MARKUS LISTENS AT LOCAL COMMUNITY FORUM
01-August-2011
Last night, Louise Markus MP invited the Hon Kevin Andrews, Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services, to meet with local community leaders, business leaders and residents from the Macquarie electorate. The venue at the Richmond Club was packed out with only standing room available.
Louise Markus and Mr Andrews were keen to hear from local residents regarding issues that are important to the local community.
“It is important to engage with the local community and let them know that their voice is being heard locally and nationally.” Louise Markus said.
Tonight we heard from local residents who support their club. Clubs in Macquarie give back to the community through sponsorship to sporting and recreational groups as well as charities across the region.
“The Richmond Club for instance, sponsored the Hawkesbury Martial Arts Club who had eight members of it’s squad selected to represent Australia at the 2011 USA Karate Federation Junior Olympics. They went on to win 13 medals. A representative of the Martial Arts club told the forum that without the assistance of the Richmond Club this would not have been possible.
“These children are just one example of the many ways that clubs assist young people achieve their goals.
“In our area there are 21 clubs which employ over 500 people,” Louise Markus said. “Last year these clubs donated over $5 million worth of support to local charities and recreational groups.” “These jobs and those donations are now at risk.
“In my 25 years as a Social Worker I have seen first hand the impact problem gambling can have on families. I support the efforts of our local clubs who are at the forefront of initiatives to address this issue.
The Coalition will look at approaches that provide additional, better equipped and more effective counselling and support services for problem gamblers.
“The residents who attended the community forum emphatically rejected the Wilkie – Gillard proposal for a mandatory pre-commitment scheme. My colleague the Hon Kevin Andrews told the meeting that the proposal failed the common sense test and the consequences test and would be rejected by the coalition when the legislation is brought to parliament.
“Local clubs provide invaluable services to our area and should be commended for all the great work that they do in our community. I will continue to fight with the community for common sense on this issue,” Louise Markus concluded.