From Meryl's Desk What an incredible time it has been to be a sports fanatic. With our Paralympic heroes touching down on Australian soil, it's a great time to reflect upon the journey it takes for our athletes to get to the pinnacle of their field. Our Australian team returned from Paris with 63 medals in total, finishing overall ninth in the tally. Our victories extended to our local champion Lauren Parker. I met with Lauren and supported her when she made her Paralympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games. At this year's Paris Games, she became the first Australian to win gold across two different sports at the same games in almost 50 years. Lauren is a true hero, and I am so proud of her for overcoming the odds, and being an icon of our region. Earlier this year, the Albanese Government invested over $200 million of funding to support our high-performance Paralympic athletes, coaches, and support staff. This is a doubling of the investment from the previous Government. This funding will strengthen the hopes of athletes like Lauren as they go for gold at LA in 2028, and Brisbane in 2032. For Lauren, and many other people with a disability, the support of the NDIS remain vital for their continued independence, access to skills, and quality of life. Our landmark reforms to the NDIS has been a long time coming. After a decade of neglect, the sector needs to be put back on track. We need to put participants back at the heart of the scheme, ensuring that their choice and control are centred, whilst also building a fairer, consistent, and more sustainable scheme. Labor built the NDIS, and we will always support it. I am glad that our legislation to put the NDIS back on track passed, and our changes will be implemented. Since the announcement of his retirement, it has been clear that the legacy of The Hon. Bill Shorten MP, Minister for the NDIS is uniquely entwined with that of Labor itself. His dedication to being the voice of the voiceless, and to supporting those who have fallen through the cracks is entirely admirable. The NDIS currently supports over 600,000 participants, many of whom live in the Paterson electorate. Members of my team at our Raymond Terrace office are available five days a week to answer enquiries about the NDIS and other federal matters. As your Federal Member, I can assist you with: Centrelink Medicare Immigration Communications (including NBN) Tax Child Support NDIS Veterans' Affairs Superannuation Aged Care MERYL SWANSON MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PATERSON 35 Sturgeon Street 4983 2401 Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 meryl.swanson.mpBaph.gov.au www.merylswanson.com.au Authorised by Meryl Swanson ALP Raymond Terrace From Meryl's Desk What an incredible time it has been to be a sports fanatic . With our Paralympic heroes touching down on Australian soil , it's a great time to reflect upon the journey it takes for our athletes to get to the pinnacle of their field . Our Australian team returned from Paris with 63 medals in total , finishing overall ninth in the tally . Our victories extended to our local champion Lauren Parker . I met with Lauren and supported her when she made her Paralympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games . At this year's Paris Games , she became the first Australian to win gold across two different sports at the same games in almost 50 years . Lauren is a true hero , and I am so proud of her for overcoming the odds , and being an icon of our region . Earlier this year , the Albanese Government invested over $ 200 million of funding to support our high - performance Paralympic athletes , coaches , and support staff . This is a doubling of the investment from the previous Government . This funding will strengthen the hopes of athletes like Lauren as they go for gold at LA in 2028 , and Brisbane in 2032 . For Lauren , and many other people with a disability , the support of the NDIS remain vital for their continued independence , access to skills , and quality of life . Our landmark reforms to the NDIS has been a long time coming . After a decade of neglect , the sector needs to be put back on track . We need to put participants back at the heart of the scheme , ensuring that their choice and control are centred , whilst also building a fairer , consistent , and more sustainable scheme . Labor built the NDIS , and we will always support it . I am glad that our legislation to put the NDIS back on track passed , and our changes will be implemented . Since the announcement of his retirement , it has been clear that the legacy of The Hon . Bill Shorten MP , Minister for the NDIS is uniquely entwined with that of Labor itself . His dedication to being the voice of the voiceless , and to supporting those who have fallen through the cracks is entirely admirable . The NDIS currently supports over 600,000 participants , many of whom live in the Paterson electorate . Members of my team at our Raymond Terrace office are available five days a week to answer enquiries about the NDIS and other federal matters . As your Federal Member , I can assist you with : Centrelink Medicare Immigration Communications ( including NBN ) Tax Child Support NDIS Veterans ' Affairs Superannuation Aged Care MERYL SWANSON MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PATERSON 35 Sturgeon Street 4983 2401 Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 meryl.swanson.mpBaph.gov.au www.merylswanson.com.au Authorised by Meryl Swanson ALP Raymond Terrace