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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“I thank both the Bundaberg Region tourism CEO, Katherine Reid, and the Fraser Coast tourism and events CEO, Martin Simons, for assisting with Mr Hogan's visit and for providing the opportunity for our operators to share a slice of Hinkler's beautiful backyard, all while, importantly, outlining the opportunities regarding regulatory reform and the challenges and pain points where industry needs more assistance. The biggest challenges right now are workforce shortages, the cost-of-living crisis and housing limitations for potential employees. I'm committed to working with our tourism sector leaders and all levels of government to support our tourism and export industries. As we begin a new year, I look forward to getting on with the job, serving you, serving Hinkler.”
“Those meetings will help guide our policy settings because we want more jobs for locals and we want to give young people a real chance to live and stay in their home region. The Nationals' energy plan was at the heart of many discussions. We heard from exporters who are battling huge diesel bills and rising energy costs. Labor's obsession with trying to lead the world in cutting emissions is unaffordable and, indeed, unattainable. Yes, we want to lower emissions—but only to the levels of other OECD countries.”
“I'm committed to showcasing first-class businesses who are exporting across the globe and to celebrating the tourism sector, which is also famous across Australia and the world. We met with seafood exporters, including Australian Ocean King Prawn Company; whale watching boat operators, including Whalesong; farming and hospitality representatives; and tourism providers, including Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort. We as the Nationals will always support regional Australia and promise to deliver a cheaper, better, fairer future, and that starts with supporting local business and cutting red tape. Hinkler is an economic powerhouse with an abundance of great products that bring immense opportunity.”
“It's a flag our service men and women fought under and a flag that is draped over the coffins of our heroes who died defending our treasured Aussie values and our way of life. Burning our flag doesn't advance justice or unity; it deepens division and erodes respect. I am forever immensely proud of our flag. Just before the end of 2025, I had the pleasure of welcoming the Deputy Leader of The Nationals to my electorate of Hinkler. At the time in his role as shadow minister for trade, investment and tourism, Kevin Hogan joined me in hosting two full days of roundtable meetings with leaders of local tourism and agricultural sectors. We heard directly about the great achievements, opportunities and challenges facing local businesses.”
“Despite repeated attempts, including an amendment during the recent sittings, the Labor government voted against making flag burning a criminal offence. This leaves the national flag, the enduring symbol of our history, freedoms and shared values, vulnerable to public desecration. The Australian flag is not just a piece of fabric. It represents our shared history, our sacrifices and the freedoms earned through generations of courage and service. Burning our Australian flag or any flag isn't bravery or activism. It's disrespectful and wrong. Protest is a democratic right, but desecrating our national flag is not. Our flag represents our shared history, the sacrifices of Australians before us and the freedoms that allow peaceful protesters to occur in the first place.”
“This year, I joined my parliamentary colleagues to launch a 'Proud of our flag' campaign, and many of the wonderful people in my electorate of Hinkler continue to show support for our flag as they drop into our offices in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg to collect a 'Proud of our flag' sticker and make requests for flags to fly at their homes. While I enter 2026 filled with hope and enthusiasm for my electorate of Hinkler and our great nation, there is an overwhelming sense of unrest. This is a time when we must unite as a nation. Today I join with the calls for urgent action to criminalise the burning and desecration of the Australian flag. It's something numerous people have contacted my office about, especially since the awful violation of our flag that we all witnessed on Australia Day in Brisbane.”
“It's the one symbol for mateship, freedom and a fair go for all: the Australian flag. On the recent Australia Day long weekend, I was proud to attend awards and citizenship ceremonies in my electorate of Hinkler and fly our Australian flag with pride. Australia Day 2026 was a wonderful celebration of my community, recognising the ones who go above and beyond, and a chance to welcome new Aussies who now get to call the best country in the world their home. Our flag was everywhere, and so it should be. It represents a story of service, sacrifice and the freedoms we share. It's an expression of our identity and pride.”
