Hi Allegra,

As we approach the end of the year, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has written in, shared an idea, and engaged with me, and each other, on important issues.

The best guard we have to our democracy is an engaged community that cares, and I am so proud we have built that community in Wentworth.

I’ve worked hard with my team to set up an electorate office that not only responds to every request for help that comes in but also gets out into the community as much as possible to hear what matters to you.

Over the past year, my team and I are proud to have responded to over 18,000 of your emails, welcomed 120 constituents for meetings in our office, and assisted with over 400 visa and immigration cases including Said Imasi, the longest-serving detainee (pictured below), and $10 million in grant funding has been awarded to local Wentworth organisations!

None of this is possible without your support, so thank you for getting involved and helping us do politics differently.

Here’s an update on what’s been achieved in Parliament from the last few weeks as well as some exciting local festive activities.

Crossbench delivers a big win for nature and climate!

• Hundreds of you have written to me about the need for more investment in nature conversation and stronger laws to prevent environmental damage and climate harm.
• The Crossbench have been pushing hard for this, including meeting with Minister Plibersek for further action just last week. I’m delighted to say we’ve had a big win!
• The Nature Repair Market will drive much-needed private investment in the environment, and the amendments I secured in the House - expanded in the Senate - will mean funding goes to nature-positive projects - not just offsetting environmental destruction.
• It’s great news that we’ll also see an expansion of the Water Trigger, something that the crossbench has campaigned hard for. As a result, massive new fracking projects such as the Beetaloo Basin cannot proceed unchecked. See my speech in Parliament here.
• There’s so much more that needs to be done and this legislation is not perfect. But it’s a great example of the crossbench constructively working with the government to get meaningful reform over the line – at a time when the Coalition continues to vote against any meaningful environment and climate reform.
• As we go into next year, my priority is reforms to the EPBC Act. Hundreds of you have written to me concerned about Australia’s inadequate environmental laws, which don’t protect threatened species, don’t stop native forest logging, and don’t account for the biggest threat to nature – climate change. I am working closely with the Climate Council and the Environmental Defenders Office on potential amendments to the government’s legislation, which will come before Parliament next year.

Over the past few weeks, we have also seen some positive action on:

• Paid parental leave expanded from 20 weeks to 26 weeks – something I campaigned hard on. These changes will have a real impact on the lives of new parents, but they're not the finish line. Now we must focus on ensuring parental leave is shared between parents to drive better mental health for men and female economic empowerment.
• A ban on disposable single-use vape imports to help cut addiction in children. Next, we must ensure this legislation makes a difference on the ground and is enforced properly so that nicotine vapes don’t continue to be sold illegally. See my speech in Parliament here.
• 16 days of action against domestic violence as part of the UNiTE campaign calling on governments to invest in preventing violence against women and girls. I spoke in Parliament highlighting the incredible Wentworth organisations that are doing great work in helping to combat violence against women and called for greater government action to address it.
• Legislation to outlaw hate symbols, Nazi paraphernalia, and the Nazi salute. This was a key issue that you told me was critical in addressing racism and antisemitism, and I am pleased to have helped drive this important reform. See my speech in Parliament here.
• Banning the use of credit cards for online gambling. This is a sensible, long-overdue step in protecting people’s financial and mental health but there is a lot more to do in preventing gambling harm. See my speech in Parliament here.
• Crossbench secured a significant win on Industrial relations reform. In response to crossbench pressure in the House and the Senate, the Government agreed to pass four important protections for workers experiencing domestic violence, PTSD, silicosis, or who lose their jobs when businesses go into liquidation whilst avoiding other changes that are still highly contested. I’ve played a leading role in trying to split the bill and will continue to work hard to balance workers' protections and flexibility for businesses.

Crossbench in orange as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Ways to give back this Christmas.

No matter what your faith, this is a wonderful time of year for family and get-togethers, but for some people, it is also a very challenging time of year. I know this year has been tough, particularly with the high prices of goods, but if it is a possibility for you, here are a few ways to give back this Christmas:

• OZ Harvest food drive. Donate food or volunteer your time in the week leading up to Christmas. Register your interest here! OZ Harvest has also shared 12 ways to fight food waste and save money for Christmas! Take a look.
• Wayside Chapel Christmas Appeal. This Christmas period, Wayside Chapel is expecting a 60% increase in the average number of visitors seeking help. Donating will help Wayside continue its frontline work over the holiday period helping Sydney's most vulnerable people. Find out more.
• Vinnie's Christmas appeal. Vinnies is seeking donations to help provide desperately needed food, clothing, living expenses and crisis support. See more.
• The Smith Family Christmas Charity. Aiming to raise $6m by December 31, to support vital education support for children. Find out more.
• Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation Christmas Appeal. There are many ways we can help give the brightest Christmas possible to all sick kids facing the holidays in the Hospital. Find out more here.

Wentworth gets into spirit!

Carols by the Sea – Waverley Council is hosting Carols by the Sea, a wonderful evening of Christmas carols down at Bondi Beach. Get down this Wednesday the 13th December from 5pm at Dolphin Court, South Bondi Park.

Carols in the Garden – Woollahra Council is hosting an evening of community carols in the garden of St George's Paddington with the Sydney Street Choir this Sunday the 17th of December from 5pm.

Paddington Christmas Markets – Head down to Paddington Markets for a special night of live music, food stalls and Australian-made products next Thursday 21st December from 4pm – 9pm.

Bondi Beach Christmas Day Snorkel – Everyone is welcome for a Christmas day snorkel at the beach meeting at North Bondi pool on the 25th of December at 11am.

The Best Streets to See Christmas Lights in Sydney - checking out some of your local Christmas light displays—a magical (and affordable!) way of getting the whole family in the festive spirit this year.

Thanks for a fantastic year.

I look forward to working with you for another productive year in 2024. Have a wonderful and happy new year.

Kind regards,

Allegra

Allegra Spender MP