Steph Hodgins-May

Latest speeches

1. Senate Environment and Communications References Committee - Melbourne, VIC (part 1 of 2) · Australian Parliament · 23 September 2026

   • Perceived neglect of Melbourne’s west and political context

     “Thank you, Chair, and thank you so much for joining us here today. I'm just going to build on a couple of the themes that have already been raised by my colleagues, but, um, your submission says, I think, Tottenham…”

     Watch from 53:44

   • Perceived neglect of Melbourne’s west and political context

     “Thank you. And I suppose just also to build on the consultation process or lack thereof, and really I suppose thinking specifically about some of the points you've raised about the power imbalance between, you know, citizen groups like yourselves…”

     Watch from 56:13

   • Perceived neglect of Melbourne’s west and political context

     “Okay, so an advisor to the planning minister responded after some, you've met with them, but the minister, no minister has ever met with you. And similarly for your group, have you? And just finally, you know, you've obviously chosen…”

     Watch from 59:36
   9 more clips in this sitting

2. Senate Chamber (part 1 of 3) · Australian Parliament · 16 September 2026

   • Senators’ statements: child protection, environment, Holocaust education, AI, health and economic integrity

     “Thank you, Acting Deputy President. Well, I want to acknowledge International Day of Democracy by acknowledging what a sorry state our democracy is in. Everywhere you look, this Labor government has found new ways to erode trust in democracy. We…”

     Watch from 4:56:38

3. Senate Chamber (part 2 of 2) · Australian Parliament · 15 September 2026

   • Adjournment: AI existential risks and Greens ‘Red Lines’ package

     “Thank you, Acting Deputy President. Well, this week, people building the most powerful AI systems have warned that within 6 to 12 months, they could become powerful enough to pose an existential threat to humanity. Yet the Albanese government is…”

     Watch from 1:49:27

4. Senate Chamber (part 1 of 2) · Australian Parliament · 15 September 2026

   • Question Time: Macroeconomy, Medicare, plastics and AI

     “My question is for the Minister for the Environment, Minister Watt. Minister, Labor has spent years promising stronger federal plastics packaging regulation. In 2023, Minister Plibersek conceded that voluntary targets are not working. Now this Labor government is walking away…”

     Watch from 2:28:38

   • Question Time: Macroeconomy, Medicare, plastics and AI

     “A complete insult to the intelligence of the industry and environmentalists and people who have been pushing for this, an insult. You've cited cost of living as the reason for Labor's backflip. You've cited cost of living as the reason…”

     Watch from 2:32:26

   • Question Time: Macroeconomy, Medicare, plastics and AI

     “Minister, did the Prime Minister make a captain's call to throw out federal packaging reform because one of Labor's largest corporate donors opposes it?”

     Watch from 2:35:55
   1 more clip in this sitting

5. Senate Chamber (part 2 of 2) · Australian Parliament · 14 September 2026

   • Placing of business: postponements and withdrawals

     “Deputy President, I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of motion number four before asking that it be taken as a formal motion.”

     Watch from 25:42

   • Greens motion: opposition to water privatisation and Melbourne Water sale

     “President, well, Victorian Labor's proposal to sell off Melbourne Water is a complete dud of an idea. It could lead to higher bills and put our clean water, public health and communities at further risk. And we know exactly what…”

     Watch from 1:46:04

   • Greens motion: opposition to water privatisation and Melbourne Water sale

     “Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Any other ministerial statements? No. Okay, sorry, just doing the changeover, finding out where we're up to. Are we moving to committee memberships? We understand there are no committee memberships, thank you. Messages from…”

     Watch from 2:08:27
   8 more clips in this sitting

6. Senate Chamber (part 1 of 2) · Australian Parliament · 14 September 2026

   • Greens and Coalition amendments on early childhood workforce

     “Thank you, Acting Deputy President. Well, the Australian Greens support this legislation to extend the worker retention payment. This payment has delivered a modest but important increase to the wages of eligible childhood educators, and it recognizes, in part at…”

     Watch from 1:58:26

   • Divisions on Greens and Coalition amendments; second reading agreed

     “Education first. Our children cannot wait for this Labor government to drag their heels on incremental reform. Labor's got the numbers. We can get this done. I say it again and again. Now is the time for reform. Now is…”

     Watch from 2:11:40

   • Take‑note debates: real wages, gas tax and migration policy

     “Thank you, Deputy President. I move to take note of answers given by Minister Ayres to my colleague Senator Waters about Labor's cowardice in taking on the gas lobby. Minister Ayres described Labor's gas reservation scheme as the greatest reform…”

     Watch from 5:36:52