Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I take this opportunity to table two speeches by my friend and colleague the member for Fowler, Chris Hayes. Chris was unable to finish this speech on the anniversary of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. I think members are aware that, in the process of delivering this speech on that day, Chris was taken ill, and he is shortly to undergo surgery. All of our very best wishes are with him. In this speech, Chris was going to read the words of his cousin Anthony Hayes, who says, 'Words without action are empty.' Anthony talks about the betrayal of trust that he suffered as a child and the way that he has had his trust betrayed throughout his life. It's a very powerful and moving speech. So I table this first speech.

The second speech that I'll be tabling is this speech that Chris intended to deliver on International Human Rights Day, the theme of which is the right to life. Chris speaks once again about his very strong commitment to ending the death penalty wherever it occurs and whoever is subject to it. The speech talks about the importance of abolishing the death penalty and making sure that effective legal representation is available to anyone who is facing the death penalty. It's a great honour for me to present these speeches on Chris's behalf and wish him all the very best with his surgery.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table these two speeches.

Leave granted.

I table the speeches.