Llew O'Brien
Wide Bay · National Party · Australia
“Mal is a relentless optimist, possibly powered entirely by community spirit, and he has built a 26,000-strong following celebrating Gympie and its past and present. As for Sean, if there's an award for helping people, either he has won it, he has been nominated for it or he's too busy volunteering and helping people to even notice it.”
“Two of the Gympie region's hardest workers and biggest advocates, Mal Dodt and Sean Connelly, have been given microphones and a licence to inform and entertain.”
“The show featured a wide range of agricultural displays and entertainment, and, together with the Murgon rodeo, people celebrated local industry and tradition. One of the biggest challenges facing show societies today is a lack of volunteers.”
“The Prime Minister and every Labor member of this parliament went to the last election asking the Australian people to trust them. What has the Albanese Labor government given the Australian people in return? Broken promises and betrayal in the form of tax increases on savings, investments, housing and small business.”
“This is to be achieved by removing some of the red tape around the Fair Work Act to allow the Fair Work Commission to be more efficient, particularly in matters relating to dismissal or unlawful termination disputes, and enabling the commission to dismiss or prevent frivolous, vexatious or unreasonable cases and applications.”
“That also sounds good—too good, actually. The third is to improve fairness to contractors, especially in the road transport sector, by extending protections for unfair termination and contract thresholds. The fourth is intended to modernise the system and remove some of the technical flaws in the existing legislation.”
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“The gold rush festival originally ran from 1973 to 2020, in celebration of the town's rich and colourful heritage and the important contribution that the discovery of gold at Gympie in 1867 made to Queensland's economy and future development. Sadly, COVID and other factors put a stop to the gold rush festival, but, thanks to the hard work of passionate locals and a new committee, headed by President Murray Herron, this iconic celebration of Gympie's history will be making a comeback in 2026. In April this year, the power of the combustion engine will be on full display when Gympie hosts the opening round of the Australian Rally Championship, something local mayor Glen Hartwig has worked hard to secure for the local area.”
“In October 2024, the long-awaited $1 billion Gympie bypass opened to traffic, turning one of the most dangerous sections of the Bruce Highway through Wide Bay into one of the safest. The new bypass has changed my home town of Gympie significantly, by improving liveability and amenity and opening up new opportunities for our regional economy, as we continue to grow as a vibrant and desirable destination with much to offer residents and visitors. Gympie is already renowned as the home of the Gympie Music Muster. It's a three-day music country music festival set in the Amamoor State Forest, with an exciting calendar of events and activities which are planned for visitors to the music muster in 2026. This October, the Gympie Gold Rush Festival will make its return.”
“Regional Australia needs to be put at the forefront of these advanced technologies and our embrace of them. Wide Bay covers more than 14,000 square kilometres, and there are many communities that urgently need mobile coverage. Reliable mobile services aren't a luxury; they're a necessity. I urge the government to do as much as it can to improve those services for regional Australians.”
“People who are struggling to pay the bills need to have access to telecommunications and connectivity for the services that we've talked about as much as anyone. We do have issues when it comes to socioeconomic inequality in the regions. Telstra has noted that there's insufficient spectrum to meet the requirements of the universal obligation, potentially forcing a choice between maintaining 4G and expanding 5G, raising the risk of an early 4G shutdown. We all know the disruptions caused by the 3G shutdown. It caused a lot of anxiety amongst people, which was well founded, and left a lot of people worse off, unable to access 4G and 5G services reliably and, in some areas, with poorer coverage than existed before. Technologies will continue to evolve, and our systems must evolve with it.”
“Regional Australia has a rate of 9.6 traffic deaths per 100,000, compared to 2.2 in the urban areas, so you are far more likely to be involved in a very serious traffic crash on regional and rural roads. That just emphasises that we absolutely need technology that can be utilised at those times when these serious incidents occur. Affordability is another major issue. Without financial support, telcos inevitably pass the cost of new satellite technologies onto the consumers. Regional residents may be required to purchase new handsets or more expensive plans to access the services the government claims will be universal. Low-income families may find themselves priced out of connectivity. That is certainly something that we cannot let happen.”
