Politics shouldn't be about the next election - it should be about the next generation.
The cost of housing — both mortgages and rents — is higher than ever before. The supermarket shop is too expensive. Energy bills are too high.
Everywhere I go, you tell me the government should be doing much more to address the cost-of-living crisis. I couldn’t agree more.
As an Independent, my top priority is getting out in the community, listening to you, and acting on your concerns. Since the election, my team and I have knocked on 21,500 doors, held 26 pop-up offices, and hosted 12 community forums.
My team and I would like to thank you for sharing your ideas and concerns in the thousands of conversations we’ve had in the community.
Following our community consultation, we have:
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Led calls for fairer Stage 3 tax cuts, paving the way for most working Australians to receive a greater tax cut later this year;
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Helped to secure half-price prescription medications for 6 million Australians;
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Successfully advocated for the proposed new fuel efficiency standards that will save drivers up to $1,000 per vehicle per year;
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Called on the government to increase competition in the supermarket sector to prevent Woolworths and Coles from over-charging;
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Urged the government to build 100,000 new homes, and to double Commonwealth Rental Assistance, to make housing and renting more affordable;
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Pushed the government to require Qantas and other airlines to compensate passengers for delayed and cancelled flights; and
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Advocated to supercharge the renewable energy boom with record investment so that we can bring down electricity prices with cheap, clean energy.
We can and we must do more. I want to hear from you directly regarding how I can best address the cost-of-living pressures affecting Kooyong. This sort of community consultation is how democracy should work.
As always, if you would like any assistance with government services, including Centrelink matters, visas, and NDIS issues, my hardworking team and I are here to help. Please write to us at [email protected], or call on 03 9326 2900.
All the best,
P.S. I’m thrilled to announce the first in my series of seniors’ information sessions is coming up next month. I’m inviting Services Australia to come and present to the Kooyong community about the steps involved in applying for the aged pension and how Services Australia can assist with that process. Click here to RSVP for the information session, set for 10:30am-12:00pm on March 13 at the Hawthorn Arts Centre.