Looking Ahead: Initiatives and Engagements in Curtin for 2023 - Jan 2023

I hope you are enjoying some quieter time over January – it’s a great time to be on one of our beaches - I’m trying to get an early morning swim in whenever I can. After a much-appreciated break over Christmas, I am in the thick of planning for 2023.

Soon we will be starting our Curtin Pathway to Net Zero project, working with a range of councils, organisations and community members across Curtin to work out what it means for Curtin to be a net zero community, what we can do now and what policy changes we need to see at a Federal, State and Local level to help us get there. We will also be discussing the amazing opportunities ahead for WA businesses, as we pivot our economy from fossil fuels to green energy.

The first parliamentary sitting in early February is likely to see the enabling legislation for the Voice Referendum passed, with the referendum itself later in the year. I will be supporting the ‘yes’ campaign and will hold some events to build our collective knowledge of the ‘why’ and the ‘how’.

In coming months, I am hopeful that we might see some progress on a path to permanence for the thousands of refugees who have been in limbo as temporary visa holders. I will continue to hold Government to account on its commitment to a more humane approach in this area and I still feel optimistic (if a little impatient).

My committee work has already started for the year, and this year I will be involved in inquiries on gambling reform; donation reform and other aspects of the 2022 election; and alcohol and other community issues experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Northern Territory. The Government will need to respond to recommendations made within six months.

We will also see the first Wellbeing Economy report later in the year. I am in discussions with the Treasurer about how we can ensure that community views (especially from Curtin) are informing our approach to measuring the ‘success’ of our economy.

In 2023, we will also see some much-needed changes to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. I will be engaging with all the environmental groups and concerned citizens of Curtin on the changes, to ensure that we are doing what we can to protect the places we love.

I hope to see you soon at a monthly community catch-up or at one of the events we will be holding during 2023. Remember that democracy only works if we get involved - make 2023 the year to rebuild your relationship with our democracy!