Community News
Flight Paths
With the preliminary flight paths for the Western Sydney International Airport released last month, I have urged people to use the noise tool and mapping.
Thank you to everyone who has already contacted my office with feedback. I know that many people have already accessed the mapping and noise tools, and this is the sort of transparency I’ve advocated for.
The initial community consultation is about to begin, with sessions in Springwood, Blaxland and Katoomba already scheduled.
SPRINGWOOD:
BLAXLAND:
KATOOMBA:
I have created a survey for Macquarie residents to share, in detail, their views of the flight paths with me. Whatever your views of the flight paths, negative or positive, I ask you complete this survey so I can best understand the specific concerns of our community has regarding the flight paths and advocate effectively. Complete the survey here.
Voice to Parliament
The legislation to initiate the referendum for the First Nations Voice was officially passed during the last sitting of Parliament.
Labor supports all three elements of the Uluṟu Statement from the heart – Voice, Treaty, Truth.
The referendum later this year is only about the Voice: recognition and listening. If successful, Australia will finally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our constitution and establish a consultative body called the Voice to Parliament so we can listen to their views on issues affecting Indigenous communities, in order to achieve better practical outcomes for First Nations peoples.
In the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury, volunteers are already putting their hands up to help support a successful YES result. If you’d like to volunteer and support the YES movement you can do so by providing your details here: https://action.yes23.com.au
Hawkesbury Headspace
The future Hawkesbury headspace has officially found its home. Located in Richmond, in the old Priceline store behind Coles, it is ideal for public transport and parking.
It’s been a long journey since I first stated advocating for a headspace in the Hawkesbury back in 2013 and I’m thrilled it is on track to be up and running by the end of the year.
National Psychiatry Advice Line for GPs.
The Government has committed $4.3 million for a free nation psychiatry advice line to link GPs with psychiatrists, to better support Australian's mental health.
Something similar has already been supported by the Primary Health Network in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury, but this ensures that every GP has access to the national psychiatry advice line to seek advice from a qualified psychiatrist between 7am-7pm, Monday to Friday.
The service covers a range of topics including mental health, safety, medication, psychosocial advice, treatment, diagnosis and referral pathways. This services comes at no cost to the patient or practice.
Betstop – National Self-Exclusion Register
We know that online gambling is a growing problem for many Australians, including a concerning number of young people. From August 21, the Albanese Government is launching a National Self-Exclusion Register for online gambling. Anyone concerned about their online gambling will be able to voluntarily self-exclude from all Australian licensed interactive wagering services providers. Wagering services will not be allowed to open an account, accept a bet or send any marketing material to individuals on the register.
The implementation of the register is a key priority for the Government’s on-going commitment to harm minimisation and was recommended in the Parliamentary inquiry into online gambling and its impact, and follows an announcement that Gamblers will soon be barred from using credit cards for online betting.
Have Your Say
Recognition for unpaid carers.
There are 2.65 million unpaid carers across the country, and I’m fortunate to know many. They work hard every day to ensure their loved ones are well looked after, with a good quality of life. The House of Representative Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has launched an inquiry into the recognition of unpaid carers.
The Inquiry will look into how we can better identify the role of unpaid carers in society, the value of unpaid care, the needs of specific cohorts of carers (like young carers, First Nations and LGBTIQA+) and the Government’s broad agenda in relation to the care and support economy.
The Committee is currently seeking submissions from carers, advocates and representatives. More information about the inquiry and how you can make a submission can be found here.
Mobile Blackspots
There are around 12 mobile phone black spots that the Albanese Government has funded improvements for, but we know there are more. The Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP) continues the improvements.
Large sections of the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury are eligible for the PUMP program, which targets areas where the bush meets the edges of suburbs. As part of this program an online tool has been created for residents to identify and register a blackspot near them in preparation for the next $20 million round of PUMP.
You can also have input into the program’s draft guidelines. More information can be found here.
My First Speech
Do you know a senior school student with strong opinions on important issues? Year 10 to 12 students have the chance to hear their words read in Parliament through the My First Speech competition.
When I was elected to Parliament in 2016, my first speech was true to things that were important to me: mental health access, the environment, and small business. Seven years on, it’s still a privilege to advocate on these issues.
This competition gives me a chance to read a 90 second speech by one of my young constituents, on whatever their passion is.
