Carina Garland (Chisholm, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I think, when we look around our communities and see the optimism of the young people in electorates right across Australia, we can all see that Australia's future is bright because they are just so passionate.

Every time I visit a school in my community of Chisholm, it fills me with even more conviction to act on that optimism in this House, delivering a better future for them and the generations that will come after them. I want to really thank St Justin's Parish Primary School in Wheelers Hill for having me along to talk about our democracy and system of government. And what a knowledgeable group of young people they were. The variety of questions from their cohort was so impressive. From ideas to support Australia becoming a clean energy superpower to questions about the quirks of being a federal parliamentarian, their enthusiasm for the future and their eagerness to understand how we arrived at our democracy as we know it now made for an incredibly uplifting and very fulfilling experience. I also want to take this moment to congratulate Anahera and Oliver on their election as school captains. Their passion and commitment to their peers was so obvious and truly inspiring. Our future is bright, with quite a few students there set to join us as future members, I'm sure.

I've had a very busy few weeks in the time that I've been able to spend in Chisholm between parliament sittings. I want to wish everyone in Chisholm a very happy Holi. It was great fun to join so many friends—including the Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, local MP Steve Dimopoulos—and families for another amazing Rang Barse, Festival of Colours, at Brickmakers Park. The colour run is always a highlight and full of energy. It is a really important celebration all about the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil, and every year I reflect on how important that message is for all of us to bear in mind. I'd like to thank Yogesh, Meenu and other organisers from Bhakti Tarang for coordinating this event, and I acknowledge the support offered by the City of Monash, Hum Tum Task Force and Dr RnB Entertainment to the event too.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to pay special tribute to Arvind Kumar Shrivastava, who passed away last December. Whilst it was an incredible event, a true celebration of light over darkness, it did feel different without his presence. I want to thank him for his contribution to making our community so strong, and I send my love and support to his family, who continue his legacy. Without the contribution of these individuals, community organisations and our local governments, these outstanding cultural events would not take place and we would all be so much poorer for it. May this year bring happiness, positivity and new beginnings into the lives of those who celebrate Holi.

The Albanese Labor government is powering Australia's future with over a quarter of a million households, small businesses and community organisations having installed a bill-busting battery under the Albanese government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program and around half of those installing new or upgraded solar systems at the same time. What this means in Chisholm is that 1,655 families and local businesses have embraced energy upgrades that save them money and make their homes and businesses much more energy efficient. These results show our community is getting on with it—taking up batteries and backing a cleaner energy future that is made from Australia's abundant renewable resources. My constituents are embracing this. They don't want slogans; they want bills that are easier to pay and a cleaner, better future through a plan that delivers and is accessible for them. That's exactly what this program is.

I was really pleased to have Minister Chris Bowen visit my electorate a little while ago when we announced this particular program. I know from speaking to so many people in my community that they were so excited to see this program get underway. I'm thrilled to see the uptake in my community and I'm sure that it will continue because, like me, my community really does care about both the environment and making sure that we can do what we can to ease cost-of-living pressures on households every day.

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