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

Tomorrow is Red & Yellow Day, a new nationwide celebration to recognise surf-lifesaving volunteers. Sun, sand and salt air is at the heart of Hinkler. Surf lifesaving attracts almost a thousand members in my electorate, with more than 200 patrolling between three clubs: Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Elliott Heads. You can support the cause by simply wearing the colours, by donating, by fundraising or by signing up and flying the flags we were taught to swim between. On Friday I joined Surf Life Saving Queensland's Darren Everard and Andrea Berthelsen at Bargara to raise awareness for the cause. The latest Summer coastal drowning report shows a 14 per cent decrease nationally. With almost 4,000 rescues in the past 12 months saving nearly 700 lives, those in the red and yellow are truly life savers.

Yesterday I had the privilege of welcoming students from Bundaberg Christian College to Parliament House. This was the first opportunity I've had to host students from Hinkler as the federal member. It was wonderful to catch up with the school's new principal, Brendan Hosking, and teacher Karin Benham, who were accompanied by school leaders Rachel, Mackenzie, Isabelle, Suraya, Caleb, Ethan, Emma and Helene. I'm committed to promoting civics in our schools, and it was a pleasure to discuss politics with these engaged students. I take the opportunity to wish all senior students from Hinkler the very best for 2026.