The following is a transcript of that speech:

Hello everyone, and thank you so much for coming out here tonight. As you've seen in the polls, you are the majority.

Right now, across this electorate, I am going out every day, knocking on doors, and I am hearing some great things. I am hearing a response to our message, and it is so gratifying to see that ordinary Canberrans want to hear what we have to say.

We are running now to continue to build on the success we have had since my victory in the by-election. And yes, I do freely acknowledge that we haven't had a spending bonanza. But we have to understand that no MP would've had a spending bonanza here. We have been dealing with a right-wing government that was ideologically dedicated to austerity. They didn't want to spend money anywhere, least of all in Canberra.

But that's exactly why I'm out there making the case for a Labour Majority government. With a Labour Majority government, we can deliver funding not just for Canberra, but for every forgotten corner of Australia.

I've made that case in the debates, which I'm sure you've seen. It's a case that says, Canberra, yes, it would be great if we could have more investment here. But we also have an obligation to look after all Australians. We can't allow ourselves to slip into the siren song of parochialism that says the purpose of an MP is to say "put all the money here and nowhere else."

That's not what I believe in. What I believe in, is an Australia where everybody that needs a hand up, gets a hand up. We believe in investing in the forgotten corners of this country, the places where people have been left behind. Left behind by this vicious, right-wing government, that has at every opportunity cut, cut, cut. We believe we should be out there, investing carefully in our communities.

What my independent opponent does not understand, is that it's easy to get up there and say that there's not enough money being spent. It's another thing altogether to be the one to get that money spent. Because I know how hard it is -- I fought tooth and nail, last time I was the MP for Canberra, to get that money spent.

I secured a huge funding commitment to deliver the light rail faster. I secured funding for two new hospitals. And I secured a huge expansion to GP access, as before my time, we had the lowest rate of bulk billing in the COUNTRY.

But let me be clear. I achieved those accomplishments under a left-wing government led by a great leftist hero, model-slater. I would not have gotten that through a right-wing government dedicated to austerity.

And unless we have a Labour majority government, let me be clear: we will have a government dedicated to cuts and austerity. If Youmaton thinks they can go to an LNP government and get them to invest in Canberra, they are dreaming. That's why it's important that you elect me, and that Australians around the country elect Labour MPs. That will give us a left-of-centre government that governs in the national interest.

We aren't in the pockets of billionaires and we cannot be bought -- because we already belong to those forgotten Australians, those who are crying out for an honest voice that will stand up for them.

Which is what I have been doing, not just as Leader, but in all my time in the Labour Party. I have been involved, working hard to deliver results for you, blocking this evil right-wing legislation. And in comes Youmaton, out of nowhere, having had no involvement in the community for years, and suddenly they are saying they will be your MP, your voice.

But Youmaton is not interested in building a better Australia. I know this, because I offered them a winnable spot on the Senate ticket, so that they could represent you in the Senate, and I could continue in my incumbent MP position. However, they denied this offer. Why? Because they aren't interested in building a better nation, in building a left-wing political project. No, it's just about ego, about being able to say they are the Member for Canberra.

So I hope you vote for me. We are working on something big together. And come out to the polls. Come and volunteer. Spread the word, leaflet, and together we can hold onto this seat, elect left-wing MPs across the country, and finally give Australia the government that it deserves!