Easing financial pressure on households and businesses
As a doctor and working mother in the South West for 25 years, I have seen firsthand how rising costs are impacting local people. Intergenerational inequity is worsening and our ageing population is finding times tougher and more precarious. In my surgical practice, and as an active community volunteer, I meet people forced to make impossible choices between essential healthcare and basic necessities.
Households across the South West are struggling. From energy bills to grocery prices, childcare to healthcare - everyday people can’t keep up, while big corporations post record profits.
The cost of living crisis impacts regional communities differently, here’s what it looks like in the South West:
- Grocery prices rise while major supermarket chains post record profits
- Families in Harvey and Cowaramup can’t access affordable childcare options
- Keeping homes cooler as temperatures rise is driving up energy bills
- Farmers and business owners are being crippled by rising energy costs while fossil fuel companies pay no tax
- High fuel prices and long commutes eat up household budgets
- Unaffordable rents are pricing out essential workers like nurses and teachers
- People are falling behind as wages fail to keep up with inflation
As your Independent MP, I will prioritise:
Tackling corporate price gouging:
The major supermarket chains and energy companies are posting record profits while families struggle. I will push for stronger competition laws and enforceable penalties for price gouging, including mandatory reporting of profit margins on essential items and greater powers for the ACCC to investigate regional price discrepancies.
Increasing accessibility of childcare:
Families shouldn't have to choose between work and childcare. Improving access to affordable childcare helps parents return to work, putting more money in their family budget and strengthening our regional workforce. I’ll support increased childcare subsidies and assistance for regional childcare centers to expand their services. I’ll push for federal funding to establish new centers in underserved areas and workforce support to address chronic staffing shortages.
Reducing energy costs:
South West families and businesses deserve fair power prices and greater energy security. I’ll work to secure rebates for solar and batteries for households and businesses beyond 2030. This includes pushing for home batteries to be included in the federal government’s small-scale renewable energy scheme to reduce the cost of batteries for the one third of Australians who have rooftop solar. I’ll also advocate for programs to help renters and low-income households access cheaper energy solutions to bring down their bills.
Farmers and manufacturers need energy certainty to produce food and keep industry running. I’ll press for transparency in energy pricing and grid stability to ensure what we eat and buy are produced at reasonable prices.
Supporting essential workers:
Our community relies on teachers, nurses, aged care workers, and staff for our small businesses. I’ll support policies that help essential workers afford to live in the communities they serve, including targeted housing solutions and innovative incentives when relocating to regional and rural areas.
As a surgeon, I’m trusted to care for people in their most vulnerable moments and I understand how stress impacts our daily lives. With the same commitment and compassion, I’ll fight for practical solutions that ease financial pressures on our communities.