David Batt's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Hinkler Electorate: Bruce Highway, Hinkler Electorate: Australia Day | Constituency Statements | House debates
I'm very pleased to note a significant win for my electorate made possible through investment under a former coalition government initiative, the Hinkler regional deal. I was yesterday informed...
I'm very pleased to note a significant win for my electorate made possible through investment under a former coalition government initiative, the Hinkler regional deal. I was yesterday informed that detailed design investigations for the Bruce Highway and Buxton Road intersection upgrade at Isis River—a stretch of road just south of Childers, which I travel most weeks when I'm not here in Canberra have been—have been completed. The design will keep the speed limit to 80 kilometres per hour at this spot and includes dedicated right and left turn lanes into Buxton Road and the local service station and improved access for nearby property owners. Construction on the intersection upgrade should start by the middle of this year. The milestone development follows years of community pressure; strong advocacy, including by our state member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett; and extensive consultation, culminating in a design that reflects the needs of the growing Buxton community. I've been working with residents in calling for this upgrade for a long time, and this final design strikes the right balance between safety, access and efficiency on one of my region's most important transport corridors. This wouldn't have happened without the announcement made by the coalition government in 2020 and the commitment from the Queensland LNP's Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg. There has been a contribution of $10 million in federal funding, and now the job is finally getting done to ensure this stretch of the Bruce Highway is safer for travellers and, importantly, our local Buxton residents. I'd like to highlight some of the many great Aussies from the electorate of Hinkler who were acknowledged in our local Australia Day awards. I've had the privilege of meeting with the Citizen of the Year award winners from Hinkler, including Hervey Bay's Bernard Whebell who was named the 2026 Fraser Coast Citizen of the Year. Bernard was recognised for years of dedicated service to the community, particularly through his leadership with the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre. His contribution has helped guide growth, strengthen services and create meaningful outcomes for thousands of people across the region. I toured the ever-expanding services of the neighbourhood centre with Bernard and CEO, Tanya Stevenson, only last week, and I witnessed the amazing community hub and all that it offers. Bernard's work colleagues stated he is someone who leads with integrity, generosity and quiet confidence, always focused on people, not recognition. Congratulations, Bernie. The Bundaberg region Citizen of the Year, Jo Leveritt, is the founder of Wide Bay Advocacy and Bundaberg Street Law. Jo is a highly respected human rights lawyer and social justice advocate who provides free legal service and systematic advocacy for vulnerable members of our Hinkler community. Jo's leadership and community involvement support people facing poverty, domestic violence and mental health challenges. Her work has created lasting impacts and strengthened social justice across the Bundaberg region. Jo's dedication has changed lives and reflects the true spirit of service recognised through this award. I commend these Hinkler heroes and all those who are nominated for various Australia Day awards. They are the heart and soul of our community.
Australian Flag, Hinkler Electorate: Industry | Adjournment | House debates
It's the one symbol for mateship, freedom and a fair go for all: the Australian flag. On the recent Australia Day long weekend, I was proud to attend awards and citizenship ceremonies in my...
It's the one symbol for mateship, freedom and a fair go for all: the Australian flag. On the recent Australia Day long weekend, I was proud to attend awards and citizenship ceremonies in my electorate of Hinkler and fly our Australian flag with pride. Australia Day 2026 was a wonderful celebration of my community, recognising the ones who go above and beyond, and a chance to welcome new Aussies who now get to call the best country in the world their home. Our flag was everywhere, and so it should be. It represents a story of service, sacrifice and the freedoms we share. It's an expression of our identity and pride. This year, I joined my parliamentary colleagues to launch a 'Proud of our flag' campaign, and many of the wonderful people in my electorate of Hinkler continue to show support for our flag as they drop into our offices in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg to collect a 'Proud of our flag' sticker and make requests for flags to fly at their homes. While I enter 2026 filled with hope and enthusiasm for my electorate of Hinkler and our great nation, there is an overwhelming sense of unrest. This is a time when we must unite as a nation. Today I join with the calls for urgent action to criminalise the burning and desecration of the Australian flag. It's something numerous people have contacted my office about, especially since the awful violation of our flag that we all witnessed on Australia Day in Brisbane. Despite repeated attempts, including an amendment during the recent sittings, the Labor government voted against making flag burning a criminal offence. This leaves the national flag, the enduring symbol of our history, freedoms and shared values, vulnerable to public desecration. The Australian flag is not just a piece of fabric. It represents our shared history, our sacrifices and the freedoms earned through generations of courage and service. Burning our Australian flag or any flag isn't bravery or activism. It's disrespectful and wrong. Protest is a democratic right, but desecrating our national flag is not. Our flag represents our shared history, the sacrifices of Australians before us and the freedoms that allow peaceful protesters to occur in the first place. It's a flag our service men and women fought under and a flag that is draped over the coffins of our heroes who died defending our treasured Aussie values and our way of life. Burning our flag doesn't advance justice or unity; it deepens division and erodes respect. I am forever immensely proud of our flag. Just before the end of 2025, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Deputy Leader of The Nationals to my electorate of Hinkler. At the time in his role as shadow minister for trade, investment and tourism, Kevin Hogan joined me in hosting two full days of roundtable meetings with leaders of local tourism and agricultural sectors. We heard directly about the great achievements, opportunities and challenges facing local businesses. I'm committed to showcasing first-class businesses who are exporting across the globe and to celebrating the tourism sector, which is also famous across Australia and the world. We met with seafood exporters, including Australian Ocean King Prawn Company; whale watching boat operators, including Whalesong; farming and hospitality representatives; and tourism providers, including Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. We as the Nationals will always support regional Australia and promise to deliver a cheaper, better, fairer future, and that starts with supporting local business and cutting red tape. Hinkler is an economic powerhouse with an abundance of great products that bring immense opportunity. Those meetings will help guide our policy settings because we want more jobs for locals and we want to give young people a real chance to live and stay in their home region. The Nationals' energy plan was at the heart of many discussions. We heard from exporters who are battling huge diesel bills and rising energy costs. Labor's obsession with trying to lead the world in cutting emissions is unaffordable and, indeed, unattainable. Yes, we want to lower emissions—but only to the levels of other OECD countries. I thank both the Bundaberg Region tourism CEO, Katherine Reid, and the Fraser Coast tourism and events CEO, Martin Simons, for assisting with Mr Hogan's visit and for providing the opportunity for our operators to share a slice of Hinkler's beautiful backyard, all while, importantly, outlining the opportunities regarding regulatory reform and the challenges and pain points where industry needs more assistance. The biggest challenges right now are workforce shortages, the cost-of-living crisis and housing limitations for potential employees. I'm committed to working with our tourism sector leaders and all levels of government to support our tourism and export industries. As we begin a new year, I look forward to getting on with the job, serving you, serving Hinkler.
Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
I rise to speak to this amendment. The National Party is backing the amendment presented by the member for Cowper. It's about a fair go for spirit drinkers. It's about a proper, albeit well...
