Dear Berowra resident,

As I write this newsletter, my thoughts are with families and people in our community who are waiting for news of missing loved ones as a result of the flooding on the Nepalese border. 

I've been talking directly with the Federal government to ensure that families here are kept informed about the actions of the government, including search and rescue operations and helping those who are stranded find their way out of Nepal and Tibet.

I've also been standing in solidarity with the local Nepalese, Tibetan, and Indian communities. I've been speaking with local families waiting for news of loved ones, so that I can support and advocate for them in my role as Federal Member. 

For anyone trying to establish the whereabouts or welfare of a loved one, please ensure they are registered with DFAT. You can contact DFAT's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre:

Within Australia: 1300 555 135
From overseas: +61 2 6261 3305

If you or someone you know is struggling as a result of this uncertain situation, help is available 24/7. You contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this disaster.

If you are worried about local loved ones impacted by the flooding in Nepal, please get in touch with me about ways I can help connect you and your family with the government's response.

Locally, I'm also hearing lots about the declining economic situation and the struggles people are facing making ends meet as a result of the Albanese Government's tax changes.

I recently visited a range of small businesses to talk to them about the effect of taxes, the cost of living, regulations, and energy prices on their businesses, which you can read about below.

The government's changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing are making people in our community poorer.

A report in the Australian Financial Review said that these changes have wiped 5.7% off the value of homes in the Berowra electorate - that's an average of $114,000.

Local real estate agents tell me that the real figure is much higher - something of the order of 20% off the value of homes in our area. I'm also told that there are no additional First Home Buyer applications being made across the Berowra electorate.

This is why we have promised, when we come to government, to repeal Labor's taxes.

If you are struggling to run your small businesses or navigate buying or selling your home, I want to hear from you and bring your story to Parliament.

Kind regards,

Julian Leeser

Member for Berowra

EXTENDING SUPPORT TO THOSE IMPACTED BY FLOODING IN NEPAL

On Friday, I participated in a roundtable meeting hosted by Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP, to discuss the devastating flooding and landslides along the Nepalese border. 

At least nine people from our local community have been reported missing. I have spoken with local families anxiously awaiting news from loved ones, as well as Australians who have been stranded in Nepal and Tibet. 

We are working with the Government to provide any information that may assist. If you have any updates you would like to share with me, I encourage you to be in touch.

Additional DFAT personnel are being deployed to the region to support the ongoing consular, search and rescue, and humanitarian efforts. Australia has committed $5 million through established partners to provide assistance including food, emergency shelter and clean water for the region. 

On Sunday, I met with leaders in the local Nepalese community, to hear from them about the situation in Nepal. 

On Monday night, 31 August, they are coming together to support and comfort one another while navigating this tragic situation at a vigil at Hornsby Fountain at 6pm. All are welcome. 

On Sunday, I also attended a gathering of the Hindu community where a one minute silence was observed to honour those missing as a result of the tragic flooding. 

I also thanked the emergency workers, volunteers and all those working in extraordinarily difficult circumstances to find the missing and assist those affected by the flooding and avalanche. 

As I mentioned above, for anyone trying to establish the whereabouts or welfare of a loved one, please ensure they are registered with DFAT. Again, the contact numbers for DFAT's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre are:

Within Australia: 1300 555 135
From overseas: +61 2 6261 3305

TALKING TO LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES

I have been visiting small businesses across Berowra to hear about the key challenges they face today. Right now, the issues that people are talking to me about the most are tax changes, energy prices, regulations, and the cost of living.

Arjit from Pennant Hills Dry Cleaners told me about the impact of energy prices on his business. Just over the last three years, his power bill has increased to be 2-3 times what it used to be. He now tries to finish his entire work day by 1pm, just to avoid electricity price spikes. 

Tim from Baker's Delight Berowra Heights told me about how cost of living pressures are affecting every part of running the bakery, from wages, to electricity prices, to offsetting GST. Overall, Baker's Delight Berowra Heights has seen a 15% cost increase to run their business. And these costs flow on to customers - when Tim started baking, a loaf of bread was $2.40. That same loaf is now $4.90.
 

Rosemary from Top of the Ridge Bakery in Berowra told me about how inflation has impacted her business, particularly by increasing the price of the flour, meat, and coffee she needs to serve customers. Her bakery has also been hit by significant power price increases, and by changes to superannuation requirements. 

I will keep talking to businesses across the Berowra electorate to understand the impact of the Government's policies on small businesses, and to echo your concerns in Parliament. Thank you to all of the small businesses who have taken the time to speak to me and share their perspectives. 
 

