Dear Resident of the Berowra Electorate,

I'd like to congratulate our community for your outstanding efforts in getting vaccinated. Over the last few weeks we have maintained one of the highest vaccination rates in the country with close to 80 percent of people having received their first jab and nearly 50 percent their second.
 
Our government is sticking to the four-stage national plan to return life to normal. With high vaccination rates we can manage with fewer restrictions and lockdowns. Once we get 70 - 80 percent of the eligible Australian population fully vaccinated we can move to the next phases.
 
We also had some great news in the electorate with the Federal Government announcing funding for improvements of the cycleway out of Yallambee Road in Berowra and a new Seniors Hub for Hornsby.
 
This newsletter also contains information about my work in Parliament, a number of community meetings, the latest COVID-19 information, and some useful links to help the community through these challenging times.

Due to ongoing Public Health Orders my Electorate Office is closed to visitors. My staff are still hard at work and can be contacted at Julian.leeser.mp@aph.gov.au or (02) 9980 1822.

Please feel free to share this newsletter with others who may be interested. Anyone who wants to be added to the newsletter distribution list should email julian.leeser.mp@aph.gov.au
 
Julian Leeser

                           COVID-19 and Vaccine Update

Vaccinations

Australia is consistently achieving record numbers of doses administered day after day.

This demonstrates that the combined efforts of GPs pharmacists, primary care providers, the Government, the vaccine taskforce, business, aged and disability care services and individuals are working to move us towards our vaccine targets.

This week was a week of significant achievements for the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce.

• 20,329,483 total vaccine doses administered nationally as at 2 September 2021.
• 301,399 doses recorded nationally in the last 24 hours.
• Australia’s vaccine program has received a boost, with a doubling of the number of Pfizer vaccines flowing into the country in September, after a ‘dose swap’ deal was secured with the UK

It's pleasing to see our community stepping up and having one of the highest vaccination rates in Australia. Below are the latest vaccination figures by postcode in our electorate as of the 2nd September 2021. Some of the postcodes include communities not in the electorate.

Postcode        First Dose          Second Dose

2156                 70-79%               40-49%
2159                 80-89%               40-49%
2077                 70-79%               40-49%
2119                 80-89%               60-69%
2802                 80-89%               50-59%
2081                 80-89%               50-59%
2083                 80-89%               50-59%
2157                 70-79%               40-49%
2118                 80-89%               40-49%
2154                 70-79%               50-59%
2756                 70-79%               30-39%
2126                 80-89%               50-59%
2158                 80-89%               40-49%
2775                 60-69%               30-39%   
2756                 70-79%               30-39% 
2079                 80-89%               50-59%
2080                 80-89%               50-59%
2076                 80-89%               50-59%
2120                 80-89%               50-59%
2125                 80-89%               50-59%
2725                 60-69%               20-29%

To check your suburb, go to - https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=5176415d10&e=15246f7045

Further Business Support

The Government is providing additional support to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) who continue to deal with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis by expanding eligibility for the SME Recovery Loan Scheme.

In recognition of the continued economic impacts of COVID-19, the Government will remove requirements for SMEs to have received JobKeeper during the March quarter of 2021 or to have been a flood affected business in order to be eligible under the SME Recovery Loan Scheme.

As with the existing scheme, SMEs who are dealing with the economic impacts of the coronavirus with a turnover of less than $250 million will be able to access loans of up to $5 million over a term of up to 10 years. Other key features of the SME Recovery Loan Scheme include:

• The Government will guarantee 80 per cent of the loan amount.
•  Lenders are allowed to offer borrowers a repayment holiday of up to 24 months.
•  Loans can be used for a broad range of business purposes, including to support investment.
•  Loans may be used to refinance any pre-existing debt of an eligible borrower, including those from the SME Guarantee Scheme.

The Morrison Government will continue to support small businesses as they seek to rebuild, adapt and create jobs on the other side of this crisis.

Many people in our community have been facing increased mental health challenges as a result of the prolonged lockdown.

