Catherine King
Ballarat · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“NSW Government has been working to develop an engineering solution and a procurement process in parallel. That's not normally how it works, but they've been trying to expedite that as quickly as possible to work out the way forward. There's been a detailed and careful process to do that because we know we can't take shortcuts with this.”
“I thank the member for Calare for his question, and I also acknowledge the member for Macquarie for her advocacy. She's been in my office consistently about this on behalf of the Blue Mountains community.”
“They will then work with my department on a specific funding request, but I spoke to Minister Aitchison on Friday to signal my support for the Commonwealth assisting in what we know is a very significant piece of infrastructure not just for the Blue Mountains but also the member for Calare's community.”
“It's a little bigger than Navigators, with around 350 households, and I was there last week to celebrate beloved local postie Lyn McNight, who has been delivering the mail for 27 years.”
“We're continuing to invest across the country in transport routes from road to rail, whether it be the completion of Metronet or, today, the start of construction of the new Swan electric ferry fleet. The Suburban Rail Loop and North East Link in Melbourne are providing critical links across Melbourne's suburban network.”
“When considering the Ballarat electorate, you might think of the City of Ballarat itself, with its gold rush buildings, its gardens, our lakes, Sovereign Hill and many proud local manufacturers, like McCain, Mars and Haymes Paint, or our cafes and restaurants, which will soon be battling it out again for the annual Ballarat's Best Pie com…”
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“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Aviation Consumer Protection (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill provides clarity that a breach by an airline of a standard in the Aviation Consumer Protections Charter will not result in the cancellation of a licence under the Air Navigation Act 1920. The consequential bill also ensures a smooth transition from the current non-legislated Aircraft Noise Ombudsperson (ANO) in Airservices Australia to the new independent, statutory ANO arrangements. I commend this bill to the House. Debate adjourned.”
“It establishes the procedures for collecting and administering the cost recovery charges, in line with the framework set by the levy bill. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Aviation Consumer Protection Levy (Collection) Bill provides for the collection of levies to cost recover administration costs associated with the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill. The cost recovery charges are intended to recover the costs of activities carried out by the Aviation Consumer Protection Authority (ACPA), which the ACP Bill establishes as a regulatory function within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (the department). The collection bill outlines the process for the collection of these charges, ensuring that the levies imposed on regulated entities are effectively managed and distributed.”
“The Australian government intends the annual general levy to offset the cost of administering the aviation consumer protections contained in the ACP Bill, while ensuring the levy is applied equitably. The minister will be required to consider whether the levy payable by the regulated entity is a fair proportion of the total annual funds raised via the levy. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Aviation Consumer Protection Levy Bill forms a key part of a package of bills to hold the aviation industry accountable for delivering better outcomes for consumers and to deliver on our commitment to improve aviation consumer protection. The levy bill allows the minister to set levy amounts to impose and collect moneys by enabling regulations to be made that will cost recover the administrative expenses associated with administration of the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill by the Aviation Consumer Protection Authority. The annual levy is based on the estimated costs of the regulatory functions of the regulator.”
“The Aircraft Noise Ombudsperson, responsible for independent reviews of Airservices Australia's and Defence's management of aircraft noise-related activities, will also transition into the department. They will continue their current work, independent of Airservices Australia and Defence. This is about ensuring the public has confidence in the aircraft noise ombudsperson's findings and its recommendations. This bill will improve outcomes for consumers and ensure the aviation sector is accountable for the services they offer and is focussed on aviation consumers. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned.”
“This will assist the regulator and the ombudsperson to determine whether or not a disruption, delay or cancellation was within or outside of the relevant entity's control. Both the ombudsperson and the regulator will also have an advocacy role, ensuring consumer concerns are heard and actioned by conducting inquiries, advising government and promoting best practice. The ombudsperson and the regulator will provide consumer-focused education and best-practice advice to consumers, the aviation industry, and the government on complaints handling. The regulator will lead advocacy in relation to any systemic consumer-facing issues identified in the sector, regulatory improvement that is required, and public reporting.”
“The regulator will also carry out enforcement activities related to the charter and the framework, including pursuing enforcement of Aviation Consumer Ombudsperson determinations on behalf of the ombudsperson through judicial processes if necessary. The charter will create obligations for airlines and airports towards consumers in the event of a flight disruption, delay or cancellation. The charter will also contain minimum standards in relation to booking information and assistance, communicating with consumers and complaint handling. To support greater public transparency and accountability, the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill will also facilitate the reporting and publication of reasons for flight delays, cancellations and disruptions to the department and consumers respectively.”
