31 August 2004 - Media Release

Coonan Dishonest in Relation to Incubators

Claims made today by Government IT Minister, Senator Helen Coonan, in relation to Labor's approach to ICT incubator funding, are more Howard Government lies.

Labor categorically denies we have any plans to slash ICT incubator funds.

I merely expressed surprise that the Howard Government had funded so many incubators, given that their rhetoric implied a number would be culled.

For Senator Coonan to issue a press release saying this equated to Labor cutting this funding is dishonest.

I was quoted in today’s Australian Financial Review as saying Australia is extremely strong in software – but that this was an area in which the Howard Government had failed to deliver a strategic plan, Senator Lundy said.

The Building On IT Strengths program is an important element in the innovation landscape for new ICT companies.

Instead of explaining these decisions today, we get more lies and deception from Howard’s IT Minister.

Contact: Pete Heininger – 0418 468 221 or 02 6277 3334

30 August 2004 - Media Release

Labor Calls for Spam Investigation

FEDERAL Shadow Minister for Information Technology, Senator Kate Lundy, has formally called on the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) to investigate Prime Minister John Howard’s use of spam email in his efforts to get re-elected in his Sydney seat of Bennelong.

Senator Lundy has also called for the investigation of other senior Government Ministers who – along with the PM – used Sydney Internet company Net Harbour for similar political spamming purposes.

“While we are investigating the legalities of such spamming by Howard and his fellow Ministers, we believe the PM has certainly breached the spirit of the Spam Act,” Senator Lundy says.

“The Government banned commercial spamming under the Spam Act, yet Mr Howard and his fellow Ministers believe they are either above the law, or have cynically exploited a loophole against the spirit and principal of the Spam Act.”

Senator Lundy has also called on the Prime Minister to divulge the source of email addresses used in the various spam campaigns.

“The PM should also come clean as to where these email addresses came from,” she says.

Senator Lundy has called on all Government Ministers to cease email spamming operations immediately, and to adhere to the spirit of the Spam Act.

Contact: Pete Heininger – 0418 468 221 or 02 6277 3334

30 August 2004 - Media Release

Howard Government hypocrisy

In 1996 the Howard Government cut 32,400 jobs from the public service in the 2 years following their election from 1996 – 1998. It had previously promised to only cut 2,500.

When Gary Humphries was questioned about the 1996 cuts today, he stated that, “I’ve maintained that the cuts that were made then were too deep and too badly targeted on Canberra.”

Yet in response to the Peter Costello’s post-Budget address at the Press Club in which Costello spoke of the 1996 cuts to the Public Service in Canberra saying that it was “…the best thing that ever happened” Gary Humphries was reported by the Canberra Times the next day as saying that Mr Costello’s comments were essentially right and the big cuts had been needed.

Gary Humphries basing his entire election campaign on local jobs when the Coalition has done the greatest damage is hypocritical. He can’t have his cake and eat it too!

One thing is clear; a vote for the Liberals is a vote for Peter Costello as Prime Minister. His anti-Canberra views are very clear.

The Howard / Costello Government does not have a plan for Australia, and Senator Humphries does not have a plan for Canberra – just a plan for their own re-election.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

27 August 2004 - Media Release

Arrogant PM should be investigated for Breaching SPAM Laws

The PM has breached the spirit, if not the letter of anti-SPAM laws that came into effect just four months ago.

John Howard’s Government banned commercial SPAMMING this year, but then the Prime Minister goes ahead and SPAMS the public for political benefit. This is a clear case of double standards.

The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) must immediately investigate John Howard’s arrogant use of SPAM in his efforts to get re-elected in his seat of Bennelong.

Mr Howard obviously thinks he is either above the law or is cynically exploiting a loop hole against the spirit and principle of a law his own Government has been touting as evidence of its social responsibility for the past year.

This is another example of the PM casting ethics aside and arrogantly applying one set of rules to himself and another for other Australians.

While political parties do have an exemption under the anti-SPAM legislation, Mr Howard has engaged a commercial company to send the SPAM.

Under the anti-SPAM laws, SPAM sent by commercial entities is illegal.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

23 August 2004 - Media Release

E-security still neglected by Howard Government

Speaking at the Information Security World Conference held today at Darling Harbour, Sydney, Senator Lundy Shadow Minister for IT said that the Howard/Costello Government was still neglecting E-security in the Federal Government.

