We like to acknowledge when our constituents reach important milestones. You can request a congratulatory message be sent for the following special occasions:

Requests can be made by completing the form below and uploading a copy of the birth certificate or marriage certificate in support of the request. Should certificates not be available, you can complete a statutory declaration.

Please allow six weeks where possible for the processing of your request. Pat’s office will forward your request to the relevant State Members’ offices for congratulatory message arrangements at the state-level.

Privacy information: The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (‘the Department’) will collect and retain any personal information provided in accordance with the Department’s Privacy Policy.

The Department will generally disclose the personal information that is collected to Government House and/or Federal Members of Parliament to facilitate the provision of congratulatory messages to the recipient/s, unless there is a specific written request for this not to occur.

Veterans or the family members of deceased Veterans can apply for a Certificate of Appreciation. Certificates are issued as part of the Australian Government’s Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants program.

To apply visit the Department of Veteran Affairs website and complete this document.

Eligibility guidelines for a certificate can be found here.

Australian Parliament House attracts an average of one million visitors each year. Pat enjoys hosting constituents at Parliament.

Pat can assist you to reserve tickets to Question Time, arrange a tour of Parliament, and assist with other Canberra enquiries. You can phone Parliament House on (02) 6277 7111.

The Australian Government invests in community projects and initiatives. Visit the Parliament of Australia website for a summary of grants currently open or recently awarded.

If you are a business owner or a business intender, AusIndustry Regional Managers based in Newcastle may be able to help. They can visit your premise to outline whether or not there are any grants or assistance schemes your business is eligible for.

Phone AusIndustry Regional Managers to request a consultation.

Tim Cotter | AusIndustry Central Coast, Hunter and North Coast NSW Regional Manager
tim.cotter@industry.gov.au
0429 447 307
02 4014 5977

Natalie Gillam | AusIndustry Central Coast, Hunter and North Coast NSW Assistant Regional Manager
natalie.gillam@industry.gov.au
0434 606 779
02 4014 5922

What grants have been awarded in Cowper?

Additional information can be found at Grant Connect.

While encouraging rigorous debate and the sharing of diverse opinions, there is an expectation for community members to treat the page and each other with respect and courtesy. These standards apply to interaction across all online services connection to the Cowper Electorate Office.

By interacting with our social media pages, you understand and agree that the Electorate Office has ultimate control over all its online services. The Office may remove or exercise its discretion not to accept or publish your contribution for legal, editorial or operational reasons including if the Office considers it to be:

1. defamatory, or otherwise unlawful or that it violates laws regarding harassment, discrimination, racial vilification, privacy or contempt;
2. intentionally false or misleading;
3. an infringement of intellectual property rights including copyright;
4. abusive, offensive or obscene;
5. inappropriate, off topic, repetitive or vexatious. For example, the office reserves the right to reject comments that have appeared across multiple posts unrelated to the topic.
6. compromising the privacy of any person or containing inappropriate personal information;
7. seeking to endorse commercial products or services;
8. seeking to directly solicit donations;
9. deliberate provocation of other community members; or
10. impersonating someone else and/or posting on behalf of a suspended member.

If you breach these Terms of Use, the Office may block your account from being able to interact with the page.

Pages cannot be monitored 24 hours a day, and comments are turned off once they are unable to be effectively managed by our team.

If you have concerns about content or issues expressed on our social media pages, we invite you to contact us via email at Pat.Conaghan.MP@aph.gov.au or call the office during business hours.

Medicare general enquiries
132 011
7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Medicare telephone claims
1300 360 460
7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme – Taking or sending medicines overseas
1800 500 147
7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme General Enquiries
132 290
7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Services Australia: Centrelink online services support
132 307
Mon – Fri: 7 am – 10 pm
Sat – Sun: 10 am – 5 pm
Get help using your Centrelink online account or Centrelink Express Plus mobile app.

Centrelink phone self-service
136 240
7 days a week
24 hours a day
Check payment information, such as past and future payments; update your family income estimate; complete your Rent Assistance review; apply for an advance payment; hear your Working Credit or Income Bank balance; ask for a mailed copy of documents.

Centrelink reporting
133 276
7 days a week
24 hours a day
Report your employment income and report if you’ve met your Mutual Obligation Requirements in your Job Plan.

MyGov
132 307
Mon – Fri 7 am – 10 pm
Sat – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
MyGov helpdesk – Select Option 1

Centrelink – Older Australians
132 300
Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm
About to retire or retirement, seniors, needing help after someone has died.

Centrelink – People with a disability
132 717
Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Illness or injury, caring for someone

Centrelink – Tip-offs and fraud
131 524
Mon – Fri 9 am – 5 pm AEST
Line is closed on South Australian public holidays.

Centrelink – International Services
131 673
Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm

Centrelink – Complaints and feedback
1800 132 468
Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Provide feedback, suggestions or make a complaint

Centrelink – Farmers and their partners
132 316
Mon – Fri 8 am – 8 pm
Farmer assistance hotline

Centrelink – Financial Information Service (FIS)
132 300
Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Information for financial matters and free financial seminars

Centrelink – Income Management
1800 057 111
Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm
BasicsCard balance enquiry 7 days a week, 24 hours a day

Centrelink – Foreign exchange
1800 050 041
Mon – Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Information about foreign exchange rates.
For more information about the delivery of government payments and services, visit  Services Australia.

Centrelink – Payment and Service Finder
An online tool to see what payments and services you may be eligible for. Click here.

My Aged Care
1800 200 422
Monday to Friday: 8am – 8pm, Saturdays: 10am – 2pm, Closed on Sundays and national public holidays.
My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s starting point on your aged care journey. Find and access the government-funded services you need. Visit the website here.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs
1800 555 254
Monday to Friday 8am and 5pm
Providing benefits and pensions to current and former serving members of the Australian Defence Force, their family and carers. Visit the website here.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
1800 951 822 (free call)
Share your concerns or lodge a complaint about an aged care service provider. Visit the website here.

Healthdirect Australia
1800 022 222
Free 24 hour health advice helpline providing convenient, non-urgent health advice and information. Visit the website here.