“When it comes to a top-shelf drop, Hinkler leads the pack. I ask the government to agree to these amendments, back a fair go for spirit drinkers and take this opportunity for a broader review of Australia's alcohol tax system. Do it now while we can, because it's well overdue. Will the government consider long-term relief—relief that makes a real difference—for the hospitality sector and deliver consistent and evidence based measures that matter?”
“Let's cut the energy expense so that the makers of your favourite drop don't have to pass it on. Pubs and clubs are the meeting places for our regional communities. Let's make them more affordable. The Nationals are pushing for the comprehensive Treasury review of the alcohol tax system and an extension to indexation relief on tap spirits. The Nationals support tax relief on beer but want to see the whole alcohol tax system improved. In regional Australia, in the cities and towns I represent in Hinkler, pubs and clubs aren't a luxury. They are the social and economic lifeblood of our communities. They sponsor local sport, host fundraisers and keep towns connected. That's the real Aussie spirit. My electorate of Hinkler's array of award-winning makers, brewers and distillers serve up more than amber ales.”
“These amendments back up what I called for last year, soon after meeting with the chair of Diageo, Sir John Manzoni, and his Australasian team while they visited here in Canberra. Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks, and they look after the Bundaberg Rum brand and many others. In my home state of Queensland, the Queensland Hotels Association has thanked us for backing the freeze on draught beer excise. Yes, it's a win for local pubs, hardworking hospitality workers and every Aussie who enjoys a cold one without needing a small loan, but these amendments will go further. Hardworking Aussies deserve to be able to afford a cold beer or a glass of their favourite spirit mix. In a cost-of-living crisis, net zero is adding to power bills and sending Australian jobs overseas. Let's reduce the cost associated with keeping your beer cold.”
“Industry has briefed us and made it clear that tap spirits are a growing part of the product mix for pubs, clubs and small bars and appeal to a wider variety of customers. Extending the freeze to tap spirits served in hospitality venues will strengthen the flow-on benefits and provide cost-of-living relief beyond customers who choose to drink beer. The alcohol excise framework is more than 100 years old. The 2010 Henry review was the last comprehensive look at the excise system, recommended a single volumetric tax system based on alcohol content and criticised the patchwork system of rates. Freezing the tax only for draught beer is arbitrary and unfair. It provides welcome support for pubs, beer producers and beer drinkers but ignores distillers and people who prefer spirits over beer, including many women and young adults.”
“The makers, distributors, the pubs on the corners of the main streets in our country towns, the sports clubs that bring families together for each of these—changes to our alcohol taxation system couldn't come fast enough. It's a mess. That's why the Nationals are putting forward amendments to legislate a review of the alcohol tax excise system to be finalised by Treasury before 2 November and extend the indexation pause on draught beer to include on-tap spirits. These amendments strengthen what is already being served up. It puts the bubbles in the beer and delivers a better deal for the makers, the supply chain and, ultimately, those who enjoy a cold one at the pub, the bowls club or while watching the local footy on a Saturday afternoon.”
“I rise to speak to this amendment. The National Party is backing the amendment presented by the member for Cowper. It's about a fair go for spirit drinkers. It's about a proper, albeit well overdue, review into Australia's ancient alcohol tax system. As I have proudly stated and metaphorically raised a glass to in this place before, my electorate of Hinkler is famous across not only Australia but, indeed, the world for producing some of the finest tipples you'll ever try—the iconic Bundy rum, Kalki Moon distillery, the Spirit Collective and Campfire Distillery in Hervey Bay, the legendary Bundaberg ginger beer, and, of course, the many craft breweries, including 384 North Brewing in Bundaberg and Cauldron Brewing in Hervey Bay.”
