How exciting to be here giving a speech that has been formulating for almost the past 10 years. How many of us across the Chamber have not thought, “I’m going to say that in my valedictory”? That line has definitely been on replay over the past 18 months or so for me with varying degrees of aggression and, at times, compassion. Duncan, who has been the one who mostly has to listen to the rants, has a very common and consistent message for me, “Remember, Bron, to end well.” For most of my life, I have taken his advice as it is sound and logical—but let’s see how I go!
I came into this place, on reflection, an extremely naive politician. I did not know much about party politics. I did not know left or right, or even that there were varying degrees of left and right. There is soft left, hard left, hard right and then there is even a faction called the Fergusons. There are trained psychologists, who spend hours talking about very odd things they do to turkeys before Christmas, and who represent parties I had never heard of, like the Animal Justice Party. Now we even have the Legalise Cannabis Party. It is a very different and unusual place indeed. One of the Labor people that I adore the most is sparky and union organiser Mark Buttigieg. Who would ever have thought I would be sitting here thinking, “I think you’re fabulous”? Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Parliament of New South Wales.
You see, I just like people. I actually love people. I love their stories and I love what things mean to them. I enjoy hearing about their issues and what makes them want to jump out of bed in the morning. Most of all, I love a good cause. Regardless of all the differences amongst us, I truly believe—well, for most of you anyway—that we all end up with the privilege of being here because, in our own way, we want to make the world a better place, whatever that may be to us. I am so very grateful to the New South Wales National Party for giving me the immense privilege to serve in this place.
Unfortunately, what I do see happening is a Parliament where politics is, more than not, triumphing over good policy and good people. That is something I have always really tried to fight hard against, sometimes with much success and sometimes with great personal cost to me and to those I love most in this world. Politics takes a toll on us and on our families. For me, though, I have had more support than I could have ever asked for and that is because I was surrounded, personally and professionally, by incredible people. It is those that lift us up during our lives that we owe so much to.
For me it started as a boarder at a school in Sydney when Mum and Dad were posted overseas. A woman who is in the gallery tonight, Claire Hunt, took me under her wing and opened up her family to me because I was a friend of her daughter, Mandy, a day girl. Claire instilled in me a belief that I was capable of doing anything; most of all, going to university. Claire believed in me. I owe so much to two other great mentors, and two great dames of the National Party, Fiona Nash and Kay Hull. Fiona picked me up after a preselection loss and made me brave enough to try again. I owe her so very much. Her strong, wise counsel got me through the toughest of times over the past 10 years. Kay is an absolute legend, who will support you if you win her trust. Thank you, Kay, for everything you do for all of us.
We all need people who believe in us. We need people in our corner. I want to take a moment to talk about the real people that make government and services work and policy develop. It has become a bit of a sport to attack bureaucrats. When I was practising as a nurse, it was often easy to look up and find fault. The health system is not perfect, but it is a human system. You will always find in me a staunch supporter of NSW Health. It has given me opportunities I never, ever thought were possible. The people that I worked with in NSW Health and the public service are some of the finest people that you will ever meet. They are skilled, they are professional and they are dedicated. One thing I know is that if you find yourself acutely unwell in New South Wales and you present to hospital, you will have staff that are world class and who, in their skillset, will do everything possible for you to have a good outcome.
I absolutely acknowledge that the system is stretched to the brink, and I used to lay awake at night worrying about it. Now Ryan Park has to lay awake worrying about it. It is actually reflected now in his almost full head of grey hair. Either that or I jolly well caused it because Duncan went grey the year after we got married. There are massive headwinds ahead for our system, particularly in the regions. That is why it is imperative that the focus be kept on rural and regional healthcare. Where are you, Gurmesh? Gurmesh is taking over from me, so look out! In our regions we are different and we are unique, and we have the most innovative clinicians and leaders. They have the answers. They need to keep using their voice and they must be listened to.
I do not think I will ever be prouder than I was the day that I was sworn in as the first regional health Minister. I know it was not Brad Hazzard’s favourite day—I am sorry he is not here—but we need that focus and that determination to make the changes that we need. As our regions grow, we attract specialists and they need to have their own focus, and that will lead to more training opportunities. We absolutely need to train specialists in our regions. We should, we can and we must commit to that.
