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✂ Tax cuts for every taxpayer starting on 1 July 2024
💡 $300 in energy bill relief for every household
⚡$325 in energy relief for 1 million eligible small businesses
💊A freeze in the cost of medicines on the PBS including the largest cut to the maximum patient co-payment in the 75 year history of the PBS and our landmark 60 day script changes relating to around 300 meds
💲A pay rise for 2.6 million workers
👩🎓Wiping $3 billion in student debt for more than 3 million Australians
📚Uptake of over 500,000 Australians into fee-free TAFE. An expansion of the number of urgent care clinics from 58 to 87, so that more Australian’s can benefit from bulk-billed, walk in care
💰The first back-to-back increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance which is up by 15%,benefiting 1.1 million households
🏠$32 billion in new housing initiatives towards a goal of building 1.2 million homes by the end of this decade to alleviate rents and housing affordability in partnership with the states
But that’s not all.
📕You may have heard that we have announced a 15% pay rise for our early childhood educators.
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This means that the typical early childhood educator who is paid at the award rate will receive a pay rise of at least $103 per week, increasing to at least $155 per week from December 2025.
At the same time, we’re taking action to put downward pressure on childcare fees for local families – helping you to keep more of your hard-earned money.
A family earning $120,000, with one child in care three days a week, has saved $2,140 on childcare fees and will receive $2,679 from Labor’s tax cuts meaning that they would be $4,819 ahead. While childcare costs surged 41% under the Liberals, they have fallen by about 14% under us.
Structural changes are required. That is why we are considering the Productivity Commission's final report into universal early childhood education and care handed to Government on the 28 June 2024. We cannot achieve structural improvements to early education and care without first securing the workforce.
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Topics: Reliable Renewables and A Future Made in Australia
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Labor has ticked off enough renewable energy projects to power almost seven million homes- that's equivalent to Victoria and NSW combined plus a bit more.
A decade of climate inaction under the Liberals left us with an ageing, unreliable energy system that was overexposed to fossil fuels. Those vulnerabilities were amplified by the war in Ukraine, Middle East conflict and natural disasters, which sent energy costs soaring. The Albanese Government is investing in the cheapest form of energy, to drive down power bills, lower emissions, and create thousands of jobs.
Our energy plan is the only plan that is backed by the experts.
We are:
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Maximising cheap, clean energy with a plan to get our national energy grid to 82% renewables by 2030. We have already delivered a 25% increase in the National energy grid in two years, and ticked off more than 55 renewable projects to power close to 7 million homes
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Investing in battery storage and transmission to ensure reliable power everywhere. We are modernising our national electricity grid and delivering over 400 new community batteries for increased reliability across the country. Recently, the Prime Minister together with the Cook Government of Western Australia announced two big batteries at Collie where a coal fired power plant is due to shut in 2027. This is the energy transition in action, with Government’s responding to the need for energy security and business certainty now, not in the 2030s or 2040s. In Western Australia, the Albanese Government received 13,000 megawatt hours worth of bids for a 2000 megawatt auction as part of our Capacity Investment Scheme- an indication that the pipeline for renewables backed by storage is healthy and strong.
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Ensuring the benefits of reliable renewables are shared with households and businesses, and creating thousands of jobs with a Future Made in Australia. AGL Energy has teamed up with local solar innovator SunDrive to explore the joint development of a solar manufacturing facility at the site of AGL’s former coal fored power station in the New South Wales Hunter Region. The memorandum of understanding between the two companies was announced alongside the unveiling of the federal government’s Solar Sunshot program, which pledges $1 billion in funding to support the establishment of a solar supply chain in Australia, including through production subsidies and grants.
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The Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) provides a national framework to encourage new investment in renewable capacity, such as wind and solar, as well as clean dispatchable capacity, such as battery storage. It is a key aspect of our plan to deliver 82% renewable electricity by 2030.
It aims to help build a more reliable, affordable and low-emissions energy system for all Australians.
The CIS involves the Australian Government seeking competitive tender bids for renewable capacity and clean dispatchable capacity projects to:
The Australian Government will provide revenue underwriting for successful CIS tender projects, with an agreed revenue ‘floor’ and ‘ceiling’. This will provide a long-term revenue safety-net that decreases financial risks for investors and encourages more investment when and where it is needed.
There will be regular competitive tenders held approximately every 6 months, starting in May 2024.
You can read more about the Capacity Investment Scheme here.
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Labor’s plan for a Future Made in Australia is very simple.
We want Australia to be a country that makes more things here. Because making more things here will grow our economy, create well paid jobs for our children and lower our emissions. . We will put the talents of our people and our natural resources to work – so that we are not simply shipping things overseas and importing them back as finished products.
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“A Future Made in Australia is a blueprint for sustainable economic growth, for reindustrialising our nation and for national security. It is a pushback against the politics of pessimism that has sent our manufacturing sector into meltdown and sent secure, well-paid jobs to the wall.”
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Right now, the world is moving toward renewable energy. As a continent blessed with unparallel solar and wind, this is our moment.
Priority industries under the Future Made in Australia agenda fall into one of two streams:
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Much of the Future Made in Australia comprises $22.7 billion in production credits which are paid on success for green hydrogen, green metals, critical mineral processing and battery manufacturing. We have also invested close to half a billion in quantum computing in partnership with the Queensland Government.
