Taking out Excellence in Education and Training and Overall Business of the Year is The Bubble Launceston. This specialist GP clinic offers services in women's health. The brains behind the bubble, Dr Natasha Vavrek, has truly built an exceptional healthcare service, and the additional recognition of being awarded Young Professional of the Year is very fitting.
It was also wonderful to see Jimmy Tsinoglou AM and Josef Chromy AO recognised with inductions into the hall of fame and life membership respectively. Jimmy, also a former mayor of Launceston, arrived from Greece in 1955 and worked for the hydro scheme for three years before starting his first shop in Charles Street in 1966. Josef's story of arriving as a refugee in Australia from the former Czechoslovakia is renowned. He's also so deserving of this rare life membership. My hearty congratulations to all winners and to Jimmy and Josef.
]]>Situated in a rural coastal town, the Bridport Men's Shed first opened in 2015, and was driven by several community members, including George who I met last week, who also saw a need for a place where locals could keep their bodies and their minds active at little or no cost. What rang true in meeting with some of the members last week was how important the place is for social connection, particularly for those who may struggle after losing a loved one. They pointed out the significance of the $5,000 for the community shed. Whilst it may not seem like a lot of money to many, the organisation recognises it would've been extremely difficult for them to fundraise the money needed to buy essential new equipment.
This was exactly the goal of the Stronger Communities Program when it was first developed by the coalition government. It aimed to deliver social benefits in communities across Australia, providing grants between $2,500 and $20,000 to community organisations and local governments for small-scale projects. The program has helped fund over 15,000 such projects across Australia, across every single electorate, including in my electorate of Bass, where more than 70 projects have been supported. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the independent selection committee made up of members of Tasmania's upper house whose electorates cover the whole of Bass. To MLCs Rosemary Armitage, Jo Palmer, Tania Rattray and Nick Duigan: thank you for being fierce advocates for your regions.
As I highlight a number of these worthy projects in my speech this evening, I want the Labor government to sit up and take notice. These are the types of community organisations you risk leaving behind if you fail to commit to further Stronger Communities Program funding—projects like the community garden in Scottsdale, headed up by the Better Health 4 Dorset team and part of Health Consumers Tasmania, who were a worthy recipient of $10,000 in funding from the last round of the Stronger Communities Program.
I left the Bridport Men's Shed to head to the official opening of the garden last week. The garden is one of the first health and wellbeing initiatives established by the Better Health 4 Dorset team—formed by a group of around 20 locals who were working on several key issues, including local transport, mental health, improving access to health care and establishing a health and wellbeing hub. The idea of the community garden was ignited by the community themselves. The better health team facilitated over 20 kitchen-conversation sessions involving more than 100 locals, who identified that a community garden was an important and missing piece of infrastructure in the area.
After securing funding through the Stronger Communities Program, more than 40 community members worked tirelessly on the project for many months, culminating in the official opening last week. It will be available to schools, the elderly and the community at large. Bec Smith from Health Consumers Tasmania said the aim of the garden is:
… to promote healthy eating, improve access to fresh, affordable produce and improve mental health by providing avenues for locals to connect and work together.
It's amazing what $10,000 can do.
Ten thousand dollars can also purchase much-needed storage for an organisation like Dorset Community House. Located in the heart of Scottsdale, Dorset Community House provides several critical services and activities, not just in Scottsdale but right through to Gladstone, Bridport, Golconda and Alberton, covering more than 3,000 square kilometres. From community transport to school holiday programs, financial counselling, baby playtime and playgroup, the organisation needs to maximise and utilise the space it has. With as much funding as possible diverted to essential programs, it's often the smaller but necessary infrastructure projects that fall by the wayside. Funding from programs like the Stronger Communities Program can help fill that gap.
These are just three examples of north-east Tasmanian organisations that have benefited from the last round of the Stronger Communities Program, but there are so many others to share. When you think about the number of volunteers and volunteer hours that go into keeping these organisations going, in a time when keeping volunteers on board is an increasing issue, ripping away essential funding will also make things more difficult.
In 2019, the value of volunteering in Tasmania was estimated to be around $4 billion, with volunteers contributing an average of 229 hours a year, amounting to around 4.4 hours each week. In fact, volunteering is Tasmania's biggest sector, larger than both the private and public sectors. As elected representatives, we know that governments rely on volunteers to fill the many gaps that the government can't or won't.
