Speech by Betty Kiernan

MEMBER FOR

Hansard Tuesday, 31 October 2006

MAIDEN SPEECH

Mrs KIERNAN (Mount Isa—ALP) (2.50 pm): I am pleased, proud and most of all very privileged to speak for the first time in this House as the member for Mount Isa. On behalf of the people of my electorate, I extend our sincere congratulations on the election of the Hon. Mike Reynolds as Speaker of this parliament. As members representing people in electorates north of the Tropic of Capricorn and, in my case, west of the Great Divide, it is indeed a pleasure to keep the esteemed position of Speaker in the north. It is of great personal pride for me to stand here today as the representative for the seat of Mount Isa while I join this 52nd Parliament in a historic fourth term for the Labor Party. I am delighted and somewhat humbled at my good fortune. I believe I am making personal history today by being the first woman to be elected and, indeed, the first born member for the seat. My father, James, and my mother, Mary, travelled to Mount Isa in the early 1950s by train from Grafton, where my brothers and sisters, Ian, Francis, David and Pamela, were born. I was the last child and the only Queenslander of the family. My father moved to Mount Isa to work initially in the mine as an electrician. He left the mine to work for the Cloncurry Shire Council, the then administrator of Mount Isa, to manage the town power supply. Dad worked for the electrical authority through all manner of change up until his death. As life would have it, my husband’s father, Jim, was also a power man and worked for 35 years at the Mica Creek Power Station—a fine connection, if I say so myself. I am most certainly more than conscious of the high standard and the level of representation given to the Mount Isa electorate by Tony McGrady and his equally hardworking, well-respected and loved wife, Sandra. Tony’s contribution over some 33 years in both local and state government will stand alone in the record books. While Tony held senior ministerial positions in both the Goss and Beattie governments, he remained first and foremost the member for Mount Isa, widely known as a man of integrity, a man who was incredibly well respected and who stood steadfast in his promotion, representation and passion for the needs of the electorate and the north-west generally. While I am indeed the first woman to be elected to the seat of Mount Isa, I might say that at no time during the election campaign was my gender raised as an issue. The expectation of the electors was to place their trust in a person who was willing not only to address the business of state but also to be a person to look out for them and their families’ quality of life in every facet. There is little doubt that many great women and men have represented the needs, desires and aspirations of the people of the north-west, and I pay tribute to them. They are from all walks of life. They are the humble and the great. I personally have had the pleasure of working with some exceptional people who I know have made and who continue to make a difference. There is a spirit and dogged perseverance which remains evident today from their efforts, both individually and collectively. It is, therefore, such a privilege and great honour for me to be here today representing my home. I wish to also recognise and thank the large number of people who assisted and supported me during the campaign and on polling day. Every polling booth across the electorate had workers throughout the day, and their commitment and work, done in some cases in isolation, is appreciated totally. I thank my

