Dear Resident of the Berowra Electorate,



Yesterday, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States agreed to the creation of an enhanced trilateral security partnership called AUKUS - a partnership where our technology, our scientists, our industry, our defence forces are all working together to deliver a safer and more secure region.

The first major initiative of AUKUS will be to deliver a nuclear-powered submarine fleet for Australia.

Over the next eighteen months, our nations will work together to seek to determine the best way forward to achieve this.

This is an historic opportunity for the three nations, with like-minded allies and partners, to protect shared values and promote security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Next week, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison will attend the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) Leaders Meeting in Washington D.C. to meet with President Biden, as well as Prime Minister Modi of India and Prime Minister Suga of Japan.

Also in this update:

• Update on Australia's vaccine roll-out
• Telephone Town Hall with Prime Minister, Scott Morrison
• Community Zooms
• Useful COVID-19 Links

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

                                 AUKUS Alliance

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have agreed to the creation of an enhanced trilateral security partnership – AUKUS.

The security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region have grown significantly.

Military modernisation is occurring at an unprecedented rate and capabilities are rapidly advancing and their reach expanding. The technological edge enjoyed by Australia and our partners is narrowing.

AUKUS will build on the three nations’ longstanding and ongoing bilateral ties, and will enable the partners to significantly deepen cooperation on a range of emerging security and defence capabilities, which will enhance joint capability and interoperability. Initial efforts under AUKUS will focus on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities.

Throughout the decade, Australia will rapidly acquire long-range strike capabilities to enhance the ADF’s ability to deliver strike effects across our air, land and maritime domains.

These include:

• Tomahawk Cruise Missiles, to be fielded on our Hobart class destroyers, enabling our maritime assets to strike land targets at greater distances, with better precision.
• Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (Extended Range) will enable our F/A-18 A/B Hornets and in future, our F-35A Lightning II, to hit targets at a range of 900km.
• Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (Extended Range) (LRASM) for the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
• Continuing collaboration with the United States to develop hypersonic missiles for our air capabilities.
• Precision strike guided missiles for our land forces, which are capable of destroying, neutralising and supressing diverse targets from over 400km.
• Accelerating $1 billion for a sovereign guided weapons manufacturing enterprise – which will enable us to create our own weapons on Australian soil.

These capabilities, coupled with the planned Life-of-Type Extension of Australia’s Collins class submarine fleet, will enhance Australia’s ability to deter and respond to potential security challenges.



Earlier in the week, I gave a speech about security in our region at the New Delhi based Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry global thought leadership initiative LEADS 2021, where I also discussed Australia’s place in our region and our cooperation with key partners.

Vaccination Rollout

Over the past week the Government has made a series of announcements regarding eligibility and availability of COVID-19 vaccines across Australia.

• The Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAGI) has recommended that all people aged 12 years and over should be vaccinated against COVID-19. This means most people in Australia are now eligible which takes us another step forward in the rollout.
• The Government successfully negotiated the expedited delivery of a further 1 million doses of Moderna vaccine from the European Union (EU) member states. This is in addition to the current arrangement with Moderna for 10 million doses to be delivered before the end of year.
• On Wednesday we released the Request For Tender to identify vaccine providers who will administer the workplace vaccination program. As part of the continued expansion of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout, businesses will be able to team up with vaccination providers to administer the jabs to staff at their workplace. 

It's great 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 16th September 2021. Some of the postcodes include communities not in the electorate.

Postcode        First Dose          Second Dose

2076                 90+%                  60-69%
2077                 80-89%               50-59%
2079                 90+%                  50-59%
2080                 80-89%               60-69%
2081                 80-89%               50-59%
2082                 90+%                  50-59%
2083                 80-89%               50-59%
2118                 90+%                  50-59%
2119                 90+%                  60-69%
2120                 90+%                  60-69%
2125                 90+%                  60-69%
2126                 90+%                  60-69%
2154                 80-89%               50-59%
2156                 80-89%               50-59%
2157                 80-89%               50-59%
2158                 90+%                  60-69%
2159                 80-89%               50-59%
2756                 80-89%               40-49%
2765                 90+%                  70-79% 
2775                 60-69%               40-49%   

To check your suburb, click HERE

                              Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity to champion suicide prevention efforts, provide a message of hope and bolster public awareness of how we can all work together for suicide prevention. 

Last Friday, I joined Suicide Prevention Australia for an online event that brought together key members of government, people at the forefront of suicide prevention policy, and those with lived experience of suicide.

                             September 11 Anniversary 

Last week marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. 

I remember the feeling of horror and sadness.

I'd just finished dinner with friends, washed up and turned on the television, hoping to catch The West Wing, but instead a different drama in America was on my television screen.

The north tower of the World Trade Center, which I'd visited only nine months earlier, had been pierced by a hijacked passenger plane.

Footage of a burning World Trade Center tower was on my television screen, and minutes later I watched in horror as a second plane was driven into the south tower.

When the World Trade Center opened it was the world's tallest building. A symbol of American confidence and the triumph of Western values and global free trade was now in rubble and ruins. I stayed up and saw both towers collapse.

A plane was flown into the Pentagon, and another, heroically diverted by passengers who took on the hijackers, crashed into a field. I sent messages to friends in New York and Washington to see if they were safe. I kept watching until about 4.30 in the morning.

Nearly 3,000 people, including 10 Australians, died that day. Prime Minister Howard was in the United States. He invoked the ANZUS Treaty and Australia stood shoulder to shoulder with America.

Australian Medical Students' Association Zoom 

Earlier in the week, I met with Berowra electorate local Sophie Keen, who is a medical student and President of the Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA).

Sophie and I chatted about a number of current issues, including better ways to get doctors into regional areas of Australia, especially as Australia continues to face the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.

I thank Sophie for raising these important issues.

                          #LEESERLOCKDOWNLOCKS

Well.....It's well and truly out of control now! I think it's been over three months since my last haircut.

If you've missed my campaign, I'm not getting my hair cut until hairdressers re-open, to raise awareness for metal health.

I've challenged other MPs and my constituents to jump on board by doing the same, and it would be great if you could make a donation to Lifeline Harbour to Haweksbury if you can.

You can donate directly HERE

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=ed007d457f&e=15246f7045
13 11 14 

Streetwork 
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=4c3afafeac&e=15246f7045
02 9419 7559

Hornsby Salvation Army 
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=d0beef7a37&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=6285caba46&e=15246f7045
13 18 12   vinnies@vinnies.org.au

Mission Australia
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=19df737282&e=15246f7045
02 9480 2500 (Hornsby Hub)

Fusion Sydney North
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=603fa87c4e&e=15246f7045
(02) 7228 9633 sydneynorth@fusion.org.au 

The Dish
https://julianleeser.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=97888c02e76e9b5c1c8456d30&id=6feae07981&e=15246f7045
02 9487 2941 dish@stjohnswahroonga.org

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=001c2d077a&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=500103b749&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=d6ff5b16e9&e=15246f7045