Bare Creek Trail Run

Sun, 08 Nov 2020

Great to be back in the Bare Creek Trail Run, which runs through the beautiful Garigal National Park in St Ives. This run is the first to be back up and running in NSW after COVID, with social distancing in place.

Visit to Sydney Grammar School

Fri, 06 Nov 2020

It was great to discuss Australia’s system of government with the boys from Sydney Grammar Preparatory School in St Ives today. Some very insightful questions as always!

Meeting with Dr Michael Fullilove AM

Wed, 04 Nov 2020

I joined Dr Michael Fullilove AM, executive director of the Lowy Institute to discuss the US-Australia relationship, and what the next administration (potentially only hours away from being announced) will mean for Australia.

Thank you Dr Fullilove for the stimulating conversation. You brought a deep level of expertise to the subject and were able to share a lot of insight into a particularly topical area.

Opening of NorthConnex

Fri, 30 Oct 2020

NorthConnex is officially open to motorists this weekend. Sydney-siders will be able to bypass 21 sets of traffic lights between the M1 and M2 motorways, completing the long-awaited ‘missing link’ in the National Highway network.

This $3 billion project saw $412.3 million from the Australian Government and $577.3 million from the NSW Government, with $2 billion from Transurban and its private sector partners.

For locals, the tunnel will mean reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality and a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists. For commuters, this means a faster journey to and from work, and 5,000 trucks a day taken off Pennant Hills Road.

You can watch a video about the NorthConnex here.

2020 Bradfield Prize Winner

Thu, 01 Oct 2020

It was great to catch up with committee members of the Ku ring gai Art Society, along with Mr Tony MacLure, local artist and winner of this years’ Member for Bradfield Prize. His painting ‘Jacarandas in Bloom at Eryldene’ features on my 2020 calendar, for the whole of the electorate to enjoy. Congratulations Tony!

JobKeeper, Supporting Small Businesses

Wed, 23 Sep 2020

It has been a tough few months for small businesses across Australia. The Morrison Government has responded with support through the JobKeeper program and cash flow boost for small businesses. Australia wide, more than 900,000 businesses have been supported by JobKeeper, while around 790,000 businesses have benefitted from the cash flow boost, to a value of approximately $25.6 billion.

I visited businesses across my electorate to hear their stories about how JobKeeper and the cash flow boost have supported them through this difficult time. You can watch this video here.

Visit to West Pennant Hills Public School

Wed, 16 Sep 2020

I joined NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance MP to meet with parents and students from West Pennant Hills Public School - to better understand what the coming opening of NorthConnex will mean for our local community. The students told us about the traffic noise they hear every day at school; and about not being able to walk to school because it is simply too dangerous to walk near such a busy road. All that is set to change.

This new motorway tunnel running between the M1 at Wahroonga and the M2 at Pennant Hills will remove large amounts of traffic - including up to 5,000 trucks per day - from Pennant Hills Road. For everyone who lives, works or studies along or near Pennant Hills Road, you can look forward to less traffic noise, a safer environment and better community amenity.

When we came to government in 2013 we promised a $400 million investment for this project, alongside the NSW government and private sector investors. It is great to see the project almost complete - and the benefits it will bring our community.

Virtual Meeting with WWII Veterans

Mon, 14 Sep 2020

I caught up with three local WWII veterans, who live at Tallwoods Corner Aged Care, to hear about their service – as we mark 75 years since the war ended.

Thank you to Therese, Roy and William for taking the time to chat with me.

Visit to West Pymble Public School

Mon, 07 Sep 2020

I visited West Pymble Public School to chat with students there about the important role of our Government. Thank you to all for your questions - some were particularly insightful!

Virtual Citizenship Ceremonies

Mon, 31 Aug 2020

It was a privilege to preside over two virtual citizenship ceremonies for Bradfield residents, from my Parliament House office.

Congratulations to Peter and Anne Taylor and Peter Lewis on becoming Australian citizens!

75th Anniversary of VP Day

Sat, 15 Aug 2020

Today Australia marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day (VP Day). Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of millions of ordinary Australians, we defeated aggressor nations and peace was restored.

I was honoured to meet one such Australian yesterday – my constituent and WW2 veteran Joan McLean. In 1942, at the age of 18, Joan enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force as an Aircraftwoman. In her time serving, Joan worked with the then top-secret ‘Type X’ cyphering machine, decoding secret messages to support the war-effort.

Joan served until the end of WW2, and was subsequently awarded with the with the War Medal 1939-45, the Australian Service Medal 1939-45 and the General Service Badge.

I presented Joan with the Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration. Thank you to Joan and all of Australia’s veterans, past and present, for your contribution to our great nation. The wonderful nation we live in today has been built with your service and sacrifice.

You can watch a video of Joan and myself here.

Visit to Turramurra Public School

Mon, 10 Aug 2020

I visited Turramurra Public School to speak with Year 6 students about the role of Government. After my talk, school captains Charlotte and Will showed me the new shade sail the school has installed with a grant from the Local Schools Community Fund.

Thanks to all at Turramurra PS for making me welcome – in an appropriately socially distanced way!