Scott Morrison

About Scott

A clear local plan for Cook

The Shire is a great place to live and raise a family. I want to keep it that way for everyone who lives here. That's why I am working to implement a clear plan for Cook that protects the unique character of our Shire. My key local priorities are listed below.

Click headings to view more information.

  1. Restore our Nation’s Birthplace

    On April 29, 2020, we will mark the 250th anniversary of Cook's landing at Kurnell and the birth of modern Australia. This should be the most significant national celebration since our Bicentenary.

    We need to realize the full opportunity of this once in a generation event to bring a national focus to rehabilitating the Kurnell Peninsula and overcome decades of neglect at a federal, state and local government level.

    In 2005, Cook's landing site was placed on the National Heritage List by Bruce Baird. We must now ensure the site is upgraded to reflect its national significance, in time for 2020. My vision for the area includes

    • a new additional monument, together with upgraded walkways and signage,
    • rebuilding the wharf at Kurnell to provide ferry and launch access from Brighton Le Sands and to Port Hacking,
    • a world class high tech museum of Pacific Discovery with a permanent Cook exhibition and an indigenous interpretive centre,
    • an on site venue with major catering facilities to support functions and events, as well as cafes and restaurants to support a vibrant tourism industry for the Shire,
    • an upgrade of the Silver Beach Promenade, and
    • a proper heritage drive on Captain Cook Drive, with a separated cycle way, from Elouera Road to Kurnell.

    The area should also be placed under the stewardship of a National Heritage Community Trust Board, with representation from local community and indigenous groups.

    24 May 2010

    Speech : Cook 2020 Taskforce

    On 29 April, I joined with others in the shire community to celebrate the 240th anniversary of Cook’s landing at Kurnell. In less than 10 years, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary...

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    6 May 2010

    Media Release : Morrison rallies community taskforce for Cook's 250th anniversary

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison has invited Shire community leaders to join the Cook 2020 Taskforce which would aim to ensure Cook’s Landing Place properly reflects its...

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    15 January 2010

    Media Release : Morrison welcomes Abbott's support for Kurnell

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison today welcomed Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s support for the work of dedicated volunteers who are helping to conserve our environment...

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    21 December 2009

    Blog Post : Cook, Year in Review 2009

    It's been a big year in Cook. In March we mourned the tragic loss of Sergeant Brett Till, who was killed in Afghanistan. Brett is survived by his wife Bree, a local school teacher...

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    26 August 2009

    Multimedia : St George and Sutherland Shire Leader - Kurnell site neglected

    Read the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader's report on the need to upgrade Captain Cook's Landing Place at Kurnell by 2020, the 250th anniversary of Cook's landing. Click ...

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  2. Set priorities for local roads

    Between 1996 and 2007 the Coalition Government invested more than $22 million upgrading local roads in Cook, as part of the 'Black Spot', 'Roads to Recovery' and other grants programmes.

    However, the most significant road need in the Shire is to build the F6 extension, with a tunnel under the Shire. If this freeway is built, it will take thousands of cars off local shire roads each day and improve truck access between the Illawarra, Port Kembla , Sydney Airport and Port Botany - all undergoing significant expansion.

    It's about reducing travel times, increasing safety on local roads and addressing a serious economic infrastructure need for our city and state. The F6 extension is the missing link in Sydney's road system.

    The benefits of the F6 extension were recently highlighted in a report released by the NRMA. With an estimated construction cost of $2.3 billion, more than 1,000 jobs would be created directly as a consequence of undertaking this project with a total economic impact of $3.4 billion to our economy.

    I am working with the NRMA, State Liberal MP Malcolm Kerr, local councillors, business and community groups to pressure the State and Federal Governments to support the construction of this project, and raise community awareness and support, as part of a "Build the F6 Coalition".

    I am also working to define an agreed list of local road priorities, involving the community, to guide the investment of Federal , State and Local Governments in local roads. Such priorities should include:

    • a roundabout at the intersection of Bates Drive and Alpita Street, Kareela;
    • right turn bays on the Boulevarde to Kareena Rd, Miranda;
    • skid resistant surface on Dents Creek bends on North West Arm Road, Grays Point, to improve traction;
    • noise abatement barriers on Captain Cook Drive near Murrami Avenue, Caringbah;
    • widening the Gannons Road rail bridge at Caringbah; and,
    • improving safety in school zones, including a 10m 'no stopping' zone in Wonga and Warrah Rds at Yowie Bay.
    16 February 2010

    Media Release : Shire needs the F6 extension tunnel

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison has today backed local NRMA Vice president Michael Tynan, in calling for the F6 extension to remain part of any plan for Sydney’s transport...