For members of the Launceston & North East Railway organisation, funding from the Stronger Communities Program has meant they were finally able to build a shed and workshop to house their rail bugs. Over the past seven years, volunteers from the organisation have worked to preserve the railway history of the region, and, with tourism plans in the works, volunteer member Greg Stewart took on the task of designing and building rail bugs at the organisation's Turners Marsh location. The three bugs, painted red, blue and green, will eventually be used for tourists to travel along more than three kilometres of the currently disused rail line between Turners Marsh and Waddles Road in Karoola. Each bug has disc brakes and four seats—two at the front for peddlers and two at the back for passengers—and each has the ability to reach a top speed of 20 kilometres per hour. Mr Stewart said the shed would not have been possible without the support of the grant. 'We have a 100 per cent volunteer workforce, doing it all in our own time, at our own expense, and the only money we earn at the moment is from barbecues, raffles and a grant like this one,' he said.
In Launceston, a $14,000 Stronger Communities Program grant provided the opportunity for the local tramway museum to purchase solar panels for their Inveresk building. Wholly run by a team of dedicated volunteers, the Launceston Tramway Museum is a community based organisation working to restore and revive old trams that once roamed the city. Andrew MacKenzie, president of the Launceston Tramway Museum Society, said the grant has made a significant impact on the sustainability of the organisation by reducing operational costs. 'Installing solar panels allows for the fiscally feasible operation of the tram by drawing on power generated by the solar panels,' he said.
Through the Stronger Communities Program, City Park Radio, which runs on the dedication of a passionate team of volunteers, was able to purchase essential podcasting equipment, providing an opportunity for anybody in our northern Tasmanian region to tell a story or learn a new technical skill. The grant program is also responsible for assisting with the set-up of Launceston's first tool library, providing a benefit to members of our local community who may not have the space or money to buy their own tools. On remote Flinders Island, the Furneaux Islands Community Shed has been able to purchase a new Lucas Mill to benefit its 60-plus members, thanks to the Stronger Communities Program.
For Girl Guides Tasmania, it has provided a kitchen upgrade at their local camp site in my electorate. In Beauty Point, it provided funds to renovate an underused church hall to create and grow a community club. The grant has provided funds to purchase gardening equipment, assisting Community Gardens Australia to grow a community garden, benefiting students from Ravenswood Heights Primary School and the local community. Karinya young women's shelter has been providing safe, confidential crisis accommodation for more than 40 years, and they were able to upgrade their IT services to ensure the organisation can continue its community outreach services.
The Elders Council of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation have finally been able to upgrade their driveway to ensure the safety of members and visitors. This project has been on their wish list for several years, and I know they were thrilled to receive funding through the Stronger Communities Program. The Stronger Communities Program has provided funds to improve a sensory space, assisting in setting up a therapeutic multisensory room for clients with disability. It's helped keep our community safe by assisting Tamar Sea Rescue to purchase a rescue vessel. The program provided the West Launceston Bowls and Community Club funds to continue their successful school bowls program by providing funding for equipment. The Lapidary Club, the Northern Tasmanian Netball Association and the Launceston Musical Society were all able to purchase equipment to ensure the sustainability and growth of their organisations.
The organisations I've listed tonight are just a few of the countless community organisations in Northern Tasmania that have benefited from Stronger Communities, and there are many more who would benefit from the funding this program provides. At a time when the cost of living is at an all-time high and it's becoming harder and harder to meet growing costs, keep volunteers and fundraise, the federal government cannot turn its backs on our communities in need. I urgently call on the government to commit to continuing the program in the upcoming budget.
]]>June also served as a representative on numerous childcare, welfare, school, women's and senior citizens committees and was on the YMCA board of management for five years, organising school holiday activities, projects for the unemployed and camps for disadvantaged children. She became community officer at George Town in 1987, securing government funding for a community car service, family support worker, social worker, food and nutrition worker, office traineeships and youth employment schemes. June also instigated the George Town Winter Appeal, involving all church and community groups.
Not content to go quietly into retirement, after leaving the council in 1995 June went on to establish the George Town Choral Group, which performed and entertained residents of Ainslie House aged-care facility. June volunteered for six years at Ainslie House, organising games afternoons for residents. Again deciding that she still had more to give, June ran again for councillor, serving from 1999 to 2002. June has rightly been recognised with numerous awards over the years for her tireless dedication to our local community, including the Medal of the Order of Australia and a place on the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women.
I'd like to share some of my personal thoughts about June, who I first met when I moved to George Town in 2008. I would describe her as a force of nature and a trailblazer. She's ahead of her time when you look at her achievements. June has never been backwards in coming forward and doesn't take no for an answer. She is the very definition of a doer. It's thanks to people like June that women like me have had the opportunities that we have enjoyed since, and I hold her up as an example of what's possible. I'd also say that I wouldn't want to be on the prickly end of her pineapple, and I'm fortunate that I don't think I have been yet!
June, you've enriched the lives of so many through your dedication to community service, and I don't think we could even begin to count the number of people you've helped in your 55 years of involvement with the George Town community. You are the epitome of what true service to others looks like, and being awarded Citizen of the Year is another worthy accolade.