“With such discretion given to the minister, I hope it is used fairly and with all Australians in mind, not just those voting in Labor held seats. Consumer advocates, including the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, have raised concerns about emergency service connectivity, which should be an absolute fundamental. People need to be able to make a life-saving call for help. Access to emergency services should not be negotiable, yet the bill fails to ensure this. As a former policeman, I remember numerous occasions where serious crashes—mainly fatal road crashes—occurred and people were unable to call emergency services because of a weak signal or no signal. In rural and regional Australia, the rate of fatalities is much higher than in built-up urban areas.”
“This technology has great potential, and it may well transform telecommunications in years to come, but clearly it is not where it needs to be to satisfy the sales pitch of the government on this bill. Even Telstra in their submission acknowledged that satellite-to-mobile services are still under development and not ready to meet the expectations this legislation creates. That should be a concern to everyone. I'm also troubled by the vague and open ended definitions in the bill. Terms such as 'reasonably available' and 'equitable basis' are undefined. Giving the minister discretion to determine coverage areas and to exempt locations entirely also worries me when I think about what happened in Wide Bay when, upon the election of the Albanese government, the tap was turned off for these vital services.”
“Embracing new technologies may help, but we need a government motivated to improve services in all of Australia, not just Labor seats. While I recognise the intent of the bill and welcome the requirement for major telcos to provide reasonable and equitable outdoor mobile coverage, I have concerns about whether the bill as drafted will actually deliver regional Australians the services that they need and deserve. The government claims that the universal obligation will provide coverage almost everywhere, yet it hasn't been clear about what this means, and who will be left out, or about the new technologies that we'll really rely on that have not been widely trialled, tested or proven in Australia. The universal obligation is built around low-Earth-orbit satellite-to-mobile technology.”
“I know the effect that that will have, in Wide Bay, as I said, and in a wide array of areas. As a former police officer, I know the importance of reliable telecommunications. I know that reliable telecommunications can save lives but also that an absence or a lack of them can cost lives. With the Morrison government, I managed to achieve 19 new mobile telecommunications towers, including at Glastonbury, Widgee, Woolooga, Wolvi, Tansey, Cinnabar, Windera, Oakview, Curra, Wratten's Forest, Maaroom, Poona, Fraser Island, Kin Kin, Boreen Point and Cootharaba. Very disappointingly, since the Albanese Labor government has been in power, Wide Bay has received no further towers. That is alarming, and we need to do something about it.”
“I really do hope that this bill facilitates better services in the regions. The complaints that come to my office about our telecommunications system—it's one of the most frequent issues that are raised. We rightfully have an expectation that we will have satisfactory telecommunications. Mobile telecommunications have become such an important element of our daily life, whether it's in business, commerce or just our social networking. It is essential that we have high-quality, reliable and cost-effective mobile telecommunications. In parts of Wide Bay, people experience very poor telecommunications. In some cases, they don't have any. When we were in government, I did manage to achieve 19 new mobile telecommunications towers, and I was very proud of that.”
“I rise to speak on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025. This is obviously an extremely important bill for all Australians, and I do support the intent of the bill. There are elements of the bill that I have concerns about that I'll mention in my speech. We live in an amazing country that is very sparsely populated other than in the city areas, and the needs of Australian citizens in those areas are different compared to the needs of regional Australians. By virtue of the big land that we have and the lack of population density in the regions, we suffer from a lack of mobile telecommunications. Every member coming to this place from urban areas but also from the regions and the rural areas should, as a big priority, be fighting for better services.”
“Rob has volunteered at the Noosa, Sunshine Beach and Maroochydore surf lifesaving clubs, and I've had the absolute pleasure of working with him and his wife, Donna, on plans to upgrade the Noosa Rugby Union Club. Rob's lifelong commitment to his community and our nation extends well beyond his vocation. His recognition through this award is a fitting tribute to the contributions he has made to strengthening and keeping safe the Noosa community.”
