Eric Hutchinson (Lyons, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

During the last two weeks, I have had three forums in my electorate, including a citizenship forum, which was conducted with the help of the member for Berowra, Mr Philip Ruddock. We had an education forum at Campbelltown, where over 40 attendees were joined by Senator Bridget McKenzie. This was one of her 15 forums that are being held around the country in conjunction with the department of education and the Department of Social Services. We had attendees from the state government, principals from schools and colleges from all around the state, representatives from the university, vocational training providers, local government and parents, particularly parents from the Isolated Children's Parents' Association in Tasmania. Deb Nichols from Triabunna made a particularly relevant contribution on the day. It should not matter what your postcode is in terms of access to higher education, but actually it does, and it needs to change.

On Saturday I was very pleased to have Josh Frydenberg, the Assistant Treasurer, meet with my wine producers and my whisky distillers talking taxation reform. Some may know that the assistant minister has released an important discussion paper around the WET and the rebate and there were industry representatives there, including: Damon Mackey from Shene Distillery, Peter Bignell from Belgrove, Steve Lubiana from Stefano Lubiana Wines, Bill McHenry from McHenry distillers, Lindy Bull from Freycinet Vineyards and Gerald Ellis from Meadowbank.