Another Question Time, another blatant Labor Lie...
#qtfails #LaborLies #divertdeflectdeny
... See MoreSee Less
Wow, 23 units in 9 years, your electorate must be very proud of you. In the nine years that the LNP was in government they managed to build the sum total of 373 affordable and social homes, that is 3.586 homes a month. Since labor came to government in May 2022 they have delivered more than 5000 affordable and social homes, 2000 constructed and over 3000 acquired with another 25,000 under construction.
Well done Pat, Kempsey and Bellingen are smashing it !!! 10 years, well done 🤪
The Bellingen housing was a great success Pat, many many happy faces from the ladies living there, as the local paper showed when they moved in. Well done Pat & National Party.
Bet she won't....
Pretty sure it’s the latter Pat. Great work by the way 👍
Yes that's included In the 337 homes built in nine years wow what an achievement.
Claire is never wrong, just ask her!🤡
She simply changed her position.
Doing a great job Pat
Labor just lies, lies, lies. Can’t believe a word they say.
You might have to wait for that ol mate they won't admit to misleading parliament they just changed their position.
You do understand Anthony selected her …. Good on you for taking the time to provide demonstrable facts.
Hold them to account Pat
She said they didn't build any. Watson's place was built at the end of ALP's first term. And as you've mentioned, the community center is still not built.
Don't hold your breath folks
I hope the Nats bring this to her attention, but its almost a forgone conclusion that they wont actually answer any questions. Its so frustrating to see politians always avoid a direct answer.
Very noble but 1 room units for a specific group of over 55 females in Bellingen is hardly family housing and Kempsey is only transitional temporary accommodation for youth. Wow. Talk about stretching the truth.
373 affordable housing in nine years, let’s not get too cocky, and there’s a big difference in the word funding and built
Fact check. The noalitition built only 378 social and affordable houses in 10years.. oh and no housing minister. The lnp have been ,since the 2 party system have held govt for 70% of the time.. yep housing was a noalitition priority 😂
Have your say while you can, but read the polls.
Keep going hard Pat Thank you
And the other side of the story is:
Good job for delivering social housing .
Always question time, Never answer time…
Thankyou for calling out the 'truth'.
ILLICIT TOBACCO AND VAPES: ANOTHER LABOR BUDGET FAILURE
There are so many 'epic fails' in this latest Labor budget that its genuinely getting hard to find a silver lining.
Yesterday, I took the opportunity to highlight the failures of the budget to recognise the avalanche of illicit tobacco and vape products spilling into our high streets and local shopping centres.
As a former police officer and drug squad detective, I've been banging on about this issue since I walked through the doors of Parliament. And with each passing year that the Government refuses to recognise the problem, it's causes and the resources required to stop it, things only get worse.
We are already seeing the same players branching out into other products, specifically alcohol. Another legal product taxed past the point of price elasticity and handed to criminal gang networks.
We must urgently;
✅Address the overtaxing of tobacco and regulate vapes in order to stem the flow of unsafe and untested products.
✅ Create a permanent, standalone federal vaping, alcohol and tobacco agency that is funded properly and set up to work with state and territory law enforcement
✅Empower our courts to crack down and crack down hard on illegal operators and agents
Without every single one of these measures, the illicit tobacco and vape trade will continue to thrive and in fact expand. And none of these are contained in Labor's Budget.
#Laborfails #BudgetFail #rewardingcriminalgangs #overtaxing #illicittobacco
... See MoreSee Less
Asked the minster to drop the huge tax grab so people live
At least people can afford food when they purchase them the government ones just take all they have times are already hard for thousands of people
The Government excise is the problem.
