Achievements

 

Click on a policy area to read about Zali’s advocacy and achievements in that area

Aged care and senior support

Zali and her team have worked hard to support elderly constituents gain access to resources and support. In recent months, Zali launched a new guide to assist seniors and their families navigate ageing support as well as hosting a webinar on the same topic.

Zali has met with constituents who are accomplished in their fields of work but are now experiencing age and health discrimination. She has highlighted in Parliament the issues faced by Australians in their 50s and 60s who are facing difficulty re-entering the workforce after taking time off work due to health or caring commitments.

Seniors Webinar – 5th March 2024

Zali hosted a Seniors Webinar with special guests Danielle Robertson, DR Care Solutions; Brendan Ryan, Later Life Advice; and Jennifer Brittain, Square One Physiotherapy. The event aimed to assist seniors and their families in navigating the complexities of ageing support. From aged care to financial planning and health & wellbeing resources, the panel provided valuable insights and guidance.

View the webinar here.

Speeches

Climate and environment

Zali has been a leader in Climate Change advocacy from the moment she was elected to Parliament. In many of her Parliamentary speeches, Zali emphasises the urgent need for action on climate change and environmental protection. She advocates for renewable energy, sustainable practices, and policies aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change. Zali often calls for bipartisan cooperation to address this critical issue facing Australia and the world.

A number of elements from Zali’s private member’s Climate Change Bill have now been adopted by the Government. Together with the crossbench, Zali has been a voice holding both the Liberal and now the Labor governments to account. Zali’s initiatives and achievements include:

  • Urging sectoral targets to ensure emissions reduction are shared across the board.
  • Proposing a range of amendments to the Safeguard Mechanism with the aim of ensuring that emissions from the biggest emitters in the country have peaked, ensuring the prioritisation of Safeguard mechanism credits which represent genuine abatement of emissions and setting caps on emission offsets.
  • Highlighting issues with Australia’s methane gas emissions. In particular, the misleading reporting of Australia’s emissions, particularly in relation to methane emissions from coal, oil and gas. The IEA has estimated Australia is under-reporting methane by up to 60%. Seeking clarity from the Climate Change Authority and the Minister for Climate Change on how reporting will be rectified in the context of setting our National Determined Contribution. Calling on the government to establish best practice standards for methane emissions from gas and coal mines.
  • Pressing the government to act on its commitment to consider the use of water in mining projects and its impact on communities.
  • Proposed amendments to ocean carbon capture to ensure that any project actually results in fewer emissions in the atmosphere had the activity not occurred.
  • Pressing the government for funding for its strengthened Biosecurity Act to safeguard our agricultural sector and ensure our natural environment is protected from increased threats from invasive species.
  • Opposing and raising concerns about the Northern Territory’s Middle Arm precinct and Beetaloo Basin to expand the gas industry. These concerns include the lack of any apparent current business case, independent assessment of the merit of large public investment in an environmentally reckless development and potential conflicts of interest from lobbyists.
  • As a member of the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water participating in an Inquiry into ocean and water plastics, Zali has considered the issue of the rising consumption of plastic, its threat to marine biodiversity and the need to focus on education, innovation and collaboration to address the challenges of soft plastic recycling.
  • Raising the need for a national biodiversity strategy and plan, backed up by the establishment of national standards, regulatory framework and enforcement measures. Calling for government investment to kickstart investment and help mitigate risk.
  • Calling for the Government to implement climate risk assessment and adaptation plans in order to prepare for extreme weather events.
  • Formally requesting the Minister for Environment to complete environmental reforms during this Parliamentary term.
  • Co-hosting Parliamentary briefings on ocean sustainability.
  • Proposing amendments to Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas storage Bill.

Advertising Forum: the Climate Emergency – 4th April 2024

Zali co-hosted an Advertising Forum with James Greet from the Payback Project and a panel of industry experts:

  • Natalie Dean Weymark, Co-founder of Compass Studio
  • Steve O'Connor, CEO ANZ of JC Decaux
  • Leif Stromnes, MD Stragety & Innovation, DDB Group Australia
  • John Pabon, Sustainability Consultant, Author & UN Advisor

The panel discussed the role the advertising and media industry can play in helping combat the climate crisis.

View the forum here.

Climate Action Now Community Forum – 18th May 2023

Zali hosted a Climate Action Now Community Forum with special guests:

  • Lesley Hughes, Climate Council - Temperature goals and emissions targets
  • Anna Freeman, Clean Energy Council - Meeting the need for renewable energy
  • Tim Buckley, Climate Energy Finance – The economic opportunity for clean energy innovations
  • Saul Griffith, Scientist and Author – Electrification and decarbonisation, rewiring Australia

The panellists discussed how Australia can accelerate its transition to Net Zero and emerge as a world leader in renewable energy. Zali launched her new climate campaign – 75 by 35 – a campaign to build public pressure on the Government to commit to a minimum of 75% emissions reduction by 2035.

