Gorton MP Alice Jordan-Baird has delivered her inaugural speech during federal parliament’s second sitting week.
She said speaking in the house for the first time was an incredible experience.
“I just feel so honoured and privileged that I have that responsibility now to represent my community here in Canberra and I will not waste one day,” she said.
In her speech, Ms Jordan-Baird highlighted her main focuses for the electorate as being infrastructure, healthcare and education.
“They’re my highest priorities and I made that really clear… in front of the ministers responsible for all of those portfolios,” she said.
“We need to cater for the growth of the west. There’s no question that we’re growing and we need to better prepare for that.”
One of the motifs in Ms Jordan-Baird’s speech was the golden wattle which she said is the favourite bloom of her late sister, Clara, as well as her own.
“I think there’s a really powerful story in that [the wattle] is a connection to our First Nations Australians and it’s a connection to flora and fauna and our waterways. That reminds us of the resilience of our First Nations people, and that nature in our waterways is something we need to protect and enhance and fight for as well,” she said.
“I didn’t actually know [the wattle was featured] in the chamber on top of the speaker’s chair until I sat in the house for the very first time as the member for Gorton. I was excited to see it.”
Ms Jordan-Baird’s family and friends were present for her inaugural speech, with her parents, sister, husband, local branch members and wider family watching from the gallery.
“I was really honoured for them to come up as well as see my first speech,” she said.
“No matter how many times you practise some of the more emotional bits, looking up into the gallery and seeing your family there… it obviously gets you.”
“I think it made me feel like my other sister Clara would be really proud of me as well.”
