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 | 'Howard's End', an electronic game that at peak times was being down-loaded every three minutes; |
| 'e-grams' - personalised electronic cards featuring messages about the negative impact of a GST sent via email; |
| banner adds that allowed supporters of the party to 'link' their web page to the ALP web page via an animated advertisement; |
| detailed candidate information, electorate maps and the respective ALP 'how to vote' cards. |
| ALPTV, featuring the campaign launch which was 'streamed' live to the internet. |
In recognition of high quality and innovative features, the site has won the 'Best of Asia Pacific' Award for political sites in 1998.
Gary Gray, ALP National Secretary and campaign director said: "The quantity of policy information downloaded from the web site demonstrated the convenience of the online service. At one point the ALP's 'Plan for the Nation' was being downloaded at a rate of 45 per hour.
"The web page also generated a lot of direct dialogue with voters by facilitating e-mail enquiries to the ALP National Office about policies and current political issues from members of the public
Senator Lundy, who is also Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology referred to recent ABS figures showing impressive growth in internet connectivity:
"Equity of access to the internet is a priority for the ALP. The role our web page has played in making our policies easily accessible to online citizens is something we are very proud of, but we are also conscious of the fact that the majority of Australians have never accessed the internet.
"The barriers to internet access, of which cost is still the largest, must be removed if on-line democratic participation, or 'cyber-democracy' is to find a meaningful place in Australian politics", Senator Lundy concluded.
Contact Simon Tatz on (02) 62773334
"Yesterday’s announcement by Prime Minister Howard that Australia has agreed to a joint approach on e-commerce with the United States is not so much a negotiated bilateral agreement but simply the US imposing its preferred position on Australia, said Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister assisting on Information Technology.
"Many of the issues Mr Howard claims have been ‘agreed’ to are in reality specific outcomes of the OECD Ministerial Forum on Electronic Commerce, held in Ottawa in early October.
"The OECD Ministerial Forum raised a number of bureaucratic riddles with respect to consumption taxes, like the Government’s proposed GST. However Mr Howard neglected to include any reference to the impact of a GST on e-commerce. Given the current public debate surrounding the GST, this is a glaring omission.
It appears that Mr Howard is avoiding the hard questions on e-commerce, such as:
| If the GST makes some goods more expensive, won’t Australians simply avoid paying tax through e-commerce purchases? |
| How will Australian small businesses, especially small retailers, benefit from this agreement given that they will be competing against giant online US multinationals? |
| What impact will this agreement have on Australian industry and suppliers if they operate under a GST, but online transactions are not subject to the same taxation system? |
| What is the view of the Australian Tax Office with respect to e-commerce? |
Senate Adjournment - E-commerce and
the GST - Implementation
Gore/Clinton speech
announcing the agreement
Contact: Simon Tatz on 0418 488295
The Federal Government could do more to reduce the number of drownings each summer by providing funding for sports and recreational organisations involved in water activities, the Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Kate Lundy, said today.
In the last 25 years, approximately 2000 Australian children have died from drowning. In the last year alone over 320 Australians drowned and approximately 100 children under five suffered brain damage as a result of preventable water accidents.
Despite this horrific toll, over 70% of Australian children do not receive adequate water safety training.
"The summer season is too often marked by drownings and water related accidents. It’s time the federal government took a more interventionist approach to stop more children drowning by helping fund those organisations who teach, and are involved in, water safety", Senator Lundy said.
"Water safety and survival is no longer a compulsory component of school curriculums and the demise of essential water skills should be a government priority. According to the Royal Lifesaving Society, the number of school students attaining bronze medallion standard has fallen from around 50,000 in the 1970s to about 12,000 today.
"The Olympic swimming program receives almost $4 million a year from the Government, yet there is no money available for local life saving, lifeguard training or water safety research. The Minister for Sport should be looking to procure additional funding so that more children are taught basic water safety skills", Senator Lundy said.
Contact: Simon Tatz on 0418 488295
Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister for Sport and Youth Affairs, today condemned the Government for its failure to encourage young people to nominate for the National Youth Roundtable.
"The Government's move to extend the close of nominations because of the clear lack of interest indicated that Australia's youth were also sceptical of the process and do not believe the Government is serious about listening to their concerns", Senator Lundy said.
"A couple of ads in newspapers and an internet site is not enough to encourage a wide interest in the Youth Roundtable nor can it be considered a true attempt to get a broad range of nominations. Perhaps that is the Minister's objective.
"There also needs to be some serious questions asked about the selection process for the 50 young people who will not be elected to the Roundtable but simply selected by the Minister. It will certainly turn out to be a farce if the Minister is in any way partisan in his selection of delegates to the Roundtable.
"You can not expect to properly understand the issues and concerns of Australia's Youth by simply holding two meetings a year with a Ministerially hand picked group of young people. This is no replacement for a national peak youth group"
"This sort of idea should be an additional measure undertaken by Government for getting in touch with young people instead we see the Government trying to use it as a replacement for a peak youth organisation", said Senator Lundy
The original close of nominations for the National Youth Roundtable was the end of October but the Government was forced to extend the deadline until 4 December 1998. Senator Lundy is encouraging all people between the ages of 15 and 24 to nominate so that the Minister has a wide variety of people to choose from.
Contact: Matthew Cossey 0412 023334
explore.cyberculture is being hosted by VICNET ans is both an on-line (streamed) and live event.
Time: 10-11am
Where: The lawns of the Victorian State Library.
Check out the site for information and speakers. Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology will be chairing the forum and at its conclusion a communique will be circulated.
" I support this initiative and encourage everyone who is interested in the social implications of the internet to contribute to the web site, Senator Lundy said.
" Equitable access to the internet must become a priority for Governments at all levels, given the central place that the internet will have in communication, information distribution and cultural development in the future.
http://cf.vicnet.net.au/questiontime
In a speech to the Senate this week, Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology, highlighted the continuing inequities that exist in Australia with respect to internet access.
"As more companies, government services and community organisations establish an internet presence, I cannot help but think that only part of our population is privileged enough to participate in this new medium.
"Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that 18 per cent of Australian households have internet access. Whilst this represents remarkable growth of 28% over the last six months, it means that 82% of households do not have access.
"This raises very serious questions about equity and access to the internet and to information technologies. Previously, ABS statistics showed that the biggest single reason why people do not have internet access is cost, reinforcing the contention that the phenomenon of 'information haves and have-nots' is related directly to household income.
"Growth of the internet is exponential, with over 100 million people across the globe having internet access. The volume of data traffic doubles every 100 days and as we move closer to the new millennium these growth trends will continue.
I am concerned, however, that a large proportion of our society will not be afforded the opportunity to participate.
"This exclusion zone goes beyond just household access and into the areas of education, the workplace and community groups. As there is a transfer of government and corporate services to the internet medium, there are sections of our community that will be permanently excluded from accessing these services.
"Equity of access to the internet presents a political challenge that should not be underestimated. It is about a cultural shift and technological advances that will change the way society accesses information, entertainment and public and private services.
"Governments, therefore, have a fundamental responsibility to ensure equitable access.
"The Minister for Communication, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Alston has failed to give this issue the level of priority it deserves and it is my hope that On-line day will help to rectify his misplaced priorities.
Contact Simon Tatz on 0418 488295
For the full text of the Senate speech, click here
http://www.katelundy.dynamite.com.au/current.htm#26_November_98
Senator Kate Lundy today called on the Minister for Sport to justify the appointment of Mr Alan Jones as Deputy Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).
"Given his obvious political support for the Coalition Government, Ms Kelly should explain the reasons behind Mr Jones’ selection and provide details of other candidates considered for the position of Deputy Chair of the ASC.
"The Minister might also explain whether the Prime Minister assisted or directed her in the appointment of Mr Jones", Senator Lundy said.
"And while the Minister is explaining the merits of Mr Jones’ appointment to the ASC board she can also explain the merits of her other appointment, failed Liberal candidate for Melbourne Ports, Margot Foster.
"I hope that the appointment of Mr Jones to the position is based on his success as a rugby union coach, rather than his success in promoting Coalition policies during the last election."
Mr Jones’ political influence was endorsed by senior Liberal figure Michael Kroger, who told Lateline on 6 October that: "you can’t underestimate the Alan Jones factor in New South Wales. I mean, he has hundreds of thousands of listeners every day and, even though people like John Laws are extremely influential as well, Alan Jones seeks to exercise his influence far more than John or any other commentator. He’s a very powerful figure". Mr Kroger added that "the bad news for the Labor Party is that he {Mr Jones] supports John Howard".
"Until Ms Kelly can justify her selection of Mr Jones, there may be some lingering doubts about whether his appointment is a reward by the Howard Government for his partisan support for Coalition policies", Senator Lundy said.
Contact: Simon Tatz on 0418 488295
Alan Jones’ appointment to the board of the Australian Sports Commission is more than curious given his political affiliations, Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister for Sport, said today.
"Could it be that Mr Jones is being appointed as some kind of special thank you for his clear support for the Coalition during the last election?
According to the Rehame Report, between August 31 and September 30 1998, Mr Jones did not make a single positive statement about the ALP although he offered glowing endorsement of the Howard Government.
"I can only hope that Mr Jones is less partisan in his approach to Australian sport than he is in his approach to Australian politics.
"It would be a shame if Mr Jones’ appointment is primarily based on his obvious support for the conservative side of politics.
Contact: Simon Tatz on 0418 488295
Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology, kicked off Senate question time today by attacking the Federal Government for failing to allocate funds desperately needed by departments and agencies trying to deal with the Y2K problem.
