Madeleine King
Brand · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“The Albanese Labor government is delivering record funding for the Rockingham and Kwinana region. We're investing over $550 million in significant road upgrades to Anketell Road, including an overpass at the Rockingham Road intersection, which means it'll be easier and quicker for all the workers, and the truckies and their freight, to ge…”
“And I want to thank all the GPs and all the staff and workers at those practices right across the suburbs of Rockingham and Kwinana for the work they do for their community. These are vital services, and the importance of providing free and quality health care for the community cannot be overstated.”
“There are now 15 medical practices across those two towns that fully bulk-bill your GP appointments. Labor believes in Medicare, and we invest in Medicare so that the communities of Brand can get the health care they deserve.”
“Together with the Cook Labor government in Western Australia and St Pat's, we are delivering 26 new homes for those in need. This is an example of two great Labor governments working with an excellent community based organisation to get things done for the Kwinana community.”
“The experience in the United Kingdom of what started as a 25 per cent windfall tax on oil and gas production is that in four very short years 5,000 jobs have been lost, the industry has declined, production has reduced by 40 per cent and the UK is likely to import the vast bulk of its oil and gas by the 2030s, not to mention the end of th…”
“I thank the member for Clark for his question. The state and territory governments regulate much of the mining rehabilitation around the country, and they are responsible for ensuring that regulatory requirements indeed exist but also are met by mine owners.”
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“About half of that will be kept in Australia to ensure that we have that secure supply chain and that farmers have the fertiliser they need that will strengthen national food security and reduce reliance on imported fertilisers. The Perdaman urea project is one of the largest downstream processing and manufacturing investments in Australian history, and it will solidify our supply chains. NAIF has supported a number of projects contributing to this: a $220 million loan to Perdaman to build this plant and kickstart the new multibillion-dollar fertiliser industry, a $160 million loan to the Pilbara Ports Authority for a new multi-user wharf and facilities at the Port of Dampier, and a $95 million loan to the Water Corporation of Western Australia for the expansion of the Burrup seawater supply and brine disposal scheme.”
“It will provide important and stable supply chains for farmers into the future for all the agricultural industries and the work they do which is required to feed Australia and our regional neighbours. Importantly, the Perdaman urea project will decrease our dependency on the importation of urea for fertiliser. Urea is the nitrogen in NPK, and many of those in rural communities will understand what NPK fertiliser is—in fact, many gardeners would as well. It is really very important to the food and fibre that this nation creates. It will be Australia's largest urea plant. It will produce 2.3 million tonnes per annum.”
“In 2023 I issued NAIF with a new investment mandate which includes a list of government policy priorities to which NAIF is expected to contribute through its investments. Among these is a priority to support sustainability, climate change and circular economy principles and solutions in northern Australia. In relation to the bill, I want to draw one particular project to the attention of the House, and that is in relation to the Perdaman urea project under construction at the moment in Karratha in Western Australia. This is a really important project and a matter of important and critical national resilience in a time of conflict in the Middle East.”
“The addition of the finance minister to the ministerial responsibilities outlined in several places throughout the act will ensure an appropriate level of oversight and accountability and is consistent with arrangements for all of the Commonwealth's specialist investment vehicles. The bill also provides for two future reviews of the NAIF Act, after 30 June 2029 and 30 June 2034, ensuring structured and timely evaluation throughout the extended investment horizon of the NAIF. The second of these reviews will include consideration of whether the investment timeframe of the NAIF should again be extended. This government is committed to transitioning Australia's energy sector to net zero by 2050 and the reduction of Australia's emissions by 43 per cent by 2030. NAIF has a key role in contributing to this objective.”
“These projects create jobs and new economic opportunities for communities across the north. The amendments introduce new mechanisms requiring the NAIF board to notify the responsible ministers when NAIF or a subsidiary fails to comply with the investment mandate. These mechanisms empower the responsible ministers to direct corrective action where necessary while confirming their inadvertent noncompliance does not invalidate transactions. These measures align NAIF with other Commonwealth specialist investment vehicles and bolster its governance framework. The bill updates several provisions to reflect contemporary governance arrangements by adding the Minister for Finance as a responsible minister.”
