that they are not actually whales but the largest fish in the ocean. Whale sharks can grow to an incredible 12 metres in length and can weigh up to 21.5 tonnes.

Exmouth has long been a Defence town. It was established in 1964 to provide support to the Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt and to house dependent families of US Navy personnel. Today, Exmouth has a population of around 2,000, which can swell to over 6,000 during the height of the tourism season. The colours and sea life in and around Ningaloo Reef draw visitors from all over the world.

To add to the drawcard of Exmouth's famous natural attractions, in just under a month's time visitors to Exmouth will have front-row seats to one of nature's most phenomenal occurrences, a total solar eclipse. This is an extraordinary and rare astronomical event that represents a unique opportunity for Western Australia and, indeed, Australia. On 20 April 2023 at 11.27 am the shadow of the moon will graze the tip of Western Australia in a 40-kilometre-wide track as it travels over the Ningaloo region near Exmouth, making it the most accessible land based place on earth to view this spectacle. Visitors and astronomy lovers alike will be able to experience day turn to night. The process of the moon moving across the face of the sun takes three hours, but the brief moments of totality when the sun is completely obscured by the moon will last only 62 seconds. This is a spectacle that will not occur again in this area in our lifetime, so I encourage people to visit Exmouth during this time and experience this for yourselves. You will not be disappointed.

The Exmouth community, understandably, are very proud of where they live, and they have a very deep passion for their town. Like many other regional towns, the Exmouth community is currently facing a severe housing shortage. This is coupled with intensive migration growth. According to Regional Australia Institute data, Exmouth is the only Western Australian local government area north of Perth on the list of Australia's four areas with the largest increase in migration. But the housing shortage is hindering the town's development and causing significant frustration amongst locals. Local businesses are unable to secure staff due to these shortages. But it is just as important for our essential workers. We're seeing nurses and teachers having to stay in limited hotel accommodation. Families and would-be residents alike are struggling to find any kind of accommodation.

Last week, I had the great pleasure of travelling to Exmouth. I met with the local shire, the chamber of commerce, many local businesses, many local residents and, of course, those wonderful volunteer groups. I don't mind saying that these passionate Exmouth locals are incredibly frustrated by the housing issues in their town. The one concern that they all had in common was the lack of land being released. I believe the land available for release is being held up by previously expired native title processes or by a failure to implement the necessary flood mitigation measures.

Put simply, we need our state government to lift its game, so I'm calling on Minister John Carey, the housing minister in the WA state parliament, to make it a priority. Please, liaise with the local shire and hasten the land title lease processes to provide and make available more land. More could and should be done to help this community to grow. That's what it wants. Exmouth deserves so much better from the McGowan government.

Tuesday 28 March 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:45): I rise today to speak about the ongoing issues with the Jurien Bay boat harbour. Jurien Bay is a beautiful town in my electorate of Durack, known for crayfishing and ocean tourism industries. At just 2½ hours drive north of Perth, it offers the chance to swim with sea lions or catch some deep-sea fish, and it attracts state, interstate and international tourists alike.

Unfortunately, the Jurien Bay Marina suffers from extensive water quality issues caused by seagrass and sediment accumulating and decomposing in harbour waters. This deprives the water of oxygen and has led to many large-scale fish and marine life kills. This issue has significant environmental impacts, along with identified health risks to swimmers and a smell described by many as 'simply unbearable'.

The WA Department of Transport, after extensive data collection, trials and environmental studies, have determined that a redesign of Jurien Bay's harbour entrance, with a 150-metre spur groyne, will rectify the issue. All they need is for the state government to commit the funds. Many representations have been made to the state government by wonderful community action groups, yet they refuse to address this alarming problem. So I call on the WA state government to please listen to the Jurien Bay community, and to fix their marina as a matter of urgency. They deserve nothing less.

Tuesday 23 May 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:30): I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Kununurra Ord Valley Muster festivities last weekend. Highlights for me were the Kimberley Moon Experience and the Muster Idol final. There were some very good singers, but, let me tell you, most of them were just simply enjoying themselves. Well done to Sophie Cooke and her fabulous volunteer committee for overcoming the many obstacles to ensure a successful 21st muster.

However, this tenacity comes as no surprise. The East Kimberley community member are doers. They are resilient and they make the most of every opportunity to showcase their beautiful part of the Kimberley, although this is not always easy. The impacts of recent flooding and youth crime continue to plague the region. Key Kununurra stakeholders recently wrote to the WA state minister for the Department of Communities. The letter outlines the group's views on the necessary measures to curb youth antisocial behaviour. It states, 'There is an urgent need for assistance and intervention around community safety within our town.' I commend the authors of the letter: the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, MG Corporation, Wunan Foundation, Kununurra-Waringarri Aboriginal Corporation and the East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce & Industry. I call on Premier McGowan to listen to this community's cry. Please take their letter seriously and take action. Kununurra deserves nothing less. They simply cannot resolve these issues on their own.

Thursday 25 May 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:08): I rise to speak on the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023 known as the Voice. Asking Australians to participate in any referendum is a big deal. This is because any change to our Constitution, our nation's guiding rulebook, is a big deal. Every word in our Constitution can be open to legal challenge and interpretation. It is therefore the government of the day's responsibility to have very carefully thought through the wording of any referendum question being put to Australians and also the proposed wording to be incorporated into our Constitution. Once a change is made to our Constitution, it is very difficult to unchange it.

History shows that there is very little chance of a referendum succeeding in Australia, regardless of the proposed wording change. Since our Federation, Australians have only supported eight of the 44 proposed constitutional changes. 1977 was the last time Australian electors approved an amendment to our Constitution. Given this, when considering asking Australians to vote on a referendum, I believe it is incumbent on the government to do a number of very key things: (1) ensure that the proposed wording change will not be open to legal challenge; (2) ensure that there is a rigorous review and consultation process; and (3) ensure that there is ample detail provided to Australians about the consequences of any proposed wording to our Constitution.

Legal experts do not agree on how the High Court will interpret the proposed constitutional change to create the Voice. Ian Callinan AC KC, a former High Court judge, has said:

… I would foresee a decade or more of constitutional and administrative law litigation arising out of the Voice.

It is a matter of public record the government's own constitutional expert group could not reach agreement on the consequences of the proposed constitutional change. Some said it could give rise to a constitutional duty for government to consider any Voice representations even if the parliament did not want this. Others have disagreed. The Solicitor-General has conceded that there is room for argument.

The government's inquiry into this bill has been poor. The inquiry into the republic referendum held 12 separate hearings. This was after a full constitutional convention that invited delegates from right around our great country. The Albanese government determined that a constitutional convention was not required for the Voice. There has been no explanation given for this decision. If we had had a convention on the Voice I'm quite sure that we could have ironed out the details and at least narrowed the issues in dispute. Instead, the government decided merely that a joint select committee would be formed to review the bill, and that was given only six weeks to conduct the inquiry. I believe that was woefully inadequate, and I simply don't understand why the rush.

Prime Minister Albanese is asking Australians to vote for this change to our Constitution without providing the details of how the Voice will work in practice. Some 'yes' campaigners have argued that the proposed changes to the Constitution are modest or that they are no big deal, but, as I have said, any change to our Constitution is a big deal. In February this year I penned an opinion piece on the Voice which was published in the West Australian newspaper. In this piece I said:

Closing the gap requires the support of both sides of the aisle … If we are going to propose the inclusion of the Voice in our Constitution the Australian public should be treated … with respect. Australians have a right to ask the Government common sense questions—

regarding the referendum. Since February the government has announced a referendum question and the proposed constitutional wording. Sadly, there are now even more questions and even greater uncertainty as to how the Voice will work in practice.

I went on further to say:

In WA, our regional and remote communities are at breaking point. Our hospitals, police force, community organisations and local councils are literally crying out for help.

I represent some of our most vulnerable Australians. I want only the best for my Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander constituents. I want the children to go to school and to get a job, for the home to be a safe place, for overcrowding to be a thing of the past, to keep our young people out of Banksia Hill Detention Centre. I want the reduction of alcohol abuse and drugs. The most important thing is to stop our kids from having kids. Clearly the way in which federal and state governments have been supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders needs to have a complete overhaul. It is simply not fit for purpose. I expect all of my federal colleagues here, and represented across our land, want the lives of our First Nations people to be improved. I do not think that that is being debated. Many argue that the Voice is the answer, but there are many others who are not convinced of that.

According to the Calma-Langton report, which laid out in detail how a national Voice model would operate, the first step in the process of creating the Voice was to start with local and regional voices, and I believe, as someone who represents the second-largest Indigenous population in our great country, that that is a very good starting point. For too long Canberra has been telling Indigenous communities what is best for them. The government, however, has acknowledged at some point in the future there is an intention to create a local and regional voice structure. But, in the meantime, the proposed Voice model would be a top-down approach.

I had hoped that the Voice would have provided a vehicle for Indigenous Australians to have their say in how national policy affects the local challenges, and we know there are plenty of challenges. But it will simply be impossible for the many Indigenous communities across Western Australia to be represented on any Voice committee, which will undoubtedly be a very city-centric, Canberra focused body. How on earth will the voices of regional Western Australia's Indigenous communities ever be heard under what is being proposed today?

The Prime Minister says that the Voice will unite the nation. I'm sorry, Prime Minister; I disagree with you 100 per cent. If the Voice referendum is not successful, we will not only have expended many millions of dollars and untold amounts of human resources for no outcome, but the Canberra bureaucrats would have continued to spin their wheels without making headway to improve our existing programs.

In conclusion, I do not support the proposal that is contained within this bill. However, I will not stand in the way of the Australian people having their say. It is right and proper that Australians have the final say on the referendum.

Tuesday 30 May 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:18): I rise to express my deep concern regarding the Labor government's decision to delay the sealing of the Tanami Road. The Tanami is not any old piece of road. It is a critical and strategic transport route connecting the town of Halls Creek to the Stuart Highway near Alice Springs. It serves as a lifeline for the mining and pastoral industries, supports our vulnerable Indigenous communities and supports tourism in our region. I cannot overstate the importance of sealing the Tanami Road.

Currently the unsealed road is difficult to maintain and often falls into disrepute. During an average wet season, let alone the recent catastrophic floods that have hit the Kimberley region, a sealed Tanami Road would ensure a reliable source of food to isolated towns and our vulnerable Indigenous communities. It would ensure access to vital healthcare services for these remote communities. In addition, there are increased expenses that occur for our essential freight haulers, costs which have put some of them out of business. A sealed Tanami would also strengthen our Defence capabilities in the north-west of Australia, which is becoming increasingly more important in today's unstable world economy.

My constituents in the north deserve food security. It is a basic human right. I was told yesterday that the residents of Halls Creek are paying over double the price for food, at their local supermarket, than they were this time last year. Because of the clear benefits and urgent need for this infrastructure upgrade, proudly, the coalition government ensured the sealing of the Tanami was a high priority by allocating close to $198 million in our 2019 budget, and in the 2022 budget we announced an investment of $510 million.

Inexplicably, the Albanese Labor government has confirmed, in Senate estimates, that it will take a decade to complete the sealing of the Tanami Road. A decade! This time line is simply unacceptable. I appreciate the concept of going slow in these very remote parts of Australia, but 10 years? That is a glacial pace. The state transport and planning minister, Minister Saffioti, has recently accused me of not being across the details regarding the Tanami. Clearly, the Tanami is not a priority for this minister, and I am so disappointed that she hasn't fought harder for the people of the Kimberley. So, for the minister, here is the detail: the WA state 2021-22 budget allocated $265 million over four years—terrific—whereas what do we see in the last budget? A mere $13 million over four years.

The people of the Kimberley should be shocked and appalled at these figures. I know, having been a very strong advocate for the Tanami, that I certainly am. Regional Australians deserve better. The people of the Kimberley deserve better. Once again, we see that state Labor is letting you down, and, once again, the Albanese government are letting you down as well.

Tuesday 30 May 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:11): I rise today as the federal member for Durack to once again address a matter of grave concern that is gripping our regional communities in Western Australia. That is the unprecedented and extremely concerning levels of youth crime. While it is undeniable that youth crime is a complex and multifaceted problem that affects various parts of our nation, it is particularly acute in regional and remote areas. It is wreaking havoc on our towns and regions, pushing our hospitals, police forces, community organisations, local councils and families to their breaking point.

In regional Australia, our towns and communities are characterised by close knit relationships and a strong sense of community. However, this crisis is threatening to erode the fabric of these communities, undermining the safety, wellbeing and cohesion that are vital for their growth and prosperity. The Kimberley, the Pilbara and the towns of Carnarvon and Geraldton, all within the electorate of Durack, are bearing the brunt of this worrying trend. The time for urgent change is upon us.

There are many factors contributing to the scourge of youth crime. I believe one of the key factors in regional areas is the lack of adequate social and recreational opportunities for young people. Limited access to educational resources, training programs and employment opportunities often leaves our youth feeling disillusioned and disconnected. The sense of exclusion can drive some individuals towards criminal activities as a means of finding belonging or asserting their presence.

Young children aged six, seven and eight are not naturally inclined to commit crimes or to be on the street late at night. Unfortunately, though, often, due to alcohol abuse and parental neglect, their home is not a safe place. Therefore, these kids find their family out on the streets, where it is often safer for them to be than at home. Older kids encourage younger ones to act up, to get involved, so they are included in the group.

Additionally, the challenges of geographical isolation and limited infrastructure in rural areas can exacerbate the issue. Young people may feel isolated and disengaged, with limited avenues for positive engagement and personal development. These factors, combined with issues such as substance abuse, mental health and family breakdown, create an environment where youth crime can thrive.

Our community leaders and local government representatives are deeply troubled by the impact that youth crime is having on their communities. While it is true that the state government holds the primary responsibility for addressing crime, the federal government plays a significant role in investing in youth diversionary programs. Prior to the last election, I was working closely with Minister Ken Wyatt on initiating a review of these investments. I wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on 3 February this year to ask him to commence an urgent review of the Commonwealth's investment in youth diversionary programs. If this work has not been commenced, I implore the federal government to take immediate action, as this is something that is within our control.

The impacts of youth crime on regional communities are significant and far-reaching. In Durack, isolation is a way of life for many residents. However, due to the unprecedented levels of crime, there is now a heightened level of fear and anxiety amongst residents in conjunction with a visible erosion of community trust and social cohesion and the strain placed on local services such as law enforcement, health care and support organisations. Recent data has revealed a disturbing rise in crime across the Mid West-Gascoyne district, particularly in assaults. Compared to the same period last year, there has been a concerning 44 per cent increase in assaults, accompanied by a 32 per cent rise in police assaults. These statistics are deeply troubling, signalling a dangerous trend that demands our immediate attention.

The town of Carnarvon in my electorate, which more recently has been suffering immensely from the impacts of youth crime, recently had significant alcohol restrictions imposed to help combat the violence. Shire president Eddie Smith recently quit Carnarvon's liquor accord, stating he had been unfairly vilified by some in the town for supporting the restrictions, and criticised people within the accord. I'd like to take the opportunity to commend President Smith and the Shire of Carnarvon, who I believe have done everything within their power to rectify this very troubling social issue. However, there is only so much that he and the shire can do.

Among the incidents that have shocked our regional communities of late is rock throwing, which has emerged as a particularly distressing problem. In Geraldton alone, local police have had 20 reports of rocks being thrown at vehicles since April this year, endangering the lives of innocent motorists. These numerous reports include brick throwing at a woman inside her car, security guards and customers being hit by rocks in a shopping centre and a young boy killing a bird on the street. These are just a few of the alarming incidents that have occurred. We must recognise the gravity of these acts and their potential to escalate into even more serious crimes. The most recent reported rock-throwing incident was on 14 April when, police said, three youths aged 13 threw rocks at a 12-year-old boy and his friends who were riding motorbikes in Geraldton bushland. A fight allegedly occurred between the groups and a 13-year-old received an three-centimetre cut to his right abdomen plus other minor injuries. Mid West police superintendent Steve Post became a victim of rock throwing when his work car was pelted by a projectile in September last year, narrowly avoiding tragedy. Also in September last year, a local road-train driver was shaken when a rock came through his vehicle's windshield, narrowly missing his head, while he was travelling on the Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road. These incidents illustrate the seriousness of the situation. Innocent lives are being put at risk, and the time for action is now. I would say that the time for action has passed.

I would like to take this opportunity to highly commend the Mid West Aboriginal corporation Bundiyarra, which has taken the initiative to address the issue of rock throwing by engaging with the broader community in Geraldton and the Mid West and, ultimately, with the parents of the youths involved. A public meeting was held recently where community members voiced their concerns and brainstormed potential solutions. Ideas such as reintroducing the Yamatji community patrol and establishing an after-hours safe house managed by Aboriginal elders were put forward. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the meeting, because parliament was sitting. However, I had electorate staff representing me at the meeting. This collaborative approach should be encouraged and supported, and I believe it serves as a very positive model that could be followed by other Aboriginal organisations who have been impacted.

Recent key Kununurra stakeholders wrote to the Western Australia state minister and Department of Communities. Their letter outlines the group's views on the necessary measures to curb the antisocial behaviour of youth in the East Kimberley region, and states, 'There is an urgent need for assistance and intervention around community safety within our town.' Their recommendations include constructing safe places for vulnerable children and youth to sleep and enjoy a healthy meal—sounds pretty simple and straightforward, doesn't it?—the recruitment of local staff to assist youth through night patrol and curfew assistance, and greater funding for police housing and a new police station, as well as lowering the age limit for engagement with critical services. I'd like to commend once again the authors of that letter: the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley, MG Corporation, Wunan Foundation, Waringarri Aboriginal corporation and East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Investment in education and skill-building programs is essential to empowering young people in regional areas, enabling them to develop positive aspirations and a sense of purpose. Enhancing access to mental health services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and family support initiatives is equally important in addressing the underlying issues that contribute to youth crime. Furthermore, it is imperative to work closely with community leaders, organisations and residents to develop community led initiatives that engage young people, promote positive role models and foster a sense of belonging and civic responsibility. By investing in community infrastructure, recreational facilities and youth-specific services, we can provide the necessary tools and opportunities for young people to flourish.

This is urgent. We have to invest in fit-for-purpose youth diversionary programs that are specifically tailored to the needs of our regional communities, and we must do this in conjunction with the local Aboriginal organisations. Collaboration between federal, state and local governments is crucial in developing these comprehensive strategies and implementing targeted interventions that address the root cause of youth crime and provide effective support mechanisms. Sadly, many young people in my electorate end up in Banksia Hill Detention Centre. These young people ultimately are not born this way. They have no role models to help them, to lead the way or to tell them right from wrong. WA Premier Mark McGowan recently said the behaviour of the youths was 'a form of terrorism'. Premier, these comments are unhelpful and show a complete misunderstanding about how these kids have come to be in the situation they find themselves in. They are not terrorists; they are simply troubled children. We've got to do so much better.

Tuesday 13 June 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:51): I rise to speak about a diverse and economically important town in my electorate, the town of Port Hedland. I would argue it is the economic capital of Australia. Port Hedland is home to Australia's largest bulk export, and I agree with the Pilbara Ports Authority that the port drives the fiscal welfare of our nation. I've visited Port Hedland several times in the last month, and many times over the last 10 years, and as always, I've had a fantastic time engaging with the wonderful community. This dynamic town boasts an impressive level of ethnic diversity, and last week I was thrilled to welcome our newest Australians at the town citizenship ceremony. This is an honour I thoroughly enjoy, and I have always said it has got to be one of the best parts of our job as parliamentarians. For those who choose to call Australia home, I simply say, 'You are very welcome.'

I also had the pleasure of attending the Hedland Well Women's Centre community morning tea, where I had the chance to speak to many dedicated local women. The centre, made up of health professionals and volunteers, provides free health and wellbeing services and does an incredible job of supporting women in all aspects of their lives. This centre is a wonderful haven for women young and old and from all corners of the globe who have decided to make a life in Port Hedland. I am disappointed that, due to parliamentary commitments, I will be unable this year to attend their fabulous Pink Pilbara Breakfast, which is this September, but I'm very privileged to be able to be a sponsor. I'm sure it will be an event to remember. Well done to the centre for playing an integral—

Tuesday 13 June 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:15): I'm disappointed to see that the coalition's ParentsNext, a highly successful program that helps young parents stay connected to the workforce, is being cut by this Labor government. From July 2018 to February 2022, nearly 204,000 ParentsNext participants commenced a plan for education and employment, and that included over 37,000 Indigenous parents.

Another disturbing Albanese Labor government reform is the proposed same job, same pay legislation. This extreme and ill-thought-out reform will be devastating for our economy, leading to fewer jobs and more economic uncertainty. At a time of growing inflation, with businesses struggling with staff shortages and rapidly increasing power costs, Labor will only make a bad situation worse by handing over small and family businesses to their union bosses.

It is a well-known fact that, when businesses in Australia prosper and grow, the whole economy thrives, as new jobs are created, wages rise and every Australian benefits. This retrograde policy will deny our 13 million Australian workers the flexibility that they desperately need and deserve. A rigid and inflexible system discourages businesses and employees from reaching agreements that work for all parties involved. Each worker is unique, with their own circumstances and aspirations, and it is essential that workplace relations policies allow for individual treatment and negotiation. The Labor government's proposed legislation seeks to deny workers their basic right—it denies them the opportunity to negotiate for more pay when they are willing to put in just that little bit of extra effort. And it goes against that quintessential Aussie notion that, if you have a go and you work hard, you get rewarded.

In contrast, the coalition government's industrial relations policies and initiatives, based on cooperation between employers and employees, enabled more than 1.8 million jobs to be created and a near historic low of 3.7 per cent unemployment. We, on this side, acknowledge that the success and prosperity of our economy relies on the hard work and dedication of our Australian workforce.

We simply cannot ignore the collective voice of numerous employer groups who are united in alarm at this proposed legislation. These groups representing small business, the building—oops! That's not very good. Excuse me. That alarm must be telling me I've had enough to say, but clearly I've got plenty more to say! These groups representing small businesses, the building industry, the farming groups, the recruitment sector, minerals and gas sectors, the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry all understand the detrimental consequences this legislation will have on their operations growth and their ability to create Australian jobs. If the minister had done proper consultation, he would not have gone down this productivity-stifling path.

BHP, a major economic driving force within my electorate of Durack, and one of Australia's largest employers, are extremely concerned about this suite of changes. Having recently submitted their official response to the same job, same pay consultation paper, they have effectively illustrated the detrimental impact it will have on their operations. I just want to share a few of the words from BHP's key submission, as follows. BHP says they estimate the financial impact of same job, same pay to their Australian operations will be up to $1.3 billion annually. They go on to say:

In the face of global economic headwinds, Australia needs an industrial relations system that delivers productivity, flexibility, and competitiveness to drive job creation and wage growth.

Instead, they say, same job, same pay is:

… shaping as a policy which is driven by ideology, not economics, and a policy which has wandered well beyond the limited circumstances of the problem it was trying to solve.

We must reject this dangerous legislation that will take away worker incentive and reduce productivity. We must instead strive for a workplace relations framework that promotes flexibility, innovation and prosperity for all Australians. Given the recent National Accounts show that productivity has fallen 4.6 over the past 12 months, can the minister explain how the proposed same job, same pay legislation will support an increase in our nation's productivity?

Monday 19 June 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (12:00): I'm very grateful to the member for McPherson for bringing this important issue to the attention of the House. I'd like to acknowledge the member's tenure as the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology under the coalition government and, in particular, her interest and passion for the Australian space sector. I would like to wish the Australian Space Agency a very happy birthday, noting that on 1 July it will be five years since its official establishment. I know that Enrico Palermo, head of the agency, will have something very special planned.

I too have had the great honour of being a minister responsible for space, when I was the minister for both the defence industry and the science and technology portfolios. During this time I had the great honour of meeting many Australian companies working hard to fill our nation's space needs. While I was minister I was pleased to address the Australian Space Forum and outline our ambitious vision for the sector. Our mission was to triple Australia's space sector size to $12 billion and create an extra 20,000 highly skilled jobs by 2030. Whilst this goal was ambitious, it was achievable with our strong commitment to the space sector. Competition in the global space sector is fierce, but with our focused efforts to leverage Australia's competitive advantage we were making very good progress. With the coalition's establishment of the Australian Space Agency in 2018, we built a very strong foundation for leading the charge. Since the agency was established, over $2.5 billion in investment has flowed into the sector from government, the private sector and international space agencies. We maintained our focus on supporting the sector to grow, by investing in building capability, strengthening those partnerships and inspiring the next generation of Aussie space workers.

Speaking at the Australian Space Forum in March 2022, I said:

I believe we are at a critical point in time for the Australian space industry.

We have been through the start-up phase. Now it is time to scale up.

We believe that investment in space is central to Australia's future.

And from where I'm standing—the future looks very bright.

Yet the Labor Party's decision to defund crucial programs such as the Australia spaceports program, the Australian technology into orbit program and a subprogram of the Moon to Mars program sends a message of complacency and missed opportunity and undermines this vision. These programs were aimed at helping space organisations be part of the supply chain for NASA's ambitious plans to return to the moon and, eventually, journey to Mars. By defunding these initiatives, the Labor government undermines our potential contributions to global space exploration and deprives our industries of the opportunities for growth and innovation.

It was obvious to the space industry in Australia that the coalition government understood very clearly the importance of developing a sovereign space industry for civil and defence purposes and had the vision and the policies to support this. Sadly, what is now obvious is that the Albanese government has no vision and clearly does not understand that the Australian space industry is important for business and national security. You have to ask yourself: why did the Albanese Labor government cut around $70 million from growing Australia's space industry program in the last budget, and why isn't space a standalone priority under the Labor government's National Reconstruction Fund?

In the 2020 Defence strategic update, the coalition included space as its own domain, illustrating our governments clear understanding of the importance of space for the defence of our nation. Australia's first national space mission—the National Space Mission for Earth Observation—is now under threat, due to these irresponsible cuts by the Labor government. This mission, which was intended to build satellites to detect and respond to bushfires and floods, as well as to undertake maritime surveillance, put Australia at the forefront of a progressively promising industry. The coalition announced $1.2 billion for this project in March 2022. At the time, James Brown, the Chief Executive Officer of the Space Industry Association of Australia, described it as 'the most strategic and significant space public policy in 40 years'. I agree with you, James.

I would like to finish on a positive note and send my best wishes to all Aussie students who are participating in the Spacesport America Cup this week in New Mexico in the United States. Many Australian universities are well represented, including the University of Western Australia, from my home state. Last year's overall winner of the Spaceport America Cup was the University of Sydney's USYD rocketry team, which is further proof that Australia has got talent. We can only hope that Australia can take advantage of all this talent, but it requires space vision and funding of the vision, which unfortunately, the current government is failing on.

Monday 19 June 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:27): I think it's true to say that every member of parliament has their own headspace story. I want to put on the record that I am so incredibly proud of all the headspace centres around Durack. Since 2006 headspace has been providing early-intervention mental health services to our young 12-to-25-year-old Australians. We're all very proud of the work they do. Just recently I was particularly proud, as I've just had two new centres open. The first one is in Hedland, and unfortunately I couldn't attend the opening, but I did have the chance to visit them two days before their official opening. On that day, I met Arshani, Jess, Phyliss, Jess and Marissa. It is a beautiful, welcoming space, and I just want to give a shout-out to the youth advisory group who helped them with the design of the new headspace. It is really wonderful, and they made me feel so welcome. On 8 June, I had the opportunity to attend the Karratha headspace opening. I want to give a shout-out to Charlene, her team and her fabulous youth advisory group, who put together this most wonderful, entertaining and inclusive official opening. It was incredibly grand, and I want to thank them very much. I'm particularly proud of what we've been able to do with headspace in the Pilbara. Six years ago, I made a very big point of saying that we cannot just build a bricks-and-mortar space; we need more of an outreach program. That's what we committed to do. It took six years, we did the outreach and, from that outreach, we were able to determine the type of service that we needed.

Monday 19 June 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:31): I rise today as the federal member for Durack to speak on two issues that are critically important to my large rural and remote electorate. The first issue is the government's proposed bills to establish a nature repair market, the Nature Repair Market Bill 2023 and Nature Repair Market (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023. First things first: we on this side of the House support in principle the creation of a biodiversity market. Indeed, our record in government shows that, with the introduction of the Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Market Bill 2022, we actually pioneered work in this area of policy in Australia. The core focus of that bill, which unfortunately lapsed at the conclusion of the 46th Parliament, was to establish the legal framework for a national voluntary Agricultural Biodiversity Stewardship Market to enable agricultural landholders to receive a tradeable certificate for undertaking projects that enhance or protect biodiversity in native species.

It is fair to say that to a large degree these two new bills replicate the comprehensive work, including the significant level of consultation with stakeholders, that we undertook in this area during our time in government. If they were to pass, Labor's bills would likewise legislate for the operation of a national biodiversity market, enabling the Clean Energy Regulator to issue Australian landholders with certificates for projects that preserve, manage and restore nature. They would then be able to sell these certificates to individuals, businesses, other organisations or indeed governments.

These kinds of markets are generally growing in popularity around the world. There are three main reasons for this: firstly, they incentivise new areas of spending on the environment by private interests; secondly, they allow for improved consultation on the most efficient and effective use of limited public resources; and, thirdly, they help to better prioritise the funding of environmental protection measures by governments. In other words, if their structures and frameworks are carefully and comprehensively designed, then these markets can help to improve and complement government-funded conservation activities by attracting new spending and resources from private individuals and organisations and, accordingly, by enabling governments to direct more of their money away from these forms of conservation towards other environmental priorities.

During our considerable consultation and thinking on this area of policy while in both government and opposition, we have recognised that biodiversity markets genuinely offer the potential for improvements in the way that Australians protect and restore the environmental values of our land. With their two bills, the Labor government is adopting the same broad philosophy, and we commend them for doing so. However—and there's always a 'however'—as has been the case on a number of fronts with this government, these bills contain several aspects that are lacking sufficient detail for anyone to be confident about whether they will be positive and worthwhile changes. In particular, I argue that the proposed extension of the parameters of the biodiversity market from just agricultural land to all land and water tenure needs some further examination to look at the various practical issues that this could lead to. Given that this decision will inevitably lead to more stakeholders and more different kinds of scenarios in the marketplace, there will most likely be a lot of confusion, particularly for first-time entrants to a biodiversity market. Similarly, these bills divert from the considerable amount of work, particularly from ANU, we undertook in basing our legislation strictly on the application to potential projects of the specialised carbon and biodiversity and enhancing remnant vegetation assessment models.

We have some concerns and reservations about an opening-up of the parameters and methodologies by which projects can be designed and assessed and how certificates can be traded. Additionally there are a number of further complexities and risks that the bill creates around precisely whose consent will be needed for projects to go ahead. Similarly there is an absence of key detail around what criteria and also evidence the minister will consider when making decisions on potentially excluding projects under section 33 of the Nature Repair Market Bill. In turn there are a lack of defined standards or controls around biodiversity assessment instruments and on the precise role of the native title body corporate. This added complexity and risk needs to be subjected to detailed scrutiny, and therefore it is appropriate that the bills be referred to the Senate Environment and Communications Committee. The opposition will reserve its final position on these bills until we see and hear what emerges from that committee process, but as things currently stand we have sufficient doubts about the veracity and quality of this legislation to not vote in support of it.

I'm also concerned about the prolonging of this process. Rather than build on and complement the comprehensive work that had already done for them by the coalition, the Albanese government bizarrely decided to go back to the drawing board and started the consultation process all over again. This has meant they needlessly prolonged processes and tried to reinvent the wheel and that they have generated more consultation fatigue, more irritation, more frustration and more consternation among key stakeholders than should have been the case. From evidence provided at the October 2022 Senate estimates hearing it seems the Clean Energy Regulator and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water probably spent around $11.4 million in carrying out these 100 per cent unnecessary activities. We thank the many stakeholders, however, who did engage. Thank you very much for being a part of the process. We thank them for the work that they did whilst we were in government and those who continue to work with us in opposition to help chart the path for a successful biodiversity market in Australia.

Disappointingly, it isn't just at the federal level where Labor are writing uncertainty into law. In my home state of WA the Labor government has rammed through parliament its new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021. From 1 July landowners with more than 1,100 square metres will come up against more red tape for basic activities like clearing and planting trees, building a fence, putting in a bore or digging a dam. Undertaking any of these activities on your own land could mean you could have to engage local Aboriginal cultural heritage services, known as LACHS, at your own expense to get a permit. Kimberley Land Council and other Aboriginal groups have condemned the laws, claiming native title groups are vastly under-resourced for their rollout and pointing out that the LACHS are still not established. Labor themselves aren't even ready for their own laws to come into effect, with the permit system still not ready just weeks out from their starting to be enforced from 1 July. They are still not ready. These are just some of the issues with the state government's complex new regulations.

It is no surprise that WA's farmers and pastoralists, many of whom are from my electorate, are calling this shambolic. WA Farmers President John Hassell outlined that it's open to such bad interpretation that it's going to cause major drama in the sector. Understandably they are calling for a six-month delay on the commencement of the act so that these issues can be worked through constructively. Already more than 27,000 concerned Western Australians have signed a local petition for a delay. I want to give credit to the Hon Neil Thomson for facilitating this Tony Seabrook petition.

How has WA Labor responded? The new, unelected Premier likened the calls of thousands of locals in Western Australia to this delay as a dog returning to its vomit. West Australians are right to be concerned and confused about the new regulations and simply want answers, but this seems too hard for the new Premier Cook, who is on L-plates, clearly. They have instead resorted to slurs because they have botched the implementation of their own regulations. Western Australians are quickly finding out what this new Premier's priorities are. He has confirmed that one of his first acts as Premier was to call the rugby league boss to lobby for a team in Western Australia. Don't get me wrong: I love rugby league—I love rugby union a little bit more, I have to say—and I could get behind a WA team. But, Premier, if you have enough time to spare to listen to the NRL, you should take the time to listen to our WA farmers, instead of insulting and ignoring them. Our farmers are the lifeblood of our state, and they deserve better from this useless state Labor government.

To conclude, we on this side of the House, like all Australian, believe in protecting our diversity and also our sensitive Indigenous historical sights, but let's do it in way that constructively works with Australians; let's not take the Labor approach of confusing or imposing on Australians.

Tuesday 20 June 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (15:34): Middle Australia is hurting. Let me say that again: Middle Australia is hurting. That once proud group of Australians who worked hard, day in and day out, to get ahead now find themselves going backwards. Individuals and families who can't work any more hours and can't earn any more are in trouble. Once the bills are paid at the end of the week, there is very little left. In many cases, there is nothing left. This is an economic emergency, and those opposite are responsible. The Albanese government is responsible for this financial crisis.

Those opposite would have Australians believe that this economic crisis has got nothing to do with them. That's what we're hearing, day in and day out. They would have you believe that all this pain is due to what Putin is doing in Ukraine, that somehow this is Ukraine's fault or it's Russia's fault. If that is the case, then why is our core inflation higher than each of the G7 nations, barring the UK? The truth is that inflation isn't coming from Russia; it is coming from Canberra and Labor's reckless economic policies—namely, its policy to add $185 billion to the budget. Economists have confirmed Labor's reckless handling of the budget is increasing the supply of money into the economy, which in turn drives inflation and forces the RBA to act by raising interest rates. We've seen that time and time again, sadly, in the last 12 months.

What does Labor's dangerous inflationary policy mean for families and businesses? A typical Australian family with a mortgage and children is $25,000 worse off compared to only 12 months ago—$25,000! While Labor spends and spends, Australians are forced to divert their income to paying those higher mortgages and the higher prices for essential goods. The flow-on effect is that families are not in a position to support their local business community, and therefore it's no surprise that the number of businesses which have gone into insolvency has almost doubled in the past 12 months.

