by Editorial Team
Last week, a landmark gathering of community leaders, elected officials, and Labor supporters came together to celebrate three decades since the historic election of the Carr Labor Government—a pivotal moment that reshaped the course of New South Wales. The occasion, hosted by Charishma Kaliyanda MP (Liverpool) and Nathan Hagarty MP (Leppington), overflowed with reflection, connection, and a resolute sense of purpose.
The event was masterfully MC’d by Greg Warren MP, whose warmth and humour set the night’s tone. But it was the reflections and words of the Hon. Bob Carr—NSW’s longest serving Premier— that provided the evening’s heart. Carr recounted his government’s transformative journey: “We made big, bold decisions—on protecting the state’s precious national parks, investing in public schools and TAFE, and building public transport for the future. More than anything, we put principle at the heart of government.”
Reflecting on his ascent from the backbenches to Premier, Carr reminded the audience of the hard yards in opposition: “I belong to a group that was elected to the New South Wales Parliament in 1986.
After serving as a Minister, and then taking on the leadership of the opposition in 1988, we endured a long, tough road. But, in 1995, we achieved a remarkable victory. Delivering a government with longevity, responsibility, and a vision for the future was our greatest achievement.”
Carr’s legacy was built on principle and action, and his speech underscored the enduring purpose of Labor: “The prosperity we aim to deliver for every man, woman and child we serve—that is the real reason we exist as a party,” he said. “Our job is to make tomorrow better than today. That’s what drove me every step of the way—and still does.”
One of Carr’s proudest achievements, he noted, was the establishment of the Commissioner for Children and implementation of vital police reforms. “Those times demanded courage—cleaning up the culture in the NSW Police, strengthening oversight. It was about doing what’s right for the people,” Carr reflected. “People would call me ‘Bob the Builder’—not just because of the infrastructure, but because we rebuilt trust and confidence.”
Also celebrated was the successful bid for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. “When the International Committee remarked that Sydney should be the model for future Games, it was a validation of what we’d accomplished as a government and a community,” Carr recalled.
Carr spoke as well to the relevance of Labor’s mission today, especially in a multicultural society. “This is a country built on inclusion. When some in politics seek to divide us or question the loyalty of Australians from diverse backgrounds, we must stand firmly for unity and respect. Australia’s strength is our diversity, and we must always defend it.”
Looking ahead, local MPs Charishma Kaliyanda and Nathan Hagarty reminded the community that the funds raised will directly support ongoing advocacy for Liverpool and Leppington. “We stand on the shoulders of giants,” Hagarty said. “The Carr legacy is about integrity, inclusion, and relentless focus on people.”
As the night closed, it was clear: While honouring the past, this gathering looked resolutely to the future—driven by Labor’s values of fairness, progress, and unity.