]]>In 1978, Lyndsay moved to Tasmania and joined our police force, serving for 30 years until his retirement in 2009. He spent a significant amount of time involved in police search and rescue, receiving commendations for his conduct. It was during this time, through search and rescue, that he met Di, an avid bushwalker. Di fondly remembers the two of them undertaking a lot of bushwalks in the early days, and converting Lyndsay from a hockey player to a golfer.
Lyndsay was a dedicated member of the RSL sub-branch in Lilydale for 18 years, serving as president from 2017. He is remembered as being a great mentor for the younger generation and an advocate for mental health support for emergency services workers and military personnel.
Lyndsay was married to Di for 28 years and was a beloved father to his two sons and the daughter he reconnected with 20 years ago. I knew Lyndsay to be an incredibly kind, generous and gentle person, and he is remembered as being so proud of his children's and grandchildren's achievements and for his wicked sense of humour and infectious smile. When reflecting on the love they had for each other, Di reflects, 'He accepted me for who I was and what I was.' Vale, Lyndsay. You will be missed.
]]>The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says that success in education can be defined as a combination of high levels of achievement and high levels of equity, and that equity in education is also a matter of design and, as such, should become a core objective of any strategy to improve an education system. Ensuring equity of opportunity for all children is something that should be above politics. So I happily threw my support behind the Australian Education Union's campaign calling on the federal government to ensure that every public school is funded up to a basic benchmark level—known as the schooling resource standard.
As a proud former member of Ravenswood Primary in the 1980s and a regular visitor to the current school now known as Ravenswood Heights Primary School, I have seen firsthand the dedication of its amazing teachers and the passion its principal Jason Gunn has to provide the very best educational opportunities to their school community. But a funding shortfall of close to $6,000 last year makes it extremely difficult to meet the needs of many of its students. What would addressing this funding shortfall mean to the Ravenwood's Heights Primary School community? It could mean employing an additional five teachers or teachers assistants or an additional school psychologist. However the funding was carved up, the opportunity exists to reduce class sizes, provide specialist support and improve student and teacher wellbeing. Lilydale Primary School is underfunded by $700,000. Scottsdale High School and Youngtown Primary School are both underfunded by more than $600,000.
Every single public school in my electorate of Bass—in fact, every public school across the state—is underfunded to the tune of $118 million. That's a stark comparison to private schools which were found in a report by independent education economist Adam Morris to be overfunded by $7 million. I don't want to turn this into a fight about public versus private. Independent schools most certainly have their place, and parents should have a choice, but let's be real and recognise that that choice is available only to those who can afford it. As the Tasmanian Association of State Schools Organisations have stated, they believe current funding practices are pitting government and non-government schools against each other.
Every child deserves their schooling to meet the minimum educational standards and the unfair division of funding is fostering unnecessary division. It's not just providing additional assistance for teachers and students and tackling the problem of overcrowded classrooms. It could also mean that other school funds could be diverted to upgrading school facilities. I visited many wonderful schools, both public and private, across my electorate over the past 4½ years, and I've witnessed a stark disparity between the haves and the have-nots when it comes to facilities and basic amenities. And I mean 'basic'. At a minimum they deserve classrooms free of mould, heating that works and functional bathrooms.
Addressing the funding shortfall will also go a long way to relieving the pressure on overworked teachers, who are leaving the profession in droves. An AEU survey found that, even with new teachers, 39 per cent were planning to leave the profession within a decade. As I said earlier today, there is a significant teacher shortage, and I commend the Tasmanian government for several initiatives that they are taking to recruit and retain teachers, but ensuring that public schools are funded a hundred per cent and giving schools the ability to hire additional teachers if they choose will alleviate much of the pressure that they're facing. I acknowledge the recent in-principle agreement between the federal government and the Western Australian government to deliver a hundred per cent of the SRS by 2026. While the funding is tied to reforms under the national schools agreement, there is a lack of detail as to exactly what these reforms are.
Research has shown that, for the period between 2008 and 2022, the gap between high and low socioeconomic status year 3 students has widened substantially and that low SES students are on average five years behind the high SES students by year 9. None of us should be comfortable with these numbers or with standing by as this divide continues to grow. All of our children, no matter what their postcode or where they live, should have access to good-quality education. If the federal government delays taking further action to fix the gap now, we will continue to pay for the shortfall in outcomes for generations to come.
]]>Over the past 7 months, I have been actively seeking suitable day care options for my little one, who is set to start in February …
Unfortunately, the waiting lists for these facilities are proving to be excessively long, making it challenging for parents like me to secure a spot for our children.