Senator Lundy revealed that leaked Department of Finance and Administration documents showed that the Government is under-funding 37 Departments and Agencies by $110 million needed to solve internal problems relating to the Millennium Bug.
According to the DOFA documents, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) received only 37% of the $7 million needed to ensure that its computer system is Y2K compliant.
Senator Lundy will tomorrow move a Notice of Motion compelling the Government to table the individual reports and associated documents provided to DOFA by each Commonwealth department and agency on their progress in relation to Y2K compliance.
Contact: Simon Tatz on 0418 488295 .
Federal Shadow Minister for Sport and Youth Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy today condemned the Minister for Sport, Jackie Kelly, for failing to properly address the issue of children's competitive boxing and for her distinct lack of leadership on the issue.
Following today's Australian Sport and Recreation Ministers' Council meeting in Canberra, Senator Lundy said that the NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation, Gabrielle Harrison, should be commended for taking the initiative on this issue. However it is very disappointing that not one other Minister, including the Federal Minister supported Ms Harrison's moves to ban children's competitive boxing.
At a joint door stop with the NSW Minister, Senator Lundy said that all States should introduce legislation banning competitive boxing for children under 14 years of age.
Following a meeting with the AMA President, Dr David Brand, Senator Lundy said that there is overwhelming medical evidence that serious health risks for children result from constant and repetitive blows to the head. At the very least the rules for junior competitive boxing should be changed to ban direct punching to the head.
Senator Lundy said that the spectacle of young children in a boxing match seen earlier this week is clearly unacceptable and showed the need for legislation prohibiting competition boxing outside the auspices of the Australian Amateur Boxing Union.
It is essential that Governments at every level ensure that risk of injury to sports participants, especially children, is minimised. Failure to do this defeats the whole purpose of encouraging people to participate in sport and recreation.
Contact: Simon Tatz on 0418 488295
Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister assisting on Information Technology, today welcomed what she called a fantastic move by the ABC by broadcasting Parliament for the first time on the World Wide Web.
The ABC's new audiostreaming of the Parliamentary and News Network will enable access to Australian parliamentary proceedings by users of the internet anywhere in the world. Senator Lundy believes that this is an important move to what she calls 'cyberdemocracy' with technology facilitating greater involvement in the political process.
This move puts Australia's Federal Parliament on the world stage and Senator Lundy will be establishing a 'hot link' from her home page to the new ABC site.
It is essential for Parliament to be accessible by as many people in as many ways as possible and this move by the national broadcaster again establishes its commitment to taking up new and exciting communications opportunities.
Senator Lundy will be looking for more ways that the internet and other new technologies can be used to involve people in the political institutions and processes of this country.
The internet audiostreaming by the ABC can be located at; http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio
Contact: Simon Tatz on (02) 6230 0411 or 0418 488295
"The Coalition's commonwealth department reshuffle has caused a nightmare for IT outsourcing contract managers, Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology said today.
"The government's IT outsourcing approach was bound to restrict administrative flexibility by virtue of the massive, vertically integrated clusters that form the government 'client' in the outsourcing arrangements.
"The administrative changes, which see some departments shrinking, others growing, and whole agencies moving from one department to another mean that the claimed economies of scale, homogenising of systems and supposed savings are completely at risk.
"The Government is facing a nightmare of contractual variations to deal with their changes after only a short period of operation for a number of the contracts. Apparently, some contracts are structured in such a way that their costs are linked to the number of desktop units. What happens if whole sections have been moved out to another department?
"The Government was warned about the dangers associated with long term, clustered contracts of this type and must come clean with taxpayers as to how much their restructuring is going to cost in terms of re-negotiating IT outsourcing contracts. The costs could easily wipe out the supposed savings.
"Of particular concern is the impact on tenders currently being prepared and considered by the Government. Group 5, which has already been short-listed, is affected with the transfer of the Employment Network to the new Department of Employment and Industrial Relations. The Minister's office is won't return calls as whether or not the changes will affect the tendering timetable and scope for the Group 5 contract.
"Group 5 has been promoted by the Minister for Finance, Mr John Fahey, as an opportunity for indigenous firms to participate in the IT outsourcing program. To date, the program has been structured to exclude the participation of Australian companies at principal contractor level, a feature which has contributed to both the Minister and the Government earning a reputation of neglect for industry development in the critical information technology sector.
"For example, the failure of the DEETYA tender to attract more than one bidder severely embarrassed the Government, and another debacle will demolish confidence in the Dept of Finance's ability to manage the program. Probity and public accountability must become the priority, Senator Lundy concluded.
For more information, contact Simon Tatz 02 62300411
‘The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Alston seems to be on a different planet to the rest of the Coalition Ministry with respect to the GST. In a recent public address, the Minister, in claiming commitment to Australian information technology and telecommunications firms, stated:
‘However, the Government's facilitation role extends more widely than merely ensuring - for example - that the taxation system does not discriminate against Australian firms.’
