Hi Vicky,

After months of disarray, the on-again-off-again Coalition is back together and the Liberal Party has elected a new leader. Whether this brings clarity and discipline to the Coalition remains to be seen, but what the last few months have made unmistakably clear is this: Australia needs a strong crossbench to hold the government to account.

Our country is facing serious challenges yet instead of focusing on serious policy work – both the major parties have been absorbed by politics.

I’m staying focused on developing policies and pressuring the government to act on tax reform, productivity - including more efficient government - integrity, trust and social cohesion.

An update from Parliament

Here is an update on some of the key areas I’ve been working on for the last two weeks in Canberra.

The economy, inflation, and getting serious about productivity

Many Australians are already struggling with cost-of-living pressure and with inflation rising it was inevitable the RBA would lift interest rates. I know many households, especially young Australians with mortgages, will be struggling with the extra pressure.

The question now is what the government will do about it.

In the short term, I will keep pushing for stronger discipline in government spending. Spending growth has been too fast and the government must help ease demand. For our private sector to recover without driving high inflation, the government must start to make difficult choices about where to pull back and ensure every dollar spent delivers the best outcome.

But we really must address the deeper problem: we have to lift productivity. We need serious reform to drive sustained productivity increases. We must help people use all their skills, make it easier to do business, and ensures the tax system rewards effort, ingenuity, talent and skill.

Progress on productivity will take time, but that is a reason to act, not an excuse for delay. The government has taken some positive steps, including environmental and construction reforms, but we need to go further and faster.

I pushed the government on this last week in Parliament. You can watch or read full speech, below.

Another important milestone was the introduction of superannuation legislation to Parliament. You told me you were open to changes to the taxation of high superannuation balances, but were very concerned about the tax on unrealised gains proposed in the original bill. There was worry that this was not only unfair but would have a disastrous impact on investment in startups and innovation.

I advocated strongly against that, after consulting with our community, and I’m pleased to see the government drop that proposal. The new bill applies an additional tax to earnings on super balances over $3 million, and an increase in LISTO to boost retirement savings for low-middle income earners. That’s much more in line with what our community told me was appropriate.

And finally (drum roll!) - the first signs of a shift on tax reform!

I’ve been working with our community advocating for meaningful reform for the last 3 years, and I was very pleased to see signs the government is listening.

The Treasurer has signalled that tax reform may be part of budget plans this year. It is promising to hear that the government is open to broad tax reform – with things like the capital gains tax on the table – but now, it’s time to make sure they actually deliver.

Any reform must prioritise intergenerational fairness and productivity, be ambitious enough to meet the scale of the challenge and be revenue neutral, so that tax cuts balance tax increases.

I am developing detailed proposals for a Tax White Paper and will share more soon.

Fix Our Feeds

On Safer Internet Day, I brought together members of the crossbench to call on the government to adopt Teach Us Consent’s "Fix Our Feeds" campaign. I am proud to back this campaign – run by Wentworth local Chanel Contos – which calls for social media platforms to make algorithms an opt-in feature.

We know that social media platforms are designed to keep us glued to our screens – and they do that by using algorithms to push content that evokes emotions like anger and outrage. That maximises profit, but it comes at a real cost: undermining social cohesion, worsening mental health, spreading misinformation, and amplifying hate speech, misogyny, homophobia and racism.

Fix Our Feeds is a research-backed initiative that has international precedent and focuses on giving Australians back control over their social media feeds. The government has been saying all the right things about making the internet safer – now it’s time they show some courage and take meaningful action.

Working for our First Nations people

Last week, I supported legislation to establish the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People as an independent statutory body. This is a welcome step and is part of the government fulfilling its agreements under the Close the Gap National Agreement.

This comes as the latest Closing the Gap annual report shows we are not where we need to be. Of the 19 targets, just 4 of them are on track. And of the 15 targets that are not on track, 4 of them are going backwards.

With just 5 years to deliver, governments at every level must do their utmost. For example, the age of criminal responsibility is as low as 10 years old in some states - which is far too low.

I am pleased the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, has flagged the Federal Government will pressure states and territories to do better. I will continue pushing to hold every jurisdiction accountable.

Speaking on the Boorloo Invasion Day bomb threat. You can watch the full speech by clicking here.

I was also glad to hear that the Western Australian Joint Counter Terrorism Team is investigating the alleged attempted bombing at the Invasion Day rally in Perth as a potential terrorist act. No community in Australia should fear violence for exercising their democratic right to gather peacefully. We must unite against extremism and racially motivated violence in all its forms.

Parliamentary behaviour

Time and time again, people tell me that the yelling, mockery and constant point-scoring in parliament is a massive turn-off.

Just last week during Question Time, a Nationals MP yelled to the Prime Minister to "Rip her apart" when a Greens MP asked a question he didn’t like. That is completely unacceptable.

I have been pushing for a change to the Parliamentarians Code of Conduct so that the standards of dignity, courtesy, fairness and respect apply inside the chamber. I raised this during Question Time and will continue putting the pressure on.

Gambling reform

Last week, the major parties teamed up in the Senate to block a Senate inquiry into a bill on banning gambling ads. I know how frustrating this is for the community – but unfortunately, it's not surprising given their track record. The government is yet to respond to the late Peta Murphy’s review on gambling harms which was tabled in June 2023.

In the meantime, Australians have continued to lose $31 billion every year to gambling. People have lost their lives and families are being torn apart. I will keep pushing the major parties to put everyday Australians first and commit to taking action to ban all gambling ads.

Update on the Town Hall protest on February 9^th

Over the past week, many in our community have contacted my office to share accounts of what they saw and experienced at the Town Hall protest on Monday 9th February. Thank you to everyone who took the time to do this.

