Matt Smith (Leichhardt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The federal election was held on 3 May 2025, and up north we hit the ground running. We were actually working the cape when the seat was declared in June. As the Prime Minister says, 'Now is the time to deliver.' In just four months, the Albanese Labor government has been busy working, delivering for Australia and, I'm proud to say, delivering for Leichhardt. Over 17,000 people in my electorate are set to benefit from the 20 per cent cut to HECS debt that passed parliament during the first sitting week. This will be a great help and support to many people. When you add it to the other support we're delivering to Australians, it is gathering steam exponentially. This includes Labor's already-legislated income tax cuts for 14 million Australians, increased bulk-billing for GPs, changes to make PBS medicines more affordable and our cheaper-childcare reforms.

There's record funding for renewable energy, Indigenous rangers, Australian manufacturing, education and health, and, from October, first home buyers will be able to get into the market with a five per cent deposit, cutting the time it takes to save up for their first home by up to 10 years. Importantly for those of us who live along the Queensland coast, Labor has also stepped up and delivered billions in funding for reef and conservation protection, providing support for our greatest natural asset, the Great Barrier Reef, and ensuring the security of the 64,000 jobs that it creates. We on this side of the House want to help make sure that we are making lives better and helping Australians to get ahead.

Locally, a lot has been happening as well. In the last term, Labor set up the Cairns south urgent care clinic, which is now one of the busiest in the country. Federal funding was also involved in the new housing project in Woree, which is set to deliver 490 new dwellings upon completion. We've helped fund local water security projects, a new campus for the local branch of CQU, and a range of local projects with local sporting clubs. I was recently at Redlands state college, where I got to see the progress on nature play, which has been supported by funding by the Anthony Albanese Labor government.

There are so many really positive projects I could point to where we are delivering the funding. There's been road funding in the northern peninsula area, right up at the top of Cape York, to upgrade the Injinoo Back Road, to allow for more trunk infrastructure for greater housing. There's been over $300,000 in art grants, through Creative Australia, delivered locally. We've also delivered grants to local defence contractor J3Seven to assist with their cybersecurity work and help keep our nation safe. Under the Stronger Communities Program, there is funding delivered to groups like Meals on Wheels, our local PCYCs, Edge Hill United Football Club, Port Douglas Crocs and the Laura district rodeo. If you're ever up Laura way, I thoroughly recommend the rodeo.

Perhaps one of the funding announcements I know will have one of the biggest impacts for our region will be the support that the Albanese Labor government has delivered to set up an early childhood education service on Horn Island. On my frequent visits to the Torres Strait people would lament the lack of available child care and the impact that has on people trying to enter the workforce. We listened and we acted. All of these great projects have real-world implications to help make Far North Queensland a better place to live.

At the risk of sounding like Tim Shaw from Demtel, but, wait, there's more! During the election, I was able to commit to a range of really important projects. They include a new bridge over the Barron River, something that locals have been crying out for, for decades. We've also committed to major upgrades to Football Queensland's Endeavour Park, ensuring that the next Mary Fowler will have top-notch facilities to hone their craft. Many avid sports fans will also be happy to know that we have committed to partnering with the NQ Cowboys to create a brand-new community development and high-performance centre right in the heart of Cairns.

On health, there's work underway to deliver a new urgent care clinic in Far North Queensland, with a funding boost also planned for the Cairns south urgent care clinic. We're also going to invest $2 million in preventive health up on the cape, with a focus on FASD and cancer—because we know the best way to treat illness is to catch it early. Those in Kuranda are getting a new childcare centre so that local children have the right to get an early education, so they don't start school behind. Additional child care will also be provided in the community of Napranum.

We've committed $450,000 to local festivals—the Cairns African Festival, the Chinese lantern festival, the Cairns Indian Festival and the Diwali celebrations—for the next three years to support community cohesion. I'm pleased to say that I and 10,000 of my closest friends attended the Cairns Indian Festival over the weekend, which was quite a feat given that the Cairns cup was on at the same time and it's tough to go up against the races. Congratulations to Subash Chetry for delivering such a fantastic event. I'm also proud that we're providing funding to deliver more CCTV coverage to help make Cairns a safer place. I'm fighting for my electorate and my region, and I'm proud to do so for the Anthony Albanese Labor government.

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