File name: kier2006_10_31_48.fm Page : 1 of 4 Speech by Betty Kiernan extracted from Hansard of Tuesday, 31 October 2006 campaign manager, Tony McGrady, branch members, the AWU, the Council of Unions and those who worked so hard in both the Mount Isa and Brisbane party offices. In particular I thank my organiser, Anthony Chisholm, for his hard work, support and guidance. I thank the state secretary, Milton Dick, and I thank sincerely the many others who made financial and other contributions, large and small. Collectively they have put me here today. I thank Premier Beattie and Dr Heather Beattie for taking the time to come to Mount Isa, and more particularly , during the campaign. The commitment, personal energy and goodwill demonstrated was witnessed as confirming the valuable contribution which our part of the world makes. The visit also gave our pioneering drovers the recognition they so rightly deserve. At a personal level, I know how impossible my success would have been without the wonderful support, encouragement and love given by my husband, Philip, our son, Nathan, and his wonderful wife, Kim, our youngest son, Jeremy, who has deferred his university studies to assist in the family business, and my wonderful mother-in-law and best friend, Vi, who, as our remaining parent, is our rock and our inspiration. To my nephews, their wives and children who all reside in Mount Isa, my love and thanks. To our wonderful friends, both near and far, I thank you one and all for your unconditional support, love and encouragement which you have shown to me and our family in this new chapter of our lives. To Greg and Michelle Jackwitz, our special thanks. To Robyn Turner, who over 20 years ago shared and inspired me with her passion and unwavering belief in the Australian Labor Party, I give my thanks and I will treasure our friendship for life. To Lindy, Susan and Melissa, my wonderful, funny and committed electoral staff, you have given me your trust and I have no doubt that you will keep me grounded. We serve together. The seat of Mount Isa was created in 1972 and originally represented the shire of Mount Isa. Today, through redistributions, it represents 20 traditional owner clans, 10 shires, one city, 17 towns and one port—all in an area bigger than the state of Victoria. It is in the context of such vastness and diversity that I wish to pay my tribute to the places and, more importantly, the people who live in the Mount Isa electorate. Let us go now on a quick road trip around our backyard—367,305 square kilometres of it—and in doing so I recognise the traditional people as we pass through their country. We enter the electorate in Guwa country. This is the home of Winton, known by the famous words of Banjo Paterson, who penned Waltzing Matilda at Dagworth Station near Winton in January 1895. It is, as we all know, Australia’s unofficial national anthem. This rich history is preserved in the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Winton is also the official birthplace of Qantas. The first and only meeting of directors was held in the town in February 1921. I would especially like to acknowledge the wonderful, vibrant, caring members of the 60s and Better group and I look forward to working with them over the coming years. We now go north on the Matilda Highway, in Wunumara country, to the small township of McKinlay, another birthplace of an airline, MacAir—born McKinlay Air Charter—today a modern airline servicing rural and remote areas of our state and, in particular, all major centres in the Mount Isa electorate. It is home also to Crocodile Dundee’s watering hole, the Walkabout Creek Hotel. Let us go up the road to Kynuna and the Combo Waterhole. Situated a few kilometres south of Kynuna is reportedly the site of the famous billabong in Waltzing Matilda. Kynuna, like McKinlay, boasts an equally famous pub, the Blue Heeler. Across a few paddocks rich in fossils one can attend the Corfield Cup—the bush version. Airlines and pubs, it appears, are the products of this part of the world. Still heading north is Julia Creek, a town which through the leadership of Mayor Paul Woodhouse is leading the way with the mantra ‘can do’ and maintaining and sustaining a quality of life for her residents. Julia Creek holds the highly popular Dirt and Dust Triathlon, an event that attracts word-class athletes. Taking a somewhat sharp turn we head over to Boulia, Pitta Pitta country, the home of the famous Min Min light, apparently witnessed again just recently. There are many myths in respect to the Min Min light and apparently they are not all centred on that famous Bundy product which some of us use medicinally or for social purposes. We are now some 1,719 kilometres from where we sit today in this state’s capital. Boulia is a small settlement of approximately 300 people. It is the administrative centre of an area covering 61,000 square kilometres which boasts a total shire population of less than 600. Further north to Dajarra through Yulluna and Waluwarra homeland. Dajarra, 150 kilometres south of Mount Isa, has been our home since 1979. I make no apology for my love of this community and particularly the families of the little town—the Marshall, Dempsey, Major, Bismark, Punch and Costello families—who will remain our extended family for the rest of our lives and that of our children. Dajarra in its own right is historical. In its heyday it was the largest trucking centre in the world. The families in Dajarra today are descendants of many great Aboriginal stock men and women and, undoubtedly, contributed greatly to this great state over many years. The last great train ride was held in 1988. Duchess is Dajarra’s closest neighbour. In the earlier days Duchess was an important railway and mining town. As the pendulum swings, it is again becoming a major thoroughfare for mines such as Phosphate Hill, Osborne and the now being developed Trickalono. The electorate is also home to some of the largest pastoral holdings in Australia.

