Wednesday 11 December 2024

Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, the Honourable Ann Leahy MP; Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation, the Honourable Andrew Powell; Minister for Customer Services and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business, the Honourable Steven Minnikin; Assistant Ministers; Members of Parliament; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I, too, wish to acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this afternoon.
I’m very pleased to be here, lending my support to a process that I am hopeful — and confident — will yield valuable insights into the state of volunteering in Queensland.

Any and all efforts to support those across our state who give freely of their time and energy to benefit others are to be welcomed, applauded and supported.

Volunteering is the heart of our communities. From our regional and remote areas to our bustling cities, volunteers contribute in countless ways, strengthening our social fabric and providing services that enhance the well-being of every Queenslander.

Whether in emergency response, supporting vulnerable people, or enriching local cultural and sporting groups, volunteering touches every corner of our society.
The economic and social value of volunteering in Queensland is hard to measure — but not impossible, as it turns out.

Thanks to the tireless advocacy work of Volunteering Queensland, of which I am the proud Patron, we know that in 2024, the value of volunteering to the state was estimated to be around 118 billion dollars.

This speaks to the scale and impact of volunteer contributions, which I believe are felt far beyond any financial measure.

And despite these extraordinary figures, we’ve seen a slight decline in the number of people volunteering in recent years.

That’s why we’re here today. We must work together to address these trends, to ensure that volunteering remains a part of the fabric of our lives, and to support the organisations that make it all possible.

We must also acknowledge that the path to volunteering is not always straightforward.

Barriers such as time constraints, lack of support, and financial pressures can make it difficult for many people to engage in volunteering.

And for the organisations that rely on volunteers, challenges such as recruitment and retention are ever-present. On top of this, they must often closely manage their volunteer labour, keeping helping hands busy and spirits high.

This inquiry will no doubt help us identify these barriers more clearly and understand the specific needs of organisations that rely on volunteers.

It is a timely and important step in recognising the tremendous value of volunteering across our state and ensuring that the vital work of volunteers is supported for years to come.

I’d like to take this moment to thank the 2.8 million Queenslanders aged 15 and above who volunteered this year. Their commitment and passion typify the generosity of spirit that defines our state.

Undoubtedly this inquiry will serve to amplify their efforts and contribute toward building a Queensland that is stronger, more connected, and more compassionate.

Thank you.

Dean of the Consular Corps of Queensland, Mr Peter Dowling AM and all members of the Consular Corps; Deputy Mayor, Councillor Krista Adams; distinguished guests.

I begin by also acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Jagera and Turrbal people, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging…and I thank Opera Queensland for performing our National Anthem so beautifully.

Graeme and I are delighted to be with you all this evening to celebrate another busy year for the members of the Consular Corps of Queensland.

This special annual occasion gives us the rare opportunity to come together in one place, in a spirit of friendship and respect.

It enables us to reflect on the achievements made during the year – alongside the challenges we have faced both locally and globally – and allows us to recognise that by strengthening the precious bonds between us, we can together forge a peaceful and prosperous future.

Our State is tremendously enriched by the contributions of people from different cultural backgrounds. The traditions, experiences and perspectives of this wonderful multinational tapestry add to the vitality of our State and give us a valuable global connection.

During this past year, I have been honoured to attend a number of significant cultural celebrations—including Chinese New Year and the Birthday of the Emperor of Japan; the British Consulate General Autumn Reception; the 60^th Anniversary of Malta’s Independence and the 78^th Anniversary of the Republic of Italy; Portugal’s National Day, the Annual German Day celebration, and most recently a reception in celebration of the National Day of Romania. I also was honoured to attend the opening of the new Indian Consulate General and I take this opportunity to welcome the first Indian Consul General to the Diplomatic Corp.

These milestone events are not just enjoyed by those from the countries of their origin, but they reach out into our communities, encouraging much broader participation, and a greater understanding of the history and customs of countries other than Australia.

Of course, aside from the festivals and commemorations, there is the day-to-day work of the Consular Corps Members—all the incredible individuals who do so much to support their fellow citizens in our State, and many of whom do so as Honorary Consuls.

With 53 member countries, the Queensland Corps is one of the largest and most active in Australia. I know that the work you do can often be demanding, but the enormous efforts you make to serve the citizens of the countries you represent, to further diplomatic relations, and to embrace new trade opportunities between us, are deeply appreciated.

As we look towards 2025—while we can never predict what lies ahead—one thing we can be sure of is the ongoing solidarity and commitment of the Consular Corps of Queensland.

Thank you all for your outstanding service, with a special commendation to Dean Mr Peter Dowling, Vice Dean Mr Andres Gorriaran, and the entire Executive Committee, for leading the Corps with such dedication.

Graeme and I wish you and your families a safe and relaxing festive season, and extend this sentiment to your loved ones overseas.