Hansard

Address-in-Reply

Address-in-Reply

Motion

Resumed from 30 April 2025 on the following motion, moved by Mrs Lorna Clarke:

That the following Address-in-Reply to His Excellency’s speech be agreed to —To His Excellency the Honourable Christopher Dawson AC APM, Governor of the State of Western Australia.May it please Your Excellency —We, the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of the State of Western Australia in Parliament assembled, beg to express loyalty to our Most Gracious Sovereign, and to thank Your Excellency for the speech you have been pleased to address to Parliament.

Ms Divina D'Anna (Kimberley—Parliamentary Secretary) (9:23 am): I rise today to speak as a proud member of the 42nd Parliament and as part of the Cook Labor government. I am honoured to represent the Kimberley region and I want to speak today about important investments that we have made and continue to make not only in the Kimberley but across our great state. Although this is not my first speech in this place—I am now in my second term—I would like to take a moment, as I always will, to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather and do our work in this place. This is the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation. I pay my respects to elders past and present and to those who continue to carry forward the strength of our culture, language and continuous connection to the land. Let us always remember that this land always was and always will be Aboriginal land. It was never ceded. I also acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across our state and across the nation as the traditional custodians of the lands we share—lands where we live, work and play together. As we move forward together, we share this great country with mutual respect, understanding and the hope for a better future for all.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the people of the Kimberley for continuing to put their trust in me to advocate for our region. I would also like to congratulate all my parliamentary colleagues who will stand in this chamber and advocate for their regions over the next four years. Most of us would acknowledge that it is very humbling to be trusted by people in our electorate to do what is best for them, and it is not a job that should ever be taken for granted by any of us. It is an honour to be able to continue to represent people in the largest and most remote electorate in our state, the Kimberley—the great Kimberley. I am passionate about ensuring that the people of the Kimberley receive the same access to opportunities as those in metropolitan areas of Western Australia.

The Cook Labor government is focused on developing and strengthening our regions, supporting and creating local jobs, building infrastructure and supporting families and our youth. This commitment is demonstrated by the formation of regionally focused portfolios, and I am quite thrilled that Hon Stephen Dawson has been appointed as Minister for Kimberley to work alongside me in empowering our region. I will speak today on some of the many investments and commitments in the Kimberley that have been delivered or will be delivered by the Cook Labor government.

I will start with one of the favourites—regional capped airfares. This scheme has assisted thousands of Kimberley families to access affordable airfares between Perth and either Broome or Kununurra. More than 420,000 capped airfares have been booked since the scheme was launched in 2022 and a recent $4 million boost has extended this program to June 2026. This capped airfare scheme has been embraced by the people of the Kimberley because it offers real savings and benefits to people living in remote areas. This enables them to travel to our capital city affordably, although, as the crow flies, Darwin is actually closer to Broome and Kununurra than Perth is. Again, this highlights our remoteness up north in this great state. The capped airfare scheme not only provides for medical treatment, visiting of friends and access to events that this great place puts on, like the Jurassic Kingdom event or other events for which they come down, but also allows more and more people I know, especially parts of my family—I am babysitting my grandchildren—to access those fares to come to concerts and stuff. It is quite a winner for some.

Household electricity credits are also another cost-of-living measure that have been rolled out by the state government to the people in the Kimberley and have delivered real cost-of-living relief in our region. These credits have totalled at least $2,100 over the last four years. Some remote communities in the Kimberley have very different electricity setups than metro or large regional areas. Some customers are set up in a prepaid arrangement and others use their own off-grid solar setups to generate electricity. The eligibility criteria were recently adjusted by our government during the last rollout to include many of these customers, which was a great benefit to the people in the Kimberley. I am excited to see our government is also committed to implementing a household solar battery subsidy to permanently slash electricity bills. This will be a huge benefit in the Kimberley, because if there is something that we have a lot of, it is sunshine.

I would like to talk about some of our elders and our seniors. The Regional Pensioner Travel Card has also been incredibly well received in the Kimberley. These cards make a real difference in reducing the cost of fuel and taxi travel for regional pensioners. In addition to the travel cards for the whole Kimberley region, our government will be supporting elderly residents in Halls Creek and surrounding communities with funding for essential supplies in times of need.

I will also continue to support monthly social morning teas for elderly residents in Broome. The morning teas are often one of the highlights on my social calendar, having a cup of tea and a chat with the lovely senior residents in our community. These old people have a lot to offer and they hold one to account a lot. I am not very good at bingo, but they seem to love it. I cannot keep up with them! It is always interesting to sit with them and discuss local issues that affect them and changes that they would like to see made to make the rest of their lives more comfortable. The Regional Pensioner Travel Card gets mentioned a lot, and I know that the committed boost to the card limit will be very well received by my friends at the morning teas. We are dedicated to helping elderly Kimberley residents to live their best lives in the north of the state.

I am also proud that we are supporting so many fantastic regional arts programs and initiatives. Arts and culture are so important in the Kimberley. I believe that we are the best performing arts place in the state. We have actors, singers, dancers, musicians—they all come from there. Members know that, right?

We are delivering funding towards the establishment of the Nyamba Buru Yawuru Janyba Centre for Culture, Story and Arts in Broome. The centre will showcase Kimberley culture and arts and support local artists. We are also supporting regional art groups such as the Kimberley Arts Network and Theatre Kimberley, which provide high quality art, performance and circus programs to children and adults across the region. Recently, we announced funding to progress the establishment of Aboriginal Languages WA, which is supported by the Kimberley Language Resource Centre. This work aims to empower policy changes to achieve lasting and positive outcomes to strengthen Aboriginal languages across the state, including in the Kimberley. Our government understands the importance of increasing opportunities for Kimberley people to get involved in art, performance and cultural activities. I am proud to be part of our government's vision to continue strengthening the cultural connections in the Kimberley region.

Something that has been talked about in recent days is the WA student assistance payments. This was delivered last year and I am quite happy that it is being delivered again this year. This was of incredible benefit to a lot of families. I spoke to many people across the Kimberley, including in remote communities, who were so grateful for the assistance. They were grateful for the understanding from our government that cost-of-living relief, like the student assistance payments, make a real difference, especially in the regions. I know families who use the payments for school uniforms and shoes, and also some families who use the payments to support the cost of their child's extracurricular activities such as sport and music. One mother said, "Even though my children have shoes, they grow so fast. We always have to buy new shoes." I am proud that our government has just opened applications for the second round of the WA student assistance payment to deliver real cost-of-living relief for families across WA. These payments will be a great way for families to start term 2 of the school year.

We are also committed to delivering $8 million for infrastructure upgrades in remote schools in the Kimberley. This will make a huge impact on the staff and children at our remote schools, which in turn will have a positive impact on communities as a whole. I am proud that I specifically committed an additional $10,000 to boost supplies and resources at Kandiwal community school, a beautiful school located 10 hours from the nearest sealed road. I believe that all children, no matter where they live, deserve good support and resources to learn.

In the last four years, we have delivered multiple upgrades to schools across the Kimberley, including $27.9 million to upgrade Derby District High School and nearly $30 million in upgrades to Broome Senior High School. We have delivered $13 million for a new classroom block and upgrades to Halls Creek District High School and $3 million for a new early childhood centre at Wyndham District High School. I was also proud to help open the new administration and classroom block at Broome Primary School in 2022. This was welcomed by the community and a way of healing and moving forward from the fires. These buildings replace those that were destroyed by a fire at the school in 2020 and it was a very special moment for the whole school community to embrace these new facilities.

The $37.2 million expansion to the Breakfast Club program is going to be of significant benefit to many schools in the Kimberley region. Every child deserves to have a good start to their school day, and the Breakfast Club program seeks to address the impact that disadvantage can have on education outcomes. I am very supportive of this program and I am thankful that our government has recognised the benefits of this initiative, especially for children in remote regional areas.

A government commitment to youth empowerment is demonstrated by its commitment to the Marlamanu on-country diversionary facility. This is a cross-agency project that will work with Western Australia Police Force, the Department of Communities and the Department of Justice to refine referral pathways for at-risk youth. The facility will offer young offenders the opportunity to participate in structured programs on a working pastoral station with the support of Indigenous role models. This will also provide a sense of community safety.

We are also supporting the Yawardani Jan-ga Equine Assisted Learning program in Broome. Developed by Professor Juli Coffin, the program enhances the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people using the healing power of horses.

With a focus on the Fitzroy Valley, our government is funding a range of upgrades to the Marra Worra Worra Safe Night Space facility. This includes $3 million for a new basketball court and additional facilities. The night space uses trauma-informed practices to teach local young people valuable life skills, promote teamwork and encourage healthy habits. I recently visited the facility with Minister Dawson and have previously visited with other ministers, and the staff were so excited about and grateful for these developments.

I go back to note that since the Marra Worra Worra night facility has commenced working and engaging with these young kids, the attendance rate at Fitzroy Valley District High School has increased. A lot of that is attributed to the work that the night space has done at the school in partnership with the Department of Education to try to re-engage these children.

We are also committed to funding the establishment of a Kununurra night space to provide a safe space for kids in the Kununurra region. The police and community youth centre will receive $1 million to deliver youth diversion programs in Broome.

I am running out of time. Hold on. Sorry, Mr Speaker; I had better cut my speech down.

We recognise that funding community-led social and emotional wellbeing strategies is a big step in the right direction, and there is always more to be done in the space of youth disengagement in the Kimberley. It is a complex issue and there is not just one solution, but our government is focused on working with our communities to heal trauma and break the complex cycle of juvenile detention and youth crime in the Kimberley. Our government is also dedicated to supporting and creating employment opportunities in the Kimberley, as demonstrated by programs like the Aboriginal Ranger program. Launched by our government in 2017, the program has created more than 1,200 jobs for Aboriginal people, and 45% of the people employed in those jobs are women. The ranger program and on-country jobs deliver more than just economic benefits; they also deliver social and cultural benefits.

The North Regional TAFE campuses in Broome and Kununurra both received a significant upgrade by our government in the last two years. We delivered $11.6 million to construct a new hospitality and student services centre in Broome and $6 million to construct a new health and hospitality centre in Kununurra. We have a strong commitment to supporting these TAFE campuses and the opportunities they provide regional students in the Kimberley. This is further backed up by our government's fee-free TAFE courses, which also continue this year, helping thousands of Kimberley students to prepare for skilled jobs in critical industries.

Our government has further demonstrated its dedication to the regional economic development of the Kimberley region with several large projects over the last four years. These include $23 million delivery towards the Chinatown precinct redevelopment in Broome; $77.1 million in water infrastructure upgrades to the Ord River to drive agricultural expansion; $5 million to seal the airport runway in Warmun; and $6 million for infrastructure to support the first point of entry status for the Broome port. We have also committed $15.5 million in funding to upgrade the port facilities in Wyndham and Derby. I believe those communities and the rest of the Kimberley are quite excited about that.

(Member's time extended.)

Ms Divina D'Anna: This will make the Kimberley more resilient when the road networks are interrupted by weather conditions. These projects all work to diversify and strengthen our Kimberley region and ensure it can continue to perform and expand economically.

Our government recognises there is a clear need for improved and expanded health and mental health services in the Kimberley, and it has invested accordingly. An amount of $8.7 million has been committed to construct a Derby wellness centre that will provide drug and alcohol services, family and domestic violence services and aged care. This is in addition to funding allocated to medically stock the Derby mobile clinic, which will be of direct benefit to the residents of remote communities in the West Kimberley. We are also delivering $8.7 million for the expansion of the Fitzroy Crossing renal dialysis centre and $11 million for a new Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service clinic in Broome.

We are supporting the establishment of a safe men's space in the Djarindjin and Bidyadanga communities. These safe places will enable men to build connections and engage in meaningful and positive activities, and will be places for respite to avoid family and domestic violence incidents. We are also supporting women's refugees in every large town across the Kimberley to ensure there are safe, comfortable places for women and children.

The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme is a huge consideration for residents of the Kimberley, who often need to travel to Perth for medical appointments and specialised treatment. I am proud that we have listened to feedback on PATS and are committed to reviewing the subsidy to ensure it continues to enable people from regional areas and the Kimberley to access the same medical treatment as people in the rest of the state. Our government does listen and respond to the voices of Kimberley people. We are committed to listening to regional voices and to continuing to improve access to health care and mental health care in the Kimberley and all regional areas of WA.

The Kimberley region, as with many regions, is currently experiencing significant housing affordability and availability challenges. Our government is committed to addressing these issues. We have recently invested $10 million in grants to six Aboriginal community–controlled organisations as part of the ACCO Aboriginal employee housing grants program, and we are committed to funding $5 million to the Water Lily Place housing project in Kununurra, which will deliver 14 affordable homes for key workers such as childcare educators and shire workers. These initiatives will boost housing supply in the regions and support workforce retention. As we heard from Minister Carey, we are also unlocking more land in the Kimberley to deliver more housing, like he spoke about with Waranyjarri. We have slashed stamp duty for first home buyers, including for those in the Kimberley. Our government recognises that regional housing is an absolute priority in the Kimberley and will continue to implement strategies to address the areas of need.

A real community connector in the Kimberley is sport. To many people, it is so much more than a game. Sport has the power to inspire and unite people from all backgrounds and provides opportunities for positive social interactions. Sport can provide hope and build community spirit, especially in remote areas. This is of particular importance to our youth and their families. Our government recognises the benefits of organised sport and is supporting many Kimberley sporting initiatives, including by providing club buses to transport the mighty Port Wyndham Crocs and the Warmun Eagles to their footy fixtures. This might not seem like a big deal to some people, but, to paint a picture, the community of Warmun is nearly 200 kilometres from the nearest towns of Halls Creek and Kununurra. For the Eagles, it is a round trip of nearly 400 kilometres to play a game of footy, and they have been relying on their own transport. Warmun also does not currently have an active footy oval so there are never any home games; they are always away games, or far away games as it were. I am also providing support and funding for 11 basketball competitions across the Kimberley region. Basketball is huge in our area and it keeps our communities connected. We have $10 million for a new Fitzroy Crossing multipurpose community centre to be both an emergency evacuation centre and a place for sport and community activities.

In a huge boost for the Halls Creek community, we are investing $4 million in a new water park and playground in the town. Halls Creek gets very hot for a large chunk of the year and the aquatic centre is the absolute place to be, so increasing the town’s access to aquatic facilities is something that I am very proud to be involved in. This will also have social and community benefits. Similarly, we have already delivered $3.2 million for the Kununurra Splash Park, which I had the joy of opening in 2023 with a slightly ungraceful splashdown from one of the new slides with Minister Templeman, the former Minister for Sport and Recreation. I must say it is one of the best slides north of the 26th parallel!

Whilst on the topic of Kununurra in the East Kimberley, there are some exciting projects progressing in the region, including work starting on the East Kimberley Regional Airport runway extension and the design progressing for the Celebrity Tree Park all abilities playground, a project that is very close to the community's heart. This playground is due for completion by the end of the year and this space is going to be a real celebration of inclusive community creativity. We also have revitalisation projects in Kununurra and plans for the revitalisation of the Wyndham historical port precinct. The East Kimberley is a resilient and connected region. It is always a highlight to meet with shire and community leaders to hear about their strong visions. Our government values remote community sustainability, and this is demonstrated by our commitment to delivering needed resources and infrastructure.

I know that I am running out of time! We will be looking at providing remote communities, such as Looma community, with equipment such as a front-end loader to do their own home and parks and gardens maintenance for their communities. We are also providing the Wyndham Youth Aboriginal Corporation with machinery so that it can train the young ones and get them ticketed. This will give them the ability to help aged people or people who are unable to manage on their own at home with the clean-up of verges and some of their gardens, as the Shire of Wyndham’s main employee pool is 100 kays east.

Sorry, but I am going to skim through my notes. No conversation about the remoteness of the Kimberley would be complete without talking about the Kiwirrkurra community. This community is in the Kimberley electorate but is located in the Gibson Desert, only 700 kilometres from Alice Springs. It is considered the most remote community in Australia, and I have been lucky enough to visit the community twice very recently. I am blown away by the enthusiasm and vision of its residents. I am thrilled that our government is investing in this vision, with funding allocated to develop stage 1 of the youth activity precinct, which will include resurfacing the basketball courts and building shade structures. I am so proud of our government for being so dedicated to strengthening remote communities and for acknowledging the benefits of supporting self-sufficiency.

I cannot provide an overview of the achievements and visions of our government in the last term without referencing the replacement of the Fitzroy River Bridge. I must say that the floods in early 2023 that devastated parts of the Kimberley region were certainly one of the most challenging times of my last term. I am proud of our government for pulling together resources and coordinating well-planned solutions for unprecedented challenges. The new bridge was delivered six months ahead of schedule thanks to the government as a whole prioritising our region. Experiencing the resilience of our people and our communities through that very difficult time was very emotional and made me love our region even more.

