POLITICS
Ray Williams MP
Member for Kellyville
Suite 202 , 10-14 Market Lane , Rouse Hill NSW 2155 8882-9555 kellyville @ parliament . nsw . gov . au www . raywilliamsmp . com . au
As your State MP , I am here to :
• Help you with any State matters .
• Provide Justice of the Peace services .
• Arrange congratulatory messages .
Authorised by Ray Williams MP . Funded using Parliamentary Entitlements .
• Assist in accessing NSW Government services , assistance or grants .
with Ray Williams MP
Merry Christmas !
As the holiday season fast approaches , I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year . I hope that 2025 brings you and your family health , happiness , and prosperity . Charity Christmas cakes and puddings
Though the Kellyville Lions Christmas Train has been retired , the Club is still selling their delicious 1kg cakes and 900g puddings . Funds raised go towards community projects and donated to
local charity organisations . The price is unchanged from last year at $ 15 per item . To order , please contact Wayne Kedward on 0412 465 021 . Office closure
The office of Ray Williams MP ( at Rouse Hill Town Centre ) will be closed from 1pm on Friday 20 December 2024 , and reopening at 9am on 13 January 2025 . If a matter arises during this closure period , please send us an email and we will action this upon our return . kellyville @ parliament . nsw . gov . au
Congratulations Mohandas & Shubhada Kulkarni 50th Anniversary Edward & Anne Woodcock 60th Anniversary John & Kay de Vlieger 60th Anniversary
Mark Hodges MP
MEMBER FOR CASTLE HILL
AS YOUR STATE MP , I AM HERE TO :
• Help you with any State Government matters .
• Provide Justice of the Peace services .
• Assist in accessing NSW Government services , assistance or grants .
• Arrange congratulatory messages .
02 9686 3110 castlehill @ parliament . nsw . gov . au Suite 1A , 19-21 Terminus Street , Castle Hill NSW 2154
Authorised by Mark Hodges MP , Suite 1A , 19-21 Terminus Street , Castle Hill NSW 2154 . Funded using Parliamentary Entitlements .
Rising costs , struggling families : why the Government must act now with Mark Hodges MP
I am acutely aware of the pressures so many in our community face due to the increased cost of living . In November , I moved a motion in Parliament regarding these pressures , which continue to grow across our state .
The NSW Government ’ s failure to address the rising cost-of-living crisis has sparked growing frustration among households and small businesses across New South Wales . A recent SEC Newgate Mood of the Nation report ( September 2024 ) revealed that 41 % of Australians are struggling to pay bills and cover basic expenses , highlighting the widespread financial strain .
Under the current Government , essential costs have skyrocketed . Food prices have risen by 5.8 %, housing costs by 7.35 %, and health insurance premiums by 5.1 %. Education expenses have also surged by 6.35 %. School canteen prices in New South Wales have jumped by up to 50 %, a trend linked to the increasing privatisation of public school canteens . Over 500 canteens are now run by private contractors , despite the NSW Government ’ s stated opposition to privatisation .
Small businesses are also facing significant challenges . A 2024 Small Business Conditions Survey found that 82 % of small businesses are struggling with rising red tape . Many small businesses report spending more time and money on compliance than ever before , further tightening their financial belts . Despite these difficulties , the
Minister for Small Business has yet to introduce meaningful reforms .
The Opposition has repeatedly called for the reinstatement of key cost-ofliving measures , such as Active Kids , Creative Kids , and First Lap vouchers , which were introduced by the previous Government to help families with schoolrelated expenses . These programs have proven effective in easing the cost burden , but they have yet to be revived under the current Government .
With families and small businesses under increasing financial pressure , it ’ s clear that the Government must take urgent action to ease the cost-of-living crisis .
As these issues continue to affect communities across New South Wales , it ’ s crucial that the Government listens to the reallife concerns of its citizens and takes meaningful action .
I encourage anyone affected by these pressures , or those with ideas and suggestions , to reach out to my office . Your feedback is invaluable in shaping policies that truly matter to our community . By working together , we can amplify our voices and push for the urgent reforms our communities deserve .
Let us strive for a future where families can thrive , small business can grow , and everyone can succeed . Together , we can push for the change our communities urgently need .
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! ISSUE 114 // DECEMBER 2024 19