💬CHAT WITH PAT: PORT MACQUARIE MOBILE OFFICE🗣
I'll be at Settlement City from 12-2pm on Tuesday July 21.
Please take the opportunity to come and see me so that I can help you with individual concerns relating to Federal Government issues, such as NDIS, Veterans' Affairs, Centrelink, Medicare & Aged Care or share your ideas on issues affecting our electorate.
No appointment required. Please note that in order to maintain privacy and confidentiality, my Mobile Offices are one-on-one conversations with each attendee, not an open forum.
#chatwithpat #portmacquarie #settlementcityshoppingcentre #mobileoffice
SMALL BIZ SHOUT OUT: LA PATISSERIE DU PORT
I had the opportunity to congratulate Port Mac Business newcomer Paul Williams last week on the opening of his new family run Patisserie on Horton Street.
As an Australian, Paul fell in love with French food many years ago—especially French pâtisserie and boulangerie. Around that same time, he met his wife, Marie, who is French. Through her and her family, he was immersed in French food culture. What began as curiosity quickly became a lifelong passion.
In opening Port’s latest gastronomical edition, Paul & Marie’s aim is to create a place where people could experience authentic French pâtisserie and boulangerie. Every product they make is inspired by the traditions, flavours and craftsmanship that have made French baking famous around the world.
Walking through the door you’ll find artisan breads, buttery croissants and handcrafted pastries, as well as authentic French sandwiches, savoury classics and seasonal specialties inspired by French traditions.
Great to see business owners taking a chance and opening the doors to something new!
#supportlocal #smallbusiness #portmacquarie #frenchpatisserielover
La Patisserie du Port
What a lovely story! ❤️
I am happy the patisserie is making snails! 👏 Snails are delicious.
Great to see someone having a go, good luck to the new business owners. Unfortunately we are seeing more businesses closing than opening so even more kudos to this business 👏👏
Ooh so much deliciousness. Reminds me of Galleries Lafayette in Paris. Good luck 🤗♥️
Was absolutely delightful yesterday! Such a gift for us to enjoy this beautiful food without need of a passport or getting on an airplane 😍 so grateful!
A very warm welcome to Paul & Marie! ☕🎉 Everything looks absolutely amazing, and I can't wait to stop in, try your coffee, and sample all the delicious delights. Wishing you both every success in this exciting new chapter—we're so lucky to have you in our community! 🤎
Oh goodie, I might even get to stop by in the near future!
It all looks so yummy I will be visiting soon
Ruby Raye-Gunn we will have to give this place a visit soon!
Lynda King, Rob Fizz when are we going there?
Oh LORDY BE ! I popped in with the one and only, Oona O’Shea yesterday - and we were NOT disappointed ! Absolutely amazing - Welcome, Paul & Marie - we’re more than happy to have you here 🥰
Already popped in grabbed a baguette, coffee and sweet treat. Sssoooo good
Oh la la ❤️ Yummo!
Pleased to see Madeline’s there love them
Almond croissant. Yummy
I am planning a visit soon, looks yummy.
What o love about these delights is they are all low calorie and sugar free. Amazing 🤩
Had a delicious pain au chocolat from the patisserie. Only advice I would give is their coffee needs to be hotter, mine was warm only and cooled quickly.
Mandy Munro wow look at this place we could try 😍
Just wondering who makes the cakes Because there are no decent cakes in port except Bellbowrie
Congratulations, look forward to calling in for a coffee
Congratulations Paul!!! All the best with everything my dear brother 💝
Not allowed
Tanya Porto, WHEN ARE YOU FREE ?
Sam Donaldson
COFFS COAST SPORTING CREDENTIALS ON FULL DISPLAY
Perfect day to attend the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League National Championships at C.ex Stadium today.
Great to see our world-class stadium being put to good use! Hosting national and state level competitions is a bonus not just for local sports lovers, but for the entire Coffs Coast economy as it brings visitors from right across the country to experience everything we have on offer.
