with Susan Templeman MP

In a little over four months on 1 July 2024 , all Australians who pay tax will receive a tax cut , under our new Stage 3 tax cut plan . These tax cuts are about ensuring more workers in Macquarie can keep more of what they earn because we know that will help take pressure off people doing it tough .

Under the new plan every taxpayer will receive a tax cut and 85 percent of

taxpayers in Macquarie will receive a larger tax cut than under the previous Stage 3 model . The average tax cut for people across the electorate will be $ 1,624 .

The Albanese Government is delivering more help for working families and people under the pump from the cost of living , putting cash back into their pockets when they need it most . The extra tax cuts follow the reforms to childcare , pensions and Medicare to deliver cost of living relief right across our community .

We went into the election promising Medicare reforms that will deliver for Australians , and I am proud to see this commitment become a reality for many people in the Hawkesbury .

Our actions to strengthen Medicare and deliver cheaper medicines have lowered the maximum cost of a prescription on the PBS from $ 42.50 to $ 30 , already saving Macquarie residents $ 1,187,129 . We ’ ve taken pressure off hospital emergency rooms by opening

58 bulk billed urgent care clinics across the country , including the urgent care clinic in Penrith which is currently our nearest . The free clinic at 2227 Wolseley St , Jamisontown is open 8am-8pm seven days a week and saves a trip to the emergency department for urgent but not life-threatening injuries and illnesses like minor fractures , sprains , minor infections , respiratory illnesses , mild burns , severe stomach pains , or urinary tract infections .

Even better , it ’ s free .

with Robyn Preston , MP

A new year is an opportunity to refresh and focus . I am looking forward to all the opportunities and challenges ahead of us in Hawkesbury , in 2024 .

I will be concentrating on the major projects planned and commenced in our region . The new Richmond Bridge is in the preliminary stages of planning and consultation ; however , I am closely engaging with Transport for NSW to see that this $ 500 million project stays on track for commencement in 2026 .

The Pitt Town Bypass should be substantially underway in 2024 . Ongoing upgrades to Richmond Road are continuing in 2024 and I will be keeping this under review . Anyone using this road is seeing the rapid increase in

traffic as the surrounding area is quickly developing with new housing .

I am concerned about the announcements from the Minns Labor Government , signalling they intend to bypass local councils and force housing developments into targeted local government regions . As a former councillor , I understand how much community engagement and work goes into planning housing in the right areas .

The State Government must not jam new housing where there is inadequate infrastructure including roads , public transport , schools and health care . I raised this issue in Parliament in 2023 and I will continue to press the Government to be more respectful of local communities .

In Parliament , I will be pursuing this

Government over their short-sighted cancellation of the Back-to-School voucher . At a time when the cost of living is hurting Hawkesbury families , the voucher was a means of providing families help with getting children equipped and fitted for a new school year .

These cuts and many others are a direct consequence of the Minns Government paying unfunded public sector wage increases .

As Shadow Minister for Mental Health , Medical Research and Veterans , I will be holding the Government to account in these important portfolios through questions to Ministers and Budget Estimate hearings .

Over the Australia Day weekend , I had the privilege of attending the United

Australian Lebanese Movement Australia Day Awards ceremony and citizenship ceremonies at Hawkesbury City Council and The Hills Shire Council . Witnessing new citizens committing themselves to this country is reminder of why we love living here . We have many issues to navigate , but we are a successful , united and democratic nation , where hard work and initiative are rewarded .

I want to start 2024 acknowledging all the wonderful volunteers I see across Hawkesbury . They help keep our community safe and support a vast range of organisations and small businesses .

Please reach out to my office for any enquiries or help needed with state issues , by calling ( 02 ) 4578 0300 or emailing hawkesbury @ parliament . nsw . gov . au .