Policing a large protest crowd is not easy, and I understand there are concerns about the actions of some protesters and the legality of the protest. I share concerns about these protests. Chants like "Globalise the Intifada" are controversial, divisive, and frankly frightening for many in our Jewish community. Protesters must be able to find a way to support Palestinians without relying on language that risks inflaming division.

At the same time, some of the footage circulating has been shocking, and many in our community have told me that their trust in the police has been shaken. So last week I wrote to the NSW Police Minister calling for the government to establish an independent inquiry into the police response, and I'm glad to hear the Law Enforcement Conduction Commission (LECC) announcing it will investigate the matter.

Trust in public institutions is fundamental to a healthy democracy. That includes especially trust in our police, who do the important and often difficult work of keeping our community safe. I know we all appreciate the work they did in the aftermath of Bondi and their continued role in protecting us all.

An independent inquiry is an important step to help restore public confidence.

Coronial inquest into Bondi Junction Attack

On February 5^th, the State Coroner handed down the findings from the Inquest into the deaths of seven people at Westfield Shopping Centre, Bondi Junction on 13 April 2024.

The findings were confronting. Our mental health system is underfunded and fractured. We clearly need stronger community-based and psychosocial supports for people with complex mental health conditions and those experiencing homelessness, including safe accommodation. I have long been calling for and will continue to call for better integration of services to close the gaps in care. That is a responsibility that sits with NSW and Federal Governments, and it must be a priority.

I welcome the findings and know this has been an incredibly painful process for victims and their families. My thoughts remain with them.

These findings come when our community is still grieving and trying to heal from both this and the Bondi Beach attack. Please know that if you need support, help is always available. You can contact Lifelife on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Community News

Bondi Small Business Webinar

The NSW Small Business Commissioner is hosting a webinar to support businesses impacted by the recent Bondi Beach terror attack. This session is for businesses located in Bondi only. Join one of two sessions on 17 or 18 February, click here to register.

Extra supports in our schools after the Bondi Attack

With our kids back at school for 2026, please note that the NSW Government has deployed dedicated mental health and wellbeing resources to schools across the eastern suburbs and Bondi, including increased access to counsellors and psychologists. Any parents and carers with questions about accessing support are encouraged to get in touch with their school principal.

Victoria Barracks & Oxford Street in 1871. Courtesy of the Mitchell Library.

An Update on Victoria Barracks

Following an audit that found several Defence properties were not needed to meet our strategic needs, the Federal Government has announced it will begin the process of transferring a number of sites out of Defence - including Victoria Barracks.

I know that Victoria Barracks in a significant physical and historic landmark in our community, and its future is an important concern for our community. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reach out with their thoughts, and to answer our survey.

Last week in Parliament, I met with the Minister for Defence and the Assistant Minister for Defence to find out more details about the potential sale.

Handled well, this could be a rare opportunity to transform a largely inaccessible site into something that genuinely serves the public with increased green space, cultural and heritage uses, better community access and development that respects the site's history.

I'll be engaging closely with Defence, state and local governments, councils and the Wentworth community as the next stage takes shape - to ensure the future of Victoria Barracks reflects both its history and our community's priorities. both its history and our community's priorities.

Outer Sydney Harbour Coastal Management Program

The Sydney Coastal Councils Group, with local councils and NSW Government agencies, is developing a Coastal Management Program for Outer Sydney Harbour. The plan will guide how we manage coastal hazards, climate impacts, water quality, heritage, foreshore assets and community access into the future.

At this early stage, the community is invited to share:

• what you value most about Outer Sydney Harbour
• the key risks and challenges you see now and into the future
• your aspirations for the harbour

Have your say here.

Jason Chan and Holly Harris - Wentworth constituents and now Australia's highest placed Olympic ice dancers.

Wentworth at the Winter Olympics

Many of us are loving watching our athletes at the Winter Olympics – did you know that 5 of them are from Wentworth?

• Jason Chan and Holly Harris, now Australia’s highest-placed Olympic ice dancers
• Phoebe Cridland, SCEGGS’ first Winter Olympian
• Emma Bosco, who made her Olympic debut in moguls after recovering from a serious knee injury
• Ally Hickman from St Clare’s College, selected for the team at just 16

Congratulations to Holly, Jason, Phoebe, Emma and Ally for making our community proud.

New Wentworth Seniors Guide

Our office has just released a new edition of our Wentworth Guide to Government Services for Seniors.This Seniors Guide makes it easier to find the latest relevant information about services and supports like how to access the pension, home care packages and more. Please email our office to receive a printed copy or you can download a digital version here.

Double Bay Festival

Double Bay Festival returns on Saturday 21^st Feb – Sunday 22^nd Feb! Come along to enjoy two days of live music, food, fashion and family fun by the harbour. For more info and to see the full program, click here.

Waverley Council Doorstep Recycling

Waverley residents can now book a free monthly home collection for hard-to-recycle items such as e-waste, soft plastics, batteries and clothing. A simple way to reduce landfill and recycle more from home. Learn more and book by clicking here.

Come say hello

Hearing from our community is the most important part of my job - so please come say hello at one of our upcoming events!

• Pop Up Offices - run once a week in the community, with time and locations published on our events page on the website.
• Politics in the Pub with Alex Greenwich - this Thursday February 19th in Paddington. We're nearly at capacity so RSVP here to secure your spot.

In the Media

• Afternoon Briefing – discussing the importance of holding the Government to account
• ABC Radio Sydney – on the Coalition split, how we talk about migration and tax reform

Thank you as always for your engagement and please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or feedback on your mind.

Warmest,

Allegra