The Federal Redistribution
 

You may have heard about some changes to electoral boundaries and are wondering what that all means.

In short, every seven years, given the growth in the country’s population, Australia’s Electoral Commission (AEC) considers making adjustments to the boundaries of electorates to ensure as close to equal representation across the country. When they do it’s called a redistribution.

One is currently being undertaken which proposes some changes to our electorate of Berowra. The proposal means our electorate will (if the changes are confirmed in October this year) include all of Hornsby, Waitara, Asquith, Normanhurst, North Epping and parts of Epping. Unfortunately, Berowra is due to lose Carlingford and some parts of West Pennant Hills. The rest of the electorate remains unchanged.
 
I have already commenced visiting residents and small businesses in the ‘new’ parts of the electorate and it’s been great to hear first hand about some of the issues they are focussed on. If you’re reading this from the newer parts of Berowra, then I’m really pleased to have the chance to represent you. I still remain the local member for the existing parts of Berowra until the end of this term of parliament.
 
Here is a link to the AEC’s website which has some more information.
 
And if you’d like to help with my campaign to continue to represent our community please click here.

Can you help with our Local Graffiti Blitz Day?
 

The level of graffiti in parts of our community is unprecedented. Graffiti left unchecked degrades suburbs, looks terrible and leads to more dangerous crimes.

Together with Wahroongah MP Alister Henskens, Hornsby Councillor Sallianne McClelland, and several local organisations, I am organising a graffiti blitz to help clean up graffiti in our local community on Saturday 17 August. 

We are looking for community volunteers to help with the day. If you are available and would like to keep our community clean and tidy, please send a email to Julian.Leeser.MP@aph.gov.au.

I recently attended the 100^th birthday of John McCauley, who is the head of one of Berowra’s most significant families.

The campaign to save Westleigh Park
 

I’m disgusted with the NSW Labor Government’s decision to rip $36 million dollars out of the much-needed Westleigh Park project. This project was committed to by the previous State Liberal Government and would have delivered much needed sporting facilities and recreation spaces for our growing community.
 
The mean-spirited decision to rip funding away without notice is bad for our local sporting clubs, bad for families and treats our community with contempt.

That’s why I’m fighting against it.

You can read what I had to say to Premier Chris Minns about this mean-spirited decision here.
 
I’ll have more to say about how I am helping the campaign to restore the funding for this project soon.

Have you ever wondered if you’re too reliant on being connected to your smart phone? Well, my wife often says ‘you’re spending too much time on your phone – you’re setting a bad example for our kids’.

I’ve been thinking about it a bit lately and frankly, I think my wife is right.

Every Australian, regardless of their background, has the right to an education free of harassment and intimidation.  Every Australian has the right to a workplace free of harassment and intimidation.
 
But for Jewish university staff and students, university campuses have become places of hatred rather than education. Too many university leaders have sat on their hands and let discrimination against Jews flourish in a way that is completely unacceptable and unAustralian.
 
That’s why I have proposed a judicial inquiry into antisemitism on campus to deal with a problem that has been a huge issue even before the 7 October terrorist attacks.

The Coalition’s plans for a better energy policy, including nuclear power
 

Our nation has three energy goals: Cheaper power. Consistent power. Cleaner power.
 
Renewables have a role to play in our energy system. But we can’t rely on weather-dependent energy alone. We need power 24/7 – especially for our hospitals, factories and freezers that need to operate around the clock. Concerningly, the Albanese Government’s ‘renewables only’ policy will see 90 per cent of that 24/7 power switched off over the next ten years.
 
The Albanese Government promised to reduce energy bills by $275 but energy prices have gone up - electricity is up 18% and gas is up 25%. The Government is 75% off its target of 5 gigawatts of renewables per year. Re-wiring our country will cost at least $1.3 trillion all of which will increase energy prices.
 
The Coalition has an “all of the above” energy policy that utilises renewables like solar and wind, pumped hydro and battery storage but also adds transitional fuels like gas to ensure we have affordable and reliable energy in the more immediate term. The Coalition will streamline approvals to bring more gas on line.
 
