David Batt
Hinkler · Liberal National Party · Australia
“Centres like this are especially called upon to stand up and support communities during times of crisis, so now more than ever we need to provide them with adequate support. This is underlined as we endure the cost-of-living crisis, the fuel chaos and in recent times natural disasters.”
“Earlier this year, here in parliament, I joined the calls for more support to be delivered for neighbourhood centres. In regional Australia in electorates like Hinkler, neighbourhood centres are an essential service, the heart of our communities. They foster safety, connection and social capital.”
“I rise today to congratulate an outstanding young person from the Hinkler electorate, Jaide Sutton, who has been named the Australian parliament's 2026 Yarning Competition winner in the years 7 and 8 category.”
“There were almost 100 exhibitors, and 1,140 students and more than 300 members of the general public came through looking at career opportunities within the local region.”
“The Yarning competition celebrates the creativity and storytelling of young Australians. To be recognised as a national winner is an outstanding achievement. I was pleased to join Jaide and her dad, Craig, at a morning tea with the Speaker, followed by the official presentation and launch of the 2026 Yarning Exhibition.”
“Congrats to the entire team at Jobs Fraser Coast, who continue to support the growth and development of a strong, capable and skilled workforce across industry sectors in Hinkler.”
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“Congrats to the entire team at Jobs Fraser Coast, who continue to support the growth and development of a strong, capable and skilled workforce across industry sectors in Hinkler. Before I finish, I'd like to encourage local seniors, their families and carers to attend the 2026 Bundaberg Seniors Expo this Friday at the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with key services for seniors, meet local community groups and chat with the many stallholders who are there to provide information, support and advice. I encourage everyone to come along and make the most of this great community event.”
“There were almost 100 exhibitors, and 1,140 students and more than 300 members of the general public came through looking at career opportunities within the local region. Seeing a year-on-year increase both in exhibitor and in attendee numbers, the 2026 Fraser Coast Industry and Careers Showcase attracted the highest number of exhibitors in the event's history, connecting today's students and jobseekers—the workforce of tomorrow—with employers, industry, education providers and trainers who support our region's future. As an exhibitor, my team and I were pleased to chat with budding leaders and bright young minds who will one day possibly enter into the political arena. To all who partnered, supported and attended the 2026 showcase: thank you.”
“Centres like this are especially called upon to stand up and support communities during times of crisis, so now more than ever we need to provide them with adequate support. This is underlined as we endure the cost-of-living crisis, the fuel chaos and in recent times natural disasters. Parliament must recognise the vital role of neighbourhood and community centres in providing essential social services to individuals and communities in need. Often the staff are not paid at the levels they deserve due to limited funding received. We must recognise that neighbourhood and community centres provide critical relief and emergency support and let us acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the staff and volunteers. It was great to be part of the Fraser Coast Industry and Careers Showcase a few weeks ago. It was a record breaker.”
“Earlier this year, here in parliament, I joined the calls for more support to be delivered for neighbourhood centres. In regional Australia in electorates like Hinkler, neighbourhood centres are an essential service, the heart of our communities. They foster safety, connection and social capital. They're the place where community connections happen. The Burrum Heads Neighbourhood Centre, servicing a small but rapidly growing coastal community has outgrown its home. Powered largely by volunteers, the team delivers outreach, counselling, training, sewing classes, a library, community transport an op shop, community markets and so much more. I thank the Burrum Heads Neighbourhood Centre's Julie, Kathy and Lynne for updating me on their situation and for sharing the story of the centre's growth over the past 15 years.”
“The Yarning competition celebrates the creativity and storytelling of young Australians. To be recognised as a national winner is an outstanding achievement. I was pleased to join Jaide and her dad, Craig, at a morning tea with the Speaker, followed by the official presentation and launch of the 2026 Yarning Exhibition. All three winners' artworks will be on display here at Parliament House until February next year, where over 500,000 people will be able to view the winning artworks. Jaide's success reflects not only her own talent and dedication but also the encouragement from her very talented family. Congratulations, Jaide, for representing Hinkler. With great pride, I wish you every success for your future.”
