I spoke in Parliament in support of the Islamic Council of Victoria, and would like to recognise the wonderful work they do in creating a vibrant Islamic community in Victoria that results in deeper and meaningful connections with the broader Victorian community.

And I especially want to point out the important work the ICV does in strengthening relationships between First Nations people and the Muslim communities. This was highlighted with the signing of an Accord to Recognise and Support the First Peoples of Australia, between the ICV and the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.

I spoke in Parliament about Trudi and Steven Hay's annual fundraising efforts to raise money for the Northern Hospital.

10 years ago Trudi's friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, this experience motivated Trudi to contact the fundraising team at Northern Health and find a way to give back meaningfully to the community.

I rise today to talk about the wonderful work Second Chance Animal Rescue does in helping animals find a forever home, and looking after my community by making sure that those who find themselves in tough times can still keep their pets.

And I want to congratulate this organisation on receiving $200,000 from the Victorian Labor Government in the Pick My Project initiative that will help them to set up Hume’s first ever community animal hospital. Marisa and her team of staff and volunteers understand the importance of owning and caring for animals; they understand the value pets add to families and the joy they bring to a home.

I spoke in Parliament in support of the more than 2,700 Australians – most of them boys and men – living with haemophilia. I want to also acknowledge the members of the Haemophilia Foundation of Australia and I want to thank them for raising awareness of this insidious disease not only between 7 to 13 October - Bleeding Disorders Awareness Week, but all the work they do in delivering vital support to Australians with bleeding disorders through advocacy, education and promotion of research.

I spoke in Parliament on the important private member’s motion raised by the Member for Oxley and to add my support to Labor’s plan to implement an industry specific auto dealership code, that will finally deliver clear ground rules for manufacturers and dealerships that aims to make the industry fair and be of benefit to the consumers. 

This year, I met with local repairers in my electorate, including Damien and Debbie Theuma of Active Motor Repairs in Craigieburn. They and other business owners detailed the difficulties they were facing with the advent of car dealerships monopolising the repair and warranty market. The lack of data sharing, in particular, has affected their business and highlighted the importance of legislating a mandatory code for data sharing.

When I spoke on the original TPP in Parliament in February 2016, I raised the concerns that were also being raised by members of the Australian community - suggesting that the TPP would have negative impacts on our national interests in the area of labour market testing and also in undermining our sovereignty. I said then that, the Australian people expect our Free Trade Agreements to create job opportunities for them, so that they too can share in the prosperity promised.

But they do not want a free trade deal that denies them job opportunities as does TPP-II because it abolishes labour market testing and carries no enforceable protection for labour rights and workers and they certainly do not want a free trade deal that undermines our sovereignty and our democratic process – by allowing corporations to by-pass national courts and sue governments and restrict government regulation of essential services

I was pleased to speak on the motion which affirms Australia’s commitment to the abolition of the death penalty on a global level and also acknowledges the bipartisan position of Australian governments over many years in our continued opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances for all people.

The death penalty has no place in modern society and my own personal opposition to it is absolute. It comes from my profound believe that no human being has the right to take the life of another human being under any circumstances. It is also central to the tenant of our belief – and my belief – in human dignity and the power of forgiveness and mercy.

My speech in Parliament on the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the first assisted passage migrants from Turkey to Sydney and Melbourne, and the official launch of the Margaret Egan Young Writers Award at the Hume Global Learning Centre.