Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I rise in this place to acknowledge a wonderful Australian who happens to be here with us in the gallery: Taryn Brumfitt, our Australian of the Year.

Back in 2012 Taryn founded the Body Image Movement, which aims to help people embrace their bodies. We know that struggles with confidence, self-esteem and body image are alarmingly common in our society. A national survey from the Butterfly Foundation, an Australian eating disorders charity, found that more than 40 per cent of Australians are dissatisfied with their appearance and 73 per cent wished they could change the way they look. That's why Taryn and the Body Image Movement aim to help people embrace their bodies by working to educate a global community, providing tools to promote positive body image.

Taryn wants us all to celebrate the fabulous diversity of our bodies—all different shapes, sizes, ethnicities and abilities. Taryn's documentaries, Embrace and Embrace Kids, have been seen around the world. Her books, Embrace Yourself and Embrace Your Body, are great resources for people of all ages.

Taryn has been recognised by UN Women, amongst other organisations, for her work and, of course, the Australia Day Council. She also happens to live right around the corner from me in Boothby. Taryn is an inspirational woman whose courage and authenticity has inspired millions around the globe and I know she'll do Boothby proud as our Australian of the Year. I've got two seconds to say: congratulations on your wedding.