Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On Tuesday 27 June I'll be hosting a seniors morning tea at the Epping Club from 10 am. Valued senior citizens throughout Bennelong will be joining us that morning for a cuppa, some morning tea and a chat. There might even be a surprise birthday cake for those celebrating a milestone that month. I'm sure that, like my last seniors event, this one will again be vibrant and filled with laughter, heartfelt conversation and shared memories. Our seniors deserve nothing less from their MP. This event is our little way of saying thanks to them for the immense importance of the value they give to our community.

Apart from spending time together and enjoying a delicious morning tea, we'll have an important presentation from Scamwatch, Australia's antiscam watchdog. Online, text message, phone and in-person scams cost Australians a whopping $3.1 billion last year, and, disturbingly, that's an increase of 80 per cent on the year before. The average amount lost per scam is now a whopping $20,000. The presentation will give advice on how to spot a scammer, how to avoid being scammed and what to do if you fall foul of these criminals.

To round out the event, we'll have a very special performance from the St Charles' Catholic Primary School choir and string band. I'm sure they'll delight and captivate the audience with their brilliant musical talent. I'd encourage seniors in Bennelong to come along to this free event on 27 June at 10 am.

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