This situation has left me feeling disheartened …
… … …
Additionally, I want to emphasize that the current difficulties in accessing timely day care services may force families like mine to make difficult decisions, such as one parent having to stop working.
This potential loss of income could be a significant financial blow for us and, I imagine, for many other families in our community.
I am also concerned about how families with lower levels of income or single parents are managing this situation.
The challenges they face are likely even more daunting.
Of course, I note that meaningfully tackling the issues that sit around early learning education and care is difficult, and this is a particularly challenging policy egg to unscramble. But let's not pretend that by making it cheaper it magically fixes the myriad problems that have sat around this policy area for at least the past two decades. I believe all parties have the best intentions, but we have to do away with tinkering at the edges and embrace bold structural reform that might deliver on an equity of opportunity.
Tasmanian public school students returned for term 1 last week, ready for another full year of learning. Anecdotally I'm hearing of unprecedented teacher shortages across both public and independent schools, where demand is far outstripping supply. I remember hearing from one local school in my electorate last year who tried and failed to find a relief teacher after calling 24 different teachers. I acknowledge the efforts that the federal government has taken to address the shortage through the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan, which was agreed to by all state education ministers at the end of 2022, and I understand that progress reports will become available this year. I'll be interested to see how this plan is working on the ground in Tasmania, particularly in my Northern Tasmanian electorate.
We know that truly making our education system fairer and better comes down to full funding, an issue that I have advocated, joining the Australian Education Union late last year and calling on the federal government to commit to filling the 10 per cent funding gap in my state. I will be addressing this in response to the member for Pearce's private member's bill later this evening.
Lastly, I want to briefly cover the priority actions raised by the member for Robertson regarding the AustralianUniversities Accord:interim report. I commend the government's measure for demand driven places for First Nations students from metropolitan areas, as it's a step towards addressing the higher education accessibility gap for Indigenous Australians. But, as someone who grew up in a regional and rural area and now represents that electorate, I know that there's more work to be done to ensure that students in these areas have the same educational opportunities to attain higher education if they want to. According to the ABC, in May 2021, 48.6 per cent of people aged 25 to 34 years in major cities had a bachelor's degree or above, compared to 26.9 per cent in inner regional areas, 21.1 per cent in outer regional areas and approximately 16.6 per cent in remote and very remote areas.
I understand the reasoning behind the regional study hubs, but I do have some concerns. These are shared by those in my community—by a group of committed and engaged members who have been involved with the university for many years, who, while in support of many of the measures outlined in the interim report, raise reasonable and relevant concerns regarding the hubs, particularly how hubs will be defined and implemented in a way that won't be detrimental to what's already offered by the University of Tasmania.
There is unease about the possibility that larger universities may be able to set up so-called hubs in areas of Tasmania and qualify for regional loading benefits without offering any of the necessary wraparound support services or engagement opportunities offered by institutions like UTAS. I urge the minister to engage with local stakeholders and address these concerns.
I'll always fight for the best interests of Northern Tasmania, and I don't want to see any measure implemented that would disadvantage students in my region or our single higher education institution.
]]>But, as I've said previously, I don't want people to accept that they just believe politicians to lie, and broken promises are hard for our constituents to swallow, no matter the outcome. It is a slippery slope that does cast a shadow on what this government might promise next. If you promise 100 times to keep a policy and then you change it, it's expected that our communities will think any future policy could change after the 101st, 110th, or 150th promise to keep it. It's not okay to play with the truth, even if you like the outcome. It simply leads to a further erosion of trust and confidence in governments.
So it's here tonight that we find ourselves debating Labor's tax cuts, which the coalition will not stand in the way of. Just a few weeks ago, I asked when Labor would begin fulfilling its election mantra not to leave any Australians behind. It is 18 months since being elected, so it's pleasing that this legislation will support individuals and families in need, and I wouldn't block any measure that would help my electorate of Bass. While it's truthful that more constituents in my electorate will benefit from these proposed changes than they would have under the previous iteration, it's still a drop in the bucket for my community as cost-of-living pressures increase. Housing, healthcare affordability, education expenses, child care—these are all daily factors putting pressure on households.
Over the past 18 months, real net disposable income per person has collapsed, down 8.6 per cent. For an average income earner, this is a decline in take-home pay of just under $8,000, primarily driven by rising mortgage payments, falling real wages and increasing taxes. So, again, although I welcome relief, an average earner would receive just $804 more under Labor's policy, or $15.46 a week. This is less than 1 per cent of their annual wage and returns just 10 cents for avenue dollar they have lost to cost-of-living pressures under Labor's first 18 months in office.
A recent survey by the Mercury newspaper indicated that almost all Tasmanians were feeling the pressure as daily expenses continue to rise. Groceries were a major factor, with many cutting back on activities outside of the home to meet growing costs, and others admitted to using savings to keep up with the costs. CEO of the Tasmanian Council of Social Service Adrienne Picone said:.
