Tony Pasin
Barker · Liberal Party · Australia
“But the truth is that, in the modern age, if you want to share and communicate with your constituency, or if you're in business and you want to share and communicate with customers, if you're not on a digital platform then you're missing out.”
“I feel a little like an imposter talking on this bill. Many of my colleagues who know me know that I'm probably best described as a Luddite. Even as a Luddite, in this role one has to be across the role of online presences.”
“But it is important that we understand that, as positive as experiences can be in the digital online environment, there are also substantial risks. Like others, I've read of very tragic circumstances. I've had constituents, parents, come to me concerned about the way algorithms are seeking to lock young people in.”
“I've got to say that, during question time, I do sometimes turn off as the Prime Minister is preening his feathers, giving us the 'never had it better' speech, luxuriating in his hubris.”
“It's true to say that today's an important day. It's a day when our nation turns an important page. I do, just as an aside, have to query why those opposite would spend the majority of their contributions obsessing over the Liberal Party on such an important day—on a day when they could be talking about what those opposite are actually ac…”
“Labor's cuts will not reduce demand for health care; they will simply shift more Australians from private health to the public system. That means greater pressure on public hospitals and health services that are already under strain. I want to conclude with another email from a constituent.”
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“Indeed, Australia left the Chinese market, and our competitors, Italy, Chile, France and America, all saw a market decline at the same time. So a major exporter, Australia, leaves the market, and it is still in decline. The reality is that there needs to be structural assistance in relation to the Australian wine industry. We're going to lose this industry, and I fear for older producers who simply have no other option but to fall destitute. I call on those opposite to heed the calls of the Australian wine industry. Regional Australians, particularly South Australians, have been forgotten during this drought. Much of regional South Australia is living through the most severe drought in living memory. There is limited to no support available—no specific support.”
“I'll tell you about another policy area that's falling on deaf ears, and that's the Australian wine industry. I've got viticulturists in my electorate that have lost money in three or four successive vintages. This can't continue. Those opposite were fond, in the lead up to the election and indeed in the lead up to the '22 election, of blaming former prime minister Morrison for his actions vis-a-vis China. The truth is that didn't help, but the reality is that's a misunderstanding of what's happening globally to the wine industry. Globally, demand for wine and the propensity to drink wine is in sharp decline. That might be because people want to be healthier. It might be because people are choosing alternative drinks. The reality is demand has crashed, and it has crashed globally.”
“I note my colleague opposite referred to some seat, and that might be true, but when we're close to losing the seat of Bendigo, you might need to be a little concerned about what's happening in regional Australia. I can tell you what is happening in regional Australia. Regional Australia is feeling ignored. It felt ignored during this campaign and it's feeling ignored right now. When you've got people pleading with the Prime Minister to save their industry, an industry that's done every single thing that government has asked of it—and I appreciate you, Deputy Speaker Wilkie, don't share my view on this topic. The campaign to keep the sheep was one that resonated in two electorates, and perhaps that's why the call to save the live sheep industry fell on deaf ears.”
“They've now woken up to the reality that the road is more than a decade away, and I pray most days that the road safety risks that the failure to make that investment represent won't realise themselves. Let's talk about the regions. It's hard for me to make a contribution without saying it. Those opposite enjoy an incredibly strong—and I referred to it the other day—hypermajority. Having said that—and I would've said this before the events of Ballarat a week ago—that's not a universally agreed position across the country. The National Party are fond of saying that their members of parliament did particularly well at the last election. I can tell you that, in truth, regional, rural and remote members of parliament, particularly those on the Senate right, did well at this election.”
“As it relates to the Truro bypass, it was a project that was about to start when the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government began her infrastructure review and effectively knocked that project off the to-do list. It is disappointing. I'm sorry to make this assertion, but those opposite went to the South Australian people with a proposal to build half of that road. Unfortunately, the South Australian state government simply doesn't have the money to pay the balance, which is a sum greater than half a billion dollars. That was, in my assessment, an attempt to hoodwink the people of South Australia into believing that it didn't matter, that they were getting a road in any event.”
