Anne Urquhart
Braddon · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Today is 1 July. The Albanese Labor government is delivering real change for Australians, with cost-of-living measures starting today. Through tax cuts, expanded paid parental leave, and stronger investment in Medicare and hospitals, we're putting more money back into people's pockets and making it easier for families to access the care t…”
“From today, we are protecting Australian families by making it illegal for retailers like Coles and Woolies to price gouge customers by artificially inflating prices on groceries.”
“Last week I attended a memorial service for Constable Keith Smith, a long-serving and respected member of Tasmania Police who spent 25 years working across northern and western Tasmania. Keith received the Commissioner's Medal in 2011, the National Police Service Medal in 2016 and a 20-year clasp in 2021.”
“It was especially touching when the Central Coast mayor, Cheryl Fuller, announced a local thoroughfare between King Edward Street and Victoria Street in Ulverstone would be named Keith Smith Lane.”
“This also matters because award-reliant workers are disproportionately women, and their work has too often been undervalued and underpaid. Labor has backed wage rises in aged care, is supporting historic pay increases in early childhood education and care, and continues to support fair outcomes in sectors that have contributed to the gend…”
“But low unemployment does not mean that every Australian can easily access work. Too many people are missing out because the employment services system that replaced the CES in 1998 is no longer working for everyone who needs support to find and keep work.”
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“Importantly, the universal outdoor mobile obligation will also expand connectivity options for Australians during natural disasters, which frequently impact land based mobile networks. This bill looks to the future by creating the flexibility to adjust the scope and timing of the universal outdoor mobile obligation as the market develops and satellite technologies evolve. It's really important that we have a number of people right across the country—organisations, groups—who back our policy. Some of those are the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, the National Farmers' Federation, the New South Wales RFS, the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee, and regional councils, who usually are at the forefront of making sure people within their electorates have coverage.”
“Satellite to mobile offers a future where outdoor connectivity for basic services is possible in some of the furthest reaches across the country. With this bill, Labor is adding up to five million square kilometres of new mobile coverage across the country, including more than 37,000 kilometres of regional roads. This will add up to 12,000 square kilometres of new outdoor voice and SMS mobile coverage across my electorate of Braddon. Outdoor SMS and voice are expected to be available on 1 December 2027, which is when all three operators—Telstra, Optus and TPG—will be required to ensure that baseline mobile coverage is available outdoors throughout Australia.”
“Reliable connectivity is an essential service that every Australian deserves, regardless of where they live, be it on the mainland or on Tasmania's beautiful west coast. It is exciting that new technology now makes this possible, and we know that new technology is emerging regularly. Low Earth orbit satellite direct-to-device technology enables standard, unmodified modern smartphones to connect directly to satellites for SMS, voice and data in remote areas, bypassing traditional cell towers. It's Labor that is taking this initiative to introduce the most significant reform to regional connectivity through a new universal outdoor mobile obligation. Labor's universal outdoor mobile obligation will require mobile carriers, like Telstra, Optus and TPG, to provide access to mobile, voice and SMS almost everywhere across Australia.”
“That's why, during the 2025 election, the Albanese government announced a new investment of $9.8 million to boost mobile coverage and tower capacity. This federal co-investment will leverage investments by carriers to upgrade traditional technology and improve reliability. Even with significant investment by government and industry, the provision of traditional mobile coverage to 100 per cent of our vast continent is still not possible. And we are vast, and we have regions, as I said, like areas of Braddon, where normal connectivity is difficult to achieve. Traditional mobile coverage is currently provided in areas where about 99 per cent of Australians work and live but covers only one third of the Australian landmass. In those areas without coverage, it's not possible to make a triple zero call by using traditional mobile services.”