I rise to speak to this amendment. The National Party is backing the amendment presented by the member for Cowper. It's about a fair go for spirit drinkers. It's about a proper, albeit well overdue, review into Australia's ancient alcohol tax system. As I have proudly stated and metaphorically raised a glass to in this place before, my electorate of Hinkler is famous across not only Australia but, indeed, the world for producing some of the finest tipples you'll ever try—the iconic Bundy rum, Kalki Moon distillery, the Spirit Collective and Campfire Distillery in Hervey Bay, the legendary Bundaberg ginger beer, and, of course, the many craft breweries, including 384 North Brewing in Bundaberg and Cauldron Brewing in Hervey Bay. The makers, distributors, the pubs on the corners of the main streets in our country towns, the sports clubs that bring families together for each of these—changes to our alcohol taxation system couldn't come fast enough. It's a mess. That's why the Nationals are putting forward amendments to legislate a review of the alcohol tax excise system to be finalised by Treasury before 2 November and extend the indexation pause on draught beer to include on-tap spirits. These amendments strengthen what is already being served up. It puts the bubbles in the beer and delivers a better deal for the makers, the supply chain and, ultimately, those who enjoy a cold one at the pub, the bowls club or while watching the local footy on a Saturday afternoon. Industry has briefed us and made it clear that tap spirits are a growing part of the product mix for pubs, clubs and small bars and appeal to a wider variety of customers. Extending the freeze to tap spirits served in hospitality venues will strengthen the flow-on benefits and provide cost-of-living relief beyond customers who choose to drink beer. The alcohol excise framework is more than 100 years old. The 2010 Henry review was the last comprehensive look at the excise system, recommended a single volumetric tax system based on alcohol content and criticised the patchwork system of rates. Freezing the tax only for draught beer is arbitrary and unfair. It provides welcome support for pubs, beer producers and beer drinkers but ignores distillers and people who prefer spirits over beer, including many women and young adults. These amendments back up what I called for last year, soon after meeting with the chair of Diageo, Sir John Manzoni, and his Australasian team while they visited here in Canberra. Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks, and they look after the Bundaberg Rum brand and many others. In my home state of Queensland, the Queensland Hotels Association has thanked us for backing the freeze on draught beer excise. Yes, it's a win for local pubs, hardworking hospitality workers and every Aussie who enjoys a cold one without needing a small loan, but these amendments will go further. Hardworking Aussies deserve to be able to afford a cold beer or a glass of their favourite spirit mix. In a cost-of-living crisis, net zero is adding to power bills and sending Australian jobs overseas. Let's reduce the cost associated with keeping your beer cold. Let's cut the energy expense so that the makers of your favourite drop don't have to pass it on. Pubs and clubs are the meeting places for our regional communities. Let's make them more affordable. The Nationals are pushing for the comprehensive Treasury review of the alcohol tax system and an extension to indexation relief on tap spirits. The Nationals support tax relief on beer but want to see the whole alcohol tax system improved. In regional Australia, in the cities and towns I represent in Hinkler, pubs and clubs aren't a luxury. They are the social and economic lifeblood of our communities. They sponsor local sport, host fundraisers and keep towns connected. That's the real Aussie spirit. My electorate of Hinkler's array of award-winning makers, brewers and distillers serve up more than amber ales. When it comes to a top-shelf drop, Hinkler leads the pack. I ask the government to agree to these amendments, back a fair go for spirit drinkers and take this opportunity for a broader review of Australia's alcohol tax system. Do it now while we can, because it's well overdue. Will the government consider long-term relief—relief that makes a real difference—for the hospitality sector and deliver consistent and evidence based measures that matter?
Hinkler Electorate: Community Events | Constituency Statements | House debates
I have a good news story for the town of Childers in the heart of my electorate: the Isis RSL sub-branch is now the proud custodian of a HMAS Childers shield or crest, as it's known. The shield...
I have a good news story for the town of Childers in the heart of my electorate: the Isis RSL sub-branch is now the proud custodian of a HMAS Childers shield or crest, as it's known. The shield was originally presented to HMAS Childers upon commissioning way back in July 2007. In December, the Navy formally farewelled the Armidale-class patrol boats, including HMAS Childers, in a solemn decommissioning ceremony at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin. Since the middle of last year, I've been working alongside the Childers Chamber of Commerce and the Isis RSL sub-branch in a bid to acquire items from the ship and bring some history home to the red soils of Childers. During decommissioning, a crew member from HMAS Childers obtained the shield, and, off his own bat, he had it restored, painted and personally delivered to the Isis RSL sub-branch. I'm very keen to see more items of memorabilia be considered for long-term loan to the Isis RSL subbranch. It would be fitting for our Childers community to honour the connection and legacy of HMAS Childers. Late last year, during a visit to Larrakeyah defence precinct and HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin as a member of the Defence subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I saw the HMAS Childers in dock. I had the fortune to speak with the commanding officer of HMAS Coonawarra about the boat's link to the electorate of Hinkler. It's wonderful to see the shield find a home in Childers, and I hope more items from the ship make their way to the town. I want to acknowledge the 35th birthday of the Zonta Club of Hervey Bay. It was great to attend the celebrations—along with the member for Hervey Bay, David Lee; the Fraser Coast mayor, George Seymour; and three councillors—and to hear about the history of Zonta Club, which was chartered in December 1990. In the 3½ decades since then, hard-working members, past and present, have been helping to build a better world for women and girls. Our community is richer and our future is brighter thanks to the organisations like the Zonta Club of Hervey Bay. Congratulations and happy birthday, ladies! Many children have a dream of wearing a baggy green cap. And for Bundaberg cricketer Lucy Hamilton the dream is one step closer. She has recently been named in the Australian test squad at just 19 years of age. At such a young age, Lucy has already had success with Brisbane Heat, Queensland and more recently the Delhi Capitals at the prestigious WPL in India. The Aussies take on India in Perth next month. I can only imagine how proud Lucy's parents, Stephen and Claire, and all the members of the Hamilton and Melville clans are, as well as her many friends. Congratulations, Lucy. From all of Hinkler: we wish you well for the upcoming series and indeed a long cricket career ahead.
Hinkler Electorate: Australia Day Honours and Awards | Statements by Members | House debates
On the Australia Day long weekend, I was proud to attend awards and citizenship ceremonies in Hinkler. They were a true celebration of the people of my community and a salute to what it means to...