Legalize marijuana but cigarettes are not because they are a huge tax grab
They can access any drug easily without shop fronts, better ciggies and vapes than ICE or any other hard drug
Nothing wrong with the cigarettes just no tax for government
The government just got to greedy with the excise unfortunately. It just goes to show that they were asleep at the wheel yet again. Drop the excise so it’s not a business model for the crooks to operate with in . I’m so glad I don’t smoke anymore. If only the government did something worthwhile with the excise in stead of giving it to minority groups who are making the most noise . Well done pat stick it up those wombats
Don't blame the illegal trade blame the government for the ridicules tax on them. Why would anyone pay $50 plus for 20 pack when you can get them for $15 or less
When the pack of cigarettes went to over $75 a pack ,I gave up smoking ,so the high tax worked for me .
I don't smoke or vape.. but governments tax grabs are corruption at its highest, especially when politicians are smoking the cheap tobacco, yet carry on about it being on the market !
Australia has the highest cost for smokes in the world. Not rocket science, cut the tax, problem solved
Cut the excise right down, cut the black market at the knees. Simple fix. Removing shop fronts may remove some violence from main streets but the trade will continue.
And visa versa. Another job for Pauline but more busy trying to reduce immigration number intake ATM.
There asleep at the wheel with everything
They are not ilegal just tax free
Will tax is $1.25 a smoke A joke right
Ban kids
U just lost my vote I life my untaxed smokes
Federal government done it Australia was great 12 years ago when I moved here from uk everything didn’t cost the world then slowly it all started going up
Just remove all excise and redirect funds to health education. And then let individuals make their own informed choices rather than nanny state dictating to them.
Tobacco is the same whether it has tax or not
And which government bought in the taxes to start with
So why would a legimate shop need to close down ? How about not worrying about insignificant things like this lets focus on important factors like all these ridiculous taxes the cost of living and housing crisis
Well make them the same price
It's all about the revenue, the government wouldn't care who buys theor over priced shit that's why it's an issue ...
PAT IN PARLIAMENT: VALE JAMES DUNN
I took the opportunity pay tribute to James Thomas Dunn who tragically and suddenly passed away on 12 May at the age of 54.
James was a husband to Pauline and father to James Junior and Georgia who he loved dearly. He was incredibly proud of their achievements and always spoke of their times together or their latest holidays. He left little doubt in anyone’s mind that his family came first above all. His love and respect were also always on display for his Mum Catherine and Dad Jim.
James was also a giant in the business community. At the time of his passing James was the Managing Director of Expressway Spares which was started in 1964 by James’s grandfather and now employs several hundred people in regional Australia. As a reflection of the man he was, James knew the names of every single employee and treated them as family.
To his mates, James was a character. Always laughing, having a joke or wearing his notorious fluro speedo’s on lighthouse beach on Christmas day. And he was always there to lend a hand or just to listen.
Our thoughts go to James family, friends and colleagues at Expressway Spares.
James’s funeral on Monday made me want to do better and be better. Like James. He will be missed. Vale James Dunn.
... See MoreSee Less
Thank you Pat Conaghan MP for honouring James in this way.
James will indeed be missed by all who knew him. He was exceptional. Vale James Thomas Dunn. ❤️
A wonderful person.
A wonderful family and community man
Well said Pat. Condolences to his family and friends. Vale James.
Thank you for this wonderful tribute; I’m sure his family & friends will treasure it. May James’ memory be a blessing to ease your personal loss
Well said Pat James was a great bloke and comes from great stock. Beautiful family ❤️he will be forever missed by all that knew him 🤝 Cheers
Lovely tribute Pat, heartfelt and truly deserved.
Such a gentleman 🙏
Many thanks Pat for your beautiful tribute to James. He would have been truly honoured ❤️
Beautiful Tribute Pat ,Condolences to the Dunn family 💐💐💐♥️♥️♥️
Gary Bowyer
Melinda Newton
You must feel very proud of James alongside the painful loss, Pauline. Wishing blessings & peace your way 💔
Thank you Pat, condolences to his family and friends
🌹🙏 R.I.P. to a great man
🙏😪🙏
Well said
Oh Pat Thankyou
Shocking!! I hadn't known. Condolences to all the family.
