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.

    27 January 2012

    Media Release : Coalition program to help Bate Bay clubs save lives

    Our Bate Bay Surf Life Saving Clubs will have the chance to apply for new cash grants for vital safety equipment under a Coalition Government, Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott ...

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    27 January 2012

    Media Release : Morrison congratulates Australia Day honours recipients as Shire celebrates

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison today paid tribute to Cook residents recognised with Australia Day honours this year including one of the Shire’s most treasured residents...

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    7 December 2011

    Media Release : 2011 Cook Community Awards honour our local heroes

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison recognised 40 unsung local achievers with Cook Community Awards at a civic presentation at Sutherland on Saturday, celebrating their dedication...

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    21 November 2011

    Speech : Private Members Bill - Police Overseas Service (Territories of Papua New Guinea) Medal Bill 2011

    Australia has a proud history of peacekeeping. Our police forces have long played an important part in overseas operations: nurturing and empowering nations along the path to self-...

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    31 October 2011

    Media Release : Morrison backs clubs on mandatory pre-commitment while sharing concerns on Sharks development

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison MP has welcomed statements by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott that the Coalition will oppose Labor’s proposal for mandatory pre-commitment...

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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.
    20 September 2010

    Media Release : Tragedy on Captain Cook drive requires a response

    The fatal accident on Captain Cook Drive involving a young family from Kurnell highlights once again the dangers on our roads, local federal member for Cook, Scott Morrison said today...

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    2 August 2010

    Media Release : Morrison/Kelly announce $20 million to get F6 extension tunnel shovel ready

    An elected Coalition Government will once again commit $20 million for an alignment and feasibility study for the construction of the F6 extension tunnel, local Federal Member for ...

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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.

    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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    1 December 2009

    Media Release : Open Letter to Cook residents on Labor's Emission Trading Scheme

    I thank everyone once again who has taken the time to raise their concerns with me on this issue as their local member, and provide their feedback on the reasons for my decision last...

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    26 November 2009

    Media Release : Open letter to Cook residents on Labor's Emissions Trading Scheme

    In recent days I have received many messages on Labor’s proposed emissions trading scheme, currently being considered in the Federal Parliament.  I have prepared this response...

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    19 November 2009

    Speech : Aircraft noise petition

    Since late 2008 in my electorate of Cook I have received a considerable number of complaints about aircraft noise from the residents of Sylvania, Kareela, Miranda and Gymea Bay. In...

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    28 October 2009

    Speech : Emissions Trading Scheme

    This debate is not about us. This debate has been used by many to try to define themselves or their opponents. Sadly, it has all basically come down to politics. For those who are ...

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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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    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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    14 July 2009

    Media Release : Malcolm Turnbull listens to Cook self-funded retirees

    Leader of the Opposition Malcolm Turnbull’s discussions with local self-funded retirees at a special Cook Community Fourm confirmed that Shire self-funded retirees were feeling the...

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    17 March 2009

    Media Release : Rudd threatens affordable health care for Cook self-funded retirees

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison used Parliament this week to draw attention to the Rudd Government’s attempt to snatch away access to affordable medical services and ...

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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.
    25 February 2011

    Media Release : Julia Gillard's L-I-E carbon tax

    Julia Gillard lied to the people of the Sutherland Shire when she promised not to introduce a carbon tax, a tax which will now leave Shire families and businesses with higher bills...

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    22 October 2010

    Media Release : Banks must be held to account to boost productivity

    Shadow Minister for Productivity and Population & Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Scott Morrison has today supported calls from Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey...

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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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  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.

    5 April 2011

    Media Release : Morrison leads local youth on Sandakan Trek to honour our diggers

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison will lead four young people from the Shire on the Sandakan Mateship Trek, in commemoration of the 1,000 Diggers who were force marched...

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    4 December 2010

    Media Release : 2010 Cook Community Awards - Honouring our community heroes

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison recognised 36 unsung local achievers with Cook Community Awards at a civic presentation at Sutherland to celebrate their dedication and...

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    22 November 2010

    Media Release : 2010 Cook Community Classic - Swim results

    Congratulations to all competitors who took part in the 2010 Cook Community Classic ocean swims. Line honours in both races were taken by Alex Clarke. He swam the 2km course in a ...

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    22 November 2010

    Media Release : Thousands enjoy family fun day at 2010 Cook Community Classic

    Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison today thanked the thousands of Shire residents who enjoyed a great family day out at the 2010 Cook Community Classic on Sunday and helped...

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    19 November 2010

    Media Release : Statement on same sex marriage

    In response to the numerous requests made regarding my position on same sex marriage by constituents, I offer the following statement as a way of initiating further feedback. Since...

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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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    28 May 2009

    Speech : Tribute to Major James Peryman

    On 19 February 1950 at approximately 4 pm, Daphne Knowles, aged 16, was swimming about 25 metres from the shore at North Cronulla when she was caught in a notorious rip near ‘the alley...

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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