I want to give a shout out today to Marg Bennett, a great leader who has to put up with politicians. It is not easy. Well done, Marg, on landing Bombala. It is fantastic that a town that was robbed of its aged?care service will now have one, thanks to the State, whose remit is not aged care, but it has again had to step up. I am sorry that I was not there for the announcement. We worked on it for years alongside the amazing community. I did not get an invitation, but that would not be your fault, Ryan. They should all be so proud. It was a great outcome, and it shows that very small communities are able to use their people power for good. It takes vision and tenacity to take it to the Feds and deliver an outcome.
The Federal Government needs to do much more in aged care. Services are leaving so many small towns, and it is wrong on every level. Remember how I taught members that when people shake when they drink, they are nervous? That is me now. Providers must be held to account and work within a regulatory system that makes sure that they deliver. We need to place value on aged-care services. We need to support and fund them so that they can deliver good quality care. We have so much to learn from how Asian countries value their elderly. The elderly in our communities deserve so much more than they receive.
That takes me to the point that it is our job, as members of Parliament, to prosecute ideas. We need to be bold; we need to be innovative and we need the courage to try—and even more courage to admit and accept when it does not work. That should never stop us from trying. I was unrelenting in my pursuit for an extended scope of practice for pharmacists. Again, those changes provide real opportunities to change health outcomes for people. There was so much pushback from doctors at home, whom I respect immensely. They spoke to me many times about their reluctance to support it. I understood their concerns, but I knew, through my own clinical experience and the direct evidence from other States, that it could work—and it has worked. I fundamentally believe that it is a solution that has to be explored more thoroughly across more professions—physiotherapy, for example. I am so proud of that reform. I thank the Pharmacy Guild, especially Judy Plunkett, Heff, and Mr Twomey—who is here today too—for their counsel, their vision, and their pursuit of better health outcomes.
I could not possibly leave without speaking about one of my favourite topics: the school nurse program. When I started on that crusade after a meeting in my office a few months into the job, I became committed to the difference that it could make. I was determined to get it into our public school education system or, as many have reminded me, bring it back. As a backbencher, I went to two Ministers and had no luck. They were on my side. Then I went to Brad Hazzard and, to give him his due, he thought it might work okay. I think he thought that I was becoming really annoying. Little did he know I was going to be even more annoying as the regional health Minister. He directed the department to fund one nurse across New South Wales. I knew there would be internal pushback in both the Department of Health and the Department of Education, because it meant that two enormous departments would actually have to communicate and collaborate.
Unbeknownst to me, an idea was already being talked about in a town called Young by two amazing principals, Keith Durrant and Kel Smerdon, who knew they had to do something different to help with the deteriorating mental health conditions of their young people. That is why it is so important for members to drive their case through, to drive their ideas and policy, and then go and fight for them. That is what we are supposed to do. That is why the people of New South Wales elected us. There was a meeting with Dean Lynch and Gabrielle Curtin at Snowy Hydro—I am so glad you’re here with me, Deano—to convince the CEO that it would be a great pilot for Snowy Hydro to fund. Alas, we had three. It is not many. Two were funded by a corporate and one was funded by the Government.
At times, I do not know why we are afraid of joint projects. Look at the results when we partner effectively. The McGrath Foundation is a great example of a private-public partnership. There is so much opportunity. In the mental health space, the partnership with Ramsay Health Care to use private beds for public patients has been really successful. We should have the courage to try. If it leads to better health outcomes, that is all the evidence that we need. The three school nurses project was a massive success and was found to have a significant and tangible effect on improving mental health outcomes. I am reliably informed that there are now 106 nurses and over 15,000 occasions of service and support. Minister Ryan Park, God bless your little cotton socks for re?funding them. You did not play politics; you delivered the policy. He is a man of so much humility that he sent me a message saying, “Well done.” That is a testament to who you are. That is decent. That is being a grown up. That is why I have so much respect for you. I am glad that I do not have to be mean to you in another budget estimates hearing.
