
NDIS Report: 'A Scheme Falling Short'
A NSW Parliamentary Inquiry has today released a report acknowledging the dire state of disability support services in New South Wales under the current State and Federal Liberal governments. The report found that despite NSW being the first state to complete the rollout of the NDIS, ‘its potential has not been realised for many individuals in NSW to date.’ The Committee has made 23 recommendations to improve access and enhance the strength of disability services across NSW.

Win for Salt Ash Public School as Water Bill is Paid Back
The students and parents of Salt Ash Public School have had a small but significant win in their ongoing battle with Defence over the school’s water bill. On Wednesday the Department of Education agreed to reimburse the school for the shock $6,000 water bill the school received, and confirmed that the water bill will be paid centrally from 2019 onwards. Following the public becoming aware of the PFAS contamination, Defence connected affected properties to town water, includin

Labor's Plans to Re-Regulate Electricity Prices Will Lower Costs & Help Local Families
Kate Washington MP today welcomed Shadow Minister for Energy, Adam Searle, to Port Stephens to announce NSW Labor’s policy to re-regulate electricity prices and reduce power bills for local households and small businesses. Mr Searle and Ms Washington met with Reverend Adam Cook from Food Way Medowie, a local charity providing hundreds of emergency food packages to Port Stephens families every week because of the rising cost of living and soaring electricity prices. NSW Labor’

Salt Ash Students Left in the Dust by Defence
The Williamtown PFAS contamination’s latest mess is the playtime for students at Salt Ash Public School. Port Stephens MP Kate Washington has today met with parents of the school and heard their concerns about the ongoing impact of Defence’s inaction since the contamination was revealed. Following the public becoming aware of the contamination, Defence was pushed to connect affected properties to town water, including Salt Ash Public School. While Defence is currently paying