I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we meet, and I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

I would also like to acknowledge:

Scott Weber, CEO of the Police Federation of Australia

Krissy Barrett, Commissioner of the AFP

And all other distinguished guests, including my colleagues from across the Parliament.

I would especially like to acknowledge all police officers here with us tonight – and on behalf of the nation, I thank you.

Supporting the long-term wellbeing of veterans and their families is a key focus of the Albanese Government.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide identified the transition from full-time ADF service to civilian life as a key pressure point for many in the veteran community.

A good job with a supportive employer can ease that pressure and underpin a successful transition for veterans and families of veterans.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present, and emerging.

To National Secretary, Paul Farrow, National President Marina Chambers, National Executive Members, Elected Delegates, and Rank and File Members.

Thank you for this opportunity to acknowledge the great support of the AWU.

Paul invited me personally and I was delighted to accept.

It’s been a privilege to get to know Paul in recent years.

Well, thanks very much, Mr. Speaker.

For several years now, Australians have been increasingly concerned about the impact of the online world on the welfare of children and on the cohesiveness of our society.

A movement for change, begun and led by brave parents who saw their children's lives taken by cruel and highly addictive social media, created a remarkable period of bipartisanship that put Australia in the forefront of global movements to bring about online safety.

The first international arrival to Australia’s newest full-service airport has touched down, with Air New Zealand NZ165 from Auckland landing at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport earlier this morning.

After a short stopover, a full flight was boarded for the return leg and NZ166 departed. This is the first of three weekly return flights between Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) and New Zealand’s largest city.

As the House meets for the first time since the horrific events of last Monday, it is appropriate that our very first act is to speak about the Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines.

Her husband, Phil Haines, is with us this morning. He has shown a level of grace that, for most of us, is simply beyond reckoning.

This morning Phil spoke lovingly of Helen’s superpowers as empathy, kindness and compassion.

He spoke of hope and change, and the need for a gentler, more cohesive path.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

I would also like to thank your President, Nick Hazistergos, for asking me to be part of this landmark moment in the Hellenic Club’s history.

It is such a joy to be with you tonight to celebrate 100 years of the Hellenic Club, Sydney.

To crack a century is never a matter of mere luck.

The Hellenic Club is a story written in the ink of belief, determination and hard work – by many people over many generations.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet, and I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

I’d like to thank and Wurundjeri Elder Jason Tweedie for the smoking ceremony, and John Terrick for that wonderful yidaki performance.

I would also like to acknowledge Her Excellency Governor Margaret Beazley, Western Sydney International chair Paul O’Sullivan, Western Sydney CEO Simon Hickey, Premier Chris Minns, and all my colleagues from across federal and state parliaments, past and present.

At 11am Australian Eastern Daylight Time, JQ362 will take off from Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, the first passenger flight for this brand new Airport.

Hundreds of spectators will also be in attendance as the full capacity Jetstar Airbus A320 takes off for the maiden passenger voyage, connecting Western Sydney to the Gold Coast for the first time.

This weekend, history will be made in Western Sydney.

On Sunday, the first domestic flight will take off from Western Sydney International Airport. And on Monday, the first international flight will do the same.

For the first time in more than 50 years, Australia is opening a major new airport.

It’s a milestone that has been decades in the making and one that belongs to the people of Western Sydney.

For generations, Western Sydney has been a place where people come to build a better life for themselves and their families.