Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm thankful for the people who work in this place supporting the parliament to do its work. From the clerks to the drivers and all the way up to the Library, nothing here could really happen without their collective professionalism.

I'm thankful to the people of Hasluck. I thank the community organisations, the sporting clubs, the RSLs, the councils—mayors and councillors—my state colleagues, the many Indigenous organisations I have walked beside, the schools, teachers and families, and the thousands who have called, emailed and walked into my offices in Ellenbrook and in Midland. I say a sorry farewell to the constituents of the Perth Hills, whom, by way of redistribution, I leave behind. I'm consoled by the fact that I still live among you and that you have the chance to elect Mundaring councillor and deputy president Trish Cook, who will be a marvellous representative for the seat of Bullwinkel.

To the voters of Hasluck in the coming election, I promise more of the same: forthright representation, government with integrity and a willingness to continue to grapple earnestly with the issues and challenges that face us in 2025 and beyond. I want the people of Hasluck to remember and contrast the shambolic LNP governments of the decades before this one. The Albanese government has been a model of propriety and restraint, with consistent leadership, building bridges across the globe, nation-building legislation across portfolios, no scandals, no sackings, and no cuts—including no secret cuts. The government has brought down two budget surpluses, whereas the LNP couldn't manage one. It brought down inflation, set climate targets in legislation and moved towards those targets. We've improved the nation's health and education funding and made work, pay and tax fairer and better for millions.

Yesterday I met with Rosanna and other union members here at the House. Rosie is a member of the SDA and works at one of our major hardware retailers. Poor customer behaviour is just the beginning of the issues faced by retail workers in many workplaces across Australia. No-one deserves a serve. With action by the SDA, Rosie's workplace organised a quick way to respond to issues in the workplace, with a code word, to intervene in cases of bad behaviour before it turns worse or violent. Rosie not only has joined the SDA but also is a workplace delegate for the union to keep her work mates safe. I discussed the government's Fair Work changes with Rosie and heard how much she appreciated a government that has not only listened to workers but also acted on representing workers' rights to make workplaces fairer and to make pay and conditions better.