Newsletters 2024

The major parties appear to be gearing up for the next Federal Election, with the Coalition this week unveiling a "nuclear policy" that was heavy on rhetoric but light on costings, timeframes, and other critical details.

Already, battle lines are being drawn between Labor and Liberal; city-dwellers and the regions; traditionalists and the "Teals". But democracy should never be that simple.

As I said in Crikey this week, two-party politics has weakened our democracy by reducing the public debate to a two-dimensional power struggle. It is almost as if everyday Australians have been completely overlooked when it comes to participating in robust discussions on the big decisions that shape our society, ceding major decisions on human rights and climate action to the government of the day.

The community independent movement has been all about taking the power back and having a representative act on behalf of the community, rather than needing to vote along party lines. I'm proud to have dedicated North Sydney's voice and vote in Federal Parliament to our community's ambitions and expectations over the past two years.

Ultimately, by pursuing reason over rhetoric, consensus over competition, science over science-fiction and demanding a higher standard of behaviour from all in Parliament House, our community is changing the climate in Canberra.

In that context, it was an absolute pleasure to catch up with TeamTINK volunteers this week to reflect on our achievements to date, discuss our plan of attack to appeal the recent AEC draft position on boundary redistribution and map out our priorities for the months ahead.

Thank you for coming and sharing your passion for a more sustainable, inclusive and truly democratic Australia with me. Please continue to watch this space for news on how you can get involved in advocating for, and progressing, all of the above.

I will be back in Canberra over the next two weeks for parliamentary sittings, and am looking forward to some big conversations on human rights. As always, if there is anything my team or I can help you with, please get in touch!

- KT

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK ON AEC BOUNDARIES

Thank you to all who have written in about the Australian Electoral Commission's (AEC) proposal to abolish our Federal Seat of North Sydney in the next election. The draft plan detaches the residents of Northbridge from those of Naremburn; St Leonards from Crows Nest; Greenwich from Wollstonecraft; and Chatswood's CBD from its state schools.Like many others, I fear that our sense of community and social cohesion will be lost in the boundary redistribution and will be submitting an objection to the AEC accordingly.

Ultimately, electoral boundaries aren't about me — they're about you. My team has heard from residents who are concerned about being moved into a different electorate from their sports facilities, schools, and community groups. And we want to know more: If your group is likely to be negatively impacted by the proposed redistribution, please get in touch.

COME AND MEET KYLEA

WHAT'S ON IN NORTH SYDNEY

IN THE NEWS

Hard Solo and human rights: Why Kylea Tink won’t go quietly - Crikey, 20 June. A feature article on what Kylea has achieved in Parliament so far, her priorities for the months ahead, and the need for communities to engage in our democracy.

Teal MPs blast Dutton’s Coalition policy as ‘too slow, too expensive’ - The Daily Telegraph, 19 June. Kylea has pushed back against the Coalition's nuclear proposal, warning that it would lead to higher costs for Australians, extend the use of coal, and delay our economic progress towards renewables.

‘More secretive than the Morrison government' - The Guardian, 18 June. Kylea shares her concerns about “a worrying slide toward secrecy and lack of transparency” by the Albanese Labor Government. “The overzealous use of NDAs in stakeholder engagement is hampering the ability of civil society to engage fully in policy debate,” she says.

Teal MPs accused of being ‘Labor-aligned’ - The Australian, 16 June. Kylea defends her voting record as “100 per cent in line with what my community has wanted and expects”, in contrast to party politicians who vote along party lines.

Seat of North Sydney set to be scrapped in proposed electorate boundaries shake-up - ABC News, 14 June. Responding to the AEC's proposed boundary redistribution, Kylea says she is "obviously disappointed … but this has never been about me. I will continue to stand up for and fight for the people of North Sydney … I remain committed to the independent movement and will continue to support it wherever and whenever I can."

More media mentions here.