“I congratulate my friend, Noosa Fire Station Officer in Charge, Rob Frey, who was awarded with an Australian Fire Service Medal on Australia Day for his decades of service protecting the community. Rob has also served for 22 years as a lead instructor at the Queensland Fire and Rescue tactical training unit. Having experienced Rob's training there, I know the skills he brings to saving lives and property. Rob's expertise has been called upon during disasters including the Victorian Black Saturday bushfires; the Narrabri, Hazelwood mine, Tamworth and Cradle Mountain fires; and the tragic Childers backpacker hostel fire. Rob also served as divisional commander for the 2019-2020 Peregian Beach and Cooroibah wildfires, and the Fraser Island 2021 wildfires.”
“I understand that today is about acknowledging and recognising this condolence motion, but it is a very sad and sorry day for Australia that this has happened. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with all of those who are affected.”
“I spoke with her a couple of days after the Bondi attack, and it was heartbreaking to see a lady whose life started with the Holocaust, now as an octogenarian in Australia—the safe haven—in the state that I saw her. She is a strong, strong lady, one of the strongest people I know, but I could see that she was seriously affected by what happened at Bondi. For me, it's a horrible, horrible circumstance that we find ourselves in this country. We do need to unite as a nation, we do need to call out all forms of radical extremism and, where appropriate, we need to legislate to help, but we can't implement laws that are going to affect people unfairly, and affect people's lives in a way where they don't deserve it. I look forward to seeing the legislation that the government will put forward tomorrow.”
“I think that contributed to a culture within a certain sector of our community who are out to harm people, and to the antisemitic protests that caused Jewish Australians to wonder whether they were safe in their own country. That's just horrible. A close, close friend of mine, an octogenarian constituent in Wide Bay, Susie, is a Holocaust survivor. At the age of three she lost her grandparents in the Holocaust. I've spoken about her before. Since 7 October, when we saw that horrible attack on Israel, she has been working overtime to try to combat antisemitism, speaking at schools and at any forum that she can to highlight how dangerous and terrible antisemitism is.”
“We have to do everything we can to address antisemitism and extremism of all kinds, but we have to do it in a diligent, measured and precise way. Tomorrow will tell us much of the story as to how we do that. Antisemitism has been on the rise for a long time. I watched the director-general of ASIO's 2025 threat assessment speech. It forewarned us about this. It forewarned us; it told us about the rise in antisemitism and the horrible acts that had been going on, directed at Jewish Australians. It begs the question, for me: why would the government choose to recognise Palestine in the middle of this—with all of the information and advice? To engage at that level, at that time, wasn't helpful. I don't think that was helpful at all.”
“I rise, as those before me have, with a very heavy heart, to pay my respects to those who lost their lives on 14 December and to offer my most sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones and to everyone affected. It is a sad day for us that we have to speak about these issues and address them in our parliament after such a horrific event. Families—as we've heard from many speakers today and we will hear for the remainder of the day—were going about activities precious to them, precious to their community. They were gunned down in such a senseless way. Everything about what happened on 14 December is terrible, but the ideological motivation allegedly behind those who committed this is deeply, deeply concerning.”
“The plan is for a two-week celebration in October 2026 packed with sports, arts, entertainment and plenty of events that highlight the region's beauty and history, including a special Mary Valley Rattler gold rush train and finishing with the return of the iconic Mary Street parade and community celebration. Just like in the gold rush days, Gympie continues to attract people from all walks of life, drawn by the relaxed lifestyle, natural landscape and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Of course, putting on a festival like this takes funding and people power. I'll be working with the organisers to help with that so we can help bring this much loved event back and celebrate heritage of the town that saved Queensland. So please consider #can'twaitforgoldrush.”
