CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Ms STANLEY (Werriwa—Government Whip) (16:44): The electorate of Werriwa is home to people who've come from all over the world seeking safety, prosperity and opportunities for themselves and their children. Every business and school reflects names from all over the world. Their choice to settle in south-west Sydney has enriched our community.
They are our volunteers—they run our sporting clubs—and they have been doing this for decades in peace, harmony and service to our community. But there is rapid growth, which brings a great deal of opportunity and excitement but also its fair share of challenges. In my role as local member, one of my key tasks is to make sure that the community has the services and infrastructure it requires.
In the last few weeks, I have been able to attend many events that demonstrate again just how wonderful and diverse the community is. Recently I attended, with the Prime Minister and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the opening of a new community centre for St Yosip's in Leppington. The hall at St Yosip's will provide community spaces for an area not yet well serviced by such facilities.
Last week it was my honour to lay the first brick, with the member for Watson and Bishop Tarabay, at St Rafqa's Maronite Church in Austral. The new building will provide the fast-growing suburb of Austral with community facilities that are very much needed. Over the last few years, Austral has been transformed from market gardens, chicken farms and tomato farms to homes for many families.
As in many areas, infrastructure and community facilities have not kept up. The Albanese government has invested billions of dollars in the area, with the NSW government and councils, to give the support the people who live there need. Funding for local parks and $1.4 billion for roads like Fifteenth Avenue have already been committed.
Last Friday it was my pleasure to attend the opening of new school buildings at St Anthony of Padua Catholic College. Good education is particularly important in our community, and having schools that provide opportunities near the new developments and housing is also very important. The school community was joined by the Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, and local members Nathan Hagarty and Sally Quinnell.
It was a privilege to represent the Minister for Education, Jason Clare, and to acknowledge the more than $12 million contribution by the Australian government. The Albanese government is continuing to provide real financial support to my community, which was ignored for far too long by previous governments.