On the Australia Day long weekend, I was proud to attend awards and citizenship ceremonies in Hinkler. They were a true celebration of the people of my community and a salute to what it means to be living in the best country in the world. On the honours list, Member of the Order of Australia medals were awarded to Terry Doherty, my former PE teacher at Bundy high school, for service to basketball; and to Robert Blair, for service to our First Nations community. Dee-Anne Kuilboer received an Australian Corrections Medal for working in corrective services, and Hinkler's newest OAM recipients were Ernest Drew from Burnett Heads for service to people with disability, particularly those who are vision impaired or blind; and Bundaberg's Luke Harding, for outstanding service to the community, through various organisations including the SES, the RSL and Defence. Congratulations also to the winners of the Fraser Coast 2026 Australia Day Awards: the Citizen of the Year was Bernard Whebell, of the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre; the Young Citizen of the Year was Toby Robinson; the Art and Culture Award of the Year was won by Emma Newman; the Sport and Wellbeing Award of the Year winner was Cody Steele-Sullivan; and Community Group of the Year was Scouts Queensland. Meanwhile, the Bundaberg region winners included the Citizen of the Year, Jo Leveritt, founder of Wide Bay Advocacy and Bundaberg Street Law; the Young Citizen of the Year, Harrison Titmarsh; the Senior Citizen of the Year, Lester Lewis; the Sportsperson of the Year, Michael Ebert; the Creative Citizen of the Year, Ross Driver; and Community Group of the Year, Next Level Youth Jam. They are all worthy recipients. I congratulate them all.
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I rise to speak against the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026. We need to do better and what is right. We owe it to those who lost their lives and...
I rise to speak against the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026. We need to do better and what is right. We owe it to those who lost their lives and those impacted by this attack to get this done in a measured and precise way. We don't have a gun problem; we have a radical Islam problem. I support a national register, but that on its own isn't enough. In my home state, the Queensland government have indicated they won't even be involved in any buyback scheme. We don't need these laws to stop another Bondi. We just need to enforce the laws we already have, with law enforcement agencies working more cooperatively. Many people strongly opposed to these gun laws have contacted my office—legitimate businesses with contracts that could collapse. Their businesses could close down. Some of these contracts are with this federal government, our state government and our local councils. The reality is this: do you honestly believe that, by spending a billion dollars trying to take guns off Australians, you are actually going to take the guns off criminals and terrorists, not the innocent Australians? Yes, the coalition supports genuine measures to combat antisemitism and violent extremism, but this bill is being pushed through with minimal opportunity for scrutiny, even though it is a proposed response to the worst terrorist attack in Australia's history, and it risks punishing law-abiding Australians while failing to address the real causes of extremism and terrorism. Labor is attempting to present this as a decisive antisemitism response, but the firearms package is a major policy shift that will have huge consequences well beyond the stated purpose. I will always be standing up for the people of Hinkler and all Australians who will, very unfairly, be hurt by this. The Bondi terrorist attack was horrific, but the content of this bill is effectively using that tragedy to justify wideranging gun laws, changes that will be felt most sharply by lawful farmers, sporting shooters, collectors, licensed pistol competitors, firearms dealers and other related businesses. This is not a credible counterterrorism response; it's a diversion from the government's countless number of grievous failures and missteps in dealing—or, more to the point, not dealing—with antisemitism and radical Islam. Of course we support public safety, but the buyback framework is incomplete, with key scheme details not finalised. There is no firm legislative guarantee of fair market value compensation for weapons surrendered, consistent with the 1996 model. There is also no clarity around the cost, which could be enormous and ultimately swell to many billions of dollars. That will almost certainly result, in this case, in inconsistency, confusion and inequities across jurisdictions. The proposed restrictions on imported pistols risk prohibiting lawful pistol imports, including for recognised sporting and elite competitions. Here are just a few examples of the dozens of emails I've received in my office in just the past few days: As a sport and recreational shooter I feel that we are being unjustly targeted through new laws that haven't been seriously debated and proper consultation undertaken. The gun buyback and import restrictions appear to target licensed, law-abiding owners rather than addressing the root causes of violence. There has not been enough time to consider all the implications and unintended consequences of the bill. If a national buyback proceeds that compensation needs to reflect current market value, cover accessories and ammunition stocks and include provisions for dealers and businesses. Firearms are a legitimate and necessary tool for farmers and those living in regional and rural Australia. These communities rely on firearms for pest control and livestock protection. These are five things that I've had through my office in the last few days from people who are completely against this and what's going to affect them. This bill is large, complex and consequential. Stakeholders have had inadequate time to scrutinise it. It contains a series of flaws. We don't have a gun problem, we have a radical Islam problem.
Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
Sunday 14 December 2025 at Bondi started out as a typical Aussie summer's evening at the beach—an evening filled with fellowship, friends and community; a celebration of Hanukkah, the...
Sunday 14 December 2025 at Bondi started out as a typical Aussie summer's evening at the beach—an evening filled with fellowship, friends and community; a celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light, a festival of love—but it turned into a day which our nation will remember as one of darkness and death. On behalf of the people of Hinkler, I share our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the 15 innocent lives lost at Bondi, lives taken because of an unimaginable act of terror, an act of hate, an act of violence. My community of Hinkler stands together with our Australian Jewish community. The people of Hinkler grieve together with all of Australia. Let us, together, remove hate from our society. To the victims of this tragic and senseless terror attack at Bondi: together, we remember you. In the face of this, the worst terrorist attack in our history, we all must find a way to unite and stamp out antisemitism. We must crack down on radical Islamic extremism. To the families, friends and loved ones and the broader community: as you mourn, please know that, together, we are with you. On 15 December, the day following the Bondi terror attack, I spoke with members of the Jewish community in Hinkler to let them know I was standing with them and so, too, was our Hinkler community. Our Jewish friends were left shattered, and now, understandably, still need our love and support. I am proud to represent the people of Hinkler and I'm grateful for this opportunity to stand in this parliament on their behalf and pay our respects. I applaud the heroes who responded to the terror attack. As it unfolded, police officers, paramedics and surf lifesavers—some in uniform and others, off duty, in plain clothes—plus, of course, those everyday Australians, many of whom themselves were under fire, ran towards the danger and put their own lives on the line to save others. And save lives they did. The heroics resonated with my community of Hinkler, as they did across the nation and indeed the world. Yes, in Hinkler, we live 1,200 kilometres away, north of Bondi, but we felt close to this tragedy. Seeing the pictures on our TV screens and in our social media feeds, we watched our fellow Aussies being attacked and we watched in awe as Australians stood up and fought back. I also need to mention, and share gratitude for, the doctors and nurses and all the medical staff who assisted in the hospitals as the emergency unfolded. So much hope came from this tragedy. Last week I visited the local Lifeblood in Bundaberg, where I regularly donate plasma. I was told by the staff that they've been busily accepting blood donations since the call went out soon after 14 December. This is what Aussies do: roll up their sleeves—literally—and do all that they can to help. There are also the quiet charity offerings and so much more. We owe it to those who lost their lives, and those impacted by this attack, to ensure that there is a full and proper Commonwealth royal commission. This parliament and our great nation must commit to a thorough investigation without fear or favour, working with one another for a common goal, to do better, to do what is right and to always remember each of those 15 innocent lives taken away by the terrorists. To the Jewish people of Australia: we must do everything we possibly can to ensure that you are safe and you are protected in this country and to shine a light on this dark episode, which will always be ingrained in Australia's history. Shalom.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How many meetings of the National Security Committee of cabinet, which deals with important energy security issues, does the...