Many years ago I was struggling as the mum of a cranky baby with a piercing scream and living in a little town. Holly was hard work. I was given strategies and support in a little clinic run out of a cottage in Nimmitabel by an amazing early childhood nurse, Sue McPhee. I promised myself that if I ever had the chance to make sure everyone could have a Sue if they had a Holly, I would do that. I met Rob Mills and Deb Stockton from Tresillian when I started in Parliament. They were advocating for rural and regional Tresillian centres. I loved it and pushed for it.
At the time, I was the Parliamentary Secretary for Southern NSW. In those days—take note, recent Parliament Secretaries—we were invited to Cabinet four times a year to present issues and solutions. I presented a proposal for five regional and rural Tresillian centres, methodically worked on by Deb, Robert, and my amazing team. I put it under the former Treasurer’s nose. I reckon it helped that he had seven children. We now have 12 family care centres doing 14,500 occasions of service a year. We have six Tresillian 2U vans doing 3,000 occasions of service a year. They are changing lives and, most of all, helping families. Most of them now incorporate Gidget House, thanks to the leadership of Arabella Gibson, and make sure that rural and regional families have the access to best mental health care available. It is a winning combination.
We have departments whose job it is to provide advice. Let us be really clear about that: It is advice. They are skilled people who work within the public service, the majority of whom work in the city providing advice. Our job as elected members of this place is to either develop the ideas into policy or help others formulate the ideas into policy. Those ideas naturally, and rightly so, should be tested by people within government departments to give their advice on the viability and balance all the things that should be considered. The question to all members is should that be the sole determinant of an idea’s success?
Over the past few years there has been an approach in this place to scream from the rafters if government implements something against advice. It has become ridiculous, and it is now evident that there is a vacuum of ideas and a paralysis of implementation. Worse again is using our system to manufacture that advice when a particular Minister wants an outcome. Departments have a job to do, but members of Parliament are forgetting that it is their job to have the courage to challenge that if they believe something is in the best interests of their community. The obsession with the notion of pork-barrelling has, and will into the future have, such negative outcomes on communities that will not meet business case review standards and, therefore, will never have the opportunities that metro communities do. New hospitals and new schools sometimes do not stack up in small communities, but if they do not have them, people will not move there, people will not thrive there, and those communities will not grow.
The advice is often based on assumptions that may or may not be correct. It can be unnecessarily narrow, so the positives are defined narrowly but do not necessarily take in the fact that we need to populate areas and that, to do that, we need to enhance liveability, enrich communities, and raise families. Those things feed on themselves. If you have a more populated and enriched community, you can then get to a level where services sustain themselves. Where do we actually capture that? It is the job of politicians to prosecute that. There needs to be an appetite for risk, as long as that is based on making progress.
One person who did that with the courage of Hercules was John Barilaro. Last week I ran into a general manager of a large regional council on Macquarie Street. He said that his community is still benefitting from the legacy programs started and delivered by John, like special activation precincts and regional growth funds. That is something I hear across the regions every single day. John is a dear friend to me. He must be, because he has come with half an eye. He still turned up. He is a dear friend to me, and he is a dear friend to my family. He is absolutely the man you want in your corner when you are in the trenches. I believe what happened to him and the constant attacks on his character took a toll that no-one should ever justify. To drive a man who has done so very much for the regions to become an obsession to tear down is a dark time in politics that almost broke my friend. I am so happy that he is here with me today so that I can publicly acknowledge all that he has done.
The Country University Centres are a really wonderful example that is testament to John’s ability to see something that, when it was in its infancy, had so much potential and could be scaled up to benefit others in regional communities. It all started in Cooma, thanks to Snowy Hydro and a bunch of volunteers, including my husband, who wanted to see access to university education in a rural town. What started in Cooma as one centre is now 35 centres across three States. Let’s unpick that. It started with no government money, only philanthropy from a corporate with a visionary CEO in Terry Charlton. It is now spread across three States and 35 centres.
Let’s break that down to people—7,600 students have participated in a Country University Centre since 2018. About 50 per cent of those people are first in family and 8 per cent are Indigenous. For comparison, the national average of Indigenous students at university is 1.8 per cent. It is such an amazing story in education—breaking down educational barriers and providing equity to the most disadvantaged communities—that you really would think it had come from the Labor Party. Mark Latham was one of the few people in this Chamber who saw the model for what it was. I thank him very much for being a champion of it and I thank him for defending me and my family. The policy is now supported by the Federal Labor Party. It is a massive win for all these communities.
