Canberra August/September Sitting Period
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G’day John,
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I’ve just come back from a wild fortnight in Canberra. As usual,
there was no shortage of drama and political games. But through
all that noise, some important stuff got done.

Here’s the rundown.

What Passed the Senate?

The Senate passed 8 Bills, including:

* Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025;
* Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates)
Bill 2025;
* National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025;
* Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025;
* Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025;
* Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill
2025;
* Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill
2025; and
* Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill
(No. 1) 2025.

If you want some more detail, feel free to contact my office at
(03) 6431 3112 or email [email protected].

Sticking up for the Defence and Veteran Community

* Our Defence families should never be put at the back of the
line. I took the major parties to task to get an amendment passed
which calls on the government to make sure:
* ADF members and families get priority access to Defence Housing
over foreign military personnel;
* taxpayers aren’t footing the bill to house foreign military
staff; and
* better transparency with Defence Housing Australia required to
publish housing allocation and wait times so we can get the best
outcome for ADF members and their families.

Backing Small Business

Small business is getting smashed and it’s only getting worse.
That’s why I put forward an amendment that called for:

* A clear and consistent definition of small business across our
laws – Labor has promised this, but hasn’t delivered, leaving
small businesses tangled in red tape; and
* lowering the small business tax rate by pushing for a 15% small
business tax rate to give real relief and keep jobs alive.

Sadly, I didn't receive support from the big parties, so it
didn’t get passed.

Delivering Home Care

In July I signed an open letter by Senator David Pocock asking
the government to bring forward 20,000 home care packages. The
Labor government wasn't really interested and neither was the
Coalition. The cross bench got to work in the house and the
senate. After days of lobbying the Coalition joined the party and
Labor agreed to bring on the 20,000 home care packages. This was
a great example of what an independent cross bench can get done!

Key Speeches

You just can’t keep a Lambie quiet! Here’s an overview of a
couple of my recent speeches in the Senate. Don’t forget to check
out my social media page
( [link removed] ) for the
full speeches.

Ukraine and Russia
Ukraine’s been left hanging while Russia pushes its aggression.
We need to step up, send more bushmasters, share drone tech and
stop dragging our feet. Australia can and should be doing more.

Eden Westbrook
Eden should have turned 26 this year. Instead, her family has
fought for 10 years for answers about her suspicious death in
Tasmania. A respected pathologist has found possible homicide
evidence. The system has failed Eden’s family. We need an
independent inquiry now.

Social Media
The rise of so-called sovereign citizens is splitting our
communities and fuelling violence. Social media algorithms are
turbocharging paranoia, spreading disinformation and conspiracy
theories that radicalise people. This toxic mix has already cost
the lives of Tasmanian and Victorian police officers. It’s time
to hold social media giants accountable and start regulating.

Cost of Living
Interest rates might have dipped slightly, but Tassies are still
struggling. Food insecurity is at a crisis level while banks,
telcos and energy giants make billions in profit on the back of
everyday folks. This is the real price of excessive privatisation
– we got sold out and now we are paying for it every day.

Robbins Island Wind Farm
I’m not against renewables, but Robbins Island is the wrong place
for a wind farm. It threatens Tassie devils, breeding grounds and
local livelihoods. There’s a better project at Whaleback Ridge
with community backing. Why not get it right the first time?

National Security
The government finally listed Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as
terrorists. But Hizb ut-Tahrir should be on that list too. They
stoke antisemitism, glorify terrorism and undermine social
cohesion. The UK’s already acted and it’s time we followed.

Questions I asked in the Senate

Defence Housing
I pressed the government on defence housing. This includes
assessing the viability of rental assistance and whether the
government is planning for the future. With 7,000 more military
personnel expected in the next few years, we need more defence
housing, married quarters and childcare centres near bases, not
more excuses or empty promises.

NDIS Housing Rorts
Dodgy developers are ripping off mum and dad investors in the
disability housing scheme while people with disabilities still go
without proper homes. I asked the Minister why the government
isn’t properly regulating Specialist Disability Accommodation to
keep dodgy developers out and supporting the disability
community.