“If an airline or airport operator has acted inconsistently with the charter and a consumer is not satisfied with the handling of their complaint, they will be able to seek assistance from the ACO. The ACO will have several ways to help resolve the complaint such as through an investigation, compelling the provision of information, recommending a particular course of action, and/or facilitating a dispute resolution process. The ombudsperson will be empowered to make a determination to require an airline or airport operator to resolve a consumer complaint in a particular way. The regulator will be established in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. It will enforce the charter and be empowered to investigate systemic issues facing consumers in the aviation sector.”
“A more coherent aviation consumer protection framework will be capable of both assisting consumers to resolve disputes and encourage improved service standards across the aviation sector. The bill This bill establishes the Aviation Consumer Protection framework which will comprise: An independent company, limited by guarantee, will operate the Aviation Consumer Ombudsperson scheme. This company, the ACO company, will be governed by a board of directors with equal representation from industry, consumers and an independent chair. Regulated entities—airlines and airports—will be required to become members of the company. One of the central functions of the ACO will be operating an aviation specific external dispute resolution service for consumer complaints about airlines and airports.”
“In December last year, on average, over a quarter of domestic flights reported were delayed on arrival and were delayed on departure. While airline performance, including on-time performance, has improved since the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still a broader need to better protect aviation consumers. Research from the Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government shows that more than one in two Australian adults travelled by air between August 2024 and August 2025, and that one in two of those travellers experienced a flight disruption. Only a third of those travellers were satisfied with how these disruptions were handled. Australians with disabilities, medical conditions or injuries—who accounted for one in four air passengers—report even lower levels of satisfaction.”
“This assessment has been supported by feedback from consumers, consumer advocacy groups and consumer and fair-trading regulators, who have told us that in recent years the domestic airline industry has demonstrated poor customer service, decreasing service quality, and that the ACA is ineffective at resolving disputes. An independent review into airline and airport complaint handling processes advised the government that airlines and airports have work to do to lift their complaint handling standards, and that existing consumer pathways to escalate complaints are unclear, confusing and vary in their effectiveness. Data from the government's Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics shows that issues with on-time performance are substantial.”
“While the levy bills enable the government to recover costs of operating the regulatory function through industry levies, we are mindful of the current burden on industry due to the conflict in the Middle East and will make appropriate decisions in that regard. The white paper In 2024, the government released the Aviation w hite p aper: t owards 2050 , a series of 56 policies setting the direction for the aviation industry to give passengers a better deal and enhance competition, while ensuring the industry maintains Australia's strong safety record—a record of which we are very proud. The white paper acknowledged that the industry-led Airline Customer Advocate (ACA) had not delivered an effective complaint resolution service, and that it was now necessary for the government to establish a more effective body.”
“This bill, the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026, which is being introduced together with the Aviation Consumer Protection Levy Bill, the Aviation Consumer Protection Levy (Collection) Bill, and the Aviation Consumer Protection (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill—which I'll move shortly—represent the most significant reform any government has ever introduced for aviation consumer protection in this country. Reforms have been developed in close consultation with the public, with industry, and with experts to ensure that we are delivering meaningful protections for passengers, while maintaining a competitive and sustainable aviation sector.”
“Our airlines have been working under really difficult circumstances and the government is incredibly grateful for the work that they have done to ensure Australians in the Middle East have been able to fly home safely. But this current international crisis reminds us how important it is for Australian travellers to have increased protections when they fly and a clear understanding of what they are entitled to. That is why the Australian government is bringing forward the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill package today, delivering on our commitment to hold the aviation industry accountable for delivering better outcomes for consumers.”
“While airline performance has generally improved since the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still a need to offer greater protection for Australian travellers, including fair and appropriate treatment by airlines and airports when things go wrong. Events i n t he Middle East The events over the last month have also shown how times of global crisis can impact us domestically. The conflict in the Middle East has led to flight and fuel disruptions, and broader uncertainty for travellers here and abroad. We have seen passengers who are unsure of what to do next, and what recourse is available to them if their flights are cancelled or delayed.”
“I move: That this bill now be read a second time. Introduction Aviation is a national connecter. It binds our cities to our regions, our exports to the world, and our families to one another. Because of our vast continent and the distances that we travel, Australians rely on aviation perhaps more than many other people around the globe. That is why it is so critical that the aviation sector builds and maintains the trust of Australian travellers. Until now, consumers have relied on airlines handling escalated complaints themselves through voluntary industry arrangements. This has not worked and consumers have often been left disappointed with the outcomes.”