At a time when small businesses are on their knees, Labor should do everything it can to support them. However, this Labor government is instead undermining their success. This is clear through its attack on infrastructure—and I'm very pleased that the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has joined us here at the table today. It is clear through Labor's attack on infrastructure commitments across the country and, in particular, in our regional communities. A great example of this—and I really hope the minister is listening and not just talking—is in a beautiful part of my electorate of Durack, the Shire of York, which is located some 97 kilometres from Perth. York's light industrial area has faced ongoing challenges with heavy vehicles being unable to access the area safely. This lack of access heavily impacts the capacity of local businesses to send and receive freight, with the flow-on effect of reducing their ability to grow and expand.

In March 2022 I met with Mark, of M.A.L. Automotives, who informed me of his issues with his mechanics shop, which was facing problems due to these access restraints. York is one of the most fertile and beautiful areas of the state and has an annual rainfall of 400 millilitres of rain per year. Such heavy rainfall presents flooding issues and, of course, prevents customers from safely reaching M.A.L. Automotives. Working on trucks is a key component of Mark's business, and they told me that improving the safety of access to the light industrial area was critical to their future. This message was consistent, and, after a long consultation process, multiple meetings with local stakeholders and advocacy, I was very pleased to announce a coalition commitment of $8 million towards access improvements, in conjunction with the shire and the state of WA. The improved access was to deliver several benefits to the local community, including, of course, increased safety for road users and drainage upgrades. And it would of course improve economic activity in York's dominant agriculture industry, improve employment sustainability and allow businesses to expand their operations. To my surprise, the Shire of York was emailed last week, on 15 June, and asked for more information, and was given one day to respond. I ask the minister: What sort of show are you running? Would this be due to a lack of business experience or the fact that you can't control the department? One day! It is a fantastic project, and we need to support regional Australia— (Time expired)

Wednesday 21 June 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:30): As member for an electorate consisting of only regional, rural or remote areas I am greatly concerned over the Albanese Labor government's attack on our valued Western Australian farmers. It is truly perplexing to me that those opposite are seeking to decimate and destroy an industry that is an integral part of our heritage, ensures our food security and sustains our nation.

I will start by addressing the Labor government's proposed live sheep export ban, which is an anti Western Australia plan. The panel involved with phasing out live sheep exports has been conducting meetings throughout Western Australia with very short notice. I am deeply alarmed and dismayed by the lack of comprehensive advertising for these meetings, which have not reached our farmers and the wider community. It is shameful.

I must question the motives of those opposite and the minority active groups they are trying to appease. If they genuinely cared about animal welfare standards, they would support our industry, which is consistently ranked amongst the highest in the world. This industry generates significant economic contributions and its processes are subject to rigorous scrutiny and continuous improvement. Put clearly, Western Australian sheep producers could not have done any more than has been asked of them.

If Labor shuts down our live WA sheep export trade, the global demand for meat will not cease. It is important to note that many countries relying on live animal exports lack adequate refrigeration to store meat. If we fail to provide these countries with live animals, other countries with lower standards and less stringent procedures will simply fill the gap. The unfortunate consequence of this will be animals having to endure harsh conditions on board unregulated ships. I call on WA's new Premier, Roger Cook, to do everything he can to demonstrate his support for our Western Australian sheep producers and to put an end to this unjustifiable plan.

A further attack on Western Australian farmers is a new and unnecessary biosecurity levy being introduced by the Albanese government, which is vehemently opposed by industry. From July 2024, all producers in agriculture, forestry and fisheries will be burdened with an additional 10 per cent levy on top of their existing agricultural levies. The Albanese Labor government's budget has ignored practical solutions for a stronger and more vibrant agricultural sector. It falls short in crucial areas such as road funding, tax incentives and measures to alleviate worker shortages in regional areas, as noted by the National Farmers' Federation.

Adding to the concerns faced by our farmers, the impending implementation of WA state Labor's Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act imposes substantial compliance obligations. This act will not only impact our farmers, but also pastoralists, small miners, prospectors, demolition and construction companies and various other small companies, including residential property owners. The WA Labor government has failed in its duty of consultation and is rushing through this process with only a handful of information sessions coinciding with the busiest time for our Western Australian farmers. A petition from the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia calling on the state government to delay the implementation of the act by at least six months has already gathered close to 30,000 signatures. Again, it is a test for our new Western Australia Premier to show leadership, show that he supports regional Western Australia and delay implementation of this new compliance regime.

At the Australian local government association conference held last week here in Canberra, Mr Ross Foulkes-Taylor, President of the Shire of Murchison and also a very well-known pastoralist, raised with Chris Bowen, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the issue that was impacting the implementation of the Emissions Reduction Fund carbon farming projects on pastoral land in WA, subject to native title. According to Mr Ross Foulkes-Taylor and others, the native title approval process has become unwieldy. On that day, he asked the minister whether he had any intention to overhaul the process. The minister gave a very unsatisfactory answer, and I believe an Indigenous family pastoral station representative who was present at the conference was deeply offended by the answer.

The excessive tape and bureaucracy being imposed by the state and federal Labor governments will exacerbate the challenges faced by our primary producers. The Labor government's multipronged attack on farmers is already having a catastrophic effect on regional, rural and remote Australia. We must recognise the social impact that this attack is having on our regional communities. Western Australian farmers deserve much better.

Monday 31 July 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:42): Students from Durack who get to go on 'the Canberra trip' often say it's a trip of a lifetime. As their local member, I'm always very excited to meet up with the students to hear about their travels and to talk about what matters to them.

Twenty-one students from Northampton District High School recently experienced 'the Canberra trip', led by Kyra, Kristine and Simon. Unfortunately, parliament was not sitting then and I missed them, so last week I paid the students a visit at their school. We talked about seeing snow for the first time and how the town of Northampton needs a swimming pool. The students were respectful, engaged and very inquisitive. I received many insightful answers to the question: What would you do if you were PM for the day? One idea was to arrange for Foodbank to travel regularly from Geraldton to Northampton to help those who are struggling to put food on the table. I am so proud of these young people who clearly have an understanding of the needs in their very diverse regional community.

This morning I had the pleasure of meeting up with nine Port Hedland and Carnarvon school-of-the-air students, led by Penny, Joel, Taryn, Peter, Shanon and Donna. These students live in the remotest parts of WA. Although it was day 1 of their trip, the students were all very well mannered and curious and were a credit to their families. When asked what they would do if they were PM, not surprisingly, issues raised related to telecommunications, the quality of roads and the cost fuel. It was such a joy to meet with those young people today.

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (11:10): I'd like to begin by thanking my friend the honourable member for Deakin for bringing this important motion to the House and for his longtime advocacy for vulnerable communities whilst in government and now in opposition. Over the parliamentary break, I was very pleased to spend some time in the East Kimberley. It was just so wonderful to catch up with business and community leaders and to attend the annual Kununurra Agricultural Show—like no other show in the world, let me tell you. This is a very proud, tight-knit community that resides in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. This is a community of doers; whether it's tourism or the agriculture industry, there is no shortage of new ideas or new projects being developed.

The East Kimberley has been severely impacted by the floods that were in the Fitzroy River region and later on in the Northern Territory over the past 12 months. There were no tourists and no food, but somehow this community picks itself up and works together to put the community back together. Sadly, some of Australia's most vulnerable people live in the East Kimberley region. Unfortunately, the East Kimberley faces serious problems, particularly surrounding alcohol abuse, child neglect and general antisocial behaviour. Since the repeal of the cashless debit card, we have seen these problems escalate. As I previously informed the House, with the cashless debit card, parents would keep a credit at the school canteen for their children's lunches. Now, with the abolition of the card, this is no longer occurring, resulting in children going hungry at school. This is getting reported time and time again. Locals have stressed to me that Labor's decision to abolish the CDC has directly correlated with a spike in alcohol-fuelled violence and crime. This is backed up by data that showed increased reporting of drinking, gambling, stabbings, domestic violence and school nonattendance in the weeks after the cashless debit card was scrapped. These impacts are, sadly, not unique to the East Kimberley and have also been felt in other trial sites in WA, South Australia and Queensland.

The cashless debit card program, introduced by the coalition, was simple and effective. Cardholders would receive 80 per cent of their welfare benefit as a credit on a card, which couldn't be used to spend on alcohol, drugs or gambling, and the remaining 20 per cent was available to be withdrawn as cash. Over 17,000 participants were given the choice to move to the Albanese government's new smart card, which is essentially a $217.7 million rebrand of the cashless debit card. I'd say that's not that smart. What about you, Member for Deakin? Or they have a choice to switch to 100 per cent being deposited in their bank account. Honestly, the Labor Party is completely out of touch. Did they think that people suffering from serious alcohol and drug abuse would choose to have less funds to be able to feed their habit? This is serious. This is not a laughing matter. But, honestly, they are completely out of touch. Not surprisingly, the number of people on income management in the East Kimberley has been reported to have plunged from 1,209 when it was compulsory to just 43 participants. This is alongside the 43 in the Goldfields, 22 in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay and 19 in Ceduna in South Australia. Keep in mind that this is despite the government spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a new scheme during a cost-of-living crisis.

The Department of Social Services acknowledges that income management and improved control of recipients' finances help people to stabilise their lives so that they can better care for themselves and their children. So it beggars belief that the Albanese government has chosen to abolish the cashless debit card. The cynic in me believes that this decision was less about supporting vulnerable Australians and more about pleasing and potentially grabbing votes from the city elites. It is absolutely shameful. I call on the government to get its priorities right, reverse its reckless action and reinstate the cashless debit card. Get on with supporting our most vulnerable communities, particularly in remote and regional Australia and particularly for my constituents in the East Kimberley.

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (09:49): Today I want to share with you a heartening story of a small primary school in my electorate: Coorow Primary School. This little gem of a school is nestled in the mid-west region of Durack, between Moora and Carnamah. The town and its school may be very small in size, but their ideas and spirits are as vast as the bush that surrounds them. Recently I had the privilege of receiving letters from years 5 and 6 students at Coorow Primary School in response to my Durack Biggest Survey. This comprehensive survey was sent out to all Durack households, aimed at identifying community concerns and gaining a deeper understanding of what truly worries my constituents.

Ms Shiona Herbert is the students' science and HASS teacher who helped these young people to articulate their views on the questions contained within the Durack Biggest Survey. Through Ms Herbert's guidance the students were encouraged to delve into important community issues, paving the way for them to be able to develop an interest in matters that shape our society and nation. Ms Herbert's efforts in nurturing these bright minds from a tender age are truly commendable, and I want to thank her for that.

As I read through their responses, I was simply amazed by the level of wisdom and understanding displayed by these young minds. Their concerns reflect not only the challenges faced by their families but also the compassion that they hold for their community. Concerns raised in these letters were across a range of issues, with a focus on the increasing cost of living. These children are now living in a world where, in their own words, 'Nanna and Pop can't even buy us treats anymore.' Additional concerns raised were about local roads and accident black spots that impact the safety of their community. One student even wrote the word 'miserable' instead of using the 'good, fair, poor' rating system. Such was the quality of the roads in this young person's region.

Some students mention that their parents are struggling with employment, a fact which seems to weigh heavily on their minds as they acknowledge the emotional and mental toll that it can take on families. One student suggested that there was a need for more security around the pub and asked that a sign be installed saying, 'Turn beams off at the top of the hill.' Obviously this was a road safety initiative, and this young person had thought a lot about what the community needs. Another said, 'I think WA should be its own country but still in Australia, like Scotland in Great Britain.' Another said that they would like to have more frog bogs. When asked what is most important for school education at the time, the majority of the students asked for more funding for facilities and more teachers and resources. My take-out from these young children is that they love their community and they love their families but they are concerned.

Wednesday 9 August 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:57): Last weekend I had the absolute pleasure of joining the intrepid Variety WA Midwest 4WD Getaway participants. Every two years, adults go to a lot of trouble to dress up in fancy dress and also dress up their cars. They then head out bush, have a lot of fun and at times make fools of themselves. I can assure you that I certainly made a fool of myself. Whilst having all this fun, there is the serious business of raising funds to support vulnerable kids and families. Around $140,000 raised on the weekend—absolutely amazing.

This year the Variety gang based ourselves at Mellenbye Station. This is a well-run station. The accommodation was wonderful. I want to thank them for looking after us so well. Events like these, which take place in remote locations, require years of planning. The routes that we travelled on are designed and tested, and then tested again, for fun and for safety. The weekend is intended to be an adventure, but at the end of the day we want everybody to get home safely and in one piece.

Thanks so much to the many volunteers who helped to the set the route, who were on hand in case of car troubles and who assisted with logistics, running the bar, the set-up and the pull-down and the catering chores, not to forget the two volunteer doctors. I'd like to thank all the wonderful local businesses who supported the event, and a very big shout-out to Jan at Variety who brings it all together. Well done to our mates Dean and Angelina, who joined Brad and I in the 'witch' car. To our 'Priscilla' friends: you'll keep!

Wednesday 6 September 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (11:13): I rise today to speak on the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill 2023. This is very bad. This is a very bad bill. At the very least, it should have been referred yesterday, as we requested, to the Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training for further consideration. This Albanese bill unashamedly is designed to take away the flexibility currently enjoyed by Australian gig workers, labour hire companies, tradies and other independent contractors and small businesses more generally. At a time when many parts of our economy are on their knees, the Labor Party's really big, innovative idea is to make it harder to earn a living in Australia. What a joke. Communities right across Australia are suffering because of the economic incompetence of those opposite. Under this government we have seen the highest inflation in decades, too many interest rate rises, productivity falling off a cliff, flatlining GDP growth and a year of real wage decline.

People in my electorate are not immune to the worst of this cost-of-living crisis. Durack is the largest electorate in Australia, ranging from Bullsbrook to the outskirts of Perth and the far north of Western Australia, at 1.4 million square kilometres. To put that into perspective, the Prime Minister's electorate is just 32 square kilometres. Despite the distance between all those many communities in Durack, the message I'm receiving is the same. Whether I'm speaking to farmers in the Wheatbelt—which I did recently at the wonderful Dowerin Machinery Field Days for two days last week—to the farmers and residents of York or Mullewa, or at Kununurra, it is clear that Western Australian families, communities, and businesses are all hurting. What are the government doing in response to the hardship being faced by families and businesses in Durack and the broader Australian community? They haven't addressed any of the economic pressures that are currently being faced by these Australians, and they've gone ahead and introduced this very bad bill.

Let's be clear: industrial relations reform is an important economic reform that is required to make Australia more productive and to create more jobs. So when changes are proposed to Australia's industrial relations laws, it's important, and they must get the focus right. Those opposite have failed. On this side of the House we believe that industrial relations must be designed to improve productivity, to grow wages and to enhance competition. Unfortunately, the government reforms will not deliver on these outcomes and will only make life tougher for Australian businesses by increasing costs, complexity and red tape, and they will likely lead to job losses.

It's not just the Liberal and National parties who understand the consequences of this bill. Business groups and employers all across the country agree that this bill will smash productivity, investment and job creation. As Jennifer Westacott, chief executive of the Business Council of Australia, said:

Australians should have safe jobs, well paid jobs and rewarding jobs, but the government's radical shake-up of the industrial relations system will not deliver that …

"These changes will create confusion and extra costs for consumers, make it harder to hire casual workers and create uncertainty for employing anybody.

"Any government that's serious about cost of living would not do this.

"They should not add cost and complexity at a time when people are struggling to pay their bills.

As we know, the Labor government are not serious about addressing the cost-of-living crisis. They are intent on adding more complexity to the system, passing on cost to business, and delivering on the union movement's wish list. It is shameful.

The Fair Work Act, as it stands, is already 1,200 pages long. This is representative of Australia's absurdly complex industrial relations system, which our small businesses and employers have to deal with on a daily basis. These reforms will only legislate more complexity into the system. It's almost laughable that what is being proposed is an additional 200 pages, making the already difficult-to-manage system more complex and requiring businesses to dedicate more time, resources and money towards trying to understand and implement this new regime. Matthew Addison, the chair of the Council of Small Business Organisations, reflected:

At a time when small businesses are managing increased costs of supply, of rent, of power, of wages; we don't need changes that detract businesses from their sales and service delivery.

According to the government's own estimates, the changes in this bill will cost employers up to $9 billion over the next decade. This $9 billion figure includes over $5 billion in potential costs, assuming just 66,446 labour hire employees are covered by the new Fair Work Commission orders. The Minerals Council of Australia claims that the $5 billion labour hire estimate is much lower than what the actual costs will be for businesses, because the economic impact fails to take into account hundreds of thousands of service contractors and workers in related entity businesses which will be captured by this very bad legislation.

What this Labor government fails to understand is that every time it passes on an additional cost to business it is killing jobs and driving up the cost to the consumer. This should be common sense, even to those opposite. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations said that business would likely be able to pass on the extra costs 'through higher prices for consumers or third-party businesses'. I agree with Andrew McKeller, the chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, when he outlined the chamber's opinion on this dreadful legislation. He said that this bill will be bad for productivity, for those wanting to be their own boss and for consumers struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. To quote Mr McKellar:

If you're in labour hire or want a casual job, prepare for unemployment.

…   …   …

If you are a service provider and want to advertise online, prepare for unemployment.

Of course, he is right. Putting up more barriers and driving up business costs is a recipe for unemployment and a decrease in jobs growth.

I would like to take the time now to highlight some of the most damaging elements of this legislation and why the Labor Party has chosen to go down this path. Labor talks about closing labour hire loopholes through its same job, same pay legislation. However, the truth is that the policy goes much further than just labour hire. In fact, the proposal does not define labour hire as a business that provides workers to another business who then work under the supervision of that business as part of that business. This is the standard definition, as confusing as it may seem, that is used in labour hire licensing legislation. Instead, Labor proposes to also cover service contractors who are engaged to provide a service, often utilising their own plant and equipment, their own expertise and their own management, as well as their own workforce. Any business that engages service contractors will be captured by this bad legislation.

Another issue that I have with the proposed legislation is its changes to casual employment. 'Casual' is a dirty word to those opposite and their union mates. But it is an essential employment type for businesses in my electorate and right across Australia. It is important to note that it is small business who employs some 80 per cent of Australia's casual workforce. Many of the farmers in my electorate rely on seasonal casual employment during harvest time, as they do across the whole of Australia. Likewise, tourism businesses in the north of my electorate simply cannot afford full-time employment for all of their staff due to the lack of business during the wet season. Through this bill the Albanese government will introduce a new definition of casual employment. The new definition will be three pages long and include 15 factors to determine if an employee is a casual. Honestly, this introduces even further complexity that needs to be managed by the employers of Australia. The definition of casual employee in the act will be changed to prohibit anyone from being engaged as a casual if they work regular hours. As a result a court can order that the employee was always not a casual from the time of their engagement.

For all of these reasons employers would have no choice but to force workers to move to a permanent role, losing their additional income and choice of hours. However, casual jobs will not magically be replaced by permanent jobs. Any claim that they will reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of why casual employment is both necessary and legitimate. The legislation will in effect discourage casual employment and make it too risky for many businesses to even consider. But we have to ask ourselves: why is Labor pursuing this reckless agenda despite the concerns of industry and business? It is clear that none of these measures are designed to improve productivity, to grow wages or to enhance competition, which, as we all know—and even those opposite understand this—are the ingredients for a successful economy.

The cynic in me believes that the main driver is Labor's commitment to deliver for their union mates. This is part of their 'you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' relationship. These measures are designed to reverse the trend of union decline in our country. What we are seeing is the government doing the union's bidding to grow union membership, and of course this legislation also seeks to increase union power and control of the economy.

One of the most troubling aspects of this legislation is the expansion of union power in workplaces. This bill will amend the Fair Work Act to enable unions to exercise right-of-entry powers without any notice whenever it relates to an allegation of wage underpayment. To gain immediate entry, the union only needs to assert to the Fair Work Commission that they suspect a case of wage underpayment. No evidence is required to make this case.

I'm particularly concerned about how this expansion will affect farmers in my electorate of Durack. The National Farmers Federation has raised its concerns that union representatives will be allowed to enter farms unannounced. Let's be clear: for most farmers their workplace is also their family home. We are talking about mum-and-dad business owners like the ones that I talked about earlier in Dowerin, York and Mullewa. Their farm isn't just their home; it's their kids' backyard and it's a place that they deserve to feel safe in. There are also important biosecurity concerns that union representatives may not be aware of. Union representatives should not have the right to just come onto their land unannounced.

The Labor Party has already tried to skate over all of the controversy surrounding this bill, saying it is about closing loopholes and addressing wage theft. But let me reiterate what I know many of my colleagues have already said in the House in this debate: the coalition acknowledges deliberate rip-offs of workers is not acceptable and that there should be serious sanctions, but these should only apply to intentional conduct, not to a mere mistake. We are extremely concerned that the new and confusing definitions around casuals and employment in this bad bill will only add more risk and complexity for businesses. It's my view that reforms around wage underpayment and theft should also come with reforms to simplify the system, not to make it more complex. We should simplify the workplace system to avoid underpayments in the first place. Instead, Labor is making this very bad situation worse.

In light of the significant concerns of small businesses and employers across the country and the detrimental impact this will have on workers across the country, I call on the government once again to reconsider this bill.

Monday 11 September 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (11:36): I'd like to begin by thanking my friend the member for Grey for bringing this important motion to the House and for his long-term advocacy for remote and regional Australia. I'm very proud to join this critical call to action, as we must ensure that our national security is not forgotten in Labor's reckless energy transition.

The Labor party has been very clear about its ambitions to radically transform Australia's energy sector. Australia currently generates between 30 to 35 per cent of its power from renewable sources. The Albanese government has committed to increasing this to a whopping 82 per cent by 2030, which is only seven short years away. This commitment has serious implications for the efficiency and for the reliability of our energy sector, with the Australian Energy Market Operator warning of massive blackouts this summer and in the years ahead. This is on the back of already record-high electricity prices suffered by families and businesses under the Albanese government.

Through this motion, we wish to highlight the serious national security concerns that at present are being ignored by this Labor government. As we know, almost 60 per cent of installed smart inverters are being supplied by Chinese manufacturers, bound by China's national intelligence laws. Such reliance could leave Australia vulnerable to sabotage of our power supplies. As detailed by the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre, a coordinated attack could be catastrophic for Australia's electricity markets. Such a targeted attack could result in what's called a 'black-start event', which is where power plants are incapable of restarting without reliance on an auxiliary power source like a generator or a battery. A black-start event could bring down an entire power grid for one week.

In light of the damning research, it is clear that at the moment we are on a path to establishing a network that is vulnerable to foreign attacks. Can you even imagine the chaos, Mr Deputy Speaker Vasta, which could ensue if the grid was essentially turned off for a week? At the very least, a review should be conducted into the national security implications of Labor's planned transition. I call on the government to follow the CRC recommendations and ensure that cybersecurity impact assessments be completed for all solar inverters being sold in Australia and that mandatory cybersecurity ratings be introduced for solar inverters.

We have previously enjoyed bipartisanship in stamping out foreign influence, and I hope that we can once again do so in this space. I call on the government to have the same courage as we did when we decided to exclude Huawei from Australia's 5G network.

Energy policy under this government has proven to be a complete mess. It's reflected in not just the record high prices following their promise to do the opposite and decrease prices by $275 a year or the increased possibility of blackouts or the added national security concerns but also this government's failure to continue on a credible transition plan. Last month Prime Minister Albanese made a great big announcement about the federal government investing $3 billion in Western Australia's power grid. He promised money to improve the power grid in Geraldton and surrounding Mid West, which is currently not fit for purpose. Only a few short hours later that promise was crab walked backwards. Honestly, the level of uncertainty in the Western Australian power grid in regional WA is off the charts. The hydrogen dream in the Mid West is over if we cannot sort out our grid in the Mid West. I fear that the Mid West community and new industrial users have been sold a complete pup by the Cook and the Albanese governments. If it wasn't so serious, it would be laughable.

I acknowledge that the transition to a lower-emissions economy is one that many Australians want. They are concerned about the long-term impacts emissions are having on the climate and the environment. However, let's not be confused by what they want. They don't want a rushed transition that results in higher prices, less reliability and a system that is vulnerable to foreign attacks. A review into the national security consequences of this transition would outline the need for a balanced mix of technologies to feed the grid. The balance should include gas and zero-emissions nuclear energy. Not only will this make the system more reliable; it will also make it less vulnerable to foreign attacks.

Monday 11 September 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:32): The live sheep trade is a key industry in my electorate of Durack and in Western Australia. The feedback that I'm receiving on the ground is that the government's decision to ban live sheep export is already having a catastrophic effect. I've heard firsthand that export markets are now having second thoughts on trading with Australian sheep producers due to the uncertainty caused by the Albanese government. But it isn't just those who are involved in the export trade who are suffering. Farmers who supply the domestic sheep market are also facing hardship due to the increased domestic supply. The price per head domestically has fallen so much that, for some, the cost of transporting lambs to a local abattoir has been more than the amount offered per head. This means farmers are being forced to put down their sheep just to bury them. As you can imagine, this is heartbreaking. As WoolProducers Australia president, Steve Harrison, said:

At a time when we could be clothing and feeding the world, here we are just throwing skins into the tip and shooting sheep.

I want to thank the groups that came to Canberra last week to advocate for the sheep industry and educate parliamentarians. Thanks to WAFarmers, WoolProducers Australia, Sheep Producers Australia, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia and the National Farmers Federation. I want to put on record that there were Labor members of this place who accepted the invitation to hear directly how their policy is hurting WA farmers. Shame on them for not showing up to the meeting!

Monday 11 September 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:21): Each year far too many Australians die on our roads. These Australians are just going about their lives, whether going to work or coming home to be with their families. In the 12 months that ended June 2023, 1,205 people died on Australian roads. That is an unacceptably high number and highlights the critical need for action to improve road safety across this country. Such an effort requires cooperation at the federal, state and local levels.

As the elected representative for the largest electorate in Australia, it would come as no surprise to those in the chamber that I am too often confronted with harrowing stories within my own electorate of Durack. This year alone, in Western Australia, we have seen 105 road fatalities. This matches the 105 road fatalities that occurred last year up to the same date. Fifty-four of the 105 road fatalities have occurred in regional Western Australia.

The Black Spot Road Safety Program is a longstanding program aimed at combating the risk of serious accidents. The program has been delivered continuously since the first year of the Howard government and delivers an ongoing commitment of approximately $110 million per annum. The program invests in projects that reduce the risk of accidents occurring, like constructing roundabouts at dangerous intersections or adding overtaking lanes in problem areas. By targeting these locations where crashes are occurring or are at risk of occurring, the program saves the community many times the cost of relatively minor road improvements. The results of this program are unquantifiable, but it has no doubt saved so many families from unnecessary heartache and pain.

Despite the success of the program, I am concerned that the current structure of its guidelines is not best suited to addressing the growing problem of road safety in regional WA, and it really does need some attention. Currently, nominations for blackspot locations are invited year round, but I believe there is too much reliance on local governments to make applications. It is noteworthy that locally controlled roads account for approximately 77 per cent of total road length in Australia, yet local governments only collect around 3.5 per cent of the total tax revenue raised by Australian governments. Fifty-two per cent of all road casualties and 40 per cent of all road deaths occur on locally controlled roads.

In my electorate, there are over 40 local government authorities. Some of these LGAs have only a few hundred people living within them; therefore, they simply do not have the rate base to support resources to develop detailed blackspot applications. Given that many road deaths occur in regional parts of the country, whereby local governments may not have the resources to make an application under the current system, I would ask the government to consider adjusting the guidelines in order to make it easier for such applications to be made.

Another area of concern I have with the current Black Spot Program is that the money being allocated to improve road safety is so far underspent. This year we've only seen the data released for Victoria and South Australia, but unfortunately we are seeing a pattern emerging. In Victoria, there was an underspend of $5.5 million, and in South Australia there was an underspend of $2.9 million—totally unacceptable. Now, we know the situation has not improved, as we are well off track to achieve the National Road Safety Strategy target of a 50 per cent reduction in road deaths by 2030. So again I stress that real attention needs to be given as to why the program is being undersubscribed and that consideration needs to be given to those regional areas.

Of course, it's not just the Black Spot Program that is designed to improve road safety. Many infrastructure projects are also at risk now as part of Labor's 90-day infrastructure review, which has now surpassed 130 days. So it appears that the transport minister not only isn't able to tell us how she made the decision to block Qatar Airways but also isn't telling us which important infrastructure projects, especially in my electorate of Durack, which are aimed at improving safety and productivity, are important enough to go ahead. Currently there is $180 million being held up by the current transport minister. So to the minister: get on with it. Make the decisions to make sure our roads are safe.

Tuesday 13 September 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:42): Every year my team and I attend various local community agricultural shows. So far this year, we've attended shows in Kununurra, Dowerin, Mullewa, Karratha, Port Hedland, York and Mingenew, and last weekend we were in the wonderful town of Northam. These events, as you can imagine, are the centrepiece of each town's calendar, and they provide a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together for a great day of festivities and to put their local produce on display. Whether it be the watermelon-eating contest in Kununurra—which I'm going to enter next year, mark my words—or the young farmers challenge in Northam last weekend, there are plenty of opportunities for all to get involved and to have a great time.

I'd like to commend the work of the grassroots organisations and the hundreds of volunteers who make these events happen so successfully. As a stallholder, it's a great opportunity for me to engage directly with my constituents as they wander the market grounds. I always enjoy these conversations. It's a great opportunity to hear what the most pressing issues for them are.

The consensus opinion I am sensing and hearing consistently at the moment is that regional Western Australia is feeling left behind and ignored by the Cook and Albanese governments. The Albanese government's failure to combat the cost-of-living crisis is having a very dire impact on many of these communities in my electorate. Actions like delaying pivotal infrastructure upgrades and phasing out live sheep exports send a clear message to our regions. (Time expired)

Wednesday 13 September 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (10:41): On Sunday, we observed World Suicide Prevention Day. This is a day in which we, as a global community, should reflect on the tragedy that is suicide. Each year, around 3,000 Australians choose to take their own lives. This equals around eight Australians per day. These numbers are more than just statistics; they are a representation that we all need to do more.

We are in particularly hard economic times in our country at the moment. As my friend the member for Lindsay pointed out during this debate, the release of the quarterly tracker by Suicide Prevention Australia highlighted that 56 per cent of Australian families are reporting unprecedented levels of cost-of-living distress. Suicide prevention organisations have noted a 77 per cent increase in demand for services over the past 12 months. For the vast majority of Australians, the prospect of taking our own lives is unthinkable. However, for far too many in our society, sadly, they believe that is their only option. We need to change that, and this day serves as a great reminder of the importance of reaching out, checking in, reducing stigma and encourage help-seeking.

Unfortunately, this issue affects my electorate more than most. People in rural Australia are twice as likely to take their own lives, as are Indigenous Australians. Living and working in the bush can be the most rewarding experience and amazing lifestyle; however, it also has its challenges. Our farmers are amongst the most hardworking people in our country, yet there is no guarantee that their hard work will translate into profits. Being presented with several failing harvests can take people down a dark path. Likewise, working FIFO can provide a better salary, but the additional time away from the family can strain relationships and decrease mental wellbeing. I can testify that my office has been confronted with some very difficult and confronting situations involving suicide during my 10 years as the member for Durack. Given this history and context, I was not surprised to read last month in the Geraldton Guardian that, according to a recent report by the Telethon Kids Institute, many of the nation's hotspots for youth suicide are sadly within my electorate. The Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Mid West all had areas listed as hotspots.

Earlier this year, I spoke in the House about two new headspace centres in my electorate that are aimed at tackling high rates of youth suicide. I want to take the chance to shout-out to the wonderful staff at headspace Karratha and the wonderful staff at headspace Hedland. Suicide is the leading cause of death for young Australians aged between 15 and 44. I'd like to acknowledge the work of all headspace centres, and others, in assisting vulnerable gay, lesbian and trans people, who, as a collective, have a suicide rate that is 10 times the national average.

The Telethon report also highlighted a correlation between high suicide rates per 100,000 and lower mental health support services. The development of local services in the regions, such as headspace centres, is one way that we can combat this reality. However, much more needs to be done. This finding further illustrates to me the benefit of restoring the 20 Medicare subsidised psychology sessions per year that were available under the coalition government's Better Access program. I am proud that reintroducing this scheme and lifting the number of sessions back up from 20 to 30 was one of the first promises we committed to taking to the next election.

While government, of course, plays its part, I agree with the theme of this year. This year's theme is that 'We all have a role to play' in preventing suicide. All of us in our own communities, families, workplaces and social circles can have a positive impact by looking out for one another and starting important conversations, no matter how hard those conversations might be.

Today I'm wearing a pin to mark Fly the Flag and to celebrate the work that groups like MATES are doing to improve mental health and prevent suicide. Last week I met with MATES national CEO, Chris Lockwood, to discuss the role of their organisation in preventing suicide amongst the construction and the mining workforce. Suicide rates within the construction industry are above the national average. MATES is seeking to combat this through their role of raising awareness, building stronger and more resilient workers, connecting workers to best support services and partnering with researchers to inform industry around best mental health practice.

Men account for 75 per cent of suicides in Australia. A large reason for this is the stigma that exists for blokes discussing how they are feeling. As the construction industry is a male-dominated field, I am pleased to hear that MATES is having a positive impact on blokes starting those important, but difficult, conversations. I also commend the work of the Regional Men's Health Initiative, which also does a lot of work in this space in my electorate through their Talk to a Mate!! campaign. I've been to many agricultural and community shows over the past couple of months, and the Regional Men's Health Initiative is there every single time. I just want to give a shout-out to them. They do amazing work.

These are just some of the many groups across the country that are committed to suicide prevention. The impact organisations such as these have, many of them being faith based, is immeasurable. I have no doubt their actions have saved many people from taking their own lives and saved families from experiencing unimaginable pain. Many of these organisations are charities which rely on funding from state and federal governments. I believe supporting grassroots movements such as these is a great use of public funds. I acknowledge that committing to reaching zero suicides is the goal of everyone in this building, regardless of party stripes.

Back to the message that we all have a role to play. All Australians can recognise that there are many vulnerable people out there who may, as we speak, be contemplating making that most tragic decision to take their own life. As a community and as a culture we need to do more to make sure that everybody feels welcome and supported enough to open up about how they are feeling before it is too late. We must take notice of the lessons learnt on days like World Suicide Prevention Day, the Fly the Flag days, and R U OK? Day, which we will observe tomorrow. It must be more than just marking the day and then moving on until it comes around the next year. All of us need to think about the necessary behaviours we should adopt all year round. As a community we need to wrap our arms around each other and our most vulnerable. Whether it be by starting a conversation or by letting someone know they are loved and they're worthy, we can all try to make a difference.

An important point to make today is that there are 10 million Australians who have been affected by suicide. These are the parents, the siblings, the partners, the children and the wider group of family and friends of someone who has taken their own life. Affected family members and friends go through a period of incredible grief . That, in itself, can last a lifetime. On top of this grief, many affected will possess feelings of guilt. They will wrestle with questions like, 'Did I do enough?' or 'How did I not see this coming?' To those Australians in particular, I would like to send a very clear message today: I understand your pain and want you to know that it's not your fault.

I want to end my contribution today by highlighting another service out there for those in need of help. If you'd like to have a chat with someone about how you're feeling today or tomorrow or the next day, please make use of the Lifeline number, 131114. They are a 24-hour crisis support service who can assist anyone through their darkest of times. Please don't feel ashamed to ask for help, as you are not alone in how you feel. In fact, someone calls Lifeline every 30 seconds.

Thank you to all the other previous speakers and those who are still to speak, and to all those across this great country who are working in volunteering for an even better Australia—an Australia without suicide.