“I rise today to congratulate an outstanding young person from the Hinkler electorate, Jaide Sutton, who has been named the Australian parliament's 2026 Yarning Competition winner in the years 7 and 8 category. Jade is currently in year 7 at Kepnock State High School, where she started this year after completing her primary years at my old school, Walkervale. It was a pleasure to welcome Jaide at Parliament House this week. She travelled to Canberra on her first ever plane flight to receive this well-deserved national honour. Jaide's winning artwork Ajarku Muruu— All One Country was created around the theme of reconciliation. Through her artwork, she delivered a thoughtful and inspiring message about 'how we are all part of one country even though we all come from different places and backgrounds'.”
“We simply cannot support a move that turns Commonwealth procurement into a mechanism for pushing union-covered enterprise agreements through government contracts and down supply chains. We support the Fair Work Commission reforms but do not support the enterprise bargaining procurement changes. We call on the government to separate the two from the bill, and we'll support the Fair Work changes alone. If the government does not do this, we cannot support this bill as unamended.”
“The peak building and construction bodies agree. They say that, given the purchasing power of the Commonwealth government, it should act as a model client in this matter and seek to uphold freedom of association—not lessen it. The bill would bring about a fundamental change to Australian workplace law and should not proceed through the parliament without the appropriate levels of scrutiny. Ultimately, the provisions that are really concerning are those which allow Commonwealth procurement and contracting processes to preference employers with union-covered enterprise agreements. It will limit freedom of association and conflict with the central procurement principle of value for money.”
“I must note there are reasonable amendments in this bill to help Fair Work operate more smoothly: changing who sits on the National Construction Industry Forum, or NCIF, from the industry minister to the minister responsible for the construction industry; adding the minister responsible for skills to the NCIF; giving more time for the administrator of the CFMEU to prepare financial statements; providing a travel allowance for members of the Road Transport Advisory Group; and creating a faster process for obtaining a new supported bargaining authorisation where the parties already have an existing supported bargaining agreement. All of these amendments do make sense. But a bill like this, when presented, like it has been, with too many flags—we cannot support it as it is. It needs to be split and properly scrutinised.”
“It was paused in November 2024 and permanently abolished through the Queensland procurement policy in 2026. Independent Queensland Treasury modelling cited by the Queensland government estimates BPICs were likely to increase project costs by up to 25 per cent and create a net economic cost of up to $17.1 billion over the period of 2024 to 2030. This bill creates a similar policy risk. It would allow enterprise agreement coverage, including union covered enterprise agreements, to influence access to Commonwealth procurement and grants without requiring a demonstrated link to value for money, capability, delivery or compliance.”
“The lesson is not that enterprise agreements are inherently improper; the lesson is that, where market access depends on obtaining the right union covered agreement, there is a real risk of coercion, exclusion, inflated costs and corruption. That is why Commonwealth procurement should not be used to create incentives for union covered enterprise agreements unless there is a clear, transparent and evidence-based connection to value for money, delivery capability, lawful compliance and productivity. The Queensland best practice industry conditions, or BPIC, experience is a useful warning. BPIC used procurement policy to embed preferred industrial conditions into major government funded construction projects. The Queensland government has since said that BPIC contributed to project delays and cost increases.”
“The report became public because it was tendered to the Queensland Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU. Watson found the enterprise agreement system in Victorian construction has been thoroughly corrupted, describing it as old-fashioned, pay-to-play corruption. Watson found there was no genuine bargaining. A CFMEU official told a contracting executive: 'There is no bargaining. No, nothing will be changed in this agreement.' Watson found EBAs were awarded corruptly in return for cash to friends of union officials and to known criminals. Labour hire EBAs were said to have been sold for up to $1 million. Watson found the CFMEU punished enemies by refusing EBAs with no reasons given and no avenue for review, and that denial of an agreement can drive a decent contractor out of a business.”
“It's a 'tick, tick, tick' for jurisdictional objections, delegation of powers to staff, dismissing applications and vexatious litigants, and determining matters on the papers without holding a conference or hearing. These reforms are practical and should be supported. The problem is that the government has attached unrelated and controversial procurement-bargaining provisions to this bill as well. I can't see how forcing employers and their employees to strike deals with unions to commercially deal with this government makes any sense. It's not fair, and it's not practical. I refer to the Watson report, Rotting from the top . It's a report by Geoffrey Watson SC into corruption and misconduct in the CFMEU's Victorian construction branch.”