“Disappointingly, it's apparent that too many schools are located in this area, and it's also at the bottom of the sharpest descent into a capital city anywhere in this country. There is every sort of risk that presents itself with this heavy vehicle traffic. It was our policy to remove the majority of that heavy vehicle traffic from the streets and suburbs of Adelaide via a commitment of $1 billion to build the Truro bypass, to duplicate the Swanport Bridge and, of course, to build the interconnection between the Dukes and Sturt highways. Unfortunately, that project will not be proceeded with.”
“I want to also acknowledge, both as a South Australia member of parliament and, more importantly, as the shadow minister for roads and road safety, as I was then, the announcement we made around the Truro bypass and the greater Adelaide freight route. For those not familiar with Adelaide, Adelaide remains the last of the capital cities in Australia to have the main trucking route boring all the way through it. It means all the heavy vehicle traffic that comes from southern Australia, Melbourne and the south-east of South Australia needs to traverse through the middle of Adelaide on Portrush Road or Cross Road. These are some of the most densely populated suburbs of Adelaide.”
“I want to quickly again thank my staff, who, during my time as assistant shadow minister, took on portfolio responsibilities over and above electoral responsibilities, because there wasn't an allocation of additional staff. That's a huge burden, but it was one they dealt with to great effect. I want to thank them particularly for the development of our policy on road safety. The concept of delivering to this nation the first ever no-fault investigation program—which the Australian people ultimately rejected, but I hope those opposite consider it—is an incredible achievement against a background of doing that with very limited resources.”
“I listened to the member for Kingston's contribution, and it was fine. It reminded me of one thing when she was acknowledging the new members of the Labor caucus. I want to acknowledge one group of people who I expect have not been necessarily acknowledged—at least, not frequently—in this debate, and that is the cohort of Liberal candidates who presented themselves to the Australian people. I had the opportunity to meet many of them and campaign with some of them, and I have to tell you that the result those opposite achieved at the election was not a reflection of the quality of those candidates. Those candidates were let down, and I have offered my personal apology to many of them, as I have to conservative voters, notwithstanding the result in Barker.”
“While I am acknowledging people, can I acknowledge the former leader of the opposition, Peter Dutton. This is a man who, at times, for political reasons or otherwise, has been derided, but I think on election night we saw a glimmer of the character of the man. In his acknowledgement, his concession speech, when he spoke about the Prime Minister and how proud the Prime Minister's mother would have been of his achievements, I think that volumes of the Peter Dutton I knew and do know. I want to thank Peter for his service to the Liberal Party, his service to the parliament and, in particular, his service to the nation. I want to also thank him for giving me the great privilege to serve as assistant shadow minister for infrastructure and transport, and subsequently as shadow minister for roads and road safety.”
“It's a particular challenge when you come to work for a member of parliament like me, having worked for former foreign minister Alexander Downer. The electorate office that had my name on the door was the first electorate office I had ever been to in my life. Mine was not a journey through staffing or other things, so Ness had a hard time in the first three or so years. I'm incredibly grateful for her service. Equally, thanks to Charlotte Edmunds, who worked with me in electoral seats and also did much of the work in the portfolio responsibilities I had. I'm so pleased to see her career journey progressing now through the Limestone Coast Local Government Association as their chief executive officer. To Suzy Howell, who has been a long-term stalwart in my office and was much loved by constituents, happy retirement!”
“She has grown immensely, and she assisted in my campaigns in 2022 and 2025. Sophie was an amazing support during the campaign. I'd also like to give shout-outs to Sue Andrew in the Riverland, and Greg O'Brien and Suzy Howell, who I'll mention again, in the Murraylands. Shout-outs also go to Clayton Scott in the Barossa; the Peuckers, Mark and Julie, in Mount Gambier; and, through MacKillop, Matt Neumann and Lachy Haynes, who of course has served for a number of years as rural and regional chair of the Liberal Party in South Australia. Thanks also to my staff, many of whom go above and beyond, some of whom have taken the decision, after a number of elections and terms—in particular, my former chief of staff, Vanessa Juergens—to move on to greener pastures. To Ness I want to convey my thanks.”