View the forum here.

Speeches & Letters

Economic recovery and employment

Zali has focussed her suggestions in Parliament on strategies for economic recovery and job creation, particularly in the wake of global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of climate change. Zali supports measures to stimulate economic growth, invest in infrastructure, and support industries affected by economic downturns and technological disruptions. Zali particularly emphasises the importance of creating sustainable and inclusive economic opportunities for all Australians.

Zali has used speeches in Parliament to highlight some of the Australian innovations which are revolutionising the way people live.  Some of these innovative enterprises are based in Warringah and have been specifically mentioned in Parliament. Programs such as the National Reconstruction Fund, which Zali has supported from its introduction, are vital to support and promote the development of Australian innovation and business, particularly those providing real value-add to priority sectors.

Speeches

Education and students

The importance of accessible and high-quality education for all Australians has been raised by Zali throughout her two terms as an MP. She has advocated for increased funding for public schools, as well as policies to address issues such as education inequality, particularly in relation to funding of essential infrastructure.

The timing and indexation for CPI of HECS debts has been having a significant impact on the 2.9 million Australians with some form of HECS debt. Zali has joined the crossbench in calling for the Minister for Education to attribute HECS repayments in real time to debt or move the indexation date – and has been buoyed by the government agreeing to make changes to the indexation rate to cap it to the lesser of CPI or wage increases.

The Australian University Accord, led by Professor Mary O’Kane, has been tasked with looking at higher education holistically to grow our economy and capitalise on the changing nature of work. It is a review supported by Zali, who has identified that the transition to a green economy will require a range of new tertiary skills and trades. Throughout her tenure as an MP, Zali has engaged with experts in higher education and led campaigns against, for example, policies which disadvantage some students over others (humanities degrees over STEM for example).

While supporting the government’s Higher Education Support Amendment (Australia’s Economic Accelerator) Bill 2022, Zali did use the opportunity to speak on the vital importance of government policy helping to create a bridge between education and industry and incentivising the commercialisation of academic ideas. With Australia’s investment in innovation, research and development only 1.8% of GDP, Zali noted there needed to be greater investment and coordination in innovation.

Speeches

Family/childcare and early education

Zali has been able to bring her experience as a Barrister with experience in Family Law to advocate for changes to child support laws. Among identifying a number of issues with the current system, Zali has suggested the government consider the feasibility of implementing a guaranteed child support payment where it would underwrite and pay child support up-front. The government would then be the recovery agent through the tax system.

Paid Parental Leave has been another issue Zali has spoken on in Parliament a number of times. She has continued to press each government to do more, urging support for bold reforms which will support both parents to continue their economic participation in the economy.

In her first term in Parliament, Zali was appointed to the Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Family Law System. It is a role in which she has continued to use her professional experience to make significant contributions to the development of Family Law Act throughout her tenure as an MP. Her knowledge and insight into the way specific provisions operate in practice have been highlighted in her numerous speeches in Parliament.

Speeches

Health and disability

Zali has used her position as an MP to raise the profile of a number of health issues and advocate for increasing funding and support for a number of key areas.  These include:

  • Women’s health.  Following input from experts in the area, Zali spoke about the need to increase awareness of women’s health issues and to reduce stigma and discrimination.
  • NDIS reform for cost efficiency and meaningful outcomes. 
  • Vaping – the growing evidence that vaping poses a significant risk to our health, and particularly the health of our youth cannot be ignored.  Zali has spoken in Parliament in support of legislation reforming the sale, importation and manufacture of vapes.
  • Support for people with eating disorders.
  • Support for ovarian cancer awareness and research funding.
  • Aged care.  After extensive consultation with stakeholders and residents in Warringah, Zali spoke in Parliament about the need for improved safety and access to care and government policies to address the skills shortage.  Policies should include ensuring workers are properly remunerated and valued.  Zali was able to raise issues such as the gap between some aged-care participants receiving access to support and others not.  Similarly the crossover and gaps between NDIS and aged-care protections were raised.
  • Mental health issues and the continued increase in youth suicide.
  • Calling for a Royal Commission into COVID-19 pandemic.

Zali has hosted a number of community forums and webinars on the NDIS:

NDIS Webinar – 17th Sept 2024

Zali hosted an NDIS Webinar with the Hon. Bill Shorten, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The webinar covered the changes people can expect from the new NDIS legislation and how parents can best navigate the NDIS Early Childhood Pathway. The Minister answered a number of questions from constituents ranging from plan reviews, to pathways for Paralympians and delays in processing claims.