“For me, the festival is also a little bit special. It was one of the first places I took Sharon, my wife, in 1989 on a date, so I've got a special place for the gold rush. Unfortunately, the festival came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a lack of funding has stopped it from returning since. But the good news is that there's a real buzz about town to bring back the Gympie Gold Rush Festival in 2026, just in time for Gympie's 160th birthday celebrations in 2027. A passionate group of volunteers, headed up by my mate Mal Dodt, has formed to bring the festival back, and they're working hard.”
“Queensland was doing it tough after breaking away from New South Wales in 1859, but everything changed in 1867 when prospector James Nash struck gold—75 ounces of it—at Gympie in Queensland. The discovery kicked off a huge gold rush that turned the state's fortunes around and led to the founding of Gympie, the town that saved Queensland and therefore the State of Origin! The Gympie Gold Rush Festival was created to celebrate this incredible history and the role the gold rush played in shaping Queensland. From its first event in 1973 right through to 2020, the festival brought the community together. Locals, businesses, schools and community groups all chipped in to create a lively mix of entertainment and activities that honoured Gympie's colourful past and showed off just how vibrant the town is today.”
“John sadly passed away in 2022, but more than 100 volunteers work to continue his legacy, using their time and skills to educate visitors about Maryborough's colonial and military history. I worked with the museum to secure a $700,000 grant from the former coalition government to help the museum grow, to make their vast collection of memorabilia and national heritage items accessible to more people and to continue to showcase Maryborough's rich military history.”
“The Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum is a remarkable place that preserves the legacy and stories of service personnel who have served our country since the Boer War. The museum has arguably the richest collection of wartime memorabilia outside the national War Memorial and attracts local, national and international visitors, who come to see the magnificent displays of medals, uniforms, models, artwork, letters and mementos that paint a picture of the service and sacrifice of those who have fought to give us our freedom and security. The museum was established by the late John Wallace Meyers and his wife, Else, who purchased the historic Wharf Street building in 2004 and used their private military collection as a basis for the museum.”
“On Remembrance Day, we honour those who have served, as it is through their bravery and courage that Australia is safe and secure. For many veterans and their families, Remembrance Day can be a difficult time, and I acknowledge the work of ex-service organisations that support and advocate on behalf of veterans and their families. This Remembrance Day marks the 107th anniversary of the armistice which ended the First World War, during which more than 300,000 Australians served overseas and more than 60,000 people lost their lives. This year is also the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 75th anniversary of Australia's service in Korea and Malaya. We honour the brave service and sacrifice of Australian Defence Force personnel. Lest we forget.”
“The RAAF station at Maryborough Airport closed after the war, but, through the efforts of the Maryborough Military Aviation Museum Association, this vital part of the heritage city's history is being preserved, and I'm always keen to support them. This Saturday, the museum is holding a special commemorative service to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and to reflect on Maryborough's contribution to Australia's national security during the war. I wish them all the very best for their event. On Tuesday, at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to remember the two million men and women who have served in the defence of our nation, particularly the 102,000 Australians who have made the ultimate sacrifice since 1914, giving their lives for the freedom we enjoy today.”
“I thank the volunteers of the Maryborough Military Aviation Museum Association, led by Jenny Elliott, who are preserving Maryborough's wartime history. Founded in 2016, the association showcases Maryborough Airport's history as an RAAF air station and highlights the important role of the service men and women who were based there during World War II. Between 1941 and 1944, thousands of wireless air gunners, navigators and members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force were stationed in Maryborough for training before their deployment. Destined to become crew members for Bomber Command, the air gunners were trained to send and receive Morse code messages and operate machine guns in a wide variety of aircraft.”
“Around 2,000 native Papuans, the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, also lost their lives providing vital support to the Allies, moving supplies and carrying wounded troops to safety. Our brave soldiers endured unimaginable hardship as they fought a jungle war amid mud, blood, leeches and maggots, where the enemy was hidden by formidable terrain, thick foliage and driving rain. We honour and remember their bravery, their courage, their service and their sacrifice today, on Kokoda Day.”
