Pat Conroy MP | Politician

Pat Conroy MP

Phone: +61 2 4947 9546

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25.01.2022 Yesterday in Parliament I spoke on legislation debating the need for a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention. I have not served this country in the ADF. I cannot imagine the challenges veterans face and what they have gone through, but it is my duty to serve them by ensuring they are supported and making sure that we are partners with them in mental health issues. Our veterans must receive all the support they need. I spoke about some of the issues that veterans and their families have faced and recently raised with me.

25.01.2022 Last night in Parliament I spoke about the feedback I'd received from local food banks about the difficulties their clients are facing. Their circumstances are grimmer than they were at the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown due to the Government's cuts to JobKeeper and JobSeeker. I call upon the Government to stop these cuts which will go deep in the New Year to ensure that families in my community can have food on the table and a roof over their heads. You can read more about this here - https://www.newcastleherald.com.au//huge-spike-in-demand-/

24.01.2022 Yet again the Government refuses to take responsibility for their illegal Robodebt scheme.

23.01.2022 Great to attend the Chain Valley Bay Progress Association's meeting yesterday and hear about their community's local priorities. One of the main issues they raised with me is the state of the children's playground at their community hall. Thank you to Phil and the Association's committee for raising this with me.

23.01.2022 Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2020 Hunter Manufacturing Awards which were held on Friday. It was a fantastic night celebrating our local manufacturers and their resilience and innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Special mention to Shortland businesses Sirron Holdings Group, Zexa Chemicals, and Ampcontrol who were joint winners of the Manufacturing Pivot Award which was presented in honour of the late Rod Murphy R&R Murphy, and Safearth who were awarded the Collaboration Partnership Award with Ampcontrol and NewieVentures. Congratulations again to all of the winners, and thanks to the organisers for a great night.

22.01.2022 It has now been almost three years since the Morrison Government claims to have started work on a National Integrity Commission and it has delivered nothing. Now it’s been revealed that the Government have been sitting on draft legislation since December last year. Why haven't we seen it? What have they been doing with this legislation?... This Government is all announcement, no delivery. Labor will establish an independent, transparent and powerful National Integrity Commission.

22.01.2022 It was great to visit St Pius X Primary School in Windale earlier this week and present them with a cheque from the Shortland Local Schools Community Fund. This money has gone towards their amazing new learning hub and cultural centre which highlights Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, contributions, identities, and histories. The space looks fantastic, and I am sure the students are already loving it!

21.01.2022 There's no doubt that young people have been severely impacted by this pandemic, but the problem with the Government's proposed JobMaker Hiring Credit is who it leaves behind. I spoke about this in Parliament on Monday. You can view my full speech here - https://youtu.be/onBp8R9KVI0

20.01.2022 Faamanu needs urgent treatment. Time is of the essence. The Government should step in and provide assistance to ensure Faamanu gets the treatment he desperately needs.

19.01.2022 Our nurses and midwives are incredibly important. They've been some of our most essential frontline workers during this pandemic. They deserve better than the 0.3% pay rise offered by the NSW Government. I support the rally taking place in my electorate this afternoon. #stopthewagefreeze

19.01.2022 MOUNT HUTTON MOBILE PHONE RECEPTION UPDATE Thank you to everyone who has been in touch with me recently about the mobile phone reception issues in Mount Hutton. One in 20 residents have contacted me about this which demonstrates how widespread and important this issue is. I have some good news. I've had briefings with Optus who have informed me that they will be installing a new tower at Lake Macquarie Square. Telstra and Vodafone have also told me that they will have their o...wn infrastructure attached to the tower. This should all be operational in the New Year. I will be keeping up the pressure on Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone to ensure the new tower and infrastructure is installed and really hope this addresses the mobile phone reception issues that so many people in this area are experiencing.

18.01.2022 Congratulations to Lake Macquarie's 12 newest Australian citizens! It's always such a privilege to take part in these ceremonies. A number of you have lived in Australia for over 50 years so it's great that you're officially an Aussie. Congratulations again!

18.01.2022 An important issue for the international development program is the need to evaluate whether aid investments are achieving the desired outcome and represent value for money. The Government has used the COVID-19 pandemic as cover to dismantle the aid performance framework. This has resulted in a a massive erosion of accountability and transparency. I spoke about this in Parliament last night.

16.01.2022 This morning I visited Southlake's Incorporated and the local Uniting Burnside to thank them and their volunteers for going above and beyond to support those in need in our community during this pandemic. It's been a hugely challenging year for these groups, and like so many of the community organisations I've caught up with over the last fortnight, they have noticed a spike in demand for their assistance in recent weeks. Since the pandemic started, Southlake's has gone from... assisting around 400 families to almost 1000. Their monthly food bill to support those in need is $12,000, and they've already got 600 Christmas hampers booked in. It's extraordinary. They are also collecting toys for over 400 children aged 7-14 for Christmas. If you would like to donate a toy, please contact Southlake's on 0432 580 059, or you can drop them into my office and we can get them to Southlake's. Due to COVID-19, these toys must be new and in their packaging. Southlake's will be collecting toys up until 10 December. Thank you again to everyone at Southlake's and the local Uniting Burnside for your incredible generosity and support for our community.

