Mrs GASH(12.46 p.m.) —I move:

That the following address-in-reply to the speech of His Excellency the Governor-General be agreed to:

May it please Your Excellency:

We, the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, in Parliament assembled, desire to express our loyalty to our Most Gracious Sovereign, and to thank Your Excellency for the speech which you have been pleased to address to Parliament.

Before I begin, may I express my condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones over these last few days in Port Arthur, Tasmania. And, Mr Deputy Speaker, may I congratulate you on your appointment. I was going to thank the opposition for the division—perhaps we could call it again.

Mr Deputy Speaker, this is indeed a historic occasion as I stand before you today not just as the member for Gilmore but as the first woman member for Gilmore. And I stand here as the member for Gilmore in a coalition government under the leadership of our Prime Minister, John Howard, the man who Australia believes in—for in John Howard and this government they see hope—hope for themselves, their families and their country.

They see the return of fair reward for those who invest in and work for their country, at the same time expecting and receiving equal opportunities and security for all Australians. As someone who, with lots of help, doorknocked their entire electorate, the messages were loud and clear: `Get on with the job', `We understand the possible from the impossible' and `Let the private sector do what governments shouldn't be doing.'

As I stand here and look around this House, I see before me such a diversity of backgrounds and wealth of knowledge. I can also see for the first time in its history the greatest number of women who bring not only colour but also a diversity of skills and experience—women who were elected in their own right, on their own merits and performance. This has been achieved by a party under John Howard's leadership that believes in giving the job to the best candidate based on merit and not on quotas.

But I did not succeed without the support of such dedicated women as Chris McDiven, instigator and coordinator of the Liberal Women's Forum and President of the Federal Women's Committee—and individuals like Deborah Klika, who with her loyalty and trust helped me in being here today.

I was not elected just because I am a woman. I believe we women were elected because our life experiences have given us the skills to equip us very well for life as a federal member—skills that maintain a balance in the decision making process and its outcomes. When one of the world's greatest leaders, Ghandi, was asked his reasons for always having women on his panel of advisers he said, `Women are logical in mind, compassionate in heart and caring all over.' One of these women later became Prime Minister of India, a nation of 800 million people.

On a personal level, it will be a balance between work and family, a balance between local community needs and development, a balance between social needs and fiscal responsibility for all Australians—as well as providing a safety net for those who have suffered under the last 12 years of Labor inequities.

However, to the men in my life I owe a great deal: my father, for his strict upbringing and strong sense of fair play and my mentors, both here today, who took great pleasure in providing me with the opportunities to succeed.

To my former boss and lifetime friend, Mac Cott—you taught me well. To Col McPhedran, my adviser—from local government, to preselection and the lead-up to my being here today—I thank you. It was you who always encouraged me with words of wisdom when the chips were down.

My Dutch parents brought me to Australia when I was six years old. My father, a successful businessman in his homeland, decided that, because of an increasing population, fewer opportunities and a continuing concern from his activities in the Dutch underground, the future of his wife and four children would be better served in that young country, Australia.

He wanted to seek that individual freedom and to make a contribution to the social, political and physical development of this country. It is my one regret that my father and best friend is not here to see this momentous occasion. He passed away many years ago—however, I know he is watching and is justifiably proud.

Through my father, I became a great fan of Sir Robert Menzies. What I remembered and admired most was that he lived and worked within reality and always dealt proactively with community and special interest groups.

From an early age my father taught me that there are two kinds of people in this world—those who do all the work and those who take all the credit. `Jo', he said, `always be in the first group as there is far less competition.' He was right—for there are no short cuts in the learning process of life.

Life in this new country for our family began on a farm cottage on the estate of Hopewood in Bowral, which in those days was also a home to homeless children from the United Kingdom, known as Dr Barnados Homes.

I left school at 15 to help with the family budget. Many of us here today will recall that in those days it was customary for girls to leave school whilst boys could continue their education—there was no such word as `discrimination'.

