Hollie Hughes (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As many of you know, last Friday was St Patrick's Day. I had the pleasure of attending a St Paddy's day lunch hosted by the Lansdowne Club. The Lansdowne Club was founded in 1986 by a group of Irish-born businesspeople, and today many of its members hold senior positions in Australia's largest corporations across a wide range of industries. While St Patrick's Day is a tradition that marks the passing of Ireland's foremost saint it is also the most celebrated holiday in the world. Ireland has influenced so many other countries with its history, its celebrations and, of course, its wonderful, gregarious, world-travelling people. Our close relationship with the Irish goes right back to modern Australia's beginnings. Many Irish men and women were among the first European settlers in Australia—many of them below deck when they arrived—and today a staggering 11 per cent, or 2.4 million, of Australians have identified their Irish heritage.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Including Acting Deputy President O'Neill!

Hollie Hughes (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I attended the lunch on Friday with Senator O'Neill, who is one of the great attendees of the Lansdowne lunch. Nearly 80,000 people who were born in Ireland also now call Australia home. Last year there were over 14,000 Irish citizens on working holidays here, so they continue to play a part in shaping our Australian way of life. Everyone from prime ministers and premiers to ministers, scientists, investors and jurists have all celebrated their Irish heritage. I want to honour our Irish-Australian community for their longstanding and continuing contribution to this country and its people. I apologise in advance for my Gaelic, and I will do this the best I can: slainte chuig na fir, agus go mairfidh na mna go deo—health to the men, and may the women live forever!

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I won't repeat my Irish in response! I call Senator Brown.