David Batt (Hinkler, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Like many in this House, I recently attended a moving National Police Remembrance Day event on 29 September. I joined my community in Bundaberg to pay respects to the police officers who run towards danger when others flee and to remember those who've lost their lives on the line of duty. It is especially important to me, a former police officer of 23 years, to remember friends and colleagues who are no longer with us. I'd like to acknowledge Chief Inspector Grant Marcus for coordinating a well-attended service at the Bundaberg Baptist Church. The special guest was Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Kelly. Mark and I were police cadets together, both commencing our service in 1989. It was great to catch up with Mark, and I thank him for attending a local service. We must extend support to all of our police men and women, because the thin blue line is getting thinner. To our police, both retired and actively serving: thank you.

Next Tuesday, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we will pause and reflect for Remembrance Day. Across my electorate of Hinkler, commemoration services will be held in memory of those who served and sacrificed in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations; 11 November marks the end of World War I in 1918, the day when the guns fell silent on the Western Front. I will join the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch for its 2025 Remembrance Day ceremony and lay a wreath at Freedom Park. It's a time for all of us to remember those who fought for our freedom and this land that we love. I encourage everyone to spend a few minutes to remember our fallen.

In the lead-up to Christmas, we need to put money into the pockets of local small businesses, local primary producers and local tourism. That's why I'll be launching a local first campaign right across my region of 'Bundy, bay and bush'. It's about tourism—visit local first. It's about our farmers and fishermen—choose local first. It's about our local businesses—buy local first. It's about supporting those in our own backyard first. If it's tourism, you can see the turtles lay at Mon Repos or take a tour of the rum distillery. For your Christmas feast, get your seafood fresh from Urangan Fisheries, Red Shed Seafood or the Australian Ocean King Prawn Company. Then, there's too much in the salad bowl to mention—an abundance of fresh produce, including macadamias, mangoes, juicy lychees, melons of all shapes and sizes and much more. If we each do our little bit in Hinkler and go local first it will go a long way at a time when doing business is a tough gig. I'll be joining forces with state MPs the member for Hervey Bay, David Lee, and the member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett, for this campaign because they want what's best for businesses in our community too.