Speeches

Thurday 25 September 2025
Motion - Speaking in Support of the Motion

I thank Mr Emerson for bringing this motion to the Assembly today. As a fellow member for Kurrajong, I am sure that he has had the vast number of the same constituents who have raised issues about footpaths in the time that he has been here. As I said in the chamber this week during debate on the appropriations bills, our neighbourhoods are suffering from years and years of neglect and our basic services are not being maintained. Our footpaths are cracked, uneven or, in many places, missing altogether. This is something that has been identified and acknowledged by many members in this debate already.

Canberra is a city which prides itself on being liveable. We have large open spaces, an abundance of parks and playgrounds and we are surrounded by beautiful natural bushland. But we do hear time and time again from our constituents about cracked and broken footpaths, about incomplete footpaths and about a complete lack of footpaths in many neighbourhoods. This has a significant impact on the way many in our community live. As Mr Cocks pointed out, it has an impact on how they get around and even doing daily tasks like going from home to the local shops. It also has an impact on the way we interact with each other as a community.

We hear of Canberrans that are forced to walk along roads because there are no footpaths on their streets, and we, of course, talk about the parents pushing prams, or older Canberrans with mobility aids, and children walking to and from school that are forced onto the roads. But, of course, it affects so many more Canberrans than that. I hear all the time from my constituents about broken footpaths in Griffith, Dickson, O’Connor, Turner and throughout the city precinct; closed footpaths in Hackett and Narrabundah; and many suburbs around my electorate that have no footpaths at all. This is just not good enough. We need a clear and long-term plan that prioritises our neighbourhoods, prioritises maintenance and prioritisesthe installation of footpaths that prioritise our community.

I thank Mr Milligan for bringing his amendments, which are very sensible and, I understand, have the support of the majority of the chamber. I also acknowledge his tireless advocacy on raising issues in this space including, of course, his role in getting the inquiry in relation to Fix My Street established, which I know has been an ongoing concern for so many Canberrans. The people in my electorate of Kurrajong have raised issues about footpaths with me. I want to put on the record that, every time I do a mobile office or even if I just run into constituents out and about, that one thing that comes up is basic maintenance, and footpaths of course make a very big part of that.

So, once again, I thank Mr Emerson for bringing this motion. I have no doubts that he will be out and about in our electorate spreading the good word about his motion. I also thank Mr Milligan for bringing his amendments, which I will support.

Thursday 25 September 2025
Report - Response to the Economics, Industry and Recreation Standing Committee Report 02

I echo the comments that have already been made by the chair and Mr Emerson. I was on the committee when we kicked off this inquiry. I was incredibly supportive of the need for this inquiry, but I was not on the committee when the deliberations started or when evidence was actually taken. Whilst I did miss out on that period, I have, of course, heard from many stakeholders and members of the community about the need for such an inquiry.

I thank my colleagues on the committee for such an incredibly collaborative and professional way that we engaged with each other. There are some recommendations that were a no-brainer; they were put up, they were passed and there was no comment. Of course, there are others where there was a lot more discussion. I think it is a hallmark of a good, collaborative effort and a good report when some of those recommendations end up where no-one is 100 per cent happy with them. I think that is a good thing, in a way. It also indicates how complex this inquiry was.

I do not want to speak for the chair, but this is not to say that the committee believes that it will change the world immediately, but I do hope that the government take on the recommendations—21 of them have been outlined in the report—as meaningful recommendations that can be taken on board.

We were very careful to try and be realistic about the issues that could be looked at from an ACT level, taking into consideration the feedback that each of us had received from various members of the community, acknowledging that it is a complex issue and acknowledging that, of course, there are factors outside ACT control.

I thank all the stakeholders and members of the community who reached out to each of us in our capacity as an MLA or local member, as well as, of course, through the formal submission process, and for taking the time to be very honest with their feedback and experiences of navigating this complex issue. I thank my colleagues; I also thank the hardworking secretariat, who had to juggle the viewpoints of five committee members. That would not have been easy to do.

Thursday 18 September 2025
Appropriation Bill 2025-2026 - Debate

As the shadow Treasurer said in this chamber earlier this week, budgets are about priorities. We have seen so many examples of where this government has failed when it comes to the priorities, the priorities for the needs of all Canberrans. We see it in the bigger items like health, education and infrastructure, but the area that is very, very clear to the naked eye—and there is no clearer demonstration of this government’s priorities, or the lack of—is when you look around our city.

Our neighbourhoods are suffering from years and years of neglect and our basic, basic municipal services not being maintained. Our footpaths are cracked, uneven and in many places missing altogether. Parents pushing prams, older Canberrans with mobility aids and children walking to school are many times forced onto roads because the ACT government has neglected the basics of footpath maintenance.

Of course, it is not just limited to footpaths. Our local amenities, our parks, our community spaces and our playgrounds have all been left to deteriorate. Our local shops have been forgotten and residents are getting very sick and tired of asking for what you would think would be bread and butter, what you would think would be a given for any local government, only to see their concerns either pushed aside altogether or taken on as just another election promise yet to be delivered, again and again.

I see it all the time in my electorate. At every mobile office that I have been to, it is the one consistent issue that comes up. Obviously, we get such a variety of issues that are raised with us from so many people, but the one consistent issue that I am guaranteed to get when I am at a mobile office is about basic municipal services. Whether it is graffiti at the Lyneham and Dickson shops, broken footpaths and neglected community facilities at Griffith, unsuitable seating and traffic congestion issues in Narrabundah, issues raised about even the streetlamps at Narrabundah, basic maintenance at the Kingston foreshore, streetlights and road safety in Manuka, issues at the Downer playing fields, overgrown grass and weeds in Lyneham, lack of public rubbish bins and adequate footpaths in Ainslie, lack of well-maintained community spaces in Hackett, dangerous trees in O’Connor—I mean, the list goes on and on.

I acknowledge Mr Milligan who has outlined many of these issues and it seems that it is clearly not unique to Kurrajong. These might seem like they are minor but they are not just minor inconveniences. They impact the way that we live, how safe we feel and how connected we are to one another and to our community.

As a result of this latest budget, Kurrajong residents received some of the highest rate increases across Canberra. Rates in Kingston and Barton are up seven per cent, rates in Reid and Turner are up nine per cent and rates in Griffith are up a whopping 10 per cent. These are rates that, at least a portion of, should be invested back into our local community. But when Kurrajong residents step outside their front doors, they do see the neglect in their neighbourhoods as a result of this long-term government that has forgotten them. They see the neglect at their local shops and they see the neglect around the city.

And in speaking of the city, the feedback that I have had, especially over the last couple of months, has been, of course, about the state of our city area. I mean, this is the nation’s capital! Of course, with Floriade now having kicked off, they have finally been able to make some headway in relation to the incredible issues that we have had raised with us about the state of our city, especially around Garema Place. That is a very clear example of where this government has allowed these priorities to be.

So what does that say about the government’s priorities? It says that the Labor government does not prioritise walkable neighbourhoods, it does not prioritise well maintained shared community spaces and it does not prioritise the basic amenities that make daily life easier and more enjoyable for all Canberrans. It is clear from this budget, and frankly the many before it, that this Labor government has forgotten that communities are built from the ground up. It is clear that they have forgotten that it is our local neighbourhoods and our local communities where we live, where we play, where we raise our families, where we go to school and where we gather together. When a government turns its back on the very basics, it turns its back on every Canberran.

Tuesday 13 May 2025
Motion - Speaking in Support of the Motion

In the last sitting period I spoke on this very topic in expressing the hurt, disappointment and, in some ways, despair at some of the abhorrent sentiments that were being chanted loudly at rallies around the country on 31 August. I will not repeat them now because my words are captured in Hansard, a privilege and a curse for us elected members in this place.

Mr Speaker, I start my contribution to this debate by talking about some of the messages and comments I received in the wake of that speech. On the whole, I received enormous support from across the community, including from this very building. For that, I thank you. But I also received other comments and other feedback, and these comments confirm for me exactly why I gave the speech that I did and why it is necessary. One email I received said:

Your action of posting this has inflamed racial hatred more than anyone who attended the march. You have spread lies and caused division amongst the community. Shame on you.

A comment that I received via social media was:

As a proud Australian with a real understanding of what’s happening to our future for our youth, what’s truly, as you say, horrific is how quickly some people play the victim card rather than addressing the very real concerns of ordinary Australians. No-one’s questioning your right to belong here if you came the right way, follow the law and want to contribute. What are you even talking about? But twisting legitimate frustration about uncontrolled immigration into some sob story about your insecurities is pathetic, manipulative and dishonest.

Another poster commented:

We are wanting what’s best for the country as a nation. The current situation is unsustainable. Don’t like it? You have options. Explore those.

Another post was a picture of a white woman holding a sign that reads, “Mass immigration equals mass risk for women.” Here is another, Mr Speaker:

Stop your pathetic virtue signalling grandstanding and come along to the next rally and see for yourself just what a sad bunch of deranged cretins really looks like. By the way, the exercise will do you a power of good.

Mr Speaker, for a woman politician, a healthy dose of body shaming is just par for the course.

For some of these keyboard warriors, who are quick to jump online and make their views known, it is clear that they did not take the time to read or watch my speech in full. I repeat here again that the organisers of those marches may have had genuine intentions to raise awareness and lobby the federal government about legitimate concerns that they hold about immigration policies. I acknowledge that, for many Australians who indeed marched, that is where their intentions started and remained.

But, Mr Speaker, as I said in my speech in the last sitting, when known neo-Nazis and white supremacists are willingly given a public platform to spew their abhorrent and hateful racist chants, when an official poster publicising the marches specifically singles out one ethnic group for criticism of government immigration policy, you can no longer hide behind a justification of, “We’re just marching to legitimately express our opposition to government policy.”

I am a strong defender of freedom of speech. It is a cornerstone value, not just of the Liberal Party but of Australian democracy. But no freedom exists without responsibility. We all have a duty to shape the society in which we live and the society in which we want our children to live. As elected representatives, our duty is even greater—we who have the privilege of a platform that many do not, we who have the privilege of having a direct vote on the laws that affect all of us.

I have been on the receiving end of many attempts to shut me down, freeze me out and push me out. It takes a toll, and it can be incredibly personal. But I promised myself that, when I was first elected, I would not shy away from what is right in the face of all attempts to intimidate me into silence, in the face of all attempts to gaslight me into questioning my own convictions, beliefs and values, and I intend to keep that promise.

I am here to be a voice for those who are not necessarily in a position to speak for themselves. For too long, our parliaments have lacked the diversity we see in our communities, and those lived experiences and voices have been missing in public policy debates that have shaped our country.

Back in the early 80s, when my parents were considering migrating from Korea, they considered a few options and ultimately chose Australia because they were drawn to the Australian values of a fair go, an open and inclusive society, where everyone is treated equally no matter what, and reward for hard work, whatever your chosen vocation. My parents chose Australia because they were drawn to this beautiful, multicultural country that welcomed and celebrated different cultures that added to the vibrancy and economic prosperity of our nation.

My parents have always expressed how grateful they are, as migrants, to Australia and its people, for the opportunities that we have been afforded and for the lives that we have been able to lead. For decades they have always lived humbled by the gratitude they feel, and that will stay with them for their entire lives.

I also want to say to them that Australia is lucky to have them, too. My parents speak with heavy accents. Their English will always be broken. They prefer kimbap and bulgogi over vegemite sandwiches and avo toast. They have probably happily watched chuggu—or soccer—and baseball over cricket, but they have lived their whole lives giving back to the country that gave them opportunities for their children.

They have worked hard their whole lives to achieve the great Australian dream of owning their own home. They have worked in minimum wage jobs because they are grateful to have jobs. They have started businesses through blood, sweat and tears to contribute to the Australian economy. They have taught us the value of doing our part to make a positive contribution to our community, and I know that Australia is a better country for their courage in taking that leap of faith to start a new life here.

But this is not a story that is unique to my family. This is the story of thousands and thousands of migrants who come to Australia seeking a better life, not just for themselves and their families, but for the Australian people, too. I reiterate: these rallies may not have been intended to be anything other than a genuine expression of opposition to legitimate government policy. But we cannot ignore the effect of some of the public displays of abhorrent and extremist views.

I turn to the amendments that Ms Castley has moved. I say at the outset—and I will say this very clearly—that there is no place in our society for extremist views, whether it is about race, religion or any other discriminatory and divisive topic. There is no place in our society for politically motivated violence, and there is no place in our society for the abhorrent words that were contained on the placards, as outlined in Ms Castley’s amendments.

I also want to make clear that the Assembly’s condemnation of the abhorrent words that we saw chanted at rallies around the country on 31 August must be called out for what it is, and I would have concern if there was anybody—anybody—who took that to mean anything other than that event alone being deserving of condemnation.