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How many meetings of the National Security Committee of cabinet, which deals with important energy security issues, does the minister, who works part time, expect to miss while he's overseas at his full-time job as president of COP negotiations?
Valedictory | Constituency Statements | House debates
Last week, I launched a 'local first' campaign to celebrate all things home grown in Hinkler. In the lead-up to Christmas, the state member for Hervey Bay, David Lee, and the member for Burnett,...
Last week, I launched a 'local first' campaign to celebrate all things home grown in Hinkler. In the lead-up to Christmas, the state member for Hervey Bay, David Lee, and the member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett, have joined with me to encourage my community to shop, visit, eat, buy, drink and dine local first, I thank the many businesses who have signed up for the posters to help spread the word, and I do hope it all results in a much-needed boost to our local economy. Hinkler's small and family businesses are the backbone of my community 365 days a year. Thanks to businesses such as Bundaberg's Cha Cha Chocolate and Avenell Bros; Homeleigh House at Bargara; Migaloos Seafood, Urangan Fisheries and RAD Rolled Ice Cream in Hervey Bay; and Buck's Butcher Shoppe in Childers—just to name some who have helped us kickstart this great local first initiative. Sixteen days of activism has begun this week in Hinkler. It's a campaign to eliminate violence against women run by the Zonta clubs of Bundaberg and Hervey Bay. As a White Ribbon ambassador and through my various roles in the police service and politics, I've always been a passionate advocate for this cause. Tomorrow, day 3, is a day of orange to symbolise a brighter future free from violence. The program will conclude with a day of reflection on Wednesday 10 December. I encourage everyone to stand with our Zonta clubs to eliminate violence against women and children. Last week, Peter and Joyce Drummond celebrated 70 years of marriage. The word 'wow' was written on their anniversary cake. Married in Ballarat on 19 November 1955, Peter and Joyce have two children, Stephen and Kerry. They are also blessed to have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. I wish Peter and Joyce all the very best, and here's to many more anniversaries down the track. Congratulations must extend to all the winners of the recent Bundaberg and District Business Excellence Awards. There were so many great achievements acknowledged on the night, but I want to mention that the Bundaberg Business of the Year was awarded to LiveLife Pharmacy Kepnock, and the Childers 2025 Business of the Year was presented to IGA Supermarket at Childers. Congratulations to all the awardees. It's a season for celebration in Hinkler. I was proud to support the annual Fraser Coast Business and Tourism Awards and tip my hat to my region's most successful businesses and tourism enterprises. The award I had the privilege of sponsoring was the Best New Fraser Coast Business, and that went to Social Box. The Social Box team now has a full-scale operation serving up wholesome meals to people all over Hinkler, including to aged care and NDIS clients and providers. It's a privilege to serve as the federal member for Hinkler. My family and I would like to wish those in my electorate of Hinkler a wonderful Christmas filled with love and laughter and a new year that brings peace, health and happiness.
Hinkler Electorate: Schools, McMahon, Mr Dan | Statements by Members | House debates
With their final exams now complete, I'd like to congratulate the graduating class of 2025. It's been a privilege to attend school awards nights and ceremonies across my electorate of Hinkler,...
With their final exams now complete, I'd like to congratulate the graduating class of 2025. It's been a privilege to attend school awards nights and ceremonies across my electorate of Hinkler, celebrating milestones, acknowledging successes and shaking hands with impressive young leaders. My message to our year 12 students is that, whether you've made plans for further study, for work or for travel—or maybe you're still making up your mind—it's all good; there's plenty of time. I'd like to acknowledge a man of conviction, a man of education, a man of faith and a man who countless youngsters can thank for guiding them on the right path, including my two daughters. Principal Dan McMahon has been at the helm of the Shalom College in Bundaberg for 17 years, and, when the bell sounds for the last time this term, it will herald the end of a wonderful era. Dan's leadership, innovation and foresight is what makes Shalom one of the best regional schools in Queensland, if not the nation. Dan creates an environment that supports students no matter where their strength lies. Shalom is the 10th school Dan has taught at or led since he started teaching year 6 at St Mary's Dalby in 1978. Whilst his time at Shalom is drawing to a close, he's not done yet. All the best for next year, in leading the St Leo's community at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Dan, you will be missed—all the very best and God bless.
I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Nicholls, noting the government's failure to deliver adequate aged-care beds, with an annual shortfall of more than 9,000 beds. I serve the...
I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Nicholls, noting the government's failure to deliver adequate aged-care beds, with an annual shortfall of more than 9,000 beds. I serve the community with the second-highest number of people aged over 65 in Australia. I also represent the community with the highest number of people living with long-term health conditions. In my electorate of Hinkler, the aged-care crisis is real. Resort-style living for over 50s is booming, and this simply emphasises the desperate need for real action now to address a critical shortfall of aged-care beds. The demand for beds is dangerously high, and it is rising. Aged-care facilities that have applied for extra beds are being knocked back. Dementia patients are taking up public hospital beds while waiting for permanent aged-care spaces. Hinkler is losing our elderly, who are being forced to relocate out of their hometowns, away from family, away from friends and away from their community, because they can't find a local aged-care bed. The Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, announced only last week that people waiting in public hospitals for more appropriate care are costing Queensland $2.5 million every day. That's money that's not being diverted into emergency departments or other surgeries. Petronella Davis is in Bundaberg Base Hospital waiting for an aged-care bed. Her husband, George, thought retirement would be the best time of his life—as it should be—but 80-year-old George spends every single day travelling 100 kilometres to sit by his wife's side in hospital. Petronella is not in need of a hospital bed. At 79 years old, Petronella has rapidly progressive dementia and is no longer able to be cared for in her home. Mrs Davis is a stranded patient, one of around a thousand people in Queensland taking up a public hospital bed while waiting for a more permanent care solution. Forest View Care, in the country town of Childers, has 30 beds. Childers is in the heart of my electorate of Hinkler and is Petronella and George's hometown. In October, I wrote a letter of support for Forest View as it appealed the department's decision to refuse funding for new beds. Forest View General Manager Andrew Ainscough had unsuccessfully applied to the government four times for an additional 44 beds. Andrew says it's never been harder to find care for patients, and he is searching for answers to why they continue to be knocked back when the need is so great. In Childers, Andrew says there are currently 472 people on their waitlist alone. Andrew, who has almost 30 years of experience in nursing, tells me that this is the hardest it's been to find adequate care for our community. He is over it. He is angry. He's desperate. This is dire. Put the money into beds. We must reward the services who are trying to make lives better and enable them to help more. Hinkler is home to a high percentage of people in the prime of their life and moving into their golden years. So the demand for medical services is being stretched, and we are struggling to find enough support. Aged-care facilities are full. Wait times are up to three years. I support the concept of allowing people to stay at home longer, but with that you need affordable and reliable support mechanisms. This is clearly not happening, and the current system isn't working. The government must change and adapt. Locals and pioneers of my region are the reasons we live in a great place, and they shouldn't be told to move away just because we can't find them a bed. This government is forcing older Australians to remain in hospital beds when they have no medical need to be there, leaving them effectively homeless due to a severe shortage of aged-care placements. This is at the expense of other patients needing urgent care. The warnings from state health ministers couldn't be clearer. These Labor government failures are blocking hospital beds, contributing to bed block in emergency departments, cancelled surgeries and gridlock across public hospital systems. While the government claims to be investing, the current approach is clearly failing older Australians, hospital staff and patients and demonstrates yet another example of the government announcing big promises without delivering. The federal government is failing stranded Australians. The current model for aged care is not working.
