David Batt (Hinkler, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

As the newly elected federal member for Hinkler, I will fight for all of those across my diverse electorate. As an election commitment I pledged to do everything in my power to deliver a Hervey Bay electorate office, an essential service for my community. The very first official correspondence I sent following my successful election was a letter to the special minister of state seeking permission for an office to be established in Hervey Bay. I'm excited to confirm approval has been granted and a location in Pialba has been locked in. There are 62,000 constituents in the southern area of Hinkler, from Aldershot to Torbanlea, Howard, Burrum Heads, Pacific Haven, Toogoom, River Heads and the major centre of Hervey Bay, and I very much look forward to an official opening of this office in the coming weeks.

Too many lives are being lost on our roads. In my electorate, I'm sad to say the statistics are among the worst in Queensland. The Wide Bay district, which includes Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, has recorded the highest number of road crash deaths this year—31 lives lost. That is 11 more than the same time last year. Queensland's Road Safety Week was held in August, urging motorists to drive to survive. I spent 23 years as a police officer and I saw firsthand the unimaginable impacts of road crashes. Police are doing all they can with the resources they have, but driver behaviour must change. I commend the Queensland LNP state government for supporting the Road Safety Week initiative, and I acknowledge the state member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett, for working alongside me to spread the important message of road safety.

My home of Hinkler is one of the most famous food bowls in the nation. Starting this Friday, for 10 days, locals and tourists will enjoy the annual Taste Bundaberg Festival. It will showcase the finest local produce from our farms, and freshly caught seafood, and will celebrate the world-class makers, processers, retail and hospitality businesses who put Bundaberg on a plate or in a glass. Taste Bundaberg offers a huge line-up of events, including the Mayor's Ball. The gala will raise funds for the Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn's Christmas appeal, supporting some of our amazing local charities and those committee residents in need.

I'd like to applaud the local media in my electorate of Hinkler for helping me spread the word about democracy and how civics works in all three levels of government, and for letting the people of Hinkler know what's happening in the parliament while I'm here in Canberra. A special mention goes to the eloquent and engaging Jacob and El from Triple M—they've even introduced the famous Batman theme to play when I'm jumping on the radio. I hope they're tuning in right now and invite me back on air very soon.

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