Fiona Phillips (Gilmore, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Well, it's been just over a year since I was re-elected by my community in Gilmore as their representative here in the federal parliament. Over the past 12 months, I'm so proud of what the Albanese Labor government has delivered for my region, including a new Medicare urgent care clinic in Nowra, which has seen more than 2,000 people in the first two months of operation. We've also announced that a Seahawk helicopter, AKA Nowra's 'chopper on a stick', will be returning to the town's gateway after being selected as the preferred option by community vote. Next week, the impressive and long awaited Jervis Bay flyover will be open to traffic, marking a significant milestone in the upgrade of the Princes Highway on the New South Wales South Coast.

One of the most critical projects now under way in the Shoalhaven is the provision of transitional housing for women and children escaping family and domestic violence, delivered by SASSI and supported by the Albanese Labor government's Housing Australia Future Fund Crisis and Transitional Program. The project has received $10.2 million in federal funding to purchase 15 homes, which are currently being upgraded. The six two-bedroom and nine three-bedroom units are in an ideal location for women and children to restart their lives in a safe and connected environment, with health care and community services nearby and a bus stop outside the property. There are playgrounds and schools close by. This critical housing project will help at least 15 local families every single year. SASSI will also provide specialist domestic and family violence case management throughout their tenancy and beyond, coordinated from an on-site office, ensuring residents have ready access to support, referrals and practical assistance. Each independent, self-contained home has a fully fenced yard for safe play, and the dwellings are pet friendly, recognising the important role pets play in recovery from trauma.

These homes are some of the social and affordable homes the Albanese Labor government is delivering through its $45 billion housing plan. Already, more than 700 first home buyers across the South Coast have purchased their own home under the five per cent deposit scheme. We're working with states, territories and industry to remove barriers to building more homes, and we're training more tradies through free TAFE and the $10,000 apprenticeship incentives, including 390 across the South Coast. Today, I want to say thank you to SASSI for providing safe and secure homes for vulnerable women and children and also helping them stabilise their lives and prepare for sustainable, long-term independence in our community.

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