My first thoughts of politics came when, as a mother of two daughters and not being 21, I was not able to vote for those who ran the country. Unbeknown to me it was the first chapter of my life in politics.

Today, 30 years later, I stand here with pride as the member for Gilmore—a marginal seat with an area of some 6,500 square kilometres and a population of 83,000 people, including three local government areas.

The previous government totally ignored the basic infrastructure of regional development, dividing families and creating a sense of dependency rather than opening the doors to allow Australians to become competitive, generating needed investment, making Gilmore a better place to do business in and to live in and creating those much needed jobs. There is no denying the diversity of Gilmore with its wonderful mix of urban development, stunning beaches and foreshores which, together with a backdrop of mountain ranges, make it a visually exciting region. It provides enormous challenges for expansion of the significant tourist industry and our manufacturing, agricultural and commercial base.

Gilmore is on the move. However, we need help in order to help ourselves. Through you, Mr Deputy Speaker Nehl, I would like to give notice to the Minister for Transport and Regional Development (Mr Sharp), a former member for Gilmore and one whose constituents still remember and respect him for his understanding of the electorate and its people, that Gilmore urgently needs to have its road links in place, particularly the Princes Highway and trunk road 92. The people of Gilmore, especially the 7,600 small businesses, are delighted that this government has, once again, opened the door to regional development and infrastructure. For us the benefits and social wellbeing could very well be offset against capital costs. These same businesses are ready to employ extra staff, depending on the outcome of our industrial relations reforms.

Gilmore is an environmental icon with its Jervis Bay and much can be done to enhance the opportunities that exist without having to resort to commercial overkill. I am a firm believer in quality tourism as opposed to quantity. Tourism has been my life for over 25 years. It has given me the background to understand the scope that exists for eco-tourism. Appropriate choices of accommodation are urgently required if we are to avoid the tourist dollar from escaping.

The national parks, our greatest attraction, need to be the beneficiaries of that tourist dollar. However, it is my belief that the greatest potential for Gilmore lies in the development of marine based industries. Our location is ideal for aquaculture, marine transport, shipbuilding and fish farming, as well as forestry plantations, effective effluent dispersal and ethanol production.

Opportunities such as these signal the need for urgent commencement of a Shoalhaven university campus, as proposed by the Wollongong University. This campus would provide training, study and research programs, making it a leader in the New Age technology required for these commercially viable industries.

Gilmore is fortunate in that HMAS Albatross is one of the largest employers and contributors to our economy. The proposed expansion will allow for much needed growth and opportunities for our many skilled and unskilled workers. I believe it is the role of this government to provide those opportunities as defined in our pre-election policies.

Many in the community fear that development will bring about environmental disaster. This development must be addressed by sensitive, forward planning in consultation with the community.

I also give notice to the Minister for Primary Industries and Energy (Mr Anderson) to expect a deputation from our fishing industry. The previous government's unrealistic and insensitive stand on fishing quotas has reduced a once proud and thriving industry to a mere handful of fishermen who no longer have the finances and strength to compete with increasing worldwide competition and bureaucratic red tape.

Much has been said, but little has been done, about our forests. I see the need in Gilmore for forest plantations and management of existing resources, but this can only happen with the support and cooperation of our private land owners. I see my role as a local member in facilitating this process, using the opportunities provided by our environmental policy and the green core scheme for the unemployed.

Gilmore has the highest percentage of youth unemployment in New South Wales. One in three young people cannot find work. The greater percentage want to work and many still have the work ethic that this country grew up on. In addition, more thought needs to be given to the 33- to 35-year-old age groups who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, not to mention our significant aged population that has been neglected and ignored.

Whilst I am intent on realising the future needs of Gilmore, I am also acutely aware of having to protect the lifestyle of those who chose to live in this unique environment. This can only be achieved by acceptable compromise and working closely with local, state and federal governments.

May I now acquaint this House with the richness of Gilmore and its community groups. Never in all my travels have I seen such loyalty and unity within these organisations to protect and help those less fortunate. Many run on a shoestring budget, yet all are strong in voice and action.