All the people who never would have had the opportunity now have it. That is because we had a Minister for Regional New South Wales in John Barilaro who was prepared to fight for it. That is vision and that is leadership. It is these things, John, that you will be remembered and celebrated for. We have had wonderful strong leaders in the National Party, and I know that Dugald will keep up the fight. I give a huge shout out to Snowy too. Their vision and ability to put money into projects like that is an example that other corporates should aspire to. It changes lives.
When any of us consider what New South Wales will look like in the future, we have to take a long, hard look at how our young people are faring, what the world looks like for them, and how—particularly in regional and rural communities—we can see them thrive. There has been so much said of late, and not entirely positive, when we look at mental health impacts and the recent legislation for new bail laws that will really affect young people. But nowhere did I see or hear the voices of young people.
There were visits to crime hotspots like Moree and lots of meetings, but where were the meetings with young people? Where were their voices? I was so bitterly disappointed to see the cessation of the Regional Youth Taskforce. It was a great initiative with the sole purpose of giving regional and rural young people a voice at the table. It was my job as Minister for Regional Health to make sure that their voices were heard at the Cabinet table—not my voice, but theirs. When the Government faced challenges during COVID, we convened a meeting to hear what they thought and to hear about what they needed. It really was invaluable, and it really needs to be reinstated.
I recently went on a study tour in Wales. Their country has legislated for consideration of any future laws to be looked at and how they will affect the country’s youth. It has really stayed with me. I am not sure whether we need that in New South Wales or not because we have an independent statutory officer in the Youth Advocate. Her job is to make sure that young people’s voices are considered and heard. We really need to listen to young people if we are serious about a future for regional and rural youth.
On the other end of talking about our young people is another favourite topic of mine. Some people find it really difficult to talk about, and that is menopause. It affects women, and often their families, at a time when women are often at the top of their professional careers. The misinformation that has permeated through our different professions and communities on hormone replacement therapy has negatively impacted a generation of women. Untreated effects of menopause on women are estimated to cost the Australian economy $35 billion each year. Professor John Eden, who is here with us tonight, is my superhero. He has worked so hard to give women access to the treatment they need to live fulfilling lives free from the symptoms of menopause.
My finest moment on the expenditure review committee was when the budget bid came through to be debated for the first ever significant amount of money invested into menopause clinics in New South Wales history. It was a budget bid for $46 million. As I started to prosecute the case on the expenditure review committee—everyone else was a bloke but me—they all started looking down. I said, “No, this needs to happen! You don’t know!” They just said, “Bronnie, it’s alright. We’ll give it to you. Have the $46 million.” I should have asked for $446 million! It was really interesting.
Thanks to this investment, the first hormonal mood clinic in New South Wales has commenced, the first menopause fellow has started and a new department with 10 new clinical rooms has happened. Four new menopause hubs are now established and most of these have rural outreach clinics up and working. Policy backed with funding certainly matters. Enjoy opening those clinics, Ryan and Jodie, or even better—fund some more! I swear to God, if you ever cut that funding, I will mobilise every single menopausal woman in New South Wales to march on Macquarie Street. Lovely to see you, John. I’ve said it now. It is on the record.
All of the things that I have talked about have been victories, and there have been many. But there were also really tough times. As you progress through to senior levels in politics, there is great pride and excitement but there are also very tough decisions that need to be made. Often you can lose friendships along with that. I have always tried to do what I believe has been in the best interest of the National Party as a whole. I reached the most senior level possible whilst presiding in this Chamber as Deputy Leader. It was tough, but I would not swap it for anything.
I hope that I have inspired others to follow in my footsteps and I wish for them an easier path and a recognition that you can be a Deputy Leader of the National Party, or indeed a leader, and be recognised accordingly by the government of the day. I have always said that words are easy, but it is action that brings about change. We will see. I will be watching. I have many stories to tell in this space and people here know what they are. I am comforted that, in the fullness of time, the truth always rises to the top and it will be judged accordingly.
