This is the maiden speech to the House of Representatives by the Liberal member for Ryan, Julian Simmonds.

Simmonds was most recently a Brisbane City councillor. He was elected in 2010, 2012 and 2016.

In 2018, Simmonds defeated the previous member for Ryan, Jane Prentice, in a preselection contest. He reportedly won 256 votes to 103 for Prentice.

The electorate of Ryan has existed since 1949. It is named after a former Labor premier of Queensland. The electorate includes part of the Brisbane City Council area and part of the Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Simmonds won 56.03% of the two-party-preferred vote in Ryan, a swing against the Liberal National Party of 2.95%. He polled 48.61% of the primary vote, a loss of 3.51%. The ALP polled 24.43% of the primary vote, an increase of 1.46%. The Greens polled 20.35%, an increase of 1.59%.

Listen to Simmonds (22m):

Watch Simmonds (24m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech to the House of Representatives by Julian Simmonds, Liberal member for Ryan.

Consideration resumed of the motion:

That the following Address in Reply to the speech of His Excellency the Governor-General be agreed to:

May it please Your Excellency:

We, the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, in Parliament assembled, desire to express our loyalty to our Most Gracious Sovereign, and to thank Your Excellency for the speech which you have been pleased to address to Parliament— [Read more…]