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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“This measure will pause indexation of the beer excise for two years, but it does nothing about inflation in the cost of everything. A 1c cheaper pint is not effective cost-of-living-relief. The Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 are small wins for beer drinkers, brewers and every pub, club and hospitality business across Hinkler and the nation. But more must be done for Australia's hospitality and alcohol industries. This measure is worth just $90 million over the forward estimates. That's tiny compared to the $8 billion collected annually from alcohol taxes by this government. These businesses have gone through COVID, record high inflation and endless cost-of-living pressures. Let's support the ongoing viability and growth of our local industries and Australian jobs.”
“Everyday Australian are footing the bill for Labor's spending spree, in their tax returns, their electricity bills, their mortgage payments and their growing difficulty in finding a job. Labor has no strategy to address the government spending spree fuelling inflation. There is no sign of a broader excise reform conversation, just piecemeal freezes. Labor must reintroduce quantifiable budget rules. Australians deserve better. The government's two strategies, debt and taxes, are not a plan for prosperity. The coalition's priority is clear: stop the spending spree and start growing the economic pie so Australians can get ahead again. The coalition welcomes any relief for pubs, clubs and beer drinkers, but this needs to be more than a patchwork fix in the face of high inflation.”
“When it comes to top-tasing tipples, Hinkler leads the pack. The bill to freeze the indexation of draught beer excise for two years is a good thing, but we must expand the scope and focus beyond the beer and onto spirits. The Nationals Federal Council at the weekend moved a motion supporting an ongoing freeze of the federal alcohol excise tax and a reduction of alcohol tax across the board to a fair and equitable level at licensed venues. Because of Labor's economic vandalism, households are paying 15 per cent more for food, 15 per cent more for health, 19 per cent more for housing, 37 per cent more for insurance and nearly 40 per cent more for electricity. Mortgage holders are paying $1,800 more a month, with 12 rate rises and only three cuts since Labor came to power.”
“Let's reduce the costs associated with keeping your beer cold. Let's cut the energy expense so that makers of your favourite drop don't have to pass it on. I don't want to forget the smaller brewers. Power prices are up. Gas prices are sky high. Rent and wages are high. The cost of ingredients to make craft beers is making it tough for these relatively small businesses to make money. The freeze in question is not relevant to most small brewers, as they are already exempt from excise duty on a certain volume of their production through a remission scheme, but these breweries still need more cost relief. They have to compete with the bigger brands, and their overheads, like electricity and wages, are making it very tough. My electorate of Hinkler's array of award-winning makers, brewers and distillers serve up more than amber ales.”
“The Nationals energy and climate plan is better because we will protect our local environment through local community action such as waterway protection, land restoration and soil carbon. We will ensure that our national security is not compromised. The Nationals energy and climate plan is fairer because we will reduce emissions in line with comparable nations, not ahead of them. We will ensure that costs are distributed fairly, not concentrated on regional Australia. We need to bring common sense back to solving climate change. In a cost-of-living crisis, net zero is adding to power bills and sending Australian jobs overseas. Even worse, it's damaging the natural environment, when there's a fairer way to reduce emissions. We need to take the pressure off family power bills, protect local jobs and do our fair share to reduce emissions.”
“It's a constant rise, twice a year, year on year—everyone paying more for a beer. It's not good for his family pub and not good for his customers. Dan knows this freeze is good, but it's not going far enough to absorb the high electricity prices and the ever-increasing costs that the suppliers and brewers are passing on. That's where the Nationals plan for a cheaper, better and fairer energy future comes in. Australians can't afford Labor's net zero. Families are paying too much. Jobs are being lost. Forests and farmland are being destroyed. Labor's net zero has failed. The Nationals energy and climate plan is cheaper. We will lower energy prices first, use all of our resources and abandon the commitment to net zero. All carbon taxes and restrictions should be removed.”
“He's quickly taken this country pub in Childers to an international audience, thanks to what's called the Mongrel Menu, featuring some extraordinary food challenges. The widespread interest in these contests is epic. The menu features one-kilogram local steaks and big burgers. Videos of people attempting these challenges generate around 7½ million views on social media every month. Dan has 25 staff, and he's proud of what he's achieved, but clearly Dan and his team need to be creative. While the freeze on tap beer is a reprieve, it's just that. While Dan is grateful, this freeze is only a pause. Publican Dan's family has been in the hospitality game for three decades, and he tells me the one thing that he's always experienced, since the beginning, is the guarantee of rising tax on beer.”
“Freezing the biannual indexation of alcohol excise for two years from 1 August this year means beer is cheaper. But let's be honest; while a reprieve, it's hardly noticeable. This commitment to freeze the tax was always matched by the coalition, because we know that clubs, pubs and hospitality workers need a break, and hardworking Aussies deserve to be able to afford a cold one. The reality is that this freeze delivers less than 1c of relief per pint. There's a well-known pub that sits on the Bruce Highway in Childers, in the heart of my electorate of Hinkler. The historic Grand hotel has been owned and run by the Corliss family since the mid-1990s. Dan Corliss, a former police officer, has worked on and off in the family pub over the past 30 years and took on the official role as publican in 2024—something I've always wanted to do.”
“The industry is proposing amending the Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 to introduce two new subitems to the excise tariff schedule. This is a small increase to the existing draft beer freeze, which the government expects will cost only $95 million over five years. Tap spirits are a growing part of the product mix for pubs, clubs and small bars. Extending the freeze to tap spirits would provide cost-of-living relief beyond customers who choose to drink beer. In my home state of Queensland, the Queensland Hotels Association has thanked us for backing the freeze on draught beer excise. Yes, it is a win for local pubs, hardworking hospitality workers and every Aussie who enjoys a cold one without needing a small loan.”
“But Labor should have Treasury conducting a comprehensive review of the alcohol excise system. Extending the draught beer excise freeze to tap spirits is being advocated for by Spirits and Cocktails Australia and supported by the Australian Hotels Association, the Queensland Hotels Association, Clubs Queensland and Clubs Australia and the Night Time Industries Association. Together, they are seeking to extend the two-year freeze on draught beer excise to tap spirits served on premises in hospitality venues. I support that as well. Tap spirits would include bulk containers of spirits and lower-alcohol premixed drinks designed to be connected to pressurised or pump delivery systems. It is not proposed to extend to standard bottles of full-strength spirits or to individual ready-to-drink bottles or cans.”
“If those opposite were serious about addressing the cost of living and the deeper issues surrounding the alcohol excise system, they would have delivered more. The Labor government should have advocated for a comprehensive review of the alcohol system. An ice-cold beer is good, but, when there's more froth than there is amber liquid in your schooner, you'd expect better. That's what the industry wants too. I recently met with the Chair of Diageo, Sir John Manzoni, and his Australasian team when they visited here in Canberra. Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks, and they look after the Bundaberg rum brand and many others. While they are supportive of the tax pause, the freeze applies only to on-premise draught beer, not bottled beer, packaged drinks or wine. So, yes, Diageo, like other industry leaders, support the pause.”
“I rise to speak to the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025. My electorate of Hinkler is famous all over Australia and indeed the world for producing some of our nation's finest beverages. The iconic Bundaberg rum, Kalki Moon distillery, the Spirit Collective in Hervey Bay, the legendary Bundaberg ginger beer and, of course, many craft breweries are making a name for themselves, such as 384 North Brewing in Bundaberg and Cauldron Brewing in Hervey Bay. The bill to freeze the indexation on draft beer excise for two years is welcome. But, when it comes to tax relief, many of the makers behind the brands that put my region of Hinkler on the map have been left wanting, and they are hurting, under Labor.”
“This award recognises someone from the police force who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to Neighbourhood Watch Australasia by building strong partnerships between police and the community. A district crime-prevention coordinator for Bundaberg district, Brit has been a Neighbourhood Watch liaison officer for over five years. She is widely respected for her dedication and for supporting key community programs, including Youth in Touch, which uses touch football to divert young people from crime; Rise Up, Be Yourself, a domestic violence support program, known as RUBY; and ThinkUKnow, which promotes online safety. I'd like to commend Brit's dedication and professionalism and thank her for making our community a safer place.”
