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STATE MEMBER FOR CASTLE HILL

CHEAPER GREENS SLIPS ON THE WAY

Last year the Government undertook a comprehensive review of the current scheme that has now been in place for over 16 years. The review found that the Green Slip system is failing people injured on our roads, and becoming unaffordable for NSW motorists. Currently, only 45 cents in every dollar collected by CTP insurers actually goes to those it was designed to support – injured people. Worse still, people injured in motor accidents can wait on average three to five years to receive substantial payments under the current CTP scheme, and even longer in some cases. At the same time, Green Slip premiums in NSW have increased by 85% in the past decade and are now the most expensive in Australia. The NSW Government is proposing reforms to the CTP scheme which will lower the cost of premiums, reduce insurer super profits, cut delays in the payment of benefits, and target fraudulent and exaggerated claims. These reforms will substantially lower Green Slip prices for many vehicle owners, with state-wide average premiums to drop from $650 to $528. NSW motorists will shave around $120 off their Green Slip under the new scheme. The reforms will ensure injured people receive benefits more quickly to enable them to recover and return to normal life. Under these new reforms, injured motorists who cannot prove another driver was at fault will be covered for up to six months for loss of income, treatment and care. Injured people who are not at fault in an accident will be entitled to additional income and medical support, and those with moderate and more serious injuries will retain access to the common law system. The NSW Government is determined to ensure the CTP scheme delivers what it was designed to do: provide injured people with the benefits and support their need to recover. 75

YEARS AND GOING STRONG

I was honoured to attend the Kenthurst Rural Fire Service Brigade’s 75th Anniversary Dinner on Friday 7 April 2017, at the beautiful Allegro Function Centre. This commemorative event had an incredible 1940’s era theme in recognition of the organisation’s establishment date of 6 April 1942.

Upon arrival, guests entered a themed ‘time tunnel’ of sand-bagged bunkers and camouflage nets, which effectively transported them back to the early twentieth century. The venue was decorated with old firefighting, farming and military memorabilia, and the room was filled with the sounds of Australian Army Band Sydney and some fantastic ‘swing’ music. There were uniforms and medals galore along with fox fur stoles and graceful evening gowns. It was a glorious celebration, and a fitting commemoration to the incredible history of the Kenthurst Brigade which was established after the devastating fires that swept the Hills in 1939. Out of the ashes, rose local armies of community volunteers who created this incredible local network of Brigades in Kellyville (the oldest), Annangrove, Rouse Hill, Box Hill/Nelson and Kenthurst; who work tirelessly to attend emergencies both locally and further afield when needed. Congratulations Kenthurst Rural Fire Service on your 75th Anniversary, and thank you for all the incredible work that you do, and have done.

CONGRATULATIONS

Colin & Valda Morley – 60th wedding anniversary; Peter & Sybil Jones, Ian & Elsie Nowland – 70th wedding anniversary

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