In the News
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Labor’s decision to ignore small businesses in this week’s jobs forum shows this government’s disregard for the hard working small business owners who are the backbone of the Hills economy.
Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP, said that this lack of foresight showed just how out of touch Labor is with every day Australians.
“The fact that small businesses are not mentioned in the Gillard Government’s program and briefing papers is disgraceful,” Alex Hawke said. “Small businesses make an enormous contribution to our local economy and provide fantastic employment opportunities to people of all ages.
“It is hardly surprising that Labor, who has overseen the loss of 300,000 small business jobs since the change of government, would completely ignore small business.
“Small businesses account for almost half of all private sector jobs yet they are ignored by this government. Trade unions account for just 15% of the private sector workforce yet they have a very large presence at the forum. This is just the same old Labor looking after their own mates instead of listening to what the Australian public is telling them.
“Small businesses were ignored in the tax forum and they are now being ignored in the jobs forum. What I want to know is why this government chooses to ignore our local cafés, our local butchers, our local retailers, our local bakers, our local hairdressers and all the other great small businesses that are so valued to our local community here in the Hills?”
The Tax Forum and the Jobs Forum that took place in Canberra this week have been regarded by many as more waste from the Labor Government. Alex Hawke feels this is warranted as both forums ignored issues that are important to residents.
“There is one tax that everybody is worried about at the moment, the Carbon Tax, yet we have a tax forum where Labor does not allow anybody to mention the Carbon Tax. We then have a jobs forum where Labor completely ignores the employer of nearly half of all private sector workers, small business. People have a right to ask why this government is wasting their taxes on these forums if they won’t even discuss issues that are important to them.”
Whilst Labor continues to ignore the public and waste taxpayer dollars the Coalition stands for real action to support small businesses.
“We are aware that small business is the driver of Australia’s economy providing jobs for millions of Australians. We will always fight to keep the costs down for small businesses and to protect them from union bullying.
“We will always back small business to grow our economy and create jobs,” Alex Hawke concluded.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
As the weather begins to heat up for summer, many residents in the Hills head to the beach or a local pool. Swimming is a great way for people of all ages to have fun, keep fit and keep cool.
Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke encourages everyone to take part in one of Australia’s favourite activities but after the recent release of the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia’s National Drowning Report for 2011 Mr Hawke is urging all residents to take extra care whilst in the water.
“Swimming is a great activity,” Alex Hawke said. “There is nothing better than keeping cool on a hot summer’s day whilst exercising and enjoying the company of family and friends. However, what starts out as a fun activity can turn into a disaster if people are not careful.
“The National Drowning Report showed that almost two thirds of all drowning fatalities occur in the seasons of summer and spring which is why I am joining with our local Royal Life Saving Society to urge all families to take care.
“So many wonderful family memories are formed in a pool or at the beach. The last thing anybody wants to see is a tragedy.”
David Macallister is the CEO of the Royal Life Saving Society NSW Branch. Mr Macallister urged local families in the Hills to be alert whilst enjoying a swim.
“The three main areas of concern in regards to drowning are the 0-5 age group, males from 18-35 under the influence of alcohol and the over 55 age group,” David Macallister said.
“Whilst education and awareness are vital in helping the last two groups it is very difficult to effectively educate children in the 0-5 age group.
“The target for this group is to make sure that parents and other responsible adults make sure the back yard pool is safe, that the pool has adequate fencing and a gate that locks.
“Children should be taught water familiarisation and it is important for everyone to learn about resuscitation.
“Whilst the majority of household drowning occurs in backyard swimming pools parents need to be aware that it can occur anywhere, in the bathtub, in a nappy bucket, a toilet bowl or a fish tank. Kids are attracted to water, if you are bathing your child and the doorbell or telephone rings make sure you take the child with you even if it is only going to be a few seconds. Whenever a child is near the water they must be fully supervised.”
Alex Hawke commended the Royal Life Saving Society for the work that they do in assisting to prevent drowning whilst facilitating healthy, active lifestyles.
