New member's maiden speech

When O’Connor MHR Rick Wilson delivered his maiden speech to Federal Parliament he touched on everything from his childhood to the “tyranny of distance” experienced by those in his electorate.

Mr Wilson was elected for the Liberals in October, beating Nationals candidate Chub Witham.

While his 87-year-old mother, Mary, watched from the gallery, Mr Wilson told the House of Representatives about growing up in Katanning on the “family farm that was carved out of the bush by my great-grandfather in 1867”.

The self-proclaimed “social conservative and economic liberal” voiced his opposition to gay marriage, and said WA produced 16 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product and 46 per cent of the nation’s exports.

Mr Wilson said much of that wealth was produced by O’Connor people, who suffered from the “tyranny of distance”.

“They deserve to have adequate access to health care,” he said. “They deserve for their children to have the same educational opportunities as their regional cousins and for their parents to grow old with dignity and in comfort in the communities they have served all their lives.

“And we need to find solutions that address the significant disadvantage indigenous communities in our electorate face.”

Mr Wilson told Parliament of his 11 years spent with the Western Grain Growers, he had helped deregulate the Australian wheat industry in 2008 and end the Australian Wheat Board’s monopoly.

“Simple maths tells us that an extra $1 billion has found its way into the pockets of WA wheat growers since deregulation,” he said.

“The supporting role that I played in this major economic reform of one of our key export industries is my signature achievement and I am very proud of my part in that success.”

Mr Wilson highlighted Albany’s Anzac link and warned members they would “hear much more of %Albany and its unique place in our history”. He also raised the “inequity” of the GST distribution for WA, and strengthening live export.