As a trusted doctor and active community member, I can see how South West communities are struggling.
Mortgage repayments and rents have gone up, fuel and groceries are expensive, childcare is hard to access, and paying the bills is prioritised over healthcare. Big corporations are posting record profits, while everyday people can't keep up.
The federal government needs to do more right now to ease the pressure that families, low-income earners and older Australians are experiencing.
In the short term, the government could extend the energy bill rebates for households and small businesses beyond the 2025 cut-off, strengthen competition laws to reign in corporate price gouging and have the courage to put tax reform on the agenda for the next parliament to discuss in detail.
As your Independent MP, I'm on your side. Together, we can work towards solutions for our regional communities that genuinely help people get ahead.
Despite our significant economic contributions, regional communities are undervalued by the major parties when in Government. We need a long-term plan for Regional Australia that ensures our communities are strong, resilient and ready to embrace new economic opportunities.
Regional and rural communities should profit from the renewable energy boom - the transition is underway, and we're missing out. We could benefit from lower energy bills, equity-share investments and community re-investment funds simply by being ready to host solar and wind projects in the right locations within our region. This requires working collaboratively across different levels of government and being organised and empowered as a community to think collectively and long term. It also requires better site identification for renewable energy projects and best practice community consultation.
As more people move to our region, our communities deserve the amenities that big cities take for granted, at prices we can afford. We need regional investment that builds stronger, better-connected communities with:
- Access to quality early education and childcare, healthcare and aged care
- Critical enabling infrastructure such as water, sewerage and power connections needed to build more affordable homes
- Walkable neighbourhoods that connect schools, community centres, recreational spaces, playgrounds and public transport options to reduce our over-reliance on cars to travel short distances
- Subsidised neighbourhood and household batteries to ease pressure on the energy grid and enhance energy security for rural communities
- Subsidised training and skill development to build workforce capability for the regional jobs of the future
I care about the future of the South West. Join me to help build a stronger future for Forrest.