13 February 2008
Maiden Speech in Parliament
I rise to speak for the first time as the Member for Macquarie.
I also acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Ngunnawal people.
Mr Speaker It has been my enormous privilege to represent the people of the Blue Mountains in the New South Wales state legislature for many years.
And it is now an even greater privilege to be the Labor member for a Macquarie electorate which again includes Lithgow, Bathurst and Oberon – the seat held by Ben Chifley. The seat of the man who fought the banks, who carried himself with extraordinary integrity through massive upheaval in the depression-affected Labor Party, who fought for a decent social security net for the unemployed, who was Curtin’s strongest supporter when a Labor government saw Australia through the second world war. The man who with great competence saw Australia through a dramatic period of post war reconstruction. We would not now endorse every one of his attitudes and views – he was of course a man of his time – but few would seek to deny his magnificent status in the history of this nation or the profound regard with which his memory is now held in my electorate.
The seat of Macquarie represents most, not quite all but most, of the spectrum of Australian society and opinion - our best guess has been that at the general election of 2004 the vote of the major parties in the subdivisions that make up the new seat was almost exactly evenly divided. The state seat of Blue Mountains – half of Macquarie – has not been out of Government for half a century. Mr Speaker, we reflect the mood of the nation.
Mr Speaker, we are not short of history in the seat of Macquarie. I am aware of evidence of Aboriginal occupation for around 25 000 years but it is almost certainly much longer – Daruk, Gundangurra, Wiradjiri .
Bathurst is the oldest European settlement west of the Great Divide – a Government House was erected there for Macquarie in 1817. The agricultural landscape of the Upper Macquarie Valley is the oldest in the nation. (The agricultural landscape in the Oberon Shire might well be the most beautiful) William Cox had built a road across the Blue Mountains by January 1815. Charles Darwin travelled from Sydney to Bathurst in 1836 and made some very good observations on the geomorphology of the Blue Mountains. In 1851 the Australian gold rushes began near Bathurst. Lithgow is a cradle of Australian industry, the ironworks established in1875 were transferred to Port Kembla in 1928. Thomas Sutcliffe Mort established an abattoir and freezing works in 1873. The Blue Mountains saw the beginning of the modern tourism industry. The conservation movement in Australia may be said to have begun with the early attempts to preserve what has now become the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park.
Chifley won this seat in 1928 and lost it by the narrowest of margins as Minister for Defence in 1931 when the Scullin government was swept from power. Having lost my own seat, as a state minister, in 1988 by an even narrower margin – through the combined efforts of anti gun control campaigners and extremists opposed to homosexual law reform – I hope I have some limited insight into what Chifley then experienced as he struggled through the 1930s, finally recaptured the seat in 1940 and of course famously served the people of his electorate until his death in 1951 when he was replaced by Tony Luchetti for the ALP – Malcolm Mackerras calculated that Tony’s personal vote was twice as high as that of any other member of the house – and he served until 1975.
I knew Tony Luchetti as I have known later members for Macquarie and Calare. David Simmons and Ross Free became ministers in the Hawke Government. Maggie Deahm, Member for Macquarie 1993-1996 staffed a polling booth for me at the last election. Alistair Webster, Liberal member 1984 – 1993 is still active locally. Kerry Bartlett, was my Liberal opponent at the last election and I salute him for his hard and fair campaign.
Mr Speaker, Peter Andren, Member for Calare from 1996 - 2007 had all those high qualities that were so sincerely described in yesterday’s condolence motion by the Prime Minster and the Member for New England. Nobody campaigning as I did in Bathurst and Lithgow could have the slightest doubt that Peter was a man of profound integrity at both a political and personal level, or that his constituents were almost universally of that opinion. I honour him and I believe that serious practitioners of politics will be learning from him for years to come.
Mr Speaker, This is my third or fourth career. I have been a journalist, a lawyer and a politician, I think I can safely say three of the most commonly – and unfairly – derided professions in our culture. I have indeed seen the worst of all three professions, but overwhelmingly I have seen the best. Contrary to popular opinion, Australian democracy is well served by the great majority of those who enter public life and by the scrutiny provided by journalists, whatever excesses may occasionally occur. And we too easily take for granted the probity and rigour of our legal system, the high standards espoused by the legal profession and most of all the independence and capacity of our judges.
Mr Speaker when I retired from the Parliament of New South Wales in March last year I was somewhat tempted by the idea of a quieter life and I was conscious of the sacrifices my family had already made. In the end though my desire to participate in a process of national renewal under a new Labor Government was too strong.
I had found myself appalled by attacks upon refugees.
As a person committed to reconciliation with Aboriginal people, I watched in dismay as a discourse of blame, abuse and division once again took hold.
I saw the gargoyles of the right wing commentariat encouraged to create the strawman of the “activist judge” as a weapon of intimidation against the courts. I noticed the tendency to deride well reasoned judgements based on sound legal principle if they took into account human rights or considerations of international obligation.