“A school crossing supervisor, Estelle—affectionately known, of course, as 'the lollipop lady'—has, for nine years at Branyan school and 21 years at Avoca school, served with care and compassion. It's people like Estelle who form the fabric of our community. It was great to be visiting Avoca State School as Estelle was recognised for her work, which I hope continues for many more years to come. I'd like to congratulate Senior Constable Brittany Duncan, a valued member of the Queensland Police Service Wide Bay Burnett district, who recently received the Neighbourhood Watch Australasia Police Commissioner's Award. Senior Constable Duncan is a well-known representative of the police service in my community of Hinkler.”
“Only a few days prior to the big race in Wollongong, at my mobile office, I caught up with Matt's very proud grandfather, Syd Dart, in beautiful Burrum Heads. Syd is a well known local and, of course, one of Matty's biggest supporters. The raw emotion as Matt crossed the finish line to secure the world title was something to behold. Matt is the first Aussie since Emma Moffat in 2010 to win a WTCS title. Congratulations to Matt, his family, friends and support team for doing Hervey Bay and Hinkler proud. Not all Hinkler champions come from the sporting field or the track. Estelle Shaw is a hero who wears fluoro. For 30 years, Estelle has kept children safe crossing the road to and from school.”
“Last week, I had the privilege of personally presenting 17 sporting champions from Hinkler with certificates of recognition for their amazing efforts across a wide range of sports, including Lincoln Davis from Hervey Bay, who represented Australia in Muay Thai. These school-age stars represented our region in sports such as basketball, touch football, squash, golf, rugby league, BMX and many more. These local sporting champions have received much-needed financial support to attend state, national and even international championships, and I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate them all. You can't get any better than the best in the world. Hinkler is celebrating Hervey Bay's Matthew Hauser becoming the World Triathlon Championship Series 2025 world champion.”
“In their 90th year, I applaud the work of BUSHkids staff, the Friends of BUSHkids volunteers, CEO Carlton Meyn, president Dr Neil Bartels and the board for all they are doing to give our youngsters the best shot at life. Thank you.”
“BUSHkids, as an organisation, has evolved, and it is always about improving the lives of children, particularly those experiencing disadvantage. BUSHkids delivers holistic family centred services in collaboration with local communities, community organisations and health and education providers. In Hinkler, the Early Childhood Approach, or ECA, delivers services in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg, supporting children with disability or developmental delay from birth to age nine. I recently had the privilege of supporting and attending the screening of a film called SEEN , presented by BUSHkids, which provides an inspiring insight into the power of positive parenting.”
“These programs build friendships around the world and teach students a new language and culture. I have proudly met with these two youth exchange ambassadors and presented them with an Australian flag, an Australian pin, a copy of our Constitution and other resources to take with them overseas. On behalf of the Hinkler community, I wish Max and Emily safe travels and look forward to catching up with them both on their return. I wish BUSHkids a happy 90th anniversary. It is a not-for-profit organisation supporting children and families in regional, rural and remote Queensland. Once known as the Royal Queensland Bush Children's Health Scheme, the roots of this organisation are in the electorate of Hinkler, in Hervey Bay. It all started with summer camps for bush children at the QCWA holiday college at Pialba.”
“The strong themes discussed were aged-care concerns, veterans affairs, telecommunications shortfalls, energy policy, rising electricity prices and the cost of living. I thank my community for attending these mobile office locations. I value their feedback. I will always work hard to find solutions to any matters facing the people of Hinkler and ensure regional Aussies get their fair share. I highlight two of Hinkler's finest young ambassadors and leaders: Hervey Bay's Maxim Van Wijk and Bundaberg's Emily Cullinan. Max is 15 years old and has been selected to attend a Rotary youth exchange for 12 weeks in Belgium. Max is hoping to hone his French language and immerse himself in the local culture and cuisine. Emily, from Bundaberg, is also 15 years old and will head to Cancun, Mexico for her three-month exchange.”
“I also met with Australian Medical Association of Queensland president and local Hervey Bay GP Dr Nick Yim, who highlighted the need for private practices in Hinkler to be given a fairer go to ensure patients can access more affordable and reliable health care. I've had the fortune to take my mobile office on the road throughout Hinkler over the past two weeks. My 'Straight off the Batt' office visited 17 locations. My team and I said g'day to locals at the Buxton boat ramp, Childers' main street, the wonderful beachside village of Woodgate, Torbanlea, Aldershot, Toogoom, the beautiful Burrum Heads, various locations around Bundy, Burnett Heads, Bargara, Elliott Heads, Pialba, Urangan and River Heads.”
