Building a Stronger Voice for Warringah
13 July 2026
Good afternoon,
The past few weeks have been a busy mix of community events, important work in Parliament and an exciting new chapter for community-led politics.
I joined my colleague Allegra Spender MP to launch Community Strong – a new party putting communities at the centre of politics and finding practical solutions to Australia’s big challenges. I’m so grateful for the positive and welcoming response from people across Warringah, and I look forward to working with you to elevate community voices in Parliament.
It was also a privilege to launch our Reconciliation Action Plan, an important milestone for the Warringah electorate office. It outlines our commitment to building stronger relationships with First Nations peoples through listening, learning, truth-telling and meaningful action.
It was wonderful to see so many local faces at our Crows Nest town hall meeting and hear directly from you about the issues that matter most.
In Parliament, I reintroduced my Truth in Political Advertising Bill because Australians deserve honesty in political campaigns and greater confidence in our democracy. I put forward three practical amendments aimed at strengthening the Albanese government’s NDIS legislation to ensure participants maintain access to the support they rely on. I also spoke out against the government's weak gambling advertising reforms and called for safeguards around AI data centres to protect communities and the environment.
As always, thank you for your continued engagement, ideas and support.
Zali
Parliament Update
Truth in Political Advertising
On 22 June, I reintroduced the latest version of my Truth in Political Advertising Bill because voters deserve the same basic protection from deception in politics that consumers already have in the commercial world.
The updated Bill would require substantially AI-generated political content to be clearly labelled, create an enforceable Ethical Political Advertising Code, and establish an independent Political Advertising Standards Board to deal with complaints. Truth in political advertising laws are essential as AI deepfakes, fake endorsements and misleading campaign material become faster, cheaper and harder for voters to detect.
AI data centres: built on Australia’s terms
I also brought on a Matter of Public Importance on the rapid rollout of AI data centres. AI brings many benefits, but behind every model are large physical facilities that need land, power, water, transmission infrastructure and community consent.
Australia is well positioned to capture the upside of the AI transition, but we cannot sign big tech a blank cheque. Major AI data centre developers should be required to show how they will help build the clean energy, storage, transmission and water infrastructure their projects need.
NDIS: sustainability must not mean isolation
I do not disagree that the NDIS must be financially sustainable. However, last sitting week I opposed the NDIS Bill because sustainability must not be achieved by cutting people off from the supports that allow them to live with dignity and independence, including those who require 24/7 care.
Along with my crossbench colleagues, I moved amendments to improve the bill which would allow NDIS participants to seek plan reassessment more easily, protect work, study, and volunteering as core categories, and ensure that, if the funding in a person’s plan is significantly reduced by the minister, they have a clear right to review.
Stop gambling ads
I joined crossbench colleagues at a press conference calling for stronger gambling reform. The Government’s proposal still falls short of the Murphy Report’s recommendation for a phased, comprehensive ban on online gambling advertising.
Children should not grow up seeing betting as a normal part of sport, and I will keep pushing to ban inducements, end gambling ads, and put community wellbeing ahead of gambling industry profits. For more information on how we can end gambling ads, click here.
To view my parliamentary speeches, visit Parliament Updates
Community News & Events
HMAS Penguin
My team and I have received significant correspondence regarding the proposed partial divestment of HMAS Penguin. I remain committed to ensuring any decision about the site's future is transparent, properly scrutinised and reflects the priorities of our community. I have raised concerns directly with ministers, in Parliament and through community forums, advocating for the protection of public land, heritage and the environment, including the long-term conservation of the site's angophora forest.
I encourage you to complete my HMAS Penguin Community survey so I can continue representing Warringah's views as this process unfolds.
Launching Warringah’s Reconciliation Action Plan
My team and I recently launched the Warringah Electorate Office Reconciliation Action Plan, the first RAP adopted by an electorate office in Australia.
The Warringah Electorate Office joins more than 3,000 organisations across Australia with a RAP in place. For our office, the Reflect RAP is a practical and accountable way to honour the strong support shown by the people of Warringah, where almost 60 per cent of voters supported Yes in the Voice referendum. It is a commitment to keep working for listening, truth-telling, recognition, justice and self-determination.
The launch brought together Aboriginal leaders, allies, local community members, volunteers and staff to mark an important milestone in our reconciliation journey. The afternoon began with a Smoking Ceremony, and we were honoured to hear from Aunty Millie Ingram AM and Aunty Donna Ingram, whose leadership, wisdom and decades of community work continue to inspire us.
A special highlight was the unveiling of our RAP artwork, My Country, My Culture, My Home, created by 14-year-old Wiradjuri artist and local student Nalani Spencer.
Our Reflect RAP is an important milestone, but it is also only a first step. Reconciliation must be more than words. It requires listening, learning, truth-telling and practical action in Parliament, in our community, and in the everyday work of our office.
The RAP sets out clear commitments to guide the next stage of our office’s reconciliation journey. It will help us build stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, embed cultural learning and protocols in our everyday work, explore pathways for First Nations participation, and continue using parliamentary advocacy to advance equity and justice.
Download our Reconciliation Action Plan or collect a hard copy from the Electorate Office in Manly or Warringah Independent Community Hub in Neutral Bay.
Community Town Hall Events
It was a pleasure to meet so many of you at the town hall events I hosted recently in Mosman and Crows Nest where I outlined how my team and I are advocating for Warringah in Parliament and locally, and answered a wide range of questions. Topics included HMAS Penguin, housing, climate risk, the Middle East conflict and changes to negative gearing and Capital Gains Tax.
Watch the recordings of these events.
My First Speech Competition – Open until 20 July
Entries are now open for the 2026 My First Speech Competition, an initiative that gives senior secondary students the opportunity to learn about Australia's Parliament and have their voices heard. Students in Years 10-12 are invited to imagine themselves as a newly elected Member of Parliament and write a three-minute speech on an issue they care deeply about. One winner from each year group will receive an expenses-paid trip to Canberra to deliver their speech at Parliament House and take part in a special program of tours and meetings.
If you have children, grandchildren or know a student who may be interested, please encourage them to enter the My First Speech Competition.
Out and About
Grants
There are many grants that can help individuals, community groups, businesses and schools to build a better Warringah. To keep up to date, please subscribe to our Grants Newsletter by emailing: [email protected]
Local Sporting Champions & Para Champions Grants
The LSC and LPC programs provide financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors participating in state, national or international sporting championships. Successful applicants receive up to $1000 towards the cost of attending their championships. Round 1, 2026-27 closes 31 August 2026.
Here to Help
Here are some of the ways my team and I can help:
Warringah Sustainability Guide and EV Supplement
We have recently launched the Warringah Sustainability Guide - a practical resource to help households and local businesses take meaningful steps toward a cleaner, more resilient future.
The guide offers straightforward tips to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut electricity and water use, and prepare for the climate challenges ahead. Download online. Printed copies are also available for collection from the Electorate Office in Manly or the Neutral Bay Warringah Independent Community Hub.
Seniors Guide
To help seniors and their families navigate the government services and supports available, pick up a hard copy of our guide or download here.
Government Service Support
We can provide support on matters relating to Aged Care Plans, Services Australia enquiries, Immigration and Citizenship.
Congratulatory Messages
For a special birthday or wedding anniversary. Further details here.
Be Scam Aware
Awareness is our best protection against scams. The government’s “Little Book of Scams” includes information on how to spot and avoid scams. Feel free to drop in and pick up a copy or download here.
For more information on Zali’s community activities and updates follow @ZaliSteggallMP on Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky, LinkedIn, X or Tiktok.
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