“On the long stretches of highway and roads on the north-west and west coast, poor connectivity is a safety issue for residents and visitors and for the truck and delivery drivers, the tradies and health workers who travel right across our electorate to deliver their absolutely essential services. In the winter particularly, when we have lots of periods of snow, it's even more dangerous out on those roads. Even though I might say that the solitude and peace of not having that mobile phone ringing while you're travelling down that highway is sometimes welcoming, it is an essential service that we need to make sure people can have if they choose to. Labor believes that the west coast and other areas right across my electorate deserve connectivity that is fast, reliable and affordable.”
“I also make the telcos meet with the people of our community. A couple of weeks ago I had Telstra come out to a community meeting at Port Sorell, which is a really heavy growing area, with lots of visitors and tourists during the summer, when the population explodes to about three or four times the normal population size. And those people there can't get connectivity in their homes. So Telstra were asked to come and address a community meeting. I've got to say, they came along and they did a fantastic job of listening to concerns and listening to the issues that were raised. They took them on board, and now they're going back out to actually work with people right across that place to see what they need to do.”
“Its remoteness, the vast areas of wilderness and the difficult landscapes have all meant that the west coast of Tasmania particularly has experienced poor-quality connectivity and mobile services. They have above average rainfall. It's a rainforest area. It's spectacular. But, again, all that impacts on technology and connectivity. It's very frustrating for the people who live, work and study in or visit that region. I regularly meet with the telco carriers right across the electorate, because there are pockets of service that is not up to speed, and I want to make them aware of it. But this is something that hasn't happened overnight. There's been a litany of upgrades not being done over a long period of time, by various governments. I want to make sure that the people of my electorate have their voices heard.”
“Deputy Speaker Chesters, as you know, I take every opportunity to sing the praises of the electorate of Braddon. It's my home, I was born there, and I love it. One of the remarkable things about Braddon is its rugged natural environment. Much of the electorate is remote, and some parts of it are very remote. The wilderness areas right across the electorate are spectacular: trees, mountains—everything that gets in the way of technology. But isolation is something that the remote communities that make up the north-west and west coast and King Island understand, and it's no surprise that the west coast of Tasmania, down around Queenstown and other areas, was chosen not once but twice as the location for the TV show A lone well worth watching, for those of you who haven't, if only for the spectacular scenery.”
“With this investment, Wyndarra can continue connecting people to longer term assistance, such as housing support, financial counselling and wellbeing services that help families regain stability and move forward with confidence. Local services like Wyndarra understand the unique challenges faced by our rural communities. They know their community, they respond quickly and they provide support and dignity with care. That's why this investment matters. It ensures that no-one is left behind and that help is available close to home when and where it's needed.”
“We've delivered a $5.7 million boost to emergency relief funding for Tasmania, shared across 10 local providers. This represents a 35 per cent increase in annual emergency relief funding for our state through to 2030, taking our total investment to almost $18 million. One of the key organisations benefitting from this support is Wyndarra, a fantastic, trusted, community based service that has been there for Circular Head residents for decades. This additional funding means that Wyndarra can offer more support for supermarket, petrol and pharmacy vouchers, more food parcels and toiletries and, importantly, more compassionate support when people need it most. But emergency relief is only the first step.”
“Good Gumnuts has always been about community, connection and joy. This funding has helped ensure that that spirit continues to grow. The line-up on Saturday was outstanding, and it was fantastic to join so many locals and visitors to support a festival that truly reflects the heart of the north-west. To the event volunteers: thank you for your hard work and dedication—you made the entire weekend run seamlessly. To Harry and Charlotte: congratulations! What you've created is something truly special. Your passion for music, for arts and for culture is strengthening our community and bringing new life and visitors to our region. I'm proud to highlight the Albanese Labor government's strong commitment to supporting Tasmanians who are doing it tough, including in Circular Head, in my electorate of Braddon.”
“How good is live music? I went to the Good Gumnuts Festival on Saturday, in my electorate of Braddon. The Albanese Labor government is delivering on its commitment to keep Australia's music scene strong, supporting venues, keeping festivals vibrant and ensuring artists can continue doing what they love. Through the Revive Live program, 105 organisations right across the country received support, including in Braddon. I was especially pleased that the Good Gumnuts Festival received $70,000 to support Australian artist fees, professional development, production and accessibility. What began as a first-anniversary celebration for Harry Badcock and Charlotte Grey has now grown into one of the region's favourite festivals—an event that brings families, music lovers and visitors together in a spectacular setting.”
