POLITICS
Two years on
with Michelle Rowland MP
The 22nd of May marked two years since the Albanese Labor Government came into office . During this time , we have focused on supporting Australians by addressing the cost of living and building a better future .
The Albanese Government is committed to easing pressures faced by many Australians right now . In communities across the country – including in North West Sydney - we have provided relief through cheaper child care , fee-free TAFE , and efforts to boost wages .
Our government is proud of the progress we ’ ve made in strengthening Medicare . We ’ ve opened 58 free Urgent Care Clinics nationwide , with more to come , and we ’ ve invested in bulk-billing and reducing the cost of medicine .
Labor is dedicated to supporting all Australians , especially those in need in the community who need our help most . We ’ ve increased Rent Assistance , Jobseeker , and the Single Parent Payment . We ’ re also working to make housing more affordable by building more homes in North West Sydney and across the country .
I ’ m also particularly proud of the $ 1.9 billion investment the Albanese Government has made to upgrade and build roads in Western Sydney . This includes $ 260 million for Richmond Road and $ 220 million for Garfield Road East , helping to support our community ’ s growth and reducing commute times .
Equality for women is central to our work . We have provided more support for women escaping violence and have worked to reduce the gender pay gap to its lowest level ever .
Australians voted for action on climate change , and we ’ ve responded by committing to net zero by 2050 and investing in domestic solar panel production .
There ’ s still more to do , and the 2024 Budget builds on our progress with :
• Tax cuts for every taxpayer
• $ 300 off energy bills for every household
• 29 more free Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
• $ 3 billion in student debt relief
• A freeze on PBS medicine costs
• Superannuation on paid parental leave
Serving as your Federal Member in Greenway is a privilege , and I will continue to work hard every day to deliver for you , your family , and the community .
Michelle Rowland MP is the Federal Member for Greenway and Minister for Communications . If you need assistance with any Federal issue , you can contact Michelle by phone on 02 9671 4780 or by email at Michelle . Rowland . MP @ aph . gov . au . with Ed Husic MP
BETTER SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE
Better playgrounds , classrooms , and learning facilities are on their way to five public schools in Chifley , thanks to a huge investment through the Albanese Government ’ s Schools Upgrade Fund .
I welcomed the Federal Education Minister , Jason Clare , at Chifley College Bidwill campus , to meet with college principals and students to see how the funding will benefit our community .
Labor believes in our area ’ s students and believes in the need to invest into their schools . This stands as one of the largest dedications of federal school infrastructure funding in years . Blackett Public School ($ 600,000 ) Chifley Colleges : Bidwill Campus ($ 1.2 million ), Mount Druitt Campus ($ 1.15 million ), Senior Campus ($ 1.15 million ), Shalvey Campus ($ 1.85 million ).
FUNDING FOR RICHMOND ROAD
Ok , I ’ ll admit it : I ’ ve been as stubborn as a mule pushing for investment to fix Richmond Road .
That road has become a massive bottleneck , ignored by past Federal and State Governments . The Albanese Labor Government is changing that by announcing a $ 260m investment to target works between the M7 and Hollinsworth / Townson Roads .
Fixing Richmond Road is welcome news for long suffering residents - and it ’ s crucial to attract businesses and grow local jobs . This decision is part of a nearly $ 2bn Western Sydney infrastructure investment plan .
18 ISSUE 39 // JUNE 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT