Katie Allen (Higgins, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to honour the recipients of Australia Day honours in 2020—in particular, the women in my electorate. This year, across Australia, 43 per cent of those who received Australia Day honours were women—a record number. I'm pleased to inform the House that in my electorate of Higgins that number was 63 per cent. I'm proud to celebrate the achievements of so many women in Higgins. Last week I spoke of three women involved in health, science and education who live in my electorate. This week I will take the House's indulgence to speak of three more women who are contributing greatly to the cultural, arts and social spheres of Australia.

Jane Hansen AO received an honour 'for distinguished service to the community, to education and cultural institutions, and through philanthropic support for charitable foundations'. Among a myriad of different achievements, Jane began the First Peoples Young Artists Program, which gives Aboriginal children an opportunity to start a career in the performing arts. Seri Renkin OAM received her award 'for service to the community through charitable organisations'. Seri has achieved amazing work with the Ten20 Foundation, which works to solve some of society's biggest issues for disadvantaged families and to support and advocate for vulnerable children. Rose Lew AM has received her honour 'for significant service to the community, and to philanthropy'. I thank all three women for their service to Higgins and to Australia.