--- title: "A Plan that Appeals to our Sense of Optimism: Maria Vamvakinou MP" description: We put forward a plan that appeals to our sense of optimism and in Prime Minister Albanese we have someone who leads for a better future. image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Maria%20Vamvakinou%20.jpeg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Australia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australia) , ###### [Australian Leadership](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-leadership) , ###### [a sense of optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/a-sense-of-optimism) # A Plan that Appeals to our Sense of Optimism: Maria Vamvakinou MP   "We put forward a plan that appeals to our sense of optimism and hope." I was listening to the Australian Parliamentary Broadcast and this comment by Maria Vamvakinou MP resonated with me.   Maria was speaking in the Address in Reply. Maria Vamvakinou is the MP for Calwell and Chair of Joint Standing Committee on Migration. The context of the sentence is: "I want to begin by thanking the people of my electorate, the electorate of Calwell, for re-electing me as their representative in the 47th Parliament. It's a great privilege, and I'm sure other colleagues would feel exactly the same. It's a great privilege to serve in this House, and I will continue to work each and every day to put our community's interests and needs firmly on the national agenda. We have a Labor government because in times of change as well as in times of crisis people come to rely on the role of government, and we as a party actually believe in governing in the interests of our constituencies and the broader Australian community. We put forward a plan that speaks to and delivers on the needs of ordinary Australians, and they are largely the people of my electorate of Calwell. We put forward a plan that appeals to our sense of optimism and hope, and, in Prime Minister Albanese, we put forward someone who leads a government that has set the policy framework for a better future." This is very much in line with the thinking behind the Centre for Optimism's belief that Australia needs a new optimistic national narrative. [![Read our "Framing an Optimistic National Narrative"](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/a8a90ac5-98c3-465a-a6f1-e4bbd3621463.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/a8a90ac5-98c3-465a-a6f1-e4bbd3621463) #### The Australian Prime Minister on Optimism In his speech to the National Press Club and referring to the proposed referendum on "The Voice", the Prime Minister said, "moments of national decision, such as this referendum, are also an opportunity for our people to show their best qualities: their generosity, their sense of fairness, their optimism for the future. That’s why I’m optimistic for the success of the referendum – because I’ve always been optimistic about the character of the Australian people." On the weekend of the 2022 election, the then-PM-elect said "I want to lead a government that has the same sentiment of optimism and hope that defines the Australian people. I want to be positive and channel the opportunity we have to shape change, so we bring people with us on the journey of change." In an essay published on Australia Day 2023, Anthony Albanese wrote,  "Today we welcome new citizens joining us in the great Australian family.  In choosing Australia as their home, they are embracing the values and qualities we hold dear: our belief in opportunity for all, the respect we have for hard work, the optimism that drives our aspiration and the Australian instinct for fairness, decency and care and respect for each other. Australians uphold these qualities every day, in good times and bad. As we've also seen in times of pandemic, fire, drought and the recent devastating floods, the worst of circumstances bring out the best in our people.  If there is an upside to tough times, it is that they have shown us we can be confident that whatever challenges the future brings, Australians will rise to meet them. In our joys, our blessings and our hard-won triumphs, we celebrate what we have. Just as importantly, we celebrate what we can be: the even greater Australia that is at our fingertips." In his 2022 Ministerial Statement on "Closing the Gap", the PM said, "Reconciliation relies on what I believe are innate qualities of our national character: optimism, decency, generosity of spirit." [![Read More and Join in: Celebrate Joy and Optimism](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/3732f8c5-c3f3-408a-b986-1000a392498c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/3732f8c5-c3f3-408a-b986-1000a392498c) [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Australia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australia) , ###### [Victoria](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/victoria) , ###### [Happiness](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/happiness) , ###### [Policy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/policy) , ###### [Optimism Gap](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/optimism-gap) #### [Heading in the Right Direction?  Australia’s States and Territories?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/heading-in-the-right-direction-australias-states-and-territories?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/heading-in-the-right-direction-australias-states-and-territories?hsLang=en) ###### [Australia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australia) , ###### [India](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/india) , ###### [Divide Between Personal and National Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/divide-between-personal-and-national-optimism) , ###### [Sweden](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/sweden) , ###### [France](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/france) #### [Are We Heading in the Right Direction?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/are-we-heading-in-the-right-direction?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/are-we-heading-in-the-right-direction?hsLang=en) ###### [Australia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australia) , ###### [Farmers](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/farmers) #### [Optimism with Dirt on Its Boots](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/optimism-with-dirt-on-its-boots?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/optimism-with-dirt-on-its-boots?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? 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