KATE WASHINGTON MP

Tomaree Business Chamber President Leah Anderson has today been named the 2018 Port Stephens Local Woman of the Year. Leah Anderson had been nominated for the title by Port Stephens MP Kate Washington, who presented Ms Anderson with the award at a Salamander Bay Rotary Club meeting this morning. The Local Woman of the Year competition, conducted by Women NSW and sponsored by First State Super, culminates in a gala breakfast on International Women’s Day on Thursday 8 March 201

Revelations that a study commissioned by NSW Health into a possible cancer cluster in Williamtown used data from at least 10,000 people who live nowhere near Williamtown, have sparked a furious reaction from local residents. A Newcastle Herald article this morning revealed nearly 80 per cent of the study’s sample population live outside the PFAS contamination zone, and yet, the data was relied upon by health officials to publicly assert that a cancer cluster does not exist. T

Earlier this week the Government provided a response to a question asked by Labor's shadow health Minister, Walt Secord, late last year in the Legislative Council. In November, Mr Secord requested that the Government conduct an urgent investigation into the possibility of a cancer cluster occurring within the Williamtown red zone. He noted that the Victorian Government had recently conducted a similar investigation concerning Fiskville in regional Victoria, which confirmed a

The wheels on the school bus may go round and round, but it is the parents of Port Stephens whose heads have been left spinning by the poor quality school bus service delivered by the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance. How difficult can it be for this Minister to ensure that school buses turn up, that they have enough seats for the number of students they are collecting, and that they get to school safely? This is not a big ask from local parents. Al

The fantastic community of Tea Gardens Hawks Nest was recently on show once again. The impressive community art group, Galleries in the Gardens, hosted the opening of its first dedicated art space, The Gallery, which sits off the beautiful riverfront. The gallery will house the artworks of members of the hardworking, talented art group and host classes on site. I congratulate and thank the hardworking members of Galleries in the Gardens, particularly President Trevor Cook, Se

Today is Valentine's Day. It is an opportunity to express to those who matter most to us that they are valued and respected and to show them the kindness and compassion that they deserve. Most importantly, it is a day to show our loved ones that we support them. On this Valentine's Day, I am once again calling on the Prime Minister and the Premier to show the people of Williamtown that their Government is here for them. After 2½ years of living a nightmare, the families affec

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington MP has called on the Turnbull and Berejiklian governments to have a heart this Valentine’s Day, and support the communities affected by PFAS contamination. After almost two and half years of heartache living under the cloud of toxic contamination, residents of Williamtown, Fullerton Cove and Salt Ash, are at breaking point. Both the NSW and Commonwealth governments seem content in dragging their heels while affected residents continue

That this House: Notes that Tomaree Hospital will receive privately operated onsite x-ray facilities in 2018. Notes that Tomaree Hospital does not have onsite ultrasound and other imaging services. Notes that Tomaree Hospital has dedicated palliative care beds, but not dedicated, specialist, palliative care nursing staff. Condemns the Government for spending $2.5 billion on stadiums in Sydney instead of delivering much-needed health care in Port Stephens, and other regional c

I ask the House to acknowledge the sad passing of mental health advocate and lifelong defender of industrial rights Don McDonald, AM, who passed away in January. Don was a proud Member of the Order of Australia, having been recognised for his work as State Secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and co-founder of the Schizophrenia Research Institute of Australia. At his memorial service Don was remembered as the founding father of schizophrenia resear

The Department of Planning has been labelled as ‘cruel’ and ‘indifferent to the suffering of Williamtown residents’ with news that the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) will consider an application for a sand mine next to residential properties. Residents along this section of Cabbage Tree Road are already impacted by the Williamtown RAAF PFAS contamination, as well as by recent bush fires. Local residents are concerned that the stress of fighting a sand mine next door to