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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“It welcomed a new CEO, Ms Heather Cook, in January 2024 and has been refining its purpose and performance criteria to align with recommendations from the ACIC review. Regarding the ACIC's annual report for 2024-25, the committee found the agency's performance and reporting to be highly satisfactory. The ACIC consistently performs to a high standard. It fully met nine of its 11 performance criteria. For the two targets it substantially met in the period, the agency provided a satisfactory explanation for this in the report. The ACIC's key achievements in 2024-25 included the development of a national firearms register, the processing of over 7.26 million police checks, the expansion of the National Criminal Intelligence System and the dissemination of intelligence products 12,500 times to 291 agencies.”
“On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, I present the following reports: Examination of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission annual report 202 4 -2 5 and Examination of the Australian Federal Police annual report 202 4 -2 5 . Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). by leave—I rise as Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement to present the committee's report examining the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, ACIC, annual report for 2024-25. This committee has a statutory duty to examine each annual report of the ACIC, review the performance by the ACIC of its functions, monitor crime trends which may indicate that changes to the ACIC are required and report back to parliament. The ACIC has been undergoing a period of change.”
“Be wary of bills that are this rushed. Should we be talking about fuel excise? Can we reduce the excise? The government should be looking at every option to take pressure off, including temporary and targeted relief, because so much damage has already been done.”
“It is even below the COVID-19 pandemic low of 2020. As for the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026, we on this side of the House are weighing up what that means. It was brought in here at 9.15 this morning, and I'm sure those on the other side are also still reading their talking points as they're speaking in here. It'd be nice and, more importantly, appropriate to have the opportunity to properly understand it and scrutinise it, but right now all we are seeing is a game of politics. Regional Australians don't have the luxury of jumping on a bus or working from home. Fuel is how we get to work, how we get our kids to school, and how our businesses and our farms keep running. When the pumps are empty, our communities grind to a halt. The parliament should be focused on getting fuel flowing and prices under control now.”
“Increasing the maximum penalty for anticompetitive behaviour and ensuring the price of misconduct is high enough to deter unfair activity is good. We must ensure consumers retain a robust level of protection. Yes, we support tougher penalties for those doing wrong, but the commission must also prosecute. We won't cop fuel gouging, but let's not forget to give confidence to the independent fuel retailers, who don't know where their next order is coming from or when. Doubling penalties won't help supply. This government needs to do more. It needs to do better. How about acting for regional Australia too? Don't put the blame on Australians. Speaking of confidence, it's worth pointing out that consumer confidence has now fallen to its lowest since records began, stretching back over 50 years to 1972.”
“What about the tour boat operators taking visitors to the southern Great Barrier Reef, with fuel costs now skyrocketing by upwards of $2,000 every day? What about the Hervey Bay retirees who are changing their driving behaviour, too afraid to leave their homes because they simply can't afford it? Australia is facing a genuine national emergency and fuel crisis, and this is being felt everywhere, especially in regional Australia. Prices are visibly hitting households in real time. Working from home is not an option for so many in the regions. So what about the bills before us here today, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 and the Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026? Yes, the coalition is backing the doubling of penalties for the ACCC. This is tangible.”
“Right now, the cost of diesel in my regional Queensland electorate of Hinkler is sitting at a high of $3.15 per litre. Unleaded is upwards of $2.50 a litre. Those opposite keep telling Australians that we are in a good position to deal with this crisis. Tell that to Brian from Bundaberg, who called my office this morning. He's wondering how he will afford to visit his grandchildren in Brisbane during the upcoming Easter holidays. Tell the farmers and producers of Hinkler that we are in a good position. They are already changing the way they do business. They're busily reconsidering who they can viably supply and how they can do it. What about the truckies taking our produce to market from Hinkler and delivering essential supplies to our region?”
“More than 200 homes and businesses were inundated, and every single one of those will need support in the days, weeks and months ahead. The people of our region are tough, and our community spirit has been shining brightly. However, that resilience doesn't mean we should be left alone. My role is to keep the pressure on governments and see that effective infrastructure is delivered before the next flood event. Thank you to all who have stood up and supported friends and strangers in their time of need, including the Alive Church, led by Joey and Adam, and the swathe of 'Mud Army' volunteers they coordinated. To our emergency services staff and volunteers, who have been working around the clock to keep people safe and informed: thank you. Now, together, let's get Bundy back on track. When it comes to flood mitigation, we need action.”
