Hard work, community: ‘country girl ’White lays out values in inaugural speech

Lyons MP Rebecca White says she will draw on the lessons of her rural upbringing — hard work, persistence and the importance of community — as she represents the people of Lyons in Canberra.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – May 9, 2025: Rebecca White (Lyons) signs the Caucus membership book with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Labor Party Caucus at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Lyons MP Rebecca White says she will draw on the lessons of her rural upbringing — hard work, persistence and the importance of community — as she represents the people of Lyons in Canberra.

Ms White, a former opposition leader who will serve as Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health and Assistant Minister for Women in the Albanese government, delivered her inaugural speech in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Ms White is the first woman to represent the electorate, which is named after Joe Lyons, Tasmania’s only Prime Minister and Dame Enid Lyons, the first female member of the House of Representatives.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – MAY 13: Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Rebecca White shakes hands with the Governor-General Sam Mostyn at Government House on May 13, 2025 in Canberra, Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled a new cabinet following Labor's historic landslide victory, featuring a significant reshuffle that saw Tanya Plibersek removed from the environment portfolio and Michelle Rowland promoted to Attorney-General, replacing Mark Dreyfus. (Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images)

Ms White said her upbringing had been fundamental in making her the person she was.

“I’m a country girl through and through, a fiercely proud Tasmanian and someone who was taught early on to never give up.

“For the first decade of my life I woke up in winter seeing my breath because it was inevitable that the open fire had gone out overnight and sometimes the frost on the ground outside was enough to put the water pump into hibernation.

“Mum and Dad then did a bit of a reno and we got a wood heater which was a life-changer. “My brother, Jeremy, and I had a lot of fun on the farm. We climbed trees, rode our bikes, played cricket, kicked the footy and shot at tin cans with our air rifles.

“I rode horses and learnt how to drive in a tractor. We would help with the jobs of feeding hay out to the beef cattle, looking after the pigs or milking the dairy cows.

Federal Lyons MP Rebecca White being sworn in by the Governor-General Sam Mostyn on May 13, 2025.

“We were taught the value of hard work. And we were brought up with the motto that there is no such thing as can’t.’

Ms White spoke of her love for the community of Nugent, who she likened to a big extended family who each other out with working bees and hay carting and where she felt truly at home.

“It’s also a reminder for me of what really matters. People need people.

“Each of us has an innate need to be connected to something or someone that helps to gives us meaning and purpose. To know that we matter.

“And it’s important for me to hold that thought front of mind when we make decisions so that we build stronger and more resilient communities and empower people to live good and happy lives.”

After four terms in opposition, Ms White said it was good to be a member of a government once more.

“I’m going to strive every day to make sure that I don’t waste a moment, because I know that all the moments add up and I can assure those of you who have never been there – the opposition benches is not the place you want to be if you’re serious about making a difference,” she said.

Originally published as Hard work, community: ‘country girl ’White lays out values in inaugural speech