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:45): If you needed evidence of this government's total lack of regard for regional Australia, you need look no further than their decision to end the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. The LRCI Program was an injection of hope for so many regional communities around Australia, when COVID threatened them with grinding to a halt. This coalition lifeline allowed local governments to commit to those shovel-ready projects that had been on their agenda for years but for which they simply didn't have the funds.

One excellent example of that is the Shire of Exmouth's decision to use LRCI funding to upgrade the town beach precinct. This precinct is now a much-loved, much-improved and wonderfully vibrant space that was a real drawcard during the recent eclipse experience.

There are over 40 LGAs in my electorate and, whenever I speak to them, they remind me of how much they appreciated the LRCI Program and how disappointed they are that this lack-of-heart government—that's the way that they put it—has determined to cancel the LRCI Program.

And guess what? The economic conditions are worse today, under this government, than they were during the time of the pandemic. Regional communities are literally on their knees. So it is time that this poor-performing minister got her head out of the sand and made a commitment to regional Australia. And she could start by making sure that we have, once again, the LRCI Program. (Time expired)

Monday 16 October 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (12:27): I rise today to raise my objection to the Albanese government's terrible decision to abandon the very successful Stronger Communities Program. This program was designed to deliver social benefits across Australia through funding of grassroots projects right across Australia. The program provided equal funding across each electorate, irrespective of the political affiliation of the local member. Each electorate had an available pool of $150,000 for local not-for-profit groups to apply for grants of between $2,500 and $20,000.

Since being established by the coalition in 2015, the program has helped fund over 15,000 local community based projects. This includes plenty of worthy projects in my electorate of Durack that were assisted by the program, from the Mid West through to the Kimberley. Projects in Durack included funding for groups like the Broome Basketball Association; the Derby Speedway Club, an excellent club; and an organisation called Feed the Little Children, which is based in Broome. Such groups, particularly in regional Australia, recognise these grants as an invaluable contribution to their work in supporting their local communities.

Since coming to government, we've seen that Minister King has failed to grasp the importance of this program. Round 8 of the program was left in limbo for nine long months but finally opened for applications in February of this year, with a closing date of 16 May. It is an indictment of the government that the minister could not deliver this program on time. Honestly, what are they doing, and what sort of show is she running? Applications closed almost a year after the election. Remember, this is a program the regional development department was very experienced in delivering. Multiple programs have been delivered since 2015, so they can't say it was some new, innovative program they had no experience in running. They have rolled out previous rounds before. What was going on?

We've seen Labor members, in this debate, talk about how wonderful the program is, and it's great to hear how they have appreciated the program. During the last sitting, the member for McEwen stood up and spoke of the 'powerful impact' that the Stronger Communities Program was having on community groups in his electorate. I'm so pleased to hear him say that. In his speech, he acknowledged how the program enabled local organisations to make a meaningful difference within the community. I'm glad that some members opposite—and I'm sure we'll hear from a few more members in this debate—appreciate the success of the program, but it is a real shame that they've not been able to have adequately argued for its continuation within the Labor Party party room. In the May budget, no money has been allocated for a 2023-24 round, and no money has been allocated for a 2024-25 round. This is a disgrace, and it's a real letdown for so many community groups right across Australia because it seems that the Labor leadership has little interest in supporting community organisations.

Unfortunately, there is now no small-scale grant program that offers Commonwealth assistance to grassroots organisations. This is shameful. I appreciate that we are living through a cost-of-living crisis and acknowledge the need for spending restraint during the inflationary environment that we are in, but it is important to note that the minimal cost of this very successful program—just $22.7 million—was allocated for round 8 of the program. I, for one, believe that the $365 million that was allocated by this government to hold the referendum on Saturday could have been used much more effectively. The same amount of money could have funded another 16 rounds of the same scale—supporting many worthy thousands of local clubs and groups. Without the ability to access Commonwealth grants, many community organisations—including sporting groups—will have no option but to increase fees to parents and children to participate in sports. Given we're living through a crisis with respect to the cost of living, that's the last thing parents need at the moment.

It is important to understand that this is not the only initiative being scrapped by this government. In fact, this is just one of the many successful programs abandoned by the Labor government. In their first budget, Labor cut more than $10 billion in regional and community programs. They abolished the Community Development Grants Program, the Energy Security and Regional Development Plan, the Regional Accelerator Program, the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and the Building Better Regions Fund. This so-called 90-day roads infrastructure review is nowhere to be seen. (Time expired)

Monday 16 October 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (11:10): I'm very pleased to rise today to second the motion from the member for Hughes because I'm deeply concerned about the stability of our electricity system under this government. On this side of the House we recognise you cannot have a strong and successful economy without a reliable energy system. Given the importance of the grid, the Australian Energy Markets Operator's dire warnings of blackouts this summer and beyond should concern everyone in this place. This warning should be enough to get those opposite to reflect on their ideological positions. The Labor Party took to the last election a nonsensical promise to convert our electricity market from a place of around 30 to 35 renewable energy to 82 per cent by 2030, which is only seven years away. I call it a nonsense promise because there was no road map then, nor indeed is there today, as to how we will get there. The Albanese government are determined to remove base load power such as coal and gas from the system and replace it with solar, wind and other renewable sources. The Minister for Climate Change and Energy repeatedly claims he's leading an economic transformation bigger than the industrial revolution, yet Labor have refused to have Treasury complete any modelling on its energy plan.

Australians are already paying some of the most expensive energy bills in the world under this government. This is despite their pre-election promise to lower electricity bills by $275. Yet it is clear Australians are paying more for the privilege of increased risks of blackouts. I understand that Labor choose to ignore questions surrounding detail, but surely the prospects of blackouts are enough to get this government to acknowledge it is putting us on an incredibly reckless path. How can this government possibly proceed with closing our base load power stations, and what is the solution—to install 22,000 solar panels a day and 40 giant wind turbines a month, attaching them to transmission lines that don't yet exist? They also pay lip service to renewable energy projects up and down the coast of Western Australia, many of them proposed to be in my electorate of Durack. However, what they don't tell you is that this energy is probably not going to be returned to the grid, lowering prices and making sure we have a reliable energy source, but rather used to create ammonia for export. I ask: is this a hydrogen revolution, or is it simply a hoax? We're told this rushed transition to renewables is needed to avert the worst climate scenarios, including significant increases to climate related deaths. Let me tell you: in Durack what saves lives are very good air conditioners. Air conditioners save older Australians, especially in my part of the world, where they have incredibly hot summers, but they're no good in a blackout. As we head towards summer, let's hope WA Premier Cook doesn't need to get coal from Newcastle, like he had to do last summer, to make sure we kept the lights on and we kept the air conditioners on in what was another hot summer in Durack.

Another nonsensical element of this transition is we are consistently told weather patterns will become harder to predict, yet this government plans to make our grid significantly more reliant on the weather. On this side of the House we understand renewables are of course an important part of the mix. In fact during our time in government we were able to boost the share of renewables in the system whilst keeping energy prices low. We led the world in rooftop solar, with in one in four households taking it up. But by going all in on renewables you are setting the grid up for failure. A successfully functioning electricity grid does not exist without base load power. The climate wars are over, but the energy wars have begun. The only way Australians are going to secure victory in this battle is if Labor move past their radical positions on energy. What is needed is an-all-of-the-above approach to this energy transition, not ministers like Chris Bowen picking and choosing which technology they like best and banning all the rest. We need all technologies—

Honourable members interjecting—

Ms PRICE: I'm getting there, don't you worry, thank you very much—including zero emissions, next generation nuclear energy. I'm not ashamed to say it, because it is a solution we all need to be discussing.

We also need to recognise that gas still has an important role to play and will continue to do so for decades. Not only does the gas industry, particularly in my state of WA, employ thousands and provide a reliable source of baseload power; it is also helping reduce emissions as countries shift away from coal.

Monday 16 October 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (10:42): I will continue to raise the catastrophic actions of this government which are threatening so many of our proud Western Australian farmers. Of course, I'm referring to the ideological crusade against the live sheep export industry by those opposite.

The Labor Party's determination to ban live sheep exports has nothing to do with animal welfare and everything to do with inner-city perception and the Labor Party's efforts to keep seats away from the Greens party. The reality is that Australia's live sheep export trade leads the world in both quality and animal welfare standards. It is often said that a sheep is more likely to die on any given day on a farm rather than on a ship. The mortality rate in transit is just 0.15 per cent. But this government does not acknowledge that fact, nor the reality that overseas markets will immediately turn to others where animal welfare is not a priority.

Today I want to express the heartache that I've been hearing from thousands of farmers across Western Australia who are united in their opposition to this proposed ban. To cite just one example, Jake, a York farmer, has explained to me that he is worried about the future of his farm and indeed the future of our regional towns in Western Australia. Jake told me that, while for some farmers live export may not even represent a majority of their income, live export can be the difference between surviving and going under. Two years ago, he was able to sell his merino wethers at $140 per head. Today that price is down to just $50 per head. That's staggering enough without even acknowledging the current cost-of-living crisis. With income down, the input costs, from fuel to electricity to equipment, are all trending upwards under this government.

So I ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry: how is this sustainable? How long does this government expect our farmers to stay afloat if their cries for reprieve are ignored? And if the farmers can't afford to keep going, what then for our regional towns? You see, it's the whole sheep industry that is now impacted, not just the live export trade. Labor have been crystal clear that they don't care about the hardship that WA farmers are experiencing. We saw this through their so-called consultation process whereby they sent out representatives to the regions but the fundamental question of whether a phase-out was actually viable was not up for discussion.

We know that it's not just WA farmers who are now suffering. With the domestic market price collapsing in part due to overseas markets losing confidence and the consequential growth in domestic stock, sheep producers over in eastern states are hurting too. Western Australians understand only too well that this government does not listen to us. However, I hope with the impact on other states now that these consequences are reaching close to the Prime Minister, because this will now be starting to impact people on the east coast. If you won't take Western Australia seriously, please take the rest of the country seriously. I'll continue to fight for WA farmers. (Time expired)

Wednesday 18 October 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:02): The day of 7 October 2023 will be forever remembered as one of the darkest days in Jewish and Israeli history. Not since the Holocaust have so many Jewish lives been lost in one single day, with the Israeli death toll from the attack now above 1,400 people.

The shocking nature of this attack cannot be overstated or ignored. Hamas terrorists crossed the border into Israel and indiscriminately targeted civilians, not military targets. Entire families were executed as hit squads went door to door, killing everyone inside, from infants to the elderly. At the Nova music festival, 260 people were slain. These were young Israelis trying to enjoy their youth. They were simply at a music festival, just enjoying themselves, but they were murdered for the 'crime' of being Israeli and Jewish. Along with the many slain, raped and injured, hundreds of Israeli citizens were taken hostage and forced into the Gaza Strip. These are blatant terrorist acts and war crimes. Such crimes cannot be defended or explained away. The comparisons to ISIS by members across the chamber and by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are completely fair and self-evident. Like ISIS, Hamas has entertained the idea of executing these hostages on camera.

I acknowledge that now is a very difficult time for the Australian Jewish community, many of whom have links to those who have been targeted in Israel. This pain has only been exacerbated by the shameful events that occurred on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, where we heard chants of 'gas the Jews'. To think that, in Australia, in the year of 2023, we have people calling for another Holocaust is simply unfathomable.

I endorse the Leader of the Opposition's call for the visas of noncitizens who engaged in such hateful rhetoric to be cancelled and for those noncitizens to be deported. There is no place in Australia for terrorist apologists or antisemitism. I also acknowledge the government's actions to help those Australians in Israel. My office was contacted by a group from Geraldton who were visiting Israel at the time, who were looking for a way home. I'm very pleased to have offered my assistance, and I'm grateful that they're among the many Australians who have now been able to arrive home safely. But theirs was an incredibly frightening situation. They experienced cancelled flights, great uncertainty about their own safety and sleepless nights before they eventually flew home to their loved ones in Western Australia.

My thoughts also go out to the many innocent Palestinian civilians across the Gaza Strip and to their Australian families and friends. Thousands of Palestinians have died, including many children, since the attack. Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people and certainly does not have their best interests in mind. Palestinians' hopes for their own state have only been delayed by the violent and hateful actions of Hamas. Hamas must have known that unleashing such terror on Israeli citizens would result in a significant and necessary retaliation. I urge the protection of civilians to be considered in every action, acknowledging that while Hamas targets Israeli citizens they are also using innocent Palestinian civilians as human shields.

On Monday I was proud to stand with members across this House in supporting the Prime Minister's motion that condemned these horrific actions, recognised Israel's right to self-defence and called out both antisemitism and Islamophobia. The motion received widespread support, as it should have, except from the Greens political party. Honestly, how could the Greens, the party of microaggressions and hypersensitivity, the party who preaches to be the ultimate supporter of women's and gay rights, have failed to recognise what Hamas is?

In the aftermath of the unprovoked attack, I'm pleased that Parliament House, along with the opera house, was lit up in the colours of Israel as a mark of solidarity. Unbelievably, the response by Greens senator Faruqi, labelling this act as one colonial government supporting another, needs to be condemned. The Greens should be ashamed of themselves.

There is no moral equivalency between Hamas and Israel. Hamas are committed to the complete destruction of Israel and the annihilation of the Jewish people. Hamas has proven that it is an existential threat to Israel. Not only does Israel have a right to self-defence; it has an obligation to the living, to the fallen and to its own people who are still being held hostage. They have an obligation to root out the evil perpetrators that are Hamas.

I understand that the situation is evolving and that action from Hezbollah and Iran is currently being contemplated. Such involvement could turn the conflict in the Gaza Strip into a war that covers much of the Middle East. Israel's right to self-defence will extend to any escalation that is brought on by these other agents of terror. However, I sincerely hope that cooler heads prevail and that such a catastrophic sequence of events is avoided. I'm sure everyone in the House feels the same way.

Israel is the world's only Jewish state and is the home of a strong and resilient people who have consistently suffered the most callous and savage attacks throughout history, from exile to the Holocaust and now Hamas terrorism. This is a pivotal moment for the world, and it is important that we let the world know exactly where Australia stands. We stand with Israel. We stand with its people.

Wednesday 18 October 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:40): On Saturday, the Prime Minister's proposition for an untried voice to be inserted into the Constitution was rejected in every state of our nation. The result could not have been more conclusive. According to the current count, 63.8 per cent of my home state of WA voted no, as did 72 per cent of my electorate of Durack. Whilst we thank sincerely all the volunteers and acknowledge how lucky we are to have free and fair referendums in this country, there's no escaping that most Australians believe this was a complete waste of time and money. The referendum cost taxpayers $450 million during the most extreme cost-of-living crisis in decades, a referendum that delivered nothing except division.

But it didn't have to be this way. The Prime Minister continuously dismissed practical concerns and questions and instead went all in on the vibe of the Voice. He refused to hold a constitutional convention and chose not to strike a compromise that could have succeeded. To lose in such a landslide is an indictment on his leadership. I think it's clear he has lost some standing within his own party. Indeed, by the looks of the faces sitting opposite me over the last few days, I think it's more than just a little bit of standing. This week we have seen the government's support for Israel be undermined by his own caucus. Not only has he let down the activist wing of his party but he has also let down our Indigenous Australians.

Some from the 'yes' campaign have proclaimed this result a rejection of the Indigenous community. Frankly, that could not be farther from the truth. 'Yes' and 'no' voters alike have expressed that the status quo is not acceptable and that they want us to support our most marginalised. In fact, I would argue that there has never been more focus on Indigenous advantage in this country. To do so, I argue that we must begin by being honest about the problems that exist. This means not being afraid to challenge the politically correct climate and focusing on the programs that we know work and are desperately needed—programs to address the big issues of getting more kids to school, making the home a safe place, stopping kids from having kids and helping parents to have skills and a job. It's common sense that the biggest threat to the success of the next generation isn't what happened decades ago or centuries ago but what is happening today. Yet Labor are standing in the way of practical solutions.

Yesterday, in the other place, Labor and the Greens voted against a motion calling for a royal commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities. Such an inquiry would practically address the disgraceful abuse being inflicted today. Protecting children from harm should be our No. 1 priority in this place, even if it highlights an ugly reality. Quite frankly, we've just got to be brave enough, and we're not. The motion also called for an inquiry into the current billions of dollars of expenditure in this space. An audit would be a good step in acknowledging the waste, mismanagement and perhaps fraud that have occurred in this space and distinguish the worthiest programs.

Our forward-looking strategy should consist, firstly, of income management for welfare recipients in our most vulnerable communities, like the cashless debit card. This would get more food on the dinner table and less alcohol abuse in the household. We also need to acknowledge the scourge of domestic violence. Between 2015 and 2019, an Indigenous female was 7.6 times more likely to die by homicide than a non-Indigenous female.

Yet we know far more attention is paid when the victim is a middle-class white woman in the suburbs, rather than an Indigenous woman in regional Australia. Frankly, this is shameful, and we need to really address these issues. Why are we discriminating against Aboriginal women? Honestly, it breaks my heart when I think about the women in my electorate—that nobody thinks that what happens to them is important. But, likewise, we should be investing in education and youth diversion programs that seek to increase school attendance and healthy relationships between Indigenous kids and their community.

I want to mention two wonderful women I met last night from my electorate, Sarka and Keda, who are participants in this year's National Rural Women's Coalition Leadership and Advocacy Muster. Thank you for your leadership and thank you for standing up, putting your head above the parapet and trying to find solutions for our Australian Aboriginals.

Thursday 19 October 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (15:51): If we can take any positives out of the referendum process, it would be that it has resulted in a greater level of attention and understanding of the gaps that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Most Australians, regardless of how they voted on Saturday, want to see those gaps closed and for the next generation of kids not to suffer from disadvantage.

I acknowledge the injustices of the past. Indigenous Australians have suffered terrible abuses at the hands of governments throughout our history. However, we must accept that, as a parliament, we cannot change the past or the actions of those in past decades or centuries. I believe it's common sense for us to go forward; we must seek to improve today's conditions and outcomes. To improve outcomes, we must tackle the issues that are responsible for today's disadvantage.

I can tell you, as the member who represents the second-largest population of Indigenous Australians, that, sadly, Indigenous children are at risk of child sexual abuse. This is an evil that has a lifelong effect on victims and leads to worse outcomes. This was demonstrated through the hundreds of powerful submissions from the victims to the recent Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. As a government and a parliament, we apologise for the lack of action that enabled this abuse to take place. Let's not fail our most vulnerable again. Victims will tell you that much better than an apology would have been governments taking action to prevent the abuse in the first place.

Child sexual abuse is not inherently about race. It occurs in all types of Australian families. My own experience has demonstrated that it has much to do with alcohol and drug abuse. Unfortunately, these factors are particularly rampant in regional and remote Indigenous communities. I think people in remote and rural Australia know exactly what I'm talking about. We understand that the issues of child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities are not being adequately combated.

I'm sad to say that such abuse has taken place and continues to take place across my own electorate of Durack. Just a few short years ago, it was reported that there were dozens of child victims in the small town of Roebourne. Now, Roebourne is not far from Karratha in the very wealthy Pilbara region. The then WA Labor Minister for Child Protection conceded that abuse had become normalised through an intergenerational cycle. It is just unthinkable that such high levels of child abuse could ever have been thought of as just being normal.

Those opposite argued passionately for a voice. A royal commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities will give these kids just that. It would allow their stories to be told and enable solutions to be found. I believe it's high time to bring this issue into the light—not hidden like some dark worst-best-kept secret. How can we possibly expect to address disadvantage without confronting this head on? So many of the gaps exist because many Indigenous kids are not growing up in a safe and healthy environment. Again, it's just common sense that action on child sexual abuse would also address issues of suicide, youth justice and substance abuse later in life.

I think we'd all agree it's not normal for children to be abused. Neither is it normal for them to take their own lives or to stay out late at night because they are too afraid to go home, believing that it's safer on the streets. Sadly, and I know that I speak for others who have large Indigenous populations, we know that tonight there will be kids on the street because it's a much safer place to be. We need to use this moment right now. I appreciate that people on the other side are arguing that we need this time to reset and pause, but I think there is nothing like the present for us to focus on this issue, and it is my belief that a royal commission could be the catalyst for such change.

I remind those opposite that the first duty of any government is the protection of its people. This obligation is especially true in reference to our most vulnerable and innocent. The innocence of children must be protected. I urge the Prime Minister and the Labor Party to reconsider their decision to reject our calls for a royal commission. Please, let's make our kids a priority.

Wednesday 15 November 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:54): The 2023 Monash University Youth Barometer survey highlights the difficulties that our youth are facing. Nine in 10 surveyed experienced financial difficulty over the past 12 months, and 61 per cent believed they will be financially worse off than their parents.

You shouldn't have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to be able to get ahead in this country—I know how hard it can be, as someone who lived in regional Australia and left school at the age of 15—yet, the Australian dream of homeownership is literally slipping away. Just 41 per cent of young Australians believe that they will be able to purchase a property in the future, and it's only getting harder under Labor. Their reckless immigration policies mean that Australia's population is growing at the highest rate in 70 years. They are driving the rental crisis, with vacancies hitting a record low of just 1.02 per cent in October and the cost of housing increasing by 10.4 per cent in the past 15 months.

The Liberal Party has always believed in supporting young people to get ahead and to purchase their own home. Labor cannot continue to take the youth vote for granted, while, at the same time, pushing up rents and destroying the Australian dream for so many young Australians.

Monday 27 November 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (11:47): I'm very pleased to support this motion regarding the cost of living, because it is simply acknowledging reality. It is a truth that those opposite hate to admit and struggle to explain to their constituents that it has not been easy under Prime Minister Albanese. Since Labor was elected the cost of living has increased dramatically. In just 15 short months food and grocery prices are up by 8.2 per cent, housing prices have increased by 10.4 per cent, insurance is up by 17.3 per cent, electricity is up by 18.2 per cent and gas is up by a whopping 28 per cent. And we know that millions of Australians have been hit hard by the 12 interest rate rises that have occurred under this government. With interest rates rising to their highest level since 2011, families with a mortgage of $750,000 are now paying an extra $24,000 per year on repayments. The rising cost pressures are being felt right across the country and are often just too hard to juggle, particularly when we consider that real wages for a working family have fallen by five per cent in the last 12 months.

Incredibly, there are now more Australians relying on hardship programs than there were during the peak of the pandemic. We've had wonderful charities like Foodbank WA confirm that they are now assisting dual-income households, a demographic they could never have expected to be supporting. It's hard to believe that in the lucky country that we call Australia, that we call home, there are mums and dads who are both working, both earning an income, yet unable to put food on the table for their family. This is heartbreaking for proud Australian parents.

Despite the rising cost of living repeatedly being highlighted as the No. 1 concern amongst everyday Australians, the Prime Minister has not developed a serious plan to address the crisis that this government is largely responsible for. Last week we had the governor of the Reserve Bank confirm that Australia's world-leading inflation is being driven by domestic factors. This was no shock, considering that, since coming to government, Labor has added $188 billion in spending, only making inflation worse, and that's just one example.

The government has chosen to bring in a staggering record number of migrants, meaning Australia's population is growing at its highest rate in 70 years, with this government intending to bring in some 1.5 million people over the next five years. There's just one problem: where are they all going to live? This is such recklessness. Is it any wonder we are seeing record low rental vacancy rates? Renters are now experiencing the highest increases in rent since 2009, and the dream of home ownership is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine, with the CEO of ANZ recently warning that home loans are becoming only for the rich.

Then there is their reckless energy policy, which has set a target of 82 per cent renewables by 2030, rising rapidly from the current mark of 30 to 35 per cent. Of course, this transition is not free and is driving up the price of electricity, which is a key driver of inflation. This is just another broken promise. Before the election we were told time and time again that, under Labor, Australians would save $275 a year on electricity. Instead—well, we all know what's happening—they are now paying well above what they were paying before the last election.

But, instead of being focused on bringing down the cost of living, the Albanese government has spent all its time and energy elsewhere. At the same time they are trying to avert blame, saying that this has nothing to do with them and that it is all being driven by global factors. If that's the case, then why is our inflation higher than that of most developed countries?

Before the election, the Prime Minister promised to make tackling the cost of living a priority. Since then, he's not developed a plan to curb inflation and has been focusing on the wrong priorities. This is a real crisis, and we need our Prime Minister to focus on what's important for everyday Australians. So I call on the Prime Minister and the Treasurer to do their jobs and come up with a real plan to combat the cost of living, because every day they refuse to address this crisis Australians are hurting, and Australians deserve so much better.

Tuesday 28 November 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:32): Last week marked 18 months since the Labor Party was elected on the slogan of 'a better future'. Australians were told that, under the leadership of Anthony Albanese, they could expect a $275 reduction in power bills, cheaper mortgages and that families would be better off. He said life would be cheaper. But, as we know, since that time Australians have overwhelmingly been going backwards. Instead of saving that $275 a year that they were promised off their power bills, the cost of electricity has increased by 18 per cent, and the cost of gas has increased by a whopping 28 per cent. We've seen 12 interest rate rises, significantly raising mortgage repayments for Australian families and contributing to the highest rent increases since 2009. We saw in the Australian newspaper today that 50 per cent of Australians polled consider themselves worse off under Labor than they were two years ago. Across every age group, the feedback was the same: more people are struggling.

Sadly, the Australian dream of homeownership is slipping away. Millions of Aussies are battling increased mortgage repayments and those higher rents, while at the same time dealing with the higher cost of everyday necessities such as food, electricity and insurance. Yet addressing these concerns has not been the government's priority. The Prime Minister has spent months focused on the Voice to Parliament rather than addressing the rising cost of living. And for what? The proposal was rejected comprehensively in every state and territory, apart from the ACT, and has delivered nothing but division.

But it wasn't just on the economy that Labor made grand promises before the election in May 2022; they also promised to maintain Australia's national security and strong border protection policies. They told the Australian people, 'You can trust us.' The chaotic release of hundreds of criminal detainees is just the latest example of the Prime Minister's feeble leadership. On the Monday of the last sitting period, after the High Court made its ruling, releasing murderers, child rapists and perpetrators of domestic violence from detention, those opposite assured everyone in Australia that no legislation was needed to keep Australians safe. We then found out that detainees in Perth were simply left alone at a Willetton motel with no supervision or security. They were free to roam and come and go as they pleased. In what world is that taking the safety of Western Australians seriously? The Prime Minister then left the country, and the mess was left to be cleaned up by the hapless responsible ministers. Even with coalition amendments to the legislation the government introduced, there were still gaps that needed to be closed. We should never have got to this point. Labor should have had legislation ready to go instead of making policy on the run. As has been reported, Labor has already lost one of the released detainees.

For months now, we've had the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs coming into this place constantly criticising the Leader of the Opposition for his time in his various ministerial roles. Seriously? I mean, seriously? They are not in opposition anymore. Have you not noticed you are now in government? You need to get on with the job. This is a serious job you've got. You need to move on from opposition to being in government. This is serious business that you've got. You should stop obsessing about our record and start focusing on good policy to keep Australians safe. That is your job. That's what you're paid to do. That's what Australians expect you to do. Of course, this applies to our Prime Minister as well. The Prime Minister needs to stop worrying about getting more evidence in his dirt unit, focusing on us. What he needs to do is think about the priorities. Australians need him to focus on keeping us safe. Australians want him to reduce the cost of living. We have families where mum and dad are both working and they cannot put food on the table for their families. This must be heartbreaking for these families, so we need a government to take the Australian people's needs seriously. Stop worrying about us; you are now in government. The Australian people said to you in May 2022, 'You're in charge now,' so it's time you took that responsibility seriously.

Wednesday 29 November 2023

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:37): On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, I present the committee's report, incorporating dissenting reports, entitled Inquiry into the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Australia.

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).

Ms PRICE: by leave—I'd like to begin by thanking the other committee members and particularly the secretariat—who have joined us here today in the chamber—of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs for all of their hard work in organising hearings and the publication of the inquiry report. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made a submission to the inquiry, which was a substantial number of individuals and organisations.

There were six recommendations outlined in the main report. My coalition committee colleagues and I have submitted a dissenting report. Our first recommendation is that the articles of UNDRIP should be considered when the government is developing legislation and policy on matters related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A policy approach to implementing the UNDRIP remains our preference.

Our second recommendation is that the government consult with established bodies regarding the application and reporting against the UNDRIP, such as through the Closing the Gap reporting process to parliament.

Our final recommendation is to support recommendation 5, which is contained in the main report, to enhance awareness of Australia's human rights framework, Australian history and general civics. The coalition members believe that increased awareness and education regarding the human right covenants that Australia has endorsed will lead to greater appreciation, compliance and reporting. Importantly, educational efforts surrounding the settlement of Australia should include a factually accurate and balanced telling of history. This should detail past injustices, existing gaps, the progress Australia has made and an acknowledgement of Australia's development into one of the most egalitarian countries in the world.

The coalition members do not recommend the development of a national action plan as called for in the main report. During the inquiry, the committee heard of different approaches taken by signatory nations, and we do not agree that there was a demonstrated benefit to developing a formal structural and regulatory national action plan. As noted in the dissenting report, the principles contained in UNDRIP are already found across many initiatives and programs, and there are existing mechanisms that allow for the UN to assess, monitor, promote and report on Australia's implementation of UNDRIP principles. As the coalition members do not support the development of a national action plan, we do not, therefore, agree with the committee's recommendations 2 and 3.

Recommendation 4 of the main report calls on the government to pursue truth and treaty as outlined in the Uluru statement. Given the Voice referendum result, the coalition members' view is that this recommendation would not be supported by the Australian public. It is worth noting that the Albanese government appear to be reluctant to outline their ongoing commitment to the truth and treaty elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The committee also recommended amending the definition of 'human rights' in the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 to include the UNDRIP so that the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights must formally consider it when scrutinising legislation. The current definition is already inclusive of seven other international conventions. These rights and freedoms are, of course, relevant to all Australians. We also heard that the PJCHR already have the capacity to determine when the UNDRIP is relevant, and it is considered accordingly. The coalition members believe the status quo is acceptable.

While coalition members were unable to agree to the set of recommendations contained in the main report, I look forward to working with committee members across the parliament as we move on to other matters. I know I speak for my coalition colleagues when I say that we are committed to working in good faith to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians.

I would like to close by paying tribute to a fellow Western Australian, the chair, Senator Patrick Dodson. I would like to say thanks to Pat for his service to our state of Western Australia, to Australia more broadly and to the Indigenous community. I have no doubt that our paths will cross in his beloved Kimberley. Thank you. I move:

That the House take note of the report.

Tuesday 6 February 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:12): It's great to be back, but I think we can all safely say that we've enjoyed the welcome break, in being able to spend more time in our electorates and be reminded of the good-natured character of so many Australians. We know that, with the rising cost of living, this Christmas wasn't easy for a lot of Australian families, but we also know that there are a lot of people out there who are doing their bit to assist fellow Australians, and they do it gladly. Today I want to pay tribute to a handful of people who are doing their bit to help their fellow Australians.

I'll firstly give a shout-out to May and the team at Geraldton headspace, who I recently had the pleasure of catching up with. We all know that youth in the regions are particularly at risk of suffering poor mental health, so this makes it all the more important that they have someone to talk to about their mental health challenges. I had the pleasure of officially opening Geraldton headspace back in 2016, and I'm so thrilled that it has gone from strength to strength. Headspace is a terrific service for our young people, and I've been pleased to see that in the last 12 months we've created three new headspaces in Durack.

I was also lucky to join in the Gingin shire Australia Day celebrations, where we celebrated some wonderful local leaders with the community citizen awards and we also welcomed two new citizens, Georgia and Yi-Wen. All of my colleagues know that one of the absolute favourite things we do is to join people in our electorates at citizenship ceremonies, so it was a thrill to join with the Gingin shire community. Special mention goes to Sylvia Kelly, who I also caught up with at the Gingin event. She is a local legend who's involved with what's called the Gingin Care Group. Among other services, they provide transport to locals for medical appointments in the city. This is such an important service for our locals, particularly our elderly members of the community, who otherwise, I believe, would struggle to get to the city for their medical appointments. Well done to Sylvia and her wonderful caring group of volunteers!

I'd also like to pay tribute to the Morangup Progress Association, the Shire of Toodyay and advocates like Frank Vinton, a local student, for bringing the newly renovated half basketball court to life. This local project was supported by the fantastic Stronger Communities Program, which we know was a great program that supported local organisations to develop beautiful, wonderful projects that were so important to the community. It was fantastic to open the court and to shoot some hoops with everyone else. We all had a good time. I was a bit rusty, but I think we all had a good time nonetheless. This is a great example of a local community coming together and making sure that a local project happened. I give a particular shout-out to all our first responders. Many of you are volunteers. We've all had a tough summer. Thank you so much. We are very grateful to all of you.

Monday 12 February 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:20): I rise to speak on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Tax Cuts) Bill 2024. Before the last election, Labor made several promises to the Australian people. They promised that life would be cheaper under Labor and that Australians would be better off. Instead, Australians are battling the highest inflation in decades and a cost-of-living crisis. Australians were told that they would enjoy cheaper mortgages. Instead, we've seen 12 interest rate rises since Labor took office. A family with a mortgage of $750,000 now has to fork out over $24,000 extra per year in repayments. This is not sustainable. Australians were told over and over that they would benefit from a $275 reduction in their power bills, but we all know that the opposite has occurred.

Sadly, some Australians are having to decide between putting meals on the table for their family and turning on their heater or air conditioner at the moment. Voters were told there would be no changes to super, yet we know what's coming in the next couple of weeks: Labor's plan to introduce several changes. This will undoubtably capture those self-funded retirees and farmers within my electorate of Durack. And then we get to the stage 3 tax cuts. Labor committed to the legislated cuts at not only the 2022 election but also the 2019 election. On over 100 occasions, they promised to deliver the stage 3 cuts. It's worth repeating here what the Prime Minister said about this promise:

People have a right to believe … that when a politician makes a commitment before an election, they keep it …

He proudly declared, 'My word is my bond.' What a joke. Well, I asked the House: when you break promise after promise on the cost of living, mortgages, energy, super, tax and trust, what sort of bond is that? I say it's a very slimy one.

I agree with those opposite that the government has developed a record that it can take to the next election. The problem for those opposite is that this is a comprehensive record of failure and broken promises. It's certainly not a record to be proud of. You have to ask yourself: why would the Australian people have any faith in this government or believe a word that this Prime Minister says? Understandably, they will be wondering what promises this government is going to make next.

I would like to speak on behalf of the 1.8 million taxpayers who are worse off because of this latest broken promise. You see, this is effectively a tax increase for those forgotten 1.8 million Australians, compared to what they were otherwise going to receive. We've heard from members across the chamber and from commentators in the media that these Australians don't deserve to receive the legislated stage 3 tax cuts—remember, it is law—and that's because, you see, these people are very rich. That's why they don't deserve it. Why should we allow them to keep more of their own money? The reality is that most of these people are not rich at all. I can tell you that, in my electorate of Durack, there are a lot of people who will be disadvantaged by this broken promise and who will be paying more tax than what was promised. They will pay more tax than what was in the law of this land. For instance, many of those in the Pilbara and the Kimberley who are hardworking people in the mining and resources sector might be earning more than $150,000 a year, but, let me tell you, they are not living a life of luxury. They are not rich people. It is incredibly expensive to live in towns like Broome, Karratha and Port Hedland, and they too are suffering from this current cost-of-living crisis. They too have to deal with higher mortgages, higher rent, higher food prices and higher fuel prices. And, because they're in the north, of course they're also dealing with higher insurance premiums.

