Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—May I rise to join the Prime Minister to acknowledge Australian of the Year Neale Daniher AO, who joins us in the parliament and in the chamber today. Many of us remember with great fondness Neale's footy career, playing with the Bombers and later as coach with the Demons. I want to take the opportunity to congratulate you on being named Australian of the Year, Neale, in the company of your daughter, Rebecca, and I want to recognise, as do all of the coalition and, of course, the whole parliament, the tremendous contribution that you continue to make fighting MND. Every day in Australia, two people are diagnosed with MND and we lose two people to the disease. Many of us know the FightMND brand, which is the annual fundraising campaign the Big Freeze with the AFL. It is a tremendous Australian organisation that, as the Prime Minister has said, has raised and invested over $115 million. I remember, Neale, attending with you and your family a FightMND football/netball fundraising event in my home town of Albury just a few years ago, where it was very clear to me that you are universally loved and admired. Your commitment to fighting the Beast is a testament to your vision, your courage and your sense of community. Welcome.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

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