Sharon Bird (Cunningham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Parliament needs to resume a more regular meeting pattern. All members need to be able to bring to the attention of this parliament, as we face an unprecedented national challenge from the pandemic, the concerns and feedback of our local electorates and constituents. Even this week's sitting provides extremely limited opportunities for this to be done. In my electorate, I wish to record feedback, in a constructive way, on issues with people who miss out on the JobKeeper scheme and on the need to understand the pressures on casual and other irregular workers, such as those in the entertainment industry. There are also serious issues in the childcare sector and for our universities. I will try to raise these in the limited opportunities we are provided.

I would like to finish by extending a deep thank you to all the amazing local workers who continue to provide their skills and dedication to our local community. On International Nurses Day, I acknowledge our nurses as well as medical and support staff. I also pay respect to the work of our educators across early education, schools, TAFEs and universities; retail workers; cleaners; transport workers; our mental health, homeless services and family and domestic violence workers; public servants, who are so significant; our union representatives protecting workers in difficult times—so many workers have stepped up, and I thank them. (Time expired)

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