Qld indigenous MP inspired by $8.25

Queensland's first female indigenous MP Leeanne Enoch has told parliament about how she has been motivated by an elder's campaign donation of $8.25.

Leeanne Enoch (right),

Leeanne Enoch (right), Minister for Housing and Public Works, Science and Innovation receives a traditional blessing from indigenous elders before the first session of the new Queensland Parliament, at Parliament House, Brisbane, Tuesday, March 24, 2015. (AAP)

It's barely enough to pay for a Big Mac meal, but an $8.25 campaign donation has become Leeanne Enoch's motivation.

In her first major speech to parliament, Ms Enoch - Queensland's first female indigenous MP - spoke about a donation she received in a ziplock bag on election day.

Ms Enoch said inside was $8.25 - a gift from an indigenous elder she had met while working on the stolen wages campaign for the Queensland Council of Unions.

"She had scraped together all that she could spare because she wanted to contribute to my campaign," Ms Enoch told parliament.

"I've thought a great deal about that $8.25 since the highs of election day.

"It represents a great deal of hope to that elder, hope that things could be different, that the generations after her could be saved from the terrible discrimination she experienced and the pain of being treated as less."

Ms Enoch also spoke about her own family history, including the different lives her indigenous and non-indigenous grandfathers experienced, despite both fighting for their country.

She said there were people in her own electorate of Algester today that would see $8.25 as the difference between putting food on the table for their families or going hungry.

"My presence here today represents many firsts in this House," Ms Enoch said.

"But it won't be the last time I stand to represent those in our community without a voice."

Ms Enoch technically delivered her maiden speech on Thursday night when she took part in a debate about a confidence motion in the government.

She used an address in reply to Governor Paul de Jersey's opening of parliament speech on Friday to discuss her motivations and inspirations instead.


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Source: AAP


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