STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator O'NEILL (New South Wales) (13:38): This is a good news story, which is something we don't hear often in this chamber. This morning, I was actually able to meet a young man by the name of Dusty, who's from out west in Warren. I see people here in the chamber who might wonder, 'What could a boy of 12 dream up when he's swimming in the dam on his farm with his mum?' Well, young Dusty Langby and his mum dreamed up a plan to raise $1 million to support Little Wings, which provides health access for kids from the bush.

Today, he met the Prime Minister, and he achieved that dream. Dusty has been walking for 16 days. He raised just under half a million dollars.

If you have it within your wherewithal, give him a bit of support. The Prime Minister today committed to matching, dollar for dollar, every bit that Dusty has raised. Why did he do this?

He's a great kid with a big heart who wanted to do something for his community in regional Australia. One million dollars is going to make a massive difference to the lives of people out in the western part of New South Wales. The government is also making sure to extend another $1 million in funding to the Little Wings organisation to help seriously ill children in regional communities access the health care that they need.

Today, Dusty wasn't alone. Of course, he travelled with the support of his mum, Sarah Langby, a registered nurse; his dad, Andrew; two local nurses, Christine Letton and Nichole Callan, who walked alongside him; his little brother, Angus; and his extended family. From the dam, the idea ended up on a phone in the house.

The first port of call was an aunty who said, 'Yes, Dusty, you can do it.' And, today, a great Australian came to the parliament, and he did something for others. What a great leader!