Sen. Andrew Bragg (Lib-NSW) – Maiden Speech

This is the maiden speech by Senator Andrew Bragg, Liberal, New South Wales.

Listen to Bragg (23m):

Watch Bragg (27m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Senator Andrew Bragg, Liberal, New South Wales.

The PRESIDENT (16:59): It is approaching 5 pm and, pursuant to order, I will now call Senator Bragg to make his first speech. I ask senators that the usual courtesies be extended to him.

Senator BRAGG (New South Wales) (16:59): Mr President, I have a confession to make. I first discovered my love of Australia in Victoria. My upbringing in regional Victoria featured football, fishing and work in orchards, a cannery and a dairy. My interest in politics arose from growing up in a world where tax, trade, foreign investment and water policies all impacted people’s lives. Later came tertiary study, work and—sometimes boring—research, which imbued the notion in me that Australia must be competitive to succeed. [Read more…]


Wyatt Promises Indigenous Recognition Referendum Within Three Years

The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, has announced that the Morrison government will hold a referendum within three years to entrench Indigenous Recognition in the constitution.

Wyatt
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, speaks at the National Press Club

Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra today, Wyatt stressed that the government would only proceed if it was certain that a referendum would succeed. “It will take time, it will need to be measured,” he said.

“We need to design the right model to progress to a point at which the majority of Australians, the majority of states and territories and indigenous Australians support the model so that it is successful.”

Wyatt said he would work across the political spectrum to develop the model. He said the ALP’s Indigenous spokeswoman, Linda Burney, would be “integral” to the process.

The minister said he was committed to bringing an indigenous voice to parliament, but that this may not be part of the constitutional reform. [Read more…]


Sen. Malarndirri McCarthy (ALP-NT) – Maiden Speech

Senator Malarndirri McCarthy has delivered her maiden speech as an ALP representative from the Northern Territory.

McCarthy

McCarthy is the second indigenous woman to be elected to the Senate. She succeeds the first, Nova Peris, who served one term following the 2013 federal election. McCarthy is joined by the first indigenous woman to be elected to the House of Representatives, Linda Burney, the ALP member for Barton. [Read more…]


Senator Patrick Dodson (ALP-WA) – Maiden Speech

Senator Patrick Dodson delivered his maiden speech to the Senate today.

Dodson

Dodson, 68, was chosen to fill a casual vacancy from Western Australia in the Senate, on April 28, following the resignation of Joe Bullock. He sat briefly in the 44th Parliament but did not make a maiden speech before the Parliament was dissolved for the July 2 election. [Read more…]