As the representative for Mackellar, my team and I are here to help. If you would like assistance with any of the federal government services listed below, please email us at [email protected]:
As the representative for Mackellar, my team and I are here to help. If you would like assistance with any of the federal government services listed below, please email us at [email protected]:
As your federal member, I am here to serve you and represent our voice and our values in Canberra. I am also here to help you and your family access services provided by the federal government.
If you have reached the stage of life where you need some assistance to remain in your home or are thinking about whether you need to move to residential care, then this guide can help you navigate My Aged Care, the agency that will help you find the right level of care and support.
The system can be complex but my electorate staff have expertise in helping you and your family find your way through the federal services. They can provide advice and if necessary, help you with any roadblocks.
Click here for a digital copy or contact our office for a physical copy via (02) 9913 9566 or [email protected]
A couple in their 70’s faced a challenging situation when the husband's health declined due to seizures and strokes. The wife had to
leave her job to provide full-time care, and the husband was unable to continue working. Delays in processing their aged pension forms left them reliant on their savings, creating significant financial strain.
The husband's need for support increased following multiple hospital stays. After his discharge, he became eligible for a My Aged Care Home Care Package, but accessing it depended on receiving an aged pension. Without access to computers, the couple had to submit documents in person, adding further stress. The wife was often forced to leave her husband unattended during long visits to Services Australia in Brookvale.
Distressed by the delays, she reached out to our office for assistance. Our constituent liaison team immediately contacted Services Australia to advocate on their behalf. This intervention led to a swift resolution, with both aged pensions approved within a week—almost six months after their initial application.
We were contacted for help with a tourist visa. While a constituents sister-in-law’s husband’s visa was approved his sister-in-law had been refused, delaying their plans for a family reunion. With Sophie’s support the new visa application was successfully granted, and the family had their long-awaited and joyful family reunion this Christmas.
In a very large nursing home on the northern beaches there had previously been a polling station. The AEC had decided to shut it down but after letters of support detailing how hard it would have been for the residents to all get out and vote it has been reinstated!
A widow had a frustrating, year-long issue with the ATO. She had been trying to access her late husband’s final tax return. After the team's intervention, within just five days, the lady had a call from the ATO confirming the issue had been resolved, and the tax refund was deposited into her account shortly after.
A desperate mum reached out to our office for help with her adult son’s NDIS package. She was facing significant challenges in keeping him safely at home and needed urgent support to secure the funding required for him to move out safely and independently. After our office’s advocacy the lady’s son has now received the significant necessary NDIS funding, allowing for a positive change in their lives.
Mackellar now has a Seniors Guide. This handy resource provides information about federal services and benefits available to people over 65. Digital copies are available on the website or hard copies can be sent out.
A Collaroy family who immigrated from Estonia contacted us because their dog Sugar was about to be deported due to a test error. Our office contacted the Minister advocating for a review of the test results and requested a more reliable testing method. This proved successful and Sugar was reunited with his parent. "I can’t thank you enough for all your support and helping us reunite and for everything you do for this community."
A three-month-old child needed urgent citizenship approval to travel to the USA for family reasons. The family was stuck overseas, with an estimated two-month processing time from the Department of Home Affairs. After our office intervened and advocated for an expedited process, citizenship was granted within a day. The family was thrilled with the outcome, sharing their appreciation: “Can’t thank you enough. Everyone is thrilled. Absolutely amazing news!!! Thank you so much.”
Wait times for these essential services can exceed 12 months, even though many older Australians need support within weeks. One elderly gentleman's health had significantly declined after waiting five months for his home care package, his wife reached out to our office for assistance. Following our intervention, not only was his home care package increased, but funding was released within a couple of weeks.
A Collaroy constituent contacted us after his daughter’s youth allowance had been ‘stuck in the system’ for 140 days with Services Australia. It was happily, resolved in a week.