National Police Remembrance Day, Remembrance Day, Hinkler Electorate: Small Business | Constituency Statements | House debates
Like many in this House, I recently attended a moving National Police Remembrance Day event on 29 September. I joined my community in Bundaberg to pay respects to the police officers who run...
Like many in this House, I recently attended a moving National Police Remembrance Day event on 29 September. I joined my community in Bundaberg to pay respects to the police officers who run towards danger when others flee and to remember those who've lost their lives on the line of duty. It is especially important to me, a former police officer of 23 years, to remember friends and colleagues who are no longer with us. I'd like to acknowledge Chief Inspector Grant Marcus for coordinating a well-attended service at the Bundaberg Baptist Church. The special guest was Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Kelly. Mark and I were police cadets together, both commencing our service in 1989. It was great to catch up with Mark, and I thank him for attending a local service. We must extend support to all of our police men and women, because the thin blue line is getting thinner. To our police, both retired and actively serving: thank you. Next Tuesday, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we will pause and reflect for Remembrance Day. Across my electorate of Hinkler, commemoration services will be held in memory of those who served and sacrificed in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations; 11 November marks the end of World War I in 1918, the day when the guns fell silent on the Western Front. I will join the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch for its 2025 Remembrance Day ceremony and lay a wreath at Freedom Park. It's a time for all of us to remember those who fought for our freedom and this land that we love. I encourage everyone to spend a few minutes to remember our fallen. In the lead-up to Christmas, we need to put money into the pockets of local small businesses, local primary producers and local tourism. That's why I'll be launching a local first campaign right across my region of 'Bundy, bay and bush'. It's about tourism—visit local first. It's about our farmers and fishermen—choose local first. It's about our local businesses—buy local first. It's about supporting those in our own backyard first. If it's tourism, you can see the turtles lay at Mon Repos or take a tour of the rum distillery. For your Christmas feast, get your seafood fresh from Urangan Fisheries, Red Shed Seafood or the Australian Ocean King Prawn Company. Then, there's too much in the salad bowl to mention—an abundance of fresh produce, including macadamias, mangoes, juicy lychees, melons of all shapes and sizes and much more. If we each do our little bit in Hinkler and go local first it will go a long way at a time when doing business is a tough gig. I'll be joining forces with state MPs the member for Hervey Bay, David Lee, and the member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett, for this campaign because they want what's best for businesses in our community too.
Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
I rise to speak to the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025. My electorate of Hinkler is famous all over Australia and indeed...
I rise to speak to the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025. My electorate of Hinkler is famous all over Australia and indeed the world for producing some of our nation's finest beverages. The iconic Bundaberg rum, Kalki Moon distillery, the Spirit Collective in Hervey Bay, the legendary Bundaberg ginger beer and, of course, many craft breweries are making a name for themselves, such as 384 North Brewing in Bundaberg and Cauldron Brewing in Hervey Bay. The bill to freeze the indexation on draft beer excise for two years is welcome. But, when it comes to tax relief, many of the makers behind the brands that put my region of Hinkler on the map have been left wanting, and they are hurting, under Labor. If those opposite were serious about addressing the cost of living and the deeper issues surrounding the alcohol excise system, they would have delivered more. The Labor government should have advocated for a comprehensive review of the alcohol system. An ice-cold beer is good, but, when there's more froth than there is amber liquid in your schooner, you'd expect better. That's what the industry wants too. I recently met with the Chair of Diageo, Sir John Manzoni, and his Australasian team when they visited here in Canberra. Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks, and they look after the Bundaberg rum brand and many others. While they are supportive of the tax pause, the freeze applies only to on-premise draught beer, not bottled beer, packaged drinks or wine. So, yes, Diageo, like other industry leaders, support the pause. But Labor should have Treasury conducting a comprehensive review of the alcohol excise system. Extending the draught beer excise freeze to tap spirits is being advocated for by Spirits and Cocktails Australia and supported by the Australian Hotels Association, the Queensland Hotels Association, Clubs Queensland and Clubs Australia and the Night Time Industries Association. Together, they are seeking to extend the two-year freeze on draught beer excise to tap spirits served on premises in hospitality venues. I support that as well. Tap spirits would include bulk containers of spirits and lower-alcohol premixed drinks designed to be connected to pressurised or pump delivery systems. It is not proposed to extend to standard bottles of full-strength spirits or to individual ready-to-drink bottles or cans. The industry is proposing amending the Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 to introduce two new subitems to the excise tariff schedule. This is a small increase to the existing draft beer freeze, which the government expects will cost only $95 million over five years. Tap spirits are a growing part of the product mix for pubs, clubs and small bars. Extending the freeze to tap spirits would provide cost-of-living relief beyond customers who choose to drink beer. In my home state of Queensland, the Queensland Hotels Association has thanked us for backing the freeze on draught beer excise. Yes, it is a win for local pubs, hardworking hospitality workers and every Aussie who enjoys a cold one without needing a small loan. Freezing the biannual indexation of alcohol excise for two years from 1 August this year means beer is cheaper. But let's be honest; while a reprieve, it's hardly noticeable. This commitment to freeze the tax was always matched by the coalition, because we know that clubs, pubs and hospitality workers need a break, and hardworking Aussies deserve to be able to afford a cold one. The reality is that this freeze delivers less than 1c of relief per pint. There's a well-known pub that sits on the Bruce Highway in Childers, in the heart of my electorate of Hinkler. The historic Grand hotel has been owned and run by the Corliss family since the mid-1990s. Dan Corliss, a former police officer, has worked on and off in the family pub over the past 30 years and took on the official role as publican in 2024—something I've always wanted to do. He's quickly taken this country pub in Childers to an international audience, thanks to what's called the Mongrel Menu, featuring some extraordinary food challenges. The widespread interest in these contests is epic. The menu features one-kilogram local steaks and big burgers. Videos of people attempting these challenges generate around 7½ million views on social media every month. Dan has 25 staff, and he's proud of what he's achieved, but clearly Dan and his team need to be creative. While the freeze on tap beer is a reprieve, it's just that. While Dan is grateful, this freeze is only a pause. Publican Dan's family has been in the hospitality game for three decades, and he tells me the one thing that he's always experienced, since the beginning, is the guarantee of rising tax on beer. It's a constant rise, twice a year, year on year—everyone paying more for a beer. It's not good for his family pub and not good for his customers. Dan knows this freeze is good, but it's not going far enough to absorb the high electricity prices and the ever-increasing