King Island

Ms URQUHART (Braddon) (19:45): I love bragging about my neck of the woods in Braddon. Windswept, best cheese, a safe community, welcoming, fabulous artists—these are just some of the words and phrases that I would use to describe King Island. King Island is an island in Bass Strait belonging to the Australian state of Tasmania. It is the largest of four islands known as the new year group and the second-largest island in Bass Strait, after Flinders Island. The island's population is around 1,600 people. That's growing. The island forms part of the official land divide between the Great Australian Bight and Bass Strait off the north-western tip of Tasmania, about halfway to the mainland state of Victoria. There are three small islands immediately offshore: New Year Island and Christmas Island situated to the north-west and the smaller Councillor Island to the east, opposite Sea Elephant Beach.

In mid-July I visited King Island to officially open the King Island Hub, a beautifully designed building for the use of the local community and tourists. It sits right beside the new Study King Island. Both were funded by the Albanese Labor government. Study King Island is one of 10 new regional study hubs around Australia in 2025 aimed at providing students living in regional areas easier access to VET and university study options. The King Island Hub comprises a community lounge with free wi-fi, a co-working space, small meeting and training rooms, new accessible toilets, a kitchen and some of the best views in Tasmania. I really do mean the best views; they are stunning. I'm not sure how anyone will study out of it.

The multipurpose building has been built between the Currie museum and the lighthouse and incorporates an existing residence previously used by the King Island council. The King Island study hub will offer both young and mature local students the opportunity to have a dedicated study hub with support on the island and will help raise educational aspirations. The hub will provide support to locals studying at university and provide VET academic students with the ability to stay on the island and remain near their support networks.

I also packed in constituent meetings and visited Phoenix Community House, the local community house which is the heart of the community. They welcome locals growing fruit and vegetables, but they do so much more for the community. Ocean Dunes Golf Course is a relatively new course and is currently having a 62-bed hotel built right in the middle of the golf course by local tradies who employed seven local apprentices. It's an impressive building which, when completed will welcome golfers but also others from across the globe to complete 18 holes on what I think is one of the most picturesque courses. A restaurant is also planned for the site once the hotel is completed.

The windswept island off an island doesn't do winter like the rest of Australia. On King Island the pace slows, with the Currie lighthouse turned into a canvas as part of Anchoring the Season, the King Island anchorage festival. It was a laid-back celebration of local culture, produce and creativity that was as much about connection as it was about content. Sea-ing Light was an interactive and immersive projection experience that transformed the Currie lighthouse into a beacon of storytelling and sound.

My visits are never complete without a visit to the gallery at Currie Harbour, currently showcasing Weathering, a heartfelt exhibition crafted by local artists in response to the recent drought, capturing the resilience and humanity of the King Island community.

I was also very pleased to meet with Graeme, the new island of King Island Dairy, the factory that makes the best cheese anywhere. Last year, the large multinational who owned the dairy decided they were going to sell, or close if a buyer couldn't be found. This was devastating news for the island. The dairy employs over 60 locals and runs two dairy farms. It was great to hear the passion that Graeme has to keep the factory running but also upgrade it.

I also met with a Naracoopa Progress Association, an enthusiastic group of locals who are champions for their part of the island, to discuss their plans to upgrade their foreshore.

And my visit is never complete without dropping into the CWA Shop, where the smell of freshly cooked scones with jam and cream meets you as you enter, and a warm welcome from the CWA women follows closely. A visit here is not complete without replenishing my cupboard with some of their great produce made right there on the island. I am lucky to have such a beautiful part of the world right in my electorate.