“The generosity of the local O'Brien and La Rocca families made this grotto and garden possible. I'm proud to have officially opened the new Hinkler electorate satellite office in Hervey Bay, a bustling and booming community that deserve to have their voices heard. Thankyou to the Leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, for giving his time to celebrate the opening. I've commenced constituent meetings in the office, and on the day of the ribbon cutting I was fortunate enough to spend time with Hervey Bay pharmacist Paul Stanton in the lead up to World Pharmacists Day. Paul shared the challenges and opportunities facing our local pharmacy, and I applaud Paul and all Hinkler pharmacists for their role in keeping my community healthy.”
“My electorate of Hinkler is full of opportunity, new beginnings and wonderful people getting things done. This was on show at the blessing of a new grotto and garden at the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Childers recently. The famous Bruce Highway runs through this town and the peaceful space is open to locals and travellers looking for somewhere to take a break. The new Maternal Heart Garden and Grotto was officially blessed and dedicated as a place of fellowship, faith and renewal. I had the privilege of being involved in the opening with Father Jack Ho, members of the parish and the year 1 students from the neighbouring St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, where I presented an Australian flag at an earlier assembly. The students sang, danced and used AUSLAN to celebrate the opening.”
“On 9 March this year, with little warning, Hervey Bay was inundated with a record-breaking deluge as a result of ex-tropical-cyclone Alfred—189 millimetres of rain fell in just two hours. The recovery is ongoing for hundreds of flooded homes and businesses. The three steps to get ready are knowing your risk, as impacts for extreme weather are different for everyone; making a plan so those in your household have peace of mind; and packing a kit, getting extra supplies at the ready. The parliamentary debate this week surrounding the need for more reliable communication and a more trustworthy 000 service is underlined during Get Ready Queensland Week. These need fixing now. Get Ready Queensland Week runs until Sunday.”
“It's Get Ready Queensland Week, a time to prepare for unpredictable weather. Get Ready Queensland's catchphrase, 'Weather doesn't plan but you can,' rings true for my community of Hinkler. In the five years prior to being elected as the federal member for Hinkler, I worked as the community resilience and disaster management officer at Bundaberg Regional Council, helping my community be best prepared for and aware of their risks. This is a passion for me. Cyclones, bushfires, damaging storms and flooding rains are a constant threat. Last week, my community was hit by hailstorms. The Woodgate and Childers regions experienced the worst. This week, multiple bushfires are burning across my electorate. Rural fire crews are working around the clock to protect our community.”
“I'd like to applaud the local media in my electorate of Hinkler for helping me spread the word about democracy and how civics works in all three levels of government, and for letting the people of Hinkler know what's happening in the parliament while I'm here in Canberra. A special mention goes to the eloquent and engaging Jacob and El from Triple M—they've even introduced the famous Batman theme to play when I'm jumping on the radio. I hope they're tuning in right now and invite me back on air very soon.”
“My home of Hinkler is one of the most famous food bowls in the nation. Starting this Friday, for 10 days, locals and tourists will enjoy the annual Taste Bundaberg Festival. It will showcase the finest local produce from our farms, and freshly caught seafood, and will celebrate the world-class makers, processers, retail and hospitality businesses who put Bundaberg on a plate or in a glass. Taste Bundaberg offers a huge line-up of events, including the Mayor's Ball. The gala will raise funds for the Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn's Christmas appeal, supporting some of our amazing local charities and those committee residents in need.”
“Too many lives are being lost on our roads. In my electorate, I'm sad to say the statistics are among the worst in Queensland. The Wide Bay district, which includes Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, has recorded the highest number of road crash deaths this year—31 lives lost. That is 11 more than the same time last year. Queensland's Road Safety Week was held in August, urging motorists to drive to survive. I spent 23 years as a police officer and I saw firsthand the unimaginable impacts of road crashes. Police are doing all they can with the resources they have, but driver behaviour must change. I commend the Queensland LNP state government for supporting the Road Safety Week initiative, and I acknowledge the state member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett, for working alongside me to spread the important message of road safety.”