“In my dealings with the NSW Branch of the Royal Life Saving Society I have always been impressed by their work in areas such as education, training, health and aquatic risk management,” Mr Hawke said.
“The NSW Branch is located right here in Castle Hill, everyone in the area should take great pride in knowing that such positive work is happening right here in our community. Have fun in the water this summer but please stay safe,” Alex Hawke concluded.
This lack of policy cohesion became so bad last week that, for the first time, I was ejected by The Speaker, Harry Jenkins for one hour. The Hills Shire Times and the Hills News both ran articles on this.
Managing Australia’s borders well is a prime function of our national Government and whatever direction you approach this critical question, it is clear this Government is failing in the fundamental responsibility. The absolute lack of conviction in what they are proposing with the so called Malaysian solution is perhaps the lowest point this Government has reached.
The Coalition is committed to returning a coherent policy framework of offshore processing, temporary protection visas and competent management to ensure Australia ‘s borders have integrity.
Thursday, 29 July 2011
“Our clubs perform a vital role within the community. We are extremely fortunate that we have clubs such as the Castle Hill RSL Club that contribute so much to local charities and sporting and community groups,” Mr Hawke said.
“The Gillard Government should be taking note of the good work that clubs such as Castle Hill RSL Club do in our community, rather than undertaking an ineffective and flawed means to address problem gambling.
“There seems to be a rush to implement a mandatory pre-commitment regime for poker machines. Any new system needs to be based on what best addresses problem gambling, not any political timetable of the Gillard Government.
“The Gillard Government must show how mandatory pre-commitment will effectively reduce and prevent problem gambling. The Government must show how it intends to tackle the underlying problem of gambling addiction, not cause job losses, reduce investment nor hurt the many clubs that benefit our community.
“The Gillard Government must show how it will protect player privacy, and not unduly inconvenience the millions of Australians who engage in responsible, recreational gambling,” Mr Hawke said.
Mr Hawke said a full cost-benefit analysis of the final mandatory pre-commitment scheme should be conducted before any decision is made on its implementation. He said he was concerned this would not take place, as the Gillard Government’s seems to be imposing its policies on the public rather than listening to community concerns.
“We see it through the carbon tax, we see it through the mandatory pre-commitment of poker machines—this Government presumes it knows best,” Mr Hawke said.
“Unfortunately, the Gillard Government continues to rush in and introduce programs without fully realising the consequences for our community.”
23 September 2011
Small business owners, families and pensioners in the Hills district will face massive increases to their electricity bills if the Gillard Government introduces their Carbon Tax.
Speaking in Parliament this week Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke spoke of the concerns local small businesses have with the introduction of this tax at a time when many are already struggling to make ends meet.
“Running a small business in Australia today is a Herculean feat,” Mr Hawke said. “They are being asked to foot the bill for the Labor Party’s absolute incompetence in managing the environment and our economic future.”
The Carbon Tax will add significantly to the cost of electricity which affects everyone in our local community.
“People need electricity. Our economy needs electricity. Our households need electricity. We cannot stunt usage by creating a disincentive through price.
“It will make all of us poorer and it will challenge our ability to get ahead internationally.”
Energy intensive small businesses in our area would receive no compensation and would face a choice of either passing on the extra costs to struggling families or being forced to shut their doors.
“What is going to happen to small individual dry cleaners? Is there a compensation package for them? Of course there is no compensation for them. Can they pass on a massive increase in cost to their customers? Of course not. In practicality, people are going to dry-clean less. What is going to happen to those businesses?”
The damage the Carbon Tax will cause to the local economy is harder to fathom because not one Australian had a chance to vote for it and Labor has no mandate to introduce it.
“It is a fact that 144 of the MPs in this chamber campaigned against a carbon tax at the last election. That is why the coalition have been clear about our position: if you want to do such a major reform, you must first place it in front of the Australian people.
Alex Hawke said that the general consensus of local residents he had spoken to was very clear.
“They worry about their standard of living – and they are right to do so.”