“With improved reliability and increased volume of water, farmers in these areas will have greater confidence to invest, diversify, expand and value-add to their operations. The Albanese Labor government committed $62.1 million to this irrigation scheme augmentation, through the National Water Grid Fund. When finished, the scheme will stand as a testament to the power of partnership, vision and strategic investment. This is more than an infrastructure project. It is a commitment to the future of our regional communities, our farmers and the prosperity of north-west Tasmania. It's a tangible outcome in our region from the Albanese Labor government”
“Last Saturday I was pleased to attend the official commencement of construction of the Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme augmentation, a significant milestone for Braddon farming communities. This project is an important step forward in securing the future of agriculture across Braddon. Once completed, the augmentation will deliver up to an additional 9.2 gigalitres of water each year. This will almost triple the current water supply, greatly improving irrigation reliability, particularly during the crucial summer season. This summer demonstrated, with the dry, hot conditions across Tasmania, that secure and dependable water access is essential for our farming communities. The benefits of this expanded water delivery will reach right across Sassafras through to East Devonport in that 100 kilometres of pipeline.”
“That is why we are continuing to roll out responsible, targeted cost-of-living support, tax cuts for every taxpayer, relief from student debt, cheaper medicines and more bulk-billing right across the country—things like Medicare urgent care clinics, Medicare mental health centres, and opportunities for people to get help when they need it most and not have to pay for it. We on this side care about our communities and we care about our regional communities—communities right across the country like those in the electorate that I represent, the electorate of Braddon.”
“They stated: The near-term upward revision is driven by private demand … and— The contribution of public demand to year-ended GDP growth has continued to ease in recent quarters, as expected. The data bears this out. In the year to September, annual private demand growth increased more than five-fold. Over the same period, annual public demand growth was less than a third of what it had been the year before. When we came to office, inflation was 6.1 per cent and rising rapidly. It is now significantly lower. Underlying inflation was almost five per cent, and it too has eased considerably. We recognise very clearly that people are still under pressure.”
“And, importantly, they reflect Labor's belief that regional Australians deserve the same quality of services and opportunities as those in our major cities. The Albanese Labor government does not see communities like Braddon as an afterthought. We see them as central to Australia's future. Our fiscal position matters, especially at a time when inflation, while having moderated significantly from its peak, remains higher than any of us would like. Importantly, in its statement in early February, the Reserve Bank did not point to government spending as a source of inflationary pressure. In fact, the RBA made it clear that the current pressure on inflation is coming from private demand. In the Statement on monetary policy , the RBA upgraded its near-term GDP outlook and explicitly attributed this to stronger private demand.”
“The thing that I really like about these is that both of these services have peer support workers—people who have been through the difficult times. People who walk in can talk to someone who not only has experienced it but also provides that support. They are there for people in crisis, for those who are struggling with anxiety or depression and for those who need support before a situation escalates. They are reducing barriers to care, but they are also saving lives, which is really important. Taken together—tax relief, student debt reform, cheaper medicines, urgent care clinics, bulk-billing support and mental health centres—this is what delivery looks like. These are not theoretical benefits; they are policies that are improving the lives of people who live in Braddon right now.”
“That represents thousands of appointments where people were not charged a gap fee—appointments that were accessible because we tripled the bulk-billing incentive for those who needed it most. Patients only needed their Medicare card, not their credit card. Those opposite let bulk-billing collapse, and we are rebuilding it through that initiative. When we talk about health care, we must also talk about mental health. Mental health care is health care, and, for too long, it was treated as optional or secondary, particularly in our regional areas. Under the Albanese Labor government, Medicare mental health centres have been delivered in both Burnie and Devonport. They are both open now. They're walk-in centres. They provide free walk-in mental health care without the need for a referral.”
