The passing of Queen Elizabeth II has had a profound impact on the world. She touched the lives of generations of Australians.
For 70 years, she reigned as Australia’s Head of State. During her reign, The Queen visited Australia 16 times and saw more of this country than most Australians, visiting every state and territory.
The Queen consulted with 16 Prime Ministers and 16 Governors-General served in her name. She was the patron of more than 20 Australian charities and associations.
I spoke on the condolence motion for Queen Elizabeth II and thanked her for her dedication to 70 years of unwavering commitment to duty, and a lifetime of public service in the greatest of limelight.
I also finally delivered my first speech on 27 September, which outlined my thoughts and visions for the Hunter electorate.
As I mentioned in my speech, I’m not your average person and I am certainly not the average person you would expect to be in Canberra, in this place. I’m not a guy that has come through the usual path to politics.
I left school at age 15 and started an apprenticeship as a Fitter and Turner in regional Victoria.
I started work in the mining industry in 2009. I began working as a line borer, travelling all around the state, before landing a full-time position at Mount Thorley Warkworth. It was an opportunity to drive something that I really could say was bigger than me.
The Hunter has been the powerhouse of the NSW energy and export market for well over a century, and will continue to be for centuries to come. There is no doubt about that. At the moment, our traditional industries such as mining, energy, horse studs, farming and tourism are doing well.
My position, and Labor’s position is clear – coal will continue to play a role for many years to come in powering the world. Whilst ever there is an export market for coal, the Hunter and its workforce will continue to fill that market.
I’m proud to be a former coal miner, I’m bloody proud of my electorate’s mining history, and I’m proud to be mates with many people who work in the pits.
The export market for coal is as strong as it has ever been. For as long as that continues, and it will continue for years to come – I will make sure the Hunter remains at the forefront of supplying coal to the world.
My message to every Hunter mining family, and the whole Hunter electorate – in a changing world is I will always be up front and I will always have your back.
My electorate wide newsletter is hitting mailboxes right across the Hunter electorate this week and will provide up to date information about issues across the electorate.
The Hunter is about to go through one of its biggest booms in decades, not just in booming traditional industries but with the next phase of powering our nation through hydrogen, biomethane, battery storage, wind and solar farms and a range of innovative new projects.
As always, my office is open and ready to assist you with any Federal Government issues you may have. I look forward to hearing from you and working with our community to deliver for the Hunter.
Dan Repacholi MP
Federal Member for Hunter
| You can read a full version of my speech on my website, www.DanRepacholiMP.com |
