Newsletters 2024

In case you haven't been paying attention: we are in an existential crisis. From hurricanes to economic inequity, conflict and health, almost every major challenge we currently face is underpinned by the state of our climate.

As an optimist however, I know we can turn this around. Yes, climate change threatens our lives, our livelihoods, and those of our kids. But as I said at SXSW Sydney this week, those who work in the communications space have faced significant challenges before and, together, we have overcome them.

While it may seem like a distant memory, it isn’t actually that long ago that tobacco products, and the marketing of them, constituted a huge economic driver. There was advertising everywhere and tobacco smoking was even recommended by healthcare professionals in the belief that it would help diseased lungs! Indeed, in 1980, at least 1 in 3 Australians smoked, leading to high rates of lung cancer and related illnesses.

Eventually however, with the assistance of mass education campaigns and progressive changes to advertising codes and laws, we turned smoking rates around in Australia. Having worked on NSW Health's anti-tobacco campaign early in my career, I am pleased we not only have one of the world's lowest rates of tobacco consumption here in Australia but also continue to lead the world in terms of significant reform in that space.

Similarly then I’d argue — it's time we get over our addiction to fossil fuels and we implement some of the very effective interventions that we have seen work time and time again.

With my colleagues on the crossbench, I have been pushing for stronger restrictions on the fossil fuels industry, including changes to taxation, advertising, and the appalling $11 billion that we still provide in annual subsidies to the fossil fuels industry.

At the same time, I have used North Sydney's voice and vote to support economic reform including the Albanese Government's Future Made in Australia legislation that will help decouple our economy from fossil fuels, and support a more resilient economy powered by renewable energy. Thank you as always for your support in this space.

It was a pleasure to catch up with many of you at the Lane Cove Rotary Fair last week. This week, TeamTINK and I will be at Crows Nest Fest to chat with passers-by. If you are in the area, please come and say hello!

- KT

WHAT'S ON IN NORTH SYDNEY

⚠️ 3G NETWORKS TO CLOSE THIS MONTH ⚠️

In less than two weeks on 28 October, Australia's remaining 3G networks will be permanently switched off. When this happens, 3G-only devices will no longer be able to make or receive calls, nor access the internet.

The shutdown will affect older, 3G-only electronic devices, including some mobile phones, EFTPOS machines, smartwatches, tablets, medical devices and security cameras.

Certain 4G mobile devices will no longer be able to call triple-zero, if they don't have VoLTE technology.

Please urgently review any devices that you rely on at home and at work, and make sure your older relatives and friends are aware of the changes.

You can check if your mobile device will be impacted texting ‘3’ to ‘3498’ or by visiting: www.3gclosure.com.au.

NEWS AND RESOURCES

Teals 2.0: ‘People are dying to express their dislike for the majors’ - Good Weekend, 18 October 2024. "There are 151 seats in the House of Reps at the moment and 151 seats are winnable [by community independents]," Kylea tells Brook Turner of The Age. "There’s that sort of sensible centre at the ­moment that’s missing in our political frame... If the Liberals aren’t able to move themselves back towards covering that, then I think there is an opportunity there to do something bigger in the next decade.”

Tink Urges Parliamentary Standards to Align with Workplace Norms Across Australia - The Guardian, 15 October 2024. The independence of parliamentary support services is questioned amid dispute within Marles' office. “The PWSS is absolutely there for staff but only to a point," Kylea says, emphasising that Australians want parliamentary standards aligned with workplace norms across the board.

'Bullying' allegations trigger independents’ demand for better behaviour in parliament ($) - The Australian, 11 October 2024. Kylea has signed a letter to major party leaders calling on members of the House of Representatives to improve their behaviour in the chamber, citing Anthony Albanese’s remark that an opposition MP had Tourette syndrome and divisive rhetoric used in discussing the Middle East conflict as examples of poor behaviour.

Should Australia ban fossil fuel advertising? - Australia Institute, 17 July 2024. The Australia Institute reports on UN Secretary-General António Guterres' call for a global fossil fuel advertising ban, declaring a potential ban as "a decisive win for Australia – and the climate". The call has been backed by Kylea and her colleagues on the crossbench.

Fossil fuel ads work on you too – here’s how - The Conversation, 13 June 2024. For decades now, laws have prevented tobacco companies from using advertising to encourage the public to smoke. The same restrictions must now apply to fossil fuels, The Conversation reports.

More media mentions here.