💪 Our HECS debt win

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Hi friend,

It’s been a tough week for the country. The events in Sydney have caused anxiety and sadness for us all. It’s a time to be grateful to those who keep us safe, and to remember that our wonderful country is built on a multiplicity of races, religions and beliefs, and that we’re the better for our many differences. If any are experiencing ongoing worry, please refer to the support services listed at the end of this email.  

It looks like we’re gaining traction with the government in convincing it to make HECS debts easier to pay off.  

35 days ago, I launched a petition to fix HECS debts. Currently sitting on 265,000 signatures, it is one of the largest petitions in Australian political history.

Well, on Thursday, we learnt that the Government is listening. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed - for the first time- that his government is looking at making HECS fairer and will soon announce changes to the system.  

To the more than 6,000 Kooyong constituents (and the quarter of a million others) who have already signed my petition: thank you. I know it can sometimes feel like we as individuals can’t change the country, but it looks like this time we really have made a real difference. 

We’ll wait to see the detail of the proposed changes. And then - once HECS is sorted - we’ll move onto the housing crisis, and the climate crisis…  

RSVP For Town Hall Number Six

There was great energy in the room at the beautiful Hawthorn Arts Centre on Wednesday night. We had a full house to welcome Senator David Pocock to Kooyong.  

Admittedly some were long-term fans of David Pocock, the former Wallabies captain. Others were new fans of David Pocock, the Independent Senator for the ACT. That’s because Senator Pocock has shown – with dignity and grace – how Independents can change the country’s politics. 

The Town Hall was a great opportunity to talk about my #CleanUpPoliticsAct, and the inquiry into lobbying that we secured with Senator Pocock’s support.

David and I talked about the power that comes with having an orange lanyard in Parliament House. Lobbyists representing already powerful interests - everything from big coal to the big banks - are undermining the government's efforts to take real climate action, manage the cost-of-living crisis, and regulate gambling and tobacco companies. You can find my information about this issue: and sign up to indicate tour support- at CleanUpPoliticsAct - Monique Ryan MP. 

Senator Pocock and I talked about the power that comes with having an orange lanyard in Parliament House. Lobbyists representing already powerful interests - everything from big coal to the big banks - are undermining the government's efforts to take real climate action, manage the cost-of-living crisis, and regulate gambling and tobacco companies. 

Senator Pocock shared some insights into the Senate and his fellow Senators, what it was like being an Australian at COP26, and his conservation work in Zimbabwe. He also generously stayed well past our scheduled end time to take audience questions - about political donations and how Question Time works - or doesn’t work! We both faced tough questions - about digital ID laws, the NDIS and immigration, amongst other issues. And we did our best to answer them directly. That’s one of the beauties of a Town Hall meeting.  

If you missed it, don’t despair! Click here to watch the recording of the event.

And if you’re already looking forward to the next Town Hall, I’m thrilled to announce you can already RSVP to it here.

Join us on 23 May at 6:00pm at the Hawthorn Arts Centre for a Cost-Of-Living Town Hall, where we will reveal the results of the Kooyong Cost-Of-Living Survey and discuss the upcoming May Budget. 

We’ve received more than 5,000 responses to the survey, which is incredible. I’m always keen to hear from as many constituents as possible so I can go to Canberra prioritising what you care about the most. These surveys are a very important part of that.  

Our First ‘Bring Your Bill’ Session

Alongside the next Town Hall, I’m excited to announce a new community event we’ve been working on behind the scenes: Kooyong’s first ‘Bring Your Bill’ session.  
 
Right before the next Town Hall, from 4:30-6:00pm at the Hawthorn Arts Centre on 23 May, we’re bringing together a number of community and government services to answer your questions about your bills and utilities.  

The drop-in session will put banking, energy, water and other services in the same room for you to ask questions about your bills.  
 
This event is an important way for us to provide practical support to people in Kooyong to help them get through the cost-of-living crisis.  

Click here to RSVP, and stay tuned as we announce in the coming newsletters exactly which groups will be in attendance.

Kooyong’s ANZAC Day Events

It is a great honour to attend a Dawn Service as the local Federal Member, and to lay a wreath on behalf of the Kooyong community in recognition and remembrance of the service and sacrifice of Australian service members. 

If you would like to attend a Dawn Service too, here are the details of the local events:  

Camberwell RSL Dawn Service

This dawn service starts at 6am and will be followed by light refreshments around 6:45am. You can find more details here.

Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch Dawn Service

The Hawthorn RSL asks you to arrive at 5:45am for 6:00am service at St James Park War Memorial, Hawthorn. This will be followed by a gunfire breakfast at Hawthorn Bowling Club.

Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend. Breakfast is by donation. You can see more information here.

Kew RSL Dawn Service

This dawn service will be held at 63 Cotham Road, Kew RSL, followed by a gunfire breakfast in Kew RSL club house (attendees will be asked for a gold coin donation).

Please arrive at 5:45am for a 6:00am start. Further details can be found here.

Surrey Gardens Dawn Service

Arrive at 5:45am for a 6:00am community-led dawn service at The Shrine, Surrey Gardens, 88-90 Union Road, Surrey Hills. 

The service is hosted by Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Progress Association, the Rotary Club of Mont Albert and Surrey Hills​ and the Surrey Hills Historical Society. 

A limited amount of pre-arranged priority seating is available upon request for those who are unable to stand for the duration of the service. More details can be found here.

What’s On With Mon

This Wednesday I’m a panelist on the Grata Fund webinar The Australian Climate Case: Maximising Impact with Aunty McRose Elu, Isabelle Reinecke, Fiona McLeod AO, and Jack Egan. You can register for the 12:30pm webinar here. 

As well as the cost-of-living Town Hall mentioned above, I have several Pop-Up Offices coming up — do come say hello if you see me out and about.  

I hope everyone is staying warm and well as the cooler weather arrives and enjoys their weekend.

P.S. Links to helpful resources are below. 

• Mental health services - Better Health Channel 

• Lifeline : 13 11 14, or chat online here. 

• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800, or chat online here. 

• Beyond Blue :  1300 224 636, or chat online here. 

• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line: 13YARN  (13 92 76)  

• Headspace: 1800 650 890  

• ReachOut :  au.reachout.com  

• QLife, LGBTIQ+ peer support: 1800 184 527 or chat online here (3pm-midnight).  

• GriefLine (National Grief & Loss Support Hub): 1300 845 745 (8am-8pm). 

  
  
  All the best,