Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 28 April, I had the pleasure of attending a Pacific community roundtable hosted by the Grange P-12 College in my electorate, alongside the Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Senator Nita Green, and Tonga's Minister for Internal Affairs, including the PALM scheme, the Hon. Fane Fotu Fituafe. Grange P-12 College was an important place for this conversation, with the school being home to one of the largest Pacific student cohorts in Victoria and an exemplar. The roundtable brought together community members from local churches, local rugby clubs and not-for-profit initiatives, families from across the electorate and community leaders to discuss the issues impacting Pacific diaspora communities, including experiences connected to the PALM scheme. We heard directly from Lalor's Pacific community about their experiences, challenges and perspectives, helping strengthen connections between diaspora communities and the Pacific region. I want to thank the school community, Principal David Smillie, Deputy Principal Meredith Clencie and all who attended for the important conversations about inclusion, representation and connection across the Pacific community in Lalor.

On Thursday 7 May, I welcomed the Speaker to Tarneit Rise Primary School in my electorate. He delivered the Parliament in Schools program, where students had the opportunity to learn more about democracy, the role of the Speaker in parliament and my role as their local member and Chief Government Whip. It was wonderful to see the students so engaged—over 100 grade 5s, all desperately seeking to ask thoughtful questions about how our parliament works and how this impacts their community. Following the session, staff and students gathered to unfurl a giant Australian flag which of course has flown above Parliament House, before proudly singing both verses of the Australian national anthem. I would like to thank Principal Nadia Bettio, the staff and the students at Tarneit Rise Primary School for their warm welcome and for hosting us at their beautiful school, and I give special thanks to Speaker Milton Dick for taking the road show down south to Victoria.

On Anzac Day I was honoured to join the Werribee RSL and thousands of locals at the Anzac dawn service at the Werribee cenotaph. Together we honoured the courage, sacrifice and service of ADF personnel across the generations. Their sacrifice continues to shape our national identity and is reflected thoughtfully in my community. It was a privilege to lay a wreath alongside the state member for Werribee, John Lister, and the state member for Tarneit, Dylan Wight. I thank the Werribee RSL and all those who attended for organising a moving and respectful service.