Newsletters 2024

Congratulations to the ACT Government, which this week became the first in Australia to legally recognise a healthy environment as a fundamental human right. This legislation is a win for the people of the ACT, who will now be able to hold their government more accountable for the environmental and climate impacts of any decisions that it makes.

Federally, however, this recognition is sorely lacking. Australia remains one of the only liberal democracies in the world without a federal Human Rights Act, relying instead on an incomplete patchwork of laws to address specific issues like discrimination. This has left our communities open to injustices like the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers, or having a federal environment minister absolved of needing to protect young Australians from climate change.

We can do better.

Like many others in our community, I was heartbroken to hear of the recent death of Mano Yogalingam, who sought asylum in Australia at the age of 11 and spent the subsequent 12 years of his life in a state of limbo. I have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke to call for a clear and timely pathway to permanent residency for all of those who, like Mano, were failed by the FastTrack system.

The truth is, despite being one of the original signatories to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, we as a nation have let politics and fear turn us away from those loftier ideals of boundless plains to share and a fair go for all.

Ultimately, human rights are the basis of much of the progress our community wants to see, from affordable housing to a better, fairer approach to healthcare, climate and education. That's why I am absolutely committed to continuing to work with the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights in pushing for the introduction of a National Human Rights Act that will bring us in line with community expectations and our global peers.

It has been a pleasure to catch up with constituents in our electorate this week, and I hope to see many more of you out and about in North Sydney, or at any (or all!) of the events my team has planned for the week ahead. See below for details!

- KT

COME AND MEET KYLEA

WHAT'S ON IN NORTH SYDNEY

PREPARE FOR 3G NETWORK CLOSURE

On 28 October 2024, Optus and Telstra will be switching off the last of Australia's 3G mobile networks.

It's time to ensure your devices are compatible with 4G and 5G technology so that you stay connected. Simply SMS "3" to 3498 for an automatic response on your device's 4G network compatibility.

Don't forget to check any medical, emergency, or other essential systems you rely on that may use 3G, and make sure your older relatives and friends are aware of the changes ahead.

See more information at 3gclosure.com.au, or from Telstra here and Optus here.

IN THE NEWS

MPs call on Albanese government to reverse LGBTQI+ census backflip - News.com.au, 29 August 2024. Kylea is named among the Members of Parliament who have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the Government's decision not to include more categories for gender and sexuality in the 2026 Census.

Super tax bill delay a ‘sure sign’ of issues with Senate approval ($) - The Australian, 28 August 2024. Media coverage of ongoing issues with the Federal Government's the super tax bill. Kylea has opposed both the taxation of unrealised gains and the lack of indexation of the $3 million threshold.

Independents and the Greens are demanding an end to new gas projects ($) - The Australian, 27 August 2024. "Australia doesn’t need new gas projects," Kylea says. "We must accelerate the transition towards cheaper, cleaner energy, not open up new gas projects. This includes reconsidering resource taxation and pursuing policies that help decarbonise and electrify the economy, and that support renters and households to get off gas."

Who's in charge when politicians are behaving badly? - Triple J Hack, 23 August 2024. Media coverage of the push to improve parliamentary behaviour. Listen from the 2'40" mark.

What advisers are telling clients about the $3m super tax ($) - AFR, 23 August 2024. Financial advisers are urging a quick resolution to the parliamentary stalemate over Labor's proposed superannuation taxation reform. Kylea has opposed elements of the reform, including the lack of indexation of the $3 million cap and the taxation of unrealised gains, which will overwhelmingly hurt SMSFs.

More media mentions here.