People in the Kimberley are special; we are bred very tough up there. I am proud of our government's achievements during the last term and I am excited for planned future projects and initiatives for the Kimberley. I will continue to focus on the people of the Kimberley and their voices, and I will always advocate for what is best for our people and the incredible region that we come from and choose to live in. I am honoured to represent the Kimberley and I am humbled every day. I know I keep talking about the remoteness and the expanse of the Kimberley today, but it is genuinely a big part of what makes my electorate so special. We are beautiful in our diversity of country and people. The challenges that we face up there sometimes dictate the need for thinking outside of the box and strategising in ways that are different from in other electorates, but they are also the challenges that build our resilience. I am proud that our government recognises the needs of people in the Kimberley and is working to address those needs in ways that are culturally and geographically appropriate. There is always more work to be done, and I will continue to advocate for the needs of the Kimberley and the voices of its people. I am excited to see our vision for the Kimberley progress, and I am excited for the people of the Kimberley.

Mrs Magenta Marshall (Rockingham) (9:51 am): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am grateful to have the opportunity to provide an Address-in-Reply speech. I would like to first congratulate all the re-elected and newly elected members of this place. It is an honour to be here and I look forward to the contributions of everyone. I would also like to congratulate you, Mr Speaker, on your election to that role. You were a very honest and reliable Deputy Speaker and I am sure you will make a very modern and fair Speaker of this place.

Of course, the biggest congratulations must go to the Premier of Western Australia, Roger Cook. I started out in politics as a volunteer intern and occasional relief office worker in the Premier's electorate office in Kwinana. It was 2014, and the Premier was the shadow health minister at the time. During my time in his office, I saw how incredibly hardworking he was and I was impressed by how down to earth and approachable he was. In fact, I can remember bumping into him at the Woolies in Wellard at some point during the COVID pandemic; he was graciously chatting to his constituents, who were coming up to him in just about every aisle he went down. I remember it so clearly; the Minister for Health, who was overseeing our protection during the pandemic and releasing those daily COVID updates, was in Woolies doing his food shop and being accessible to his community just like anyone else. I believe it is his humility and modesty that helped the Premier achieve an amazing election result.

His recent victory is a testament to not just his hard work and vision for our state but also the trust that the people of Western Australia have placed in him to continue pushing forward the values that matter most—that is, cost-of-living relief, record investment in health and mental health, boosting housing supply and making more things here in WA. It is a privilege to be part of the Premier's team and a member of a government that is ready to tackle those challenges during these uncertain times with the same determination, vision and commitment to fairness that the people of Western Australia have come to expect from WA Labor.

I want to thank the Rockingham electorate for placing their trust and faith in me again to represent our community. Two elections in two years is not a whole lot of fun, but it is an honour to represent our community. I am truly grateful and humbled to now have the opportunity to serve my community for a full four-year term. Of course, election campaigns require a lot of effort and support. I am so thankful to all the volunteers and supporters who helped along the way, but there are a few names I would like to put on the record. Thank you to my campaign director, Hon Kate Doust. Your breadth of experience and strategic planning were invaluable to me, as well as your support and patience. I know I shared her as a director with a few other members of this place, and I am glad that all the campaigns she directed were successful.

As most members know, our electorate officers are our front line and represent us as members. I am truly indebted to Kira Crawford and Michael Dolecki, who serve the Rockingham community well in their roles and support me with their guidance and efforts. Thank you both for your loyalty. I am excited to keep working with you both.

I would also like to thank Justin Alford who was a key member of our campaign team and really fought hard to keep us in the local "sign wars" game.

Thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time and talents to my campaign. Thankfully, no wobbleboarding happened down our way! But many hours were given to doorknocking, phoning, putting up a yard sign, letterboxing, and handing out information at train stations, pre-poll and on election day, so thank you very much. I would like to especially thank my regular volunteers James Hewett and Rohan Aich, who both committed countless weekends to coming doorknocking with me, and even brought along their girlfriends, Lauren and Ira, to join the fun. Thank you so much.

To my booth captains and scrutineers, Craig Hanlen, Guy Morgan, Barry and Janine Wilders—or Mum and Dad—Denise Henden, Margaret Sweeney, Steve Sloan, Jo Clossick, Ben Famlonga, Lyle Slaney, Chiara Staines and Joe Laukkenan, thank you for your support.

Of course as a former party office staffer, I have a lot of respect and admiration for the entire team at campaign headquarters. Thank you to WA Labor State Secretary Ellie Whiteaker and Assistant State Secretary Lauren Cayoun for running such a slick and diligent campaign. You are two spectacular women, and I look forward to working with you in your new roles.

Living in Rockingham, I am lucky to be represented at the federal level by the Hon Madeleine King. As the state member for Rockingham, I am grateful to be able to work with Madeleine to deliver better outcomes and services for our community, including our $2 million investment to improve traffic access to the HMAS Stirling base and reduce congestion on our local roads. I want to thank Madeleine for her sage advice and support throughout the recent campaign. I have enjoyed returning the favour over recent weeks, and I look forward to Madeleine being re-elected as part of an Albanese Labor government this weekend, on 3 May.

To Tim Dawson and the Transport Workers' Union of Australia, thank you for your ongoing support. In particular, I want to thank Eloyise Braskic, Chris Gibbs, Charlie Nichols, Tom Brennan, Rob Taylor and Rukmani Rao, who gave up their time to volunteer on pre-poll and election day. For us in Rockingham, pre-poll was at times a very interesting place, with some unusual characters and a bit of shouting, so it was always nice when I could be surrounded by my union family.

Our campaign was positive. We went door to door and talked to voters about what Labor delivered for Rockingham in the last term of government and shared our plan for the future. I am grateful to my predecessor in the seat and former Premier of Western Australia, Hon Mark McGowan, for his continued advice and support. It was really incredible to be on a booth with Mark on election day and witness how many voters he still knew by name.

Finally I want to thank my family. Thank you to my husband, Jake, who has sacrificed a lot to ensure I could follow my dream to this place. Thank you for being the best husband and dadda to our little Bowie. Thank you also to my mum, dad and sisters, Sophie and Summer, for supporting me too.

This week it has been fascinating to hear so many inaugural speeches and members share stories about the values and passions that led them to this place. It caused me to reflect on my own motivation for entering politics, which it seems I share with several other members—that is, education. For my family education was seen as a catalyst for a better life. Both my parents went to public schools in Kwinana and the eastern hills. My dad had to repeat year 12 and my mum dropped out after year 10 on the advice of her teachers. At the time, all girls, regardless of how ambitious or academic, were encouraged to leave school and get jobs as secretaries, which is what my mum did. My parents wanted better lives for us girls and they believed that started with a strong education. However, they believed that required sending us to a private school, as they had the view that the public education system would only be strong under a Labor government and would always be threatened when the Liberals and Nationals were in power. I share their view that education can be transformative and I have seen that it is only Labor governments that properly invest in education. Under the former federal Liberal–National government, millions of dollars in funding was ripped out of public schools and even more was handed over to private schools that, arguably, needed the money less. That neglect sustained the deep inequity in Australian education, with public school students, teachers and staff worse off than those who can afford a private education.

It is important to me that no child is left behind. Everyone should have access to the highest quality education regardless of their circumstances or post code. I was truly proud to be a member of the Cook Labor government when, in 2024, the former Minister for Education, now Attorney General, was the first in the nation to sign up to the new federal agreement to fully fund our public schools. This additional funding is not just about throwing more money at schools; the funding is tied to reforms needed to lift education standards across Western Australia, including increasing individualised support for students and mental health support in schools, and mandating evidence-based teaching practices. Importantly, a key reform is providing support for students to come to school ready to learn through greater wellbeing support for mental health, including counsellors, school psychologists and health nurses, as part of a wraparound support to make sure children who might be struggling with issues outside of school turn up to school and finish school.

During the recent state election campaign, we made a commitment to invest $37 million to expand the school breakfast program into all schools where students may need extra support and to boost the service from two to five days a week. This initiative will be rolled out at every school in Rockingham, and will ensure that all school students are set up for success every day.

Locally, I am also proud to be delivering on two major upgrades at my public high schools, with $60 million for Rockingham Senior High School and Education Support Centre and $40 million for Safety Bay Senior High School. The teachers and staff in Rockingham do a wonderful job and I know they will deliver even better education in new state-of-the art facilities at the two schools.

I was also really proud to make a state election commitment to deliver a project at every school in Rockingham, including $1 million for early learning facilities at Cooloongup Primary School. I will not go into the details of all of them now, but as someone with a deep appreciation for education and its ability to transform not just individual lives but entire communities, I am proud of our record in education and look forward to working with the new education minister as we roll out that commitment.

Our core message during the campaign was that we will do what is right for WA and we will deliver real cost-of-living relief to Western Australians, from the WA student assistance payment of $250 per high school student and $150 per kindy and primary school student, which is being rolled out right now, less than two months from the state election, to capping public transport fares at a single zone. These commitments will save Rockingham families hundreds of dollars. Some other commitments I am really excited to roll out in this space are the expansion of the Hardship Utility Grant Scheme to include water bill assistance for social housing tenants, establishing the first WA Residential Battery Scheme to help WA families purchase batteries and save thousands on their power bills and the rebate for families travelling to Country Week, which is relevant in my household as my husband is a teacher who coordinates Country Week for his school in South Mandurah. Every year, he does his best to keep those costs low, but participating in Country Week can be prohibitive for many families, so this rebate is already very popular among his school community. I am sure it would be for you as well, member for Collie–Preston.

Another key focus of our election campaign was housing, and it is a key pillar of our plans to reduce cost-of-living pressures. I think that after the election, and thanks to some of the new members on the opposite side of the house, I am no longer the baby of the house, but I am definitely one of the youngest here, so I am really passionate about making sure that secure and affordable housing is achievable for all members of my community, for people renting or living with their parents now to the generations of the future. Some of our key commitments to help get more West Aussies into secure long-term housing include increasing the stamp duty threshold for first home buyers, something that we have already legislated within the first month, I think it was, since the election; making Keystart more accessible, with apartments and townhouses added to the scheme; delivering 2,000 new social homes in the first two years of our term; and establishing a build-to-rent Kickstart fund to deliver affordable rentals. We know that housing supply and affordability is an important issue and that is why we are throwing everything at it—building more homes, freeing up land, cutting red tape, reducing stamp duty and growing the construction workforce.

Having a strong public health system that delivers accessible quality care is obviously important to my community, and our government is committed to delivering world-class health care for every Western Australian. Our plan that we took to the election prioritised relieving pressure on our hospitals, investing in upgrades to Rockingham General Hospital and boosting funding to local health services. One of our commitments to reduce this pressure on hospitals was to deliver the aged-care beds we need to support our ageing population through $100 million in loans for aged-care providers to add more beds to the system. We will also deliver older adult health hubs, which will allow seniors to receive more appropriate care outside of hospitals, something that is important to an electorate such as Rockingham, with an ageing population due to our reputation as a retirement destination of choice. Another key part of our plan to modernise emergency care in WA is expanding the WA Virtual Emergency Department program by tripling the number of WAVED doctors and nurses and adding child health services, which would slash wait times and reduce the need for patients to go to hospital.

To support families and women in Rockingham, our election commitments included delivering a water birthing pool at Rockingham General Hospital. As a local mum, I know how important it is to have options when giving birth. In fact, I gave birth to my daughter at that very hospital last year and I can attest that giving birth is both an exciting and a very stressful experience, so I am really excited to be providing more options for local women. We will deliver more options at the hospital by funding the very first water birthing pool. We have also committed to building the new world-class women's and babies' hospital in Murdoch, bringing specialist health care closer to women and families in Rockingham.

Another commitment was to invest the $39.5 million necessary to make Ngala Residential Parenting Service free so that more women and their families experiencing mental health issues can access this important support. Another commitment that we took to the election was to boost funding to many women's health services, including South Coastal Women's Health Service in Rockingham, so that local families and children can access their support. It is a wonderful not-for-profit service that provides a range of services, including mental health counselling and low-cost psychology services, dietetics and Aboriginal health services aimed at promoting and supporting the health and wellbeing of Rockingham. In fact, its Babbingur Mia nursing and midwifery team last year was honoured with the prestigious WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence in Person-Centred Care—Team Award, so I am very proud that we are supporting their important work with this additional funding. Another election commitment in this space was to deliver funding for the Australian Breastfeeding Association WA branch to support new mums through breastfeeding education classes, training for student health professionals and local parent groups in metropolitan and regional areas, something that I have really relied on in my journey.

Another commitment we had was to make it easier to access attention deficit hyperactivity disorder care without needing to go to a psychiatrist or paediatrician. These commitments are all on top of our already strong record in health. Since 2021 we have added 30 new beds at Rockingham General Hospital and over 800 new beds across WA, and we have opened the Rockingham Urgent Care Clinic in partnership with the Albanese Labor government. It provides free GP appointments for Medicare card holders. As a new mum, I have had to rely on this service a few times, including as recently as yesterday, so I have seen firsthand how this is helping reduce pressure on our hospital emergency departments and providing the important care necessary to our community.

We are also getting on with the job of delivering a mental health emergency centre and behavioural assessment urgent care centre at Rockingham hospital to help ease pressure on the emergency department and provide appropriate care to those in need. We are able to deliver these commitments and to deliver more for the Rockingham community because our WA Labor government has made our economy the strongest in the country, and this was reaffirmed this week.

Being elected for a third term is no small feat. We went to the election with a bold vision for WA's future; that is, a future that is made in WA. As we know, WA's economy is strong, but we must also ensure it is resilient, which is why we are investing in the jobs of the future in clean energy, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. Rockingham is already a key economic centre for the south-west metropolitan region thanks to our close proximity to the Perth CBD, the future Westport and the Henderson Defence Precinct. We have great local infrastructure, like our railway and hospital, and we are home to the largest industrial estate in Australia. But most importantly, we are host to the country's largest naval base—in our backyard at HMAS Stirling. A central element of our Made in WA plan is boosting WA's defence sector to further diversify the state's economy and create generations of jobs for Western Australians. We are focused on ensuring that Western Australians benefit from the opportunities in defence and in particular as a result of the AUKUS port partnership, through not only enhanced national security, but also the economic benefits and opportunities that it will bring. In January of this year, prior to caretaker mode, our state government released the Defence and Defence Industry Strategy 2025, which outlines a 15-year vision to position WA as a premier destination for defence work, focusing on six key pillars: workforce, infrastructure, industry, community, research and innovation and veterans. This strategy sets out how WA can contribute meaningfully to the nation's defence priorities and needs, as well as advance the state's defence industry while ensuring significant benefits for local industries and communities. Our commitment to this ambition was apparent when the newly re-elected and sworn-in Minister for Defence Industries, Hon Paul Papalia, led a delegation to the United States in early April to strengthen relationships and showcase WA's defence capability on the global stage.

We already heard a bit about this mission from the minister earlier this week but, as he emphasised, the aim was to help fast-track selected WA industries into the Virginia Class submarine construction supply chain by meeting with key American submarine industry and other defence players to enlist their support. Minister Papalia was also there to put forward the case that our WA industry has the capacity to accelerate the production of these Virginia Class submarines through the local production of critical submarine components and to highlight the potential for WA's critical minerals and rare earth reserves that we have to contribute to a reliable supply chain for US and allied defence and technology needs.

(Member's time extended.)

Mrs Magenta Marshall: As a result of the mission, the WA state government has already signed a memorandum of understanding with General Dynamics Mission Systems, which is designed to fast-track local businesses into the Virginia Class supply chain. This is a major milestone for WA's defence industry as we continue to strengthen the key role our state plays in the AUKUS partnership, and here in Rockingham we are at the forefront. Our community stands to gain significantly from the AUKUS partnership, whether it is through improved transport infrastructure, housing developments, education and training opportunities or through expanded career pathways for local residents. This represents an enormous opportunity to diversify our local economy, enhance the local skill level and build the workforce of the future right here in Rockingham. For decades, HMAS Stirling at Garden Island has contributed significantly to our local employment and economy, and with the AUKUS partnership we are set to see a transformation in our defence capabilities and an expansion of the role that HMAS Stirling plays in this evolving landscape.

Tens of billions of dollars are being invested by the federal government to create the Henderson Defence Precinct, enhance the facilities at HMAS Stirling, establish nuclear-powered submarine sustainment and deliver continuous shipbuilding. All up, these projects will support approximately 10,000 jobs, and many of these jobs that are created as a result of AUKUS will not be temporary due to the nature of defence work.

With the significant focus on sustained operations and maintenance, many of these positions will provide long-term employment opportunities for our community. As someone who grew up in Rockingham, I have lived through the high rates of youth unemployment that limited the opportunities available to me and my peers, but now there has truly never been a better time to be a young school graduate or someone looking to reskill, with many training opportunities available to be set up for well-paying and secure work in defence and the defence industry.

Our investment in TAFE means many of the courses are low cost or fee-free and there is a focus in growing women's participation in defence through programs like the Women in Defence Industry Scholarship program that is being delivered at South Metropolitan TAFE in Rockingham, something that I know is not supported by all elected members. Beyond the workforce impact, the AUKUS deal promises to inject long-term economic resilience into our region by enriching our local community with an influx of workers and families moving to Rockingham. That will, of course, bring challenges, but it will also present us with many new and evolving opportunities.

