In the News
“To have this criminal activity in the suburbs of North West Sydney is appalling. The residents of Mitchell have the right to know they will be safe when they go to sleep at night, said Alex Hawke.
Alex re-iterated his calls on the Federal government to increase funding and staff to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.
“Under the Howard government 60% of air cargo consignments and 5.7% of sea cargo were inspected. Now only 8.3% of air cargo and 3.8 sea cargo is inspected.
“I urge the Gillard government to reinstate the funding to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service for air cargo and sea cargo screening. To stop the illegal importation of weapons, illicit drugs and contraband that is being smuggled into Sydney.
All three tiers of Government in The Hills are committed to work together to stop this criminal activity occurring in our suburbs,” concluded Alex Hawke MP.
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Friday, 13 April 2012
The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP said the announcement by IPART to increase electricity prices by 10.3% from 1 July is a major blow to Mitchell households and businesses.
Local households will pay on average an extra $182 a year in electricity prices and local small businesses will pay an extra $237 a year. The carbon tax is scheduled to go up further in coming years.
“The carbon tax is the major component of this 10.3% electricity price increase. The carbon tax component represents a 9.5% increase in electricity costs”, said Alex Hawke MP.
“This is one of the biggest electricity shocks ever and it makes a mockery of Julia Gillard’s claim that her carbon tax will only increase prices by 0.7%.
“The carbon tax is based on a lie – and from 1 July we will all be paying for it.
“We will all remember Julia Gillard’s lie “there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead” the next time we pay our electricity bills.
“The average household will pay an extra $3.50 per week directly in their electricity bill – and much more indirectly as others pass on the cost of the carbon tax.
“This is a big hit on households and my concern is that it is only the first wave of price increases that will flow from the carbon tax.
“Households will pay again as councils, schools, cafes, butchers, bakers, restaurants, dry cleaners and supermarkets all pass on their own price increases, Alex Hawke said.
“These prices will go up and up as the carbon tax goes up and up.
Alex Hawke said 1 July will mark the start of tougher times for household budgets with increased electricity prices, carbon tax price increases and increases in the cost of private health insurance due to the Gillard Government’s changes to the private health insurance rebate.
“I repeat Tony Abbott’s pledge – we will seek a mandate at the next election to rescind the carbon tax. Rescinding the carbon tax will be the first order of business for a Coalition Government,” concluded Alex Hawke.
Friday, 13 April 2012
The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP encourages residents of Mitchell to attend an ANZAC Day ceremony this year in support of veterans’ and serving Defence Force men and women in the lead up to the centenary of ANZAC.
There are a number of local ANZAC services held in the Hills district; Annangrove, Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill and Rouse Hill. (Service venues and times are listed at the end of the article).
Residents of Mitchell may also like to send a message of support to our current deployed personnel by email to messagestothetroops@defence.gov.au or by regular mail to:
Messages to the Troops
Media Section
39 Personnel Support Battalion
Building 217
Randwick Barracks NSW 2031
“The spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity. We honour them and the families who supported them. We remember their service for our nation, said Alex Hawke.
“The government recently wasted money on commissioning two reports which questions the cultural appropriateness to the community and what the commemoration of the Centenary of ANZAC means to Australians. We can show our support in honouring our veterans’ by attending a local service, sending a strong message to the author of these reports.
“This ANZAC Day I urge all Australians to take a moment to remember the sacrifices made by our diggers of yesteryear and to support Australia’s Defence Force personnel currently deployed around the globe,” concluded Alex Hawke.
Local ANZAC services held in Mitchell:
Sunday 22 April
9.00am Sunday Parade and Commemorative Service
Arthur Whitling Park, Cnr Old Northern Road & McMullen Avenue, Castle Hill
Wednesday 25 April
6.00am ANZAC Day Dawn Service
Veterans assemble to march at 5.45am,Arthur Whitling Park, Cnr Old Northern Road & McMullen Avenue, Castle Hill
11.00am Annangrove Progress Association ANZAC Day Service
Annangrove Park War Memorial - Cnr Currie Avenue & Annangrove Road, Annangrove
(afterwards light lunch served in the park)
11.00am NorthWest Uniting Church ANZAC Commemoration Service
Aberdoon House, Cnr Aberdour Avenue & Clower Avenue, Rouse Hill
12.30pm The Hills Club ANZAC Day Commemoration Luncheon. 1pm - Wreath Laying Ceremony
2 Jenner Street, Baulkham Hills
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, recently visited NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) headquarters and Afghanistan as part of an Australian Parliamentary delegation. The NATO visit was the first information visit by Australian parliamentarians.
“The NATO Secretary General, Mr Anders Fogh Rasmussen expressed words of welcome to the visiting delegation in saying ‘You are a highly appreciated partner and contributor’, in appreciation of the Australian role in the NATO led mission in Afghanistan. Australia is the 10th largest contributor of troops to Afghanistan outside of NATO members.
“Our current key mutual interest is Afghanistan and it is important that, as a NATO partner, Australia has a seat at the table where decisions are made and planning is undertaken, said Mr Hawke.
“Our meetings with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and other high level leaders left us in no doubt NATO appreciates Australia’s vital contribution to Afghanistan and to discourse about broader global security issues, said Alex Hawke.
“We also witnessed the high level of engagement and access that Australia’s Ambassador to NATO, HE Dr Brendan Nelson, has in Europe. Ambassador Nelson is an influential advocate for Australia, Alex Hawke said.
The members of the delegation challenged NATO officials on a range of issues in Afghanistan and Central Asia more generally.
“We now look forward to the outcomes of the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago in May”, concluded Alex Hawke.