“The amendments to the NAIF Act will extend NAIF's investment decision-making period for another decade, strengthen accountability for compliance with the investment mandate, establish joint responsibilities for the responsible ministers—myself and the Minister for Finance—in accordance with standard practice for the Commonwealth's specialist investment vehicles and it will refresh statutory review requirements to allow for two future reviews of the operation of the NAIF Act. The continuation of NAIF's investment period through to 2036 responds directly to the findings of the statutory review of 2024. This will preserve NAIF's capacity to continue promoting transformational projects across northern Australia and provide long-term certainty to investors and communities.”
“The Australian government is committed to driving economic development in northern Australia in a stable, reliable and accountable way. The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment Bill 2026 delivers practical and targeted updates to the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Act 2016. It ensures the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility remains fit for purpose and capable of supporting transformational projects across the north well into the next decade.”
“I was also elected at the same time as the member for Maranoa, and he's always been very productive in our discussions across a range of issues. I note only one member of the Liberal Party, the member for Durack, managed to speak on the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility bill before the parliament. I note that a number of projects are in her electorate, and she is a regular at the opening of these projects that are very important to her community and indeed to the whole of Western Australia. Before I continue with my speech, I welcome the coalition's support for the bill before the parliament that was confirmed by the former leader of the National Party in the main chamber earlier this week, and I trust that nothing has changed with the new leadership in the coalition partner. No doubt I'll hear about that if it has.”
“I'd like to start by thanking members for their contribution to this debate on the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment Bill 2026, particularly the Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and Northern Australia and the member for Solomon, my good friend Mr Gosling. We were elected in 2016. He has been a strong fighter for the north, and I thank him for his support. I thank all members for their contributions. I note with sadness that of the 14 members of the Nationals in the chamber of the House of Representatives, only one was able to speak on the NAIF, and that was the former leader. I thank the former leader of the Nationals, the member for Maranoa, for his support of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and also, of course, northern Australia.”
“In renewables, the NAIF has supported about three different projects and a number of projects in critical minerals, and they are almost like an anchor that brings in that other piece of capital to make the whole thing work. It's an important part of how the NAIF works. So I do understand your concerns. How we monitor that is through the NAIF reporting to the board. The board is a very competent board, and I acknowledge the chair of the board and the whole team for the work they do. They report regularly to me, and, of course, we monitor all the projects. All the projects come before us for us to have a look at, and we're well aware of the concern that we don't use public money unwisely and make sure that we do get in that private capital as well as this public capital. Thanks so much for your question.”
“I thank the member for Curtin for her question. It's true—public money must be used wisely. It's taxpayers' money. Earlier a comment was made about the NAIF being a method of subsidy. It's an enabler, but it is a concessional loan scheme. The idea and intent, and indeed what it does, is crowding in that money. It is an important principle that it shouldn't compete and seek to exclude any private capital. Private capital is really important in the projects that the NAIF seeks to enable. What we have found through working with the staff at the NAIF and its CEO and board is that they often redirect a lot of inquiries for projects to other providers of capital, and some of them may be Commonwealth specialist investment vehicles or just private capital groupings.”
“Grid stability is critical for all communities. Whilst renewable generation batteries and pumped hydro are progressively built right across the country, firming capacity and grid stability help to contain price spikes for households and industry and, of course, make sure people have lights in those communities. So we don't support the amendments, but I do thank the member for her thoughtfulness in this debate.”
“The NAIF has supported multiple renewable energy projects, as well as including critical minerals projects that are vital for renewable technologies and for national security. The Climate Change Act 2022 introduced changes to the NAIF Act to ensure alignment with Australia's national greenhouse gas emissions targets. Energy projects are designed to support and strengthen the electricity system on the way to net zero, not as a long-term replacement for renewables but as a stabilising force during the all-important transition, which we support and have legislated. Investment in energy projects assists in supplying electricity to communities where there are shortfalls in renewable generation and prices spike in consequence of that. It's important that any energy transition provides for firming capacity to complement renewables.”
