ADJOURNMENT

Ms LE (Fowler) (19:30): I rise to share a conversation with a young student in my electorate of Fowler that really moved me. They contacted me recently, telling me that they don't go on school excursions anymore. Their parents can't afford it, but it's more than that.

The school itself is cutting back, unable to absorb the rising costs of bus hire, insurance and compliance. These students are now trapped within the classroom walls, missing out on the joy and learning that come from seeing the world beyond. That is the true face of the cost-of-living crisis in Fowler.

It is stealing opportunity, joy and education from our children and shrinking the capacity of our schools to deliver a broad and balanced education. Families in my community are at breaking point. Mums and dads are juggling sky-high rents, mortgage repayments and grocery bills.

In areas like west Liverpool, where child poverty is at a shocking 35 per cent, this is not just tough; it is a crisis of survival that is stealing futures from our youngest. Families are sacrificing basic necessities just to keep a roof over their heads. Small businesses in Cabramatta, Fairfield and Liverpool are clinging on by sheer willpower.

These are shops and cafes built on generations of hard work and sacrifice, yet they now face unprecedented costs for ingredients, freight and insurance. For many, keeping the lights on means working for free. It is heartbreaking to see their struggle, knowing that their hard work is being eroded by forces far beyond their control.

In Fowler, diversity isn't a slogan; it is our strength. These are hardworking, family-oriented people who came to Australia for a better future. Yet many now tell me that they're working harder than ever just to stand still.

Energy bills are one of the biggest burdens. The latest data shows that the average family electricity bill in New South Wales has soared by more than 20 per cent in just the last 18 months. For a small business, that increase isn't just a percentage; it's the difference between hiring a staff member or closing down.

It is a fundamental betrayal of trust when energy—a necessity of modern life—becomes a luxury. Our transition to cleaner energy must be affordable and achievable. The Albanese government's 82 per cent renewable target by 2030 may sound ambitious, but ambition without affordability is ideology not policy.

There's no clear plan to guarantee that families and small businesses can afford the power bills that fund these transition line and grid upgrades. Big national targets mean little if Australians in Fowler are forced to choose between switching on the heater or filling their car. Yes, the government has offered relief—a one-off 20 per cent HECS debt cut, which is welcome—but it's a single bandaid on a gaping wound.

They promised cheaper child care, but that helps only the one-third of families who use formal care. For the rest, the bills keep rising. Insurance premiums are outpacing wages, and the cost of petrol and bread keeps crushing households' budgets.

The result is not just financial stress but an epidemic of exhaustion and anxiety across our suburbs. That is why, in my first term, I launched the Bring Your Bill Day initiative in Fowler—a small act of solidarity to bridge the gap left by Canberra's neglect. Residents bring their electricity or gas bills to our forum, and we sit down with them to help them access rebates, negotiate fairer rates and find real savings.

Later this month, we will hold another event, bringing together families, small businesses, energy providers and community not-for-profits, because no-one should be left behind, lost in red tape, when they're fighting to survive. The people of Fowler are resilient. Their endurance is remarkable, but their capacity to absorb higher costs is not infinite.

I acknowledge that a cleaner energy path is vital for our nation's future, but that path must deliver real, tangible benefits, not more burdens, to mums, dads and small-business owners who keep our communities running. A fair transition is one that keeps the lights on for everyone; not just in the corporate boardrooms, but in every kitchen, community hall and cafe across Fowler.