As a rugby fan myself, it's particularly good to see the game continue to evolve and attract more players and fans through the fast-growing women's league. And let me tell you, these kids can PLAY! 👏
#coffsharbour #NationalChampionships #cexstadiumcoffsharbour #RugbyLeague #WomensLeague
Imagine there was a proper athletics track and the ability to have nations acclimatise before the Brisbane Olympics. The ball has been dropped on that.
don't get excited and run out to play mate.
Go the Tah’s Pat !!
Surprised you were able to find the place
Nice game
NAMBUCCA HEADS CENOTAPH RECEIVES THE RESPECT IT DESERVES
Great to join the Nambucca Heads RSL Sub Branch team this morning to celebrate their successful application for $8,000 of Federal Funding to restore their local cenotaph to its former glory.
War memorials and cenotaphs are more than just bricks and mortar, they are the physical memory of our local heroes and a place to reflect and appreciate how far we have come as a nation as a result of their sacrifices.
Unfortunately, we have seen in recent years a disgusting disregard for our veterans and their families through the rise of vandalism of monuments like the Nambucca Heads Cenotaph.
Over the past couple of years, this proud symbol of veteran sacrifice and service in Nambucca Heads has been defaced multiple times. The level of disrespect and contempt that shows for those who have served our country cannot be underestimated. To now see that the much needed and much deserved funding has been awarded that will cover the necessary work for repairs and lighting upgrades is a fantastic result, and a great step towards its preservation for future generations.
#nambuccaheadsrsl #nambuccaheads #LestWeForget #WeWillRememberThem #salutingtheirservicecommemorativegrants
Lest We Forget 😥
Thank you it is important
Well done … great to see the RESPECT …
TELSTRA OUTAGE: CALLING, TRANSPORT AND EFTPOS AFFECTED
UPDATE: Telstra have advised 90% of comms issues now resolved and has recommended that customers try restarting their mobile phones to resume service.
ABC is reporting live updates on the situation here: www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-08/telstra-network-issues-internet-phones-live/106891206
How about teinbursement too all Affected as apme of ua have oit pacemakers and defibrillators monitored via hospitals and doctors to bad if i had an episode that waa missed
So I’m still having issues with calls to and from other people. This is not acceptable as it has made my day impossible, as it has countless other people. Nothing short of compensation will do. At least one free month would almost be acceptable. Absolute nonsense from a major carrier considering how much you charge
I had no internet on my mobile phone or wasn't able to call anyone for hours they need to give us some discount on our services in have just been able to call out and use my mobile service telstra you need to give us a discount on our next bill
In my area of Brisbane this is now number 5 outage ( the biggest yet) in a fortnight - which has adversely affected my income as my job relies on apps and the phone service. Telstra gave crickets on the last four emails - a class action in this one is gonna be the only way
TELSTRA GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER THIS IS 2026 & we all PAY FOR OUR SERVICES.If you SHUT DOWN YOU SHOULD REPAY A WHOLE MONTH FREE TO ALL TELSTRA CUSTOMERS
Should have maintained it as a public asset. T1 (November 1997): The Howard Government initially sold 33.3% of Telstra's issued shares to the public and institutional investors, listing the company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).T2 (September 1999): The government sold an additional 16.6% of its shares, reducing public ownership to 51%.T3 (November 2006): Following the Coalition gaining a majority in the Senate, the final large-scale tranche sold off 34.1% of the company.
STEWART'S STORY: MY AGED CARE FAILURES CANNOT CONTINUE
Last sitting, I put forward a motion in the Federation Chamber to acknowledge the systematic My Aged Care failures that have snowballed since program changes were implemented without appropriate testing or consultation in November of last year.
I took Stewart Mellor’s story with me, a constituent whose mother passed away in May after a devastating experience with the Home Care system.