“Today we observe Kokoda Day, which commemorates the day when, on 3 November 1942, the Australian flag was raised above Kokoda village. This year, on the 83rd anniversary of the end of the battle of the Kokoda Track, we honour the bravery and sacrifice of the Australian and Papua forces who fought a brutal seven-month campaign to stop the Japanese army from seizing Port Moresby and advancing towards the Australian mainland. They shifted the Pacific war from defence to offence. The Kokoda Track holds a deep significance for Australians. The 96-kilometre trail through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea was the scene of fierce battles, where more than 600 Australian soldiers lost their lives and 1,600 were injured or struck down with tropical diseases like malaria, typhus and dengue fever.”
“Since 2017, Hello Honey has exported these to South Korea, with its soothing candies recently showcased in the Parliament House gift shop, representing Queensland producers. Visit hellohoney.com.au to taste the difference. Recognised with the Slow Food Noosa's 'Snail of Approval' and a finalist in the 2021 Sunshine Coast Business Awards, Hello Honey is a registered trademark in Australia and South Korea and continues to thrive with recent exports to Vietnam—100 per cent Australian made, 100 per cent natural, and proudly supporting Australian beekeepers.”
“Nestled in the heart of Kin Kin, Hello Honey is a shining example of how passion and perseverance can create something extraordinary. Founded in 2017 by Judy Scrase, Hello Honey began as a humble stall at the Noosa and Eumundi markets, while Judy was a stay-at-home mum raising two boys. Driven by a love for 100 per cent organic Australian honey, especially Manuka, Judy has worked with beekeepers along Australia's east coast for nearly two decades, sourcing pure honey, pollen, beeswax and propolis from hives surrounded by native wildflowers. Propolis, or bee glue, has powerful antibacterial and antioxidant properties and features in two Hello Honey products: soothing Propolis & Honey Candy Drops and 10 gram Honey Sticks for honey on the go.”
“Guided by faith, humility and a generous heart, Peter Olds enriched countless lives. Maryborough will long remember him not only for what he built but for who he was. Rest in peace, Peter Olds.”
“Through Olds Engineering, he contributed to heritage tourism, restored historic locomotives and even helped make part of Queen Elizabeth II's royal coach. His inventions, from the Olds elevator to specialised hospital beds, demonstrated his ingenuity and his desire to make life better for others. His recognition from Maryborough's citizens as the 2000 Citizen of the Year and the Order of Australia medal reflect the breadth of his achievements. But for all his public contributions, Peter's deepest dedication was to his family and his faith. A devoted husband to Jan, who passed away last year, and a proud father to Maryanne, Robert, Andrea and Sharyn, Peter was also a much-loved grandfather and great-grandfather. His family were his joy and his legacy, and, through them, his values and love endure.”
“For more than 30 years, Peter was a board member of Saint Stephen's Private Hospital, where he not only sat at the table of governance but also rolled up his sleeves to apply his engineering skills for the hospital's benefit. From repairing wheelchairs to mentoring young people, Peter gave his time and talents freely, always, and with the quiet intent of helping others. Peter was also a remarkable engineer, inventor and innovator. He was a founding member of the Model Engineers and Live Steamers Association, building locomotives and engines that brought joy and raised funds for good causes. His crowning achievement was the design and supervision of the working replica of Maryborough's historic Mary Ann locomotive, now a local icon.”
“At the heart of every community are its people. The generosity, dedication and character of those people shape a town. Peter Olds was one of Maryborough's greatest contributors. In his passing at age 95, we say goodbye to a man who gave so much of himself to family, faith and community. Indeed, Peter was Maryborough and Maryborough was Peter Olds. Peter's lifelong devotion to volunteering stands as an example to others. He served on many committees, including the Maryborough Meals on Wheels, Blue Nursing Agency and BlueCare, and he gave his time to the Maryborough Hospital Museum. As an elder of the Presbyterian and Uniting Churches, his leadership was always grounded in humility and service.”