The government has responded by establishing two Western Sydney region and one Northern Sydney region 'Head to Health' pop-up clinics to serve my community, and seven more pop-up clinics across Greater Sydney. These clinics offer COVID-safe face-to-face, as well as video and phone supported, mental health services.

Unfortunately, the telcos are making the mental health situation many people face in our community worse. On Tuesday night I spoke in Parliament about your ongoing concerns about telco service in our area.

I said, "I want to say to the CEO of Telstra, Andy Penn; and the CEO of the NBN, Stephen Rue: the inaction of your companies is directly contributing to the mental health issues in my community. I know they're not interested in my community."

"It's alright for them; they can work from home, make calls from any room in the house on their mobiles, turn on their computer and get great speeds, and watch TV uninterrupted, with perfect reception. But just remember: your lifestyle is funded by the bills and the taxes of the hardworking people in my electorate who have got no service from your companies."

I will keep fighting for better telco for our community and better telco policy more generally, and will have more to say on this in the coming weeks.

Community Organisation Contact Details

Lifeline is one of many organisations that are supporting our community at this time. If you or anyone you know are struggling please contact one of the organisations below.


Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury 
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=b21ff458a9&e=15246f7045
13 11 14 (as above)

Streetwork 
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=f593115444&e=15246f7045
02 9419 7559

Hornsby Salvation Army 
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=d653ee28f5&e=15246f7045

Hornsby Connect 
https://www.hornsbyconnect.org.au/
0403 290 420  info@hornsbyconnect.org.au

St Vincent de Paul Society 
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=719f3d35b7&e=15246f7045
13 18 12   vinnies@vinnies.org.au

Mission Australia
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=253e115da2&e=15246f7045
02 9480 2500 (Hornsby Hub)

Fusion Sydney North
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=9393afc57e&e=15246f7045
(02) 7228 9633 sydneynorth@fusion.org.au 

The Dish
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=f8198871f3&e=15246f7045
02 9487 2941 dish@stjohnswahroonga.org

                      Easing of Restrictions and Schools

Restrictions

In good news, the NSW Government has announced that people across NSW who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms this month after the state hit seven million jabs ahead of schedule.

From 12.01am, Monday, 13 September:

• For those who live outside the areas of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children, all adults must be vaccinated) will be allowed in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home.
• For those who live in the LGA's of concern, households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors for recreation (including picnics) within the existing rules (for one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home). This is in addition to unlimited exercise.

The NSW Government also announced that there will be a staggered return to face-to-face learning from October, HSC exams will be delayed until November and vaccinations for school staff will be mandatory based on the return to school plan released by the NSW Government today. 

A staggered return of students to face-to-face learning will begin on Monday 25 October. Students will return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health approved COVID safe settings on school sites in the following order:

• From 25 October – Kindergarten and Year 1
• From 1 November – Year 2, 6 and 11
• From 8 November – Year 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10

Afghanistan Update

Last Friday the Prime Minister announced the conclusion of Australia’s mission to evacuate Australians and those Afghans who supported our efforts. The mission was been a dangerous one, undertaken in extremely challenging conditions.

I am proud that Australian service personnel and officials have evacuated around 4,100 people on 32 flights since 18 August.

Since 2013, the Australian Government has granted more than 8,500 visas to Afghans under Australia’s humanitarian program. That includes over 1,800 visas to those Locally Engaged Staff and their families.

Individuals who remain in Afghanistan seeking to leave the country are advised to register with DFAT if they have not yet done so: https://covid19.dfat.gov.au
 
While our evacuation effort has now concluded Australia joined around 100 other nations in a joint statement calling on the Taliban to uphold its undertakings to allow foreign nationals and visa holders to depart in a safe and orderly manner. And we will work with the International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.

The end of our 20-year commitment in Afghanistan is an opportunity to acknowledge the service of our 39,000 veterans who served in Afghanistan.

In Parliament last week I spoke about Trooper Jason Brown from Westleigh who made the supreme sacrifice for our country.

