FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BONNER
Prime Minister and Energy Minister visit Bonner
I had the pleasure of welcoming the Prime Minister and Energy Minister Chris Bowen to Bonner. The PM shared exciting news that under the Labor Government’s New Home Battery Scheme, households can access a 30% discount on home batteries. With 353 batteries already installed here in Bonner, this investment will make clean energy more affordable for local families, help cut power bills and reduce emissions.
Find out more at https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/programs/cheaper-home-batteries.
Busy time in Canberra
I’m back from the Federal Parliament where I’m so proud to represent our electorate of Bonner. It’s been an incredibly busy (and cold!) few weeks. We’ve worked to deliver cost of living relief and to change lives in our community.
Labor has announced that from 1 October, every Australian will be able to buy their first home with a 5% deposit. This will cut years off the time it takes to save for a deposit, helping people in Bonner into their own homes sooner. Already, 391 residents in Bonner have benefited from the Home Guarantee Scheme.
Labor also introduced legislation to give Services Australia the discretion to waive social security debts incurred as a result of domestic and family violence. No one should feel like they can’t leave a relationship due to financial abuse. It’s a pervasive and often hidden form of violence. The social security system should be trusted to keep them safe – not misused to cause further harm.
It’s a key part of our $300 million package of debt reform and election commitments to stop perpetrators using Commonwealth systems to abuse their partners. I’m proud that this reform is alongside paid domestic violence leave and housing support for women escaping domestic violence.
The Senate also passed the Cheaper Medicines Bill and several new medications have been added to the PBS. This means every Australian will pay just $25 for PBS medicines from 1 January 2026. Concession card holders will pay just $7.70. Our community has already benefited from the government’s investments towards cheaper medicines. $10.5 million has been saved by Bonner residents across 1.6 million scripts.
Labor also passed legislation to protect penalty rates for 2.6 million Australians who work on public holidays, weekends, late nights and in the early morning. I know many people in our community rely on penalty rates.
We also cut student debts by 20%. The average student debt today is $21,600. This will benefit 21,408 people in Bonner with student debt, to be cut by about $5,550.
Mobile Offices
Over October and November, I will be holding multiple mobile offices. If you want to drop in to have a chat with me or have an issue you want to bring to my attention or just want to say hi, then I would love to see you there.
- Manly Creative Markets: 9-10am, 12 October
- Mount Gravatt Westfield: 10-11am, 15 October
- Cannon Hill K-Mart: 10-11am, 12 November
69 Clara Street, Wynnum Qld 4178
[email protected]
(07) 3893 3488