“He experimented with different types of grasses and crops, went to war against invasive weeds and was an early pioneer of artificial insemination in a quest to develop a short-haired cattle breed for our climate. Gordon was also a generous supporter of the Liberal National Party. He was always ready to help and to put on a smile at the polling booths while he was handing out how-to-vote cards. Gordon will be deeply missed. He was a great man. Whenever you saw Gordon walking around Kilkivan, he always had a kind word for you and some form of positive reassurance. He was a beautiful human being. Rest in peace, Gordon.”
“Kilkivan farewelled their oldest resident when my old mate Gordon Hugh McGill passed away, aged 97. Gordon grew up on a cattle property at Cinnabar, where he developed a love of the land. His mum passed away when he was 15, and his father had glaucoma, so Gordon carried a lot of responsibility in the family. Gordon and his wife, Shirley, raised their five kids at Cinnabar and were happily married for more than 50 years before Shirely passed away in 2006. In 2012, Gordon moved to Kilkivan where he made many friends who remember him as a true gentleman with a beautiful heart. Gordon was a leading member of local branch of the United Graziers' Association.”
“This Police Week, and on Police Remembrance Day, I ask that all Australians stop and consider the great job that our police do for us every day they put on that uniform, every day they go out and represent every good citizen in society, and every day they chance themselves being in some of the most dangerous and dire circumstances on behalf of the people that they serve.”
“There are people in society, and there always have been, who enjoy the freedoms and the protections that are hard fought for in our liberal democracy but who believe they are above the law; they operate outside the law to the detriment of others. They believe the rule of law doesn't apply to them, and they are un-Australian. They are cowards and, unfortunately, I think they are becoming more frequent. Whether they are political extremists on both ends of the spectrum, whether they are organised crime or whether they are so-called sovereign citizens, they are not true Australians; they are cowards. Our police officers will be there to address these threats and they will do it fairly and in accordance with the law. But they will do it on behalf of every good Australian.”
“She should be held up as a role model, and her actions on that day were courageous and showed incredible strength of character. Unfortunately, there are people out there who wish to cause police harm. In the past year, we've seen three officers lose their lives as a result of people trying to harm them. On 16 June this year, in North Motton, in Tasmania, Constable Keith Smith lost his life when he was shot and killed on duty. And, as we've all recently heard, on 26 August this year, at Porepunkah in Victoria, Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart were shot and killed in the line of duty. My deepest condolences go to their families and their colleagues, who are no doubt devastated by that loss.”
“When Inspector Amy Scott started her shift that day, no doubt she would have put on her accoutrements, she would have loaded her weapon and she would have hoped for the best but prepared for the worst. And the worst is what she ended up having to deal with when she was on foot patrol, alone, that afternoon and she was called to the Bondi Junction Westfield, where a mentally ill man had committed a rampage of death, stabbing six people to death and injuring 12 others. Inspector Scott ran towards that danger with the greatest amount of courage and professionalism. She eliminated that threat in the way that she was trained to do, no doubt saving more lives in doing so. But, once she did that, she rendered help to the person that she had to engage.”
“It's a great honour for me, as a former Queensland police officer of 16 years, to move this private member's motion and speak about the wonderful police officers who serve us every day, protecting our communities, and to also highlight and bring to the attention of parliament that on 13 September Police Week starts, and on 29 September we pause to remember those who paid the ultimate price and lost their lives in the line of duty on Police Remembrance Day. When you swear your oath of service as a police officer, you swear to do the job ethically and professionally, to keep the peace and to preserve property and life. You know that you could be called upon at any time to do that, under very extreme circumstances. I think there are probably not too many events that highlight that more than 13 April last year in Bondi.”
“I move: That this House: (1) notes that Police Week commences on 13 September 2025 with the 16th Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance, and concludes on National Police Remembrance Day, which will be commemorated on 29 September 2025; (2) acknowledges the role and service of police officers in communities across Australia, their work in protecting people, communities and property, and the risk and sacrifice that is associated with their service; (3) honours the lives of those police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duty, as well as those police officers who have suffered injuries in the course of their work; (4) conveys its respects and condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty; (5) commends the work of Police Legacy, which provides care and comfort to the loved ones of fallen police officers; and (6) reaffirms its support for police and thanks police officers for their courage and dedicated service to keeping Australian communities safe.”