“We are working day and night to sure up our fuel supply, to help people with the cost of living and to keep Australia moving. We're not going to take advice from those opposite on how to support truck drivers because what you did when in government was drop the fuel excise and forgot about the road user charge that meant that truck drivers couldn't get the same relief when we were facing those cash flow challenges. This time, I remind them that their costings, frankly, were $1 billion short. Did you think it was going to be for free? Clearly you did—$1 billion short.”
“It has been welcomed by the Australian Trucking Association, the Tourism and Transport Forum, the Business Council of Australia, Gas Energy Australia, the Australian Retail Council, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Road Transport Association as well as many others. The ATA has said: In total, the decision will save trucking operators 32.4 cents per litre. It is the lifeline that small trucking businesses need. As we come into Easter, TTF has said: Anything that helps bring down transport costs across the supply chain is a win for the entire tourism sector … This work is, of course, complemented by the changes to the Fair Work Act which passed the parliament yesterday so that truck drivers can quickly renegotiate their rates with Australia's major retailers.”
“We're also deferring the next scheduled increase of the heavy vehicle road user charge by six months, and we're also halving the fuel excise for petrol and diesel for three months to save 23.6c per litre at the pump. States and territories have agreed to look at their registration charges for heavy vehicles in conjunction with what we've done and also to continue to discuss the GST and do all they can to ensure that there is some of that increase returned. The legislation to do the fuel decrease was introduced just this morning. It will give transport owners and operators much needed relief, easing fuel costs while they continue to carry food, medicine and other essentials right the way across this country.”
“Can I thank very much the member for Bendigo for her question. She knows just how important the announcements we made yesterday are for regional communities like hers. I've been meeting regularly with the transport and fuel industries together to make sure that we are working off the same information, and I'll meet again with them tomorrow. They told me that heavy vehicle operators were struggling to cover the costs of rising fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East. Following National Cabinet yesterday, of course, the Prime Minister announced that our government would reduce the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months.”
“To Adam and the team: you've created an event in Ballarat that really showcases our city but also showcases the spirit of people working together to make sure that our community is a great place. It's a terrific celebration on the streets. I'll be there yet again to see people running. I'm not going to participate—unfortunately I'm not a runner—but there will be lots of people I know. The joy that you see, particularly in families' faces as they're running with their children, is really a sight to behold. I look forward to a very, very successful Ballarat Marathon here on the Anzac Day weekend in April.”
“Last year, an 81-year-old runner was cheered on as they completed the race in six hours and 13 minutes. The marathon is more than just a race. It frankly is a Ballarat extravaganza. The race begins in the front of our stunning 1870s town hall, then goes along Sturt Street, under the Arch of Victory and down the Avenue of Honour before circling Lake Wendouree. The marathon really leans into what Ballarat is known and loved for. The trophies are gold pans crafted at Sovereign Hill, and redcoat soldiers from Sovereign Hill fire the musket at the starting gun to begin the race. The journey to this point, for the Ballarat Marathon, has been a marathon indeed.”
“For this year's event, in April, the marathon and half marathon have already sold out, and we're expecting around 12,500 participants to take to the streets of Ballarat. The event now has 35 staff and over 450 volunteers. National and international brands have signed up to support it. Two-time Olympian Genevieve Gregson and her husband, Ryan, are running the half marathon this year. For elite runners, the Ballarat Marathon is a World Athletics ranking event and a qualifying race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors 2027 age group world championships. It's an event for elite athletes, but it's also an event for everyone. In the past two years, we've seen children running with their parents in the five-kilometre or mile sections and then stopping along the route to support others.”
“Back in 2021, local dad Adam McNicol came to see me with an idea. Adam had been made redundant through COVID and had taken up running with his neighbour. After a visit to the Great Ocean Road Running festival, he thought, 'What if we could create something similar in Ballarat?' For a lot of people, that would have been the end of the idea, but Adam, frankly, didn't stop. He got City of Ballarat onside, he got local businesses and sponsors on board, and he got Ballarat royalty Steve Moneghetti to be an ambassador and chief problem solver for his idea, which has become the Ballarat Marathon. At the inaugural event, in 2024, there were 4,700 runners. In 2025 there were 9,400 runners.”
