Werriwa eNewsletter

06 August 2021

This week Parliament resumed for the first time in two months. I will use this sitting fortnight to speak out on the issues our area are facing due to lockdown.

As cases continue to increase in Greater Sydney, we need to keep following the clear health advice; get vaccinated, wear a mask, and stay home. Do not go more than 5 kilometres from your house and you must wear a mask when you leave home.

This week, Lifeline recorded the highest number of daily calls received in 58 years, with 3,345 calls. There are a lot of people struggling through this lockdown. If you're able, please check up on your family and friends, you may never know if someone is doing it tough.

If you need support during this lockdown, or just someone to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 131 114, Beyond Blue on 1800 512 348, or Suicide Callback on 1300 659 467.

We will get through this.

Kind Regards

Anne

Useful Coranavirus Links

• Latest COVID-19 restrictions for Greater Sydney
• Current case locations
• Face mask rules
• Check-in when you go out
• Get tested 
• What is COVID safe?
• Getting a COVID-19 vaccination
• What you can and can’t do
• Statistics and maps 
• Business helplines and other support
• Financial support
• Jobseeker opportunities
• SBS multilingual services

South-West Sydney Vilified

This week in Parliament I spoke in the House of Representatives about the unfair vilification of South-West Sydney during this latest lockdown.

We needed to lockdown hard and early and the Federal Government must now step up and take responsibility for vaccinations and quarantine if we want to avoid further lockdowns.

Vinnies Support

As the health and economic impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt across NSW, many people experiencing poverty and disadvantage are facing additional financial pressure. At the same time, households accustomed to making ends meet are facing economic hardship for the first time.

Vinnies NSW can provide assistance paying bills, food parcels, material aid, housing and homelessness services, access to the No Interest Loans Scheme, advocacy and referral to relevant services.

Call Vinnies on 13 18 12 or email at vinnies@vinnies.com.au if you need support.

Census 2021

Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics counts every person and household in Australia.

This year the census will be held next week on Tuesday 10 August. Below you can find useful guides on completing your Census including language support.

• Why you need to do the Census
• When you need to complete the Census
• Census Help in your language
• Click here to begin the Census

Bradfield City Name Review

I believe that it is in the public interest that the name for Sydney’s third city, currently proposed as Bradfield City, be renamed to an Indigenous figure or significant indigenous term through consultation with the local Aboriginal Land Councils.

The city will eventually grow into Sydney’s third city and a gateway to Australia for visitors coming from all around the world. What better way to welcome those visitors than with a uniquely Australian indigenous name.

I encourage a review of the naming of the city and I also encourage everyone to make a submission to the proposal of the name Bradfield on the NSW Government Website with the link below.

Click here to make a submission.

Homelessness Week 2021

This week is Homelessness Week. 116,000 people in Australia are experiencing homelessness. 900 of these people live in Werriwa.

A lack of affordable and secure housing is the number one reason for people seeking homelessness support in Australia.

That’s why Labor will establish the Housing Australia Future Fund, showing leadership on homelessness where the Morrison Government has failed.

You can view Labor's housing policy here

South Western Sydney Vaccination Centre

The South Western Sydney Vaccination Centre is now open for bookings. The centre is located at Glenquarie Town Centre, Macquarie Fields and is open 8am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

You must have an appointment in order to receive your vaccination. The Vaccination Centre does not accept walk-ins.

Vaccines are our ticket out of lockdown and the pandemic.

To see if you're eligible or to book your vaccine appointment, visit the online Vaccine Eligibility Checker with the link below.

• COVID-19 Eligibility Checker

This Week in Parliament

There were many great speeches in Parliament this week. Below are some of my favourites. 

Anthony Albanese

Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese gave Labor's response to the Closing the Gap report.

Susan Templeman

My colleague Susan Templeman, the Member for Macquarie, spoke about financial support for small businesses in her electorate.