{"id":313182,"date":"2022-02-10T16:15:41","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T06:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=313182"},"modified":"2022-02-10T19:27:18","modified_gmt":"2022-02-10T09:27:18","slug":"ken-odowd-farewells-parliament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2022\/02\/10\/ken-odowd-farewells-parliament\/","title":{"rendered":"Ken O’Dowd Farewells Parliament"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Retiring Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

February 10, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

LNP Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd delivered his last speech to Federal Parliament on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n

Mr O’Dowd, who has announced he will not be recontesting the seat, spoke about how he became a politician, his work on committees and his hope for a peaceful solution to the Israel \/ Palestine question.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h1>\n

southburnett.com.au has reproduced Mr O’Dowd’s speech here in full:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In the Autumn of 2010, I never gave it a thought of\u00a0 \u201cbeing a politician\u201d.\u00a0Yet by the Spring of 2010, I was one!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The pre-selected candidate for Flynn had withdrawn his nomination and our Branch was left to find a new candidate, quick time.<\/p>\n

No one came forward and that left me \u201cholding the ball when the music stopped\u201d.<\/p>\n

Flynn is a fairly large electorate \u2013 133,000sq km \u2013 twice the size of Tasmania.<\/p>\n

I knew approximately 50 per cent of the electorate, having run my own businesses for 30 years \u2013 consisting of fuel, hotel and hardware in Central Queensland.<\/p>\n

The other half, I had to get a grip of fairly quickly.<\/p>\n

The election came and went in a blur and suddenly I was the new Member for Flynn. Where to now?<\/p>\n

Barnaby Joyce, Ron Boswell and Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells had all been on my doorstep offering good helpful advice.<\/p>\n

Senator Connie \u2013 after three days on the road \u2013 told me that I had her \u201cbaffled\u201d as she did not know what \u201cfaction\u201d I belonged to.<\/p>\n

I responded that I didn\u2019t think the LNP had factions. How wrong was I!<\/p>\n

The First Term, 2010-13, was spent in Opposition, and the Class of 2010 were already making their presence felt in Opposition.<\/p>\n

Harry Jenkins was the Speaker and unlike some of my colleagues – and just to name a few, Michael McCormack, George Christensen, Ewen Jones –\u00a0I never got evicted from the Chamber.<\/p>\n

Long-time Nationals, the late Paul Neville and Bruce Scott, were much more refined and were never asked to leave the Chamber prematurely.<\/p>\n

Even our Nationals Leader, Warren Truss \u2013 a true statesman – was sent out, much to our surprise.\u00a0Harry wasn\u2019t in the chair on that occasion.<\/p>\n

Christmas Day 2010<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It began to rain and did not stop until a lot of damage was done along all river flats throughout Flynn.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“One in 100-year flood”, they said.\u00a0Emerald, Theodore, Bundaberg, Gayndah, Rockhampton \u2013 were all flooded<\/p>\n

Road and property damage was extensive.<\/p>\n

A similar weather event returned in 2013.\u00a0With the same results.<\/p>\n

At the time Julia Gillard was PM and Anna Bligh Premier for Queensland. Both came to Flynn. And we were all grateful for the financial assistance offered to those who were affected \u2013 in yet another 1-in-100 year flood.<\/p>\n

John Cobb \u2013 the Member for Calare,\u00a0 the then Shadow Minister for Agriculture – quipped he has spent more time in Flynn between 2010-13 than in his own electorate.<\/p>\n

These flood events were a sharp learning curve for me.<\/p>\n

It was great to see the three levels of government working together to restore things back to normal ASAP<\/p>\n

Committee Work<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I thoroughly enjoyed working on the many and varied committees over my four terms.\u00a0As Chair, Trade and Investment and Petitions;\u00a0Defence, Treaties, Agriculture.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not only did I get a much better understanding and knowledge of the portfolios but to get to know and appreciate other Members on the other side.<\/p>\n

The Member for Richmond and Deputy Chair Ms Justine Elliot is a pleasure to work with – as is the Secretariat.<\/p>\n

Overseas Destinations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Each country that I visited has its own issues, their own way of handling their chosen style of government.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After two trips to Palestine and Israel, I am hopeful a solution can be found \u2013 very soon! As peace between the two nations is paramount to the whole region.<\/p>\n

I will leave it to my friends – Mark Coulton, Maria Vamvakinou and Anne Aly and others – to continue the fight for justice.\u00a0To bring back human rights and peace to the \u201ctroubled land\u201d.<\/p>\n

Izzat Salah Abdulhadi,\u00a0Ambassador of the State of Palestine based here in Canberra, (is) a\u00a0very sincere person and a true gentleman.<\/p>\n

You all have my continued support.<\/p>\n

Senator Pat Dodson, the (late) Senator Alex Gallacher,\u00a0former Member for Macarthur Russell Mattheson,\u00a0Chris Hayes (Member for Fowler) proved to be great team members on some of these delegations.<\/p>\n

We formed a common bond between us. Good friends.<\/p>\n

Thank you<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Along the way there have been many people who helped me.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Too many to mention now, but it would be remiss of me not to mention a few:<\/p>\n

