This is the maiden speech by Melissa McIntosh, the NSW Liberal member for Lindsay.

McIntosh, 41, was elected at the May 18, 2019 election. She attended Western Sydney University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and communications. She was a communications manager with the not-for-profit Wentworth Community Housing at the time of her election.

The western Sydney seat of Lindsay was created in 1984. It includes Badgerys Creek, Castlereagh, Emu Plains, Mulgoa, Penrith and Werrington.

McIntosh is the sixth member for Lindsay, and its third Liberal. Each of her two predecessors, one Liberal and one Labor, survived only one term. McIntosh defeated the former ALP state minister Diane Beamer, following the disendorsement of the sitting Labor member, Emma Husar.

McIntosh secured a 6.15% two-party swing to the Liberal Party. She increased the Liberal primary vote by 7.16% to 46.45%. The ALP primary decreased by 5.47% to 35.61%.

Listen to McIntosh (27m):

Watch McIntosh (28m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Melissa McIntosh, Liberal member for Lindsay.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the honourable member for Lindsay, I remind the House that this is the honourable member’s first speech. I ask the House to extend to her the usual courtesies.

Mrs MCINTOSH (Lindsay) (12:03): Mr Speaker, colleagues, family and friends that are here today, Lindsay is in so many ways a microcosm of the Australian community. It’s got families, it’s got retired people, it’s got lots and lots of small businesses and it’s got a very strong community spirit. These are the words of former Prime Minister Howard OM AC on his visit to Lindsay during the campaign—and, as always, former Prime Minister Howard is right—’From Menzies’ forgotten people to Howard’s battlers to Morrison’s quite Australians, Lindsay has been and will remain a microcosm of Australia.’ [Read more…]