Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As we charge towards the end of the year and the busy school holiday period, I'd like to reflect on what my electorate of Cowper has achieved over the past 12 months and what we're about to achieve. The Mid North Coast has rallied together and supported one another through some of the region's most difficult times. Like everyone else, we had to deal with COVID-19 and the repetition of lockdowns. But we also had to battle devastating floods in March, which many are still recovering from. The usual sense of solidarity and the community-minded spirit has persevered throughout. We rolled up our sleeves and lent a hand to the clean-up after our natural disasters, and then we rolled up our sleeves to get the jab, with the Mid North Coast population achieving 95 per cent fully vaccinated well ahead of the state average, to keep our friends and family safe and keep our businesses open.

Now it's time once again to prioritise and support our own. I urge everyone to buy local and shop local, go to our local cafes and local restaurants. Our world-class and homegrown businesses are ready and waiting for the season's influx like no other. It's up to us to ensure that they finish on a high at the end of this year. I wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and I look forward to seeing the best region in Australia turning it on for their tourists.

Andrew Wallace (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.