“At such a young age, Lucy has already had success with Brisbane Heat, Queensland and more recently the Delhi Capitals at the prestigious WPL in India. The Aussies take on India in Perth next month. I can only imagine how proud Lucy's parents, Stephen and Claire, and all the members of the Hamilton and Melville clans are, as well as her many friends. Congratulations, Lucy. From all of Hinkler: we wish you well for the upcoming series and indeed a long cricket career ahead.”
“It was great to attend the celebrations—along with the member for Hervey Bay, David Lee; the Fraser Coast mayor, George Seymour; and three councillors—and to hear about the history of Zonta Club, which was chartered in December 1990. In the 3½ decades since then, hard-working members, past and present, have been helping to build a better world for women and girls. Our community is richer and our future is brighter thanks to the organisations like the Zonta Club of Hervey Bay. Congratulations and happy birthday, ladies! Many children have a dream of wearing a baggy green cap. And for Bundaberg cricketer Lucy Hamilton the dream is one step closer. She has recently been named in the Australian test squad at just 19 years of age.”
“I'm very keen to see more items of memorabilia be considered for long-term loan to the Isis RSL subbranch. It would be fitting for our Childers community to honour the connection and legacy of HMAS Childers . Late last year, during a visit to Larrakeyah defence precinct and HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin as a member of the Defence subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I saw the HMAS Childers in dock. I had the fortune to speak with the commanding officer of HMAS Coonawarra about the boat's link to the electorate of Hinkler. It's wonderful to see the shield find a home in Childers, and I hope more items from the ship make their way to the town. I want to acknowledge the 35th birthday of the Zonta Club of Hervey Bay.”
“I have a good news story for the town of Childers in the heart of my electorate: the Isis RSL sub-branch is now the proud custodian of a HMAS Childers shield or crest, as it's known. The shield was originally presented to HMAS Childers upon commissioning way back in July 2007. In December, the Navy formally farewelled the Armidale-class patrol boats, including HMAS Childers , in a solemn decommissioning ceremony at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin. Since the middle of last year, I've been working alongside the Childers Chamber of Commerce and the Isis RSL sub-branch in a bid to acquire items from the ship and bring some history home to the red soils of Childers. During decommissioning, a crew member from HMAS Childers obtained the shield, and, off his own bat, he had it restored, painted and personally delivered to the Isis RSL sub-branch.”
“Meanwhile, the Bundaberg region winners included the Citizen of the Year, Jo Leveritt, founder of Wide Bay Advocacy and Bundaberg Street Law; the Young Citizen of the Year, Harrison Titmarsh; the Senior Citizen of the Year, Lester Lewis; the Sportsperson of the Year, Michael Ebert; the Creative Citizen of the Year, Ross Driver; and Community Group of the Year, Next Level Youth Jam. They are all worthy recipients. I congratulate them all.”
“Dee-Anne Kuilboer received an Australian Corrections Medal for working in corrective services, and Hinkler's newest OAM recipients were Ernest Drew from Burnett Heads for service to people with disability, particularly those who are vision impaired or blind; and Bundaberg's Luke Harding, for outstanding service to the community, through various organisations including the SES, the RSL and Defence. Congratulations also to the winners of the Fraser Coast 2026 Australia Day Awards: the Citizen of the Year was Bernard Whebell, of the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre; the Young Citizen of the Year was Toby Robinson; the Art and Culture Award of the Year was won by Emma Newman; the Sport and Wellbeing Award of the Year winner was Cody Steele-Sullivan; and Community Group of the Year was Scouts Queensland.”
“On the Australia Day long weekend, I was proud to attend awards and citizenship ceremonies in Hinkler. They were a true celebration of the people of my community and a salute to what it means to be living in the best country in the world. On the honours list, Member of the Order of Australia medals were awarded to Terry Doherty, my former PE teacher at Bundy high school, for service to basketball; and to Robert Blair, for service to our First Nations community.”
