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House of Representatives
The Mighty Saints
Mr DANBY (Melbourne Ports) (9.38 am) - Perhaps my earliest memory is going with my late father, Fred, and brother, Simon, to a St Kilda match at the Junction Oval. St Kilda F.C. is no longer based there, but ironically the area is practically opposite my constituency office on the other side of Fitzroy Street. I remember it was the early 1960's and Dad, Simon and I watched a match at the Junction Oval with Footscray. Unfortunately, my brother and I, being six and five, starting parroting some of the abuse shouted by adults in front of us, and a Footscray supporter turned around and punched my father in the nose! This Friday night, St Kilda plays Footscray's successor, the Western Bulldogs, in one of the big preliminary finals before, we hope, the ‘Mighty Saints' will go to the Grand Final of the AFL. Unfortunately, like David Smorgon, the chairman of the Western Bulldogs, I will not be able to attend as the match takes place on the eve of the Jewish New Year, but my affection will be no less dimmed through not being there.
But this year, more than ever, has brought to mind the role that AFL football and family play. Particularly in Victoria, but all around the country, AFL plays a great role in solidifying families. AFL has a deserved reputation for being family friendly. This year I have been attending St Kilda matches more than ever with a great Australian and veteran of the "Z Force", Sid Benjamin, whose Australian commando unit with a midget submarine sunk part of the Japanese fleet in Singapore Harbour. Sid, 96 years old, had faithfully attended St Kilda matches over the last 60 years but sadly Sid passed away halfway through this year of promise for his beloved St Kilda FC. Together with Sid, I had attended a series of St Kilda victories this year with his son and my great friend Dennis; his grandson Gil; and sometimes my daughter Laura. We all doubly hope for Sid's sake that the Mighty Saints are able to win the Grand Final this year. He will be sitting in his heavenly pew with his earpiece plugged in ardently following the commentary while avidly watching the game. Again after a turgid ALP National conference, I took my son Byron to a night time footy match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. What a night, what a match. With the match drawn for 3minutes at the 30minute mark, I shouted myself hoarse like I was a teenager. What a father & son bonding!
Similarly, my brother Simon and I attended some years ago a wonderful St Kilda ceremony in the Long Room at the MCG before it was bulldozed, where we met our great heroes Alan Jeans, the coach of St Kilda in the 1966 Grand Final; legendry captains Ross Smith and Daryl Baldock. These measures brought to mind how St Kilda supporters especially those not able to attend even 43 years ago, long in our hearts to win a Grand Final.
If St Kilda make it this year, people like me will not be in conflicted circumstances like we were in 1966. So I am hoping and praying that St Kilda will win. This is despite a very odd incident several months ago, where a radio segment reported an unconfirmed claim of a St Kilda player fleeing the scene of a crash in Brighton Road. This was interesting news to me because, the night before, I was woken at 4.00am by the sound of my car, which was parked in Brighton Road, being totalled by a hit-and-run driver. Now, I am not insisting any connections, but I feel I lost a car in the interests of St Kilda so I hope that they will return the favour to me by winning the grand final this year when my family and I will be able to attend.
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There was a favourable election report on the Melbourne Ports Victory in the Melbourne Weekly. Click here
Look who is suppporting Michael Danby on August 21. Click here
The Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor today announced that, if re-elected, a Gillard Government will extend the highly successful Secure Schools Program, which has already improved security at 54 schools across Australia. Click here Michael Danby calls for Liberal candidate for Melbourne Ports to disassociate himself from fake Danby website. Click here Emerald Hill Weekly interviews Michael Danby on rise La Gillarde. Click Here
So, what is Australia's National Broadband Network? Why is it so important and what will it mean for every Australian? Click here
Federal Labor's School Building Program saw the culmination of nearly a decades hard work by Galilee Primary School principal, Frank Cervillo with the opening of the schools multi-purpose hall, replacing a derelict under croft. Michael Danby representing Education Minister Julia Gillard said with the addition to the school precinct, Father Bob McGuire, Father David Hoffman, the local Catholic community and the Catholic Education office now saw Galilee and an adornment to the Catholic Education system. Click here.