With the AUKUS and Westport projects coming online, Rockingham is well positioned to become an economic powerhouse. The Rockingham Industry Zone is already a national leader in sustainable industrial development and is set to be Perth's industrial core for decades, focusing on industries like renewable hydrogen, critical minerals processing, shipbuilding and sustainment.

As we all know, WA is a trading state and our container port supports the entire state economy, so we cannot let our only container port run out of room and we cannot afford to find ourselves in a position in which future generations are forced to pay more for everyday goods because containers have to be taken to the east coast and brought back here by road and rail. Westport will be one of the largest infrastructure projects undertaken in WA and will create thousands of jobs during the construction phase.

On top of this, one of our election commitments was also to widen the Kwinana Freeway in both directions, all the way to Mortimer Road. We are also supporting private investment in Rockingham, like the recently opened Tyrecycle facility, opening up new industrial land at Latitude 32 and working with the developer on the Wanliss St Marina to reset the project and to go out to expressions of interest shortly.

Locally, we are also committed to improving road safety and making sure that we invest in projects that will help get people on our roads home safely. Through the black spot program, we have upgraded important intersections at Ennis Avenue and Dixon Road, a key artery through the electorate servicing the Rockingham industrial zone, East Kwinana as well as the Reeves Street and Malibu Road intersection, which is used by local students travelling to Safety Bay Senior High School.

One of the election commitments that we had to further provide support for at this intersection was for a signalised crossing, making it even safer for those students and their families. Our local community has been asking for these upgrades, in particular the school community and the local traffic wardens, Conrad and Jan. We are now delivering them.

One of my key passions is sport and recreation. I grew up in Rockingham and tried out many different codes. Unfortunately, I had some learning experiences along the way about what I can and cannot play, but I am really proud to be delivering investment in almost every code in Rockingham. I am proud to be delivering the additional courts and much-needed maintenance works at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex through our $10 million investment, with $2 million of those works already delivered for the roof and ventilation upgrades, which are having a real impact on players in the stadium already. I continue to work with the City of Rockingham to deliver the other $8 million and to get on with the job of delivering those further indoor courts that will service the growing demand for indoor ball sports in my community.

Some of the other important investments that we have made into Rockingham over the last term in the sport and recreation space is $1 million for the clubroom redevelopment and floodlighting at the Dwight Reserve. This project is almost complete. I know it will have a significant impact on the Safety Bay Stingers Football Club, which I was really proud to support at the election with a commitment for an electronic scoreboard.

Another important investment into local sport and recreation was $1.1 million towards the Anniversary Park clubroom redevelopment. This is for the Rockingham Rams Football Club, which plays on Council Avenue and is another important football club, being AFL football, in my electorate. I was also proud to support it with a re-election commitment of $75,000 for an electronic scoreboard.

Over the last term of government, we also invested in resurfacing the bowling greens at Rockingham and Safety Bay Bowling Clubs. They are two important clubs in my electorate that, again, I was proud to support with an election commitment going into the recent state election.

Some of the other achievements over the last term of government that have really benefited Rockingham include support for community services such as delivering a changing places facility at Rockingham foreshore at Churchill Park for people with a disability. The Rockingham foreshore is really iconic to most people. In fact, I know that when ministers or members of the media came down to Rockingham, particularly during the by-election when there was a lot more focus on the electorate, one of the things that was reported to me quite frequently was, “Wow, you've got such a lovely beach down here!” I think we are a bit of a hidden gem at times, although I am trying to change that. Supporting people with a disability to be able to access the foreshore is really important and I am proud that we were able to open that changing places facility late last year.

Another important investment into Rockingham was supporting the expansion of the homeless engagement, assessment and response team—HEART—service to Rockingham to help highly vulnerable people transition from homelessness into safe accommodation and housing. Like most people in our community, I also want Rockingham to be a safe place, which is why we expanded the Rockingham Police Station operating hours and doubled recruitment courses so that there were more police officers on our streets. I think that in a couple of months, the Baldivis police station will be opening; shortly—very imminently. That will have a positive impact on the Rockingham community, because although we will lose some of our officers to the Baldivis station, we will also lose the patrolling area of Baldivis, meaning that Rockingham officers will be patrolling the streets of Rockingham and keeping our community even safer. Our commitment to community safety in Rockingham also included the introduction of tough family and domestic violence laws that included new offences and mandated GPS tracking for perpetrators, and passing the nation-leading firearms laws that are keeping us safe by reducing the number of guns in our community. There is, of course, always more to be done, but our community is safer thanks to the Cook Labor government over the last term.

Locally, for the environment, we have funded additional research and protection for our little penguins through the establishment of the independent Little Penguin Advisory Group. We have created the class A reserve at Point Peron, something that my community has been calling on for decades, and we released the Cape Peron recreation master plan with $1 million in funding to deliver the first stages of that plan, which will include toilets and a pop-up kiosk facility so that tourists and visitors to our beautiful natural reserve will be able to recreate more enjoyably. We are also delivering $2.75 million to upgrade the Penguin Island jetty, making it safer and more accessible for visitors and staff to the island.

In closing, I really want to say a big thankyou to all my supporters and volunteers who have helped get me here, be it almost two years ago during the by-election, and again most recently in March. I know that it is only Labor governments that invest in Rockingham, and we deserve the very best. I am pleased that the Cook Labor government has supported my vision for Rockingham and is committed to delivering the investment that my community needs by supporting our ecotourism ambitions and ensuring we are AUKUS-ready and ready to receive the benefits that that opportunity will bring.

To the voters of Rockingham: thank you for your renewed support. Rockingham has always been my home. It is the community that raised me, that I love dearly and that I will not let down. Thank you very much.

(Quorum formed.)

Mr Geoff Baker (South Perth) (10:19 am): I would like to start by congratulating the member for Forrestfield on his election as Speaker, and also congratulate the new member for Jandakot on his election. As someone who has worked with him quite a bit on committees, it was a joy to see him make the move from the upper house to the lower house.

The recent election made me think very deeply about why we do this. Why do we put ourselves through these elections? Why do we put all this work in? My mind goes back to the birth of my first daughter. I am sure anyone in this place who has had a child will remember that period when they were in the hospital, surrounded by experts—doctors and nurses and people who really know what they are doing. At the end of the hours or days, they hand that bundle back to us; we walk back to the car with our child and we think, "I don't know what I'm doing." When we get home, we think, "Wow, this is the start of something completely different now. We're in a completely new chapter."

I remember the first night I spent with my daughter at home. Mum was asleep in her bed, having her first decent sleep for days. My child was asleep in my arms. She was all wrapped up in the swaddling and she had that newborn smell. It was two o'clock in the morning and I was afraid to move in case she woke up and everything stopped. I wondered how long I would be stuck there for. As a stats nerd, I pulled over my laptop and went to a webpage that calculates life expectancies.

Several members interjected.

Mr Geoff Baker: I know. I fill in the details for her: "No, I'm not going to smoke, I'm not going to skydive." It spat out a number—88 years. She was born in 2015. In 88 years, it will be 2103, the 22nd century. I never really thought of the 22nd century as a real thing before. I thought, "How do I get you to the 22nd century? There are so many things we need to work out about how to do that, such as the environment and economics." How do we have a safe community in which I can raise her, along with the education system, the health system, the lot? We have to fix that.

When things get hard, I think about that path to the 22nd century. How do we get to that community? How do we get to that society that we want in the 22nd century? That was really tested when the COVID pandemic came along and we had to make big decisions very quickly. I was not a member of Parliament at the time but I was very enthusiastically engaged with politics. The thing that struck me about those first couple of weeks during COVID was that it should not have been a left-right issue; it should have been a case of expert medics being able to direct public policy and the politicians responding to that. Instead, I saw a bunch of buffoons around the world mucking it up. People like Scott Morrison, Clive Palmer, Boris Johnson and Donald Trump were not able to translate medical advice into good public policy. Locally, to my amazement, I saw two people I had known for years—Mark McGowan and Roger Cook—constructing the world-leading response. I said, "Right. I have to support that side. That's the side I want to support", so I ran for the seat of South Perth. It started off as a fool's errand. As a Labor candidate in South Perth, it was a case of "There you go. Off you go. Here's the map. Come back in a couple of years' time."

Mr David Michael: Like my mum did once.

Mr Geoff Baker: Yes. It turned out to be a really good idea. When I started doorknocking, I do not think anyone, me included, thought that I would be here for a second term. Working with the McGowan government and the Cook government has been amazing. We are looking at those long-term projects. We are building the transport network of the future; we are building the education system of the future; we are investing in health; we are building on our economy; we are keeping the states safe and strong; and we are investing in Made in WA. The WA Labor government is a great government to be a part of. It has excellent management, excellent financial management, cooperation between ministers and ambitious legislation, and it delivers at all levels.

As we emerged from COVID, I wondered what the next big problem would be that I could work on. The one I came up with was global warming. Global warming is affecting WA in a devastating way. It is affecting basic things like our water supply. It is affecting the way agriculture is conducted. It is affecting the heat in our cities. Everything we think about, such as local greening in our suburbs, is going to change as global warming takes hold. Its effects around the world are going to be huge. It is also affecting our insurability. How much is it going to cost to insure things in those extreme climates in Western Australia as things get worse? That will be a really huge problem for us to overcome.

There are long and complex solutions to global warming. The bit that I wanted to work on in this Parliament was clean energy. I formed a group—Parliamentary Friends of Clean Energy—with Hon Dr Brad Pettitt from the upper house, Hon Dr Steve Thomas and the former member for Churchlands, Christine Tonkin. The clean energy sector is changing very quickly. The technology that underlies it is changing very quickly, as are the economics behind it. The price of solar panels, batteries and wind turbines has dropped enormously. Combined, they form the most cost-efficient ways of making power. They far outweigh gas, coal and especially nuclear. Does anyone seriously think that nuclear is an option for Western Australia? Are there any takers on the other side? I could not even get the former member for Cottesloe to take that one up in the last term. He knew where the economics lay on nuclear.

Our group, the Parliamentary Friends of Clean Energy, held over a dozen events over a couple of years, collaborating with industry, government and NGOs, discussing what the clean energy future held for Western Australia and the many possibilities contained for cheaper, more reliable and sustainable energy in Western Australia. It was great to work with our recent Ministers for Energy—Bill Johnston, the former member for Cannington, and the member for Baldivis, Reece Whitby—on these energy issues. We made huge strides in the last government towards the transition to clean energy. My favourite quip from the Premier is "We started building a battery in Collie that was going to be the biggest battery in the world when it started but by the time we finished it, it wasn't even the biggest battery in Collie." That is the speed at which this transition is occurring.

I took a lot of pride in knowing that the central commitments in our Made in WA campaign were around that clean energy transition. It has been a great journey to be on. I am going to reboot the Parliamentary Friends of Clean Energy for this term. I look forward to working with the current minister, the member for Morley, as we grasp these clean energy possibilities and ensure that Western Australia becomes a clean energy powerhouse for the world.

Good government also delivers locally. During the last term, I completed 52 projects in South Perth and I delivered on six major commitments from the election in 2021, and we had a number of other things come through. They included additions to high schools, primary schools, sporting clubs and local community groups. Lots of things came through for us. I am really proud of those things because it meant working with local community groups and then finding ways to connect them to government programs and making them deliver. This led to a bunch of new commitments for South Perth. The ones that I worked with the ministers most closely on included the Canning Bridge interchange, which will transform the way the hub around Canning Bridge operates as a community.

When we initially designed the Mandurah rail line, the Canning Bridge station was designed for 1,000 boardings a day. I think it is up around 5,000 boardings a day at the moment and the infrastructure there is well and truly dated. It needs an upgrade. We are going to take the buses off Canning Highway and put them on a separate platform and fix up a number of the ways that pedestrians and cyclists get on and off the platform. That will make the intersection safer and more efficient for everyone going through there, especially the cars.

The second thing we are doing is "Metronet on the Swan". This is a ferry system that will grasp the possibilities of our beautiful river. We will have a ferry that goes from Canning Bridge up to Crawley and then across to Elizabeth Quay. That will join in with the current South Perth ferry. When you go to other places with big waterways like Sydney, with Sydney Harbour, or Brisbane, you see ferries all over the place and people using the waterways as transport. We have a lot to catch up on there. Once this is in place, we can look at more extensions across the Swan River and around the Canning River and see what else we can connect. It is a really good first start.

We are continuing the Zoo master plan. As the member for South Perth, I am also accidentally the member for Perth Zoo. Over time I have developed a fairly close relationship with the giraffes, some of the monkeys, the tree kangaroos and the tortoises. I have learnt more about lion dentistry than I thought I would!

Mr Terry Healy: What's your spirit animal?

Mr Geoff Baker: Oh, the giraffes; we see eye to eye. I have another story about a giraffe that I will tell you, but that is not for Hansard.

The Zoo master plan has been progressing very nicely. We have new play areas and cafeterias. The elephants are transitioning out. The passing of Tricia was an amazingly sad event for South Perth, and the newer elephants are moving over to the open zoo in South Australia. There will be a larger savannah area. We are also having a monkey exhibit where the monkeys will be able to run over the walkways. There will be ropes. There is the possibility of monkey debris falling on small children, which would also be quite funny and a very interactive experience for the visitors!

The local commitment that I am most proud of is a $30 million commitment to upgrade Como Secondary College. This is stage 1. I remember the moment in the campaign very clearly because we had to keep a lid on it for quite some time. It was a very proud moment to be there with the Premier as he announced the $30 million commitment for the first stage of upgrades to Como Secondary College. Everyone in South Perth knows that Como Secondary College needed an upgrade. It was the number one local issue that I got in doorknocking throughout the seat. It did not matter whether people had kids at Como Secondary, were about to have kids at Como Secondary, used to have kids at Como Secondary or had nothing to do with it; everyone wanted to see some improvements there.

When I began my term in 2021, the local community was going in lots of different directions about it. Some people wanted an amalgamated campus with Kent Street Senior High School. Some people wanted this and some people wanted that and some people wanted particular facilities. One of the first things I did with the school community was to ask: What exactly do we want? Working with the school board and the P&C, we had a visioning exercise. We worked with community groups, students and teachers and came up with a document that was a vision for Como Secondary. What is this future school going to look like? The overwhelming response was that they wanted to continue on the site that they were on. They wanted a school that was committed to excellence, but also very inclusive and that included the community in some way. The facilities had to be something that the community could be a part of so the school could be part of the community. That was broad, but it gave us a direction to head in. We collected a petition of 1,600 signatures. We gave that to the then Minister for Education, Dr Tony Buti, the member for Armadale, and he took it to the budget, and we got a $650,000 planning exercise for the school in the next budget.

The result of this planning exercise was the announcement. Stage 1 is a performing arts centre and a new gym. The current gym will be converted into a performing arts centre and there will be a new gym made onsite. That will be the first stage of a multi-stage project at Como Secondary. I am really looking forward to that and am pleased to have been working with the Minister for Education, the Premier and the Treasurer on that one.

To get these kinds of local commitments—we have about 20 in South Perth—we work with community groups, sporting groups, the City of South Perth and environmental groups.

(Member's time extended.)

Mr Geoff Baker: To get all these commitments up means working with a lot of people. There is a mountain of work to get any of these commitments up. The first thing is to work with local community groups, and that is a really good thing. The second thing is to have a stable and financially secure government that is able to make these kinds of plans and have certainty in delivering them. I have watched many governments over the years of different stripes make election commitments and not be able to deliver them because they could not manage the finances. The final years of the Barnett government saw a litany of election commitments being walked away from. It is quite amazing as a local member to go out into the community and say we are going to do these things and be really sure that the government is going to deliver on them. It is quite a special thing. You can only do that with really good government management—by keeping the finances under control, by keeping the economy strong and by having a team that can work together.

The other thing that you need is a volunteer base in your seat to help you win. None of us can get here without supporters on the ground. I want to thank a few people for the recent election campaign. I would like to thank those in my office—Dragana Flynn, Liam Hurley, Erin Moody and Chontelle Stone. I would like to thank all the volunteers. There are too many to mention by name. Thank you very much to those who helped doorknocking, on election day and behind the scenes. I make special mention of Peter White, my campaign director, who really pushed us in the right direction and got us across the line, and to Peter McCutcheon, who is 50 years a Labor member. He helped out as much as he could. He never expected in his life to see a two-term Labor member elected in South Perth. It always makes me happy to see him come down.

When I look around this room now, I see a really strong team. I see a bunch of very experienced ministers who are ready to go and I see ranks of talented new members on the Labor team. I think we are ready to have a great government for many years to come. When I think to the 22nd century and how we are going to get there, there is a fair bit of uncertainty. There are problems that come up all the time, but I think this side of the chamber is really well positioned to deal with it today and tomorrow and in the years to come. Thank you very much.

