Newsletters 2024

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨: After receiving hundreds of formal objections to its proposal to abolish the federal seat of North Sydney, the Australian Electoral Commission has announced it will hold a full public inquiry this coming Wednesday 14 August, to allow objections to be heard by the augmented Electoral Commission.

All who made a submission last month should have received an email from the AEC inviting them to attend the inquiry to raise additional concerns and share their views in person. In truth, this is our last best chance to show the AEC how our community feels, so if you lodged an objection last month, please check your email for the correspondence from the AEC and then follow their instructions to request to be heard on that day.

There's also some information below regarding some additional support that others from across the North Sydney community are offering.

In other news, this week we marked both NSW Public Education Week and Early Learning Matters Week: an opportunity to celebrate our public education system and acknowledge the importance of quality early childhood education and care.

Education is a cornerstone of democracy and is highly valued in North Sydney. From supporting students' academic achievements, to social justice initiatives, creativity and sports programs, our schools, teachers, staff and P&Cs play an absolutely critical role in enabling young Australians to learn, grow, make informed decisions, and reach their full potential.

That said, educators — particularly in our public schools and early learning centres — have struggled in recent years, with staff shortages, costs of living pressures, and funding shortfalls driving many to leave the sector. As a society, we can and must do better to not only support our community but also to ensure our country continues to evolve in a positive direction.

I was pleased to see Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's announcement this week of a two-stage, 15% pay increase for early childhood educators, while also requiring childcare centres to limit any fee increases to 4.4% this year.

At the same time, childcare fees in North Sydney remain the highest in the country, preventing parents — typically women — from returning to work, and causing children to miss out on considerable benefits. Based on the feedback of experts, our community and childcare providers in our electorate, I have consistently pushed for reform of our early childhood education system to ensure universal access for all children, regardless of where they live or what their parents do for work.

Whether we look at this issue from the point of view of societal development or productivity gains, all of us need this sector to work more fairly and effectively.

Separately, it was pretty amazing to see so many faces at this week's Ageing Well Seminar on Death, Dying and Grief. Talking about and preparing for a good death is not something we tend to do very well in a predominantly western culture. But by failing to prepare for a good death, we risk leaving our loved ones completely in the dark when it comes to how we would wish to experience our own end of life.

With over 90 people from all ages and stages coming to hear from an extraordinary line up of guest speakers and service providers, we all left better equipped to ensure the end of our lives are consistent with the way we have lived. A special thanks to Carers Circle and the Ageing Well Advisory Group who is constantly guiding me on all things related to healthy ageing.

I'll be back in Canberra over the next two weeks for Parliamentary Sittings. Stay tuned to my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, and this newsletter for updates!

- KT

OUR LAST BEST CHANCE TO SAVE NORTH SYDNEY

This coming week, the Australian Electoral Commission will hold a public inquiry to consider objections lodged against the proposed redistribution of federal electoral divisions in New South Wales — including the abolition of the Division of North Sydney. The AEC has invited all who made a submission last month to attend the inquiry.

We have heard from members of the community who have been invited to attend but want to know more about the process. As such, TeamTINK will host a Zoom session for people wishing to speak at the AEC inquiry to help answer any questions.

WHAT'S ON IN NORTH SYDNEY

1. Thriving Suburbs

Thriving Suburbs is a funding program open to local government and not-for-profit organisations and provides funding between $500,000 and $15 million for community infrastructure – projects like libraries, playing fields and community centres.

Applications close 26 August 2024. See guidelines and additional information here.

2. Urban Precincts and Partnerships

Urban Precincts and Partnerships is a funding program for projects which transform urban precincts through precinct planning or the delivery for infrastructure. Partnerships that bring together government, business and community are encouraged to apply.

This program is always open and projects will be batched at least twice a year for assessment. See guidelines and additional information here.

IN THE NEWS

Can Australia end homelessness? - The Conversation, 6 August 2024. Kylea and ACT Senator David Pocock's Private Members Bill is an historic opportunity for the government to turn around the problem of homelessness. But it will be a challenge, according to an analysis in The Conversation.

Kylea Tink outlines her arguments for the retention of North Sydney - North Sydney Sun, 2 August 2024. Media coverage of Kylea's submission to the Redistribution Committee for New South Wales, objecting to the Australian Electoral Commission's proposal to abolish the Division of North Sydney. More than 2,000 people have signed a community petition to retain the division.

More media mentions here.