“These communities rely on firearms for pest control and livestock protection. These are five things that I've had through my office in the last few days from people who are completely against this and what's going to affect them. This bill is large, complex and consequential. Stakeholders have had inadequate time to scrutinise it. It contains a series of flaws. We don't have a gun problem, we have a radical Islam problem.”
“Here are just a few examples of the dozens of emails I've received in my office in just the past few days: As a sport and recreational shooter I feel that we are being unjustly targeted through new laws that haven't been seriously debated and proper consultation undertaken. The gun buyback and import restrictions appear to target licensed, law-abiding owners rather than addressing the root causes of violence. There has not been enough time to consider all the implications and unintended consequences of the bill. If a national buyback proceeds that compensation needs to reflect current market value, cover accessories and ammunition stocks and include provisions for dealers and businesses. Firearms are a legitimate and necessary tool for farmers and those living in regional and rural Australia.”
“Of course we support public safety, but the buyback framework is incomplete, with key scheme details not finalised. There is no firm legislative guarantee of fair market value compensation for weapons surrendered, consistent with the 1996 model. There is also no clarity around the cost, which could be enormous and ultimately swell to many billions of dollars. That will almost certainly result, in this case, in inconsistency, confusion and inequities across jurisdictions. The proposed restrictions on imported pistols risk prohibiting lawful pistol imports, including for recognised sporting and elite competitions.”
“Labor is attempting to present this as a decisive antisemitism response, but the firearms package is a major policy shift that will have huge consequences well beyond the stated purpose. I will always be standing up for the people of Hinkler and all Australians who will, very unfairly, be hurt by this. The Bondi terrorist attack was horrific, but the content of this bill is effectively using that tragedy to justify wideranging gun laws, changes that will be felt most sharply by lawful farmers, sporting shooters, collectors, licensed pistol competitors, firearms dealers and other related businesses. This is not a credible counterterrorism response; it's a diversion from the government's countless number of grievous failures and missteps in dealing—or, more to the point, not dealing—with antisemitism and radical Islam.”
“Some of these contracts are with this federal government, our state government and our local councils. The reality is this: do you honestly believe that, by spending a billion dollars trying to take guns off Australians, you are actually going to take the guns off criminals and terrorists, not the innocent Australians? Yes, the coalition supports genuine measures to combat antisemitism and violent extremism, but this bill is being pushed through with minimal opportunity for scrutiny, even though it is a proposed response to the worst terrorist attack in Australia's history, and it risks punishing law-abiding Australians while failing to address the real causes of extremism and terrorism.”
“I rise to speak against the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026. We need to do better and what is right. We owe it to those who lost their lives and those impacted by this attack to get this done in a measured and precise way. We don't have a gun problem; we have a radical Islam problem. I support a national register, but that on its own isn't enough. In my home state, the Queensland government have indicated they won't even be involved in any buyback scheme. We don't need these laws to stop another Bondi. We just need to enforce the laws we already have, with law enforcement agencies working more cooperatively. Many people strongly opposed to these gun laws have contacted my office—legitimate businesses with contracts that could collapse. Their businesses could close down.”
“To the Jewish people of Australia: we must do everything we possibly can to ensure that you are safe and you are protected in this country and to shine a light on this dark episode, which will always be ingrained in Australia's history. Shalom.”
“So much hope came from this tragedy. Last week I visited the local Lifeblood in Bundaberg, where I regularly donate plasma. I was told by the staff that they've been busily accepting blood donations since the call went out soon after 14 December. This is what Aussies do: roll up their sleeves—literally—and do all that they can to help. There are also the quiet charity offerings and so much more. We owe it to those who lost their lives, and those impacted by this attack, to ensure that there is a full and proper Commonwealth royal commission. This parliament and our great nation must commit to a thorough investigation without fear or favour, working with one another for a common goal, to do better, to do what is right and to always remember each of those 15 innocent lives taken away by the terrorists.”
