Latest Media

Broadband rollout update to benefit Newcastle suburbs - 5 May 2013
The rollout update shows two new fibre servicing areas at Raymond Terrace and Williamtown, meaning suburbs north of the Hunter River, such as Stockton, Williamtown, Kooragang, Fullerton Cove, Fern Bay, Tomago and Heatherbrae are now included in the fibre rollout.

$30 million for the University of Newcastle's inner city campus - 15 April 2013
The University of Newcastle and Newcastle’s Civic Precinct will undergo a major transformation thanks to a $30 million funding injection announced today by Higher Education Minister Sharon Bird and Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Grierson. Under the University’s Building Access and Attainment in the Hunter region project, its Faculty of Business and Law will move from Callaghan Campus to a new purpose-built Education Precinct in the city centre.

Statement on Newcastle Art Gallery redevelopment - 10 April 2013
Minister for Regional Services and Local Communities, Catherine King MP, has joined the Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson MP, in expressing disappointment at the Newcastle City Council’s decision overnight to suspend its share of funding for the Newcastle Art Gallery redevelopment.

Carbon Price Revenue Assisting Local Industry - 4 April 2013
The Federal Labor Government is using up to $153,900 in revenue from the carbon price to assist local manufacturer T.W. Woods Construction invest in clean and renewable technologies. Federal Minister for Climate Change, Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet AM MP, and Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson MP, today announced the funding to the Tomago company from the Federal Labor Government’s $1 billion Clean Technology Investment Program.

Supporting Pensioners - 19 March 2013
The Federal Labor Government is delivering another boost for Newcastle’s 26,000 pensioners from tomorrow, continuing Labor’s record support for pensioners to meet cost of living expenses. Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson MP said that local pensioners would not only receive an increase to their pension, but also the new Clean Energy Supplement. Single pensioners receiving the maximum rate of the pension will receive an extra $35.80 each fortnight, and couples on the maximum rate will receive an extra $54 each fortnight combined.

Getting tough on coal seam gas - 12 March 2013
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson MP has welcomed the Federal Labor Government’s proposed amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act which will provide greater environmental protection for water resources impacted by coal seam gas and large coal mining developments.

National Broadband Network foundations in place - 6 March 2013
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson MP, today inspected an NBN-ready exchange in Newcastle, a key part of the rollout of the National Broadband Network in the area.

Reuniting locals with lost money sooner - 27 February 2013
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson MP is encouraging locals to get online to find lost bank and superannuation accounts they may have forgotten about.
MoneySmart – www.moneysmart.gov.au
SuperSeeker – www.ato.gov.au/superseeker

2013 Sharon Grierson Education Scholarship - 20 February 2013
Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson MP, has today invited nominations for the 2013 Sharon Grierson Education Scholarships. The two Scholarships each consist of a $250 voucher for the Co-op Bookshop. Nomination forms available here.

Science in the Pub 2013 - 11 February 2013
Leading scientists are taking to Australia’s pub scene to raise awareness of new technologies and their impacts of daily life, in a series of visits around regional Australia. Science in the Pub kicks off in Newcastle’s Grand Hotel on Wednesday 13 February at 6pm and will focus on: ‘What are your fears and hopes about new directions in biotechnology?’

Abbott to sack Hunter workers and slash services - 7 February 2013
Hunter Labor MPs Sharon Grierson, Joel Fitzgibbon, Jill Hall and Greg Combet today demanded that Tony Abbott comes clean on who will be sacked and what services will be lost in his push to move Government departments out of the Hunter. The secret plan will cut Australia in two – and means tax hikes for people in the Hunter.

More employment opportunities for people with disability in the Hunter - 30 January 2013
People in the Hunter region will benefit from more employment opportunities thanks to the Australian Government’s Disability Employment Broker Project, being run in partnership with Hunter TAFE and industry partners.

Newcastle gets ready for the NDIS - 30 January 2013
The Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin, and Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson MP, today visited local disability service provider, ConnectAbility Australia, to discuss how the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will deliver extra jobs and services to Newcastle.

Schoolkids Bonus helping Newcastle families get back to school - 29 January 2013
Local parents have now received the Schoolkids Bonus - worth $410 for each eligible child in primary school and $820 a year for each high school student. It is paid in two instalments – in January and July.

Celebrating Australia's Rich Migration History - 25 January 2013
Sharon Grierson MP, Federal Member for Newcastle, will officially unveil the second stage of the Maritime Centre's Welcome Wall in Honeysuckle on Australia Day, 2013.

Construction begins at Raymond Terrace GP Super Clinic - 25 January 2013
People in Raymond Terrace are a step closer to improved access to high quality health care, with construction beginning on a $15.15 million GP Super Clinic.