Community Newsletter

20 November 2024

With three sitting weeks in November, my team and I have been working hard to ensure that Warringah’s voice is heard in Canberra. And while the US election may have taken some of the usual attention away from Canberra – there have been a range of important developments including the release of the CSIRO/BOM State of the Climate Report and important legislation to combat mis and disinformation passing through the lower house.

This week in Parliament, the government introduced long-awaited Electoral Reform Bills, aiming to address donation transparency and truth in political advertising. Unfortunately, it appears they’ve struck a deal with the Coalition to fast-track donation reforms that would see taxpayers fund more of the major parties' campaigns while making it harder for new challengers to compete against incumbents. Disappointingly, there’s no urgency around legislating truth in political advertising - an equally critical reform.

These are some of the most significant changes to our electoral processes in decades. Since they wouldn’t take effect until after the next election, I believe they should be referred to a committee for proper review. I’ll share further updates on this in my next newsletter.

My electorate office team has also been very busy locally. I hosted a Housing Forum on 2nd October attended by almost 300 people to address the housing issues in Warringah. We discussed ways of increasing the supply of homes and decreasing competition in the housing market to make way for young people to go from renters to homeowners. Read below for further details about the event as well as a link to a housing survey so I can better understand and represent your views in Parliament.

Read on to learn more about my parliamentary activities below.

Also in this newsletter:

• Out & About in Warringah
• Community Events and Housing Survey

Will the government commit to an ambitious 2035 target?

The new State of the Climate Report from the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO highlights Australia’s climate is already changing, with increasing impacts on lives and livelihoods. Strong action is needed to cut emissions urgently, if we are to have any hope of keeping temperatures to safe limits.

The world is on track for 3.1 degrees of warming if nations do not increase their commitments to reduce emissions.

With the UN’s climate summit COP29 currently underway, we have just seen the UK government commit to an 81% reduction in emissions by 2035. Australia too needs strong leadership and policies designed to bring down emissions as quickly as possible. Now, more than ever, transparency on climate policy is essential.

I’m calling for a minimum 75% reduction by 2035—and for greater focus on risk assessment and adaptation to ensure our communities are as resilient as possible to the escalating impacts from climate change.

Alarmingly, neither the government nor the Coalition have indicated to date what 2035 target they will take to the election. On one hand the Coalition wants to delay transition to renewable energy and wind back 2030 commitments, on the other the Government is being cagey about its intentions and commitment to reduce emissions. I have asked the Prime Minister if he’ll commit to a 2035 target before the election. Climate risks are significantly impacting costs of living, especially insurance premiums, and the major parties need to come clean to the Australian people before the election.

Combatting Mis- and Disinformation

In early November, we debated the bill to combat online misinformation and disinformation. I’ve heard strong views from both sides: some believe it doesn’t go far enough, while others fear it may restrict freedom of speech.

I fully respect freedom of speech as a fundamental right in a democracy, but it does not override other human rights. The High Court has clarified that this right doesn’t extend to vilifying or threatening others. Unfortunately, misinformation and disinformation too often serve to do just that, sometimes even inciting violence and destruction of property.

After consulting with Human Rights advocates and reviewing a number of government amendments, I believe that while the bill isn’t perfect, it’s a necessary first step to protect our communities. You can view my full speech here: Misinformation and disinformation

Privacy and other Legislation

We also debated the new privacy reform bill which introduces a statutory right to sue for serious privacy invasions, an anti-doxxing offence, and a potential Children’s Privacy Code. However, it lacks some crucial updates, like tighter definitions for ‘consent’ and ‘personal information’ and measures to address online tracking and toxic social media practices which I’ve urged the government to strengthen now, rather than delaying essential protections: Privacy in the digital world

Better and Fairer Schools

Warringah’s 21 public schools face a funding crisis that impacts educational quality and resources, with many struggling to provide even basic facilities. Unfortunately, despite the good intentions of the bill, it doesn’t fully close the funding gap. I have urged the government to commit to stronger funding, ensuring all public schools have the resources to support our children’s education and future.