“The ones relevant here are sustainability, climate change and circular economy principles and solutions in northern Australia, and materially improving the lives of Indigenous peoples and communities. That refers to your second amendment. The bill strengthens the board's accountability to this investment mandate by requiring that the board notify the responsible ministers if the NAIF fails to comply with that mandate so we can take corrective action. The statement of expectations, which I provided in December 2022, noted the government's priority to transition Australia's energy sector to net zero emissions by 2050 and that the NAIF has a key role in contributing to this in northern Australia.”
“The government will continue to ensure that NAIF maintains high standards of Indigenous engagement, supports opportunities for Indigenous economic development and works collaboratively with First Nations organisations, including traditional owners, local Indigenous businesses and land councils. I'll reflect briefly on the small loans program of the NAIF. It is indeed designed with First Nations communities in mind to make sure they are enabled to get this concessional finance for important projects in their communities. I return now to the first amendment. The government will be opposing that amendment. In 2024, the government updated the NAIF Investment Mandate to ensure that potential projects aligned with a number of policy priorities.”
“The proposed amendment requires NAIF to consult First Nations Australians before providing financial assistance. In practice, NAIF's current requirements already go further than that, because engagement occurs by project proponents, where it can be most effective and specific. Project proponents must demonstrate alignment with community expectations and outcomes before NAIF will consider investment approval, and the Investment Mandate and statement of expectations already require it to support key government priorities, including materially improving the lives of First Nations peoples and communities in northern Australia. While the government respects the intent behind the amendment, it will not be supporting changes that duplicate or complicate an already effective and well-established framework.”
“I thank the member for Warringah for her participation in this debate and the amendments she's proposed. I will address the second amendment first. The NAIF Investment Mandate contains six mandatory criteria that proponents are required to meet to achieve NAIF finance. Supporting economic empowerment and meaningful engagement with First Nations Australians is a priority shared by the government, and the amendment which the member proposes that the NAIF must first consult First Nations Australians when considering financial assistance is already part of the operation of the NAIF. The NAIF has robust and mandatory mechanisms to achieve this. Under the NAIF's governance framework, all proponents are required to develop and implement an Indigenous engagement strategy as a condition of financial assistance.”
“Urea is the N, the nitrogen, in the famous fertiliser made of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. This project is due to start production next year and, in the meantime, as the Minister for Climate Change and Energy and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has explained, Australia is well supplied for urea. Very importantly, the Perdaman project will ensure our farmers have a secure supply of fertiliser to strengthen Australia's food security and the food security of the region. Then there are the jobs—2,000 jobs in construction for the Perdaman project and 200 ongoing jobs. The NAIF has provided about $475 million to this project—to Perdaman itself, $220 million; to the Pilbara Ports Authority, $160 million; and to the Water Corporation as well.”
“I might, to inform the House, take this opportunity to remind everyone that only one member of the Nationals today spoke in favour of the NAIF legislation before the parliament, and that is the former leader of the Nationals—well, one of the three former leaders of the Nationals in this House today. The conflict in the Middle East has shown why it's important to build a future made in Australia, to support local industries, to strengthen our national resilience and our supply chains. From day one, the Albanese Labor government has been bolstering Australia's sovereign capability so that the nation can weather these international disruptions. One of the best examples is this government's support for the Perdaman urea project in Karratha through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.”
“I want to thank the member for Leichhardt for his question. He knows that a strong north means a strong Australia. The Albanese Labor government is committed to developing northern Australia, because the Labor Party is the only party in this House that truly represents the interests of northern Australians and, indeed, the interests of all regional communities right around the country. Twenty-four members of this government, 24 members behind me here today, directly represent regional and remote communities around the country. That's many more than the 14 Nationals that we have in this chamber today.”
