HILLS INDEPENDENT HILLS 133 July 2026 | страница 25

POLITICS

Mark Hodges MP

MEMBER FOR CASTLE HILL

AS YOUR STATE MP, I AM HERE TO:

• Help you with any State Government matters.
• Assist in accessing NSW Government services, assistance or grants.
• Provide Justice of the Peace services.
• 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.

Stronger action needed on gang violence

by Mark Hodges MP Member for Castle Hill
Families throughout the community are increasingly concerned by the surge in gangland violence across our city.
When parents can be targeted during school pick-up, when brutal machete attacks occur in our suburbs, and when innocent family members become caught in the crossfire of organised crime disputes, it is clear that something is seriously wrong.
As I said in Parliament recently, these criminal organisations are operating with increasing brazenness. They are showing contempt for the Government, the Police
and the rule of law. Despite repeated announcements and new legislation, these gangs do not appear to fear the consequences of their actions.
The Minns Labor Government has failed to curb escalating gangland violence. Communities expect governments to stay one step ahead of organised crime, yet criminal networks continue to adapt their methods, recruit younger offenders and outsource violence to others to distance themselves from the crimes they orchestrate.
The public is entitled to ask a simple question: what is the Government doing to restore control?
The Government points to its recent
legislation as evidence that it is taking strong action. However, tough headlines do not automatically translate into tough outcomes.
During debate on the legislation, the Opposition sought to strengthen non-parole periods for serious gangland offences to ensure the worst offenders face meaningful consequences for their actions. The Government voted with the Greens to reject those amendments.
The Opposition has now unveiled a suite of new measures that would combat the rise of gang violence, including:
• New offences of using a violence broker or acting as a violence broker with a maximum penalty of 16 years
or 20 years if a child is involved;
• Double the funding to the NSW Crime Commission to allow it to identify more participants in organised crime and confiscate their unexplained wealth;
• Extending unexplained wealth orders so they apply to anyone reasonably suspected of acting as or using a violence broker.
Our families deserve to feel safe in their homes, at their schools and in their local communities. They deserve confidence that governments are doing everything possible to protect them and stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated and ruthless criminal organisations.

As your Federal Member, I am here to:

Assist with accessing federal government services Attend your local community event Arrange congratulatory messages
Please contact my office if I can be of assistance.
with Julian Leeser MP Federal Member for Berowra
Andrew Hastie was the tenth guest speaker at the annual Tom Hughes Oration, a forum for serious and
thoughtful discussion named in honour of the first Federal Member for Berowra, The Hon Tom Hughes AO KC.
As Shadow Minister for Industry and Sovereign Capability and Federal Member for Canning, Andrew spoke about one of the defining challenges of our time: Artificial Intelligence and its implications for Australia’ s future. He argued Australia faces a critical choice, to build sovereign AI capability and shape our own future or become increasingly dependent on other nations and global technology companies.
Andrew also highlighted the need to strengthen education, grow Australia’ s industrial capability and ensure AI serves the common good while preserving opportunity, purpose and national sovereignty.
I had a wonderful afternoon visiting the talented young performers of Boutique Music Theatre as they prepare for their production of Matilda Jr.!
With 51 kids from schools right across the Berowra electorate, including Normanhurst West PS, Thornleigh West PS, Pennant Hills HS, Cherrybrook Technology HS and many more, this is local community at its very best.
BMT is doing incredible work giving young people real performance experience, building confidence, teamwork and resilience along the way.
These are exactly the kinds of
opportunities our kids deserve. Matilda Jr. runs 9 – 12 July at the Hildegard Theatre, Mount St Benedict College. Don’ t miss it, get your tickets at boutiquemusictheatre. com / musicalproduction.
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 133 // JULY 2026 23