Speaker, equal representation
of men and women
in this parliament is an
urgent imperative,
which will create
a culture change.
There's the blinkered rejection
of quotas and support
of the merit myth but this is
more than a numbers game.
Across both major parties,
the level of regard and respect
for women in politics is years
behind the business world.
Often, when good women
call out or are subjected to
bad behaviour, the reprisals,
backlash and commentary
portrays them as
the bad ones.
The liar, the troublemaker,
the emotionally unstable or weak
or someone who
should be silenced.
To those who say politics
is not for the faint-hearted
and that women have to
toughen up, I say this:
the hallmark characteristics
of the Australian woman –
and I've met thousands of them,
be they in my local community,
in politics, business, the media
or sport – are resilience
and a strong, authentic
independent spirit.
The voice of the Australian people
has been loud and clear.
Hundreds from my local
community, as well as
hundreds more from across
Australia, contacted me
with their support and knowing
that my life from humble
and hard-working migrant
heritage has been in the business
real world and not as a career
politician, many pleaded
that I stay in politics
and become
an independent representative.
My sensible, centrist values,
belief in economic responsibility
and focus on always putting
the people first
and acting in the nation's interest
have not changed.
The Liberal party has changed,
largely due to the actions
of the reactionary and regressive
rightwing, who talk about
and talk to themselves,
rather than listening to the people.
To continue to put the people
before the party
and act in the nation's interest
authentically and constructively,
effective immediately, I will
serve as a member
of this House of Representatives
as an independent representative.
I intend to give the government
my assurance as to
confidence and supply.
In the new year, I will make a
decision about my future career path.
Like the three female independent
representatives, the new member
for Wentworth, the member for Mayo
and the member for Indi,
sensible, centre, liberal values
are at the core of what I stand for.
I am so proud to serve as a member
of this House of Representatives
with honour and respect
because of the good people
it represents: the people that the
major parties have stopped
listening to,
the Australian people.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