Tasmanian families are increasingly forced to play a cruel game of 'what must I go without this week,' trying to stretch a meagre income to cover the essentials, when the reality is it is simply not possible in the current climate
No Tasmanian should be forced into a situation where they're forgoing healthcare in order to put food on the table, yet this is occurring on a daily basis across the state.
Ms Picone's statement highlights another area where the government is falling short, looking to provide additional and necessary assistance to low-income households who don't benefit from any tax cut but are deeply feeling the pinch of just trying to get by. As a co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Ending Poverty, I've held a number of events with my co-chair, the member for Canberra, as we explore the impact of poverty and how parliament can meaningfully address this. Just last week, we hosted a briefing with the Brotherhood of St Laurence on further practical steps governments of all persuasions could take. But it's hearing from those with lived experience that stays with you.
When I'm out in the community, cost-of-living pressures sit just behind housing as the No. 1 issue people raise with me, particularly, as Ms Picone points out, there are an increasingly large number of people who are choosing between paying their rent or their mortgage and having food on the table. Food insecurity is a major issue. The 2023 Foodbank hunger report stated that 84,000 Tasmanian households faced food insecurity last year—18,000 more than in the year prior. These are our neighbours, parents and children we pass at the school gate, the couple we say hello to on our morning walk or the young person making our coffee. From the discussions I've had on the ground with local organisations including the Benevolent Society, the Salvation Army and City Mission, there's a significant increase in middle-income earners needing their services, as they're forced to sacrifice their food budget to meet their increased mortgage or rent payments. These conversations are supported by hard statistics, with around 33 per cent of food-insecure households in Tasmania holding a mortgage.
Additionally, the 2023 Mapping Social Cohesion study—a joint project between the Australian National University and the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute, with more than 7½ thousand participants—found that almost half of those surveyed believe that economic issues are the most important set of problems our country faces today, followed by housing affordability and shortages. Forty-one per cent of participants describe themselves as either poor, struggling to pay their bills, or just getting by—up four per cent from the year prior. Dr James O'Donnell, who led the study, has spoken of the impact that financial stress is having on our communities:
With more Australians under financial pressure in 2023, it's perhaps not a surprise that our sense of belonging and connectedness to each other are also lower this year.
With more people worried about economic inequality, we're less trusting of government, more worried about the future and less connected to Australian values and society.
This is an important call to action for governments and the community to consider policies and programs that give everyone the opportunity to contribute to society to the fullest.
So, while these tax cuts will go some way to providing relief, with a surplus in the billions, I'm asking the federal government what else they can be doing to seriously tackle the challenges we're facing. Where the government is claiming success in delivering cheaper health care and child care, I'm not seeing the proof in northern Tasmania. We have an older population with higher rates of chronic disease and areas of socioeconomic disadvantage, and still we have the lowest bulk-billing rates in the country. From July to September last year, the rate dropped to 71 per cent—3.5 per cent lower than the national average. Whilst these numbers are before the triple bulk-billing incentive came into effect, on the ground I'm not seeing evidence of this trickling down to patients. I acknowledge that this has been an ongoing problem for both political parties, no matter who has been in government. It's one that I worked hard in addressing while the coalition was in government. I appreciate that there's not a silver bullet, but that we must put the current government on notice that more has to be done for the sustainability of practices and the health of our communities.
I met a number of times on this issue with Ben Dodds, President of the Rural Doctors Association of Tasmania, and I want to raise some comments that he made recently. What we've seen over a long period of time is the degradation in the Medicare rebate that has been available for patients, and there are many GPs who don't want to be in a position where they need to be charging a gap. Dr Dodds also acknowledged that, while GPs would often bulk-bill a patient who is in financial difficulty, it was not sustainable in the long term, and he said that the current Medicare rebates were still not enough to keep many rural and regional general practices going. I also know and understand from my long-term engagement with professionals in the health community that, again, it's not just the cost of going to the doctor that keeps patients at bay; as with child care, it's an accessibility issue, with many practices struggling with the recruitment and retention of doctors, and not for lack of trying.
There are a number of reasons behind this, including the classification of some areas in my electorate under the Modified Monash Model, which does affect the amount of the incentives they can receive, with some of areas of my electorate receiving the same classification as Hobart, providing further challenges when competing in a tight talent pool. I advocated for changes to the MMM when the coalition was in government and I'm continuing this fight. Plainly put, if we don't stop tinkering at the edges over proper reform it is only a matter of time before more practices close across my electorate. I'm available and willing to work with the government, or with anyone, to ensure that this does not happen. We must stop putting a bandaid on a gaping wound.