Mr Hugh Jones (Darling Range) (10:39 am): Thank you, Acting Speaker (Mr Stephen Pratt). Congratulations on your election win and on your selection as an Acting Speaker. I rise to make my contribution to the Address-in-Reply. I will start with my thanks. I thank the people of Darling Range who put their faith in me for a second time. I have heard statements from other members about the issues that they face in their electorates, but I will say, "That's not a knife; this is a knife", because the electorate of Darling Range is one of the fastest growing electorates in Australia. There is a lot of demand on infrastructure, roads and rail. The consequence is that there is a fair bit of disruption that goes on in the electorate. I really appreciate the people, particularly around Byford where most of the work is going on, for their patience as work commences and completes. In this term I will continue to facilitate delivery of these important projects and talk to the community. If any sticking points can be solved, I will do my best to advocate on their behalf and try to get the job done with the least amount of disruption.

We are delivering infrastructure, like roads and rail. Yesterday morning, I picked up a wreath from Heavenly Scent, the florist just down the road from my house on Kardan Boulevard. It was quite early. I noticed that Kardan Boulevard was chockers with cars, as it is often now because there are roadworks going on in Kargotich Road, which is the next road over beyond Hopkinson Road, and that is filtering traffic through Kardan Boulevard and others. I am glad that the Thomas Road duplication project, which has been signed off and will commence in the second half of this year, will provide dual lanes on Thomas Road, and that will mean that the traffic from Kardan Boulevard, Briggs Road and indeed Kargotich Road will be able to enter onto Thomas Road without disruption, clearing the feeder roads. I am very happy about that project.

Of course, Kargotich Road has caused a bit of drama. There is a bit of negative social media commentary, usually directed toward the shire because it is its project, but we funded the roundabouts at Abernethy Road, Orton Road and Gossage Road. That needs to be done in advance of the Tonkin Highway extension, which is starting in the second half of this year. That will take a heap of traffic off South Western Highway in particular, and also Thomas Road. It will open up opportunities for people down south in Mundijong and Jarrahdale to head up Tonkin Highway. If I am criticised about Kargotich Road, I will say, "Well, that's no longer my electorate; it is in Oakford now", apart from Gossage Road, so I direct them to Yaz Mubarakai's office.

I want to thank my family, particularly my wife, Cam, for her support and foregoing her own opportunities. Cam is a primary school teacher. When we first met back in the day she was a checkout operator and then we fell in love and she became an education assistant at a school. Whilst we already had children, Cam undertook night classes at Armadale TAFE, which was hosting the Curtin University degree course for primary education, and completed her degree full-time whilst working as an EA with two small children and me away at sea for most of the time. That was an incredible achievement for her. She is a go-getter; no-one works harder than Cam. I compare her to the United States Marine Corps: first in, last out. She leaves the house at about 6:30 in the morning and travels to the school, which is only two minutes away, often beating the cleaner, but then she is in there preparing for the day. She really loves her job and loves the kids whom she teaches, so much so that when I doorknock in the area around West Byford Primary School, which is where she teaches, people often know my wife Cam more than they know me. They say, "You're Mrs Tran's husband, so we'll vote for you." I get a great deal of positive support through my wife's efforts. I also acknowledge that my wife, Cam, took long service leave during the election period and was out there at pre-poll in the hot sun supporting me to be re-elected. It is also worth pointing out that Cam has found a great position at the great school of West Byford Primary School with Noelene Mason, the principal, and Katelyn Smith, one of the deputies. She loves that school, but when discussions come up about taking opportunities elsewhere, I just ask, "Is that in the electorate or not?" If it is not in the electorate, we will discuss it a bit further. All jokes aside, West Byford Primary School is a great school.

It is our wedding anniversary next Monday. We discussed it this morning before I went to work. I was not sure whether it is on 5 or 6 May, but I went to the authority and checked Facebook this morning and it is in fact on 5 May; it will be our 25th wedding anniversary. We have had a lot of ups and downs during our marriage. The member for Maylands mentioned having a child with autism. I myself have a son with autism and I know many people in this chamber also have children with a disability, which causes all sorts of stress for families. That is as much as I will say on that, otherwise I will get upset. I do not expect sympathy. We had just bought a small house in Safety Bay. I think I was 31 years old when I bought my first house. We had cardboard boxes for furniture, so we had a bit of cloth over a cardboard box to put the TV on, hand-me-down furniture from my sisters and an op shop dining table and chairs. We still have one of the outdoor tables that my sister gave me over 25 years ago. The other day my wife was asking to get a new table and I said, "No, this is completely functional. I'll just give it a bit of a varnish." I do not like throwing things away.

We have two children. My daughter, Grace, turns 26 later this month. She is living at home. She spent a period of time away from home, but has come back. Like any other young person, she faces the impacts of housing affordability and rental availability as well. She tells me she is looking for a place to move out to. We will wait and see. She has been a great help looking after our son as well when my wife and I are not able to. My son, Gryff, turns 25 later this year. The member for South Perth recollected when his daughter was born, I think his first child. My recollection is trying to express some sympathy with my wife. I touched her on the arm and she yelled out, "Don't touch me", and threw an arm out and struck me in the chest. That was as close as I got. It is a fond memory, but it stuck with me for 26 years.

I also want to acknowledge Mum and Dad in Busselton. I do not spend as much time with them as I should. I will try more to get down there.

I want to thank the other candidates in the election. Losing is not easy. I acknowledge their efforts during the election period and that of their families, friends and party members who tried to get them across the line, but, of course, not everyone can be successful. I acknowledge the effort they put in and the disappointment they must have felt. Of course, some candidates were more hardworking than others. Some just put their name down, but I acknowledge those who put the effort in. I also want to thank members of the community for helping me remove my corflutes! I would have preferred if they had been left up until the election, but it really made things easier. After the election, I did not have many corflutes to pick up, so that was really good.

I want to thank Premier Roger Cook for leading WA to an historic win. I think it is the second biggest win for WA Labor and the biggest outside of COVID. That was a great endorsement of the Premier's leadership, following on from former Premier McGowan. Premier Cook has really gained the trust of the WA community and the trust of the caucus as well. It is not easy to lead a bunch of alpha people, so I really applaud the Premier for his efforts and performance. Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, as Treasurer and Minister for Transport, has been a great supporter of mine. It is no coincidence that there is a great deal of work being done in Darling Range in terms of infrastructure. The Deputy Premier takes a keen interest in the area and often compares it to Ellenbrook of a few years ago. She was very happy when I won the election in 2021. I am not sure if it was because of me or because she was pretty happy to see the defeat of the previous member! They have worked very hard.

WA has topped CommSec's State of the States report for the third consecutive time. The WA Labor government's strong focus on economic output, job creation, diversifying the economy and building more things in WA has been highlighted once again, with the state named Australia's best performing economy in CommSec's State of the States report. The report highlights the focus on creating jobs, supporting businesses and keeping our economy strong. Of course, this is not in isolation; it is also a testament to the federal government. I ask people who are yet to vote in the federal election to consider what they could risk if they vote for Mr Dutton, who is no fan of WA’s fair share of the GST.

I also want to thank and acknowledge union secretaries Mick Buchan, Ben Harris, Tim "Smokey" Dawson and Brad Gandy in particular, and Alex Illich from Eureka Lawyers, for all their support and their support for workers throughout WA. Of course, unions exist to fight for the pay and conditions of their members. There was no starker reminder of the importance of unions than when we attended the International Workers Memorial Day service over the road at Solidarity Park on Monday, which highlighted the importance of unions holding employers to account. There are many memorials in that park to young people who had just left school and were perhaps in their first job who, through accident or negligence, have passed away. There were family members with children and others who have passed away. I really cannot support unions enough in the work that they do, because nothing is more important than coming back home after being at work for the day. Unions will never stop fighting for safety, dignity and respect.

I would like to thank the WA Labor organisers and hierarchy, particularly Ellie Whiteaker, who I note is on top of the Senate ticket for WA Labor. I wish her the best of luck in her new role. That is yet to be confirmed, but I imagine it will be. I also thank Lauren Cayoun, who has been elected in the other place, and the party office staff—Ally White, who is also on the Senate ticket, Emily Bailey and Shaun Hawkes.

During the election period I held a few key events in my area to try to raise my profile. I had a sundowner at my house, so I hid the cardboard boxes. Minister Michael got it! We had a garden party at my residence with local people who are supporters of mine. They are not Labor Party people but just people in the community whom I have got to know throughout the last four years. They like the cut of my jib, if you like. They were very glad to see the Premier and other ministers at my place and to be able to mingle with them and learn a bit more about the humanity within the Labor Party.

Mr Reece Whitby: Just as well you’ve got a really big backyard!

Mr David Michael: And a big shed.

Mr Hugh Jones: Yes, but I started off small.

I also want to thank the ministers who attended at various times throughout that period, including for doorknocking and other events in the electorate. I thought it was because they were just trying to buck me up a bit, but according to the media it perhaps meant that I was in trouble because all these ministers were turning up. There was obviously Premier Roger Cook, Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, Minister Papalia, Minister Carey, Minister Whitby—the person with the longest legs that I know; if you go doorknocking with Minister Whitby, be prepared to run!—Minister Michael, Minister Buti, Minister Sanderson and Minister Winton. I know that Hon Samantha Rowe MLC would have supported me, because she supported me greatly in my first election; however, she had a leg injury—she was in a cast, I believe—so I gave her a leave pass. Former Premier McGowan also came out and had look at the new Byford rail extension precinct and where the health hub is going to be built.

I had about 90 volunteers help me throughout the campaign—obviously too many to mention. Again, most of them were just people from the community. I will make mention of Nissa, Brenda, Greg, Joseph, Harrison and Claudia, who were there for a number of hours throughout the two-week pre-poll period.

My campaign team was led by Dr Tony Buti, the member for Armadale and minister, as director. As I have said before in this house, he is the reason I am here. He doorknocked me 12 years ago or so.

(Member's time extended.)

Mr Hugh Jones: I have only got to page 2; I have 13 or so to go! I might have to curtail it.

As I said, Minister Buti is the reason I am here. It was really a sign for me of the power that you have as a member of Parliament, because you travel through the community and the electorate. I first met Minister Buti through Kelmscott Primary School. My daughter was dux and Mr Buti was there to do the presentation, as we all do. When you foster those relationships, you never know where they will lead. During my time in the Navy, I learnt that you need to grow your relief. If you want to progress anywhere, you have to grow someone to take your place or to be your closest ally.

Daniella Simatos was the manager of my campaign team. She used to work for the member of Cockburn, so all she knows was learnt from him. I was also helped by Klasey Hirst, who is an MLC-elect for the other place, and Simon Stokes. They were great supporters and I really appreciated their advice.

In the last campaign, the member for Midland was my dual campaign director. I knew that he had plenty of knowledge through his brother and his father, and he gave me some sage advice throughout that period. I am interested to know whether he followed his own advice when he was campaigning this time or had a different perspective. It is not that easy, is it!

Re-elections are a different thing. This is obviously only my second term, but running for re-election is completely different from running for the first time. There are pros and cons. Obviously, you have incumbency and people know who you are more than they did before. You know the electorate, you know where the movers and shakers operate and you know all the community groups if you have done your job. That is one of the positives. You have also had four years in which the electorate has had a chance to have a look at you and to see whether they want to give you another turn. I am thankful to the people of Darling Range who chose to do that. It is difficult to fake being ingrained in the community; people tend to see through that. It is important to work hard throughout the entire term and not just at election time.

One thing about incumbencies is that you have an office, and the way the office performs is the way you are perceived to perform, so it is very important to have good staff. I have been fortunate to have a number of good staff in my office. Initially, Glenda Bourne and Bella Fitzpatrick created my office, if you like, firstly by getting the systems sorted out and by presenting my face, in a younger female form, to the electorate, and they did a great job. That was in 2021 and we were still going through the COVID restrictions et cetera. Bella and Glenda both bore the brunt of a fair bit of pressure, quite frankly, with some pretty rude phone calls and pretty abusive emails. It was tough for them, but they withstood it and were able to perform exceptionally well. They have both moved on to other roles now, and I wish them the best of luck. Stacey Holmwood was with me for a period and she was a great community member and a great link to the Jarrahdale community. I thank her for her service. Also, Nick Anfuso was there for a very short time on a part-time basis. He is a smart young man and he will go very far. Turning to my last two office staff, there were Harrison Swinbourn and Chris Fowler. Harrison is about 21 years old, but he has got an old head on young shoulders. Harrison worked so hard during the campaign. A volunteer cannot campaign during working hours so Harrison, even though he had worked for me for just over a year, instead of going on holiday spent all his leave doorknocking and being on pre-poll. I thank you very much, Harry, for that. Chris in my office also worked exceptionally hard, including after hours and on weekends, to ensure that my office operated and did its core role, and after hours in promoting me for the election.

I also acknowledge the staff of the Armadale office in Minister Buti's office—Tina White, Judith Lewis and Kelly Pilgrim-Byrne. They have been great supports throughout my political life and before when I was a party member of the Armadale branch. I want to thank them for their support.

In local news, Jade and Grace Turner of Byford competed in the under-14s girls regional softball championships in Melbourne in January and their team came away with the chocolates. Since mid-March, the Run and Become squad, a running group, operates at Bill Hicks Reserve in Byford. That is run by coach Keith Redpath, who does not charge any money. He is a well-established and renowned running coach. He is Scottish, so he is pretty angry, but he gets the best out of his runners! People go along and do interval training and laps and all sorts. His young runners have won 40 medals, including 24 gold in the last couple of months. There are seven masters state champions: Jennifer Parker, Hannah Gethin, Deanna Drabsch, Georgie Smith, Darren Robertson, Michelle Hunter and coach Keith Redpath himself won a medal. There were also silver medallists: Brenda Armstrong, Anita Eteridge and Trevor Moyo. That group operates, as I said, in Bill Hicks Reserve. It is the second-most popular reserve in Byford. It is a bit low on facilities so I made an election commitment for a couple of barbecues, some shades and some more parking in that area. The value that reserve has for the community is recognised, so putting a barbecue there will bring the community together outside of sport.

Young Adam Rawlinson was selected for the 18s school sport WA baseball team, which is competing right now, actually, so I wish him and his team all the best of luck. Toby Gracebrook of Byford plays for the Serpentine Jarrahdale Blues Cricket Club and was selected for the allies team for under-16 state of origin. The team competed in Brisbane earlier this month. Emma Rendell from Roleystone was selected for the WA youth women's baseball team at the Australian Youth Women's Championships, which also happened earlier this month. Anthony Legg of Bedfordale is a member of the Bedfordale Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, and he is taking part in the Camp Quality outback motor adventure fundraiser in September. I urge everyone to support Anthony in his fundraising.

I also want to acknowledge Frank and Jackie Gunner, who recently celebrated a diamond wedding anniversary after 60 years of marriage. They attend the seniors low-impact exercise classes at the Byford District and Country Club. Frank was also a fierce and an unrelenting advocate for a speed sign to go in near a bend on Nettleton Road in Jarrahdale that he had identified as potentially dangerous, particularly as a lot of people drive caravans up through that way. He sought an indicator of the speed limit and we were able to get that done. Thank you to Frank for doing that.

The Byford Bowling Club, which has 135 members, had a new green installed recently. It had a synthetic surface for about eight years. The surface was to be replaced but it was realised that the base was not up to scratch, so that had to be redone as well. It was able to get the country club to pay for that.

On Australia Day, the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale announced its community awards. There were dual recipients of the Clem Kentish Community Service Award. One of them was Ken Elliot, a founding member of the Keysbrook Community Group and leader in fire safety, local heritage and supporting community projects. He is a local farmer. The Elliott family has been in the area for centuries, I would hazard a guess. Ken is not a fan of WA Labor but he is a great guy and I do what I can to support him. He is a well-deserving recipient of the award. Helen Rowe is the original volunteer at the Serpentine–Jarrahdale community policing program and founder of the Uniting Church op shop in Byford in 1984. It continues to provide crisis services to people in Byford, particularly mothers and their children escaping domestic violence. I was happy to make a small contribution to help it provide that service.

I make a quick mention of Bruce Hilliard, who is the Community Citizen of the Year. Bruce is a former Navy officer, a commander, and he is a great guy. He runs the Darling Downs Residents Association. He cannot get a relief in that job. He just does a great job. It looks daunting, but he has systems in place to get it done. If anyone in Darling Downs wants a challenging role that has already been set up, so you look really good, speak to Bruce. He won the award for his work there. He does a great deal of work, motivates teams, and I applaud Bruce for his effort.

With that I had better sign off. I just want to again thank the people of Darling Range for the trust they place in me and congratulate everyone in the house for their election and commiserate those who were not successful, our previous members. I know that that is a hard pill to swallow, and wish them well in the future.