“I'm really pleased that Braddon now has Medicare urgent care clinics in both Burnie and Devonport. These clinics provide bulk-billed care during extended hours, giving people an alternative to the emergency department for urgent but not life-threatening conditions. That means that families can get care across the weekends and out of hours in the evenings. They reduce pressure on our local emergency wards at the North West Regional Hospital and the Mersey general hospital, and they do so without cost to patients, because that is what Medicare is supposed to do. Bulk-billing more broadly is recovering because our government chose to act. It was in the June quarter of 2025 that the GP bulk-billing rate in Braddon was at 87.3 per cent.”
“That is why we delivered cheaper medicines, a reform that is particularly important in regional communities with older populations and higher rates of chronic illness. As of 31 December 2025, Braddon residents have saved more than $10 million through cheaper medicines. That is a concrete, measurable outcome. It means fewer people skipping their prescriptions, fewer people delaying their treatment and better health outcomes right across the electorate. But health care is not just about affordability; it's about access. For too long, regional communities were expected to accept less when it came to health care. That is why the Albanese Labor government has made the largest investment in Medicare in its history, and Braddon is seeing the benefits of that investment.”
“We fixed unfair indexation and reduced student debt, giving thousands of Braddon residents the chance to get ahead, not fall further behind. I've spent a significant amount of time at the Cradle Coast campus of the University of Tasmania, and I've spoken to students about what having that money back in their hip pocket means to them. And they are absolutely grateful. They say the difference that that makes to them into the future is really significant. That reform is already making a difference to household budgets, to confidence and to economic participation. I've spoken to many of these students, as I said, and they are grateful for that relief. Cost-of-living pressure also shows up every time someone walks into a pharmacy to fill their prescription.”
“It is the result of deliberate, responsible reform that puts fairness at the centre of the tax system. Unlike those opposite, who prioritise tax arrangements that overwhelmingly benefit the top end of town, Labor's approach delivers relief to low- and middle-income earners—the people who spend their money locally and keep regional economies like the electorate of Braddon moving. We've done this while improving the budget position and reducing debt, proving that you can provide cost-of-living relief without recklessness. For younger Australians and working families in Braddon, student debt has been another significant pressure. Around 7,866 people in Braddon have a HECS debt. For years they watched their debt grow faster than they could repay it. Our government acted where others had failed to act.”
“We are delivering on our commitments, making space for unavoidable pressures and strengthening the budget all at once. In my electorate of Braddon, people are practical. They are not interested in slogans or scare campaigns. They want to know if their government understands the pressures they face and if it's taking responsible action to ease those pressures while strengthening the services that our communities rely on. The Albanese Labor government is doing exactly that. Under this Labor government, 47,000 taxpayers in Braddon received a tax cut on 1 July 2024 Those who earn between $18,201 and $45,000 will receive another tax cut on 1 July this year and another in July 2027. This helps put more money in the pockets of workers. That is not accidental.”
“I rise today to speak in support of this package of appropriation bills: the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025-2026 and related bills. These bills give effect to decisions outlined in the 2025-26 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, which the Albanese Labor government delivered at the end of last year. MYEFO strengthened the budget, reduced debt and reinforced our government's responsible approach to economic and fiscal management. The figures demonstrate a significantly stronger budget position than the one we inherited and a stronger position than was forecast at the time of the election. In fact, it was the only mid-year update on record to deliver a better bottom line in every year of the forward estimates, less debt in every year of the forward estimates and net policy decisions that improve, not worsen, the fiscal outlook.”
“As the member for Leichhardt, the mover of this motion, outlined earlier, we have many islands that we represent as members of the government, and it's important that we look after the councils who manage the airports in those communities so they can rely on us to deliver—and it is Labor that is delivering for our regions. Labor members are out there every single day visiting these communities, making sure we're listening to the concerns they have. We've got over 24 of us sitting in the Labor caucus representing regions right across the country, and we're delivering for those regions, as we showed during the Rex administration. We will continue that into the future.”