And then there is the issue of child care. While there are claims from the federal government that they have made child care cheaper—again, something I would dispute based on feedback from families in my electorate—there's a bigger area of accessibility. All the talking points on cheaper child care land nowhere if many parents are unable to access it. I'd like to read an email I received just before Christmas that sums up the experiences of too many families in my electorate: 'Over the past seven months I've been actively seeking suitable day-care options for my little one, who is set to start in February. Unfortunately, the waiting lists for these facilities are proving to be excessively long, making it challenging for parents like me to secure a spot for our children. This situation has left me feeling disheartened. Additionally, I want to emphasise that the current difficulties in accessing timely day-care services may force families like mine to make difficult decisions such as one parent having to stop working. The potential loss of income could be a significant financial blow for us and I imagine for many other families in our community. I'm also concerned about how families with lower levels of income, or single parents, are managing this situation. The challenges they face are likely even more daunting.'
The government was elected on a mandate to deliver greater trust, more accountability and transparency, but what we have seen so far is the usual spin and talking points rather than the substance that the public expects. You shouldn't be telling people they are better off and they should be grateful for it. What we should be asking our communities is: do they feel better off now than they did 18 months ago? The test isn't what they say or even what they do; it's the result.
]]>The work of Scolyer and Long, through an immunotherapy approach, has meant that in just a decade the probable fatal outcome of a melanoma diagnosis has now become a treatable and curable disease. However, the pair are calling for further investment in their field, saying melanoma must be treated as a national health priority. In the middle of last year Professor Scolyer was diagnosed with a stage-4 glioblastoma and has used the terminal diagnosis to pioneer a new treatment, becoming the world's first brain cancer patient to have a free surgery combination immunotherapy. Although it is early days, he is excited by some of the results produced, saying he is blown away as a doctor and pathologist and that it has left him with optimism. I will leave you with his powerful words: 'Think big, be bold, be courageous.'
]]>How apt it is that Peta was the first woman elected to represent the electorate of Dunkley, named after Louisa Dunkley, a strong woman, a feminist, who fought fiercely for equal pay and led a life committed to making her community and her country a better place for all—values embodied by Peta.
As a fellow member of the class of 2019, I came to know Peta in our early days here as we learnt to navigate this strange new normal. As I sat and listened to her first speech, on 24 July 2019, I knew our parliament had seen the arrival of a woman who was fierce, frank, a fighter who radiated warmth and friendliness. As I came to know her, all these attributes shone through, as did her sassy sense of humour. When things could become a little tough—as they do around here, at times—she never failed to reach out to encourage me and make me smile, and I hope I did the same for her.
Last year, Peta asked me to join her as co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Women's Health, a position she tackled with gusto, ensuring the challenges that women faced across a range of health issues did not stay hidden and giving a voice to patients, health professionals and advocates in the halls of parliament. Peta would lead these events with her typical candour, and a dose of wit and sarcasm when needed, always making those around her feel comfortable in sharing some very personal stories. Peta, I promise I will try to keep your work going.
This year, I've also had the privilege of getting to know Peta's beloved husband, Professor Rod Glover, through my involvement in the McKinnon Advanced Political Leadership course. It was clear to me that Rod and Peta were a great match for each other, and I have to think there must have been some magnificent debates between the two of them in their more than 20 years together. My deepest love and condolences to Rod on the loss of his partner.
Reading social media comments is never a place MPs willingly wade into, but yesterday I was reading the outpouring of love shared on Peta's Facebook page after her passing was announced. Unsurprisingly, it was full of love, praise and wonderful tributes to a woman who, through a long career that spanned law, public service and federal politics, clearly connected with so many from across all walks of life. Peta was absolutely in this job for the right reasons, and I hope she was proud of the legacy that she created.
I'd like to read out a message from the Women's Spirit Project, an organisation that Peta referenced in her first speech, a cause that was clearly dear to her. In part, it read:
It has been an absolute honour to know you and to have your incredible support. With heartful admiration for you and all you have done. You will be dearly missed …
My deepest condolences to Peta's mum and dad, Bob and Jan, and to her sisters, Jodi and Penni, extended family and friends. I'd also like to express my deepest sympathies and appreciation to her staff. In a job like this, with so many hours spent in parliament and on the road, our staff become like family, and I know that you're also feeling the pain and loss of losing Peta. My love to you all.
Go gently, now, Peta. Your legacy is immense. Politics and democracy has been strengthened by the example you set every day that you served, and you'll always be the strongest girl in the world. We'll miss you very much.
]]>The ASIO chief told the Senate estimates earlier this year that at its peak—considered to be during the height of the pandemic—right-wing extremism accounted for around half of ASIO's counterterrorism workload. By February this year that number had fallen to around 30 per cent who are ideologically motivated. Most of that is nationalist and racist violent extremism, he told Senate estimates.