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Over to Urandangi on the border, which was founded in 1885. In its heyday in the twenties it was an important centre for travellers and drovers using the Georgina and other stock routes. The boasts some of the best bird-watching spots and, without doubt, the most spectacular dust storms to be witnessed. Up and onward to Camooweal, Dugalunji and Indjilaundji traditional homeland, the gateway to the territory. For the past 10 years this community has been determined to build a monument to the great drovers of this land. Many of the old drovers travelled back to Camooweal in August this year for the 10th anniversary. Sadly, many of the droving men and women are being added to the honour board each year. The monument is about preserving the rich history of the pastoral industry and the indomitable spirit of the people. We now head north through some of the most beautiful and breathtaking country in this great state, up through Gangalidda country, through the magnificent Lawn Hill National Park, which is without doubt one of our Lord’s finest creations. Lawn Hill National Park also incorporates the Riversleigh fossil fields. Further north we reach Burketown. The people of this part of the world are unique and passionate. All we have to do is walk to the Parliamentary Annexe to view the message from the people of the Burke shire given to the state of Queensland in 1979 and aptly named The Mouse That Roared. I can safely say the passion remains. Up and over to Normanton, Kukatja country, nestled on the Norman River steeped in history, home of the unique Gulflander Railmotor, established in 1891, which today still operates a weekly service between Normanton and Croydon. Forty minutes away is Karumba, Gkutharrn country, the best fishing in the world, the grey nomad capital of the gulf during the winter when the population goes from 600 to 6,000.

For the record, for some of those who may believe we lack the basics of life such as the ocean, I can only say our electorate has it all. While our beaches may not be equal to the sands of the east coast and the swimming may prove a bit tricky, it is nonetheless called the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Indian Ocean. Just a short distance across the waters is Mornington Island, homeland of the Lardil, Yungal and Kaiadilt people. Mornington Island is the largest island of the Wellesley group in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Other substantial islands are Denham, Forsyth and Bentinck. Mornington Island, like Doomadgee, is a community struggling with a broad spectrum of social issues. Mornington is home to some of the feistiest women I have had the pleasure to meet. I look forward to working with elders of Mornington Island in partnership. To them I publicly give this commitment. Heading south-east we go to Croydon, Walangama country. I can only say that while it may have been some years since I have personally visited Croydon, I am determined that my electorate visiting program next year will most definitely include the Potty Dodgers Festival. I must say that being a bush girl myself I have actually known a few potty dodgers during my life and I wonder if they personally attend the festival so openly as the drovers. Pushing south to Doomadgee, the homeland of the Waanyi, Gangalidda and Garawa people. While it is my desire to portray the people and places in my electorate in the deserving and positive light that they quite rightly deserve, the past few months this community has dealt with great sadness and despair. I again make my commitment to the people of Doomadgee to work hard for them, to fulfil their trust in me and keep working for them over the coming years. I congratulate the on many of the policies that have been put in place over the last 10 years. These policies have gone a long way to addressing the problems. It is up to us today to continue to work closely with the elders of these communities so that the children particularly receive and are given a future which is no less deserved than it is for children right across the state and, indeed, the nation. Doomadgee is situated in one of the most beautiful and breathtaking parts of our state. It sits on the Nicholson River, is a near neighbour of the famous Gregory River and just below the equally famous and valuable Lawn Hill Gorge. I might also say that there are wonderful projects alive and prospering in this section of our gulf such as the work of the Lower Gulf Indigenous Beef Alliance and, over recent years, the work of Father Mick Lowcock and Centacare Employment. A project in most recent years was the cattle drive from Julia Creek to Longreach, a 12-week drive. It proved to be the turning point in the 36 participants’ lives. Now in the home straight, Cloncurry. This is Mayi and Mitakoodi country. The locals say it is the friendly heart of the great north-west, the birthplace of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the resting place of some of our greatest pioneers, the holder of the history through the historical John Flynn Place and Mary Kathleen Park. Cloncurry has a rich pastoral and mining history. These two industries, along with the transport industry, are contributing to Cloncurry’s future. One of my greatest pleasures was to have met and formed friendships with the Reverend Fred McKay and his gracious wife, Meg. His passion for the never waived. His love of the people and the people’s love for him and the Reverend John Flynn remain as strong today. Our deep gratitude should and will remain lasting for all future generations