“Just today we've introduced legislation to underwrite the purchase of fuel, fertiliser and other essentials by the private sector so we can secure more cargo coming to Australia. Of course this builds on the work we're doing right the way across government, such as releasing more petrol and diesel onto the market, working with our regional partners to shore up supply and trade of essential goods, and getting fuel into regional and agricultural communities that are facing fuel disruptions. We are working right the way across government and across governments to get bipartisanship and a united approach to address these fuel disruptions. We are working with industry and unions and supporting businesses, workers and their suppliers.”
“Heavy vehicle operators will see a direct reduction at the bowser and cash flow relief through full access through the fuel tax credit. We of course have also halved the fuel excise on petrol and diesel for three months, and halving that will reduce the cost of fuel by 26.3 cents per litre. These changes in road user charging in particular have been called for by the Australian Trucking Association, the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association as well as the Bus Industry Confederation, which does so much work in our public transport system. Our government is taking strong action to secure our fuel supply, help people with cost of living and keep Australia moving.”
“If we had just reduced fuel excise, as those opposite proposed, without the road user charge, it would have had a significant and material impact on our trucking and supply companies. That is what they did last time, and they left a significant mess for us to clean up in relation to that. These measures will, of course, complement changes to the Fair Work Act to ensure truck drivers can quickly renegotiate their rates with Australia's major retailers. The government will also defer the next scheduled increase in the heavy vehicle road user charge by six months. We also raised with states and territories that they could also consider their charges around registration. We know transport operators are feeling the pressure of rising fuel prices, and they have told us that they're struggling at the moment to absorb that cost.”
“I thank the member for Spence for his question and also for his continued advocacy for transport workers. We do understand that Australians are doing it tough right now, and we're working around the clock to address domestic fuel disruptions that are occurring because of the war in the Middle East. This morning, led by the Prime Minister, National Cabinet met again to ensure a nationally coordinated approach to these fuel disruptions. Following this, the government has announced that we are reducing the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months to help ease costs for truck companies who are carrying essential supplies right the way across the nation. This is something that they have called for, and it is an important measure alongside the cuts to fuel excise.”
“When this was brought up for debate today, their argument was that they couldn't possibly support a quicker contract chain order, because we were moving too fast. The member for Cook said that he'd spoken to a couple of trucking companies who are worried about going insolvent, and then he and his Liberal colleagues literally, again, scuttled out of this chamber instead of voting for these changes that the trucking industry have called as being urgent. The Leader of the Opposition, who's been busy there interjecting, couldn't even be bothered to turn up for the debate at all. Our parliament has been asked to act to support the trucking industry. They might have a lot of people with 'leader' in their title over there opposite, but they are surely lacking in leadership when it comes to what is an important issue for our truck industry.”
“And today we moved to do just that, because our freight industry cannot bear the cost of increased fuel prices alone, because a strong transport sector ensures our food moves from our farms to our tables, goods from warehouses to our shopfronts and fuel from our refineries to our petrol bowsers. To ensure that the transport industry remains strong, they need to have the levers to adjust quickly to what we know is a changing environment. Our amendments have been welcomed by the Australian Trucking Association, National Road Freighters Association, Road Transport Association and the TWU. They told us they were vital and urgent, but we know who didn't seem to welcome the urgency of these amendments. It was those opposite.”
“We've amended the fuel standards for petrol and now the flashpoint for diesel to make sure that we can get more supply onto the market. We've passed legislation—just before!—in the House to strengthen the ACCC's hand, and we continue to monitor airlines and airfares closely. We're working with regional partners like Singapore and Korea to shore up supplies, strengthen our energy security and support the flow of essential goods. The PM, of course, will hold another National Cabinet on the fuel supply, to ensure that we're getting that coordinated response right the way across the country, on Monday. We said we would move quickly to introduce to the House changes to the Fair Work Act to ensure that our truck drivers and our logistics companies can quickly renegotiate their rates with Australia's major retailers.”
“I thank the member for Gorton for her question and also thank her for her advocacy for a great freight route, the Western Highway, that runs right along the spine of both of our electorates. This morning I again met with representatives from the transport and fuel sector. We are ensuring that government, industry, suppliers and unions are operating from the same information so that, when we need to move quickly, we can. As a government, we have so far released 20 per cent of the minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel, particularly directing it to regional communities. We've appointed the Fuel Supply Task Force Coordinator, Anthea Harris, to work with states and industry to ensure fuel keeps flowing to where it is needed.”
