Werriwa eNewsletter

28 August 2020

This week I have been in Canberra for the first of a two week Parliamentary sitting.

The return of Parliament has provided an opportunity to hold the Morrison Government account on a number of key issues, most notably their failures on aged care.

Last week, the Minister for Aged Care, Richard Colbeck, could not even recall how many people had died of COVID-19 in Victorian nursing homes. On Wednesday, Richard Colbeck walked away from questioning in the Senate. 

Scott Morrison has been forced to sideline Richard Colbeck and hand some of his responsibilities to the Health Minster, Greg Hunt. However, this does not go far enough. The Government must make changes and support age care residents and workers to make a real difference.

Keep safe and kind regards

Anne

Beirut

This week I spoke in Parliament on the catastrophic blast that devastated Beirut earlier this month. Like many Australian communities, Werriwa has strong links to Lebanon.

My deepest condolences go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

If you would like to show your support and donate to the people of Lebanon, please consider the charities below:

• Human Appeal Australia
• CARE Lebanon
• Lebanese Red Cross

Aged Care Failure

As we have seen since the Newmarch outbreak in March, the Morrison Government has no plan to address the crisis in Aged Care.

In the absence of a Government plan, Anthony Albanese this week announced his eight point plan for the Government to consider:

1. Minimum staffing levels in residential aged care
2. Reduce the home care package waiting list so more people can stay in their homes for longer
3. Ensure transparency and accountability of funding to support high quality care
4. Independent measurement and public reporting as recommended by the Royal Commission this week
5. Ensure every residential aged care facility has adequate personal protective equipment
6. Better training for staff, including on infection control
7. A better surge workforce strategy
8. Provide additional resources so the Aged Care Royal Commission can inquire specifically into COVID-19 across the sector while not impacting or delaying the handing down of the final report.

University Cuts

This week, the Morrison Government introduced a Bill which would make it harder and more expensive to go to university.

Scott Morrison’s plan means: 

• Students will pay more.
• Thousands of students will see their fees double.
• It’ll be harder to get into a degree.
• Billions will be cut from universities.
• And it will do nothing to get young people into high priority courses or jobs.

Education is Australia’s third largest export industry, with international education exports contributing over $37bn to the economy annually. The Government needs to support this important sector, not destroy it.

This is bad policy and should be dumped.

Tax Time – Language Resources

If you speak a language other than English or know anybody that struggles doing their taxes due to a language barrier, there are resources that can help.

The ATO offers resources in 19 languages that offer simple guides and checklists to make it easier to do your taxes.

To access these resources, click here.

National Dementia Helpline

The National Dementia Helpline is a free, government funded service that provides dementia information and advice.

The National Dementia Helpline aims to provide information and advice to:

• People living with dementia
• People concerned about changes to memory and thinking
• People living with mild cognitive impairment (IMC)
• Family, friends and carers of people living with dementia
• People who work in health and aged care.

This services also shares information and advice that can provide emotional support and guidance, discuss governmental support and can connect constituents to community support services and programs.

If you know anyone that suffers from dementia and can benefit from this program, please call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500, visit the National Demntia website, or email helpline@dmeentia.org.au.

All of these services are available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, excluding public holidays.

Highlights from Parliament – Michelle Rowland

My colleague Michelle Rowland, the Member for Greenway, called out Liberal Party's history of disrespect for a generous and compassionate community in this country.