Speeches

SPEECH 

BY JO HAYLEN MP

Good afternoon everyone, 

I would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today, the Gadigal and Wangal people, and pay my respects to Elders past and present.  

I extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today. 

It is a real pleasure to join you this afternoon to celebrate National Volunteers Week and, most importantly, to celebrate all of you.

The Inner West Ale Trail's third Hop Harvest Fest, held from 17 to 24 April, was a celebration of local creativity and community spirit.

Growing older should mean growing more connected — and that is precisely the vision that drives Inner West Neighbour Aid every single day.

Some of the most important community work happens not in boardrooms or council chambers, but around a table covered in fabric scraps, sequins and half-finished projects — and that is exactly where Ryder Spankie has been showing up, month after month.

The Ferncourt Family Fair is a genuine Inner West institution — and this year's event on Saturday 9 May 2026 proved exactly why.

PRIVATE MEMBERS STATEMENT

BY JO HAYLEN 

12 May 2026

Safety for everyone on and around our roads is one of the issues raised with me consistently by members of our community.

Community sport is so much more than just the competition — it is a community, and thriving communities need people who show up, year after year, doing the work that nobody sees.

Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Amendment (Review) Bill 2026

SECOND READING DEBATE 

I am pleased to speak on the Greater Sydney Parklands Trust Amendment (Review) Bill 2026. I do so as a proud inner west local speaking about a place that means more to the inner west community than almost any other piece of public land in New South Wales—that is, Callan Park. Callan Park is more than a big green open space; it is actually a shared backyard for the inner west.

Congratulations to an absolute legend of Australian journalism and a proud resident of Dulwich Hill, Peter Manning, on receiving the 2025 Walkley Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Don Readett a dedicated educator whose life was defined by service, compassion and an unwavering commitment to learning.