Report on Indigenous Participation in Employment and Business

As you know, I have a very deep commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and creating better policy to achieve this.

This week, as Chair of Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs, I handed down a report on Indigenous participation in employment and business.

One of Australia’s most important economic and social policy goals is to improve the economic participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

There has been significant growth in Indigenous businesses over the past decade from around 13,000 in 2011 to over 17,000 today. This is a great Indigenous success story that we hear too little about.

The Committee made a number of recommendations to ensure that more Aboriginal people have the chance to start a business and access to employment opportunities.

New Funding for Berowra

Yallambee Road

Road Safety is an important issue in our community. Nationally around 1,200 people die and 40,000 are seriously injured each year.
 
I’m pleased that new funding has been committed by our Government to fund the cycleway out of Yallambee Road.
 
A total of $96,416 will be invested for the design, development, and installation of safeguards at this dangerous section of Yallambee Road in Berowra.



Seniors Hub

The Morrison Government is providing $336,000 to the Sydney North Health Network to help alleviate loneliness and social isolation experienced by older Australians in our community.

The Sydney North Health Network is among 10 organisations that will share in $4.7 million to establish new Seniors Connected Village Hubs across the country.

The Hornsby Village Hub will be established in partnership with the Hornsby Shire Council and will run on a membership model to provide participants with a sense of belonging and ownership, as well as providing some funding toward planned activities.

The Hub’s activities will range from the social, physical and educational to the artistic and cultural – all aimed at improving the well-being of older people.

Acknowledging our Community in Parliament

Hornsby Kuring-gai Women's Shelter

Hornsby Kuring-gai Women's Shelter, established in 2015, provides a safe place for women experiencing domestic violence or homelessness.

The shelter, led by Louise McCann and Lucy Garnier and supported by Jacqui Landis, provides residential accommodation and professional case management to support up to 58 women per year.

Before the lockdowns, I had the pleasure of launching the Berowra Community’s half marathon to raise money for the shelter.

Lloyd Babb

I also acknowledged the service of Berowra Electorate local, Lloyd Babb SC, who recently stepped down after 10 years as New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions.

He continues to be a contributor to our community through the local basketball association, where he serves as president.

Australian Flag

The Australian flag was flown for the first time on 3 September 1901 at the Exhibition Building in Melbourne.

On that day, Prime Minister Edmund Barton announced the winners of it's design competition. 

The large flag, 5.5 metres by 11 metres, was flown over the dome at the building. 

Each year Australia marks National Flag Day on 3 September. This year is the flag's 120th birthday.

Community Zooms

Recently, I invited schools from around the electorate to join me for a chat about how they, and their students, are coping with remote learning.

I want to thank all the wonderful principals, teachers and staff at the schools in my electorate who are supporting their students and families during this tough time. We should not forget that school staff are our front line workers too.

Mental health, engagement, internet connectivity and vaccines were some of the important issues raised.



Community sport continues to be an important part of our community and the last 18 months have been challenging for sporting organisations as we continue to battle COVID-19.

I also met with a number of our local sports leaders to discuss their concerns with the challenges local sports clubs are facing at the moment.




I'd like to all of you for sharing your personal stories and concerns and I want to assure you that your voices are being heard.

Helpful COVID-19 links

To keep up to date with the latest NSW public health orders and restrictions go to: Public Health Orders and restrictions - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) (nsw.gov.au)

It is also more important than ever to get your vaccine if you are eligible. To check your eligibility and for information on how to book in for you vaccination, go to: https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=1df95065b3&e=15246f7045 

Australia.gov.au provides the latest official coronavirus news, updates and advice from the Australian Government.

To check if information you are reading or hearing on line is true go to https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=278b1744f2&e=15246f7045

The latest information on NSW case locations and other COVID-19 alerts, can be found here: Latest COVID-19 case locations and alerts in NSW - COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

For your nearest COVID-19 testing clinics visit https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=0bb5a963a2&e=15246f7045