The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, Member for Werriwa, Laurie Ferguson MP, and Member for Chifley, Ed Husic MP, today announced the members of the new Filipino Ministerial Consultative Committee.

“This Filipino Ministerial Consultative Committee is a new initiative to inform the Government of the views of our growing Filipino community,” Mr Bowen said.

“I would like to congratulate all the new members of the committee on their appointment.”

Senator Lundy said the members of the new …

Nominations for the 2012 Chifley Sports Awards have been extended until Friday 19 October.

The Chifley Sports Awards recognises the outstanding sporting performances, achievements and contributions by members of our local community in the following fields:

•         Individual or team achievement, such as national or state selection, regional/state/national competition success, or high level single performance (e.g. Australian or state record);
•         Community sport contribution by individuals, including coaches, referees/umpires and administrators with at least five years’ service;
•         Contribution to sport by schools, community groups (e.g. Lions, Rotary) or …

Federal MPs Michelle Rowland and Ed Husic have today welcomed the release of detailed maps by NBN Co, showing where further construction of the National Broadband Network (NBN) will start in Riverstone and Marsden Park.

“This is really exciting for local families and businesses in Riverstone,” Ms Rowland said. “In around 12 months’ time, people in Riverstone will actually be able to start connecting to the National Broadband Network.

“The map shows that more NBN fibre is being rolled out in Riverstone which will allow more residents …

More than 24,000 local pensioners will receive a boost to their payments from today to help them keep up with the cost of living.

Single people receiving the maximum rate of Age Pension, Carer Payment and adult Disability Support Pension, as well as veteran income support recipients, will receive an extra $17.10 a fortnight.

Pensioner couples on the maximum rate will receive an increase of $25.80 a fortnight combined.

Chifley Federal MP Ed Husic said today marks three years since the Australian Government delivered major reforms to the …

Work is expected to be completed within weeks, on the first stage of a redevelopment of the Mount Druitt Medical Centre in Beames Avenue.

Inspecting the progress of the building works – partly paid for by the Australian Government’s Primary Care Infrastructure Grant, Chifley Federal MP Ed Husic said the expanded practice will be of enormous benefit to local patients.

“The expansion of the Mt Druitt Medical Centre will benefit the Mt Druitt community through providing an additional four rooms for general practitioners, practice nurses and allied …

Ed Husic (centre) with delegation led by Bishop Anthony Fisher OP (left) discussing the impact of funding cuts with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, School Education Minister Peter Garrett.

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic yesterday joined Prime Minister Julia Gillard and School Education Minister Peter Garrett to listen to the concerns of Catholic and Independent school representatives about cuts to schools in NSW.

Mr Husic said the meeting was an opportunity for us to discuss the impact of funding cuts to education by the NSW Liberal …

HOW many times have you heard something offensive or just plain wrong said about another person or group and then turned the other way – because it’s simply not worth the grief of the subsequent argument?

I know I have. I don’t think I’m the only one. But after the events in Sydney, I don’t think we can keep turning away.

The weekend’s protests were completely over the top and cannot be justified.

What triggered them was a deep hurt and outrage at a video that caused great …

Ed Husic MP presents MRI petition to Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek

Almost 4,000 petitions from Mt Druitt residents have been presented today by Chifley Federal MP Ed Husic to Health Minister Tanya Plibersek.

Mr Husic said this was the culmination of a very long campaign which he has fought since having the baton passed to him by former MP Roger Price.

“From the time I announced I was standing for election in Chifley in 2010, securing an MRI licence for Mt Druitt Hospital has been a …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic today demanded that the NSW Liberal Government reverse their decision to cut funding from local schools.

“Parents, teachers and students in Chifley have every reason to be worried about cuts to education,” Mr Husic said.

“In the lead up to the 2011 NSW Election neither Londonderry MP Bart Bassett or Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly warned residents that they would introduce the biggest cut to education in 20 years.

“My big concern is that the NSW Government is cutting funds from critical community …

Western Sydney Federal Labor MPs condemn the reported funding cuts to NSW Catholic and Independent schools by Premier Barry O’Farrell and the NSW Liberal State Government.

