On Friday I attended the official opening of Where Islands Meet – artwork by Tony Smibert.

Tony’s work is a fusion of East and West, based on the Japanese idea of Shu Ha Ri, the Japanese martial art concept that describes the stages of learning to mastery, beginning with form and technique moving to innovation and then originality.

It’s on now at the Allport Library & Museum of fine Arts (State Library of Tasmania, Hobart) and well worth a visit.

It was lovely to catch up with Dr Stephen Phipps, President of the Australia-Japan Society of Tasmania.

It was a pleasure to catch up with the Consul-General of Japan for Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia, Tokuro Furuya (Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne 在メルボルン日本国総領事館) today. The discussion was broad ranging.

The relationship between Australia and Japan is strong – underpinned by a shared commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as common approaches to international security.

This week (17-23 March 2025) is National Advance Care Planning Week, a campaign by Advance Care Planning Australia to encourage people to have conversations with their loved ones about their treatment preferences.

It’s important that we communicate our health care choices now for a time in the future when we’re unable to express them. That’s why every Australian should make an advance care plan and discuss their wishes with their loved ones.

For help getting started, contact the National Advance Care Planning Support Service on 1300 208 582 from 9am – 5pm (AEST/AEDT) Monday to Friday.

For more information visit:

https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/advance-care…

What a great way to spend the day!

Enjoyed catching up with so many people at A Day at the Park, Kingston Park today.

Thanks to the volunteers, committee members, performers and sponsors for making this wonderful family fun event happen.

A pleasure to join my colleague Senator Carol Brown for this exciting announcement about the Nuyina’s expedition to the Denman Glacier region.

Antarctic and Southern Ocean research is of vital importance to Australia.

I am proud of Hobart’s role as the gateway to Antarctica. I am also proud of the important investments the Albanese Labor Government is making in securing Hobart’s place as the centre of Antarctic science and backing this world-leading research and the talented scientists who are undertaking it.

Great to catch up again with Marie-Clare Couper and Rosie Mooney from the Brain Injury Association of Tasmania to discuss BIAT’s highly successful National Assistance Card program.

Since the National Assistance Card was established it has been available nationally for people with brain injury. I am proud to have advocated on for BIAT and helped them secure funding to not only continue this amazing service, but to make it available nationally for people with autism.

We were joined by Labor Senate candidate Richard Dowling, who was excited to learn about the Card and the positive difference it is making in the lives of people with disability.

I am honoured and humbled to receive a Tasmanian Lions Foundation Fellow award from representatives of the Lions Club of Kingborough.

I have always strived to serve the local community by providing help and support, both personally and through my office, to local community groups. I am often helping out not-for-profits and charities with prize donations for fundraisers, printing and photocopying, advice and letters of support to secure government grants, offering a meeting space, and pulling up my sleeves to volunteer.

Lions’ recognition of this effort, and Hester and Robert’s kind words about my commitment to serving the community, mean a great deal to me. Thank you for this award

This week I met with representatives from knowmore Legal Services in my Canberra office.

knowmore provides nationwide, free and confidential legal services and advice for anyone intending to apply for the National Redress Scheme. As well as providing this vital service in supporting survivors of institutional childhood sexual abuse, knowmore has also been instrumental in progressing law reform, particularly in addressing the exploitative practice of ‘claim farming’.

I thank the CEO, Jackie Mead, Director of First Nations Engagement, Gary Oliver, Director of Client Services, Amanda Whelan, and the entire knowmore team for their outstanding work as an integral part of the National Redress Scheme.