It is impossible to achieve anything in this place without a team of people behind you and some good mates who have your back. You know they are there to pick you up when you fall. I have had the best of both. I just have to put on the record that I had the best Ministerial staff of any member of Parliament ever—and the happiest, because we had the most babies born in our office. Hugo, just out there, is here to prove it. I seek leave to incorporate the names of all my staff.
Leave granted.
Anna O’Brien, Dan Newlan, Alysia Smith, Sally Judson, Hugh Beith, Lucinda Burke, Brigid Glanville, Isabelle Gillespie, Amy Firmstone, Bridgette Joyce, Suzanne Flint, Emma Renwick, Richard Shute, Jen Lugsdin, Rory Cunningham, Sarah Bannerman, Katia Pearsell, Tyla Joubert, Kirsti Dixon, Mary Mater, Bron Jones, Annabelle Hordern, Crystal Whitmore, Trevor Daley Brett Gillard, and Aleksandra Damjanovic.
The staff who work for politicians really do deserve a special place in heaven. It is hard work. Let’s be honest: Most of us politicians are very hard work. The egos in this place are seriously next level. It is amazing that people fit through the doors some days. I have had some very bad days. Being an MP from the regions is really hard. The travel is so hard and being away from your family is truly the most difficult thing. It often does not allow us to be the best version of ourselves because we just miss our families, and we miss home so much. When I hear those based in the city complain about not seeing their children, I would always think of my dear friend Sarah, who spent days and often weeks away from her gorgeous young girls. She could not just open that door and peek in and see them sleeping and feel better like others could. I give a massive shout out to all of you for being the best people and the best team that this former Minister could ever have asked for. The patience you had with me, and your dedication and commitment, will never be equalled. All that we achieved, we did together. I apologise for being the most disorganised person. I see that Suz is here. How you managed me over the past two years, I will never know. Thank you for doing it with love in your heart and a smile on your face.
I give a special shout-out to the ministerial drivers. They are absolute champions that are not thanked enough, especially those that work for regional MPs. It is really relentless with the kilometres and motels. I thank Trevor Daley and his family. He really saw my moods. He taught me a love for the Penrith Panthers that I will take to the grave. Honestly, Duncan and I have never laughed so much as when he could not get the car past the big Hereford bull that day. He rang me to ask what to do. Duncan and I were in the kitchen killing ourselves laughing about it. I bet that is a bloody great story to tell in Penrith! I love you, Trev.
Building a team takes great leadership, and I had the absolute best. Dan Newlan is and always will be referred to as my chief of staff. I could not have done any of it without him. We were a great team. Congratulations on your new baby boy. They are still happy; they are still having babies!
The Nationals MLC team is a small one, but it is strong. We are loyal and we have each other’s backs, always. Sare, you know more about menopause than you should at your age, but I have prepared you well. I have loved and treasured your friendship. God, we have laughed until we have snorted and cried tears of joy. I have loved watching your gorgeous girls grow. Annabelle—and every Taylor photo from when we were sworn in as Ministers—is testament to how our lives are entwined. You are a loyal Nat and have earned your right, at the ripe old age of 42, to be the great dame of the National Party. Remember this, my friend: #tootspower for life!
My Sam, I will always be your aunty—your cool aunty. I have always seen so much potential in you. Sam, you have faced so much as a young man. You have taken on responsibilities that should have been ones for when you were much older, but your family and I are so very proud of you. You have strong values and an old and wise head on young shoulders. You are a good man. I will always be here to give you advice when you do not ask for it. You really have an aunty for life with me. Wherever you may be, you always stand up for what matters.
Wesley Fang. Wes’s mum sent him a text when I announced my retirement. It read, “Wes, what are you going to do without Bronnie?” It should have read, “What are all the members going to do about Wes without Bronnie?”! I have a little story about the lengths to which Wes has taken my physical and mental health. I was at the hairdresser—I know, my superpower is my hair. I was sitting there one day and the hairdresser asked me, “Are you stressed?” I said, “Yes.” The hairdresser asked, “No, are you really stressed? Are you more stressed than usual?” I said, “I don’t know. I suppose I am. Why? What’s the problem?” People were coming over. They said, “You’ve got a bald patch.” I said, “I’ve got a bald patch? This is my only asset!” They said, “Look, it’s probably stress-related.”