“Nevin was a loyal supporter of mine, someone who would walk on broken glass for me and for the Liberal movement. He was a farmer from Glencoe. He was then someone who became a photography enthusiast, which led to a business in retirement. He threw his support behind the Liberal Party. I just want to pay my respects to Nevin in this contribution. Nevin, it's a measure of your contribution that people continue, both as part of that campaign and in meetings subsequent, to refer to how Nevin would deal with a particular matter. So vale, Nevin Lamont. While I'm dealing with volunteer contributions, perhaps I can give the shout-outs now. In particular, I want to give one to Barker FEC President Sophie Wilksch. This is a young lady who was elected to the presidency in the lead-up to the 2022 election. She was a quietly spoken individual.”
“At that point I thought, 'Hmm, I wonder which journalist has found something to ask me about.' The caller asked me if I was feeling okay, and then they said, 'Tony, we have some really sad news to tell you.' That sad news was that a very close friend and someone who'd been on this political journey with me for a very long time had passed away. His name was Nevin Lamont. Nevin had served as the Barker FEC treasurer since 2013. At the last AGM that Nevin attended, which was the AGM of 2024, he pulled me aside and said, 'Tony, I think this election campaign might be my last.' He didn't mean his last on earth but rather his last as treasurer. But it turned out that Nevin didn't get to see the outcome of the election in 2025. I want to pay tribute to Nevin. Nevin's own grandfather served in this place as the member for Barker.”
“It is a great privilege to rise to give this speech-in-reply, particularly having been given the immense honour of being re-elected to this place now on five consecutive occasions. Like previous speakers I'm incredibly humbled by the faith that the people of Barker have placed in me. It was a humbling experience in 2013 and it has been a humbling experience on every single occasion since. These are not privileges that are earned solo; they are part of a broader team's effort. I want to take the opportunity early in this contribution to acknowledge one team member. I was in regional Victoria campaigning in my role as shadow minister for roads and road safety when my staff told me I needed to find a quiet place to take a call.”
“I want to extend my thanks to them, and I want to make a call out: if you're in or around Mount Gambier of 10 September at 11.30, come down and have a snag. If you can't, jump on my Facebook page and chuck us a donation.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker Boyce, I know you know—and I'm sure the member for New England, who has his own lived experience with this, understands—that one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fifty-four men will be diagnosed with it today, 54 men tomorrow and 54 men every single day thereafter. Three thousand five hundred men die from the disease each year. That's nine families every day who lose a loved one to this dreadful disease. The Big Aussie Barbie aims to raise awareness and understanding of the disease and raise funds to support awareness programs. These are deaths that we can prevent with early intervention. It's only thanks to the generosity of the community of Mount Gambier and the Limestone Coast and the volunteer efforts of the local prostate cancer group that I can bring this to reality.”
“I've seen them come to those breakfasts and leave much calmer and much more settled about what was about to happen in their cancer journey. I've got to give a great shout-out to Richard Harry, a constituent of mine. He's a great bloke, and he's someone I connected with through this process. My journey on this issue began in 2014. I attended a barbecue here that was hosted by the Prostate Cancer Foundation. It was there that I heard for the first time the startling facts about the diagnosis and the death rate, and it was plain to me that there was much more that needed to be done. It was equally plain to me that in that forum the Prostate Cancer Foundation was preaching to the converted and we needed to get that message out. That's why I began hosting, as I do every year, the Big Aussie Barbie out the front of my office in Mount Gambier.”
“I rise this morning to talk about an event that I'll be hosting in coming weeks. On Wednesday 10 September, from 11.30 am, I'll be hosting my annual Big Aussie Barbie to raise funds for prostate cancer research and, more importantly, to raise awareness of the disease and specifically of the need for blokes to get tested. This is the 10th year that I've hosted that event. I do it in partnership with the Limestone Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group, and we've raised over $10,000. But, much more importantly than that, on every single one of those mornings we've had one or more people who had recently been diagnosed with the disease come along and connect with the local support group. Those are people that have heard for the first time in our lives that they've got the big C, and they're incredibly scared.”