Many would have understood that these tax cuts were coming. They would have understood that this was the law of the land, so therefore they could rely upon the fact that they were going to get these tax cuts from 1 July. They would have taken notice of the Prime Minister promising them, on many occasions, that he would not deal with the existing law. They would no doubt have started to take account of the fact that they were going to, after that first pay packet in the next financial year, have more money in their pocket, as we promised them. They were starting to account for the fact that they might be able to perhaps afford a little luxury or even just be satisfied that they could pay the mortgage from now on.

I believe we were right to legislate, together with those sitting opposite, to get rid of that 37 per cent tax bracket, as it meant you weren't punishing people for working that extra shift or for working FIFO, which many people who work in my electorate do—away from their family, making sacrifices to get ahead and help their family to get ahead. For many, they are helping to create the wealth of this nation—helping to pay for the lifestyle of the Australians who live in the city. These are the people that I represent, and they are very angry. Also, it's not just the 1.8 million Australians who will be worse off; due to the inevitable bracket creep, this number will increase to four million Australians by the end of the medium term. This bracket creep will account for a $28 billion tax grab by this big-spending government—more money in their reserves, definitely not more money in the hands of Australians.

But what's really rich is for those opposite to pretend that they're serious about tackling the cost of living. They have been responsible for not addressing the root cause of inflation—namely, their bad policy. Their energy, immigration and big-spending policies have all contributed to higher prices and higher inflation. They've left all the heavy lifting to the RBA, and we know that this has led to more interest rate rises and more pain for hardworking Australian mortgage holders. They have failed, since coming to office, to provide any real support. On their watch, in just 18 months food has risen by nine per cent, housing has gone up by more than 12 per cent—that's if you can get it, by the way—electricity has gone up by more than 23 per cent and gas has gone up by some 29 per cent. On this government's watch, the purchasing power of an Australian earning a salary of $85,000 has fallen by more than $7,600. Every dollar they earn is worth less under the Albanese government.

So I say to the Prime Minister and the Treasurer: don't pretend you can draft a piece of legislation and just slap the words 'cost of living' into the title and proclaim that you are making a real difference to the lives of the Australians that we desperately need to support. Don't pretend that an extra 15 bucks a week is going to make everything okay, because I know it's not going to. You may be able to rest easy at night, but I surely cannot. We all know that these tax changes are just a means to try and shift the focus from their dreadful record.

This government has had the wrong priorities from day one. It has done nothing to address the cost of living and has made Australia weaker. But I think Australians have woken up to the failures of this government. Those opposite understood the direction the polling was heading in, and they've tried to turn this around—just in time for the Dunkley by-election. How convenient, I say! Australians won't forget their failure to address the cost of living and can't be bought off.

I'm proud to say that the Liberal Party has always been the party of lower taxes. We unashamedly believe that Australians should keep more of their hard-earned money, whether they're earning $30,000 or $170,000. We don't just talk about it; we believe it, and we have delivered it time and time again. In government, we delivered the stage 1 and stage 2 tax cuts, which were targeted towards low- and middle-income earners. We also installed the low- and middle-income tax offset that delivered real relief for Australian families and has been sorely missed under this government. The introduction of the stage 3 tax cuts was to complete the package. We had stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3; that's how it was to work.

Now, while I do have issues with this legislation, it does seek to reduce the tax threshold for incomes between $18,200 and $45,000 from 19 cents in the dollar to 16 cents. Because of our commitment to lower, simpler and fairer taxes, we will not oppose this reduction or stand in the way of this bills package. I acknowledge that there will be many in Durack who will benefit from this. However, it is also because of this commitment that we remain determined to deliver a tax package that is in keeping with the original stage 3 tax reforms. The tax package that we take to the next election has to include lower taxes and ensure people keep more of their money, because we are really ambitious for Australian people. We want them to keep more of their money. We will fight bracket creep and enshrine aspiration in the tax system. I think that's what we all want. We want people who are earning $40,000 to aspire to earning $50,000 or $60,000 or $70,000, knowing that they will be able to keep more of that hard-earned money in their pocket.

Our package will be fully costed and will guarantee the essential services that Australians rely on while supporting a strong and growing economy. We will also commit to a plan that reduces the cost of living, which will not only support taxpayers but also benefit pensioners and those below the income tax threshold who don't benefit from this current policy. Let me make this point clear: Australians will be able to trust us to follow through on these commitments. They can trust us because, when we promise lower taxes, we mean it.

Tuesday 13 February 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:41): As International Women's Day approaches, I'm delighted to be shining a light on the remarkable accomplishments of the Durack female leaders that I've had the pleasure of working with and collaborating with as the federal member for Durack. In the next few weeks on my social media, I'll be sharing captivating narratives, valuable insights and also the unique challenges faced by over a dozen extraordinary women who are residing in our remote, regional and rural communities. Today I just want to highlight two of these fabulous women in Durack.

The first one is Ms Karen Chappel AM. She's the president of the Shire of Morawa and of the Western Australian Local Government Association. When we asked Karen what words of inspiration she could share with women in regional, rural and remote Western Australia, she said:

Always be proud of being a girl from the country, we are known to be resilient and practical. Do not let the tyranny of distance become a barrier to participation in whatever passion or cause you believe in.

The other wonderful woman that I want to highlight is Lara Sadowski. She is a great friend of mine, and so is Karen. She is a gun real estate agent from Geraldton. When we asked her who her role models were that inspired her, she said: 'My mother, who passed away at a young age from illness. She was selfless and gave everything to her family. Coming from an Eastern European background, you were taught to work hard for what you wanted and to give to others before you gave to yourself. Eastern Europeans are a gritty, intense and supernaturally sturdy people. Communism, wars and winters— (Time expired)

Monday 26 February 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:21): I want to talk today about a recent decision of the WA state Labor government to reject the establishment of an emergency rescue helicopter based in Geraldton, which is the largest regional population base in the electorate of Durack.

Currently, not one emergency helicopter exists in Durack or, indeed, anywhere in WA north of Perth. Geraldton Hospital does not have an ICU; therefore, patients are frequently flown to Perth for care. For the past six years Geraldton marine rescue volunteer Ian Dempsey, alongside local community groups, has worked incredibly hard to campaign for this essential service. Their efforts culminated in a community petition, tabled in state parliament and supported by an inquiry, highlighting the critical need for such a facility in our region. Yet despite the overwhelming evidence and community outcry, our voices have been dismissed, leaving us feeling neglected once again.

This decision underscores the city-centric approach of the Cook Labor government, where regional lives appear to be less important. Medical emergencies wait for no-one—as you know, Mr Deputy Speaker Young—and the absence of a dedicated rescue helicopter puts my Mid West constituents' lives at greater risk. I implore the state government to reconsider their decision and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all Western Australians, regardless of their postcode.

Monday 26 February 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:12): I move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges that:

(a) this Government spent $450 million on the divisive Voice to Parliament referendum that was rejected by each state and territory, excluding the Australian Capital Territory;

(b) the proposal for a Voice to Parliament was put forward as an urgent solution to help close the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;

(c) since the referendum this Government has been completely absent in this space and has demonstrated that they have no plan B; and

(d) there are proposals on the table that would make a demonstrable difference that this Government refuses to implement, including:

(i) announcing an audit into Commonwealth spending for Indigenous specific programs to identify waste in financial resources and programs that are making a difference;

(ii) establishing a royal commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities; and

(iii) re-instating the cashless debit card in vulnerable communities; and

(2) calls on the Government to focus on practical actions like these to assist in closing the gap.

I'm very proud to represent the second-largest Indigenous population in Australia. The disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians are particularly stark in regional Western Australia, which is why I am particularly concerned about the government's approach to Indigenous affairs. The Albanese government promised everything with the Voice, yet it's now been more than four months since the referendum and we are still waiting for the government to announce or, indeed, deliver its Plan B.

The referendum didn't just cost Australians $450 million; sadly, it also left many Indigenous Australians feeling rejected by the rest of the country. You can't blame people for feeling that way. After all, the Voice was presented as the only way forward. Who can forget the Voice ad which told young people that without the Voice they simply weren't going to make it or that they had no control over their own life or that there is no hope? What a disgraceful thing to do.

It is apparent to everyone that things need to change. We saw from this year's Closing the gap report that we're not meeting our targets. In fact, only four are on track and some are heading in the wrong direction. But this is not due to a lack of resources. A lot of money is effectively being wasted on Indigenous affairs, and I believe we need an audit into spending. This would be an important step towards understanding where government resources can be better used. We need to look at where efforts are producing positive outcomes and stop funnelling money into places where it is not working. Quite simply, the status quo cannot continue.

Next we must support the next generation to reach its full potential. As was often noted during the Voice campaign, an Indigenous young man is more likely to go to jail than to go to university. We need to ensure that Indigenous youth stay engaged with their education and that kids stop having children. Investment in diversionary programs should be a central component of this strategy. Importantly, we must ensure that Indigenous children are growing up in a safe environment. Unfortunately, we know that far too many Indigenous children are the victims of abuse. A royal commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities would provide direction for the Australian government and allow a targeted approach to combating this very serious issue. It's common sense that preventing trauma should be the No. 1 priority for this government.

Another important factor is tackling drug and alcohol abuse. The cashless debit card was a game changer for vulnerable communities that were experiencing high levels of substance abuse. I saw firsthand the difference it made in the East Kimberley. Income management meant that there was money for school lunches and food on the table rather than for buying alcohol and drugs for parents. The government's decision to remove the CDC resulted in an uptick in substance abuse and crime across the trial sites. I believe we need to reimplement the CDC. We have seen the recent events in Broome, with the introduction of further liquor restrictions by the state government demonstrating that we should take very seriously the expansion of the CDC. This will assist the fight against family and domestic violence that is often fuelled by alcohol and drug abuse.

Western Australian crime statistics show that family assaults are on the rise. In December the rate of family assaults in metropolitan Perth was 70 per 100,000, while in the regions more broadly it was 247. Shockingly, in the Kimberley there were 1,163 assaults per 100,000 people. This is unacceptable.

On 14 October, Australians overwhelmingly rejected the Prime Minister's untested Voice model. This was not a rejection of Aboriginal people—and I want to underline that. This was not a rejection of Aboriginal people. All Australians want to see our Indigenous children have all the opportunities that non-Indigenous children have.

I acknowledge that Indigenous affairs are not easy. But to make a change—a real and lasting change—we need leadership and we need courage. I'm calling on the government to get the courage. Tip everything upside down on the table and start again, because clearly what we're doing is not helping the people that I represent in Durack.

Wednesday 28 February 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (11:09): My electorate of Durack is the largest in Australia, spanning from the outskirts of Perth all the way up to Wyndham in the Kimberley. Despite the distance between each town in the total 1.4 million square kilometres and all the unique circumstances that my electorate faces, everywhere I go, everyone is suffering from a housing crisis.

Only last November I addressed this very House about the Australian dream of homeownership and the fact that it's slipping away from younger Australians. That dream is being stolen by the Albanese government. Sadly, statistics are showing our youth are losing hope about ever owning their own home. I must admit that I copped a bit of flak about that after that speech last November, not because it was not true but because I didn't go far enough in stressing that everyone is worse off under this current government.

Finding affordable housing is like finding a needle in a haystack. But we must find a solution. We owe it to those Australians who are trying to get their foot on the first step of the property ladder. Since those opposite were elected, rents have increased by some 26 per cent. First home buyers and new home approvals remain at their lowest levels in more than a decade. Lending for new homes remains at a shameful 20-year low, and we've recently seen the weakest quarter of construction in more than a decade.

What is this Albanese government's response to this housing crisis? Well, it's this so-called Help to Buy scheme before us today, a policy that is, frankly, too little too late. This policy was front and centre of the housing agenda of those opposite before the last election, yet it has taken them some 20 months to bring it before the House. Despite the delay, we still have so many unanswered questions. Basic questions around eligibility and home improvements are yet to be answered. Honestly, they've had plenty of time to sort this out. It's unclear whether this Help to Buy Bill will instead force people to sell.

We know this government is not big on aspiration, but what happens once you earn over the $90,000 threshold for an individual or the $120,000 threshold for a couple? Will you be forced to sell your dream home? The reality is that Australians don't want to share ownership in their home with the government, and we know this because shared-equity schemes already exist across multiple jurisdictions in this country, and they are simply not being taken up. In New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania there are plenty of places left, but people are simply not taking up the opportunities. In fact, in New South Wales 94 per cent of places remain available. Are we really supposed to believe that Labor's very own equity scheme will drastically improve the housing crisis? I say no, it will not.

Even if this bill manages to pass parliament—which, at this stage, I don't think it will without some concessions being made to the Greens political party—the states and territories in Australia will need to pass their own legislation to participate in this scheme. I don't know how it's going to work when their own schemes are not getting taken up. It's hard to see any Australian being supported by this scheme for many months, despite this government's promise that it would start on 1 January 2023.

This scheme is very underwhelming and contradicts the bold claims being made by those opposite. Let's remember that this is designed to support just 10,000 households per year. There are millions of Australians out there who are currently renting who are in the property market, with 85 per cent of renters hoping one day to own their own home. Even if this policy were successful, it would, frankly, be just a drop in the ocean. Worse yet, this policy may contribute to further increases in the cost of housing. A similar policy introduced in the United Kingdom was found to have inflated prices by more than its subsidy value in areas where it was needed the most. So the solution from this government is a plan to legislate more inflationary pressures into the housing market. Honestly, it is just nuts!

There has been a lot of talk from the Albanese government about boosting the supply of homes. Their target of 1.2 million new homes over the next five years already now appears to be another broken promise. The Housing Industry Association has predicted that Labor will fall at least 200,000 homes short of this target. If new home builds continue at the current rate, Labor will be lucky to even get to 800,000 homes.

My electorate isn't just stuck with this hapless government over here, opposite us; it's also stuck with the incompetent WA Labor government, who are failing in their responsibility to supply social housing in Western Australia. There are significant wait times for social housing right across Durack. In the Mid West and Gascoyne regions, there is an average wait time of 133 weeks. It's 139 weeks in the Pilbara, 154 weeks in the East Kimberley and a whopping 226 weeks in the West Kimberley. While the state government brags about delivering surpluses, some of the most vulnerable people in my electorate are left waiting for years simply to get a roof over their head. They are failing to roll out the regional modular build program quickly enough, and their spot purchase program has contributed next to nothing to the number of social housing units in regional Western Australia. Frankly, it's remarkable that between June 2017 and July 2023 the number of social homes fell, despite WA's resident population increasing by over 200,000 people. The residential construction industry in WA is also going through significant turmoil, with at least 23 residential builders going into liquidation only last financial year. Dwelling approvals remain very low by historical standards, and the WA government is sitting on land that regional councils are hoping to have unlocked to house essential workers. Some towns literally have not one vacant home available and are unable to grow. While there is a serious supply issue, with fewer builds occurring than under our coalition government, there is also record demand for housing.

Under Labor we've seen the highest immigration numbers in our nation's history. In the 2022-23 period, migration added 518,000 people to Australia's population, and the Albanese government is planning for a further 1.2 million people over the next five years. Of course we need skilled workers, but that's not the full story with these numbers. In the 2022-23 period, 283,000 of these arrivals were international students. They're not here to build houses or to use their skills for other purposes, and they are competing with Australians for the limited housing supply on offer. It's no wonder the rate of rental vacancies has recently hit a record low, and it doesn't look like improving anytime soon.

Let me reiterate the madness of this approach. The government is bringing more people into the country than ever before and, at the same time, fewer houses are being built. More people, fewer houses; fewer houses, more people. Why can't those opposite understand that their strategy is driving up housing prices? It's simple economics. We know the Prime Minister is a student of economics. Maybe he needs to join some of those international students and go back to school to do a refresher course in supply and demand. This is an essential component that is driving the housing crisis, and it is in no way addressed by the bill that we are currently debating.

Only the coalition can be trusted to turn this around and restore the great Australian dream. As the member for Sturt noted in his contribution—and I note he's in the House with me—the Liberal Party has always been the party of homeownership. This legacy stems from the leadership and vision of the great Sir Robert Menzies, the founder of our great party. I'm very proud of the work that we did in government on this front. We established the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, the New Home Guarantee and the Family Home Guarantee. We established the HomeBuilder program during the pandemic and kept the construction industry afloat during a time of deep uncertainty. During our last three years in government, the coalition's housing policies assisted more than 300,000 Australians purchasing their own homes. Under our government, the number of first home buyers reached its highest level in nearly 15 years. In our last full financial year in government, that number was close to 180,000. When we came to government in 2013, that number sat at just 100,000. Our commitment to homeownership and to that Australian dream continues, and we will take to the next election a strategy to support Australians to purchase their own home and to reinstate the Australian dream of homeownership.

This will include a sensible approach to immigration, as we need to get that balance right. I think all Australians understand that. We will do what this government has failed to do in reducing the cost of living. After all, how can a family possibly save for a home when they're living from pay cheque to pay cheque? It's simply not sustainable. We're also committed to introducing the super homebuyer scheme. This scheme will allow first home buyers to invest up to 40 per cent of their superannuation up to a maximum of $50,000 to help with the purchase of their first home. This strategy will do far more to assist Australians into the housing market than the approach set out by those opposite. I believe housing will be front of mind as we head towards the next election, and Australians will be able to reflect on the terrible record of those opposite.

I'd like to switch focus very briefly by acknowledging the leadership of former prime minister Morrison. He has a legacy to be proud of, and it's not just limited to our strong record of housing. Given his valedictory speech yesterday, I'd like to thank him for his service to our nation. As former prime minister, Scott Morrison, the ex-member for Cook, arguably faced the most difficult circumstances facing a prime minister since the Second World War, with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was very proud to serve in his cabinet, and I want to thank him for his support and encouragement. I'd like to thank him for his leadership and also to wish him and his family all the very best for the future.

Monday 18 March 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:39): I rise today to speak of my great concern for regional Australia and the future of agriculture in this country. I recently joined my colleagues from the coalition agricultural policy committee to do what the Prime Minister and his agricultural minister have failed to do: to actually listen to the Western Australian farmers impacted by the decision to phase out live export of sheep. I joined the committee first in Merredin and then in York, and it was so great to hear from so many locals who came to make their voices heard and to tell us how this reckless decision has affected them. We heard terrible stories of farmers being forced to leave the industry, to sell their sheep at a loss, or, worse yet, having to kill their animals and bury them due to the crisis in the domestic sheep market.

The Albanese government has fundamentally failed these communities—my communities. They've failed to listen or to consult, and now they refuse to release the report which was meant to detail the future of this industry. Shamefully, that report has been sitting on the agricultural minister's desk for months, and I speculate that that report doesn't say what the government wanted it to, which is the reason it is buried in the in-tray.

The arguments to abolish the live sheep export trade are not based in fact, and I believe this decision is simply a method to win metropolitan votes from the Greens political party. Let's be clear: this is nothing to do with animal welfare.

The WA hearings highlighted the necessity for farmers, young and old, to get organised and to share the reality of the industry today, particularly with urban voters. I'd like to thank my colleagues who travelled all over the West Australian Wheatbelt to hear from our wonderful WA farmers for taking up this fight with us. I'd like to particularly thank the chair of the committee, the member for Grey. During the hearings, the member for Grey highlighted the extensive list of this government's attacks on regional Australia. These range from the abolition of the live sheep trade to cuts on infrastructure, to the introduction of new taxes like the biosecurity levy and, of course, more recently, the family car and ute tax. With these actions, it appears that Labor has forgotten the fundamental importance of agriculture to our nation's prosperity. So many decisions that they have made are making it harder to produce food and fibre in this country. Honestly, do we want to transform from a nation that feeds the world to one that relies on imports to feed ourselves? That is the direction that we are heading in.

Those opposite just seem oblivious to the harsh realities of what it's like to produce in regional Australia. Take, for instance, the long period of rainfall deficiency that has decimated so much of my electorate. While a drought has not been formally declared, and recent rainfall may have somewhat helped, the situation still remains dire for many. I have heard from Will Baston, a pastoralist from the Gascoyne Junction, who has described what feels like a never-ending cycle of hardship. In recent years, he and his family have faced fires and floods and now face extremely dry lands. This is occurring at the same time as prices rise and returns fall, which has seen him struggling to keep his animals alive. Will is a councillor on the Shire of Upper Gascoyne and sits on the emergency management committee for the shire. He is extremely concerned for his and other pastoralists' futures. While some stations closer to Carnarvon have had a welcome recent soaking, many other parts of the Gascoyne have only had approximately 10 millimetres in recent weeks, which has only just been enough to keep the dust down and has not soaked in at all. It is my understanding that the soil has now become hydrophobic, due to the long period of dryness, and it will take more effective rain for circumstances to change.

These are the types of issues that weigh heavily on the minds of farmers and pastoralists in my electorate. Dealing with the natural environment is hard enough, both professionally and emotionally, and yet this Labor government demonstrates again and again that it wants to make the regulatory environment harder still. The agricultural industry sustains not only our national economy but also our way of life in the regions and in the cities. I say to this government: come and listen to the communities that you are hurting. Start with our WA farmers and all those different businesses in the supply chain. Maybe then you will realise that you need to have policies that support, not hurt, regional WA.

Wednesday 20 March 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (12:42): I rise to speak on the government's package of bills regarding agriculture biosecurity levies: the Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies Bill 2024, the Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Charges Bill 2024 and the Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies and Charges Collection Bill 2024.

I'd like to begin my contribution to this debate by acknowledging the importance of maintaining a strong and robust biosecurity system. Ensuring we are protected from exotic pests and diseases is critical to the preservation and future of local food production, and I'm sure that Australia's 85,000 farmers would agree. Recent events surrounding the threat of foot-and-mouth disease so close to our borders have highlighted how we must remain ever vigilant to this threat. However, it must be said that the approach that's outlined in this package of bills before us today is absurd and completely unfair.

The so-called biosecurity protection levy will charge Australian primary producers $50 million per year to pay for the biosecurity costs of importers. Under this legislation, farmers and fishers from my electorate will be forced to cover the risks associated with foreign competitors. How ridiculous! Let's reflect on that proposition for a second. Australian producers, who are already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, staffing shortages and issues relating to natural disasters, will be burdened with further fees in order to ensure that their competitor's produce does not present a biosecurity threat. It sounds like a joke. It sounds like someone has made it up. Why should it be the responsibility of grain growers in the Wheatbelt, in my electorate of Durack; of my cattle producers in the wonderful region of the Gascoyne; or of the cray fishermen in the Mid West to fund this process? This is just another stab in the gut for struggling producers and will no doubt adversely affect Western Australian producers. This bill is just the latest attack on WA farmers by this Labor government.

Again, I call on the minister for agriculture to release the live sheep export report that has been sitting on his desk since October, probably at the bottom of a very, very large in-tray, collecting dust. That trade is fundamental to the lives and livelihoods of so many Western Australian communities, and, at the very least, they deserve answers and some honesty from this government about what its plans are for this industry. The arguments to abolish the live sheep trade are not based on facts, and I believe this decision—if indeed there is a decision, but we do not know because the report is at the bottom of the in-tray—is simply a method to win metropolitan seats from the Greens political party. It has nothing to do with animal health. It's all to do with politics. Shameful!

It's worth noting that, just like their decision to end the live sheep trade, the introduction of the biosecurity levy is also pretty well universally opposed by producers around Australia. The Albanese government has failed once again to have a legitimate consultation process that takes the concerns of our Australian farmers and primary producers into consideration. In fact, over 50 industry organisations, many of whom represent farmers and producers in my electorate of Durack, have written to the government calling on them to axe this tax and take a different approach.

This morning I had the wonderful pleasure of catching up with Colin, Duncan and Barry from Grain Producers Australia. I'd like to thank them for their strong leadership and for standing up for Australian farmers. I must say that their frustration with this new tax was palpable. Barry Large is the chair of the GPA and is a WA grain farmer from Miling in my electorate of Durack. Barry has pointed out that Australian producers already pay hundreds of millions of dollars each year in various levies. They're already doing this, and now the government wants them to pay more. What they're already doing is delivering many public benefits, including opportunities for more research, as well as environmental gains.

Adding to the agricultural sector's frustration is the staggering lack of detail. These bills fail to outline exactly who will be paying the levy and only mentions 'certain producers'. This basic detail is expected to be set out in regulations and will likely cover farmers, fishers and foresters. Also missing is how much producers will be charged or how the levy will be collected. Incredibly, from all accounts that we've heard, the money that will get raised through this levy might not even contribute to the strengthening of our biosecurity system and will instead just be dumped in consolidated revenue. Honestly, you cannot make this stuff up.

If passed, these reforms are set to apply from 1 July—that's 1 July this year, just a couple of months away. That is just three short months away, yet so many important questions remain unanswered. This is despite the policy being announced in May 2023. The incompetence of this Labor government is, quite frankly, next level. This is just the latest example of this government making policy on the run and failing to properly consult with regional Australia. And it's not just industry and the coalition who are against this bill. Two independent reviews, conducted by the Productivity Commission and the Australian National University, have found it is very flawed policy indeed.

And it is no wonder, as another important consideration is that the cost of this levy will inevitably be passed on to consumers. As if the Australian public weren't doing it tough enough as it is, the government's going to make it harder, not easier, for them to put food on the table. This levy will drive up prices at the supermarket when Australians can least afford it. Through this legislation, Labor are essentially introducing a fresh food tax on Australian produce.

It's worth noting that I think even those opposite understand this legislation is a dud. Last time I checked, there were more than 20 members from our side, the coalition side, who are listed to speak on this debate. Of all the speakers in this debate, let me tell you, members of the public, there was only one person from the Labor government—the people who are creating this legislation—who had their name down to speak. Whether they have spoken or not, I'm unsure, but it was only one. When I informed my visitors from Grain Producers Australia about this, they weren't surprised to hear it, but they were very, very disappointed.

So I must ask: if this is such a good piece of legislation, backed by the government, where are all the Labor members of parliament lining up here to talk about this fabulous legislation? Where are they, particularly the ones from regional Australia—all those who say that they care deeply about regional Australia? Where are they? They're not here! Why aren't they lining up here to defend this ridiculous and useless piece of legislation? Their silence represents their contempt for, or at least their apathy about, regional Australia.

They were all too eager to speak about the so-called cost-of-living tax cuts bill a couple of weeks ago, to pretend that an extra $15 is going to make a significant difference. Inflationary measures like this one won't make that $15 go very far at all. If this bill is passed, Australian families will have to pay more for local meat, seafood, fruit and veggies in order to subsidise produce from overseas. Time and time again, Labor are responsible for implementing policies that drive inflation further and prolong this cost-of-living crisis. I don't know how long the Prime Minister and the Treasurer will continue to point the finger at somebody else when this is a crisis that they're responsible for. Guess what? Given my conversations across Durack, I think that regional Western Australians have woken up to this fact, and I'm sure that people in Perth and other capital cities are starting to as well. Unfortunately, Labor does have the numbers for this bill; soon, when we leave the Federation Chamber and head back to the main chamber, I'm sure every single one of these Labor politicians who say they care about regional Australia will line up and support this legislation. They should hang their heads in shame!

For those listening at home: the legislation will then make its way to the Senate. Given the multitude of issues with this legislation, I call on the Senate crossbenchers to do their homework—please. Understand what this will do to regional communities and make sure that this useless package of legislation receives proper scrutiny before a committee. It should not be rushed through to meet the deadline of 1 July without all these answers being resolved. At the very least, maybe we will actually get rid of this useless piece of legislation.

I want to conclude by returning to the point I made at the start of my contribution: we do need a strong biosecurity system. On this side of the House, we have a plan that's reasonable, makes sense and is supported by industry and independent review. Our approach is targeted at the risk creators, not at our local Australian producers. When we return to the government, which I'm sure will be very soon—after the next election—we will introduce an importer container levy. That will see the importers—yes, the importers: the people who are creating the risk—paying to cover the cost of our biosecurity system. Applying a charge on containerised cargo coming into Australia will mean that local farmers aren't punished for the biosecurity risks that others create. This was an important recommendation included in the independent Craik biosecurity review. Unfortunately, it has been rejected by this hapless government. If producers overseas want to sell their product in Australia, that's fine; that's the way international trade and markets work. But we shouldn't punish Australian farmers to enable this. If producers want to sell their product in Australia then they should be the ones paying to ensure that it's okay and doesn't present a risk.

Those opposite have reflected on the fact that the coalition has been the party of no. They've talked about it a lot. The fact is that when you put up rubbish legislation like this, which is almost universally opposed by stakeholders, favours international competitors over local producers and leaves all the important questions unanswered, then of course we're going to say no. They give us no choice but to reject this useless piece of legislation. Of course we're going to say no to yet another attack on regional Australia which this government seems hell-bent on pursuing. But we aren't just saying no; we've offered an alternative, which I sincerely hope those opposite take up. It's an alternative which would be welcomed by Australian producers and also by consumers who want to continue to enjoy local Australian produce.

I'm tired of hearing from farmers right across my electorate who are already struggling under this government. They need help right now—not another Labor policy that makes things even worse. I will not support this package of legislation and I call on the minister of agriculture to do his job, and to put Australian farmers first for a change. It's time to reverse course and to scrap this tax.

Monday 25 March 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (18:51): I rise to support the member for Grey's motion condemning the Albanese government for its reckless decision to shut down Australia's live sheep export industry. I acknowledge that the member for Grey is, indeed, here with me in the chamber. I want to begin my contribution to this debate by thanking all of the members of the coalition's Agriculture, Water and Environment Backbench Committee for visiting Western Australia and listening to our farmers who really are under attack—a visit, I might add, that the Prime Minister is yet to make.

We had members from this side of the House travelling from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. This trip really demonstrates the unity of our coalition team. All of us on this side of the House are committed to the future of agriculture in this country and understand that the live sheep trade is an important component of that future. This reckless decision significantly affects communities within my electorate of Durack as well as farmers across the electorate of O'Connor, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the member for O'Connor for his advocacy as well.

As noted in the report, the decision to phase out the live sheep trade has already had a disastrous impact, with confidence in the industry being destroyed. As a result, local markets have been overwhelmed and prices have dropped significantly. Farmers are struggling to sell their sheep above the price of freight and, in some cases, have had to make the tragic decision to sell their sheep at a loss or kill and bury them on their own farms. Could you imagine how heartbreaking that must be for those farmers? The number of farmers deciding to quit raising sheep altogether is progressively increasing, which has left communities within my electorate reeling.

At the York committee hearing we heard from Karen Thomas, the president of the York Business Association. Karen is a relatively new resident to York but has quickly picked up on Labor's bias against regional Australia. Although not directly connected to the industry, she said this decision will affect the town's long-term future. We also heard from Gavin Hagboom, a proud fifth-generation farmer from Dowerin, who said he is currently witnessing the demise of his own community with the town struggling to keep its general store open.

These are heart-wrenching stories. We are literally talking about towns that have been around for well over 100 years vanishing before our eyes, and those opposite are directly responsible. I see we have a few Labor members to speak on this motion. I hope, if they are so committed to phasing out this industry, that they read this report and what it means for regional Western Australia. I hope they comprehend exactly what they are doing.

What adds insult to injury is that this decision has been falsely justified. Our live export industry is leading the world in terms of animal welfare. Over the past several years, multiple actions have been taken to ensure that exporters are meeting the highest possible standards—so high, in fact, that the onboard mortality rates are often better than on the farm. What do those opposite think will happen if our industry collapses? Foreign markets certainly won't move to frozen supply from Australia. Instead, foreign competitors who don't care at all about animal welfare will fill the void, so not only will Western Australian farmers suffer but so will the animals.

I'd also like to note the timely fashion of this report being delivered, so well done to the member for Grey. Despite only visiting regional Western Australia just a few short weeks ago, the committee has been able to table this report today. If only the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry worked to such a timely schedule. As we know, the independent panel delivered their report to the minister in October, and it has still not seen the light of day. I expect it's gathering dust as we speak. The independent report is supposed to detail potential mechanisms to phase out live sheep exports, a suggested time frame and potential ways to support the transition.

I'd like to conclude by reflecting on the words of David Connolly, the outgoing president of the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association, speaking on the latest delays—can you believe it?—to the class action lawsuit against the Gillard government's actions in shutting down the live export of cattle overnight in 2011, when he said that this government is 'hell-bent on punishing the rural sector'. I couldn't agree more. Once again, we see the needs and the desires and the livelihoods of regional Australians being put under threat just to satisfy the desire to get votes from the inner-city Greens.

Monday 25 March 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:42): Regional Western Australia is under attack from state and federal Labor governments. The phase-out of the live sheep trade, the introduction of the biosecurity tax, the rollout of unwanted renewable energy projects and the government's planned family car and ute tax adversely affect regional Western Australians, but unfortunately these attacks keep coming. The WA Labor government has announced it will ban boat tours through the iconic Horizontal Falls from 2028. It has been estimated this will cost the Kimberley region some $15 million and 58 full-time jobs per year. The Kimberley relies on tourism, and yet this is what the Cook government delivers. I am one of more than 4,600 people who have signed the Neil Thomson petition calling for this decision to be reversed and I encourage anyone concerned to join me.

I was also shocked but not surprised to hear the Albanese government was considering introducing a 40-kilometre-per-hour speed limit across the highways in the Pilbara to protect animals that may be crossing the road. This is the economic powerhouse of our nation. Labor have now done what I consider to be a very clumsy, quick backflip on this ridiculous idea. It's clear that actions like these aren't taken to improve the lives of regional Western Australians. They're not taken to improve economic opportunities. They're simply designed to win inner-city votes. I'll tell you what: regional Western Australians have had enough. They will no longer be the battering ram for Labor governments.

Monday 25 March 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (10:41): I rise to express my deep concerns regarding Services Australia's unacceptable and extensive delays with claims and processing times. This situation is progressively getting worse at a time when financial assistance for Australians is of the utmost priority. This cost-of-living crisis under the Albanese Labor government has hit hard, leaving many families in Durack struggling to make ends meet. Basic necessities, like simply putting food on the table, fuelling up the car and sending children to school, have become overwhelming challenges. Many Durack residents do not have the capacity or adequate communication services available to navigate this new world where services are now online, be they Medicare card applications, Centrelink payments or child support.

In Geraldton, which is my electorate's largest population base, the Services Australia office previously had approximately 60 staff members. You could simply walk in and talk face to face with staff who were able to support you in applying for the assistance you needed. Now, however, I understand they have only six team members. That's six staff members—staff who are overworked, whose hands are tied and who can provide only limited advice and often only a phone number to call for help. It's simply unacceptable.

My office has been inundated with calls, visits and emails from fed-up Australians who are tired of being treated like second-rate citizens. They are tired of waiting for half a year for the help they require urgently. I heard recently from Phillip, a 75-year-old ex-farmer from the Wheatbelt region of Durack, who applied for the age pension in October and, five months later, is still waiting. My office has also been in contact with a 60-year-old cleaner from Northam who applied for the disability support pension and had to wait six months for assistance. A Centrelink staff member said to this Northam local: 'The delay in processing your claim is due to the lack of staff. Staff who've left Centrelink over the past year have simply not been replaced.'

Now, to be clear, I believe that the staff who still work for Services Australia's Centrelink office are working hard. They're doing the best they can to look after the needs of Durack constituents. The agency claims to have a benchmark of 49 days to complete a claim and issue funds to the claimant. However, my constituents are experiencing double, and sometimes triple, that amount of time, often waiting up to six months. Labor's disregard for my constituents is incredibly disappointing and frustrating. They must do better. It's time for action, not just words or promises.

Wednesday 27 March 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:45): Today I would like to pay tribute to Lang Coppin for his 46-year-long service as a councillor on the Council of the Shire of East Pilbara, and I'd like to acknowledge the shire representatives with us in the chamber today. During Lang's tenure, he provided leadership and representation for the northern part of the east Pilbara district, with a particular focus on the interests of the Marble Bar community and the pastoralist sector. Lang has always been a straight shooter and a real champion for his community. His lengthy service was, I understand, up until his retirement in October, the longest current period of service of any elected member to any council, parliament or assembly in Australia. Lang served as the shire's deputy president on a variety of occasions. In 2013, he received national recognition with a Medal of the Order of Australia with the citation 'For service to the community of the East Pilbara'.