“It risks higher costs for taxpayers, reduced competition and a pay-to-play culture that entrenches corruption and shuts out lawful businesses. The procurement provisions risk pushing union covered enterprise agreements through Commonwealth contracting and down supply chains. It's so easy to get a case of deja vu in this place—rushed bills and attempts to cover up the details, where the devil lies. Throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. Labor is all about jobs for unions, and now the march to Canberra is on. The bill before us has two main points: changes to the Fair Work Commission and changes relating to enterprise agreements in Commonwealth procurement.”
“In a letter to the federal minister, Mr Bleijie said that Queensland would not back proposed workplace law changes that nationalise the former Best Practice Industry Conditions—which he called BPIC—policy, dubbed the 'CFMEU tax.' Let me acknowledge the Queensland Major Contractors Association. They share our view that the wording of the legislation before us is eerily similar to that now defunct BPIC policy. These laws risk the rise of BPIC 2.0 and, combined with the proposed secure Australia jobs code, could make union negotiated enterprise agreements a de facto requirement for contractors seeking federally funded work. We've all seen what happens when procurement policy is used to advantage union controlled arrangements.”
“Commonwealth procurement should be based on value for money, capability and compliance with the law, not on whether a business has the preferred industrial instrument. We've all read the newspapers and seen the TV news. The CFMEU are on the nose big time in my home state of Queensland and in Victoria. Now, thanks to this Labor government rolling out the welcome mat and getting the floodgates wide open, they're on the march to Canberra. Let's keep the spotlight on Queensland. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie is on the record correctly outlining exactly how the Labor government is trying to revive Queensland's most controversial construction policy on a national scale. This, the Deputy Premier has declared, is jeopardising the state's 2032 Olympic Games delivery.”
“This isn't just a concern of those on this side of the House; it is exactly what has been made very clear by industry, including the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They're not alone, either. Take the Business Council of Australia. They rightly point out that public money should go to businesses that can deliver, not businesses that have signed the right union agreement. The problem here is that a single Commonwealth project could impose these conditions on every business in its supply chain. The consequences would ripple through entire industries. Justice delayed is justice denied. This Labor government should not use the sensible reforms within the Fair Work Commission as cover for passing unrelated procurement changes. Where is the fair go?”
“I rise to speak to the Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Building Cooperative Workplaces No. 1) Bill 2026. The coalition supports practical reforms that help the Fair Work Commission deal with its workload, but here we go again: this Labor government is presenting a rushed and convoluted bill—a bill that should be split. We say, 'Pass the Fair Work Commission reforms and separately scrutinise the procurement bargaining provisions.' This is, to be frank, a sneaky move to aid union mates, and it will structurally shift contracting away from best-practice arrangements to inefficient, union-friendly arrangements. This Labor government should not give itself the ability to discriminate against businesses that don't have union endorsed arrangements.”
“Led by Shane Bradbury, this group of blokes from all walks of life and all ages meet on the esplanade and Hervey Bay for a walk and talk every Tuesday afternoon at sunset and as the day breaks on a Thursday morning. The Men's Walk & Talk provides a positive, supportive and inclusive space, where there's no pressure and no barriers to entry; just an opportunity to walk, talk and support. As a trained mental health first aid officer myself, I truly appreciate the value in projects like this. I thank Shane and his team of volunteers for making a real difference.”
“Simon O'Callaghan is the former boss of Yarra Ranges Tourism, in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. He helped grow their visitor economy to a staggering $1 billion annually. He's swapping chardonnay for humpbacks, and I've had the fortune to meet with Simon to discuss the challenges and indeed the opportunities for local tourism. I'll continue to work with Simon and all the stakeholders to ensure destination Fraser Coast is at the top of the list for potential holiday-makers. While local tourism is thriving, so is our community, and one of the most important strengths of any great community is connection. Coinciding with Men's Health Week, I had the pleasure of joining the Men's Walk & Talk Hervey Bay at walk No. 545.”
