Andrew Gee (Calare, National Party, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

As we head into this Christmas period, it is a time to reflect on all that this parliament has achieved over the last 12 months—and there have been many achievements of this government, although it's not the purpose of my contribution this afternoon to recount and go into all of those achievements. But it's also a chance to look into the future and what this next period—what we might call the holiday season—holds. For our country communities, it holds concerns. We are very concerned about this ongoing drought that continues to creep across country Australia and strangle our country communities. Many of our communities have not had significant rain now for years. Many either have run out of water or are on the verge of running out of water. As we head into this Christmas season, we are met with a great deal of concern from people in country New South Wales and country Australia. It is shaping up to be a very long, hot, dry summer. We reflect on the strain that has already been put on our emergency services personnel. One of the great things that Australians do when times are tough and the chips are down is that we come together and support each other, and we're particularly good at that in country Australia.

So, as we head into this Christmas season, I would just like to wish all of our country communities, particularly our farmers and our farm related businesses, the best, and let them know that the thoughts of this House are with them.

I would particularly like to let all of our emergency services personnel know that they have the thanks and appreciation of our communities, because in New South Wales, I know, and all over Australia they have been contributing to the recent bushfire efforts. It has been inspirational. So I wish them a quiet Christmas, although with all fear that it may not be so. To all of those hardworking men and women out there, our first responders, can I just wish you all the best and pass on the heartfelt thanks of a grateful community and a grateful country.

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