Newsletters 2024

Here’s a fact: Australia is staring down the barrel of both a housing crisis and the effects of climate change. And here’s another: It is our long-term policy decisions (or lack thereof) that have gotten us here in the first place.

The National Housing and Homelessness Plan, which I introduced as a Private Members Bill with ACT Senator David Pocock on Monday, aims to address this short-term, piecemeal approach to housing policy by calling on the government to develop a long-term plan to address Australia’s dysfunctional housing system. This plan would put housing as a human right at the centre of the decision-making process and would enable us to a hold the government of day to account for implementing and maintaining it.

Every Australian has the right to adequate housing, and this bill, modelled on Canada’s National Housing Strategy and backed by more than 100 leading academics, experts, economists, peak bodies and advocates in Australia, aims to address that. With more than 122,000 Australians experiencing homelessness right now, it is past time for us to recognise housing not as a commodity, but a fundamental human right.

Similarly, I believe every Australian has the right to a safe and healthy environment. But this week, I was disappointed – but not surprised – to see the Albanese Government refuse to accept its duty of care to protect young people against climate change harms, while also watering down its vaping laws. As I said on ABC, we know that vapes are harmful products, and this weakening of policy just makes it that much easier for young Australians to get their hands on them.

We must do better.

On behalf of our community, I will continue to hold the government to account for its public health policies, and for the climate impacts of the decisions it makes. On the latter, find out more by joining climate activist Anjali Sharma and her Duty of Care team at our youth-led ‘Our Future Your Duty’ event at St Leonards Park on Sunday July 28^th. Register here for details.

And finally, thank you to all who have written about their concerns with the current AEC’s proposal to abolish our seat of North Sydney. Please be assured I share your concerns and will be objecting to the proposal. But in truth, your voice is what truly matters.

If you’d like to have a say in saving North Sydney, the single most important thing you can do is lodge your objections to the proposal by writing to the AEC, followed by signing this community petition. Our community has never been stronger and I’m determined to take this decision all the way to the mat to save North Sydney.

- 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.

WHAT'S ON IN NORTH SYDNEY

IN THE NEWS

Independent MPs stand united on need to legislate Duty of Care Bill to protect future generations - Media Release, 27 June. Independent MPs have united in their call for the Albanese Government to urgently legislate a Duty of Care that would force governments to consider the impact of climate harm on young people’s wellbeing when making decisions.

Independents push for 'Right to Housing' - RN Drive, 24 June. Kylea speaks with ABC RN about her National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill and changes to national vaping laws.

Australia to take Canada's lead with proposed housing laws - Canberra Times, 24 June. Tenants and first home buyers would be better represented through a new housing body under a new crossbench proposal that aims for a "human rights-based approach to housing".

Pocock, Tink push for 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan in law - Australian Financial Review, 24 June. Kylea says access to safe and secure housing is a “most basic human right” and that she and Senator Pocock have put forward a Private Members Bill to end the piecemeal, short-term, “too hard basket” approach to national housing policy.

Should Australia recognise housing as a human right? Two crossbenchers are taking up the cause - The Guardian, 24 June. Paul Karp writes that while "private members’ bills are usually doomed by government indifference to go nowhere", given the current political focus on the housing crisis, "the crossbench are planting a seed in fertile terrain".

More media mentions here.