“As it unfolded, police officers, paramedics and surf lifesavers—some in uniform and others, off duty, in plain clothes—plus, of course, those everyday Australians, many of whom themselves were under fire, ran towards the danger and put their own lives on the line to save others. And save lives they did. The heroics resonated with my community of Hinkler, as they did across the nation and indeed the world. Yes, in Hinkler, we live 1,200 kilometres away, north of Bondi, but we felt close to this tragedy. Seeing the pictures on our TV screens and in our social media feeds, we watched our fellow Aussies being attacked and we watched in awe as Australians stood up and fought back. I also need to mention, and share gratitude for, the doctors and nurses and all the medical staff who assisted in the hospitals as the emergency unfolded.”
“In the face of this, the worst terrorist attack in our history, we all must find a way to unite and stamp out antisemitism. We must crack down on radical Islamic extremism. To the families, friends and loved ones and the broader community: as you mourn, please know that, together, we are with you. On 15 December, the day following the Bondi terror attack, I spoke with members of the Jewish community in Hinkler to let them know I was standing with them and so, too, was our Hinkler community. Our Jewish friends were left shattered, and now, understandably, still need our love and support. I am proud to represent the people of Hinkler and I'm grateful for this opportunity to stand in this parliament on their behalf and pay our respects. I applaud the heroes who responded to the terror attack.”
“Sunday 14 December 2025 at Bondi started out as a typical Aussie summer's evening at the beach—an evening filled with fellowship, friends and community; a celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light, a festival of love—but it turned into a day which our nation will remember as one of darkness and death. On behalf of the people of Hinkler, I share our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the 15 innocent lives lost at Bondi, lives taken because of an unimaginable act of terror, an act of hate, an act of violence. My community of Hinkler stands together with our Australian Jewish community. The people of Hinkler grieve together with all of Australia. Let us, together, remove hate from our society. To the victims of this tragic and senseless terror attack at Bondi: together, we remember you.”
“My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How many meetings of the National Security Committee of cabinet, which deals with important energy security issues, does the minister, who works part time, expect to miss while he's overseas at his full-time job as president of COP negotiations?”
“My family and I would like to wish those in my electorate of Hinkler a wonderful Christmas filled with love and laughter and a new year that brings peace, health and happiness.”
“There were so many great achievements acknowledged on the night, but I want to mention that the Bundaberg Business of the Year was awarded to LiveLife Pharmacy Kepnock, and the Childers 2025 Business of the Year was presented to IGA Supermarket at Childers. Congratulations to all the awardees. It's a season for celebration in Hinkler. I was proud to support the annual Fraser Coast Business and Tourism Awards and tip my hat to my region's most successful businesses and tourism enterprises. The award I had the privilege of sponsoring was the Best New Fraser Coast Business, and that went to Social Box. The Social Box team now has a full-scale operation serving up wholesome meals to people all over Hinkler, including to aged care and NDIS clients and providers. It's a privilege to serve as the federal member for Hinkler.”
“I encourage everyone to stand with our Zonta clubs to eliminate violence against women and children. Last week, Peter and Joyce Drummond celebrated 70 years of marriage. The word 'wow' was written on their anniversary cake. Married in Ballarat on 19 November 1955, Peter and Joyce have two children, Stephen and Kerry. They are also blessed to have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. I wish Peter and Joyce all the very best, and here's to many more anniversaries down the track. Congratulations must extend to all the winners of the recent Bundaberg and District Business Excellence Awards.”
“Thanks to businesses such as Bundaberg's Cha Cha Chocolate and Avenell Bros; Homeleigh House at Bargara; Migaloos Seafood, Urangan Fisheries and RAD Rolled Ice Cream in Hervey Bay; and Buck's Butcher Shoppe in Childers—just to name some who have helped us kickstart this great local first initiative. Sixteen days of activism has begun this week in Hinkler. It's a campaign to eliminate violence against women run by the Zonta clubs of Bundaberg and Hervey Bay. As a White Ribbon ambassador and through my various roles in the police service and politics, I've always been a passionate advocate for this cause. Tomorrow, day 3, is a day of orange to symbolise a brighter future free from violence. The program will conclude with a day of reflection on Wednesday 10 December.”
