Chifley MP Ed Husic joined with local community, businesses and Police representatives to celebrate the contributions of a number of Sworn Officers and civilian support staff at the 2013 Mt Druitt Rotary Police Officer of the Year Awards.

The Award ceremony on Wednesday night was held at Rooty Hill RSL Club and paid tribute to the top Police Officers from the Mt Druitt and Quakers Hill Local Area Commands.

Senior Constable Bruce Havord was named Mt Druitt Police Officer of the Year and Leading Senior Constable Paul …

Chifley Federal MP Ed Husic has recognised the dedication and generosity of local volunteers at the Chifley Volunteers Awards, held this afternoon at the Mt Druitt Hub.

From a field of 18 worthwhile nominees, seven extraordinary individuals were chosen for special recognition.

The ceremony capped off National Volunteer Week, celebrating the commitment of Australia’s 6 million volunteers.

Denis Byrne from Ropes Crossing was named 2013 Chifley Volunteer of the Year for his commitment to volunteering which has inspired others to take part.

Denis happily gives his time each week …

Chifley Federal MP Ed Husic is inviting local students to enter a competition that may give them the opportunity to deliver a speech at Parliament House.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Parliament House, Speaker of the House of Representatives Anna Burke MP has announced the national My First Speech competition for year 10 to 12 students across Australia.

“Two students from among all the entries will be chosen to come to Canberra in its centenary year and deliver a speech at Parliament House during our 25th anniversary …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has recently returned from a visit to Afghanistan, stating that one of the biggest challenges facing the country is how to rebuild it after years of conflict.

Mr Husic was a member of a Federal Parliamentary delegation to Afghanistan, headed by former Speaker Harry Jenkins.

“I wanted to participate in this visit to Afghanistan to see with my own eyes the situation on the ground,” Mr Husic.

“I found the trip to be extraordinarily insightful and, what was noteworthy, was this was …

Federal MP Ed Husic has welcomed the Government’s commitment to building a better life for Australians with a significant and permanent disability in Chifley.

“So many people I talk to locally are hoping that we can make DisabilityCare a reality – to ease the burdens and anxieties they face on a day to day basis,” Mr Husic said.

“We know there are ways we can provide that care but we need to find ways to help fund it in the years ahead.

“For this reason, the Government will …

Last week, as Australians paused to remember the sacrifice of the fallen during wartime, Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic hosted an afternoon tea to present Certificates of Appreciation for the efforts of two locals on the home front.

Mrs Mavis Orton was presented with her Certificate of Appreciation to recognise her service in the Second World War.  Mrs Orton was assigned to the St Mary’s Munitions factory where she was employed as a shorthand typist. She also worked at the Department of Labour and National …

Schools and students in Chifley are set to benefit from the Gillard Government’s new school funding model with an additional investment of around $5 Billion to be made available across all NSW schools.

Mr Husic believes with properly resourced classrooms, extra training for teachers and focused programs for students on offer, this plan will take Australian schools into the top five in the world by 2025.

“Our National Plan for School Improvement will establish a new, fairer school funding approach, based on the needs of individual students,” …

Senior citizens from Sydney’s west are now able to lodge Centrelink documents quickly and securely using their smart phone or tablet.

Minister for Human Services, Senator Jan McLucas joined the Member for Chifley, Ed Husic today to demonstrate the new app feature to members of the Mount Druitt Senior Citizens and Welfare Association.

“While it might surprise some people in the community, our Express Plus Seniors App has already been downloaded over 13,000 times,” Senator McLucas said.

“The Seniors App, which was launched late last year, is designed …

A plan to charge small businesses $5,000 to connect to faster broadband has the potential to drive jobs and business out of Chifley, said Federal MP Ed Husic.

The Federal Liberal Opposition this week announced that it would axe the Federal Government’s plans for a nationwide fibre rollout and replace it with a slower alternative.

“I’ve worked hard with Telstra and NBNCo to ensure we fix broadband blackspots affecting Woodcroft and Doonside.