“I've been working alongside Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn and local and district disaster management groups. I'm ensuring all levels of government do their fair share and understand the evolving needs of our affected residents and businesses. Prior to entering federal politics, I was Bundaberg Regional Council's disaster management and resilience coordinator, and before that, as a councillor, I was deputy chair of the local disaster management group and local recovery coordinator after our 2013 record flood. It's pleasing to see our local planning and development throughout this period has improved the quality and efficiency of response. While the mighty Burnett River rose to levels just under the 2010 flood, this disaster has changed lives forever.”
“This will give greater protection on both sides of the river, north and south. This will keep both bridges open longer, keep residents connected and limit congestion and inconvenience by keeping more roads open. Since the flood peak, I've been in regular and productive meetings with the federal minister for emergency management, Kristy McBain, who visited Bundaberg last week; shadow minister for emergency management, David Littleproud; and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli. I've welcomed several Queensland ministers to town, including Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie, as well as taking Insurance Council of Australia CEO Andrew Hall for a tour of affected areas.”
“The people of Bundaberg have once again banded together, following the third major flood since December 2010. I rise today committed to advocating for flood mitigation that is effective and can be delivered sooner rather than later. Money has already been allocated from state and federal governments in the order of $170 million. We must get moving forward, initially safeguard the Bundaberg community from major floods of the size we just experienced and, if possible, have protection for floods like the event of December 2010. Let's implement the mitigation options that give us immunity in most major floods. In the initial stages, it can be installing floodgates on saltwater and distillery creeks to protect homes and businesses on the south bank, as well as building minor earthwork and floodgates on the north and south side.”
“So it felt like being at home when I got to visit Woolworths Kepnock in Bundaberg to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Rebecca Erwin, the national winner of the Woolworths Fresh Leader Award. It recognises someone who brings passion for fresh in stores. Bec's extensive knowledge and passion for developing others, particularly women in leadership, empowers her team to succeed. Congratulations, Bec, on this national award. In my quest to visit every single school in my electorate and spread the word about civics, I was pleased to present flags to the Pialba State School captains Devon and Avaley last week, along with Principal Matt Winter, who advised that the school is the oldest in Hervey Bay at 142 years old. On Friday, I also attended Childers State School for a flag presentation and Harmony Day celebrations.”
“On International Women's Day, I had the great pleasure of sponsoring and attending the Zonta Club of Bundaberg's brunch. The Young Women in Leadership Award finalists featured a group of five focused and driven young women, and I had the opportunity to announce the overall winner: Imogen Anderson. The inaugural Robyn Rehbein Yellow Rose Award recipient was Ann Vautin. Congratulations to Imogen, Ann and all the nominees, and to Zonta for supporting, empowering, uplifting and celebrating women and girls. Customer service is always the number one priority when it comes to doing good business. I learnt that lesson from a young age when I worked in the deli at Woolies on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings.”
“Locally owned media with a sharp local focus is crucial at a time when so much regional content is being swallowed up and overshadowed by state and national network news. Editor Craig Winter tells me that their small family business has made huge investments in local media, and his staff have worked incredibly hard to get this first edition off the press. When local media is thriving, politicians like us can be held to account, and the issues we are standing up for can be covered. Hervey Bay, like all regional communities, deserves to be kept informed and represented. I congratulate the Hervey Bay S un on their first edition.”
“However, I would urge all residents who may be affected in north, east, south and central Bundaberg, and in Avoca and Branyan, to act now and enact your disaster plan. Find family or friends in safer places and move while you can. The people of Hinkler are tough, and together we will get through this flood like we have in the past. I say thank you to those who are standing up and supporting friends and strangers in need. Times like these bring out the best in our people. To my community, please stay safe and stay informed by following the Council's Disaster Dashboard. At a time when we are witnessing a general decline of regional media, it gives me great pleasure to inform the House that a new hard-copy newspaper has gone to print and 20,000 copies of the H e rvey Ba y Su n have been distributed to my community.”
“The minister has assured me that she is well aware of the flooding currently impacting Bundaberg and will be monitoring it closely. I've been granted leave from parliament, and I will be heading back to the electorate first thing tomorrow morning to be on the ground for the recovery efforts. This afternoon both traffic bridges, which connect the north of Bundaberg to the CBD, have been closed. As my community always does, it is pitching in—mates helping mates to get people and their belongings to higher ground. My office and I have been keeping in contact with businesses that will be impacted and have offered our support. I've also been in briefings with local and district disaster management members. An evacuation centre has been established at the Bundaberg Recreation Precinct as a last resort for affected residents.”
