Carol Berry (Whitlam, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you. I acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands across Australia. I pay my respects to their elders, past and present. I acknowledge the ingenuity and capacity of First Nations Australians to resist and survive, and I recognise they are the custodians of the oldest living culture in the world. As an Australian, I am deeply proud of our First Nations history.

It is a great privilege to stand here today, representing the Australian Labor Party and the people of Whitlam. It's an enormous honour to represent an electorate named after the great Australian Gough Whitlam, who was Prime Minister from 1972 to 1975. Gough Whitlam's vision and achievements continue to benefit and inspire Australians half a century later. I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his support and his focus on remaining humble and working hard for the people of Australia. The Prime Minister has assembled a great team and I'm honoured to be part of it.

I'd like to acknowledge my predecessor, Stephen Jones, who's in the gallery today. He served the people of Whitlam with distinction for 15 years. Stephen is universally admired and respected and is one of the finest men I've ever had the pleasure to meet. I owe Stephen a great debt of gratitude and would not be standing here in this chamber were it not for his support and his encouragement. His are big shoes to fill. However, I will dedicate myself to representing the people of Whitlam as honourably and effectively as Stephen has for the past 15 years.

I was not born in my electorate but in Wentworthville, in the heart of the New South Wales western suburbs. My mother, Diane, who's in the gallery today, was raised in a Housing Commission home in Dundas Valley near Parramatta. Many of my childhood weekends were spent at that Housing Commission home, with its red-brown brick and its big backyard with a Hills hoist. My maternal grandfather fought in the Second World War in Borneo, and my great-uncle fought on the Kokoda Track. Particularly for my grandfather, the scars of those experiences played out long after the war ended. My father, Jeff, was born in Manchester, England and came to Australia with his sister and parents when he was two. My mother is the most honest and sincere person I've ever met. Likewise, my father is a deeply ethical man. Instead of being here at my first speech today, my father is in Cambodia, volunteering his time to improve educational and employment outcomes for young people in that country. I'm deeply proud of his work. I have two big sisters, Julie and Jane, who are also in the chamber today. Julie has been a public-school teacher for over 30 years. Jane is a paediatric occupational therapist who's worked with children with cerebral palsy, also for 30 years. I'm so proud to call these two amazing women my sisters.

The values that we were raised with as kids included the importance of being honest, being reliable, being hard working, being considerate of others, being independent in thought and action, and, above all, taking responsibility. I was not raised to value material possessions or to acquire wealth or status but instead to demonstrate independence, to demonstrate strength of character and, most importantly, to do the right thing. My family are no nonsense, humble and honest people. We aren't big on ceremony, and we don't engage in fakery in any form. In these respects we are quintessentially Australian.

Australians are pragmatic, moderate and fair minded people, and I come from a pragmatic, moderate and fair minded family. Given my family's circumstances, we understand the power of equal opportunity. Our belief in social justice runs deep. Sitting in the living room of their housing commission home in Dundas Valley as my mum was growing up, my grandparents could not have imagined their granddaughter would one day become a federal member of parliament. I wish they were here to see it.

There are three things to know about me. Firstly, because I come from humble beginnings, I'm not seduced by power or position. I have no interest in the trimmings of success. I know these things are not fundamentally real or important. The only thing that really matters is being true to yourself and to others, and showing character when it matters most. Secondly, I'm easily moved. Hopefully that's not demonstrated in this speech today! I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I care deeply about the world and about people. Thirdly, I have a lot of energy, and I like to get things done. The only thing that truly irritates me in life is if you get in my way when I'm trying to get something done, particularly if you slow me down. This tendency towards impatience seems to be a core part of my personality, as my very patient husband will attest.

On all sides of my family and in my close personal relationships, you will find fiercely independent women. My grandmother Gladys, who is the best example of this, came from quite dire poverty and hardship. To this day she is the toughest and most direct woman I ever met. She was, at her core, a survivor. I admired her grit and determination. Gladys was also incredibly hard working. She worked and she saved. She gave some money to my parents, and they bought a block of land in the Blue Mountains suburb of Hazelbrook. My parents built a home there, and they still live there today.

