Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to talk about my recent visit to Karratha. I first want to give a quick shout-out to Chris from Pitter Pat Productions. Pitter Pat is a small theatre company based in Karratha and operating quite literally on the smell of an oily rag and without a permanent base. Chris and his team are dedicated to bringing live theatre to the Pilbara, working with remarkable flexibility and ingenuity. From borrowing garages for storage to painting sets in the park and recruiting locals to perform, they do whatever it takes to ensure the show goes on.

I want to acknowledge an important event I attended in Karratha, the Pilbara for Purpose community sector networking expo, which took place at the coalition-funded Red Earth Arts Precinct. Pilbara for Purpose is the peak body for the for-purpose and not-for-profit community sector across the Pilbara. Since 2015, it has worked hard to build a more connected, resilient and effective sector in one of the most remote and challenging regions of our country. I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Karen Armstrong, CEO of Pilbara for Purpose, who continually champions underresourced service providers working to support their communities each and every day.

It was also fantastic to hear from young residents of Newman who are part of the East Pilbara Youth Advisory Council at the expo. They bravely addressed the room full of adults about their lives as young people in Newman. Let me tell you that the future of East Pilbara appears to be in very good hands. This was collaboration at its best, and I very much look forward to next year's event.

I also had the privilege of spending time in Roebourne with representatives of the Yindjibarndi nation. We began our visit at the Ganalili Centre, the reimagined Victoria Hotel in Roebourne, now a community space housing the Roebourne Visitor Centre and local art gallery, symbolising renewal and investment in the future in the small and beautiful town of Roebourne. From there, I was invited to join a yarning circle with a group of women representing Roebourne and surrounding communities. They spoke with strength and honesty about the challenges their families face: the shortage of housing, the limited access to healthcare facilities and the urgent need for greater mental health support. It was deeply meaningful conversation about their lived experiences and practical solutions, and I'm very grateful for the women who joined me and shared their views very honestly.

We also toured the Wunggu Maya transitional housing facility, an impressive development of 10 one- and two-bedroom homes which opened only late last year. It's already offering a safe and stable place for residents and families to build skills, strengthen their wellbeing and transition into a private housing market. This is more than just housing; it's a pathway, with the centre also offering health and employment services. (Time expired)