Unfortunately home ownership is increasingly out of reach for so many Australian families. A decade of rampant price rises, declining availability and soaring interest rates has made it harder than ever for Australians, especially young people, to break into the housing market.

We need a vision for how government will take advantage of the strengths and the highlights of our regions.

Those at the forefront of the regional housing crisis back the regional housing infrastructure fund that I put forward and it is time that members of this place, both the opposition and the government, did so too.

With great pride, I recently joined more than 300 community members at the Violet Town RSL sub-branch for the unveiling of the Women in War memorial mural, a project conceived in 2019 by RSL member Jenni Kennedy to honour local women who have served during times of war.

We must have fairness in access to decision-makers. We must make sure that those with power don’t have the greatest propensity to exercise it when it comes to elected members, ministers and decisions of this parliament.

And we must end pork barrelling. It is another critical pillar to restoring public trust in government, and in democracy.

Today I rise to celebrate the generosity and resilience of our regional communities. Recently the Wangaratta and District Men’s Shed in my electorate of Indi fell afoul of an online scam, robbing them of $25,000.

In every Australian household, and especially in country areas, we’re relying on the internet more than ever. It is an essential service.

Until we see that funding flow to the regions, I will not be backing down on my calls and I say to you, don’t back down on yours.

I want to see young regional Australians given the same opportunities as those young people in the cities.