Perin Davey (NSW, National Party, Shadow Minister for Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to talk about a great charity I am participating in called STEPtember. Every 20 hours in Australia, an Australian is diagnosed with cerebral palsy. It is the most common physical disability in childhood in Australia. When I was younger, my Sunday school teacher had severe cerebral palsy. I learned from her that people deserve to get as much out of life as possible. This is why I've joined STEPtember. I know many people with cerebral palsy. My fundraising will go to multiple initiatives to support the cerebral palsy community such as essential research, telepractice, youth programs, babies at risk and rural and regional support, which is vital.

The aim of STEPtember is that you sponsor me to get to 10,000 steps every day. During a parliamentary sitting period it is so simple; I'm getting well and truly above my 10,000 steps. For non-sitting periods it's a little bit more challenging, and on Saturdays it's damn near impossible.

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What are you doing on Saturdays?

Perin Davey (NSW, National Party, Shadow Minister for Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Jammie day is Saturday—that should be the next charity I work for!

I want to promote this initiative and I want to ensure that, even if my steps fall short, my fundraising target is met. I will be posting this speech on my Facebook page with the link to the donations. This is a great charity, and it helps many people's lives. In fact, one of the first things I did when I was a senator was assist a young girl in my town with cerebral palsy to get education support so she could sit her HSC. She's now about to graduate from university. It's these sorts of things we want to promote.