These issues are compounding month on month and cannot be allowed to conti#patinparliamenti#agedcarefailurea#Laborfailsr#dyingwithoutdignityi#myagedcareedcare
To view my full speech and accompanying Motion, please see here: www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/29168/&sid=0277
When will the Pollies stop flapping their gums and do something about it after all they are in the seats of power? BLOODY WELL GET ON WITH IT
Thank you Pat for raising Mum’s poor experience with ‘My Aged Care’ in parliament. I hope Mum’s story and other similar stories along with a Senate Inquiry results in better outcomes for elderly Australians.
Thanks for your advocacy Pat. How we treat our elders shows what kind of society we are.
Keep up the pressure Pat Conaghan. I am 82 years old and in good health at present and recently widowed. I am fearful for my future and that of others like me.
As sad as this is, the backlog and delays have existed for a number of years), not just since Nov last. First hand experiences from 2017-2024. Biggest tip I have is apply for an ACAT early, even if you think you or your parents don’t think they need it yet. But I will say, when you are in and need help, it can be effective.
I was assessed within a month and granted assistance the following month. Probably helped that I have stage 4 cancer. There was also a handover from qld state home assistance which assisted with minor home repairs after I left hospital. I feel following this parliamentarian's speech that I have been truly blessed to receive the care and aid I do.
Well done Paul. You contained your emotions well and have identified continuous negligence by not only this government, also previous governments, and the ministers responsible and the staff of aged care assessment that has been declining for years in this environment. Accountability needs to have a major broom sweeping so many areas of local, state and federal governments that are ultimately responsible. How a society treats their elderly is reflective of the capacity and accountability of governments. Keep up the pressure. It will be interesting to see the spin applied to your approach.
This came across my feed and I stopped and watched it. Thank you for addressing parliament on behalf of our seniors in need. Same boat for my dad. The assessment earlier this year has so far provided zero help to him. Poor bloke is struggling and the system doesn't care. It's a broken system that no one - who can - seems to want to fix.
Oh yes been there for both my parent it had taken close on 1.5 yrs to have my father get a little help for him he is 83 yrs old. The system is shocking but be under the NDIS and you get a hell of alot more care with specialist and OT aids . Sorry but our elderly are more in titled to be cared for in the same scope
Thank you Pat for raising an issue so many Australians struggle with daily. Your speech was measured, articulate, respectful and honest. Something rare in our parliament today. I would be interested to learn of the Government's response to your motion. Sam Rae, the current Aged Care Minister response to the many complaints raised in regards to your issue and the Aged Care Assistant Tool Algorithm failure is baffling and seems uncaring. Is it time 'Friends of Parliament Aging Parents'?
The only winners in Aged Care are the providers....I have carers in twice a week to shower my husband ( he has Lewy Body Dementia and no longer walks) Each shower costs $550. He is incontinent and really needs 3 showers a week but theres no funds available. On the new support at home package we can no longer hire the equipment we need ( 2 hydraulic hoists) we have to pay for them ourselves which is $250 per week or purchase them at around $15,000. He was reassessed 2 months ago for funding to pay for the hire, we have been told this week theres an 8 month wait. We are also on a 12 - 18 mth wait for respite... They say, " look after the carers" what a joke, We are both pensioners and I'm exhausted! My health is detioriating as I cant get to any appointments for me....we live out of town so I only get 1 hour twice a week, its impossible to arrange anything in that time! But we carry on.... I'm fearfull of what the future holds as the population ages... The system is not just broken, its shattered! Its Sad that the elderly who have all worked and done the hard yards are being treated this way.....
There is also no support for elderly to travel to and from medical appointments that live in age care facility's. Community cars and taxis drivers are offered but the drivers often dont even have first aid training should something go wrong. In the case of my mother, her treatment was 45min drive away on a day to day bases but she was to unwell to go in a car sitting up. Only with the help of Pat himself were we able to get the patient transport care ambulance one time. I was told by a facility (whom I won't name) that if I couldn't get transport for my mum then maybe that should be the deciding factor in whether she has treatment or not. Honestly we treat our pets with better care then we do our elderly.