“The coalition are putting forward our plan to restore Australians' standard of living and protect our way of life, and the feedback through surveys like this help us form the right priorities for regional Australia. When it comes to tourism, more than 60 per cent of those in the tourism sector on the Fraser Coast are reporting to be under some level of pressure, and 40 per cent of respondents in recent tourism surveys have reported an increase in cancellations. Wages, insurance and the cloud over fuel costs are among the main factors, and that's why the coalition is committed to encouraging people to travel to our region and not deter them. While times are tough ahead of another whale season, I'm pleased to share some great news and report that Fraser Coast Tourism & Events has a new CEO.”
“This week I have launched Hinkler's Biggest Survey. Following the success of my small-business survey in May, I'm now inviting everyone across the great Hinkler electorate to have their say. It's a privilege to serve my community, and, after my first year in this role, I'm keen to hear directly from as many locals as possible. People are facing real pressures and rising costs, and I want to bring their concerns to this place, stand up for what matters and ensure my community gets a fair go. Hinkler's Biggest Survey covers issues relating to energy, taxation, health, the cost of living, transport, welfare, seniors, veterans, the environment and much more.”
“Labor's toxic taxes don't need a tweak, a carve-out or another Canberra fix. They need the axe because you don't fix a bad tax by making it more complicated. You scrap it. I sincerely thank each small business who took the time to complete the Hinkler small-business survey. In the gallery today from my electorate of Hinkler is my good friend and previous local government colleague Ms Judy Peters OAM, who is visiting Canberra this week to attend the 75th anniversary events as a life member of the Australian Local government Women's Association. I've been fortunate to work alongside Judy in many roles across all levels of government, and I sincerely thank Judy for her time and community service and for always putting her community and its residents first.”
“A handyman from Booyal, a barber shop in the Bundaberg CBD, a convenience store at Coral Cove, a sheet metal and engineering business from Pialba—these are just some of the many hardworking small businesses of Hinkler who last month completed a quick survey to let me know how they are travelling. Sixty-three per cent of respondents said they were not confident about their future. Fifty-six per cent said skyrocketing electricity prices are crippling. Wage costs are a major issue for 46 per cent, and red tape and regulation remains a burden for almost half. Many also identified the cost-of-living constraints facing their customers. This is the reality for regional small businesses, yet the budget of broken promises from those opposite is in tatters, causing confusion and chaos for small business.”
“Let us remember that their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Our veterans didn't cap their service to Australia, so we should never cap their care.”
“I met with them on multiple occasions in the past few weeks, and they've urged me to deliver this point: that veterans should not be asked to bear the cost of Labor's budget repair. As another constituent wrote in an email: 'Veterans are not a line item. They are Australians who put their lives, bodies and futures on the line for this country.' Tomorrow many of us will have the honour of attending the opening of the new Anzac Atrium and Anzac Hall galleries at the Australian War Memorial. This showcases the stories of Australian service in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East and other peacekeeping operations. It's a showcase that allows us to respectfully reflect on Australian service with the dignity, depth and significance that our veterans deserve—a tribute to the sons and daughters who answered the call.”
“This motion I support recognises that veteran families often experience emotional, financial and social pressures which are not adequately addressed in the budget. We cannot allow the defunding and discontinuation of veteran support and education programs. These initiatives have provided essential services, including mental health support, transition programs, community connection and education programs. The answer is simple: the government must immediately scrap these decisions and commit to properly funding services and programs to ensure veterans and their families receive the support, respect and care they deserve, not just defer these cuts for another 12 months. Don't clog up the health system even more. In Hervey Bay, Denzil and Sue Potter both served.”
“It will simply put greater pressure on an already clogged and broken healthcare system, just like the scrapping of the private healthcare rebate for over 65s. This Labor government is making it worse for everyone who needs access to health care. Where is the fair go? Vicki tells me her husband served for 41½ years, all the way from school to retirement. She says this cap is a kick in the guts for him and all veterans. Pieter says veterans are not here to fix years of the Labor government overspending, and Pieter is concerned with the amount of extra stress and hardship this will put on our veterans, who are already struggling. DES spent 20 years in Defence. He says this Labor budget of broken promises will deprive veterans of serious medical treatment.”