“As the newly elected federal member for Hinkler, I will fight for all of those across my diverse electorate. As an election commitment I pledged to do everything in my power to deliver a Hervey Bay electorate office, an essential service for my community. The very first official correspondence I sent following my successful election was a letter to the special minister of state seeking permission for an office to be established in Hervey Bay. I'm excited to confirm approval has been granted and a location in Pialba has been locked in. There are 62,000 constituents in the southern area of Hinkler, from Aldershot to Torbanlea, Howard, Burrum Heads, Pacific Haven, Toogoom, River Heads and the major centre of Hervey Bay, and I very much look forward to an official opening of this office in the coming weeks.”
“I support the call to acknowledge the role and service of police officers in our communities. Let us honour the lives of those police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and not forget those who have suffered injury. To the police officers keeping us safe in my electorate of Hinkler and right across this nation, thank you for your support, courage and bravery. Thank you for your dedicated service. We must do better for you. I have been to far too many police funerals. Let's make a difference now before it's too late.”
“Let us find a way to invest properly in mental health support for police, and not only while they are serving; let's have meaningful support services and networks in place once they have left the force. In support of the motion from the federal member for Wide Bay, I also take this opportunity to commend the work of Police Legacy. I had a great friend and mentor who was taken too soon, Peter Edwards, a detective sergeant from the Bundaberg criminal investigation branch. Peter died from a brain tumour. He left behind four children and his wife, Debbie. While his colleagues, as they always do, wrap their arms around Pete's family, it was Police Legacy that assisted his family with financial support, even helping with school and university fees for all four of his children.”
“When there are proposals put forward to consider the introduction of a blue card to cover medical and allied health services like the ones afforded to members of the Australian Defence Force, we must assess. When there are requests for early access to superannuation for police officers, recognising the significant physical and mental demands placed on them throughout their careers, we must give this the consideration it deserves. I don't want to lose any more friends. In addition, while I have the privilege of being able to speak in this chamber on behalf of police officers from across Australia and their families and friends, I believe we should take another important step. The parliamentary inquiry should include a full review of police suicides of serving and retired officers across Australia.”
“A former partner, while conducting a raid, was accidentally shot by a police firearm. His life was lost. In a shooting in my home town of Bundaberg, an armed suspect died. Police officers have to live with that trauma. Yes, I have friends, colleagues, who have taken their own lives while serving, and also those who haven't been able to deal with the memories that haunted them years after they left the force. Today I renew calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the police recruitment and retention crisis because if there is no swift action, more lives will be lost. How on Earth will we attract anyone to join that thin blue line? When the Police Federation of Australia calls for fringe benefit tax concessions for police officers, we must listen.”
“One was a keen traveller on secondment and the other was a senior colleague nearing retirement. At times of tragedy, we throw assistance around those who need it most, and so we should, but we must give police officers more support all the time, every day. Those who are serving and those who have served deserve better. Being a police officer at any level is a tough job, and it's getting harder. The thin blue line is getting thinner. I spent 23 years as a copper. In my time in the Queensland Police Service, I served in uniform and as a detective. Recognising the hardships of those I worked alongside, I became a police union representative for a 14-year period. I also volunteered as a peer support officer for over 10 years, helping officers and their families in times of need. Close friends of mine have lost their lives.”
“I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Wide Bay and fellow former Queensland police officer, Llew O'Brien. I am honoured to speak after all the others who have spoken in this chamber from all sides of the parliament who either have been police officers or are supporting police right across Australia. I note that Police Week will be held across Australia this month and will conclude on National Police Remembrance Day, on Monday 29 September 2025. I begin by expressing my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues mourning the tragic and senseless deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, murdered in the line of duty. They were two respected police officers killed in Porepunkah, Victoria.”
“John's funeral was held this morning in Bundaberg, and while I couldn't be there, it's an honour to pay tribute to him here in parliament today. Melanice Jacobsen is the owner of a neighbouring store, Cha Cha Chocolate. She summed up John's passing by saying he will be deeply missed and that our community will never be the same, and neither will our hearts. I pass on my condolences to the family, friends and customers who are mourning John's passing today. May the Avenell Brothers' traditions live on, and so too John 's legacy. He will be dearly missed and always remembered. John was the Paris end of Bundaberg. He was 70.”
