I am honoured to have been pre-selected unopposed as the Labor candidate for Newcastle to contest the 2016 Federal election.

It has been a privilege to represent the people of Newcastle over the last two years.

As the Federal Member for Newcastle, I have strongly advocated for positive outcomes on a range of priority issues for our region.

Funding for GP Access After Hours was reinstated after the Liberal Government cut it from the 2015 Budget; Stockton, Thornton and other suburbs are back on the National Broadband Network rollout map after being wiped off; we now have a full panel of judges on our Federal Circuit Court again following long delays; and, significant infrastructure investments have been secured for the duplication of the Tourle Street Bridge and upgrade of RAAF Base Williamtown.

My Federal Labor colleagues and I have also stopped or delayed some of the worst of the Abbott-Turnbull Liberal Government cuts that would have hurt so many Novocastrians – but the fight goes on. We are committed to fight against the Liberal Government’s plans for $100,000 university degrees, a 50% increase to the GST and cuts to family payments.

I look forward to working with my Labor colleagues for a stronger, smarter and fairer Australia.

I thank the people of Newcastle for their trust and support.