Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to give a warm welcome to parliament to two incredibly strong and capable Indigenous women from my electorate of O'Connor. Shire Councillor Betty Logan and Amanda Bennell, up in the gallery today, have travelled all the way from the Goldfields town of Coolgardie to be here for some of the important events this week. They are joined by Brian Champion Jr. Welcome, Brian. These amazing women were, only moments ago, acknowledged by the Prime Minister for their heartfelt representations towards bringing the cashless debit card to our Goldfields. Betty is a highly respected Ngadju woman. She has had a long and distinguished career as a nurse and, although now in well-deserved retirement, continues to fight for better health and welfare outcomes for her community. Amanda is an incredible young woman. Once a troubled teenager, like many, she put that behind her to forge a new career, serving her community, working with troubled children and adults and being a positive role model for the younger generation. Amanda and her Aunty Betty in their spare time take kids out onto country, teaching them bush craft, language and recorrecting them with their Aboriginal culture. But today what I want to thank these women for is their courage and determination in standing up for the cashless debit card, which they believe is right for their community—reducing the alcohol- and drug-fuelled harm they see destroying families; getting kids off the streets and into homes where they should feel safe and protected; money being spent on the essentials of life—food, clothes, shelter and transport; and, finally, hope for a brighter future for the most vulnerable in their community. Amanda and Betty, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.