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

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…]


Angie Bell (LNP-Moncrieff) – Maiden Speech

This is the maiden speech to the House of Representatives by Angie Bell, the Liberal National Party member for Moncrieff, Queensland.

Bell replaced Steve Ciobo at the May 18, 2019 elections. Like Ciobo, she will sit in Canberra as a member of the Liberal Party.

Listen to Bell (29m):

Watch Bell (33m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Angie Bell, Liberal National Party member for Moncrieff.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr S Georganas) (17:24): The question is that the address be agreed to. Before I call the honourable member for Moncrieff, can I remind the House that this is the honourable member’s first speech and I ask the House to extend to her the usual courtesies.

Ms BELL (Moncrieff) (17:24): I congratulate the Speaker, actually, on his re-election as the chair of this House. I also pay tribute to retiring clerk David Elder, who made the transition for 27 new members in this class of 2019 such a pleasure and who, without doubt, will be sorely missed. I congratulate also Claressa Surtees on her role as the 16th Clerk in this place. [Read more…]


Sen. Susan McDonald (Nats-Qld) – Maiden Speech

This is the maiden speech by Senator Susan McDonald (Nationals-Queensland).

Listen to McDonald (23m):

Watch McDonald (29m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Senator Susan McDonald (Nationals-Queensland).

The PRESIDENT (16:59): Pursuant to order, we’ll now move to first speeches. I call upon Senator McDonald to make her first speech and ask honourable senators that the usual courtesies be extended to her.

Senator MCDONALD (Queensland) (16:59): It is with much pride that I stand before you to make my first speech in the Senate. It is an incredible privilege to be elected by Queenslanders to be their voice in the Australian parliament in the Senate, the house that makes the ultimate determination on the passage of legislation. I take my seat in this chamber not because of any quota and not because of any faction. I do not believe in identity politics, because that leaves behind people who do not share that same identity. [Read more…]


Sen. Amanda Stoker (LNP-Qld) – Maiden Speech

Senator Amanda Stoker has delivered her maiden speech to the Senate.

Stoker

Stoker, 35, is a member of the Queensland Liberal National Party. She will sit with the Liberal Party in Canberra. Stoker was appointed on March 21, 2018, to fill a casual vacancy created by the resignation of Senator George Brandis, the government’s former Senate leader. Brandis is now the Australian High Commissioner to London.

The 99th woman elected to the Senate, Stoker is a barrister who specialised in commercial and administrative law. She became a solicitor in 2006 and practiced at Minter Ellison in Sydney. A former associate of retired High Court Justice Ian Callinan, she commenced at the bar in 2011.

In her preselection for the casual vacancy, Stoker defeated former Senator Joanna Lindgren, who served for one year between 2015 and 2016.

  • Listen to Stoker’s speech (25m)
  • Watch Stoker’s speech (29m)

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Senator Amanda Stoker.

The PRESIDENT (17:02): I ask senators to remember the traditional courtesies for a first speech and to observe them.

Senator STOKER (Queensland) (17:02): Australians don’t trust politicians. It’s a universal truth. In fact, Australians are losing faith across the four sectors of the economy—government, media, corporate and non-government organisations. But for my new role as senator for Queensland it is concerning—most concerning—that people’s trust in Australia’s institution of government, which has delivered peace and stability in this country for more than 100 years, is among the lowest globally. [Read more…]