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    2 July 2009

    Multimedia : F6 push gains momentum

    The first meeting of the Build the F6 Coalition was recently held to discuss a strategy to see the F6 extension is built as quickly as possible. I am a member of the F6 Coalition...

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    19 December 2008

    Media Release : F6 ignored by Labor again - no extension and tunnel under Labor

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison said today the vital F6 extension and tunnel will not go ahead under either a Labor federal or state Government after the project was ...

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    26 November 2008

    Speech : COAG Reform and Nation-building Funds Bills

    I rise to speak on these bills and, in particular, to support the amendments put forward by the coalition. The COAG Reform Fund Bill 2008 will establish the COAG Reform Fund for the...

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    15 September 2008

    Speech : Roads to Recovery - Local Shire Priorities

    I rise to speak on the AusLink (National Land Transport) Amendment Bill 2008. The bill is intended to make technical amendments to the AusLink (National Land Transport) Act 2005. The...

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  3. Care for our local environment

    Since being elected I have worked with local community and environmental groups to place pressure on the State and Federal Governments to reduce the impact of Labors’ desalination plant on the Kurnell peninsular and Botany Bay. This has involved drawing together community coalitions, exposing the Government’s shameful treatment of local residents affected by construction works, campaigning for compensation, raising public awareness of the damage being done to our local environment and Botany Bay and holding eth Government to account through the Parliament for their neglect of our nation’s birthplace.

    The other major federal environmental issue is providing effective representation on the issue of aircraft noise, where I have secured increased Shire representation on the Sydney Airport Community Forum. My key objectives here have been to make sure airlines stick to their flight paths to minimise noise, defend the curfew and cap arrangements and argue for a new noise insulation programme with other forum members.

    I have also been a positive advocate for addressing the impacts of climate change and to prepare our economy to be competitive in a low carbon future. However, in arguing this case I have consistently maintained that we be conscious of broader global action and take the time to get the design details right, so as not to disadvantage our long term interests.

    Elsewhere, I see our key local environmental challenges as making sure we look after our local waterways, beaches and parks and encouraging take up of water re-use and recycling initiatives for residents and community facilities alike.

    28 March 2010

    Multimedia : Sun Herald article - Aircraft Noise

    Tens of thousands of Sydneysiders face a dramatic concentration of air traffic over their homes through the greater use of pinpoint navigation technology. The revelation comes as ...

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    26 March 2010

    Media Release : Aircraft noise community update

    Click on the link below to read Scott's aircraft noise community update.

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    19 February 2010

    Media Release : Less talk, more action needed on aircraft noise

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison said the Rudd Government has failed to take action on resident’s concerns over aircraft noise, caused by their changes to aircraft operations...

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    12 February 2010

    Media Release : Shire residents warned of foil insulation dangers

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison today urged Shire residents who have had foil insulation installed as part of the Federal Government’s Home Insulation Program to arrange...

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    18 January 2010

    Media Release : Morrison urges Shire residents to have their say in Airservices Australia inquiry

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison, today urged Shire residents to make submissions to the Federal Parliament’s inquiry into Airservices Australia’s management of aircraft...

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  4. Planning for our local ageing population

    During the next 20 years, the proportion of Australians aged over 70 will double. This simple fact will have significant implications for our community in the Sutherland Shire.

    In my first term I am working to develop a 20 year local plan on ageing that recognises the contribution of older Australians to our community and seeks to match local service requirements to future needs.

    In September 2007, we held a preliminary forum on this issue with the then Minister for Ageing, to discuss an agenda for this plan.