I am concerned that we need to be very careful that there is not even a perception that the calling out of those abhorrent racist sentiments, specifically at the rallies on the 31 August, are not stand-alone. We cannot have that perception. They do stand alone. They are abhorrent. I welcome and support Mr Pettersson’s motion today.

Wednesday 17 September 2025
Petition - Speaking to the Petition

I thank Mr Emerson for sponsoring this petition, which was signed by over 1,820 Canberrans. The petition simply calls on the government to look at approving an overpass for Canberra Avenue for school students. At the outset, no-one could have predicted the actions of one man that have caused so much heartache for the families and friends of the two boys that were seriously injured in March this year, and the impact that it had on the broader Canberra community.

Sadly, this is not the first time that safety concerns have been raised by the school communities at both St Edmund’s College and St Clare’s College. As Mr Emerson has pointed out, this issue has been raised with the government for many years, including back in 2022, when I sponsored a petition to reduce the speed limit on Canberra Avenue in that area to 40 kilometres an hour, which would bring it in line with the rules governing 40-kilometre zones near schools. This was following the passionate advocacy of the then principal of St Edmund’s College, Mr Joe Zavone, and the broader school community, who were really concerned about the safety of their students at that particular road.

The response from the government to that petition back in 2022 was disappointing. It said:

Given that Canberra Avenue is a main arterial route between Canberra and Queanbeyan, the current reduced speed limit of 60km/h is appropriate. Introducing a 40km/h speed limit on this road section is unlikely to be an effective measure without extensive traffic calming measures, which are incompatible with this road’s arterial function.

Once again, there is nothing that could have predicted, or probably perhaps prevented, one man taking the actions that he did that caused so much heartache earlier this year, and no-one is saying that putting in place reduced speed limits, or even an overpass, would have prevented those terrible events. But the point is still clear; that is, safety concerns, especially for our young people, especially for our students, in that specific area have been an issue in the public arena for quite some time and should be a priority, not just for the ACT government but for the entire Canberra community.

I do send my thoughts out to Aiden, who is obviously still in the throes of recovery and has shown incredible courage and leadership in thinking about his fellow school students and the school community, in making sure that this petition has made it to the Assembly today. I urge the ACT government to listen to the community and consider the measures to make this part of Canberra Avenue safer for everyone.

Tuesday 16 September 2025
Petition - Speaking to the Petition

I thank Mr Emerson for bringing this petition to the Assembly. It is a petition that has been signed by over 630 Canberrans, led by local resident Amy Blain, who I have also had a chance to engage with. It calls on the government to fund and plan a community hub at the 91A Wakefield Gardens site, consult with local community members about the best use for the site, and set a commencement date for the reactivation of the site.

I note that the ACT government has finally committed to undertake community consultation on the future of Wakefield Gardens, and I note Ms Stephen-Smith’s comments just now as well. If I were a cynic, I would say that maybe they have been shamed into doing this. Regardless of that, it is a welcome development after all these years.

The local community have been very active for years in trying to get the government to breathe new life into the building. They could see its potential as a vibrant, multipurpose community hub that builds connections and supports the local community. Of course, sadly, we all saw the fire in the building a few weeks ago, which was incredibly disappointing.

I want to put on the record that I did put some questions to the minister on the plans for the property during the recent budget estimates, and I was very concerned by the minister’s response, which was:

The building structure at 91A Wakefield Gardens has been identified as not fit for occupation due to the hazardous materials contained within the building, including asbestos-containing materials and lead paint that poses a significant safety risk.

My understanding is that, when authorities were questioned about the fire and the possible presence of dangerous materials, including asbestos, they confirmed publicly that it was not present. Media articles from 2019—going back several years now— detailed the government’s efforts to clear the property of asbestos and, in fact, confirmed that those works had been done.

Whilst I welcome the government finally moving on this issue, it is incredibly important, not just for the people of Ainslie but for people in the broader inner north and the ACT, that the minister is up-front and clear about why the property has been left vacant for 20 years and explain the inconsistent advice that has been provided to the public, on the one hand from the minister and on the other hand from fire officials, in relation to the presence or not of dangerous materials, which has been cited as the reason why the building had been left vacant for so long.

Once again, I thank Mr Emerson for bringing this petition to the Assembly, and for his office’s ongoing efforts in consulting with the community on Wakefield Gardens. Let us hope that we finally get what the community has been asking for, for many years.

Thursday 4 September 2025
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) - Debate

I will speak briefly on this bill, specifically as it relates to the amendments to the posting termination clause in the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. Back in January this year, I was contacted by my constituent Margaret, who raised concerns with how the Residential Tenancies Act deals with homeowners who are in a formal domestic partnership with a member of the Australian Defence Force but their property is in their name only—that is, not in joint names with the ADF member. In these circumstances the current posting termination clause cannot be activated as the property is not in the name of the partner who has been posted. Margaret pointed out that, in these circumstances, families—many of whom are Defence Force families—are excluded from using this clause, purely because the definitions used in the clause do not reflect modern Australian family structures.

Following Margaret’s letter to me, we did some research and sought some advice. We quickly worked out that it would require a fairly simple amendment to modernise the definitions in the legislation to allow the posting termination clause to be enacted when the lessor’s domestic partner has been posted. I acknowledge and thank my colleague Mr Peter Cain and his staff, who worked so collaboratively with my office to bring forward a private member’s bill to rectify this issue and modernise the legislation. I understand that, in the development of his private member’s bill, Mr Cain met with Defence Families of Australia, who were very supportive of the amendments. I thank them for their advice and support.

The ACT Labor government, obviously after Mr Cain introduced his bill, decided that they would take their own amendments forward to address the issue. I understand that they had also received concerns about this. So, whilst I am sure that it is personally disappointing for Mr Cain that he will not be able to move forward with his bill, particularly after all his and his staff’s hard work on this, we are pleased that this anomaly will be addressed to better support the many ADF and APS employees in Canberra, many of whom live in my electorate.

I thank my constituent Margaret for bringing this matter to my attention all those months ago. As local members, it is a privilege, and it is our job, to listen to our constituents and try, to the best of our ability, to actually deliver outcomes for them, which can be hard going sometimes in opposition. I am really glad that, in this case, with the help of Mr Cain and his staff, and also the minister, who was very open about listening to the concerns and incorporating amendments into the bill, we have been able to achieve such a positive outcome for so many people, especially in my electorate of Kurrajong.

