Deputy Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Bayside Mental Health Roundtable I recently convened in my electorate of Bonner.

I believe there is a great need for increased mental health services, particularly on the Bayside of Bonner and especially during this unprecedented pandemic.

To understand the thoughts of the Bayside, I encouraged the community to take part in my Mental Health Survey.

Over 500 responses were collected in just 2 weeks- a truly overwhelming response.

97% of respondents believe there is a real need for more services in our community.

With a clear need for more support, I want to ensure the Morrison Governments $2.3 billion investment into the mental health sector delivers on the Bayside.

And as a next step I organised the Bayside Mental Health Roundtable.

I involved mental health experts from the Bayside who have a deep understanding of the needs of our community to workshop solutions with me.

I was joined by a range of community providers, including but not limited to, service providers, GP’s, first responders, schools and more.

Learning about the life changing work our mental health experts are already doing in our community was a privilege, along with how all levels of Government can work together to better support them.

I will continue pursuing the outcomes of the Bayside Mental Health Roundtable and fighting for the funding for my community.

I extend my sincere thanks to all those who took part in the Roundtable.

Deputy Speaker, these conversations are just the beginning.

The Morrison Government today congratulates the Australian athletes who participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games including those from Bonner.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said Team Australia had blown away the nation and broken records across the board, with local stars from across Bonner also making their mark.

“Bonner locals have been inspired by the Olympic athletes that call the area home, including Gymnasts Georgie Godwin, Lidiia Iakovleva, Alexandra Aristoteli, Emily Ellison Abbot along with Footballer Clare Elizabeth Polkinghorne,” Mr Vasta said.

“It is proof to any aspiring athlete in Bonner that competing for our nation is an achievable goal and the journey can begin right in their neighbourhood.

“With Australia having recently secured the 2032 Games in South East Queensland, it is a game changer for our young people who can aspire to compete at a home Games.”

Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said, “On behalf of all Australians, I would like to congratulate our Olympians for their outstanding success and achievements.

“You have allowed us to cheer from the sidelines and had us on the edge of our seats, uniting us as a nation at a time when we have never need it more.”

Australian athletes were responsible for an equal all-time gold medal haul of 17, with seven silver and 22 bronze.

Mr Colbeck said the Australian team provided plenty of highlights.

This included the astonishing performance of swimmer Emma McKeon whose seven medals in the pool – four gold and three bronze – equalled the most by any woman across all sports at any Olympics.

“It doesn’t happen without hard work, long hours training and sacrifice – but Emma’s Olympic feat is now etched in the pages of Australian sporting history,” Minister Colbeck said.

Other incredible Olympic stories included Jess Fox’s gold in the canoe slalom, Ariarne Titmus edging out Katie Ledecky in the 400 metre freestyle, Andrew Hoy becoming the country’s oldest medallist with silver and bronze in equestrian and 800m runner Peter Bol delivering a stirring performance on the track.

Keegan Palmer will also go down in history for winning the first men’s park skateboarding gold, while Cedric Dubler’s extraordinary act of sportsmanship in the men’s decathlon – running beside team mate Ash Moloney, urging him to a bronze medal – is one of the moments of the Games.

Then on the second-last day of the Games, an inspirational Patty Mills led the way with the Boomers to secure a bronze – the first Olympic medal in Australia’s men’s basketball history.

Mr Vasta said he was incredibly proud of the Australian Olympians, along with the tremendous efforts of their coaches, support staff, family and friends who assisted them in getting to Tokyo.

“To see our home-ground athletes compete at the highest level is an integral part of Australia’s sporting history and is invaluable in inspiring participation for generations to come,”

“We now set our sights to the Tokyo Paralympic Games which will begin on Tuesday 24^th August. I am certainly looking forward to cheering on our world class Australian Paralympic team!”

A full list of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games local competitors can be found here.