Community Newsletter

23 June, 2020

The last two weeks in Parliament House were dominated by a renewed push for a National Integrity Commission by myself and the Crossbench, as the Government repeatedly prevented debates in the House of Representatives - including on a motion to better support arts workers and the entertainment industry. We also saw calls for Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people.
 
Thank you to everyone who has written into our office with concerns about various issues including accessing JobKeeper and JobSeeker; Constitutional Recognition; live sheep exports; requiring flexibility for visa grants and exemptions; and funding cuts to the ABC.
 
Your emails always inform which speeches I deliver in Parliament and how legislation affects our local Warringah Community.
 
Please find an update on what we have been doing:
 
SPEECHES IN PARLIAMENT

I delivered 11 speeches in Parliament this fortnight that includes speaking on:

• The urgent need for Constitutional Recognition of indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people
   
• Voicing concerns in relation to a nuclear waste facility in South Australia
   
• Speaking about the important role that our local small businesses play in our community and the need to reduce payment terms for small business
   
• Calling for the federal government to reverse its budget cuts to the ABC
   
• Reflecting on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our community
   
• Development work in the Pacific and acknowledging the work of Australian Doctors International, based in Seaforth in Warringah, who are working in Papua New Guinea
   
• Calling for flexibility and compassion when granting exemptions on travel restrictions, speaking on behalf of several local constituents
   
• How climate change is affecting the Great Barrier Reef
   
• Supporting an Education Legislation Amendment that will streamline administration in our education sector
   
• Two speeches on veteran suicide prevention and supporting the well-being of veterans and their families
   
• Supporting Independent Andrew Wilkie in a motion to stop the Al Kuwait ship from leaving Perth to travel to the Middle East during their winter and raising concerns about live animal exports

 

 
PRESS CONFERENCES

With my colleagues on the Crossbench, I attended two press conferences again calling for integrity in federal politics in the form of a National Integrity Commission and our opposition to political donations legislation that has been proposed to allow donors to circumvent their respective states’ rules on political advertising.

HARBOUR TRUST SUCCESS  

There was a great win for the Warringah community last week with the Environment Minister Sussan Ley releasing the report into the review of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
 
I was pleased to see the Federal Government has listened to calls I and many in the community made to ensure the Harbour Trust remains focused on preservation and conservation of these iconic sites.
 
Thank you to so many in the community who made submissions, attended forums and raised their voices to help safeguard these iconic sites, in particular the Headland Preservation Group.
 
I’ll continue to engage with the Minister on the next steps to ensure the community continues to be heard. For more information click here.
 
NSW VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
 
Do you know of someone who dedicates their time through volunteer organisations? Volunteers play such a fundamental role in connecting and strengthening our communities.

You can recognise them by nominating them for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, which are in their 14^th year. Simply click on this link. Nominations close Friday 3^rd July at 5pm.
 
TRAFFIC SURVEY 
 
In October of last year, my team and I conducted the Warringah Community Survey. We delivered it to every household in the electorate and had a huge response.  

It may come as no surprise that the top answer was traffic congestion.

As we return to our normal lives, post the COVID-19 lockdown, we would like to know if traffic will be the same and whether your transport habits will change.

My team and I would like to hear the views of everyone in our community, so we are conducting an online Transport & Traffic Survey. We would really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and ideas with us, by clicking HERE.

On the basis of what we learn, we will work with federal, state and local governments on solutions that will assist our economic recovery now and in the future.

COMING UP:
 

• Traffic Tele-Community Forum – participate from home
  
  On Monday, June 29 at 7.30 pm, I will be speaking with transport expert Mathew Hounsell, a Transport Analyst and Planner working and studying with the Institute of Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney. 
  
  Mathew is an independent specialist looking at transport, land use and sustainability, with a focus on NSW. He has worked on several detailed analyses of transport used on the North Shore & Northern Beaches, as well as research into the historical transport planning for the area. 
  
  You can join our conversation over the phone by just listening in or you can ask questions.  To find out more and to register, please CLICK HERE.
   
• COVID-19 Restrictions will continue to change in NSW. To keep up to date you can head to my website www.zalisteggall.com.au or www.nsw.gov.au

 
My team and I are constantly working to find solutions for you, your family and friends during this time.
 
You can keep up to date at our website www.zalisteggall.com.au and get in touch by emailing [email protected] or calling the office on 9977 6411 if you have concerns.
 
Please forward this on to your network of family and friends in Warringah.

Stay safe,