The Albanese Labor Government has picked up where we left off to start 2023 - delivering positive changes for Australians. We are not wasting a day in Government.

Australians should already be seeing these changes, with cheaper medicines taking effect over summer and fee-free TAFE places now available.

And I’m happy to report there’s more on the way, with cheaper childcare from July and electricity bill relief will be a key feature of the May Budget.

In exciting news, my deliberative panel, The Canberra Forum, has been working hard, meeting in person for the first working session and a number of online panels, including with Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen.

It’s been inspiring to watch a group of randomly selected Canberrans work together to decide on the broad topics the Forum will focus on.

The group has decided their main focus topic will be: What should the Federal government do to improve access to affordable home purchase and private rental?

The Forum will also discuss and report back on the topics of: transitioning to a renewable economy and community voices being heard in decision-making.

I was proud to update the House on this meeting, which you can watch here.

I look forward to further updating the Canberra community on the Forum’s work in the coming months.

The Canberra Forum is just one way I’m working to engage with Canberrans.

I’m very excited to be hosting a public forum with Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek at the Eastlake Football Club on March 28.

This is your chance to ask your questions on all things environment and hear about Labor's work to reform environmental laws to better protect, restore and manage our environment.

It’s a free event and you can book your tickets here.

Inside Parliament House, a highlight has been starting my duties on the Speaker’s panel – assisting to chair Parliament, beginning in the Federation Chamber.

It's given me a whole new appreciation of parliament and the processes and procedures of our democracy.

In great news, we’re one step closer to making more social and affordable housing a reality after legislation for the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund passed the lower house. It will now go to the Senate for debate.

I spoke in Parliament about the Government’s ambitious housing reform agenda to get more Australians an affordable place to call home. Watch it here.

We’ve also legislated paid parental leave – which was a game changer for women and families when Labor legislated it in 2011.

Labor has now built on that legacy by adding an extra 8 weeks to the scheme - extending the leave payable up to a full six months by 2026, and making it more flexible for parents to share and access the leave.

I spoke about the how this will help families in Canberra and across Australia. You can see the speech here.

It’s been a real concern that trust in government has been plunging in recent years, and integrity and accountability in politics has been an important concern for many of my constituents and Australians.

The Labor Government has heard these concerns and is taking action.

I’m proud to say that Parliament has adopted a code of conduct for all parliamentarians and staff following the landmark Set the Standard Report by Kate Jenkins.

Everyone should feel safe when they go to work and it's important Parliament sets a positive example for all workplaces around the country. I spoke in support of the code and you can watch it here. 

I also spoke on an amendment to ensure that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s serious breach of trust and accountability by being secretly sworn into multiple portfolios held by other Ministers, can never happen again. Watch that speech here.

I also has the opportunity to speak in support of the arts and our national institutions, the need to fix low rates of bulk bulling in Canberra, and why the government needs to properly fund Trove.

In Question Time, I had the opportunity to ask Government Ministers a number of questions about the gender pay gap, family and domestic violence, the risk of delaying climate action, and Labor’s paid parental leave and cheaper childcare policies.

Sadly, I spoke about the death of my friend, mentor and groundbreaking economist Professor Ann Harding AO, founder of NATSEM at the University of Canberra, in Parliament.

Ann pioneered microsimulation – the modelling of the impact of policies on households and individuals – in Australia and had a deep commitment to quality research and putting evidence at the centre of public policy decision making. My speech is here.

This national conversation about poverty and inequality continues to be relevant today and I spoke about the role of government in tackling disadvantage in my Address-in-Reply. You can see it here. 

I also spoke about a motion to mark 15 years since the Rudd Government made the National Apology to the Stolen Generation. It was a critical moment in our nation’s journey of reconciliation and an important anniversary to acknowledge ahead of the Voice referendum later this year.

The Voice is an opportunity for Australia. It is simple, practical and will make a real difference to the lives of Indigenous Australians. Watch the speech here.

I was very pleased to have several Ministers visit great Canberra organistions with me over recent weeks.

I was lucky to join Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Education Minister Jason Clare and Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly at Manuka Childcare Centre to announce Professor Emerita Deborah Brennan, a leading expert in early childhood policy, will lead the Productivity Commission Inquiry into universal early childhood education and care.

The Inquiry will build on the delivery of cheaper child care - which will cut the cost of early education and care for more than 9000 families in my electorate and one million families Australia-wide.

I joined Assistant Minister for Mental Health Emma McBride for the opening of Canberra’s new Head to Health Centre in Civic – a multidisciplinary service, federally funded service offering free walk in sessions with psychologists, mental health workers and social workers.

I also met the amazing residents and staff at BaptistCare Carey Gardens Aged Care Home with Aged Care Minister Anika Wells.

Labor is acting on the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission by requiring 24/7 registered nurses for all residential care facilities, better pay for aged care workers, and better food for residents.

The highlight of February was the return of the Canberra Multicultural Festival after a three-year COVID induced hiatus!

The festival is such a wonderful way to celebrate the amazingly diverse and multicultural community we live in.

It was great to join Multicultural Affairs Minister Andrew Giles, Tara Cheyne MLA and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr to tour the festival, and chat to stall holders and volunteers.

Canberra’s amazing cultural events have continued with this year’s Enlighten Festival – which runs until March 19.

It's back to Parliament next week before the Budget in May. In the meantime, I'll keep working hard to represent all Canberrans.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. And as always, if have any issues or concerns, don't hesitate to get in touch with my office.