Better and fairer schools funding and reform bill 2024

Scams Prevention Framework Bill

We have a big final two weeks in Parliament for the year where the much anticipated Anti-Scams Legislation is due to be debated. I have had briefings with Minister Stephen Jones about the proposed legislation and am consulting with his team to endeavour to better support victims accessing dispute resolution and redress from scams by placing the onus on the platforms and organisations to provide information relating to scams to victims.

To view my parliamentary speeches visit my Parliament Updates.
I seek to represent the views of Warringah and welcome feedback. My approach to legislation is on my website as is my Voting Record.

Remembrance Day Services

My team and I attended a number of services across Warringah on 11 November to pay our respects and reflect and remember the more than 103,000 Australians who died while serving or as a result of their service in wars, conflicts, and peace operations.

Walking Together to End Domestic and Family Violence

Team Zali and Team Tink recently joined forces to raise awareness and funds for Mary’s House Services. Over 850 community members walked 10km from St Leonards Park to Balls Head and raised over $145,000 to support a critical frontline refuge for women and children feeling violence in northern Sydney.

Northern Beaches Hospital

I recently visited the Northern Beaches Hospital with Michael Regan MP and Sophie Scamps MP to hear from Healthscope and Dept Health officials about the steps they have taken to improve their youth mental health care model, as well as ongoing lack of dedicated beds and the at times unacceptable pressure and expectations on the nursing staff. With youth mental health being a key issue in the community, it’s essential we ensure our hospital is equipped to provide the best care in times of crisis. The ongoing independent audit will help identify what’s working and what’s not and I will be in regular communication with the hospital management, so that we can ensure the Northern Beaches hospital is meeting the needs of the community.

Warringah Housing Forum

The housing forum was held at Balgowlah RSL to address housing affordability and accessibility in Warringah and to discuss possible solutions. The event brought together experts including Louise Kerr, Director of Planning and Place at Northern Beaches Council; Maiy Azize, Deputy Director at Anglicare Australia; and Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at The Australia Institute. Panellists discussed a range of solutions, including increasing housing supply, securing affordable housing for essential workers, and addressing taxation policies like negative gearing and capital gains tax.

The event emphasized the need for diverse solutions to ensure Warringah remains accessible for all, with a focus on both supply and demand-side reforms. Housing done right requires energy efficient homes, built with access to good transport, infrastructure and a mandatory quota for affordable housing in new developments. View Forum recording.

Warringah Housing Survey

To better understand your concerns and to hear from the community about the measures that could play a key role in addressing housing supply and demand, please take a few minutes to complete the housing survey.

Local Sporting Champions

We were delighted to host 28 recipients of the Local Sporting Champions and Para Champions Program recently at a function at Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club. An Australian Sports Commission initiative, the program supports up and coming athletes and officials by providing financial assistance for those participating in state, national or international championships.

Special guests at the event were Olympians Sienna Hearn (water polo) and Rowena Meredith (rowing), and Paralympian Mali Lovell (athletics), who all recently represented Australia in Paris. They shared their Olympic Games experiences, passed around their medals and provided valuable insights about the opportunities and challenges of competing at the highest level of sport to our local champions.

Applications for Round 3, 2024-25 of the Local Sporting and Local Para Champions are now open until 31 January 2024.

One Meal – One Hamper Christmas Appeal 2024

One Meal Northern Beaches is a not-for-profit community organisation, 100% volunteer run, providing free food relief for people in need, collaborating with social service agencies and community groups.

At Christmas time, they partner with the community to fill 3,000 food hampers to ease the burden and share some joy. My office is a collection point and I welcome donations of non-perishable food.

To register and for further information, visit onemeal.org.au/hampers

My friendly electorate office team and I are here to help you, so please contact my office on 99776411 or email me at [email protected] should you need assistance.

Please share this newsletter with your friends and family to keep them updated, or encourage them to sign up here on my website.