Newsletters 2025

As my grandmother used to say: we are all entitled to our own opinions. But we are not entitled to our own facts.

I think on her words often — even more so recently, as I try to make sense of the bizarre and increasingly alarming claims coming from across the Pacific. From attacks on the judiciary to the Ukraine war, the Trump administration is taking post-truth politics to new extremes.

This dystopian approach to politics and policy development cannot be allowed to encroach any further into Australia.

As I wrote in The Guardian this week, the Coalition’s attack on the Climate Change Authority (CCA) is one such example of a politically driven attempt to put ideology over facts.

The CCA is an independent statutory body that is legally required to report based on evidence, without fear or favour when it comes to political ideology. It is chaired by former NSW Liberal Minister Matt Kean, who this week was threatened with the sack by the Coalition if it wins the election for publishing a report on the adverse impacts of Peter Dutton's nuclear proposal.

Let's be clear: There was nothing factually surprising in the CCA's report, which found that delaying the overhaul of Australia’s grid to accommodate a switch to nuclear could result in an additional two billion tonnes of emissions, making it "virtually impossible" to meet our net zero commitments. What was disappointing — at least, to me — was the Coalition's readiness to turn on one of its own and seek to discredit the science and the CCA as a public institution.

While we will undoubtedly see more such attempts as the election approaches, I will continue to push for higher standards of integrity from all seeking to hold office. With public trust in both politicians and our government at an all-time low, it is more important than ever for us to build confidence in science and evidence over political ideology. We mustn't forget how important the truth is to a functioning democracy.

NSW Seniors Festival kicks off this week, with events lined up in Willoughby, Lane Cove, North Sydney and Hunters Hill. On Thursday 13 March, my team and I are hosting our final Ageing Well event, this time focusing on loneliness and making connections. Please register here if you are able to join us.

I'll also be hosting what's likely to be our last Parliamentary Update on Zoom next Tuesday, and an International Women's Day Breakfast with Zali Steggall MP later in the month.

Thank you as always for your continued feedback and support. If there is anything my team or I can help you with, please just get in touch!

- KT

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IN THE NEWS

The Coalition’s attack on the climate authority is a cynical attempt to put ideology over facts- The Guardian, 27 February 2025. Attempts to discredit the Climate Change Authority risk undermining public trust in both politicians and our government, Kylea writes in an op-ed.

Australia’s 45 healthiest communities revealed: Here’s what they have in common- 7News, 27 February 2025. All four North Sydney LGAs have been named in a list of communities where residents live longer and in better health than the national average. The report has linked healthier outcomes in these areas with more physical activity, healthier diets and higher rates of engagement in community and social activities.

Genetic discrimination ban stranded by Labor ($) - The Australian, 19 February 2025. The Government is under fire for failing to legislate its promised ban on genetic discrimination. Kylea, who advocated strongly for the ban, says the delay is "not just disappointing, it actually puts Australians’ lives at risk.” She has backed geneticist Jane Tiller's call for called on both major parties to support passing the ban within the first 100 days of the next parliamentary term.

National right to housing via legislation a necessary step, lawyers say - Lawyers Weekly, 18 February 2025. A new report from the Human Rights Law Centre, the University of Technology Sydney faculty of law, and the Australian Council of Social Services has called on the government to establish the right to housing through an Australian Human Rights Act. The article Kylea and ACT Senator David Pocock's introduction of the National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024 in June.

More media mentions here.