“Last week, I launched a 'local first' campaign to celebrate all things home grown in Hinkler. In the lead-up to Christmas, the state member for Hervey Bay, David Lee, and the member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett, have joined with me to encourage my community to shop, visit, eat, buy, drink and dine local first, I thank the many businesses who have signed up for the posters to help spread the word, and I do hope it all results in a much-needed boost to our local economy. Hinkler's small and family businesses are the backbone of my community 365 days a year.”
“Principal Dan McMahon has been at the helm of the Shalom College in Bundaberg for 17 years, and, when the bell sounds for the last time this term, it will herald the end of a wonderful era. Dan's leadership, innovation and foresight is what makes Shalom one of the best regional schools in Queensland, if not the nation. Dan creates an environment that supports students no matter where their strength lies. Shalom is the 10th school Dan has taught at or led since he started teaching year 6 at St Mary's Dalby in 1978. Whilst his time at Shalom is drawing to a close, he's not done yet. All the best for next year, in leading the St Leo's community at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Dan, you will be missed—all the very best and God bless.”
“With their final exams now complete, I'd like to congratulate the graduating class of 2025. It's been a privilege to attend school awards nights and ceremonies across my electorate of Hinkler, celebrating milestones, acknowledging successes and shaking hands with impressive young leaders. My message to our year 12 students is that, whether you've made plans for further study, for work or for travel—or maybe you're still making up your mind—it's all good; there's plenty of time. I'd like to acknowledge a man of conviction, a man of education, a man of faith and a man who countless youngsters can thank for guiding them on the right path, including my two daughters.”
“While the government claims to be investing, the current approach is clearly failing older Australians, hospital staff and patients and demonstrates yet another example of the government announcing big promises without delivering. The federal government is failing stranded Australians. The current model for aged care is not working.”
“This is clearly not happening, and the current system isn't working. The government must change and adapt. Locals and pioneers of my region are the reasons we live in a great place, and they shouldn't be told to move away just because we can't find them a bed. This government is forcing older Australians to remain in hospital beds when they have no medical need to be there, leaving them effectively homeless due to a severe shortage of aged-care placements. This is at the expense of other patients needing urgent care. The warnings from state health ministers couldn't be clearer. These Labor government failures are blocking hospital beds, contributing to bed block in emergency departments, cancelled surgeries and gridlock across public hospital systems.”
“In Childers, Andrew says there are currently 472 people on their waitlist alone. Andrew, who has almost 30 years of experience in nursing, tells me that this is the hardest it's been to find adequate care for our community. He is over it. He is angry. He's desperate. This is dire. Put the money into beds. We must reward the services who are trying to make lives better and enable them to help more. Hinkler is home to a high percentage of people in the prime of their life and moving into their golden years. So the demand for medical services is being stretched, and we are struggling to find enough support. Aged-care facilities are full. Wait times are up to three years. I support the concept of allowing people to stay at home longer, but with that you need affordable and reliable support mechanisms.”
“At 79 years old, Petronella has rapidly progressive dementia and is no longer able to be cared for in her home. Mrs Davis is a stranded patient, one of around a thousand people in Queensland taking up a public hospital bed while waiting for a more permanent care solution. Forest View Care, in the country town of Childers, has 30 beds. Childers is in the heart of my electorate of Hinkler and is Petronella and George's hometown. In October, I wrote a letter of support for Forest View as it appealed the department's decision to refuse funding for new beds. Forest View General Manager Andrew Ainscough had unsuccessfully applied to the government four times for an additional 44 beds. Andrew says it's never been harder to find care for patients, and he is searching for answers to why they continue to be knocked back when the need is so great.”
