Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party, Shadow Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

As I've been listening to the maiden speeches this week, a truism of politics has come to mind. All of us are here not by dint of our own efforts but through the efforts, support and encouragement of others. Today I want to speak about Yves and Leila El Khoury who have played an outsized role in me being here. The El Khourys are a wonderful Australian migrant success story. Born in the village of Miziara in northern Lebanon, Yves came as a young man and, as with so many migrants, saw things in our country that those of us born here take for granted.

Yves's been a successful entrepreneur in the property, hospitality and childcare and service station industries. He's given back to our community, being a leader in the Lebanese and broader Australian community. He's been a long-serving branch president of the Liberal Party since John Howard's time and has been a wonderful counsellor to New South Wales Liberals, including to my predecessor and me. Yves was one of the key advocates of the royal commission into banking and financial services, which wouldn't have happened without his tenacity.

The El Khourys always run wonderful events with guests representing the melting pot of our community, and Leila makes the best tabouleh this side of Beirut. Their children and their grandchildren are their greatest legacy, with sons, Lewis and Savio, running Two Brothers Mediterranean restaurant in Castle Hill; their daughter, Shiraz, in the property industry; and Monaya, a make-up artist, making their own way in the world.

Thank you to Yves and Leila and the El Khoury family for all you have done for me, for our community, for our party and for our country. It's wonderful today to take the opportunity to salute you in our parliament.

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