Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Six months ago today, or thereabouts, the people of Hasluck asked me once again to represent them, and I carry their trust and aspirations with me.

Today is the final placement day for Maya Weiss, a student from the Australian National University who's been on internship with me. Maya is a keen student of linguistics and has prepared a research project on the use of explicit reading and writing instruction in primary schools in Hasluck and other electorates, for comparison, including the Speaker's electorate. I'm pleased to have been able to host Maya in my office, and I hope to use her findings to further my understanding and support educational outcomes in my electorate.

As my fashionable gen Z intern informed me, not only is 909 the moniker of a very crucial part of DJ history and culture but it's also the number of cheaper home batteries that we have so far made available in Hasluck. It maintains our commitment to affordable renewable energy, just as—I hope I say this in the right way—the TR-909 is committed to advancing techno music and my intern is committed to playing it out loud in my office.

Alice Jordan-Baird (Gorton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hear, hear!

Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm glad that you know what that's in reference to! I'm learning a lot from my intern.

I've had the privilege of welcoming new Aussies at citizenship ceremonies in Bassendean and Bayswater recently, with a couple more in Hasluck next week. Every story is different, but the demonstration of courage and resilience of many new families making Australia their home is truly inspiring. It's an honour to stand before them and say, along with the minister: Australia welcomes you and everything you bring to our nation.

We can all recall incredible Aussie films that really made an impact on us. For me it was kids shows like The Henderson Kidsand films like Wake in Fright, and families today would be absolutely lost without programs like Bluey bringing joy and laughter into their homes. They tell our story and showcase our national identity to the world, so it's really fantastic and exciting that Minister Burke has introduced our line in the sand for Australian content on streaming channels. This will mean that we will continue to see our stories being told on the big screen and the little screen. Some of those will now be made in the new Perth Film Studios, in my electorate of Hasluck, out near Whiteman Park.

Last month, I joined Minister Catherine King to turn the first sod on the Brabham District Community Centre. This is a project right in the heart of Hasluck's fast-growing north-east corridor. Our government's investment of $3.8 million, through the Thriving Suburbs Program, will ensure this centre becomes a vital hub for local families, services and community groups for many years to come. This is a project that reflects the spirit of Brabham: inclusive, energetic and future focused. I look forward to returning to celebrate the countless community events, birthday parties and major milestones that will bring this centre to life and strengthen the connections that we have across Hasluck.

Just prior to flying to Canberra for this sitting, I attended the launch event for Entwined in the Swan Valley. I've had some major FOMO while being FIFO between Canberra and my electorate of Hasluck. Every year, in the spring, the valley welcomes visitors from near and far to experience an extraordinary array of events, culture, food, wine, beer and spirits. The event runs until 16 November, so, thankfully, I'll return just in time to be able to enjoy celebrating Italian culture in the valley and squeeze in a few more events before the festival concludes.

While we're talking about the Swan Valley, I need to share the ongoing success of Sandalford Wines in Caversham. Sandalford was recently awarded recognition for its cuisine, service, wine and overall hospitality, winning four categories at the 2025 Gold Plate Awards. The member for Hunter bangs on about wine a lot in this place, but I'm here to tell him, and all members representing grapes anywhere in the country, that the Swan Valley is absolutely a place that is hard to beat.

Recently I was in Midland, celebrating the annual Pasifika Festival, organised by Cook Islands Community WA. It was an extraordinary day of language, dance, food and music. It's an example of the extraordinary and diverse abilities, talent and willingness of people to volunteer to bring so much to our community. I congratulate all of the families, organisers and volunteers for making it such an extraordinary success.