Tuesday, 2 August 2022

Federal government

Mr FREGON (Mount Waverley) (13:11): Deputy Speaker, I congratulate you on your elevation to the lofty heights.

I rise today with a bit of pride to acknowledge the first sitting week of the Albanese Labor government up in Canberra, and what a joy it was to see a Labor government on the right side of the bench. I was fortunate enough to be there for the inaugural speech of our new Victorian Labor senator Jana Stewart, and what a speech it was. As the youngest First Nation woman elected to federal Parliament, there is no denying the significance her seat in the Senate chamber holds. Senator Stewart’s inaugural speech struck at the core of what it means to be a Labor person. Whether it is committing to a voice to Parliament, treaty, truth telling, supporting our country’s most vulnerable people or improving our present for the next generation and future, Labor governments deliver on that vision.

I would also like to extend my respect to our newly elected local members: the member for Chisholm, Carina Garland, and the member for Higgins, Michelle Ananda-Rajah. Congratulations to both these phenomenal leaders and women, who I have no doubt will deliver for our east.