That is very sad
PAT IN PARLIAMENT: CALLING OUT BROKEN PROMISES AND SLIDING LIVING STANDARDS
Labor famously promised that no one would be 'left behind' under their Government, and that they would build a 'stronger, fairer and more resilient Australia'.
But after four years, we have seen a string of broken promises and the average Australian suffering under the burden of high inflation, high taxes and declining quality of life.
Do you feel better off than you were four years ago?
#Laborfails #LaborLies #brokenpromises #aussiesunderpressure #ideologyoverreality
... See MoreSee Less
Well said Pat. Now don’t criticise One Nation & I will support you!
In 5 years my electricity bill has gone up from $250 to $450.
Thank you Pat well said and wonderfully articulated ❤️
What about cutting the huge salaries of top paid public servants! The average wage for a minister is $400,000 per year plus subsidies plus business class flights plus luxury hotels plus meals plus pay rises every year to keep up with inflation 😆 when you are already earning a fortune. 30 ministers and 76 senators get paid roughly around 30 million per year plus perks !!! Wink 😜 with corporates ! Lots of them get huge pensions plus get to work on top 🎩 n then go work for their corporate buddies ! Lots of back scratches
The cost hasn't risen as much as if we were building nuclear generators under your plan.
Keep up the great work Pat Congratulations
Have your say while you can, but read the polls
Well done Pat - keep holding them to account - you are doing a great job👏🏻
That’s our Pat.
2 million more votes
Well said mate. But it’s still common sense. This government hasn’t got that.
Love your work Pat
i agree
Hear. Hear. Well said 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I liked that.
Well said but labour won't beleive the truth
Thank you for this Pat, keep at them
If you join one nation you will have a stronger voice . Keep up the good work
Keep this up Pat.
True words
Brilliantly said this present federal government is an embarrassment
All true!!!!!
Well said Pat. One nation is my next vote
Well said but sadly unless we can rid ourselves from this madness we are doomed 😡
Hear, hear 👏🏼
PAT IN PARLIAMENT: ACKNOWLEDGING LOCAL NDIS ADVOCATE CONNOR BRYANT
I was pleased to have the opportunity acknowledge local legend Connor Bryant in my speech regarding the NDIS for Future Generations Bill.
Connor has long championed the needs of people living with disability and has himself faced significant challenges when navigating the NDIS.
When Connor first visited me at a mobile office in Sawtell to ask for my help, I knew that he would be a constructive and dedicated sounding board who would help me to fight for positive changes to be made. And he has absolutely lived up to my first impressions of his character. I'm now lucky to call him a friend, and our community is lucky to have him.
Well done, Connor. And thank you for your advice and perspective.
Many from our community have written to me in recent days expressing their concerns with the Bill. I hope that I have captured these concerns in my reply and will be watching the Senate Inquiry progress closely.
For those interested, my full speech can be found in the comments section below.
#locallegend #NDIS #ndisforfuturegenerationsbill #livedexperiencematters #ThankYouConnor
... See MoreSee Less
See my full speech on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 here: parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/genpdf/chamber/hansardr/29159/0021/hansard_frag.pdf;fileType=applica...
Lovely acknowledgement Pat and Connor!
Thank you Pat so very greatfull thank you so very much
Aww Connor, how beautiful to be recognised for all the brilliant work you’re doing, Congrats!!
Connor and those who need a bit of help now and then is why the NDIS should be a great thing Not the monstrosity of a thing it is now with sone unscrupulous people gaining from those who are deserving and do the right thing Thank you Pat for keeping this in the open And go Connor !👏👏👏
The proposed Bill would give the Minister (or any future Minister) broad powers to reduce funding across categories of supports. The Government has already flagged savings through proposed reductions of up to 50% in social and community participation supports. For people with disability, that could mean 50% less support to attend community events, volunteer, meet with their MP, participate in advocacy, support other people with disability, or contribute to their community. We should be asking whether we want a society that invests in inclusion, or one that balances the budget by reducing the participation of people with disability.
We are very lucky to have Connor as Chair of the Disability Inclusion and Access Advisory Committee. Thank you for acknowledging the great work and advocacy he is doing.
