And this would have to be one of the better I’ve been to.

The committee needs a big congratulations on a great night – the theme and the decorations to match were a sight to be seen and need to be congratulated so give yourself a big pat on the back.

Certainly would attend again and certainly would recommend to everyone.

Donna McCormack. 

Over the last 8 months, I have travelled over 52,000 kilometres throughout Kennedy meeting and speaking with people about how we can ‘Make Kennedy Matter’ again after the upcoming election.

For too long, our communities have suffered with inadequate actions and an ‘all talk’ Member of Parliament.

It’s one thing to talk but another to act and improve the lives of your constituents.

In the first week of the campaign,  I have been proud of my Party Leader Bill Shorten and like him I have spoken to hundreds of people about the importance of having a stronger, properly funded education system.

It’s vital for every student in Kennedy and indeed the nation.

To reinforce this message, I was joined in Innisfail and Ingham by our Labor leader Bill Shorten, NSW Senator Sam Dastyari and Queensland Senate candidates Murray Watt and Anthony Chisholm.

It was an opportunity to speak with voters about Malcolm’s Turnbull’s plan to rip $222 million from Kennedy schools over the next 10 years and how we must not allow this to happen.

The only way to prevent these savage cuts and to elect a government that will invest in our children’s education to give them every chance -  is to vote Labor.

A Shorten Labor Government will reverse all of the Liberals’ school cuts – investing $1.8 billion more than the Liberals in regional and country classrooms in 2018 and 2019 alone. And lets make it clear we don't apologise for this investment in our kids.

Schools in North Queensland and the far north will receive an extra $50 million more than under the Liberals in 2018 and 2019.

While those in Townsville and the north-west will benefit from $105 million more in targeted needs-based investment compared to the Liberals in 2018 and 2019.

Under Labor’s plan to fund the Gonski reforms on-time and in-full, students outside our capital cities, like those right here in Kennedy, will have the same opportunities to learn the skills they need to succeed.

This extra support will provide more individualised attention for rural and regional students, better early literacy and numeracy programs and better professional development for our teachers.

There is a clear educational divide between the city and the country and Labor believes the future success of regional students and communities relies on a strong education system.

A system that will equip regional students with the right skills to obtain the jobs of the future.

I look forward to continuing my advocacy for Labor’s positive policies within our community.

Working Together, we can ‘Make Kennedy Matter’ again.

Norm Jacobsen

Labor Candidate for Kennedy

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