The Victorian State Government's announcement today that it will build a station at Coolaroo

"I welcome the state government's announcement today that it will build a new railway station at Coolaroo should it be elected for a third term in government" Ms Vamvakinou said.

According to recently released Senate Estimates figures, students living in the electorate of Calwell owe a staggering $58,485,444.25 in HECS debt.

"This figure highlights the extent to which Australian students are being made to foot the bill for an education system that continues to face chronic under funding under the Howard government" Ms Vamvakinou said.

Ford's announced today that it will cut 640 jobs before Xmas

"Today's announcement by Ford that it will be cutting 640 jobs before Xmas is deeply disappointing" Ms Vamvakinou said today.

"In addition to its plant in Geelong, Ford also has a large factory located in my own electorate of Calwell."

“Qantas is more than just a company. It is also a national icon, one that many Australian’s feel a strong sense of affinity with and even ownership over” Ms Vamvakinou said.

“Given the airlines iconic status as Australia’s national airline carrier, it should come as no surprise that the proposed sale of Qantas to Airline Partners Australia has met with widespread concern.”

Threat to free-to-air sports - Imagine having to pay to watch the Melbourne Cup.

In Parliament today, Maria Vamvakinou defended Australia's current anti-siphoning laws and free-to-air sports coverage.

Introduced in 1992 under a Labor government, Australia's anti-siphoning regime is designed to prevent certain events, traditionally shown on free-to-air television, from being siphoned-off to pay TV stations.

No to the sale of Medibank Private

Prime Minister John Howard has vowed to sell Medibank Private should he win government after the next election.

"I am opposed to the sale of Medibank Private, and I know that the majority of Australians are against the sale of Medibank Private, with good reason," Ms Maria Vamvakinou said.

“Today’s emerging two-speed economy in Australia can largely be explained by the unprecedented growth of Australia’s mining and resources sector over the last few years” Ms Vamvakinou said.

“This resources boom has created regional inequalities when it comes to the economic growth rates of different States.”