Ted O'Brien

Latest speeches

1. House of Representatives Chamber (part 1 of 2) · Australian Parliament · 17 September 2026

   • 90‑second member statements: diverse constituency issues

     “Deputy Speaker, Australia has rightly welcomed people from every corner of the planet. But over the years, a social compact has emerged between governments and the Australian people. When a government loses control of Australia's borders, people's appetite to bring…”

     Watch from 4:56:08

2. Federation Chamber · Australian Parliament · 16 September 2026

   • Constituency statements: tribute, insurance affordability, racism and connectivity

     “Thank you, Deputy Speaker. Digital connectivity is not a luxury, it's an absolute necessity. But it doesn't matter whether or not you're travelling from Coolum to Kenilworth, from Bli Bli to Buderim, from Mons to Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast,…”

     Watch from 52:33

3. House of Representatives Chamber (part 2 of 2) · Australian Parliament · 20 August 2026

   • Foreign Relations Act – researcher collaborations and security gap

     “Thanks very much Deputy Speaker. Just like to add some remarks in consideration in detail on this amendment. Firstly, I want to say thank you to the government for working constructively with the coalition on seeking an amendment to this…”

     Watch from 24:55

4. Federation Chamber (part 2 of 2) · Australian Parliament · 19 August 2026

   • Foreign Relations Bill: Fairfax amendment on university researcher deals defeated

     “Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker, and I move the amendment circulated in my name. Thank you very much. In an era of heightened global tension, Australia's defense is more than just our military or our geography. It is also…”

     Watch from 1:11:57

   • Foreign Relations Bill: Fairfax amendment on university researcher deals defeated

     “Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker. I just wish to respond to the assistant minister's comments. Australia indeed does have an espionage law, but the problem is it's not working with respect to the problem we're talking about today. It…”

     Watch from 1:18:55

5. House of Representatives Chamber (part 1 of 3) · Australian Parliament · 19 August 2026

   • Foreign Relations Amendment Bill: coalition second‑reading position

     “Thanks very much, Deputy Speaker. I rise to speak on the Foreign Relations Amendment Bill of 2026, under which our foreign arrangements scheme operates. A scheme the purpose of which is to ensure that Australia has a single coherent approach…”

     Watch from 27:01

   • Coalition concern: researcher‑to‑researcher collaborations gap

     “But where a researcher employed by that same university enters directly into a collaboration with a foreign researcher or institution, and the university itself is not formally a party to the arrangement, that collaboration is not captured by the scheme.…”

     Watch from 32:35

   • Proposed coalition amendment: notification of significant collaborations

     “While we acknowledge there is more to be done outside of this scheme, the first step is getting this bill right. That is why the coalition is seeking to amend the bill. Our amendment is targeted. It does not intend…”

     Watch from 38:41

6. Federation Chamber · Australian Parliament · 13 August 2026

   • Fairfax: LNP national plan and Sunshine Coast cost-of-living

     “Thank you very much, Deputy Speaker. This country needs a plan and it needs to be run by a political party that has a plan. Now the Liberal National Party, we do have a plan and we're out there communicating…”

     Watch from 1:04:52