FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MACQUARIE AVAILABLE TO HELP
POLITICS
Beyond the uniform
with Robyn Preston MP
As Australians we stand together through adversity , elation and celebration . We are a tapestry of cultures , woven together as one blanket , fiercely protecting our values , beliefs and identity .
As Shadow Minister for Veterans , I have been privileged to pay my respects to veterans and commemorate our defining moments in history when attending services , honouring those that fought and died for our freedom , returned service personnel and current serving members .
The contributions of our defence personnel should never be undervalued . In fact , it is my intention to further elevate the stature of our veterans and how we respect them in the future . Why aren ’ t we standing when a veteran walks into a room ? Why isn ’ t a school advised that a veteran ’ s family has enrolled in that school ? Why aren ’ t veterans who are incarcerated , identified , so they can get support during their sentence and on release ?
How do we fathom the fallout from their serving years ? As people standing outside the prism , it ’ s not easy to understand the level of anxiety , pressure and mental anguish that our veterans encounter , which then has a flow on effect within the family circle .
Did you know that eighty percent of Navy Clearance Divers are discharged on either physical or mental health grounds ? When you join the defence force , you ’ re not thinking of the mental battles that will come during postings in war torn countries , as well as those that will follow you after returning home and retiring . Outsiders cannot comprehend the inner strength needed to survive .
During my time as Shadow Minister for Veterans , I have had the honour of immersing myself into the defence force culture . Even before then , I spent a decade as a civilian in Department of Defence .
One of my roles was as Housing Officer for Army personnel in the Holsworthy / Moorebank / Ingleburn area . I saw firsthand the anxiety that relocation causes . Sure , there is an understanding that comes with the upheaval caused within the families – they form new relationships with neighbours , work colleagues and school friends , only to be uprooted when a new posting is announced . I would see the impact of that on not only the serving member , but their family .
Fast forward to the veteran ’ s date of discharge . For a serving member who is fit and able to work , their skills are highly regarded and can easily transfer to a job on the open market . Our defence personnel have acquired an amazing skillset . Their qualities showcase their ability to lead , their ability to handle pressure , find solutions , to be punctual , to be disciplined , organised and respectful of others , but sometimes they lack the confidence to realise their skillset would be welcomed and valued in many workplaces . Let ’ s ensure those transferrable skills can be matched with appropriate training that equips them for life beyond the uniform . More training needs to be made available to veterans .
Let ’ s celebrate their service , but also honour that by offering the support throughout life ’ s journey .
Susan
Templeman MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MACQUARIE AVAILABLE TO HELP
• Education and Training
• Centrelink
• Medicare
• NBN & Telecommunications
• Defence & Veterans Affairs
• Immigration
• NDIS
• Child Support
• Taxation
Office : 299 George Street , Windsor NSW 2756 ( across from Windsor Library ) Phone : ( 02 ) 4573 8222 Email : susan . templeman . mp @ aph . gov . au Mail : PO Box 855 , Windsor NSW 2756 OPEN : Mon - Fri 9am-5pm www . susantempleman . com . au
Authorised by S . Templeman MP , Labor , 299 George St Windsor NSW 2756
Cost of living relief for households
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with Susan Templeman MP
We live in turbulent times , and I want you to know I am keenly aware of the pressures that people are confronting . The number one priority for the Albanese Government is addressing inflation and the cost of living challenges we face .
In our first 18 months , we ’ ve delivered $ 23 billion in measures to take pressure of Australians . Through cheaper child care , boosting JobSeeker and the single
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parenting payment , fee-free TAFE and our energy bill relief plan .
We ’ ve made historic investments into Medicare to boost bulk billing , to help 11 million Australians see a doctor for free . Earlier this year we cut the maximum cost of scripts on the PBS , lowering the cost of a script from $ 42.50 to $ 30 and now with 60 day scripts patients can pay half the cost of 300 common medicines by getting two months ’ worth of medicine for the price of one month .
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We ’ ve improved childcare , lowering the cost for families by an average of 14 % and expanded paid parental leave so new families have more support .
Our plan for housing is delivering the biggest housing reforms in a generation . It ’ s the single biggest investment in social and affordable housing in more than a decade and will help more people get into a home . New homes also mean more jobs in the construction industry , which will boost our local economy .
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We ’ ve provided relief for households across our community in an economically responsible way . We ’ ve delivered the first budget surplus in 15 years and at the same we ’ ve seen wages grow at the fastest rate in a decade , more than half a million new jobs , and unemployment at historic lows .
I ’ m proud of our record , but I know there is more work to do which is why I am working every day to deliver for our community .
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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 162 // NOVEMBER 2023 19