“As a result we’ve been able to stop small businesses from potentially closing in Woodcroft.

“Imagine telling …

Newly crowned A-League Premiers’ Plate winners the Western Sydney Wanderers today helped launch a partnership between Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the Australian Government’s Active After-school Communities (AASC) program – aimed at keeping students active and healthy.

Representing the Minister for Sport Kate Lundy, Member for Chifley Ed Husic said the new partnership was designed to encourage children to participate in football through a modified version of the sport, based on the FFA’s Optus Small Sided Football program.

The new program, launched along with …

Chifley Federal MP Ed Husic has slammed NSW Liberal Premier Barry O’Farrell’s decision to take part of the Federal Government’s pension increase from more than 86,000 NSW pensioners living in public housing.

“Pensioners on a fixed income find it hardest to meet their living expenses when costs rise – that’s why it’s so important that pensions go up to match these rises,” Mr Husic said.

“The Gillard Government is delivering a boost for pensioners to help them make ends meet – designed to help pensioners, not Barry …

State Member for Mt Druitt, Richard Amery MP has a petition  against the closure of Mt Druitt Hospital Cardiac Unit by the State Government.

I attended a community forum with around 150 people at West Tradies  where residents spoke about the importance of this essential health facility for the district.

To download and print a PDF copy of the petition please click on the link below and submit the petition to Mr Amery’s office. For futher information contact Mr Amery’s office on 9625 6770 or my office 9625 4344.

DOWNLOAD PETITION

Constituents have met with me and raised their concerns regarding the Blacktown Council LEP.  I have provided links below of my representations to Blacktown Council including their recent response.

1. Nerada Place

Nerada Place Letter

Nerada Place Council Response

2. Keld Place

Keld Place Letter

3. Kent St

Kent St Letter

4. Blacktown Council Response from Mayor Len Robinson

Blacktown Council Response
Blacktown Council LEP Fact Sheet
Blacktown LEP FAQ

Chifley Federal MP Ed Husic has today warned that the Liberal Party’s latest plans to shut down Medicare Locals would see important health services cut, jobs lost and would hurt local families.

Shadow Health Minister Peter Dutton told Parliament yesterday that he’d sack 3,000 “bureaucrats” who worked at Medicare Locals such as Blacktown’s WentWest.

Responding to a question asked by in Parliament by Mr Husic, Health Minister Tanya Plibersek confirmed that the “bureaucrats” the Liberal Party would sack from Medicare Locals include frontline health workers such as …

The Government will extend the $57.5 million Apprentice Kickstart Initiative to make it easier for employers to take on apprentices, the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Chris Bowen MP, announced today.

Mr Bowen said the two-month extension means that employers in the building, construction and engineering trades now have until the end of April to benefit from an extra incentive payment for them to take on a new apprentice.

“We know that times are tough for many Australian businesses so we are giving them …

In what has become an important part of the local calendar, women from every part of the community joined Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek and Federal MP Ed Husic for the Coral McLean Award Breakfast.

“The Coral McLean Award helps celebrate International Women’s Day and remembers the life of a wonderful woman, who many referred to as the ‘Mother of Mt Druitt’,” said Mr Husic.

“Coral passed away in February 2011 after a long battle with cancer.  I created the Award in her name to inspire others …

Blacktown’s new General Practice learning centre means more GPs and health professionals can be trained locally to deliver high quality health care for Western Sydney, Federal Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, said today.

Joining Federal Member for Chifley, Ed Husic, and Federal Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland, for the WentWest Learning Centre’s official opening ceremony, Ms Plibersek said the facility will provide first-class training to not only GP Registrars, but local General Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals, Practice Nurses, Practice Staff and community groups working in Western …

An evaluation of the Federal Government’s Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program released today shows the real difference it has made to students around Australia.

The report shows that students involved in the program are more likely to try new healthier food – even more so if they have grown or cooked the food themselves.

