Community Newsletter

30 September 2024

The September parliamentary sitting week was a busy one with much focus on the Future Made in Australia legislation, amendments to the Family Law Bill to better support victims of domestic violence as well as a welcome move to include superannuation on paid parental leave.

I also presented a matter of public importance on scams and the need to better protect Australians from the increasing risk and prevalence of online scams. Pleasingly, the Minister for Financial Services, Stephen Jones MP has since briefed me on the government’s draft legislation that proposes introducing more safeguards and codes of conduct for key industries to better protect consumers.

Read on to learn more about my parliamentary activities below.

On the local front, the AEC has now published its final determination for the NSW electoral division boundary changes which will see some changes to the Warringah Electorate. Forestville, Frenchs Forest, Killarney Heights, Dee Why and North Curl Curl will move into the neighbouring seat of Mackellar. As the federal seat of North Sydney will be abolished, Cammeray, Crows Nest, Kirribilli, Lavender Bay, McMahons Point, Milsons Point, North Sydney, Waverton, Wollstonecraft, and all of Cremorne and Neutral Bay will be part of Warringah.

It’s incredibly disappointing to lose the seat of North Sydney after the amazing engagement of the North Sydney community and work that Kylea Tink MP and her team have done in the last two and a half years. It’s also very sad that our Forest Hub and one third of our Beaches Hub will no longer be part of Warringah.

Finally, in promising news, PEP-11 is almost, but not quite, dead! Last week saw the Minister responsible, Ed Husic MP, make a statement that he will likely decline the current applications from the fossil fuel industry for PEP-11. I welcome the announcement, but our communities have had enough of waiting. There is huge community opposition to PEP-11. I hope that PEP-11 is soon put to bed once and for all.

Also in this newsletter:

• Important Community Events
• Grants and Community News
• Local Sporting Champions

Future Made in Australia

The Future Made in Australia bill passed the House of Representatives. I put up several amendments to ensure alignment of Future Made in Australia with our clean energy future and climate goals. Unfortunately, the government chose not to strengthen these bills with my amendments, but they did adopt one of my amendments to ensure greater participation from and benefit for First Nations people from Future Made in Australia. It was an amendment drafted with the help of the First Nations Clean Energy Network, who happened to be able to watch my speech on the amendments whilst they were coincidentally in my Canberra office!

Protecting Australians from scams

I led a debate on the need for the government to do more to prevent Australians becoming victims of scams, especially online. In 2023, Australians lost $2.74 billion to scammers. That’s more than $5,200 per minute. We need to act urgently on this issue. The government has now released its draft legislation to try and deal with this issue that affects so many – it seems to be a promising start and I will spend some time talking with experts and examining the legislation.

Improving the standards of the Parliamentary workplace

Another bill that has passed the House will establish the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission. It is the last major recommendation from the Set the Standard report by Kate Jenkins. I have been working on this bill for some time along with other colleagues on the Parliamentary Leadership Taskforce. It will ensure that complaints about inappropriate behaviour from parliamentarians or those working for them are investigated fairly and appropriate sanctions are made if required.

Other Parliamentary Business

I spoke to the Family Law Amendment Bill, which now brings consideration of domestic violence and the economic impact of violence when it comes to dividing property and finances. This is a much needed and welcome change.

It was great to see a bill finally pass that will ensure those on government Paid Parental Leave will receive superannuation payments as a part of this. I spoke in favour of it and it has now passed the parliament.

The government has introduced a bill adjusting HECS indexation rate to be linked to either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index going forward – whichever is lower. It will also introduce ‘prac payments’ for midwifery, teaching, nursing and social work students to help them complete the practical components of their course. Whilst a positive step, much more is needed to ensure HECS debts do not unfairly impact younger people or people retraining.

Whilst the Government is very focused on protecting children by lifting the age of access to social media platforms, it is time to ban all gambling advertising. I asked the Prime Minister in Question Time why his government wasn’t doing all it could to protect children from gambling ads.

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.

Parliamentary Friends of Women in Sport

It was an honour to escort her excellency, the Governor-General of Australia, into Parliament for the Parliamentary Friends of Women in Sport event.

It was great to connect with so many in the industry and their mentors from the Minerva Network and it was a timely meeting given the government’s announcement that sporting organisations across Australia will be required to have an equal split of men and women on their boards from 2027 or risk having their funding withheld.

Puppies in Parliament

I attended a Puppies in Parliament event hosted by Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs. This event provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of Seeing Eye Dogs in enhancing the mobility and independence of people who are blind or have low vision.

Dhimurru Rangers

I met with Dhimurru Rangers from North East Arnhem Land in parliament and heard about the increasing plastic pollution and ghost fishing nets that are piling up on their land and sea country. Urgent global action is needed to address the plastic waste crisis through the Global Plastics Treaty and the Global Ghost Gear initiative. I will also push for increased funds for more rangers in North East Arnhem Land.

Warringah Housing Forum – Wednesday 2nd October

I am hosting a Housing Forum at Balgowlah RSL on 2nd October from 6.30pm - 8pm to address the housing issues and possible solutions in Warringah.

Key Topics:

• Housing affordability is one of the biggest issues facing people in Warringah and across the country. What are some immediate levers we can pull as a community to address the housing shortage?
• What are some long term solutions to the housing crisis?
• Challenges in creating affordable housing e.g. tax reforms, LGA expectations, where do front line workers live?

Panellists:

• Louise Kerr - Director Planning and Place, Northern Beaches Council 
• Maiy Azize - Deputy Director, Anglicare Australia and spokesperson for Everybody's Home
• Matt Grudnoff – Senior Economist, The Australia Institute

Register here

NDIS Community Webinar

I recently hosted a webinar with the NDIS Minister, The Hon. Bill Shorten. The webinar covered the changes people can expect from the new NDIS legislation and how parents can best navigate the NDIS Early Childhood Pathway. The Minister answered a number of questions from constituents, ranging from plan reviews, to pathways for Paralympians and delays in processing claims.

A recording of the event is available here: https://www.zalisteggall.com.au/past_events_cal

Strong and Resilient Communities Activity Grants

Grassroots volunteer involving organisations can now apply for small grants ($10,000 - $20,000) for one-off, time limited projects that support vulnerable and disadvantaged people by strengthening the organisation’s volunteer capability and capacity. These grants are targeted at grassroots volunteer involving organisations, that have:

• a workforce of 40% or more volunteers;
• an annual income of below $500,000; and
• support one or more of the identified priority groups

Expressions of Interest are now open until 4PM AEST, 4 October 2024. Following a review process, eligible organisations in NSW will be contacted and invited to submit an application through The Centre for Volunteering.  Further information including the Grant Opportunity Guidelines can be found here 

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

Duncan Cowan – Local Sporting Champions Program recipient

Congratulations to Manly resident, Duncan Cowan who recently competed in the National Ski Cross Championships in Perisher where he won the Division 1 title. Earlier this year, he was the flag bearer in the Youth Winter Olympic Games in South Korea, where he represented Australia in Ski Cross. Duncan is a recipient of the Local Sporting Champions grant and it is wonderful to see Duncan working so hard in his sport and achieving such great results.

Local Sporting and Local Para Champions Program

In Round 1 of the 2024-25 Local Sporting and Local Para Champions Program, 28 Warringah athletes shared in a total of $20,100 to assist with travel costs to attend their national and international championships. Sports represented include athletics, rowing, swimming, baseball, hockey, basketball and rugby.

Applications for Round 2, 2024-25 are now open until 31 October 2024.

This program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors participating in state, national or international championships. Successful applicants receive up to $950 towards the cost of attending their event. Apply here.

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.