Mary Aldred with headspace Wonthaggi 's Syed Jan, left, and Jace Westland. By Mary Aldred
CRACKING a whip outside Parliament House wasn’t on my bingo card at the start of 2026.
But, with an old stock whip from the Churchill Heritage Farm at Phillip Island, it was a light-hearted way to explain the role of a parliamentary whip in a video clip following my appointment as Deputy Opposition Whip. As someone who is passionate about promoting civics education in schools, I’m keen to engage younger constituents in a fun and interesting way about the work of the parliament.
CRACKING a whip outside Parliament House wasn’t on my bingo card at the start of 2026.
But, with an old stock whip from the Churchill Heritage Farm at Phillip Island, it was a light-hearted way to explain the role of a parliamentary whip in a video clip following my appointment as Deputy Opposition Whip. As someone who is passionate about promoting civics education in schools, I’m keen to engage younger constituents in a fun and interesting way about the work of the parliament.
Hitting the ground running as Opposition Deputy Whip this week has included working with the Government’s whip team to ensure the efficient and effective running of the Parliament. With 150 members of the House of Representatives and nearly 90 bills introduced last year, it’s important that the Parliament operates as efficiently as possible.
If you’re interested in finding out more about some of the different parliamentary processes and roles, the Parliamentary Education Office does a really great job of explaining them.
It’s great to be back in the Bass Coast Post to share this new role, community feedback and insights into life as Federal Member for Monash.
I’m delighted that Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has asked me to take on two new roles – Deputy Opposition Whip and Co-Chair of the new Illegal Tobacco Taskforce, alongside Senator Richard Colbeck. We’ll be talking to health advocates, law enforcement, economists and small businesses and retailers as part of our stakeholder engagement aimed at putting together a policy response to tackle the illegal tobacco trade.
If you’re interested in finding out more about some of the different parliamentary processes and roles, the Parliamentary Education Office does a really great job of explaining them.
It’s great to be back in the Bass Coast Post to share this new role, community feedback and insights into life as Federal Member for Monash.
I’m delighted that Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has asked me to take on two new roles – Deputy Opposition Whip and Co-Chair of the new Illegal Tobacco Taskforce, alongside Senator Richard Colbeck. We’ll be talking to health advocates, law enforcement, economists and small businesses and retailers as part of our stakeholder engagement aimed at putting together a policy response to tackle the illegal tobacco trade.
"My view is that the huge increases in tobacco excise |
The new taskforce has met several times; including a roundtable with a retailers’ association in Canberra this week. Illegal tobacco is putting Bass Coast communities at risk, with Inverloch residents amongst those in Monash sharing genuine concerns at an informal meeting last month.
I’ve spoken with retail workers and small business owners anxious about damage and assault, parents worried about kids buying vapes and neighbouring businesses facing rising insurance premiums. My view is that the huge increases in tobacco excise (up 282 per cent since 2013) needs to be reviewed, to draw people away from illegal tobacco outlets and deter Australians from black market cigarettes.
In March, Parliament will sit four of the five weeks. When I’m back home on Fridays and the weekends during this period, I’ll be out and about at as many community events as I can get to, which is the best way to hear directly from constituents about what’s important to them locally and nationally. These conversations are a great way of standing up on the issues that count to people in Monash, from our farmers worried about changes to superannuation, to volunteer groups, coastal inundation and the cost of living.
This past sitting week, I’ve delivered seven speeches on topics ranging from superannuation to national security and given shoutouts to Monash events and volunteers, ensuring local voices and on-the-ground impacts are heard.
Serving an electorate the size of Belgium, I’ve continued with my mobile offices this year right across Bass Coast and South Gippsland. One issue I’ve been advocating on for months is the Phillip Island MotoGP. I’ve written to the Trade Minister, called on the Victorian Government in Parliament to close the negotiation and worked closely with Bass Coast Shire Council. Unfortunately, our region has lost the MotoGP to Adelaide, and I’ve been speaking with many residents and small businesses across Bass Coast who are deeply disappointed with this outcome.
Securing better local mental health services for young people in our region is a key priority for me. Recently, I met with Headspace Wonthaggi’s new centre manager Syed Jan and community engagement officer Jace Westland who shared their passion for supporting rural youth in mental health.
This bright, welcoming and safe space in Murray St delivered 1900 services to 418 young people in the past 12 months. Of those, 231 young people had attended Headspace for the first time. Impressively, the centre has a 93.7 per cent satisfaction rate. To help combat transport and distance challenges in Bass Coast and South Gippsland, satellite services operate to connect young people and combat isolation.
Monash is filled with hard-working groups and individuals doing incredible things, and I look forward to shining a light on those efforts in future columns.
I’ve spoken with retail workers and small business owners anxious about damage and assault, parents worried about kids buying vapes and neighbouring businesses facing rising insurance premiums. My view is that the huge increases in tobacco excise (up 282 per cent since 2013) needs to be reviewed, to draw people away from illegal tobacco outlets and deter Australians from black market cigarettes.
In March, Parliament will sit four of the five weeks. When I’m back home on Fridays and the weekends during this period, I’ll be out and about at as many community events as I can get to, which is the best way to hear directly from constituents about what’s important to them locally and nationally. These conversations are a great way of standing up on the issues that count to people in Monash, from our farmers worried about changes to superannuation, to volunteer groups, coastal inundation and the cost of living.
This past sitting week, I’ve delivered seven speeches on topics ranging from superannuation to national security and given shoutouts to Monash events and volunteers, ensuring local voices and on-the-ground impacts are heard.
Serving an electorate the size of Belgium, I’ve continued with my mobile offices this year right across Bass Coast and South Gippsland. One issue I’ve been advocating on for months is the Phillip Island MotoGP. I’ve written to the Trade Minister, called on the Victorian Government in Parliament to close the negotiation and worked closely with Bass Coast Shire Council. Unfortunately, our region has lost the MotoGP to Adelaide, and I’ve been speaking with many residents and small businesses across Bass Coast who are deeply disappointed with this outcome.
Securing better local mental health services for young people in our region is a key priority for me. Recently, I met with Headspace Wonthaggi’s new centre manager Syed Jan and community engagement officer Jace Westland who shared their passion for supporting rural youth in mental health.
This bright, welcoming and safe space in Murray St delivered 1900 services to 418 young people in the past 12 months. Of those, 231 young people had attended Headspace for the first time. Impressively, the centre has a 93.7 per cent satisfaction rate. To help combat transport and distance challenges in Bass Coast and South Gippsland, satellite services operate to connect young people and combat isolation.
Monash is filled with hard-working groups and individuals doing incredible things, and I look forward to shining a light on those efforts in future columns.