Serving in Parliament is a great privilege, and whether you serve on the backbench or the highest political office doesn't mean you cannot get things done. It just takes courage and conviction because you know what you believe.  

 

Stopped the Australia-China Extradition Treaty

In 2017 with colleagues we overturned the decision of the then Prime Minister to stop the government ratifying an extradition Treaty with China that would have risked foreign courts extracting people from Australia.



 

Delivered marriage equality

After a decade of debate, at the 2016 election MPs were elected on a platform to resolve the marriage equality debate in that term of Parliament. The public voted for a government that committed to give Australians a say on the issue. It shouldn't have had to go to a public vote, but even after a public vote many senators from Labor, the Coalition and One Nation voted against or abstained the final Bill, and it would not have passed the Parliament without it. After the Senate blocked the path of resolution, Tim was part of the five 'rainbow rebels' that forced the government to find a new path, give Australians a say and get a vote through Parliament. After a successful public vote (61.6% Australia, 76.3% Goldstein), we introduced the Bill to bring about the change in the Senate and the House. In recognition of their efforts, different memorabilia is permanently held in the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House from those that delivered the result. They have Tim's pin he wore and the original copy of his speech as part of their permanent collection.

Photo: Tim's pin at the marriage equality exhibition alongside the Governor-General's pen & Warren Entsch MP's tie & cufflinks at the Museum of Australian Democracy

 

Stopped the retiree tax

In 2018 the Labor Party proposed a new tax that would lead to one million Australian retirees losing up to a third of their income, and in some cases push them below the poverty line. Tim led a nationwide campaign against the proposed new tax, and stopped its introduction.



 

Putting home ownership centre-stage

For many years home ownership had slipped as a central pillar of public policy, and home ownership rates of young Australians fell with it. Tim wrote a book about the importance of home ownership and changed the national conversation and put it back as a central pillar of public policy.



 

Clamped down on Hamas & Hezbollah terrorism

As a Member of the Parliament's Joint Intelligence and Security Committee, Tim was personally involved in a number of national security law reforms - but most importantly listing Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organisations.



 

Started a new renewable energy industry

As Assistant Minister, Tim passed Australia's first legislation for offshore electricity infrastructure. Following its passage Tim signed the first paperwork and kick-started the development of a new renewable energy industry: offshore wind.

Photo: Tim signing the Ministerial direction to establish an offshore wind industry and the first environmental assessments in Brighton East

 

Exposed corruption in industry super funds

As Chair of the House of Representatives' Economics Committee, Tim was tasked with implementing the Hayne Royal Commission into misconduct in banking and financial services. Through rigorous questioning he exposed further corruption in industry super funds, including potential insider trading. At the time the industry super sector tried to dismiss the allegations, but funds were eventually found to be engaged in covering up corruption, abusing member's money and stealing from customers, including deceased customers. The sector was vocal in publicly expressing their anger at the scrutiny they were put under.