15.01.2022 Today I spoke with 7NEWS Australia's Mark Riley about Faamanu Faamanatu, a Samoan man who came to work in Australia under the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS). Not long after arriving here with a clean bill of health, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. Under the PLS, a worker's health insurance is usually arranged by their employer with premiums deducted from their wages. Faamanu's first round of treatment was covered by his private health insurance, but unbeknown to F...aamanu, it appears his employer stopped paying for his coverage because he was too unwell to work. Time is of the essence. Faamanu is now extremely unwell and in need of a stem cell transplant which costs around $120,000. He has a twin brother in Samoa who is the perfect candidate, however Faamanu is too unwell to travel home. Through no fault of his own, he cannot get the treatment he desperately needs. There are real questions about whether the employer has fulfilled their obligations, but given what's at stake, the Government should step in and provide urgent assistance to ensure that Faamanu receives the treatment he desperately needs.

14.01.2022 Thank you to Swansea High School for allowing me to speak with your Year 10 commerce and Year 12 economics students yesterday. There were some brilliant questions asked on a wide range of topics including trade, manufacturing, and what Australia's economy looks like post COVID-19. Thanks for having me!

13.01.2022 Hot start to the morning at Swansea Markets. Come down and say hello. There are stalls selling honey, Xmas decorations to fashion and everything in between. I predict the snow cone stall next to me will be the most popular stall!

12.01.2022 Today is World Polio Day and marks 20 years since Australia and the rest of the Pacific was officially declared polio-free. Polio is now 99.9% eradicated worldwide. What an incredible effort! Global Citizen #WorldPolioDay

12.01.2022 Over the last two weeks I have visited five local food banks Belmont Community Kitchen (Belmont Community Care), OzHarvest Newcastle, Manna House (Macquarie Care), Survivor's R Us Incorporated, and Southlake's Incorporated to thank them for the support they are giving people in our region. One of the main things that came from my conversations with these groups is that there has been a significant spike in demand for their services in recent months since the cuts to JobKe...eper and JobSeeker were introduced. For example, Survivors R Us has gone from helping 150 families during the COVID-19 lockdown to over 450 families after the JobKeeper and JobSeeker cuts. Southlake's has gone from assisting 400 families to around 1000. The cuts to JobKeeper and JobSeeker have put significant pressure on individuals and families in our community. I’ll be in Parliament next week and will raise these issues. The Government needs to hear loud and clear that our community is struggling and they should not be further cutting JobKeeper and JobSeeker.

12.01.2022 The Government has delivered a Budget that racks up $1 trillion of debt. But for all the spending and debt, it will not create the jobs Australians need. On the other hand, Labor has a plan to create the jobs we need today and train our people for the jobs of the future. I spoke about this in Parliament today.

11.01.2022 Good luck to our Year 12 students who are sitting their first written HSC exams today. You should be very proud of your achievements, particularly after such a challenging year. All the best. https://www.newcastleherald.com.au//best-wishes-to-hsc-st/

11.01.2022 At Senate Estimates this week, it was confirmed the cost of the Coalition’s inferior multi-technology NBN has blown out to $57 billion. In 2013, the Coalition promised they would deliver the NBN for $29.5 billion. This has left Australians with an inferior network which costs more but does less.

11.01.2022 Congratulations to Thomas Ford who received a Local Sporting Champions grant which helped him compete at the recent Multi Class Swimming Competition. As you can see by the number of medals around his neck, he had quite a lot of success in his freestyle and backstroke events. Congratulations again Thomas, and all the best at nationals next year!

08.01.2022 The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and damaging winds for parts of the Hunter and Central Coast. The heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding this morning. Damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible on the coastal fringe. The heavy rain and damaging winds are expected to ease during the afternoon. The State Emergency Service advises that people:... - Move vehicles under cover or away from trees. - Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony. - Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water. If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue. For emergency help in floods and storms, contact the SES on 132 500. For more information, head to: http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN21037.shtml Image sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology.

07.01.2022 Today is Remembrance Day, a day we stop to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the more than 102,000 Australian men and women who gave their lives in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. I also honour and thank our current and former defence personnel and their families. We are forever in debt to them for their service. Lest we forget.... #RemembranceDay

07.01.2022 Thank you very much to the Hunter View Club for inviting me to be the guest speaker at your luncheon yesterday. I really enjoyed chatting with you about my roles and responsibilities as a politician.

03.01.2022 The Morrison Government will cut unemployment support by $100 per fortnight after Christmas. The Government predicts 1.8 million Australians will be on unemployment support by the end of the year. There aren't enough jobs for every Australian who needs one. Now is not the time to cut unemployment support.... https://www.theguardian.com//jobseeker-covid-payment-exten

03.01.2022 Great to be at the grand unveiling of the refurbished Kahibah Sports Club. Like all community clubs, the COVID-19 lockdown has been difficult for it, but it was great to see the new club look. Thanks to Club Chairman Bill Bromfield for showing me around.

02.01.2022 Earlier today Labor sought to make amendments to the Government's JobMaker bill to ensure businesses could not fire staff aged over 35 or reduce their hours in order to replace them with younger workers. The Government rejected our proposals. Why don't they think it's a good idea to have these protections in place? https://www.canberratimes.com.au//stoush-brewing-over-jo/

02.01.2022 PEP 11 should be stopped because it is the wrong project in the wrong place. The Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority is the decision-maker for offshore petroleum title matters and its sole members are the Federal Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt MP and his New South Wales State Government counterpart, John Barilaro. They should listen to the community, protect our coast and local jobs and reject this application. ... #stopPEP11 https://www.newcastleherald.com.au//federal-minister-expr/

01.01.2022 Really looking forward to being at the Swansea Quinn Park Markets tomorrow morning. I'd love to say hi if you're going to be there!