Community News June 2009

In difficult times, we have reason to be confident about the prospects for Canberra and the nation’s future. Despite the worst global recession in 75 years, Australia is weathering the storm better than most.

Federal Labor acted early and decisively to support jobs, and this has been complemented in the recent ACT Labor Government budget.

In addition, the federal public service will continue to be a stable employment base, with actual numbers overall predicted to grow slightly over the next financial year. Combined with additional support for small business, our strategy is to cushion our economy from the worst effects of the recession.

Nearly 70% of our economic stimulus is for nation building infrastructure: the biggest school modernisation program in Australia’s history, investments in roads, hospitals, universities, broadband and major solar energy projects.

Read on for details about local investments!

We are also taking responsible decisions to return the Budget to surplus and ensure our net debt remains the lowest of any major advanced economy in the world. These future oriented investments will put our economy in a stronger position to recover faster.

With our commitment to increasing pensions delivered in the budget, as well as more support for carers and the introduction of paid parental leave foreshadowed, Labor has continued to support those in need in a sustainable way.

Yours sincerely

Kate Lundy

 

Paid Parental Leave

The Rudd Government will commit $731 million over 5 years to establish Australia’s first comprehensive paid parental leave scheme from 1 January 2011.

This will provide the primary carer with 18 weeks post-natal leave, paid at the adult federal minimum wage.

Parents receiving paid parental leave will receive an average net benefit of approximately $2,000 compared with current arrangements.

1 January 2011 is the earliest possible start date for the scheme given the significant system changes required and the importance of consultation with employers.

 

Extension of the First Home Owners Grant

The First Home Owners Boost will continue in its current form to 30 September 2009, and will provide eligible first home owners with a total of $14,000 for established homes and $21,000 for new homes.

From 1 October 2009 to 31 December 2009, the value of the grant will change, bringing the total to $10,500 for established homes and $14,000 for new homes.

 

Investing in digital education

In the ACT, 41 Government, Independent and Catholic Secondary Schools have received funding to purchase 5,439 computers under rounds one and two of the National Secondary School Computer Fund.

In addition, $57,000 has been granted for approved flexible funding for students with disability to Lyneham High School, Lake Tuggeranong College and Black Mountain School.

Rounds one and two have aimed to bring all secondary schools to a ratio of 1:2 computers to students. Future rounds will aim to bring the computer to student ratio to 1:1.

 

The largest schoolmodernisation program in Australia’s history

Supporting hundreds of trades people and small businesses, 49 Canberra schools will receive another $7.3 million for round 2 of the Rudd Government’s National School Pride Program.

Last month, 75 ACT schools received $12 million for minor infrastructure and refurbishment work in round 1 of the program.

 

National Broadband Network

$100 million to Fibre Connections to Schools Initiative

 ”The Rudd Government understands that access to affordable, fast broadband is essential to the way Australians communicate and do business.” Senator Kate Lundy

 The Rudd Government has established a company to build and operate a new National Broadband Network.

The Government will make an initial investment of $4.7 billion towards an enhanced National Broadband Network, which is estimated to cost up to $43 billion.

The national Broadband Network will help secure long-term productivity growth, global economic competitiveness, the creation of jobs and better delivery of services such as education and healthcare.

The National Broadband Network is a priority investment in infrastructure for Australia’s future.

 

Investing in local nation building infrastructure

Labor: supporting jobs today, by building the infrastructure we need for tomorrow.

• $150 million capital funding for the Australian National University to create 5,000 local jobs as well as nearly 50 new high-tech and permanent academic and professional positions being created.
• $90 million funding for Stage 2 of the ANU Science Transformation: The Chemical Sciences Hub.
• $20 million for the establishment of facilities to enhance understanding of urban resource use and management, involving a collaboration between several universities including the Australian National University.
• $15 million funding for the Australian Phenomics Network project led by the Australian National University.
• $10 million upgrade of the National Plasma Fusion Facility at the Australian National University.
• $10 million funding for the National Ion Accelerators project led by the Australian National University and the University of Melbourne.

 

$200 million funding for ACT Road infrastructure

The funding includes:

• $122 million for untied local roads;
• $30 million for a road upgrade in the Canberra Airport precinct;
• $28 million for Roads to Recovery program;
• $7.8 million for black spots and
• $7.5 million for Tharwa Road/Lanyon Drive upgrade.

 

$6.4 million funding for social housing repairs and maintenance in the ACT as part of the $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan.

This funding will repair an additional 275 properties that are uninhabited or would otherwise be lost to the public and community housing stock over the next two years as they fall into disrepair.

 

Cancer Centre for Canberra

 The ACT is receiving $27.9 million to build an integrated Cancer Centre for Canberra and the surrounding region.

The Capital Region Cancer Service provides cancer services for a population of approximately 600,000 in metropolitan ACT and South East NSW.

The formation of a Cancer Centre will not only improve the standard of patient care, but it will also help attract and retain high quality staff in the region.

 

Solar Energy Revolution

The Rudd Government will invest $1.5 billion to support solar energy generation and new technologies and to reduce carbon emissions.

This will stimulate economic activity and support thousands of new low pollution jobs.

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring 20% of Australia’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020.

The $1.4 billion Solar Flagships program will aim to create an additional 1,000 mega-watts of solar generation capacity.

This ambitious target is three times the size of the largest solar energy project currently operating anywhere in the world.

 

Energy Efficient Homes Package

Supporting thousands of jobs for tradespeople and workers during the global financial crisis.

 

Homeowner Insulation Program

Installing ceiling insulation, capped at $1,600 to eligible home owner occupiers with very little or no ceiling insulation.

 

Oversubscribed, Now Closed- Solar Homes and Community Plan

Rebate of up to $8,000 for households installing solar panels.

 

Solar Hot Water Rebate

$1,600 rebate to help households install a solar or heat pump hot water system to replace an old electric hot water system.

 

Low Emission Assistance Plan for Renters

Providing assistance to landlords and tenants, with up to $1,000 to install insulation in private rental properties.

 

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