Ladies and gentlemen, men and women, boys and girls, people of Robertson:

Today I am very pleased to launch my campaign to be your member of Parliament. I would be honored to have the privilege to represent the people of Robertson in Parliament as a voice against special interests and corrupt politics. The Country Labor platform has a strong emphasis on those rural Australian values which make our country great: community, responsibility, and integrity.

As the world begins to recover from the devastation brought by COVID-19, we as Australians must look inward and do our own rebuilding. Although our nation was fortunate to have been spared thusfar the worst of the pandemic-- though we must remain vigilant until a vaccine reaches our shores-- we nevertheless must use this as an opportunity to reevaluate our government priorities and spending, to give care to those areas which have long been ignored by Canberra.

We're going to work to end decades of neglect in many areas of our rural country, starting with the bees. A government that includes Country Labor will be absolutely uncompromising on our commitment to bees, beekeepers, and apiarists not just in Robertson but all across Australia. Together, we're going to keep our beehives free of the destructive Varroa mite and further strengthen Australia's already world-class biosecurity protocols to make sure that our precious bees and bee-related resources will never be threatened by outside invaders.

A bee can forage up to 8000 acres of land-- and although Australia has no shortage of beautiful open spaces-- we're going to crack down on illegal logging and habitat destruction to make sure that our bees have the space they need to thrive and generate income for our rural areas. Likewise, we're going to further regulate the production and release of dangerous chemicals that kill Australian bees.

Bees are the key to this country's success in many respects. We're going to make sure it stays that way.

I pledge that if elected my foreign policy commitments will be just as steadfast as my position on bees. Australia should not compromise with nations that would seek to undermine human rights and civil society for their own economic gain. I strongly denounce the Chinese genocide of the Uyghur people and believe Australia should take diplomatic steps to let China know that we will not tolerate a government that continually abuses human rights.

If the 19th century was the "British Century," and the 20th century was the "American century," then the 21st century truly will be the Australian century. If we make strong commitments to our core values then soon (and very soon, at that), right next to the shrimp, it will be Xi Jinping on the barbie, pushed to the wayside as the great nation of Australia takes up its place in the leadership of the world.

Thank you, stay safe, and I hope that I have your vote in the coming elections.