That 30 per cent is 30 per cent too much. I commend the federal government for bringing forward this bill, the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023, which makes significant and necessary changes to the Commonwealth Criminal Code to support law enforcement in their efforts to manage and protect the community from anyone who is planning, preparing or working to inspire others to do harm.
Though the number of Tasmanians who identify as Jewish is small—the 2021 census recorded 376 Jewish people in the state, the smallest state population in the country—the community, like any other, deserves full protection from hate speech and discrimination. I was proud that our Tasmanian government, earlier this year, led the nation in implementing legislation that would prohibit Nazi symbols and salutes in our island state. Like the federal bill before us today, the legislation is careful to acknowledge the continued importance of the swastika to the Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and other communities of faith, and recognises the difference between the sacred swastika and the misappropriated Nazi hakenkreuz, which protects legitimate purposes for public display.
Importantly, this legislation also criminalises the public display of and trade in the Islamic State symbol, used by a terrorist organisation with a violent and hateful ideology, while also recognising the distinction between Islamic State and Islamic faith. With the rise in both Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents in Australia since 7 October, this support of both our Muslim communities and our Jewish communities in this country is more important than ever.
Since being elected as the federal member for Bass around four and a half years ago, I've had the privilege of building relationships with my local Jewish community. I've had the honour of participating in the menorah lighting and Hanukkah celebrations in our city, and I have a deep admiration for Rabbi Yochanan Gordon. When this bill was originally presented to the House by the Attorney-General back in June, I reached out to Rabbi Gordon, keen as always to seek the advice of a local community who would be directly affected by this legislation. I was struck by his call for togetherness, unity and love for one another, no matter our background. I will read his words today:
Today, living in Australia, land of diverse cultures, we want to reaffirm our commitment to a society free from bigotry and hatred. In Tasmania, we have a number of descendants of Holocaust survivors and victims. As we work to pass this upcoming law, let us remember the lessons of history and vow to protect the values that bind us as a community.
The Holocaust, one of the darkest chapters in human history, was orchestrated by the Nazi regime, which shamelessly adopted the swastika as a symbol of their warped vision of the Aryan race. This emblem, once an ancient symbol representing well-being and prosperity in various cultures, was perverted to propagate hatred and cruelty on an unimaginable scale. It is a chilling reminder of the destructive power of intolerance and discrimination.
Today, we stand to state that bigotry and hate have no place in our community. Each time the symbols of hatred, and specifically the swastika, are displayed, it threatens to fracture the very foundation of our multi-cultural society. We must do what we can against any attempts to resurrect the ghosts of the past and perpetuate ideologies that seek to divide us based on our differences.
Australia holds a special place in history as the first nation where being Jewish was not an impediment to reaching any position. Our nation has shown that inclusivity and diversity are not just buzzwords but the pillars of progress and prosperity. It is a testament to the strength of our society when we embrace our differences, harness our collective potential, and rise above discrimination.
When someone displays a swastika today, they are not merely expressing an opinion or belief; they are advocating for the wholesale murder of innocent people. They are endorsing the use of gas chambers and ovens to annihilate fellow human beings solely because of their birthright and identity. This is an affront to the sanctity of life and the principles of compassion that underpin any civilized society.
If we can focus and remember the stories of Holocaust survivors and the indomitable spirit they displayed amidst the darkest of circumstances. Their stories stand as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in the face of unimaginable horror, humanity can rise above hatred and prejudice. As this bill is debated, we must not forget to also take up the responsibility to educate future generations about the consequences of hate and intolerance.
Education is our most potent weapon against hatred. By teaching our children about the Holocaust and other instances of human suffering caused by discrimination, we instill in them empathy, tolerance, and the resolve to stand up against injustice.
Together, let us foster an environment where diversity is celebrated, and our differences are seen as strengths that enrich our society.
We must ensure that our legal systems protect the dignity and safety of all citizens and visitors alike. Let us work hand in hand to create a society where everyone can thrive, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or background.
Let us not forget that there are people among us who lived through World War II and witnessed firsthand the atrocities committed under the Nazi regime, and for whom the symbol would still cause immense pain, including local constituents in northern Tasmania. These include people like Holocaust survivor Felix Goldschmied, who emigrated to Australia in 1948 as a young boy. Dr Goldschmied was born in what was then Czechoslovakia and lost most of his family members at Auschwitz. When attending the announcement of the establishment of a Holocaust education and interpretation centre in Hobart—an initiative spearheaded by then Treasurer Josh Frydenberg—Dr Goldschmied reflected that the establishment of an education centre was incredibly important, as he fears stories risk being forgotten as Jewish survivors grow old and take their memories of the war with them. Then there is another Holocaust survivor in the northern Tasmanian community, Dr Gershon Goldstein. Dr Goldstein was born in the Netherlands during the war to a Dutch mother and a Jewish father. Like Dr Goldschmied, he lost many relatives in the Holocaust—around 100, in fact—including his father, grandmother, uncle, aunt, cousins, six great-uncles and two great-aunts. Dr Goldstein has spent years teaching students about the Holocaust and has long been campaigning for it to be taught more widely in the school curriculum, with a particular focus on countering antisemitism.
