Speeches

Speech on ICAN

2.00pm | January 25, 2018

Quite often, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to an individual—someone who has used their power or their platform to achieve a worthy end. However, ICAN is something very different. It didn't inherit any pre-existing platform; it willed it into existence through a gradual accretion of individuals and organisations to its cause.

Speech on Attempts to Alter Superannuation Governance Laws

11.00am | January 25, 2018

The Government's attempts to fundamentally alter superannuation governance laws is not about improving outcomes for ordinary people who have their money invested in these funds. This is simply an ideological obsession with eliminating the role of trade unions from public life.

 

Speech on Marriage Equality

1.27pm | November 28, 2017

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On 27th November 2017, I had the honour of speaking in favour of the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017 to make marriage equality a reality in Australia.

Speech on Platypus and Opera House Nets

12.07pm | September 06, 2017

Australia faces a huge challenge to protect our unique wildlife. An unacceptable number of our animals such as the hairy nosed wombat and the iconic koala are vulnerable, endangered or face extinction.

Speech On The Need For Economic Leadership

6.00pm | September 05, 2017

Last week the Reserve Bank issued its 2017-18 corporate plan. No doubt this was marked in everyone’s calendar. It makes for interesting reading, however, because it sets out what the RBA thinks are the key risks for its monetary policy functions in the year ahead.

Address to Diversity Council Australia on Glass Walls

11.00am | August 21, 2017

I’d like to start off by thanking the Diversity Council Australia for the opportunity to be here today.I’d like to acknowledge the importance of the work that you do in developing the ideas, information and strategies to increase workplace diversity & inclusion.

Speech on the Dysfunction of This Government

3.25pm | August 16, 2017

The British futurist and writer Alan Moore said: The main thing that I learned about conspiracy theory, is that conspiracy theorists believe in a conspiracy because that is more comforting. The truth of the world is that it is actually chaotic.

The truth of this government, of course, is that it is utterly chaotic.

Speech in Parliament on Turnbull's War On The Young

4.33pm | August 14, 2017

This government is at war with the young, from cuts to education funding through to a deliberate attempt to sabotage any meaningful action on climate change. This government shows every time that the only thing it cares about less than young people's present is their future. 

Speech in Parliament on the Productivity Commission Amendment (Reducing Inequality) Bill

9.30am | June 22, 2017

I rise to speak on the Productivity Commission Amendment (Reducing Inequality) Bill 2017. This Bill places inequality firmly on the agenda of one of our country’s most influential economic policy institutions.

 

Special Address To The Women, Super And Wealth Summit

2.40pm | April 27, 2017

I’m incredibly pleased to see so many assembled to consider women, super and wealth. It is simply unacceptable that so many women today retire with so little.