20 July 2007

Another reminder that we need trade skills in ACT schools

Senator Kate Lundy today attended the ACT Regional Building and Construction Industry Training Council (CITC) Graduating Apprentice and Industry Encouragement Awards.

CITC has introduced some great initiatives that have supported local industry and encouraged young people to learn a trade, such as the ‘Kids Assist’ programs that sees Year 10 students gaining on-the-job industry experience.

“I want to congratulate all the apprentices that have been recognised for their outstanding achievements today. They are a very impressive group of young people and I wish them all the best with their future pursuits”, Senator Lundy said.  

However, this celebration is also a timely reminder of the serious skills shortage we Australia is facing, particularly in the traditional trades.

A Federal Labor government would invest $2.5 billion in making schools across Australia first-class providers of technical education.

Under Labor’s Trades Training Centres in Schools Plan, ACT government and non-government schools will be eligible to receive $44 million to build or upgrade school facilities such as metal and woodwork workshops, commercial kitchens and computer laboratories.  

Labor’s plan also includes a commitment to provide $84 million nationally over 4 years to guarantee access to job training for all VET in schools students.   

Congratulations to all of the Graduating Apprentice and Industry Encouragement Award recipients:

Contact: Rachel Allen - 6230 0411 or 0418 488 295

12 July 2007

ACT aged care accommodation needs urgent attention

Elderly ACT residents and their families are being neglected by Federal Government policy on aged care accommodation.

Federal Labor ACT Representatives Senator Kate Lundy, Bob McMullan MP and Annette Ellis MP pointed to the ACT’s unacceptably low Residential Aged Care Provision ratio.

“The ACT has the lowest ratio of all the states and territories,” Senator Lundy observed. “Our ratio is 72.1 beds per 1000 people aged 70 years or older, which falls short of the national average of 85.6, and far below the Federal Government’s own target ratio of 88.”

Member for Fraser Bob McMullan pointed to the ACT not being considered an area of high priority or interest by the Federal Government.

“Unfortunately, the sort of serious response needed to bring us back to the availability of residential aged care places which other states and territories enjoy just hasn’t been forthcoming from the government, let alone making improvements on those levels. The ACT isn’t a marginal seat, so it isn’t a priority.”

Member for Canberra Annette Ellis has spoken about the human impact that this neglect has had on many of her constituents on may occasions in the Parliament and elsewhere.

“It’s an all too common event for individuals and families to ring my office distressed at the long wait and difficulties in finding a place. Older residents don’t want to be taking up hospital places when a residential aged care place would be more appropriate, but the current shortage of places leaves a lot of them with no choice,” Ms Ellis said.

“Kevin Rudd’s recent announcement of funding to create aged care places for people who are currently waiting in hospital wards is the sort of common sense policy that these people have been waiting for.”

Contact: Rachel Allen 0418 488 295

4 July 2007

Better Super – What the government hasn’t told you

If you salary sacrifice, your employer may not have to pay any compulsory super at all.

In other cases, employers can calculate their compulsory contribution on your reduced salary sacrificed salary.

Employers can even hold on to an employee’s sacrificed money up to 12 months before transferring it to their super fund.

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) says these practices are legal.

Even Australian Public Service employees are at risk, particularly new public servants who have commenced since July 2005.

Employees face reduced compulsory employer contributions in two ways:

In respect of the first point Labor will prohibit this practice and on the second Work Choices will be repealed and replaced with a simple and fair safety net for Australian employees. 

Contact: Rachel Allen 0418 488 295