Bob Debus for Macquarie E-news #3

Dear supporter,

In just over five weeks, on November 24, Australians will be asked to choose a new Government.

The choice is stark – John Howard who, after 11 years in power, is stale and has lost touch with working families, or a Rudd Labor Government that can deliver new leadership for Australia's future.

I have been out and about in Macquarie, listening to the views of the community, and the message is simple: despite a booming economy, local working families are struggling with increasing grocery bills, petrol prices and interest rates. They are also worried about job security under John Howard's unfair WorkChoices laws and the lack of affordable housing.

Kevin Rudd has fresh ideas and a plan for the future that will deliver a strong economy. We will invest in education and training, build a high-speed national broadband network, restore balance and fairness in the workplace, roll out a national plan to fix our hospitals and implement practical action on climate change to protect both our economy and our children's future.

If you want to speak to me further about any federal issues please make an appointment at any one of our three offices (contact details at bottom of this email). Alternatively, you could talk with me at the Cullen Bullen Public School Fete this Saturday.

Sincerely,
Bob Debus

Campaign updates:

Macquarie Campaign Launch: A Plan for Prosperity

On Tuesday, more than 60 local people joined me outside the Bathurst cottage of former Prime Minister Ben Chifley to launch our campaign for the seat of Macquarie.

We chose Ben Chifley's cottage because the values of decency and fairness that he stood for still hold true today. In his famous Light on the Hill speech, Chifley spoke of Labor 'bringing something better to the people, better standards of living, greater happiness'.

At the heart of Kevin Rudd's plan for the future are better standards of living underpinned by fairness and decency. This can be the future for all of us.

Labor's plan is based on a strong, modern economy that rewards hard work and innovation, and delivers for working families. The plan includes:

- Investing in an Education Revolution
- Restoring balance and fairness in the workplace
- Implementing a national dental program and high-quality regional health services
- Rolling out a high-speed broadband network for families and businesses in the city and the bush
- Helping families by making housing more affordable, giving greater support for childcare and allowing the price watchdog to better monitor petrol and grocery costs
- Supporting job creation, including the proposed Bathurst technology park and an advanced manufacturing industrial park near Lithgow
- Urgent, decisive action on climate change to protect the economy and our children's future by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol and developing renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and clean-coal technology

If elected, I am committed to working from day one to deliver better services and infrastructure to the people of Macquarie.

Investing in education: Kevin Rudd will build new Trades Training Centres in local high schools

Australia has a serious skills shortage, and skills have become a core economic challenge for the nation. This is particularly the case in the traditional trades.

That's why Kevin Rudd and I have a plan to give every local secondary school the opportunity to be a first-class provider of technical education.

A Rudd Labor Government will also invest:

- $450 million in early childhood education
- $111 million to encourage more maths and science graduates and teachers
- $62.5 million in shared facilities between public and private schools
- introduce a National Action Plan to improve reading and maths.

We want every local student to get the best chance in life.

KEVIN07 Wines: Buy, drink or sell this wine and help elect Kevin Rudd

You are invited join me at the launch of the KEVIN07 Wine Fundraiser at 12:30pm on Friday 19 October 2007 on The Portico of The Carrington Hotel in Katoomba.

The Kevin07 wines are an excellent drop produced by award-winning Mudgee wine maker Andrew Harris. All proceeds go towards the local Macquarie campaign and to electing a Rudd Labor Government.

You can choose from:

• 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2007 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc.

You can buy by the dozen, the mixed dozen, or a twin pack. There are also special twin packs that have been hand-signed by high profile past and present Labor leaders, which are sure to become collector's items.

Kevin07 Wines will be available for purchase at the launch or using the attached order form.
For more information email kevin07wine@gmail.com or phone (02) 4782 5977.

Upcoming events:

Labor Listens to Seniors: Aged Care Forum

Join Senator Jan McLucas, Labor's Shadow Minister for Ageing, Disabilities and Carers, for a discussion on the challenges associated with an ageing population.

Senator McLucas will outline how a Rudd Labor Government would work with Central West communities and families to ensure that seniors enjoy healthy, productive lives and have access to quality aged-care services.

PLUS Special Guests:

Mark Worthington, a Bathurst solicitor who will discuss power of attorney, wills and guardianship.

Terisa Ashworth, manager of the Seymour Centre, a community based day centre providing social and recreational activities for seniors, will outline the services available to seniors in Bathurst.

When: 10am-midday, Tuesday 23 October
Where: Bathurst Entertainment Centre, 105 William Street, Bathurst
Morning tea provided
For more information please call: 1300 785 186 or 6331 6488 or email: bob.debus@alp.org.au.

" Weathering Politics: Why I Joined the Kevin Rudd Team"

With guest speaker Mike Bailey – Labor Candidate for North Sydney

Enjoy high tea while hearing former ABC weatherman and Labor candidate for North Sydney Mike Bailey talk about weathering politics and why he joined Kevin Rudd's team.

Mike has harboured an interest in politics during his 35 years in broadcasting, including 20 years as the ABC's weatherman, so given the opportunity to stand for the seat of North Sydney he leapt at the challenge, despite needing a swing of 10% to unseat Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey.

Mike is committed to taking action on climate change, to developing a fairer and more balanced industrial relations landscape and building a better health system.

Mike and Bob will also address a gathering in Bathurst on the afternoon of November 4. Venue and time will be confirmed in the next e-newsletter.
When: 11am-1pm , Sunday November 4, 2007
Where: The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba
Cost: $25
Tickets: Megalong Books, Leura or phone Kathie Herbert 4782 3384 or Naomi Parry 4782 7593.

What you can do:
Help with the campaign

There are plenty of jobs to do leading up to the big day. If you are able to help by volunteering in one of our campaign offices, letterboxing, doorknocking, staffing a polling booth on election day, or putting a Bob Debus poster in your front yard, car window or shopfront, please contact your nearest campaign office.

Donate

While Kerry Bartlett has access to thousands of dollars worth of taxpayer funded campaign material, we rely on community support us as we continue to fight for working families across the electorate. Any contribution big or small would be most welcome. Donations up to $1500 are tax deductible. Cheques can be made out to 'ALP NSW Branch – Bob Debus for Macquarie Campaign' and sent to PO Box 636, Katoomba 2780.

Contact the campaign:

I am available to meet residents to discuss federal issues. Simply contact our team to arrange a time at our offices in Bathurst, Springwood or Lithgow.

General Campaign Contact
Ph: 1300 785 185
Fax: 1300 785 186
E: bob.debus@alp.org.au
Bathurst Office
Ph: (02) 6331 6488
Fax: (02) 6332 3388
Mail: PO Box 262
BATHURST, NSW 2795
Office:137 George St, Bathurst
Springwood Office
Ph: (02) 4751 4239
Fax: (02) 4751 4501
Mail: PO Box 636
KATOOMBA, NSW 2780
Office: 13/125 Macquarie Rd, Springwood
Lithgow Office
Ph: 0448 472 600
Office: 50 Main St, Lithgow

Please pass this email on to interested friends, family and workmates. To sign up for future bulletins, email SUBSCRIBE to bob.debus@alp.org.au. If you no longer wish to receive them email UNSUBSCRIBE to bob.debus@alp.org.au


Bob Debus | Labor Candidate for Macquarie
Springwood Campaign Office
Ph: 02 4751 4239 | Fax: 02 4751 4501
bob.debus.springwood@bigpond.com