New Frontiers Conference

It is wonderful to attend New Frontiers: The Biennial Conference of the National Federation of Australia Japan Societies in Adelaide today as Chair of the Australia-Japan Parliamentary Friendship group representing the Government and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong – Senator for SA.

Australia and Japan share deep and longstanding trade and investment, defence, scientific research, and cultural ties.

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Hobart Building Coimmunity Forum

I was pleased to introduce my colleague, Assistant Minister for Charities Andrew Leigh MP at the sixth Building Community Forum in Hobart.

Assistant Minister Leigh is holding these forums across Australia to talk to charities about how the Albanese Labor Government can support them and their volunteers, and how we reconnect and rebuild communities, particularly after the tough times of the COVID pandemic.

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Transport Workers Union National Conference

Last week the Transport Workers Union – TWU held their National Conference in Hobart.

The TWU Team represents and advocates for the rights and conditions of TWU members, understanding the pressure transport workers face . They are “fighting for fair” each and every day.

Transport workers ensure Australians have the goods and services they rely on, no matter the crisis. It was transport workers who put themselves at risk to keep Australia fed and clothed through the pandemic.

Sadly, the current Federal Govt has let transport workers down. They have deliberately eroded industrial law, stacked the Fair Work Commission, ignored thousands of workers in their time of need, encouraged low growth and insecure work which has stripped pay and conditions of thousands of workers and (appallingly) abolished the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal.

These issues have negatively affected many TWU members whether they work in transport, airlines, or in the gig economy.

It was wonderful to be able to attend the National Conference dinner, hear the impassioned speeches and catch up with people both local and interstate. Thank you for the invite TWU.

There is strength in the Union.

Transport Workers Union, Victorian/Tasmanian Branch – TWUVicTasUnions Tasmania

Tasmanian Labor &Senator Tony SheldonDean Winter MPToby Thorpe – Labor Candidate for Huon

Fundraiser Tickets available now!

The Liberals and their mates have deep pockets and out-spend us every election. That’s why we need fine folk like our grassroots Labor supporters to help us out – even with small donations.

If you want to help my colleague Julie Collins MP continue her great work as Labor Member for Franklin, please buy some tickets in her raffle fundraiser. Tickets are $10 each and there are some fantastic prizes to be won (a couple of which I’ve got my eye on!)

Visit https://www.trybooking.com/BZCFJ for more information or to purchase tickets.

Dementia Friendly Tasmania Meeting

This morning I had a meeting with the lovely Kath Shearer and Di Carter from Dementia Friendly Tasmania Inc. who updated me on some of the organisation’s recent activities.

Amongst other projects they have held three Self Care and Wellbeing Workshops, funded by a Kingborough Council Community grant of $3000, in Middleton, Alonnah and Snug.

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Pre-poll voting for the 2022 federal election has now opened!

It’s wonderful to be down at the Kingston Pre-poll centre with Senator Tony Sheldon (Visiting from NSW) handing out how-to-vote cards for Julie Collins MP and the Tasmanian Labor Senate team.

Only an Albanese Labor Government can deliver a Better Future for Australians.

The pre-poll centre located at 7 Goshawk Way, Kingston, is open from 8:30am until 5:30pm on weekdays until election day and from 9am- 4:00pm on this coming Saturday.