Mr Bevan Eatts (Warren–Blackwood) (11:09 am): It is an honour today to rise to speak for the first time in Parliament as the member for Warren–Blackwood. This is still all a bit surreal when I think of all those who have stood in this position before me. I would like to congratulate the rest of the class of 2025 on their successful election campaigns, along with the members of the house who have been re-elected to the Legislative Assembly to form the 42nd Parliament of Western Australia.

To my National Party colleagues, Mr Shane Love, member for Mid-West and the Leader of the National Party; Mr Pete Rundle, member for Roe and Deputy Leader of the National Party; Hon Mia Davies, former member for Central Wheatbelt; Hon Martin Aldridge and Hon Colin de Grussa, both members of the Agricultural Regions in the Legislative Council, let me acknowledge and put on record my thanks for all they have contributed to the National Party, the Parliament and the state of Western Australia over the past four years and the many years before that. You should all be extremely proud of the way you have represented the National Party, your electorates and the people you stand up for. I look forward to spending the next four years working with Shane, Peter and our new National Party team members: Lachlan Hunter, member for Central Wheatbelt; Kirrilee Warr, member for Geraldton; and Scott Leary, member for Albany in the Legislative Assembly, and my good roommate. Also, I welcome Julie Freeman and Rob Horstman in the Legislative Council.

To my Liberal Party colleagues, it has been a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to what we can achieve together over the next four years as a cohesive team. The National and Liberal Parties will work together to provide a united opposition to hold the government to account, focusing on achieving better outcomes for the people of Western Australia rather than just political pointscoring.

To the Premier and the Labor Party, congratulations on winning the 2025 election. We live in one of the most prosperous places in the world. All our citizens should be able to feel that prosperity. It is our responsibility, as the 42nd Parliament of Western Australia, to make sure that we use the state's resources to ensure that we provide world-class education and health care and preserve a strong and healthy environment and economy for our people, regardless of where they live. This is what I hope working with the government will achieve.

I stand here today, not as a career politician, but as a third-generation farmer from Manjimup, a business owner, a husband of 27 years and a proud father of two. Farming is my family's history; it is in our blood. As a profession, it teaches you to be humble. When it comes to working with Mother Nature, you realise how insignificant you are in the bigger picture of how the world works. Farming teaches you that you must work with nature rather than against it, and if you ever start to get ahead of yourself, you are usually brought back to the ground with an almighty thud and a hard lesson learnt.

Farming in the Manjimup area is different from farming in any other farming district in Western Australia. There is an old saying that it used to rain nine months of the year and drip off the trees for the other three months. Manjimup has high rainfall, usually anywhere from 850 millimetres to 1,100 millimetres a year. This, along with our Mediterranean climate, means we can grow just about anything.

We have seen many industries come and go over the years. The region was once a large tobacco-producing area in the 1960s before the industry closed. Peas, beans and cauliflowers were the other industries that followed. However, due to cheaper imported products or other countries flooding our export markets with cheaper produce, those industries have fallen by the wayside as well.

The diversity of what can be grown in the region has meant farmers are constantly changing and adapting to new opportunities. On our family farm we have tried many things, from stone fruit orchards to aquaculture. The opportunities are endless as long as you like hard work and have the will to succeed. Currently, my family's farm produces beef cattle, sheep for wool and fat lamb production, potatoes, pumpkins, cauliflower, sweet corn and more. It is the kind of produce that feeds our state and underpins our economy.

Having such a diverse family farming business means you have to learn to do most things yourself. The old saying that a farmer is a jack-of-all-trades and the master of none probably applies here. Being a cattle farmer, I have learnt to be able to see the bullshit from a distance, something that people have said may come in handy in my new career as a politician! You may be all wondering how a lifelong farmer got the honour and privilege of representing the Warren–Blackwood electorate in Parliament. Believe me when I say I am still wondering that as well. I think it comes from the fact that when I left school, I was always told, "Don't whinge about the situation unless you are prepared to do something about it. If you are in a position to help, you simply must. You need to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Effort equals reward and if you want something or want to change something, you need to work for it. No-one will do it for you." This mentality has seen me join various industry committees and community groups over the years. I have always tried to give our community and industry groups better representation and achieve outcomes that are fairer for all. What drives me today is what has always driven me: to be useful, to contribute, and to speak plainly and honestly for the people I represent.

I will tell members a little bit about my electorate. Warren–Blackwood is home to more than 43,000 residents spread across forests, farms, inland and coastal towns. The Warren–Blackwood electorate is like no other in the state. It is made up of six shires: Augusta–Margaret River, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown–Greenbushes, Denmark, Manjimup and Nannup, amounting to over 86,000 square kilometres. That is nothing compared to Lachlan's and Pete's, but for me it is still pretty big. Augusta–Margaret River, Denmark and Nannup are three of the fastest growing shires in Western Australia. It is truly a diverse electorate, ranging from canola and wheat cropping in Boyup Brook, truffles in Manjimup, the surf and vineyards in Margaret River, the karri forests of Pemberton, to the Walpole wilderness and the world-famous beaches of Denmark. It is truly a remarkable region. It is no wonder that many people from all walks of life have decided to call these places home.

Our region is becoming more famous worldwide for its quality produce and beautiful landscapes. It has a growing tourism industry as more and more people want to experience this firsthand for themselves. A challenge that we are facing is being able to share our region with visitors and more people who want to call it home.

(Interruption.)

Mr Bevan Eatts: That is Scott's fire alarm!

Mr Scott Leary: Sorry.

Mr Bevan Eatts: That is all right. He owes me a carton of beer, surely! He could not be any closer.

Several members interjected.

Mr Bevan Eatts: I think so. I think I have got free beer for the next four years!

A challenge that we are facing is being able to share our region with visitors and more people who want to call it home whilst protecting what makes it so great. It is a place where one in seven people are aged over 65. Agriculture, forestry and tourism are core industries. The underemployment rate is low and the community spirit is high. Our region is beautiful, but it is also ageing, underserviced and facing significant challenges in housing, access to health care, road safety and youth retention.

I will be a voice for all of us—business owners, farmers, retirees, tourism, tree-changers, the people who want to preserve our environment and the kids who deserve every chance to stay in the region and thrive in the towns they grew up in.

I have seen many of the highs and lows whilst doorknocking over the last 12 months. I have had two dog bites and then been in a tricky position of knocking on the door of a hen's party that was just starting to get into full party mode, but I got out unscathed! But the thing that resonated most with me was when I knocked on the door of a lady who had just received the news that she had been given the all clear from cancer. This lady had been dealt a rough hand. Her partner had left her as he could not face the months of cancer treatment that they were going to go through. This meant that she was working two jobs to get through life and her cancer treatment. For her to face that alone was truly remarkable. From personal experience, I understand how difficult that battle is. She was so grateful that someone had knocked on her door and taken the time to listen to her issues. When she saw our election commitments around health and what that would mean for her, she was overjoyed by the difference that those policies would make to her life and for others in a similar situation.

This resonated with me as I realised that if I was fortunate enough to get elected, I could really make a difference in someone's life. Now I find myself in this position where I am no longer just another candidate but a member of Parliament and am in a position to help people. I will not take this for granted and this opportunity will not be wasted.

Every member of Parliament and I need to roll up our sleeves and get to work and we must never forget that we are representing all of the people of WA.

So why am I here? I came to this chamber with no interest in political pointscoring. My aim is to fight for the environment, water and food security. As a former Chair of the Western Australian Water Users Coalition, I have long argued that water policies need to be practical, not political. Our irrigation districts are vital. We must secure supply, invest in smarter systems and protect our food-producing regions and environment as we face a drying climate.

Forest management needs to be done right. The native forestry ban has caused pain. Our forests have had too much human interference over the years, which means we cannot simply lock up the forests and walk away. There are introduced weeds and pests, along with overplanning of clear-felled areas, that are now restricting environmental water flows from our rivers and streams. We are facing a drying climate. If we do not invest significantly in maintaining the health of our forests and manage our forest ecosystems better, we will lose something that we love but may take for granted. If we do not act now, forest health will decline and turn into a tinderbox. In years to come, I do not want to be standing in a town hall somewhere in my electorate telling people that we have lost lives or properties due to a bushfire that could have been prevented if only we had taken action now.

Failing resilience, climate change is real and it is hitting regional WA. We need practical policies to build drought resilience, improve soil health and keep family farms viable. It is not ideology; it is about survival, and it affects the lives of both country and city people.

Property rights: with government overreach, home owners, land owners and farmers are being told what they can and cannot do on their land, some of which they have been managing for generations. The balance has tipped too far. I will fight for fair land use laws and personal freedoms that respect rural knowledge and experience.

Access to aged care and health care: with a high proportion of older residents than the state average, we need better access to GPs, allied health and aged care. I will advocate for regional health initiatives that work.

Keeping our young people: some of the schools in our electorate are past capacity. Youth are leaving because they cannot see a future in their home towns. Let us expand training, improve digital infrastructure, back industries and create real jobs close to home. Let us make it easier for young people to turn good ideas into great businesses because moving to the city should not be the only option that they see as an opportunity.

My approach will be guided by three simple principles. The first is local values. I will listen first and speak only after an understanding. The second is trusted leadership. I will lead by example, show up in person and be accountable to my constituents. The third is unwavering advocacy. I will speak up without fear or favour for the electorate of Warren–Blackwood.

For my final words, I say that throughout my life I have always had the privilege of working with family. I started out working with my parents, Ron and Ellen. They set the example for what honest hard work can achieve. They instilled a very strong work ethic in me. Then to my wife, Vicki, who joined us for a time on the farm before she started managing our off-farm business. Then our son, Ewan, graduated from WA College of Agriculture—Harvey and returned to the family farm, something he is very passionate about, bringing his new ideas and goals and building on what we have created. That gave me the confidence to know that if I were elected, I could step aside from the farm and focus all my energy into representing the people of Warren–Blackwood.

Our daughter, Bronwyn, decided to leave for the big city and head to university, but with a twist of fate, ended up working for the National Party. You can take a girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl! Over the past 12 months, I was trying to do everything, from running the farm and helping with the business as well as juggling being a candidate and campaigning across such a large electorate. During this time, I continued to have the privilege of working with my family, something I enjoyed immensely. When I was working on the farm, I had the pleasure of my son, Ewan, telling me what to do. When I was campaigning, I had my daughter, Bronwyn, telling me what to do, when to do it and the constant reminder of the power of social media and why could I not remember to take photos when I was out campaigning. To top it all off, my wife, Vicki, was always willing to give me additional direction at home. This meant that I did not have to wait too long before someone told me what to do, what I needed to be doing and where I would be doing it! But seriously, I would not be here without their support. On the days when I found myself struggling for motivation or questioning why I was doing this, they supported me, encouraged me and on some days forced me to keep going.

It must be acknowledged that there are a few other people who have also helped me get to where I am today. I will start with my campaign team: my wife, Vicki; my daughter, Bronwyn; Andrew McRae; Heidi Tempra; Anna Sobczyk; and for the last couple of weeks, Mia Geddes from New South Wales. A special mention also to Vishmi DeSilva for your assistance and advice. It would not have happened without all your support. Ed and Carol Valom, you introduced me to the National Party and encouraged me to pursue politics. Hon Terry Redman and Marie Redman gave me advice and shared the reality of what I was getting myself into. Thank you.

To the people across the electorate whom I had never met, who did not know me from a bar of soap but believed in me and what I was trying to achieve with the National Party, there are too many to mention, but I am here today because of your effort and support. I will never forget what you have done for me. To have complete strangers whom I have never met give up their time to introduce me to people in their community, to have them step forward and offer me help was quite overwhelming. I am proud to say that they are no longer strangers, but now it is a privilege to call them my friends. They believed in what the National Party stood for, what I stood for and what I was trying to achieve. Without their support, I would not have been elected. I cannot thank them enough.

To my friends in the National Party—I will not mention them all as it will take too long, but they know who they are—I will do my best to make you all proud. It is truly humbling to be here today as part of the parliamentary National Party.

In closing, I draw inspiration from those who came before me, not just in this place, but also back home, including my parents, friends and colleagues who gave their time on local boards and community projects without seeking attention or reward. I did not come here to climb a ladder; I came to build bridges between the city and the country, between the old ways and the new ideas, between those in power and those too often left out. Warren–Blackwood deserves a future where families can stay together, where workers are valued and local businesses can thrive, and where the land is looked after because once it has gone, it can never be replaced. The people of Warren–Blackwood can be confident in our future, to know that as the places we live in change over time, I will do everything I can to ensure that the people living in those places will be supported because regional people should never be second-class citizens just because we live outside the city. That is the work I have come here to do. Let us work together to make this happen. Thank you.

(Applause.)

Ms Caitlin Collins (Hillarys—Parliamentary Secretary) (11:29 am): I begin by congratulating everyone in this chamber who has been elected or re-elected to this place. I start by congratulating Premier Roger Cook for his emphatic victory. This was WA Labor's second largest victory ever. It really is one for the history books. It has been said already, but I will say it again: this election was not about the pandemic. It was not a referendum on how our government handled COVID-19. It was not about Mark McGowan's popularity. This was truly a reflection on how people viewed our policies and our commitments over the past few terms, and also an endorsement of our vision that we put forward to the state of Western Australia. In an interview with Joe Spagnolo leading up to the election I was asked to describe our Premier in two words. I chose the words "genuine" and—I have forgotten the other word—"experienced"! Good start! We had on all our election materials "a steady hand at the wheel". People often wonder what these slogans actually mean. It was indicative of the depth of experience that both our Premier and his cabinet held, not just compared with the shadow cabinet, but one that has brought so much knowledge to this state and our policies that we put forward at the election. I say genuine, because every time I brought the premier to the Hillarys electorate, whether it was Mullaloo Beach, Whitford's shopping centre or Hillarys Boat Harbour, people felt his warm presence. They met him with a really positive reception.

It is an honour of a lifetime to be re-elected and be part of this WA Labor team for a second term. It is a privilege to be the member for Hillarys, as I have said many times before. I thank the people of the Hillarys electorate for entrusting me with this responsibility. Their support really does mean the world. I often get asked, "Do you enjoy this job? Do you like constantly being away from home and being at events every night of the week?" My answer is always the same. I do not think someone could do this job or do it well if they do not love it or embrace it in the way that most of us here do. It has been a really enjoyable four years and I hope to embrace it just as fully these next four years. I have never and will never take it for granted.

Election campaigns are really tough, as we have all just experienced. A lot of elements are in our control. Certainly, as the incumbent, we can reflect on our achievements, on the commitments that we have delivered, and the relationships we have built. But a lot is out of our control as well, and redistributions is one of those things. I remember very vividly mid-2023 when the draft boundaries came out from the Western Australian Electoral Commission that proposed the Hillarys electorate to be divided completely in two. I remember this feeling of despair. It was not despair because it meant I might lose a few votes and not get re-elected; it was a genuine feeling of loss, like I was mourning someone because it was a community that I had gotten to know so well and was entrenched in and truly felt a part of. It is my home. To have something like that happen so abruptly was quite stressful. Luckily, the WAEC saw sense and the final boundaries that were released had minor modifications to the electorate, though where I live in Padbury was chopped out, which was quite devastating. It is always great with redistributions to welcome new constituents to your electorate, and so I wholeheartedly welcome the section of Ocean Reef that is now in the Hillarys electorate. I have promised to them that I will continue working hard every single day to serve the Hillarys electorate, and I remain committed to every person, whether they voted for me or not.

For the WA Labor Party, 2021 was a high point, no doubt. I particularly enjoyed meeting people on election day or at pre-poll who said they did not vote for me in 2021 but voted for me this time. If the last election or elections have taught us anything, it is that there is no such thing as a safe seat anymore. The landscape of politics has really shifted and with it the understanding that every community deserves to be fought for, no matter what the previous voting patterns were. Throughout the campaign, I would often hear the Liberal team on the other side in Hillarys use the phrase to describe the Hillarys electorate as "inherently blue". I was really surprised to see them not just say it out loud or see it written on Facebook, but I think therein lies the problem. It was quite an assuming and entitled approach to the electorate—this idea that seats can be naturally one way or the other. Ultimately, I think we all understand now that it comes down to hard work and showing up for your community.

I have a lot of people to thank. I would like to start by thanking the army of people who got behind me and together during the campaign seasons. That starts with my immediate campaign team. I would like to thank Travis, Doug, Jovan, Pam, Bronwyn and Andrei. I am so fortunate to have such depth of experience in my little campaign team, from a 20-year-old who had excellent social media skills, to a 77-year-old who was the previous member for Whitford and with that, has never-ending knowledge of the local community. I would also like to thank all my volunteers who worked tirelessly on the campaign, many of whom did not just pop up in the excitement of the lead-up to the election, but also doorknocked with me consistently over the entire four years of the term. I really am indebted to them. If I were to add up the time that these individuals give, it is truly inspirational.

