Newsletters 2023

This week, Parliamentarians heard from Katie, an inspirational 20-year-old North Sydneysider who experienced depression as a pre-teen and is now calling for compulsory mental health education for all primary and high school students in Australia.

With surveys estimating that mental illness affects 14 percent of 4- to 17-year-olds in Australia, I wholeheartedly agree that we need to provide more support in this space. I was delighted to be able to amplify Katie's statement as part of the Raise Our Voice initiative, and remain committed to pushing for progress.

It was a big week in Parliament, with discussions ranging from workplace laws to social services, racism and the need to strengthen social cohesion in our communities.

On behalf of our community, I argued for greater scrutiny of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill, which will introduce a swathe of changes for small businesses across Australia, and in our electorate. While many agree that we need to better protect casual workers, we also need to ensure that reforms are not rushed through with unintended and detrimental impacts to the newsagents, hairdressers, post offices, grocers and other employers in our community.

We also spoke about social cohesion in Australia, which is at its lowest level in 16 years. From the bruising and divisive debate that dominated the Voice to Parliament referendum, through to the pain we are feeling for Israel and Gaza, we are now facing one of the greatest social challenges of today: to recognise that empathy does not need to be reserved for one side or the other. We can believe in the sanctity of all life, and we can reject racism in all forms. I hope that you will join me in fighting for a more socially cohesive North Sydney, where all groups have a sense of belonging, participation, inclusion and legitimacy.

Together, we will bring about the changes we want to see.

- KT

WHAT'S ON IN NORTH SYDNEY

FRI 17 NOV

TWILIGHT FOOD FAIR

WHERE:
Ted Mack Civic Park
North Sydney

WHEN:
4:30PM-8:30PM

SAT 18 NOV

ROTARY CROWS NEST MARKET

WHERE:
Ernest Place, Crows Nest

WHEN:
9:00AM-4:00PM

SAT 18 NOV

LANE COVE DIWALI FEST 2023

WHERE:
Lane Cove Plaza

WHEN:
10:00AM-12:00PM

IN THE NEWS

Hard Solo to be renamed after regulator finds alcoholic drink had 'evident appeal to minors' - The Guardian, 16 November. Following strong advocacy from Kylea, the alcoholic drink Hard Solo will change its name to Hard Rated.

Hard Solo changes name to Hard Rated after alcohol code breach - Sydney Morning Herald, 16 November. Kylea says the ruling sends a clear message to the industry that similar products would be unacceptable to the community.

Electorate Redistribution on ABC Mornings - ABC Radio, 16 November. Kylea speaks with Sarah Macdonald and Zali Steggall MP about upcoming changes to Federal electoral boundaries in NSW.

Raise Our Voice Youth In Parliament Week speech - 14 November. Kylea amplifies a young North Sydney constituent's call for compulsory, government-funded mental health education for all primary and high school students.

More media mentions here.