Under the strictures of the previous government it began to seem very old fashioned to espouse notions of tolerance and inclusiveness. To look to Australia in the context of a thriving participant in the Asian region rather than the last outpost of some post colonial dream. To view the arts and our great cultural institutions as vital to the growth of Australia as a society. To acknowledge the proud history of the trade union movement in defending the rights of working people.
Mr Speaker, one of my most satisfying achievements as Attorney General of the state of NSW was to assist in the fight to bring the James Hardie group of companies to account for their atrocious treatment of victims of asbestos.
With the late great Bernie Banton – for whom we had condolences yesterday - and my new parliamentary colleague Greg Combet we worked to bring James Hardie to the negotiating table and ultimately succeeded. When the deal was finally done, Greg caught a cab to Sydney airport to fly back to Melbourne, and I saw with my own eyes members of the public surrounding him at the taxi rank and waving through the cab windows at intersections when they recognised him.
As the Howard government churned out its tedious, anti union propaganda I thought about the sight of Combet, one of the reviled “union bosses” cheered on street corners by random passers by, like a visiting rock star and I began to hope that it was the federal government, not I, who was out of touch with the Australian people.
To my delight, as I began to campaign in the seat of Macquarie last April, I discovered that, indeed, it was not I who was out of step. As I stood on railway stations, walked through shopping centres, knocked on doors, I encountered an enthusiasm for change which I have rarely experienced. The Work Choices legislation, the refusal to sign Kyoto, the war in Iraq, the wheat board scandal, the vilification of refugees and unionists did not sit well with the coal miner in Lithgow, the prison officer in Oberon, the doctor in Bathurst, the retired clergyman in Wentworth Falls.
The people once represented by Chifley were inspired by the new vision Kevin Rudd presented – not all of them of course – but they came out in their hundreds in shopping centres to tell me so. And Mr Speaker they came out to vote.
So what now is our challenge? It is to keep faith and to help create a new modern society. I have lost count of the number of people who’ve talked with me in the supermarket in Katoomba, in the pub in Springwood, at a pre-school in Lithgow with metaphors of renewal – “It feels like somebody has opened the windows”, “I feel hope for the future again”, “I feel proud of my country again”.
Mr Speaker, in the portfolio with which I have been entrusted, there are many opportunities to keep that pact of trust with the Australian people.
Home Affairs, I am reliably informed, is a departmental configuration which dates back to 1901. It was one of the first seven departments of the commonwealth. And I am also told that one of the first Ministers for Home Affairs was King O’Malley. Although I have been advised against overstating my connection in that regard unless I want a good seat in an Irish pub.
The portfolio today is of course infinitely more sophisticated and complex, covering areas within the Attorney-Generals Department like the criminal law and its reform strategies for dealing with money laundering and drugs, the operations of the Australian Crime Commission and much else; also the Australian Customs, the Federal Police and Commonwealth Territories. Our focus is not inly domestic – it is also a focus on Australia’s role in supporting our neighbours in the Asia pacific.
This role is notably carried out by the Australian Federal Police, one of the best and most educated police forces in the world, and world leaders in building and promoting positive relations in our region. Similarly our Customs service performs miracles on a daily basis.
As a former Attorney General I firmly reject the notion that law enforcement agencies and the courts need to be at odds. To the contrary, the professionalism of our police can only be enhanced by the rigour and scrutiny brought by the courts.
I have a lifelong interest in the criminal law, in schemes to divert offenders from custody and in prison reform. Priority reforms for 2008 in my eyes are the issues of rights for victims of crime, and sentencing and offender management.
I am also keen to work with these colleagues on coordination of criminal justice reform – for example the model criminal code implementation. I want to move away from the adversarial approach of the previous government, and take a consultative approach, including with the legal profession. In New South Wales I have in the past found the contribution of the Law Society and particularly the Bar Association to be invaluable. I propose in consequence to hold a major forum later this year at which academics, the profession, the Australian Institute of Criminology, the Australian Law reform Commission and police unions will be invited to participate and discuss proposals for reforms to federal criminal justice legislation.
I would be remiss – on today of all days in the history of our parliament - if I did not take the opportunity to mention my great commitment to issues of indigenous law and justice, It began with my early involvement with the first Aboriginal Legal Service in Redfern.
I am committed to improving indigenous community safety, reducing indigenous over representation in the justice system and doing my utmost, in cooperation with my ministerial colleagues, to protect indigenous children.
My responsibilities for criminal justice issues, crime prevention, victims of crime and indigenous justice matters within my new portfolio will allow me to follow through on important issues that I have dealt with in the past.
Shortly I will be visiting the Northern Territory to discuss the implementation of aspects of the Northern Territory Emergency Response in that jurisdiction from the point of view of my portfolio.
I will be doing so, well aware that in the Northern Territory the Emergency Response is often referred to as the ‘Intervention’. Aware also, that as Minister responsible for Territories, I am overseeing a range of programs that have caused considerable comment and controversy in a Territory.
