Your March E-News!

Our Housing Australia Future Fund Bill passed the lower house. This fund is the single biggest investment in affordable and social housing in more than a decade and will ensure there is funding to address acute housing needs like the maintenance and improvement of housing in remote indigenous communities, crisis and transitional housing for families impacted by domestic violence and specialist housing services for our veterans at risk or experiencing homelessness.

The lower house also passed the National Reconstruction Fund that will bring manufacturing jobs back to Australia. This $15 billion fund is one of the largest investments in manufacturing in living memory and will help create meaningful, full time work in our community.

And our commitment to ten days paid domestic and family violence leave came into force for the majority of workers, permanent and casual, with small businesses having until August to implement the changes. I’d like to offer my thanks to the advocates in our community who campaigned for this - it will save lives.

I know many people in Macquarie have been advocates for Temporary Protection Visas and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas holders and would have been glad to see the news of the announcement of a permanent visa pathway for refugees on existing TPVs and SHEVs. Refugees on these Visas have been kept in a state of limbo for the last decade. They are part of our community, working, paying tax, starting businesses and going to school, they are our neighbours and Australia is their home. To assist TPV and SHEV holders with the visa application process, the Albanese Government has committed $9.4 million over two years for visa application assistance through specialist legal service providers across Australia.

Locally, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Macquarie as he announced the Federal Government is investing $100 million for safety works on Bells Line of Road, one of the largest single investments in the historic road. These safety improvements will benefit both local Mountains and Hawkesbury users and improve the safety for all those travelling through this main thoroughfare.

We’ve also instigated a number of reviews where there is an opportunity for your feedback. They’re listed below under Have Your Say.

One of the most pressing issues we’re tackling is looking for ways to ease cost of living pressures. We’ve made prescription medicine cheaper, delivered fee-free TAFE places, provided funds to reduce energy bills via the states, and cheaper childcare starts in July. While we know that many people are feeling pressure from rate rises and economic uncertainty, we are continuing to work to lower cost of living pressures for Australian households.

Finally, it will have been hard to miss the AUKUS announcement about Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, an investment in our future defence capability with significant economic benefits to flow to our manufacturing and employment. You can learn more here.

Community News

FLIGHT PATHS

As you know, I have deep concerns about the impact the flights for Western Sydney Airport will have in our community. I have been highly critical of the original decision to proceed with the airport, and the failure of the previous three Coalition governments to consult genuinely. Also the lack of information that has been shared about flight paths for the airport, which is due to open in 2026. I want to make sure you know that Catherine King, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government provided an update on radio in the last fortnight, that further information on the flight paths will be released in June this year.

Minister King said: “We're also wanting and developing a noise tool so people can get a really good sense about just exactly how affected or how not affected they are going to be. I think if you just put a flight path out, you don't actually get all of that detailed information. It's obviously an environmental effects statement process that the flight paths have to go through. So we're looking a little bit later this year. It's taken my department a bit longer than we had anticipated to get some of that right. They've had trouble accessing some of the simulation machines that they needed to actually test some of the flight paths. So, we want to try and do that absolutely as soon as possible. I know how anxious people are to see that, but I also want to make sure people have got as much information to inform themselves to make submissions to the environmental effect statement process as they possibly can. Rather than just putting them out without any further information.”

The Forum on Western Sydney Airport has invited members of the public to its next meeting on Saturday 18 March at Penrith Panthers. While the ticket allocation has been exhausted, you might like to keep an eye on the event page if anymore places become available: Forum on Western Sydney Airport

VOICE TO PARLIAMENT

Along with many community representatives, I’ve been speaking with people about what an Indigenous Voice to Parliament means to them.

The referendum itself will be about recognition and consultation, it’s that simple.

In Parliament, we’re continuing to discuss the structure of the Voice and how it will take effect. The Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022 introduced by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Linda Burney, included the allowance of pamphlets for both the Yes and No campaign, as well as mandatory disclosures of campaign expenditure. The Act will ensure that the referendum will take place between October and December 2023. The Voice is a once in a generation opportunity that will give just acknowledgement to the oldest continuing culture in the world. You can find out more about the Yes campaign here: Yes23.com.au

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Small businesses are the heart of our local economy but we know that at times business is hard going. There is a free Australian Government program to provide practical support to small businesses. Whether you want to start a business, or get advice because times are tough, you may be eligible for Self-Employment Assistance. This program gives training, mentoring, advice and in some cases financial support while you manage your small business, and gives you the flexibility to choose what services best fit your needs. Check out this fantastic new service here: IntoJobs.com.au

I’ve spoken to the local provider contracted by the Australian Government, and to small businesses who’ve accessed the support, and it’s clear that it can make a real difference so don’t hesitate to make that initial call.

Have Your Say

REVIEW INTO DISASTER MANAGEMENT

The Albanese government commissioned an Independent Review into Disaster Funding. After experiencing countless floods and fire, resources in disaster prone areas like the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains will be assessed over a period of 18 months. We’ve listened to the selfless voices of our SES and RFS volunteers. This review will aim to ensure that when the next natural disaster inevitably hits our community, we understand the necessary funding and resources needed to support a system that is fit for purpose for the community. A final report is expected to be provided to Government in April 2024.

There is also a Senate inquiry into disaster resilience, read more here: Disaster Resilience Inquiry

DISABILITY COVID REVIEW

The Albanese Government wants to hear from school students with disability, their families and carers, and educators about their experiences of school during the COVID-19 pandemic. The review, which was an election commitment, will examine the educational experiences for school students with disability during the COVID-19 pandemic. The public consultation phase of the review of the impact of COVID-19 on school students with disability will remain open until 28 March. There are several ways interested parties can provide feedback, make submission and find out more by visiting: Disability Covid Review

VETERAN COMPENSATION AND REHABILITATION

The Government is responding to the recommendations of the Interim Report by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide by commencing public consultation on a Pathway to simplify veteran compensation and rehabilitation legislation. We’re committed to a thorough and considered process which will deliver a better future for veterans and their families, that's why we want your feedback. If you’d like the opportunity to provide feedback click here: Veterans’ Legislation Reform Consultation Pathway

MODERNISING POSTAL SERVICES

Australia Post plays a crucial role in connecting communities and businesses and with the growth of digitisation and ecommerce the Government wants to ensure that Australia Post can meet these shifting demands. We’ve launched a discussion paper and consultation process to ensure the community and small business have their voices heard. You can make a submission by visiting here: Modernising Postal Services.

SUPERANNUATION

Given the increasing number of Australians entering retirement age, there needs to be a greater focus on how our world-class superannuation system is delivering strong retirement outcomes. We want to make super stronger, and by making super stronger we make the economy stronger too. For the benefits of superannuation to be maximised, there needs to be a clear, shared understanding of the objective of superannuation. Our government is taking steps to legislate an objective for superannuation and if you’d like to part of this consultation process you can visit: Legislating the Objective of Superannuation.

ACTIVE TRANSPORT PLAN FOR THE HAWKESBURY

A new Active Transport Plan is being developed by Hawkesbury City Council to provide the framework for a harmonious network of walking and cycling infrastructure by completing missing links and further developing safe, high quality infrastructure. Residents are welcome to attend a community workshop session run by the council on the 22 March. For more information click here: Active Transport Plan.

Grant News

ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANTS FOR SMES

This is a new grants program which opened 6 March for small to medium businesses. Grants of between $10,000 and $25,000 will be available to SMEs in all industry sectors to enable them to take energy-saving measures such as installing tools to monitor energy use, upgrading, or replacing existing air conditioners with high efficiency units or gas heating boilers with heat pumps. For more information and to apply head to: Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises