House debates

Thursday, 15 September 2016

Statements by Members

Operation Christmas Child

1:40 pm

Photo of Andrew BroadAndrew Broad (Mallee, National Party) Share this | | Hansard source

One of the great things about Australians is their generous nature, and we harness that generous nature in the Mallee by partnering with a group called Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child uses these shoeboxes—and I know we should not use props. With your child you pack the shoebox with presents and a photo of your own child. This year we are aiming for 370,000 boxes. They will be distributed to seven of the poorest countries in our region. They will go to our refugee camps and poor countries. The children get a box packed by an Australian child that will make their Christmas.

It is my strong belief that if we engage our children in being generous we engage our whole country in being generous. So, if you have got time in the lead-up to Christmas, get on board with Operation Christmas Child and pack a box, slap on the $9 label that is required, label whether it is for a boy or a girl and what age group, and may you play a part in Australia being a generous country and bringing Christmas cheer to nations around our region.