Community Newsletter

2 November 2023

The Referendum has provided an important opportunity for the country to have their say about Indigenous constitutional recognition, with  15.6 million Australians casting their vote. 

Constitutional change is hard, and Warringah took on the challenge with open arms and overwhelmingly voted in support of constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People on October 14th. 
And while the national result was not in favour of this change, I am buoyed by the way the Warringah community came together in support of First Nations Australians, voting Yes at all booths on Referendum Day, and the Yes count now sitting at nearly 60% in our electorate. 

Thank you again to the almost 900 locals who volunteered and supported this important moment in our history. Whilst the national result will be disappointing to many, I am proud of our community for supporting generosity and reconciliation.

Warringah is a caring community that shows their generosity in many different ways and I have received a lot of correspondence from constituents who were in favour of supporting First Nations people but disagreed on the model. 

The local response has provided me with a clear mandate to keep working with Indigenous Australians nationally and locally to find solutions to close the gap and recognise their special status in our country.

For now, my thoughts are with the many First Australian communities.  After a Week of Silence Aboriginal leaders have put out a first official statement which reflects the hurt but also the desire to work on a new approach. As a nation, we will need to look at other mechanisms for practical listening and I look forward to working with local groups and leaders to hear how Warringah can provide meaningful support and be an ally.

Zali in Parli

Voter Protections in Political Advertising
Misleading and deceptive political advertising has been a hot topic in the media, and I have been putting forward the case in the media for my bill to be adopted. I asked the Prime Minister about the issue and it was good to hear he would undertake to work with me on the issue. In opposition, the Labor Party supported my bill but have been dragging their feet on getting it through the parliament since they came into government nearly 18 months ago. I will reintroduce a Private Member’s Bill titled Voter Protections in Political Advertising on November 13.

A recent Australia Institute poll showed 87% of Australians agree that truth in political advertising laws should be in place in time for the next federal election campaign. Importantly, it showed voters of all political persuasions want to have confidence in the promotional information presented to them during election campaigns. 

We protect consumers from misleading and deceptive advertising, it’s time we protect voters.

My team and I have been inundated with correspondence over the issue of truth in political advertising and many people have been asking what they can do themselves. I would urge you to write to the Prime Minister and/or Special Minister of State Minister Farrell to encourage them to get behind my bill. Voters of all persuasions want political advertising they can trust. We have laws to protect consumers from misleading and deceptive advertising, we now need laws to protect voters from misleading political advertising. 

Expanding water Trigger to consider impact fossil fuel mining projects impacts
I was pleased to second the private members bill by Sophie Scamps, the member for Mackellar, calling for an expansion of the 'water trigger’ in the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 or the EPBC Act. It expands the water trigger to provide Federal Government oversight of the impact that many fossil fuel mining projects will have on Australia’s precious water resources. The Federal Government has already pledged to do exactly this. This bill will ensure it is done by the end of the year. We have already had warning from scientists that the upcoming summer has the potential to be as disastrous as the 2019 to 2020 Black Summer of bushfires around the country. This will inevitably put our precious water resources under greater strain than they already are.

My call for a COVID Royal Commission
I called for a full and comprehensive Royal Commission into the COVID-19 pandemic. The government's proposed inquiry leaves many gaps. The proposed inquiry will not wield the same power as a Royal Commission, which can more effectively compel evidence while ensuring that integrity is maintained with the oversight of an independent judge. A Royal Commission can gain clarity on issues which have been inadequately investigated like vaccine injuries, Long COVID, mental health and domestic violence.

Closing loopholes to hold vaping companies to account
The government brought forward a bill to modernise tobacco and vaping regulations. Whilst I spoke in support of this bill and its intentions, I moved amendments to close a number of loopholes this legislation still has around advertising, online sales and in particular, that vaping companies may make political donations and gifts. It was telling that the crossbench all supported my amendments but both the Labor party and the Coalition opposed them, voting to keep donations from harmful industries like vaping. 

Banning the use of cards and cryptocurrency for online gambling
The government introduced a bill to ban the use of credit cards and crypto currency for online gambling. I will support this bill and spoke in favour of it. I will be moving an amendment to make it stronger, closing the loophole which allows for credit cards to still be used to purchase online lotteries. This amendment will come up for a vote in the House when parliament next sits and I will continue to push the government to support it. 

Acknowledging the Hamas attacks on Israel and ongoing conflict in the Gaza region
Parliament started out the last sitting week with tributes to the victims of the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October 2023. I know it left many in our community horrified. I spoke to the motion in parliament, condemning the horrific attacks and calling for all hostages to be released. I am also extremely concerned at the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza for innocent Palestinian civilians and have called for humanitarian aid to be provided without delay and a safe passage corridor be negotiated. I have received regular updates from the government and a briefing from Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Home Affairs Minister Claire O’Neil. It is clear the eruption of conflict is distressing for many Australians and I have urged the Government to take all possible steps to advocate for the protection of all civilian lives and the de-escalation of the conflict.

