Newsletters 2024
Week 116: Community Independents are making a difference
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Kylea at Crows Nest Fest 2025 |
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Of all we have achieved together over the past 2.5 years as an independent electorate, it is our commitment to "doing politics differently" that I'm most proud of. Together, we've taken our system of representative democracy back to its roots insisting, as Ted Mack once did, that "a decision taken by the public as a whole will be right more often than decisions taken by an elite group". With no powerbrokers to please, and no party lines to toe, it has been incredible to see how our community has stepped into the conversations we’ve needed to have by engaging with me regularly through community surveys, meet and greets, forums and my amazing constituent support team. This input, combined with the information provided by subject matter experts, has helped me and my team develop innovative solutions to the challenges we are all aware our community is facing. Community independents are definitely making a difference, and not only is our wider country taking notice, with a record number of communities now exploring how they too may reclaim their voice and vote in the 2025 election, but indeed the rest of the world is also watching on with interest. Following the election of Jacqui Scruby in Pittwater and Thomas Emerson and Fiona Carrick in the ACT, the media was abuzz this week with questions about about the wider implications of this growing movement particularly as it relates to which of the major parties will be given the opportunity to form governments going forward. But as Fiona Carrick put it, many of us simply are "not really into ideology", but rather about getting the best outcomes for the communities we represent. Ultimately, that's what this whole community independent movement is about: taking the important debates out of secretive party rooms and into the public arena, and coming to an informed consensus that best serves our communities. In that vein, I'm really excited to be holding our second major deliberative democracy forum this weekend. We've invited 40 randomly selected constituents to come up with a policy solution for improving the affordability and availability of early childhood education and care. Given the success of last year's housing forum, and the caliber of community submissions and expert advice that we will be considering this year, I can't wait to see what the group comes up with this weekend and to then fight for that policy position in Canberra. Stay tuned for updates! It was an absolute pleasure catching up with many of you at Crows Nest Fest last weekend, so as always thank you for your ongoing support and input. Not surprisingly key topics included housing, cost of living, international humanitarian efforts and the boundary redistribution and its implications. Please know every story shared was heard deeply and I will use that information to help inform the votes I cast in the coming three weeks in Canberra in November. As always, if there is anything my team and I can help you with, we're always only a call or email away! - KT
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WHAT'S ON IN NORTH SYDNEY |
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY |
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The Productivity Commission has called for submissions on Opportunities in the Circular Economy, looking at the ways that Australia can improve our materials productivity and efficiency to benefit the environment. This is such an important issue and I would love to hear from the community as I prepare my own submission. Please email any input on the circular economy to Conor McCammon at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. |
⚠️ LAST CALL TO PREPARE FOR 3G CLOSURE ⚠️ |
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On Monday 28 October, Australia's remaining 3G networks will be permanently switched off. Please urgently review any devices that you rely on at home and at work, including mobile phones, EFTPOS machines, smartwatches, medical devices and security cameras, and make sure your older relatives and friends are aware of the changes. You can check if your device will be impacted texting ‘3’ to ‘3498’ or by visiting: www.3gclosure.com.au. |
NEWS AND RESOURCESTeals warn: Don’t assume we won’t back Dutton in a hung parliament - AFR, 23 October 2024. In an article about which major party crossbenchers are likely to support in the case of a hung parliament, Kylea explains that she is committed to acting on the ambitions and concerns of her constituents. "Ultimately, there are important conversations we need to have as a nation which require strong leadership that puts the community ahead of politics," she says. State success proves that community independents are a force to be reckoned with - The New Daily, 21 October 2024. Last weekend's election of Jacqui Scruby in Pittwater and independent candidates in the ACT have reaffirmed the staying power of the community independent movement, Parker McKenzie writes. Rory Stewart on what the UK can learn from the Teals - 14 August 2024. Author, podcaster and former Conservative MP Rory Stewart shares his views on what the UK can learn from Australia's Teal Independents. |
Other relevant posts
Week 123: My future in politics and our commitment to keep fighting
Week 122: What a year for North Sydney Schools!
Week 121: How North Sydney keeps on getting stuff done
Week 120: Demanding more from the final weeks of parliament
Week 119: On electoral reforms, and loneliness
Week 118: From climate to the housing crisis, it's time we picked policies over politics
Every Friday
Kylea's newsletter hits the inboxes of people right across our electorate of North Sydney. Stay up to date with Kylea's plans and progress as she tells us about her week speaking with people in our community. We'll also highlight the latest community events and initiatives to get involved with.