Before Australia's Parliament leglislates autonomous sactions against Iran, Australia welcomed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929 imposing new sanctions against Iran, adopted overnight in New York. Click here
Danby examines how the Federal Labor Government is addressing Public Housing in Melbourne Ports. Click here
Broadcaster and eminent theatrical producer John Michael Howson writes to Michael Danby on Passports Affair. Click here
Michael Danby, has welcomed the Treasurer's 2010 Federal Budget which is economically responsible and provides relief for the people of Melbourne Ports experiencing cost of living pressures, while also affording additional incentives for saving. Click here
New Salvation Army Crisis Accommodation Centre opened by Michael Danby and Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek. Click here
Malaysian Militant attacks Danby in Malaysian Parliament, Click here
Michael Danby, argued not to accept the Stern Hu bribery conviction, as it may have been given under duress Click here
Michael expressed his doubts about the fairness of Chinese legal system and its dealing with the Australian citizen Stern Hu. Follow the link to see Michael Danby on Bloomberg TV's 'The Trade', speaking on Stern Hu Click here
Michael Danby criticised Tony Abbott's undignified jibes in front of Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Click here
Michael Danby welcomed the resumption of Middle East Peace Talks and pointed to generous offers made to the Palestinians by previous Israeli leader Ehud Olmert-see map, click here
More than 400 people attended a function at the St Kilda Town Hall on February 15 to pay tribute to Danby's work in the electorate for more than 11 years. Click here
Over 60 Australian Mp's and Senators signed a letter to the Malaysian Government asking to drop the charges against Anwar Ibrahim. Click here
Michael Danby says the ABC wont kow-tow to the Chinese communist party, click here.
Click here to read Laurie Oakes's overview of proposals that would cost the taxpayer $500 million dollars to finance political parties, published in The Herald Sun on the 19th of December, 2009.
Click here to read the speech delivered by Governor-General Bryce on Sir Zelman Cowen's 90th Birthday.
Julie Bishop makes a desperate and out of context attack on Michael Danby. Click here
Michael Danby has called the Liberal Party's recent outburst on Border Security nonsense. Follow the link to see Minister for Immigration & Citizenship, Chris Evans, discuss the recent influx of asylum seekers on Lateline (October 14), click here, or more recently the Minister's interview on the 7.30 Report on the 21st of October. Click here
Michael Danby delivered a detailed speech on New Matilda and Crikey.com declaring them the ‘dark and ugly recesses of the internet' . Mr Danby called on Crikey owner Eric Beecher to explain his publications failure to moderate racist comments. Click here.
Beijing's treatment of minority groups. Says a cover story of the Aust. Jewish News. Click here
An All party delegation to India consisting of 6 mps had their outrage towards the recent attacks on Indian students reported in the Economic Times (of India). Click here
Michael Danby promoted the Harmony Day Walk in the Hindustan Times on the 4th of July Click here and on the same day the Sunday Tribune (of Bangalore) newspaper reported on the delegations outcry at the attacks on Indian Students Click here
25 May 2009: Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration Michael Danby, today tabled the 2nd of the Committee's reports into immigration detention. For Michael's tabling speech please click here. Please click here for the media release.
Local area receives Budget millions. Please click here for information on the benefits Melbourne Ports is receiving in the 2009-10 Budget.For a macro explanation of the budget, please see this interview with Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner and this interview with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Local small businesses were winners in this year's budget. There will be an increase and extension of the Small Business and General Business Tax Break. For more information please see these links to Media Releases from the Minister for Small Business Craig Emerson.
Media Release 1 Media Release 2
The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd blasted Iran's role in undermining the anti racism essence of last week's UN conference, which had the stated objective of opposing bigotry. Click here
New Electoral Commissioner Ed Killesteyn explained that 1.2 million Australians are not enrolled to vote, to see his dramatic opening statement to the Electoral Matters Committee click here.
Chinese Ambassador ticks off Member for Melbourne Ports. Danby welcomes his felicitous response: SMH article, Canberra Times articleForeign Minister defends Danby's appearance at rally click here
Michael Danby today announced that 28 local schools in Melbourne Ports will receive $4 million for minor infrastructure and refurbishment projects under Round One of the National School Pride (NSP) program. Click here
Pauline Hanson drops her bundle appearing on Today Tonight (channel 7) and walks out on an interview over questions about the $200 000 bonus she received, for receiving 4% of the Queensland Senate vote ($2.10 per voter) at the 2007 election click here. To read how Michael Danby exposed her earlier funding rort Click here
The Joint Committee on Migration established a new paradigm for the humane but rational treatment of asylum seekers. Click here.
Clive James, one of Australia's most celebrated expatriates penned the following poem in the Australian Literary Review. September 7 2007
