Ash Ambihaipahar (Barton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I had the pleasure last Saturday at Gardiner Park in Banksia to support the bake sale hosted by Banksia Tigers Football Club to fundraise to support displaced Lebanese families. It was a very powerful reminder of the generosity and compassion that defines my local community. Families, players and volunteers came together to bake, to organise and to sell a wide range of delicious treats, all with the shared goal of helping those doing it tough. From homemade brownies to traditional Lebanese sweets, the effort from everyone involved was truly inspiring. It was great to meet the players, parents and volunteers who worked tirelessly to bring this event together.

What is happening in Lebanon is impacting a lot of people in the electorate of Barton, and this Albanese Labor government recently announced an additional $5 million in emergency assistance to support one million people displaced in Lebanon. As we continue to see an escalation in this war, we reiterate that all parties must adhere to international law and protect innocent life.

I want to thank the club's president, Hassan Chebli, the committee members and everyone who baked, donated, volunteered and attended. Your generosity will go a long way to supporting our Lebanese brothers and sisters.

It was a great honour to attend the 45th anniversary celebration of CASS, recognising decades of service and support for multicultural communities across my local community. I was also proud to represent the Hon. Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Social Services, who is very committed to inclusive communities and strong social service that reflects the important work that CASS continues to deliver.

For 45 years, CASS has played a vital role in supporting families, seniors, young people and new migrants. This organisation has helped generations to settle, connect and thrive, and this milestone is really a testament to the dedication of the staff, the volunteers and the community leaders who have contributed to its success. It was a great celebration, with speeches; performances, such as a Korean royal court fan dance and Vietnamese lion dancing; and a big birthday cake cutting.

I would like to particularly thank Stephen Li, Henry Pan, Tica Lee and all the board members for their leadership, vision and commitment. Their work, alongside many others, such as the staff and volunteers, has ensured that CASS continues to evolve and respond to the changing needs of my very diverse community. Their passion and dedication were clearly reflected in the warmth and pride felt throughout the entire celebration.

Anniversaries like these are an opportunity to not only reflect on the past but also look forward to the future. With strong leadership and community support, CASS will continue to make a very meaningful difference for many years to come. So congratulations again for 45 years of outstanding service, and thank you for everything you do for our community.

I also rise today to speak about the important housing development in Arncliffe funded by our federal Housing Australia Future Fund. The New South Wales Labor government has announced that 75 per cent of the homes in this development will be dedicated to social and affordable housing. This is an incredible announcement which means that the Barton residents who need it most will be able to live right next to Arncliffe Station, close to our hospital and shops and public amenities.

This announcement means 311 social housing apartments, 291 affordable housing apartments and 204 private market apartments. This increase will help address one of the most pressing challenges being faced in my community. This is a significant shift from the previous Liberal government, who had no plans for any affordable housing in this particular area. I know lots of locals will remember what that site looked like before: pretty rundown, low-density dwellings, pretty much in desperate need of repair. Not anymore. Because of the Albanese and the Minns Labor governments, our community is being built very much for a brighter future.

I also want to acknowledge the Premier, Chris Minns; the Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson; and Minister Steve Kamper for their leadership and commitment to increasing housing supply in my area but also for delivering practical solutions to the housing crisis felt in New South Wales. I also want to recognise the vital role of St George Community Housing and Evolve Housing, whose experience and commitment will help ensure high quality, secure and affordable homes for the residents of Barton. This Arncliffe housing development is a strong example of state and federal Labor governments and community housing providers working together to deliver real outcomes and strengthen our community for the future.

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