costs that the suppliers and brewers are passing on. That's where the Nationals plan for a cheaper, better and fairer energy future comes in. Australians can't afford Labor's net zero. Families are paying too much. Jobs are being lost. Forests and farmland are being destroyed. Labor's net zero has failed. The Nationals energy and climate plan is cheaper. We will lower energy prices first, use all of our resources and abandon the commitment to net zero. All carbon taxes and restrictions should be removed. The Nationals energy and climate plan is better because we will protect our local environment through local community action such as waterway protection, land restoration and soil carbon. We will ensure that our national security is not compromised. The Nationals energy and climate plan is fairer because we will reduce emissions in line with comparable nations, not ahead of them. We will ensure that costs are distributed fairly, not concentrated on regional Australia. We need to bring common sense back to solving climate change. In a cost-of-living crisis, net zero is adding to power bills and sending Australian jobs overseas. Even worse, it's damaging the natural environment, when there's a fairer way to reduce emissions. We need to take the pressure off family power bills, protect local jobs and do our fair share to reduce emissions. Let's reduce the costs associated with keeping your beer cold. Let's cut the energy expense so that makers of your favourite drop don't have to pass it on. I don't want to forget the smaller brewers. Power prices are up. Gas prices are sky high. Rent and wages are high. The cost of ingredients to make craft beers is making it tough for these relatively small businesses to make money. The freeze in question is not relevant to most small brewers, as they are already exempt from excise duty on a certain volume of their production through a remission scheme, but these breweries still need more cost relief. They have to compete with the bigger brands, and their overheads, like electricity and wages, are making it very tough. My electorate of Hinkler's array of award-winning makers, brewers and distillers serve up more than amber ales. When it comes to top-tasing tipples, Hinkler leads the pack. The bill to freeze the indexation of draught beer excise for two years is a good thing, but we must expand the scope and focus beyond the beer and onto spirits. The Nationals Federal Council at the weekend moved a motion supporting an ongoing freeze of the federal alcohol excise tax and a reduction of alcohol tax across the board to a fair and equitable level at licensed venues. Because of Labor's economic vandalism, households are paying 15 per cent more for food, 15 per cent more for health, 19 per cent more for housing, 37 per cent more for insurance and nearly 40 per cent more for electricity. Mortgage holders are paying $1,800 more a month, with 12 rate rises and only three cuts since Labor came to power. Everyday Australian are footing the bill for Labor's spending spree, in their tax returns, their electricity bills, their mortgage payments and their growing difficulty in finding a job. Labor has no strategy to address the government spending spree fuelling inflation. There is no sign of a broader excise reform conversation, just piecemeal freezes. Labor must reintroduce quantifiable budget rules. Australians deserve better. The government's two strategies, debt and taxes, are not a plan for prosperity. The coalition's priority is clear: stop the spending spree and start growing the economic pie so Australians can get ahead again. The coalition welcomes any relief for pubs, clubs and beer drinkers, but this needs to be more than a patchwork fix in the face of high inflation. This measure will pause indexation of the beer excise for two years, but it does nothing about inflation in the cost of everything. A 1c cheaper pint is not effective cost-of-living-relief. The Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 are small wins for beer drinkers, brewers and every pub, club and hospitality business across Hinkler and the nation. But more must be done for Australia's hospitality and alcohol industries. This measure is worth just $90 million over the forward estimates. That's tiny compared to the $8 billion collected annually from alcohol taxes by this government. These businesses have gone through COVID, record high inflation and endless cost-of-living pressures. Let's support the ongoing viability and growth of our local industries and Australian jobs. If Labor is serious about the cost of living, it must stop the spending spree and start growing the economic pie. Let's do more for country publicans like Dan at the Grand Hotel Childers and for the craft breweries in Hervey Bay and Bundy. The people of my electorate of Hinkler, like those all over Australia, deserve to enjoy an affordable drink of their choosing. And the pubs, clubs and hospitality workers—and those right throughout the industry and across the supply chain—need more than a reprieve. They need ongoing support, and I will make sure that they continue to get mine.
Hinkler Electorate: Sport, Shaw, Mrs Estelle, Duncan, Senior Constable Brittany | Constituency Statements | House debates
Last week, I had the privilege of personally presenting 17 sporting champions from Hinkler with certificates of recognition for their amazing efforts across a wide range of sports, including...
Last week, I had the privilege of personally presenting 17 sporting champions from Hinkler with certificates of recognition for their amazing efforts across a wide range of sports, including Lincoln Davis from Hervey Bay, who represented Australia in Muay Thai. These school-age stars represented our region in sports such as basketball, touch football, squash, golf, rugby league, BMX and many more. These local sporting champions have received much-needed financial support to attend state, national and even international championships, and I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate them all. You can't get any better than the best in the world. Hinkler is celebrating Hervey Bay's Matthew Hauser becoming the World Triathlon Championship Series 2025 world champion. Only a few days prior to the big race in Wollongong, at my mobile office, I caught up with Matt's very proud grandfather, Syd Dart, in beautiful Burrum Heads. Syd is a well known local and, of course, one of Matty's biggest supporters. The raw emotion as Matt crossed the finish line to secure the world title was something to behold. Matt is the first Aussie since Emma Moffat in 2010 to win a WTCS title. Congratulations to Matt, his family, friends and support team for doing Hervey Bay and Hinkler proud. Not all Hinkler champions come from the sporting field or the track. Estelle Shaw is a hero who wears fluoro. For 30 years, Estelle has kept children safe crossing the road to and from school. A school crossing supervisor, Estelle—affectionately known, of course, as 'the lollipop lady'—has, for nine years at Branyan school and 21 years at Avoca school, served with care and compassion. It's people like Estelle who form the fabric of our community. It was great to be visiting Avoca State School as Estelle was recognised for her work, which I hope continues for many more years to come. I'd like to congratulate Senior Constable Brittany Duncan, a valued member of the Queensland Police Service Wide Bay Burnett district, who recently received the Neighbourhood Watch Australasia Police Commissioner's Award. Senior Constable Duncan is a well-known representative of the police service in my community of Hinkler. This award recognises someone from the police force who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to Neighbourhood Watch Australasia by building strong partnerships between police and the community. A district crime-prevention coordinator for Bundaberg district, Brit has been a Neighbourhood Watch liaison officer for over five years. She is widely respected for her dedication and for supporting key community programs, including Youth in Touch, which uses touch football to divert young people from crime; Rise Up, Be Yourself, a domestic violence support program, known as RUBY; and ThinkUKnow, which promotes online safety. I'd like to commend Brit's dedication and professionalism and thank her for making our community a safer place.