The shire has announced that it will bestow upon Lang the highest honour the council has to award: the freeman of the shire. This will be awarded at a community gathering in Marble Bar on Wednesday 10 April that I will have the great pleasure and honour of attending. Congratulations, Lang, and thank you for your service to the east Pilbara.

Tuesday 14 May 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:54): The WA Cook Labor government has failed to fulfil its promise to Tom Price. In 2021, the Pilbara community was promised $12.8 million for a new hospital. Three years on, this hardworking community has been let down. Unbelievably, the recent WA state budget has allocated a mere $77,000 for the new hospital for the next financial year. The current hospital is 57 years old and should be condemned. Even the mice and frogs have now taken up residency. Patients confined to their beds tell me that they've seen the rodents scurrying above their heads as they lie waiting for medical assistance. Staff and patients are subjected to out-of-date and dangerous equipment. But all credit is due to the amazing staff, who continue to deliver under these conditions.

Let's not forget that the Pilbara is the powerhouse of our nation and drives our Australian economy, contributing $11.2 billion in iron ore royalties in this year alone, and that the federal government provided WA Labor some $3 billion this year for state health. Clearly, it's not about money; it's all about priorities. With thestate government's $2.6 billion surplus, there is no excuse for ignoring Tom Price's critical need for adequate health care. So to the health minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson: please, Minister, do your job and stop attacking hardworking shire president Audra Smith, who is doing nothing but supporting her community. Together, Audra and I will continue to fight for this community.

Tuesday 14 May 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:24): I feel most obliged to speak on today's MPI, because my electorate of Durack is probably impacted the most by this Albanese Labor government's failure to secure our borders. Over the weekend, it was reported that four more illegal boat arrivals had reached Broome. This marks the fourth time in just six months that illegal boat arrivals have reached the Western Australian coast covering my electorate.

I'm extremely proud to represent northern Western Australia, and let me tell you that I am sick and tired of this Albanese Labor government putting my constituents in harm's way. I regularly receive correspondence from constituents of mine saying that they are worried about the enormous risk these arrivals present to northern Western Australia, particularly in terms of safety, public health and biosecurity. I am concerned by the risk of serious diseases entering northern Western Australia through these unauthorised arrivals. If rabies, foot-and-mouth disease or lumpy skin disease was to reach Australia, it would have a devastating impact on our environment as well as our agricultural and pastoral industries. The Prime Minister needs to take this issue seriously before we are crippled with a serious incident, or a return to the large-scale illegal arrivals that occurred under the last Labor government. We simply cannot let that human tragedy happen again.

This latest arrival, along with others across Australia last week, means that there have now been 17 attempted people-smuggling ventures to reach Australia under the Albanese government. During our time in government, we stopped the boats. We had nine years of safe and secure borders. But now it appears we are in danger of returning to the full-scale people-smuggling operations that took place under the disastrous Rudd-Gillard-Rudd governments.

You would think those opposite would have learned their lesson from their last term in office, which saw 50,000 illegal boat arrivals in a 820 boats, and, tragically, 1,200 deaths at sea. Unfortunately, it is clear that those opposite have learned nothing. Just as Rudd dismantled the Howard government's policy, the Albanese government has undermined Operation Sovereign Borders, which cleaned up the mess they had left us when we came to office in 2013. They have abolished temporary protection visas and are planning a cut of some $400 million in border security funding over the next three years. Incredibly, just as illegal boats are arriving, patrols across north Australian waters are decreasing. Aerial patrol hours have reduced by 20.7 per cent, and maritime patrol days have decreased by 12.2 per cent.

Let me tell you: I'll be paying very close attention to the Treasurer's speech tonight and to the budget papers, to see if their planned cuts will be reversed, and to see if they will be any more resources to defend and patrol northern Western Australia. That is what my constituents are crying out for. The people that I represent deserve nothing less.

Of course, the government's immigration failures reach much further than reduced patrols or cuts to border security. Their response to the NZYQ ruling of the High Court has been one of the greatest examples of government incompetence on record. Late last year, the government released 152 hardened criminals into the community. This included seven murderers, 37 sex offenders, and 72 people who have committed very serious crimes. This was a mess from the start, with no plan from the government to protect the community from these criminals. There were simply plopped into hotels, right across Australia, and allowed to come and go as they pleased. The minister for immigration and the Minister for Home Affairs need stand up and both take responsibility for the numerous failures that they have overseen. Also front and centre, with regard to community safety, is a growing issue of radicalisation and antisemitism. In recent weeks we've seen two attacks motivated by religious extremism. We've seen the Minister for Education refusing to condemn the 'From the river to the sea' chant and we've seen the government reward international acts of terror at the UN. It is shameful. The foreign affairs minister and the Prime Minister should both hang their heads in shame. The government has made it crystal clear that only the coalition can be trusted to keep our borders secure.

Wednesday 15 May 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (11:18): I rise today to speak on the government's Digital ID Bill 2024 and the Digital ID (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023. I'd like to begin by thanking my coalition colleagues who have already outlined many of the concerns we on this side of the House have with this legislation. Trust me when I say that there are many. Over the last few months, I've received an overwhelming number of emails and inquiries concerning this legislation. Now, I'm sure that it's not just my Liberal or National colleagues and senators who have been contacted in such numbers. I'm sure those on the government's side have also had significant numbers of correspondence as well. During this time, I've taken into consideration many of the widely held concerns, particularly surrounding whether there are enough safeguards to ensure signing up for a digital ID is truly a voluntary decision.

As the shadow minister for government services and the digital economy made clear this morning in the House, the coalition is not opposed to the many important efficiency and productivity benefits that an effective digital ID system can deliver. We acknowledge that. In fact, the coalition established the Australian government digital identity system following the 2014 Murray inquiry, which was commissioned by the Abbott government. In government, we spent over $600 million developing the Australian government ID system. We established the trusted digital identity framework and we created myGov, which is currently used by over 11 million Australians.

In 2021, we released an exposure draft of the Trusted Digital Identity Bill. This legislation would have further regulated the Australian government digital identity system. As well as seeking to improve efficiency and productivity, the bill also sought to reduce the amount of personal data that businesses hold about their customers, which in turn would reduce the risk to Australians from data breaches. Data breaches, unfortunately, do occur too often, and more recently we've seen data breaches with the likes of Optus and Medibank.

However, Labor's bills before us today are very different to that exposure draft, as they contain many serious weaknesses. When the legislation came before the Senate earlier this year, the coalition put forward amendments designed to fix these weaknesses. Our amendments included the following: a much stronger guarantee that having a digital identity would be voluntary, that no Australian would be required to have one, that someone would not face a lower quality of service should they wish to use traditional paper based identity documents, removing the phase-in provisions so that the private sector can be involved from the outset and imposing a clear requirement that changes to the Privacy Act must be made before this legislation comes into force.

Unfortunately, the government rejected these amendments. They also guillotined debate, which was an interesting move from a government that ran on a platform of transparency. It's reasonable to ask: how can Australians trust Labor to manage the digital ID system when they chose to ram through these bills and deny proper scrutiny?

As I've said, the main issue with this legislation that has been raised with me is whether these bills will provide for a truly voluntary system. Those opposite love to say that criticisms are just misinformation or disinformation, but these concerns aren't unfounded and they are already playing out. Take, for example—it's not a good example; it's probably a bad example—the WA Labor government's student assistance payment, which was announced earlier this year, in effect disadvantaged those without a digital ID. For parents to access the payment, they could either apply through the COVID-era ServiceWA app, which requires you to have a myGov digital ID, or through an alternative online or postal method. Not only did the government fail to properly inform families of the alternatives to ServiceWA, my submission is that they, indeed, hid that there were alternative ways. It's also my understanding that those who chose an alternative claim method were told they would expect to wait 30 days for their application to be processed. This compared to just seven days for those using the ServiceWA app.

Politicians are consistently warned that trust in government is failing, so this is something that all of us in this place and parliaments across the country should be concerned about. I believe that one of the main reasons for this is because people feel like they're being coerced into making decisions that they don't want to make. Unfortunately, this latest WA Labor government example is a stark example of what we're actually debating here.

It's undeniable that in the middle of Labor's cost-of-living crisis, many families are struggling. I think we'd all agree on that. In fact, under the Albanese government's budget to date, the typical Australian household with a mortgage is more than $35,000 worse off. This is before we even mention the rising cost of food, fuel, electricity, gas and insurance. But just think of the position some of these families will be in when the WA Labor government announce they will prioritise those with a digital ID. Do those Western Australian families—those hardworking families who all need a break—who might not want to sign up to the digital ID system but who are in desperate need of immediate relief have a real, genuine choice? I would argue that many of them do not. For it to be truly voluntary, those who choose not to sign up, whatever the reason, should not be disadvantaged. Every Australian deserves to receive the same quality of services. Certainty of quality should not be dependent on whether they have an Australian government digital ID.

Now, this very bad example from my home state of Western Australia clearly demonstrates that we need to work more closely with the states and the territories to ensure that the system is a voluntary one. However, the states and territories have not yet signed up to the finance minister's so-called national digital identity and verifiable credentials strategy. It's frankly unacceptable that the government is proceeding with these bills without first having the states and territories fully on board with a consistent national strategy.

In conclusion, it's time those opposite reconsidered adopting the amendments we put forward in the Senate. But, until such time, I won't be supporting this legislation, and I urge the government to take very seriously the concerns of my Durack constituents that I've outlined.

Wednesday 15 May 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (18:36): I rise today to speak, yet again, on another promise this Albanese Labor government has broken. This time it relates to superannuation. This is the money that Australians are forced to set aside for their retirement. Well, Labor have now decided that they want to get their hands on this money.

With this legislation, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions and Other Measures) Bill 2023 and the Superannuation (Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions) Imposition Bill 2023, the Albanese government seeks to reduce the tax concessions on total superannuation balances that exceed $3 million. This package of legislation has three major flaws that must be discussed. The first flaw is the fact that these bills, as I've mentioned, represent another broken promise from those opposite. Those opposite went to the election in 2022 promising zero changes to Australia's superannuation framework, yet with this legislation they are proposing to double the superannuation taxes on one in 10 Australians by the time those people retire.

Those opposite will pretend that this policy change will impact only the very wealthy—who, ironically, they now plan to help with energy price relief; maybe they do like the wealthy after all—but that couldn't be further from the truth. These tax hikes will affect people across so many professions—and these are people who are just starting out in their professional career—including tradies; police; nurses; accountants; FIFO workers, many of whom live in the Pilbara region in my electorate; and farmers. Maybe that's not today. It's maybe not today that they will have $3 million in their superannuation fund, but there is a possibility they will do, without a doubt.

From a government that campaigned at the last election on a platform of trust and transparency, this package stinks of gross hypocrisy. But no-one around Australia should be surprised, as this is just the latest in a long line of broken promises. As we know, the mob opposite have got form. On over a hundred occasions prior to the last election, the Labor Party promised to follow through on the already legislated stage 3 tax cuts, yet according to recent reporting the Treasurer asked his department for advice on changes to the stage 3 tax cuts as early as June 2022, one month after the May 2022 election. So it appears those opposite were preparing to break this promise to the Australian electorate just one month after they'd made it.

This Labor government wants taxpayers across the country to believe that the revised tax cuts are monumental and will make a real difference in helping to change and manage the cost-of-living crisis that those opposite are responsible for. Well, it's a nice story but it's a real shame for those opposite that the facts always get in the way of their rose coloured narrative. In reality, an earner on an annual wage of around $85,000 will receive just $15.46 more a week under the reforms. It might make a difference for some, but I don't think that it will make a huge difference to a lot of people. The OECD also recently released their Taxing wages 2024 report and, sadly, Australia's personal income tax burden grew faster than in any other advanced economy last year. How embarrassing is that? Funnily enough, Labor members failed to mention that to their constituents when highlighting their tax policy.

Of course, the central message that Labor used at the last election was that life would be cheaper under them—that life would be better under a Labor led government. I'll admit that some of those on Labor's frontbench are pretty good spinners—they may be better than, or maybe not worse than, Shane Warne—but even they couldn't possibly say that Australians are better off than before they came to office. You would have to ask the average Australian on the street, 'Are you better off since May 2022?' Those opposite can't hide from the fact that everything has gone up under them: housing, rent, electricity, gas, insurance, petrol—you name it, and it's a fair bet that it costs more under those opposite. Of course, mortgage stress is causing massive pain for so many Australian families, including in my electorate of Durack. Despite promising cheaper mortgages, the typical mortgage for Australians is now more than $35,000 worse off. Getting homegrown inflation down and providing the conditions to enable the Reserve Bank to reduce interest rates should be the highest priority for this government. However, sadly, it looks like last night's budget won't deliver any lasting relief for mortgage holders.

Steven Hamilton, an economist writing in the Australian Financial Review, described last night's as the most irresponsible budget in recent memory. He went on to say that during an inflation crisis, with the Reserve Bank on the precipice of a further rate increase, it was 'downright reckless'. Last night, the Treasurer announced $315 billion in new spending. That's $30,000 in extra spending for every Australian household. Not only will this be reckless spending which will keep homegrown inflation higher for longer but their spending addiction is the reason that Labor need to introduce legislation like this, which increases superannuation taxes.

Here's another quote that no-one will soon forget: 'My word is my bond.' Remember that? I'm sure everyone in this place and around Australia remembers that gem from the Prime Minister. Those opposite must absolutely cringe when they hear that. It pains me to say that the Prime Minister's word and bond are, sadly, about as reliable as my dear Freemantle Football Club! You really want to trust them; you wake up in the morning and you think, 'Today is going to be a good day,' but, unfortunately, they just keep failing to deliver on their promises.

The second major flaw with this superannuation legislation is the disastrous impact it will have on younger Australians. The Albanese government has failed to index this superannuation penalty. According to analysis conducted by the Treasurer's very own department, a 20-year-old today who earns an average income will pay higher taxes under this scheme. Up to two million Australians could be captured by this by the time they retire. Why has Labor decided to harm so many younger Australians with this legislation? These are people who are just starting out on their careers today.

To cut a long story short, Labor believe that they can take the youth vote for granted. That's why they can raise their taxes and not address the issues that matter to them the most. You could go out and ask any random group of young Australians what their priorities are and I think we all know we can guarantee that housing is right up there. And yet entering the market has never been harder, and those opposite have absolutely no credible plan to help our young people achieve the Australian dream of homeownership. I say that they have stolen that dream—those opposite have stolen the dream of homeownership.

Last night's budget confirmed Labor are planning a migrant intake of 1.67 million people over the next five years. Young people are already struggling to find affordable housing, with rental vacancy rates across the country reaching record lows under this government. Labor's grand plan, however, is to continue their failed policy of immigration fast outpacing new builds. It's clear Labor is committed to a 'Big Australia' policy, no matter the consequences.

Once we are back in government after the next election, we will return migration to sustainable levels and provide support for first home buyers to enter the market and finally achieve the Australian dream. One of the ways we are going to do that is through allowing access to superannuation. Our super home buyer scheme will allow first home buyers to invest up to 40 per cent of their superannuation, up to a maximum of $50,000, to help with the purchase of their first home. There stands a huge contrast between the approach of the coalition and those opposite. The coalition is open to allowing young people to access their superannuation to give them the best form of security for their retirement—that being owning their own home.

Meanwhile, the Labor Party is steadfastly opposed to this proposal but is instead fine with increasing taxes on those superannuation savings. The Labor Party should not count on the youth vote at the next election if they continue to fail to deliver on their main priorities.

The final aspect of this legislation which deserves condemnation is the fact that unrealised capital gains are captured. What this means in practical terms is that many retirees and superannuants will face tax bills on money they haven't even earned yet. The concept is truly bizarre. This is, of course, going to disproportionately hurt Australians with self-managed superannuation funds. The Australian this week posed an interesting scenario that will be of particular interest to farmers within my electorate of Durack. Imagine a farmer whose super fund owns the farm. There are many thousands of families set up in such a way. He has a couple of good years, so he pays the unrealised gains. Then a five-year drought hits—not such a weird and wacky idea; it's possible in our country—and his enterprise is essentially worthless. Do you think Labor will support returning the unrealised gains to the farmer who is battling to feed his animals? Of course not.

The National Farmers Federation have raised their concerns:

These reforms could be like a sledgehammer to succession planning for family farms.

The nature of farming means the businesses are structured differently, so rather than making regular superannuation contributions, many farmers hold their homes and businesses in Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs).

In many cases, older farmers will hold their farm in an SMSF and lease it to their children, providing both retirement income for them while giving the next generation an opportunity to start farming.

It's clear that, between this targeting of self-managed super funds and the refusal to allow young people to use their super to purchase their first home, Labor is simply trying to bolster the industry super funds—the same funds that donate millions to unions across the country and, ultimately, to the Labor party. How are these donations supporting people in their retirement?

To conclude, I will not be supporting these bills—how could you possibly? They do nothing to combat the cost of living, which is what the government should be focused on, and will disproportionately impact younger Australians—as if they are not doing it tough enough. They represent a terrible betrayal of trust and only serve to fuel Labor's unhealthy spending addiction. Things never change. Remember that, when Labor run out of money, they come after yours.

Tuesday 28 May 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:42): The Albanese Labor government recently announced that it was going to shut down the WA live sheep trade from May 2028. This decision was not backed by science. It was not backed by legitimate animal welfare concerns. Instead, it was all about politics and ensuring the Labor hold on inner-city seats in Sydney and Melbourne. On Wednesday, I attended a very important roundtable discussion in Perth with key live export industry stakeholders, the Leader of the Opposition, the member for O'Connor and Senator Brockman. The Leader of the Opposition has done what the Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry have failed to do. The Leader of the Opposition has taken time to sit down, listen and engage with this very important Western Australian industry. I'd like to thank the Leader of the Opposition for listening to the members of my community and for reiterating his support for the live sheep trade.

An important point that the Prime Minister would know, if he bothered to listen to the concerns of regional Western Australians, is that it isn't just farmers who will be impacted by the end of this trade come 2028. During our roundtable, we heard from members of the transport industry and the shearing industry. They made it clear that this decision will mean less work in WA regional communities. Just think of the trickle-down effect that this ban would have on regional towns. It would mean less money going through local businesses and will ultimately force people out of towns. This means fewer children enrolled in schools and sporting clubs becoming unviable.

We also heard from the live cattle exporters from my electorate of Durack, and I want to thank them for coming along to this very important meeting. They understand that they will be the next target of this antifarming, anti-WA government. The activists have already shifted their focus to the live cattle trade, and we all know that Labor is prepared to sell out regional WA communities to pander to the inner-city activists or to the microparties like the Animal Justice Party. Regional Western Australians were clear that banning this trade would be crossing a red line.

Those opposite thought that they could make this decision and that there would be no political consequences. I'm very glad to inform this chamber that our agricultural sector and farmers aren't going to give up without a fight, and the Labor government is about to feel the power of regional Western Australians. This Friday, thousands of Western Australians will come together to launch the Keep the Sheep campaign. We'll see up to 1,000 vehicles, mostly farm vehicles and tractors, involved in a rally spanning Perth. The purpose of this campaign is to inform the people of Perth and the whole of Western Australia how Western Australian farmers and regional communities are being ignored and attacked by this Albanese Labor government. The message from regional WA and our agricultural industry is clear: keep the sheep.

Wednesday 29 May 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:08): I rise today to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2024-2025 and related bills. Whilst I won't oppose these bills, which ensure that the government's programs are funded, I must express my deep disappointment with this year's budget. The central promise made by the Prime Minister at the last election was that if you voted for him and the Labor Party, you would be better off. Life would be cheaper; life would be better. However, as we all know, the opposite has occurred, and the cost of living has gone through the roof, impacting every Australian household. Housing is up 12 per cent. Rents are up 12 per cent as well. Insurance is up 26 per cent. In many parts of my electorate it's up significantly more than that 26 per cent. Electricity is up 18 per cent, and gas is up 25 per cent.

Of course, the dozen interest rate rises that have occurred under this Labor government have amounted to severe mortgage stress for so many Australian families. Despite Labor promising cheaper mortgages, the typical Australian household with a mortgage is more than $35,000 worse off. The budget provided the government with the perfect opportunity to outline a plan to get homegrown inflation under control, which will in time enable the Reserve Bank to reduce interest rates. Unfortunately, the government are now doubling down on their big-spending agenda and failing energy and migration policies. It's not just the Liberal Party that is raising significant concerns with this year's budget. Steve Hamilton, a renowned economist, described it as 'reckless' and 'the most irresponsible budget in recent memory'. This budget means higher inflation for longer. A worrying sign today is the increase in CPI to 6.4 per cent, up from 5.4 per cent last month.

I recently caught up with a team at Foodbank in Geraldton. Incredibly, Foodbank are now servicing dual-income families who can no longer afford their groceries. How shameful for a country as rich as Australia that we now have the working poor. Sadly, more and more dual-income families are walking through the doors of Foodbank looking for help.

Despite this $315 billion of extra spending, the regions are still being left behind. Given the limited amount of time I have to speak in this debate tonight, I will swiftly remind the House that there has been a two-year funding drought for regional infrastructure after Labor abolished the Building Better Regions Fund and cancelled grants to the successful applicants under round 6. In October 2022 Labor announced the Building Better Regions Fund would be substituted for the Growing Regions Program, which sounded pretty good at the time. As to what could be expected with this funding drought, many applications were made under the new program. In fact, there were 440 applications initially assessed as worthy by the regional development department and a parliamentary panel which was handpicked by the minister for infrastructure. Incredibly, 90 per cent of regional projects were rejected despite the government confirming the program underspent $93.4 million or 31 per cent of the provided funding. So not only did Labor bin nine out of 10 applications, but only two-thirds of the funding promised for the Growing Regions Program's first round was actually spent.

I want to take the opportunity to congratulate the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley for their successful application for funding towards an extension of the runway at the East Kimberley Regional Airport, a very worthy project. I note the previous government had also provided them with important infrastructure funding also for their airport.

I would also like to congratulate the Midwest Community Living Association, who will receive funding towards the creation of an inclusive multipurpose opportunity hub in Geraldton which will support independent living and training for people with disabilities. I am particularly pleased for this organisation, who provide such a critical service to those in need in the Midwest, so well done.

Unfortunately, there were many, many other worthy organisations and local communities that had their projects rejected. These included projects like the construction of the Newman youth and community hub, the Broome regional resource recovery park, the Lower Chittering community centre and the new marine rescue facility in Port Hedland. This is just to name a few of the very worthy unsuccessful applicants from my electorate. Many of these projects could have been funded if the program had been delivered as promised—or perhaps from other areas of government waste and spending, like the $40 million the government has spent to advertise the revised tax cuts or the wasteful $450 million spent on the failed Voice referendum. As we see, once again, it's not about money; it's about priorities, and clearly regional Australia is not a priority for the Albanese Labor government.

I hope that those opposite understand the disappointment and anger of the applicants that have missed out, especially the ones that, after the expression of interest process, were then encouraged to spend more time and energy to complete a full application. Not only did the government choose to gut the program but they failed to deliver the funding announcements on time. Amazingly, the guidelines for the program stated:

If you are successful, you must commence your project no later than 15 May 2024.

Well, it's a little bit hard when the successful applicants were actually announced on 16 May. So they told you, 'You've got to have started spending the money and started the project by 15 May,' but they didn't tell anybody who was going to be successful until 16 May. Honestly, what sort of show is this mob running? The government's failures through the Growing Regions Program are simply indicative of a broader trend of neglect for regional infrastructure.

Also foreshadowed in the budget is the abolition of the Mobile Black Spot Program from 2026-27. People won't be surprised that this is a very successful program of the coalition. It funded somewhere in the vicinity of 1,500 new mobile phone towers in areas where the telcos tell us that it's not commercially viable for them to build the towers themselves. People will understand that in an electorate like Durack, the largest in our country, we were a major beneficiary, and I don't think anybody would hold that against the people of Durack, because there is such great need. But there is still great need, so I can tell you my constituents will be very disappointed to hear that in a few years that program will be gone. Not only will this have a drastic impact in case of emergencies, whether they're to do with health or with natural disaster, but there is also no escaping that mobile connectivity is so important to participating in the modern world, whether you live in Marble Bar, in Chittering or in Geraldton.

The Mobile Black Spot Program joins a long list of regional programs that have been abolished by the Albanese Labor government. These include, as I've said before, the Building Better Regions Fund and the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, which was so important during COVID and which kept local councils and local tradies afloat and enabled our local councils, of which I represent some 41, to get small low-hanging fruit projects done. For the last two years, all I've heard about is how important that Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program was, and it's a real shame that this government hasn't continued with that.

There were also community development grants and, of course, the wonderful Stronger Communities Program, which my friend here, the member for Hinkler, will know was such an important program because—and I know the Deputy Speaker will agree with me—it was a program that the local member could control together with a community committee. It made such a difference to identifying those important projects throughout the whole of the electorate, and it's a real shame. It's a shame on the Labor government for not continuing with that program.

But I did have some hope that in the budget we would see a return of the Stronger Communities Program, which, as I've said, has helped so many grassroots organisations in my electorate. I thought this was a very strong possibility because I have seen so many of my colleagues on the other side, time after time, spruiking how wonderful the Stronger Communities Program is when they would get up and talk about it in a 90-second statement or a three-minute constituency statement. So I had great hope and faith that we might have had a return to the Stronger Communities Program. Alas, that program was not re-funded.

In conclusion, despite the government's obvious failures, they have not provided funding in the budget for any new programs to support regional economic development. It's clear to me that only a change in government will lead to the prioritisation of regional infrastructure, particularly in Western Australia and particularly in regional and remote parts. Likewise, only a change in government will result in a return to sensible economic management. We will get inflation down, restore the Australian dream of homeownership and abandon Labor's reckless renewables-only strategy. The election will provide a clear choice for Australians, and it cannot come soon enough.

Monday 3 June 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:11): I rise today to address a matter of great concern that affects the very fabric of our society—that is, domestic and family violence. Tragically in Australia this year alone, we have lost 22 women to family violence incidents and an additional 14 women who have been murdered in violence perpetrated by men. There are at least 39 children left without a mother, their lives altered forever. These are not just numbers. They are somebody's mother, sister, daughter, auntie or friend—loved ones lost, families shattered and community in mourning. As I speak, the police in Perth are investigating the death of a woman in Byford last night, believed to be a result of family or domestic violence.

When in government I was proud that the coalition took robust action on the issue of women's safety. We delivered landmark funding of $5.5 billion through two women's budget statements, prioritising women's safety, economic security and health. Our initiatives including trialling the escaping violence payment initiative and providing support for those on temporary visas escaping violence. These measures were designed to offer immediate relief and long-term support for women in desperate need.

Sadly, the current government's approach has fallen short of its promises. During the 2022 election, the Albanese Labor government pledged to introduce 500 new family and domestic violence sector workers. Shockingly, the latest figures reveal that there are only 44 new frontline workers out of the promised 500. This government has not taken the filling of these roles seriously and it has left the sector overwhelmed and struggling to meet increasing demand, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas like in my seat of Durack.

In the Kimberley region in the north of my electorate the alarming rise in family and domestic violent offences serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of this issue, with recent police statistics detailing a shocking 1,700 reported family and domestic violence offences between January and March this year alone. Rates are up almost 50 per cent in five years. The Kimberley has the highest rates of family and domestic violence in all of Western Australia. Disturbingly, this is the second consecutive time the region with a population of around 40,000 people—not a lot of people—is unfortunately at the top of the list in Western Australia.

As we know, domestic violence abuse extends beyond physical violence. It manifests in insidious forms such as coercive control, which is a complex and often unseen form of abuse that requires greater education and much greater understanding. Furthermore, the rise of sextortion—I know I've said that wrong!—a form of online blackmail particularly targeting our youth, has tripled in the past year, leaving young lives shattered and families devastated. The coalition strongly supports age verification for social media. We must protect our children from exposure to these changes and empower our parents to safeguard their wellbeing. And while society's main focus is on women's and children's safety, I just want to pause and make sure we acknowledge that men can also be victims of domestic and family violence.

The recent tragic murders of Perth mother and daughter Jennifer and Gretl Petelczyc have prompted the Western Australia government to further amend their gun laws. The proposed laws will mean that anyone who is accused of family and domestic violence will have their guns confiscated by police until the claims are investigated and resolved. Now, this is a tough measure, which is going to require the police to act swiftly when accusations are made to identify actual and/or vexatious claims.

This epidemic of domestic violence is unacceptable. It is a national crisis and a national shame, but I do believe everyone has a role to play. Australia does require a cultural change. Men need to start having those uncomfortable conversations with their mates and to call out bad behaviour of other males who are talking or acting in a demeaning way to women because that is where it starts. Men must be better role models in the home and show the next generation of men what a good man looks like. It is our collective responsibility to stand up, to speak out and to be the change that we wish to see. Government has a role to play, and I encourage the Albanese government to do more.

Monday 3 June 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:27): One of the most important lessons learnt by Australia during COVID is that our nation must continue to strengthen our manufacturing capability. We must be able to make what our nation requires and not rely upon others in the event that our borders are closed. Although the Morrison government already knew this from a defence perspective, the consequences of COVID were a stark reminder that we must be able to build at home to defend our home. During my three years as the Minister for Defence Industry, this became my mantra. Throughout this period there was a much greater emphasis on what areas of sovereign industrial defence capability Australia should be focusing its efforts on.

I was also determined that our men and women in uniform would have what they needed to do their job. Another of my priorities was to make sure that our Australian defence industry companies knew that we knew how important they were to the defence of our nation. I was determined to make culture change within the department so that when a new bit of the defence gear was required—and that happens often—a procurement manager didn't simply order it from an overseas supplier. In a relatively short space of time, together with industry partners and the Department of Defence, we achieved some remarkable feats. Not all these achievements got media attention—they didn't have their names up in lights—but they were important steps; indeed, they were important tools for securing a sovereign defence industry.

For example: we established the Australian Industry Content Division within CASG; we delivered a new mandated contracting model for Australian industry capability and content; we built a workforce through programs like the new and highly successful Defence Industry Pathways Program, which is currently running in Western Australia, and the expanded SADI program; we supported defence innovation, not just with words but with funding as well; and we created the Office of Defence Industry Support. We also created the AIC audit program, making sure we were holding the prime contractors to account. We made changes to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, making it much easier for smaller defence industry companies to get their first foot on the defence ladder. And we established the Defence Industry Secondment Program.

So what has happened since then under Prime Minister Albanese's watch? Ask yourself: does our Australian defence industry have faith and confidence in its current government? Agile Market Intelligence's Australiandefence industry report for the 2024 financial year, commissioned by Defence Connect, paints a very concerning picture. Indeed, for myself, I think it's a very heartbreaking picture that has been painted. It found a whopping 47 per cent of defence businesses believe it is 'difficult' or 'extremely difficult' to operate in Australia's defence sector, including 64 per cent of small businesses and 48 per cent of medium enterprises. Forty-nine per cent of defence businesses believe it is 'difficult' or 'extremely difficult' to attract and retain staff in the current environment. Only one in four—some 25 per cent—of defence businesses are 'extremely confident' or 'very confident' that their existing or upcoming contracts will continue as planned over the next 12 months. I mean, honestly, how can you plan your business when you have such lack of confidence?

What did industry proponents have to say? They said: 'There is a lack of confidence in timing of contract awards, making it very difficult to attract and retain staff and key suppliers. The Defence Strategic Review is not funded, and there is no funding in the forward estimates. This reduces confidence and the ability for Defence to execute awards. The DSR has resulted in complete decision paralysis within the Department of Defence and CASG.' It's not a very good resume, is it?

Under a Dutton led coalition government we will not be waiting around to invest in defence. We're all about restoring trust in our Australian defence industry. We have done it before and we are determined to do it again. We will beef up our industrial capabilities and we will help to rebuild our small and medium-sized businesses to make sure that we have what it takes to defend ourselves.

It is imperative that our defence industry has confidence in its government in order to take risks on defence contracts. This is urgent. War in the next decade is possible. The risk of conflict is ever present. We are hearing tough talk from those opposite, but I tell you what: words will just not cut it. On Labor's current projections, we cannot expect any new defence capability over the decade. This is why I am passionate about there being clarity around our strategic circumstances—a clear strategy to deter those who will do us harm.

Tuesday 4 June 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:45): It gives me great pleasure to talk about some of the wonderful volunteer organisations in the seat of Durack. I recently announced the very worthy Durack recipients of the 2023-24 volunteer grants, with each group receiving up to $5,000 each. These grants are designed to support our volunteer groups to keep making a difference in their community. This year's Durack volunteer grant round had a focus on supporting local youth and encouraging the younger generation to help out within their communities.

Chittering Wildlife Carers, a wonderful not-for-profit in the south of my electorate, treats and cares for sick and injured native wildlife, with the aim being to rehabilitate animals back into their natural environment. They will utilise the funds to purchase essential joey formula and to train youth carers. Another worthy recipient is the Newman Gymnastics Club in the Pilbara, who can now provide safer equipment for their coaches and athletes. I'd like to shout out to Peta Baer, who runs the Newman Gymnastics Club and is an emerging East Pilbara leader. Well done, Peta. Also, Kununurra Neighbourhood House will be equipped with a new washing machine, iPad and modified trailer, and the awesome Bicycles for Humanity in Geraldton will purchase new parts and tools to continue their vital work of restoring old bikes and donating them to children in need.

On behalf of the entire electorate, I want to extend my gratitude to all of our volunteers for their remarkable contributions. Your commitment to serving others exemplifies the true essence of community spirit. You truly are the heart and soul of our Durack community.

Thursday 6 June 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (11:05): This is a good opportunity to highlight the utter betrayal by the Labor government in introducing the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024. This bill represents complete and absolute treachery by Labor towards Western Australian farmers and regional communities within my electorate of Durack and within the electorate of O'Connor. I acknowledge my friend and colleague, Rick Wilson, the member for O'Connor, who is sitting here with me in the Chamber. The consequences of this legislation are not merely political. They are deeply personal and devastating to the livelihoods of hardworking Australians who rely upon this industry.

Last Friday, the member for O'Connor and I had the privilege of attending the Keep the Sheep rally in Perth's CBD. This rally was attended by thousands of Western Australian farmers, industry representatives and supporters from all walks of life. The outpouring of support was truly overwhelming, with over 1,300 vehicles converging on Perth to stand united against this destructive bill. Large trucks adorned with signs reading 'Keep the sheep' and 'Stand with our farmers' were a real testament to the solidarity and resolve of our regional communities and our thousands of city supporters. The rally was respectful and dignified, just like the character of the people that it represented. Unlike the behaviour and attitude of some opposite, who have pandered to the whims of inner-city voters, our movement stands for real Australia—the Australia that understands the value of hard work and community and understands that agriculture is the backbone of our nation. I encourage those who are listening to sign the 'Keep the sheep' petition.

Let's be clear. This is not just a political battle; it is a battle for people's lives and livelihoods. But don't take my word for it. I received this email last night from Wesley and Louise Hagboom from Dowerin:

Dear Minister

We write to you as a husband and wife farming team in Dowerin, parents of 3 children and local volunteers/committee members of various clubs and organisations in our local area. Our family have farmed cereal crops and sheep on this land for 4 generations. Our split enterprise of livestock and cropping is a vital element to the viability of our business allowing us to successfully mitigate seasonal and financial variations over many years. We also run a small sheep contracting business … which assists bringing an extra off farm income into the business.

We rely heavily on the live export of sheep by sea, it is a significant income stream for our business.