“My question is for the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, and I refer to the government's decision to delay home-care-package rollouts from 1 July to 1 November. Almost 5,000 elderly Australians have died in the past year while on a waiting list for a home-care package. Will the minister apologise to these 5,000 families who have faced this tragedy and lost a loved one, and, Minister, how many more elderly Australians will have to die waiting for the government to stop the delays and commence the rollout?”
“Events like the muster require massive amounts of planning and manpower, and I thank Gympie Apex and all the volunteers for the hard work they put into making the event. such a huge success. See you at the muster this weekend.”
“The federal government has recently recognised the importance of the music muster and provided $60,000 from the Revive Live Program in 2024. The Queensland LNP government has also pledged their support to help the music muster to continue to grow. The event will receive $100,000 each year, over the next four years, from the Crisafulli government's Organisations Fund 2026-2029 to generate employment for artists and arts workers in Queensland. The Gympie Music Muster is a great example of what a regional community can achieve when it works collectively towards a common goal to provide live entertainment, stimulate economic development and provide a fun, family atmosphere, showcasing local, national and international talent.”
“Since its inception in 1982, more than 2,500 artists have performed at the event, raising more than $20 million, which has been donated to local schools, clubs, sporting groups and committee organisations, whose volunteers help out every year setting up and managing the muster. The muster's broad appeal and large attendance provides a significant boost to the Wide Bay local economy, with many nearby business owners benefiting from the influx of thousands of visitors. The former coalition government recognised the importance of the Gympie Music Muster, and I am pleased to have been able to help this iconic event and obtain a $1 million grant to help the muster provide world-class entertainment while supporting local jobs in tourism and hospitality.”
“The Gympie Music Muster is renowned as Australia's best family-friendly music and camping experience, where more than 100 artists perform in six venues over four days. It is staged in the beautiful surrounds of the Amamoor Creek State Forest, and the exciting mix of country, blues, folk and rock music, bush ballads and free workshops, conducted by some of the music industry's most celebrated artists, is a big drawcard, attracting about 50,000 people from all over Australia to the Gympie area every August. They muster kicks off today and an army of volunteers from local schools, sporting groups, clubs and community organisations have been working hard and setting up the site before the gates open to the public. The muster is much more than a music festival.”
“The committee will examine the approach to surveys, where some factors such as senior leadership and leadership, more generally, are only included every second year, and whether this approach will result in a timely response to emerging issues. This is particularly the case, as the survey did not occur in 2024 as planned. I commend the AFP for continuing to perform well in a complex operating environment to protect the safety of Australians. I wish to thank the AFP officers who gave evidence to the committee and also my fellow committee members for their contribution to the committee's important oversight role. I commend the committee's report to the House.”
“The SHIELD program commenced in 2021 and supports all past and present employees, reservists and others, and their families. It provides confidential, personalised care for all members, focusing on education and prevention, including regular health checks. The AFP told the committee that the SHIELD program has been well received. Given the importance of this program to staff wellbeing, the committee will use the next reporting period to focus on what direct measures and evaluation methodology are in place for SHIELD. In the next reporting period, the committee intends to look at the methodology for the annual staff surveys, as a full staff survey is only conducted every two years. In 2023, the survey focused on wellbeing.”
“The inclusion in the AFP's annual report of key operations as case studies is helpful to increase understanding of the complexity, length of time and co-operation required for some investigations. Operation Gain was a successful example of international co-operation. The AFP increased engagement with the Turkish authorities, which, with the assistance of the AFP, arrested 42 people, 18 of whom were high value to Australian law enforcement. Assets of more than $25 million were restrained by Turkey. The AFP's most important asset is its people, and the committee was updated on several initiatives to improve recruitment and wellbeing. The committee also received an update on the initiatives to meet the sworn female workforce target of 30 per cent by 2028, which was enforced in 2021. As at December 2024, the figure was at 26.6 per cent.”