I lived in the Blue Mountains until I was 18. As a child, I spent a lot of time in the bush, mostly bushwalking, camping or just playing. As a result, I have a deep love of nature and a deep desire to protect our national parks, rivers, creeks, beaches, forests and our amazing wildlife. Of the many trillions of planets in the known universe, only one that we know of sustains life. We are the caretakers of an extraordinary phenomenon—life on Earth. It is our job to protect it. I hope to use my time as a federal parliamentarian to be a passionate defender of our natural environment.

The human and economic impacts of climate change will only intensify unless we take radical steps to decrease the amount of carbon we are releasing into the atmosphere. I support all efforts to decarbonise our economy, and I'm a very strong supporter of renewable energy, particularly solar energy. I'm proud of the progress being made by Australians, including in the electorate of Whitlam, in relation to rooftop solar. I will be a passionate advocate for fast-tracking our progress towards our economy being powered entirely by renewable energy, which I'm certain will easily happen in my lifetime.

I come from a family of teachers. My father, aunt, sister and husband are all public-school teachers. I was proudly educated in public schools, and my children also attend public schools. I'm a fierce advocate for public education because it safeguards Australia's tradition of fairness and equal opportunity, which is the core tradition which makes Australia the greatest country in the world. When I was 18 years old I moved to the Illawarra to study arts and law at the University of Wollongong. I became deeply involved in campus life and made many lifelong friends, many of whom are in the chamber today. I was elected president of the students association and immersed myself in many causes related to the environment, gender equality, the right to affordable education and other community issues. When I moved to Wollongong, I knew I had found my spiritual home. The layers of First Nations history and the waves of migration that have made our region so rich in diversity and community spirit make the Illawarra a very special place. The history of the labour movement also runs deep in our town, and we have a very proud tradition of activism. I'm proud to have raised my children in the Illawarra community. It is my home and I'll never leave.

However, if I were to move anywhere, the Southern Highlands would be my choice. The Southern Highlands is a magical place with its national parks, farmland and wonderful villages and towns. I have fallen in love with this beautiful region, and it is an honour to represent the Southern Highlands community as part of the Whitlam electorate. The Whitlam electorate is blessed with some incredible landscapes and so many wonderful communities—Dapto, Koonawarra, Warilla, Shellharbour, Shell Cove, Albion Park, Robertson, Burrawang, Moss Vale, Mittagong, Bundanoon and Bowral to just name a few. One of the jewels in our electorate is the farm at Killalea, named the best beach in New South Wales and second-best beach in Australia. This extraordinary place was protected by the local community and also where I taught myself how to surf. For anyone who harbours a dream to learn how to surf, I can assure you that if I can do it, anyone can. I should also let people know that my surfing is far from impressive, but I can stand up, albeit not for very long.

I've tried to make my life one of service to the causes I believe in. One of my first jobs was with Family Planning Australia. I worked on reproductive rights campaigns and I'm a staunch advocate for gender equality. I'm passionate about women's health. In a later role I was CEO of the Illawarra Women's Health Centre, where I worked with the local community, particularly the First Nations community, to enable women to connect with and support other women. We promoted women's health and supported women escaping domestic violence. I worked as a solicitor for the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, where I ran multiple test cases and law reform projects in the public interest. A core focus was supporting people living in institutional care settings to have their rights upheld. It was in this role that I gained a much better understanding of the life experiences of people with disability, particularly those who'd been institutionalised from a young age. I was so moved by the life experiences of people with disability that I've worked mostly for and alongside people with disability ever since.

I became CEO of the New South Wales Council for Intellectual Disability, where we advocated for people with intellectual disability and their families to get access to better supports and services. I worked alongside amazing advocates, such as Robert Strike, Fiona McKenzie, Christine Regan and Jim Simpson. I met the amazing Dougie Herd and learned so much from him. This was all pre NDIS. It has been amazing to watch the difference the NDIS is making to Australian society. While the NDIS obviously has its issues, it's a world-leading scheme that reflects the fairmindedness and decency of the Australian people. Most recently I was employed as CEO of one of the largest providers of disability services in Australia, the Disability Trust. I'd like to thank Dr Peter Langkamp and the board, including former CEO Margaret Bowen, and the broader family of clients and staff at the Disability Trust. The support afforded to me by the Disability Trust as I transitioned into my new role as an MP was extraordinary, and I'm incredibly grateful.

Working alongside people with disability for so many years changed my life. My humanity, compassion and perspective have deepened, and I'm quite simply a better person for that experience. I'd like to do a very big shout out to people with disability and their families, carers, therapists and staff across the country. You are a truly wonderful group of people who contribute so much to the fabric of Australian society, and I'm so proud to have been in your ranks. I'm profoundly lucky to have been influenced and shaped by amazing people whom I've worked with and known throughout my life. Often these people started their careers or advocacy efforts with no power at all and, with the sheer force of their integrity and belief in a better world, they've bent the world to their will and had a lasting impact. I can only hope to emulate the paths of these impressive leaders.

I'm a believer in our big public systems. While I'm MP I'd like to be a strong defender our public systems, which make such a difference in people's lives and are absolutely fundamental to ensuring we live in a decent and fair society. Our public education and public health systems could and should be the best in the world. Our aged-care system, the NDIS, our mental health system, our social welfare system, how we support early childhood education and how we support veterans are all hallmarks of our collective decency. It's critically important that Australia is a place where everyone can get access to quality and affordable education and health care and that we have a strong and effective social welfare system where we treat all people, particularly pensioners, with respect. These foundations provide security for all Australians so that irrespective of our circumstances we have the foundation to be healthy and have a job if we want one, where we can re-skill, retrain and get access to the skills and education we need to flourish. Combating ageism is also incredibly important.

It's also vitally important that all Australians can have a roof over their head. It's fundamentally important to me that we don't let any Australian fall through the cracks. I intend to be a voice for the voiceless to ensure that the stories of everyday Australians in the Whitlam electorate—who are struggling financially, who are isolated and lonely, who are afraid to speak out, who are lost or broken—are told in this place. I am not afraid of vulnerability. I see it as an opportunity to deepen and strengthen who we are both individually and collectively. I'm passionate about the importance of fostering community spirit. Community spirit matters. It's real and it's alive. In my electorate I see evidence of it every day through sporting clubs, community organisations, local businesses and organisations that facilitate volunteering like the RFS, SES, RSLs and surf lifesaving clubs, just to name a few. These organisations are the lifeblood of the Whitlam electorate and the soul of our great nation.

I do ask myself the question, 'Where will Australia be in 20 years?' We can be a mature voice for peace. We can be a thriving, open, dynamic, energised, low-carbon economy. We can be excelling in the areas of tourism, creative and digital arts and design, manufacturing, construction, food production, human services, science and technology, finance and IT, and educational and professional services. To me, our nation must be grounded in three key ideas: (1) that we care about each other and our future and that we live in a nation where trust, kindness, respect and dignity matter; (2) that we value connection and will support one another to be connected at all stages of our lives, as we know this is crucial to overall wellbeing; and (3) that we'll continue to create opportunities for all Australians to achieve their potential at all stages of life. If we pursue these ideas, in my mind, our future looks bright.

I am passionate about democracy and, specifically, social democracy. I will defend and uphold human rights and democratic processes and freedoms. I also believe in the power of private enterprise. The innovation and wealth that can be created by harnessing the power of private enterprise are extraordinary and often in the broader public interest. I am supportive of local businesses that employ local people and add so much flavour to our local economies and communities. The people of the Whitlam electorate have told me they care about ensuring there's a strong economy and local jobs both now and into the future. We care about the environment and ensuring all Australians are looked after. We care about our quality of life and that as our communities grow we ensure this growth is well managed and well planned.