“But he needs a mix of support: podiatry, physiotherapy and psychology, the kind of help that this new cap won't allow. In Bundaberg, ex Navy Petty Officer, veteran Max Francis, has gathered hundreds of signatures from local veterans and their families. That's people putting their name on paper in strong opposition to this ill-informed change. Max and other veterans held a peaceful protest at the new ANZAC Park in Bundaberg last month. This protest, like the motion I stand here and support, acknowledges that many veterans rely on ongoing and specialist allied health support and that imposing a cap on these services will place many veterans at risk of delaying treatment and worsening health outcomes.”
“I support this motion that notes that the government's decision in the 2026-27 budget fails to support Australian veterans and their families and that the introduction of a $5,000 cap on allied health services places a significant limitation on veterans' access to essential rehabilitation, mental health and ongoing care. Take Keith for an example. He provided me with a picture of his current situation: a 71-year-old Army veteran, a gold-card, totally and permanently incapacitated veteran, who is now increasingly clinically required to access allied health support in a bid to deal with his 39 years of loyal service to our nation. Keith says visiting one allied health therapist once a week for half an hour and for approximately 38 weeks will see him reach his new annual $5,000 limit.”
“I rise in support of the motion moved by the member for Cowper, and I thank him for standing up for our veterans. Courage and sacrifice should never be forgotten. Aussies, many young and afraid, have been into battle across many wars and many years, often with an unseen enemy. And they fought to protect the rest of us—to fight for our freedom. This is why the government must scrap the $5,000 allied health cap, a cap Labor has imposed on veterans as a part of its chaotic, broken-promises budget. Veterans in my electorate of Hinkler, like those across the entire country, are feeling forgotten, stressed and confused.”
“They should put in the hard work and go through the budget line by line to find efficiencies, like every family and small business is doing in these uncertain times.”
“It was also important to hear from a range of other small-business owners at the roundtable, and I thank the sports store operators, hairdressers, cafe owners, local engineering firms and all who attended. Unfortunately, what we heard loud and clear is that these people are working hard, taking risks and investing in their future but that all that is growing for them is a lack of confidence. Labor's policy settings and new taxes are making it harder to invest, employ people, build business and create wealth. Prosperity is not created by taxing success. It's created by encouraging productivity, investment and enterprise. The government should axe these taxes and go back to the drawing board.”
“I want to thank the Leader of the Nationals, Senator Matt Canavan, for visiting the Hinkler electorate last week. Together we hosted small-business and agricultural roundtables amid rising concerns over Labor's budget, which is full of chaos, confusion and broken promises. We visited Cheshire Machinery, in Bundaberg, a family owned and renowned specialist in farming equipment. Owner Ross Cheshire expressed deep concerns around the rising electricity price pressure that is crippling the business and agricultural industries. Ross is backing the coalition plan to scrap net zero, which will reduce electricity prices. He says, as it stands, if farmers can't afford to irrigate or grow a decent crop, they're not going to buy a new tractor.”
“The result will be veterans going without treatment, their conditions worsening and the commitments falling back on their families and household budgets. The elderly in their encore years, the vets who fought for our freedom, the ones who want to live their final days in dignity—these are the ones who've paid a lifetime of taxes and made sacrifices all along the way. They deserve a fair go, not broken promises, not barriers, not more burdens—a fair go.”
“They shouldn't be told to move away from their home, away from their family and away from their support just because we can't find them a bed. The federal government is failing stranded Australians. You wouldn't believe it, but this Labor government continues to fail our veterans too. Why won't this government reverse the decision to cap veterans' allied health services? Veterans in Bundaberg held a peaceful protest at ANZAC Park on Friday, urging the government to remove the uncertainty and reverse the decision to impose the $5,000 annual cap. More than 80 veterans and their partners have already signed a petition against this cruel cap. Veterans should not be asked to bear the cost of Labor's budget repair.”
