Inaugural Speech

Ms SULEYMAN (St Albans) — I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we meet today, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. I pay my respects to their elders, past and present.

It is a pleasure and a great honour for me to speak today for the first time as a member for St Albans — a new member, part of a new government and representing a new seat in the heart of Melbourne's western suburbs. I thank the people of St Albans for placing their trust in me to be their representative in Parliament.

I also congratulate you, Speaker, on your election to this important position. Your journey to this place is an inspiring story for our community in the west. My own journey to this place is part of the great Australian promise: work hard, make the most of your opportunities and embrace the blessing of our multicultural society — the most successful in the world.

My parents migrated here from Cyprus in the early 1970s, when they were very young. My father, on a boat called Patris, docked at Port Melbourne, and my mother arrived a year later. Hope was their only possession. They worked hard in factories to make ends meet, so that they could be part of the Australian dream: a home, a car and a future for their children.

Growing up in the western suburbs, I attended Tottenham Primary School and Kealba High School. I learnt as much in the classroom as I did from the many different cultures of my classmates. My friends were people who spoke other languages and practised different faiths. I have fond memories of a Lebanese family and a Polish lady who lived next door to us in Tottenham, and I am pleased to say they are here tonight in the gallery. I got to know them well. I also learnt to speak Arabic. They taught me about their culture, their traditions and their shared stories from their countries. Most importantly, they taught me that we are all ultimately the same. That every one of us, regardless of culture or faith, deserves dignity and respect.

Of course I am proud to be the first Australian woman of Turkish Cypriot heritage to serve in the Victorian Parliament — in fact a first for Australia. But of course it is not just about my background; it is about every person of every background who has made Australia their home. Although I am a new member of this place, I have represented the people of my community for many years. In 2000 I was elected to my local council, where I served for eight years and had the great honour of serving for three terms as mayor.

There is no greater privilege then serving the community and contributing to public life. The most humbling honour was to be elected as part of an Andrews Labor government. I congratulate the Premier for his strong leadership and his vision for a fairer and more inclusive Victoria. As the member for St Albans, I will be proud to turn the first sod, with the Premier, for the removal of both level crossings at Main Road and Furlong Road, St Albans. I recall signing my first petition at the age of 15 for the removal of these crossings. They take more than our precious minutes: they take our precious lives. It is time to get rid of them. I look forward to working with the Premier to remove the boom gates that have divided our streets and bring our community back together again. In doing so we will honour the work of many people who have worked and campaigned to make this happen.

The Western Hospital in Sunshine does a great job in helping our community, looking after our loved ones — our kids and our parents — when they need it. I know that, because I have needed it too. I have learnt that you cannot put a price on care. You cannot put a price on our dedicated nurses and doctors. In our health system, good quality treatment is everything. But our population is growing faster than anywhere else in Australia. Hardworking doctors, nurses and health professionals are under so much pressure. I am proud that the Andrews Labor government will invest $200 million to build a new women's and children's hospital in Sunshine. This is Labor's great cause: to invest in our health system and bring the world's best care closer to home, for those who need it in the west — for those who would otherwise miss out.

Health care is not just about buildings. It is not just about quality care. It is also about leadership and innovation, research and best practice. An example close to my heart of where I believe we can do more is in increasing the rate of organ donation in this state. Even though Victorians are the most generous donors in the country, it simply is not enough, as the waiting list outnumbers the supply. This must change. We have the skills and the ability to change and save lives. I am personally committed to contributing to better policy outcomes in this area.

There are many people who deserve my sincere thanks for supporting me over the course of my journey in public life. I would like particularly to thank Senator Stephen Conroy, who has made a special trip to be here today, for his support. I thank Ben Davis, Michael Donavan, Wayne Mader and Earl Setches for their support. I also thank the two federal members who represent my area, the Honourable Bill Shorten, the federal Leader of the Opposition and member for Maribyrnong, and Tim Watts, the federal member for Gellibrand, for their support. I also want to thank my friends the member for Ivanhoe, the member for Kororoit and the member for Lara for their support and guidance throughout my journey. I also want to thank Adem Somyurek, a member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region in the Council, and Cesar Melhem, a member for Western Metropolitan Region in the Council, for their support and guidance. I truly will not forget their advice throughout this journey. Thanks to all my volunteers and supporters and the Labor Party members of the west.

Of course I thank my parents, Hakki and Ilkay, for their sacrifice and endless support, guidance and love. They taught me to stand tall in the face of adversity. They taught me to be resilient in the face of difficulty, and they gave me the Labor values that I hold dear. As migrants they were inspired by the late great, reforming Gough Whitlam. Our family embraced Whitlam, but he embraced us first. He spoke to my parents not as foreigners but as Australians — as equals in our fair and democratic society. From that moment they were determined to become participants in that democracy and to help inform the decisions that shape our state and our nation.

I also thank my family, including my uncle who has come from Cyprus to be here today, my niece, Eda Rose, and my nephew, Adem Hakki Jr, who are most precious to me.

Finally, I thank the people in my community. St Albans is a proud place where the colours and sounds of diversity are alive in our streets, in our schools, in our community centres and in our homes. I am a local. I know my neighbours. I know my community. I make this promise to them: I will not waste a single minute. I will work hard to make sure their loved ones are looked after in the best hospitals and taught in the best schools. I will work hard so they can get the jobs, services and opportunities they deserve. I will work hard to help them achieve the dream that my parents imagined all those years ago: a good house, a good life, a good job and a great future for their kids. Thank you.

Business interrupted under standing orders.