That is a long story. Brigid Glanville spent days photographing it so that we could measure it over time. I thought, “I am going to name the two circles of my bald patch ‘Wesley Fang’.” The two bald patches became three, and the name became “Bradley Ronald Hazzard”. Wes, I adore you. I know that you would walk in front of a bus for me and those you love. You are an absolute warrior. It fills my heart and soul with joy that you have found happiness and love. You deserve it. There will be no more blisters on my hands from trying to hold the reins of Wes the silver brumby. May you run free! Look out for Labor helicopters.
I thank my dear friends who are here from far and wide. I thank my Monaro quorum girls—Kate, Sarah, Pen, and Andrea, who are in the gallery—for the endless time and day changes to include me in a Lott Cafe lunch or a coffee. You have really kept me grounded and reminded me of the things that matter. Penny Larritt, I would not have survived without your lovely long texts telling me about your days in the yards and the colour of the Monaro skies and planning an escape on the weekend. To my dear old boarding school friends, Mandy, Sam, and Cate: your loyalty and love knows no bounds.
Lastly, I must talk about my family. Politics takes a toll on our families. They are the unsung heroes of our lives, and we can never thank them enough. Members, you should all go home today and thank your families. There are endless days and nights when we are at work. When we are not, we are glued to our phones. They have to put up with us escalating drama from one to 10 in less than 0.1 seconds. Some in our families have no ability to defend themselves from attacks in question time or in this Chamber. It is a very big ask.
My dear Mum, that little bean of a woman, is as fierce as a lion. She has backed me in every single day. She can never do enough for me, and I am eternally grateful that I am blessed to be her daughter. Mum, hopefully now you will not have to do all my ironing. I can do it myself because I will have time! My beloved and only sibling is my sister, Gayee. She will be relieved. When I have a bad day here and I ring her up and give her the details, her standard response is, “Honestly, I’ll just be glad when you’re out of that snake pit.” Gayee missed the “bear pit” memo. She is a massive support to me, and I could not have done this job without her.
My girls are my compass. Hannah is not here tonight, but she is streaming from Darwin, where she is working. Hannah is not a lover of politics nor politicians, so she has found it hard going at times. Being a journalist when your mother and uncle are politicians has unique challenges, but in her usual kind and strong way she has handled it with style, grace, and conviction. I thank Hannah for giving me a job post-politics—I am one of the few people who do not have one. I am going to be a wedding planner! Hannah is getting married. I am so excited for my darling. I cannot wait. Duncan keeps saying, “It’s not your wedding, Bron; it’s Hannah’s wedding.” We will see about that.
My gorgeous Holly is here in the gallery. Holly is a teacher in Dubbo, where she is doing incredible things. Her subjects have the biggest uptake of students wanting to do them since she has started at the school. It is such a testament to her. We must look after young teachers like Holly. They are the future. Holly has seen my highs and lows, and she loves the videos of me ripping into people in the Chamber. It is good training for Holly in her award negotiations—I am not admitting that she is in the union. Mookhey reckons the Transport people are difficult; wait until he meets Holly!
Dunc, it is pretty hard for me to even put into words how I feel about you. You really are the love of my life. You are my greatest support. None of this—absolutely none of it—would be possible without you by my side. You have never, ever asked me to cut short a trip. You have never asked me to come home early. You just stepped up and made things work. I am so excited to be spending more time with you. I hope there will be lots of trips back to the Trevi Fountain. Maybe we can go four times a day instead of three? I love the Trevi Fountain.
I promise to make an effort from now on to greet you the way I greet Elvis the dachshund and Larry the labrador when I get home. I overheard you telling someone that you wished I spoke to you the same way I spoke to the dogs! I can never thank you enough for your support over the past 10 years. I bet no more pre-poll is a lovely thought—except, of course, if your good mate Nichole Overall is there, because then you will step up. I do love you, Dunc, and thank you so much for being mine. My dear friend Jocellin Jannson, who is in the gallery, said to me a little while ago as I was sharing my thoughts about deliberations for the future, “It’s really very simple, Bronnie. You have to choose happiness. Whatever that means for you, just choose happiness.” So I am. It is time to go home.