The findings of the bi-partisan Report into the Management and Integrity of Commonwealth Information int he Commonwealth Government (e-security) are proof of the chronic neglect of e-security under the watch of the Howard Government.  This Report identified the fact that some agencies and departments do not have an adequate security policies in place. Find the Report here.

A key recommendation was the requirement for all agencies and departments to have prepared a plan for the physical security of their information technology systems.  This was necessary when the inquiry exposed the fact that many departments and agencies could not account for the location of physical equipment such as servers, as evidenced by the debacle of the theft at Customs in Sydney Airport.

There is still a chasm between  rhetoric and the reality of the Howard / Costello Government with respect to e-security.

This highlights the hypocrisy of a Government keen to spend taxpayers money on 'be alert, not alarmed' fridge magnets, but absolutely fail when it comes to covering the basics of good management and security practice for the protection and security of sensitive and critical commonwealth information.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

21 August 2004 - Media Release

Promoting Planet Arks’ Plastic Bag Famine

This weekend environmental campaigners Planet Ark are promoting an amnesty on free plastic bags in supermarkets. 

The Plastic Bag Famine takes place this weekend, and on Saturday 21 August and I will be holding a street stall in Dickson with other Labor colleagues to promote awareness of the environmental impact of plastic bag pollution and to offer environmentally friendly alternatives to shoppers than using plastic bags.

DICKSON SHOPPING CENTRE
Saturday 21 August 2004 - 10.30am to Midday

Every year Australians use more than 6.9 million plastic bags, many of which end up as landfill, or in our lakes and waterways causing environmental pollution and killing our marine and birdlife. In Canberra, plastic bag use adds to landfill and clogs up our lakes.

Ireland has reduced plastic bag use by more than 90% by banning free plastic bags in supermarkets, and a Federal Labor Government would introduce a similar ban by 2007.

In recognising that Australians want to do the right thing by the environment, a Federal Labor Government would introduce the progressive phasing out of plastic bag use and legislate a ban if this strategy was unsuccessful.

Join me this Saturday at Dickson Shopping Centre from 10.30am until midday to promote this important environmental cause in our Canberra community.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

21 August 2004 - Media Release

Youth lead the way at Model United Nations Assembly

Once again the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise have organised the Model United Nations Assembly, to be held over this weekend at Old Parliament House, Canberra.  Their commitment to this event is legendary and provides an excellent opportunity for many young people to develop leadership skills.

I am honoured to have been invited to open the Assembly of this important event.  In opening the Assembly in the House of Reps chamber in Old parliament House, I spoke of the inspirational role that former Labor Minister and Leader of the Opposition 'Doc' Evatt made in the formation of the UN in 1945.

Students from the region and around Australia are assigned a country whose interests they represent through the debate of resolutions, just like the real United Nations.

It is more important then ever that young people are given the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of other nations and empathise with their perspectives and experiences.

Senator Lundy also congratulated the ANU for their ongoing sponsorship of this event.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

20 August 2004 - Media Release

Howard / Costello Government promotes IT off-shoring

Mark Vaile has once again demonstrated that the Howard / Costello Government is actively pursuing sending Australian jobs overseas, telling business people and diplomats this week that the Government will not be taking any “interventionist measures” to prevent offshoring of IT work.

In May this year Labor supported the Australian Computer Society's (ACS) Policy Statement on Off-shoring which called for the Federal Government to take action against an increasing trend in off-shoring Australian IT jobs. And we called on the Howard Government to do the same.

Clearly they have chosen to ignore this advice, having already put their stamp of approval on Telstra's decision to send Australian jobs overseas.

The Howard / Costello Governments fixation on sending jobs overseas is outrageous and fails to acknowledge the potential of ICT in Australia.

Labor believes where Australia can compete, the work should stay on-shore.

Labor once again calls on the Howard / Costello Government to put Australian jobs first, and stop selling out our ICT workers.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

16 August 2004 - Media Release

Lanyon Valley Communications Services Residents’ Meeting

On the initiative of Paschal Leahy, and following complaints that my office has received concerning telecommunications services in the Lanyon Valley region, I have organised a meeting be held tomorrow night to discuss these issues and provide an opportunity for residents to speak directly to service providers.  We have extended invitations to Telstra, Optus and Transact to attend.