As members are aware, the Government supports a range of programs now in place in indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. But with this support we are also aware we have responsibilities.
I accept the responsibility to ensure that where the measures are working, they are continued, and also to find out what we can do better. I will do so by working with people on the ground and also by taking the advice of the experts.
I intend to work closely with Territory Ministers to ensure the Home Affairs portfolio serves the Northern Territory community just as well as it must serve all Australians in all jurisdictions.
Mr Speaker it is not just the Northern Territory that requires our dedicated attention to criminal justice and indigenous justice issues.
The agencies reporting to me have been charged with a responsibility to ensure - in the spirit of reconciliation which this House has come to terms with this week – that we are closing the gap on indigenous disadvantage and decreasing the level of indigenous representation in the criminal justice system Australia - wide.
I am particularly interested in working through the Standing Committee of Attorneys General to develop a national strategic framework for indigenous law and justice.
The Council of Australian Governments recently agreed to take action to address indigenous disadvantage, focussing on gaps in life expectancy, child mortality and literacy and numeracy.
Child abuse not only has immediate physical, social and emotional health consequences for children – it has crippling consequences for long term life directions.
We need a broad and balanced approach, informed by indigenous voices, organisations and by experts – that involves both justice sector agencies and prevention approaches.
Mr Speaker I could test the patience of this chamber for much longer by talking of national issues and the excitement I feel at the historic opportunity this government has been given by the Australian people – to build our economy for the future, to redress inequality, to restore to environment.
But the timeworn maxim rightly states that ultimately all politics is local, so I will conclude return to the electorate of Macquarie and pay tribute to those who worked so hard to assist in my campaign. They range from a few stalwart comrades like Merv Savage and Jim Angel who have worked with me across eight elections to my new friends in Bathurst and Lithgow who were able during the course of half a year to introduce me into the heart of their own communities.
My campaign was supported actively by literally hundreds of volunteers and I hope I have sufficiently thanked them in one way of another in the last couple of months. Knowing that I could spend 20 minutes just reading our their names and I mention a few among them astoundingly efficient campaign manager, Brenda Finlayson, Luke Foley, Amber Jacobus, my campaign Committee Chair Wayne McAndrew, Mike and Sue Dickson, Councilor Paul Haysom, former Senator Sue West, Dr Chris Halloway, Cath Knowles Mark Worthington, Arthur Williams, Mathew Martin, Pat Okon, Alex Bukarica, Gary Brown, Andrew Teece , Don MacGregor, Marilla North, Blair Cavanagh, Sarah Shrubb , Mark Andrews, Susan Elfert, Pam Crafoord, Mick Fell, Peter Letts, Karl Bennett, Sandra Stringer, Amanda Blanch, Steve Bevis and Judy Brentnall.
I was especially assisted by the State Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin and his electorate officer Fran Van Dartel and by our duty Senator the Hon Steve Hutchins – who was also active famously in the seat of Lindsay and by Phil Koperberg State member for Blue Mountains.
I should also mention generous support from friends outside the electorate not least Elsa Atkin, Yolanda Lucire, Errol Sullivan and Sally McInerney.
I am particularly indebted to a number of trade unions – the media entertainment and arts alliance, the LHMU, the PSA and especially the CFMEU through both its mining and construction divisions. A profoundly important contribution was made by the ‘Your Rights at Work’ campaign coordinated in the Macquarie electorate by Daniel Walton.
Throughout these arduous months I had the experience common to many in this House that the support of my family was the foundation upon which all else stood – my partner Leela , who had been anticipating a somewhat easier life in the last year – was absolutely steadfast.
Mr Speaker during the election campaign the government laid down a significant program for the next three years and beyond in the electorate of Macquarie. The Central West of New South Wales stands in great need of the roll out of high-speed broadband internet infrastructure. Within the great agenda for improving education at all levels, the promised upgrading of trade training facilities and computer upgrading at secondary schools will be of particular importance to school retention and workforce participation rates. New projects to improve the Great Western Highway and the investigation by Infrastructure Australia of long term transport needs are critical for regional development.
Substantial water saving projects in Lithgow and Oberon will drought proof local industry while improving environmental flows, especially in the Fish River. I am committed to supporting the establishment over time of new industries and job opportunities in the Lithgow Valley and in Bathurst.
In the Blue Mountains a modified version of the GP Super Clinic and a number of new childcare centres are high on the government’s priorities. Here too, road and internet infrastructure improvements are critical. The improvement to health services will generally be an important task but everywhere in my electorate an improvement to the funding of the dental health programs neglected by the last government is of the greatest significance to people who are less well off.
Mr Speaker it’s hard to imagine a better day upon which one might make an inaugural speech in the House. Earlier I said that the new Government had to keep faith with those who wanted a new beginning – how could it have better done so?
I look forward Mr Speaker to serving the people of Macquarie and the citizens of Australia.