Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Mac Jensen OAM and the transformative work of the Laverton Training Centre. Mac, a former NORFORCE major who recruited, trained and led remote Indigenous soldiers for many years, has dedicated over 35 years to the Indigenous communities of Western Australia. As the general manager of the Laverton Training Centre, Mac created a beacon of self-determination for young Indigenous men and women across the northern Goldfields and Western Desert. With the support of Australian Potash CEO Matt Shackleton and local gold mines, LTC has delivered nationally accredited vocational training in mining, civil construction and Indigenous ranger skills. Between 2022 and 2025, 300 remote students completed an incredible 1,200 training units, from heavy machinery operation to feral species control. Training was directly aligned with local employment opportunities, yielding a remarkable 85 per cent positive outcome rate.

The success of the Laverton Training Centre is testament to Mac's tireless commitment and the strong partnerships he fostered with elders, industry and the community. I've visited the LTC many times, with former leader Peter Dutton, with Julian Leeser and with Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who, without exception, were impressed by the achievements of the young trainees. The Laverton Training Centre has recently been sold to the local Wangkatja Tjungula Aboriginal Corporation, so I take this opportunity to acknowledge Mac's selfless dedication to remote Indigenous training and convey my best wishes for the future of the WTAC Training Centre.

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