“Start giving honest answers in this place, and admit where the system is failing. The Australian people are patient, but their patience is running thin. Older Australians have earned the right to age with dignity. They've built this nation, and we owe them more than hollow promises and political advertising campaigns. Minister, you can't keep running away from this. You can't keep ignoring the human cost of inaction. Every day you delay more Australians suffer needlessly. Do your job and fix the system. Deliver what seniors require. Until that happens, Minister, we'll hold you to account, not for political gain but because the people we represent can't wait any longer.”
“Streamlining services through support at home could, if done properly, make a difference, but these reforms mean nothing if you don't address the immediate backlog: 87,000 Australians waiting in pain and frustration. They're confused. Here's what the minister should do. I hope he's listening. I hope he's not at the Midwinter Ball, because his portfolio needs him to be working every hour God made. He should prioritise clearing the home-care waiting list within the next six months and report progress publicly every month, inject emergency funding to ensure providers have the workforce and the resources to deliver packages immediately, and simplify My Aged Care so families aren't stuck navigating the bureaucratic labyrinth when they should be focusing on caring for their elderly. Be transparent, Minister. Stop the spin.”
“They're not just numbers. They're people who've worked hard, paid their taxes, raised their families and built communities. They deserve better than bureaucratic delays and ministerial boasting. When the minister refuses to answer as to why this is happening, he's refusing to be accountable to those very Australians. Announcing future programs and legislative reforms doesn't excuse the government's failure to deliver support today. It doesn't excuse My Aged Care's inability to connect people with the timely support they require. Let me be clear: there are parts of the government's aged-care agenda worth supporting. Reforming the Aged Care Act to strengthen rights is positive.”
“She stated that she's been on the waiting list since March this year, waiting for funds to be made available. She has severe health issues that prevent her from walking properly. All she needs is a wheelchair so she can get from one side of the house to the other without collapsing. Another wrote to me, saying that, after waiting seven months, he and his wife finally got approval for care, only to be put on another 12-month waiting list to wait for the care to be available. Lastly, a daughter wrote to me recently about her mother and stepfather. They were assessed as requiring level 3 and level 4 care packages respectively. Tragically, they both died before that help arrived. These aren't isolated cases. It's evidence of systemic failure. That systemic failure across Australia sees 87,000 older Australians in the same situation.”
“In my electorate of Barker, I hear from families every week who are caught up in the endless maze of My Aged Care. I see what this failure looks like on the ground. They tell me of assessments delayed for months on end. They tell me of approvals granted but services unavailable. Last year, I wrote to the previous Minister for Aged Care, raising concerns that members of the Barossa Valley community were unable to receive care that they'd been deemed eligible for. That's still a problem today. These families also tell me of loved ones who simply can't wait any longer and who are forced into residential care earlier than necessary or are left struggling alone at home because the system that was meant to help them is failing them. I receive emails from people like Antonia.”
“Yesterday, in this place, a question was put to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors by the member for Mayo. It was a straightforward question, and it's a question that tens of thousands of older Australians and their families want answered. That question was: 'What justification does the government have for delaying home-care packages from July to November this year?' Instead of providing an answer, the minister took the opportunity to congratulate himself and his government on the new Aged Care Act and the forthcoming Support at Home program. He gave us a sales pitch, not a solution. Our elderly community doesn't need the spin. They don't need another press release. They need care, they need dignity and they need action now.”
“They're collecting donated hay. They're delivering it. I give a shout-out to them. I'll be with them this Friday at Browns Well, where they'll be giving out high-quality hay. They'll be sharing a cuppa and feed with these farmers and providing them with the support that should be coming from those opposite and Premier Malinauskas and his team. They haven't just done it at Browns Well. They've been at Streaky Bay, with 200 farmers. There's been 84 farmers at other locations. Congratulations to them. It's a pity that those opposite— (Time expired)”
“I rise to inform the House that much of the agricultural districts of South Australia remain in the grip of a desperate drought—not that those opposite care much about that. I just received a phone call from one of the mayors who himself is dealing with drought on his property but is advocating on behalf of his constituents. He can't get a meeting with anyone in any position of relevancy among those opposite. He's used to it because there's almost no support coming from the South Australian Labor government. So who is delivering support? I want to give a shout-out to one group—the Rapid Relief Team. This is a group of businesspeople getting together and saying: 'You know what? We're not going to wait for a government who should meet their obligations to assist their fellow Australians in a desperate situation.' They're out there.”
“If you make it that Mount Gambier, Millicent or any other regional town starting with 'M' that might be in the member for Grey's electorate are treated the same way as Adelaide, of course a number of the small number of GPs that we have relative to our population size are going to make that decision.”
“As I said, the very first action for the Minister for Health in 2022 in his official capacity was to change that priority area distribution list. What he did was include Adelaide. That is in the priority list. On the day that came into effect, the office managers of two of the four clinics I mentioned earlier in my contribution rang me and said, 'Tony, we just want to tell you what the read-world impact is of the decision that's just been taken.' I said: 'Don't tell me. Doctors have tendered their resignations.' That was exactly what had occurred. Of course the only thing tying those foreign doctors to our community was the obligation that they practice in those areas. That was the point of the legislative instrument.”
“Our nation determined over the course of this debate around GP shortages—the member for Grey has joined us, and he would know more than most. This issue is as acute—in fact, it's more acute in his electorate than in mine. When it's becoming an issue in places like Mount Gambier, it's an issue everywhere across regional South Australia. Like I said, Mount Gambier is the second-largest city in South Australia. Over the course of this debate, we have determined that certain areas in our country and, in the case of the member for Grey and in my case, in our state are in need of special assistance when it comes to attracting a GP workforce. And so we've created these special zones. They mean that foreign doctors could be encouraged to come to Australia on visas, but they would need to practise inside those zones.”
“So in Mount Gambier, if you are looking to see a GP, you can't go to the four clinics. Their books are closed. You can't go to the urgent care clinic. It's literally closed. So what do you do? I don't know. When I was asked that question by an ABC journalist today, I said, 'I don't know what you do right now, but I can tell you how we've got here.' He said: 'How? Why?' I said, 'Obviously, there are issues with the urgent care clinic.' But let me take you back to 2022. A newly crowned Labor government was elected and the Minister for Health appointed, and his very first action as federal Minister for Health—the people of Mount Gambier do want him to help, by the way—was to change the distribution priority area for GPs. Now, how is that relevant, you might say. Let me put it this way.”
“We opened one of those in Mount Gambier.' And, true, you did, those opposite, to much celebration and acclaim for the relevant minister, who himself is a South Australian and who I am sure is aware of the community of Mount Gambier. But do you know what happened in June of this year? The urgent care clinic in Mount Gambier closed. It's currently closed. You can get on your device and type 'urgent care clinic Mount Gambier', and it says 'temporarily closed'. It's been temporarily closed since June. The operator that those opposite decided should run that facility fell into administration, and the administrator, after running the troubled urgent care clinic for four months—by the way, this urgent care clinic was never open for the hours that it was meant to be open—ultimately closed it.”
“Thankfully, our community is strong and vibrant, and people are coming to our community. You pick up the phone and you ring clinic No. 1. The first question is, 'Are you a client of this practice?' 'No.' 'Well, we can't see you; we're full.' You pick up the phone and ring clinic No. 2. You're presented with the same question. Same response. Same outcome. Clinic No. 3. By this stage, you're probably feeling a bit stressed. But you ultimately get to clinic No. 4, and they say 'Sorry; we've also closed our books.' And those opposite will say: 'That's fine; we've got a solution for communities like yours, Mr Pasin: urgent care clinics.”
“It's just perhaps unfortunate that, at the same time people were being told about a saving on their prescriptions, their energy bills were doubling and tripling, not to mention their mortgages et cetera. But let's park that for a moment. Let's talk about the community of Mount Gambier. It's in my electorate of Barker, it's South Australia's second-largest city and it's not that far from Melbourne—at least in relative terms. There are four clinics. I received a call this morning from a local journalist from the ABC, saying, 'Mr Pasin, are you aware of the circumstance where all four clinics in Mount Gambier have closed their books?' I don't know if those opposite understand what 'closing their books' in a medical clinic represents, but let me give you a real-world example. Your child's sick. You're new to our community.”
“The member for Maribyrnong just spoke about a government that is focused on strengthening universal health care. I want to present a slightly different version of what's happening in a community not that far from Maribyrnong, in south-east South Australia in my home town of Mount Gambier. But, before I do, the National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025 commendably, and with bipartisan support, reduces the cost to clients of filling prescriptions. I say 'commendably', and, of course, it has bipartisan support in this place. But those opposite spent much of the last term telling us it was a real cost-of-living saving, and it is a cost-of-living saving.”
“They are Salvation Army members who provide comfort, care, Christian chaplaincy, a cuppa or just a listening ear to our troops. Memo to those opposite: our troops deserve support, not cuts. Don't take my warning; take the warning of the RSL National President, Greg Melick, who said: Service veterans have nothing but praise for the work of the 'Salvos' and the comfort and care they bring to our troops, often at great personal risk. Many had risked their personal safety in the quest to support our troops in battle, and veterans will not forget this. Those opposite, you've got till Remembrance Day. Don't drape yourself in khaki; fund this program.”
“I wondered how long it would take those opposite to reach peak arrogance when it comes to the hypermajority that they enjoy. Of course, over the last term, I saw some actions that were rotten, mean and nasty, including the banning of live sheep exports, but, four months into this new term, I've found probably the worst example, proof positive, that hypermajorities like this are going to lead to very bad government. What do I speak of? I speak of the decision to scrap funding that's been in place for 125 years for the Salvation Army's 'Sallyman' program. Are you for real? Those opposite took us to a voice referendum that cost half a billion dollars but can't find a million dollars to support our veterans. This program dates back to the Second Boer War.”
“He did it with the deepest of humility. I offer my condolences and the broader condolences of the people, particularly Catholic parishioners, in my electorate. His was a beautiful funeral, and I wish the 267th Vicar of Christ and Bishop of Rome all the very best as he continues the work and legacy of that long lineage all the way back to St Peter.”
“I certainly wasn't planning this, but, with the indulgence of my friend opposite and noting that I'm about to conclude my contribution, I might do this in honour of Pope Francis, who, of course, took the name of Francis as pope. Let me recite the prayer of peace: Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Pope Francis lived a life of duty and of service.”
“I think it's remarkable that it took the Catholic faith 265 predecessors to land on a pope from the Americas. That's the first thing I think is remarkable. But, more than that, there were 265 predecessors before the Jesuit order, which is such a strong order within the Catholic faith, had one of their number elected at a conclave. I don't know what the Jesuits had done, but they have, of course, now broken that cycle. I just want to conclude by saying that the Franciscan order, and St Francis in particular, is credited with what I think is perhaps one of the most beautiful prayers of the Catholic faith. It is, of course, the prayer for peace, the prayer of St Francis of Assisi.”
“He was preaching in Assisi and we had the privilege of accompanying him. Now, Franciscans were in Assisi. I don't remember much—I was very young—but something has always struck me about there being an Australian Franciscan on sabbatical in Assisi. Of course, this was a place of deep reflection and of deep prayer. I'd been warned by my father's uncle that we weren't to speak while on the island, but I couldn't help myself. I was a young lad with a pretty strong Australian accent in a place like Assisi, and one of the Franciscan brothers broke his vow of silence and spoke to me, a young child. I don't recall a single thing from that trip to Italy in the company of my parents, but I can remember that experience like nothing else, and I've always had a fascination with the Franciscan order as a result. I'll make a couple of points.”
“His was arguably one of the most important positions globally, yet I'm confident—and there are very many proof points—that, from the young priest who was Bergoglio through to cardinal and to pope, there wasn't a change in attitudes, behaviours, temperaments and these things, and that is an amazing thing. It speaks to his grace. As someone who believes deeply in the importance of humility, particularly given the roles that we have the great privilege of holding, I have to say that his book is one that all of us in this place could take a significant leaf out of. I've often thought that, in politics, hubris is kryptonite. Pope Francis was the most humble of men. As a very young person, I had the privilege of visiting Assisi. I did it in the company of one of my father's cousins, who is himself a Catholic priest living in Italy.”
“I think the most appropriate thing to say about the life of service of Pope Francis is that his beliefs aligned with those of St Francis, and, more than that, he lived them, particularly in the very stark spotlight that is being the Vicar of Christ, the Bishop of Rome and, indeed, the Pope. People in this place understand my particular ideology, and you might not be surprised to learn that it lines up more closely with the predecessor of Pope Francis, Pope Benedict, than Pope Francis—the member's contribution earlier mentioned him being well known for his progressive approach to these things. Having said that, the one quality I absolutely admired in Pope Francis was his humility.”
“Jorge Mario Bergoglio was, of course, the 266th successor of St Peter as the Vicar of Christ and the Bishop of Rome. It's perhaps not a surprise to anyone in this place, certainly not to me, that he took the name of Pope Francis. St Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher who founded the Franciscan order. He's known for his love of nature and animals. He's the patron saint of ecology, animals and merchants. He lived a life of poverty and service, emphasising love and compassion for all creatures, and was well known for his humility.”
“By that stage, you weren't required to be interviewed—maybe it was Father Overberg's experience with my sister—but you were required to attend mass on a Sunday morning. There was an incentive to go to mass on Sunday morning because mass was at about 11 and lunch wasn't served until mass was concluded, so you either sat in your room and waited for the kitchen to open or you went to mass and then went to lunch. My sister—dogmatic as she can be—spent all of her first year at university dutifully walking from the non-denominational college to Aquinas College to sit in the front row in the chapel at mass and eyeball Father Overberg. I tell this story simply to say that we in my family like to keep our religious beliefs to ourselves. But, of course, it is important, on behalf of the Catholics of Barker, to make a contribution.”
“It was my sister who was interviewed by the Jesuit priest responsible for the college, and she was asked, 'Angela'—the name of my sister—'can you explain or discuss your relationship with God?' Her response was perhaps not what the Jesuit priest was expecting: 'That's none of your'—expletive—'business.' Understandably, my sister wasn't admitted to the university college and was required to make an application at the non-denominational college down the road, which she was happily accepted into. But Father Overberg, who was the Jesuit priest of the day, learnt his lesson I think. One of the requirements of staying at Aquinas College as it was in North Adelaide at the time—and I say this as someone who some nine years later went to the college.”
“My reluctance to speak is probably best described by an experience my sister had, and it perhaps speaks to our familial attitude to religion. My brother was—and indeed all of my siblings were—educated by Marists, but, when it came to going to university college, the only option was a university college run by Jesuit priests. Of course, we've heard the reference to Pope Francis's order. My brother, the eldest in the family, was happily accepted into university college and was to be followed, two years later, by my sister, or at least we thought so.”
“I congratulate my colleague for her contribution. It was a fine one. I've oscillated as I've sat here about whether I would make a contribution, and, on balance, I've determined that I will. That reluctance is a product of a couple of things, but, principally—it might not surprise you, given my Italian heritage, that I am a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Like the member for New England, I don't propose to be the model parishioner, but one thing about my faith is that it is deeply personal and something that I don't often share or, indeed, talk about. That's not in a public sense but in a private sense as well. But, on behalf of Catholics living in my electorate of Barker, I think it incumbent on me to make some comments. I appreciate that I'm standing between this chamber and its adjournment, so I'll be relatively brief.”
“With seven out of 730 recipients of the awards this year coming from Barker, it's another example of my electorate punching above its weight—people such as Chris Pfeiffer AM, for his service to the Lutheran Church and to the community; Maxwell Blacketer OAM, for his service to the community of Millicent; Mr Leslie Hampel OAM, for his services to the community of Nuriootpa; Mr David Heard OAM, for his services to the community through emergency service organisations; Mr David Bridges ACM, for his dedication to correctional services; and Mr Scott Anderson ESM and Mr Lincoln Heading ESM, for their dedication to emergency services. At a time when good news can feel in short supply, it's especially important that we pause and honour those who lift up others and remind us of what it means to serve.”
“These honours are an acknowledgement of the great service to others and of devotion to the betterment of society around them. To this end, for those who were formally recognised on the King's birthday for their contribution to the local community and our nation, I want to put on record my thanks and the thanks of a nation. Thank you for the enormous contribution that each of you have made to strengthen the community and uphold our Australian values.”