“Today my community farewells a beloved personality. John Greenhalgh, Bundaberg born and bred, passed away on August 14. He coined the phrase, 'the Paris end of Bourbong', a reference to the eastern end of the city of Bundaberg's main street. It's this part of the CBD where his family business, the famous Avenell Brothers, proudly operates. John lived a full and vibrant life. He was always exceptionally dressed, renowned for those colourful bow ties. He was the heart and soul of Bundaberg's oldest gift and homewares store. More than a shop, the business delivers an iconic experience, meticulously filled to the brim with fine gifts, and offering a first-class service. Avenell's of Bundaberg was opened in 1898 by Frederick William Avenell, John's great-grandfather. The first store was established diagonally opposite its current site.”
“Having received a replica parliamentary mace from the Speaker, I'm very pleased to report that it has been on tour with me and is a very popular talking point. In Hervey Bay, I've presented flags and spoken with students who are striving for success at Sandy Strait State School. In the Bundaberg region, I've attended both Goodwood and Bundaberg South state schools. And, with immense pride, I returned to my former school, Bundaberg State High School. It was there I launched the My First Speech competition. (T ime expired)”
“Delivering and advocating for civics education is an absolute priority of mine. Whilst the Speaker has made the admirable commitment to visit each of our electorates around the nation to help spread the good word, my undertaking is to visit every single school in Hinkler throughout this term. That's a total of 54 schools. These schools are filled with thousands of students, our aspiring leaders of tomorrow, and some are already making their mark as the exceptional young leaders of today—including Sarah, a year 11 student from Urangan State High School, who I met here in Canberra last week. Sarah was selected as one of 12 in the country to participate in Research Australia's Future Health Leaders program.”
“Throughout the 1950s the pair had four children: Trevor, Michelle, Malcolm and Eric. James was in the police force in the early days of their marriage, but his career was mainly spent running dry-cleaning businesses in Mackay, Rockhampton and, for a lengthy period, the heritage city of Maryborough. They were also kept busy growing macadamias and pineapples. James and Gladys moved to Hervey Bay in 2018, and I was fortunate to be able to give them my personal well wishes and a bouquet of flowers. I wish to take this opportunity to again congratulate Mr and Mrs Turner on a wonderful and inspiring 75 years of marriage—and many more to come.”
“They call this therapeutic community. I was very impressed to see the thriving onsite kitchen in full swing, with participants and volunteers preparing locally grown vegetables under a successful social-enterprise project called Bayside Vegies. The kitchen supplies major outlets like the Hervey Bay RSL with potatoes, pumpkin, carrots and much more. I wish Tina and her team every success as they help lives get back on track and give purpose to those recovering from addiction. How amazing is this love story: on 12 August, just two weeks ago, James and Gladys Turner of Kawungan in Hervey Bay celebrated 75 years of marriage! Can you believe that—seventy-five years? In 1950 James and Gladys married in Burpengary. James was born in Mundubbera and Gladys was born in Brisbane.”
“The amazing crew, consisting of a pilot, crew member, doctor and paramedic, are all set up to help 24/7, whether they're out at sea, in the outback or winching in mountainous terrain. I commend the work of these heroes and acknowledge the ongoing support they receive locally to stay in the air saving lives in Hinkler and beyond. In my electorate of Hinkler, life-saving work happens in many ways and forms. Tina Davie and the Bayside Transformations team in Hervey Bay are changing lives for the better through a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. Transformations operate all over Australia, and earlier this month I toured the hub in Hervey Bay, which includes common areas, leisure spaces and accommodation. The program takes individuals from active addiction and places them by the side of those in recovery.”
“I'll begin by celebrating the grassroots life-saving work of our local LifeFlight helicopter and its crew. During the past financial year, the Bundaberg based rescue chopper and crew completed a record number of search-and-rescue missions, supporting 306 people—more than any other Queensland base. Earlier this month I had the pleasure of visiting the LifeFlight hanger at the Bundaberg Regional Airport. The facilities are world class, but they are outgrowing them already. I had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a new AW139 helicopter. The striking dark-blue chopper weighs up to seven tonne when fully kitted out. It can climb at a rate of 2,000 feet per minute and travels at speeds of 305 kilometres per hour.”
