Kate Washington MP

Good news👌

Today, Fams NSW hosted a ministerial roundtable for me to hear from its members. I heard sobering stories from providers of early intervention and prevention services from across the state. Well done to the panellists and everyone who attended, for delivering powerful and important messages. Thank you to the hardworking team at Fams for your thoughtful leadership and advocacy 🙏🏼

Important discussions in Adelaide yesterday with ministers across the country who are responsible for improving the lives of people with disability. Thank you to Nat Cook MP and Amanda Rishworth MP for hosting us in SA, and Bill Shorten for continuing to work hard with us to get the NDIS back on track.

Happy 30th birthday Parent Line NSW 🥳🎂 For 30 years Parent Line has been a lifeline of support for parents and carers across the state. Parent Line’s counsellors provide free advice, information and referrals to help guide parents through the complexities of raising children. The NSW Government proudly partners with CatholicCare Sydney, whose wonderful team is dedicated to making a difference to families and children. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to Parent Line—available every day on 1300 1300 52.

Six months ago I stood up a team to review out-of-home care in NSW. It was headed up by Assistant Police Commissioner Gelina Talbot and Lauren Dean, Executive Director at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. Their mission was to report on ways to: ➡️ reduce the number of vulnerable children in unsuitable emergency accommodation like hotels and motels, and ➡️ ensure every single taxpayer dollar being spent in the child protection system goes towards improving the lives of vulnerable children. Last week I was provided with their report and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you all soon. On Monday, I thanked Gelina and Lauren for their hard work, dedication and commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children and families 🙏🏼

🌻 Invisible Disabilities Week 🌻 Have you noticed anyone wearing bright yellow sunflower lanyards? The lanyard is a way to voluntarily share that you have a disability/condition that is not immediately apparent, and that you may need support, understanding or more time on transport, shops, at work or public spaces. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program also ensures that transport workers are trained to recognise the bright yellow sunflower lanyard and be able to discreetly offer additional support. Free Sunflower lanyards can also be obtained from Transport for NSW by emailing sunflower@transport.nsw.gov.au or by picking one up at any of 35 selected train stations 🚂

🐾 Great to meet Jack the staffy and the good people from RSPCA NSW in parliament today. The RSPCA treats, protects and rehomes tens of thousands of animals across Australia each year. Thank you RSPCA NSW for ensuring Jack and so many other abandoned animals lead heathy, happy lives 🐾

Parliament with puppies is sooo much better!! Thanks to Vision 2020 Australia and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT for coming to Parliament today to talk eye health. If you notice a change in your vision, don’t wait. Make and appointment with an optometrist straight away. #LoveYourEyes

Apparently it’s International Dogs in Politics Day 🤷♀️ So, here’s my beautiful spotty boy. Gotta say, Rory’s helped me work through more political problems than I can mention, and caused a few of his own 😂

Headed south today, to throw the Warrawong Residents Forum an $80,000 lifeline so it can keep doing its critical work - supporting families and strengthening community. The Member for Wollongong Paul Scully has been backing this trusted local organisation for years, the Minns Labor Government is backing it too. Many thanks to WRF Manager, Ash Castro and his team for providing much-needed support to those who need it most.