Page 2338 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 August 2022
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On the workforce plan, my understanding—it is anecdotal, and I will confirm it—is that a workforce plan was set in motion and has been subsequently put aside. When I asked what had gone on, I was told that it is now a principles-based approach that they are using for workforce planning. When I asked what that meant, I was told that they did not know. This is confusing messaging for our nurses, midwives and AINs.
So when will our nurses have a safe workplace? When will our nurses and midwives get the workforce that they need? How many more CHS staff need to come to the media anonymously and tell their horrific stories before things are going to get better for them? Nobody knows. But the Canberra Liberals hear you. You are not invisible to us, and we will continue to do what we can, from opposition, to fight for the workplace that our nurses, midwives and AINs deserve—a safe workplace.
Santa Speedo Shuffle—final event
MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra—Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Business and Better Regulation, Minister for Human Rights and Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (6.42): This past Sunday, 31 July, marked the tenth and final Santa Speedo Shuffle, an event created by Andy and Heidi Prowse to raise funds for people with cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis does mean a shortened life expectancy, and it is bad. This is because the genetic condition impacts multiple organs throughout a person’s body. The funds provide essential medical equipment, nutritional supplements and exercise grants to help keep families healthy.
The Santa Speedo Shuffle was created because Andy and Heidi wanted to turn heads. They wanted to pick a very cold day. So it has always been held in the middle of winter. People strip down to various stages of undress but are generally spotted wearing speedos, and often just speedos, as they do the five-kilometre bridge-to-bridge walk around Lake Burley Griffin.
Given that this was the last, it was fitting that this was the biggest turnout ever, with more than 300 participants. I understand that the previous biggest turnout was 150 participants. I can confirm that it was extremely cold, making it even more of a spectacle. I want to acknowledge just how many MLAs were there on the day, participating and making it an event to remember.
It was a particular honour for me to spend most of the walk in wave D, the slow walkers—I believe I might have come dead last, actually—but to do so by Heidi’s side. Heidi has been a great friend to me. It was very special for me, particularly acknowledging that Andy died last year. I spoke about him in this place after his death last year. It is certainly on the record. But I miss him; I really do. It was a very fitting occasion to send off the Santa Speedo Shuffle one last time. I thank Heidi for spending that time with me as we walked around the lake.
The goal is to raise $200,000 this year. Checking just now, I see that they are at $186,864, so there is little bit of a way to go. It is not too late to donate. This is an extraordinary achievement in and of itself. I would encourage members in this place
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