The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index was released early this week. Compiled by Professor Robert Cummins of Deakin University and sponsored by Australian Unity, the index seeks to rate life satisfaction in seven areas: standard of living, health, relationships, achievement in life, safety, community connection and future security. The results of the surveys were broken down into federal electorate divisions. My own division of Cook—which runs from Cronulla in the east to Sutherland in the north and is bordered to the north and the south respectively by Georges River and Port Hacking—rated very highly in terms of overall wellbeing.

And happiness as a member?

That, too. Cook has a satisfaction rating of almost 77 and has the highest overall satisfaction level of any seat in the southern metropolitan area. In fact, Cook was beaten only by Eden-Monaro, with a rating of 77.71; Richmond, 77.72; and the division of Riverina, 77.31. On the issue of standard of living, Cook was rated No. 1 in the state. Why are residents in my electorate so happy?

It’s all those Qantas employees.

That, too. According to Adele Horin in the Sydney Morning Herald today:

It shows the happiest electorates tend to have a lower population density, a higher proportion of people over 55, more females, more married people, and less income inequality.

It has good members and good members like you!

It certainly has good members. There is no doubt that the Sutherland shire is a fantastic place to live. As I look through the study’s criteria, in response to, ‘What makes for a happy electorate?’ I see that the shire ranks well on all counts. In spite of the best efforts of the pro-development New South Wales Labor government, the Sutherland shire still has a comparatively low population density when compared to adjacent areas such as Hurstville, Kogarah and Rockdale. Cook has one of the highest proportions of over-55s in the nation, with some 18.5 per cent of residents older than 55.

Do they all surf?

Some do. While I cannot comment on the proportion of females in the electorate with any authority I can certainly attest, at least anecdotally, to a high proportion of married couples in the Sutherland shire. Finally, in terms of income equality, there are great variations in wealth within Cook, as with other divisions. However, the Sutherland shire tends to be a place of social equality, with millionaires rubbing shoulders with average Australian workers on our beaches, in our surf clubs, on our golf courses and so on. One of the greatest reasons that people in the Sutherland shire are so happy—above and beyond their marital status and income et cetera—is that the Sutherland shire is a wonderful place to live.

As I have already mentioned, we are bordered to the north by Botany Bay and Georges River, to the east by the Pacific Ocean and to the south by beautiful Port Hacking. We have beaches that are the envy of the remainder of Sydney and fantastic restaurants, cafes and entertainment venues. The quality of life in the Sutherland shire for most residents is very high. We have strong sporting associations, volunteer groups, strong participation in church and faith based groups and a strong focus on aquatic sports such as ocean swimming, surfing, sailing—(Time expired)