Anne Stanley (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Longer days and queues at shopping centres and Australia beating England in the Ashes cricket can only mean one thing—Christmas is fast approaching, along with the end of the year, and 2025 has been a very interesting year. Globally, we've seen conflict after conflict and, tragically, the needless deaths of far too many people, especially civilians. Famine and war are sadly a constant, and I acknowledge all of those in my community who are touched because they have friends and family in danger. Their fear and concern are something they live with every day.

As this is my last speech in this place for 2025, I want to acknowledge and thank everyone who has invited me so warmly and welcomed me into our community: All Saints Liverpool, St Rafqa's, Saint Zaia Cathedral, John the Baptist, the Bilal Mosque at Hinchinbrook, Iftar and Ramadan dinners, Assyrian New Year events, the Affinity Intercultural Foundation, the Ramadan Eid bazaars, the many Buddhist new year and lunar events, Mandaean events such as Dehwa Daimana ceremony, the Hindu Festival of Chariots—the list is extensive and encompasses every corner of the globe and of Werriwa.

And then there are the many sporting groups who do so much in the electorate to support fun and healthy activities for tens of thousands of people. Thank you to all the volunteers of the Liverpool Catholic Club, junior rugby league, Liverpool Olympic Football Club, Southern Districts football, Preston Hornets, Hoxton Park Tigers cricket, Autism Advisory & Support Service, CNA and Ladies Like To Lunch.

I've been generously invited to many events, including those of the Liverpool historical society, the Rural Fire Service medal presentation and the opening of McGirr Park. The events I've listed are just a taste of what I've been to this year, and I always receive a generous welcome in our community. Day in and day out, in countless ways, there are thousands of people who devote themselves to helping others. To each of them, I express my sincere thanks and extend the very best for the upcoming Christmas and New Year season.

I would also like to add those who serve the electorate through their work. I think of all the first responders, nurses, teachers, police and retail workers. Thank you for what you do. Please be patient with the retail workers at this time of the year. It's not okay to be rude to anyone trying to serve you. Remember they are someone's parent or child.

The Albanese government, having been so resoundingly re-endorsed at the May 2025 election, has wasted no time in delivering. The government is focused on cost-of-living relief. Just this week, we reduced student debt by 20 per cent. A constituent wrote to me:

I cried when I saw the $11000 come off my debt. I have been making payments, buying a house and honestly unable to get ahead on any of it—this helps!

On 1 January, medicines will be the cheapest they've been since 2004—no more than $25 per PBS script and $7.70 for concession card holders. We've reduced the beer excise to support consumers and venues. We've made the biggest investment in health in decades—bulk-billing incentives, 137 urgent care clinics and $1 billion to support Australians' mental health. There's a new Aged Care Act, implementing the recommendations of the royal commission, that started on 1 November. There has been a minimum wage increase in each of the three years of our government. There are fee-free TAFE places legislated for the future and 10,000 for apprentices that support housing construction. New homebuyers only need a five per cent deposit for a new home, and there are over 100,000 Australians that have taken advantage of cheaper home batteries.

In Werriwa, work has begun on Fifteenth Avenue, with community consultation for the upgrade underway and early work started. Next year, Western Sydney international airport will open, bringing jobs and opportunities for our community.

I especially want to wish my constituents, each and every one of them, the best for Christmas and the upcoming New Year. It's only because of your support that I stand here and can advocate on your behalf. That honour and privilege is never lost on me, and I treasure it, and it is a task I recommit myself to each and every day as I look forward to 2026. To one and all, a very merry Christmas.

House adjourned at 20 : 00