Annual Review - Dec 2023
As we hurtle towards the end-of-year finish line, it’s important to stop and look back at the year that was.
In 2023, Australia has tackled some tough issues: the economic challenges of inflation and interest rates, the Voice referendum, the challenges of decarbonisation and conflict in the Middle East.
I finish the year grateful that we live in a democracy, even when its progress is slow and messy.
I’m proud that we passed an improved Safeguard Mechanism that requires our biggest emitters to reduce their emissions year on year and a Nature Repair Act.
I’m proud of the work I have done on gambling reform, to end ads for online gambling.
I’m proud of the work the crossbench has done on integrity, to draw attention to the need to improve the accountability and transparency of our political system, particularly the ‘Restoring Trust’ Bill I introduced this year, for which I continue to advocate.
At a local level, I’m grateful to my team, volunteers and supporters who have helped me represent Curtin this year.
For those who like statistics, here are some from my 2023:
I gave 74 speeches in parliament on issues like climate, electoral reform, Industrial Relations, intergenerational equity, refugees, vaping and gambling, across 18 weeks in Canberra.
My office created approximately 4000 constituent cases and responded to nearly 7500 constituent emails, supporting individuals to navigate government systems and responding to constituent concerns.
My team reviewed 181 pieces of legislation introduced in Parliament and I decided how to vote in the interests of my community and the country.
We sent out 12 e-newsletters to subscribers and 4 hard copy newsletters to the whole electorate.
700 volunteers invested their time in the Curtin for Yes campaign, reflected in a Yes vote in Curtin and a groundswell of support for reconciliation going forward.
50 Curtin volunteers contributed to our 5 Curtin Pathway to Net Zero working groups – our final report will be launched in February.
About 2000 people attended our Curtin Sustainability Fair in June, gathering ideas for decarbonising their home, work and play.
We held 15 Community Catch-Ups and Canberra Debriefs across the electorate, attended by about 1000 people.
We held 11 issue-based events, including decarbonising the WA economy, an NDIS forum, a Measuring What Matters workshop, two housing forums, a small business forum, three Voice forums, a community refugee information session and a scams forum.
We coordinated 4 community submissions on Measuring What Matters, National Fuel Efficiency Standards, NDIS and the 2023 Budget.
I visited 23 primary and secondary schools and held 4 Youth Advisory Group meetings with Year 11s from every school in Curtin.
And now it’s time for a rest! I’m looking forward to spending some time with my husband, kids and extended family, to recharge the batteries for 2024.
Have a great Christmas break – I hope to see you in the new year at one of my community events. And remember to pop in and pick up a free 2024 Curtin Calendar from my office during business hours in January.
Related video here.