There has been a revival in Christian principles as families were forced to rethink their values during the recession we had to have. Our church leaders are making a positive stand on political issues that they see as affecting the welfare of Gilmore. Much moral support was given and prayers offered to keep me strong and focused during the campaign. I feel very honoured to have been accepted by so many people of different beliefs.

In our electorate there are many committees that were set up under the previous government with political emphasis instead of community or business based needs. I would fully support a move whereby these committees are reviewed, allowing those with genuine intent to become stronger and more productive.

May I just reflect on those final days of the campaign, the intense loneliness that goes with such a campaign and the immense warmth and loyalty from all those supporters who were there day in and day out, in particular, the residents of East Nowra who took pity on us whilst doorknocking in 40 degree heat. It was a very humbling experience and one that I will never forget.

In particular, I would like to thank all the Liberals from Sydney and Wagga and nearby electorates for their help and support. To David Gray, our local President and one of the most loyal Liberals I have been associated with: I thank you. To the campaign team and the door knockers, who gave 110 per cent: I thank you.

Thank you to the branch presidents and their members—John Lebas and Bede Devery of Kiama, Jo Vink and Mitchell Parks of Moss Vale, Phil Ballard of Berry, Val Noble of Gerringong, Ian Strathie of Nowra, John Ryan of Bomaderry and Joy Love from Ulladulla—with a very special thank you to Val Brealey and Jean Engisch. So many new friends were made.

To the young Liberals who worked night and day, not just for me but throughout New South Wales: your dedication fills me with great pride. I know that our future is in good hands.

To Senator Michael Baume, whom I have known for over 20 years and who has always taken the time to listen, advise and assist: the people of Gilmore and I wish you well in your future challenges.

I would especially like to thank all those wonderful friends who are not Liberals, yet believed in me—people like Councillor David Lemerle who, despite my political persuasion, stuck by me. Others helped in order to see a future for their children.

There are many aspects I would like to see changed in this House—in particular, the restoration of community beliefs in politics without fear or favour, especially amongst the young. It is time, as Justice Kirby said recently, that politicians return to what they were elected for—seeing that the business of politics is that of leading the community, not twisting in the wind to transient public opinion.

However, politics and its issues deserve to be fought with passion and even desperation, but nothing is to be gained by politics of personal attack. The consequence of any decision made is that there will be winners and losers. I hope we can grow to respect each other and to have debate resolved on the merits of issues and not on the strings of one's emotion or the loudness of one's voice. It takes courage to make a decision. It could mean the loss of friends and office. I thank here John Fahey, a man who stands tall and to me epitomises what I have just said.

To the media: I acknowledge the enormous responsibility you have in communicating to the people of Australia our strengths and weaknesses. I applaud your continued professionalism.

To my family—my sister, Vera; my daughters, Sonia and Deborah; and four granddaughters—I thank you for the leave of absence that you gave me. To the wonderful staff at Ranelagh House who kept the show on the road and the business running: I thank you, particularly Patrick. To Danielle, Dana, Leanne and Tamara Jones: we did it. To the federal secretariat—Andrew Robb and Mark Textor—and to the state secretariat—Tony Nutt and the campaign unit—who gave me strength because they never doubted me: I thank you.

To Kay Jones, my business partner, friend and confidante, who taught me to reach my full potential and for which there are no words to describe the strength and commitment she gave to me and the Liberal Party: I thank you.

Finally, I have a message for the Prime Minister (Mr Howard) from his greatest fan of many years—my mum. She is 83 and not in good health, but she asked me to convey to you how proud she was on 2 March to be an Australian citizen.

Mr Speaker and fellow members, I am honoured and I am excited at the challenges facing me as the member for Gilmore and as a member in this House. I am totally committed to the people of Gilmore and the Australian parliament. Australia belongs to the people, and I understand and respect that we as politicians are merely its custodians.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Jenkins) —Order! Before I call the honourable member for Longman to second the motion, I remind the House that this is the honourable member's first speech, and I ask the House to extend to him the usual courtesies.