Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Wheely good fun on Cott freedom ride (27 Apr 2024)

Curtin MP Kate Chaney recently launched a wheelchair-friendly Velo Van Raam bicycle at Curtin Heritage Living in Cottesloe, enhancing accessibility to cycling joyrides for wheelchair users. This initiative is part of the Cycling Without Age Perth charity, which offers special bike rides for those unable to ride themselves. The new bike design allows for a wheelchair to be securely locked in place, promoting inclusivity in outdoor activities. Funded by a Stronger Communities Grant, this addition aims to make cycling accessible to everyone, regardless of mobility limitations. Volunteers are essential for expanding this program, with opportunities available for those interested in supporting this community-enhancing initiative.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Should politicians get off X? (24 Apr 2024)

Amidst escalating tensions between Australian authorities and social media platforms over concerns of inflaming extremism, the debate intensifies with calls from Senator Jackie Lambie for politicians to exit platform X. Despite these calls, perspectives vary among politicians, including Independent MP Kate Chaney who acknowledges the brutality on social media but values the real-time and diverse interactions it offers. As the Australian government grapples with platform X, owned by Elon Musk, over the dissemination of graphic content, a pivotal court case looms, potentially extending an injunction to halt such videos. This ongoing situation highlights the complex balance between free expression and safety on digital platforms.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Australia gambles like no other country. We have to rein it in (20 Apr 2024)

Explore the pressing issue of online gambling in Australia, as discussed by MP Kate Chaney and her efforts to combat its widespread impact. Learn about her advocacy for eliminating online gambling ads to protect vulnerable communities and reduce gambling harm. Discover the challenges and recommendations from the recent parliamentary inquiry into the detrimental effects of gambling on individuals and society.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Curtin's up for girls in sport (20 Apr 2024)

Curtin MP Kate Chaney strongly advocates for the Play Our Way program grants, which are available until April 29. This initiative, backed by a $200 million federal investment, aims to enhance facilities and participation for women's and girls' sports across Australia. Highlighting the rise in local interest in sports, Chaney emphasises the critical opportunity for sporting clubs in her electorate to develop sustainable women's and girls' teams through improved facilities and programs. She encourages teams to apply and offers additional support through her office, where grants officer Pippa assists with the application process. More information and applications are available on the "Helping You" section under General Grants on this website.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

How cooked are our coral reefs? (20 Apr 2024)

The University of Western Australia's Oceans Institute will host a public lecture at the WA Maritime Museum, featuring Emeritus Professor Malcolm McCulloch, who will discuss his research on coral reef geochemistry. This study, published in Nature Climate Change, reveals that global warming has already exceeded expectations by 0.5 degrees Celsius, indicating a rise that began in the mid-1860s, much earlier than ship-based records suggested. The lecture, set for Monday, April 22, will include a panel discussion with Curtin MP Kate Chaney, among others, followed by a Q&A session, promising insights into historical and recent ocean temperature changes.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Why is it legal for politicians to lie? (3 Apr 2024)

Independent MP for Curtin, Kate Chaney, spearheads political reform with the "Restoring Trust" bill, aiming to enhance transparency and level the playing field in Australian politics. Amidst rumors of major parties tightening election rules to their benefit, Chaney's initiative seeks to curb corporate influence and ensure genuine reform. This effort, supported by community-based independents, underscores the urgent need for legislative action to restore public trust and integrity in the political system, challenging the status quo and advocating for a fairer democratic process.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Crossbench demands donations reform after $16m in ‘dark money’ flows into voice campaign (3 Apr 2024)

Following revelations of $16M in "dark money" in the Indigenous voice referendum, crossbenchers, including independent member for Curtin, Kate Chaney, demand reforms to Australia's political donations laws. Advocates call for lowering the disclosure threshold to $1,000 for greater transparency. The push for electoral reform, including real-time disclosures, highlights the urgent need for transparency before the next federal election, ensuring voters are informed about campaign funding sources.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Crossbenchers back Lidia Thorpe’s call for federal government to act on deaths in custody reforms (21 Mar 2024)

