SIGNIFICANT reforms including major cost-of-living relief have been delivered in a busy six months for Bonner’s new Federal MP Kara Cook.
Ms Cook said her first months in the job had been marked by steady, practical progress, with the Government focused on easing cost-of-living pressures, strengthening Medicare, improving safety for women and children, and investing in a cleaner, more secure future for Australia.
“This month more than three million people will see a combined $16 billion wiped from their student loans,” Ms Cook said.
“That’s around half of all people with a student debt.
“For someone with the average HELP debt of $27,600, this will see around $5520 wiped from their debt.”
She said health care remained a key focus for the Government.
“On November 1, the Government delivered the largest boost to bulk billing in Medicare’s history, with 11 clinics across Bonner now offering fully bulk-billed GP appointments,” she said.
“Affordable access to medicines is also improving with new PBS listings, and from January 1, 2026, PBS
scripts will drop to just $25 a script.
“A new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will open soon in Carindale, providing free, walk-in urgent care.”
She said the Government had committed $5 billion to support green-energy and green-metal industries.
“These initiatives form part of the broader Future Made in Australia agenda, which is strengthening our economy and supporting the jobs of the future,” Ms Cook said.
“Energy prices are being eased with 30 per cent off home batteries, with over 700 households in Bonner already taking up the offer.”
Reforms to the special-circumstances debt waiver will give Services Australia broader powers to waive social-security debts where coercion, financial abuse or family violence contributed to how the debt arose.
She said changes to the Low-Income Superannuation Tax Offset would also boost the retirement savings of 7588 workers in Bonner, delivering an average increase of $415 a year to their superannuation.
“The expanded eligibility will support workers earning between $28,000 and $45,000 and is expected to add around $15,000 to an individual’s retirement savings over their career,” Ms Cook said.
She said economic security had been further supported through legislation requiring employers to pay superannuation on payday, reducing unpaid super, and helping workers keep more of what they earn.
“We also passed Priya’s Law, protecting paid parental leave for families facing the tragic loss of a baby,” she said.
Ms Cook said that representing Bonner was an immense privilege.
“I look forward to continuing to deliver for our community in the months and years ahead.”
