Andrew Leigh

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 2 DECEMBER 2019

The Christmas season can be hard on those who are down on their luck.

I thank organisations in Canberra who are doing their part to help the most disadvantaged in our community at this time. The Salvation Army in Scullin will be serving a Christmas lunch from 12.30, and St John's Care Reid will be serving its Christmas lunch from noon. St John's Care, UnitingCare Kippax and Canberra City Care are working together to make sure that they are helping as many people as they can during the Christmas season.

Share the Dignity are working hard on its Christmas collection. Communities@Work will be helping people create their own Christmas hamper. I know many Canberra community organisations, including Northside ACT, Belconnen Community Services and Anglicare, will be doing their important work to help the most vulnerable.

I'd like to invite all honourable members to chip in tomorrow to attend the annual Vinnies charities fundraiser Christmas barbecue to be held in courtyard 27 J/K, with the Leader of the Opposition in conjunction with Katy Gallagher, senator for the ACT; the member for Canberra and the member for Bean; and, of course, Santa Claus himself.

Finally, in the spirit of Christmas, let me conclude by thanking my extraordinary staff: Nick Terrell, Stephanie Anderson, Lillian Hannock, Jeevan Haikerwal, Claire Osborne, Olivia Kerr and Tara Mack.

ENDS

Authorised by  Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.