Russian Blood Oil
Our fuel imports are propping up Putin’s war chest. Through a
loophole, Russian crude refined in India gets into Aussie tanks.
The dollar value of what we give Russia by purchasing blood oil
is twice what we are giving Ukraine to defend itself. That’s
billions and nothing but shame for us. Time to wash this blood
off our hands. I grilled the government on how much has slipped
through and when they’ll stop this disgraceful double standard.

Mid-Winter Ball 2025

I’m not usually one for these events but the Midwinter Ball does
some good. This year, it raised a whopping $370,000 for charity
which adds to a massive $5.8 million since 2000. And yep, I
scrubbed up alright! Check out my glam
( [link removed] )
here
( [link removed] )


Current Inquiries – Have your say!

I fought bloody hard to get these inquiries up. But they only
matter if you have your say. I need to hear what’s really
happening on the ground. Check out the links below and get
involved. Your voice makes the difference.

National Volunteer Incentive Scheme (Climate Army) – Report due 6
November 2025

Australia has been smashed by extreme weather in 2025 and it’s
only going to get worse. But volunteer numbers are dropping when
we need them most. That’s why I’m pushing for a Climate Army, a
national scheme to get more Aussies, especially young people,
trained, recognised, and ready to help when natural disasters
hit. A new inquiry will look at how to make it happen, including
rewards, safety, qualifications, and what’s working overseas.
It’s time to stop talking and start preparing. If you’ve got
something to say about it, make a submission or observe the
public hearing by clicking the following link
( [link removed] )
!

Military Superannuation and Pension Schemes – Report due 30
October 2025

I’m digging into the military superannuation and pension schemes
for current and former ADF members. This includes investigating
whether the schemes are fit for purpose, whether Commonwealth
Superannuation Corporation account holders have the same rights
and protections as other Australians, and whether the Defence
Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme, Military
Superannuation and Benefits Scheme and others are operating in
the best interests of current and former serving members. Watch
this space! Check out the inquiry here
( [link removed] )
.

Veteran Compensation and Income Support – Report due 30 October
2025

The Senate is also running an inquiry into the compensation and
income support system for veterans. I want to know how the system
is treating you, how the advocacy services are working (or not
working), and how well the Veterans' Review Board is performing.
I am also pushing to make sure veterans have a choice about
having legal representation in the Veterans’ Review Board and
ensuring that training and professional standards for advocates
are up to scratch. If you have something to say about this topic,
make a submission by clicking on the following link
( [link removed] )
.

Capping Uni Exec Salaries: Tertiary Education Legislation
Amendment (There For Education, Not Profit) Bill 2025) - Report
due by 28 November 2025

While everyday Aussies are struggling, the fat cats are living it
up. I’ve introduced Bills to cap the outrageous salaries of
government secretaries and university executives. You know the
system is broken when university bosses are pocketing $900K+
while students drown in debt. That taxpayer money should be
making education cheaper, not lining the pockets of the
privileged few. My Bill would limit Vice-Chancellors salaries to
that of the Federal Treasurer, being around $430,000 per annum.
Taxpayer money should go to education, not executive bonuses. If
you’ve got something to say about it, make a submission by
clicking the link
( [link removed] )
.

Capping Senior Public Servant Pay: Remuneration Tribunal
Amendment (There For Public Service, Not Profit) Bill 2025 -
Report due by 28 November 2025

We are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, and some
bureaucrats are earning more than $950,000—and, in some cases,
more than $1,000,000—which is much more than the Prime Minister.
Public service is about service to the country, not service to
self. My Bill caps these salaries at the same level as the
Treasurer’s which is around $430,000. Secretaries in the United
States, who head larger departments with many more billions of
dollars, receive around $403,000. It’s about fairness and
priorities. If you're fed up with senior public servants chasing
profits, let the government know and make a submission via the
link
( [link removed] )
.

That’s the wrap for this fortnight. I will keep cutting through
the spin, fighting for veterans, small business and Tassies
who’ve had a gutful.

Can You Chip In To Hold Them Accountable? Every Bit Helps!
( [link removed] )


Cheers!

Jacqui

Help Fund our Fight For Change!
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