Issues & Policy

These are the issues locals raise most — and the policies I’m backing to deliver practical results.

Housing

The Albanese Labor Government is dedicated to making housing affordable in Australia. That’s why we’re building 1.2 million homes, helping more Australians buy their first home, incentivising more rental properties with cheaper rents, and providing more social housing.

I particularly know the importance of affordable housing. I grew up in inner-city Melbourne in public housing in the 70s and 80s. Having access to affordable housing helped level the playing field, it offered my family real equality of opportunity. Despite challenges and prejudices, it gave me the chance to succeed based on merit and hard work.

I have publicly advocated for more investment in public housing throughout my career and you can read about in my article in The Age.

We're committed improving housing affordability across Australia by.

Building 1.2 million new homes by the end of the decade.
Help to Buy shared-equity scheme for 40,000 low- and middle-income buyers.
Backing Build-to-Rent to add supply faster and put downward pressure on rents.
$10b Housing Australia Future Fund for social and affordable homes, with dedicated support for women and children fleeing violence and veterans.
Training more tradies, cutting red tape and unlocking infrastructure so homes get built sooner.

Education

I have always valued the importance of a good quality education. As the son of Egyptian migrants, who escaped a region engulfed by war, the education I received in Australia is what allowed me to stand as a Member of Parliament today.

Education opens the door to opportunity. It has opened the door for millions of Australians, regardless of their background – whether they are from the inner city or the regions, whether they were born in Australia or migrated here.

And it is incumbent upon all of us, who were fortunate to receive such an education, to make sure that more Australians are afforded these same opportunities.

That's why we're implementing;

Cheaper childcare helping over a million Australians with out-of-pocket early childhood education costs.
A pathway to full and fair public school funding at 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard.
Fee-Free TAFE — hundreds of thousands already enrolled, with priority skills in care, construction and health.
More teachers, faster: programs and support to tackle shortages and lift classroom quality.

Real Action on Climate Change

The Albanese Labor Government is taking bold, decisive action on climate change to secure a stronger, cleaner future for all Australians. With a focus on new jobs, innovation, and global competitiveness, our Future Made in Australia plan ensures that Australia takes full advantage of the global shift towards net zero, while making sure the benefits are felt by everyone, from our cities to our regions.

At the heart of our climate strategy is the Future Made in Australia plan, designed to put Australia at the forefront of the clean energy revolution. By investing in renewable energy, innovative technologies, and Australian know-how, this plan will drive down emissions and create well-paid, secure jobs across the country.

Additionally, the Albanese Government’s Climate Change Bills are delivering real certainty, locking in our emissions reduction target of 43% by 2030 and net zero by 2050. This overdue legislation gives Australia the foundation to attract clean energy investment and sets us on a credible path to net zero.

By enshrining these targets in law, we’re sending a strong message to the world: Australia is serious about tackling climate change and harnessing the economic opportunities of a clean energy future. This legislation also ensures:

Cost of Living Support

I understand the constant stress and anxiety that cost of living pressures can cause.

That’s why Labor is focused on easing financial pressure for all Auastralians through our comprehensive suite of cost of living relief measures.

Theres still more work to be done, but our number one priority is delivering real relief to the Australians doing it tough through the following policies;

Tax cuts for every taxpayer — Helping you keep more of what you earn and easing pressure.
$300 energy bill relief for households and $325 for eligible small businesses.
Getting wages moving: minimum wage rises, a 15% pay rise for aged care workers, bans on pay secrecy, “same job, same pay,” and wage theft criminalised.
Cheaper medicines, with PBS costs frozen and more life-changing drugs listed.
Fairer HELP: $3b in student debt relief and prac payments to support essential graduates.
Cutting 20% off your Student Debt.
Bigger, fairer Paid Parental Leave — moving towards six months and paying super on PPL.

Supporting Women

I believe that eliminating the gender gaps we see in the workforce and in health is vital to improving Australia’s social cohesion. Why? Because an equitable Australia is a stronger Australia.

The Albanese Labor Government has a strong focus on policies that will bring economic equality, female leadership, and end violence against women and children in Australia.

National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children, backed by $3.4b since 2022 and the new Leaving Violence Program.
Cracking down on image-based abuse and deepfake pornography with tough new laws.
Paying super on Government Paid Parental Leave and expanding flexibility for carers.
Closing the gender pay gap: transparency via WGEA reporting and targets for government boards and large businesses

Healthcare

It has been over 40-years since the Hawke Labor Government established the world class Medicare healthcare system, but successive Liberal National Governments have failed to invest in expanding Medicare to match our rapidly growing population. Labor is focused on fixing Medicare, making medicine cheaper, and improving the mental health of all Australians. Labor introduced Medicare, and Labor will always defend and strengthen it.

Tripled the bulk-billing incentive so it’s easier to see a GP.
Stronger Medicare: more urgent care clinics, higher rebates and more imaging access.
Cheaper, simpler scripts — 60-day prescriptions for around 300 medicines.
Big savings at the pharmacy and stronger local medicine supply.
Better mental health care: expanded free services and 61 walk-in Medicare Mental Health Centres.