with SHARON CLAYDON, MEMBER FOR NEWCASTLE Anger over planned Centrelink office closures in Newcastle has been compounded by the news that Newcastle and Lake Macquarie haven’t been spared in countrywide public service job cuts. According to the latest snapshot by the Australian Public Service Commission, 69 jobs have been slashed in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie in the past year alone.
Read MoreThe Morrison Government’s announcement of 10,000 home care packages is a drop in the ocean when there is a waiting list of 120,000 older Australians and 16,000 died in one year alone while waiting. His announcement of $537 million for aged care is nowhere near the $1.2 billion he ripped out of aged care in his first Budget and nowhere near what is needed.
Read Morewith SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG Any review of Australia’s international development program will be meaningless without the Morrison Government halting its massive cuts to foreign aid. Since coming to office the Coalition has cut more than $11.8 billion from Australia’s official development assistance.
Read MoreShare the Dignity’s “It’s In The Bag” campaign is an important Christmas charity drive to help women experiencing disadvantage. The Belmont office of Member for Shortland Pat Conroy will be a collection point for the charity again this year.
Read MoreLake Macquarie Police Citizens Youth Club today officially opened its refurbished gymnastics room and amenities, upgraded through a Commonwealth Government grant of $104,624 under the Community Sport Infrastructure Program.
Read MoreI am very pleased the Commissioners inquiring into Aged Care Quality and Safety in Australia will hold a public forum in Newcastle. I wrote to the Commissioners in August, inviting them to hold a hearing here, and have continued to raise this important issue in Parliament and in the media.
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