Speeches
National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025
November 06, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (15:27): I move the amendment as circulated in my name: (1) Page 13 (after line 24), after clause 20, insert: 20A Publication of reasons If a registrable decision...
Read MoreEnvironment Protection Reform Bill 2025
November 06, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (12:19): by leave—I move amendments (1) to (3) on sheet 1 and amendment (1) on sheet 2 as circulated in my name together: SHEET 1 (1) Schedule 1,...
Read MoreEnvironment Protection Reform Bill 2025
November 05, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (18:52): Our environment is in crisis. Nature is one of Australia's most precious assets—internationally recognised, deeply loved, and a source of solace, wellbeing and joy for so many—but...
Read MoreFreedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 - Consideration in Detail
November 05, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (16:28): I also rise to support this amendment. Out of all of the bill, this is probably the most important part to change. I thank the member for...
Read MoreFreedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 - Second Reading
November 04, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (21:10): Could you think of a more beautifully ironic way for the government to debate a bill that concerns one of the greatest transparency features in our democracy:...
Read MoreRegulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2025 - Consideration in Detail
November 04, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (15:43): I rise to speak to the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill in the consideration in detail stage. I was intending to move an amendment in relation to a...
Read MorePRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS - Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union
November 03, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (13:09): I rise to speak on this important motion and echo serious concerns that I have and that my community has about the CFMEU and the corruption in...
Read MoreRegulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2025
November 03, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (12:24): I rise in support of the Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2025 and would like to inform the House that I'll also be moving an amendment to it....
Read MoreAdministrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 - Consideration in Detail
November 03, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (12:05): I'd like to ask the minister about the case that I'm trying to make in relation to vulnerable Australians who go to the ART to be heard...
Read MoreDefence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025
October 30, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (12:55): I rise in support of the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025, which will establish the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence. I think this...
Read MoreAdministrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
October 30, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (12:14): I rise to speak on the Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. The ART commenced operation in October 2024 in place of the Administrative...
Read MoreEducation Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025 - Second Reading
October 29, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (16:32): I rise to support the Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025. I commend the government for its efforts to strengthen the regulation of international...
Read MoreSocial Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025
October 29, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (10:44): I move amendment (1) as circulated in my name: (1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 5), omit "Schedules 3 and 4", substitute "Schedules 3, 4 and...
Read MoreConstituency Statements - Screen & Visual Arts, Community Refugee Program
October 28, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (16:00): Wentworth is home to many communities I care deeply about, including those working in film and television. From production companies and screenwriters to actors, crews and creators,...
Read MoreCriminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025
October 28, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (17:14): I rise to speak in support of the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025. The purpose of this change is to grant the government...
Read MorePrivate Members' Business - Building and Construction Industry
October 27, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (12:58): I rise to speak on this important motion moved by the Member for Wright. Last week, the AustralianFinancial Review reported that, at the current rate, every state in this...
Read MoreQuestions Without Notice - Freedom of Information
October 09, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (14:44): My question is for the Prime Minister. The royal commission into robodebt found that cabinet secrecy enabled the appalling abuse of power to continue for years, yet...
Read MoreAustralian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025
October 09, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (12:57): I rise in support of the Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025. This bill establishes the long-promised Australian Centre for Disease Control, a national body to...
Read MoreAppropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026
October 08, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (11:11): I would like to question the government today about two critical areas of economic reform—principles for tax reform and fiscal rules. I believe these are interrelated and...
Read MoreTreasury Laws Amendment Bill 2025
October 08, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (16:53): I rise to speak on Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Systems and Other Measures) Bill 2025, which, on balance I believe introduces some broadly sensible measures. I...
Read MoreMATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE - Middle East
October 07, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (16:09): The barbaric atrocities of 7 October 2023 are seared in our minds: around 1,200 dead, 251 hostages taken—48 of those still in Gaza—women raped, children murdered and...
Read MoreMatters of Public Importance - Taxation
September 03, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (15:25): I commend the member for Curtin for putting forward this really important MPI; for her advocacy in the previous parliament, and this parliament, on the need to...
Read MoreDefence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025
September 03, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (12:56): The defence community is a hugely important part of my community of Wentworth. I'm honoured to host three major defence communities in Wentworth, including HMAS Watson, Victoria Barracks...
Read MoreCONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS - Wentworth Electorate: Sport
September 02, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (16:00): I want to take this opportunity today to congratulate some incredible sporting groups in my electorate of Wentworth. Firstly, the Easts Rugby Club's Beasties capped off their...
Read MoreHome Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025
September 02, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (13:10): I second the amendment. I acknowledge that, in this parliament, our first priority must be to keep communities safe, and I recognise that the government is trying...
Read MorePRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS - B'nai B'rith: 80th Anniversary
September 01, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (13:07): I'd also like to commend the member for Berowra for bringing forward this important motion, as well as support the words of the member for Macnamara. It...
Read MorePRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS - Domestic and Family Violence
September 01, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (18:54): I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) one in four women and one in 14 men have experienced violence by an intimate partner since the...
Read MoreAdjournment - Business
August 26, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (19:30): Tonight I want to put on the table an issue that is really important to Australian businesses, the Australian community and the Australian economy, and that is...
Read MoreUniversities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025
August 25, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (15:48): I rise to speak in support of the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025 and I do so...
Read MoreFair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025
July 30, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (18:47): I rise to speak on the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates) Bill 2025. Penalty and overtime rates are a really important part of our...
Read MoreSurf Life Saving Sydney Branch Awards of Excellence
July 30, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (09:30): I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many volunteers in Wentworth who dedicate themselves to protecting our community and our precious coastal environment....
Read MoreUniversities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025
July 29, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (19:20): I rise to speak on the Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025 that is in front of the parliament, and I rise...
Read MoreDisorderly Conduct in Parliament
July 23, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (10:29): I move an amendment to the motion: That standing order 91 be amended as follows: 91 Disorderly conduct A Member's conduct shall be considered disorderly if the...
Read MoreShalom Collective, Kinghorn Cancer Centre
July 23, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (13:38): I want to take this opportunity to showcase the work of two wonderful organisations within Wentworth. Earlier this month I had the pleasure of meeting Rabbi Alon...
Read MoreAnniversary of Bondi Junction attack: Allegra calls for greater mental health support
March 27, 2025
Ms SPENDER (Wentworth) (13:39): Next month, Wentworth will commemorate the first anniversary of the horrific attack at Bondi Junction Westfield, which claimed the lives of Ashlee Good, Dawn Singleton, Faraz Tahir,...
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