Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories) Share this | Hansard source

I haven't had much of a chance to get up and speak post election about the election itself, so I want to take this opportunity to do that today. I'm honoured to be standing here today as the re-elected member for Eden-Monaro, which I believe—and I'm sure there might be some contestation—is the greatest electorate in the country. To the people of Eden-Monaro, thank you again for your vote. I'll continue to spend every day working to represent you and fighting for the best outcomes across our community. Whether you're on the coast or in the snowfields, whether you're up in Goulburn or down in Googong, I'm here to represent you in our nation's parliament.

Campaigns aren't easy. They are long hours and unpredictable weather, particularly in our part of the world, but the positives far outweigh the negatives, and I want to thank some people who have helped us during this campaign. Can I start with the true believers in Eden-Monaro, the most supportive branch members a candidate could ever wish for. Their energy and support got me through the months of campaigning—at times in some extremely cold weather. Thank you to both the NSW Young Labor and the ACT Young Labor groups for their support and for all the doors that they knocked on and the phone numbers that they called. Their enthusiasm was contagious across our team, and I'm really grateful for all the free time they gave up for our campaign for a better future.

I want to thank the United Services Union; the Australian Workers' Union; the Transport Workers' Union; the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union; the Health Services Union; and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association for their continued support. The Labor Party is a party of working people, and the work you do every day to make our country fairer for working people is extraordinary. It's an honour to stand alongside you and have your support.

I am also honoured to receive support from many locals across Eden-Monaro who aren't Labor Party members but community members who felt compelled to join our campaign. I give a massive thanks to Rusty, Rocky, Peter Lindbeck, Gillian Southwell, Frank Pangallo, Tony Wood, Jenny Cruise and the many other friends who gave up their time for our community. You're all amazing people who always put your local area first. I also want to give a shout-out to Ricky Stuart. Your support was appreciated. I'm really excited to see what these next few weeks will bring for the Raiders, and I'm really looking forward to watching the sold-out match against the Tigers this weekend. Up the mighty milk!

I want to say a big thankyou to NSW Labor. Thank you to Dom Ofner, David Dobson and Callum Bain for all their hard work and support. You always go above and beyond, and this time was no different. To my campaign team and my staff, it has definitely been a journey. We've got memories that will last a lifetime, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to spend so much time with you all. To Leanne Coleman, Stephen Quilkey, Noah McMillan, Adam Busselman, Julia Lawrey, Jo Riley-Fitzer, Peter Brown, Laura Egerton, Angus Mouncey, Dorothee Steinbach, Chris Paterson, Laura Adam, Noah Hardie, Kate Scott-Murphy, Danielle Condon, Rebecca Duncan and Blake Danilzac, thank you so much. You're an incredible team. Your dedication and belief in me are unwavering, and the future is brighter because of the work that you do.

I want to give a massive shout-out to my family—to my husband, Brad, and my three kids, Ruby, Max and Jack. You put up with mum travelling a lot, but there is no place like home, and that's wherever you guys are.

There was a lot on the line at this election. We were dealing with an opposition who couldn't be trusted with Medicare, wanted to cut fee-free TAFE and was seeking to divide our country. They wanted to slash the Public Service, which would have had huge ramifications across the community that I represent. But the people of Eden-Monaro rejected that. They voted for strengthening Medicare, for more urgent care clinics, for cheaper medicines and for more tax cuts. They voted for a government that is intent on uniting the country and a government that focuses on what we have in common, not what sets us apart.

I'm honoured that the Prime Minister has expanded my ministerial responsibilities, adding Minister for Emergency Management to my role as Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. As the mayor of the Bega Valley Shire during the devastating Black Summer bushfires, I saw firsthand the impact that a natural disaster has on regional committees. In fact, there were nine declared natural disasters in my time as mayor. What many people might not know is the only thing that put out our Black Summer bushfires was a flood, so I know what it's like to live through events that are back to back, and I take the responsibilities of Australia's emergency management minister very seriously. These events aren't going to go away, and they have been getting more frequent and more intense. In this role, I want to ensure that we are investing in preparedness and building more resilient infrastructure. I want our communities to be in the best position to respond to and withstand these events, and I'll be working hard to deliver for Eden-Monaro and Australia each and every day.

Question agreed to.

Federation Chamber adjourned at 13 : 30

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