When my dad needed home care, he received assessment and home care within a week of me calling. That was in Mudgee. When my brother needed to put our mum into aged care in Sydney everything was done swiftly, and efficiently. Currently, you can get respite care or 60 days in aged care at no charge. I worked in Aged care for 5 years, gratefully just before COVID broke out. I honestly don't know what your issue is. I don't understand why some people are waiting months for assessment...possibly because they are expecting payouts/payments? Both my parents were on the pension and we had absolutely NO issues with either home care, assessments or actually residency in a facility.
It took two years for us to get stair rails for 2 stairs after my husband had a fall I had a fall in April spent 4 weeks in hospital and applied for aged care so we could get help I’m still waiting for someone to come and assist me
My 87 year old Aunt has been granted $500 after 2 years of waiting. She has been paying for someone to help shopping, showering and cleaning. She is on her own and can hardly walk. $500 would pay for one visit a year whst a joke 🙁
I can relate to this with both my parents. The system puts more pressure on us as children than what it’s worth
This has been an issue since before covid. Covid brought a lot of these inadequacies to light. This is over a decade in the making, probably more than 2 decades. Planning and budgeting is a requirement to find out funding shortfalls and ways forward..
Sadly this is true for so many older Australians. No place for them in the acute care setting, residential care sadly lacking and not enough service providers for home care. Sadly those wanting to remain at home are frail aged and need to be in a care setting. Chronic illness impacts the mobility for many wanting to remain at home and partners, if they still have them are also frail. Our health system cannot cope with aged residents. None of this is new it is becoming worse as diseases that were probably classified as life ending are now more chronic. Acute illness are managed more as day or short stay, elderly people aren't always able to recover as fast as younger people. So disheartening to see aged care people shunted out of hospitals, need more rehab for those who can be rehabilitated. Aged care that is available. Palliative care should available for aged palliative patients. The last few months of someone's life shouldn't be spent looking for residential care. As an aging population there is a need to provide palliative or hospice care for so many denied this right.
You can give millions to other countries but no support for those who have built our Australia. They deserve the care, respect, dignity and support when they need it the most.
I know the feeling too well my mum was on level four for the care and that was only 12 hours a week I told them I needed 12 hours a day so I could work I put mum into care soon as he went there I lost all funding all care the nursing home said if she had to go to appointment I had to pay like $60 an hour mum's health in the home declined after a while like you said there was no dignity and getting old the way they took her to the toilet or it's horrible for the poor girl the stress of going to the toilet led to lots of other problems mum passed away four weeks ago NC said to me she didn't want to die in the home but I had no choice
My mum was assessed. All she needed was handles for shower, toilet and to go outside because of steps. That was 2years ago. We have not heard back and my 80year old dad did the job as me and my sibling were away from them at the time. What's going to happen when they need more assistance that we can't give
You must also create advocacy support for those elderly that don't have family to represent them in obtaining support. I remember making hundreds of calls seeking funding and advice for my mum. My heart breaks for those that vulnerable peoples that have no advocate to represent applying for funding in this broken system.
I had a similar experience with my aged care. The only part of the process that is quick is the initial assessment. My mum had dementia plus lung cancer. I was her full time carer, I was finding it mentally tiring providing care she unfortunately became aggressive sometimes and keeping her happy was a full time job which I would do again in a heartbeat. I have an amazing husband who was my rock during this time. She was assessed in October 22 where we asked for just a break from caring she needed a break we got told that she had been approved. She passed away in July 23 without any help whatsoever ever from my aged care. After she passed to rub salt into the wound December 23 they told me to ring this number to arrange the services she needed. I replied too late she passed away. Elderly deserve better treatment. I would take her to hospital and doctors just looked at her like we have younger patients to look after , which is sad. She started bleeding one day in emergency the doctor said do you want me to intervene or we just let her go. That’s confronting and should never happen.
Well said, the treatment of older Australians is appalling. So glad to see more attention finally being given to what us simply Elder Abuse by those who pretend to care.