View all of 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.  Voting Record.

Warringah Matters

Food Insecurity
The rapidly rising cost of living is putting financial pressures on many households. The Foodbank Hunger Report 2023, released last week, revealed that 3.7 million households around Australia experienced food insecurity in the last 12 months. Many of these households are experiencing it for the very first time – including some in Warringah. 

Community support services
This can be a distressing time for households, but there is support available from a range of local community groups offering free or low cost groceries and meals. 

Community supporting community
One Meal Northern Beaches is currently running an initiative called The Give Hub and are asking community members to fill a provided box with basic non-perishable food items for those less fortunate at Christmas.

One Meal will then distribute the box to registered charity organisations who are offering food relief to individuals and families in the lead up to Christmas.

One box of non-perishable food items can provide a person or family with up to 25 individual serve meals.

You can register at the thegivehub.com.au or collect a box from my Manly Electorate office at 17-19 Sydney Rd, Manly.

Cost and availability of childcare
A recent analysis of childcare costs around the country identified that Warringah has some of the most expensive in the country. And while childcare is of course the joint responsibility of both parents, statistics show that cost and availability of childcare are major barriers to women’s full participation in the workforce and closing the gender pay gap. 

I will continue to advocate for more affordable childcare and have raised concerns about access and availability with government. I am keen to get feedback from the community about this issue so please email me at [email protected] if you have suggestions.

Out & About in Warringah

Les Sculptures Refusees
It was an absolute honour to open the 2023 Les Sculptures Refusees at the beautiful Q Station. Now in its fourth year and featuring 39 talented artists, organisers are tipping this year’s exhibition will be the best yet.
And it is even more special this year due to some last-minute regulatory changes which almost put a stop to the event, but as one of the curators, Tania said “Passionate people do extraordinary things,” and this meant the show could go on.

The exhibition is open to the public until 12 November and is free to attend so I would encourage you to head up to Q Station to enjoy the show as well as the spectacular location right in the heart of Manly.

Marine Rescue
It was great to visit Marine Rescue Middle Harbour to see the improved equipment and training that was made possible as a result of a number of government grants.

Marine Rescue serves recreational boaters on Middle Harbour, Sydney Harbour and adjacent offshore waters. With almost 100 members, the dedicated volunteers have an extensive depth of experience and skill to enable rapid responses to Search and Rescue emergencies. Marine Rescue also provides boat safety education courses for boat licences, marine radio and elementary navigation.

Local Sporting Champions and Para Champions program 

We were delighted to host 31 recipients of the Local Sporting Champions and Para Champions Grants recently at a function at Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club. An Australian Sports Commission initiative, the program supports up and coming athletes by providing financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors who are participating in state, national or international championships.

Successful applicants receive up to $950 towards the cost of attending their championships. Our electoral office has been pleased to support 55 Local Sporting Champion grants in the past 12 months, covering 25 sports, amounting to $113,600.
 

Applications for Round 3 2023-24 of the Local Sporting and Local Para Champions are now open until 31 January 2024. A special thank you to Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club for hosting the event. 

Grants Watch

Good Sports Awards 
Good Sports is Australia’s largest community health sports program. The Awards are open to sporting clubs who have been actively participating in the Good Sports program to build healthy and inclusive club environments.  Clubs have an opportunity to win up to $2,000 for their hard work in keeping their members and volunteers feeling safe and welcome. 
Closes: 12 Nov 2023
Good Sports Awards 2023
 
Safe Places Inclusion Round
The Department of Social Services invites applicants to apply for the Safe Places Inclusion Round. It provides capital works grants of between $500,000 - $8,000,000 for the renovation, building or purchase of new or expanded emergency accommodation for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.
Closes: 14 Nov 2023
Current Grant Opportunity - GO6476
 
Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program
This Program aims to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s defence personnel in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and their families. There are 2 categories of grants available under the program:
1. Community Grants: To a maximum of $10,000 are available for local, community-based projects and activities.
2. Major Grants: Between $10,001 and $150,000 are available for major commemorative projects and activities that are significant from a national, state, territory and/or regional perspective.  

Closes: 6 February 2024 
Current Grant Opportunity View - GO6030

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The Newsroom

Voter protections: Legislating against misleading and deceptive political advertising

Australia needs to commit to a minimum of 75% emissions reduction by 2035

Afternoon Briefing: Truth in political advertising laws