“While we're getting on with the job of dealing with an international global crisis, those opposite simply are an absolute joke.”
“We see absolute chaos and no ideas at all. In the Senate yesterday, the shadow minister for infrastructure announced that the coalition would be supporting a motion for the Commonwealth to pay states and territories for their public transport fares. It's up to them to say they're going to do that. But, when it actually came down to the vote itself, all of the Liberal members fled the chamber. It was, frankly, like watching a game of follow the leader. The only problem was they couldn't decide which leader. There are now more people with 'leader 'in their title in the coalition than there are women sitting on the frontbench in the House. Imagine them each morning: 'leader', 'leader', 'leader', 'leader', 'leader'—hello!”
“We've announced legislation to amend the Fair Work Act so transport operators can renegotiate the cost of fuel in their contracts now, not in six months time. We've introduced legislation to strengthen the ACCC's hand, doubling penalties for companies found guilty of unfairly raising their fuel prices. And we continue to monitor airlines and airfares closely. We're working with our regional partners, like Singapore and Korea, to shore up supplies, strengthening energy security, and support the flow of essential goods. In the longer term, we are of course building a sustainable fuels industry here in Australia through our $1.1 billion Cleaner Fuels Program. Our government is continuing to work around the clock to respond to these fuel price spikes and the issues around supply. But, when we look at those opposite, what do we see?”
“Can I thank the member for Hasluck for her question and her interest in the transport industry in particular. Since the commencement of the Middle East conflict, we have been working to ensure that Australians have access to the fuel that they need. I'm in regular contact with transport representatives working on practical measures to address the consequences of rising international fuel prices. Tomorrow I will convene a third such meeting of transport and the fuel industry together. Across government and industry, we are working on a coordinated approach, and already we have released 20 per cent of the minimum stockholding obligation for petrol and diesel, particularly directed to regional communities, and amended fuel standards for petrol and now, announced yesterday, diesel to allow more supply into the market.”
“I particularly want to give a shout-out and thanks to the pilots and flight crews who have carefully and expertly navigated flights out of the Middle East, when it has been safe to do so. Qantas have also been putting on additional flights to Sydney via Singapore so Australians have more ways to get home and to the world. Our regular engagements across industries have helped inform the actions that this government is taking. That's what you do. You engage with the industry and you work with your departments when you've got times like these, and you make sure that you're actually being a patriot, not political.”
“Government, industry and unions were all united in their support for this change. This is one of the many actions that the Albanese government is taking to address fuel costs and to support businesses and workers across our important transport sector. We're able to do this because of our close and regular engagement with them. Throughout this time, I've been meeting regularly with representatives from the road transport, rail, aviation and maritime sector, joined by representatives of the fuel industry. Along with providing me and my department with updates on impacts on the industry, they are also advising me of the work that they're doing to support the safe arrival of Australians from the Middle East. We know already that over 7,700 Australians have arrived home safely from the UAE and Qatar since the beginning of this conflict.”
“It's why I was so pleased to join with Minister Rishworth this morning to announce the amendments to the Fair Work Act which will allow for transport operators to apply to renegotiate with their clients more quickly so that they can more fairly share the cost of fuel spikes across the supply chain. Currently, the Fair Work Commission cannot deliver a determination for at least six months. For those opposite, it's going to be a question of whether you will support that legislation when it is introduced next week. With truck operators having such tight margins, they cannot wait, and it would be good if the opposition signalled their support sooner rather than later. Some of the larger supermarkets are already working with the trucking industry to renegotiate contracts, but this should be happening right the way across the board.”
“I thank the member for Aston for the question. It was great to join her on Henderson Road in Knoxfield just last week. It's one of the great projects that's being built through her electorate. I want to start by saying that I do know how tough it has been for workers in the transport industry over the past few weeks. They drive through the night to get food on our supermarket shelves, medicines to pharmacies and fuel to our petrol stations. It's been particularly challenging to grapple with spikes in demand for fuel delivery across the last few weeks. In the last couple of weeks, they've also been dealing, of course, with rising fuel costs eating into their bottom line.”
“Supporting women is good for our communities, good for our families and good for the economy, and we are backing that up with real action. We've legislated for 10 days paid domestic violence and family leave. We've expanded paid parental leave to six months, and we're paying super on it. And we've supported pay increases in female dominated industries, such as child care and aged care. For us, these issues are front and centre of our economic agenda. On this side of the House, we are moving forward with women's equality, but you only need to walk some 20 steps in that direction to go back almost 20 years. Last month, we saw the Liberals roll their first female leader, and just yesterday we saw the Nationals elect Senator Canavan as their leader.”