“As I rise this afternoon, so too is the mighty Burnett River which runs through Bundaberg. Homes and businesses have begun to be inundated and more are under threat as the Burnett is expected to peak at a major flood level overnight tonight, at a level similar to, but hopefully lower than, that we experienced in December 2010. Approximately 280 homes and 120 businesses are expected to be inundated at some level As council's former disaster management officer, I encourage people to keep up to date with trusted local advice. Look out for your neighbours, and stay connected with the council disaster dashboards. I've just met with the federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain MP. I thank her for meeting with me at such short notice today.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. In my electorate of Hinkler, demand for emergency relief is skyrocketing. The Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre usually serves 80 meals to those in need every Wednesday night. That has now increased to 120. Most of those meals are for children. Does the Prime Minister accept responsibility for the impacts his decisions are having on Australia's lower living standards?”
“Regional Australians must get a fair go into their future, and we must help them now. A future offset adjustment in superannuation does little to relieve the stresses of today. If the government is serious about helping households in Hinkler, it must tackle inflation at its source—excessive spending and weak growth—rather than reshuffling offsets within the retirement income system. This proposal should not be viewed in isolation. Today, it is superannuation balances above $3 million. Tomorrow, it may be another threshold, another definition or another asset class. Once the principle of taxing unrealised gains is entertained, it does not remain neatly contained. Is this Labor government opening a new chapter in a high-tax, high-spending approach to governing? All the evidence points to it from what I see.”
“Australians accept reform when it's principled, predictable and based on broad consultation. What they do not accept is retrospective tinkering, ad hoc changes and ideological experiments dressed up as modest adjustments. What faces us today reinforces a broader pattern: higher spending first then new taxes to pay for it later. That is not reform; that is fiscal mismanagement. Beyond the headline rate and threshold changes, the legislation introduces serious structural risks. The removal of the effective death tax exemption creates uncertainty for families precisely at the moment they are most vulnerable. Tax policy cannot be designed in isolation from lived reality. When retirement income settings are destabilised, confidence in the entire system is eroded.”
“In an inflationary environment being made worse by this Treasurer and his willingness to pour debt petrol on this inflation fire, failing to index thresholds was a silent tax hike. Major structural tax changes must be put clearly and transparently to the Australian people. Instead, this proposal appeared out of nowhere with limited consultation and a rushed legislative timetable. The people of my electorate of Hinkler were told by this government that they were going to make life easier for families. The reality is less flexibility and less choice. Life has been harder for hardworking Australians—to pay the mortgage, to pay the bills, to pay the power bill and to make ends meet. Labor has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Under Labor, Australians' real wages are falling while costs are rising. Trust is fundamental in tax reform.”
“This was not a proposal that was just aimed at hurting retirees; this was aimed at hurting future generations, stealing the future of younger Australians away from them without their knowledge or understanding. The original design to tax unrealised gains represented a fundamental break with longstanding principles of the Australian tax system. Aussies know that tax is paid when income is realised, when a gain is crystallised and when cash is at hand. To propose taxing paper gains, particularly in volatile asset classes, was not a minor tweak. This was a structural shift that would have set a dangerous precedent across the entire tax base. Equally concerning was the government's refusal to index the $3 million threshold.”
“In fact, Australia has had the biggest fall in living standards of household disposable incomes in the developed world. The Nationals know how to get a cheaper, better and fairer deal for regional Australia. As a coalition, we absolutely stand for lower inflation, lower interest rates and lower taxes. In stark contrast, Labor's reckless spending is keeping inflation higher for longer. Regarding this bill, coalition and community pressure forced Labor to abandon taxation of unrealised gains and the indexation freeze. The government, called out again, retreated under pressure thanks to sustained scrutiny from the coalition, from the superannuation sector itself, from small-business owners and from everyday Australians. We forced Labor to step back from the most outrageous elements of this proposal.”
“I rise to speak to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Bill 2026. Pressure from this side of the House and our communities across the nation, including regional communities like Hinkler, forced the taxation of unrealised gains to be abandoned. People power had a small win. But it is clear that this government cannot be trusted with tax reform. Labor doesn't have a revenue problem; the government has a spending problem. This is the first tax that Australia did not vote for at the last election, less than 12 months ago. Yet here is Labor, ramming it through. I represent the people of Hinkler, the regional cities of Hervey Bay and Bundaberg and the country town of Childers. My community is experiencing a decline in living standards.”
“Yesterday I had the privilege of welcoming students from Bundaberg Christian College to Parliament House. This was the first opportunity I've had to host students from Hinkler as the federal member. It was wonderful to catch up with the school's new principal, Brendan Hosking, and teacher Karin Benham, who were accompanied by school leaders Rachel, Mackenzie, Isabelle, Suraya, Caleb, Ethan, Emma and Helene. I'm committed to promoting civics in our schools, and it was a pleasure to discuss politics with these engaged students. I take the opportunity to wish all senior students from Hinkler the very best for 2026.”
“Tomorrow is Red & Yellow Day, a new nationwide celebration to recognise surf-lifesaving volunteers. Sun, sand and salt air is at the heart of Hinkler. Surf lifesaving attracts almost a thousand members in my electorate, with more than 200 patrolling between three clubs: Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Elliott Heads. You can support the cause by simply wearing the colours, by donating, by fundraising or by signing up and flying the flags we were taught to swim between. On Friday I joined Surf Life Saving Queensland's Darren Everard and Andrea Berthelsen at Bargara to raise awareness for the cause. The latest Summer coastal drowning report shows a 14 per cent decrease nationally. With almost 4,000 rescues in the past 12 months saving nearly 700 lives, those in the red and yellow are truly life savers.”
“I want to encourage all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students of Hinkler, no matter what medium they choose, to enter this possibly life-changing Yarning Competition, sharing stories and celebrating culture.”
“I had the pleasure of recently joining two Hinkler based, world renowned and highly acclaimed Aboriginal artists, the Sutton sisters, to help spread the word about parliament's recently launched Yarning art competition. Chern'ee and Brooke are both wonderful role models in Hinkler and beyond. Their contemporary work is ever popular and the pair are often commissioned to complete special projects. It was a competition that propelled Chern'ee's illustrious career when, at just 13, she entered and won her first art competition. It ignited her passion and gave her confidence. Brooke has been inspired by her older sister and has an impressive resume in her own right.”
“I rise to acknowledge some Hinkler heroes. The Fraser Coast Swim Club has been named the overall winner of the inaugural Queensland Country Championships, which were held in Rockhampton in January. This new initiative by Swimming Queensland brought together 45 regional clubs. The Hervey Bay based club was represented by 27 swimmers who competed in 170 swims. There were 88 finals appearances for 34 gold, 17 silver and 29 bronze medals won—and there were 106 personal best performances. I recently joined a training session at the Fraser Coast Swim Club to commend the members on their efforts and for doing Hinkler proud in the pool.”
“None do this better than the Bulls Masters cricket greats, who have formed a non-profit organisation developing cricket in the country areas and supporting community groups such as our men's sheds. Led by former Queensland Sheffield Shield star and Aussie player Jimmy Maher, the Bulls Masters carry out hospital visits, fundraise for charity, encourage our children to play sport and help improve our local facilities. Next week, the Bulls Masters return to Bundaberg for what's been an almost decade-long partnership, this time bringing to town one of the fastest, if not the quickest, bowlers we've ever known, Jeff Thomson.”
“The biggest ever Bundy Cup attracted 94 teams across 10 divisions with around 4,000 people on site each day. It was a remarkable event and another example of sport bringing people together and boosting our local economy. Hervey Bay will host a high-level Rugby League match next month, as the Ipswich Jets take on the Sunshine Coast Falcons in a round 2 clash of the Queensland Hostplus Cup fixture at Ralph Stafford Park. Queensland Rugby League is the fabric of many communities across my electorate, and this competition, also known as the Queensland Cup, provides a clear pathway to the NRL for regional talent. It's great to see those successful in sport give back to the game and, in particular, support grassroots and regional areas.”
“Sports fans, what a time! This week, Aussies have had the chance to marvel at the talents of skiers on the slopes and legends of the luge at the Winter Olympics, which keeps us captivated in Italy. Meanwhile, my fellow Queenslanders are eagerly anticipating hosting the 2032 Summer Olympics. I was impressed with the sporting prowess on show in my own backyard of Hinkler at the weekend. Our future stars of track and field with a dream to compete in Brisbane 2032 could well have been in the mix. I had the privilege of presenting medals to those on the podium at Queensland's Central Coast Regional Athletics Championships, hosted by the Bundaberg Athletic and West Bundaberg Little Athletics clubs. One of regional Australia's most prestigious touch football events was hosted in Hinkler at the weekend as well.”