“This program, which was introduced by the Australian Government in 2008, has made a difference to students, teachers and parents throughout Australia,” Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, said.

“Parents have reported improvements …

The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas and Federal Member for Chifley, Ed Husic today joined local carers of people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to discuss the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The meeting held in Mt Druitt is part of a wider consultation process with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds being led by the NDIS Launch Transition Agency.

Senator McLucas and Federal Member for Chifley, Mr Husic met with the carers to explain what the NDIS is, …

Ed Husic with Blacktown Magic Players and Volunteers (L-R): Fabian McLeod, Josh Mann, John Clifford, Ed Husic,Daniel Clifford, Matthew Keevil and Luke Penrith.

Blacktown Magic Australian Football Club were recently the benefactors of a very generous Volunteer’s Grant from the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to assist the fantastic work of the volunteers at the local AFL club.

The Volunteer’s Grant recognises the important role of volunteers by providing $16 million through Volunteer Grants in 2012. Integral to the …

The Gillard Government and Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced a four month program to mark annual Harmony Day celebrations and promote the power of football to bring people from diverse backgrounds together and build strong, cohesive communities.

The Harmony Through Football Program will include football tournaments, clinics and school events and feature three special ‘Harmony Day’ themed A-League matches in Sydney and Melbourne.

Minister for Sport and Multicultural Affairs Senator, Kate Lundy, and FFA CEO, David Gallop, launched the initiative at Blacktown Football Club this morning …

Up to five Black Hawk helicopters will be conducting flights over the Holsworthy and Londonderry areas from 18 – 22 February as part of a training exercise.

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic assures residents not to be alarmed by the increased activity.

“The Army conducts exercises like these periodically to ensure pilots and aircrew are well trained for flying in all conditions,” Mr Husic said.

“They can often be quite loud when passing over the tops of homes, but low flying is a necessary part of their operations.”

Flights will occur during the …

Chifley Labor MP Ed Husic has accused the Liberal Party of scaremongering with false claims about private health insurance affordability.

Mr Husic said the claim that people are dropping out of or downgrading their private health insurance is completely wrong.

“More people are covered by private health insurance now than at any other time in the last 37 years,” Mr Husic said.

“People who earn $35,000 continue to be entitled to the full 30% rebate. In fact, singles earning up to $130,000 and families earning up to $260,000 …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has welcomed news today that the Australian Government will reduce the pension deeming rates from 20 March 2013 for those receiving a part pension.

Mr Husic said deeming rates are used to determine how much pensioners receive under means testing rules.

“For part-rate pensioners in Chifley, this decision will provide them with an average increase of $6.80 per fortnight,” Mr Husic said.

“This issue has been raised with me a number of times and I’ve been happy to raise these concerns with …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has today praised the service of Pope Benedict XVI after the Pontiff announced his impending resignation.

Mr Husic said that it showed tremendous leadership and courage to take the extraordinary step of resigning as the spiritual and pastoral leader of the universal Church.

“Pope Benedict has provided the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics with strong leadership over the past eight years,” Mr Husic said.

“To arrive at this decision – the first for a Pontiff in almost 600 years, shows the depth …

Blacktown Federal MPs, Michelle Rowland and Ed Husic today demanded Tony Abbott come clean on who will be sacked and what services will be lost in his push to rip jobs and services out of Western Sydney.

“Today it has been revealed that Tony Abbott has a secret plan to move services and jobs out of Western Sydney to remote northern Australia and jack up taxes for people in our region,” Ms Rowland said.

“By proposing tax breaks only for people who move to Northern Australia, …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic today warned the community of a new phone scam using the lure of government refunds to try to steal money.

“I’m astounded at how sophisticated this scam is,” Mr Husic said.

“I’ve had three residents in the last few days contact my office and they have all expressed surprise at how much personal information these scammers already have.

“Those targeted have all been told the caller is from the Australian Government and provided with a name, reference number and Sydney phone number …

Nominations have opened for the 2013 Coral McLean Awards which will form part of this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations in Chifley.

