Sen. Nita Green (ALP-Qld) – Maiden Speech

Jul 31, 2019

This is the maiden speech by Senator Nita Green, ALP, Queensland.

Listen to Green (23m):

Watch Green (27m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Senator Nita Green, ALP, Queensland.

The PRESIDENT (17:33): Order! Before I call Senator Green, I remind honourable senators that this is her first speech; therefore, I ask that the usual courtesies be extended to her.

Senator GREEN (Queensland) (17:33): The town of Yarrabah is a short drive from my home in Cairns. It is home to the Gunggandji people, a community of artists, activists, teachers and leaders. It is the place where elders, including Aunty Ruth and Uncle Alf, started to organise a campaign that built toward the 1967 referendum. They understood that the necessary ingredients for change were present in the Australian community and that they could, if they persisted, achieve reform and amend the constitution. In acknowledging the traditional owners of the land we meet on today and the traditional owners of the land I live on in Far North Queensland, I want to pay tribute to Yarrabah, its elders and the activists who refused to take no for an answer. They are ready to lead again and deliver a voice to parliament. I extend to them my support and solidarity. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2019 Federal Election, A.L.P., Audio, Maiden Speeches, Qld, Senate, Video Tagged With: ,

Sen. Tony Sheldon (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech

Jul 31, 2019

This is the maiden speech by Senator Tony Sheldon, ALP, New South Wales.

Listen to Sheldon (26m):

Watch Sheldon (30m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Senator Tony Sheldon, ALP, New South Wales.

The PRESIDENT (17:03): Order! Before I call Senator Sheldon, I remind honourable senators that this is his first speech; therefore, I ask that the usual courtesies be extended to him.

Senator SHELDON (New South Wales) (17:03): I acknowledge the traditional owners of this place and pay my respects to elders, past, present and emerging. I’m so proud to be in the Ngunnawal country in the parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, a House for all people. And I pledge to progress the agenda of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, to recognise First Nations people in our Constitution. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2019 Federal Election, A.L.P., Audio, Maiden Speeches, N.S.W., Senate, Video Tagged With: ,

Sen. Matt O’Sullivan (Lib-WA) – Maiden Speech

Jul 30, 2019

This is the maiden speech to the Senate of Senator Matt O’Sullivan, Liberal, Western Australia.

Listen to O’Sullivan (24m):

Watch O’Sullivan (28m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Senator Matt O’Sullivan, Liberal, Western Australia.

The PRESIDENT (18:05): Pursuant to order, I will now ask Senator O’Sullivan to come forward and make his first speech, and I ask senators to observe the usual courtesies.

Senator O’SULLIVAN (Western Australia) (18:05): Mr President, as this is my first speech, may I start by congratulating you on being elected as President of the Senate. I’d also like to congratulate my fellow Western Australian Senators elected at the 18 May election: Senators Linda Reynolds, Patrick Dodson, Slade Brockman, Louise Pratt and Jordon Steele-John. Together we have the immense privilege of representing Western Australia, and I look forward to working with you to deliver for the great state of Western Australia. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2019 Federal Election, Audio, Liberal Party, Maiden Speeches, Senate, Video, W.A. Tagged With: ,

Sen. Tim Ayres (ALP-NSW) – Maiden Speech

Jul 30, 2019

This is the maiden speech by Senator Tim Ayres, ALP, New South Wales.

Listen to Ayres (28m):

Watch Ayres (33m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Senator Tim Ayres, ALP, New South Wales.

Senator AYRES (New South Wales) (17:33): ‘A Senator’s first speech is daunting,’ I had in my first line, but it’s not as daunting, I think, as what Senator Hughes just faced. I want to congratulate her for what you could describe as courage under fire. I want to use my comments today to set out how my life experiences shapes my approach to democracy and equity, and to point out the challenge that inequality poses to our democratic system and some of the principles that will drive my work in the Senate. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2019 Federal Election, A.L.P., Audio, Maiden Speeches, N.S.W., Senate, Video Tagged With: ,
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