I've just voted to pass long-awaited nature reforms. I sought to strengthen the bill, with amendments to protect high-value ag land, safeguard drinking water catchments and give communities a real say. The package isn’t perfect, but it’s an improvement and will now be tested.

These are the biggest reforms to Australia’s environment laws in 25 years. Our laws must protect nature, give industry clarity, and ensure communities have a real say. I’ll work in good faith with the Government to get this right. theconversation.com/labors-envir...

Labor’s environmental law overhaul: a little progress and a lot of compromise

Labor’s long-awaited environmental reforms do represent progress. But ambition levels have been dialled back and much depends on the detail.

theconversation.com

These findings are alarming, but not surprising. Regional Australia is depending on strong climate action. The Government’s carbon emission targets must reflect the severity of the findings released yesterday. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

First climate risk assessment finds 1.5m Australians at risk from sea level rise by 2050

One and a half million Australians are at risk from sea levels rising by 2050 unless climate change can be limited, Australia’s first national climate risk assessment warns.

abc.net.au

Not only is pork barrelling unethical, but could also be unconstitutional. When public money is used for political gain, we get waste and rorts. I’ll keep fighting to make funding fair, transparent and based on merit, not political benefit. www.afr.com/politics/fed...

Labor election pledges at risk of being unconstitutional

Government lawyers have warned Attorney-General Michelle Rowland about Labor’s cash splash during the federal election campaign.

afr.com

The climate consequences of approving the North West Shelf project are massive. The project will emit 90 million tonnes of carbon each year - 4.3 billion over its lifetime. And who benefits? Not Australians, and not the planet. www.afr.com/politics/fed...

Labor approves North West Shelf extension, with conditions

The Albanese government has approved Woodside’s bid to run a massive gas facility in Western Australia until 2070.

afr.com

Labor promised to end Morrison era secrecy. Now they're proposing changes to our critical FOI laws. I'll be scrutinising this bill line by line. Transparency matters. www.afr.com/politics/fed...

Labor’s plan the worst attack on government transparency in decades

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland this week will introduce new laws that will curtail what the public can know about how Canberra operates.

afr.com

Robodebt can’t be forgotten or repeated. We can’t allow the most vulnerable in our community to come up against automated systems without compassion or compromise. Our social security system should be a safety net, not a drag net. 🗨️ shorturl.at/XhGww

Home batteries are being taken up so enthusiastically by Australian households with the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. I've championed this issue because cheaper home batteries = lower emissions and reduced household energy bills. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Australia’s surge in household battery installations is ‘off the charts’ as government subsidy program powers up

At current rate, households could have 10,000MW installed in five years – half the nation’s total coal power capacity, expert says

theguardian.com

Both the United States and the United Kingdom are reviewing the AUKUS agreement. In light of this, and the consequential nature of the agreement, it's vital that our Parliament do the same. The crossbench will push to ensure scrutiny is applied. Australians expect nothing less.

The ongoing loss of life, starvation and human suffering in Gaza is unconscionable and I do not accept that Australia's influence is limited. I have written to the Prime Minister asking him to use the authority of his office in a stand against the actions of Israel. #gaza #auspol bit.ly/4mz81ut

Facing 161 years in prison for exposing unethical practices at the ATO, Richard Boyle pleaded guilty. Australia's whistleblower protection laws are failing those who speak out. It's time for a Whistleblower Protection Authority. shorturl.at/KOaVr

'Richard Boyle is a superhero': So why didn't whistleblower laws protect him?

Richard Boyle has faced the heavy price of being a whistleblower in Australia. It's time for urgent reforms of public and private sector whistleblower laws and the establishment of a new body to prote...

abc.net.au

You know that thing where people get sick right after a big project or major event? Yep — that's me today. Unfortunately, I’ve had to pull out of tonight’s planned appearance on Q+A due to illness. Massive thanks to the ABC team for being so understanding. #QandA

I've worked with two majority governments - Coalition and Labor. It doesn't stop me fighting for my community and having influence.

Indi’s independence is possible because of the thousands of locals who believe that politics should be done differently. Who believe in a better democracy – where all Australians are involved and heard and represented. I'm grateful and proud of everyone who supported my campaign.

We’ve known about the dodgy dealings of the CFMEU for a long time, and what both Labor and Liberals governments have done in the past has failed to address it.

I’m putting forward practical solutions for the next Government to provide the quality care our regions need. My plan includes support for students, capital investment in rural hospitals and more training places for healthcare workers. More at helenhaines.org/issues/health-and-aged-care/

Major positive step towards better protections for whistleblowers. The legislation I seconded last week has been referred to a Senate Inquiry. Make a submission here: www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...

Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025 (No.2)

On the 13th of February 2025, the Senate referred the Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025 (No. 2) to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by Frida...

aph.gov.au

In 2019, Labor promised to establish a Whistleblower Protection Authority, but it remains the missing piece in Australia’s election landscape. Once again, it’s up to the crossbench to have the back of whistleblowers. www.helenhaines.org/media/austra...

If the Coalition is really serious about government efficiency, they should commit to ending pork barrelling instead of an Australian DOGE.

Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to live. The current housing crisis is making life hard for many. My plan for a $2 billion Regional Housing Infrastructure Fund will provide a clear focus on the challenges of regional Aust and support for infrastructure to boost housing. bit.ly/40QAanR

Home batteries harnessing the full benefit of rooftop solar is more important than ever with feed in tariffs low and excess solar an untapped resource. www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

As an avid fan of Gardening Australia, it was an absolute pleasure to meet Costa Georgiadis recently who brought fun & a serious message to Parliament recently, promoting ‘Grow it Local’, with Member for Mackellar Sophie Scamps MP,& Ebony Bennett & Darryl Nichols from @australiainstitute.org.au

My policy for 30% of housing funding to be guaranteed to regional Aust is gaining momentum, showing how as an independent seat we can shift the dial & shape the national policy agenda. The Coalition is on board, announcing they'll quarantine 1/3 of their housing infrastructure fund for the regions.

I caught up with Ebony Bennett recently to discuss the potential impact of electoral reforms on new and independent candidates in their ‘Follow the Money’ podcast. australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-maj...

Watch the full press conference, featuring: Costa Georgiades, Australia’s favourite gardener @sophiescamps.bsky.social, independent MP for Mackellar @helenhainesindi.bsky.social, independent MP for Indi Darryl Nichols, Co-Founder of Grow it Local @ebonybennett.bsky.social, Australia Institute

Grow Your Own 2024 | Press Conference

YouTube video by The Australia Institute

youtu.be

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on the NACC held its first public hearing on 22 November. As Deputy Chair of the Committee, I opened the questioning of Commissioner Paul Brereton. A recording of the full hearing is on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qPp...