I have been a member for the Australian Republican Movement for 17 years and like all of you in this room I want to see an Australian as our Head of State.

I don’t believe I need to convince you of the reasons why we should become a republic.

On Sunday (23 March), I had the pleasure of attending the Greek Independence Day commemoration at the Cenotaph in Sydney to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Greek War of Independence.

Earlier this year, my eldest daughter started school. Like all parents, my wife and I want to give our kids the best education they can possibly get. Education is the foundation to a fulfilling and rewarding life.

Last week, the Minister for Human Services contacted my office to let me know that our local Medicare office at Eastgardens would no longer be open to deliver services to the public on Saturdays.

On 19 December, on a steamy day in Port Vila, I was fortunate to visit the Vanuatu Women's Centre in a modest cottage on the outskirts of that nation's capital.

The Abbott government is a disgrace. One of the nation's biggest reforms in Qantas's 93-year history, and what do they do? They gag debate, they refuse consideration of the bill in detail, and they ram through the House of Representatives a reform that is likely to result in the break-up of our nation's carrier.

I wish to pay tribute to the enormously valued volunteers and staff of the Sydney Multicultural Community Services in my electorate.

I support the passage of the Excise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2014 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2014 in the terms of the amendment moved by the member for Fraser.

Yesterday I had the great privilege of attending the inaugural Aboriginal Markets and Workshops at the historic Bare Island in our community.

On 21 February I had the great honour of attending the mighty Maroubra Saints AFL Club season launch. This wonderful community club formed only 14 years ago and has grown to one of the biggest sporting clubs in our community.