Hinkler Electorate | Adjournment | House debates
My electorate of Hinkler is full of opportunity, new beginnings and wonderful people getting things done. This was on show at the blessing of a new grotto and garden at the Sacred Heart Catholic...
My electorate of Hinkler is full of opportunity, new beginnings and wonderful people getting things done. This was on show at the blessing of a new grotto and garden at the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Childers recently. The famous Bruce Highway runs through this town and the peaceful space is open to locals and travellers looking for somewhere to take a break. The new Maternal Heart Garden and Grotto was officially blessed and dedicated as a place of fellowship, faith and renewal. I had the privilege of being involved in the opening with Father Jack Ho, members of the parish and the year 1 students from the neighbouring St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, where I presented an Australian flag at an earlier assembly. The students sang, danced and used AUSLAN to celebrate the opening. The generosity of the local O'Brien and La Rocca families made this grotto and garden possible. I'm proud to have officially opened the new Hinkler electorate satellite office in Hervey Bay, a bustling and booming community that deserve to have their voices heard. Thankyou to the Leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, for giving his time to celebrate the opening. I've commenced constituent meetings in the office, and on the day of the ribbon cutting I was fortunate enough to spend time with Hervey Bay pharmacist Paul Stanton in the lead up to World Pharmacists Day. Paul shared the challenges and opportunities facing our local pharmacy, and I applaud Paul and all Hinkler pharmacists for their role in keeping my community healthy. I also met with Australian Medical Association of Queensland president and local Hervey Bay GP Dr Nick Yim, who highlighted the need for private practices in Hinkler to be given a fairer go to ensure patients can access more affordable and reliable health care. I've had the fortune to take my mobile office on the road throughout Hinkler over the past two weeks. My 'Straight off the Batt' office visited 17 locations. My team and I said g'day to locals at the Buxton boat ramp, Childers' main street, the wonderful beachside village of Woodgate, Torbanlea, Aldershot, Toogoom, the beautiful Burrum Heads, various locations around Bundy, Burnett Heads, Bargara, Elliott Heads, Pialba, Urangan and River Heads. The strong themes discussed were aged-care concerns, veterans affairs, telecommunications shortfalls, energy policy, rising electricity prices and the cost of living. I thank my community for attending these mobile office locations. I value their feedback. I will always work hard to find solutions to any matters facing the people of Hinkler and ensure regional Aussies get their fair share. I highlight two of Hinkler's finest young ambassadors and leaders: Hervey Bay's Maxim Van Wijk and Bundaberg's Emily Cullinan. Max is 15 years old and has been selected to attend a Rotary youth exchange for 12 weeks in Belgium. Max is hoping to hone his French language and immerse himself in the local culture and cuisine. Emily, from Bundaberg, is also 15 years old and will head to Cancun, Mexico for her three-month exchange. These programs build friendships around the world and teach students a new language and culture. I have proudly met with these two youth exchange ambassadors and presented them with an Australian flag, an Australian pin, a copy of our Constitution and other resources to take with them overseas. On behalf of the Hinkler community, I wish Max and Emily safe travels and look forward to catching up with them both on their return. I wish BUSHkids a happy 90th anniversary. It is a not-for-profit organisation supporting children and families in regional, rural and remote Queensland. Once known as the Royal Queensland Bush Children's Health Scheme, the roots of this organisation are in the electorate of Hinkler, in Hervey Bay. It all started with summer camps for bush children at the QCWA holiday college at Pialba. BUSHkids, as an organisation, has evolved, and it is always about improving the lives of children, particularly those experiencing disadvantage. BUSHkids delivers holistic family centred services in collaboration with local communities, community organisations and health and education providers. In Hinkler, the Early Childhood Approach, or ECA, delivers services in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg, supporting children with disability or developmental delay from birth to age nine. I recently had the privilege of supporting and attending the screening of a film called SEEN, presented by BUSHkids, which provides an inspiring insight into the power of positive parenting. In their 90th year, I applaud the work of BUSHkids staff, the Friends of BUSHkids volunteers, CEO Carlton Meyn, president Dr Neil Bartels and the board for all they are doing to give our youngsters the best shot at life. Thank you.
Get Ready Queensland Week | Statements by Members | House debates
It's Get Ready Queensland Week, a time to prepare for unpredictable weather. Get Ready Queensland's catchphrase, 'Weather doesn't plan but you can,' rings true for my community of Hinkler. In the...
It's Get Ready Queensland Week, a time to prepare for unpredictable weather. Get Ready Queensland's catchphrase, 'Weather doesn't plan but you can,' rings true for my community of Hinkler. In the five years prior to being elected as the federal member for Hinkler, I worked as the community resilience and disaster management officer at Bundaberg Regional Council, helping my community be best prepared for and aware of their risks. This is a passion for me. Cyclones, bushfires, damaging storms and flooding rains are a constant threat. Last week, my community was hit by hailstorms. The Woodgate and Childers regions experienced the worst. This week, multiple bushfires are burning across my electorate. Rural fire crews are working around the clock to protect our community. On 9 March this year, with little warning, Hervey Bay was inundated with a record-breaking deluge as a result of ex-tropical-cyclone Alfred; 189 millimetres of rain fell in just two hours. The recovery is ongoing for hundreds of flooded homes and businesses. The three steps to get ready are knowing your risk, as impacts for extreme weather are different for everyone; making a plan so those in your household have peace of mind; and packing a kit, getting extra supplies at the ready. The parliamentary debate this week surrounding the need for more reliable communication and a more trustworthy 000 service is underlined during Get Ready Queensland Week. These need fixing now. Get Ready Queensland Week runs until Sunday.
Hinkler Electorate, Road Safety | Constituency Statements | House debates
As the newly elected federal member for Hinkler, I will fight for all of those across my diverse electorate. As an election commitment I pledged to do everything in my power to deliver a Hervey...