Thursday 4 September 2025
Ministerial Statements - Speaking in Response

“Send them back”, “Stop the invasion” and “We are here as Australians, proud and true and thoroughbred” are just some of the abhorrent words that were chanted by thousands of Australians over the weekend. As a Liberal, I will always fight for the freedom of speech, but that freedom is not an unfettered one and that freedom is not without consequence.

The March for Australia rallies may have been intended to be a genuinely peaceful way to express a certain view that some Australians hold. But, when known white supremacists and neo-Nazis are willingly given a public platform at them, the rally organisers can no longer deny the connection with them and their values, nor can the rally organisers deny their blatant racism when their posters literally contain the words:

More Indians in five years, than Greeks and Italians in 100, and that’s just from one country. We know migration has a cultural impact. This isn’t a slight cultural change—it’s replacement plain and simple.

Over the last few days, a few people have reached out to me expressing their disgust and disappointment at the intention of these rallies but, more importantly, at the lack of public outrage and anger from many of our leaders. I acknowledge Mr Braddock’s condemnation earlier this week and thank him for his words of support to those members of our community who are silently feeling very vulnerable, targeted and terrified for their and their family’s safety. I acknowledge the Chief Minister’s condemnation this morning on behalf of the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and the ACT government, and I thank him for his words.

Whilst not directly talking about the rallies themselves, I acknowledge the eloquent words of Mr Cain, former shadow minister for multicultural affairs, and commend his ongoing, unwavering support and commitment to our multicultural community. As federal leader of the Liberal Party, Sussan Ley stated: “We cannot let hatred and fear tear at our social cohesion.”

I am a proud Aussie, having migrated to Australia from Korea in 1986 as a seven-year-old. My family proudly swore our allegiance to Australia and its people when we became citizens in May 1989. My parents will always have a heavy accent. Their English is always going to be broken. I do not know if they will ever, ever grow to like the taste of Vegemite or whether they will ever understand the rules of cricket. But they are proud Aussies who deeply value and treasure their Korean roots, and they live their lives by what I think are Australian values: the values of hard work, a fair go and treating everyone, no matter what their background or where they are from, with the same level of respect.

For every Australian migrant who stands up publicly against hatred, racism and bigotry, there are thousands of others who do not. For many, it is not because they do not care, and it is not because they are not hurt; it is because they are fearful for their personal safety, their job security and their social standing in their community. I know, because I have been there—where I have on the outside forcibly laughed along with a racist joke in the workplace so that I can fit in or, Heaven forbid, be labelled a humourless woman; where I have made the self-deprecating joke first to protect myself from anyone else expressing, even inadvertently, what I know is a usually well-hidden but deeply-rooted racist belief; where I have been slapped down, literally, again only last year, and told that I spend too much time whining and complaining about racism and sexism; where I have felt a deep personal shame in secretly wishing, whilst pregnant, that my children would look more Anglo or in giving them Anglo names, because I know it will make life easier for them.

To some of the attendees at these rallies: if your message is, “We don’t want you here and you do not belong here,” let me be clear that message is loud and clear to anyone who is a migrant, especially those of us from a non-Anglo background. That message is loud and clear each and every time we look in the mirror. That message is loud and clear each and every time our names are mispronounced or shortened or anglicised, a lot of the times without permission because it is easier on the “true” Aussies. Many of us carry a deep sense of insecurity about whether we actually belong here. Most of the time, we are surrounded by friends who know us well and no longer see the colour of our skin. So it is something that we do not, and do not want to, dwell on. But, when we see tens of thousands of Australians chanting out what we already fear, it is another stay that feeds our insecurity—that, no, we do not truly belong here.

The dream of any parent is to make sure that our children have a better life than us, that we play our part to make this world just a little better for them. My children are too young to understand the horrific statements that have been publicly chanted at these rallies—and, for that small mercy, I am grateful. Being told that they are not Australian and that they are not proud, true and thoroughbred, is one of the most disgusting things I have ever heard. To my children, to any child of a migrant, to any migrant who is working hard to contribute to Australia’s future and success: know that you are valued and know that you belong here.

Wednesday 3 September 2025
Statements by Members

I rise this evening to acknowledge the significant contribution made by Carmel Franklin, the CEO of Care, and the enormous efforts she has made to make our community better. I know that my colleague Mr Rattenbury will be making some more extensive comments during the adjournment debate, but I could not let this opportunity go past without acknowledging that, after 29 years at Care, 16 of those as CEO, Carmel will be retiring this week.

Carmel has had a remarkable career. She has been the driving force behind Care for many years, and her leadership has helped Care to grow and expand as an organisation that, in Carmel’s own words, is:

… an organisation that people in the community want to access if they’re in financial difficulty. We’re an organisation that staff want to work in. We’re an organisation that government and other funders trust to deliver services in the community.

Carmel has helped many individuals and families, and her dedication to our community is unwavering. In reading the statement from Care about her retirement, I was particularly touched by a quote from Carmel herself, which I would like to share today:

I didn’t expect that I was going to be here until I retired. That wasn’t the plan, but I believe Care is so valuable. I just love what Care stands for, what we do, and how we do it. So I stayed.

To me, this sums up her dedication, commitment and support for those Canberrans who find themselves in financial stress. Carmel, I wish you all the very best in your next chapter. I thank you for everything that you have done for the Canberra community.

Tuesday 2 September 2025
Petition - Speaking to the Government Response to the Petition

I take note of the minister’s response in relation to the Lyneham High School gymnasium petition. Back in 2020, ACT Labor promised to replace the Lyneham High School gym—a commitment that was welcomed not only by the staff and students at Lyneham High but also by the broader inner north community. However, as we have seen time and again, the ACT Labor government have now walked away from this key commitment.

This petition was instigated by a student at Lyneham High School, and I commend and acknowledge Mr Rattenbury for sponsoring this petition. It received over 560 signatures. I was pleased to see that the Standing Committee on Social Policy has undertaken to do an inquiry into the issues raised in this petition. It is very important to people, especially in my electorate of Kurrajong.

However, I want to note that I am very disappointed by the minister’s response to this petition. It is inadequate and it is dismissive of the issues that have been raised in the petition by hundreds of Kurrajong residents. I was also concerned to see the minister’s response to my question on notice about the same issue. I asked her whether the refurbishments to the gym would allow competition-grade events to be held there. This was a direct concern raised by constituents with me. This is something that the school community—and, indeed, the broader inner north community—have been pushing for. The minister’s response was to confirm that, no, the planned refurbishments would not allow for competition-level events.

