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Parliament was recalled on the week of Monday the 19th of January 2026, in order for MPs to vote on the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026 and the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026. These bills were in response to the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach - an act of hatred that tore through lives, families, and our sense of safety. Preventing harm to targeted communities is a responsibility we all share.   

I moved a “sunset clause” amendment to the laws imposing new criminal penalties for hate speech. This would have meant that those laws would automatically expire after two years unless Parliament passed them again. This is stronger than a simple review of the laws – and would force the government to demonstrate to both the Parliament and the Australian people that the laws are effective and still necessary. I also sought to amend the ban on hate groups, to ensure that advocating terrorism and genocide were included as reasons hate groups could be banned. Inexplicably, the government specifically excluded those crimes: in legislation aimed at combating extremism, no less.  

Together, my amendments were about time-limiting extraordinary criminal sanctions and closing a serious gap in how hate groups are defined. 

Alongside the Law Council of Australia, I shared serious concerns about the removal of procedural fairness rights in these laws for citizens and non-citizens alike, including the lack of judicial oversight of decisions to ban hate groups (given that a Ministerial decision can give rise to serious criminal consequences) and the right to appeal ministerial visa cancellations. 

I was also unable to obtain clear information about why the new laws introduced by the Federal Parliament in February 2025 (in the Hate Crimes Act 2025) were insufficient to deal with the hate speech we were trying to prevent, adding to concerns about the rushed process and the effectiveness of the law-making. 

In the week before we went to Canberra, I spent my time consulting with impacted community members to understand their concerns, their fears, and their expectations of these laws. I wanted to bring those perspectives into the House to strengthen this legislation.  

The total time allocated for debate on both bills was five hours, with two and a half reserved for the Government. Crossbenchers like me could only formally raise amendments on the same day the laws were set to pass. That effectively shut down the opportunity for meaningful, informed improvement. 

As I said in my speech,  “As a lawmaker new to this place, it is utterly confounding to me that here  – in what is supposed to be one of the most robust parliamentary systems in the world – I’m being asked to pass a law which could result in someone being sentenced to prison for up to 15 years, the same day as receiving the text of that law.” 

In the face of limited review time and zero consultation, independents and minor parties still proposed a total of 21 amendments to the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026 —10 in the Lower House and 11 in the Upper House— and 9 amendments to the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026 —3 in the Lower House and 6 in the Upper House. 

Despite my concerns about the content of the bills and the manner in which they were passed, I voted for them. The choice was not between perfect laws and inaction - it was between leaving communities exposed to harm, or acting with intent to prevent it, following the hate-motivated terrorist attack in December.  

Having voted to support these laws, I have spent the last week in deep contemplation.  I believe leaders should remain open to learning, listening, and reassessing their work as further detail becomes available, namely the range of information that came to light on what the amendments  – made behind closed doors between the Liberal Party and the ALP over the weekend prior – now mean in practice. When I voted on Tuesday, I did so with the best of intentions, and certainly learned a great deal from the process (how our parliament should not run, for one thing). I appreciate the opportunity to consult with affected communities in the time that was allowed, and thank those communities for their valuable input.  

Responsibility means protecting people now, while ensuring the implementation and effectiveness of these laws are properly monitored and assessed - a commitment I will continue to uphold. 

Every child deserves access to high-quality education, from early learning through to university and vocational training. But rising costs, underfunded schools, and an over-reliance on student debt are holding back opportunities for young Australians.

I will advocate for universal early childhood education (see my detailed policy on page 4) and more university and TAFE funding, especially in areas of critical labour shortages like construction and trades. I also support reforms to address the rising level of student debt (see next), and have spoken out against course cuts impacting students mid-degree in Parliament. 

University used to be free – now, an arts degree costs more than $50,000, and on average, a person pays off their HECS debt for more than a decade after they finish their degree. I support the Federal Government’s recent move to change the way HECS debts are indexed so that HECS debts cannot rise faster than wages, and I believe the Federal Government should reconsider the way degrees are priced – some degrees are just too expensive.

We must stamp out the horror of rising antisemitism in Australia. This is not an issue just for Jewish people in Australia – it affects all Australians and is a stain on our national conscience.

We need to condemn antisemitism as soon as it raises its head, accept no excuses, and introduce clearer deterrents and tougher penalties for its modern incarnations. Our leaders must use unequivocal language to condemn antisemitism wherever it appears.

State and Federal Governments should do more to make sure Jewish Australians feel safe in their places of worship, their schools, and their homes.

The antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi on 14 December was a violent act driven by hate, targeting Jewish Australians — a community that is an integral and valued part of our nation. That must be acknowledged plainly. Antisemitism is pernicious and corrosive. Following the attack, I shared statements on Sunday night, Monday morning, and Friday afternoon. 

Throughout the week of 14 December, I attended Chanukah services across Bradfield, joining Rabbis and senior Jewish leaders as the Menorah was lit. These were moments of light and reflection, held in the shadow of such a brutal attack on our community.

In the immediate aftermath, I called for a Royal Commission and increased security for Jewish institutions, including places of worship.