“The Salvos in Bundy and the neighbourhood centre in Hervey Bay, like many service providers, are going to need more support to deliver and answer the constant calls for food, shelter and general expenses. It's about the weekly shop, the monthly power bill, the rent and the mortgage. This is Labor's cost-of-living crisis. Labor spends, prices rise and Australians pay.”
“Our energy and climate plan is to lower prices first by amending the rules to prioritise the lowest energy prices, to do our fair share by aligning ourselves with comparable nations and to create a fair go for all by scrapping senseless carbon taxes and reducing the regions' heavy burdens. Empowering local solutions, we'll support the local initiatives on the ground that make a positive environmental difference, and we'll support all technology. It's not just about ruling out renewables but about having a sensible approach and a sensible mix. For protecting our security, we must prioritise defence, our critical minerals and our food and fuel security.”
“We will start by cutting income tax and easing cost-of-living pressures. We'll get the budget under control and stop the waste. We'll introduce affordable energy and responsible emissions reduction. Importantly, we must keep Australians safe at home and secure our borders. It's in our DNA to keep backing small business, growing the economy and creating jobs. We'll cut red tape, support enterprise and get more Aussies into work. The Nationals have led the plan for a cheaper, better and fairer future, with regional Australia at the heart of this sensible policy.”
“Every minute, we are paying $50,000, or $72 million a day, just in interest on Labor's debt. Every dollar that pays interest is a dollar we can't spend on aged care, on Medicare, on schools, on hospitals or on tax relief. We cannot put unsustainable spending on the national credit card for our kids to pay back tomorrow through Labor's higher taxes. After nearly four years of Labor, Australians are paying more for everything. Insurance is up by 39 per cent, energy is up by 38 per cent, rent is up by 22 per cent, health care is up by 18 per cent, education is up by 17 per cent and food is up by 16 per cent. When I return home over the coming weeks, I will be asked, 'What will the coalition do about this mess?' We'll take the pressure off families, fix the budget and keep Australians safe.”
“This week, I also heard from the Salvos in Bundaberg, where Captain Chris Millard described a 20 per cent rise in demand at Christmas time. More people need food and essentials than ever before. This growing list of essential needs is simply too expensive under this government. Labor has presided over the biggest collapse in living standards in the developed world while fuelling an addiction to spending that is driving up the cost of living today and leaving a $1.2 trillion debt bomb for the next generation. Under Labor, we have experienced the largest decline in living standards in the developed world. Mortgages are up by an average of $1,800 a month after 12 rate rises. Labor's spending has blown out from 24 to 27 per cent of GDP, the highest level outside of a recession in nearly 40 years.”
“The organisation develops and delivers programs and services in response to community needs, and one of the most pressing is the need to support vulnerable people who are feeling the immense squeeze of Labor's cost-of-living crisis. When power prices rise and keep rising under Labor, this impacts the wellbeing of our community, and organisations like the neighbourhood centre step up and are busier than ever. A drop in transport access for the elderly means a loss of connection and not attending medical appointments. Demand for emergency relief is skyrocketing. The neighbourhood centre's Comfort Kitchen usually serves 80 meals every Wednesday night. It's now around 120, and the growth area, sadly, is in children's meals. More people are coming in for help with housing support, but there's very little left to provide.”
“I rise to support the member for Page, who today provides the House with the important fact that this government's betrayal of Australians due to higher energy costs and other cost-of-living pressures is out of control. Only late last year, I hosted the Deputy Leader of the Nationals in my electorate of Hinkler, one of the lowest socioeconomic regions of this country, and he was able to see firsthand that Labor's mismanagement is hitting Hinkler hard. As of late 2025, the average weekly rent for houses in Hervey Bay was sitting between $625 and $650. That's a super tight, high-demand market with vacancy rates below one per cent. I recently toured the ever-expanding Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre with CEO Tanya Stevenson and committee member Bernard Whebell.”
“This is about the weekly shop, the monthly power bill, the rent and the mortgage. Inflation rose to 3.8 per cent in December, accelerating at the worst possible time for families—over Christmas. I said in my first speech: … all Aussies deserve a nice home, cheaper living standards and a fantastic family lifestyle, but, please, do not make decisions— in this place— affecting other electorates that you wouldn't want to implement in your own. This is Labor's cost-of-living crisis. Labor spend; prices rise; Australians pay.”