Once again, we have a bandaid fix, at best, by this Labor government, a fix that will not only not meet the current needs of Lyneham High School but will fail to provide a competition-level facility for the inner north and, indeed, the whole of Canberra.

I encourage all interested parties to make submissions to the inquiry, and I look forward to participating in the inquiry process to ensure that we get the outcomes that students, staff and the broader Lyneham and Canberra community need.

Thursday 26 June 2025
Petition - Speaking in Support of the Petition

Fearless Women is a not-for-profit organisation that is very beloved in the ACT. It is an organisation that provides girls and young women in the ACT with a dedicated outreach and support service, much in the same way that Menslink, which is very well known to members in this place, does for boys and young men. Fearless Women provides a sense of belonging within a safe and inclusive community, boosting self-belief, inner strength, confidence and courage, allowing young Canberra women to find their voice and understand who they are and what they can be.

It is a vital service that visits schools throughout the ACT to talk to girls and young women about the importance of wellbeing, self-empowerment and self-value. It offers a mentoring program that focuses on personal, social and self-management skills. It is made up of a network of mentors and a lot of professional Canberra women, and most of them volunteer their time to support young girls in our community. Last year, Fearless Women delivered training sessions free of charge to 80 schools. We know that many girls and young women face a number of challenges in today’s society that leave them feeling overwhelmed, stressed and uncertain about their future.

In the ACT, it is a sad statistic that a third of all young women feel lonely all or most of the time and only 36 per cent feel positive about their future. Nearly 60 per cent of young women are concerned about their mental health, with 66 per cent feeling that mental health is a barrier that is impacting their achievement of study, work and reaching their full potential.

Ms Barry and I had the chance to visit Fearless Women in their building in the city, which they are able to occupy as a result of the generosity of their landlords. We got to engage with some of the activities that the girls undertake. I have to say that we probably need to work on our artistic skills, but we still got to see some of the activities that the girls are able to undertake in a safe and inclusive space where they can not only talk to peers who are going through some similar challenges but also get some advice from the mentors and professionals there.

Ms Barry sponsored a petition that was tabled here in March and called for the certainty of ongoing funding, which of course built on the work that Ms Barry has continued to undertake, lobbying and advocating for the community sector in seeking confidence and certainty when it comes to funding for their important work. I have not read the response from the minister yet, but I note that, in the budget, Fearless Women received a commitment of $772,000 over the next two years to continue offering the education, mentoring and counselling programs to empower and uplift young women and girls. That is a very welcome step and will go a long way to provide a little bit of relief for Fearless Women.

I acknowledge in particular Glenda Stevens, the CEO of Fearless Women, who has been a tireless advocate when it comes to not only young girls but also the continuation of the programs that she believes in and Fearless Women delivers. I thank Glenda for her ongoing advocacy, and I thank all the girls who have engaged so passionately with Fearless Women and have undertaken the programs with gusto. And I thank the countless volunteers who donate their time and effort to being the mentors for Fearless Women. Once again, I acknowledge and thank Ms Barry for bringing forward this petition. I also acknowledge that Fearless Women has now received two years of funding. Let’s make sure that these vital services can continue to provide what they need to for the young girls and women of Canberra.

Tuesday 24 June 2025
Adjournment - Speech

I stand to pay tribute to Wendy Altamore, who passed away on Sunday, 6 April this year, aged 68. I acknowledge Wendy’s husband and prominent disability advocate, Robert Altamore, and Wendy’s friend Robert, who are both with us this afternoon in the chamber, and her family members and friends who are watching via the livestream.

Wendy was born on 3 November 1957 to Jim and Beryl Scully in Sydney. Although Wendy faced a number of lifelong health challenges, including asthma, poor vision, diabetes, and heart and kidney disease, she never let any of that get in the way of her doing what she wanted to do in serving her community. Having asthma led her to take up swimming, and she developed into a very talented backstroker. As a teenager, she trained in Forbes Carlile’s swimming squad and reached the New South Wales state championship level.

Growing up, Wendy was a keen horserider and tennis player, and joined her father and brother on the golf course, too. As an active member of her local Anglican Church community, Wendy demonstrated from an early age her commitment to serving and helping others.

Wendy went on to complete a Bachelor of Education in English literature and history, before moving to Canberra in 1981, at which time she taught at St Edmund’s and St Clare’s Catholic schools. She went on to become a relief teacher in numerous ACT schools, where she taught English literature, drama and remedial English.

Wendy also joined the YWCA, where she made many friends. One of those friends introduced her to Robert, who she married in 1985. Wendy and Robert lived in Lyons, before moving to Stirling. Wendy made many lifelong friends amongst her local community here in Canberra and throughout Australia, especially through the Canberra Blind Society and Blind Citizens Australia.

Wendy became more than just a friend to many. She became a trusted companion who helped vision-impaired people with everyday tasks. She would read them their mail, help them to get around and look after them when they needed it. Both Wendy and Robert became involved in Radio 1RPH, a wonderful community service that turns print into sound for listeners across Canberra and regional New South Wales. It is an organisation that many of us in the chamber are very familiar with. I have been a volunteer, and I know Ms Cheyne has. Mrs Dunne, a former Speaker, was also a great champion. I have spoken about Radio 1RPH many times in this chamber.

Many of you will be aware of Robert’s long-time involvement with Radio 1RPH, but Wendy also had a long association with the organisation. Wendy produced the Christian program for 40 years, right until her death earlier this year. It was an incredible achievement, and a valuable one to so many.

From her early days at Radio 1RPH, Wendy quickly became an integral part of the organisation. She would organise the social events, from small morning teas to large fundraisers. She was a much loved and respected member of the team, and well regarded for her very sharp organisational skills.

Another organisation close to her and Robert’s hearts was the Canberra Friends of Dili, which was an organisation that encouraged mutual educational, cultural and business connections between the capitals of Australia and Timor-Leste and promoted the Canberra-Dili friendship city relationship.

Wendy and Robert were both heavily involved—Robert as treasurer and Wendy working to raise funds—in helping the work of the Ryder-Cheshire home, which provided relief for ill and disabled Timorese people who were displaced from their homes, the Alola Foundation, and many other organisations that provided medical services, education and training for women, girls and young people in Timor-Leste.