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the current approach to policy development and legislative changes affecting the NDIS. So better expressed by Pat and others❤️ A democratic government should not pass laws without providing the public a full and meaningful opportunity to review all proposed changes and give appropriate time to review, not 2 weeks! The current timeframe for reviewing documents is insufficient and demonstrates a lack of consultation with the people whose lives are most impacted. Rushing these processes without adequate engagement ignores the expertise of professionals and the lived experiences of participants. Furthermore, the shift toward models that resemble old state-based institutional care—such as forced group outings and activities—is a regressive step. These policies undermine the autonomy of people with disabilities, effectively ostracising them and limiting their ability to participate in the community on their OWN terms. A like anyone. The current financial issues within the NDIS are a result of administrative oversight and a failure to correctly interpret medical evidence, not the participants themselves. The government requires actual trained staff in NDIS who can accurately process documentation and create plans that reflect the actual needs of individuals. And the largest portion appear to have utterly no understanding of evidence given if it’s active read! I urge the government to treat all Australians as equals and to prioritise transparency, empathy, and professional guidance over convenient, restrictive policies.
Well said Mr Pat Conaghan
Good job
Hi, I’d like to add my voice to this matter. I’ve lodged my submission, but think sending it to individual members means they actually get to read it. As a person with a disability and a disability advocate, I recognise the importance of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). I support the need for reform. However, I am deeply concerned that the current approach is disproportionately targeting participants and their families, rather than addressing the systemic inefficiencies and exploitation within the scheme itself. At present, funding reductions and increased scrutiny appear to be falling most heavily on those the NDIS was designed to support—people with disability—while widespread issues involving fraud, price inflation, and unethical provider behaviour remain insufficiently addressed. It is difficult to reconcile why participants are being asked to justify essential supports, while examples of clear market exploitation persist. For instance, it is not uncommon for the cost of basic assistive equipment to significantly increase once a supplier becomes aware that the purchaser is an NDIS participant. This kind of price inflation, along with providers claiming for services not delivered, represents a serious integrity issue. These are the areas that require decisive action. A clear example of this price distortion is something as basic as a foldable walking stick. The exact same aluminium folding walking stick can be purchased online for under $15 with next-day delivery. Yet very similar—and often identical—products are routinely sold through disability or mobility providers for around $45–$70. Even mainstream Australian retailers sell comparable foldable walking sticks in the $12–$30 range. This is not a difference in quality or function—it is the same basic product. The only difference is that once it is supplied through disability channels, the price increases dramatically. This kind of systemic overcharging is a far more significant contributor to cost blowouts than participant supports, yet it remains largely unaddressed. Recent evidence presented to a parliamentary inquiry indicated that approximately $3.7 billion—around 8.3% of total NDIS expenditure—was attributed to “integrity leakage” in the last financial year. This highlights that the problem is not participant overuse, but systemic weaknesses that allow misuse of funds at scale. You noted in your address to the National Press Club that unscheduled plan reviews are contributing to cost pressures, and suggested that plan managers may play a role in this. If that is the case, what concrete steps are being taken to regulate and hold these actors accountable? From a participant perspective, a significant driver of plan reviews is that initial plans often fail to accurately capture the full impact of a person’s disability. Participants are then forced into review processes simply to secure adequate and reasonable supports. Addressing planning quality at the outset would reduce the need for costly reassessments. I am also concerned by suggestions that community and social participation supports should be reduced due to perceived misuse by support workers. If there are issues with worker conduct, then it is the responsibility of providers and regulators to address this directly. It is not appropriate to penalise participants by reducing access to supports that are critical for inclusion, independence, and wellbeing. For many of us, these supports are not discretionary. Personally, I rely on community participation funding to attend medical appointments, maintain commitments I have made, and attend social events (family, friends, events). These are fundamental aspects of daily life, not luxuries. More