A special thankyou to my partner, Jack, for his unwavering support. I always struggle to describe what my partner does for a living. He works in AI social—see, I am struggling right now! He is a software engineer of some sort. A lot of the conversations end up being about politics because I do not know what questions to ask him about his job at night, but he gets it. I think that is important in a relationship with someone when you are in this game. He really understands the need for me to not be home every night and to be out there in my community if I want to really understand what the issues are and to represent them in the best possible way. Thank you, Jack, for letting me be MIA for the last four years.

I mentioned Pam Beggs before, who was the previous member for Whitford. She really is a one-of-a-kind human being with a razor-sharp wit and intellect. It has been incredible to watch her over the last four—almost five—years since I met her during the campaign, come to life again. She went away from politics for some time and it has truly injected life into her; it has been beautiful to see. I know that she is also very grateful to have the experience of being part of a campaign team and to see Hillarys back in Labor hands, not once, but now twice.

Another few people I would like to thank are our State Secretary Ellie Whiteaker and Assistant State Secretary Lauren Cayoun. These two formidable women are incredible with the work that they do behind the scenes that often does not get recognised. They are incredibly strategic-minded and the advice that they give me not just as a member of caucus but also offline as a friend is really valued.

I would like to thank some members of my community because they got together and did a testimonial video to endorse my candidacy. To Wes D'Arcy, Jacqui McGregor, Brian Shields, Kate Young, Mike Maxted, Len Collier, Kim Allen, Glen McRedmond, Sandy How, Holly Ogden and Brian Omondi, you are all leaders in our community. For you to stand up and willingly say, without a gun to your head, that you appreciated the work that I have done with you over the past four years and to endorse me meant the world.

To my fellow MLAs, both new and returning, it is a privilege to get the opportunity to work alongside you. It really has been a very inspiring week hearing all of the inaugural speeches and about the range of backgrounds that we all bring to this place. We all have unique personal stories and unique perspectives that will influence the decisions that are made here. We might disagree on policies and we might differ in our values, but I think we can all agree that it is a privilege to serve in this place and that we all want the best for our communities.

Like others have done, I would also like to acknowledge those who were not re-elected. Standing for Parliament and representing your community is no small feat and I deeply appreciate the dedication and service that those former members have shown to this Parliament. In particular, we had four remarkable women MPs from the regions—Lara Dalton, Rebecca Stephens, Jane Kelsbie and Robyn Clarke—who fought tirelessly for their communities. I would also like to acknowledge Christine Tonkin, who made an extraordinary effort in Churchlands. I met Christine back in 2020 when she was a volunteer on the Hillarys campaign. She reached out to me and offered her support as she wanted to get behind a youngish woman who was running for Parliament. I was really fortunate as she was a brilliant doorknocker. One day we were out doorknocking and she turned to me and said, "You know, my community deserves to have someone who's going to knock on their door. I want to show up for them", so I lost one of my best doorknockers, but in that I gained a friend and we all gained a colleague in Christine Tonkin, the then member for Churchlands. We have lost some amazing women, but we have gained some amazing women in this Parliament. The year 2021 definitely marked a milestone for women. It was completely random, but I got the tag of being the 100th woman to be elected to this place in the 100th year since Edith Cowan was elected, which I was stoked about. More importantly, we reached representation of over 50% women in the Legislative Assembly. It is unfortunate that we have lost that distinction now, but it remains a testament to the progress that we have made and it is indicative of the importance of continuing to push for greater representation in this place.

We have such breadth of experience and diversity in this Parliament. I note that we have heard, particularly during the campaign, those on the other side talk about the depth of experience in their party. I certainly acknowledge that there is truth to that, but it was almost said in a way that suggested they had a monopoly on it. Given our large numbers, we have a diverse range of backgrounds on this side as well. I am an ex-teacher, but we have paramedics, psychologists, ex-mayors, doctors, naval officers, lawyers, electricians, public servants, union representatives, people who have worked in electorate offices or ministerial officers and chiefs of staff—all incredibly important roles that bring such diversity and skills to this place. It is this diversity of experience that strengthens our Parliament, keeps us grounded and ensures that we make decisions that reflect the needs of all Western Australians.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the Governor's address in my contribution to the Address-in-Reply debate. A lot of us have alluded to the fact that in his address he warned of the threats to our democracy. He said that there are tectonic geopolitical changes in the global rules-based order. He talked about the fundamental shifts in the economic, trade and energy markets and the up-ending of formally stable strategic alliances and treaties. He mentioned that democracy does not just happen. I should say his name! Chris Dawson mentioned that democracy does not just happen, but requires constant effort and vigilance to keep our representative democracy working effectively.

Last year, 2024, was an interesting year worldwide for elections. It was dubbed the year of elections, with over four billion people—around half the world's population—being eligible to vote in over 40 different countries. Some of the more significant elections obviously included those in the United Kingdom, India, Indonesia and, of course, the United States. It turned out to be a difficult year for incumbents. There were rising prices worldwide, there was a lot of division over cultural issues and there was a lot of anger at the political status quo. Although we saw the Labour Party elected in the UK, we saw the rise of right-wing populism in Europe. Of course, we saw Trump's Make America Great Again movement take off. For us in Western Australia, 2025 is our year of elections. All three levels of government have gone, or are going, to the ballot box.

(Member's time extended.)

Ms Caitlin Collins: Since the election of Trump, we have watched as politicians not just in Australia but also worldwide have wanted to latch on to the popularity that he held after his election. On a federal level, we saw the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, singing straight out of the Trump hymn book. He has been accused of stoking culture wars by claiming that Australia takes in too many migrants. Just days ago he branded the nation's public broadcaster as "hate media". Of course, there are also his ideas around an office of efficiency as well. A recent article on the ABC said that Trump's chaotic trade war, abuse of allies and erratic behaviour has not just up-ended global financial markets, but also overturned political assumptions. It went on to say that being seen as sympathetic or close to Trump may no longer be the political asset that some thought that it was. We have just witnessed this in Canada.

Who knows what will happen this weekend here in Australia. I say this because I think there is a danger when any side of politics tries to make it just about ideology. During my own campaign, I heard during pre-poll those on the other team wanting to divert the conversation and say that the Labor Party was just focused on left-wing ideology. I heard it again and again and again and started to think, "Oh, my gosh; are they convincing everyone of this belief that somehow we're not talking about the cost of living or health or housing, because that's all I'm hearing about." There was this sort of bizarre, intense and repetitive focus on left-wing ideology. I am incredibly proud to be part of a party that has delivered sensible and stable government and strong financial management, with really strong policies in the key areas of health, housing, the cost of living and education. But I also want to say that I am equally proud to be part of a party that has progressive ideals. If people want to call that left-wing ideology, they can. We are a party that stands up for the rights and dignity of minority groups, and we fight for a more inclusive and fairer society for all. We will never be ashamed of that.

As we reflect on the outcome of the recent state election, it is clear that the Western Australian public granted the Cook Labor government with a decisive mandate. This government is one that looks to the future. We are focused on building a state that works for everyone.

We are helping our vulnerable communities, supporting and investing in education and health care, and creating opportunities for the next generation. We took to the election that very, very clear vision of a future made in WA. WA really is the best place to live and to work in Australia and we are doing the work now to prepare us to become the economic powerhouse of the nation for decades to come. In times of global uncertainty, with the challenges of the global inflationary crisis and the impacts of tariffs on international tensions, the Cook Labor government has taken decisive action. We are diversifying the economy by creating, I guess, more job-creating opportunities and industries through advanced manufacturing, whether that is rail cars, making electric buses locally, clean energy projects like big batteries, lithium and rare earth refineries and, of course, AUKUS, which is the biggest Defence project in Western Australia's history. The jobs of tomorrow will require new skills, and the government has been investing heavily in the skills and education of future generations. That includes making a number of TAFE courses free. By focusing on making more things locally and building the skills and industries that will power WA's future, we are ensuring that we will remain the strongest and most resilient economy in the nation.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Premier for appointing me as the parliamentary secretary to Minister Paul Papalia, who holds the portfolios of emergency services, corrective services, defence industries, veterans, racing and gaming. It is an eclectic mix of portfolios that I am excited to get my head around and contribute to in some small way.

I would like to talk briefly about the defence industries portfolio, because that was the first task that I was set as parliamentary secretary. This is a significant portfolio and one that Minister Papalia has significant experience in. This government is deeply committed to it, especially as we navigate the dynamic and challenging landscape of defence and security. As I have said already today, we live in uncertain times internationally and we are facing a historic shift in global defence strategies, which presents both challenges and opportunities. The member for Cockburn pointed out in his response to the Address-in-Reply that not only did this government start the office of Defence West, through the Minister for Defence Industries, but we had a number of commitments throughout the election campaign in this space, and it was crickets from the other side.

The first thing that I got to do in my role as parliamentary secretary was go to the Avalon Australian International Airshow in Victoria. That was a very new and exciting experience for me. Look, I will admit I am not traditionally a military aircraft or tank enthusiast. I am now after that week! There were plenty of them there, and they loved telling me about every tank and aircraft that was there to see. It was really eye opening for me because I was part of the Defence West delegation, which included 35 Western Australian small to medium-sized enterprises, three universities and South Metro TAFE all representing our defence and space sector. We are making significant strides in this space. We are already a leader in both of these sectors and we are committed to enhancing our capabilities through having both a defence strategy and a space industry strategy as well. These strategies focus on building local capacity, attracting global investment and ensuring that WA remains at the cutting edge of innovation in these areas. It was truly an experience, as I say, to have meetings with weapons manufacturers and delegates from the United States and from other parts of Australia while fighter jets flew overhead and we could barely hear each other speak. I will always remember that. We have the businesses here, we have the people and skills, we have the next-generation workforce and some of the best training institutes to really put us on the map that we are already on.

I would also like to recognise the importance of the United States' defence priorities, particularly in light of AUKUS. As we work with our US partners, it is essential to stay aligned with their needs, including supply chain opportunities relating to submarine manufacturing. We have committed new funding to AUKUS-ready initiatives, which will uplift WA's small business enterprises for opportunities for AUKUS pillars 1 and 2. It has been great to try and wrap my head around what is a very, very new topic for me.

Beyond traditional defence industries, I mentioned space before as well, as that was part of the Avalon air show exhibition. Last night I met a lovely lady who had worked for NASA, and she said how impressive it was that Western Australia is the only state that has a space strategy and that we are focused on our emerging satellite manufacturing capabilities, but also building capabilities for advanced radar and optical sensor technologies. We have got the landscape for it and we have got the knowledge now as well. This aligns with our vision to both diversify and also manufacture more things here in WA.

As part of my parliamentary secretary duties I also pick up the veterans portfolio, and it was really incredible for the first time ever to have the Joondalup RSL Anzac service held at Hillarys Boat Harbour this year. As the sun rose on the harbour, it was truly, truly moving and it was a reminder of the enduring spirit of remembrance and gratitude that lives on.

How much time do I have? I have three minutes. I might skip to some local commitments.

There has been huge investment in the Hillarys electorate, and it has been through Labor governments. Pam Beggs, who was the member for Whitford between 1983 and 1993, delivered Hillarys Boat Harbour and Hillarys Yacht Club. She extended the train line to Joondalup and extended the freeway. I am going to make myself sound weak now after listing all her attributes! There were the Whitford Family Centre and new schools. Then there was a 30-year period of liberal rule in the Hillarys electorate. In 2021 we delivered record funding for the Hillarys electorate. We built new schools such as Hillarys Primary School. We are redeveloping Duncraig Senior High School and Springfield Primary School. We have contributed to the redevelopment of Sorrento Surf Club. At this election, we made huge commitments towards Belridge Secondary College, Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club, Ocean Reef Senior High School and major, major road upgrades. It is always funny, you do not know the commitments that people will really appreciate in the electorate when you announce them. You could have $30 million for something and you would be lucky to get 20 likes for it and then $1 million for a new roundabout and you do not understand quite how meaningful it is to such an extraordinarily large amount of people who utilise that particular road. One commitment I am particularly proud of is the investment into the Hillarys Boat Harbour, where we are investing $14.1 million to revitalise the old Great Escape water park. This area has been dormant for a number of years and it will finally have some life injected into it. I am excited to engage with my community in a rigorous consultation process to understand what the community would like in that space.

To conclude, I am incredibly proud to have been re-elected and to be part of the Cook Labor government, reaffirming my commitment to the people who I represent and the values that define us as a community. Over the past term, we have made remarkable progress in areas such as the transformative reforms in our energy sector and now our commitment to a future made in WA.

Mr Kevin Michel (Pilbara) (11:59 am): I rise today to give my contribution to the Premier's Statement. I would like to also congratulate the Premier, the Deputy Premier, all cabinet ministers, all my parliamentary colleagues, including yourself, Acting Speaker (Ms Sook Yee Lai), on their successful election, and all members on the opposite side.

As the 2025 parliamentary year begins, I stand before you filled with gratitude and humility. It is an honour to continue to represent the people of the Pilbara for a third term. I am proud to continue my work as part of the Cook Labor government in this term. For the past eight years, I have had the privilege of serving the incredible Pilbara community, and as I embark on this third term, I am reminded of the trust that the people of the Pilbara have placed in me. I will continue to listen, learn and advocate for both the challenges and opportunities that matter most to our community. I am also excited that this term brings new opportunities, with the Pilbara electorate expanding to include the Shire of Ashburton and part of the Gascoyne, which includes the towns of Tom Price, Paraburdoo, Pannawonica, Onslow and Exmouth. I look forward to representing the people in those towns and working with those communities.

Family plays a very important role in us being members of Parliament. I would like to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to my wife, Jacqueline, who has always covered my back and for constantly working behind the scenes to make sure that I am top of everything and never leave a stone unturned. Whether it is radio ads, photos, proofreading flyers, reems, media, and not forgetting doorknocking, finances, Facebook posts or organising volunteers, the list goes on and on. I am blessed to have a partner who has supported me through the last three elections. That is eight years of hard work for both of us. I have someone who has stood next to me through thick and thin, for which I am very grateful. I want to thank you for all you do for me and for keeping me going.

I would like to thank my campaign team, the WA Labor Party, Ellie Whiteaker, Lauren Cayoun, Hon Stephen Dawson and my director, Hon Peter Foster.

I thank all my campaign managers and the countless incredible volunteers across the Pilbara who stood by me through this campaign. I would like to name and personally thank the following volunteers: my wife, Jacqueline Michel; Randy Surrao; Neil Guilmartin; Christy Reed; Shweta Pradhan; Lou Lockyer; Tricia Hebbard; Kate Wilson; Gary Ansell; Ian Waterstrom; Victor Pascal; Paul Benson; Neil Bullen; Phil Davies; Tissa Clarke; Rene Portland; Lynda Calder; Betty Reed; Linda Turk; Trish Fitzgerald; Trish Howlett; Judy Wright; Sue Hedley; Vivien Kamen; James Stevens; Marcel Sladen; Richard Bourne; Jean Ravina; Joseph Almonte; Malcolm Parker; Eddie Maguro, Percy Magneto; Dayan and Gawade; Eric and Wendy Almen; Liz and Lindsey Robinson; Jeswin Mammer; Dina Marlina; Ray Bisa; Waldredo Nicolas Jr; Jepoy Dinglasan; Shiva Shelki; Shoaib Khan; Kevin Clifton; Stephen Whale; Karen Huang and William Huang; Raul and Marci Bato; Alana Sullivan; Daisy Pilsworth; Alister Robinson; Matty and Melissa Gamble; Dean Brown; direct candidate, Karen Wheatland; Bruce Strahan; Cheryl Mollross; Kymmie Thorburn; Sam Samaras; Finola Nicholls; Nurjaney Williams; Kirra Hannon; Debbie Walker; Kristen Nairn; Shane Roulestone; Jayde Rowlands; Peter Baer; Stephen Goodlett; Ricardo Ilagan; Vergillo Asuncion; Junefer Gozo; and Peter Howlett; George Daccache; Anita Pillay; Tim Turner; Jheng Garcia; Faye Lani and Joy Foai; Ash Dwyer; Lorraine Muzambwa; Tania Murray; Letcha Solo; Annabelle; Nirav Gurjar; Daniel Walky; Stacey O'Neill; Ardi Russel Haward; and Lucita Sarasota.

If I missed anyone, I do apologise. Your support, especially in pushing through the heat and the humidity during prepolling and election day means the world to me. This journey would not have been possible without you, and I am very grateful.

I am pleased to hear the government's commitment to continue to tackle the cost of living, strengthen the health system and boost housing supply. As always, these are important priorities for the people of the Pilbara. Western Australia has the strongest economy in the nation and much of our success is the result of business, industries and people across our vast regional areas. As the member for Pilbara, I want to respectfully highlight just how important it is that we continue to invest more in our region. The Pilbara practically serves as the engine room of the Australian and the Western Australian economy, whilst being home to diverse, resilient and hardworking communities. From Exmouth to Onslow, Tom Price to Pannawonica, and extending to the mining hubs of Karratha, Hedland, Newman and surrounds, these regions are the backbone of WA's economic growth. As we enter a new phase of growth, it is crucial that we do not lose sight of the important investments in our regional communities.