Despite the many health challenges that Wendy had, Wendy lived a full and wonderful life. She loved living in Canberra, and her work in the community helped her to make lifelong friends with whom she shared her love of literature and the arts, and her passion for serving and helping others.

Wendy made a huge contribution throughout Canberra with her tireless community service and her commitment to helping others, and she will be missed by so many. I extend my sincerest condolences to Wendy’s husband, Robert, her friend Robert, who is joining us as well, her many family and friends, many of whom are watching via the livestream, and the many Canberrans who have been enriched by having Wendy in their lives.

Thursday 15 May 2025
Adjournment - Speech

In the entirety of my time in politics, I have heard time and time again that Canberra is a Labor town. But I reject this, and the evidence rejects this. Canberrans have voted Liberal and are willing to vote Liberal. We have seen Liberal chief ministers, albeit not for some time. Even in the last ACT election just six months ago, less than 2,000 votes, or 0.7 per cent, separated us and Labor.

But no-one can deny the devastating result for the Liberal Party on 3 May. As former Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham said in his deep reflection on this election result:

A Liberal Party fit for the future will need to reconnect with and represent liberal ideology, belief and thinking in a new and modern context. Australians still seek all of the freedoms that liberalism stands for. Freedoms of belief, worship, family, enterprise and ownership.

He went on to say:

Beyond the presentation of ideology, there must be a reshaping of the party to connect it with the modern Australian community. Based on who’s not voting Liberal, it must start with women. Based on where they’re not voting Liberal, it must focus on metropolitan Australia.

I turn to what some would describe as a controversial topic, and that is quotas. I say at the outset that I am incredibly proud of the record of the Canberra Liberals when it comes to the representation of women in our local party. We became the first party in the ACT—not just the first Liberal Party division, but the first and so far the only party in the ACT—to boast an all-female leadership team, and we had a femalemajority party room last term. And it is not just recent history. When Kate Carnell became Chief Minister back in the 1990s, she became the first female leader of a Liberal government in the country. Today I acknowledge the historic milestone that we now have the first female leader of the federal Liberal Party. It is a sad indictment, however, that it took too long.

Charlotte Mortlock, creator of the Hilma’s Network, to encourage and promote women from the Liberal and national ranks into politics, has launched a petition calling for the Liberal Party to adopt quotas and, whilst doing so, acknowledges that quotas are not ideal but they are “a pragmatic response to an existential threat”. As Claire Lehmann, from the Australian, points out:

The choice for the party is not between quotas and purity—it’s between quotas and irrelevance.

I do not believe that quotas are the endpoint or the answer, but quotas are a mechanism to get to where we need to be—equal representation of women in parliament—because it is clear that our mechanisms have not worked. Charlotte also goes on to quote former Deputy Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party Ron Phillips, who, back in 1995—some 30 years ago—said:

We have all been conned if anyone thinks that success in politics is based on merit alone. A cursory glance around the parliaments of this country should free anyone from the misapprehension of merit being the primary guiding principle of getting into parliament.

In fact, men only started to talk about the importance of merit when women began to contest selection in numbers. So women should not let merit get in the way of getting into parliament. Men don’t.

He goes on to say:

Ever since the establishment of the liberal party, women have been constitutionally guaranteed equal representation … and affirmative action is nothing new for us or for Robert Menzies.

Robert Menzies, of course, himself was a strident and public advocate for gender equality. It seems extraordinary that it was back in 1946 when he said:

I hope that the time will speedily come when we can say truthfully that there is no sex discrimination in public or private office, in political or industrial opportunity. We are all, men and women, citizens with a common interest and a common task.

Almost 60 years on, this must be more than just hope.

I congratulate Sussan Ley on her election as leader of our party. Sussan has a deep connection to Canberra, having attended Campbell high and Dickson College, and was an incredible support to me during my time as leader. The challenges she will face are enormous and, while some of her greatest champions will bemoan the glass cliff she has been thrust upon, the rebuilding of our party must start with a step in the right direction, and that is what the federal party has done. I conclude, Mr Speaker, with Sussan’s own words:

We have to have a Liberal Party that respects modern Australia, that reflects modern Australia, and that represents modern Australia. We need to meet the people where they are, and that is what I am committed to doing.

Tuesday 13 May 2025
Motion - Speaking to the Motion

I had not planned on speaking to this motion, but I was inspired after listening to the contributions from Mr Steel and you, Mr Assistant Speaker, Mr Werner-Gibbings. Obviously, I do not live in Tuggeranong, but I did have the privilege of visiting Tuggeranong on a number of occasions during the election campaign. Without doubt, the most common thread that came through from people who would talk to us was how neglected they felt. That came through time and time and time again. In fact, even the Chief Minister actually admitted after the election that it was clear that ACT Labor did have to listen to the people of Tuggeranong and that they spoke loudly at the ballot box at the 2024 election. So it is something that has been on the radar for quite some time. In fact, you took all of the advantages of talking about how a fresh voice for Tuggeranong is exactly what this Assembly needed. You are very aware of how Tuggeranong has been neglected for a long time.

Mr Steel stood up and said, “How dare you, members of the opposition, be so condescending and not take this seriously. How insulting to the people of Tuggeranong!” If he wants to see what condescending is, perhaps he needs to reread his speech, because, after decades of constant crying to have a little bit of support in Tuggeranong, to have the minister stand up and basically say, “We have been doing great things for Tuggeranong,” is the greatest insult. If he wants to see someone who is condescending and not taking this seriously, then I would suggest that he has a look in the mirror. But I will give him credit for one thing. After Mr Parton pointed out the very silly drinking game that you could all play, when he says the words, “We are getting on with the job,” he did have the creativity to change it to, “We are getting on with delivering for Tuggeranong.” So there is some credit where credit is due.

Mr Assistant Speaker, you spoke about favourite children and how you need to make sure that you deliver for the child that needs it most. I might not disagree 100 per cent on that, but how long does this child in need have to cry out for support before a parent will act? Is it a year? Is it four years? Or is it 24 years and counting? It is all very good to stand up and say, “Yes, we are calling for things in Tuggeranong because it has more need than the newer parts,” but how long have the people of Tuggeranong been calling out for support from this government?

I am optimistic, because I think it is clear, with two new Labor backbench members, that you are at least trying to raise the topic in this place—because, by golly, after decades of two Labor members who were ministers, they did not get much at all. Ms Morris laid out beautifully, time and time again, how many times the ACT Labor government has broken its promises when it comes to delivering for Tuggeranong on the duplication of Athllon Drive. I do not think a single person was in any doubt about the timing of all these announcements. It happens to coincide with when there is an election coming. All the local candidates and members say, “Look at this; this is what we are going to do.”