Berowra Woodchop Festival 🪵🪓
Featuring markets, live performances, rides, and Berowra's annual woodchopping competition, this year's festival will be fun for the whole family!
📅Saturday 5 September ⏰ 10am - 4pm
📍Warrina Street Oval, 65 Hillcrest Rd, Berwora NSW 2081
🎟 Cost: Free entry
🔗 More information: Home - Berowra Woodchop Festival

Berowra Monthly Jam Open Mic🎵🎤
Enjoy live music from locals, or get on stage yourself, all while enjoying a barbecue and baked goods in support of the Berowra Lions Club and Sydney Blues Society.  
📅Sunday 6 September ⏰ 12pm - 4pm
📍Berowra District Hall, Cnr Berowra Waters Road and Crowley Road, Berowra NSW 2081
🎟 Cost: $5 entry
🔗 More information: Berowra Lions Club - activity Gallery

Lorien Novalis School Spring Fair 🌼🍃
Enjoy activities and games, live music, food, and second-hand stalls at Lorien Novalis' upcoming Spring Fair. 
📅Saturday 19 September ⏰10am - 4pm
📍 Lorien Novalis School, 456-458 Old Northern Rd, Dural NSW 2158
🔗 More information: Lorien Novalis Spring Fair Saturday 16th September

BEROWRA P&C GATHERING
 

Last week I hosted an event bringing together P&C executive members from schools across the Berowra electorate, to hear directly from these organisations about the challenges facing local schools. 

We are lucky in Berowra to have fantastic government, Independent, and Catholic schools. The P&C organisations in our area are deeply involved in supporting schools, and do great work to raise funds, tackle issues, and make parents' voices heard within the school ecosystem.

While many aspects of school operations are a State responsibility, there are areas where the Federal Government and our policies can make a difference. As Shadow Education Minister, I really value conversations with parents in formulating my policies in advance of the next election.

I will be taking the issues raised at the forum back to Canberra with me, and will continue working locally to make sure our public school communities are heard. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the evening and shared their feedback, requests, and perspectives with me. 

OUTLINING A NEW DIRECTION IN INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS

In my speech to the Garma Festival, I outlined a new direction in Indigenous Affairs for Australia, after three years of drift from the Albanese Government.

The Coalition will continue to focus on the safety of women and children as our most pressing priority.

But beyond this, I want to look to the future with our Indigenous policy, and steer the national conversation to three areas which will have positive effects on the lives of First Nations communities; education, wealth creation, and suicide prevention. 

Ensuring First Nations children graduate school and have a positive learning experience is absolutely essential. School completion creates further opportunities. If an Indigenous student reaches university, after 10 years in the workforce the incomes of Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals are effectively level.

Providing quality education is a clear way we can help close the gap. 

Wealth creation is about ensuring First Nations businesses and enterprises have the structures and policies in place that they need to succeed in business. It's time that governments look to remove regulatory obstacles, build investment capability and help First Nations communities leverage their existing asset bases, including native title land.

Suicide prevention is the final crucial policy area I want to address. Suicide profoundly touches parents, siblings, children, friends, flatmates, neighbours, and team members in sporting clubs - it leaves whole communities hurting. 

The rate of suicide among Indigenous Australians is 2.3 times higher than among non-Indigenous Australians. This should never be accepted as normal, because it isn't. I see a role for the government in providing support to Indigenous suicide prevention and support organisations operating in remote communities. 

You can read my full speech to the Garma Festival here. 

ADDRESSING INDIGENOUS SUICIDE

Following my announcement of a new direction in Indigenous affairs focussing on suicide prevention, I met with Julie Robotham from the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention.

Julie works with Professor Pat Dudgeon AM to understand the evidence about suicide rates and drivers amongst First Nations Australians, and to implement responses to this crisis in collaboration with communities.

The Centre is conducting research focussed on enhancing tertiary psychology education to improve responsiveness to the needs of Indigenous Australians, and planning new suicide prevention interventions that can be rolled out in Indigenous communities. 

We need to understand the evidence about suicide prevention strategies that work. I will keep expert voices like Julie's at the centre of our policy direction ahead. 

CALLING FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION

Recently, I moved a motion in Parliament to call on the Government to extend the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. 

The Royal Commission had three jobs. One, to hear of the experience of Jewish Australians in terms of rising antisemitism. Two, to make recommendations. And three, to hold wrongdoers to account.
 

The Commission's final hearing block has now concluded, but its work is not done. People need to be held to account for their failures to lead in the face of growing antisemitism, and for fomenting the decline in social cohesion in our community.

The Royal Commission still hasn't heard from senior figures from arts and cultural institutions, from key university leaders including retired Vice Chancellors, or from key protest organisers behind the public gatherings we've seen since October 7.

The Royal Commission has not heard from the Government's Ministers either.

If people are not held to account for their actions and inactions, it sends a terrible message to the Australian community about what is expected of leaders. 

You can read my full speech here. You can watch my speech on YouTube here.

MY SUPPORT FOR STRONG COUNTER-TERRORISM LAWS

During the last sitting of Parliament, I spoke on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.

The Bill extends counterterrorism powers, including control orders, preventive detention orders, post-sentence orders and important police powers, from December 2026 to December 2029.

The Coalition has always prioritised national security and counter-terrorism - the central powers at the heart of this bill were created by the Coalition when previously in government.

Too often, Labor governments have been passive and delayed when its comes to addressing terrorism. 

In my speech, I emphasised that this pattern cannot continue. I spoke about the ongoing threat of terrorism to our communities and of the need to maintain social cohesion as we are faced with the growing issue of radicalisation.

The reality of this threat could not be clearer in the wake of the terrorist attack at Bondi, where 15 Australians were murdered.

The Coalition has been engaging in close scrutiny of this Bill, and will continue to do so as it progresses through Parliament. We will never compromise on the safety of Australians, and I set out exactly what this government needs to do to step up and tackle terrorism and radicalisation.

You can read my full speech here or you can watch my speech on YouTube here.

KU-RING-GAI AND THE HILLS POLICE AREA COMMAND AWARDS CEREMONY

It was a privilege to join Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, Superintendent Matthew Scott, and other distinguished guests at the Ku-Ring-Gai and The Hills Police Area Commands Combined Awards Ceremony.

The event recognised the dedication and service of our police officers locally, as well as the outstanding bravery shown by a few remarkable citizens who stepped into dangerous situations to assist others.

Much of the work that our local police do isn't what you'd expect. From assisting individuals experiencing personal distress, to helping with fire responses and running community crime prevention events, the work of the police goes far beyond responding to crime. 

Congratulations to all the award recipients, and thank you to the entire Ku-Ring-Gai and Hills Commands for your work to keep our community safe. 

EPPING BOYS LEADERSHIP LUNCH

I had a fantastic time at Epping Boys High School's Leadership Lunch, which brought student leaders together with a panel of community representatives. The event was an opportunity to reflect on what makes a good leader, and how leadership qualities can be built. 

Epping Boys offers a great range of leadership opportunities for students with all kinds of interests and talents, from their Prefect Body to Sports Captains, Performing Arts Captains, Peer Mentors, Books and Brekky Mentors, and the SRC. 

I spoke to the students about my own journey and experiences of leadership, and answered students' questions about how they can develop the skills, resilience, and positive habits that make a good leader. 

It was very encouraging to meet so many enthusiastic future leaders from our local area. Thank you to Epping Boys' Head Teacher Teaching and Learning, Mitchell Leggo for arranging this important event, and to all the students involved for their engagement. 

GALSTON 500


 

On Saturday, I attended Galston 500 at Galston Valley Railway alongside community organisations including the RFS and Hornsby Shire Mayor Warren Waddell.

Organised with the Hornsby Model Engineers, the yearly event sees model locomotives travel 500 laps around the Railway's one-kilometre track to raise funds for research into Multiple Sclerosis. I'm proud to serve as Patron of Hornsby Model Engineers and to support the work they do to preserve and contribute to the railway history of our area.

Since the Galston 500 started in 2018, it has raised over $80,000 towards MS research. The event  was designed and founded by husband and wife Evan and Allie Thackray, after Allie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis herself. Funds raised go directly to The Westmead Institute for Medical Research.  

This year, I was given the honour of delivering the final speech before the event got underway, finishing my address with the yearly call to "let the rides begin!"

My family had a fantastic day out at the Railway, enjoying food, rides on the model locomotives, and a tour of the RFS' fire engines.

Congratulations to the Model Engineers on another great year of the Galston 500.

I especially want to recognise the organisational work of Allie and Evan, the driving force behind the event, and Lesley and Greg Wilson and Chairman Glen Rigden of the Model Engineers. 

You can read more about the event, and donate to this very worthy cause, here. 

BEROWRA'S YOUTH PARLIAMENTARIAN

The inaugural National Youth Parliament brought young people from around the country together, to experience our democracy in action and to learn more about how they can contribute to the future of the country. 

