Ann Sudmalis (Gilmore, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Matters of public importance are supposed to be just that: matters of importance, not a cowardly attack on achievements or a person individually. But I have learned over the past couple of years that Labor only cares about the negative, not the positive. Labor determines success by acts of bullying rather than the skills of negotiation and conciliation. So let's do what I love best, and that is talking about the positive. It actually goes on very well with the theme set by the last speaker. Monty Python said, 'Always look on the bright side of life.' So let's do all those things and look there. We need to look at the activities, outcomes and achievements of the Turnbull government, because, in reality, to look at the positive is easier, it is better for our nation and it is better for our people.

From spring last year to spring now, we know that we are an economic aspiration for other developed nations, with our strong economy and strengthening budget measures. Our economic growth has gotten to 3.3 per cent, meaning that we now have faster growth than any of the G7 economies.

We have legislated some of the world's toughest measures relating to multinational tax avoidance, which has been a hot issue locally, that my local people requested to make some of the huge profit making international businesses pay the correct amount of tax. We have put legislation in place so that the small businesses, like my local IGAs, will be able to have a fair go at competing against big businesses, which helps them to keep their market share.

On the national front, almost 220,000 jobs have been created over the past year, with more than 60 per cent of these jobs going to women. Let me tell those who sit opposite: getting women into work is a catalyst of social change, particularly in rural and regional areas. Those sitting opposite will whinge and complain that a large proportion of the jobs gained are only part time. Many of the unemployed people in Gilmore would love to get part-time work, as it gives them a balance to their other favourite activities.

Getting rid of Labor's so-called Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal has meant my local owner drivers can get back on the road. Mark and Allen, my dairy farmers, and the drivers for the meat processing works are unbelievably pleased about saving both their rigs and their mortgages.

I cannot wait for the PaTH program to start, and neither can a number of businesses and job seekers living in my electorate. Preparing, trialling and then perhaps getting hired for a job is a great strategy for young people living in families where there is no role model of a working adult.

Yesterday at HMAS Albatross, the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, along with hundreds of Navy personnel under the command of Captain Simon Bateman and our newly appointed Commodore Chris Smallhorn of the Fleet Air Arm, took delivery of our last MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' helicopter. That brings 24 to our local base. Their trained crews and families number in the hundreds. This completes the first half a billion dollars of investment into my local Navy base. There is another half a billion dollars to come, included in the already begun program of unmanned defence technology piloted by our local, very-skilled Defence workforce. We have put legislation through to crack down on terrorists and keep our people safe.

We have made strong progress on the NBN, with over three million Australian premises now being able to connect to the NBN, which is over 1.2 million Australian homes and businesses as active customers. The new NBN Sky Muster satellite service is delivering high-speed broadband. Let me tell you: I have all three types of NBN in my area, and that is including 31,855 ready-for-service homes and businesses in Gilmore.

As for our trade agreements with China, Japan and South Korea—well, what can I say? I have wine growers, shellfish farmers, dairy farmers and even mushroom growers, skin-care manufacturers like Nowchem, and alpaca meat processors all champing at the bit to get into the game of making money from exports.

We have made many medicines cheaper and added life-saving drugs, including those for breast cancer and melanoma, to the PBS. In November this year, one of my favourites will be added—the vaccination against shingles for people aged between 70 and 79. In Gilmore, we have Waminda, an Indigenous women's health network getting great outcomes. They got $764,000 over three years. I worked hard for the $2 million for Triple Care Farm for their youth detox centre.

We are investing more in localised mental health care and support. In particular, we have the $2 million development at the UOW Shoalhaven campus to help with mental health care. It is now going to be the call centre for Lifeline. In addition, we are implementing our National Ice Action Strategy, including almost $300 million over four years to improve treatment.

I think we have done a lot in just a year, and it is all for the people of Australia and our national feeling of success. We are absolutely going to look on the bright side of life.

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