ADDRESS TO TELETHON BALL | PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

 

***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY***

 

Acknowledgments omitted.

 

Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, when Albo hands over the reins to me, as he has right now, he doesn’t really give me any particular set of instructions.

Normally there is a very simple edict, Richard, do not stuff it up, and can I assure you that they are not the exact words he uses.

But tonight was very different because he made it really clear to me that for Rachel and I, our attendance at this ball was absolutely non-negotiable.

He said that this is Perth’s night of nights.

And in fact, he made it clear to me months ago that we were to be here, and since then, my West Australian colleagues, Roger and many others have been explaining to me exactly what the cultural event this is.

And so for Rachel and I, we are very excited and very honoured to be here tonight.

And coming from Geelong as we do, I’ve always felt that there is a very strong connection between Geelong and Perth.

Now, I found it endearing that here in this town, you name freeways after local Geelong footballers.

And I was down in Fremantle recently, and I happily saw that there is an offshoot of a celebrated Geelong brewery, which makes that famous Geelong beer, Little Creatures.

But when I started thinking about it, I realized that there is a little bit of cultural appropriation going on here, but by you guys, because nothing is off limits, not even if you are born in Geelong, are you safe.

And as the Member of Parliament who represents Geelong, I think it is time to call a spade a spade: You all stole Ben cousins.

But that said, can I say that Perth matters?

And Perth seriously matters to our nation today.

In a pretty challenging world, the strategic centre of our nation, increasingly, is right here: we are literally on the fulcrum of the Indo Pacific.

And it’s why you’re seeing more work happening down there at HMAS Stirling, as we ready ourselves not only to be the base of our current submarines, but our future submarines.

That’s why you’re seeing the establishment of the Henderson Defence Precinct, which in time, will be the place that we build our next generation of frigates for the Royal Australian Navy.

And what that means for me as the Defence Minister is that increasingly, I’m a frequent visitor to this wonderful part of the country.

And at a personal level, let me say that I absolutely love that, because it’s really clear to me that what is good for Perth is good for the nation, and the Telethon is a perfect example of that.

Its 58 years since the telephone has been in existence, and over that period of time, it’s raised $688 million.

And today it supports 161 different children’s charities.

Now, for parents of very sick kids with acute needs, Rachel and I have been in this place, it is utterly terrifying- it is completely consuming, it is unquestionably the darkest time in people’s lives.

But in this moment, to have treatment, to have care, to have that help that our children’s hospitals and our paediatric services provide is totally transformational- it is a literal godsend.

And for the thousands of kids and families whose lives have been saved and changed for the better because of your generosity, I know that there is a heartfelt, deep sense of gratitude for all that you are doing.

And so Telethon really matters.

Tonight makes a difference.

And with that in mind, I’m very proud to announce that on behalf of the Commonwealth Government, this year our contribution to Telethon is $6 million.

I know that I speak on behalf of those thousands of families and those kids, indeed, the whole nation, in saying thank you for all that you have already given.

Have a wonderful night tonight, and please dig deep.

Thank you.

ENDS