The removal of this industry would devastate families and communities like ours, forcing us to seriously consider removing sheep from our enterprise altogether. We will not be alone in this way of thinking, fellow farmers like us will also find the farming of sheep in WA unviable therefore our small sheep contracting business will not survive which will impact on our viability living in this rural area altogether.

Further to this, the effect this decision will have on our small community is concerning. We contribute countless hours in volunteerism throughout various aspects of our local community and the flow on effect that this decision will have will decimate regional communities—less people in our already struggling towns means less children in our schools, less people supporting local businesses, less volunteers to run local sporting groups and organisations. The wider impact is huge. It will lead to many people abandoning country living altogether.

We strongly believe that we are giving our small family the best possible childhood raising them in the Wheatbelt area of WA. They are growing into three kind, empathetic and community minded individuals who hold strong values in family, community and respecting the land that surrounds them. It is our belief that the phase out of live export will have significant detrimental effects on our family and our children's future on the land will be in doubt. It is devastating to think that they will not be able to give their own children the same country upbringing that they had, due to a political decision by our government.

I implore you to use your voice and influence on this matter, please work with us—listen to us and our industry stakeholders to ensure that the live sheep trade by sea continues. This will protect the livelihoods of many West Australians. Our voices and our livelihoods matter.

Thanks very much to Wes and Lou. What a fabulous contribution.

This campaign is bigger than politics. It is about the survival of our communities, our heritage and our way of life. The government must listen to the Western Australians and recognise the catastrophic effect this bill will have. We stand united, from the city to the regions, in defence of our farmers and of our future. I'm so proud of our WA farmers and pastoralists—for feeding us, for looking after our land, for providing employment, for looking after our community. So, the question is, what's next? It's sheep now, so ask yourself. Minister, advise us of whether the Albanese government's plan is to also ban the live export of cattle.

Monday 24 June 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:36): I'm very pleased to support this motion. I thank the member for Gippsland for introducing it to the chamber today. Like the member for Gippsland, I understand the importance of local government in delivering important infrastructure and services across Australia, particularly in regional areas. So often, when we hear conversation about local government, the old RRR acronym gets thrown around—it's often used to disparage and lessen the role of local governments—'roads, rates and rubbish'. I can assure you—and Deputy Speaker Sharkie will no doubt agree with me—that local government in regional Australia are responsible for far more than that.

In Western Australia, we have seen examples over the years of local governments going well and truly above and beyond for their communities, whether that's by incentivising GPs to operate in their community or trying to address the drastic housing shortages that now exist. They are in charge of not just the local library and the local pool but other very, very important community assets.

Just on housing, I regularly meet with local governments across Durack, and I've heard plenty of times about communities being let down by the WA state Labor government. I would like to suggest to the Albanese government that they consider looking to invest directly into local government, bypassing state governments altogether, as a potential solution for housing shortages—particularly across regional WA—because I believe local governments can be trusted with this very important role.

There are over 40 local government areas within my electorate of Durack. Some are home to tens of thousands of residents, like the City of Greater Geraldton, or just a few hundred, like the Shire of Cue. No matter the size of the local council, on this side of the House we know that it is local government that are most in tune with community needs, and that's why we trusted local government to deliver road projects and important community infrastructure.

I'm very proud of the support that we on this side offered to local government authorities across Australia. This included $21.7 billion through the Financial Assistance Grant program and $3 billion of support through the innovative Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, which was particularly important in keeping councils going through the pandemic. Another great aspect of this program was that the funding to the council wasn't tied and, therefore, it assisted local councils to be able to invest in that low-hanging fruit when they were unable to find other pots of money to pay for that. I've seen many good examples of that, right throughout Durack. We also delivered $6.2 billion through the Roads to Recovery Program, which supported the maintenance of the nation's local road infrastructure assets, facilitating greater accessibility and improving safety, economic and social outcomes for Australians. We provided a further $676 million in the Bridges Renewal Program to provide funding for upgrades to bridges that provide access for local communities and that facilitate vehicle access to enhance the local community, which is particularly important in those very, very remote parts of Western Australia.

Before the last election the Labor Party promised fair increases to local government funding, yet all they have done is cut program after program that my councils have relied upon. The Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, which I previously mentioned, is just one of the many programs that has been abandoned by this Albanese Labor government.

Another disgraceful example of Labor's disregard for the needs of regional Western Australia was clearly demonstrated through their recent announcement of the successful recipients of the Growing Regions Fund. Some 90 per cent of projects that were initially assessed as worthy by the regional development department were rejected. This includes several projects for my electorate of Durack. The Albanese government has confirmed that the program was underspent by $93.4 million or by 31 per cent—so there were clearly other projects they could have approved. If you ever needed an example of the Labor Party not supporting regional Australia, there it is right there, underspent by 31 per cent. This is a real slap in the face to regional communities and all of those really hardworking local governments who invested so much time and effort and—dare I say it—in some cases, financial resources to produce detailed business cases and quality applications.

It is clear that the Albanese government is taking councils for granted. The federal budget has been a miserable failure, and the work of councils to deliver liveable communities deserves more respect than they're receiving today. Our local councils— (Time expired)

Thursday 24 June 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:27): I was thrilled to recently join the Speaker in visiting five wonderful primary schools across the Pilbara. These included Baynton West Primary School, St Paul's Primary School, Wickham Primary School, Nullagine Primary School and the Port Hedland School of the Air. We spoke to hundreds of students about parliament, the Speaker and my role as the member for Durack. The quality of questions and engagement was excellent, leaving us both super impressed. Students also voted on an issue that is, quite frankly, dividing the nation. Of course, I refer to the all-important debate of pineapple: on or off pizza?

A particular highlight was our visit to Nullagine. This is a small school with a 100 per cent Indigenous cohort, for whom English is not their first language. The students described Nullagine as a good school and are excited for their new basketball rage cage. Connection to country is a key component of the school.

The Speaker also joined me in meeting virtually, maybe for the first time, with students from the Port Hedland School of the Air and presenting the long-term principal, Michael Jennings, with a certificate of appreciation now that he has announced his retirement.

I think we would all agree here that location should not be a barrier to quality education nor experiences like I've just described with the Speaker. I'd like to thank the Speaker for coming to Durack and for meeting with regional and remote students. I'd like to give a special thanks to the teachers for their fabulous efforts in logistics and a real special shout-out to those students, who really were amazing with their engagement and made me very proud.

Monday 24 June 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:19): I rise today to speak against the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024. The introduction of this bill represents a complete and utter betrayal of Western Australian farmers and regional communities. There is simply no scientific, economic or animal welfare justification for ending the WA live sheep trade. Those opposite are shutting down a valuable Western Australian industry—sadly, for their own political benefit.

Those opposite have completely misrepresented the industry in terms of standards and scale. One example is their insistence that the live sheep trade is disappearing on its own. This is just another fabrication. A submission by LiveCorp to the standing committee inquiry demonstrates that the industry is growing. In 2023, the number of live sheep exported from Australia was 30 per cent higher than the year prior. Their reintroduction into the Saudi market provides huge growth opportunities. I also have no doubt that the industry would be able to grow even further if the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry—you know, that department who's supposed to support the industry—actually did support it.

Middle Eastern and North African countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, have high demand for live sheep imports due to the limited growth potential for local production. They have a preference for local, freshly slaughtered, halal meat for use in religious observance and daily diets. The broader region was forecast to import around five million head of live sheep and goats in 2022. This number is forecast to be around 7.3 million head by 2027. The growing demand won't go away if Australian producers are forcibly removed from the market.

This takes me to my second point, regarding animal welfare. Australia's live export industry has the highest standards in the world. The Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock set out conditions for the export of livestock, and the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System, known as ESCAS, requires exporters to enforce Australia's strict animal welfare standards in importing countries. This means that animals being exported from Australia are protected throughout the entire process, from Australian paddocks to the point of slaughter in international markets. As these welfare standards are enforced in the feedlots and slaughterhouses of destination markets, sheep that are held and processed abroad are treated the same as our Australian sheep.

Australia's live sheep trade is exporting the highest animal welfare standards to the world. This is not just a Liberal Party or an industry talking point. It is a fact that the standards are recognised by international animal welfare bodies. The World Organisation for Animal Health and Welfare have stated, 'Australia has taken animal welfare improvements to the rest of the world, and for this Australia has the organisation's unequivocal support. The live export trade in Australia is leading the world in animal welfare and provides benchmarking.'

As the coalition members of the standing committee made clear in their dissenting report to the recent inquiry, for Australia to just simply cut and run from this industry will certainly lead to worse international animal welfare standards, with no more welfare benchmarks and more sheep being imported from developing nations who do not have the same standards or, in many cases, any standards at all.

Another important issue that has been overlooked is the impact that this bill will have on our global reputation and our trading relationships. The Middle East is an important market not just for live sheep but also for other agricultural commodities. Grain Producers Australia have indicated:

This ban will also have negative impacts on our trading partners in the Middle East who also buy Australian grains, including for feed stock, and our overall international trading reputation.

Labor's own Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have confirmed that a linkage had been made by an unnamed Kuwaiti company between Australia's grain exports and the phasing out of the live sheep trade.

This bill will only lead to more needless suffering for both regional communities and sheep. So it begs the question: why is it being done? Well, this bill has nothing to do with sheep. This bill is all to do with politics. Labor are worried that standing with those hardworking Western Australian farmers and communities and this vital industry will reduce their chances of holding off the Greens in the inner-city seats on the east coast.

Humanity is often brought up when we have this debate. But where is the humanity for my Western Australian farmers and regional WA communities more broadly? Where's the humanity for them? The message from regional communities across my electorate of Durack, the member for O'Connor's electorate and the broader Australian agriculture sector has been clear: do not take away our industry; do not take away our livelihoods. And they're not going to give up. In just a few weeks, the grassroots campaign in Western Australia called Keep the Sheep has had over 60,000 people sign on to the petition to keep the sheep. The focus of this campaign is to spread awareness of the human impact this bill will have on communities across Western Australia.

But it's not just on farming families, many of whom have been farming families for generations; it's also on the local businesses, the local schools and the local sporting clubs. Those opposite are taking the livelihoods away from at least 3,000 Western Australians but, obviously, this also impacts entire communities spread right across the Wheatbelt in Western Australia and beyond. I recently joined the Leader of the Opposition for a roundtable discussion with industry stakeholders in Perth and, not surprisingly, we heard from the farmers and also the truckies. But an important point made by Darren Spencer from the WA Shearing Industry Association was that, at times, the shearing industry is the largest employer across many of the affected regional towns. Darren indicated that this will have impact on the:

… hardworking people of our shearing industry, including shearers, rousies, pressers, cooks, classers and shearing contractors … The live sheep industry provides work outside peak periods and keeps them in the industry. The forecasts have sheep numbers going as low as nine million next year and seven million in 2026. So we'll lose nearly half our workforce.

With the decline in sheep numbers, which is an inevitable impact of this legislation, those opposite are simply taking away the jobs that are simply not going to be replaced with a shift to cropping—which we're already seeing. Less employment means less money flowing into the local pub or the local bakery. It means people will be forced to leave these communities. That's what the Keep the Sheep campaign is all about: getting that message out there of the human side to this dreadful decision. The Prime Minister claims to be on the side of Western Australia. Honestly, he beats his chest about, 'I'm the friend of WA; I've been there this many times.' I'll say that it doesn't take much for him to sell out Western Australia. Western Australians are watching not just where he goes or what he says but what he does. They're watching.

The minister for agriculture has announced that the ban won't come into effect until May 2028, so there is no need for the government to gag or guillotine debate on this bill, and I hope everybody gets an opportunity to have their say. This bill must be subject to a comprehensive Senate inquiry that will hear from all impacted communities, members of the industry and those involved in the supply chain. I implore those opposite to show some common decency and to announce a legitimate Senate inquiry. The recent charade that was the Standing Committee on Agriculture's two-week inquiry was an absolute insult to regional Western Australians. Honestly, how can anyone justify giving farmers, industry stakeholders and concerned community members just four working days to make a submission to the committee? Honestly, it's a joke, and it's incredibly disrespectful to the people that I represent. Those opposite clearly have no respect for or understanding of our farmers, who feed and sustain this nation. Even though there were only four days to make a submission, incredibly, 13,000 people made submissions. Given that only a fraction of those have been processed and published, it is unbelievable to me that there could possibly be careful consideration of these submissions prior to the writing of the inquiry report. This was simply a box-ticking exercise for the government, with the result never in doubt. I hope that a legitimate Senate inquiry, with a reporting date that allows for a thorough examination, will allow concerned farmers and stakeholders in my electorate to finally be heard.

Even though I believe this inquiry was a true waste of time, I was proud to attend and to speak at the single hearing that took place in Western Australia in the small town of Muresk within my electorate.

As I was saying earlier, my contribution at the hearing included a letter from Wesley and Louise Hagboom from Dowerin, which eloquently detailed the impact this ban will have on their farming business and the broader community. The turnout at the hearing was incredible, with almost 2,000 people coming along to support the Keep the Sheep campaign. Cars stretched for multiple kilometres down the road from the Muresk Institute, such is the passion to defend this industry and regional Western Australia.

I appreciate that some Labor members on the committee were able to hear directly from concerned stakeholders and community members. But I do struggle to believe that it would be impossible for them not to be moved by the powerful testimonies of those who were able to speak directly to the committee. Former senator and veterinary surgeon, Chris Back, made a great point during his submission: that this decision to ban the live sheep trade for the minister was an issue of mind over matter. The minister's approach has been, 'I don't mind, and you don't matter'. I think that sums up the issues pretty well.

Another important point is the inevitable toll this legislation will have on the mental health of farmers and the broader community. The $107 million transition package announced by this government acknowledges the seriousness of the mental health fallout this bill will have on members of WA rural and regional communities. Unfortunately, I believe the impact is well underestimated. I do not believe any amount of counselling can ameliorate the damage being done en masse to each and every member of the supply chain, their forebears and their future generations. They will not only see their livelihoods ruined but also their reputations sullied, leaving them pigeonholed as animal abusers by an animal welfare lobby hell-bent on ending all livestock production and transportation. As stated by the WoolProducers CEO, Jo Hall:

The mental health impacts of the decision to ban live exports cannot be overstated. As a cohort, primary producers are already overrepresented in suicide rates as compared to the general public, a responsible government should be developing policies to reduce this incidence, not making decisions that add further stress.

The announcement of this ban only adds to the pain farmers are currently suffering due to severe decline in the price of sheep, Labor's cost-of-living crisis and a period of drought.

I'll conclude by reaffirming that the coalition's commitment to the future of Australian agriculture is iron-clad. I will not be supporting this disgraceful and cruel bill. I'm proud to say that we are united on this side of the House. The Liberal Party stands in solidarity with Australian farmers and the agriculture sector in strongly condemning and opposing Labor's destructive policy to shut down live sheep exports. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of animal health and welfare while supporting a lawful and sustainable live export trade. If this bill is passed by the House and Senate, when we are elected to government—in not such a long period of time—we will introduce legislation to reinstate the live sheep export industry. Given the constant attacks on regional Australia, I can only hope that this will occur sooner rather than later.

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (09:36): I rise today to talk once again about the dire need to address regional road safety. I've previously spoken about the need to seal and widen roads across my electorate of Durack that have presented serious safety concerns, and I've been pleased to have successfully advocated for many vital upgrades.

Today, however, I'd like to focus on a longstanding issue where progress unfortunately has not been made. What I'm talking about is the necessity to improve level-crossing safety through better train illumination. Between 1 July 2014 and 31 December 2022, across Australia's level crossings there were 7,839 near hits, 322 collisions, 39 fatalities and 49 serious injuries. These numbers are a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures. Currently 80 per cent of Australia's 23,000 railway crossings lack warning lights. This makes it crucial for trains to be adequately lit to prevent accidents. This is an issue that has impacted far too many families.

On 8 July 2000, Christian Jensen and his friends Jess Broad and Hillary Smith all lost their lives when their vehicle was hit by an unlit train in the WA Wheatbelt. A coronial inquest into the accident found that no-one in the car had seen the train approach, due to an absence of train lighting and warning signs on approach to the crossing. The 2001 inquest recommended all locomotives be fitted with external lighting, in addition to ditch lighting, to effectively warn motorists of their approach. These recommendations were never legislated by the government despite poor visibility of trains being an exhaustively documented contributing factor in this accident and others around Australia.

Lara Jensen, the sister of Christian, has, along with other affected families, been advocating for these changes for decades. Their lived experiences and these tragedies highlight the human cost of inadequate train illumination. In Australia there is no legal requirement for trains to be lit to a particular standard. In contrast, oversized trucks are required by law to be fitted with flashing beacon lights, and all trailers must be fitted with mandatory side lighting. Last year Lara, as a spokesperson for the Improve Train Lighting and Passive Level Crossing Safety group, wrote to Minister King, calling on the government to legislate lighting standards.

I'd like to bring to the attention of the House that soon there will be a petition launched to parliament requesting the House to immediately implement legislation requiring rotating beacons and side lighting on locomotives and rolling stock to improve safety and reduce preventable accidents and fatalities at railway crossings. Any action that can prevent loss of life must be considered, and I'd like to thank Lara Jensen and her family for continuing on this crusade.

Monday 1 July 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:33): I'd like to take this opportunity to bid farewell to one of my invaluable team members, Sally Short. For six years as an electorate officer, Sally has been an indispensable part of my team. Prior to working in my office, Sally spent 12 years in state electorate offices. I think we would all agree that 18 years in this game is a pretty big effort.

Sally's empathetic and caring nature has made her a pillar of support for so many of my Durack constituents, and her ability to listen and genuinely understand the concerns of our constituents is frankly admirable. Proficient at managing difficult portfolios and addressing complex issues, Sally has always approached her work with grace and determination. Sally's dedication to public service runs in the family, with her mother also having served as an electorate officer. Overcoming many challenges in her life, Sally has always handled them with a calm and thoughtful demeanour. Her deep love for animals is testament to her caring nature.

As Sally moves down south to her newly built home, we will deeply miss her presence in Geraldton. However, we are very excited for her new journey and know that she will bring the same passion and dedication to her new community. They will be very lucky to have her. Sally, thank you for being such a great team member and a fantastic teammate and for the service to Durack. We wish you all the very best in this next chapter of your life. Go forth and be the hippie that you are destined to be.

Monday 1 July 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (18:35): I gladly rise today to support this motion proposed by the member for Gippsland. As the federal member representing the Durack community, I am very proud to represent much of Western Australia's resources sector and natural gas production territory. I frequently meet with the sector and understand how critical gas is to Australia's economy today and into the future.

The natural gas supply chain employs 80,000 people across Australia, primarily in regional areas. In 2022, natural gas was connected to more than five million Australian homes and provided 42 per cent of the energy consumed by the Australian manufacturing sector. The sector also provided $17.1 billion in taxes, royalties and charges in 2023-24, allowing governments, state and federal, to invest in critical services and public infrastructure.

Unfortunately, under this government, we have seen the price of gas increase by 22.2 per cent, and the warnings of upcoming shortages are real. Shortages in a country that is as gas rich as ours—it's quite simply a joke. It's clear to everyone on this side of the House that we need more supply of gas, especially as we move away from coal supplies.

But it's not just Australian families who rely upon our natural gas. I'd like to remind the House that Australian natural gas is key to the energy markets of many of our major trading partners. Last year, Australian gas met 40 per cent of Japan's gas demand. Our gas is helping reduce their emissions as they shift away from coal and use our gas to manufacture green technologies. Countries like Japan have placed their trust in us to guarantee the future of our gas sector. I would like opponents of new LNG projects, like the Barossa LNG project or the Scarborough LNG project, to explain to me how such countries will meet their energy needs without our gas. It's quite ridiculous to think that such countries could take a renewables-only approach; instead, they would have to look to other sources. Goodness knows that reliance upon Russian energy is not the answer.

A coalition government will get Australia's gas sector back on track by slashing approval timeframes in half, without compromising on standards; we'll defund the Environmental Defenders Office; and we will commit to an annual release of offshore acreage for gas exploration and development. By supporting our gas sector, we will ensure that households and businesses can access affordable, reliable energy, and we'll stop Australian manufacturing jobs leaving the country due to gas shortages.

As a child of the Goldfields, I'm an advocate for the entire resources sector, and I was pleased to read in the Australian today that uranium exports are forecast to top $1 billion for the first time in 2023-24 and set to reach $1.7 billion in 2025-26. As the previous environment minister, I approved the last uranium mine in Western Australia. It was a good idea then and it is still a good idea today. Unfortunately, the WA Labor government introduced a ban on further mines, but I'm very pleased that the leader of the WA Liberal Party, Libby Mettam, has confirmed that, if elected, she will reverse the ban. I say, 'Hear, hear!' to that.

Given that our uranium is clearly good enough for the rest of the world, why shouldn't we move towards zero-emissions nuclear energy, using good Western Australian uranium? Currently, of the 20 largest economies, we are the only nation without nuclear power or plans to move towards it. I believe we need an 'all of the above' approach to energy. Renewables, gas and nuclear would create a well-balanced, affordable and reliable system.

I'll conclude by acknowledging that we have heard some encouraging words from the Minister for Resources regarding the future of gas; however, it must be said that the Future Gas Strategy, and the announcement that gas will remain an important source of energy through to 2050 and beyond, was not unanimously welcomed by those opposite. I have to say I have absolutely no confidence that Labor will keep its promises to the gas sector. What will happen to this commitment if they are thrown into minority government? This is what the Australian people need to think about. Our energy security is not something that we should play with.

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:46): I rise to speak about Labor's cost-of-living crisis. Once again, we have a motion from those opposite that proclaims that addressing the cost of living is their No. 1 concern and priority. If that's true then it's a very sad indictment on the competency of the Prime Minister and the Treasurer. Australians aren't stupid. They're not silly and they can see through the spin of those opposite. Every time they get a bill in the letterbox or reach the cash register at the supermarket, they understand that things aren't getting better.

I know Australians are tired of the constant nitpicking of the major parties, and I think we have heard that loud and clear. But facts do matter, and they have to be called out because that is in the national interest. After two years of Labor the cost of essentials has increased significantly as follows: food is up 11.4 per cent, housing is up 14 per cent, rents are up 14.2 per cent, electricity is up 21.5 per cent, gas is up 22.2 per cent, health is up 11.1 per cent and education is up 10.9 per cent. And yet here we are today with another motion pretending that low-income earners under their watch are somehow better off. Who do you think those additional costs affect the most? Of course it's the low-income earners in Australia. The minor increases in take-home pay that those opposite are bragging about here today—shamefully—are eaten up by the inflated cost of living and the potential interest rate hikes.

Tackling inflation should be the government's No. 1 priority. Instead they've introduced $315 billion in new spending with absolutely nothing to show for it. While inflation tracks down across most of the developed world, ours is tracking upwards. Last week's release of the monthly consumer price index likely removes all hope—hope has been dashed—of the Reserve Bank cutting interest rates anytime soon. Headline inflation rose to four per cent, and core inflation, which is the RBA's preferred measure, rose to 4.4 per cent. This is the fourth month in a row that core inflation has headed in the wrong direction. The RBA only has one mechanism to tackle inflation and they have been left to do all of the heavy lifting. It is shameful.

More rate hikes are probably on the way, because of this government's failure to tackle homegrown inflation. Homeowners with a typical mortgage of $750,000 are already $35,000 worse off a year under this Albanese Labor government. Further rate hikes will only increase the burden on mortgage holders. So not only is the Australian dream of homeownership dead for young Australians, largely due to Labor's reckless migration program, but it is becoming a nightmare for mortgage-holders as well.

I will admit to following a few of those opposite on social media, and I have been amused by some of their recent posts. Every day, over the past few weeks, there's been a bit of a countdown and a few updates: 'Only 10 days till the tax cuts come into effect,' then nine days, then eight days and so on. Well, we are finally here. Hooray. Don't get me wrong. I am very pleased that taxpayers are getting to keep more of their own money, because, as Liberal and National party members, that's what we believe: that Australians should keep more of what they earn. Australians certainly know how to spend it better than those opposite.

But let's not pretend that Labor suddenly cares about cutting taxes; oh, no. We know that Labor is here today taking credit for reducing taxes, but they take no responsibility for raising them. Labor is banking $60 billion worth of bracket-creep and has increased personal income tax by 20 per cent since the election. The OECD Taxing wages 2024 report found that Australia's personal income tax burden grew faster than any other advanced economy's last year.

In conclusion, I'm calling on the government: stop patting yourselves on the back with motions like this, and get on with delivering a real economic plan to restore prosperity to our nation.

Tuesday 2 July 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:03): Yesterday was a very dark day in the history of this time because last night the Labor Party, the Greens political party, Senator Pocock and Senator Tyrrell teamed up to destroy the livelihoods of at least 3,000 Western Australians and destroy an agricultural industry. Those opposite, at the last election, promised to stand up for Western Australia, yet last night they sold out our state because of this government's desire, purely this government's desire, to curry favour with inner city voters. Not only was this decision reckless, as the MPI suggests; it was shameful. The live sheep trade in WA predates Federation. It is a truly Western Australian industry that has done absolutely everything that has been asked of it to improve animal welfare standards and more. In fact, our live export industry leads the world, in terms of animal welfare standards, a fact even the minister of agriculture has acknowledged.

I'd like to share a quote from a March 2023 letter Minister Watt received from the then Kuwaiti Minister of Commerce and Industry:

The requirement for live sheep cannot be substituted with chilled or frozen meat for our population, and it is not our preference to switch our live sheep source.

Australia's forced exit from the trade will mean we lose out to nations with few to no standards.

So I say to those opposite: don't dare try and pretend that the banning of live sheep exports is anything to do with animal welfare standards. Our WA farmers just want to keep doing their jobs and feeding the world. It is a noble occupation. I have been absolutely disgusted at the insults that have been levelled at our WA farmers, our WA truckies, our WA rousies and more by extremist animal rights activists and those who sit on the opposite side.

We often talk about the difficulty of getting people to work, yet here we have some 3,000 Australians who are being forced out of their industry and, probably, out of our towns. This will impact the local shops, the local sporting groups and, of course, our local schools. While the legislation has passed, let me tell you that the fight is far from over. I want to acknowledge my friend and colleague the member for O'Connor, who is here with me as well. We are up for this fight. Regional Western Australia, let me tell you, doesn't give up that easily, so be warned.

The grassroots Keep the Sheep campaign is well and truly up and running in Western Australia, and a few weeks ago I was so pleased to join the rally which went through Perth CBD. I was so touched by the support that was provided to our farmers, our regional Western Australians, by the people of metropolitan Perth. I say to them, 'You need to keep supporting your farmers, because they need your support now more than ever.'

Keep the Sheep have said that if they couldn't change policy, which sadly they were unable to do, then they would change the government. Well, they are now planning to mobilise and target the Western Australian Labor members, who failed to stand up for Western Australia. In just a few short weeks 63,000 Australians have signed the Keep the Sheep petition. Unfortunately, at least one Labor member threw those words back in their faces. 'We are keeping the sheep,' the member for Hasluck posted on her social media last week. 'This means more than 3,000 new jobs for the regions,' she said, with a smile on her face. Honestly, the arrogance, the ignorance and the disrespect of those opposite is beyond belief. Do the member for Hasluck and the rest of those on the other side of the House honestly believe that they know better than the farmers and the communities themselves what is good for farmers and regional communities?

We know it has been a tough week, but I want to recommit to my Durack community that my coalition colleagues and I are committed more than ever to reinstating the trade. We will always have your back. But you have to ask yourself: if it is sheep today, what is next? Will it be cattle tomorrow? People in my electorate are good farmers, pastoralists. They feed us, they employ us and they support our communities. We are eternally grateful for them and we are fighting with them every day.

Monday 12 August 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:40): Despite the significant distance from communities in my large electorate, no matter where I go, I am reminded of the plight of regional WA under this Labor government. Labor's homegrown inflation is keeping interest rates higher for longer. As the Reserve Bank has told the Select Committee on the Cost of Living, they are waiting for softer growth in government spending before they cut interest rates. I'm afraid we could be waiting some time.

The cost-of-living pain that constituents in my electorate are feeling just makes the constant attacks on regional Western Australia even more shameful. As we know, Labor has now legislated to end WA's live sheep trade. Those opposite showed absolutely no regard for the wishes of my regional communities and the thousands of good, hardworking men and women who rely upon this important Western Australian trade. Just as this was a political calculation to appease inner-city voters, so was the decision to abolish the cashless debit card in vulnerable communities, including the East Kimberley. The University of Adelaide recently released their report detailing that domestic violence, public drinking, intoxication and gambling have all increased since this decision was taken. Statistics released by WA police have confirmed that 2023-24 was the worst year on record for crime in regional WA and that assaults on police officers in the Kimberley were nine times above the national average. Labor at a state and federal level need to do more to combat this crime epidemic.

Speaking of the East Kimberley: I was happy to hear the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley's application for funding for the Kununurra Airport runway extension through the Growing Regions Program was successful—hooray, we said. This project has the potential to deliver cheaper flights and direct east coast connections to the region. Yet even good news turns sour because of this government's incompetence. According to Labor's own guidelines, successful applicants must have started construction by May 2024. Comically, the recipients were announced on 16 May 2024. Three months later, the shire still hasn't received its funding application. The government's delay means upgrades to the airport won't commence until next year as, of course, work cannot begin now, due to the upcoming wet season. The shire is now predicting a 10 to 15 per cent increase in costs.

Labor had almost two years to get this program right after scrapping our successful Building Better Regions program, yet they couldn't deliver it on time, they rejected hundreds of projects while underspending the project's budget by 31 per cent and now they can't even confirm when recipients can expect to receive funding and get their projects underway. Such incompetence and lack of care demonstrates that the Albanese Labor government has abandoned regional WA.

Durack's borders are also under threat, and I call on the new minister to act immediately to reverse Labor's actions with respect to border protection. Under Labor, aerial surveillance hours have fallen by 20 per cent and maritime patrol days have decreased by 12 per cent. Earlier this year, I outlined the necessity of increasing maritime surveillance following the fourth illegal boat arrival along the WA coast in just six months. It seems that that message fell on deaf ears, with the Border Force confirming four illegal fishing vessels were found by local fishermen in the mangroves near Broome just last week. Boats reaching our shores present significant threats to northern Australia. Just think of the biosecurity disaster that could occur if disease reaches the mainland just because our borders aren't sufficiently protected.

However, there may be a bigger threat to industry in the form of Labor's so-called Nature Positive Plan. The duplication of environmental approvals will blow out times, and the prospect of a climate trigger will kill off billions of investment in our mining and resources sector along with thousands of jobs. According to the IPA's analysis, Western Australia would be the state most affected, that's regional WA, potentially losing $111 billion of investment. Once again, regional Australia—especially regional Western Australia—is getting the raw end of the stick, despite being the backbone of the Australian economy.

Thursday 15 August 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:33): I rise to table a very important petition signed by 6,600 concerned Australians calling for the legislation of mandatory minimum standards for train lighting. This petition has been considered by the Petitions Committee and found to be in order.

The petition read as follows—

We the undersigned ask the Parliament of Australia to immediately implement mandatory and enforceable legislation requiring rotating beacon lights on the front of train locomotives and side lighting on locomotives and rolling stock.

In Australia there is no legal requirement for trains to be lit to a particular standard. In contrast, oversize (excessively large) trucks are required by law to be fitted with flashing beacon lights and all trailers must be fitted with mandatory side lighting. Trains are at least 15 times heavier than trucks and can be up to 1.8km long, yet they have minimal frontal lighting and no side lighting. Trains remain the largest and most poorly lit vehicle on land.

Two separate studies commissioned by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) have demonstrated that upgraded lighting significantly improves the visibility of trains at night, particularly for vehicles approaching level crossings at obtuse angles, which is a common situation in rural settings.

Currently, 80% of the 23,000 railway crossings in Australia do not have warning lights, making it essential for trains to have adequate illumination. Between 1 July 2014 and 31 December 2022 across Australia's level crossings there were 7,839 near hits, 322 collisions, 39 fatalities and 49 serious injuries involving either road vehicles or pedestrians.

We therefore ask the House to immediately implement legislation requiring rotating beacons on the front of locomotives and side lighting on locomotives and rolling stock to improve safety and reduce preventable accidents and fatalities at railway crossings.

from 6,600 citizens (Petition No. EN6369)

Petition received.

Ms PRICE: Currently in Australia, there is no legal requirement for trains to be lit to a particular standard. Given 80 per cent of Australia's 23,000 railway crossings lack warning lights, it is crucial for trains to be adequately illuminated to prevent accidents. I'd like to thank Western Australia state member for the North West Central, Merome Beard, for launching this very important petition.

I also give thanks to Durack local Lara Jensen. Lara and her supporters have been fighting for better train lighting for decades following the tragic accident causing the death of her brother, Christian, and his friends, Jess Broad and Hilary Smith. A coronial inquest determined that they did not see the oncoming train and recommended for all locomotives to be fitted with external and ditch lighting. That was sadly made all the way back in 2001.

The government, for what it's worth, does have a stated goal of zero harm at level crossings; however, they are currently looking to implement only a voluntary code for train visibility. That is simply not good enough. I call on the government to reconsider its position in light of this petition and to take the necessary actions to make our regions safer and to prevent further loss of life.

Thursday 15 August 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (11:55): I rise today to speak against the Albanese government's Future Made in Australia Bill and the Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No 1) Bill 2024. You have to give it to those opposite and their strategists—they really do come up with some very meaningful sounding titles for their legislation. Think of it, in just the last few months we've had the 'cost-of-living tax cuts', the 'nature positive' bills, the 'help to buy' housing package and here we have another clever slogan with Future Made in Australia. How could anyone possibly be opposed to such proposed laws that sound so wonderful and so positive, like they're really trying to solve a problem? Well, unfortunately, again and again, the substance and the results of Labor's legislation fail to live up to the promise of these titles. Those opposite are consistent, if nothing else.

Times are tough right now, and I don't get any pleasure in saying that Australians are struggling more than ever before. Since Labor came to office just over two years ago, personal income taxes are up by 20 per cent, real wages have collapsed by nine per cent, living standards have fallen by eight per cent, household savings are down by 10 per cent and families with a typical mortgage of $750,000 are roughly $35,000 worse off. Businesses aren't immune to higher inflation, either. They also have to manage higher rents, higher mortgage repayments, higher energy bills, higher prices for goods and, of course, the consequences of their customers having less buying power. It's no surprise that last financial year was the worst year on record for business insolvency, with some 10,757 businesses becoming insolvent.

Our country is in an entrenched GDP-per-capita recession, and the only reason Australia's GDP is growing—barely growing, I might add, with just 0.1 per cent growth in the last quarter—is that under Labor we've seen the highest net migration in our nation's history. Obviously, this record migration is causing problems of its own. It's shrinking housing vacancies and driving up rents and housing costs when Australians can least afford it. Australians expect their government to act on these issues, and why shouldn't they? Who can forget the central promise of the 2022 election campaign, that life would be better and cheaper under a Labor government led by Prime Minister Albanese? That was a solemn promise from the 'my word is my bond' prime minister.

While Labor's policies might look good at first glance, they are clearly failing to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. They are not bringing down inflation, nor are they laying the groundwork for the Reserve Bank to start cutting interest rates. I must say, it's unfortunate that Australia is an outlier when it comes to fighting inflation, with our core inflation sitting at 3.9 per cent. We are the only G10 nation where core inflation has gone up compared to December figures. There's a reason we're at the back of the pack, and it's because of our Prime Minister's failed policies and misplaced priorities. I'm talking about the $315 billion in extra spending. I'm talking about the plan to remove 90 per cent of our 24/7 baseload power. I'm talking about our Prime Minister's focus on ideological pet projects instead of getting back to basics, which is what Australia wants and deserves.

