One of the things that have been most commented on about Kimberley's life and legacy has been her commitment to human rights, and rightly so. Together, we co-chaired the Parliamentary Friends of Adoption, and this was because of a shared passion for ensuring that all children are able to be given the best possible start in life, the best possible opportunity for a stable and loving home. That was a passion we shared, and it was perhaps a less known aspect of the character of Kimberley Kitching in relation to her commitment to human rights.
When I think about the character who I knew, there are a number of words to express it—and words don't do it justice—and many of those were put on the record earlier today. The things that come to mind are kindness, intelligence, decency, great compassion, a great sense of humour and absolutely fantastic company. She was often the best person to have a chat with and share a drink with.
At the funeral last week and after the funeral, I had the opportunity to pay my respects to Kimberley's parents, Bill and Leigh, and to her brother, Ben. I want to just make a comment about the great courage that Bill showed in the way that he delivered that eulogy, and I made that point to him at the time. It's impossible to imagine what it would be like to bury a daughter, and so I will just, in expressing my condolences to her family, pay tribute to the great composure and the way that Bill and the family were able to hold themselves together and to really give a fitting tribute, which was quite extraordinary. Likewise, to Andrew, who I think gave extraordinary and fitting words as the person who knew her best, I want to pay my respects and to express again my condolences. As we know, 52 is far too young to leave this earth, but one of the things that is worth reflecting on is that 52 years lived in the way that Senator Kimberley Kitching did is an extraordinary life. It's an extraordinary life, with so much that was packed in.
One of the final reflections I would have is that, in having the opportunity to hear about the family upbringing, to talk to some of the family members, including cousins, about just the idyllic childhood that Kimberley Kitching had, I think it's a reminder to me of just what an extraordinary legacy there is when we see strong families and we see extraordinary human beings growing up as a result. Can I again, to all of the family and those here present and those unable to be with us today, express my sincere condolences. Rest in peace, dear Kimberley.
]]>But I do want to associate myself with some of the comments we've heard from Senator Keneally and Senator Canavan in support of these particular amendments. I think that these amendments would alleviate one of the worst and most morally problematic parts of this bill—that is, that the bill allows the creation of a human life for the purposes of using it for research which inherently means its destruction. That is a massive ethical line that we are on the verge of crossing in this country through this legislation, where for the first time we will be allowing the creation of a human life specifically for the purpose of destroying it in research. We haven't done that in the past. We didn't do that, in fact, even when it came to stem cell research, and we had a lengthy debate in relation to that. We were told that embryonic stem cells had the most potential; it turned out actually adult stem cells delivered great potential and great scientific advances without those ethical concerns. So, I support this. I think we are crossing a really serious line, and it's not one I support, but I support these amendments.
]]>As I said earlier, in contrast, the Labor Party have a very different view. The Leader of the Opposition, of course, has never held a national security role; he's never held a financial role. He's never delivered a budget. He voted to unwind our strong borders under the Rudd-Gillard government, and he has flip-flopped on everything. Now of course he has the Greens in his ear, holding him to ransom, demanding that he cut the defence budget in half—costing jobs and harming our national security. Australians are right to ask if they can trust those opposite with the security and stability of our region.
Senator Watt might not like us highlighting these things, but these are serious questions for Australia and they are serious questions for the stability of our region. If you've got a government that doesn't care about these things, all of these things will be undermined. (Time expired)
]]>Under the coalition, defence, stability and national security are a priority. Those opposite, unfortunately, take a different view. While under this government our investment in the region and in defence is at record highs, the Labor Party gutted the defence budget by $18 billion—the lowest level as a proportion of GDP since 1938. While we on this side take a strong stand with our partners in the region and, indeed, across the world, Senator Wong won't condemn former Labor Prime Minister Keating for his appeasement of China. That's the contrast we have in this place. We don't shy away from prioritising—
You know, you might not like hearing it, but that's what you're going to do. That's your record: cutting defence in the past, and you would do it again.
]]>At the request of the Tongan government, Australia and New Zealand coordinated closely to provide initial surveillance flights to Tonga to assess what was needed. Australian donated patrol boats which, together with landing craft undamaged from the tsunami, went to survey the damage and evacuate people. Once the need was clear, we jumped into action.
We had pre-positioned supplies with the Red Cross in Tonga, which were delivered immediately. We've delivered 190 tonnes of humanitarian support to date with more to come. Thirteen RAAF humanitarian assistance flights have landed, carrying essential supplies and equipment, including food, water and shelter for families who lost their homes, medical supplies to support those who were injured and communications equipment so that friends and family in Australia and elsewhere could contact their loved ones.
HMAS Adelaide arrived in Tonga on 26 January, carrying additional supplies, including equipment to help with the clean-up and rebuilding efforts. All deliveries have been done in a COVID-safe way in close cooperation with the Tongan government and our partners in the region. I acknowledge the presence of one of our partners in the region: my good friend Jelta Wong, who is with us in the gallery.