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic says the Coral McLean Award has become one of his personal highlights of the year – a chance to celebrate and recognise great local efforts by leading women in our community.

“In Chifley, we recognise the importance of International Women’s Day by keeping alive the memory of Coral McLean, known to many as the ‘Mother of Mt Druitt’ who …

Chifley MP Ed Husic has welcomed the announcement that Australia will go to the polls on Saturday 14 September.

“From the first day in the job after being elected as MP, I’ve made it my priority to stick up for the people of our area, to get things done for residents,” Mr Husic said.

“Regardless of whether it’s a Labor Government or Liberal Government, I’ve stood up for our neighbourhoods to make sure we get a better deal for schools, healthcare and seeing us get the NBN …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has welcomed today’s announcement that the Australian Government will provide an initial $1 million in emergency aid for families in Fiji and Samoa affected by Cyclone Evan.

He was responding to today’s announcement by Foreign Minister Bob Carr that Australia would provide emergency assistance and relief supplies to the two Pacific Island Nations.

Mr Husic said Fiji was still recovering from flooding in April this year before Cyclone Evan hit.

“Australia is always among the first nations to lend a helping hand …

The Liberal Party’s lack of experience and demonstrated commitment to delivering improved broadband service will set back the residents of Chifley, according to Federal MP Ed Husic.

“Under Liberal Governments, suburbs in Chifley were ‘broadband wastelands’,” said Mr Husic.

“The Liberals tried 19 times to fix broadband in Australia – nothing they did worked.

“Now when the Liberal Party tries to show how they will bring about better broadband service, they have trouble even naming the suburbs in Chifley they’ll help.

“Under a media release they just issued, the …

Chifley Federal MP Ed Husic has welcomed today’s announcement that the Australian Government will provide $5 million in emergency relief for families trapped or left homeless by Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines.

His comments follow today’s announcement by Foreign Minister Bob Carr that Australia will provide the funds for survival kits and 1,000 tonnes of emergency food aid.

Mr Husic said the typhoon had created a humanitarian crisis and is happy that Australia is in a position to answer the call for help from the Philippines Government.

“Through …

Greater Western Sydney Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) will receive funding of $200,000 from the Australian Government’s Small Business Advisory Services program to provide advice and assistance to the region’s small businesses.

Congratulating Greater Western Sydney BEC, Federal Members for Greenway Michelle Rowland said that business advisory services are vital to help small businesses grow and succeed.

“Greater Western Sydney BEC will help small businesses meet day-to-day challenges and also maximise their sustainability, productivity and potential for growth,” Ms Rowland said.

“They will receive funding of $100,000 for each …

Federal Chifley MP Ed Husic has officially opened the new Loyola Catholic Trade Training Centre at Loyola Senior High School, Mt Druitt.

Mr Husic, who represented Schools Minister Peter Garrett at the opening ceremony, said the Loyola Trade Training Centre received approximately $9 million from the Gillard Government as part of the Trade Training Centres in Schools Program.

“Trade Training Centres such as the one at Loyola Senior High make such a huge difference to schools, opening up a wider range of training options for young people,” …

A new plan to improve the funding of local schools has been welcomed by Federal MP Ed Husic.

He made the comments after the Prime Minister advised Parliament last week of the next steps in the national plan to improve schooling.

“Over the last five years we’ve invested a tremendous amount in Schools across Chifley: $137 million,” Mr Husic said.

“But we now need to plan ahead: The Prime Minister outlined five specific legislative measures that would form the centre of the Government’s future education reform.

“We have now …

Blacktown MPs today demanded Barry O’Farrell cancel a planned $10 million upgrade of Parliament House in the city and re-direct the money to local schools.

It has been revealed that Barry O’Farrell plans to revamp Parliament House in Macquarie Street – building a new office block in a roof top garden at a cost of $10 million.