“I thank the member for Griffith for her question. She is one of 50 fabulous women we have on this side of the chamber. I'm so pleased to say that this past Sunday, to mark International Women's Day, the Albanese government's annual S tatus of w omen report card showed that we are making progress towards gender equality. The report shows that Australia is ranked 13th globally for gender equality, our highest score ever, when we were ranked in 2022, under those opposite, at 43rd. It also shows that the gender pay gap is now 11.5 per cent, our lowest ever. When those opposite left office, we were at 14.1 per cent. Now, I know, because of the work of our fabulous minister for health, over 303,000 women have accessed new, cheaper contraceptives on the PBS in the last year alone. We are so proud of these achievements.”
“We've recently seen some of the 2022 election commitments opened, cutting the ribbon on the Vicars Street Community Hub, a terrific new multigenerational facility in my electorate, the Central Springs Recreational Reserve and work is progressing on other projects across the electorate. I would recommend a visit, for anyone who is keen to go, to the springs in Daylesford. It is a beautiful place featured on The Block just last year and I know they've seen visitors go up as a result of that. I'm thrilled again to be able to have the opportunity to not only represent my community—it's the proudest job I have—but also to lead the infrastructure and transport portfolios and to do so within a government that is committed to delivering for all Australians. I commend the appropriation bills to the House.”
“It will be a place of connection and practical support for the servicemen and women to whom we owe so much in our community, and also for their families and their supporters. Our work is well under way in making sure that that Veterans Hub becomes a reality, and I do want to thank and particularly acknowledge not only Andrew Hamilton and the team behind the Ballarat Veterans Assistance Centre for their many years of advocacy for this project but also the City of Ballarat for being fully prepared to step forward with premises to actually now make this hub a reality. I'm looking forward to the progress across all of these election commitments from 2025.”
“They don't just deliver the show but also play an integral role in supporting primary producers and showcasing agriculture throughout the region and lots of other events as well. We've committed over $1.5 million towards the event and exhibition centre. I'm really looking forward to its hosting the Ballarat Wine Show, agricultural workshops and private events as well. In essence, it will ensure the sustainability of the show for generations to come. We've also committed to community soccer upgrades in Creswick and Daylesford, pretty important areas, as well as to the Don Wallace Recreation Reserve through to Teasdale. The other commitment we made during the election was to the Veterans Hub.”
“This is not the reflection that any of us want to see of our community, and I want to thank the many members, including the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, who have been supporting members of the Muslim community in Ballarat recently and will continue to over the coming days and weeks. The money to BRMC will improve its accessibility and support the multicultural council to do its important work in our city going forward. The Ballarat Agricultural Show has also played an iconic role in Ballarat for almost 170 years. This show is something many families look forward to each year and it's always a brilliant day out. It's run by a terrific group of volunteers.”
“As, of course, a very proud and welcoming country, we are proud and welcoming community, one where people support each other. The Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council operates out of an old high-school building called the Ballarat Welcome Centre. It's a beautiful site, but the building needs some love, and I was delighted to pledge $500,000 to revitalise its facilities. The role of the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council and the work that they do to ensure social cohesion and harmony in our community has been starkly highlighted by some terrible events that occurred at an iftar event in my community in the suburb of Alfredton.”
“For some time now, local survivors and supporters have been working together on the design of a memorial, a place of healing, recognition and quiet reflection, a place in the heart of Victoria Park that acknowledges and honours all survivors of sexual abuse and assault. I was incredibly proud to stand with survivors and their supporters in Ballarat's Victoria Park and commit $500,000 for the Continuous Voices Memorial. This commitment from this government together with the previously announced support from the Victorian government and the City of Ballarat will ensure this project is a reality. The commitment assures survivors that we see you, we believe you and we support you, and it will provide a space for everybody to continue to reflect on what happened not only in our town but across the country.”
“I never take for granted the honour it is to represent my community here in our nation's capital, and I continue to work every day to get the best outcomes for people in Ballarat. Throughout last year's election campaign, I had the opportunity to respond to the advocacy of our councils and many local organisations and to commit to a number of projects that would make a tangible and positive difference to local people. One of the most important of those in our community is the Continuous Voices Memorial in Victoria Park. I've spoken before in this place of Ballarat's history of institutional abuse and the way that it continues to echo through generations.”