Royal Commission blows lid on robodebt

The many thousands of Australians who fell victim to Robodebt deserved answers, and their plight was summed up succinctly by today’s Royal Commission report which stated that: “Robodebt was a…

Federal Budget good as far as it goes but critically wounded by Stage 3 tax cuts and AFL stadium

The Federal Budget goes some way to improving the situation in a myriad of important areas like Jobseeker, Parenting Payment, energy bill relief, aged care and Commonwealth Rent Assistance. The…

A statement on NDIS plan automation

The news yesterday that, from mid-2026, NDIS plans will be largely automated and that human involvement and discretion will be dramatically reduce, is concerning. It’s worth remembering that the Robodebt…

Reflections on the Coalition dumping Net Zero

While much of the commentary about the Liberal Party’s abandonment of net zero has been on the political and electoral implications of their decision, it’s worth remembering that politics isn’t…

A statement on the environmental reforms

I welcome the changes to the Federal Government’s environmental law reforms. I voted against the reforms in the House of Representatives because, as initially drafted, it was clear the Government…

Government happy to keep gambling with Australian lives

Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, discussed the motion on banning gambling advertising, which he sought to move in the House of Representatives earlier today. “The Government’s refusal today to…

End the impasse on banning gambling advertising

Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, asked the Prime Minister the following in Question Time today. “Prime Minister, I’ve recently had conversations with a significant number of Government backbenchers who…

Bushfire season a sobering reminder of Tassie risk

Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, delivered the following speech in parliament today. “Recently I hosted a briefing by the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania on the pressing issue of…

Every dog has its day; it’s time greyhounds had theirs

Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, introduced his private members bill, Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ending Online Wagering on Greyhound Racing) Bill 2025. “My private members bill would remove the exemption…

No ‘protection’ in these environmental reforms

Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, moves his amendments to the Environment Protection Reform Bills.

Aged care funds should go to care, not fees

Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, speaks the need for aged care funding to be focused on providing care, not paying administration fees.