In the News
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP has signed a pledge committing himself to the fair indexation of Defence Forces Retirement Benefit (DFRB) and Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB) military superannuation pensions.
“I am determined that we keep faith with those who have served and protected Australia”, said Alex Hawke.
“I have joined Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs Senator Michael Ronaldson in signing a pledge to provide fair indexation for the recipients of DFRB and DFRDB miliary superannuation pensions.
“This signed pledge will keep faith with hundreds of local residents who are recipients of military superannuation pensions.
“Under this pledge, a future Coalition Government will ensure that DFRB and DFRDB superannuants aged 55 and over will have their superannuation pensions indexed in the same way as aged and service pensions.
“Across Australia 57,000 superannuants, and their families, will have access to fair, just and equitable indexation of their superannuation entitlements under a Coalition government.
“Labor had led people to believe that they would provide a fairer deal for ex-servicemen and women. Unfortunately, the Rudd-Gillard government has never delivered, Alex Hawke said.
“I have signed my name and will keep my word.
“Our veterans and their families deserve fair indexation. A Coalition Government will deliver it,” concluded Alex Hawke.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke, encourages local community groups to apply for the Australian Government’s Community Heritage Grants (CHG) before they close by 5pm Friday 4 May 2012.
“The Community Heritage Grants were established to enable communities to assist in preserving cultural heritage collections of national significance. Since 1994 over $4 million has been made available for projects right across Australia.
“Community organisations such as historical societies, museums, public libraries, archives, Indigenous and migrant community groups are eligible to apply”, Mr Hawke said.
“$15,000 grants are available for projects which help preserve nationally significant collections and to provide collection management training that will improve the skills of staff and volunteers working with materials. Any Australian, not for profit, incorporated community organisation is eligible to apply.”
“The Community Heritage Grants are a great way for a local community group to improve the local knowledge about the heritage of their area, collect information on a local organisation, or preserve the works of earlier generations,” Alex Hawke said.
“Our Australian heritage is a great national asset. However much is located in small communities. These grants could help to preserve that heritage future generations.”
“I encourage our local community groups and individuals to apply for these grants, to further enhance our knowledge of the past and preserve that knowledge for the future,” concluded Alex Hawke.
Mr Hawke said that local community groups who were interested in applying for the grant could contact his office for more information on 9899 7211 or www.alex.hawke.com.au. Alternatively, more information can be found at www.nla.gov.au/chg. Applications for funding close on May 4 2012.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP has welcomed the announcement of 24 new buses and 46 new services during peak periods for residents of North West Sydney, by the NSW Minister for Transport, Gladys Berejiklian.
“Commuters who live in these growing parts of Sydney including Rouse Hill have been asking for more frequent services to the city and Parramatta, Alex Hawke said.
“Among the improvements is a new direct 602 Rouse Hill Town Centre to North Sydney route will be introduced on the M2. This service is expected to save passengers up to 25 minutes per trip, as they will not have to change buses mid-route, said Alex Hawke.
“On this route they will stop at employment centres such as Artarmon, St Leonards, Crows Nest and North Sydney with five new morning peak services and five new afternoon peak services.
“The new services will mean commuters will have more time at home to spend with their families,” concluded Alex Hawke.
The new buses and services will start operating from 19 March for customers travelling on the new Rouse Hill Town Centre to North Sydney route, with the final group of services from Kellyville Ridge to Parramatta starting in June.
Monday, 27 February 2012
The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP said the Labor leadership crisis demonstrates that the Gillard Government is focused on itself rather than the issues facing the residents of Mitchell.
“All Australians have been embarrassed by the spectacle of the past week, said Alex Hawke.
“Over the past few days as I have spoken to people throughout Mitchell, it is clear that people are disheartened by the behaviour of the members of the government.
“I don’t believe the vote over the Labor leadership resolves anything, Alex Hawke said.
“The faceless men are still in charge, the poison will keep flowing, Australian families and businesses will still be hit by the world’s biggest carbon tax and the boats will keep coming.
“It is clear Julia Gillard and her colleagues are more focused on saving their own jobs than on protecting the jobs of the workers of our country.
“From the telephone calls, emails and conversations I have received, it is clear people want an end to the instability. They want certainty and they want an election, said Alex Hawke.
“We are a great country and we are being let down by a bad government.
“While Labor was focused on itself, the Coalition was focused on its plans to provide hope, reward and opportunity for all Australians,” concluded Alex Hawke.
Thank you to all those who have contacted me expressing views about the leadership struggle between Kevin & Julia. It is clear people are disheartened by the behaviour of members of the Government. I agree with the overwhelming majority of people’s views that this vote will not resolve anything and that the time has come for a fresh election.
Also of great concern to many locally is the Gillard Government’s breach of another election promise, this time over private health insurance. Click here to read my speech.
108,300 Mitchell residents covered by private health insurance will be hard hit by the decision by Julia Gillard to break another promise and apply means testing to the rebate. Because of the means test, it is estimated 1.6 million Australians could drop private hospital cover over the next five years and another 4.3 million Australians could downgrade their level of coverage.
The Government’s decision to means test private health insurance will also have a significant impact on the public hospital system. It is estimated that 845,000 new procedures will be forced onto the public hospitals system, putting further pressure on waiting lists that already force thousands of people to wait years for surgery.