Page 6 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 10 February 2015
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Most Canberrans have an income that can sustain them, but some do not, and others can teeter—a big bill, a car problem, an unexpected illness. Personal resilience, especially through families, is vital in these times. A strong society and good intermediate institutions—importantly, including trade unions—are a tremendous advantage. And public policy matters. Government support and services at the right time for the right duration can make all the difference.
After having children I worked part time and then casually, juggling the child care, contract work and looking after three children under four. I have experienced Canberra as a young single and a newly married professional, as a part-time working mum, juggling child care and work, and as a stay-at-home mum, finding new activities and connections to enrich what sometimes seemed like very long days. I value these experiences and I bring them all with me to this place. Indeed, it was the sum of these experiences that informed my decision to run for public office. And I come here as a Labor member, with Labor values.
I joined Labor because I believe everyone should be able to reach their potential in life. I believe we should all be equal but not the same. I know that not everyone is born into equal circumstances, but this should not be what determines our future. Labor’s modern values of growth, opportunity and equality through good economic management and progressive social reform are what drive me to be part of a movement that wants the best for everyone.
We must build an economy and a community that encourage growth and enable opportunity. Without both we cannot succeed. The greatest enabler of all is education. I want to be part of this Labor government’s efforts to make our world-class education system even better—to invest in technology, to invest in the best teachers—and I want to help nurture all the possibilities that a great education brings. But to realise the benefits of a good education there must be jobs. It is clear the odds are stacked against you if you grow up in a household with no job. It is clear there will be great stress if you work in a job where you cannot rely on a fair go and representation when you need it.
Jobs are important not just because they bring wages into the home but because they bring social bonds and dignity. Jobs are the bedrock of our labour movement, our economy, our community. And Canberra faces real job challenges today. The commonwealth contraction is having a ripple effect across our community and into people’s lives. The ACT government is doing everything it can to respond to this big external challenge. I know that this is a difficult period for our city, but I have great faith that we will come through it stronger in the long term.
In Canberra we have built a city with strong growth, despite current challenges, and more opportunity than most. But there must also be equality and justice. We are a wealthy city but we are also compassionate. We know we give more money and more time to people and causes that need our help. Our commitment to fairness and equality is part of our identity. We must continue to make sure that the most vulnerable in our community are always part of government’s decision-making.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video