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.

 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.