Three students from across the country will be invited to Canberra to deliver their speeches live and undertake a program of meetings at Parliament House.
Find out more here. Entries close 5pm August 11.
Grant News
LOCAL SPORTING CHAMPIONS
The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships. Successful applicants will receive $500-$750 to go towards the cost of attending their championship event.
Applications close: July 31 2023
Further details: https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions
NSW SMALL BUSINESS MONTH
The NSW Government is offering grants to eligible organisations to deliver events during NSW Small Business Month October 2023 that will benefit the small business community. This is a competitive grants program with a total funding pool of $600,000. The funding amounts available are:
Up to $2,500 for local councils for a face-to-face event(s)
Up to $3,500 for other eligible applicants for a face-to-face event(s)
Up to $1,500 for all eligible applicants for virtual event(s).
Applications close: 9:00am 1 August 2023.
Further details: https://www.smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au/grants/
ARTS PROJECTS GRANTS Australia Council for the Arts
The Arts Projects Grant supports artists and arts organisations in visual arts, music, theatre, dance, literature, First Nations arts, community arts and cultural development, emerging and experimental arts and multi-arts. The funds can be used for a wide range of purposes including, but not limited to: creating or presenting new works, undertaking collaborations, touring and exhibitions, for promotion and marketing as well as career development for artists and arts workers.
Applications close: 5 September 2023.
Amount: Individuals and groups can apply for between $10,000 and $50,000. Organisations can apply for between $20,000 and $100,000.
Further details: Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups and Arts Projects for Organisations
You can contact the Australia Council to discuss your proposal:
Phone: 02 9215 9000
Online: https://australiacouncil.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/
PRIME MINISTER’S LITERARY AWARDS Australia Council for the Arts
The 2023 Prime Minister's Literary Awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional literary talents of established and emerging Australian writers, illustrators, poets and historians. Entries of high literary merit and, in the case of the prize for Australian history, scholarly accomplishment are sought. The Awards honour excellence in Australian literature and those who have had a work published during 2022 are eligible to enter the 2023 Awards in one of 6 categories – children's literature, young adult literature, fiction, poetry, non-fiction, Australian history. Australian history entries can be submitted in a range of formats including journals, magazines, an interactive or online project, film or documentary.
Applications close: 25 July 2023, 3:00pm
Amount: $600,000 across six categories
Further details: Prime Minister’s Literary Awards
You can contact the Australia Council to discuss your proposal:
Phone: 02 9215 9000
Online: https://australiacouncil.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/
MATCH Lab Australia Council for the Arts
MATCH Lab is a matched funding program for independent artists and groups. It’s for artists looking to run a fundraising campaign and build their fundraising and arts business skills.
It supports artists to increase their knowledge of philanthropy and arts partnerships, develop broader arts business knowledge and create sustainable sources of revenue for their work into the future.
MATCH Lab is more than just a funding program; it emphasises long-term skills development. If you’re successful, you’ll take part in a professional development clinic and be eligible for matched funding for your fundraising campaign.
Through MATCH Lab independent artists and artistic groups will be provided with:
- A place at a two-day Raising Money for Your Art professional development and fundraising clinic.
- Matched funding of up to $10,000 per project.
- Campaign advice and support.
- If your application is successful, you’ll attend a two-day Raising Money for Your Art clinic. Here, you’ll connect with experts and your peers to develop a fundraising plan for supporting your arts practice and your next artistic project.
Applications close: 1 August 2023
Amount: up to $10,000 in matched funding
Further details: MATCH Lab
You can contact the Australia Council to discuss your proposal:
Phone: 02 9215 9000
Online: https://australiacouncil.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/
Small Project Grants (Quick Response) for Individuals Create NSW
Small Project Grants (Quick Response) support the creation, development and presentation of new work and professional development opportunities for NSW-based professional artists, groups and arts and cultural workers (including museum workers). Small Project Grants (Quick Response) funding aims to:
- Enable artists, groups, and arts/cultural workers (including museum workers) to participate in outstanding and relevant time-sensitive opportunities
- Contribute to the creation, development and/or presentation of new work
- Improve the capacity of professionals working in NSW to become arts and cultural leaders.
Applications close: Always open
Amount: $500 to $5,000.
Further details: Small Project Grants
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