In recent years, we had a major focus on growing our economy, cost-of-living relief, boosting housing supply and investing in our hospitals. We also created a pipeline of investment to help the Pilbara reach its potential. We upgraded major roads, boosted renewable energy, increased tourism, improved our national parks and trails, built better schools and made TAFE free. At the same time, we increased the regional health workforce and we are delivering new hospitals in Tom Price and Paraburdoo. I want to start by acknowledging that life in the Pilbara can be tough, especially when it comes to the cost of living. I know how hard it can be for families to make ends meet, with rising prices and the challenges of living in remote areas. I am proud to be part of the Cook government that has offered record amount of cost-of-living relief to households, including through providing household electricity credits.

One key initiative that I am proud to champion is the Regional Airfare Zone Cap scheme. For many people in the Pilbara, flying to Perth is something we have to do whether it is for medical treatment, to see family or other important reasons. This scheme is a lifeline for our local families, especially in a region as vast and remote as ours. Thanks to the reginal airfare scheme, the Cook government has stepped in to subsidise the cost of flights, making airfares more affordable to Pilbara residents to travel to and from Perth. Capping the airfare prices has directly reduced the cost of living for families in the Pilbara and I am pleased to see this rolled out to 2026. This scheme makes me proud to be part of a government that listens to its people and takes real action.

I am proud to stand before you today to talk about something that is vital to the future of our region—jobs. When we talk about growth, opportunity and the future of our region, there is so much to be excited about. We are going through a transformation. I am proud that the Pilbara has become a hub of innovation. The development and opportunities we are seeing are nothing short of remarkable. We are talking about not only mining and resources anymore, but also new industries, new ways of doing business and new opportunities for our local people. The Spoilbank Marina is a major project that the local Hedland community wanted to see delivered for a very long time, and I am proud that my government finally made this dream a reality. Its official opening was in November 2024.

This represents a shift towards diversifying our local economy and creating lasting opportunities for the community. Although the Pilbara has long been known for its mining and resources, the marina has opened the door to new industries—tourism, recreation and business opportunities that will benefit everyone in Hedland. For example, I am looking forward to the Tantabiddi tourism hub at Ningaloo Reef. This project will not only enhance our tourism sector, but it will also create local jobs and position the Pilbara on the world stage. Ningaloo's natural beauty deserves global recognition, and this investment will help showcase it to the world.

We are also seeing crucial minerals processing and green steel projects transforming the Pilbara's role in global industries. These initiatives are not about sustainability but innovation and positioning our region as a leader in industries that will drive the global economy in the years ahead. I am excited to see the Pilbara emerging as a key hub for the hydrogen industry. ENGIE, in partnership with Yara Pilbara Fertilizers, is developing the Yuri renewable hydrogen to ammonia project near Karratha. That plant will produce renewable hydrogen using solar energy, creating up to 640 tonnes of hydrogen each year. In addition, North Regional TAFE in Karratha is developing a hydrogen training hub to help locals gain skills in hydrogen technology. That facility will support the region's focus and support its push towards a clean energy future.

Further supporting this shift, the Cook government is investing in a clean energy skilled national centre of excellence. That centre will deliver specialist training in hydrogen and other regional technologies, with programs to be rolled out across TAFE campuses, including Karratha. It will open up new apprenticeships and pathways and foster industrial collaboration, with the first student intake expected in 2027. Together, these initiatives highlight the Pilbara's strong commitment to renewable energy and will position the region as a key player in Australia's clean energy future. Through the Made in WA plan, we are going even further—positioning Western Australia to lead in advanced manufacturing and clean energy. From locally built railcars in the Pilbara to electric buses, lithium refineries and energy green projects in the Pilbara, that plan is driving our state and the Pilbara forward.

I am particularly excited about what is coming to our region, like the new Gemco Rail facility in Karratha. It is currently under construction. That facility will bring iron ore railcar manufacturing and bearing maintenance to the Pilbara, creating local jobs and giving our regional economy a real boost.

It is a great example of how the Made in WA plan will create lasting opportunities for the Pilbara and put us at the forefront of WA's future. Those projects are part of the Cook Labor government's vision to create jobs, support local businesses and ensure that the Pilbara remains a great place to live, work and thrive. But we know that with growth comes the need for strong infrastructure. As our economy expands, we must ensure that the housing, roads and community services that support it are keeping pace.

It is not just about big projects. Let us not forget our small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy. They not only contribute significantly to local jobs, but they also play a crucial role in supporting and sustaining larger businesses in the Pilbara region. From cafes and local retail stores to the specialised service providers and skilled tradespeople, they all contribute to a robust and diverse economy. I am proud that the Cook Labor government continues to invest in small business, especially knowing how challenging it can be to own and operate one in the Pilbara. I am fully aware of this because I used to have a business in air conditioning electrical and it was always an issue trying to get staff to come live and work in the regions. It puts extra strain on businesses to house their staff. With the price of rent and the cost of living in the Pilbara, it makes it hard, but the Pilbara people are always very resilient and they come out on top at the end.

Competing with the high wages offered by the mining industries is another thing that makes it tough to attract and retain staff. On top of that, the ongoing housing shortage in the Pilbara creates further pressures, making it hard to secure housing for workers and their families. Despite these challenges, small businesses continue to drive our economy. I am committed to ensuring that they have the support they need to thrive in the Pilbara. I have no doubt that the Cook Labor government will continue to do what is right for the Pilbara by investing in the future of our region. We will meet the needs of our growing population and we will build a diverse and sustainable workforce for generations to come. These projects mark the Pilbara's shift towards a diverse economy, a clean focus on sustainability, innovation and job creation. From crucial minerals and renewable energy to tourism and infrastructure, the future is incredibly bright for the Pilbara. The Pilbara is an incredible place with incredible people. With continued investment, support from local industries and a focus on long-term sustainability, I am confident that the best is yet to come.

One of the key priorities for the Pilbara as we grow is housing. A thriving economy needs strong infrastructure, which includes ensuring that our people have access to affordable, quality homes. After facing some of the toughest conditions in the construction market, we are now seeing more homes being built across the regions through the WA Housing Plan. We invested $4.5 billion to boost housing supply and in the Pilbara we are training the next generation of home builders, expanding stamp duty concessions and increasing social housing.

The Cook Labor government has made several investments in addressing housing in the Pilbara, unlocking key workers' accommodation and boosting housing and land supply, including 51 lots in Karratha and 150 lots in Exmouth. Those projects are making a real difference in meeting the demand in growth for housing in the Pilbara. I am confident that the Cook Labor government is committed to drive housing growth in the Pilbara.

Health is a top priority of many Pilbara residents, especially given how far we are from major services in the city. I am excited about the future of health care in the Pilbara, with a number of key projects on the horizon. We are progressing new hospitals in Tom Price and Paraburdoo and will expand the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme, making it easier for people to access specialist care. We will also be establishing a new dialysis facility in Karratha, with a 16-bed renal hostel to support patients in need of regular treatment.

[Member's time extended.]

Ms Sandra Brewer: Madam Acting Speaker, I draw your attention to the state of the house.

[Quorum formed.]

Mr Kevin Michel: We are contributing $10 million to the Wirraka Maya Aboriginal Health Service to expand its facilities in South Hedland.

I also want to take a moment to address some key health projects that remain my top priorities. I look forward to seeing the completion of the MRI unit in Hedland, a much-needed service that will greatly benefit our community. I apologise for the delay of the unit. Additionally, the step-up, step-down programs in Hedland and Karratha are critical in providing mental health support for our region.

While these projects have not yet been delivered, I remain fully committed to ensuring that they are completed. These initiatives are important to me and I will not stop working until they are a reality for the people of the Pilbara. Access to health care should never have a barrier, no matter where you live, and, as the member for Pilbara, I will continue to advocate for better healthcare services and fight for the resources our region needs.

Education is important to me and I am passionate about ensuring our schools thrive in the Pilbara. I am pleased to see that the Cook government will continue to improve education outcomes for Pilbara students. It is exciting to witness the much-anticipated redevelopment of Roebourne District High School. This project was redeveloped in partnership with the First Nations people of the Roebourne area, including the Ngarluma, Yindjibarndi and Banyjima language groups.

The Cook Labor government has already made significant progress in improving education across our region, delivering major maintenance upgrades to schools, including new administration blocks, enhanced STEM facilities and installing solar panels at nearly every school in the Pilbara. We invested $48.9 million to build new workshops at North Regional TAFE's Pundulmurra campus and $31.7 million for upgrades to Karratha Senior High School's STEM laboratories and workplaces. We also invested $8 million to upgrade the Roebourne TAFE campus and $4 million for a new residential facility for Martu students travelling to Newman to study. These projects are about not only improving facilities, but also providing our students with the best possible education, creating local jobs, and preparing our future workforce. I am excited about the upcoming school projects, including the new STEM facilities at the Hedland Senior High School, upgrades to South Hedland Primary School, Dampier Primary School and Peg's Creek Primary School. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these investments will have on our students and our communities.

Community safety is a top priority for me and for residents across the Pilbara. Initiatives like Operation Regional Shield have increased police presence in regional communities and I am proud that the Cook government is committed to ensuring our emergency services are prepared to respond when disaster strikes. The Cook Labor government has delivered significant investment, including $3.8 million in emergency services vehicles, right across the Pilbara, Tom Price, Newman, Karratha, Port Hedland and Exmouth, to name a few. It has delivered $1 million for the Dampier Legend sea rescue vessel and another rescue vessel at Exmouth, just to keep the Pilbara safe.

Transport is a priority for me, and as someone who travels nearly 50,000 kilometres every year, extensively across my electorate, I understand how important it is to have safe, reliable roads. The Cook Labor government has made significant investments, including $113 million to remove three level crossings in Port Hedland and $50 million to construct overtaking lanes on the Great Northern Highway between Newman and Port Hedland. Additionally, we are investing more money into the Manuwarra Red Dog Highway, sealing the road from Karratha to Tom Price, and providing $20 million to upgrade the key Exmouth tourism roads. These investments in roads and transport infrastructure are critical for the Pilbara, improving safety, connecting communities and supporting economic growth. I will continue to advocate for safer roads and better transport connection for our region.

Last but not least, I want to take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary individuals and groups who make our Pilbara community a better place, our dedicated volunteers, tireless non-profit organisations, our frontline workers and our everyday community members. I particularly acknowledge our cultural groups, who foster inclusivity, helping to build bridges between communities and creating a sense of belonging for all. Their efforts make Pilbara a welcoming and diverse place where every individual feels valued. It is the people of the Pilbara who fuel my passion and drive me to do better. I love what I do—meeting people, hearing their stories, and helping them create opportunities to thrive. The challenges our communities face are real, and I am committed to listening, advocating, and fighting for solutions that will make a difference. The people of Pilbara deserve every opportunity to succeed and I will continue to work tirelessly to build on the progress we have made. I remain committed to funding the promises I have made.

I know how important clubs and community groups are to the fabric of life in the Pilbara. They are not just places where we come together; they are the heart of the community. They provide connection, support and a sense of belonging. They are often where we find our future leaders, athletes and volunteers. I know that many of our clubs and community groups face challenges when it comes to securing the funding they need to thrive. That is why I am committed to supporting them, whether it is by upgrading the facilities at the Dampier Bowling Club, Exmouth Eagles Football Club, Paraburdoo Bowling Club or the Paraburdoo Golf Club; providing new equipment for players at the Karratha and Hedland Hockey Association, Karratha Cats Netball or Newman Cricket Association; or investing in resources for the Exmouth Cultural Arts Centre and the RSLs in Karratha and Hedland, I am focused on ensuring that no club, no matter its size, is left behind. These groups are the backbone of our communities and I want to ensure that they have the support they need to make a magnificent difference.

I especially want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work that has been done by Gary Fitzgerald, Lindsay Robinson and some of the previous members of the men's shed in Karratha. I thank the members of the men's shed in Karratha for giving me the opportunity to work with them and listen to their issues. Men's sheds play a crucial role in our communities by providing a space for people to connect, share skills and support each other. These sheds are not only about woodworking or community projects; they are about fostering a sense of belonging and wellbeing, especially for those who might be feeling isolated. In the past we have supported the Tom Price Men's Shed and the Paraburdoo Men's Shed and in this election term we have made a commitment to the men's shed in Karratha. This will create an important space for local men to come together, share experiences and work on projects that benefit both themselves and our community. The importance of having these spaces for mental health, social connections and personal development cannot be overstated. I am excited to see this come to life and I look forward to its positive impact.

I give a shout out to Sue Hedley and Elichia and everyone from Saving Animals from Euthanasia for the incredible work they do for animals in the Pilbara community. Their dedication and compassion make such a difference to the lives of animals who need it most. It is inspiring to see the impact they make. I am pleased to secure funding for SAFE for a new car and much-needed equipment. I know how challenging it can be for organisations that rely heavily on donations and struggle for consistent funding. This support will help them to continue the essential work they do, ensuring more animals are rescued and rehomed across the Pilbara. I thank them for their tireless efforts and for being such a vital part of our community's heart. We are lucky to have you.

While I am incredibly proud of the initiatives by the Cook government that keep the Pilbara safe and strong and do what is right for Western Australia, I know there is still much more to do. As the member for Pilbara, I am committed to pushing for even greater investment and support for our region. I will continue to advocate for further infrastructure upgrades, more housing, address local needs, and better health care and services for growing communities. Addressing the cost of living, creating jobs, improving community safety and supporting local communities are my priorities. I will continue to work tirelessly and ensure the Pilbara remains a place where our children can access quality education, training and preparation for the future. I remain deeply committed to working hard every day as the member for Pilbara, being a strong voice for our community and delivering real results in key areas like cost-of-living support, jobs, health care, education, infrastructure and community safety.

I look forward to working with my colleagues in Parliament on opportunities and challenges that Pilbara residents face. I would like to thank the staff at Hon Stephen Dawson's office, Hon Peter Foster's office and my office for all the amazing work they do behind the scenes to help me to support my community and the offices around my electorate.

Finally, I would like to thank the Premier and cabinet ministers for their support for the Pilbara. As I begin this new parliamentary term, I am excited about the work ahead and I look forward to working in all areas, not only for the Pilbara but also to support my colleagues and make sure that we have opportunities for the Pilbara because this is where most of the money and finance comes from. I give my utmost and strongest commitment to make sure that I advocate every day with every opportunity I get so that the Pilbara gets what it deserves with the initiatives that are available to us so that we have not only opportunities, but also the ability to make it a better place to live.

Mr Stuart Aubrey (Scarborough) (12:31 pm): I begin by asking for an extension, to make it a bit easier down the track.

(Member's time extended.)

Mr Stuart Aubrey: I rise today to provide my Address-in-Reply to the Governor at the opening of the 42nd Parliament of Western Australia. I begin by acknowledging the Whadjuk Noongar people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. I extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here in Parliament with us today and across our state.

The Governor's address laid out not only a vision for the Cook Labor government's third term, but also reaffirmed the values that underpin everything we do as a government: fairness, equality, opportunity, and a belief that government can and should be a force for good in people's lives. It is with deep humility and great pride that I return to this place as the member for Scarborough. Scarborough is not just where I live, it is where I belong. It is my home, my community and the purpose that drags me out of bed on the hard days. I frequently heard commentary throughout the campaign from commentators in the media and the Liberal Party that Scarborough is a Liberal stronghold and that it would go back to blue. Those of us who live and breathe Scarborough know the truth: underestimate our community at your peril; take our community for granted at your peril. Scarborough belongs to no-one and everyone. It is a stronghold for people who put our community first. The results of this election in Scarborough show just that. A local member who believes in, works hard for and protects the Scarborough community earns their trust. That is what I have done for the last four years and the results of this election prove that. We saw Scarborough back a representative who shows up, works hard, puts them first and listens—and listen we did.

During the 2021 election campaign, Scarborough saw the largest grassroots campaign it had ever seen, with 10,000 doors knocked and over 5,000 phone calls made in a period of eight months. At this election, team Scarborough outstripped that by a mile. In just under six months, we knocked on over 21,000 doors. I was 9,000 of those, and I made over 7,000 phone calls. Scarborough clearly knew who was showing up for them, but I did not show up alone. Team Scarborough was there with me every step of the way. I take a moment to extend my thanks to team Scarborough, including Hon Dr Sally Talbot MLC, member for South West Region; Leandro Stewart Usher; Ella Lindsay; Thomas Wolf; Linda Pickering; Rebeka Marton; Sophie Kerr; Shae Ramage; and Jayden Williams. Some of you stood with me in team Scarborough since the very beginning. Some of you have joined team Scarborough at this election. I could not have asked for a more dedicated, passionate or capable team. I can never repay you for your hard work at this election and I will never forget what you have done for me, the Scarborough community and for WA.

