I’m delighted to be calling for expressions of interest from local community groups for the 2024-2025 Volunteer Grants. The Volunteer Grants support the work of local community organisations by reducing barries for volunteers and increasing participation in volunteering. Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 will be available to eligible not-for-profit community organisations to support the efforts of their…
For more than 14 years I’ve had the honour of representing the electorate of McPherson in the federal parliament, and today I rise to give my final speech in this place. During my time as the Member for McPherson, I’ve experienced firsthand the many challenges and the great rewards of serving the Australian people. I’ve…
One of the many high points in my role as the member for McPherson is the opportunity to meet our community organisations and their many volunteers. Just last week I again hosted community groups to thank them for their support of so many people on the Gold Coast. I thank Burleigh Community Men’s Shed, Currumbin…
Today I rise to wish Mervyn Sidney Latham a happy 100th birthday on 14 October 2024. Born at Port Macquarie, Merv spent his early years helping out on the family farm and at his grandfather’s blacksmith shop. His hard work at school meant he passed the rigorous entrance exam for the Public Service, where he…
Earlier this month, I had the absolute privilege of meeting with an 11-year-old boy who lives in my electorate. His name is Dexter Welsh, and he has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. He came into my office with his mother to tell me not only what his story was but what they would like…
I actually hadn’t intended to speak on this motion, but, having listened to the speakers on the other side, I thought it would be appropriate for me to put on the record some positions that I have long held in this place. If you can just bear with me while I am briefly self-indulgent, I…
Each year all southern Gold Coast students – from Grades 3 to 6 – are invited to participate in a special Christmas Card Drawing Competition. Download the entry form (below) and draw a picture of “Christmas on the Gold Coast”. The winning entry will receive a bumper Book and Art Pack and their drawing will…
Last night the Parliamentary Friends of the Space Industry group convened a very large group of not only space enthusiasts but organisations, companies and businesses from across Australia that are doing some fantastic work in the space industry. I had the opportunity to meet with many of those people last night, some of whom I…
The southern Gold Coast is home to many veterans and their families, who have given so much for their country in often the most unimaginable of circumstances. Today, I again reaffirm my commitment to them, as I did in my first speech in this place, and I thank our veterans for their service. Each year…
Last weekend the Zonta Golden Z Club at Griffith University, Gold Coast set up a black shoe display at the Runaway Bay Shopping Centre. At that display there were 31 pairs of black shoes, with each pair representing a woman who died between 1 January and 31 May this year from gender-based violence. I thank…