As the newly elected federal member for Hinkler, I will fight for all of those across my diverse electorate. As an election commitment I pledged to do everything in my power to deliver a Hervey Bay electorate office, an essential service for my community. The very first official correspondence I sent following my successful election was a letter to the special minister of state seeking permission for an office to be established in Hervey Bay. I'm excited to confirm approval has been granted and a location in Pialba has been locked in. There are 62,000 constituents in the southern area of Hinkler, from Aldershot to Torbanlea, Howard, Burrum Heads, Pacific Haven, Toogoom, River Heads and the major centre of Hervey Bay, and I very much look forward to an official opening of this office in the coming weeks. Too many lives are being lost on our roads. In my electorate, I'm sad to say the statistics are among the worst in Queensland. The Wide Bay district, which includes Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, has recorded the highest number of road crash deaths this year—31 lives lost. That is 11 more than the same time last year. Queensland's Road Safety Week was held in August, urging motorists to drive to survive. I spent 23 years as a police officer and I saw firsthand the unimaginable impacts of road crashes. Police are doing all they can with the resources they have, but driver behaviour must change. I commend the Queensland LNP state government for supporting the Road Safety Week initiative, and I acknowledge the state member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett, for working alongside me to spread the important message of road safety. My home of Hinkler is one of the most famous food bowls in the nation. Starting this Friday, for 10 days, locals and tourists will enjoy the annual Taste Bundaberg Festival. It will showcase the finest local produce from our farms, and freshly caught seafood, and will celebrate the world-class makers, processers, retail and hospitality businesses who put Bundaberg on a plate or in a glass. Taste Bundaberg offers a huge line-up of events, including the Mayor's Ball. The gala will raise funds for the Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn's Christmas appeal, supporting some of our amazing local charities and those committee residents in need. I'd like to applaud the local media in my electorate of Hinkler for helping me spread the word about democracy and how civics works in all three levels of government, and for letting the people of Hinkler know what's happening in the parliament while I'm here in Canberra. A special mention goes to the eloquent and engaging Jacob and El from Triple M—they've even introduced the famous Batman theme to play when I'm jumping on the radio. I hope they're tuning in right now and invite me back on air very soon.
Police Week | Private Members' Business | House debates
I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Wide Bay and fellow former Queensland police officer, Llew O'Brien. I am honoured to speak after all the others who have spoken in this...
I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Wide Bay and fellow former Queensland police officer, Llew O'Brien. I am honoured to speak after all the others who have spoken in this chamber from all sides of the parliament who either have been police officers or are supporting police right across Australia. I note that Police Week will be held across Australia this month and will conclude on National Police Remembrance Day, on Monday 29 September 2025. I begin by expressing my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues mourning the tragic and senseless deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, murdered in the line of duty. They were two respected police officers killed in Porepunkah, Victoria. One was a keen traveller on secondment and the other was a senior colleague nearing retirement. At times of tragedy, we throw assistance around those who need it most, and so we should, but we must give police officers more support all the time, every day. Those who are serving and those who have served deserve better. Being a police officer at any level is a tough job, and it's getting harder. The thin blue line is getting thinner. I spent 23 years as a copper. In my time in the Queensland Police Service, I served in uniform and as a detective. Recognising the hardships of those I worked alongside, I became a police union representative for a 14-year period. I also volunteered as a peer support officer for over 10 years, helping officers and their families in times of need. Close friends of mine have lost their lives. A former partner, while conducting a raid, was accidentally shot by a police firearm. His life was lost. In a shooting in my home town of Bundaberg, an armed suspect died. Police officers have to live with that trauma. Yes, I have friends, colleagues, who have taken their own lives while serving, and also those who haven't been able to deal with the memories that haunted them years after they left the force. Today I renew calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the police recruitment and retention crisis because if there is no swift action, more lives will be lost. How on Earth will we attract anyone to join that thin blue line? When the Police Federation of Australia calls for fringe benefit tax concessions for police officers, we must listen. When there are proposals put forward to consider the introduction of a blue card to cover medical and allied health services like the ones afforded to members of the Australian Defence Force, we must assess. When there are requests for early access to superannuation for police officers, recognising the significant physical and mental demands placed on them throughout their careers, we must give this the consideration it deserves. I don't want to lose any more friends. In addition, while I have the privilege of being able to speak in this chamber on behalf of police officers from across Australia and their families and friends, I believe we should take another important step. The parliamentary inquiry should include a full review of police suicides of serving and retired officers across Australia. Let us find a way to invest properly in mental health support for police, and not only while they are serving; let's have meaningful support services and networks in place once they have left the force. In support of the motion from the federal member for Wide Bay, I also take this opportunity to commend the work of Police Legacy. I had a great friend and mentor who was taken too soon, Peter Edwards, a detective sergeant from the Bundaberg criminal investigation branch. Peter died from a brain tumour. He left behind four children and his wife, Debbie. While his colleagues, as they always do, wrap their arms around Pete's family, it was Police Legacy that assisted his family with financial support, even helping with school and university fees for all four of his children. I support the call to acknowledge the role and service of police officers in our communities. Let us honour the lives of those police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and not forget those who have suffered injury. To the police officers keeping us safe in my electorate of Hinkler and right across this nation, thank you for your support, courage and bravery. Thank you for your dedicated service. We must do better for you. I have been to far too many police funerals. Let's make a difference now before it's too late.
Greenhalgh, Mr Michael (John) | Statements by Members | House debates
Today my community farewells a beloved personality. John Greenhalgh, Bundaberg born and bred, passed away on August 14. He coined the phrase, 'the Paris end of Bourbong', a reference to the...
Today my community farewells a beloved personality. John Greenhalgh, Bundaberg born and bred, passed away on August 14. He coined the phrase, 'the Paris end of Bourbong', a reference to the eastern end of the city of Bundaberg's main street. It's this part of the CBD where his family business, the famous Avenell Brothers, proudly operates. John lived a full and vibrant life. He was always exceptionally dressed, renowned for those colourful bow ties. He was the heart and soul of Bundaberg's oldest gift and homewares store. More than a shop, the business delivers an iconic experience, meticulously filled to the brim with fine gifts, and offering a first-class service. Avenell's of Bundaberg was opened in 1898 by Frederick William Avenell, John's great-grandfather. The first store was established diagonally opposite its current site. John's funeral was held this morning in Bundaberg, and while I couldn't be there, it's an honour to pay tribute to him here in parliament today. Melanice Jacobsen is the owner of a neighbouring store, Cha Cha Chocolate. She summed up John's passing by saying he will be deeply missed and that our community will never be the same, and neither will our hearts. I pass on my condolences to the family, friends and customers who are mourning John's passing today. May the Avenell Brothers' traditions live on, and so too John 's legacy. He will be dearly missed and always remembered. John was the Paris end of Bundaberg. He was 70.
Education: Civics | Statements by Members | House debates
Delivering and advocating for civics education is an absolute priority of mine. Whilst the Speaker has made the admirable commitment to visit each of our electorates around the nation to help...
Delivering and advocating for civics education is an absolute priority of mine. Whilst the Speaker has made the admirable commitment to visit each of our electorates around the nation to help spread the good word, my undertaking is to visit every single school in Hinkler throughout this term. That's a total of 54 schools. These schools are filled with thousands of students, our aspiring leaders of tomorrow, and some are already making their mark as the exceptional young leaders of today—including Sarah, a year 11 student from Urangan State High School, who I met here in Canberra last week. Sarah was selected as one of 12 in the country to participate in Research Australia's Future Health Leaders program. Having received a replica parliamentary mace from the Speaker, I'm very pleased to report that it has been on tour with me and is a very popular talking point. In Hervey Bay, I've presented flags and spoken with students who are striving for success at Sandy Strait State School. In the Bundaberg region, I've attended both Goodwood and Bundaberg South state schools. And, with immense pride, I returned to my former school, Bundaberg State High School. It was there I launched the My First Speech competition. (Time expired)