View the webinar here.

NDIS Community Forum – 27th April 2023

Zali hosted an NDIS Community Forum with The Hon. Bill Shorten MP, NDIS Minister. Participants, carers and providers were involved in a productive discussion about a range of issues and opportunities for the NDIS moving forward. This was an opportunity for constituents to be heard and have their questions answered.

View the forum here.

Speeches

Housing and cost of living

Warringah is facing similar housing issues to the rest of Australia. With an average housing price in Warringah of around $2.3 million, over a million more than the Sydney average, representing a 5 year, 37 per cent increase, many can no longer afford to buy or live in our electorate. Nearly 35 per cent of Warringah residents rent and are being hit with big rent increases.

Zali works very closely with local organisations such as One Meal and LocalKind Northern Beaches and is aware of the dramatic increase in demand for homelessness services in the local community. Zali has suggested incentives to downsize, tax reform to transition from stamp duty to a general property tax, increases to Commonwealth rent assistance and better targeting of the program as well as other reforms. In Parliament, Zali supported the Help to Buy Bill which creates a shared equity scheme with the government to help more people buy their first home.

Together with the crossbench, Zali has called on the Government to support the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly to address housing shortage and affordability, with the aim to find some consensus and provide recommendations from the community about how to tackle this challenge. Zali’s office is receiving many helpful and “outside the box” suggestions from constituents who are concerned about housing affordability, particularly for service providers and young people in their communities.

Warringah Housing Forum – 2nd October 2024
Zali hosted a community forum to discuss housing affordability and accessibility and to hear the views of constituents about housing solutions.
Panellists included:
• Louise Kerr - Director, Planning and Place, Northern Beaches Council
• Maiy Azize - Deputy Director, Anglicare Australia and spokesperson for Everybody's Home
• Matt Grudnoff - Senior Economist, The Australia Institute

Special guests were also invited for comment and included representatives from Mosman, North Sydney and Northern Beaches Councils; the State Member for Wakehurst; and representatives from the Planning Institute of Australia; Homes NSW and Sydney Alliance Group.

View the forum here.

Zali has met and consulted with a number of organisations in Warringah who are proposing collaborative solutions to homelessness. These include the Constellation Project and Social Ventures Australia. Zali supported the Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund Bill but used the opportunity to press for further innovations, such as mandating inclusion zoning for affordable housing, increasing Commonwealth rent assistance and assistance for rental bonds among other suggestions.

Easing the cost of living through electrification of households is another suggestion Zali has made to the government.

Speeches

Immigration and refugee rights

Addressing the complexities of immigration and refugee policies, Zali has advocated in Parliament for compassionate and humane approaches. She emphasises the need to uphold Australia's international obligations to refugees while also acknowledging the importance of border security. Policies that prioritise refugee resettlement and support for asylum seekers have been suggested in Parliament.

Speeches

Indigenous Affairs

The importance of reconciliation and improving outcomes for Indigenous Australians have been championed by Zali. Zali and her team campaigned for a Yes vote in the referendum and ran a number of information sessions and public forums in order for constituents to better understand the referendum proposals. As the representative of one of the electorates which voted in favour of the referendum questions, Zali is particularly proud of the 60% support given to the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians by Warringah.

The Voice to Parliament Webinar – 29th August 2023

Zali hosted a Voice to Parliament Webinar with special guest Rachel Perkins, Co-Chair of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition. They covered the facts about the referendum including:
  • What will the Referendum question be?
  • Where did the idea of the Voice to Parliament come from?
  • What is the Australian Constitution and how can you change it?
  • Do we need a Voice to Parliament?
  • How will it impact you?
  • Will a Voice to Parliament help close the gap?

View the webinar here.

Voice to Parliament Community Forum – 2nd April 2023

Zali hosted a Community Forum with a panel of First Nations experts to help Warringah constituents gather more information on the Referendum, the significance of Indigenous constitutional recognition and the proposed Voice to Parliament. The Community Forum was an opportunity for attendees to gain a deeper understanding, hear First Nations perspectives and have their questions answered.

Speakers:

  • Dean Parkin, Director of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition Ltd
  • Tony McAvoy SC, Barrister and Member of the Government's Referendum Working Group;
  • Semara Jose, Co-Founder of Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation.

View the forum here.