“After the chaos we've seen from the Liberals and Nationals, regional Australia needs a government that it can rely on and that represents it more than ever. In my community I travel regularly right across the electorate—particularly to King Island, where I and many others who travel there for business, for pleasure and for tourism rely on air services. We have a large tourism industry there. Also, it's important that people have access to good air travel for health needs. I live on an island; I live in Tasmania. Without air services it's hard to quickly adapt to getting on and off islands.”
“That's why we have established the $5 million Regional and Remote Airport Support Program for local government and regional and remote airports that were impacted by Rex Airlines' voluntary administration. We're happy that local governments have an opportunity to recoup some of the costs they incurred during the administration period. Many of these councils are small. They have lots of other expenses, and it's good that they're getting some of their money back. These measures are in addition to the additional $50 million over three years in the 2024-25 budget to extend the Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program. There is also an extension of the Regional Airports Program, with an additional $40 million for competitive grant funding that was also announced in the 2024-25 budget.”
“In agreement with us, the new owners have undertaken to keep operating Rex's regional routes and will over time bring more planes into service, have more flights on these routes and grow the business here in Australia—but it's important that they settle first. The importance of the Albanese Labor government's support of Rex Airlines cannot be understated. We delivered a commercial loan of $60 million and the restructuring of $108 million in existing debt to keep regional air routes running during the voluntary administration process. We are also grateful that the many councils who operate airports across our regions worked and stepped up to keep Rex flying.”
“We know aviation services outside major metropolitan centres face structural economic challenges, leading to higher costs, reduced competition and concerns about service reliability and equity. Uncertainty about the operation of Rex flights to and from King Island was more than an inconvenience for the island's 2,300 residents and the many visitors and FIFO workers who travel there. For King Island, air services are about the essentials of life and are a mainstay for the local economy. Federal Labor want regional airports to flourish because we know how important these services are to those local communities. We want regional aviation to remain strong, and that's why the Albanese Labor government has backed it right the way through Rex's administration until the sale of the airline to Air T.”
“My electorate of Braddon is entirely regional, rural, remote and very remote. It is rich in resources, boasts agricultural produce that is in great demand because of its quality and freshness and has a spectacular natural environment unlike anywhere else in the world. Braddon is also an engine room for Tasmania. It delivers good, well-paid jobs and is a critical contributor to our state's economy. The economic, social and community wellbeing of communities and producers in my electorate is intrinsically linked to reliable, affordable and fit-for-purpose aviation transport and freight services. Air services are a critical lifeline for the beautiful and very remote King Island in my electorate, enabling access to health care, education, employment, business opportunities and social connections.”
“It gives them a real head start in life when they go through an early education, and I'm really happy that we have supported that right across Tasmania, particularly in the electorate of Braddon.”
“It means more families can access quality, affordable early learning close to home. It means less pressure on parents, and it means stronger local communities. These investments are not just about buildings. They are about supporting parents to participate in the workplace; they are about strengthening the economic future of regional Tasmania; and they are about ensuring that every child, no matter where they live, has access to opportunities that set them up for lifelong success. This is what Labor governments do. We invest in families, we invest in communities and we invest in the future of our younger Australians to give them the best start in life. We know that early education provides that support for our young children.”
“As part of this investment, the Albanese Labor government will provide $4 million for a brand new early learning service at St Marys District School in Lyons, creating 24 new places for local children; $3.5 million for a new service at Bruny Island District School, delivering 20 new places for families on the island; and $3 million for Bothwell District High School, providing 20 new day-long care places for families in the Central Highlands. The two governments will also work together to deliver a new early learning service at Glen Huon Primary School, further strengthening access to care and education in the Huon Valley. The Building Early Education Fund is designed to target areas of greatest need, particularly regional communities and outer suburbs, where access has been limited for far too long.”