This is an attack on education in Western Sydney, an area of high growth and strong need. We strongly oppose any measure that will result in less funding for local schools.

These cuts have the potential to lead to increased school fees for parents, larger class sizes and the loss of teaching jobs. We believe education is the great …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has welcomed the announcement yesterday the Gillard Government will extend tourist visas for parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents to enable them to visit their family in Australia for longer.

“This announcement will be warmly greeted by many families in the Chifley electorate who have parents living overseas.” Mr Husic said.

“I have many people contact my office trying to secure visas for their parents and they’ll be delighted by this news. It’s a terrific decision.

“These changes recognise the …

Residents in Chifley will soon be smiling after the announcement this week of the Gillard Government’s $4 billion dental package said Federal MP for Chifley Ed Husic.

“About 34,000 kids in Mt Druitt and Blacktown will now be eligible for government-subsidised dental care, just like they’re eligible for Medicare funded visits to their GP,” Mr Husic said.

Under the package, the Gillard Government will also provide dental services to more than one million low income adults and Australians in rural and remote areas, focusing especially on pensioners.

The …

With Parl Sec Jacinta Collins and students at Blacktown Youth College

Parliamentary Secretary for School Education Jacinta Collins and Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic today congratulated Blacktown Youth College in Hebersham for its great work in helping disengaged youth to get back into school.

Senator Collins said with the help of over a million dollars in Federal Government funding, the college has been able to improve educational outcomes for their students aged between 14 to 20.

“This unique college is helping to turn the lives of …

Blacktown City Council will receive $170,000 from the Australian Government to combat graffiti in Rooty Hill and Doonside – funded from money seized from criminals.

After a long running campaign for this funding by Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic, Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare visited Rooty Hill today to announce the funding with Blacktown Mayor Councillor Alan Pendleton.

“These projects will make a difference,” said Mr Husic.

“Graffiti is vandalism, it’s as simple as that,” Mr Clare said.

The grant is funded by the Proceeds of Crime Fund, …

Residents in Blacktown and Mt Druitt are being reminded about protecting personal information, particularly when talking to people on the phone.

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic is warning households of a new scam in which phone callers are claiming to be from a Federal Government Department and offering government grants of up to $100,000.

Mr Husic said scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated in their approach.

“I understand the fraudulent callers know the name, address and phone number of the person they are calling, and might …

The ranks of Indigenous members of the NSW Police Force are set to grow with eight students in Mt Druitt eligible to apply for entry into the Police College in Goulburn.

The eight students are among a total of 72 to recently graduate from the Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program.

At a graduation ceremony at Mt Druitt TAFE today, Member for Chifley, Ed Husic congratulated the students on behalf of the Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Julie Collins.

“The graduates of IPROWD have …

Federal MPs Michelle Rowland and Ed Husic today announced Bridging the Gap Sydney West Inc. is receiving support from the Federal Government to help financially vulnerable residents in Blacktown and Mt Druitt improve their energy efficiency and reduce their energy costs.

Blacktown LGA is one of 50 regions across the country to benefit from the $29.9 million Home Energy Saver Scheme – part of the Australian Government’s plan for a Clean Energy Future.

“The Australian Government knows budgets are tight for many Australian households and this targeted …

Federal MP for Chifley Ed Husic has welcomed an announcement that the Federal Government has secured the agreement of commercial and subscription broadcasters to reduce and control the promotion of live odds during sports broadcasts.

The agreement – announced by Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy – results from Government negotiations with peak industry bodies Free TV Australia, Commercial Radio Australia and the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association.

“I understand people don’t mind having the occasional bet on a sports match …

Pensioners living in public housing in Chifley have every reason to be mad today with news that NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell intends to rip away much needed Federal Government assistance.

Chifley MP Ed Husic says the Federal assistance provided to pensioners in recent weeks is designed to help them meet cost of living increases.

“This is the ultimate low act by a government of hypocrites,” Mr Husic said.

