Doorstop Interview - Parliment House

Long walk with the Prime Minister and Michael Long, government's legislative agenda, Housing Australia Future Fund, one month until the referendum

The Prime Minister, Michel Long, myself, and hundreds of people have just walked across Kings Avenue as part of the long walk in support of constitutional recognition of the first peoples of Australia.

It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm from Members of Parliament across the spectrum, including Liberals for Yes.

We had community members, we had people who had been part of the original long walk, and we had people who know that this referendum is an opportunity for people to vote for making sure we finally recognise our first people in the Constitution, listening and working together to get better results.
 
And in working together to get better results, I want to note that one of the people walking today was Julian Leeser.

I was in the chamber last night when he gave a speech about the economic benefits that can come from constitutional recognition.

We see this time and time again.

The evidence shows us that when you listen to people you get better results, better value for money. It's good to see people, again, from across the political spectrum, talking about how constitutional recognition through a voice will give us better results for First Nations people, better economic outcomes for Australia, and will make sure that come the 14th of October, we do have that national unifying moment.

As I walked into the building today, coming off that walk, a lovely way to start the day, I was reminded that I walk into this building every day, as do my colleagues in the government, to get things done.

To say yes to making sure that we get more done for the Australian people.
 
This week we see that again, we see the ongoing work in the legislation to close loopholes to make sure that we give rights and respect to people who work in labor hire, people who work in the gig economy.

We've seen Minister Butler introduce the next round of world leading reforms when it comes to tobacco regulation.

Making sure that Australians continue to benefit, to have the health benefits of strong regulation of tobacco products. It's been good to see that large piece of work brought into the Parliament yesterday.
 
We saw this Parliament work together to make sure that we finally get the Housing Australia Future Fund through the Parliament. It's been talked about for so long.

It was more than a year ago that it went to an election where the Australian people endorsed this plan. Finally, this Parliament has heard the message of the Australian people.

They want more federal investment in housing.

They want to see action when it comes to those long term plans, such as the Housing Australia Future Fund.

And it was a very, very welcome development to see finally, that piece of legislation progressing through the Parliament. It's sensible, myself and other government colleagues have been arguing for it for years. Finally, today, we will see that become the law of the land.

That is a good thing for Australia. It's a good thing for the housing market in Australia.

And most importantly, it's a good thing for people who rely on social and affordable housing across Australia, across the states, across the regions.

And so I really welcome that the government's agenda when it comes to housing is being endorsed by the House of Representatives, being endorsed by the Senate.
 
Now we do know though there was one person who said no to that.

Time and time again.

Some people walk into this place to say yes, some people walk into this place to say no.

Whether it be on housing, constitutional recognition, or closing labour hire loopholes, we know that day after day the only word the Leader of the Opposition walks into this place to say is no.

His No-alition knows no policy area where they won't find a reason to say no.

The Australian people deserve better than that. What the Australian people deserve over the next month, it's the 14th of September today, on 14 October Australians will vote in a referendum to finally recognise our First Nations people in our Constitution.

What Australians deserve, is something more than just a no. Australians deserve a plan.

The government has put forward a plan for constitutional recognition, and I challenge those who are siding with the rabble of a No campaign. I challenge them to come up with an actual plan.

They have not put one forward.

They've got one month to go. I'd like to see it.

The Australian people deserve to see it.

I don't think we're going to see it because their plan consists simply of one word.

No.