    The theme to emerge from this initial meeting was the need to combat isolation of older people in our community. Other issues included:

    • recognising that encouraging people to stay in their homes longer carries significant community service obligations, ranging from community transport to home nursing visits,
    • the increasing need to provide for more higher level care places in residential facilities for older Australians, and the impact this has on the commercial viability of these facilities;
    • the emerging need to provide supported accommodation for a growing number of older Australians with disabilities, with ageing carers,
    • addressing planning constraints to the development of aged care facilities, in particular for not for profit organisations; and
    • taking steps to address workforce and skills needs of local organisations providing aged care services.

    A further summit will be undertaken in 2009, together with a series of interactive forums with older Australians at various locations around the Shire. The objective is to define the key actions at Federal, State and local level that are needed, together with the not for profit and private sector.

    13 May 2010

    Speech : Terry James Crowe - Cronulla RSL Memorial Club

    I rise this morning to acknowledge the many years service of Terry James Crowe to the Cronulla RSL Memorial Club. Terry just recently retired as president of the club, after more than...

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    11 May 2010

    Media Release : Rudd's great big new tax on Shire self funded retirees

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison said today Kevin Rudd’s great big new tax on the mining sector will hit the retirements savings of self funded retirees in the Shire hard...

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    9 September 2009

    Speech : Cronulla RSL Memorial Club

    Last month the Cronulla RSL Memorial Club celebrated its 65th year of service to our local community. Among the celebrations was a lunch organised to show its appreciation to its many...

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    21 August 2009

    Media Release : Shire honours passing of WWII Veteran Don Collumbell

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison, joined with family and friends of esteemed WWII veteran and former German POW, Don Collumbell, along with fellow members of the Cronulla...

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    16 July 2009

    Multimedia : Malcolm Turnbull listens to Self Funded Retirees in the Shire

      Click here to read more in the The Leader about Malcolm Turnbull's recent visit to attends Scott's self funded retirees forum at Woolooware Shores on Tuesday.

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  5. Keep our Shire economy strong

    The Shire economy is driven by small business, with more than 90% of businesses in Cook employing less than 20 people. I know these businesses need continued flexibility in the workplace to keep local unemployment low and further support for trades training and apprentices in the area.

    Unlike the Rudd Government, the Coalition believes it will be small business that leads Australia out of recession – not the Government - and initiatives such as lour local Jobs for Australian forum have highlighted the urgent need for reforms in the areas of taxation, workplace relations and business support programmes, such as our tax loss carry back proposal, to enable small business to get on with the job.

    As a former Managing Director of Tourism Australia, I also understand the economic benefits of a sustainable tourism industry. The Shire can play an important role as part of Sydney’s offering to domestic and international tourist alike, bringing local jobs and increased demand for local businesses. Key projects that I am advocating include:

    • upgrade of Cook's landing site as part of the Cook 2020 proposal;
    • ferry access to Kurnell;
    • establishment of an artificial Dive Wreck in Bate Bay, using a decommissioned naval vessel; and
    • upgrade of the coastal walk from Bass and Flinders Point to Green Hills - including interpretive signage.
    12 May 2010

    Media Release : Shire residents get shameless con

    This is another big taxing, big spending Labor Budget, with no serious reform, Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison and Federal Member for Hughes, Danna Vale said today. The Government...

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    2 December 2009

    Media Release : Transcript - Radio 2SM Leon Delaney program - interest rates

    Subjects: leadership, interest rates LEON DELANEY: What a huge day yesterday. SCOTT MORRISON: It was a long one and in fact the Parliament has technically been sitting...

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    20 November 2009

    Media Release : Labor's failure to take tough decisions on spending is harming Australia's long term interests

    A resounding OECD attack on the Rudd Government’s poor management of infrastructure spending shows again Kevin Rudd’s refusal to be upfront and take tough decisions, which is acting...

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    16 November 2009

    Speech : House Economics Committee - Review of the Reserve Bank Annual Report 2008

    I echo the comments of the member for Dobell and my thanks go to the Reserve Bank governor and his entire staff for the work that they do as well as the secretariat of the committee...

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    21 October 2009

    Speech : Matter of Public Importance: Labor's failure on interest rates

    I am very pleased to speak on this matter of public importance, because the consequences of the government’s reckless spending are quite straightforward for people who are trying to...

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  6. Stand up for Shire families

    Families are subject to all sorts of pressures in our modern world. In the midst of these challenges it is important not to lose site of the fundamental values that make families and hence our communities stronger.