But long-term safety also depends on prevention. The Government commissioned the National Anti-Racism Framework and released it in November 2024 — yet it has not been adequately funded. I’ve pressed the Prime Minister in Parliament on when the Government will properly resource the Framework, and I continue to meet with the Race Discrimination Commissioner to progress its implementation. Long-term safety depends on addressing the conditions that allow hate and extremism to take root.

At the time of writing, the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is open - if you've experienced antisemitism, witnessed it, or seen how it's been handled — or mishandled — your account belongs in this record. This is Australia’s first Royal Commission on antisemitism - what we share will shape Australia’s future. The Commission can only act on what it hears. Without your story, nothing changes.

Submissions close end of May 2026. https://www.shareyourstory.org.au/

Australia should be a global leader in animal welfare, but instead we currently score a ‘D’ ranking on the global Animal Protection Index. Our weak protections leave too many animals at risk of mistreatment. I support the establishment of a national Animal Welfare Commission to work with the states and territories in developing and implementing animal welfare standards, and provide independent evidence-based advice to governments. I support strengthening and harmonising regulations to improve the treatment of animals in research and domestic settings, strengthening penalties for animal cruelty to ensure enforcement of animal welfare laws, and increasing funding for wildlife protection to address habitat destruction and support rescue and rehabilitation efforts. I support phasing out the live export of sheep no later than 2028, and extending the existing ban on hunting trophies to include all protected species.

Social media has transformed how we connect, but it’s also had a verifiably bad impact on the mental health and wellbeing of our young people. Device addiction, body image issues, online bullying, and abuse are hard to spot and harder to stop. We need urgent reforms to protect Australians online – ensuring our teenagers are safe from predatory content, that tech giants remain accountable for the impact of misinformation on our democracy, and that we have the tools necessary to stay ahead of online scammers and abuse.

I am technology agnostic, but based on all the research and modelling, nuclear energy is not feasible or cost-effective in Australia. Experts and economists have reinforced this repeatedly.

Australia doesn’t need to wait decades or spend billions on nuclear energy when we already have cheaper, faster, and cleaner solutions. While nuclear power may play a role in other countries, here in Australia, renewables backed by batteries is the most cost-effective path to reliable energy.

In the last six years alone, we’ve built the equivalent of six nuclear power stations in renewable energy generation – without the risks of radioactive waste, costly subsidies, or regulatory delays. Investing in proven technologies will cut power bills today and ensure our energy future is affordable, sustainable, and secure.

The arts are not just a cultural asset – they are a major driver of our economy, employing as many Australians as the mining sector. A thriving arts scene educates, entertains, and enriches our communities. I support increased public and private investment in the arts, as well as local initiatives like the revitalisation of the Marian Street Theatre, which would provide a much-needed performance space for our community. Strong arts funding means stronger creative industries, better cultural engagement, and a richer national identity.

The ABC is one of Australia’s most trusted institutions, delivering independent journalism, cultural programming, and life-saving emergency broadcasts. But years of funding cuts, political interference, and corporate pressure have undermined its role.

I will work to guarantee stable, long-term funding to the ABC to give the organisation confidence in planning and programming. I will also push for stronger protections against political interference over management and editorial decisions.

Australia is facing the most precarious global security environment since the 1930s. Adequately resourcing the Australian Defence Force and its industries has never been more important. Experts tell me that funding is being eroded and decisions haven’t been made with full consideration of technological developments, Australia’s unique geography, and the nation’s strategic interests this century.

I support greater investment in recruitment, technological innovation, and defence industries to maintain our sovereign capabilities. I also support greater transparency in key defence and diplomatic decisions, ensuring our national security priorities align with Australia’s long-term interests and values.

A well-managed immigration system is vital to Australia’s economy and social fabric. We must be responsible about how many people we bring into the country and make sure we have enough houses, hospitals, schools, and roads to sustain our growth.

At the same time, migration has an important role to play in addressing critical workforce shortages in healthcare, construction, and aged care. We need to make sure the levels are tailored correctly to our available infrastructure and services while recognising the role immigration can play in unlocking growth.

We are the most successful multicultural country in the world, and we wear that badge with pride. An important part of having a responsible migration program is treating refugees and asylum seekers humanely, and that includes ending offshore detention.

An enduring ceasefire must be reached, the remaining hostages returned, and a two-state solution must be prioritised. Most critically, more must be done to ensure that humanitarian aid flows freely to those who so desperately need it.

Amid this continuing and catastrophic man-made humanitarian crisis, the international community has an obligation to speak out on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Gazan civilians at risk of starvation and death. Images and reports of babies and children starving are truly horrific and indefensible. The withholding of aid is inhumane and immoral. I support the Government in calling this out.

I value Australia’s participation in international institutions such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, and acknowledge the importance of the work done by the United Nations, including the recent Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Such institutions and processes are critical for maintaining a rules-based world order.

Upholding the integrity of international institutions is more important now than ever, and I support the Government in respecting and enforcing the orders of these institutions.