“The State Liberal Government – for their own political ends – whine about cost of living increases but have no …

De Bortoli Wines will receive a grant of almost $5 million from the Federal Government’s $1 billion Clean Technology Investment Programs to introduce $14.5 million worth of clean technology across five sites.

The Minister for Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet highlighted this grant will assist De Bortoli to reduce their emissions and save on power bills by improving their wine-making process, packaging, warehousing, and site services.

“The Clean Technology Investment Programs are about helping businesses become more efficient, more competitive and more sustainable,” Mr Combet said.

“This …

More than 3,400 local students and young people in training are set to get some extra cash from the Gillard Government, with new payments hitting households from this week.

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic, said people on Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY or Austudy would soon receive a lump sum payment in their bank accounts, ahead of the introduction of the carbon price on 1 July.

“Local students and young people in training will get up to $190 to help them keep up with living costs now …

Workers with disability and support staff in Australian Disability Enterprises will benefit from a new $1.9 million investment by the Gillard Government.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas today announced $10,000 for each of the country’s 197 Australian Disability Enterprises to improve the training qualifications of their workers with disability and support staff.

Visiting Endeavour Foundation Industries in Mount Druitt with Member for Chifley, Ed Husic today, Senator McLucas said the funding would improve both employment support and outcomes for people with disability. …

Up to five Black Hawk helicopters will be conducting flights over the Sydney region during June as part of a military training exercise.

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has asked 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 …

Bidwill Public School today celebrated an incredible milestone: the official opening of 28 completely refurbished classrooms.

It has been the single biggest renovation and upgrade of the school since it opened its doors in 1975.

The $2.6 million upgrade – including the construction of a massive Covered Outdoor Learning Area – was a result of the Building the Education Revolution Program.

Speaking to parents, teachers and students gathered at the opening, Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic said he was proud to see the BER funding put to …

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, Member for Chifley, Ed Husic MP, and Member for Werriwa, Laurie Ferguson MP, today announced the Government is inviting members of the Filipino community to join its new Ministerial Consultative Committee.

“The Government is recognising the significant contribution of the Filipino community to Australia by establishing this Ministerial Consultative Committee to open up a direct line of communication to the Government,” Mr Bowen said.

“This new committee will help to foster …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has welcomed news the Gillard Government will continue funding for a successful program connecting Indigenous Australians with community support services to help them overcome disadvantage and social isolation.

$42 million in funding will be provided over the next three years to the Indigenous Community Links initiative, formerly known as the Community Support Services.

Marist Youth Care Limited (MYC) has received funding over 36 months to deliver the Indigenous Community Links initiative to improve Indigenous access to mainstream and Indigenous services in …

Federal Member for Chifley, Ed Husic is calling for nominations from individuals and teams living in Chifley to be recognised in the 2012 Outstanding Chifley Volunteer Awards.

The 2012 Outstanding Chifley Volunteer Awards recognise the contribution made by volunteers in our community.

“Chifley has a great number of volunteers – community-minded people who give of their time to make society a better place,” Mr Husic said.

“Our volunteers cross ages, ethnic and gender boundaries and are the heart and soul of our community.”

“I encourage you to nominate an …

The newly announced Federal Parliamentary inquiry into the high cost of IT in Australia would finally help business and consumers have their say on an issue important to them, according to Federal MP for Chifley Ed Husic.

Speaking today on the release of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference, Mr Husic said consumer concerns about IT costs needed to be taken seriously by major multinational firms operating in Australia.

“For too long, businesses and consumers have asked: why does it sometimes cost up to 80 per cent more …

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has today been caught out misleading the people of Western Sydney over electricity prices after Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic raised the issue in Parliament.

In Question Time the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, responded to Mr Husic’s question about the impact of the carbon price on household electricity bills and what the Federal Government was doing to help Western Sydney residents.

Mr Combet said Mr Abbott’s claims that power bills would climb by as much as 30 …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has welcomed an agreement by Telstra and Centro Management to extend a new broadband connection to the Woodcroft Shopping Centre.

