CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr RAE (Hawke—Minister for Aged Care and Seniors) (09:32): Tuesday this week was Vietnam Veterans' Day and the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. I want to begin by acknowledging the service held in Melton, as well as others held across our community this week. To President John Hodges, Secretary James Fitzgerald and all members of the Vietnam vets association in Melton: thank you for the dedication and the care that you bring to this day every single year.

To every Vietnam veteran and family member, who sacrificed so much for our country: we honour your service, your sacrifice and your strength. It was fantastic to be at St Francis Catholic College in Cobblebank for the opening of their new creative hub, backed by 4½ million bucks from the Albanese government. I also had the privilege of opening the new stage 3 building at St Lawrence of Brindisi Catholic Primary School in Melton South, a brand-new two-storey building delivered with over $4.9 million from the Albanese government.

These new facilities support young people in our growing western suburbs with a high-quality education and real skills for the future. I want to give a shout-out to the recent 54th annual Bacchus Marsh Rotary Art Show, the longest running art show in regional Victoria and a real institution in our community. Congratulations to committee chair Peter Shilton, recently named Moorabool shire's 2026 Citizen of the Year.

And a big shout-out to everyone at Sunbury Seniors for their Australia's Biggest Morning Tea event, raising money for the Cancer Council. It was great to be there. Many thanks to President Louise Zambello and everyone who came along for such a good cause.

Last week I had the honour of standing alongside 400 TWU delegates in Tullamarine to fight against companies like FedEx trying to strip back workers pay and conditions. My community is home to baggage handlers, truck drivers and delivery workers—transport workers in our economy. These are the people who keep our country moving, and they deserve fair wages, respect on the job and to come home safely to their families.

This week, the TWU's fight delivers once again. Food delivery workers across Australia are now covered by new industry standards, including a minimum hourly rate of $31.30. This is a massive pay rise for workers who previously had no safeguards at all.

This is what the Albanese government's reform has made possible, and, importantly, it's what the TWU has been fighting for on behalf of these workers for years. Thank you to Michael Kaine, Emily McMillan, Richard Olsen, Sam Lynch and the entire TWU for your tireless advocacy for workers in our community. I want to give a special shout-out to Senator Tony Sheldon, who has devoted his working life, with courage, to representing these workers.