‘However, the introduction of a GST will place Australian information technology and telecommunications (IT&T) firms at a competitive disadvantage in the global market. The GST will add costs to the purchase of Australian IT&T goods and services in a market that is already dominated by the GST-free US IT&T sector.
‘How will Australian companies get a fair go in a sector that already purchases a high proportion of services on-line from a global market place?, Senator Lundy asked.
‘If the government was fair dinkum about their stated commitment to the Australian IT&T sector, they would have assessed the impact of the GST on what is one of Australia’s most important industry sectors in far greater detail.
‘The information technology and telecommunications sector is critical because of its enabling capabilities, which in turn provide business, government and the community sector the opportunity to grow and improve competitiveness.
‘The growth of this sector is also of critical importance economically, with the Australian trade deficit in IT&T products and services alone set to explode unless an industry base of some magnitude is supported through government procurement strategies and active industry development.
‘If the Minister is prepared to make broad statements about protecting Australian firms from discriminatory taxation, he must first demonstrate how this will be done in the context of a GST being in place – before the damage is done, Senator Lundy concluded.
For more information, contact Simon Tatz 02 62300411
At the Virtual Opportunities conference last Friday, the new minister for Information Technology, Senator Alston spoke about Telstra's plans to levy a charge on every electronic commerce transaction with no regard to implications of what could be interpreted as a net tax, Senator Lundy, Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology said today.
In his address, the Minister said:
'Blount also talks about Telstra charging a transaction fee, so that a percentage of the total cost of the online purchase - a small percentage, but significant nonetheless - goes to the telephone company.
In other words, Telstra is preparing to "own" the process and to earn value from it. The aim is to develop a process where the consumer talks not about buying a book from Amazon.com but with their Telstra smartcard.'
The implications of charging for net-based transactions for the purposes of making a profit make a mockery of the Government’s assertion that it supports the principle of no discriminatory treatment of electronic compared to conventional commerce, Senator Lundy said.
Telstra have a distinct competitive advantage in the electronic commerce market by virtue of their existing infrastructure, strategic partnerships, eg: nineMSN, growing interests in digital content and their role as both a wholesaler and retailer of internet connection services.
The issue of taxing net transactions has been investigated by the Australian Taxation Department with the concept receiving a negative response in the community and business sector. The US Government has recently legislatively prohibited net taxes for the next three years.
The Ministers comments show that he is still little more than an arbitrator of sectoral interests in communications and information technology industry and that he is prepared to naively canvas issues at the behest of corporate interests without due regard to the policy implications, Senator Lundy concluded.
For more information, contact Simon Tatz 02 62300411
The new Shadow Minister for Sport and Youth Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, today fired a broadside at the Federal Government’s commitment to sport by revealing that facilities at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) are in a shocking state of disrepair.
The AIS is in urgent need of funding from the Government because the athletics track is buckling and other facilities such as the swimming pool require urgent repairs, Senator Lundy said.
Earlier this year the Australian Sports Commission asked the Government for immediate funding of $1 million to restore their ageing facilities so that our elite athletes could have a safe and proper training environment. The Department of Finance rejected this request outright.
The situation has deteriorated to a point where our Olympic teams’ preparations and our sporting reputation are now under serious threat. There have already been injuries occur at athletic events at the AIS as a result of the track falling apart.
It is ludicrous that two years out from the Olympics the AIS is being neglected by the Howard Government.
Senator Lundy has called on the new Minister for Sport to rectify this situation immediately by arranging for the necessary funds to repair the AIS facilities. The AIS is a world class facility that Australians are proud of. The Government has a responsibility to keep it in tip-top condition.
Contact: Simon Tatz on 02 62300 411 or 0418 488 295
The Shadow Minister for Sport and Youth Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, said today that the Federal Government’s GST is an unfair burden on all aspects of sport and recreation, not just the Olympic Games.
While the IOC and SOCOG are rightly concerned that the imposition of a GST will cause a blow-out in the Olympic’s budget, I am equally concerned about household budgets being blown-out by the GST, Senator Lundy said.
If the GST is a grossly unfair burden on the Olympic Games then it is also a burden on every aspect of sport and recreation in Australia.
Australia’s $8 billion a year sports industry will be adversely effected by the GST, yet the Federal Sports Minister’s major concern is only how this impacts on the Olympics. If the GST will have an adverse effect on the Games, imagine how it will hurt local and community run sport where an increase in costs will lower participation levels.
You only have to look to New Zealand where the introduction of a GST resulted in a decrease in sporting volunteers and administrators due to the burden of managing complex administrative tasks.
The GST places an intolerable strain on all sporting clubs and their volunteers and it will force many sporting organisations to use more of their limited resources on administration and compliance costs, Senator Lundy said.
