Newsletters 2024

It was great to see so many at our recent post-parliamentary community zoom update on Wednesday night.

From my work with Senator David Pocock to table a Private Members Bill to address Housing and Homelessness in Australia, through the progress (or lack thereof) in terms of getting the government to accept a Duty of Care to future generations, and the Nature Positive Reform – there was a lot that happened in the last sitting fortnight and, as always, it was a pleasure to share that information with all who attended. If you missed it but would like to know more, you can watch a recording here.

Importantly, the Private Member’s Bill that Senator Pocock and I introduced into the House of Reps and the Senate simultaneously, has now been referred to an Economics Legislation Committee Inquiry. This process enables others from across our community to have their say on this important piece of legislation as, as it currently stands, the government is resisting legislating it. Given this, if you would like to offer your expertise or opinion in this area, I would encourage you to make a submission here. Please note submissions close Friday 9 August.

As many of you would know, submissions are most effective when they draw on your own experiences to address the topic. As a starting point, your submission could discuss how you see the current housing system failing, the importance of having housing as a human right, and the practical impacts of the bill. For more materials and suggestions, please refer to this link.

With 4 local councils in our federal seat of North Sydney, it’s important to note local council elections will take place on Saturday 14 September. At the Electorate Office, we frequently hear from people who have concerns about matters that can be addressed by local councils directly. These include public planning, sports facilities, roads, sidewalks, parking, EV infrastructure, bush pathways or tree canopy. So if you feel passionately about any of these areas, and believe you could add value to council discussions and deliberations, I encourage you to consider running for your local council. Just check out your local council sites for further information on the process involved to nominate and how the elections are run.

Beyond that, in terms of our federal seat, the AEC has moved to the next phase in their redistribution deliberations, and this again provides you with an opportunity to have a say on what others have now suggested. You will find a copy of my submission here under Objection 686, and here as a PDF file. Please feel free to add your thoughts and comments on it or indeed on any of the other submissions you may see.

Finally, with winter well underway and me having some time to be at home with my kids, it occurred to me that it is a good time to visit to our Powering To Net Zero site to find some ways we can all improve the efficiency of our homes, save money, and reduce our household emissions. Personally, I’m looking at switching out old appliances to more efficient electric ones. I’ll let you know how it goes.

As always, my team and I have loved hearing from each of you this week. If there is anything we 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

Nauru detainee speaks out as news boat arrivals near 100 - ABC News, 19 July. Kylea and Senator David Pocock are pushing the Albanese government to improve processing times of asylum seekers in Nauru, with the goal of their Private Member's Bill to cap offshore detention times at 90 days.

Lane Cove Council to fund a study into 5G technology - In The Cove, 18 July 2024. Kylea has responded to Lane Cove Council's call to fund a study into 5G technology, stating "...it is important that all Australians know their safety is always paramount in the minds of anyone involved in the federal government..." and that "If the Lane Cove Council believes the research is necessary, it is their prerogative to initiate and fund it using their own financial resources and I look forward to them sharing the results of the work they undertake.”

Free Sydney concert to press federal government over climate change - The Guardian, 18 July 2024. The Our Future, Your Duty concert has featured in The Guardian Live Blog, including statements from both Kylea and Anjali Sharma.

Free, all-age concert will see North Sydney unite to call for a positive Duty of Care for future generations - Media Release, 17 July. Some of Sydney’s best known new musical talents are teaming up with climate activist Anjali Sharma, North Sydney MP Kylea Tink, and North Sydney Council to call for the federal government to recognise its responsibility to future generations and fight for intergenerational inequity.

"In 2022, I left court in tears. Standing in Parliament felt like deja vu" - The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 July. Youth climate activist Anjali Sharma explains in this op-ed why she and other young Australians want the government to legislate a Duty of Care.

More media mentions here.