For over a year, Mr Husic has been highlighting the plight of small business owners in the Woodcroft area who have not had access to reliable broadband services. 

He says the decision by Centro Shopping Centre to upgrade the broadband connection will benefit the whole community.

“This means that businesses and shops in the Woodcroft Shopping Centre will be able to access …

Last night’s budget continued funding for the rollout of the biggest road and rail infrastructure program in the nation’s history.

A record funding package of $4.1 billion over four years has been announced to help councils maintain and upgrade local roads through an extension of the Roads to Recovery program.

Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland said Blacktown Council will receive more than $1.25 million in the 2012/13 financial year to continue its road maintenance program.

“Roads to Recovery is a terrific example where Blacktown Council and the …

Blacktown’s Federal Labor MPs have welcomed news local business could benefit from new tax relief thanks to the Gillard Government’s new Loss Carry-Back initiative.

Federal Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland said this is great news for local businesses.

“The Loss Carry-Back initiative recognises that not every business is benefitting from the mining boom,” Ms Rowland said.

“Blacktown has a strong wholesale trade sector, professional and technical services and other businesses which employ thousands of local workers.

“This new tax relief will help struggling businesses adjust to the challenges and …

Last night’s Federal Budget achieved a surplus in 2012/13 as promised but families in Chifley continue to be looked after.

Mr Husic said the Gillard Government is returning the budget to surplus, on time, as promised.

“Returning to surplus is our best economic defence at times of global uncertainty and gives the Reserve Bank maximum flexibility to cut interest rates further – like it did last week,” Mr Husic said.

“We’re delivering a surplus with targeted and responsible savings while protecting the frontline services Australians rely on as …

More than 15,000 local families with kids in school will benefit from a new cash bonus delivered by the Gillard Government, Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic said today.

“I know it can be tough for parents in Blacktown and Mt Druitt to keep up with the costs of uniforms, text books and excursions for their kids at school,” Mr Husic said.

“That’s why the Gillard Government is delivering a new Schoolkids Bonus to help local families make ends meet.”

Eligible local families will receive a total of …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has called for a greater focus by governments on the creation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) corridors in Western Sydney.

Mr Husic used his Occasional Lecture to graduating students from the University of Western Sydney’s (UWS) Schools of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics to press the case for an active investment in the region’s ICT skills base.

“The big aim for us is to have centres of research excellence out West, pushing the boundaries of technology in facilities located out here,” Mr …

Centrelink has begun posting letters to self-funded retirees who need to update their details in order to receive new cash payments to help them make ends meet.

As part of the Clean Energy Future package, the Gillard Government is delivering increases in payments to more than 500 self-funded retirees in Chifley who hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and receive the Seniors Supplement.

On 25 June, self-funded retirees will receive a Clean Energy Advance payment of $250 for singles or $190 for each member of an eligible …

Ed Husic with Chifley Youth Award Winners Pascal Moussa, Hanan Aziz and Blake Fry (L-R)

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic yesterday announced the winners of the second annual Chifley Young Leader Awards, as part of National Youth Week 2012.

The Chifley Young Leaders Awards – established by Mr Husic last year – recognise the positive contribution young people have made to the local community over the last year.

This year’s winners are:

Joint First Prize: Hanan Aziz, 17, of Mount Druitt – Domestic Violence as a Human …

The Federal Government’s new Wage Connect Subsidy is having great success helping long term unemployed Australians living in Chifley to find work.

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic said that 60 previously out of work residents had found a job since January thanks to the Wage Connect Subsidy.

The news comes off the back of the March employment statistics showing 44,000 new jobs being created last month.

“While I’m excited to see 44,000 new jobs created last month, I’ve learned from meeting with local residents that once you’ve …

2012 Chifiley Pacific Islander Community Roundtable with Richard Marles MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs

Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs and Foreign Affairs Richard Marles and Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic today met with local members of the Pacific Island community for a roundtable discussion.

The electorate of Chifley has one of the highest Samoan, Tongan and Tokelau-born populations in Australia as well as many residents from Fiji and the Cook Islands.