The Coalition Government cannot possibly justify imposing a 10% tax on every school student or family member who wants to partake in some form of sport or recreational activity.
Contact: Kate Lundy or Simon Tatz on (02) 6230 0411 or 0418 488295
The decision to move the date of the sod-turning ceremony for the National Museum of Australia to two days before the election was ill-considered and demeaning to the National Museum of Australia, Senator Kate Lundy said today.
The National Museum will be a wonderful institution for all Australians and I am very angry that it has been used in such a partisan way in the late stages of an election campaign. The cringe factor was high amongst the audience as many supporters of the Museum sat through Liberal speech after Liberal speech.
Annette Ellis and I made the decision to attend the ceremony because we believe the National Museum is more important to the past, present and future of Australia than John Howard will ever be, Senator Lundy said.
Along with many other Canberrans, I have campaigned for a long time to see the National Museum constructed and it was a shame to see this important stage of development cynically hijacked by the Liberals.
For more information, contact Kate Lundy 0419421553
Saturday’s election is a choice between a party with a better plan for Canberra and the nation, or a party with a bigger tax on everyone, Senator Kate Lundy said today.
"John Howard’s GST will not provide a single new job or create any tangible social benefits for the ACT. The GST will not help people develop new skills nor will it boost regional development and tourism, Senator Lundy said.
"The GST will tax many Canberrans out of house and home. It will wipe out building and construction jobs and force up the cost of renovations.
"And as many tax experts have confirmed over the past few weeks, the GST will hit families and lower income Australians the hardest.
"When you ask the Liberal Party about social issues such as education, childcare, older Australians or health their only answer is that the GST will solve everything.
Labor is going into this election with a comprehensive plan for the nation, a plan that is based on jobs, security and opportunity.
In two and half years, the only thing the Howard Government can offer Canberra is a goods and services tax for the year 2000.
Senator Lundy declared that only the Labor Party will stop the GST and restore equity and job security to Australians.
For comment contact Simon Tatz or Kate Lundy on (02) 6230 0411 or 0418 488295
The Labor Party’s plan for regional Australia will give the ACT and environs a voice in regional development that will help boost tourism and infrastructure development, ACT Senator Kate Lundy said today.
Labor recognises that the federal government has a vital role to play in regional development, particularly in light of the enormous damage John Howard’s budget cuts have caused.
When Mr Howard cut Government programs he hit the regions hardest. Job programs, regional development, telecommunications and ABC services have all taken a battering.
Senator Lundy said Labor was committed to restoring the damage done by the Howard Government.
The first step to helping the regions is to retain Telstra in majority Government ownership and stop the GST, which will devastate the tourism industry.
Labor will commit $30 million over three years to support regions in developing plans for future growth. Labor will also provide $75 million over three years for direct commonwealth involvement in regional infrastructure projects. An additional $300 million will be spent on road and rail infrastructure.
"Labor has a better plan for regional Australia, while John Howard’s only solution for regional development is a GST.
For comment contact Simon Tatz or Kate Lundy on (02) 6230 0411 or 0418 488295
Labor is the only major party capable of delivering the type of society that Canberrans want, Senator Kate Lundy said today.
Speaking after last night’s Canberra Times debate, Senator Lundy said that the people of Canberra want job security, a well funded education system and protection of the environment, not a new 10% tax.
"Labor is the only Party totally opposed to John Howard’s unfair GST. Our plan is better because we can deliver on jobs, on education, on aged care and childcare and we will do it without shifting the burden of taxation onto middle and lower income Australians.
"After being ignored by the Liberals for two and half years, Canberrans also want the status of the National Capital restored.
"Since March 1996, we have had no effective voice in Government and no amount of pre-election promises from Mr Howard will undo the pain inflicted on our community.
"A GST on everything is not the answer to Canberra’s problems and the Government’s tax mantra is getting pretty boring by now.
"Labor has a better plan for Canberra. A better plan to refund our schools and universities and a better plan for our public health system.
"Only Labor can stop the GST, Senator Lundy said.
For comment contact Simon Tatz or Kate Lundy on (02) 6230 0411 or 0418 488295
ACT Labor candidates, Senator Kate Lundy, Annette Ellis MP, Bob McMullan MP and Peter Conway today reaffirmed the Australian Labor Party’s position on the Jabiluka uranium mine and attacked the Howard Government for ignoring serious environmental issues related to uranium mining in Kakadu.
The Howard-Fisher Government policy is to allow for an unlimited number of uranium mines. Its approach to the Jabiluka mine in Kakadu in particular has shown no consideration for the environment.