“During the 2025 election campaign, we committed up to $4 million to Malangenna Children's Centre in Devonport to double the number of places to 150. There has been a historic investment in early education for Tasmania, one that will strengthen our regional communities, support working families and ensure more children get the very best start in life. The Albanese government and the Tasmanian government have reached a landmark agreement delivering $25.5 million through the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund alongside a further $5 million from the Tasmanian government. This partnership will significantly expand not-for-profit early learning services right across our state.”
“Through the Community Child Care Fund, Lady Gowrie Tasmania was awarded $334,000. Combined with $200,000 from the Tasmanian government, this funding ensured that Latrobe had ongoing access to high-quality early learning and care. This investment delivered real and immediate relief for local families impacted by the unexpected closure, and I'm pleased to announce that the temporary facility will open this Monday, 16 February. This is an important milestone for Latrobe because it means children can once again access the early education opportunities they deserve, close to home in their own community, with the same educators that they've been used to and that parents support. This is not an isolated investment.”
“This was devastating news, as 55 families were suddenly left worried about where they would get care and 23 dedicated staff were left facing uncertainty about their future. For an entire community, the closure of St Patrick's childcare centre meant the loss of a vital local service. The centre was the only service of its kind in Latrobe. There were no alternative providers in town. Families were forced to look outside of their own community for care, often to centres already stretched with long waitlists and limited capacity. That was simply not acceptable, so I worked tirelessly alongside Latrobe Council, Lady Gowrie Tasmania and the Tasmanian government to find a solution that put families first. Thanks to the Albanese Labor government, we delivered exactly that.”
“I rise today to speak about the Albanese Labor government's unwavering commitment to giving every Australian child the best possible start in life. Where a child is born or what their parents do for work should never determine the quality of education and care they receive in those critical early years. We know the evidence is clear. Quality early learning lays the foundation for lifelong health, learning and wellbeing. It supports children to thrive at school, strengthens families and builds stronger, more productive communities. That is why the Albanese Labor government is investing in early childhood education like never before. In August last year I was notified of CatholicCare's decision to close the only childcare centre in Latrobe, in my electorate of Braddon.”
“That is why we established the National Construction Industry Forum, bringing together government, business and unions. It was unanimously endorsed as a blueprint for reform. Work is underway on a joint industry charter to lift behavioural standards across the sector, including procurement practices. This is serious structural reform. The shadow minister's attacks on the administrator may make for headlines, but they do absolutely nothing to clean up the industry.”
“It's about restoring integrity so that members can have confidence in their representation and so that law-abiding businesses are not undercut. Under this administration, individuals who were fined for assault, illegal blockades, deplorable conduct and even bribery—people who were allowed to retain their roles under the coalition and the ABCC—have been removed. In just 18 months the administrator has achieved more than the coalition and the failed ABCC did in a decade. But reform doesn't stop here. Following referrals from this government, regulators and law enforcement now have more than 100 investigations underway right across the construction industry. We know problems are not confined to one organisation. Employers and contractors also have responsibilities.”
“I represented workers in factories, workshops and heavy industry, and I stood on picket lines. I negotiated enterprise agreements. I dealt with employers, regulators and governments of all persuasions. I know the difference between strong representation and unlawful conduct. The overwhelming majority of union members are hardworking people who want safe workplaces, fair pay and dignity at work, but they also want hardworking, honest people representing them. Corruption does not protect workers. Criminality does not advance their interests. Violence does not strengthen unions. When I was a union organiser, my job was to lift standards to ensure compliance with the law and improve safety and wages, not to undermine the law. Cleaning up the construction industry is not anti-union; it's pro-worker.”
“In August 2024 the scheme of administration removed the entire elected leadership of the construction division across six jurisdictions, 270 union officers and 12 paid officials. Since then, more than 100 additional staff have been removed or have resigned—the majority in leadership roles. Over half the organisers in Victoria are new, over 90 per cent in New South Wales are new and more than half in Queensland are new. Every individual named in the Watson report has been removed. This is action. I say this as someone who has spent much of their working life in the union movement: before entering this parliament many years ago, before I was on the other side, I was an organiser for over 20 years and later secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union in Tasmania.”