“Hinkler is losing our elderly, who are being forced to relocate out of their hometowns, away from family, away from friends and away from their community, because they can't find a local aged-care bed. The Queensland health minister, Tim Nicholls, announced only last week that people waiting in public hospitals for more appropriate care are costing Queensland $2.5 million every day. That's money that's not being diverted into emergency departments or other surgeries. Petronella Davis is in Bundaberg Base Hospital waiting for an aged-care bed. Her husband, George, thought retirement would be the best time of his life—as it should be—but 80-year-old George spends every single day travelling 100 kilometres to sit by his wife's side in hospital. Petronella is not in need of a hospital bed.”
“I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Nicholls, noting the government's failure to deliver adequate aged-care beds, with an annual shortfall of more than 9,000 beds. I serve the community with the second-highest number of people aged over 65 in Australia. I also represent the community with the highest number of people living with long-term health conditions. In my electorate of Hinkler, the aged-care crisis is real. Resort-style living for over 50s is booming, and this simply emphasises the desperate need for real action now to address a critical shortfall of aged-care beds. The demand for beds is dangerously high, and it is rising. Aged-care facilities that have applied for extra beds are being knocked back. Dementia patients are taking up public hospital beds while waiting for permanent aged-care spaces.”
“If we each do our little bit in Hinkler and go local first it will go a long way at a time when doing business is a tough gig. I'll be joining forces with state MPs the member for Hervey Bay, David Lee, and the member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett, for this campaign because they want what's best for businesses in our community too.”
“In the lead-up to Christmas, we need to put money into the pockets of local small businesses, local primary producers and local tourism. That's why I'll be launching a local first campaign right across my region of 'Bundy, bay and bush'. It's about tourism—visit local first. It's about our farmers and fishermen—choose local first. It's about our local businesses—buy local first. It's about supporting those in our own backyard first. If it's tourism, you can see the turtles lay at Mon Repos or take a tour of the rum distillery. For your Christmas feast, get your seafood fresh from Urangan Fisheries, Red Shed Seafood or the Australian Ocean King Prawn Company. Then, there's too much in the salad bowl to mention—an abundance of fresh produce, including macadamias, mangoes, juicy lychees, melons of all shapes and sizes and much more.”
“We must extend support to all of our police men and women, because the thin blue line is getting thinner. To our police, both retired and actively serving: thank you. Next Tuesday, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we will pause and reflect for Remembrance Day. Across my electorate of Hinkler, commemoration services will be held in memory of those who served and sacrificed in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations; 11 November marks the end of World War I in 1918, the day when the guns fell silent on the Western Front. I will join the Hervey Bay RSL Sub-Branch for its 2025 Remembrance Day ceremony and lay a wreath at Freedom Park. It's a time for all of us to remember those who fought for our freedom and this land that we love. I encourage everyone to spend a few minutes to remember our fallen.”
“Like many in this House, I recently attended a moving National Police Remembrance Day event on 29 September. I joined my community in Bundaberg to pay respects to the police officers who run towards danger when others flee and to remember those who've lost their lives on the line of duty. It is especially important to me, a former police officer of 23 years, to remember friends and colleagues who are no longer with us. I'd like to acknowledge Chief Inspector Grant Marcus for coordinating a well-attended service at the Bundaberg Baptist Church. The special guest was Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Kelly. Mark and I were police cadets together, both commencing our service in 1989. It was great to catch up with Mark, and I thank him for attending a local service.”
“If Labor is serious about the cost of living, it must stop the spending spree and start growing the economic pie. Let's do more for country publicans like Dan at the Grand Hotel Childers and for the craft breweries in Hervey Bay and Bundy. The people of my electorate of Hinkler, like those all over Australia, deserve to enjoy an affordable drink of their choosing. And the pubs, clubs and hospitality workers—and those right throughout the industry and across the supply chain—need more than a reprieve. They need ongoing support, and I will make sure that they continue to get mine.”