broadly, I was concerned by commentary suggesting that pre-NDIS community programs fostered genuine inclusion. Historically, many such programs resulted in segregation rather than integration, limiting opportunities for people with disability to participate fully in society. The NDIS was designed to change this, and it is critical that reforms do not unintentionally reverse that progress. I am also aware of cases where participants are being drawn into lengthy and costly processes through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), requiring them to resubmit extensive medical evidence that has already been provided. This creates unnecessary financial and emotional strain, particularly for individuals with significant and permanent disabilities whose support needs are not in question. It raises serious concerns when administrative and legal processes appear to override the assessments of qualified medical and allied health professionals. Additionally, there is growing frustration within the community about decisions being made remotely, without adequate understanding of individual circumstances, and sometimes in contradiction to on-the-ground assessments conducted by NDIS staff and treating professionals. Minister, there is a broader equity issue at play. Many Australians are questioning how the Government can afford substantial tax concessions, while at the same time tightening supports for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. A sustainable NDIS must be built on fairness, accountability, and genuine partnership. I strongly urge the Government to prioritise: * Targeting fraud, overcharging, and unethical provider practices * Improving the accuracy and consistency of initial planning decisions * Reducing administrative inefficiencies and duplication * Ensuring regulatory action is directed at those misusing the system—not participants * Engaginge meaningfully with people with disability and their families in shaping reforms Once these systemic issues are addressed, there will be a stronger foundation for collaborative discussions about long-term sustainability. I would welcome the opportunity to see a reform approach that works with participants, rather then placing additional burden on them
Where's the opposition ?
Well done Connor! 👏
As them why they are not getting the provider s re fraude
Why are all the seats empty? 😞
Thank you for your advocacy Pat Conaghan MP ❤️
Thank you Connor for your continued advocacy for disabled people.
Im bedbound wheelchair bound and was denied a fully accessible wheelchair accommodation, I'm now in temporary disability accommodation where I've not showered for five months and I can't use the toilet so have to eat next to my own faeces and urine because I can't access the toilet. I was denied a pressure mattress for my bedsores, I was declined a recliner so as to move from bed to recliner and reduce the risk of blood clots and help my bedsores. I was denied a safe wheelchair the one I have is from an op shop and hurts my back . I was declined extra support hours as a consequence I'm trapped in this place and cannot go to medical appointments etc etc etc Thank you Minister Butler ! They are already making huge cuts!!!
Were you in the chamber to vote last night? It seems many, if not all, abstained from voting
Well done Conner. The Govt needs to talk to people with disabilities & carers to et the knowledge of essential needs. Govt should not cut back on essential needs, they need to cutback on the non-essential handouts like holiday etc yes ndis pay for carers so clients can get out & enjoy life but not pay for entertainment accomodation etc.This is not building independence & realities of life where we should all be paying our way not living off handouts .
It seems whilst this is well said and softening to the heart, the Butler is like a bull on heat and the powers of his ways whether passed or not is already into effect, including but not limited to ART not producing decisions! The whole thing puts people like ourselves in severe financial hardship, stress and causes breakdown of relationships. The amount of help we reached out to to ministers for help and nothing and they just rang the ndis general line getting another reference number. It appears ndis are their own law and I am at the stage of going to press. Ndis do not care. The govt need to take accountability for lawyers of high profile firms, barristers and 3 day hearings costs and take all those away and a huge saving along with kpi's for planners to do so many plans & hence y reports etc not read nor your plan treated like trash & disrespect. ndis staff are not medically qualified to understand disabilities so that is offensive to start.
Connor Mayder Bryant
Another proposed change would allow greater use of automated decision-making in the NDIS. In plain English, that means a computer algorithm could play a much larger role in deciding what supports a person receives, based on scores, classifications and formulas rather than a detailed understanding of their individual circumstances. If we've learnt anything from Robodebt, it's that automated systems can make mistakes. When that happens, real people can be harmed. Disability support decisions are too important to be reduced to a computer-generated outcome.
Well said Pat Conaghan
Who is he talking to?