“They didn't arise overnight—it didn't just happen like that—and they won't be fixed overnight. Let's be honest about this: the disgraceful conduct outlined in the Watson report, commissioned by Mr Irving under our legislation, flourished under the coalition and the ABCC. After a $61 million royal commission, the same leadership in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria remained in place for nearly a decade. The ABCC issued fines, and judges said those fines were ineffective. Geoffrey Watson found they were treated as a cost of doing business, and even suggested breaching the law became part of the model. How many leaders did the coalition remove? Zero. Now compare that with what this government has achieved, with what we've done.”
“On this side, we retain full confidence in the administrator, respected King's Counsel Mr Mark Irving. Can I reinforce again, as my colleague did a moment ago, the words of Geoffrey Watson KC—hardly a partisan figure. During the inquiry, after reading reports of coalition calls for the administrator to resign, Mr Watson paused proceedings and said: There's something I'd like to say … I might have said some harsh things here today, but in my opinion … I've never met a more honest and decent man. They'd be mad to get rid of Mark Irving. The Albanese government has acted decisively to stamp out corruption, criminality and violence within the CFMEU's construction division by placing it into administration, legislation supported by the coalition. These problems are deeply embedded in the industry.”
“My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. How is the Albanese Labor government improving access to health care for people in regional Australia, and how does increasing the bulk-billing rate improve health outcomes after a decade of cuts and neglect?”
“The highlight was the duck race at 6 pm, where 600 colourful ducks were released onto the Duck River near the bridge, navigating that river and the occasional rebellious competitor. A special thank you goes to the dedicated volunteers, especially the stray-duck catchers in kayaks who keep the race running smoothly every year. I extend my warmest congratulations to the sponsors, McCain Foods and Circular Head Council, along with others, and to every volunteer who played a role in bringing this event together. Their hard work, creativity and commitment are what make Day on the Duck such a stand-out feature on the local calendar. It really reflects the true heart of Circular Head.”
“I want to acknowledge a fantastic community celebration held in Smithton over the Australia Day weekend: the fun-filled Day on the Duck. This annual summer event once again transformed the West Esplanade into a vibrant and welcoming gathering place for families, visitors and locals alike. From midday through to the early evening, children were treated to a huge range of free entertainment—everything from the mini Ferris wheel to face painting, laser tag and even Scotty's Snakes making an appearance. Throughout the afternoon, local performers filled the foreshore with music, adding to the festive atmosphere. Food vendors and community groups served up crowd favourites such as mini dutch pancakes and waffles.”
“Their dedication keeps an important part of West Coast history alive. Events like the Mount Lyell Strahan Picnic remind us of the importance of local traditions that bring people together. I look forward to continuing to support this remarkable community and the events that reflect its proud history.”
“For more than a century, the picnic has brought together workers, families and visitors from right across the region, and it continues to reflect the resilience, camaraderie and deep sense of belonging that define the West Coast community of Tasmania. It began with mine workers travelling from Queenstown to Strahan Beach by train in 1897, and that tradition has continued every year. From traditional games and footraces to the food stalls that local volunteers prepared with such pride, the day once again showcased the spirit of a community that support one another through good times but also through tough times. It is this spirit that has ensured the picnic not only survives but thrives generation after generation. I give a big thanks to the Mount Lyell Strahan Picnic Committee and volunteers who make this event possible each year.”
“Alyssia's vision is simple but also powerful: every young person deserves the tools to succeed in life, not just in school. Her dedication is helping build a more capable and confident generation of young Tasmanians. I want to congratulate Alyssia on this outstanding achievement and thank her for the profound contribution she's making to young people right across Tasmania. Her work is transforming lives today and strengthening our future but also the future of our young people. On 26 January I attended the 128th annual Mount Lyell Strahan Picnic, at West Strahan Beach. This event is one of the West Coast's most enduring and treasured community traditions.”