At the commencement of this election campaign, Labor's understanding is as follows:
| Labor's starting point is that Jabiluka is not an existing mine because all relevant approvals are not in place nor finalised in a way which would require it to be regarded as an existing mine. A Beazley Labor Government will afford ERA natural justice and a right to be heard on these matters, but unless relevant compelling material or legal determination requires that this position be reviewed, Labor would be bound to finally determine not to allow the mining and export of uranium from Jabiluka; |
| Labor will not approve any proposal in respect of Jabiluka or any other new uranium mine made during the caretaker period of office, commencing with the formal election announcement because any such decision would be clearly inappropriate. |
For comment contact Simon Tatz on 0418 488295 or 62300411
Senator Kate Lundy, who will today open the Canberra Family Day Spring Festival Fete at 15 Lennox Crossing at 10.30 am, said that the Labor Party is committed to making childcare more affordable for working families and will try to rebuild the damage to childcare caused by the Howard Government’s savage budget cuts.
Senator Lundy said that childcare has become too expensive for most families under the Howard Government. Many women have been forced to abandon or lessen their time in paid work or training and some have had to take their children out of formal childcare and place them in backyard or second-best care.
"Quality childcare is essential for working parents, and that is why the Labor Party is committed to consulting and planning to meet the needs of the community.
"We have to rebuild the childcare sector and begin the process of restoring funding, Senator Lundy said.
For further information, contact Simon Tatz on 0418 488295 or 6230 0411
Dear Mr Howard,
Despite repeated requests from the people of Canberra, you have failed to comply with our tenancy agreement, which stipulated that the Prime Minister of Australia must reside in the National Capital.
Your refusal to live in the Lodge is a symbol of your government’s disregard and contempt for the Canberra community.
We hereby request that you vacate these premises by 3 October 1998 so that a new tenant – Mr Kim Beazley MP – can move in.
Yours sincerely
Senator Kate Lundy Peter Conway, on behalf of the residents of the ACT
To:
The Honourable John Howard MP: Prime Minister of AustraliaKirribilli House security upgrade $380,000
Renovations on Kirribilli House $233,000
Renovations on Sydney Offices $200,000
Computer links to Sydney ($70,000 per year)
Approximate cost over 2 ½ years $175,000
Additional renovations $30,000
For comment contact Simon Tatz or Kate Lundy on (02) 6230 0411 or 0418 488295
ACT Labor Senator Kate Lundy said today that the Liberals decision to put a GST on books would see a price rise on all educational and learning material.
"Australia will be a far poorer country if the GST is imposed on learning and reading. Books are the gateway to knowledge and imposing a GST on books is like imposing a tax on learning. The GST will apply to every sort of book, from fiction and non-fiction to children’s books and school and university text books.
"As Bryce Courtney said recently "A GST on books is just plain dumb".
Senator Lundy said that a Labor Government will reintroduce the book bounty from 1 January 1999 pending a review which will take into account the assistance provided to publishers in other countries by their respective governments as well as the effects on regional Australia.
The Coalition ended the 4.5% Book Bounty on 31 December 1997, despite overwhelming evidence that without the bounty, the industry receives a negative assistance rate. The Australian book printing and publishing industry currently employs 2800 directly and 700 indirectly. A significant proportion of the industry is based in regional centres.
"This measure show’s that Labor is sensitive to the impact of policy changes on individual regions and it will help safeguard up to 1500 jobs threatened by the ending of the bounty scheme.
Labor will also commission a full and comprehensive review of the industry’s future needs, taking into account the government assistance received by Australia’s international competitors and the economic and employment impact of the bounty on regional Australia.
"Labor is committed to education and learning, and a GST on books will have a negative impact not only on jobs, but on the culture of reading, learning and education.
For further information contact Simon Tatz on (02) 6230 0411 or 0418 488295
Senator Kate Lundy welcomed today’s launch of Labor’s tourism policy declaring that the ACT will be a big winner from Kim Beazley’s plan.
"Labor’s tourism policy will benefit the Canberra region because Labor believes in jobs and job creation.
"Tourism is vital to the Canberra region and Labor’s tourism policy will create more jobs and increase tourism.
"It’s obvious that John Howard doesn’t understand the tourism industry. He has slugged tourism with higher taxes and charges at every opportunity.
"Mr Howard’s only policy for the tourism industry is a job destroying GST that will cause irreparable damage to local tourism.
"Labor’s tourism plan involves the abolition of the $50 visitor charge which John Howard introduced.
"Labor will provide an extra $20 million in funding to the Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) to support the tourism industry and Labor will expand the ATC’s charter to include domestic tourism and direct it to assist regional areas like the ACT.
"EcoTourism will be further developed by the provision of $12 million over three years.
"Labor’s decision to commit $20 million over three years for regional gateway tourism grants is a massive boost for regional tourism and will no doubt boost tourism in the Canberra region.
