Speeches

Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (09:54): Health remains a key challenge facing regional Australia. My electorate of Hinkler is the nation’s top spot for the number of people living with one or more long-term health conditions. For the past two years, we’ve been blessed to have one of our very own local GPS in the…

BILLS Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027 Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2026-2027 Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027 Second Reading Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (19:05): I rise to speak to the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2026-2027. Labor’s budget of broken promises and higher taxes destroys any concept of a fair go for the people…

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Budget Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (13:45): I’m extremely grateful that game 1 of State of Origin is being played tonight, because, for many in my league-loving electorate of Hinkler, the brief distraction from Labor’s budget of broken promises will be welcome. Phone calls and emails have been coming in thick and…

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Veterans Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (16:28): In the past week, my offices in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay have received dozens of emails and a mountain of calls. As I’ve travelled across Hinkler with my mobile office to Pialba, Woodgate, Childers, Urangan, Bundaberg and beyond, the No. 1 matter has been Labor’s…

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Economy Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (13:45):   Last week in my electorate of Hinkler, I launched my small business survey. Every single response that I’ve received so far confirms that this Labor government is making it harder to do business. Every single submission confirms that small businesses are under pressure. One…

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Hinkler Electorate: Tourism Industry Rural, Regional and Remote Australia: Services Hinkler Electorate: Schools   Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (10:23): Consumer confidence has now fallen to its lowest since records began. Regional areas like Hinkler need urgent support for the tourism and local business sector. In the aftermath of devastating floods and…

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Fuel Security Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (15:13): My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Taxi operators in my electorate of Hinkler are questioning whether the government can guarantee reliable diesel supplies to keep wheelchair-accessible taxis on the road. Minister, how did the government allow the fuel crisis…

ADJOURNMENT Fuel Hinkler Electorate: National Youth Parliament Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (19:50): Right now the cost of diesel in my regional Queensland electorate is sitting anywhere around $3.20 per litre; unleaded is upward of $2.50. Make no mistake, so much damage has already been done. However, it is pleasing that, after taking the coalition’s…

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Fuel Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (13:50) Right now, the cost of diesel in my regional Queensland electorate of Hinkler is sitting at levels above $3.20 per litre at many local fuel stations. Prices are visibly hitting Hinkler households in real time. Farmers can’t get fertiliser, or, if they can, the price…

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS Neighbourhood and Community Centres   Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (13:16): I rise in support of the motion brought to the House by the member for Lyne. In regional Australia, neighbourhood centres are an essential service—the heart of our communities. They foster safety, connection and social capital. They’re the places where community…