Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

At the outset I want to acknowledge the eloquent words of the member for Shortland. We don't always agree, but I certainly do agree on this count and agree with his remarks about what Filipinos have done in aged care particularly—specifically, as he quite correctly pointed out, saving lives, essentially putting their own lives at risk so that Australians could have quality aged care in their retirement, in their golden twilight years.

This is an important debate and I am very pleased to speak on this milestone occasion. The Riverina and Central West, which I proudly represent, are home to many Filipino Australians, who I know have a great affinity to their homeland as well as their adoptive country that they now call home, Australia. Wagga Wagga, for example, is known for its vibrant Filipino community, and I can vouch for and attest to that very point, having attended a number of multicultural events over the past 11 years celebrating the Filipino culture, their food, music and dance. In 2019 I attended the celebrations of Philippines independence at Henschke Catholic Primary School. I'm familiar with the school, and I recall that great celebrations were had. In June this year, prior to the imposition of COVID restrictions, the Filipino Catholic community of Wagga Wagga diocese gathered and celebrated in style the 123rd anniversary of their country's independence. Whilst I was disappointed at not being able to attend, I know there was a carnival atmosphere of celebration, as you would expect.

Wagga Wagga, where I call home, was declared a Rotary peace city on 23 February 1993, a concept conceived by Kooringal Rotarian Tony Quinlivan. It was the first peace city to be declared anywhere in the world. The second was Manila in the Philippines, being declared a peace city on 22 June 1994. This speaks volumes to me about the types of people who inhabit both places and highlights an important connection between values, between traditions and between the outlook of the world that both Australians and Filipinos certainly share—peace-loving people, people who celebrate diversity, people who celebrate democracy. Data available in 2020 showed that 9.4 per cent of the Wagga Wagga population were born overseas, with the Philippines being one of the top five countries where people born overseas originate from, the others being the United Kingdom, India, New Zealand and China. There are many more, of course. We actually fly more than 100 flags; on Australia Day we celebrate 100 different nations. Many regional communities and many metropolitan communities, such as your own, Mr Deputy Speaker Zimmerman, are cradles of multiculturalism. We are very diverse communities.

The contribution Filipino workers make to local industries in the Riverina should also be very much emphasised. I know there are hundreds of Filipinos who work in all manner of local industry, with a great number employed by Teys in Wagga Wagga and by other endeavours as well. The Philippines consulate has made visits to Wagga Wagga to assist those living and working in the city. But it's not just Wagga Wagga; it's right across the vast Riverina electorate. I want to highlight a friend of mine, Irene Broad. Irene was elected to Temora Shire Council in 2004. She was re-elected in 2008. She served until 2012. What a wonderful person she is. I spoke to the mayor of Temora this morning, Councillor Rick Firman, who talked about Irene's grace and warmth. He's right, of course. Irene says she is the first Filipino migrant to be elected to Australian public life, as in local government, and the SBS confirms that she is considered to be so. She provided some wonderful input to Temora. Her contribution to Australian life is reflected by Filipinos all around our great nation. They contribute mightily. Of course, Australia's two-way goods and services trade with the Philippines was worth $5.6 billion in 2019. It's not just culture; it's also trade and friendship. The bottom line is friendship, mateship.

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