“The cost of living is out of control. In my electorate of Hinkler, one of the lowest socioeconomic regions in the country, pressure points like interest rate rises hit hard. Only yesterday I heard from the Salvos in Bundaberg, where Captain Chris Millard described a 20 per cent rise in demand at Christmas time, more people needing food and essentials than ever before. The growing list of essential needs is simply too expensive under this government. After nearly four years of Labor, Australians are paying more for everything. Insurance is up 39 per cent, energy up 38 per cent, rent up 22 per cent, health up 18 per cent, education up 17 per cent, and food up 16 per cent. The Salvos in Hinkler, like many service providers, need more support to deliver, and answer the constant and rapidly rising calls for, food, shelter and general expenses.”
“In 2017, an International Basketball Federation Hall of Fame member and Basketball Australia Hall of Fame legend, the late Al Ramsay, described Terry's contribution to basketball refereeing, saying: There are few, if any, who have given so much to basketball officiating in Australia. Terry was an inductee into the Basketball Queensland Hall of Fame in 2024. Terry, congratulations on the Member of the Order of Australia medal.”
“Following Terry's recognition, Basketball Queensland issued a congratulatory message saying, 'This national recognition reflects decades of leadership, service and commitment to the game.' Terry's more than 50 years of contributions to Queensland basketball have included refereeing, the education of referees and referee coaches and the development of referee and referee coach education. Throughout the seventies, eighties, and nineties, Terry was commissioner or referee coach at dozens of Queensland and Australian championships. In 1985, Terry was appointed the inaugural Australian Basketball Referees' Commissioner. He was a pioneer in the education of basketball referee coaches.”
“The Australia Day Honours List for 2026 features great Aussies from my electorate of Hinkler, including one of my former teachers. A prestigious Member of the Order of Australia medal was awarded to Terry Doherty for significant service to basketball in administrative and referee education roles. Terry was the head of physical education at Bundaberg high, and while he developed some wonderful talent in the sport of basketball, he was no miracle worker. I certainly was not going to be a Boomer!”
“My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Can the minister name a single Australian who received the $275 reduction in their power bills by the end of 2025 as promised by the Albanese government?”
“Her work has created lasting impacts and strengthened social justice across the Bundaberg region. Jo's dedication has changed lives and reflects the true spirit of service recognised through this award. I commend these Hinkler heroes and all those who are nominated for various Australia Day awards. They are the heart and soul of our community.”
“I toured the ever-expanding services of the neighbourhood centre with Bernard and CEO, Tanya Stevenson, only last week, and I witnessed the amazing community hub and all that it offers. Bernard's work colleagues stated he is someone who leads with integrity, generosity and quiet confidence, always focused on people, not recognition. Congratulations, Bernie. The Bundaberg region Citizen of the Year, Jo Leveritt, is the founder of Wide Bay Advocacy and Bundaberg Street Law. Jo is a highly respected human rights lawyer and social justice advocate who provides free legal service and systematic advocacy for vulnerable members of our Hinkler community. Jo's leadership and community involvement support people facing poverty, domestic violence and mental health challenges.”
“There has been a contribution of $10 million in federal funding, and now the job is finally getting done to ensure this stretch of the Bruce Highway is safer for travellers and, importantly, our local Buxton residents. I'd like to highlight some of the many great Aussies from the electorate of Hinkler who were acknowledged in our local Australia Day awards. I've had the privilege of meeting with the Citizen of the Year award winners from Hinkler, including Hervey Bay's Bernard Whebell who was named the 2026 Fraser Coast Citizen of the Year. Bernard was recognised for years of dedicated service to the community, particularly through his leadership with the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre. His contribution has helped guide growth, strengthen services and create meaningful outcomes for thousands of people across the region.”
“The milestone development follows years of community pressure; strong advocacy, including by our state member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett; and extensive consultation, culminating in a design that reflects the needs of the growing Buxton community. I've been working with residents in calling for this upgrade for a long time, and this final design strikes the right balance between safety, access and efficiency on one of my region's most important transport corridors. This wouldn't have happened without the announcement made by the coalition government in 2020 and the commitment from the Queensland LNP's Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg.”
“I'm very pleased to note a significant win for my electorate made possible through investment under a former coalition government initiative, the Hinkler regional deal. I was yesterday informed that detailed design investigations for the Bruce Highway and Buxton Road intersection upgrade at Isis River—a stretch of road just south of Childers, which I travel most weeks when I'm not here in Canberra have been—have been completed. The design will keep the speed limit to 80 kilometres per hour at this spot and includes dedicated right and left turn lanes into Buxton Road and the local service station and improved access for nearby property owners. Construction on the intersection upgrade should start by the middle of this year.”