"Instead of taxing tourism, Labor believes in tourism because Labor believes in jobs and job creation
For further comment, contact Kate Lundy or Simon Tatz on 6230 0411 or 0418 488295
Four Coalition Ministers have been caught distributing an expensive glossy booklet to Australian music retailers encouraging them to buy CDs from overseas, rather than support Australian jobs and the Australian music industry, Senator Kate Lundy revealed today.
Richard Alston, Daryl Williams, Peter Reith and Warren Truss have all put their name to a document that tells Australian small music retailers how to bypass local jobs and source CDs made in America and Asia.
Rather than support the Australian music scene and the thousands of jobs directly and indirectly involved in the music industry, the Coalition is encouraging retailers to import directly from offshore manufacturers.
No wonder Peter Costello says jobs growth has plateaued.
The announcement by Mushroom Records executive chairman Michael Gudinski that he is selling 50 per cent of his label because of the Coalition’s CD policy is the start of the contraction of the music market.
There will now be fewer companies selling fewer Australian CDs.
There will be fewer jobs if the Coalition keeps encouraging music retailers not to buy Australian goods.
Consumers are the big losers because parallel imports do not develop Australian music, nor do they create Australian jobs. Consumers are also being misled into believing that parallel imports mean cheaper prices. In fact, CD imports from America and Europe are currently more expensive than Australian made ones.
Senator Lundy called on the Howard Government to encourage music retailers to buy goods made in Australia by Australian workers.
Labor will repeal the Government’s parallel importation legislation and restore job security to the Australian music industry.
For comment, contact Kate Lundy or Simon Tatz on (02) 6230 0411 or 0418 488295.
Senator Kate Lundy today hit out at Arts Minister Richard Alston over his total disregard for the Australian music industry following the decision by Mushroom Records to sell up after 25 years.
Michael Gudinski’s Mushroom Records is Australian’s premier record label, however Mr Gudinski has decided to sell up because of the damage caused to the music industry by the Coalition’s policy to allow foreign CD imports.
As Mr Gudinski told radio JJJ:
"If the Liberal government gave a damn about the entertainers, the artists and the music industry, they’d be doing something about radio content for new artists, about the support and the actual development of new Australian talent".
Mr Gudinski described the prospect of cheaper imported CDs as "baloney" and pointed out that only a few major retailers- not Australian music consumers – will benefit.
Senator Lundy said that a Labor Government would increase Australian music quotas to 30 per cent and provide $1.5 million each year for a Contemporary Music Development Fund.
A Labor Government is also committed to reverse the decision to allow parallel imports.
Senator Alston has remained silent when the record company that brought us Cold Chisel, Hoodoo Gurus, Paul Kelly, Skyhooks, Kylie Minogue and Split Enz calls it quits. He has remained silent about the job security and long term job prospects of thousands of Australians employed directly and indirectly in the music industry.
No wonder Mushroom Records is selling up given that the Government is selling out the Australian music industry.
For comment, contact Kate Lundy or Simon Tatz on (02) 6230 0411 or 0418 488295
The Coalition’s contemporary music initiative offers nothing to the thousands of Australian musicians, composers and music industry employees whose livelihoods are threatened by parallel imports, Senator Kate Lundy, assistant to the Shadow Minister for the Arts, said today.
"The Government’s feeble proposals to support the Australian music industry will do little to offset the damage caused by their Copyright Amendment Bill.
"The Coalition thinks that offering a real-audio Internet site will somehow compensate for the harm their policies have caused. However, there’s no point putting local music on the Internet if there’s no industry left to manufacture and support Australian bands.
"The Coalition Government doesn’t care about contemporary music. If they did, they wouldn’t have changed the laws that protect the copyright of Australian musicians and composers.
"If the Coalition really wanted to help the music scene they would promote Australian made CDs, not foreign imports.
Labor has pledged $1.5 million each year for a Contemporary Music Development Fund as well as changing the rules so that young musicians can retain their unemployment benefits provided they can show that they are establishing themselves as a viable business.
"A Beazley Government will increase the existing Australian music content quota to 30% and, most importantly, there will be no GST on the Arts. A GST will increase the cost of buying, playing and watching music. Howard’s GST will make CDs more expensive and will cost jobs in the music industry.
"Unlike the Coalition, Labor recognises the essentialness of contemporary music to our cultural, social and economic well-being and our policies are based on promoting our culture, not undermining its success.
For comment, contact Kate Lundy or Simon Tatz on (02) 62300 411 or 0418 488295
Mr Peter Conway, Labor’s second Senate candidate for the ACT, today said that racing events such as the Magic Millions could be a thing of the past if a Federal Liberal Government was returned to office and the GST introduced. Mr Conway is the former head of the ACT Office of Sport and Racing and former Chairman of the Racecourse Development Fund.
The racing industry would be destroyed, particularly in regional centres such as Canberra, if it had to cope with a huge new tax such as the GST. Imagine 10% tax on the sale of racehorses, then followed by a 10% slug on trainers, vets and nominations fees.
