STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator O'NEILL (New South Wales) (13:44): I rise to make a contribution about the commitment to the democracy of this nation and the civic engagement of members of political parties, particularly my party, the Labor Party, which was celebrated in the recognition of life members at the 2026 New South Wales state conference. I proudly attended as part of the SDA delegation.

It is a tradition in our conferences that we acknowledge those longstanding and outstanding members of the Labor Party who have reached life membership status. I congratulate every single one of them. I want to take the opportunity I have here in the time that's allocated to put on the record the many women in New South Wales who received life membership at this conference.

I say to each of you: thank you for your remarkable contribution not just to the Labor Party but to your communities and to the democratic project of this great nation, Australia, our home. Congratulations, Merilyn Alt, Joy Benton, Helen Clifford, Kathleen Collins, Carmel Cook, Marilyn Eade, Robyn Gibson, Victoria Holland, Karen Judd, Anne Knight, Patricia Maybury, Cath Miller, Merleen Millson, Anne Rees, Mollie Rule, Maree Shepherd, Alma Stearn, Susan Suchy, Carmel Tebbutt, Colleen Timoshenko, Leta Webb and Sue Young.

We value your contributions to the party over many, many years to ensure that our party, the Labor Party, truly reflects the communities across Australia that we strive to represent. I recognise each of you and commend your efforts. I want to make a very special mention in the time that remains to me of Maria Iemma, the wonderful mother of the former premier of New South Wales Morris Iemma AO.

Thank you, every life member, for your contribution.