Lanyon Valley residents have indicated that they are experiencing problems with their communications services.   Typical complaints have included:

Tuesday 17 August 2004

Time: 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Lanyon High School Library

Heidelberg Street, Conder

Paschal Leahy, Labor candidate for Brindabella in the forthcoming Legislative Assembly election, will also be present at this meeting.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

For Information: the following Press Release was issued by Paschal Leahy, Candidate for Brindabella for Labor following the meeting.

18 August 2004 - Telstra admits Lanyon Valley broadband services 'Reprehensible'

Residents at a meeting organised by Brindabella Labor candidate Paschal Leahy heard Telstra describe the standard of broadband services to Canberra residents as "Outrageous" and "reprehensible".  These words were used by Telstra Country Wide's newly appointed General Manager, Ian Peters.

The meeting was addressed by Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister for Information Technology and Senator for the ACT, after Mr Leahy had conveyed to her the concerns from residents in Gordon, Banks and Conder.  Transact, Optus and Telstra reps also attended to respond to complaints.

"The Lanyon Valley has one of the highest concentrations of home-based businesses in the ACT.  It has also a much younger population than other parts of the ACT who rely on high-speed internet for accessing education and entertainment services," said Mr Leahy.

Many residents attending the meeting said they had been told by Telstra and other service providers that they were "too far from the Lanyon exchange (to get the ADSL service)" despite in some cases being within only 1 kilometre of the exchange even though ADSL services can reach about 4km from an exchange.

Senator Lundy said:  "Lanyon Valley residents have a right to the same standard of service as other residents of the ACT."

"It turns out that Telstra has inaccurate records of their services in the area, which has meant residents have been misled by Telstra that they are not eligible, when in fact they are" Mr Leahy said.

If Telstra do not provide accurate advice, other re-sellers of the ADSL service, such as Optus are also prevented of providing the service.  Transact are not providing ADSL services in the area as they have not been able to establish a business case.

As a result, Telstra's Mr Peters promised high-speed internet access to all residents of the Lanyon valley within a month of speaking to last night's Residents Meeting convened in response to representations made to Labor Candidate for Brindabella, Paschal Leahy.

Any residents of the Lanyon Valley with broadband problems should contact Paschal Leahy who will pass them on to Telstra.

Telstra's problem is that they are too focused on privatisation rather than ensuring that their network is keeping pace with the demands of the 21st century.

12 August 2004 - Media Release

Howard / Costello Government finally realise the value of Arts Education

Labor notes that the Howard / Costello Government has belatedly responded to the crisis in arts education after 8 years of ignoring the issue.

International research has found that involvement in the arts as a young person correlates directly with higher educational participation rates and achievement across the board academically in secondary schools.

Also important in this context is the training tertiary students who are studying teaching so that they are confident and able to implement arts education in the classroom.

Labor places a high value on ensuring access to creative and cultural education for students and sees it as a vital part of the educational development of all Australian children.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

The Senate Competition in Broadband Services Inquiry Report has recommended that Telstra exit from its Foxtel investment.

The report agrees with the ACCC that Telstra’s 50% ownership of Foxtel impedes competition in telecommunications and broadband.

The report recommends that the Howard Government take immediate action to create a more competitive broadband industry.

But new Communications Minister Helen Coonan rejected calls for Telstra to get out of Foxtel just one week into her job.

Australia’s broadband uptake is 20th in the OECD. Despite recent spikes in uptake our broadband uptake remains well behind key competitors like the United States, Japan, Korea and Canada.

Labor is committed to getting telecommunications competition and regulation right. New Minister Helen Coonan confirmed last week that the Government’s main priority was to fatten Telstra up for privatisation.

This majority Senate report provides a way forward for the new Minister. The ACCC and now the Senate Communications Committee have found a case to get Telstra out of Foxtel. The Senate Committee identifies the productivity commission as an appropriate body to consider further reform. The Minister must respond constructively.

