Speeches

The core tenet of public education is that every child should have access to the highest standard of quality education and be able to reach their full potential.

This week marks the first anniversary of the historic announcement that 62 per cent of Australians voted in favour of marriage equality.

I spoke on a bill to reform the governance structures at Saint Paul's College.

I gratefully acknowledge Ms Ruth Turnell, who has served as the Principal of Ferncourt Public School in Marrickville for 13 years, and who is about to embark on her well‑earned retirement.

I acknowledge the work of Albert Vella as he retires from his role of President of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools after 15 years of distinguished service.

It was an honour to be invited to speak at the opening of the new home of the NSW School of Languages.

More than 200,000 Australians are unable to access Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) treatment and that drug-induced deaths in Australia are at the highest levels in 20 years.

If today tells us anything at all, it’s that with young activists like Sophia Skarparis and those young people here in the Parliament today, the days of single use plastics are numbered.

It is right that we break down the cosy relationship between certifiers and dodgy developers. It is right that we create stronger accountability by increasing penalties and introducing new offences to protect consumers. It is right, too, that we work to improve the complaints process so that the community can have a greater say about development in their neighbourhood.

This bill seeks to inundate swathes of one of the world’s greatest natural treasures in order to shore up land for developers in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley.