ACT Labor Senator, Kate Lundy, ACT Labor Senate Candidate, Peter Conway, the Member for Fraser and Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations, Bob McMullan and the Member for Canberra, Annette Ellis, met today with Chief Minister Jon Stanhope to discuss Federal Labor’s plan to reform Federal/State relations.
The local ACT representatives discussed Labor’s 10 point federation reform program, focusing on Federal Labor’s plan to work co-operatively with the States and Territories to secure our water supplies, improve delivery of health care and education.
“The Prime Minister has allowed Federal/State Relations to meander slowly and without pattern or purpose in the highly ineffective process so strongly criticised by the Business Council of Australia and Australian Industry Group”, Bob McMullan, Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations, said.
“Contrast this approach with Labor’s wide range of practical measures, across a range of portfolios, which would have a positive impact on the workings of the federation”, Bob McMullan continued.
“Today’s meeting shows Federal Labor’s commitment to working cooperatively with all the State and Territory Governments. Our discussion about how Federal Labor’s commitment to invest up to $44 million to establish Trade Training Centres in ACT schools and colleges fits with ACT Government measures to address our skills crisis was particularly useful”, Annette Ellis said.
“Throughout this election we have seen a confusing array of ill-thought-out pork barrelling stunts designed to wage war on the States and Territories. Only last week we saw Senator Humphries announce funding for an ATC on a site where the ACT Government has already committed to building a CIT campus by 2010″, Senator Lundy said.
“A Rudd Labor Government will work cooperatively with the ACT Government to deliver essential services to Canberrans”, Senator Lundy concluded.
Contact: Rachel Allen – 0418 488 295 (Lundy) Annie Williams- 6247 4396 (McMullan) or Ashley Musgrove – 0419 020 419 (Ellis)
