Page 2313 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 4 August 2021

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manageable I had intended to travel away from the lofty heights of Tuggeranong to Sydney to see those friends. But as is the nature of this pandemic, the situation changed quickly and my plans were cancelled. My team, my office and I took the opportunity to enjoy a meal at Street of Asia, followed by a night of Zone Bowling in Tuggeranong. Anecdotally, I know many Canberrans who have chosen to spend their money in local businesses and entertainment venues instead of travelling interstate.

Can I encourage those who can to plan this weekend and next weekend to go out for dinner and head to Limelight Cinemas in Tuggeranong for a film. You will never know who you might bump into. Even Murrumbidgee’s own Minister Davidson had the good taste to take her family out for a night at the movies in Tuggeranong a few weeks ago, when I bumped into her, in my Tuggeranong best—that is to say, track pants and Ugg boots!

In honouring my commitment to the electorate to be the first member of this Legislative Assembly to open an electorate office, a regular and accessible place for my constituents to meet with me and discuss matters of concern, I have partnered with a local business in Jindebah Cafe on the ground floor of Flax House on Cowlishaw Street. I was proud to support this business with the purchase of daily chai lattes while I was a student at Lake Tuggeranong College and now, as an adult with a slightly different job, Lisa and Dale are known to have the biggest coffee they can possible pour ready for me every Friday morning.

It would be remiss if I did not share the attachment that the Brindabella Greens team has with the Lazzari Bros’ Espresso on Carlton Street in Kambah. Throughout the election campaign it was Lazzari Bros’ that doubled as our base of operations, supplying quality, homemade vegan snacks and soy and almond milk coffees fuelling the enthusiastic volunteers who worked so hard to give me the privilege to even make this speech.

When I bought my first home, Fiona, who owns the markets in Wanniassa, gifted me an awesome new piece of embroidery, which I recently shared with my followers on Facebook, which reads “Homo Sweet Homo”. Those on the opposition benches and even some in the government may dispute how sweet I am on occasion! But I am always committed to doubling down on the homo and my support for small businesses in Tuggeranong.

Regular followers of the My Tuggeranong Facebook page have been watching and waiting with bated breath for the grand opening of that pasta place, Alfredo, at the Lanyon Market Place. I was delighted to see that yesterday their grand opening 2.0 was a success and I can assure them I plan on carb-loading with them tomorrow night as a personal reward at the end of a busy sitting week. It speaks to the strong resilience of the ACT economy through a global pandemic that small businesses feel confident to open in Canberra and, as a proud local member, I am particularly humbled when those small businesses choose to open their doors in Tuggeranong.

On Sunday, 12 September the Tharwa Preschool will host the 2021 Tharwa bush fair. I was delighted we were able to secure the future of the Tharwa Preschool in the parliamentary and governing agreement. Many local businesses have thrown their


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