“In the country town of Childers, Forest View Care provides residential care. Three times they've applied for more beds and more support through the federal government process, only to be told: 'Sorry, nothing this time. But, please, keep trying.' There are dementia patients taking up public hospital beds while waiting for permanent aged-care spaces. How could Hinkler not be high on the aged-care priority list for more beds when our statistics show otherwise? It just doesn't add up. The government's refusal to accept responsibility is even more concerning, given that Labor's own aged-care failures are driving much of the pressure on hospitals. The current system isn't working. The government must change and adapt. Locals and pioneers of Hinkler are the reason we live in such a great place.”
“From private health cover concerns, I step into the aged-care crisis. Hundreds—that's right, hundreds—in Hinkler alone are on waiting lists to enter the aged-care system, but the system is broken. Take the Support at Home options, for example. It's one thing to get assessed—that could take months. Once approved, you might get reassessed and then wait even longer to start receiving services. Then there's the cost. The feedback I'm receiving is that it's simply not making sense. When you can no longer look after yourself at home, you have to make the tough decision to enter an aged-care facility, but there are now waiting lists to get on the waiting lists. Where are the beds? I told this place six months ago that the demand for beds in Hinkler was dangerously high and rising. Aged-care facilities are being knocked back for new beds.”
“In my electorate, around 26,300 seniors faced the prospect of private health insurance bills rising more than $800 per year for singles and more than $1,600 per couple. This is because of Labor's decision to scrap the private health insurance rebate for over-65s. It will leave many older Australians with a difficult choice: cut spending on other essentials, downgrade their cover or drop it all together. I've spoken to many people in Hinkler who have worked hard, saved carefully and paid for private health insurance for much of their lives, something that should be praised and encouraged. If people drop private health insurance, it puts more pressure on the public system, which impacts everyone. Broken promises and toxic taxes are not in any way helping the people of Hinkler.”
“The news of the Fraser Coast Hospice comes at a time when, in the northern part of my electorate, a separate community hospice group has been busily planning to establish a hospice in Bundaberg, but now they, too, are asking big questions. Given our ageing population, where will the funds for this kind of care come from in the future, and why hasn't more been done in forward planning? Hinkler is the third-oldest electorate in the country, with an average age of 49. Almost 40 per cent of my electorate is living with one or more long-term health setbacks. That's the top ranking in Australia. My community is calling for a fair go, not just when it comes to end-of-life care but for those entering retirement, a period of what should be the golden years. Over-65s are being absolutely forgotten by this Labor government.”
“I note that it was a federal coalition government, through the Hinkler Regional Deal, that provided $7.6 million for construction and initial operational funding for this six-bed hospice, but now we must do everything in our power to ensure that this hospice keeps on providing specialist palliative care, as it has done for hundreds of Fraser Coast families. In April I met with Lou and Karen from Palliative Care Queensland. I committed my support to do all I can to advocate for improving access and equity of palliative care services, to strengthen the workforce and to find better ways to fund local hospice and community care services. The situation with the Fraser Coast Hospice demonstrates how the current model needs to improve.”
“Unfortunately, despite all efforts, the funding shortfall has been too much. It would be so sad for my community if this hospice couldn't be saved. Like Barbara, I am hopeful the administrator will find a way to address current funding challenges and provide confidence around future sustainability. I commend the CEO and board of the Fraser Coast Hospice for their transparency and compassionate leadership throughout this transition. My thoughts are with the staff and volunteers who have dedicated so much energy towards the success of the hospice. Local representatives from all three levels of government will continue to work hard together, and we are committed to exploring all possible solutions.”
“There was space for all the family to visit and for Barbara to stay with him when she pleased. The family played his favourite music and shared stories of beautiful memories. The family pets were even welcome to provide company and comfort. Barbara recalls, as the end was near, John was free of pain and did not suffer, thanks to the expertise of the nurses and doctors at the Fraser Coast Hospice. Barbara tells me that something must be done to retain this important service, not just in the short term but for years to come. Only last week, here in this place, I pledged my support for this very hospice. Last month I toured the facility and had a barbecue with the hardworking volunteers. I also attended a fundraiser, where the call went out for more corporate support.”