File name: kier2006_10_31_48.fm Page : 3 of 4 Speech by Betty Kiernan extracted from Hansard of Tuesday, 31 October 2006 because of the legacy they left and entrusted to us by way of the RFDS and the School of the Air. Our past and our future remain indebted to these great men and women. My first opportunity to serve publicly was given to me by the electors of No. 3 division of the Cloncurry Shire Council in 1981. On my election and subsequent three terms I was the youngest elected representative, the second woman only and most definitely the only pregnant councillor to grace the chamber, give birth during an elected term, duck out of the chamber periodically and, all in all, conquer and shake the foundation of some long-held traditions. I might add that attending the monthly council meeting involved a 360-kilometre round trip over a dirt back road and some six and a half hours of travelling time. I served my three terms as a lone woman councillor. Today we are again represented by one woman councillor who, incidentally, is my very good friend Kim MacNamara. Kim is the granddaughter of Mr Ted Robertson who, on his death a short time ago, was the longest continuing member of the Australian Labor Party. Ted joined the party as a 14-year-old and was a member for 76 years. To me, the people of our electorate—the traditional owners of our land, the pioneers who went before us and the people who reside in and call it home today—are unique and the salt of the earth. Cloncurry, our largest town today, sits along with Mount Isa in the north-west minerals province. They are both experiencing rapid growth and expansion in the mining sector. Now our journey is nearing the end and we are back in the , home of the mighty Kalkadoon, discovered in February 1923 by John Campbell Miles. The mine and the town straddle the Leichhardt River. It is impossible to exaggerate the importance that the Carpentaria Mineral Province plays in Queensland’s mining industry. There is little doubt that the province holds Australia’s premier base metal products and is of significance and is a key factor in the state’s economic growth. Over the last few years the city of Mount Isa, Cloncurry and the gulf region have witnessed a level of investment, activity and energy not witnessed for many years. After many years of sluggish times, mining activity in the region has given our communities renewed hope and vigour. We celebrate these boom times and the prospects for our future are bright. Mining is and has always been the lifeblood of our region. Our region is attracting substantial investors in both the mining and non-mining sectors. With some trepidation in 2003, our major asset in was taken over by Xstrata. In three short years this company has won the trust of the workforce and the people of the north-west and is now not only identified as being an outstanding corporate citizen but also recognised for its faith, investment, vision and community involvement. Other companies such as Century Zinc and Cannington are playing an equally vital role in the region through constructive partnerships with the communities that are their neighbours. There is little doubt that the current stability in investment in our state is due to the continued positive and strong governance of the Queensland Labor government under the leadership of Premier Peter Beattie and cabinet members past and present. The Beattie Labor government has demonstrated commitment to our region. I have every faith that the Beattie Labor government will continue to deliver for the electorate of Mount Isa and, indeed, . I know that the Beattie Labor government will deliver on the promises of the election campaign and will work closely with us in the region and promote remote Queensland to ensure that we retain a quality of life equal to other parts of our state. As this opportunity to speak and our journey draws to a close, I pledge to the people within the boundaries of the Mount Isa electorate strong representation regardless of political affiliation. I pledge hard work and participation in community life across the electorate. I am committed to being accessible, to providing practical action and to being their voice to those in government so that their future and wellbeing is a priority. Lastly and in humility I express my sincere appreciation to the people of the Mount Isa electorate who have elected me as their representative. I will seek to honour the trust, faith and confidence they have placed in me, and their wellbeing will remain my first priority now and in the future above all else. Thank you.

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