My thoughts have often gone to Dr Goldstein, Dr Goldschmied and the entire Jewish community, as we have seen the insignia see a resurgence as a propaganda tool for harassment and vilification of our Jewish communities. And so too have we seen both Nazi and Islamic state symbols used to target Muslims, non-Muslims, other religious minorities and other groups, including LGBTQI+. It is all abhorrent and must be stamped out. We must not be complacent, and this bill is a positive step to send a message to Australians that our parliament and our country will stand united against displays of ignorance and hate. This legislation also seeks to criminalise the use of a carriage service to deal with violent extremist material. It ensures that regulations that prescribe terrorist organisations do not lapse after three years but instead continue indefinitely unless revoked by the AFP minister, and it strengthens the advocating terrorism offence provisions. The latter recognise that advocating terrorism is a serious act that can lead to violence against innocent Australians, and the bill increases the maximum penalty for this offence from five to seven years imprisonment.
Those seeking to promote their extremist views and recruit to their so-called cause are finding increasingly clever ways to do so, particularly seeking out younger people online and targeting vulnerable people who may feel isolated or disengaged from society. Last year, the AFP began urging parents and guardians to be aware of their child's online activities, noting that their own investigators had begun seeing evidence of extremist groups accessing popular online games in a bid to recruit young Australians and stating that they held serious concerns around the spread of extremist content in these platforms. AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command Sandra Booth said the following:
We know that nationalist, racist and violent extremist content in online games is almost certainly part of a radicalisation process for some young people.
There are a number of popular games that enable users to create scenarios and record them for others to re-watch and share online across social media.
Our concern is extremist groups are exploiting these platform to target a very young group of Australia's population, by creating content to share and encourage far-right/extremist ideologies and abhorrent violence against others.
In his annual threat assessment last year, ASIO chief Mike Burgess also said that the agency is battling with the challenge of children increasingly becoming the target of extremist groups as they seek to radicalise others to join their cause. He said at the time:
As the director-general of security, this trend is deeply concerning.
As a parent, it is deeply distressing. As a nation, we need to reflect on why some teenagers are hanging Nazi flags and portraits of the Christchurch killer on their bedroom walls, and why others are sharing beheading videos. And just as importantly, we must reflect on what we can do about it.
Burgess is right: we need to look at why teenagers are getting involved in the first place and what we can do about it. The section in the bill which strengthens the advocating terrorism offence means it can certainly lead to a severe penalty, hopefully acting as a deterrent for potential offending or reoffending. But we must be looking at why anyone of any age becomes actively involved in advocating terrorism or using well-known hate symbols to target community groups and instil fear in others. As I mentioned in a speech on far-right extremism just a few months ago, I've pondered the effect of loneliness, isolation and the breakdown of community and what this means for our society for both men and women, with participation of women in right-wing extremism on the rise.
It's alarming that in 2023 we would need to speak on banning hate symbols—some that we would never have expected to so openly show up in sections of our communities almost 80 years after the Second World War ended. As I mentioned earlier, even prior to the current conflict, antisemitic incidents were on the rise. But the conflict has given way to incidents in both the Jewish and the Islamic communities. Between 8 October and 7 November there were 221 reported cases of antisemitic incidents and 133 reported Islamophobic incidents in the same period. These incidents include threats to mosques and synagogues, graffiti, threats to Muslim and Jewish schools, spitting at women, verbal abuse and hate mail, just to name a few. We must do more to stamp out this hate. I want to end by repeating the words of Rabbi Gordon:
Together, let us foster an environment where diversity is celebrated, and our differences are seen as strengths that enrich our society.
]]>I'd also like to recognise the service of 94-year-old Max Jansson, who has served as the internal auditor of Launceston Legacy for 50 years—for more than half of the organisation's existence. Max's love for his volunteer work is supported by his motto 'If you don't use it, you will lose it'. Max recently received a set of four historical Legacy pins and the current centenary pin from Launceston Legacy to thank him for his five decades of service to the club.
Thank you, Jan, Geraldine, Cathy, Peter, Max and all the volunteers from Launceston Legacy who continue to support so many families of veterans in our region.
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