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It was great to officially cut the ribbon today, to mark the reopening of CALM Inc. at the Bonnells Bay Youth and Community Centre CALM has been doing incredible work supporting kids, young people and families across Lake Macquarie, and now they're bringing those vital services closer to home for the Morisset Peninsula. Facilities like this strengthen communities by providing a welcoming place for people to come together, feel supported and build positive futures. CALM reopens at Bonnells Bay Youth and Community Centre - 18th February 2026
It was great to officially cut the ribbon today, to mark the reopening of CALM Inc. at the Bonnells Bay Youth and Community Centre CALM has been doing incredible work supporting kids, young people and families across Lake Macquarie, and now they're bringing those vital services closer to home for the Morisset Peninsula. Facilities like this strengthen communities by providing a welcoming place for people to come together, feel supported and build positive futures.
I have been speaking with Centennial Coal, the Mining & Energy Union, Origin Energy and the NSW Government to try and find a way to keep Myuna Colliery open. Closing Myuna not only means jobs losses. It would result in significant economic and social shock to the local community. The energy transition is coming, whether we like it or not. We need coal mines and power station operators to be proactive and to ready their workers for this change. Myuna Colliery needs to stay open - 13th February 2026
I have been speaking with Centennial Coal, the Mining & Energy Union, Origin Energy and the NSW Government to try and find a way to keep Myuna Colliery open. Closing Myuna not only means jobs losses. It would result in significant economic and social shock to the local community. The energy transition is coming, whether we like it or not. We need coal mines and power station operators to be proactive and to ready their workers for this change.
Yesterday was a very special day in the Parliament of NSW. I had the honour of welcoming a man who has become an international hero and an inspiration to communities in New South Wales and around Australia. Ahmed al‑Ahmed. The man, who at great risk to his own life, wrested a gun off one of the shooters in the Bondi massacre, undoubtedly saving an untold number of lives. A hero's welcome to the NSW Parliament - 12th February 2026
Yesterday was a very special day in the Parliament of NSW. I had the honour of welcoming a man who has become an international hero and an inspiration to communities in New South Wales and around Australia. Ahmed al‑Ahmed. The man, who at great risk to his own life, wrested a gun off one of the shooters in the Bondi massacre, undoubtedly saving an untold number of lives.
Hunter Coalmining Industry - 05th February 2026
The Hunter Joint Organisation reports that the closure of Hunter coalmines will impact around 50,000 jobs over the next couple of decades. Almost 12,000 jobs will be lost by 2030 alone unless we act now. But these jobs losses are not just a looming possibility; they are a reality and are happening in real time.
Bondi Beach Terrorist Incident - 22nd December 2025
Where to start in speaking to a motion of condolence on the Bondi massacre? How can words alone do justice to those who have lost their lives, lost family members or friends, and lost their sense of innocence and their sense of wellbeing and safety within their own community? Words alone cannot put this right for the victims of the evil that descended on the Bondi community on the evening of 14 December.
I had the pleasure of joining more than 200 young people from the Avondale Adventurers and Pathfinders at their annual Investiture ceremony in Cooranbong at Avondale Memorial Seven Day Adventist Church It was a great chance to recognise the hard work and leadership shown by so many local kids, supported by an incredible team of volunteers. Young Leadership celebrated at Avondale Adventurers and Pathfinders Investiture Ceremony - 01st December 2025
I had the pleasure of joining more than 200 young people from the Avondale Adventurers and Pathfinders at their annual Investiture ceremony in Cooranbong at Avondale Memorial Seven Day Adventist Church It was a great chance to recognise the hard work and leadership shown by so many local kids, supported by an incredible team of volunteers.
Congratulations to Michael Dearing and Coden Smith from the 1st Byattunga Scouts - Morisset on achieving the prestigious King’s Scout Award. This is the highest honour a Scout can earn, and it’s certainly not handed out lightly. Reaching this level takes years of dedication, leadership, community service, outdoor skills, and a commitment to personal development. Michael and Coden have shown all of that in spades. Congratulations to King Scouts Michael Dearing and Coden Smith - 30th November 2025
Congratulations to Michael Dearing and Coden Smith from the 1st Byattunga Scouts - Morisset on achieving the prestigious King’s Scout Award. This is the highest honour a Scout can earn, and it’s certainly not handed out lightly. Reaching this level takes years of dedication, leadership, community service, outdoor skills, and a commitment to personal development. Michael and Coden have shown all of that in spades.
This morning in Toronto the Zonta Club of Hunter Newcastle Inc, supported by Lake Macquarie City Council, and attended by local Police and community organisations, launched their 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The Zonta Club have partnered with local knitters from various community groups to create these beautiful and colourful tree wraps you can see if you stroll along the Toronto Foreshore for the next 16 days until 10 December. 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence - 28th November 2025
This morning in Toronto the Zonta Club of Hunter Newcastle Inc, supported by Lake Macquarie City Council, and attended by local Police and community organisations, launched their 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The Zonta Club have partnered with local knitters from various community groups to create these beautiful and colourful tree wraps you can see if you stroll along the Toronto Foreshore for the next 16 days until 10 December.
Gaming Machines - 12th November 2025
The people of New South Wales are losing more money to poker machines than ever before, with a record $2.27 billion lost in the second quarter of 2025. Analysis from Wesley Mission provides that, in that time, the Lake Macquarie local government area lost more than $3 million every week to poker machines. On average, a single poker machine in one of our hotels makes an estimated $123,000 per year.
This morning I joined with Minister for Disabilities Kate Washington MP to co-host the launch of Guide Dogs Australia new Inclusive Employment campaign for people with low vision and blindness. We heard some truly inspiring stories from people vision and blindness who are breaking barriers in the workplace every day — like Craig Shanahan, the blind chef, and Seth Leggett, who codes without sight. Their message says it all: “Think I can’t? Just watch me.” Guide Dogs NSW/ACT launch "Think I Can't, Just Watch Me" at NSW Parliament - 12th November 2025
This morning I joined with Minister for Disabilities Kate Washington MP to co-host the launch of Guide Dogs Australia new Inclusive Employment campaign for people with low vision and blindness. We heard some truly inspiring stories from people vision and blindness who are breaking barriers in the workplace every day — like Craig Shanahan, the blind chef, and Seth Leggett, who codes without sight. Their message says it all: “Think I can’t? Just watch me.”


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