Unfortunately, with the introduction of this legislation, the government is doubling down on those policy failures. With these bills, the government is expanding the role of Export Finance Australia and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to intervene in the market by funding and propping up domestic industries and manufacturing. With this proposed legislation, Labor are again saying that Australia can become a renewable energy superpower and that they will subsidise the development of domestic solar panel and battery manufacturing. Productivity Commissioner Danielle Wood, the government's key economic adviser, appointed by the Treasurer, has said:

If we are supporting industries that don't have a long-term competitive advantage, that can be an ongoing cost. It diverts resources, that's workers and capital, away from other parts of the economy where they might generate high value uses.

We risk creating a class of businesses that is reliant on government subsidies, and that can be very effective in coming back for more.

So this bill doesn't just mean billions of dollars in more government spending today; it potentially bakes in billions of dollars for decades to come to continue to sustain industries that simply aren't commercially viable—billions that this parliament will have no say over and that will not undergo appropriate analysis. So much for the promises of transparency that the Australian people got just over two years ago! Remember that?

You only have to look at the government's $1 billion investment in solar manufacturing through the Solar Sunshot program to be concerned with the approach those opposite are taking. We know that the Treasury department were not consulted prior to this investment decision. That's a real shame, because Treasury's subsequent analysis has said that it is not a sound investment. Similarly, the $1 billion investment in American company PsiQuantum appears equally questionable, given that a non-binding agreement with the company was entered into two months prior to the expression-of-interest process. Again, it appears that $1 billion of taxpayer money has been rolled out independent of department appraisal, analysis or recommendation. The bills before us do not make the process for investment any less opaque.

While I disagree with the government's approach and will be opposing the bills, I am glad that we are talking about the importance and the future of manufacturing in this country. Over 900,000 Australians are employed in manufacturing, and I would love to see that number grow. However, the reality is that Australia has several fundamental factors that make us uncompetitive compared to foreign markets: our corporate tax rate is much higher than the OECD average; our energy costs are on the rise; our industrial relations system is far too complicated and costly; we have far too much red and green tape, making it difficult to do business in this country; and our isolation from foreign markets means transportation costs also must be considered. Obviously, we can't control that last point I mentioned, but business leaders have an idea of where we can start. The President of the Business Council of Australia has said:

Our competitors (think Canada, the US, and across Asia) are more investment-friendly environments based on old-fashioned fundamentals like tax and regulation.

To reinvent our economy we must, as a point of national urgency, become a more competitive place to do business.

That's what the coalition will do: focus on the fundamentals, not slogans and ideological fairytales.

On energy, we haven't been deterred by the fearmongering and childish memes of those opposite, and we have announced we plan to incorporate zero-emissions nuclear power into Australia's energy grid. This is a long-term plan to deliver safe, affordable and reliable energy whilst reaching net zero by 2050, which the coalition is committed to. To achieve this target we can't simply rely upon renewables. That is a fantasy that even foreign left-wing governments can't comprehend. Let me remind the House that out of the 20 largest economies in the world, Australia is the only one without nuclear or without plans to move towards it. Moving from a mix of renewables, gas and coal to renewables, gas and nuclear will ensure our grid works 24/7 and is not reliant upon weather patterns. Let's not forget that manufacturing, which the legislation before us is supposedly meant to assist, is incredibly energy intensive. How can they have confidence without reliable 24/7 baseload power under this current government?

We've also committed to rolling back the complexity and hostility of Labor's industrial relations agenda threatening Australia's small, medium and large businesses. We all know that the process was about rewarding Labor's paymasters in the union movements, including unions like the CFMEU. In terms of red and green tape, we will prioritise condensing approval processes and cut back on Labor's red tape, which is killing mining, jobs and entrepreneurialism. Of course those opposite have no plan to act on the fundamentals I just mentioned and will make the economic environment even worse with their commitment to failing energy, industrial relations and economic policies.

I'll also take this opportunity to reassert my commitment to the people of Western Australia. It has been a highlight of my parliamentary career to have fought and won policy battles on behalf of my state. While we have the Prime Minister preorganising photo opportunities surrounding our GST agreement, let's not forget who actually delivered that—it was the federal WA Liberal team together with Prime Minister Morrison. Without that agreement, WA would currently be receiving around 12 cents back for every dollar that we contribute.

Given this history, I won't be lectured to by those opposite about how to stand up for Western Australia. Indeed, one of the most laughable things I've heard from those opposite is that with this legislation they're all of a sudden champions for WA's mining and resources sector. Nothing could be further from the truth. As my electorate of Durack is home to much of Western Australia's resources sector, I meet with representatives from the sector regularly. Let me tell you that, when I meet with those many, many representatives, they certainly don't give the government a glowing reference. These claims are being made at the same time as we see the mining industry in the Pilbara and BHP currently combating clumsy union power grabs made possible by this government's disastrous and reckless industrial relations reform. Chris Rodwell, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia has said:

The last thing WA and our nation needs is industrial chaos on our mining sites, allowing unions to effectively hold our economy to ransom.

Labor's grand plans and claims are also being made while the Minister for the Environment and Water is considering the inclusion of a climate trigger as part of her Nature Positive Plan. According to new research by the Institute of Public Affairs, a climate trigger would put more than $220 billion worth of investment at risk. Of that $220 billion, $112 billion would be in my home state of Western Australia. This is on top of adding further green tape through the duplication of environmental approval processes that already exist at state and territory levels. Do those opposite realise that this will hold up new critical minerals and hydrogen projects, which apparently they support as part of their renewables revolution?

To the Minister for Resources, who during her contribution to the debate challenged me to take a position on this legislation and who consistently talks up government support for the mining industry, can the minister confirm how she feels about more red tape? I'd also like to hear if the minister supports WA's ban on uranium mining. Earlier this year at COP28 there was a major push to triple global nuclear power by 2050. Australia is home to a third of the world's uranium reserves, most of which are in Western Australia. The obvious question is: why don't we get mining and help the world to get to net zero, grow the economy and create more good paying jobs in the meantime? It's also worth noting that this government's supposed support in this bill for the resources sector doesn't apply to things like gas, uranium, blue hydrogen or carbon capture and storage. Explain that.

While Labor talk a big game on critical minerals, the help they are proposing with this legislation only comes into play when those companies begin to turn a profit. Well, that's little good to companies like Nickel West, who are currently going underwater right now, or to the junior miners who are struggling to get projects off the ground.

Western Australians are not mugs. They understand that Labor will always be more interested in appeasing inner-city voters on the east coast—they know that—rather than securing well-paying jobs in our regions. They also understand that structural reform is required to support all businesses' growth, not just sections of the economy that Labor ideologically obsess over or make snap decisions to get behind. Australia is at a crossroads. We all want a future made in Australia, but this rubbish legislation is certainly not the way that it's going to happen. I do not support this legislation.

Monday 19 August 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (11:43): I move:

That this House:

(1) notes that the Government's Play Our Way program:

(a) was announced 12 months ago, as a back-foot response to the Opposition's $250 million announcement for supporting community sporting infrastructure across the country;

(b) has left community sporting organisations in the lurch, with program applicants still unaware if they have been successful and frustrated by funding uncertainty; and

(c) was just more policy on the run from the Government, which has been proven by this significant, unexplained delay; and

(2) calls on the Government to:

(a) stop prioritising photo opportunities over the real action needed to support sports participation in Australia; and

(b) support the sporting infrastructure communities need as more young Australians are inspired to get out there and get active, and immediately provide an update on the Play Our Way program.

Well, the lack of sleep was worth it, wasn't it, to watch our athletes in Paris achieve our highest Olympic medal tally ever? It is a real credit to the efforts of every single one of them, but we should recognise that no-one gets there on their own. From the parents to the coaches to the sporting clubs, so much has got to go right for an athlete to reach the top level, and a big part of that is ensuring access to the right facilities, which was the promise of Labor's Play Our Way program.

Let's remember the context of Labor's policy announcement. During the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, our Matildas were remarkable, and there was a real belief that they could go all the way. The Prime Minister then promised a one-off public holiday if they won the tournament. This was a populist stunt, of course, that would have cost the economy some $2 billion and would have adversely impacted small businesses when they could least afford it.

Well, we believed in an alternative approach that would build on the legacy of our female sporting heroes in a positive and transformative way. So we announced our commitment to deliver $250 million towards ensuring that women and young girls playing grassroots sport have access to appropriate and improved facilities. We also announced we would seek state and territory funding to match our investment, generating a total investment of $500 million. Just days after our announcement, Labor announced a program of their own. While this was, as this motion describes, a backfoot response to our announcement, I still welcomed it. I welcomed this investment because there is a real need to improve sporting infrastructure across Australia, especially regional Australia.

However, here we are, 12 months after Labor's announcement, with nothing to show for it. Community sporting organisations have been left in limbo, with clubs that are still unaware of whether they've been successful. This, of course, grinds those sporting organisations' plans to upgrade to a halt. This delay makes clear that this was simply more policy on the run by this government and that those opposite, once again, care more about the announcement than the delivery.

At last week's Parliamentary Friends of The AFL event, it was great to hear we now have the first generation of girls who have a direct pathway from Auskick all the way to a professional national competition. However, as the Leader of the Opposition said at that event, much of the sporting infrastructure that exists is not inclusive of girls. In many places, girls are still expected to use the same change rooms as boys or, in some cases, there is simply no capacity to expand game time to include girls. That is simply not good enough in 2024.

I've been very pleased to advocate on behalf of clubs in my own electorate of Durack and to have previously secured grant funding. For example, in 2019 I was pleased to deliver a $150,000 grant towards upgrades ensuring that women in the Great Northern Football League had access to their own change facilities, but there is more to be done. The Kalannie Hockey Club have written to me about their need for new portable goals on wheels. They play on dirt pitches, and they require the might of the men's footy team to help them move the current set. Just a small investment would be sufficient in enabling the club to source these goals. The West Kimberley Junior Football League has also told me they have reached maximum capacity, with no ability to establish more teams. They also need to improve their storage facilities, with equipment for their 26 teams currently being stored in multiple people's homes. More recently, I enjoyed catching up with the hardworking Cath Widdup. She's the president of the Port Hedland Netball Association, and we discussed the desperate need for a roof over their netball courts. It's the Pilbara. It's hot. This infrastructure is a must.

Let me conclude by talking about the power of sport. As a former basketballer, a former netballer and a 21-year member of the Fremantle Football Club, I can testify that sport brings people together. Participating in sport is so important for the mental and physical health of our young people. Only today we saw more reporting about the number of hours children are spending on social media. I think we'd all agree it would be much better for our children if they spent more time outside on the sporting field than on their devices. So I call on the government to stop the delay, step up and support our sporting clubs. More than ever, our regional Australian sporting clubs need you.

Monday 19 August 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:34): I rise to speak in support of this motion from the member for Casey, which correctly points out that Australia's small-business sector is at breaking point. They're at breaking point because of the economic incompetence of those opposite and because of their cost-of-living crisis. Small businesses are not immune to higher rents, higher energy bills, higher prices for goods and, of course, the dozen interest rate rises that have occurred under this government.

All of this cost-of-living pain has led to another record being set by the Albanese Labor government, and, once again, it's not a record to be proud of. Data released by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission show the number of businesses that entered into insolvency last financial year was 11,049. That is the highest number ever recorded. By contrast, the number of insolvencies in 2020-21, when we were in government and we were combating a once-in-a-century pandemic, was 4,235. In my home state of Western Australia, 733 businesses entered into insolvency last financial year. Not surprisingly, businesses linked to the construction sector accounted for the most insolvencies, which, of course, only exacerbates our housing crisis. This was followed by insolvencies in the accommodation and hospitality sectors.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like this will be a record for long. Gayle Dickerson, who sits on the Turnaround Management Association board, has said:

We're not at the peak yet. The consensus and my view is we've probably got another 12 months really kind of still ramping up before we hit the peak.

This is reinforced by results from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry's WA business confidence survey, conducted earlier this year. That survey found that 18 per cent of businesses believed they were at risk of closing or the businesses were significantly scaling back their operations this year. Think of it; that's almost one in five businesses.

At a time when businesses are hurting more than ever before, you would think those opposite would do something in their power to put downward pressure on inflation and provide support to the sector. Unfortunately, they are not. In fact, under those opposite, as we know has been well reported, inflation is heading in the wrong direction, with Australia an outlier amongst advanced economies. Instead of providing support to businesses, Labor has chosen to make it harder by adding further costs, confusion and complexity to the industrial relations system.

I recently wrote to the small businesses across my Durack community about these reforms. I also sought their feedback on what issues they would like to see us address in this place. The top five issues raised with me were (1) cutting and simplifying red tape; (2) rising insurance premiums, which are a big deal in WA, particularly across the north; (3) lower, simpler and fairer taxes; (4) difficulty finding skilled staff and affording wages costs; and (5) ensuring affordable and reliable energy.

Let's consider whether Labor are addressing these concerns. In regard to red tape, the industrial relations reforms of those opposite have only made an already far-too-complex system even harder to navigate. One of the biggest issues for small business is that casual employment has been redefined. Before these changes, a casual employee was defined solely by reference to the terms of the employment contract. The new definition consist of 15 factors that consider the real substance, practical reality and true nature of the employment relationship. These changes would effectively stop casuals working regular patterns of work. We know this will disproportionally impact small businesses, as they employ 80 per cent of Australia's casual workforce.

What about taxes? The coalition has proposed extending the instant asset write-off to $30,000 and making this an ongoing for businesses. Labor voted against this proposal, leaving the scheme at $20,000 and due to expire. I also note when we were in government we reduced the small business tax rate from 30 per cent to 25 per cent. This meant that the tax rate was at its lowest level in 50 years.

They are no good on red tape and no good on taxes. What about ensuring affordable and reliable energy? I don't think I really need to say much more about that. Labor, you need to do better.

Monday 19 August 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:27): 2024 marks 100 years of the Country Women's Association in WA—a fantastic milestone for a fantastic organisation. There are over two dozen CWA branches in my electorate of Durack, which provide a space for women to come together, to share stories, to fight and advocate for our regional communities and to share the odd recipe. In 2018, after WA Labor made significant cuts to regional education and threatened to close Moora college, the CWA joined the campaign to save the school and to reverse these cuts. This culminated in a rally that inspired a magnificent cartoon by Dean Alston. The cartoon depicted a squadron of the 'CWA militant wing' firing scones and curried egg sandwiches at our state parliament—classic Alston! Later that year, I proudly announced that the coalition would provide $8.7 million to fund a refurbishment that saved the college. This is just one example of CWA's successful advocacy for regional communities. In May I attended the Walkaway CWA Mother's Day morning tea and was gifted a copy of Women of Spirit—a Centenary of CWA Stories. I had the great pleasure of it being gifted to me by Mrs Jean King, who is a CWA champion in my area. I have no doubt that their work will continue for the next 100 years. Happy 100th birthday!

Thursday 22 August 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (09:39): I'm pleased to say show season is up and running in the mighty electorate of Durack. We've already had the Moondyne Festival in Toodyay, which I was pleased to attend earlier this year. It is a very special show, as people dressed in pioneer costumes are transformed back to the era of Moondyne Joe, with re-enactments of his escapades, arrest and mock trial.

While we may have just had the Summer Olympics in Paris, at the Kununurra Show there was the equally serious watermelon Olympics—another fantastic event showcasing the beautiful East Kimberley. We've recently had shows across the Pilbara, with the Spinifex Carnival in Port Hedland, the FeNaCING Festival in Karratha and the Outback Fortescue Festival in Newman. Together with the Pilbara Liberals, it was great to see the fantastic Liberal candidate for the electorate of the Pilbara, Amanda Kailis, there representing the regional Liberal team. The Mingenew Expo has just taken place—another great success, with many dropping by to participate in the world-famous jellybean counting competition to guess how many jellybeans are in the jar; I of course appreciate the counting efforts of my team!

Next Wednesday I'm off to Dowerin, for their Machinery Field Days. This is an event that brings thousands of Western Australians from the city and the bush. I'm looking forward to catching up once again with the local farmers and also representatives from Keep the Sheep. I take this opportunity to invite the Prime Minister to Dowerin—but, a warning: if he does come I would caution him not to make any poor jokes about live export like he did the other night at the AgriFutures event, which was supposed to be about celebrating rural women. Unsurprisingly, jests about destroying people's livelihoods will not go down too well in Dowerin. My prediction is that the Labor tent at Dowerin is going to be a very lonely, sad place.

Still to come are shows in Mullewa, Chapman Valley, York, Northam, Northampton, Moora and Toodyay. I am passionate about the shows and the agricultural field days in Durack. They provide a fantastic opportunity for people to 'accidentally' start a conversation with their local member. While we all know not all community members want to call by our offices or write a letter, many often stop by at the shows and take the opportunity to have a chat with their federal member. Understandably, my team and I have been hearing about the rising cost of living and the high interest rates which are causing tremendous pain for so many families across the Durack community. These shows don't just happen; they require hours and hours of volunteer time and focus. I thank all the show organisers and the hundreds of volunteers for all their hard work. You do your communities proud by continuing to hold these shows and set up these shows year after year. They are a centrepiece of every town's calendar.

Monday 9 September 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:11): I rise to support the motion to recognise the vital service that men's sheds provide nationally. These remarkable organisations form one of Australia's largest community development networks, with around 1,300 men's sheds across the country, engaging over 50,000 Aussie blokes. Just last week, we celebrated Men's Shed Week, led by the Australian Men's Shed Association. This year's theme, 'Send him down to the Shed', highlights a significant truth: most men are introduced to a shed by someone else.

I think we can all agree, on both sides of the House, that men's involvement in their local shed invariably leads to improved mental health outcomes. Participants report increased self-esteem, greater mental health awareness and the destigmatisation of issues that many men struggle with alone. The sheds foster a positive community outlook, reinforcing that long-cherished spirit of Aussie mateship. For many, these meetings are not just gatherings; they are, quite simply, literally lifelines.

Improving the mental health of Australian men is crucial. It is well known that men aged 85 years and older have the highest suicide rates in Australia. This is heartbreaking. This is an alarming statistic, and community organisations like men's sheds are the key to tackling challenges head on. They offer support, camaraderie and a chance to reconnect in ways that many men otherwise miss out on.

I always enjoy visiting the many men's sheds in my electorate, and I make it a priority to visit as often as I can. Recent trips have taken me to Bindoon, Cervantes, Gin Gin and Wundowie, to name a few. I applaud the Cervantes Community Men's Shed for its recent move towards inclusivity by involving women in its activities. It's a modern positive step forward, and I just want to note that the Country Women's Association recently has taken a leaf out of their book by inviting men to participate as well.

So what do they do in men's sheds? Well, we know it's about the friendship and the camaraderie, but they're also creating breadboards and upcycling used craypot rope, as they do in Cervantes, and making rocking horses et cetera. But their aim, ultimately, is to support their community and those who are in need.

Participation in men's sheds is at an all-time high, with many of them looking to expand. Of course, this is such fantastic news. However, it does come with its own challenges. More government support and funding is needed to achieve these goals, and I commend the government for its support of the men's shed movement and committing over $6 million. I also want to acknowledge the coalition's legacy of funding men's sheds during our time, and long may we continue to support men's sheds.

Time is of the essence now, so I want to say I wholeheartedly support this motion. I encourage the continuation and expansion of support for our men's sheds. This support will ensure they have the resources they need to thrive and keep making a tangible difference to the lives of our Australian men, who matter.

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:33): I rise today to talk about the national ag rally yesterday, which was in support of the Keep the Sheep campaign. What a fantastic rally. Thank you to all those who attended the rally. People travelled right across Australia to attend the rally. A special mention goes to the West Australians who travelled far to be at this rally, but an extra special mention goes to those truck drivers who travelled from Western Australia across the Nullarbor to be able to show that they care about WA farmers, so I give a special shout out to Benno and his fellow travellers.

I wanted to make a special mention of the comments from Peter Dutton, the Leader of the Opposition. With his comments, he has demonstrated very clearly that he understands that our WA farmers matter. In particular, our sheep producers matter, our transporters matter, our livestock agents matter and our stock feeders, well, they matter as well. We are going to fight to ensure that we end the ban on live exports for this generation, the next generation and the generation after. Thank you to our farmers and our pastoralists. Thank you for feeding us. Thank you for clothing us. Thank you for supporting our communities and making them sustainable. Let's keep the sheep.

Tuesday 8 October 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:36): The Raise Our Voice campaign is working to increase the number of young women and gender diverse voices from all backgrounds who lead conversations in politics, domestic policy and foreign policy. This year, Raise Our Voice Australia posed this question: what do you want your community to look like in the next 10 years, and what can the next parliament do to achieve that? Lei from my electorate of Durack submitted a speech, and it is my pleasure to read that now on behalf of Lei:

My name is Lei, I am a 16-year-old girl in northern regional WA. I am also the member for Kimberley for Western Australia's Youth Parliament 2024.

One of my speeches was my adjournment debate. I was scrolling through the news to find something to talk about.

I had come across an article published in February.

12 women came out to sue their previous employer company for counts of sexual harassment and assault. It broke my heart reading it and I had decided that this is what I was going to talk about.

So I will echo what I said in Western Australia's Youth Parliament.

Sexual harassment and assault has had a lifelong negative impact on 1.3 million women and nearly half a million men in the 5 years leading up to 2022.

Sexual harassment and Assault is not only inappropriate touching but also comments on one's gender, body or, worse, actually making advances on the victim.

I call the Federal Parliament a call to action. I want EVERYBODY in Australia not only my community in 10 years or sooner to feel safe working for their living especially in these trying times where our cost of living has been growing exponentially.

Educate our Youth on what is sexual harassment, what to do if you become a victim and that it's okay to speak out. There is a lack of education on this topic in the curriculum all over the country. I want there to be promotions on this topic at every careers class, health class and even in a generalised topic to talk about. It breaks my heart that this topic has to be normalised to break the stigma around it because we cannot stop predators.

If we have to normalise this topic so that people are not afraid to speak out then so be it. Speaker and the Members of Federal Parliament, I am a Year 10 student and I am afraid.

I am afraid that when I enter the workforce as a YOUTH will I be subjected to being one out of three Australians who experience workplace sexual harassment.

This is such an important issue. Thank you, Lei.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives —

Monday 4 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (18:01): It's incredible just how out of touch this government is. It's quite clear that, since Labor was elected, life for the vast majority of Western Australian families has got harder, not easier. That's despite those opposite saying life would be easier and would be cheaper under them. Yet here we are again, with those opposite giving themselves an almighty big pat on the back for overseeing this cost-of-living disaster.

The member for Swan, in her motion, calls on this chamber to recognise that this government understands the specific needs of the Western Australian community. Well, I'm sorry, but that is an absurd request, given the Albanese Labor government is making decisions over here in Canberra that, to the detriment of our state, aim to shore up inner-city votes in the eastern states. Look no further than Labor's dreadful decision to wipe out the Western Australian live sheep trade. This is an industry that is unique to Western Australia. It supports some 3,000 workers across regional communities that depend on this trade. How can those opposite come into this place and say they understand WA's needs and they have our best interests in mind when they have turned their backs on our regional communities?

The Prime Minister talks a big game about how often he visits Western Australia. Just a couple of weeks ago he made time to hop on a plane—I'm not sure about the upgrade status—to Geraldton for a photo op with members of the really important crayfish industry, and then he was back on a plane to Perth. Credit where credit is due, I'm very pleased that the crayfish trade with China will resume, and I'd like to note all the constructive efforts of both sides of this House on that matter. While saying that, I'll note that it was reported that the Prime Minister was in Geraldton for just one hour. Obviously, his being in Geraldton for just one hour shows that he believes there's nothing else worthy of his attention in the midwest. Is he coming back, because we've got lots of things we need to talk to the Prime Minister about? It's a real shame that he didn't make the time to meet with our local sheep farmers, who have been targeted by this government, although we shouldn't be surprised, as he has not met once with the Western Australian farmers about this ban on their livelihoods.

Let's look at the so-called achievements that the member for Swan has included in her motion. She points to investments in critical infrastructure, and I notice that there is just one example of regional infrastructure, which is the funding for the Outback Way, also known as Australia's longest shortcut. I wonder if the member for Swan is aware that the significant funding for this project was committed to by the coalition government. Seriously, need we thank Labor for not tearing up this investment, like they did for a multitude of other WA projects, including the $48 million for upgrades to the Marble Bar Road in my electorate?

The very next line of the member's motion refers to Labor's support for the GST deal, which we delivered whilst we were in government.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 18:04 to 18:16

Ms PRICE: Again, patting themselves on the back for adopting our policy, it seems the policies that those opposite are most proud of are the Liberal Party's. Of course, the GST contribution provides a great source of revenue for the WA government, but we cannot forget the contribution of our mining and resources sector. This is a sector that has been treated like dirt under the Albanese government. Labor's pursuit of more and more red and green tape is creating further hardship and hurdles for the sector, which has contributed to almost 60 per cent of the nation's iron ore, coal and gas projects having been delayed, disrupted or put on hold.

Australia has a pipeline of 421 resource and energy projects, with an investment value of more than $525 billion. Almost 40 per cent of these projects are in Western Australia, so they are WA jobs that this government is putting at risk. We are a mining state in a mining nation. It's simple: we won't be able to fund the essential services like Medicare and the NDIS, build the hospitals in Sydney or, indeed, the roads in Melbourne without a strong mining sector. This is a point those opposite fail to understand, as they make it harder and harder to get projects off the ground.

Western Australians are not mugs and we understand that Labor will attempt to pay us lip-service but, when push comes to shove, they will sell our state out if it means they have a better chance to hold off the Greens over in the east. At the next election, there will be a stark contrast between the Labor government, who has betrayed Western Australian farmers and industry, and a coalition who unashamedly backs Western Australia.

Monday 4 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:25): Housing is priority No. 1 for millions of Australians as the Australian dream of homeownership feels more and more out of reach. Under this government, building approvals have fallen to their lowest level in over a decade, dropping 8.8 per cent to just 158,690 new starts in the year 2023-24. Simultaneously, the government have brought in more than one million migrants in their first two years in office, whilst only 350,000 homes have been constructed during that time. What a joke!

In response, we have announced our plan to keep the dream alive by boosting supply and reducing demand. Our $5 billion housing infrastructure program will help to deliver 500,000 new homes by providing funding to complete essential enabling infrastructure, like water, power, sewerage and access roads. There are hundreds of greenfield sites across the country ready for development, but progress has been stalled due to a lack of funding for this enabling infrastructure. A Peter Dutton led government will also bring down demand by reducing immigration, implementing a two-year ban on foreign investors purchasing existing homes and capping the number of overseas students. These changes will free up over 100,000 homes over five years. The next election will be a clear choice between a coalition government and a Labor government that has crushed the dream of homeownership.

Wednesday 6 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (21:33): I rise today to speak against the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024. As many of my esteemed colleagues have identified throughout this debate, this legislation presents a serious threat to Australians' freedom of speech. At a time when Australians are living in a cost-of-living crisis, it beggars belief that the Albanese government would think that this proposed bill would be a priority. If you ever need evidence of how out of touch this government is—and of their warped sense of priorities—you need look no further than this bill before us this evening.

The bill before us provides the Australian Media and Communications Authority, known as ACMA, with powers to require digital platforms to take specific steps to reduce misinformation and disinformation. If ACMA determines that a platform is not taking adequate steps, they can impose fines equivalent to five per cent of a company's global turnover.

Under Labor's plan, something can be misinformation even if it is the honestly held opinion of an Australian. Such a statement doesn't have to be malicious or designed to deceive. This can include unintentionally misleading statements about elections, referendums, the economy or the stock market. There are also some exceptions in this legislation. Exceptions apply for academics, scientists, artists and even comedians although I'm not entirely sure how we define what a 'comedian' is. But the views of everyday Australians—well, they are captured under the government's planned legislation and they receive no such exemption. The practical effect of this bill will be widespread censorship. This should be obvious, as the digital platforms will want to avoid these fines which could be, as I've said, up to five per cent of their global turnover.

Another concern of mine is that the communications minister can personally order investigations and hearings into what the government decides is misinformation. This is quite clearly open to abuse and, in my opinion, will see diverse voices censored. So, what would the minister have done with that power last year? I ask you to consider that.

As I've just mentioned, referendums are one of the topics identified in the bill whereby misinformation can constitute serious harm. Time and time again, those opposite labelled questions or criticisms about Labor's Voice to Parliament model as 'misinformation'. The brains trust behind the referendum—we know the crew: the Prime Minister, the Treasurer, the Attorney-General and the then Minister for Indigenous Australians—all came into this place and labelled any dissent to the Voice as 'misinformation'. If you don't believe me, it's in Hansard. A month before the referendum, the Treasurer said:

When you strip away all of the conspiracy theories and all the mistruths and you look through the fog of misinformation and manipulation, this opportunity is really clear and really important to our country and to all of its people.

There are still people out there who believe that the Voice referendum was rejected in every state because of misinformation. They refuse to accept that everyday Australians came to their own conclusions and voted no simply because the Voice was a bad and divisive proposal.

I believe this is a very big motivator for why combating so-called misinformation is a priority for Labor. They believe that uncensored debate is harmful as it stands in the way of what they deem to be progress. We know that it's not because Labor are committed to the truth. Let's not forget Labor's guilty track record of spreading untruths. Who could forget their 2016 'Mediscare' campaign or their 2022 campaign scaring pensioners into thinking they would be placed on the cashless debit card? In both of those instances, Labor didn't believe those mistruths that they were spreading. If Labor are seriously worried about the harm caused by misinformation, why do they consistently run on it? We know they plan to do it again. We've already seen the memes unleashed of three-eyed fish in response to the coalition's proposed nuclear policy. It's a classic policy of do as I say, not as I do.

While I mentioned the Voice, it's clearly not just the Voice, because misinformation has become a left-wing catch-all phrase for everything they don't like to hear. Put simply, if you agree with Labor, well, it's all good. If you have a different opinion, then guess what? That must be misinformation! In July, the WA Labor member for Hasluck said in a speech to the House in reference to the live sheep trade debate:

Unfortunately, there has been a lot of rhetoric and a lot of misinformation, not just from those opposite, but by leaders within the farming bodies such as the National Farmers' Federation …

This is just another example of dissent being branded as 'misinformation'. See where we're going here? I'm very concerned that this is a very slippery slope, and I'm sure a lot of Australians would be shocked to know that this is even possible. Unlike the US, we don't have a constitutional provision enshrining the right to freedom of speech. The debate around a bill of rights here will no doubt continue. But I will just say that the Americans got it right in providing a free speech protection in their First Amendment. It makes sense that it would be first, as, without free speech, the other rights are in ever-present danger of being taken away.

I'm not suggesting for one minute that there isn't troubling content out there, particularly in the social media world. Personally, I think we would all be better off as a society if we spent less time online and more time in the real world—I would say less time online and more time out in the great electorate of Durack, to be more specific. However, when we're talking about troubling speech, the traditional approach has always been that the way to combat bad speech is with more speech. Labor is abandoning this approach in favour of mass censorship. So mark my words: this will lead to a further decline in trust for government and, of course, leave many of those censored feeling vindicated and only further commit them to their cause. Just think of the old saying, 'If they're coming after you, you must be doing something right.'

These are issues that really should have been considered by the minister, given that this bill had a long holiday. As we know, there was a 2023 bill, which was even more extreme than the one before us this evening. In response to that version of the bill, the government received more than 20,000 submissions and other responses strongly opposing it. Groups including the Human Rights Commission, civil liberty bodies, the Australian Law Commission and religious institutions deeply criticised the draft legislation. Unfortunately, after binning the previous bill, they've now brought it back. Mr Speaker, I can tell you I have heard from many, many constituents right across Durack that they deeply oppose this bill. They share my concerns that this radical bill represents an unacceptable attack on the freedom of speech. Constituents have raised with me that they are concerned by the vague definitions of 'misinformation' and 'serious harm' and fear this could easily lead to overcensorship, which will stifle legitimate discussion and debate. I'm certain that this isn't just Liberal and National members receiving this feedback from our communities; I'm quite sure that those sitting opposite have also been receiving the same lack of appreciation for the bill before us this evening.

Given the former version of this bill received tens of thousands of submissions and the considerable feedback we, as members of parliament, are receiving, you might have thought that the government would establish a proper community consultation process. Unfortunately not. The government provided just seven days for submissions to be made to the committee looking at this bill—just seven days for a bill that is more than 70 pages long and has an explanatory memorandum that is over 140 pages long. Really? What is this government running from? Just seven days? What's it hiding? Despite such a short time for public submissions, to make it clear, the idea remains friendless. Already, we've seen the Victorian Bar association, the New South Wales Solicitor-General and the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties slam this bill, to name just a few.

I'll use this opportunity to give attention to some of this criticism. New South Wales Solicitor-General Michael Sexton was quoted in the Australian saying that this bill:

… targets contestable political opinions on social media and is based on the patronising assumption that members of the community cannot make a judgment about those opinions but must be protected from the obvious inadequacies of their judgment.

The Australian Christian Lobby has said:

There is no excuse for what's proposed in this bill.

…   …   …

Where the government should be safeguarding the free speech of Australians, it will instead require social media to control our public discourse. From public health to politics to the economy and ideology, how this bill defines harm will determine what you are allowed to say online.

One of the areas open to censorship under this bill is public health. Professor Nick Coatsworth, former deputy chief health officer, was one of the lucky few that got an opportunity to make a submission. Professor Coatsworth's comments included the following:

The terms "misinformation" and "disinformation" have become overused in public discourse, often employed as a way to dismiss opposing viewpoints without engaging in debate. In an era where limited attention spans hinder reasoned discussion, these terms have become shortcuts to shutting down conversation

…   …   …

Rather than seeking to impose the truth upon the public through legislation, we must focus on equipping our communities with the tools to critically assess and judge information for themselves.

Quote such as these speak for themselves and clearly identify that this is just another antidemocratic and nanny state action taken by those opposite.

In wrapping up, I will not be supporting this bill. Freedom of speech is fundamental to our democratic society, and providing for widespread censorship is, quite frankly, un-Australian and dangerous. As French writer and philosopher Voltaire said, 'I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.' I urge everyone across the chamber to vote against this legislation.

Thursday 7 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (10:53): I rise today to speak on the Aged Care Bill 2024 and the Aged Care Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. There are generally only two times in our lives—we hope—when we're fragile, we're vulnerable and we may require long-term physical support from others. The first is, of course, when we're young—when we're born and we must rely on our parents to raise us, to feed us and to care for us. The second is when we enter our older years. Once again, we may need to rely on others for physical support. So, as we take measures as a society to ensure the proper treatment of our youngest citizens, we must work to guarantee high-quality care for our elderly.

I'm sure all of us in this place can agree—and we don't always agree on much, but I think this is something we can agree on—that older Australians should be able to enter that phase of their lives with dignity and security, to have their needs met and to feel safe. I think everyone in this place would agree with that. Unfortunately, the aged-care sector has been plagued with a range of problems for quite some time. In 2018, when the coalition was in government, we recognised the need to have an independent review of aged care in Australia, and we took that important step of establishing the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. In response to the royal commission, we provided more than $18 billion in funding to support the immediate needs of the sector, and we remain resolute in advocating for the dignity and security that our older Australians deserve. We are currently seeing more than half of Australia's aged-care homes operating at a loss. This is occurring at the same time as our population continues to age, with an increasing desire to remain at home. These are just some of the issues that mean reform of the sector is necessary, and I'm really proud that the coalition has engaged in good-faith negotiations with the government to work towards a bipartisan solution.

