CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr FARLEY (Farrer) (09:42): I rise today to recognise some of the finest people in Farrer: citizens who give up their time, money, vehicles and labour to help Australians who are struggling. But I ask a harder question. Why are we requesting them to do so much?

In Farrer, seeing a medical specialist can mean four, five or six hours on the road, fuel, vehicle costs, lost wages and often accommodation. When a pensioner or a struggling family cannot afford the journey, too often it's another citizen who bridges the gap. Someone drives the car, someone pays for the fuel and someone gives up their day.

The same is happening with food banks, charities, churches and service clubs providing groceries, clothing and uniforms and heating, and their workload is growing. Government policy has consequences. Rising energy, housing and transport costs don't remain on the Treasury spreadsheet.

They arrive at the supermarket check-out, the electricity bill, the fuel bowser and eventually at the door of the local food bank. Philanthropy should strengthen society. It should not be required to subsidise policy failure.

So, to every volunteer, donor, business and community organisation across Farrer, thank you. You represent regional Australia at its best. But this parliament owes you more than gratitude.

It owes you better policy. The generosity of Farrer should be celebrated. It's not there to be exploited.