John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On Monday we celebrated the achievements of 1,190 remarkable Australians with the Queen's Birthday Honours. Each year, Bennelong is highly represented on this list, and I'm delighted to announce a further two worthy recipients from my electorate. Epping's Joanne Edwards was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding service to community health in New South Wales. Ms Edwards has played a critical role in the state's response to COVID-19. As state health emergency operations centre deputy controller she continues to assist in the management of hotel quarantine, border restrictions and the medical exemption process. In addition, she has worked closely with public and private pathology providers to provide testing clinics with hospitals to ensure they can meet demand should we see a surge of COVID-19 cases in New South Wales.

Our second recipient was Chief Petty Officer Benjamin Ashley Smith. Mr Smith was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in recognition of his outstanding achievement during the introduction into service of the Hobart class destroyers. The three air warfare destroyers will be capable across the full spectrum of joint maritime operations from area air defence and escort duties through to peacetime national tasking and diplomatic missions. Chief Petty Officer Smith's technical expertise and training were instrumental in the development of the Hobart class destroyer capability. We proudly acknowledge his contribution to building Australia's defence— (Time expired)