By Eleanor Wilson
Newly elected Narre Warren North MP Belinda Wilson gave her inaugural speech at Parliament last Tuesday, 21 February.
Addressing the house and gallery from Spring Street, Ms Wilson described herself as a mum of three, a wife, a community activist, a former small business operator, a fourth-generation Doggies supporter and a feminist.
Ms Wilson said serving as a state Labor MP is “not an opportunity that I intend to waste”.
“I’m here to make a difference, to be the voice of my electorate and for those who don’t have a voice. To be a part of policy and advocacy and to continue to get things done.
“Progressively, practical things that will improve the lives of the people who sent me here.”
Ms Wilson is the first female member for Narre Warren North, which was held by fellow Labor member Luke Donnellan between 2002 and 2022.
She comes from a line of of carpenters and farmers who immigrated to Australia by ship from Ireland and Scotland.
She is also the granddaughter of former state Labor MP Bill Fogarty, who served the Sunshine electorate for 15 years from 1973 to 1988.
Despite politics running in her veins, Ms Wilson explained it was not until she began lobbying for improved facilities at her children’s school, that her connection to politics clicked.
“I always say I didn’t find politics, politics found me,” she told the house.
“While I could have been in politics much earlier in life, due to my family history, it wasn’t until I had kids that I recognised the true work of a Labor government.”
Ms Wilson took over as PFA (Parents’ Fundraising Association) president when her children began school and was a member of school council for eight years.
“Our school desperately needed work, and I lobbied the Liberal and Labor Governments, to fund our masterplan.”
It was that experience that launched her into politics, she said, soon beginning work at former Southern Metropolitan MP Philip Dalidakis’ office.
After one year, she moved on to work with Federal Labor MP Josh Burns, who represents the seat of Macnamara, for three years.
“We navigated federal politics together, in opposition – which is not nearly as fun, but we all worked hard and Josh was re-elected last year.”
Ms Wilson said she was determined to work and deliver for her constituents in the Narre Warren North electorate, which encompasses the entire suburbs of Narre Warren North, Narre Warren and Hallam, as well as parts of Endeavour Hills, Berwick and Harkaway.
One of those inspiring constituents, she said, is mother of five Qamaria, who had moved to the electorate from Afghanistan with her husband and five daughters nearly a year ago.
“Qamaria studied law in Kabul and is fluent in six languages. Her husband Hameed was a public servant in Afghanistan. They were both civil rights and peace activists when Kabul fell, as well as raising their five daughters. Qamaria’s family became targets of the Taliban and were attacked twice, with Hameed’s car being blown up by an IED.
Since arriving in Australia nearly a year ago, Qamaria has “dedicated herself to our community”, Ms Wilson said.
“Her self described love for Australia has driven her to volunteer her time in local women’s refuges, welfare organisations, she also has helped develop vocational pathway strategies for women from diverse backgrounds in the South East, has become a motivational speaker and is working with her husband to create a multicultural climate dialogue.
“I’m proud to be part of our democratically elected Labor government and to represent such incredible hard working, diverse communities, full of amazing stories, just like this one.”
