Community News & Speeches – Page 2

10 Feb | '2026

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026

I rise today to speak on the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical changes No. 1) Bill 2026. The opposition will not oppose the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026 in the House of Representatives. However, we do hold concerns on some aspects of the bill before us today. The coalition has always taken the view that Australia must maintain a strong, fair and sustainable social services safety net. Few countries in the world provide the level of support that Australian taxpayers fund for people who are out of work, facing hardship or experiencing a family breakdown. That’s something Australians should be proud of.

9 Feb | '2026

LABOR’S PRODUCTIVITY PROMISES COLLAPSE UNDER SCRUTINY

Australians were promised faster approvals, higher productivity and stronger economic growth under Labor’s new environmental laws. Instead, Senate Estimates has exposed a government with no evidence, no timelines and no delivery. When Labor pushed through its Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) reforms, the Prime Minister claimed environmental approvals would be cut from years to months, and from months to weeks. These claims were presented as a central pillar of Labor’s productivity agenda.

9 Feb | '2026

I’m proud to reside with such honourable GC folk

It’s an absolute privilege to represent the good people of Moncrieff and it’s something I will never take for granted. Moncrieff sits at the very heart of our city. From our beaches and waterways to our small businesses, community groups and sporting clubs, our electorate is the epicentre of the Gold Coast.

6 Feb | '2026

Matter of Public Importance – Economy

The Minister for Small Business interjected when the member for Goldstein was delivering his speech on his MPI. I’d like Australians to know that what she said was that small businesses are dodgy. I say the Minister for Small Business is dodgy, I say the Treasurer is dodgy and I say the Prime Minister is dodgy.

6 Feb | '2026

Economy

The Reserve Bank’s latest decision confirms what Australians already know: Labor has lost control of the economy. They’ve lost control of energy costs. They’ve lost control of social cohesion. They’ve lost control of our borders.

24 Jan | '2026

Australia Day matters because national unity matters

In moments of tragedy, a nation can find unity. The horrific terrorist attack at Bondi last month was one of those moments. It shocked us, saddened us, and reminded us how precious our way of life is. But it also did something else. It brought Australians together. And in the face of the hatred and violence of this atrocity, Australians instinctively reached for the values that bind us – freedom, community and resilience.

20 Jan | '2026

Condolence Motion – Bondi terror attack

I add my heartfelt sympathy for the victims and their families around the events of 14 December at our beloved Bondi Beach. I acknowledge their pain and embrace those impacted; some, we know, were here in the gallery earlier this morning. The Gold Coast community send our deepest condolences: shalom aleichem—peace be upon you. My local Jewish communities send their love and support for your loss.

20 Jan | '2026

TRANSCRIPT – 2CC with Stephen Cenatiempo

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:
To talk about these issues and others, we’re joined by the Shadow Minister for Environment and Shadow Minister for Youth, Angie Bell. Angie, good morning.
ANGIE BELL:
Great to be with you, Stephen.
STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:
Look, as I say, I mean, the legislation was always going to be problematic, but there should be no politics and condolence motions whatsoever.

15 Jan | '2026

WATT’S THE THREAT TO THE MURRAY RIVER

The Coalition has raised serious concerns about the Albanese Government’s decision to list the Lower Murray River ecosystem as critically endangered, warning it risks creating significant uncertainty for water users, local councils and investors across the southern Murray–Darling Basin.
While the Government claims existing land and water uses will be unaffected, Shadow Minister for the Environment and Youth, Angie Bell, said this does not reflect the reality.

12 Jan | '2026

TRANSCRIPT – Sky News Afternoon Agenda

JULIA BRADLEY:
Joining me live now is Shadow Environment Minister, Angie Bell. Angie, thank you so much for your time. We’re hearing Parliament’s returning next, well ahead of schedule, to debate that legislation in the wake of the Bondi attack. Does the opposition plan to put forward any amendments?
ANGIE BELL:
Well, look, the opposition hasn’t actually seen the legislation yet, Julia, and so once we get that this afternoon, we’ll have a very, very close look at that. Like many Australians, the Coalition’s very skeptical about what will be in this Bill from the Prime Minister, because as we know, hate speech laws and gun laws are two different areas of law. And so, we’re a little bit skeptical after, you know, the debacle of not calling a Royal Commission for so long and the Prime Minister’s backflip on that as well. Australians, rightly, have doubts about the leadership of our country right now.