SPEECHES
Speech on Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019
I rise to speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. Speaker, this is a challenging issue. There are passionate feelings involved - and deeply held personal beliefs. There are...
CIS – Foundations for reform in a time of political disruption
I want to begin with two pictures. The first is of today. We live in a golden age. Just 200 years ago, more than 9 in 10 people around the world lived in extreme poverty. Today it’s less than one in...
Productivity reform: the next frontier for shared prosperity in NSW
In 2009, a column was submitted to the Sydney Morning Herald on the state of NSW. It read: “[NSW is] leading the country in the wrong direction...The unemployment rate is higher than the national...
Business Council of Australia – Looking to our economic future
NSW Exceptionalism Last week McKinsey published a report identifying what they called the 50 “superstar” cities around the world. These cities punch well above their weight. They hold just 8 percent...
Preserving our freedom: Fighting to back against politically correct bullies
Good evening, it’s great to be here. As Treasurer of NSW, I spend most of my working day focused on ensuring we have a balanced budget and a healthy economy. But these are only a means to an end -...
A manifesto for middle Australia: Only the Liberal Party can deliver
It’s great to be here tonight in Western Sydney - the aspirational heart of NSW. More than two million people make their homes here - over a quarter of our state’s population. It’s where more than...
Community Recognition Statement – John Miller OAM
I commemorate a champion of the Hawkesbury Community, Mr John Miller, who has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the Hawkesbury. It was a great honour to nominate John...
NSW Budget 2018: Building for tomorrow, delivering for today
This is a budget for the people of our great State. The nearly 8 million who call NSW home. Our working families, young apprentices and those needing a helping hand. Our new mums, business owners...
Speech to NSW Parliament – Exclusion Zones
Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on this bill. In 2013, a forestry worker named John Creighton was killed on the North Coast, struck by a falling tree branch. The coroner’s report stated his death...
IPA Conference: The future of infrastructure in NSW
It’s great to be here today among friends to open the IPA conference. I believe there has never been a better time to be in the infrastructure game in NSW. And with your help, this government has...
NSW Budget speech 2017: Building for the next generation
This is a budget that builds for the next generation. It provides for the present and positions us for the future. It harvests dividends from six years of reform and ploughs them back into our local...
Private Members’ Statement – Hawkesbury-Hills Student Leadership
I congratulate students involved in the Hawkesbury-Hills Student Leadership Program in 2016. The program, which I founded in 2014, gives students an opportunity to be mentored throughout their final...
Community Recognition Statement – Hawkesbury Grandparent of the Year
I congratulate Sandra Wright, the local Grandparent of the Year for the Hawkesbury electorate. Sandra is a deserving recipient for this award. She is grandmother to four grandchildren and has...
Fire and Emergency Services Bill – Second Read
The Fire and Emergency Services Levy Bill will establish a fairer way of providing the funds needed by our fire and emergency services—Fire and Rescue NSW [FRNSW], the NSW Rural Fire Service [RFS]...
Hawkesbury Citizenship Awards – Australia Day 2017
Ladies and Gentlemen: What an honour and a privilege it is to be one of the first to offer my heartfelt congratulations to you today, on becoming citizens of this great nation. You have come here,...
Private Members’ Statement – Government financial management
I draw to the attention of the House concerns put to me by my constituents in Hawkesbury about the delivery of infrastructure and important services. Thanks to the sound financial management of the...
The future of conservatism: Why we need a Conservative Spring
Where we are Tonight I am here as a proud conservative Almost 75 years ago, Sir Robert Menzies gave his famous “Forgotten People” address...
Think globally, reform locally: Why state governments need to disrupt their...
Introduction I saw an ad on TV the other day for customised number plates. It got me thinking about the number plates on cars back when I was a kid here in NSW. There were no fancy colours or words...
Unveiling the restored Lysicrates monument
Ladies and gentlemen – a couple of years ago I met John and Patricia Azarias, founders for the Lysicrates Foundation, and they told me the story behind this monument. And I loved it. Because it...
The art of more: How asset recycling is making our lives...
Introduction Good afternoon everyone and welcome - it’s great to see so many people here. Acknowledgements Chairman of QBE and former Premier of NSW, Nick Greiner Geoff Roberts, Greater Sydney...
Private Members’ Statement – Indigenous youth
Mr Speaker, it has now been over a week since we saw shocking images of children in detention in the Northern Territory. Our horror at the treatment of those children is entirely justified. But our...