Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On a day of first speeches, a little less than three years ago I too stood in this place and gave my own, and, when I got to my feet, I reflected on why I was here. I want to help make people's lives better. I want to unlock the potential of our communities and our nation. I told the parliament how beautiful our area is with its waterways, vineyards and historic centres, and I acknowledged the challenges. I said then that moving around the electorate is one of them, with limited public transport options. The north-east corridor, which centres on Ellenbrook, is one of Perth's fastest growing areas and carries all the needs of a bustling mortgage belt. Access to health, education and social services is harder than in most metropolitan areas.

Today, I can stand before you and say that we now have the new Morley-Ellenbrook line that has changed the lives of thousands of people in places like Whiteman Park, Ballajura and Noranda. We now have youth and community hubs and $30 million for swimming pools. We have a university study hub and free TAFE. Midland and Morley urgent care clinics are open, and Ellenbrook will soon have one too.

My job is to bring the resources of the federal government to bear, and nothing is more humbling or inspiring to be told, 'We've watched you for three years and we know that we can trust you to do the work that needs to be done.' I thank my volunteers and supporters for their dedication to the Hasluck campaign and our movement for listening, caring and helping to deliver such a resounding victory and a great outcome for my electorate of Hasluck.

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