Hunter Federal Coalition MP Will Back Same Sex Marriage Legislation

BY IAN CROUCH

The Hunter's only Federal Coalition MP plans to vote Yes to same sex marriage legislation as long as religious and parental freedoms aren't compromised.

David Gillespie's electorate of Lyne, which takes in parts of Port Stephens and Maitland, voted 55 per cent in favour of Same Sex Marriage, so he intends to follow the wishes of his electorate, despite personally being a no campaigner.

He says it's time to look forward, with legislation expected to come before Parliament today.

"I think all the issues of protection of religious freedom and expression of religious thought and not being conflicted if someone holds strong beliefs needs to be protected as well as the freedom of speech and parental control of what their children are taught - they're very important foundational principals," he said.

Federal Member for Lyne, David Gillespie

Exceptional Hunter research rewarded

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

The Hunter's exceptional medical research was today recognised by Federal Assistant Minister for Health David Gillespie who visited the Hunter Medical Research Institute this morning.

The visit came with some gifts including the Hunter Institute of Mental health receiving $5 million in collaboration with the Black Dog Institute and $225,000 in seed funding will be used to help turn pure scientific research being conducted by the Hunter Medical Research Institute into practical treatment outcomes for patients.

NSW Regional Health Partners has also been accredited by the National Health and Medical Research Council as one of Austrlaia's first Centre's for Innovation in Regional Health.

David Gillespie believes the funding will help turn pure research into real medical outcomes for patients.

Federal Assistant Health Minister
David Gillespie

"Well the scientists do pure research and develop really new things but then you've got to translate it into a practical application and that's what we're focusing on with this funding. It's translating pure research into applied treatments."

He also says there are often gaps in treatment options for patients struggling with anxiety and depression, so it's just another area the funding will greatly help.

"Mental health is a big issue in the community, it's been hidden behind closed doors for many years but now people are aware of how common it is, people are speaking up but we need to translate all this research into anxiety and depression and into practical treatments," said David Gillespie.

How many properties do Hunter politicians own?

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It seems our Hunter politicians aren't experiencing much of an affordable housing crisis themselves, with some on the the list of the most aggressive property buyers.

A report by the ABC shows just how many properties the politicans charged with tackling the thorny issue of spiralling house prices own.

With the most in the Hunter is Lyne MP David Gillespie who has 18 properties, followed by Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon who owns five.

Next on the list is Shortland MP Pat Conroy and Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon who both have two properties, as well as Paterson MP Meryl Swanson who also has two.

The data was sourced from the Parliament's registers of interests.