Zaneta Mascarenhas

Latest speeches

1. Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence (part 2 of 2) · Australian Parliament · 18 September 2026

   • National Defence Strategy, decision speed and cheap AI-enabled systems

     “Thank you very much, Chair. I note that the National Defence Strategy says that the most significant potential for technological disruption over the coming years may come from artificial intelligence. I'm keen for you to both expand on that, but…”

     Watch from 29:54

2. Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence · Australian Parliament · 18 September 2026

   • TEQSA’s role in AI standards and academic integrity

     “I do, and the tech I'll get the technology to work, hooray. I just wanted to ask some questions around the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency and the role that it plays in communicating AI standards in universities.”

     Watch from 5:53:26

   • TEQSA’s role in AI standards and academic integrity

     “Thank you. I also have watched the TEQSA University, oh, YouTube videos that you've collaborated with University of Sydney. And this is where I'll make a confession, I've gone back to university. It's a different world because AI exists, and…”

     Watch from 5:57:20

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

   • Q6–8: PBS breast cancer drug replacement and economic credibility

     “Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question's to the Minister for Health. How are new medicine listings on the PBS helping Australian women living with breast cancer and endometriosis?”

     Watch from 30:03

   • AI MPI: Crossbench and Greens push for stronger safeguards and kill switch

     “Thank you, Deputy Speaker. It is predicted that artificial intelligence will transform the economy more than it did the industrial revolution. And so this is where I'll agree with those opposite that there is promise and there is peril as…”

     Watch from 2:04:44

4. Federation Chamber · Australian Parliament · 17 September 2026

   • Quorum loss, adjournment of carbon credits debate, and chamber adjournment

     “Thank you, Deputy Speaker. The Carbon Credits (and Other Legislation Amendment, Integrity and Transparency) Bill 2023 strengthens a scheme that already works. It amends the laws behind the Australian Carbon Credit Unit scheme. That scheme has delivered... sorry, we've lost…”

     Watch from 3:05:07

5. Federation Chamber · Australian Parliament · 16 September 2026

   • Constituency statements: live sheep export ban and inclusive cycling

     “Thank you, Deputy Speaker. There is a particular feeling of joy when you are on a bike and you have the wind in your hair. When I do school drop-off, I do it on a bike and it used to…”

     Watch from 1:20:11

6. House of Representatives Chamber (part 1 of 2) · Australian Parliament · 15 September 2026

   • Members’ 90‑second statements: democracy, campaigning conduct and local issues

     “Thank you Deputy Speaker. Australians should ask themselves a simple question: what kind of country do we want to be? A kid called Anthony grew up in social housing with his mum Maryanne, a single mother living with a profound…”

     Watch from 1:49:52