Now to my family. Although I have sacrificed much over the last four years working hard for my community as the member for Scarborough, I have not carried that sacrifice alone. My family has borne much of it, even though they did not ask for it. My mother, Chris; my sister, Rhian; my brother Rohan; nieces Peyton and Darcy; and nephew Jack; Nana Jean Okely; Auntie Jenny and Uncle Tom; cousins Mikhala and Mathew; and my brother Paul, wherever you are. Thank you for your support and for enduring the sacrifice with me to make a difference for the Scarborough community, WA and this world. To my other families, including Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club, Ocean Heroes Australia, Boom Fitness and all my friends and supporters in the Scarborough community itself, I do not think they will ever know how much they help me every day in fighting for our community. I am so proud to be one of you and I love you all so dearly.

I thank my fellow WA Labor Party members, including the Scarborough Sunset Coast branch, Rainbow Labor, the metallies and all the members of the party as a whole. The phrase that we so often said almost every day of the campaign was "carry on rewardlessly". It sounds a little negative, but in truth, it is a testament to being a member of a party that fights for a better future for our state and country, that stands up for the downtrodden and defends democracy. In a world where it is becoming easier to achieve power by sowing seeds of division and hate, our party is a champion of unity and hope. We work hard to make the world better, not for ourselves, but for our communities, our state and our country. We know that work is never finished, that we will never reach that light on the hill, and as such we carry on without stopping to celebrate our victories or seek reward. We carry on striving towards making the world a better place for everyone. Thank you everyone in WA Labor and team Scarborough for your hard work at this election.

The Governor's address laid out a clear vision for the future, one where Western Australia leads in economic diversification, climate action and social justice. We have already shown what is possible when good governance meets responsible economic management. We have restored the state's finances, delivered surpluses and paid down debt, all while delivering the biggest infrastructure investment in our state's history. We understand the global times we are in and the challenges they present and we understand the cost-of-living pressures being faced by Western Australians. As a young renter I especially understand the challenges for young people trying to enter the housing market. But we are delivering cost-of-living support and rising to the challenge of housing with commitments to boost supply and support first home buyers. Over the next four years, the Cook Labor government will continue to deliver for our state and in our local communities. Our communities are important. If you ask me what Scarborough's greatest asset is, it is not the beach—although it is a bloody good one—it is the community. From Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club to the parents and citizens associations and the local footy teams, from cafe owners to teachers, it is the people who step up, lend a hand and build connection. That spirit of connection is what I will fight to protect and support. That is why I care about planning and development.

As the local member, I have fought hard to bring real investment into our community, having already delivered the $10.6 million upgrade of Scarborough Primary School for once in a generation renewal for a school that is small in size but big in heart. Critical intersection upgrades in Gwelup are thanks to strong local advocacy and our partnership with Main Roads. We also delivered significant local economic activation through smaller events like Scarborough's famous Sunset Markets, but also through major events like hosting the 2023 Surf Life Saving Championships, which brought over $18 million of economic benefit to WA. But more than that, it showcased Scarborough's capacity to host, to lead and to welcome the nation as Perth's premier beachside destination.

I am now focused on delivering my election commitments that will shape the future of our community, starting naturally with the most popular, the Surf CAT. Travelling along Scarborough Beach Road through the heart of our community—Scarborough, Doubleview and Innaloo—between Stirling station and the Scarborough foreshore, it is a commitment that recognises not only the growing vibrancy and importance of Scarborough to WA, but also the challenges that come with that popularity, like parking. I have repeatedly said that Scarborough is never going to have enough parking to accommodate the number of people who want to visit our community. The suburb of Scarborough's population is around 17,000 alone and we have about 2,500 parking bays on our foreshore, which is significantly more than most coastal precincts around the country and the world. More parking was never the long-term solution to our accessibility challenges on the foreshore. Greater public transport and pedestrian connectivity is what we need to allow locals and visitors to access our beloved beach and precinct in a more sustainable way. The Surf CAT commitment, a free, regular and reliable CAT bus service that reflects the soul of our community, will not only connect our community in ways not provided before, but also upgrade the intersection of West Coast Highway and Scarborough Beach Road, creating more bus stands, prioritising pedestrian accessibility and reducing congestion of the precinct.

As I have also often said, the suburbs of my electorate, including Innaloo, Trigg, Gwelup, Karrinyup, Doubleview and Scarborough, have rich and proud stories of their own, and all of those stories intertwine with each other. I am proud to be delivering around $60 million worth of vital upgrades to community facilities and schools across our community that will help those clubs and schools thrive. When they thrive, our community thrives. There is $1.5 million to revitalise the popular Doubleview Bowling Club, which has embraced an inclusive approach and family friendly atmosphere, and $4 million to rebuild Innaloo Sports Club. This upgrade will not only revitalise this club with its proud history spanning more than 50 years, but also provide much-needed revitalisation of a precinct in the heart of the Innaloo community. We are providing $2 million for the expansion and upgrade of Scarborough Amateur Football Club at its home ground, called "The Mill". This is off the back of the delivery of my commitment in 2021 to upgrade the club's lighting to support the club’s growth by enabling more playing space, and these facilities will now provide space for its growing numbers, and especially the growing women's sides. We are committed to rebuilding the Porter Street Bridge in Lake Gwelup to reconnect Karrinyup and Gwelup and recognise the beloved heritage of the area.

We are providing $300,000 for Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club to refurbish and refit its clubrooms and provide a more functional training and office space, as well as changes to the function area that will better connect the club to the broader community that it protects on Trigg Beach. Speaking of surf clubs, Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club, where I am an active patrol member, will receive $70,000 to purchase a new patrol vehicle so that our local surf lifesavers have the best equipment to protect our community. This is off the back of $110,000 delivered last election for shade sails in the club’s green space and for new trailers and equipment to support the Starfish Nippers program, which provides kids with disability with access to one-on-one support with a surf lifesaver so that they can experience the power of being in the ocean. Amongst that provision were new trailers for the Nippers and the equipment associated with them. In partnership with the members for Pilbara and Kimberley, I will also proudly deliver $120,000 for Ocean Heroes Australia to purchase a new vehicle, trailer and equipment so that it can expand its free events program, which provides unique one-on-one support to neurodiverse kids across our state, improving their wellbeing and giving them access to one of WA's greatest assets—its world-class beaches and waves.

We are also delivering smaller upgrades across all local schools, including cooling and play space upgrades at Lake Gwelup and Doubleview Primary Schools, a perimeter fence at Yuluma Primary School, an expansion of a classroom at St Dominic’s School, a safe crossing point at Brighton Road for Scarborough Primary School, shade structures at Deanmore Primary School and fencing and roller shutters for North Beach Primary School. We are also providing some significant commitments to local schools, including a $4.5 million upgrade to Newborough Primary School to provide reverse cycle air conditioning throughout the school so that our kids have the best conditions in which to learn and grow, and a whopping $27.5 million to upgrade and expand Karrinyup Primary School to accommodate the growing number of students and provide them with the best education opportunities and, with that, the best opportunities in life. I have always believed that a good education can change your life. My parents sacrificed a lot to afford that to me, and that is why I have fought for school upgrades, championed early learning and celebrated our student leaders. I welcome the Governor's reaffirmation of our government's investment in schools.

Infrastructure matters, but so does inclusion and support for students with additional needs. I am especially proud of our government's investment in ADHD WA and our commitment to provide the capacity and training for GPs to provide a diagnosis for ADHD, helping ADHD people like me access earlier, easier and more affordable support. As we have said on many occasions in this place, early intervention and support is essential in ensuring that our kids have the best opportunity to manage their neurodiversity and get the best education outcomes. This commitment not only will help ADHD kids get the extra support they need, but also, by providing them with an easier pathway and diverting them from child development service and paediatric waitlists, it will reduce wait times for other kids who are seeking support for their conditions, such as autism, through speech therapy and other therapies. That earlier support will also take pressure off our educators and schools, who support our kids the best they can while they wait for a diagnosis but cannot replace the medical intervention and support that is required. There are many reasons and commitments that make me proud to be a part of this government, but this is one that is very close to my heart.

I am also proud to be delivering locally in Scarborough a trial between Hillarys and Scarborough. I am sure the member for Hillarys mentioned it before, but there is a prevalence of hooning in that area. Scarborough brings all sorts of people to our foreshore and there is a prevalence of people who like to disrupt the sleep of people who live in the higher density parts of West Coast Highway. I am very proud to be part of a government that is committing to a trial of noise-detection cameras, which have been highly successful on the eastern seaboard in detecting, deterring and fining hoon drivers. I look forward to seeing that rolled out across our community, as well as upgrades to CCTV across the Scarborough foreshore and at Morris Place Shopping Centre in Innaloo to help provide the police with the tools they need to respond to community safety incidents.

On returning to this chamber, I carry not only immense gratitude but also a deep sense of responsibility. I know that representation is about more than votes or speeches; it is about showing up, listening and fighting even when no-one is watching. I have spoken before about my path to this place. It is not the traditional path. I am not a lawyer, a career staffer or a political lifer; I am a sparky, a tradie and a former FIFO worker who worked in the North West, as my family did before me and where so many Western Australians earn a living. I have worked in mines a kilometre underground, pulled cables, responded to emergencies and walked the floor as a safety rep. That is where I learned about leadership—in the real world, where leadership is not just about titles but about trust; where leadership is not just about showing up to be seen, but showing up to work hard and deliver; and where you do not just talk about mental health, you live it, you manage it, you watch your mates struggle through it and sometimes you fight to keep them and yourself here. It was in those moments, on the tools underground, in the yard and in pools of my own sweat at times, that I built my resilience and learnt how to be a leader. It is that style of leadership that guides me in this place and in my community.

Although the fundamental principle of electricity is that the path of least resistance is the best, the same principle should not be applied to politics. The right path that has the biggest and lasting impact in politics is often the hardest path. As a tradie, I know how to work hard. The people of Scarborough did not send me here to make headlines; they sent me here to make a difference, to represent our community with integrity and to fight for the things that matter—secure jobs, affordable homes, thriving schools, safe communities, climate action and a future built on fairness. I want to reiterate the promise I made on election night to my community and to Western Australia as a member of the Cook Labor government. Whether it is on Scarborough Beach as a surf lifesaver with my second family at Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club, on Trigg Beach volunteering with Ocean Heroes to support WA’s neurodiverse community or in Parliament as Scarborough's voice in the Cook Labor government and as the local member for Scarborough, my promise is to never stop working hard and doing what is right for the Scarborough community and for WA. Let's get to work. Thank you.

Mr Terry Healy (Southern River) (12:48:21 pm): I rise to make a contribution to the Address-in-Reply debate today and look forward to enjoying the many speeches that will continue in the chamber. First of all, I congratulate the Speaker, as is customary, and the Acting Speaker (Mrs Magenta Marshall) as well for her elevation to that position.

Friends, I would like to begin by thanking my community. It is an absolute pleasure to be returned as the member for Southern River, a seat that I did not think I would be able to be elected to in the first place. I have the honour of having been elected not once, not twice but for a history-breaking third time, because no member for Southern River in history has ever before served a third term. I look forward to making everyone in my electorate proud. For every single person within Canning Vale, Gosnells, Huntingdale and Southern River, thank you for the honour of returning me here. I look forward to making you very, very proud.

To my family—to my wife and my two beautiful daughters—I apologise for not being around as much as I had been. I look forward to spending time with you for the next four years as best I can as we manage this role.

I also thank all the volunteers within the Southern River campaign and those who have worked for me as staff members. Given the last couple of years and the different things that we have done, I like to think that we run an incredibly efficient and organised office. In the last term of Parliament, we dealt with everything. It does not matter if people come in with a local, state, Federal Government or non-government query, we are there for them. We gave out 160 000 free rapid antigen tests from my office. I think we hold the record for the largest WA student assistance payment take-up from the promotions and the works that we do. All the things that I do in terms of doorknocking and phoning and interacting with my community have a knock-on effect. It drives my staff pretty crazy because of the intense number of increased constituent inquiries that we get, so I would like to thank Seren, Marzia and Kalaluka but also Julie, Rashmi, Lyndsay and my team for fielding the inquiries that you do. My constituents, I think, told us that they were very happy with us at the most recent election. Our office has always been a hub of the community, and I look forward to it continue, but I do apologise that that means it will be even busier for my staff.

I would like to draw the chamber's attention to the WA student assistance payment. For those who are watching at home, the second round of the WA student assistance payment is active right now. Like last year, there is $150 for every kindy to year 6 student and $250 for every year 7 to year 12 student. People can go to the ServiceWA app now. It is open all of term 2. If you have any problems getting onto ServiceWA, you can certainly call the ServiceWA app team or talk to your school or administration or, of course, you can come to my office. We will be running hard copy form assistance sessions and we are visiting schools. The absolute help that the cost-of-living relief that Roger Cook and this government are delivering, as we promised, of $150 for each family and for every primary school student and $250 for every high school student is active now. If people have any questions, they can contact my office. People can go to our Facebook page and we will certainly make sure that we are available to you. Thank you.

I would like to draw the chamber's attention to and congratulate the youth member for Southern River, Willow O'Beirne, with whom I met recently and look forward to working with. Willow O'Beirne is a year 11 student and Southern River resident who will be serving this year as the youth member for Southern River. I place on record our appreciation for her service to this community. I think in July this year the Youth Parliament will be gathering to sit in this very chamber. We look forward to supporting Willow, and my office, resources and things are certainly available to her as she continues to do her job. Congratulations, Willow, to you.

I would like to reflect on the retirement of Sue Ellery, a member in the other place. She gave her valedictory speech recently. I would like to place on record my appreciation of Sue Ellery. She gave an incredible final speech the week before last in the upper house, and I was honoured to be there. I place on record in this place that Sue has served 24 years in the Parliament of Western Australia. I place on record our appreciation for her and her family. My Gosnells and Southern River community is better off because of what she has done. She has done many things, but there are some highlights.

For people who do not know my origin story into this place, I went to Sue Ellery in 2013 when she was the shadow education minister and had a whinge at her that it was not fair that Liberals were cutting money from my school. The long story short is that she then recruited me to get ideas for education policy work about what we might do if we were to be elected into government. That escalated quickly, and I then became the Labor candidate for the area in what was the Liberals' safest seat at the time. I was told that I could not win. I think the plan was that she would become the education minister, I would go back to teaching, and she would fund my school properly. History worked out very, very differently.

I then had the honour of serving as her parliamentary secretary in this chamber while she was in the upper house. Together with Mark McGowan through to Roger Cook and Sue Ellery as Minister for Education and Training, we actually delivered on every one of our promises to my high school at Southern River College. Sue Ellery provided over $10 million of infrastructure at SRC, returned education assistance to classrooms and lowered TAFE fees for my students, just like she promised she would do. As education minister, every school in this state had significant upgrades in the maintenance blitz that was done in 2019, including, in 2021, the STEM labs at almost every regional and metropolitan high school and major primary school works.

If your school stayed open during COVID, Sue—honourable member of the other house; I am not sure how I should say that—was part of that. If you enrolled in TAFE and utilised some of the record TAFE infrastructure spend, she was a part of that. I am not talking about the lowering of TAFE fees, but the millions of dollars in additional TAFE infrastructure spend. Then, of course, I have mentioned RATs earlier, but if people benefited from some of the 160,000 free RATs that came from my office, she was also a part of that when she became the Minister for Finance; Commerce. There is so much more that I could say about her, but I would like to say that I thank Sue, her amazing Peter, her staff in her electorate and ministerial offices; I thank them for all that they have done.

I would like to draw the chamber's attention to the fact that National Simultaneous Storytime happens on 21 May at 11:00 am. It is a sitting day that starts at 12 o'clock, of course. Those who have watched me on Facebook before will know that we have 15 of these free books. This year The Truck Cat is the National Simultaneous Storybook. All across the country, on 21 May, schools will be reading this book. It does not matter whether people are in day care or have a home school or primary school or whether they are a teacher, parent or student in one of the schools, all they have to do is send us an email to terry.healy@mp.wa.gov.au or let us know on the Facebook page, and we will start allocating these books from next week. If people would like one of the free copies, they can register on the Australian Library and Information Association website and download it in PDF. If you would like a hard copy of this book for their school or classroom, you are certainly welcome. The book is available for people to do that, so please let me know.

Every Seniors Card holder in my electorate will be eligible for the cost-of-living rebate that is paid annually from the Western Australian Government. The deadline of 31 May is approaching, so if a person holds a current WA Seniors Card, the payment last year was $107 for singles and $160 for couples. Just having a Seniors Card does not necessarily allow people to get it. They also have to register. If people would like to, they can go to the WA Seniors Card Facebook page, get the forms and register. The deadline is 31 May. From July, the payments are paid in cash to people's bank accounts. It will not say "from Terry Healy" and "from Roger Cook" in the line item on the bank statement. If people would like any more information, they can reach out to my office. But the WA Seniors Card Facebook page has all the information. If people would like one of the hard copy WA Seniors Cards, they are certainly welcome to those as well. They are available on the website and from my office of course. It is cash. The other energy credits that we have go into Synergy bank accounts and other places.

Debate adjourned, pursuant to standing orders.

(Continued at a later stage of the day’s sitting.)

Sitting suspended from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm