Allegra Spender (Wentworth, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Wentworth is fortunate to have some wonderful schools, but options for a public high school education are thin on the ground. Whilst half the kids in my area attend public primary schools, less than one in five continue on to high school in the state system. This isn't because there's a lack of demand. In a 2023 survey by CLOSEast, three-quarters of parents said they'd prefer to send their kids to a co-ed public high school, but the options just aren't there, and now many families are struggling with the cost of school fees, with some even moving out of the area as a result. Whilst I'm thrilled that community pressure has delivered a $42 million investment in an upgraded co-ed public high school in Randwick, it's clear we need more options.

That's why I've been working with a local architect and expert in urban school design—to develop a vision for a new high school in the east. The options are incredibly exciting, but we need the state government to back us because time is running out. Much of the available land in the east is already slated for development, and new opportunities are very hard to come by. So I urge the state government to listen to the concerns of Wentworth parents and work with me and the state member for Sydney to deliver a better future for high school public education in Sydney's east.

Last month I invited leaders from every faith community in Wentworth to the Bondi surf club to discuss the issues that are most important to their communities. The meeting gave rabbis, ministers, priests and congregation leaders the opportunity to compare notes, meet each other and share the challenges they face. We discussed many of the same issues that we discuss here in parliament: the cost of living, antisemitism, hate crimes and vandalism. But we also covered spiritual issues that these leaders face every day with their communities and congregations: the lack of connection that many Australians grapple with, the pressure on the time of young families and how they find it so difficult to connect, the distorting impact of pornography on families and on young people, and the need to find different ways to discuss our different perspectives with civility and respect.

I want to extend my thanks to all those who joined us from Emanuel Synagogue, Sydney Friendship Circle, Lugar Brae Uniting, church at the beach, St Margaret Mary's, Uniting Heart and Soul, Greek Orthodox Parish of St George, St Matthias, Hillsong Bondi, Bondi Mizrachi Synagogue, St Mary Magdalene, St Patrick's, St Stephen's and Wellspring Community.

There has been significant national focus on the challenges we face around faith and social cohesion, and so I also want to put on the record my support for the statement made by leaders from Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and every faith in between who came together last week through the NSW Faith Affairs Council to stand united for the common humanity we all share.

It has been a huge month for the oval-ball sports teams in Sydney's eastern suburbs, and I want to acknowledge the tremendous efforts across the codes this year. Easts Rugby club overcame a 55-year drought to win the nail-biting final of the men's Shute Shield with a 36-35 win over Norths. This was just one of the six grand finals that Easts Rugby were in, with the club also picking up wins in the 1st and 3rd Colts as well as the 4th grade men's.

In women's rugby league, the Roosters women took out the NRLW in a hard fought grand final on Sunday, beating the Sharks 32-28. A special shout-out to Olivia Kernick, who not only scored two tries but also picked up the NRLW Dally M medal for an outstanding season. The Roosters men also had a great run this year but unfortunately bowed out in the preliminary final against Melbourne Storm.

Last but not least, the Sydney Swans have had an incredible season, winning the minor premiership but ultimately unable to wrap up the grand final the weekend before last.

Well done for a great year of sport, and let's do it all again in 2025. And good luck to the women's Swans team, who are still going in their season.