Speeches

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,…

MOTIONS Aged Care Federation Chamber I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Nicholls, noting the government’s failure to deliver adequate aged-care beds, with an annual shortfall of more than 9,000 beds. I serve the community with the second-highest number of people aged over 65 in Australia. I also represent the community…

CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS National Police Remembrance Day Remembrance Day Hinkler Electorate: Small Business   Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (09:42): Like many in this House, I recently attended a moving National Police Remembrance Day event on 29 September. I joined my community in Bundaberg to pay respects to the police officers who run towards danger when…

BILLS Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 Second Reading Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (18:55) I rise to speak to the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025. My electorate of Hinkler is famous all over Australia and…

My electorate of Hinkler is full of opportunity, new beginnings and wonderful people getting things done. This was on show at the blessing of a new grotto and garden at the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Childers recently. The famous Bruce Highway runs through this town and the peaceful space is open to locals and…

27 October, 2025 Last week, I had the privilege of personally presenting 17 sporting champions from Hinkler with certificates of recognition for their amazing efforts across a wide range of sports, including Lincoln Davis from Hervey Bay, who represented Australia in Muay Thai. These school-age stars represented our region in sports such as basketball, touch…