Zali advocates for policies that address Indigenous disadvantage, promote cultural awareness, and respect Indigenous rights and sovereignty. This includes support for initiatives aimed at closing the gap in health, education, and socio-economic outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Speeches

Integrity

One of Zali’s key policy platforms since before she was first elected is honest and transparent government. She is a vocal proponent of political accountability, transparency, and integrity. Zali has called for reforms to improve government accountability, strengthen anti-corruption measures, and restore public trust in democratic institutions. She has advocated for greater transparency in political donations, lobbying, and decision-making processes to ensure the integrity of Australia’s democracy.

Zali continues to push back against government attempts to push legislation through Parliament with little or no chance for debate or amendment. A strong independent voice is important to raise issues such as the fast-tracking of legislation with no scrutiny or debate, such as what was recently proposed with the Migration Act. This flawed legislation, which was trying to circumvent the role of the High Court, was pushed through without consideration for the impact it would have on many refugees.

Australians who observe the political process are often appalled by the adversarial and farcical nature of question time. Zali has been able to support proposed amendments to the question time process and urge all members of Parliament to improve the system.

Zali seconded the Fair and Transparent Elections Bill, as part of her continuing commitment to "Honest Politics". She also introduced a Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Voter Protections in Political Advertising) Bill, a second version of her “Stop the Lies” Bill seeking to prohibit misleading and deceptive political advertising. Australian communities are asking their politicians to have greater integrity and accountability. This should be done through laws which include a ban against misleading and deceptive advertising.

Similarly, Zali and the crossbench were influential in pressing for the National Anti-Corruption Commission which will be able to examine political donors, lobbyists and political influence.

Due to recent events, the culture of Parliament House and workplace safety has been under a microscope. From when she was first elected, Zali has been an advocate for our Federal Parliament being a safe, respectful working environment. A crossbench and independent voice identifying and calling out entrenched bad behaviour in Parliament is essential. As a member of the Parliamentary Leadership Taskforce, Zali has supported the development of a code of conduct for parliamentarians among other key initiatives.

Zali has spoken in Parliament in support of the Public Interest Disclosure Bill which strengthens whistleblower protections.

Speeches

Local events

Warringah Youth Ambassadors

Zali meets regularly with the school leaders of the 13 high schools in Warringah to discuss matters impacting youth, such as the environment and sustainability, mental health, consent and future directions. Zali started the Youth Ambassador program to hear firsthand how she can best advocate for and represent the young people of Warringah. The meetings are held 5-6 times a year and often involve a local guest speaker to encourage the Ambassadors to bring forth ideas and raise the issues they and their peers want Zali to represent them on.

Local Sporting and Local Para Champions Program

Zali hosts an annual ‘Local Sporting Champions’ event to congratulate the recipients of the Australian Sports Commission’s program which provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-24 participating in state, national or international sporting championships. This is an opportunity for Zali to share her own sporting experiences and encourage the young athletes to continue to pursue their goals and discuss the hard work and dedication involved in competing at the highest level.

PEP-11 Bill

It has been made exceptionally clear that coastal communities oppose offshore oil and gas exploration in Commonwealth waters. While the NSW State government has acted to ban offshore oil and gas projects, we must ensure the Commonwealth government does the same. Zali has twice proposed a private members Bill to end PEP-11 which is a permit for the drilling of oil and gas from our coast from Newcastle down to Manly.

Speeches

Small business

Zali has worked closely with businesses, in particular the local Chambers of Commerce and the Council of Small Business Australia, throughout her service as the Member for Warringah. A small business webinar conducted by Zali’s office and business surveys are also helping to refine the issues of most importance to local business. This has enabled her to propose amendments to legislation, after consultation with those organisations, to assist small businesses. Proposed amendments have included:

  • An increased in the threshold for instant asset write-offs;
  • An increase in the threshold for energy incentive bonus to support businesses taking up energy efficiency measures.

Small Business Webinar – 30th April 2024

Zali hosted a Small Business Webinar to discuss the challenges and opportunities for small businesses in the current economic environment. The panel included:

  • Luke Achterstraat - CEO, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA)
  • Stephen Walters - Chief Economist, Business Council of Australia (BCA)
  • Zara Tonkin, Chief of Staff at Employment Hero, a digital onboarding platform

View the webinar here.

Speeches

Support for disadvantaged and unemployed

Together with other members of the crossbench, Zali has advocated for and promoted a bill to establish a committee of experts to advise the government on the best way to support economic inclusion and tackle disadvantage. This committee will include advice on the best way to reduce barriers and disincentives to work, the adequacy, effectiveness and sustainability of income support payments, and the impact of economic inclusion policies on people with barriers to work such as carers, people with disabilities and Indigenous Australians.

Zali has been a supporter of the "Raise the Rate" campaign to ensure the most disadvantaged are provided an adequate safety net to live.

Speeches

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

Middle Head/Gubbah Gubbah master plan

Zali has been able to pass on community concern to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust about its draft master plan and proposals regarding the removal of historic buildings. She has called on the Environment Minister to invest in the conservation and restoration of historic sites through the Sydney Harbour Trust.

Zali's Second Submission to Middle Head Gubbuh Gubbuh Master Plan

Tax reform

Zali has identified and called out the need for tax reform in order to assist with Housing availability, relieving the increasing personal tax burden on our young and ensuring corporates, and in particular foreign owned corporates, pay their fair share of tax.

In relation to the proposed Stage 3 tax cuts, Zali invited Warringah residents to contact her to let her know how they felt about the government’s proposal. She was gratified by the response and the generosity of many who wanted to see those on lower incomes receive more benefits.

Zali’s submission to the Treasurer in relation to Petroleum Resource Rent Tax passed on feedback from Warringah residents that they are frustrated with the inadequacy of the tax system for multinationals, especially offshore oil and gas companies who often avoid paying both company tax and the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax.

Speeches

Transport

Zali has met or corresponded regularly with the State Government Transport Minister over her tenure as MP. Warringah’s transport woes have been considerable, with disruptions to ferries and buses and the cancellation of the proposed Beaches Link Tunnel, which Zali had supported (subject to an EIS). Zali has been able to raise these concerns and discuss ways in which State and Federal governments can work better together to work on long-term solutions.

Transport & Traffic & Survey – April 2024

Zali conducted a transport and traffic survey to better understand the concerns of her constituents. The key takeaways included: Public transport on the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore was ranked as the biggest concern (49%), followed by traffic & congestion (35%). The largest barrier to using public transport was reliability (32%) and journey times/frequency (28%).

View the survey results here.

Warringah & Wakehurst Traffic and Transport Forum – 23rd May 2024

Zali co-hosted a community forum with Michael Regan MP, State Member for Wakehurst, to discuss the traffic and transport issues in their electorates. The forum was held to discuss the future of public transport and road infrastructure in the wake of the State Government’s cancellation of the Beaches Link tunnel.

Panellists included:

  • The Hon. John Graham MLC, Minister for Roads (NSW)
  • Dr. Marjorie O’Neill, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport (NSW)
  • Mathew Hounsell, Senior Research Consultant Transport Research Centre, UTS

View the forum here.

Speeches

The Arts

Zali has been a long-time advocate and supporter of the Arts. While COVID particularly impacted the performing arts, Zali has spoken in Parliament about the necessity for government support to ensure it grows and flourishes. The arts and creative industry in Australia is worth at least $17 billion to the economy and Zali has recognised the need for policies which encourage and protect the creation of local content for streaming services and the protection of intellectual property.

Speeches

Women

Zali is a staunch advocate for gender equality. She has used the opportunity to speak on a range of Bills in Parliament to highlight the importance of achieving gender balance in politics, workplaces, and society as a whole. Zali supports initiatives to address gender pay gaps, promote women's leadership, and combat discrimination and violence against women.

Zali is using her voice in Parliament to advocate for laws which support women to participate in the workforce and ensure the superannuation system is more equitable.

Identifying barriers to the support of female entrepreneurs, Zali spoke in Parliament about the government’s Boosting Female Founders Initiative, which, due to delays and poor communication, led to many applicants incurring unnecessary costs.

Attending events, such as the March4Justice rally at Parliament House, Zali has talked to women about their experiences with sexual assault and how the laws must be changed to a more victim-centred justice system.

Zali identified that legislation supporting Trade Support Loans, which provide an interest-free income-based government loan as an incentive for people to complete their training in priority trade occupations, were currently limited to "traditional" trades. As such, not only did they not serve the new economy, but were heavily weighted in favour of occupations traditionally in male-dominated industries.

The gender pay gap highlighted by a review of the Workplace Gender Equality Act was an opportunity for the government to fully address its recommendations. Zali spoke in Parliament about the recommendations which have not been addressed by the government, and in particular highlighted the importance of the single parent support payment to support some of the poorest Australians to remain in education and employment.

Locally, our women's shelters are overwhelmed and turning away many women each month. Zali has relayed the resourcing issues directly to the State Minister for prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault as well as writing directly to the Prime Minister about the need for urgent action.

Zali is also using her experience and insight to advocate in Parliament for a stronger criminal justice response to sexual violence and for more support for domestic violence prevention. Zali has called on the government to ensure the proposed National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children has clear performance indicators, clear progress and and the flexibility to change and increase action if required.

Speeches/Letters