It is easily the greatest privilege of my life to have been elected the member for Whitlam. I would like to dedicate this victory to my family and to all my supporters, many of whom are in the gallery today. Without you I would not have this opportunity, and I'll be forever grateful. I'd like to thank the member for Sydney, Tanya Plibersek, for her many years of support and encouragement and for being an inspiration to me for over 20 years. I'd also like to thank the member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, for her support and for being my wonderful EMILY's List mentor. I'd like to thank Senator Jenny McAllister and Senator Tim Ayres. I'd also like to thank the member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, and the member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips. I congratulate both of them on their re-election.

I'd like to thank the New South Wales minister for health and member for Keira, Ryan Park; the New South Wales minister for planning and member for Wollongong, Paul Scully; and the Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Tania Brown. I'd particularly like to thank the member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson, who is in the gallery today and was such a wonderful support to me during my campaign.

I'd also like to thank George Simon, the assistant secretary of the New South Wales Labor Party; Josh Lloyd; and Amy Knox for all their support and assistance.

I'd like to acknowledge Chris Lacey and Kerryn Stephens for their many years of friendship, and I'd like to thank Chris for his work with the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra and his many years of service to the Illawarra community.

I'd like to thank the ALP branches in the Whitlam electorate—the Dapto, Albion Park/Oak Flats, Shellharbour/Barrack Heights and Southern Highlands branches—whose brilliant and hardworking members helped me get elected.

I'd like to thank the union movement for its invaluable support, particularly Narelle Clay, an extraordinary leader who I've admired for a very long time; Danna Nelse, Angus McFarland and the Australian Services Union; and Brooke Muscat, Mel Donnelly and the Community and Public Sector Union. Thank you all so much.

I'd like to acknowledge and thank Henry Rajendra and the New South Wales Teachers Federation. Henry and his team ran a wonderful campaign during the election, and I'd like to applaud the Teachers Federation for its tireless defence and promotion of public education.

I'd like to thank Arthur Rorris for his many years of service to the South Coast Labor Council and to the people of the Illawarra.

I'd like to thank my campaign committee, very capably led by Ailis Quinn, and the amazing Alison Mansell and equally amazing Penny Newlove, who devoted hours and hours of their lives to ensure that we retained the seat of Whitlam and that we had a Labor government re-elected. Other members of my campaign committee included Georgia Roff; Tiana Myers; the wonderful Jeremy Graham, who was so kind to me during the campaign; Simon Zulian and Dionne Garcia. It was such a pleasure to work with you all.

I'd also like to thank Linda and Graham McLaughlin, whose hard work and generosity I'm so grateful for.

Thank you also to the members of my staff who've joined my team since the election: Michael Sharp, Jye Langley, Josie Stuart and Jack Fernon. I honestly can't thank you all enough.

I'd like to thank my beautiful husband and soulmate, Calum. I am the luckiest woman in the world to have you as my husband. Thank you to my stepdaughter, Amelie; my son, Will; and my daughter, Stella, for your patience, kindness, honesty and unflinching support. I'm so deeply proud of you all. Thank you to my parents, Geoff and Diane; my aunty Judith; and my beautiful sisters, Julie and Jane.

Thank you to my wonderful extended family—the gorgeous Emma, Matt, Steve, Csaba, Blake, Barish, Fiona, Jack, Joan, Heather and Elizabeth.

To my very best friend in the world for over 30 years, Jane Andrew: thank you. I can't imagine my life without you in it. To my wonderful friends Damien, Elissa, Naomi, Zadie, Feargus, Amy, Patrick, Penny, Mel, Shane, Kara, Taylor, Indie, Jane, Annie, Emma, Jemma, Mithra, Martin, Shady, Ben, Scotty, Caz and Nathan: thank you.

I'm so grateful to my family, friends and supporters and for the opportunity to represent the people of Whitlam. I'm optimistic about our future, and I'm thrilled to be in this place. I will work harder than I ever have before in my life to shape our presence and to build Australia's future for the better. Thank you.

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