I first met Rhea Mukherji when she represented our community at the 31st National Schools Constitutional Convention.

Now, as the Youth Parliament representative for Berowra, she has spent a week in Parliament House as the voice of our community alongside 149 other students from around Australia.

Throughout the week, the youth representatives engaged in mock sittings of the House of Representatives and experienced firsthand how Bills pass through drafting, debate, and amendment to become legislation. 

It was a great opportunity to catch up with Rhea in Canberra and chat about the experience, her plans for the future, and what she has learned from this unique opportunity. 

Congratulations to Rhea on her initiative and engagement with this great program. As Shadow Minister for Education, I appreciate the work that Youth Parliament does to enhance civic education, and I am always keen to hear from students like Rhea on this issues that matter to young people. 

MAROOTA MUSTER

Every year, the Maroota Muster is a fun day out full of community spirit. 

The Muster brings together local families, teachers, organisations like the RFS and SES, and local businesses to raise funds for Maroota Public School.

At this year's Muster, I had a great time browsing fresh produce stalls, spinning the raffle wheel, meeting farm animals and chatting to locals.

Congratulations to Maroota Public and local organisations for the hard work that goes into arranging the event annually. My particular thanks go to Principal Ann Smith for the warm welcome, and for all her work behind the scenes. 
 

CELEBRATING A LOCAL PLATINUM ANNIVERSARY

I recently visited locals Richard and Gwen Howes, to congratulate the couple on a truly remarkable milestone - their 70th wedding anniversary. 

Both English-born, the couple made the permanent move to Australia in 2000 to be closer to their Australian family, including their grandchildren Breyana and Jaz. 

When they arrived in Australia, the Howes moved into the house that their son Gary built in Berowra, and still live there today. That house was where Gary raised his own children, including Breyana who dropped in to celebrate with us. 

Richard enjoyed a long career as head of printing and production at the UK newspaper The Observer, and had some fascinating stories to tell about his time at forefront of the media. 

Now, both Richard and Gwen are very active in the local Berowra community, through View Club, Probus, RSL, Uniting Church and Computer Pals. 

The Howes family radiates warmth and kindness, and its no surprise that Richard and Gwen have enjoyed such a long marriage. Their advice is simple - to love each other above all. It's clear that this approach has served them well. 

Thank you to Richard, Gwen, Gary and Breyana for hosting me for afternoon tea. 

I was glad to be able to arrange letters from the King, Governor-General, Prime-Minister, and State-level representatives to help the Howes mark the occasion. 

If you or a loved one in the Berowra electorate will be celebrating a notable birthday or milestone soon, let me know here and my team can help arrange official recognition. 
 

Richard and Gwen at their wedding in 1956. 

LOCAL STUDENT USING DESIGN FOR GOOD

Lily is a Year 12 student at Loreto Normanhurst who reached out to me to share her remarkable project for Design and Technology class, called the PathPack.

Designed to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness, the PathPack expands to create a private shelter for sleeping. It  features built in storage, heavy-duty wheels, adjustable feet, and durable waterproof materials to adapt to a range of environments. 

Lily's goal is now to take the PathPack beyond her HSC project, to see it produced for real use in the community to support those who need it. 

Congratulations to Lily on a very impressive project that clearly displays careful planning and research, thoughtful design, and a community-minded purpose.
 

ON AIR WITH 2CR

I recently had the opportunity to speak on air with 2CR Chinese Radio in my role as Shadow Education Minister.

We discussed the government's changes to higher education policy, the Coalition's approach to tertiary education, my criticisms of the new ATEC body, and what the future of the university sector in Australia will look like.

It was a great chance to connect with our local Chinese community who tune into 2CR, and I look forward to occasions to catch up with the 2CR team in the future. 

SPEAKING ABOUT THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

It was a pleasure to give the occasional address at Education Centre Australia's recent graduation celebration in my role as Shadow Minister for Education. 

Many of the ECA's graduates came to Australia specifically for a world-class education in their chosen field. It was fantastic to speak to students and teachers, to learn more about the ways graduates had embraced our culture and drawn valuable lessons from their time studying in Sydney.

I spoke to the graduating classes and their families about the international student experience in Australia and the value of an Australia degree. I also spoke about the personal growth that arises from seeking out new challenges including postgraduate study. 

As Shadow Minister for Education, it is a pleasure to engage with higher education providers and see firsthand the work they are doing to produce skilled and passionate graduates.