I wanted to make a few remarks about the report that was handed down yesterday by the Privileges Committee in the Senate. The report has found that in executing raids, during an election, in the offices of a sitting Senator, Senator Conroy, to recover documents in relation to the NBN, there was improper interference in the functions of the Parliament. 

I rise to speak about the 1800RESPECT service because over the past few months there has been a real concern about this service. This is what happens when something is not quite right, because we have seen media coverage, we have online petitions, we have social media advocacy and the union has been speaking out and has been active.

RECENTLY

1. This week I spoke in the Senate about the urgent need to address housing affordability.

Senator Jenny McAllister spoke at a renewable energy forum about the lessons we have learnt from the 'climate wars' and what we must do to build a renewable future. 

Labor has called for a Senate inquiry into the fraught Community Development Program, with the support of the Greens. Communities across the Northern Territory and Western Australia have consistently told us that this system leaves people in more debt, without food to feed their families, in rental arrears and feeling hopeless, struggling with an infuriating bureaucratic reporting process. 

Last night, in the dead of night, at around midnight, the Senate passed a package of cuts that strips away almost two billion dollars from Australian families in the coming years. These are not families that can afford to have this money taken away from them. These are not well-off families. 

The motion we are considering this afternoon asks us to debate how the federal government's housing affordability policy will fail young Australians unless it ends tax breaks for investors, removes stamp duties, and transitions to a broad based land tax. 

RECENTLY

Housing affordability is a huge issue at many levels. Very high costs for purchase are associated with high household debt levels, and lack of access to appropriate housing hinders many people from finding work and sustaining their families.

Eighteen months ago, Malcolm Turnbull took the Liberal leadership promising a more mature discussion on economic issues. We’re still waiting. After all this time, it is still not even clear who is responsible for housing affordability. 

RECENTLY

1. This past Wednesday marked the 108th International Women’s Day. Since the first IWD in 1908 we have come a long way and Labor has a proud history of advancing women’s rights. However, there is still much to be done to achieve equality.