“I thank the member for her question. I'd like to let the member know that imposing new costs on the gas industry would freeze gas production in this country, and a tax on gas exports, as has been proposed by those opposite in the last election, would discourage investment in the new supply we need to back up our transition to net zero. We need gas as a firming capacity for renewables, whether they be solar or wind. This is what the International Energy Agency says and it's what AEMO says, as well as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Many, many highly reputable global institutions that look at these matters agree there is a role for gas in net zero. But, really importantly, we have worked and we have legislated—”
“Then we committed, as a government, $1.2 billion to establish the Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, which is now integral to our cooperation with Canada and with other nations as well. What did they do? They opposed it. Then there's the Resourcing Australia's Prosperity project—$3.4 billion. There was radio silence on that, but then they reannounced it for themselves! I checked today, and it's still on their website, so I guess I'll take the win in that respect. Then there are the production tax incentives, which they also voted against. (Time expired )”
“Following that work, Canada has backed us in, supporting us in being an integral part of the G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance. I want to thank—and I hope the minister for defence is in the distinguished visitors space there to pass on my thanks—my Canadian counterpart, Minister Tim Hodgson. He and I signed a joint declaration of intent between us at the meeting in Toronto last year. I'm asked about threats to this nation's success. Well, I'll turn to the record. If I think of what we've announced for this space, there is $1 billion for critical minerals investments through the National Reconstruction Fund. We legislated for this. What did those opposite do? They voted against it.”
“We have each developed the most advanced extractive ecosystems in the world, and we are the world's critical minerals superpowers. Australia and Canada both know that we need to process and refine these critical minerals and rare earths in our own countries. Today, Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Carney committed to deepening our collaboration in critical minerals with regard to standards based markets, capital investment, having our strategic reserves work together and sharing our technical expertise on geoscience, mapping and the science of extraction and processing. I want to thank Canada for inviting Australia to participate in the g7+ ministers meeting, which I was able to attend in Toronto last year.”
“I thank the member for Hasluck for her fine question. Like all members on this side of the House, she knows that Labor is the only party that truly supports the resources sector of this nation. From day 1 the Albanese Labor government has supported the resources industry and the over 300,000 resources workers right across this country—every single one of these members behind me. Australia and Canada are natural partners in critical minerals. Both of our countries are major resources producers. We have a stellar opportunity for Australia and Canada to work together to play a powerful role in shaping how global markets develop while creating secure jobs at home. Earlier today, we heard from Prime Minister Carney, who said what we know to be true: that Canada and Australia are the world's two most reliable and like minded mining giants.”
“While this investment in Kununurra is far from the largest NAIF loan, it is among the NAIF loans with the highest local impact. The Kimberley cotton gin project demonstrates how the diversity of projects the NAIF backs in supports northern communities in all sorts of ways. It shows how NAIF is helping to diversify the economy of northern Australia. The NAIF continues to be a central pillar of the government's commitment to fostering sustainable economic development across northern Australia—supporting infrastructure, unlocking industry potential and helping communities to thrive. The bill strengthens NAIF's legislative foundation, improves accountability, maintains certainty for investors and ensures the framework remains fit for purpose through the next decade. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned.”
“A smaller investment, but no less important, is the $34 million NAIF loan to the Kimberley cotton gin in Kununurra in northern Western Australia. This cotton gin is a prime example of the impact NAIF is having on regional communities in the north. The project is forecast to return a public benefit of around $248 million and establish the Ord River Irrigation Area as a major cotton region. The project is a productivity game changer for the local cotton industry. Cotton crops can now be processed locally, saving the added cost and burden of sending the cotton hundreds of kilometres away for processing. The project will be supported by the expansion of port and border services at the nearby port of Wyndham, which will allow exports directly from the region.”
