Page 2798 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 11 October 2022

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resource, with a range of alcohol and other drug education materials to support delivery of the Australian curriculum in schools.

Canberra Health Services has also expanded the Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y) Program for students aged 15-16 years, through outreach to schools.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Motion to take note of petitions

MADAM SPEAKER: Pursuant to standing order 98A, I propose the question:

That the petitions and response so lodged be noted.

Courts—judicial appointments—petition 23-22

Courts—judiciary—petition 24-22

Crime—sentencing—petition 25-22

MR HANSON (Murrumbidgee) (10.05): At the outset, can I recognise some very important people in the chamber today, in the gallery: Tom, Matthew’s father, and Amanda, Matthew’s mother; Sarah; and other families of victims of Crime; Andrew Corney, Blake’s father; Janice Seary, Lachlan’s mother. Bill Stefaniak is here, who has also lost his son and is the patron of the Victims of Crime Assistance League. I recognise Jason Taylor, who is here, who was a victim of crime as the serving police sergeant, and Troy Roberts who represents the Australian Federal Police Association and thousands of frontline police officers, and others who join us here today. Thank you for being here.

Madam Speaker, on 19 May this year, a young man with his life in front of him, called Matthew McLuckie, was killed when he was driving home from work from the Canberra Airport, when he was unable to avoid colliding head on with a stolen vehicle driven at high speed on the wrong side of Hindmarsh Drive.

This devastating loss has had a terrible impact on those who loved him, his family and his friends. The indescribable loss of losing a child is a pain that everyone in this chamber can only think of with dread. Matthew’s tragic and senseless death, however, has born a campaign to make our roads and our society safer for others.

Led by Matthew’s father, Tom, this campaign has put a sharp focus on our road safety laws and on our justice system. Tom has lobbied politicians from all parties, he has run an effective media campaign and a successful social media campaign, and he has these three petitions here today with thousands of signatures.

His campaign has caught the attention of our community and its leaders for three reasons. Firstly, the passion that Tom and those close to him and the other supporters and people here today have brought to this issue. Second is his extensive use of data and evidence to support his case. Third is the fact, Madam Speaker, that there is actually a real problem with our justice system.


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