Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There's been a lot of rain in the Northern Territory. I want to give a shout-out to everyone dealing with those conditions—those that have been impacted and also those who are responding to help our fellow Territorians out in their time of need. The member for Lingiari won't be here today, because she's on the ground back in the Territory with her constituents.

There has been a lot of rain for a long time, but it didn't stop Territorians coming together to celebrate Territory women. On International Women's Day last weekend, in the pouring rain, we gathered out the front of Charles Darwin University's Danala campus and we did a block of the CBD. Together we all celebrated how proud we are of women in the Territory and the important role, the vital role, that they play in community, in families, in society and in the economy at large.

I also went to some other events, after that, with the Tamil Society. They celebrated their incredible women, who are not only honouring their culture, from where they came, but contributing so much to our community, professionally and with their families. I did the same with the Sri Lankans. Well done to SLAFA. They also acknowledged their awesome women in that event, as did the Country Women's Association. That was a fantastic event. I want to shout-out Judy Anictomatis—the outgoing president now—Mary Pocock and Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris. Thank God the chief judge is our back-up administrator in the Northern Territory. We were raising money for TEWLS, the Top End Women's Legal Service. Well done to Sue Phoo for her presentation and also the work that they do every day helping Territory women when they need it most. I want to congratulate Rachael Shanahan, who is the new president and did an awesome job bringing that event together, and, of course, Lizzie T—Liz Trevaskis—from the ABC, who was the MC and did a fantastic job.

Many Territory women approached me at this range of events—which also included a United Nations Association of Australia NT branch event, and well done to Kate Heelan and her team—concerned about the closure of maternity services at Darwin Private Hospital and the strain on maternity services at Royal Darwin Hospital. While I'm at it, I want to thank the hardworking staff at RDH. My wife, Kate, and I were blessed to have our two kids at Royal Darwin Hospital. I want to thank all the staff there, but they do deserve better than what they're getting at the moment. Our government is working closely and collaboratively with the Northern Territory government to strengthen maternity services and ensure that public maternity— (Time expired)