This support will continue for as long as it's needed. That's our commitment to our Pacific family and they know this. They can see it in our actions. This government spent a record $1.76 billion in the Pacific in 2020-21. We don't just talk about support; we deliver, because that's the right thing to do for our neighbours and our family.
]]>That's in stark contrast to when that lot were in government, where we saw 23 consecutive quarters of increases in electricity prices. What do we see now from those opposite? Labor are flip-flopping on the Kurri Kurri project in the Hunter, which will provide 600 direct construction jobs, 1,200 indirect jobs for the Hunter region, and now, after nearly a year of talking down jobs and investment in the Hunter, after nine of his frontbench colleagues opposed the project, the weak Leader of the Opposition, 'Each-Way' Albo, has backflipped on support for a new gas-fired power station in Kurri Kurri. What a conviction politician he is!
]]>With tourism representing around 40 per cent of Fiji's GDP, and Australian tourists contributing over $50 million a month pre pandemic, this is a critical sector for Fiji. Yesterday, Fiji celebrated its reopening to international tourists—another important milestone in its economic recovery. It was made possible due to Fiji's world-class rollout, using Australian vaccines.
Another key Pacific export is kava, and yesterday I was very pleased to announce phase 2 of the Morrison government's kava pilot program. Pacific kava farmers and producers will now have direct access to the Australian market. Kava has enormous potential and enormous cultural and economic importance for the Pacific. The excitement across the Pacific and here in Australia is palpable. The Morrison government is proud to be supporting business-led economic growth across our region.
]]>In my recent visit to Fiji I saw firsthand the impressive Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp that Australia is helping Fiji to redevelop. Blackrock will provide a regional hub for peacekeeper training and will bolster Fiji's capacity to respond to humanitarian crises and natural disasters. Our Defence Cooperation Program with 12 countries across our region, as well as our $2 billion-dollar Pacific Maritime Security Program, is supporting the national security priorities of our Pacific family. This combination of defence cooperation and economic development is helping to maintain security and stability across our region. (Time expired)
]]>In response to the pandemic, Australia is investing more than $1 billion above and beyond our ongoing development support in our region. Despite some of the messages from those opposite, particularly the Greens, we have already shared over 9.2 million doses across the Indo-Pacific as part of our commitment to deliver 60 million doses to our neighbours by the end of 2022. In addition, Australia is investing $130 million in the COVAX Facility, which has distributed over 100 million doses to South-East Asia and the Pacific, and more than 400 million doses globally. Vaccination means more than just doses and Australia has allocated $623 million to get vaccine doses in arms, including vaccine procurement, distribution, administration, training and planning.
Beyond the health impacts, this pandemic has also posed serious economic challenges across our region. In 2020-21, Australia provided $361 million in direct financing to support economic growth and social protection in our region. This investment has helped governments in our region to expand social protection schemes to support more than 150 million people. Australia is also extending loans worth more than $2 billion to Indonesia and PNG to help address their economic needs. That's because the economic resilience of these two great democracies is absolutely vital to Australia and to the region.
Throughout the pandemic Australia has continued to invest in quality infrastructure through a lending pipeline of more than $1 billion. Already, we have finalised deals to finance renewable energy in the Solomon Islands, an undersea telecommunications cable in Palau and upgrades and maintenance at Fiji's airports. And, finally: through our Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, almost 19,000 workers from the Pacific and Timor-Leste are in Australia, helping us to meet critical workforce shortages. (Time expired)
]]>Avril and Colin kept up the letters and, in November that year, Avril decided to join the navy. She wanted to join as a nurse but was not old enough, so she decided to be a radar plotter, without any idea of what it meant other than a posting to Portsmouth, where Colin was based. After joining the Women's Royal Naval Service in November and going through the first four-week training and induction program, Avril was finally allowed to go into the nearest town to see Colin, hoping like nothing else that they still liked each other, as it was only the second time they had actually seen each other. They would spend only a short time together, as Avril was only allowed off the base for a few hours in the afternoon. It was then that Colin asked if Avril would come and stay with his parents for New Year's in Halifax. While incredibly nervous, Avril said yes.
Avril met the Greefs, who were incredibly kind to her; Colin's mum even remarked, 'That's the sort of girl I wish you would marry.' Little did she know that by then Colin had already proposed, even though they had only met up the three times. Constantly trying to meet up while they were both in the navy was hard. The men were not allowed into the women's quarters and vice versa. They had to use public transport and didn't get a lot of time. The outcome was that they had to go to a pub every time they wanted to meet. It was very costly, and it was always full of other sailors who knew them both.
Avril and Colin had planned on getting married in 1972, but, when Colin was suddenly told he was being posted, they decided to get married before he left. At short notice, they decided Christmas Eve of 1971 would be their wedding day. Only years later, when Avril was organising a Christmas lunch, did she realise how inconvenient that was for their family and friends. The total bill for the reception came to 41 pounds—not bad for dinner and wine for 43 guests. The entire thing finished by about 5 pm, and, having no money for a honeymoon, they all went to the pub, where Avril had great delight in telling anyone who would listen that she was now Mrs Greef.
One of the first things Colin learned about Avril when they moved in together was her great cooking skills. Though he was very nervous when she first bought a chicken to roast, as he didn't think she knew what she was doing, it turned out she did and he was lucky to find a wife who was such a great cook. I can personally say that Colin's fear was misplaced that day, as my wife and I are lucky enough to have experienced Avril's incredible cooking skills.
The Greefs came to Australia in the 1970s as a young couple with two young children, two wooden crates of personal belongings and only about $500 to their names. Colin and Avril have built an incredible life together. They've had two girls, Kelley and Shan, and four grandchildren. As for most, life has had its fair share of ups and downs, but they've done it together. While at times they might've wanted to throttle each other—especially with the constant tension of Colin being a neat-freak and Avril definitely not—they've worked on their marriage, they've faced challenges together and they are a great example for family and friends around them.
One of the stories that encapsulate the type of people Colin and Avril are is the way they choose to spend their wedding anniversary each year. Unlike most couples, who might get dressed up and head out for a nice dinner together to celebrate the past year, Colin and Avril choose to spend their time giving to others. Colin puts on his Santa suit and Avril dresses as Mrs Claus and together they head out to the houses of family and friends, gifts in hand, and do their absolute best to spread Christmas cheer to children all around Canberra.
To Colin and Avril, there is nothing more important in their world than their family and friends. They've always put the needs of others before their own. Colin spends a considerable amount of time volunteering, helping with defence veterans' groups and at the local police station and bringing music and joy to disadvantaged children. Avril, every single day, does little thankless tasks for her family and friends to make their days just that bit better, including making the most incredible quilts, while continuing her work as a nurse, even after trying to retire on a number of occasions now. They are kind; they are loving; they are selfless. The world needs more people like Colin and Avril.
This Christmas Eve, Colin and Avril will again suit up and head out with their gifts. Their family and friends will enjoy watching their children take photos with Santa. But this year will be different. I share this story, today, of Avril and Colin, because this year it will be Colin and Avril's 50th wedding anniversary—something that deserves special acknowledgement. Congratulations to you both on what is an incredible milestone. You continually bless the lives of those who know you.
On a less happy matter, the ACT Labor-Greens government are now one step closer to passing a bill in the ACT assembly that removes criminal penalties in relation to hard drugs like cocaine, heroin and ice in our city. While it's true that this extreme Labor-Greens government have had some wacky policies in the past, this must take the cake. I simply can't believe that this is the path they want to go down.
These drugs ruin not only the lives of those who take them but also the lives of their families, our frontline workers and many innocent bystanders who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw recently stated, when asked about these laws:
… being law enforcement officers, we see the carnage that cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine does. It just doesn't make sense that you'd want to legalise that.
He went on to say:
It's going to mean that organised crime will want to target this community in particular because they can move their product quite easily. It just makes it more difficult for us to combat the rise of cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin use. They're not recreational drugs.
With police already overrun because of the Labor-Greens government's refusal to implement anticonsorting laws, making Canberra a hotspot for bikie gangs, this is the last thing that our city needs. While we might stand in this place and feel disconnected from the happenings in the ACT Legislative Assembly, these are the same policies held by the federal Greens. They have no shame in pointing out that, if they form an alliance with the ALP after the next election, they will be pushing their policies. hese are the kinds of dangerous, extreme policies we can expect of a Labor-Greens government. They want to halve defence spending in this country—that's what the Greens want to do—leaving this country vulnerable to outside threats, not to mention cutting thousands of jobs here in the ACT. It is estimated that this one Greens policy would result in the loss of 13,000 jobs here in Canberra in both the public and the private sector for those who work hard to support our troops and our defence efforts.
The Labor-Greens policy in the assembly, which after that committee report seems to be coming closer to fruition, is to decriminalise some of these hard drugs like ice, heroin and cocaine, and to cut defence spending. We're seeing at an ACT level what a Labor-Greens government looks like. Adam Bandt has made it very clear that if they hold the balance of power after the next election, and there is a Labor government, they will be asking a price of the Labor Party to form government with them, and these are some of the extreme policies they have on the table—the decriminalisation of hard drugs like ice and halving our defence budget. That would be devastating at a national level, but here in the ACT, where we're already starting to see those types of policies, we would see the devastating effects of these drugs policies and of those policies that would cut thousands of jobs here in the ACT.
]]>That this bill be now read a third time.
Question agreed to.
Bill read a third time.
]]>The CHAIR (19:02): We are dealing with amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 1514, moved by leave by Senator Thorpe. The question is that the amendments be agreed to.
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