I point out that there is one thing that I disagree with in Mr Parton’s contribution. He spoke about Tuggeranong and the electorate of Brindabella being the least-favourite child or the most neglected. I will have to disagree and say that it must be Oaks Estate, in my electorate. As we saw, after decades of neglect and after putting on the record, once again, all of the things that they have supposedly done for Oaks Estate, the proof is of course in the pudding. Once again, we look at a motion that is brought by the Labor Party to be seen to be doing something. So, while there is of course support from the Liberals on this motion, once again the proof is in the pudding, and I have no doubt that Ms Morris and Mr Parton will hold the Labor government to account.

Wednesday 7 May 2025
Motion - Speaking in Support of the Motion

I rise to speak in support of Ms Barry’s motion and thank her for bringing this important topic for debate today. I acknowledge the many members of the community sector who have joined us in the chamber; many of you who I, of course, recognise because I have had the privilege of meeting many of you in my time here.

The community sector is an integral part of the ACT community. It makes a significant and essential contribution to Canberra and its social, emotional and economic wellbeing. They provide vital services in supporting the most vulnerable in our community and are crucial in creating a more resilient and thriving Canberra.

But for too long they have been taken for granted by this ACT government. With the cost of living spiralling over recent years, demand for their services has significantly increased but support for our community sector has not kept up with this growing demand. Over the past year we have heard from a variety of community sector groups that they are experiencing a significant increase in people on wages accessing their services for the very first time. We have also heard from groups that they are seeing requests from people who have previously been supporters or donors.

Roundabout Canberra, an organisation that provides essential baby and children items to families in need, said, “We continued to see families where one or both parents were working, yet it was not enough to cover essentials and they are having to access support for the first time.” Care Financial Counselling has also seen a large increase in people accessing their services, including from people who have never previously had to access support. The St Vincent de Paul Society has also witnessed an increase in demand for their services. They have spoken about how they are seeing new groups of people seeking assistance for the first time such as mortgage holders, private renters and dual income households, as cost-of-living pressures affect a broader section of society.

Let us take, for example, a great local organisation, Fearless Women, who provide such important support for vulnerable young women. I know Ms Barry sponsored a petition recently to ensure their funding is also ongoing so they can continue to provide that service. We also have Kidsafe, a very much loved Canberra institution dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to our children, struggling to keep their doors open. Like many other sector organisations, funding has not kept up with demand or spiralling costs, and despite these groups’ repeated appeals to this ACT government, it seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

Of course, these are just a few. There are so many other community organisations that are in the same situation, and I cannot do justice to all of their hard work and their strong advocacy on behalf of the community. Community sector staff are also struggling to keep up with this increased demand. According to the ACT Council of Social Service, community sector staff reported exhaustion, burnout, and difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff. These are serious issues that are undermining the entire sector’s capacity and long-term sustainability.

I was interested to hear Mr Emerson refer to Canberra Community Law because, sadly, some of the concerns that have been raised which are the subject of Ms Barry’s motion are not new. In July 2021, I brought a motion in this Assembly calling on the ACT government to urgently provide funding certainty for Canberra Community Law. This is a community organisation that had been providing free legal services for Canberrans on low incomes for well over 30 years, specialising in public housing, Centrelink, and race and disability discrimination. During that debate, I said:

I bring this motion today because it is my duty to stand up for and be a voice for some of the most vulnerable members of our community and those Canberrans who rely on the services and support that CCL provide. These are the Canberrans that, without the services provided by CCL, will be denied access to justice, will be denied basic but vital legal advice and representation. This vitally important organisation must get certainty of funding going forward from the ACT government as soon as possible, so that they can keep providing these free and vital services to the most vulnerable members of our community.

I also want to go to some of the contributions that the minister made in this debate. She spoke about how, of course, not everyone can get what they want and that for every organisation that does receive some funding, that another will, of course, miss out. Now, the sector is resilient, it is professional and it respects and understands that of course they are not going to get 100 per cent of what they ask for 100 per cent of the time. But what this government can do to show respect to the sector, to show the sector that it does value the important work that they do, is to deliver transparency when it comes to the decisions they make about funding and show the courtesy of letting the organisations know about their funding proposals so they can actually make some plans within the constraints of an already stretched budget. We have heard from organisations over and over again about how they are left in limbo, that they are not told, sometimes within weeks of their funding actually running out, and they have no idea whether they will be able to continue certain programs and the work they are delivering.

The other thing the minister sought to reassure everyone in the chamber, as well as the community, is that there is no impact on any community organisation, in relation to the decisions that are made about their funding, based on whether they speak up or not. Now, I have no reason to doubt the minister’s words on this, but the fact is that the fear is real, the fear is there and it must be addressed. The way the ACT government can do this is to ensure they act in a way that will genuinely assure the community organisations that they are not going to be negatively impacted if they speak up.

The community sector needs to be valued. It needs to have certainty and it needs the investment from government that reflects the important contribution that it makes to our city and to our community. I thank and applaud Ms Barry in bringing this motion for debate today and thank all members from all different political stripes for the genuine and collaborative way in which we have been able to come to an agreement. As shadow minister for community services, Ms Barry has been a passionate advocate for the important work this sector delivers for our community and I am very pleased to stand in support of her motion. I also, once again, thank all members of the community sector for the important work that you do. So many times I think that you are asked to do more and more with less and less, and we know that you keep going. I have heard directly that you keep going because you have no other option, and for that, we thank you.

Tuesday 6 May 2025
Motion - Speaking in Principle as Mover

View the Motion: Oaks Estate Strategic Plan - Motion

Oaks Estate has a rich history. It takes its name from “the Oaks”, which formed part of Robert Campbell’s original farm, Duntroon. It is surrounded by beautiful bush. It is home to an abundance of native wildlife and houses the historic Queanbeyan railway station. Houses in Oaks Estate sit on large blocks, and its rural setting is an opportunity for families who are looking for more affordable housing that is close to both Canberra and Queanbeyan.

It is a small suburb, home to just over 375 Canberrans. Because of its proximity to Queanbeyan, I am sure many Canberrans are probably not even aware that it forms part of the ACT. But it does. Its residents and home owners are part of our community. They pay their rates and taxes, and they contribute to our local economy.