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Investment vehicles include the National Reconstruction Fund, a $15 billion fund dedicated to bringing advanced manufacturing back to Australia. Whether it be healthcare, transport, renewable energy or ag tech, we want it all back. AI and quantum are also included. That's the future we want, for our children.
See more about the NRF here
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Approval of the Sun Cable project by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is a watershed moment for Australia. The Sun Cable project will be the world’s largest solar precinct, putting Australia on the path to becoming a global energy superpower. Blanketing 12,000 hectares of pastoral land in the Northern Territory with solar panels, the Sun Cable project will generate six gigawatts of continuous renewable energy – this is the energy equivalent to powering 3 million homes. The project will bring almost six times the energy of a 700 megawatt large nuclear reactor, and – here’s the best part – with no overdraft from the Australian taxpayer.
More information about the Sun Cable energy project can be found here.
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Manufacturing is not just a sector; it is a capability. It is essential to our prosperity and to our national security. It is a capability that drives innovation, productivity, incomes, international trade and supply chains and it has a multiplier effect. A virtual cycle spins up when manufacturing returns. One business leads to another business and another. Most importantly, restoring advanced manufacturing to Australia will deliver a future that our children want, one that is decarbonised and high-tech, with high living standards and well-paid, secure jobs.
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We’ve had record jobs growth under Labor.
Almost 930,000 jobs have been created since Labor came into office. That’s more jobs in a single term than any Government in history.
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Make an Online Booking with Services Australia
Finally, you can book appointments to see Services Australia online. Skip the queues and use the new national online booking system.
Centrelink customers can book a 15-minute phone appointment or 30-minute face to face appointment with a staff member at their local Services Australia service centre.
Appointments that can be booked include ABSTUDY, Youth Allowance, Age Pension and My Aged Care.
Customers can book, reschedule or cancel some appointments using their Centrelink online account through myGov or the Centrelink Express Plus mobile app.
More information can be found here.
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3G Switchover
On 28 October 2024, Telstra and Optus will switchover their 3G network to better enable 4G and 5G technology for all Australians. Vodaphone has already made the change.
Note that all 3G phones but also other 3G devices such as tablets and medical alarms will be affected by this change.
A subset of 4G devices may also not be able to call Triple Zero after the switchover, as a result of how they’ve been manufactured.
The Government has set up a cross-industry working group to make sure people with affected devices are identified and contacted – however there are steps you can take right now to check if you need to take action.
Simply text ‘3’ to ‘3498’ to receive an instant reply on whether your mobile handset could be impacted by the 3G switchover.
Do not call 000 to check.
Please read the detailed information here to find out more.
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Parliamentary Inquiry Into alcohol and illicit drugs
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport which I am a member of will undertake an inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia.
The Committee encourages health professionals, health service providers, peak bodies, Commonwealth, state and territory government departments, researchers, and members of the public to engage with the inquiry. Please send your written submissions by Monday 30 September 2024. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including the full terms of reference and specific details on how to lodge a submission are available at the Committee’s website.
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Could You Be Our Next Sporting Champion?
Inspired by the Olympics and Paralympics? Applications are NOW OPEN for Local Sporting Champions grants.
I’m inviting our budding young athletes, coaches and officials to apply to receive a grant of up to $750.00. Applicants must be 12-18 years of age.
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Items in green have passed in both Houses of Parliament.
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Australian Human Rights Commission Amendment (Costs Protection) Bill 2023
Better and Fairer Schools (Information Management) Bill 2024
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024
Taxation (Multinational—Global and Domestic Minimum Tax) Bill 2024
Taxation (Multinational—Global and Domestic Minimum Tax) Imposition Bill 2024
Treasury Laws Amendment (Multinational—Global and Domestic Minimum Tax) (Consequential) Bill 2024
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Declared Areas) Bill 2024
Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2024
Customs Amendment (Strengthening and Modernising Licensing and Other Measures) Bill 2024
Customs Licensing Charges Amendment Bill 2024
Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024
Net Zero Economy Authority Bill 2024
Net Zero Economy Authority (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2024
Public Service Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2024
Telecommunications Amendment (SMS Sender ID Register) Bill 2024
Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2022
Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill 2024
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Glen Huntly Primary School
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I visited this welcoming and impressive school early in August for a Democracy Q&A with the Year 6 students. I was warmly welcomed by teacher Stuart and Principal Nerida Burns.
The students asked engaging and thoughtful questions about my career journey, the energy transition, the parties of government, jobs for the future (energy, defence, digital and care roles) and pathways (TAFE and university).
I encourage the Glen Huntly Primary students, in fact all students, to keep asking questions and stay involved. Your participation keeps our democratic process strong.
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Probus Clubs offer a range of activities for retirees and semi-retirees to enjoy, depending on their interests, lifestyle and location. Probus Club of Malvern members meet monthly, to enjoy the company of like-minded fellow retirees and listen to interesting guest speakers.
It was a pleasure to visit and address the members in July on the topic of populism in politics and threats to our democracy.The Albanese Labor Government’s Stronger Communities Grant of $8000 has enabled the club to purchase essential safety and audio equipment, fostering a more inclusive environment for constituents with hearing difficulties or those unable to attend in person.
Thank you for inviting me to speak and congratulations to office bearers Andrew Pike, Victor Cocks and Stuart Nicol for your hard volunteer work.
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Genuine political representation stems not just from decisions made in Canberra but through active engagement within our community. I welcome your thoughts, concerns, and ideas.
Pop into my mobile offices for a chat. See you there!
See all coming Mobile Offices here.
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Warmest wishes till next time,
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