Ms GAMBARO(7.46 p.m.) —I rise in support of my colleague in the class of 96, the member for Lindsay (Miss Jackie Kelly), a person of high regard and integrity who has worked extremely hard both in the parliament and in the electorate of Lindsay since her election on 2 March. Today, as you would be aware, Mr Deputy Speaker, the High Court has ruled on a constitutional technicality that the election of the member for Lindsay is invalid, forcing the electors of this electorate back to the polls.

The decision, which has been pursued by an opposition which was rejected wholeheartedly at the last election, has been accepted and the ramifications are simple. Once again, the people of Lindsay have to make a choice in a by-election, a choice which they already made in March this year, the choice to give Jackie Kelly and the Howard government a fair go.

The election result in the seat of Lindsay typified the moves against the opposition not only in the seat of Lindsay but also in my seat of Petrie where there was a swing of over 12 per cent. In Lindsay, the member achieved an 11.5 per cent swing. Labor needs only a 1.5 per cent swing to win that seat. The average swing against any government in a by-election is 4.3 per cent.

The swing against the opposition highlighted the fact that the people had had enough. The Penrith area, which is represented by the member for Macarthur (Mr Fahey), had been held by Labor for 51 out of 56 years. With high interest rates, high unemployment and high foreign debt, the former government left this country with a bankcard bill which any excess shopper would be proud of. The government will not shirk its responsibility and is working towards repaying this huge debt.

The first Costello budget was fair and reasonable in bringing benefits to families, small business and our young people. The family tax initiatives will place money back into the hands and pockets of the people of Lindsay. This government has already worked and will continue to work for small business—providing real jobs, giving confidence and enabling a return to consumer spending. A key area of this government's election platform was giving hope to our young people. The schools will again have extra resources and we will be able to prepare people, especially young people, for future employment.

The people of Lindsay have already spoken in very large numbers. Theirs was a vote for change but, more clearly, it was a vote for a hard worker, a vote for someone who knows the people she represents—their needs and their wants. During the member for Lindsay's first speech she said:

Lindsay is full of ordinary battlers: PAYE taxpayers, paying off a mortgage, who are concerned about interest rates; people who are concerned about providing for their old age; people who want to give their children more than they had themselves; people who are working so hard and still not getting ahead.

I commend the member for Lindsay for her fortitude. She has taken the decision by the High Court with dignity and compassion—and she is a fighter. I note her experience in the Australian armed forces as a squadron leader, a role which in the past provided her with grit and determination to stand in what was considered a very safe Labor seat.

Furthermore, she has the will to work hard to achieve the goals she has set. People do not like elections; the cost of elections is crippling. The people of Australia are paying for Labor's mismanagement, yet here we have a situation where the member for Lindsay won her seat in this parliament with the support of a majority of the electorate and, through a technicality, will be forced back to the polls at a massive cost to the Australian people—and not just in money terms, as this outcome will leave many constituents in the electorate terribly confused.

The member for Lindsay was proud to take up a career as a people's representative. She said in her maiden speech:

There is no going back. I will fight for their interests because in the end I must return to live amongst them, and I will do so with my head held high.

The member for Lindsay is a fighter. She deserves to hold her head high and I look forward to her having a very long and rewarding career in this House.