December 2022 E-Newsletters

*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Dear *|FNAME|*,

Sixty-one pieces of legislation in 6 months is a cracking pace for a new government. The last hurdle was the Energy Price Relief Bill which included a cap on gas and coal along with targeted assistance for vulnerable Australians and eligible businesses. This action was urgent given the effect of energy costs on the cost of living and its existential impact on industry and business. A cap of $12 per gigajoule on gas recommended by the ACCC, aligns with the fact that in 2021, 96% of Australian gas sold for less than $12. The States and Territories have agreed to a price cap of $125 on coal and the Federal Government is kicking in $1.5 billion in targeted relief for eligible households and small businesses. Overseeing all of this will be a mandatory code enforced by the ACCC, which will include better transparency, binding arbitration and strong penalties. This level of intervention is extraordinary but extraordinary times, demand extraordinary measures.

Concerns that that these measures will slow our transition to renewable energy are unfounded. On the contrary, the war in Ukraine has only reinforced the need to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. It was then heartening to see our energy ministers at State, Territory and Federal level reach consensus on how we improve energy reliability while staying green. If there was ever evidence that the Climate wars are dead and buried, this was it - all ministers singing in unison. The Capacity Investment Scheme announced on 8 December will help keep the lights on with renewable energy, whatever the global conditions. This new revenue underwriting mechanism will unlock around $10 billion of investment in clean energy, encouraging the right mix of storage and renewable technology. The CIS will help de-risk projects and spur more investment. The Smart Energy Council said, “This is a plan that will take us to 82% renewables and beyond”. It means that our back up power will not come from coal but from the sun or wind or other green sources.

On 19 December, Australia’s first Offshore Wind Zone in Gippsland was announced by Chris Bowen. The windy Bass Strait off Gippsland with its strong grid connections means that this area has the potential to support more than 10GW of year - round energy generation creating thousands of jobs in development and operations. This announcement complements the Victorian State government’s target of 2GW offshore generation by 2032 to help achieve its target of 95% renewable energy by 2035. These kinds of large-scale projects will help boost Aussie manufacturing. Why? Because cheap energy underpins energy hungry manufacturing. The energy transition is vital to a future made in Australia. Community consultation is ongoing.

Modernising our economy will demand people with skills. At a time when young people are pondering their future having finished school, I say do not overlook the opportunities afforded by TAFE. The Albanese Government has just signed an agreement to support more than 55,000 fee-free TAFE and VET spots in 2023. We need people in the care economy, health, education, IT, cyber, construction, agriculture, hospitality and manufacturing. From this smorgasbord there is sure to be something that piques your interest - everyone has a role in that better future we are shaping.

Finally, I hope you all have some downtime with loved ones. Merry Christmas everyone and blessings for the New Year. Big things await us all next year…

Sincerely,

Authorised by Dr M Ananda-Rajah 1/1343 Malvern Rd, Malvern VIC

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and pay our respect to the Elders both past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Copyright © 2022 Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, All rights reserved.

This email was sent to *|EMAIL|*
why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences
*|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|*

*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Dear *|FNAME|*,

We have made it to the finish line and delivered the promises we took to the Australian people while dealing with the curved balls that have come our way. Choosing my favourite reform is like asking which child I like best.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is, for me, a standout because the restoration of trust is foundational to the agreement between leaders and the people. Politics has for too long been a place where trust has gone to die. With multipartisan support, the NACC is set to kick off next year. Unlike many Christmas gifts, the NACC will keep giving for generations to come. Having now passed both Houses of parliament, it will be a legacy reform of the Albanese government. I discuss the finer details about the NACC in my speech here, along with some of its more contentious aspects.

Cheaper childcare, due to go live in July 2023, is a massive cost of living boost for the 4,400 families in Higgins who are paying the highest childcare fees in the state according to a study by Victoria University. We have also tasked the competition watchdog (the ACCC) to look at mechanisms to prevent ballooning costs, which rose 41% under the previous government, and implementing a universal 90% childcare subsidy for all families. We are introducing 26 weeks paid parental leave by 2026, thanks largely to the advocacy of an Albanese government comprised of 52% women. Gender equity is core business for us and is central to our agenda. Cheaper early childhood education and care is the biggest lever we can pull for women’s workforce participation, as I discussed in my speech here.

Last week, I watched our Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen deliver the first report from the independent Climate Change Authority on our progress since passage of our historic Climate Change Act (2022). He confirmed that we are already on track for a 40% reduction in emissions by 2023 and reaffirmed our commitment to a floor of 43%. Climate diplomacy has brought us back to international table. Climate action is a geo-political tool that is central to our national security.

The Climate Change Authority also highlighted that labour shortages were a threat to our progress. This has been a core focus of the Albanese government, addressed by 180,000 fee free TAFE spots next year and the establishment of Jobs and Skills Australia - a statutory body that will help forecast areas of demand in our economy to avoid crises. We need our people to skill up in the production, installation and maintenance of everything from solar panels, wind turbines, undersea cables and the electric vehicle ecosystem. Thinking of a career change? Like me, now is the time to go for it.

2022 Higgins Jobs and Skills Roundtable with Hon. Brendan O'Connor

Australia has a lot of catching up after a decade precious little other than talk. The laundry list of deliverables is quite something for a government that is 6 months old:

Advancing a National Housing Accord which brings together 3 tiers of government, industry, banks and super funds to build more social and affordable homes for our young and older Australians. With 37% of renters in Higgins, I want to see options expanded.
Restoring confidence in aged care
Cutting taxes on EVs like import duty and FBT
Establishing the High Speed Rail Authority because a country as vast as ours needs low emission transport options. This multigenerational project is above partisan politics.
Curbing executive and Prime Ministerial power with upcoming legislation off the back of the Bell inquiry.
Making workplaces safer by implementing all 55 recommendations of the Respect@work report. Sexual harassment and victimisation are not welcome in modern Australian workplaces.
10 days paid family and domestic violence leave because no one should have to choose between work and their safety.
Supporting secure work with our Secure Work, Better Pay Act because the feminised industries like the care and community sector need protecting.
Supporting increases to the minimum wage by 5.2% and 15% for aged care workers.
Making medicines cheaper with the first cut to Medicare the co-payment in 75 years that reduces general scripts from $42.50 to $30.
Supporting and protecting our precious educators and teachers with a national action plan done in consultation with them.
Launching a review into our University Sector with the University Accord because our universities are pivotal to making us more competitive.
Introducing the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund because we want a manufacturing back in Australia.
Modernising our privacy laws by increasing penalties from $2.2M to $50M or up to 30% of a company’s turnover.
Investing in the circular economy so that we deal with our own waste.
Reviewing environmental laws so that they are fit for purpose.
Delivering an issues paper from our Long COVID and Repeated infections parliamentary inquiry with the final report due early next year.
Reforming the NDIS so that it becomes more person centred and sustainable.
Advancing a Voice to parliament - a permanent advisory body that puts our First People at the centre of decision making and avoids costly and ineffective top-down edicts. Understand what the Voice is and isn’t in my speech here.

Let me know your barriers so that I can help dismantle them. It is an honour to serve.

Sincerely,
Michelle

Help us support two vital local community organisations.

Prahran Community Learning Centre (read more)

Accepting donations of art supplies, toiletries, women's health items and non-perishable foods.

Prahran Sacred Heart Mission (read more)
Accepting donations of women's health items, non-perishable food items, supermarket vouchers or money.

All non-monetary donations can be delivered to 1/1343 Malvern Rd Malvern.

This email was sent to *|EMAIL|*
why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences
*|LIST:ADDRESSLINE|*