Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's great to return to the 48th Parliament and once again represent the people of Spence. Congratulations to you, Deputy Speaker, on your deputy speakership as well. Today I rise to share a major victory for the people of Virginia and for commonsense. In only a matter of days, for the first time the good people of Virginia will receive their first home mail delivery from Australia Post ever. This might not sound like much to some, but home mail delivery is something the Virginia community has needed to fight tooth and nail for for several years.

In this time, the community has pushed relentlessly for this basic service, even after a recent mail poll showing 92 per cent support was dismissed. This outcome is the result of a grassroots campaign, with hundreds of doors knocked, local street meetings, letters to senior leadership and speeches in this very chamber. After years of delays, excuses and confusions, the message has finally got through loud and clear. This is a decision that will not be getting returned to sender; it is happening.

While this is a big step forward, other communities in Spence, like Riverlea, will still go without home delivery. To those residents I say I have not forgotten you. I will keep fighting for them so they can also access an essential service that many Australians, that now includes Virginia, can rightly take for granted.