Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As parliament winds up for the year, as school students begin their holidays and Australians begin their holidays, I wish to pay tribute to and thank those who will volunteer their time over the course of these summer holidays to keep us Australians safe—in particular, our volunteer surf lifesavers, rural firefighters, volunteer firefighters and the SES, who give of their time, who spend time away from their families, just to keep us safe over the summer holidays. Australians love being around the water, and most holidays will involve going to the beach or one of our fantastic rivers and waterways. I say to the Australian people: please stay safe around the water this summer. If you're heading to the beach, make sure you swim at a patrolled beach. Please swim between the red and yellow flags and always obey the instructions of lifesavers. Don't let a trip to the beach this summer turn into a tragedy. Stay safe around the beach.

I'd also like to pay tribute to those who will give of their time and work over these summer holidays—in particular the emergency services, police, firies and ambos who will keep us safe and those who work in our hospitals. Thank you for spending time away from your families to keep us safe during this summer period. Everyone, enjoy the summer holidays but please stay safe. Thank you again to our volunteers.