Speeches

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Doherty, Mr Terence James, AM Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (16:08): The Australia Day Honours List for 2026 features great Aussies from my electorate of Hinkler, including one of my former teachers. A prestigious Member of the Order of Australia medal was awarded to Terry Doherty for significant service to basketball in…

CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS Hinkler Electorate: Bruce Highway Hinkler Electorate: Australia Day Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (09:49): I’m very pleased to note a significant win for my electorate made possible through investment under a former coalition government initiative, the Hinkler regional deal. I was yesterday informed that detailed design investigations for the Bruce Highway and Buxton…

ADJOURNMENT Australian Flag Hinkler Electorate: Industry Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (19:30): It’s the one symbol for mateship, freedom and a fair go for all: the Australian flag. On the recent Australia Day long weekend, I was proud to attend awards and citizenship ceremonies in my electorate of Hinkler and fly our Australian flag with…

BILLS Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 Consideration in Detail   Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (10:27): I rise to speak to this amendment. The National Party is backing the amendment presented by the member for Cowper. It’s about a fair go for spirit drinkers. It’s about a proper, albeit well overdue, review into…

CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS Hinkler Electorate: Community Events Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (16:24): I have a good news story for the town of Childers in the heart of my electorate: the Isis RSL sub-branch is now the proud custodian of a HMAS Childers shield or crest, as it’s known. The shield was originally presented to HMAS…

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Hinkler Electorate: Australia Day Honours and Awards Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (13:42): On the Australia Day long weekend, I was proud to attend awards and citizenship ceremonies in Hinkler. They were a true celebration of the people of my community and a salute to what it means to be living in…

BILL Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026 First Reading Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (10:08): I rise to speak against the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026. We need to do better and what is right. We owe it to those who lost their lives…

CONDOLENCES House of Reps Sunday 14 December 2025 at Bondi started out as a typical Aussie summer’s evening at the beach—an evening filled with fellowship, friends and community; a celebration of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light, a festival of love—but it turned into a day which our nation will remember as one of darkness…

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS House of Reps With their final exams now complete, I’d like to congratulate the graduating class of 2025. It’s been a privilege to attend school awards nights and ceremonies across my electorate of Hinkler, celebrating milestones, acknowledging successes and shaking hands with impressive young leaders. My message to our year 12 students…

CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS Local First Zonta  Awards Merry Christmas   Last week, I launched a ‘local first’ campaign to celebrate all things home grown in Hinkler. In the lead-up to Christmas, the state member for Hervey Bay, David Lee, and the member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett, have joined with me to encourage my community to shop,…