Crossbenchers, including Independent MP Kate Chaney, back Senator Lidia Thorpe's call for urgent federal action on Indigenous deaths in custody and child removal reforms. They urge the Albanese government to empower the Australian Human Rights Commission to oversee these critical issues, highlighting the failure of successive governments to implement key recommendations. This united front seeks to pressure Canberra for tangible changes, emphasising the need for national leadership and accountability in addressing the worsening conditions for First Peoples.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Push to 'clean up' political donations (20 Mar 2024)

Crossbenchers propose a $1.5 million donation cap to "clean up politics," teaming with Independents and Greens for next federal election reforms, excluding spending caps. The Albanese government criticises the loophole for wealthy candidates. The Fair and Transparent Elections Bill, led by Senators David Pocock, Larissa Waters, and MP Kate Chaney, aims for donation caps, truth in advertising, and real-time disclosure. Albanese emphasises democracy's threat from excessive election spending, as reforms seek broad parliamentary support for lasting change.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

'Reform that stays': Albanese says electoral reform needs Liberal support (20 Mar 2024)

Anthony Albanese defends Labor's bipartisan approach to electoral reform, focusing on political donations and advertising. Amid crossbenchers' concerns over a potential major party "stitch-up," the Fair and Transparent Elections Bill, led by independents and Greens, seeks a donor cap to limit individual donations to $1.5 million. Despite the need for government support, Albanese highlights Labor's historical commitment to reform and current broad consultations to achieve lasting changes.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

ABC Drive Interview on Electoral Reform (19 Mar 2024)

In Canberra, a coalition of independents, including notable figures like Kate Chaney, the Greens, David Pocock, Lidia Thorpe, and the Jacqui Lambie Network, are spearheading a movement for enhanced transparency in political donations. They propose the Fair and Transparent Elections Bills, aiming to introduce significant reforms such as truth in political advertising, a ban on donations from industries deemed socially harmful, and stricter definitions of gifts, while deliberately omitting a cap on election spending. Amidst discussions on real-time donation disclosures and the potential influence of large donations on political dynamics, this initiative seeks to reshape the landscape of electoral funding, emphasising the need for integrity and transparency in the political process.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Donation reform must drive competition Chaney (16 Mar 2024)

Kate Chaney, the independent MP for Curtin emphasises the importance of maintaining political competition amidst proposed electoral reforms by the Labor government. These reforms aim to cap donations and possibly limit electoral spending, potentially impacting significant contributions like those from Atlassian founders to Climate 200 and Clive Palmer's substantial funding to the United Australia Party. Chaney champions transparency in political donations, publishing them in real-time on her website, contrasting the current annual disclosure requirement. She argues that voters deserve to know who funds candidates and to be shielded from misleading political advertising, stressing that democracy thrives on competitive choice among candidates. Chaney warns against reforms that might entrench the status quo or disadvantage new challengers, advocating for a fair cap system that accommodates various funding sources and ensures a level playing field in politics.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Albanese Govt Urged to Protect New Tribunal's Independence (15 Mar 2024)

The Australia Institute's study on cronyism in government appointments underscores the need for reform, spotlighting the Administrative Review Tribunal's (ART) establishment by the Albanese Government. Independent MP Kate Chaney's recommendations aim to safeguard the ART's independence through measures like cooling-off periods for politically affiliated appointees and broader eligibility criteria. These proposals, advocating for transparency and a merit-based selection process, are crucial for restoring public trust and ensuring unbiased, impactful decisions on matters affecting Australians' lives.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

No billionaire should be free to sink Titanic money into politics (15 Mar 2024)

The Australian government's consideration of caps on political donations and campaign spending, spurred by Clive Palmer's $117 million expenditure, ignites debate on electoral reform. Independent MP Kate Chaney emphasises the challenge of implementing caps without disadvantaging challengers against major parties. The proposed reforms aim to ensure transparency, fairness, and prevent undue influence in elections, balancing free speech with the integrity of the electoral process. The outcome could reshape the future of Australian democracy, preventing distortion by massive financial contributions and ensuring equitable political competition.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Government moves on electoral donation reform, including truth in political advertising - ABC Radio Interview (14 Mar 2024)

The Australian government is considering implementing truth in advertising laws for political campaigns, inspired by South Australia's model. Independent MP Kate Chaney, who was part of the committee recommending electoral reforms, discusses the challenges and necessity of such legislation. In South Australia, political ads cannot make statements proven to be false, a practice that has not led to negative consequences despite being in place for decades. Chaney highlights the importance of addressing outright lies in political advertising, suggesting that the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) could serve as a conservative arbiter of truth. However, she acknowledges the difficulty in determining who should fulfill this role and emphasises the need for the AEC to be properly resourced to handle this responsibility efficiently.

