Libby's Latest - News from Ryan

Libby’s Latest

Dear Ryanites,

Spring has sprung! It’s the best time of the year in my humble view; the new green shoots and blossoms bursting forth… I hope you, like me, are feeling the energy of renewal and new beginnings!

However, as I’m sure you have heard, we are in for another wet season. Sadly, this means it’s highly likely that some of you will again be affected by flooding, as the ground is already saturated and the dam levels are high. My team has put some helpful tips online to help you prepare – so check out my website. If you know you’ll be safe, but would like to help affected community members, you can also sign up to volunteer.

We were warned that a changed climate would mean a cascade of crises, one after another, and we are seeing that already in our own communities. It is essential that we stop adding more fuel to the fire. In early September I was proud to support a Greens bill that would effectively ban major new coal and gas projects. The two major parties remain committed to new coal and gas, but we fight on!

We have other big challenges. Hikes in interest rates, rent, petrol and the cost of basics like fruit and veg, have more Ryanites struggling to make ends meet. Labor’s Stage 3 Tax Cuts could fund so many important things like bringing dental into Medicare and raising the pension, but instead they want to give quarter of a trillion dollars to the mega-rich.

Good public transport would provide real relief from the soaring cost of running a car, but public transport in Brisbane is too expensive and too inconvenient to provide a real alternative. My team and I have just launched a survey into people’s transport needs, to gather the info we need to fight for more frequent, connected and cheap or even free public transport - which would have the added advantage of getting more cars off the road. I’d also encourage residents to engage with Brisbane City Council’s transport review: consultations are due from October to December.

I love getting out into the community for real face to face conversations, Canberra schedule permitting. If you don’t see me at a community event, my next pop-up office is at the Indro Shopping Centre on 17 October. Drop by if you’d like a chat!

Warm Regards,

Libby

Phone: 3378 1599

Email: elizabeth.watson-brown.mp@aph.gov.au Ryan Electorate Office: 188 Moggill Rd, Taringa