John and Sue Engwicht,\u00a0Mike Burns,\u00a0Ross Drayton,\u00a0Cameron and Joan Millar,\u00a0Sonia Burton,\u00a0Graeme and Lyn Johnston,\u00a0Neil and Margaret Dunbar,\u00a0Don Williams,\u00a0Ian and Norma Rolfe,\u00a0Eddie and Mary Vella,\u00a0Col and Catherine Dunne,\u00a0Peter Craig,\u00a0Darryl Kelly,\u00a0Ron Norman,\u00a0Frank Fraser,\u00a0Graham and Lyn McVean,\u00a0Craig Butler,\u00a0Don Holt,\u00a0Tony Goodwin,\u00a0Hec Kilah,\u00a0Oz Blacker, the late\u00a0Greg McCann,\u00a0Kathy Duff,\u00a0Margi Morris,\u00a0Barbara Hockey,\u00a0Gil and Michelle Smith, the late Percy Iszlaub,\u00a0Wally Knight,\u00a0Mark Postle,\u00a0Bob McCosker,\u00a0Bob Pailthorpe,\u00a0Graham Hartley,\u00a0Glen Bryce,\u00a0Don and Carmel Waugh,\u00a0Ken and Val McInnes, Gleniss Shepherdson,\u00a0Jeff and Bronwyn Schultz.<\/em><\/p>\n

To the Class of 2010:\u00a0It has been an absolute pleasure to know you all.<\/p>\n

I wish you well for the future. As I do for those who are departing \u201cparliamentary life\u201d, George Christensen and John Alexander.<\/p>\n

To \u201cthe Ministers\u201d of the Class of 2010 – Josh Frydenberg, Karen Andrews, Ken Wyatt, Dan Tehan, Alan Tudge –\u00a0I know you will continue to serve your country well.<\/p>\n

Canberra Parliamentary staff, clerks, secretariats, com car drivers and transport officers,\u00a0 Serjeant-at-Arms, mail delivery and maintenance teams , Hansard reporters and attendants – thank you for your hospitality, service and dedication to the job.\u00a0Each of you give your best to make it as easy as possible during our weeks spent in Parliament.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, and former Prime Ministers and Deputy Prime Ministers\u00a0Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard,\u00a0Warren Truss and Michael McCormack … all have made outstanding contribution to make \u201cAustralia a better place\u201d.<\/p>\n

Well done! (I) would not have your jobs under any circumstance!<\/p>\n

Achievements<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

So as my Parliamentary journey comes to an end I look back over what I have achieved for Flynn.\u00a0To name a few:<\/p>\n

Rookwood Weir, water projects North and South Burnett,\u00a0Gracemere-Yeppen four-lane highway,\u00a0Philip Street bypass,\u00a0lights (at the) Dawson Road and Philip Street intersection, funding Springsure-Tambo Road sealing,\u00a0John Peterson Bridge Mundubbera, men’s sheds, wooden bridge replacements, mobile towers (30 plus)\u00a0NBN Network, upgrade to Bruce Highway Gin Gin to Rockhampton, six\u00a0passing lanes Capricorn Highway, flood damage recovery, stronger community funding to all corners of Flynn, swimming pool at Blackwater,\u00a0Mt Morgan Range rebuilt,\u00a0Skill Training Centre at Gladstone State High School, new Trades Training Centre and Manufacturing Hub at Gladstone CQ University,\u00a0Southern Oil Refinery Bio Fuels Laboratory Development, Headspace Gladstone and Emerald, Emerald hospital upgrades,\u00a0Emerald health precinct.<\/em><\/p>\n

Staff<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

To my staff\u00a0 in Gladstone and Emerald …<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sue and Lane have been with me from the start. Rachel, Natasha and Jenny have all been long-term staff.<\/p>\n

Mitch thank you for stepping in at short notice.<\/p>\n

Thank you all for your dedication and service.\u00a0I wish you each of you all the best for the future.<\/p>\n

Family<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Whilst in Parliament I have lost my mother Coral, my brother Bob, sister Maureen and brother-in-law George.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thanks to my children Ben and Amber and grandchildren for their support.<\/p>\n

To my partner, Shirley, thank you for being with me on this very special journey and keeping the home fires burning whilst I was on the road.<\/p>\n

Sisters Bernice and Lorraine and sister-in-law Joyce and brother-in-law John. I am so blessed to have my loving family who have always supported, encouraged and given feedback to me throughout the four terms.<\/p>\n

Constituents<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

To my Flynn constituents …<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thank you for making Flynn the \u201ceconomic powerhouse\u201d that it is to Queensland and Australia.<\/p>\n

Be it the coal miners and heavy industry workers, farmers, health workers and small business owners \u2013 keep up the hard work, forward-thinking and determination.<\/p>\n

You have the right to be well-represented in Parliament and I sincerely thank you for your vote of confidence in me.<\/p>\n

Thank you, Mr Speaker.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd with former National Party Leader Michael McCormack at a press conference
(Photo: Flynn Electorate Office)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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