“This is an opportunity for members …

At today's announcement of an A-League team for Western Sydney with Bosnich, Kyah Simon and Ben Buckley, Football Federation Australia. Great win for local football.

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has welcomed the announcement today by the Prime Minister and Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO Ben Buckley that a Western Sydney Team will enter the A-League next season.

As the FFA ramps up its preparations for the Western Sydney A-League team, the Prime Minister has announced today a special $5 million program to help lift …

The cost of 60 medicines fell on 1 April as a result of changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), making the price of prescriptions cheaper for people in Chifley.

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic said the Gillard Government’s Price Disclosure program ensures Australian taxpayers benefit from discounts and incentives provided by manufacturers for off-patent medicines.

“This is great news for consumers who will see additional money in their pockets as the result of the Gillard Government’s reforms,” Mr Husic said.

“Consumers now have access to the …

More than 3000 students from seven schools in western Sydney will benefit from using facilities at the new Greater Western Sydney Performing Arts Centre, officially opened today by Minister for School Education Peter Garrett and Member for Chifley Ed Husic

The $2.2 million centre was built at Plumpton High School as part of the Gillard Government’s $62.5 million Local Schools Working Together pilot program, which encourages schools in the same community to share facilities and resources among students.

The centre will be shared by students from Plumpton …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has welcomed the announcement yesterday by NBNCo that Woodcroft and Doonside will soon have access to the National Broadband Network.

Mr Husic, who has long advocated for residents of those suburbs to get improved broadband access, is delighted that they have been included in the latest list of suburbs where work is scheduled to commence.

“I’ve been watching with anticipation as the NBN rollout creeps closer and closer to those suburbs who have long suffered with poor broadband services.” Mr Husic …

Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic has called on Liberal Premier Barry O’Farrell not to raise rents for 4,538 local pensioners living in public housing when the Gillard Government increases their pension in May and June this year.

“I’m worried Barry O’Farrell will use the Labor Government’s upcoming pension boost as another excuse to increase rents for local pensioners again,” Mr Husic said.

“In 2009 Labor delivered the biggest increase to the pension in 100 years and we secured agreement from the State Government to not hike …

More than 24,000 local pensioners will receive an increase in their pension to help them make ends meet, Federal Member for Chifley, Ed Husic said today.

From today, local people receiving age, disability and carer pensions, as well as veterans’ income support recipients, will receive a fortnightly boost in their pension as a result of indexation.

“Single pensioners on the maximum rate will receive an extra $6.70 a fortnight, and pensioner couples on the maximum rate will receive an extra $10.00 a fortnight combined,” Mr Husic said.

“As …

Federal Member for Chifley, Ed Husic today welcomed the inclusion of Evans High School in Blacktown in the 2012 Youth Advisory Group on Cybersafety (YAG).

“The YAG has been a really valuable program for the Government and for young people. Students from Evans High School will have the opportunity to talk to the Government via a secure online website using a range of methods including blogs, discussion forums, quizzes and polls,” Mr Husic said.

“The Government in turn gets the chance to find out about the issues …

Federal Member for Chifley, Ed Husic has welcomed this week’s announcement that the Federal Government will appoint Australia’s first Small Business Commissioner.

Mr Husic said the small business sector has been calling for better advocacy, advice and information at the federal level and the Government has listened.

“Small businesses are made up of hard-working men and women who are putting in long hours to build better futures for their families,” Mr Husic said.

“Through the new Small Business Commissioner, they will be able to access information and advice, …

The Marayong community were on hand for Friday’s official opening by Federal MP for Chifley, Ed Husic of a new multipurpose hall for St Andrew’s Primary School.

Speaking at the school’s ceremony for the opening of the $3.2 million hall, Mr Husic said the Australian Government’s historic Building the Education Revolution (BER) investment was delivering modern facilities to school students right across Chifley.

“The BER injected $16.2 billion of investment into renewing school infrastructure and is delivering modern facilities to schools and communities across the country including …