For further information contact Lindsay Tanner or Peter van Vliet on (03) 9347 5000 or 0417 147 932. For comment from Kate Lundy call Adina Cirson on 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334.

5 August 2004 - Joint Media Release

Senate Australian Telecommunications Network Inquiry Report

Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister for Information Technology
and Lindsay Tanner MP, Shadow Minister for Communications

The Senate Communications Committee today released its findings on the Australian Telecommunications Network.

The Committee found significant weaknesses in the Australian telecommunications network. For instance:

The Majority Report includes 19 recommendations to improve consumer outcomes in telecommunications. These recommendations call on the Government to get behind new technologies in telecommunications, such as fibre to the home, and provide stronger consumer and competition regulations. Labor hopes the new Minister responds constructively to these recommendations.

The privatisation of Telstra will not solve these problems, it will make things even worse. A privatised Telstra would be a huge private monopoly too powerful for any Government to effectively regulate. New Minister Helen Coonan let the cat out of the bag yesterday when she said the Government’s main priority was to fatten Telstra up for privatisation.

Labor will strengthen competition and consumer outcomes in telecommunications to deliver better services for all Australians.

For further information contact Lindsay Tanner or Peter van Vliet on 02 6277 4428 or 0417 147 932.

For comment from Kate Lundy - call Adina Cirson 0418 488 295 or 02 62773334.

4 August 2004 - Media Release

Howard Government vulnerable on Local Content

The Howard Governments announcement yesterday that they are prepared to accept Labor’s amendment to the Australia United States Free Trade Agreement, demonstrates just how vulnerable they were on retaining their ability to protect Australia’s local content on free to air television, pay television and radio.

Labor is committed to ensuring that Australians continue to see and hear Australian faces and voices through their popular media. That is why Labor will insist on amendment to the AUSFTA enabling legislation in the Senate to ensure the FTA does not undermine existing local content rules.

In figures released today indicate that Australia’s Film and Television Industry is in crisis, showing a dramatic decline in the number of local feature productions dropping from an average of 28 per year in the second half of the 1990s to just 15 in 2003-4.

Investment in Australian features from the local film/TV industry and private sources has been falling for the past three years, from $45.5 million in 2001/02 to just $17.2 million this year. And without the production of just one high budget feature this year – Happy Feet - the total production value of Australian features would have been similar to 2002/03’s eight year low of $49 million.

Also disturbing is the decrease in TV drama production spending down to its lowest level in 10 years, with Local TV drama hours having fallen from an average of 718 hours per year in the late 1990’s to 574 hours in 2003/04.

These figures are vindication of why Labor has insisted on amendment to the FTA enabling legislation to enshrine local content quotas and ensure that they cannot be ratcheted down under the agreement with the United States.

Labor will also announce a policy package to encourage further investment in Australia’s film and television industry before the next election.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

4 August 2004 -  - Media Release

The buck stops with you Minister Kemp

In Senate Question time today Sports Minister Kemp was once again unable to defend his poor handling of investigations into the alleged use of banned substances by Australian cyclists.

Minister Kemp attempted to pass the buck by implying that investigations into these allegations had not been made easier by the disclosure of information contained in investigation reports.

Allowing these investigations to bumble along for eight months has left Australian cyclists in a precarious position where just 10 days from the Olympics we still have certainly one and possibly two appeals yet to be heard, the outcomes of which could still impact on the make up of the Olympic cycling team.

The Minister also failed to give his assurance that other evidence, including payment and ordering records contained on Del Monte computers has been considered, or more disturbingly, can even be found. He also failed to answer questions on the long delays in DNA testing.

The truth is that had the evidence of illegal injecting practices not been brought forward by concerned people, this issue would have been swept under the carpet.

Much easier for Minister Kemp. He could pretend the whole thing never happened.

The fact is that the Minister failed in his duty to act immediately and decisively on this issue in December last year.

Last week John Howard attempted to distance himself from this issue by saying "I don't think it's fair for the prime minister of the day to intervene every day in particular issues." It is fine to be the first to congratulate our cricket team on a win or to present the rugby world cup, but not to comment on such a serious issue?

Mr Howard has clearly passed the buck back to you Minister Kemp.

Contact: Kate Roffey - (02) 6277 3334 or 0417 148 059