“Since this announcement, through the local media in Hinkler, on social platforms, at a chamber of commerce dinner and in plenty of correspondence to my electorate offices in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg, it has been extremely heartening to see the immense community support in fighting for the future of this hospice. Not just since Friday but ever since its inception in October 2021, I've heard many stories from local families who have directly benefited from the hospice. Barbara told me that her late husband, John, stayed at the hospice in the days before he died in 2024. John had fought prostate cancer for 15 years. Barbara said that, in his final days at the Fraser Coast Hospice, he was treated with dignity and care and was bathed and shaved each day.”
“A hospice delivers a special kind of care: end of life care. A hospice provides an environment that feels like home with a focus on dignity, comfort and compassion. This is something everyone deserves. But today I deliver deeply concerning news to parliament that the Fraser Coast Hospice is entering administration. In a statement issued last Friday, the Fraser Coast Hospice Association Board advised that: following extensive consideration and ongoing engagement with key stakeholders and funding bodies, the organisation has resolved to appoint an Independent Administrator, with the appointment anticipated to occur on Wednesday 10 June 2026. It went on to state that the decision not been made lightly but that a funding shortfall above half a million dollars each year was making it almost impossible to keep operating.”
“I want to acknowledge the Upbeat Arts staff, volunteers and participants and make a special mention of general manager Susan Gilmartin, who I've had the pleasure of knowing since my much younger days. Susan is Bundaberg born and bred, and it was fantastic to see her launch this powerful project in her home town, and for her parents, Jim and Margaret Dean, to be on hand was very special. I hope this project can keep growing both locally and more widely, because music and like-minded people are good medicine.”
“I acknowledge the work of Jenay George from Edon Place and all the staff who have been at the forefront of the community engagement. I'd also like to recognise the role of the DFV Free Community Working Group, which consists of many community services and stakeholders, together making massive inroads with a vision to end domestic and family violence. And there's a new voice in Hinkler. It was an absolute privilege to be at the launch of the Bundaberg Upbeat Arts choir, a project which creates connection, builds community and gives participants purpose. It provides those living with a mental illness an opportunity to join a choir and make new friends. This is the fifth choir of its kind to be established and the first outside of the south-east corner of Queensland.”
“The awareness campaign is coming to an end, and the theme this year was 'Together we can prevent domestic and family violence.' Together my community of Hinkler is making a difference. Together we are remembering. Together we are standing against violence. Bundaberg Netball, Bundaberg Rugby League and Bundaberg Soccer Association each held special awareness rounds in support. I had the privilege to join school students and community members at walks for awareness and I also joined a huge turnout in Bundaberg CBD on 6 May for a sombre vigil to remember lives lost to domestic and family violence. Many local businesses all turned purple for the cause. These events are led by Edon Place, an organisation which has provided domestic and family violence support, assistance and services to my community for almost 50 years.”
“Health remains a key challenge facing regional Australia. My electorate of Hinkler is the nation's top spot for the number of people living with one or more long-term health conditions. For the past two years, we've been blessed to have one of our very own local GPS in the position of president of the AMA Queensland, Dr Nick Yim, who concluded his tenure on 14 May. I thank Dr Yim for his ongoing advice to me regarding many matters, including Medicare, care delivery, aged care and so much more. Doctor Yim is a passionate medical educator, and he'll remain as immediate past president of the AMA Queensland for the next two years. I commend him on his advocacy and commitment to long-term planning instead of bandaid solutions for our GPS in regional Australia. In Queensland, May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.”
“When it comes to strengthening Australia's security, only the coalition will make Australia stronger and safer in the face of global threats, with a whole-of-nation national security strategy and real increased funding for defence. By increasing defence spending to three per cent of GDP, the coalition will provide real increases to defence spending. The coalition will back Australians who work hard, save hard and want to get ahead because our country is worth fighting for. The coalition will ditch Labor's capital gains tax and negative gearing changes. We will scrap net zero and deliver the lowest possible power prices. Australia needs to be a country that uses its land, its resources and its people. Labor may have given up on Hinkler and regional Australia, but the coalition never will. We are just getting started.”