Greenway MP, Michelle Rowland called on the NSW Liberals to stop spending money on buildings in the city when schools and TAFEs in Western Sydney are suffering massive funding cuts.

“It’s …

Residents of Mt Druitt needing a helping hand will be linked to more intensive services from this week as a trial initiative providing personalised support begins at the local Centrelink Service Centre.

Minister for Human Services Senator Kim Carr said Mt Druitt would be the 28th Case Coordination site providing tailored support to help people get back on their feet.

“Case Coordination aims to match vulnerable people with a range of services that meets their needs,” Senator Kim Carr said.

“Our officers can link people who need assistance …

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Julie Collins, and Member for Chifley, Ed Husic, today met trainees and graduates of an Australian Government funded program providing young Indigenous people in Sydney’s west opportunities to gain qualifications and employment.

Ms Collins and Mr Husic, visited Marist Youth Care’s (MYC) Aboriginal Trainee Support Worker Program at Whalan to hear the latest on the initiative.

“It was great to meet these young people and see first-hand the excellent work being done to help them gain employment and build a …

A series of Diabetes Awareness Forums are being held across the Chifley electorate over the next few weeks.

Chifley Federal MP Ed Husic is partnering with WentWest, Kildare Road Medical Centre and the Australian Diabetes Council in hosting four forums.

“Local GPs tell me diabetes is one of their biggest concerns for our area – and Blacktown and Mt Druitt are in the top ten suburbs listed as diabetes hotspots,” Mr Husic said.

“These forums will cover information on healthy eating, exercise tips and general advice for people …

The Minister for Community Services, Julie Collins, and the Member for Chifley, Ed Husic, have visited Anglicare in Mt Druitt to see first-hand how the Australian Government’s Financial Management Program is improving the lives of vulnerable families in Western Sydney .

The Australian Government has provided Anglicare NSW, including Mt Druitt, with over $2 million this financial year to deliver two important initiatives through the Financial Management Program – Emergency Relief and Commonwealth Financial Counselling.

“The Australian Government wants every Australian to have the opportunity to learn …

14 community organisations across Chifley will share in over $53,000 to support the work of their volunteers.

Chifley Federal MP Ed Husic said the Gillard Government’s investment in the community sector was delivering much-needed support to local volunteers.

“Volunteers remain the fabric that binds our community together,” Mr Husic said.

“The Volunteer Grants will support a range of local groups such as the Blacktown Meals on Wheels and Rooty Hill RSL Youth Club.”

Minister for Community Services Julie Collins and Ed Husic today visited the Bidwill Community Garden to …

Councillor Edmond Atalla interview on Koori Radio about Liberal Councillor policy in abolishing indigenous recognition. Click below for to listen to the radio segment:

A large crowd gathered yesterday at Rooty Hill RSL Club to honour the fallen and to commemorate Remembrance Day.

Chifley Federal MP Ed Husic gave the Address on what was the 94th Anniversary of the Armistice in Europe marking the end of The Great War.

Reflecting on the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in war, Mr Husic paid tribute to those who served in World War I and all who have served since in war and peace.

“Today we honour those who plumbed unimaginable depths of …

Parents in Chifley with children starting primary or high school next year are being encouraged to update their kids’ enrolment details with Centrelink in order to get the Schoolkids Bonus in January.

Chifley MP Ed Husic said more than 15,000 local families are likely to benefit from the new cash bonus being delivered by the Gillard Government.

“I want to ensure that every eligible family in Chifley gets access to this payment to help them keep up with the costs of uniforms, text books and excursions for …

Students from six local high schools were today recognised for their participation in the second year of the No School No Play program.

In a ceremony to mark the conclusion of the program, Mr Husic was joined by Basketball Australia CEO Kristina Keneally, NBL Hall of Fame Inductee Bob Turner, Olympic Head Coach for the Australian Opals Carrie Graf, former Sydney Kings Captain Ben Knight and former NBA and NBL player Steve Carfino.

Federal Chifley MP Ed Husic who has organised the program said he hoped the …