In the News
Friday, 10 February 2012
Julia Gillard and the Labor government have broken yet another promise by attempting to slash the rebate available to those using private health insurance.
As Health Minister, Nicola Roxon MP, told Australians “Federal Labor has made it crystal clear that we are committed to retaining all existing private health insurance rebates”. In what has become a trademark of this government that promise has been scrapped and Labor is set to cut all Private Health Insurance Rebates causing a damaging affect on Hills families and the already overstretched public health system.
Alex Hawke MP, The Federal Member for Mitchell, has condemned Labor for again going back on their word. “All the Labor party does is lie,” Mr Hawke said. “First the Prime Minister tells us that “There will be no Carbon Tax under the government I lead” which was of course a lie, then that Labor would be tough on Border Protection, another lie, then Gillard breaks a written promise she had with Andrew Wilkie (MP, the Member for Denison) and now Labor is breaking a commitment they made in regards to retaining Private Health Insurance rebates.
“The fact that we have a Prime Minister that the whole nation knows is dishonest and untrustworthy, is very destabilising for working families and the economy in the Hills area.
“Young families, seniors and small business owners that I meet always speak to me of the uncertainty they have for the future. They do not know which promise Labor will break next.
“Cutting private health insurance rebates will force many local residents to drop their private cover or move to cheaper policies with more procedures excluded. This will send more people into the overstretched public health system and force up private health insurance premiums making it even more expensive.
“This ill thought out Labor policy will lead to added stress on NSW Health. Labor is trying to herald this as a cost saving initiative but in reality they are just shifting the cost of health care from the Federal government to the state government and our already overburdened public hospitals.
“Unlike Labor, The Liberal Party has a clear agenda to bring Hope, Reward and Opportunity back to healthcare.
“As a result of the introduction of private health insurance rebates, the Medicare Levy and Lifetime Health Cover by the previous Coalition government, private health insurance coverage increased significantly from 34 percent in 1996 to over 44 percent in 2007.
“The Coalition believes all Australians should have access to affordable healthcare and real choice in managing their healthcare needs. Hills residents will receive real choice through affordable private health insurance,” Alex Hawke concluded.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Bernie Mullane’s contribution to the Hills Shire will long be appreciated and felt by residents throughout our community, said Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP.
Mr Hawke offered his sympathy to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr Mullane following his passing last week. His influence and impact over so many decades has helped shape our community.
“Bernie Mullane was a respected small business owner in our community. In 1958, he was the first to establish a Chemist in Baulkham Hills, now located in Stockland Mall, Alex Hawke said.
Bernie was a councillor with the Baulkham Hills Shire Council from 1959-1991. He held the office of Shire President from 1963-1983, and again from 1987-1991. Due to his long-term reign as Shire President, Bernie was often referred to as the “Father of the House”.
“In 2003, the Bernie Mullane Sports Complex in Kellyville was named after him in recognition of his leadership, passion and commitment to the community he represented, said Alex Hawke.
“He was a great character whose reputation for common sense and practical problem solving became Hills Shire legend. His work throughout the Hills, will long be remembered”, concluded Alex Hawke.
Thursday, 2 February 2012
John Wilks is a local Hills husband and father on a mission to raise funds in the fight against Breast Cancer. This Sunday he will participate in The Sydney Morning Herald Cole Classic, Australia’s largest ocean swim held over 1km, starting at Shelley Beach and finishing at Manly.
Alex Hawke MP, Federal Member for Mitchell, together with his colleague, David Elliott MP, State Member for Baulkham Hills met with this inspiring local recently.
“Last year John was motivated to enter the Sydney Morning Herald Cole Classic to support his wife & others suffering with Breast Cancer. This year, John is raising funds for the Breast Cancer Network and he is one of the Top 5 fundraisers,” Alex Hawke said.
John and his family have been personally affected by cancer with his wife Jane receiving ongoing treatment for this disease. John is not alone, Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among Australian women and accounts for approximately 27% of all cancer diagnosis.
Mr Hawke praised John Wilks for his efforts and for that of all others in our local community who put in the extra effort to help those in need of assistance.
“It is wonderful to meet John and hear his story. We have so many inspiring locals in Mitchell who work passionately for worthy causes and go above and beyond to make a difference in people’s lives,” Alex Hawke concluded.
Further information on The Sydney Morning Herald Cole Classic can be found at:
Friday, 20 January 2012
Local sporting clubs, scout groups and community organisations have been dealt a severe blow by the Gillard Labor Government and their attack on volunteers. As predicted by the Coalition, Labor’s new OH&S laws have turned volunteers into workers, effectively destroying the tradition of Australian volunteerism as we know it.
“Volunteers are a vital part of our local community,” Alex Hawke MP, Federal Member for Mitchell said. “The fact Labor would jeopardise such a fundamental cornerstone of Australian culture shows just how out of touch they are.
Under the OH&S changes volunteers are now considered to be workers in the eyes of the law, liable to severe fines and prison sentences if Labor’s OH&S red tape is breached.
These changes will have a chilling effect on the voluntary sector, whereby people will give up existing volunteer work or choose not to begin volunteering in the first place due to fear of attracting these harsh penalties.
“In November last year my colleague, Senator Eric Abetz, raised concerns in parliament about the effect that Labor’s changes would have on the volunteer sector,” Alex Hawke said. “As is typical of this government they failed to address those concerns. Concerns that are now becoming a reality.
“You see Volunteers where ever you go. We have great organisations such as the Lions and Rotary clubs, not to mention the countless mum and dad volunteers helping out at local sporting events every weekend or raising money for the sick, the elderly or others in need.
“Under these changes both community organisations and their volunteers will now be burden with strict regulations accompanied by harsh punishments for non compliance.
“This legislation makes a mockery of Labor and their supposed commitment to the voluntary sector.
Unlike Labor, the Coalition has constantly supported policies that will help rather than hinder the voluntary sector.
At the 2010 election, the Coalition proposed AUSCORPS, a program which would give university students a discount on their HELP debt in recognition of voluntary work in order to encourage a new generation of volunteers.
“The government’s goal should be to increase volunteerism, not destroy it,” Alex Hawke concluded.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
“The Prime Minister has betrayed Andrew Wilkie on poker machine reform in the same way she betrayed the Australian people over a carbon tax, said Alex Hawke MP, Federal Member for Mitchell.
“The message that every Australian needs to take from this is that nothing this Prime Minister says can be trusted. Her agreement with Andrew Wilkie, was a drawn up legal document, rather than just a letter between two politicians. If the Prime Minister can back flip on this, then why should anyone take her seriously?, Alex Hawke said.
Late last year Alex Hawke attended the Blacktown Workers Club speaking as the Coalition’s representative at a rally against mandatory pre-commitment. In front of some 2000 members, MP’s on all sides heard from ordinary people just how badly a great local club like Blacktown Workers would be affected.
“Both Labor Representatives, Michelle Rowland (Greenway) and Ed Husic (Chifley) displayed a complete contempt for the views of the workers at the Blacktown Workers rally.”
“If the booing and jeering of the crowd and the palpable anger in the room did not tell Michelle Rowland and Ed Husic something, perhaps they could have looked at the signs that read, ‘I am an Adult’ , I do not need the Government to make my choices for me’ or ‘Leave our club members alone’, said Alex Hawke.
“The Coalition has had a consistent position on poker machine reform all along. Problem gambling destroys families and affects society as a whole. It is an issue that needs to be addressed and the best way to deal with problem gambling is with voluntary pre-commitment, through more counselling and through tackling online gambling. The trouble with online gambling is that you can lose your house without ever leaving your home”, Alex Hawke concluded.