Latest news with #Sussan Ley
ABC News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Chalmers, Ley in tears as France pays tribute to late son in first parliamentary speech
Federal politicians from across the aisle have been brought to tears as new Labor MP Ali France delivered an emotional first speech, where she paid tribute to her late teenage son as being "instrumental" to her success in defeating then-Liberal leader Peter Dutton. Among those wiping away tears on the floor of parliament on Tuesday night were Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, as well as Ms France herself as she reflected on some of her final moments with her 19-year-old son Henry, who passed away from leukaemia in February 2024. But her speech was also filled with pride, as she addressed the "epic journey" to becoming the first person in Australian history to unseat an opposition leader. "Winning Dickson was highly unlikely, and to some, an insurmountable mountain," she said. "It took seven years to climb, as a single mum, with one leg, battling one of the most prolific politicians of our time." But her journey to Canberra was not sad nor happy, but "human," she said, as she promised her life experience would shape her contribution to public life. When Ms France won the Brisbane seat, she was still grieving Henry's death, just over a year earlier. "The week before [he passed], he was able to come home for a couple of nights," she said. As he slept beside her, she was in awe of his courage and continual smile, despite "unbelievable pain and the never-ending hospital stays and treatments." "I am so, so grateful for those hours," she said, wiping away tears. "He told me many times that this election was my time. "He was convinced I would win and said a number of times, 'don't make me the excuse for you not doing important things.' "His words, his courage were with me every day of the campaign. "Henry was instrumental in getting me to this place." Ms France also spoke about building resilience, re-learning how to walk after one of her legs was crushed by a car in 2011. The doctors who saved her life and helped her walk again were among the list of people she thanked in her first speech, as they watched on from the gallery above. Also in attendance was her former boss and Queensland Labor leader, Steven Miles, whom she thanked for his support, alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and others. She attributed succeeding — and putting an end to Mr Dutton's more than 20-year political career — to "a lifetime of small acts of kindness and support from so many good people." "Kindness, a helping hand, opportunity, and open doors have got me here, and that's what I will be giving to the people of Dickson," she said. Also delivering her first speech on the opening day of parliament was the new member for Melbourne, Labor's Sarah Witty, who unseated former Greens leader Adam Bandt. Alongside her passion for Melbourne, she spoke about pregnancy loss and becoming a foster parent. "Over 10-plus years, we endured heartache after heartache, pregnancy after pregnancy, ending in loss," she told the House of Representatives. "I remember one day, after a devastating loss, my mum gently said to me, 'maybe you were meant to be a mum for all children?'" At the time, she was too shattered to hear those words, but they stuck. "As the fog of grief lifted, I opened my heart and myself to a new path — I stepped into the world of foster care, not out of ease, but out of a deep need to turn my pain into something positive." The cohort of new MPs will continue to deliver their first speeches, with Wednesday also marking the first Question Time of the new parliament.
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Sussan Ley vows to hold ‘government to account' as parliament returns
With a pre-parliament mass done and dusted, Sussan Ley has vowed to hold Anthony Albanese and his government to account as MPs and senators flood Parliament House for the first sitting fortnight since the federal election. The Opposition leader was among the parliamentarians that attended a morning mass at Canberra's Wesley Uniting Church, sitting on the front pew with the Prime Minister. Speaking to reporters after Tuesday morning's service, Ms Ley said it offered 'sober reflection' but wasted no time in getting down to brass tacks. 'I and my team will always put the interests of the Australian people front and centre as we get very busy in the building just over here in just a few short hours,' she said. 'We will be constructive where we can be.' She pointed to childcare safety laws as an example of where she was keen to work with Labor. 'We're happy to be constructive with the government, but I and my team will be critical where we need to be, and we won't hesitate to hold the government to account, and that includes for the promises that it has made.' After the service, attendees made their way up to Parliament House where a Welcome to Country kicked off a series of ceremonies set to run throughout the day. 'To walk on Ngunnawal country is to accept responsibilities,' Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan said during remarks in Parliament's Great Hall. 'It is not just about being here -- it is about caring for this land, the waters and all living things as my ancestors have done for thousands of generations. 'When we care for country, we pay respect for those who came before us and ensure that their legacy continues. 'Ngunnawal country is alive. It lives in our stories, our ceremonies, our language and our connections to this land.' She wished for their 'journey on Ngunnawal country be of understanding, respect and shared purpose, guided by the values of care, connection and community'. 'In keeping in the spirit of friendship and reconciliation, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here once again to Ngunnawal country,' Aunty Violet said.
ABC News
a day ago
- Politics
- ABC News
The 'stark' gender split in parliament
As parliamentarians descend on Canberra for the first sitting week of the 48th parliament, Anthony Albanese is warning Labor to avoid complacency. And while Opposition leader Sussan Ley makes history as the first woman in the role, the "stark" gender split between the Coalition and Labor ranks will be on display across both chambers. So, what can we expect from Australia's 48th parliament? Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at thepartyroom@
ABC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Liberal leader vows to work with PM in first party room address
The Federal Opposition Leader is vowing to fight for all Australians struggling with the cost of living, ahead of Parliament's return tomorrow. In her first address to the party room as leader, Sussan Ley says the Opposition will work with the Prime Minister on constructive policies.
The Guardian
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Chalmers urges opposition not to treat productivity roundtable like ‘extension of question time'
Jim Chalmers has warned the opposition will have no credibility with voters or key economic decision makers if it plays politics at next month's productivity summit and has called on the Coalition to work with Labor to boost growth and prosperity. The treasurer said the summit would be organised around themes of resilience, productivity and sustainability, chosen to reflect the dramatic challenges facing Australia today, including the technological shift, the energy transition, geopolitical shocks and demography. Chalmers said the shadow treasurer, Ted O'Brien, and the opposition leader, Sussan Ley, faced a key test with the 19-21 August talks at Parliament House, which will consider tax reform and ways to lift living standards. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'If Ted O'Brien comes to the reform roundtable and treats it as an extension of question time, I think that will go down pretty badly in the room,' he said. 'I think a lot of the commentary, whether it's from Ted O'Brien or Sussan Ley, I don't think they are by their nature constructive, collaborative types.' The Reserve Bank governor, Michele Bullock, will address the first day of the talks, followed by productivity commissioner, Danielle Wood, and Treasury secretary Jenny Wilkinson. Already the government has invited trade unions, business groups and sought submissions from regulators and government departments. O'Brien will represent the opposition at the cabinet room table. The summit will guide Labor's second term agenda, which will include skills, the net zero energy transition, workforce pressures and the care economy. Chalmers said he believed regular economic volatility and uncertainty for governments and decision makers had replaced structural predictability to become business as usual. He made the comments in an interview for Guardian Australia's Australian Politics podcast, released on Tuesday. O'Brien told the podcast earlier this month a stronger economy was critical to helping households. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'Without a strong economy, Australia will become a poorer, weaker and more dependent nation,' he said. The treasurer will meet G20 finance ministers in Durban, South Africa, later this week, with US President Donald Trump's growing trade war and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Europe set to dominate talks. Chalmers is expected to hold one-on-one talks with counterparts from the UK, Canada, Japan, Germany and Indonesia while at the summit. 'The best defence against all of this uncertainty in the global economy, all this unpredictability and volatility which comes from either the trade tensions or conflict in the Middle East, conflict in eastern Europe, the best defence against all of that is more engagement, not less,' Chalmers said. 'More diverse markets, not less diverse markets, and also more resilience in our own economy.' 'Obviously trade will be a big part of the story, supply chains, critical minerals, how we get capital flowing more effectively in the global economy. These are the sorts of things that I expect to be talking with them about.'