I won't pretend that this legislation before us today is perfect, because it's not. The bills before us, for instance, leave much of the heavy lifting and substantive detail to be formulated by the executive in the form of delegated legislation. Nor will I pretend that the Albanese government have covered themselves in glory by once again failing to implement a proper and transparent consultation process on key changes. In saying all that, on this side of the chamber we do know that we are at a crossroads for the aged-care sector, with some 49 aged-care homes having closed since Labor took office in May 2022. This, of course, needs to stop, and I'm certainly hoping that the introduction of these bills will reverse this trend and result in the commencement of critical new builds across the country. It is with that goal in mind that we have worked collaboratively with the government to improve this legislation.

I'd just like to pause for a minute to make a special mention of Senator Ruston, the shadow minister for health and aged care, who has led the coalition's good-faith negotiations with the government. I can tell you that Senator Ruston deeply cares and understands the challenges facing the aged-care sector. She knows just how important her portfolio is. Well done, Senator Ruston. I give credit to her for this negotiation, which has led to some very important elements being included in the bill, which I would like to now make comment on.

One of the measures I'm particularly pleased about—although, as a regional member of parliament, I'd say that we could always go further—is the inclusion of funding for aged-care providers in regional, rural and remote Australia. Unfortunately, the government originally did not think that it was necessary or wise to include a targeted plan to support these providers, despite the disparities we know exist in regional Australia. Our specific focus has meant that $300 million in additional capital funding through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program has been included, allowing providers to upgrade their facilities. I'm hoping that this will allow for more seniors to remain in the regions that they love as they age instead of being forced, predominantly, to move into urban centres away from friends and family.

This is a phenomenon that happens far too often. People living in my electorate of Durack—1.5 million square kilometres, so that's a lot of towns and a lot of seniors, a lot of people ageing—feel like they have no choice but to leave their communities to receive care. I'm seeing that particularly in areas like the Pilbara and the Kimberley. Imagine what it must be like to have lived in a place your whole life, just to be forced to leave at a time when you're probably at your most vulnerable. We do need to think of the mental health consequences as well as the physical.

Last month I travelled with my state Liberal colleague Mem Beard MLA to have lunch with Sylvia Kelly and the wonderful members of the Gingin Care Group. In the shire of Gingin, which is in the peri-urban area of Durack, there are 900 people aged over 70. This is their dream:

A permanent daytime place in where older people who have care in home but who find the days very long and can't really cook any more, can come together for as many days as they want, to get quality fresh food, play games, share coffee, have some gentle exercise with others, get a nurse to check the scrapes and cuts that happen with older skin—

it's happening to me now, Madam Deputy Speaker—

sit in a garden with others and chat and watch birds in a bird bath, have a computer person (with a computer) to help with all those computer things that are too hard—all in one place.

Such a beautiful aspiration! What they're talking about, really, is a halfway place. They're already getting care in their home, they don't want to go into an aged-care facility, and this would be like a halfway place to make sure they could stay in their own home for as long as they wanted to. But, sadly, once these Gingin residents get to the point where they need extra help, where they need to go into an aged-care facility, there is very little available locally and they are forced to leave. I heard from many people, especially women, the day we had lunch that they were really worried about the future. That's why there was the idea of this halfway home, which maybe would allow them to stay for another couple of years.

All of this, of course, makes you think about your own parents. Certainly, meeting that group of wonderful Gingin residents made me think about my own mother, who lives in Kalgoorlie. I don't think she'll mind me saying she is over the age of 80, although she doesn't look it. She still cooks up a storm and still looks after her beautiful garden, but she's starting to need help with the odd job, and I think she would say that those few jobs will eventually grow into many jobs that she needs help with. Now, she would say, 'Melissa, I don't ever need to go into an aged-care facility,' but we don't know the future. The reality is that for my mum, Lyn Dellar, to stay in Kalgoorlie, where she wants to live—she loves and is passionate about the Goldfields area—the aged-care facility options for her are very few. Who knows what the future will be for her. Hopefully, she will never get to that point. She's an incredibly capable woman, and of course I'm immensely proud of her. This is just a personal example of what life is like in the regions.

Another important provision was that the changes initiated by this legislation would be grandfathered in. This is good news. We advocated for this because we on this side of the House believed it was incredibly important that those who were already in the system wouldn't be impacted by the changes in the two bills we're discussing today. This means all older Australians currently in the system, including those on a home-care waiting list will not pay one cent more for their aged-care journey. I think that's incredibly important. This is, of course, a commonsense provision and shows respect to our senior citizens. As a general principle, government should not move the goalposts for those who have already entered the system—any system. I think we would all agree that that's a very good principle for any government. Of course, people in aged care will already have calculated exactly how much they can afford and are making decisions based on that, so I'm sure this will be a very welcome inclusion.

We also worked to ensure a fairer deal for hardworking Australians. We did this by fighting for the inclusion of a much lower taper rate, to ensure equitable contributions for Australians who have worked hard all their lives to save for their retirement. We also gained an assurance from Labor that the federal government—not the consumer—would remain the majority funder of aged care.

Another priority of the coalition was the maintenance of lifetime contribution caps on care contributions across residential care and home care. I believe this inclusion will provide much-needed certainty for families who may have loved ones in care for many years. The reality is we don't know how long the journey is, and this will ensure that older Australians and their families will be required to contribute to care cost for only four years.

The government's original proposal sought no cap on home care and a $184,000 on residential aged care only. We were able to gain the concession that no older Australians will ever pay more than $130,000 for home care and for nonclinical care and residential care combined. This addition will save many older Australians and their families tens of thousands of dollars. We strongly pushed for the removal of criminal penalties from the bill following serious concerns that their inclusion would force the exit of highly capable staff from the sector out of fear of being criminally punished to a level not seen in any other industry.

The Albanese government wanted aged-care workers—at a time when we're struggling to get highly qualified aged-care workers—and even volunteers to be criminally liable under the new act—madness! We squashed Labor's outrageous attempt to force unionism into every aged-care home. Labor wanted a worker's representative to be able to come into every single aged-care home and demand an explanation on any aspect of its operations. We support aged-care providers working consultatively with their staff. That's what we expect. That's what the residents in aged-care facilities would expect. But we will not let the unions march into aged-care homes and tell them how to do their jobs. That is why we successfully fought to remove this provision.

Once again, I give a big pat on the back to Senator Ruston for all of her efforts to improve these bills. We are an ageing population and our senior citizens are precious. They deserve respect and understanding as they enter their latter years. They want to be treated with dignity and we should be proud of the care they are given at a most vulnerable time of their lives. Sadly, the care in aged care often falls short of the necessary standard. This bill goes some way to improving the aged-care system, which in its current form is not sustainable. But it's a good start—let's be positive. It's a good start, but we should be watching the aged-care sector like a hawk to ensure that the cost of care is reasonable, that care is of a high standard, and that the aged-care providers are financially viable and believe they have a bright future. Quite frankly, without aged-care providers there is no aged care.

Monday 18 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:30): My electorate is changing again with the AEC having announced the final electorate boundaries for the upcoming federal election. The redistribution has, sadly, meant that the shires of York, Toodyay and Northam will no longer be in Durack. It has been a real privilege to represent these communities, but I have the utmost confidence that the fantastic Liberal candidate for Bullwinkel, Matt Moran, will be elected. He will become a terrific representative.

However, I'm very much looking forward to welcoming back many of the areas that I previously proudly represented prior to the 2022 redistribution. These include constituents in the following shires: Cunderdin, Kellerberrin, Koorda, Merredin, Mount Marshall, Mukinbudin, Nungarin, Tammin, Trayning, Westonia and not forgetting the wonderful people in the shire of Wyalkatchem.

Yes, Deputy Speaker Andrews, that is a lot of shires, but you already knew that. In fact, Durack will now encompass 49 different local government authorities. These returning communities are particularly impacted by Labor's planned abolition of the live sheep trade and failures to support regional Australia. I've already begun reconnecting with locals across these areas as I look to reinvigorate my old electorate office in Merredin, so look out for that. I do look forward to, hopefully, having the opportunity to reconnect and to be the representative for what we call the 'old new Durack'.

Monday 18 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:08): It's Movember, which means we get to see fabulous men across Australia raise awareness for men's health by putting away the razor and growing a mo of their own. Earlier this year, I attended the launch of Movember's Real face of men's health report here in Parliament House. Whilst it's clear that progress has been made over the years, sadly, too many men are still dying prematurely, with two in five men dying before the age of 75. This is an issue that is particularly stark in regional Australia. Unfortunately, my electorate of Durack has the fifth highest premature mortality rate in Australia. This underscores the importance of ensuring access to quality health services in the regions for our men.

Recently I caught up with Jeremy and Gautam from Movember, who told me the five things that men should know and do when it comes to their health: (1) spend time with people who make you feel good; (2) talk, and then talk a little bit more; (3) know the numbers and talk to your doctor about prostate cancer; (4) get to know your private bits, boys, check your body regularly and visit your doctor if something doesn't feel right; and (5) move your body. I send a big shoutout to everyone getting involved this Movember for making a positive impact for men's health, including our Deputy Speaker.

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:23): It was my absolute pleasure to welcome the Leader of the Opposition and, I am confident, our next Prime Minister, the Hon. Peter Dutton, to the Pilbara recently. As we all know, everything is big in the Pilbara, and Mr Dutton's visit was certainly no exception. From the moment he arrived, Mr Dutton was thoroughly impressed by the vibrant Karratha community and the dynamic businesses and industries that make the region such a special place.

Mr Dutton didn't just observe during his visit; he truly engaged. He connected with the locals and took the time to talk to a wide cross-section of the Karratha community, which illustrated the rich diversity and unique spirit that defines the fabulous Pilbara. Yes, the Pilbara is well known as the beating heart of Australia's resource sector, but the Leader of the Opposition's visit showed that this region is much more than just mining. It's about the strength of our communities, the dedication of local businesses and the drive to make the Pilbara an even better place for our families to live.

During our visit, Mr Dutton toured several local businesses, including the fabulous Pilbara Bakehouse, an industrial bakery renowned across the region. We had the opportunity to visit Corps Group, a family owned earthmoving business that covers a lot of ground across the Pilbara and elsewhere. These businesses represent the resilience, innovation and dedication of Pilbara locals, and they deserve to be recognised.

We also toured some of the impressive projects that form the fiscal background of this nation. A stand-out was our visit to Rio Tinto's impressive iron ore operations at the Dampier port, where we saw firsthand the scale of WA's export activities. Thanks to Simon and his team for being such good hosts. We also visited the team at Woodside, which is another pillar of Australia's economy. Peter Dutton's visit demonstrated genuine engagement, unlike our fly in, fly out Prime Minister who recently visited my hometown of Geraldton for just one hour for a quick photo-op. How disrespectful to the people in the mid-west community! It is further evidence that our Prime Minister has walked away from WA. He has failed to face our farmers and our pastoralists, whose very lives and futures he is destroying.

What a contrast! Thank you so much to the Leader of the Opposition for showing true commitment to my remarkable electorate of Durack, and thank you to the Pilbara community for their very, very warm welcome to Peter Dutton. When our leaders take time to really engage, they strengthen our communities and the future of our nation.

Monday 25 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:26): If you are a Durack farmer, if you are very busy at the moment or if you are anyone who lives in the very large electorate of Durack and you're encountering communications issues since the 3G shutdown, I want to hear from you about what your experience is, because your stories matter and your voice is crucial. Right now, farmers across Durack are in the thick of harvest. It's the busiest and most demanding time of the year. It's a time when every call, every text and every connection counts. Whether it's coordinating harvesters or trucks, accessing real-time weather updates or ensuring that an emergency response is only a call away, connectivity isn't just optional; you know that it is critical.

We know that, for many, the arrival of 4G and 5G has been welcomed. Indeed, the changes have made lots of improvements to people's data and streaming capabilities. But this is not the case for many out in the bush. In fact, I'm told by the CBH Group that, for this harvest, telecommunications connectivity has been the biggest issue they have been experiencing. To those farmers and community members out there, to be able to help you, I need you to help me. Please share your experiences with me. Tell me how the end of 3G has affected you, your farm, your family and your community.

Monday 25 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (19:39): I rise to bring attention to a very important project that has captured the hearts of the Geraldton community, and that is a proposal for a jetty. Since late 2021, this idea has gained significant support, and, as the member for Durack, I have been a very strong advocate for this vision since its inception and I remain convinced that a jetty would be a game changer for Geraldton.

Geraldton is much more than just any old coastal city. It's a vital hub for regional industries, like mining, fishing, grain and sheep production. It is also a key player in Western Australia's tourism landscape, serving as the gateway to the stunning north-west and the incredible Abrolhos Islands, a pristine natural wonder that many consider our crown jewel. Geraldton is a city on the rise. Since the pandemic, more Australians have sought the benefits of regional living, and Geraldton has been leading the way. In fact, recent data from the Regional Australia Institute showed it was the fastest growing regional city in the country during the 2022-23 period.

With this rapid growth, of course, comes an opportunity and a responsibility to invest in infrastructure that will enhance both the lifestyle of our residents and the appeal of our city as a destination. A jetty for Geraldton is one such investment, and the overwhelming community support for this project is undeniable, with the Jetty for Geraldton community Facebook group amassing 7,000 followers and growing. Their passion for a jetty has energised residents across Geraldton and the surrounding area. This is not just some pipe dream; it is a practical, achievable vision that would provide significant benefits to both locals and visitors. The draft designs for the jetty show that it has been carefully planned to be environmentally sensitive, ensuring it will complement the natural beauty of our coastline while creating a legacy that future generations can enjoy.

A jetty provides something for everybody—a place for families to walk, fish or just watch the sunset. Geraldton has the best sunsets, let me assure you, Deputy Speaker. It would be somewhere for teenagers to swim and gather safely with their friends or for older residents just to go for stroll, socialise and take in the coastal beauty. For those who may not be able to swim, including perhaps those with a disability, it's a way to connect with the water in a safe and accessible way. Beyond its social value, a jetty would be a powerful driver of tourism. Geraldton already has much to offer visitors, but this would add something truly special to our city, and, with our amazing foreshore, the jetty would be the icing on the cake.

Across Australia, jetties are proven attractions that draw people in, from locals enjoying the ocean breeze to tourists seeking that perfect photo opportunity. Busselton, in the electorate of my dear friend the member for Forrest, Nola Marino, have a shining example in their city. Their iconic jetty has been a key driver of local business and tourism. Having met regularly with the Jetty for Geraldton community group, I've seen their dedication and their belief in this project's ability to transform Geraldton. Their leader, local Mark O'Brien, is to be commended for his vision, passion and drive. The concept here is clear: the jetty would encourage greater outdoor engagement, strengthen the bonds within our community and create new opportunities for tourism growth.

I was very pleased the City of Greater Geraldton recently committed $50,000 for an initial feasibility study. Of course, this is a key step to making this community vision a reality. In fact, tomorrow afternoon, the council will consider their jetty business case options analysis report for the first time, the outcome of which will shape the project's future. The council's report also states that a jetty would contribute to increasing the liveability of Geraldton and that it would support the community and our youth by promoting physical and mental wellbeing. These are just some of the benefits outlined within the City of Greater Geraldton's report.

A jetty for Geraldton is an opportunity to create something lasting and meaningful for Geraldton. I'm determined to continue my fight for this project, because I believe in its potential to bring people together, boost our economy and make Geraldton an even better place to live and visit for generations to come. Quite simply, Geraldton deserves better.

Tuesday 26 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:56): The Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2024 removes the fees imposed on the pathology sector for pathology applications. The bill responds to the findings of the 2022 health portfolio charging review by addressing the misalignment of fees charged under the Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) Act 1991 with the charging framework and providing fee relief and reducing administrative burden on the pathology sector. The bill will maintain a high level of confidence in the accuracy of Medicare-eligible pathology services by continuing to require service providers to meet requisite accreditation and quality-assurance standards. Importantly, the bill has the support of Australia's pathology sector, having been welcomed by stakeholders such as the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, Australian Pathology and Public Pathology Australia. As such, the coalition will support this bill. We understand the importance of providing fee relief to the pathology sector and providing assistance to health providers, who are also dealing with Labor's cost-of-living crisis.

Pathology is an important part of the health system, but, as we all know from experience, you generally require a referral from a doctor to get a pathology test. That is why the coalition, while supportive of this bill, is calling out the Albanese government for the fact that it has never been harder or more expensive to see a doctor than right now under Labor. Labor promised to strengthen Medicare, but it has only been weakened. Bulk-billing has dropped 11 per cent under the Albanese government to 77 per cent, whilst out-of-pocket costs have increased by 11 per cent in the past year alone. To put this into perspective: when the coalition left office, the bulk-billing rate was 88 per cent. When Peter Dutton, the Leader of the Opposition, was health minister, it was 84 per cent. In fact, Medicare is currently covering the lowest percentage of GP fees on record. On average, Australians are being forced to cover 45 per cent more of the cost to see a doctor—that's if you can see one—from their own pocket, in comparison to under the former coalition government.

Even more concerningly, the total number of GP visits declined by 2.4 million in the period 2023-24 because Australians are having to make the difficult decision between paying the bills and seeing their doctor. This means people quite simply are getting sicker and ending up in our already-overstretched hospitals. These figures make a mockery of Labor's claims regarding a proposed decade of cuts and neglect. The government is not providing the reform needed to ensure Australians have timely and affordable access to a doctor, which will in turn only put further pressure on Australia's struggling hospital system as this primary care crisis pushes patients towards emergency departments. This is shameless.

The coalition has put forward our plan to incentivise more junior doctors to pursue a career as a general practitioner and safeguard Australians' healthcare access. The package will invest $400 million to provide junior doctors with direct financial incentive payments, assistance with leave entitlements and support for pre-vocational training. This will ensure that junior doctors who pursue training as a GP in the community are not financially worse off compared to doctors who remain in the hospital environment.

A strong pipeline of home-trained GP graduates is critical to deliver essential health care to all Australians. And might I say, as a regional and remote MP, nowhere is it more needed than in the parts of Australia that I represent. It will help to ensure that Australians have more timely and affordable access to see their doctor, so that they can access essential services like pathology tests. So, once again, the coalition will support this bill to provide fee relief to the pathology sector. However, I will be moving an amendment to highlight this government's concerning record on Medicare. Thank you.

Tuesday 26 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:05): The Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Amendment Bill 2024 will address the gap in the professional indemnity insurance market. This gap has prevented eligible midwives from accessing insurance when attending homebirths for Australian mothers. The uncertainty that this has created with regard to the exemptions to professional indemnity insurance for privately practising midwives has acted as a barrier for Australian women who wish to have a homebirth and uncertainty for the midwives who would like to provide these services.

In response, this bill expands the MPIS to ensure professional indemnity insurance coverage for eligible midwives providing homebirth services and intrapartum care outside of a hospital and at birth centres. The coalition supports this legislation as it provides Australian women with the option to make their own supported and informed choices when it comes to homebirth.

By expanding access to professional indemnity insurance, the bill supports eligible midwives in delivering safe and accessible care, including homebirths and intrapartum care outside of hospitals for non-complicated births. This will support greater choice for Australian women and families in their pregnancy journey and, particularly, assist mothers in rural and remote Australia, who face additional challenges in accessing maternity services within a hospital setting. It will allow Australian women greater choice to birth at home with their chosen midwife, with the security of knowing professional indemnity insurance is available in the case of an adverse event.

In the midst of a serious workforce crisis which is impacting almost all facets of our healthcare system, supporting healthcare professionals to work to their full scope of practice is integral to ensuring Australians have access to the healthcare services they need. This bill places trust on eligible midwives to practise to their full scope by allowing them to provide homebirth and intrapartum care outside of hospital within the safety net of professional indemnity insurance.

The coalition understands that Australian women need to be supported to be able to make choices about how they want to live their lives, and that starts with making sure governments are supporting women with their health. The coalition wants to ensure that women across Australia can access care and that we understand their needs and their experiences. Supporting the health and wellbeing of Australian women and girls is an absolute priority for the coalition, which is why we will be supporting this legislation.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 17 : 08 to 17 : 1 5

Wednesday 27 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (10:54): This week we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, initiating the 16 days of activism against gender based violence. This global campaign compels us to confront the unacceptable reality: violence against women and girls remains a pervasive issue in Australia, with over 60 women tragically losing their lives to domestic violence this year.

In Durack, our regional and remote communities face particular challenges. The Kimberley region alone recorded 1,096 family assaults between July and September this year. These figures quite simply are devastating, reflecting a crisis that is undermining the safety and cohesion of communities. Anecdotally, this is due to alcohol and drug abuse. Violence against women and girls is inexcusable. While it is a complex, multifaceted problem, it is not insurmountable.

Today we recommit to the goal of eliminating gender based violence. This involves addressing its root causes, breaking cycles of violence and fostering a culture of respect and equality. However, women in regional, rural and remote areas like Durack face unique challenges. Women living on farms or in small towns often hesitate to seek help due to the lack of anonymity and also that fear of gossip in tight-knit communities. Our sisters in cities hopefully have more privacy and are able to access a broader range of services. Regional women's needs differ significantly from those in metropolitan areas, and this requires tailored programs that address these specific barriers.

One such program is the remarkable DVassist, which provides women in regional and remote Western Australia with free, anonymous and confidential counselling through phone and online services. This service is simply a lifeline that ensures those who seek help can access the discreet support they need without fear of exposure or judgement.

But, of course, men and boys are vital partners in preventing violence. Engaging them in this mission is key—of course it's key—to breaking cycles of violence and transforming societal norms. Men are essential to the solution, and I strongly believe that there should be more focus on supporting programs that help our men to simply be better men.

The coalition demonstrated our commitment to women's safety with around $1 billion. This funding helped support women escaping violent relationships and strengthened frontline domestic and family violence services, but we need to do more. There are a lot of words spoken about keeping our women and our girls safe, but I think we all know in this place that words simply aren't enough. We need more action, and we need it now. Let's commit to eliminating gender based violence no matter where our women are and no matter where they live.

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (17:33): On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, I present the committee's report, incorporating additional comments from the coalition members and senator, entitled Inquiry into economic self-determination and opportunities for First Nations Australians.

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).

Ms PRICE: by leave—I'd like to begin by thanking the chair, Senator Stewart, in the other place; other committee members; and particularly the secretariat of the committee for all their hard work in organising hearings and the publication of the inquiry report. I also thank everyone who made a submission to the inquiry. This included 109 individuals, organisations and government agencies, including from my own electorate of Durack.

I'm sure I speak for all the members of the committee when I say that this was an important inquiry, as it provided an opportunity to look at practical solutions to contribute to closing the economic gap that exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The chair's report included 22 recommendations. These were divided into sections relating to enhancing access to capital and activating the Indigenous estate; Indigenous culture and intellectual property; vocational training and new industries; and employing the lessons from international jurisdictions.

Now, whilst the coalition members and senator of the committee didn't submit a dissenting report, it was important for us to submit additional comments. Therein, we outlined the different approach we believe should be taken and have outlined 12 recommendations that we agreed with or could support with slight amendment.

Firstly, it was clear from the inquiry that there is a big gap in collecting data on Indigenous businesses. It's common sense that the government should better understand the composition and economic contribution of Indigenous businesses.

Another area we agreed on was consideration to be given on the future of the Indigenous Procurement Policy, known as the IPP. The IPP commenced in 2015, under the then coalition government, and has since contributed $10 billion in Commonwealth contracts for Indigenous businesses. This policy has been a clear driver for the rapid growth of the Indigenous business sector, and the coalition is particularly proud of that.

While the committee has recommended that the three per cent target for total number of contracts and 1.75 per cent target for total value of accessible contracts to be awarded to Indigenous businesses be expanded, I would like to note that these targets are already being exceeded and so I would say they're not ambitious enough. It is important though to ensure that the IPP is delivering on its purposes to stimulate Indigenous entrepreneurship, business and economic development. For this reason, the definition of Indigenous businesses and issues around so-called black cladding should be considered by the minister.

Seeing more Indigenous Australians start their own business is something we would all very much like to see. The inquiry highlighted some of the barriers that exist, with the greatest being access to capital. Now, I don't dispute this claim. However, I will note not all of the solutions put forward are worthy of serious consideration. One such example is the call for superannuation funds to be mandated to invest in Indigenous ventures. Superannuation belongs to the Australian people; it is not something for the government to play with.

Homeownership is critical to economic wellbeing and is correctly noted in this report as enabling further economic opportunities. Unfortunately, this is another area where we see a gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Both targeted and broader policies like the coalition's recently announced housing infrastructure program should be considered by the government.

A targeted measure we recommend was that the government commit to a full review of the Native Title Act. This should be done with a view to encourage private homeownership and business creation on native title land. The coalition notes that the native title framework has left many Indigenous Australians land rich but dirt poor.

Also problematic was the weight given to opportunities in the energy transition. Each day it becomes clearer and clearer that the Albanese Labor government has not been honest with the Australian people with regard to their renewables only strategy.

I would like to close with a few general comments. The first is the clear irony in concluding that the path to self-economic determination is through greater dependence on the Commonwealth government. It is the view of the coalition that the goal must be to minimise this dependence over time. Only that would look like success. Another issue we had was the general tone of the report. Australians have made very clear that they want practical solutions, not merely symbolic actions. Unfortunately, this report looks to include buzzwords and, in multiple cases, too many agencies are being tasked to do the same thing.

Once again, I'd like to thank my committee colleagues and note that the work of the committee continues with our inquiry into the Greens Truth and Justice Commission Bill, which is due to report next year.

Thursday 28 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (13:42): Privacy and identity protection are fundamental rights in the digital age, and any legislation addressing online safety must prioritise these principles. While protecting our children on social media is important, it must not be done at the expense of personal privacy. The coalition has consistently stood firm on privacy concerns. Earlier this year we opposed the Albanese government's digital ID laws due to significant risks, and these same principles must guide us as we craft laws governing social media use. The reality is clear. Social media exposes our children to harm: grooming, bullying, body shaming and anxiety. This is the damaging side of social media that our children are facing, and it has created a youth mental health crisis.

It is imperative, however, that we strike the right balance, which is why we on this side of the House have worked carefully to secure critical amendments to the legislation to ban under-16s from social media. We fought to guarantee that no Australian will be forced to provide a digital ID, drivers licence or passport when creating a social media account. Furthermore, we also ensured that platforms will be prohibited from using information collected for age-assurance purposes for any other reason unless the individual explicitly agrees. The coalition remains dedicated to the ongoing review and improvement of the bill to ban under-16s on social media. We commit to Australian families that we are watching the rollout very closely.

Thursday 28 November 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (16:16): There is no doubt that Australians are worse off under this Prime Minister. Since the election, the cost of food has gone up by 11.8 per cent. The cost of housing has gone up by 11.7 per cent and rents are up by 16.1 per cent. Gas prices are up by a whopping 32.2 per cent. Health care costs are up by 10.4 per cent, education by 11.5 per cent and financial and insurance services by 18.2 per cent.

As you can see, everything's going up, and Australians want action. They do feel that they've been let down by this Albanese government. The good people of WA really feel let down. In particular, the people living in regional WA feel let down.

There's been a lot of chatter about when the election will be and whether or not we'll be coming back in February. I'm sure the Prime Minister's receiving a lot of feedback from his colleagues about when he should go. No matter what date he lands on, Australians will still be faced with the same question of whether they are better off now than they were three years ago. It's that question which must really frighten those opposite. It's noteworthy that they've stacked the MPI with the Western Australians today. How worried are they about the result in WA?

In question time yesterday, I asked the Prime Minister about the terrible collapse of living standards in Australia. This is what my constituents, like all Australians, care about. It was interesting to hear him bring up his recent trip to Geraldton, which is in my wonderful electorate of Durack. In that question, he failed to mention that he was in Geraldton for only one hour. Honestly, it's a real shame that the Prime Minister didn't take the opportunity to hear from the Geraldton locals about the real issues for them. He didn't want to hear about the housing crisis or the cost-of-living crisis. He didn't want to hear about any of that. No, it was simply a photo opportunity. That is absolutely disgusting, and how disrespectful to the people of Geraldton.

Christmas is less than a month away but, yet again, it's going to look a lot different this year. This Christmas, Australians will be forced to cut back on their spending whilst seeing this government spend, spend and spend a little bit more. Unfortunately, this means fewer presents under the tree for our children to open on Christmas Day. There aren't going to be a lot of those long, expensive family holidays during January, which would otherwise have been a source of wonderful, treasured memories. As we approach the new year, families are needing to reconsider school options, and I'm hearing about this across the electorate. They're reconsidering whether they can continue to pay for their children's sports. These are real issues.

After 2½ years of this government, this is beginning to, unfortunately, look like the new normal. In Australia, core inflation is rising, and it is higher than in any other major advanced economy. This demonstrates that inflation is homegrown and that, out of all of the leaders of the advanced economies, ours has delivered the worst results.

The election will certainly be an uphill battle for the coalition; we recognise that. Not since 1931 has a Commonwealth government failed to win a second term. Yet, despite history being on Labor's side, I think you'd struggle to find anyone in the government feeling absolutely certain about their chances or really positive about their future as a member of parliament. They know they're failing, and they know that Australians know it.

In 2022 Labor campaigned on making life easier and cheaper for Australians. This Prime Minister and his government have been in charge now for over 2½ years, yet those opposite refuse to accept any responsibility for Australia's ongoing high inflation. It is simply shameful. They would have you believe that high energy prices have nothing to do their renewable-only strategy; they'd have you believe that inflation has nothing to do with their spending of $315 billion; and they'd have you believe that business insolvencies hitting an all-time record high had nothing to do with their industrial relations changes, which only make it harder to do business in this country.

I would like to conclude by addressing some serious fires that are currently being battled around my electorate of Durack. One such fire is in the Shire of Toodyay. I believe the people of West Toodyay are currently under the 'leave now' bushfire warning. Another very serious fire is in the Shire of Dandaragan, around Cervantes; it is approximately 48 kilometres long, north to south, and is proving very difficult to combat. It's my understanding that there are over 200 firefighters working tirelessly to get this under control. I would like to thank them all. I would like to extend my heartfelt thoughts to everyone impacted by these fires, including the two firefighters who were injured yesterday during the Dandaragan fire. Be safe, everyone. (Time expired)

Thursday 6 February 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (12:12): I rise today on what will most likely be the second-last Thursday of this parliament. I was first elected to represent the mighty electorate of Durack in 2013, and I can confidently say that this 47th parliament is the least effective that I have witnessed. As this parliament draws to a close, it is worth taking time to reflect on this term and whether this government has improved the lives of everyday Australians. As we get ready to go to the polls, the question that Australians will be asking themselves is this: 'Am I better off now than I was three years ago?' Sadly, for the vast majority of Australians, the answer will be no.

Under Labor's economic mismanagement, Australians are experiencing the longest sustained period of inflation since the 1980s. Under those opposite, interest rates have increased 12 times, energy bills have risen by $1,000, living standards have collapsed, 27,000 businesses have gone insolvent and we're also in a record-breaking household recession. In the last few weeks, we've seen Labor patting themselves on the back and rubbing their hands together for, hopefully, some good pre-election news, for the government is hoping for an interest rate cut when the RBA meets on 18 February. Let me tell you, Deputy Speaker: I want to see interest rates come down. People are hurting out there. Higher interest rates have been absolutely devastating, and they've meant that families with a typical mortgage have had to pay an additional $50,000 of interest since Labor came to government in May 2022. Unfortunately there is no guarantee that we will get a pre-election cut, as core inflation—the RBA's preferred measure—still sits outside the RBA's target band at 3.2 per cent.

While Labor's failure to deal with the rising cost of living is front of mind for most Australians, people in my part of the world, in regional Western Australia, are also deeply concerned by this government's attacks on farmers and failure to invest in the bush. The Prime Minister often credits Western Australia with his election in 2022. Why, then, did he insist on betraying Western Australia and our regional communities by banning the live sheep trade? This policy wasn't based on science or animal welfare concerns; instead, it was all about currying favour with inner-city voters on the east coast. The Prime Minister said that live exports were in decline and that this policy would boost domestic production. Well, how out of touch was the Prime Minister? Already we know that to be a furphy because, in the same week in January that the Tammin sheep abattoir closed—and it is going to be back in Durack at the next election—the Moroccan government announced they would begin to take our live sheep. Confidence has collapsed since this decision, and the domestic market is suffering as a result. Farmers are rushing to get out of sheep, and farming communities are hurting.

In terms of regional infrastructure: as I've pointed out to the House several times, this government is failing us. Those opposite ripped up the Building Better Regions Fund and replaced it with their Growing Regions program. Not one cent has been delivered from that program to fund projects in Durack. Two projects were announced but not a single cent has been delivered. Round 1 was a complete joke, marred by delays, and, incredibly, the minister—who happens to be sitting here in the chamber—underspent the pool by about $90 million. Honestly—there weren't enough projects that could have spent that $90 million? This meant that projects like the Newman Youth Centre in the Pilbara weren't supported in round 1. But incredibly, just months out from an election, it's now all of a sudden deemed worthy of funding. Why wasn't it funded in round 1? The minister is sitting here, so I ask her that. This was always a worthwhile project, and Labor should not have delayed its approval, because, as we in the bush know, this has inevitably led to cost blowouts.

Failing to manage the economy and failing to support our regions are typical features—

Ms Catherine King interjecting—

Ms PRICE: The minister has a lot to say at the moment about people listening here, but she has failed regional Western Australia—as have many of the ministers. Whether it's housing—

Ms Catherine King interjecting—

Ms PRICE: The minister continues to talk over the top of me, such is the disrespect of this government. We have seen underspending on a fantastic program which should be supporting regional areas. This government has failed Western Australia and Western Australians. They will remember that when we finally get to that election date.

Thursday 13 February 2024

Ms PRICE (Durack—Opposition Whip) (10:01): The Bindoon Mountain Bike Park is a fantastic asset for Western Australia. Located in the southern part of my electorate of Durack, the park is situated in Bindoon, a town that is just over an hour's drive north of Perth, and it serves as a vital regional hub for surrounding communities. With its stunning natural setting and well-designed trails, the park has quickly become a major drawcard for outdoor enthusiasts, families and tourists.

Recognising the potential of the park, I am very excited today to announce that a Dutton coalition government will commit to investing $1.5 million to deliver stage 2 of the Bindoon Mountain Bike Park. This will include more than 10 kilometres of new trails featuring advanced double-black, black and blue trails, as well as a dedicated walking track—that's the track that I'll be using, by the way. A dual access way for emergency services will also be constructed, ensuring greater safety for all visitors. On top of this, a WA Mettam Liberal state government will commit $600,000 for a pump track and essential infrastructure upgrades to improve accessibility for families. This is real investment in WA, not the empty promises and neglect that we continue to see from Labor.

I am very proud that the former federal Liberal government committed $1 million to fund stage 1 of this really important park. I was, however, subsequently so disappointed when the Albanese Labor government refused to honour this funding commitment, forcing the Shire of Chittering to cover the costs. This placed an unnecessary financial burden on the local community, which was yet another slap in the face to regional Western Australians who continue to be overlooked by this government. Despite Bindoon's close proximity to Perth, it appears Labor still considered that it is too far away to care about, because we know that for those opposite it's only cities that matter. This is why, when the WA Cook Labor state government recently announced $23 million for outdoor adventure projects across WA, bizarrely, Bindoon was once again completely overlooked.

I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hardworking member for North West Central, Merome Beard MLA, for her tireless advocacy on this issue. Mem is the Liberal candidate for the new seat of Mid-West. She will be an incredible representative for the people of Bindoon following the upcoming state election. Mem and I understand only too well the importance of investing in regional infrastructure to boost tourism and drive local economic growth. So I, together with Mem Beard, will not stop fighting for regional Western Australia and the people of Bindoon. The people in Bindoon and Chittering deserve for the Bindoon Mountain Bike Park stage 2 to be invested in, and that is what we will do.