PAT IN PARLIAMENT: SHOULD THIS WORD REALLY BE BANNED?
There are a number of four-letter words that MPs are unable to use on the floor of Parliament. And rightly so. They are unparliamentary and not reflective of civil discourse in polite Australian society. Of course, we along with the rest of Australia may think them, but they don’t leave our lips in this place. And neither should they.
But recently, we have seen the ban enforcement on the floor of Parliament of a four-letter word that IS used in general discourse. A word starting with L that someone might be called for being dishonest, distrustful, evasive or false in their representations. A word that, while unflattering, when used in the correct circumstances is valid.
I didn't use that word today, I played within the rules, but I did call out Labor's consistent approach during Question Time that Australians are sick of seeing. And that is ‘Divert, Deflect & Deny’.
Yesterday, I asked a direct question from my constituency in relation to the slashing of the private healthcare rebate for those over 65. This is a serious concern with serious consequences not only for older Australians struggling to pay their bills, but for the public health system more broadly. Instead of answering, the PM chose to play semantics and denied there was an issue.
Many of you who will be directly effected reached out to me yesterday about the PMs answer, and I can tell you that the L word was the most flattering of the four letter words that you offered to describe his response.
How can anyone trust a Government that refuses to answer basic questions sent to us from our constituency? It is our job as representatives to seek a response. Labor's QT games continue to deny the Australian people of the right to an honest answer.
#laborlies #divertdeflectdeny #QuestionTime #whereisthetransparency
... See MoreSee Less
What’s the 4 letter L word?
Well said. DIVERT, DEFLECT and DENY Well said.
Churchill got around this way back by saying “he has just uttered a terminlogical inexactitude” whic is a clever way of saying he just lied.
If it’s only four letter words that can’t be used, I reccon there are several million Australians who could help you out with suitable alternative words to use. If you need help, just ask 😉
I agree Pat, Angus got him (Albo) today at question time about his arrogance on the changes of the CGT.
Thank you for fighting against Newspeak. Thankfully the Thoughtcrime legislation hasn't been introduced yet.
Can the opposition All wear glasses and a wooden nose mask when they ask the PM a question ? Or are people props disallowed?
Agree, just watched Parliament time and seriously they NEVER answer a question directly. The speaker also sides with Labor....
It's only banned if the Opposition uses it!
Well said. EVERYONE knew EXACTLY which four letter word and a huge number of us totally agree
Many of the Labor party’s previous supporters have recently “changed their position” regarding their support for the Labor party. 😆
Well done mate ! Albo is on record for using that four letter word in parliament - No sanction ?
Great and sensible work Pat. Thank you and thank you also for going into bat for our health care rebate. This is very important to so many of us. Cheers!
Banning it cause its being used so often they don't like it...but find the reason behind them using it so often you might find there's perfect sense.
NO if the CAP FITS WEAR IT.
Can they say Albo doesn't lie straight in bed.
Thanks Pat for again going to bat for those of us trying to do the right thing by paying for health insurance. Also for your efforts on behalf of your constituents and wider Australia.
What the time Albanese called Morrison a liar and the same speaker said nothing, the speaker is obviously on labor's side which in itself is a disgrace. Labor tells deliberate lies and should be called out by the opposition for doing so.
You know that the PM and his party will avoid responding to your questions. When he does respond it will be an ambiguous reply.
So is it being removed or not?
Keep up the fight Pat Conaghan MP. There are a few more adjectives I could use to describe the current PM…..however I won’t 😇
Talking in an empty parliament 🤔🫣🤣
Well done Pat!! I started to watch on Wednesday but wanted to throw something at the tv so had to turn it off!! 🤯 he NEVER answers the question!! And if any of them do answer a question,it’s definitely the four letter L word, or it’s a question from one of their own, obviously designed to give them a pat on the back!! I’ve got some four letter words that I can describe them with but I won’t 🤬🤣
Great work very strong clear message!
Politicians are renowned for this and have been for decades. This speaker would do the same if he were in an uncomfortable position.