On top of these you would also have the 10% GST on jockeys fees and every item associated with horse training and racing. There would also be an increase of 10% on parking and entrance fees at race events and even the guidebook would be slugged with this new tax.
Mr Conway said that racing is already one of the highest taxed industries in Australia and it could just not cope with a hideous new tax such as a GST.
A 10% GST would be a nightmare for racing. It would knock the stuffing out of the industry. Locally it would mean fewer jobs, increased costs for owners and trainers and a dud deal for punters.
Mr Conway is encouraging as those who love racing not to back a loser on October 3, don’t back John Howard’s GST!
Contact: Peter Conway on 0418 627 501 or Kate Lundy 6230 0411
Senator Kate Lundy, assistant to the Shadow Minister for Information Technology said that the Australian Labor Party’s tax package offers new ideas and substantial benefits that provide a solid foundation to encourage investment, innovation and growth in the IT sector.
Information technology is the fastest growing job-creating industry in the world and if Australia is to participate and benefit from IT growth we require a strategic industry development plan and tax system that encourages investment.
The restoration of the 150% R & D rebate will reinvigorate research and development expenditure, which has declined under the Howard Government. Labor has also taken the initiative by adding an additional requirement for eligibility, being that firms with over 500 employees that spend a minimum of 2.5% on R & D expenditure, will also be eligible for the increased rebate.
Access to venture capital also gets a boost from Labor. We have opened up opportunities for international capital to be invested via a capital gains tax exemption. Furthermore, $20 million has been identified for venture capital opportunities specifically for Australian businesses.
Kim Beazley’s tax package will repair much of the damage John Howard has caused to the IT sector and small business in particular. The bonus for the IT industry is that Labor will not be inflicting an unfair GST onto our biggest job-creating sector. A tax on jobs will undermine Australia’s IT growth.
In sum, Labor’s policies are aimed at developing innovation, infrastructure development and providing capital for high-tech start-up industries.
For comment contact Kate Lundy or Simon Tatz on (02) 6230 0411 or 0418 488295
Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Tourism, today hit out on the "double-whammy" that will undermine sport in the ACT.
"A GST on top of the massive funding cuts proposed by the Carnell Liberal Government will force up the costs of participating in and watching sport, as well as being a member of a sporting or recreational club. The revelation that the ACT Liberal Government is planning to cut over $3 million from sports maintenance and administration in the ACT over the next three years will undermine the ACT’s impressive sporting participation rates, which are the highest in Australia.
According to the Howard tax package, non-profit sporting clubs do not have to register with the Tax Office if their total sales are less then $100,000. If however a sporting club decides not to register with the Tax Office, the club will not be able to claim any tax credits for any inputs to the club. For example, the club would be liable to pay GST on rent, ground hire, coaching, sporting equipment and travel costs but would not be able to claim any of the tax paid back from the Tax Office.
If small non-profit sporting clubs do decide to register with the Tax Office, in order to protect their bottom-line, they will be forced to become unpaid tax collectors. Volunteer labour will be required to keep detailed records of all transactions and then calculate the GST paid versus the GST collected and remit the difference to the Tax Office, probably every quarter.
| Club subscription will cost more |
| Registering to play sport will cost more |
| Entry into competitions will cost more |
| Attending sporting events will cost more |
| Uniforms and sporting equipment will cost more |
For further comment, contact Simon Tatz on (02) 6230 0411 or 0418 488295
John Howard’s claim that removing sales tax and replacing it with a GST will result in cheaper retail prices contradicts statements made by the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Kate Lundy, assistant to the Shadow Minister for the Arts, said today.
During the recent Copyright Amendment Bill debate, Senator Alston clearly stated that a reduction in the wholesale sales tax will not lead to a drop in consumer prices and used this argument to justify removing copyright protection from Australian composers and artists. However Mr Howard, in the context of the GST debate, is now claiming that removing sales tax will reduce prices!
They can’t both be right.
According to Senator Alston’s Home Page http://www.richardalston.dca.gov.au/
"Previous sales tax cuts have failed to provide consumers with substantial or sustained price cuts. In September 1985, sales tax on sound recordings was reduced from 32.5 to 20 per cent in Australia. The Prices Surveillance Authority found that there was very little benefit passed on to consumers, and that most companies increased their prices substantially in the following 12 months.
If Senator Alston believes that previous sales tax cuts did not provide substantial or sustained benefits, how will the imposition of a 10 % GST make retail prices cheaper?
Senator Alston’s Home Page highlights the flaws in the Coalitions’ tax package. On the one hand the Government claimed that removing sales tax will not deliver consumer benefits, while on the other they are arguing that all Australians will benefit from a 10% GST because the scrapping of sales tax will reduce prices.
Either Senator Alston has used misleading inf