    Since becoming the Federal Member for Cook, I have undertaken a number of actions, all designed to support local families, these include:

    • Establishing the Cook Community Classic to raise funds for local community organisations that support families in the Shire
    • protecting the recognition of marriage in our national laws,
    • supporting policies that keep our economy strong, protect jobs and reduce pressure on interest rates;
    • opposing the Government's changes to private heath insurance, that will increase premiums for the 72% of Shire residents who hold private health insurance and put greater pressure on local public health services,
    • supporting the role of local not for profit organisations such as St Vincent de Paul, helping families in crisis,
    • representing numerous constituents and their families with cases involving child support, superannuation, immigration, family benefits that have reached crisis stage,
    • securing funding for families with children suffering from Epidermolysis Bullosa as part of a national dressings scheme
    • securing a Medicare rebateable MRI service for the Shire in 2007,
    • supporting local schools gain access to grants to upgrade local facilities

    My focus is to hold Government accountable for what it must deliver to support families - in particular health and education services, economic management and the like.

    19 July 2010

    Media Release : An open letter to Shire residents in Cook

    The Shire is a great place to live and raise a family. As your local federal Liberal MP for Cook, I’ve been working hard to keep it that way. As I move around the Shire, I am encouraged...

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    21 June 2010

    Media Release : Labor's $1 million waste a slap in the face to Shire schools

    The Rudd Labor Government is wasting over $1 million on ‘incentive fees’ paid to large contractors at Shire schools while parents and students fight for basic facilities, Local Federal...

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    14 May 2010

    Media Release : Shire students suffer from Federal Government bungling

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison has joined parents in expressing outrage over the bungling of NAPLAN testing for students at Port Hacking High School which saw year 9...

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    25 February 2010

    Speech : Rotary Club of Cronulla

    I rise today to acknowledge a significant milestone for one of the most active service clubs in my electorate, the Rotary Club of Cronulla. In February 1950, some 60 years ago this...

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    17 February 2010

    Media Release : How many Shire homes are at risk Mr Garrett?

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison has called on Environment Minister Peter Garrett to advise him how many homes in the electorate of Cook are at risk because of his failed...

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  7. Support young people in our community

    I am optimistic about the contribution that young people will make to our community today and in the future. Our younger generations do not have to face the challenges of previous times - such as war and depression. However, they do face different challenges.

    Youth suicide, depression, sexual abuse, homelessness, eating disorders, obesity, binge drinking and other substance abuse, violence, graffiti and family breakdown are just some of the many challenges faced by young people today.

    As a community we have a responsibility to support our young people. This must be done firstly at home. More broadly I am working to do this by directly engaging young people and supporting local community groups that are trying to give young people a great start in life.

    To engage young people directly I have appointed a Youth Liaison Officer in my electorate office in Caringbah, whose first job was to organise our first Shire Y2020+ Youth Summit attended by 50 young Shire residents aged 16 to 24 from all walks of life, faith and backgrounds. More recently we undertook the 2009 Kokoda Mateship Trek.

    19 November 2009

    Media Release : UK must apologise to young Shire travellers

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison called in Parliament last night for the UK Government to explain why two young Shire holiday makers were detained, mistreated and refused...

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    18 November 2009

    Speech : Young Australians in UK detention

    Each year thousands of young Australians travel overseas, especially in their gap year, to the UK and Europe. It has become an Australian right of passage. Last month, 22-year-old ...

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    12 November 2009

    Media Release : Morrison supports great on-line initiative to help Shire youth

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison attended the launch of the Livewire program at Sutherland Shire Hospital today, which provides free and safe online communities for families...

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    9 November 2009

    Media Release : Morrison supports chaplaincy care for Shire school students

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison held his second annual Shire Prayer Breakfast this week and invited local church leaders to support a petition calling for school chaplains...

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    31 August 2009

    Multimedia : North Cronulla SLSC supports the Cook Community Classic

    North Cronulla is one the four Bate Bay Surf Life Saving Clubs who have joined together to create the Cook Community Classic. Together with the Bate Bay clubs Scott is a Founder and...

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Suite 102, Level 1, 30 The Kingsway Cronulla NSW 2230     P: 02 9523 0339     F: 02 9523 8959     E: scott.morrison.mp@aph.gov.au