Chaney also touches on the broader issue of electoral reform, including donation caps and the need for a balanced approach that prevents excessive individual influence without stifling political competition. She criticises the major parties for potentially using bipartisan support as an excuse to pass legislation that favours them, arguing for reforms that ensure transparency and reduce financial influence in politics. Chaney's involvement in electoral reform discussions, including backing a private member's bill by Zali Steggall based on the South Australian model, reflects her commitment to enhancing the integrity of Australia's electoral process.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Big money to be taken out of politics in radical electoral overhaul (12 Mar 2024)

The Albanese government's proposed overhaul of Australian election rules aims to limit big-money donations and electoral spending, targeting the influence of billionaires like Clive Palmer and Mike Cannon-Brookes. This significant reform, set to be the most substantial in a generation, will introduce caps on donations and spending, not effective until after the next election. Teal MP Kate Chaney raises concerns about these changes potentially entrenching the two-party system, emphasizing the need for fairness and political competition. The debate over electoral reform highlights the complexities of reducing big money's role in politics while ensuring a diverse political landscape.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Lawyers push to legalise voluntary assisted dying via Telehealth (11 Mar 2024)

The Australian Lawyers Alliance calls for changes to federal laws prohibiting telehealth consultations for voluntary assisted dying (VAD), highlighting legal risks for health workers and access limitations for patients. Amidst this, WA independent MP Kate Chaney introduces a bill aiming to redefine VAD as not legally suicide, facilitating remote consultations and protecting doctors. This move seeks to address inconsistencies between state and federal laws, reflecting a broader national debate on end-of-life care legality and accessibility.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

Towards a greener future (9 Mar 2024)

Four volunteers who were key contributors to Curtin MP Kate Chaney's newly published paper Curtin's Pathway to Net Zero will give a talk on Thursday, March 14, to the National Seniors Western Suburbs group. The Pathway to Zero report sets out how to get electorates across Australia close to net zero carbon emissions by 2035 and reach net zero by 2050. The report was the result of research by 50 volunteers and focuses on things everyone can do without significant compromises to standard of living. National Seniors committee member Marion Laws said: "The fear that decarbonising will negatively affect our way of life is a myth, and should be debunked as soon as possible. "(There are) positive actions we can all do to contribute towards that goal." All are welcome to attend the seminar at the Mt Claremont Community Centre, 105 Montgomery Avenue. Doors open at 9.30am for a 10am start. Questions from the floor will be taken and there will be an interval for morning tea with an opportunity to network, discuss and just relax. To reserve your place call Marion Laws at 0437 115 751 or search "Curtin Greening" on Eventbrite.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

‘A big boys’ club’: senior Liberal women fight to solve the party’s gender problem (9 Mar 2024)

The Guardian's article highlights the Liberal Party's gender imbalance struggle, with senior women advocating for more female candidates. The preselection of men in traditionally female-held seats, including Simon Kennedy in Cook, underscores the challenge. Kate Chaney's independent candidacy for Curtin, driven by the party's "big boys' club" image, exemplifies the broader issue. The piece calls for urgent gender reform within the Liberal Party to avoid further electoral setbacks.

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Alan Hewitt Alan Hewitt

I’m running again (9 Mar 2024)

Kate Chaney, the independent MP for Curtin, has confirmed her decision to re-contest the seat in the upcoming federal election, highlighting her commitment to addressing unfinished business and her rejection of claims that independents are ineffective. Emphasising the influential role of the independent crossbench in shaping national discussions, Chaney criticises opposition leader Peter Dutton's divisive politics and the Liberal Party's approach under his leadership. Advocating for a calm, considered leadership style, she discusses her efforts in engaging with constituents, promoting transparency, and pushing for reforms in areas such as gambling advertising, tax, housing, and immigration policy. Chaney's stance on nuclear power and her critique of the opposition's lack of policy initiatives underline her focus on practical solutions over political division.

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