“Aussie nurses saved thousands of lives on both sides, routinely working 12-hour shifts, six days a week, despite earning only two-thirds of what equivalent male officers earned. I'd sincerely like to thank the Isis RSL Sub Branch for hosting a memorable commemoration service and for ensuring that all who served in the Vietnam War are remembered now and forever.”
“There were four veterans from Howard, two from Pialba, two from Bargara and 215 from Bundaberg. The Vietnam Veterans' Day service in Childers honoured the role that nurses played in the Vietnam War. The service of female nurses in the conflict is largely forgotten; this is despite their significant contribution. Locally in Hinkler, as a community, much has been and is being done to rectify this. We are fortunate to have the Bundaberg War Nurses Memorial near the Bundaberg Base Hospital. While it honours those who served in the first and second world wars, in July of 2022 the Bundaberg District Women Veterans group ensured the names of nurses from my region who served in the Vietnam War were added.”
“The Isis RSL Sub Branch invited me to pay tribute and thank those who served in Vietnam, the ones who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. As the federal member for Hinkler, I am forever proud to represent a region with a rich history of standing up and fighting for Australia. Childers has always had stories to tell, from all conflicts. So many men and women from the rural community have served with pride. While the trauma is very real and the pain lives on, it is in moments of commemoration we come together to pause and reflect on the lives lost and the immense life-changing sacrifices made. The Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal rolls record 255 Vietnam veterans from the Hinkler electorate. According to these accounts, 32 veterans came from Childers. That's such a high representation for a country town.”
“Australia needs more than words and a meeting behind closed doors in Canberra. That doesn't help businesses in Bundaberg and Harvey Bay. What we need is a proper plan to build a skilled workforce and back regional communities. Monday 18 August was an important day for many locations across Australia, including my region of Hinkler. Vietnam Veterans' Day is commemorated on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, which took place in 1966. Major services were held in Hervey Bay and Bundaberg, and I had the privilege of laying a wreath and speaking in the country town of Childers. The service was held at the site of a World War I Krupp 210-millimetre Howitzer cannon. You can't miss it; it's right in the middle of town.”
“When the coalition left office, we had more than 400,000 apprentices and trainees in the system. Today there are 100,000 fewer. This is leaving Australian businesses high and dry. Labor is failing both employers who are desperate for skilled workers and the young Australians who deserve opportunities. Under Labor, the pipeline of skilled workers just isn't there. The Hinkler region has some of the hardest working businesses in the country, just like Trulson's Mechanical. These operations must be supported to expand, to grow and to teach the next wave of tradies the art of the trade. But instead, like so many regional employers, they're struggling to find the skilled staff they need. It's holding them back, and it's holding my region of Hinkler back. Labor has no real plan on productivity or training.”
“Yes, regions like Hinkler are delivering and driving the nation's productivity, but the skills shortage continues to bite badly. David Coe recently purchased a well-known mechanics business in Bundaberg, Trulsons Mechanical. Mr Coe simply can't find enough trade qualified people to work on vehicles and teach new apprentices the trade. These teachers, the skilled workers, are understandably chasing higher wages in the minds, leaving a shortfall of experience in our regional communities. The Brisbane Olympic Games is less than a decade away. Queensland needs a strong, skilled workforce now, more than ever, to deliver infrastructure and services. Yet, instead of tackling the skills and training crisis head on, Labor is presiding over a 60-year low in productivity. The Treasurer has simply run out of ideas.”
“My electorate of Hinkler is hurting due to a worsening skills shortage and inaction from this Labor government. While a hand-picked few met here in Canberra with the Treasurer and Prime Minister for a three-day roundtable, the predetermined outcomes were simply more spending, more debt and the threat of more taxes. While the Canberra meeting unfolded, I spent two days with the Hon. Scott Buchholz, the shadow minister for skills and training, to hear the real stories directly from manufacturers, business owners, chambers of commerce and training providers in the Hinkler electorate. I thank the member for Wright for the time that he took to listen to my community. Together we hosted a series of meetings and visited manufacturers.”