Andrew Willcox (Dawson, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to address a silent crisis unfolding in the heart of my electorate. The Kidney Support Network in Mackay has detailed the critical challenges currently threatening their essential transport service. This lifeline operates six days a week, from 6 am until 9 pm. It ensures that renal patients across our region never miss the treatments they need to survive. For these patients, the service is quite literally their lifeline. But right now the lifeline is fraying under the weight of this fuel crisis. The service is volunteer led, and as prices at the bowser remain at record highs, these dedicated drivers are being forced to prioritise their own survival over their volunteer roles. They simply cannot afford to stay on the road. At the same time, the Kidney Support Network is seeing a measurable drop in donations as families struggle to manage under this Labor created cost-of-living crisis. They are now facing the heartbreaking reality of having to turn away new clients. If their expenses continue to climb, they may be forced to pause these critical services altogether.

The coalition led the charge in calling for the fuel excise to be halved, and while I'm pleased the government followed our lead to bring some reprieve, it is clear that it does not go far enough for our charities. Our charities are so important for us. We need an immediate release of emergency relief funding and further fuel subsidies for transport-reliant charities where it is truly a matter of life or death. Our families and their small businesses are already wearing the burden of this economic pressure and we cannot ask our volunteers to shoulder the rest. A commitment must come from the government to support these essential services. We must ensure that the most vulnerable people in Dawson are not left stranded, because, in our region, we can simply not afford to let the wheels stop turning.

As we head home to our electorates, I hope that the only division this weekend is whether fruitless hot cross buns should be banned from the oven. To my coalition mates, to the government, to the crossbench and to the Senate, I wish you all a holy renewal and unity and peace. I also want to give a massive shout-out to the legends who keep Parliament House ticking: our clerk, our attendants, our cleaners, our security and our hospitality staff. And to our staff: it truly does take a village to run this big house, and we appreciate everything you do for us. Have a magnificent Easter, everyone.