But the people of Oaks Estate rightly feel that they have been forgotten by this ACT Labor government. For years, they have been forced to deal with issues and a lack of basic government services that Canberrans in any other part of our territory would not accept. I refer to ongoing community safety issues, a basic lack of essential government services, including adequate public transport, or any public transport, access to schools near where they live, and neglect of maintenance in their suburb, including in Housing ACT stock. Limited access to health and other essential support services and a poorly maintained large public housing stock add to the grievances of the residents of Oaks Estate.

When I received the letter from the president of the Oaks Estate Residents Association, Fiona MacGregor, I got a strong sense of déjà vu, because these issues are not new. In fact, these issues were raised in this very chamber by my predecessor the late Steve Doszpot back in March 2015, when he moved a motion which raised very similar issues to the issues that are contained in today’s motion. Mr Doszpot was a great champion of the residents of Oaks Estate because he was a great local member. Being the great champion that he was, he advocated strongly for the people of Oaks Estate and the issues that had been neglected for far too long.

In his motion back in March 2015, he spoke about the issues that the local community had raised time and again with him, including the rising levels of crime, lack of public transport, increasing social disadvantage, and the lack of basic services for the local community. In speaking to his motion, Mr Doszpot said:

The residents at Oaks Estate are used to this. As the article suggested, they rarely complain and are proud of where they live. They have a grudging acceptance that they are rarely paid much attention by the ACT government or its bureaucrats.

Mr Doszpot went on to say:

The issues affecting Oaks Estate are not new. They have been identified in successive planning studies, and each time recommendations are agreed, they appear to get conveniently shelved until the next round of consultation or committee engagement and planning.

As I said, these comments were made by the late Steve Doszpot over a decade ago, in March 2015, yet here we are, more than 10 years later, sadly, still having to talk about the same issues because nothing, it seems, has changed.

Since being elected as a member for Kurrajong in 2016, I have lobbied a number of ACT ministers on a number of occasions on behalf of the residents of Oaks Estate, on public safety issues; concerns about the management and quality of the public housing stock; the lack of suitable—or any—public transport; and access to basic community facilities, like the community hall that they have there, and which they are not able to use to hold their meetings and community functions. As a member for Kurrajong, I also lobbied federal government ministers for crucial black-spot funding, and all of these requests have fallen on deaf ears.

This motion is, in a way, historic. Having tripartisan support for action shows how important these issues are and shows that this is not a political issue. The residents of Oaks Estate deserve so much more and so much better than that. I know that Mr Rattenbury has previously advocated for better services for the people of Oaks Estate, raising concerns about the social isolation of the vulnerable people who live there. And I welcome the actions and advocacy of Mr Emerson, as a new member for Kurrajong, on behalf of the people of Oaks Estate.

This motion is fairly simple. It is seeking an acknowledgement of the serious issues that the people of Oaks Estate have been dealing with for years—some issues for decades— and that have not been taken seriously by this ACT Labor government. Importantly, it is calling for action. It is calling for a five-year strategic plan to holistically address the problems that are entrenched in Oaks Estate. It is calling for that strategic plan to be developed in consultation with the residents of Oaks Estate, not separate from them.

The residents of Oaks Estate have been neglected for decades. The residents of Oaks Estate feel that their voices have not been heard. They are proud people. They love where they live, but they are saddened by the neglect and lack of basic government services from this Labor government.

This is Canberra. These people are part of our community. They pay their taxes; they pay their rates and contribute to our local economy. And they deserve so much more than what they are currently getting.

In closing, I thank Fiona MacGregor, the president of the Oaks Estate Residents Association, for her passionate and long-term advocacy on behalf of the residents of Oaks Estate. I also acknowledge Bronwyn Spackman and other members of the Oaks Estate Residents Association, and Colin Walters and members of the Inner South Canberra Community Council, for their work in lobbying and advocating for these very local and important issues.

I also take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge the previous chairs, presidents and heads of the Oaks Estate residents representative groups who engaged with various members representing Oaks Estate—Michael Starling and Kate Gauthier, for their longstanding advocacy on behalf of their local community.

I spoke earlier about the strong and passionate advocacy for the people of Oaks Estate by the late Steve Doszpot, and I conclude my opening statement with words directly from Mr Doszpot: “All Canberrans, no matter where they live, deserve proper local services, and we are committed to services for Oaks Estate.”

I commend this motion to the Assembly.

Tuesday 6 May 2025
Petition - Speaking to the Petition

I rise to speak briefly in support of the petition that has been brought forward by Mr Rattenbury—and I thank him for doing that on behalf of many Lyneham residents—about a new gym for Lyneham High School. As has been noted by the petitioners, as well as Mr Rattenbury in his speech, the population of the inner north is growing rapidly and is expected to double in the next 35 years.

Lyneham High School is at 90 per cent capacity, which means that the current gym is not fit for purpose. Even the ACT Labor government recognised this, saying in the leadup to the 2020 election that it is not up to standard and that it is not servicing the growing number of students at that school, and it promised to replace the old gym. Planning was underway and the whole school community was invested and excited about a new facility that would benefit not only the school but also the broader local community. However, not surprisingly to many, as it is the increasing pattern that we see, the ACT Labor government backtracked on that promise and has now only promised to refurbish the existing gym, without any consultation and without any satisfactory explanation to the community. This is not just about having a large enough space for the growing school, which of course is a huge factor, but also, as the petition outlines, the gym does not even meet current safety standards outlined by the National Construction Code, as there is not enough space between the court markings and the wall.

The school and the broader community at Lyneham have been calling for a new gym. Last year, I met with José Robertson, the president of the Lyneham High School P&C Association. Also, a number of parents, students and local residents expressed to me their strong disappointment and their frustration about the Labor government’s decision not to proceed with their promise of delivering a new gym at Lyneham High School. At the time, José also highlighted that the new gym would be a facility that the whole community could utilise and enjoy; it would not just be of benefit to the school community.

I am pleased to see that this petition was signed by over 560 people. I am hopeful that this will demonstrate the strong support in the community for the much-needed facility that can be used in the inner north of Canberra, which, as I stated, is growing rapidly. Also, I acknowledge the students, who were the brains behind the petition and thank them for their advocacy. As Mr Rattenbury pointed out, some of them are even leaving the school. It goes to show how passionate they are about their school and their local community, putting effort into getting over 560 signatures for this petition. I commend the petition to the Assembly.