“The Perdaman project near Karratha is worth $6.5 billion and it is estimated that it will create 2½ thousand jobs during construction and 200 ongoing jobs once operational. Once completed, it will produce approximately two million tonnes of urea per year. It is expected that just under half the urea will be kept for Australia, with the rest to be exported to the Asia-Pacific, Brazil and the United States of America. The investment decision will create a new multibillion dollar fertiliser industry in Australia. The Perdaman Urea Project is one of the largest downstream processing investments in Australia's history. Starting production in 2027, this investment will ensure Australian farmers have a reliable and secure supply of urea to maintain food production. In turn, this contributes to our food security across our continent.”
“In partnership with Housing Australia and the Queensland government, the project aims to address the housing shortage in northern Queensland by constructing a purpose-built seniors' community in Cairns. The project will build 490 dwellings to house around 690 people and will be comprised of 245 social, 223 affordable, and 22 specialist disability accommodation apartments. The project aligns wholly with the housing policy of the government. It is forecast to create more than 300 jobs across construction and operation across the Cairns region. In Western Australia, NAIF has made an investment decision worth up to $220 million for the Perdaman Urea Project, supporting what will be Australia's largest urea plant.”
“The finance will support the construction of mining and processing facilities to diversify the global supply chain of rare earths and strengthen Australia's national security. The project will also deliver significant economic benefits to the community of Alice Springs and the wider Northern Territory. It is expected to generate more than 300 jobs. Importantly, NAIF's support of Arafura's Nolans Rare Earths Project aligns with, and contributes to, the advancement of the government's Critical Minerals Strategy. In Queensland, NAIF made an investment decision in August 2024 to provide up to $140 million to Community Housing Ltd and Tetris Capital for the Cairns Seniors Community Housing Project in Queensland.”
“These loans total more than $4.3 billion, and the projects they support are forecast to create more than 18,000 jobs in a range of sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, resources, critical minerals, housing and ports. NAIF projects are contributing to wider government policy objectives. For example, in January 2024, NAIF made an investment decision to provide up to $200 million to Arafura for the Nolans Rare Earths Project near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. The project aims to develop one of the world's largest deposits of neodymium and praseodymium, which are essential for the permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics and defence technologies.”
“In our first budget in 2022, we demonstrated that commitment by providing an extra $2 billion in funding to the facility. That has given the NAIF a total of $7 billion to invest in economic development, jobs and opportunities across the north. We have also made sure that NAIF remains fit for purpose. In our first term, the Albanese government commissioned a statutory review to consider the operation of the NAIF Act. The government thanks the Hon. Warren Snowdon, the former member for Lingiari; Professor Peter Yu; and Doctor Lisa Caffery for their work on the review. Their report found overwhelming support for NAIF across government, industry and the public. Since its establishment, NAIF has now made 37 investment decisions across Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.”
“The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility helps overcome those challenges by supporting finance for projects, helping to remove some of the risk for projects and commercial investors. NAIF also supports our government's wider northern Australia agenda, driving sustainable development, creating jobs, supporting First Nations communities, building resilient infrastructure, and positioning Australia as a leader in critical minerals. Since it was first established in 2016, NAIF has become an integral part of the investment landscape across northern Australia. It has been a catalyst in getting crucial projects off the ground and helping to diversify the economy of northern Australia. Our government is a strong supporter of NAIF.”
“The amendments clarify that the first review (after June 2029) will not consider extending the investment decision-making timeframe, whereas the second review (after June 2034) will. This ensures parliament receives structured and timely evaluations of the operation of the NAIF Act during its extended investment period. Northern Australia is a vast and extraordinary place, rich in resources with remarkable people and communities. Yet it faces challenges that are unique to Australia's north, including great distances, transport, infrastructure, a lower population than southern Australia, and the challenges of that wonderful tropical climate, with cyclones, storms and floods. That is why NAIF is so important.”
“This approach is consistent with comparable legislation establishing other Commonwealth specialist investment vehicles, including the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Act 2023. The bill will ensure the NAIF Act aligns with current administrative arrangements for specialist investment vehicles with respect to the role of the Minister for Finance. The addition of the Finance minister to the ministerial responsibilities set out in several places throughout the act will ensure an appropriate level of oversight and accountability consistent with arrangements for all such Commonwealth vehicles. Finally, the bill updates the statutory review requirements in section 43 to provide for future reviews of the NAIF Act as soon as practicable after 30 June 2029 and 30 June 2034.”
“These provisions will require the NAIF board to notify the responsible ministers when NAIF or a subsidiary fails to comply with the investment mandate and enables the responsible ministers to direct the board to take corrective action. Further, the bill will confirm that noncompliance with the investment mandate does not affect the validity of NAIF transactions. These amendments strengthen NAIF's governance framework and reflect recommendation 8 of the 2024 statutory review of the NAIF Act, which emphasised the importance of legislative certainty. The amendments ensure that inadvertent noncompliance cannot undermine financing arrangements or the confidence of project proponents and financiers.”
“This amendment responds to the recommendations of the 2024 statutory review of the NAIF Act and preserves the facility's capacity to continue investment in transformational projects across Northern Australia. This is a practical measure that provides certainty to investors and project proponents. It ensures that NAIF, after having already delivered commitments exceeding $4 billion supporting economic development in Northern Australia, remains a reliable source of development finance well into the future. The bill strengthens accountability in relation to NAIF's investment mandate by inserting new provisions into section 9 of the NAIF Act.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill makes important updates to the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Act 2016 ('the NAIF Act') to ensure that the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility ('NAIF') can continue to support economic growth, job creation and investment across the north in a stable, reliable and accountable way. Because a strong north means a strong Australia. The bill proposes four key amendments. This bill extends NAIF's statutory investment decision-making window by 10 years, from 30 June 2026 to 30 June 2036 at section 8 of the NAIF Act. Under the current legislation, NAIF would be prohibited from making investment decisions after 30 June 2026.”
“I want to extend a special thanks to Commander Samantha Gibling for her leadership in planning a great event that was well attended by so many kids in the community right across Brand.”
“Their commitment to the education of the students is something to behold, as is a Malibu School assembly. I've never seen such joy at a school, loving chaos and joy in equal measure. I'm excited to go back and visit when I can. I know they're putting in a new putting green; it's going to be very exciting. The Royal Australian Navy based at HMAS Stirling , not far from the school, will be helping out the school, and that's a great contribution from that local personnel. I also want to pay tribute to Marine Rescue Rockingham, who hosted this year's Emergency Services and First Responders Open Day at the base in Point Peron, a fantastic celebration of all the organisations that keep our community safe.”
“I was really pleased to visit Malibu School, a specialist education support school and safety bay for students with complex cognitive, physical and sensory needs. Malibu has been a part of the community for over 40 years. Indeed, I went to the school right next door. During my visit, I had the pleasure of meeting the new principal, Julayne Charlton, and seeing the extraordinary work happening at Malibu. I met the wonderful education assistants at the school and the remarkable students taking on the challenges in their lives with determination and joy, learning to be independent so that upon graduation they can go into the world and participate in it on their own terms. I want to acknowledge all of the staff, parents, guardians, carers and families connected with Malibu School.”
“The guarantee replaces the old activity test and ends the catch 22 where parents couldn't get child care without work but couldn't get work without child care. Now families can pursue rewarding jobs knowing their children are receiving high-quality care that centres like Discovery at Play in Shoalwater deliver so well. While this is great for families, I also want to recognise the incredible educators who make this system work so well. That's why our government is delivering a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators. When we value and support educators, we strengthen the entire early learning sector. When we talk about giving our kids the best start, that commitment extends well into the school years.”
“Recently I had the pleasure of visiting the wonderful kids at the newly opened Discovery at Play Early Learning Centre in Shoalwater. My thanks to the director, Candice Morrison, and her team. Their passion for giving children the best possible start in life is evident in everything they do, from their modern teaching environments to their strong commitment to the children. The visit highlighted why I'm so proud of the Albanese government's three-day guarantee, which ensures every eligible family can access 72 hours of subsidised care every fortnight. I know that many parents are in casual work with hours that shift from week to week. Others are trying to return to work after a long period out of the workforce.”
“But we all know we live and work in such a remarkable building, and we have the people around us that help us. Returning to Luch, he was truly a genuine person. He was generous and friendly to every person he met. I feel privileged to have met Luch, and I thank him for welcoming me to the parliament when I first started nearly 10 years ago. This entire building is all the better for working with him. I'm saddened by his loss. And I can truly say this place will not be the same without him. Luch will long be remembered. May he rest in peace.”
“I also thank each of the attendants, the cleaners and everyone else that works really diligently to keep this place working. There's also the workmanship in this place—and there are a lot of people that come here when we're on a break, that no-one ever sees, that do things like fix up these wooden tables and make sure that this place, that's 38 years old, is always looking its best. It says a lot about our parliament and the deep respect the people that work in this building have for the building itself, the fixtures in it and all the things we need to make it work, that they care for it so carefully and with such love and so meaningfully. It's lucky for us, and it's a privilege to get to work here every single day, and the people that work here all work hard. I know we have some tough times. It's always very contested.”
“You work diligently in the background, in service. Your smiles and contributions to our days here are meaningful, and we could not do without you. You will miss Luch, and we will all miss him as well. I want to take this moment to also thank everyone that makes the parliament work for us, whether it be, of course, the drivers that get us to and from our homes—I live a long way from the airport, and many others do as well, and we know some of those drivers have to be out of their beds at three in the morning or two in the morning to collect the cars to come and get us, to get us to the airport, and there are also long nights, when they pick us up late at the airport, returning from Canberra or from wherever else we travel around the country, and I thank them for their patience when our planes are late or there all the other mishaps that befall us in this.”
“Luch's commitment to Milton as the Speaker and to all the Speakers and their respective offices over many years will live long in the collective memory of the House of Representatives. The member for Riverina observed in his condolence motion that condolence motions are usually reserved on the passing of members of the royalty, world leaders, ministers of the Crown, members of parliament, senators and now for Luch. Perhaps he is the first attendant in the parliament to receive such an honour; I can't be sure. But it does say a tremendous amount about Luch and his constancy that we are here lamenting his loss. I hope all the attendants here that serve our parliament, our democracy, realise how important they are to each of us, the members of the House of Representatives, and to the senators.”
“But to have someone like Luch and the kind attendants that are around us today help us deliver those speeches is really something, and I thank Luch for his kindness and for all the attendance. He also took magnificent care of the mace—that amazing traditional part of our parliament that represents the authority of it. He would care for it as it passed out of the hands of its formal custodian, the Serjeant-at-Arms, to its home for the night in the Speaker's chambers, locking it up every night and unlocking it every morning the parliament was held. He was also a personal assistant to the Speaker and my friend Milton Dick, and I knew they spent much time together.”
“Sadly, the practice of having someone to help us at the airport has stopped. Personally, I think that's a false economy, but that's a matter for DPS. He helped all MPs in their speeches as well, particularly for members' first speeches. The other attendants, of course, also always help us in this, making sure we have a lectern—letting us know there was such a thing as a lectern that you could put on your table was instructive and really helpful—and delivering us a water before that speech, all allowing us to be at our very best. I can assure anyone who hasn't done a first speech in this parliament that it's one of the most terrifying experiences—it was of my life; I can't speak for every member of this place.”
“Before that, arriving at the Canberra Airport, maybe not for the first time ever but for the first time as an elected member of the House of Representatives, is also a pretty different experience. When I first arrived in 2016, Luch was the attendant at the airport in Canberra. With a clipboard and a smile and a warm greeting, he made sure I got my Comcar and my new colleagues all got their cars on our way to the parliament. It was very reassuring and a great kindness. For many years on a Sunday evening Luch would be at the airport managing the drivers and welcoming us to Canberra after our long flight from Perth. The Perth flight, as some of you will know, is one of the last flights to arrive—it certainly used to be—and Luch would be there making sure we got our cars.”