October recap
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G’day John,

I hope you had a good week. I’ve spent mine waiting for surgery, doing my parliament work remotely, keeping an eye on my team and watching the circus roll on in the Senate.
 

If you haven’t been glued to the Senate (I forgive you), here is what has been going on:

Report Released – Veterans’ Advocacy Services
 

Back in February, I kicked off an inquiry into how we support veterans who are trying to access the help they’ve earned. The Senate just handed down its report and it’s a big one.

Too many veterans are falling through the cracks. The system is messy, slow and bloody frustrating. Check out the report here.

Report Released – National Volunteer Incentive Scheme (Climate Army)
 

With the Senate on board, I got an inquiry up and running into the idea about creating a National Volunteer Incentive Scheme (Climate Army).
 

We’ve been smashed by fires, floods and storms. And volunteer numbers are dropping just when we need them most. A Climate Army would mean trained, recognised volunteers ready to help communities recover faster, while freeing up the ADF to focus on what they’re actually there for – defending the nation. Check out the report here.

You can bet I’ll be holding the major parties to account and fighting to get these recommendations off the page and into action

15 Bills Passed the Senate

Here’s quick rundown of some of the new laws that made it through the Senate:
 

• Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya’s) Bill 2025: Makes sure that employers paid parental leave isn’t cancelled if a child is stillborn or dies shortly after birth.
• Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025 & Superannuation Guarantee Charge Amendment Bill 2025: Requires employers to pay super at the same time as wages, instead of quarterly, to help tackle the $5 billion in unpaid super each year.
• Australian Centre for Disease Control Bills 2025: Sets up a national Centre for Disease Control to monitor health risks and prepare us for future crisis.
• Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Triple Zero Custodian and Emergency Calling Powers) Bill 2025: Protects access to triple zero and holds service providers accountable.
• Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Bill 2025: Strengthens legal protections for Commonwealth workers and workplace against violence or abuse.
   

Defence Honours and Awards

The government is trying to push through an absolute shocker of a Bill – the Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025. It’s unnecessary, disrespectful and dangerous to fairness and transparency. If passed, it would make it harder for veterans and their families to get the recognition they deserve for military service.
 

If passed, heroes like Teddy Sheean or Richard Norden, who were overlooked at the time, would never be recognised not because their acts weren’t worthy but because time ran out. That’s not justice, and it’s not how a grateful nation should treat its heroes.
 

I supported an attempt to have it discharged from the Notice Paper (thrown out) yesterday, but the Government stopped the vote from going ahead. But I have a plan B, I’ve put up an amendment to strip out everything, except requiring the Tribunal to report annually to the Parliament, the only good part. I will keep you posted!
 

Active Inquiries - Have your Say!

I fought hard to get these inquiries up, but they only matter if you have your say. We need to hear what’s really happening on the ground. Check out the links below and get involved!
 

Military Superannuation and Pension Schemes – Report due 19 March 2026
 

I’m digging into the military superannuation and pension schemes for current and former ADF members. Check out the inquiry here.
 

Capping Uni Exec Salaries: Tertiary Education Legislation Amendment (There For Education, Not Profit) Bill 2025) - Report due April 2026

While everyday Aussies are struggling, the fat cats are living it up. I’ve introduced Bills to cap the outrageous salaries of university executives. You know the system is broken when university bosses are pocketing $900K+ while students drown in debt. If you’ve got something to say about it, make a submission by clicking the link.

Capping Senior Public Servant Pay: Remuneration Tribunal Amendment (There For Public Service, Not Profit) Bill 2025 - Report due 12 March 2026

We are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, and some bureaucrats are earning more than $1 million a year 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 $430K per year. Secretaries of Departments in the United States, who head larger departments with budgets of many more billions of dollars, receive around $400K. It’s about fairness and priorities. If you're fed up with Departmental Secretaries having salaries in the top 1.5% of Australia, let the government know and make a submission via the link.
 

That’s it from me for now. Keep the messages coming - I love hearing from you while I’m benched for recovery.

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