In addition, in order to achieve our energy goals, the Coalition has committed to zero-emission nuclear power as part of our energy mix. Some 50 countries are exploring or investing in zero emission, next-generation technologies for the very first time.
 
Australia holds the largest deposits of uranium on the planet.  We have been a nuclear nation since the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor opened in 1958 and now, as part of AUKUS, nuclear powered submarines are becoming part of our defence arsenal. It is time we added nuclear power to our energy mix. I have been an advocate of nuclear power for many years and first made a speech on it in Parliament in 2020.
 
Because of nuclear power, residents in Ontario, Canada pay up to a quarter of the cost of what some Australians pay for electricity.

With nuclear power, we can maximise the highest yield of energy per square metre and minimise environmental damage. 
 
We do that by putting new nuclear technologies on – or near – the brownfield sites of decommissioned or retiring coal-fired power plants using the existing grid. As a first step the Coalition has named 7 sites in its policy.
 
Nuclear is not just a Coalition idea. Bob Hawke strongly supported nuclear power. As does the Australian Workers Union, and many others who have a vision for our country – including some 65 per cent of Australians aged 18 to 34-years-old.
 
Making Australia a nuclear-powered nation will secure a future of cheaper, consistent and cleaner electricity. The Coalition will be releasing our nuclear policy in several tranches over the coming months.
 
You can read more about the coalitions plans here.

Opening of Ron Payne Park
 

In May I took my family along to the opening of the new facilities at Ron Payne Park in North Epping.

As our communities grow, the need for more sports and recreation facilities grows too. At Ron Payne Park the new facilities include storerooms, a first aid room and new canteen.

Talking to our local principals
 

Berowra has over 50 wonderful schools from the government, Catholic and independent sector. I take a keen interest in our local schools because they are responsible for educating the future citizens of our community and our country. I am proud of the close relationship I have built with our principals and P&Cs over the years.
 
This year I’ve been holding roundtables with our local school principals to hear from them about what’s working and what they think needs to be done to make our great schools even better.

Along with my family, I spent my birthday morning catching up with staff and students at the Oakhill College Gala Day. The day was a show of spirit, mission and purpose with rugby, netball, soccer and activities run by the P&C.

Students attending Oakhill have access to a great education which stems from the strength of the relationship between the staff and students and the sense of community that is shared with the parents.

New flag for Maroota Public
 

One of the best parts about schools in our local area is being able to visit and talk to the students and staff and, when necessary, provide the school with new flags.

 
I spend a lot of time meeting with business owners about the issues they’re facing and also listening to them about what it’s like to do business in Berowra.
 
Most recently I’ve been out doorknocking businesses in the Thornleigh and Mt Ku-Ring-Gai Business Parks. It’s been helpful to speak with business owners about the issues they’re focussed on to assist me in taking up their issues with my colleagues in Canberra.
 
One of the businesses I really loved visiting recently was Fords Farm in Laughtondale. When I first visited back in 2016 they told me it was the first visit from a government official to Laughtondale since Lachlan Macquarie!

Impact of NSW Planning Changes on Beecroft and Cheltenham
 

Attending some great Berowra Productions
 

Visiting Bionyeri, a new pharmaceutical research business
 

The talents of locals aren't limited to the stage or sporting field either! At a recent visit to Bionyeri I learned about some of the latest international collaborations in health research and development being undertaken in Hornsby.
 
Bionyeri is an Australian company that is working in collaboration with farmers and educational institutions in Indonesia to develop new therapies for pain, cancer and endometriosis using only natural products.

Visit to Regis Aged Care
 

I also had the chance to visit Regis Aged Care in Hornsby with the CEO Linda Mellors. As the Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport, I really value the opportunity to see the good work of our Aged Care teams and meet some of the residents to best understand the challenges and needs in the sector to accommodate an ageing population.

Vale Frank Ifield - Dural Local and Country Music Superstar
 

Sometimes speaking about people in Parliament is bittersweet – that was the case when I talked about Frank Ifield, a local and legend of the country music scene who entertained the country and sang right around the world for decades.

Here’s what I said about Frank in Parliament recently

Awards in the Order of Australia
 

Farewell to Matt Kean