30 August 2007

Local primary school builds prize-winning future for ACT construction industry

Senator Kate Lundy presented prizes to Latham Primary students at the new Harrison Primary School at 10am today.

In a first of its kind project the Construction Industry Training Council (CITC), in conjunction with Latham Primary, conducted a competition for primary school students to learn more about the building and construction industry.

“I would like to congratulate the Construction and Industry Training Council and all the students who participated on this fantastic initiative. By teaching students about the building and construction industry, students might be inspired to pursue a career in this essential industry,” Senator Lundy said today.

“I am also impressed by the initiative and enthusiasm all the participants have shown. The students have done everything from interviewing project managers, constructing models and putting together power-point presentations,” Senator Lundy said.

“By the Federal Government’s own estimates, Australia faces a shortage of more than 200,00 skilled workers over the next five years. Innovative programs like this one, that see students and local industry groups working together, will help address skills shortages in our region into the future,” Senator Lundy concluded.

Federal Labor understands the vital role that skills, education and training will play in securing Australia’s prosperity. That is why Federal Labor will invest $2.5 million in Trades Training Centres including:

Contact: Rachel Allen – 6230 0411 or 0418 488 295

29 August 2007

Labor to establish Council of Australian Local Governments

An incoming Rudd Labor Government will in its first term of office establish a Council of Australian Local Governments. 

The Council of Australian Local Governments will provide a forum that allows local and Federal governments to meet to discuss issues of national importance and will ensure that local government representatives have a more effective voice at the Council of Australian Governments. 

Speaking at the annual conference of the Local Government Association of Queensland, the Shadow Minister for Local Government, Kate Lundy, indicated that she would invite local government organisations including the national and state local government associations, the Capital City Lord Mayors, regional bodies and other stakeholder organisations to nominate representatives for the Council.  The Council will also include other Federal portfolio Ministers.

Federal Labor recognises that there are now many shared areas of policy and program responsibility between the Commonwealth, the States and local government.  The Council will help end the blame game by providing a forum in which different spheres of government could work together to achieve better outcomes for local communities.

The announcement reflects Federal Labor's commitment to cooperative federalism.

On Monday Senator Lundy announced that an incoming Rudd Labor Government would move to recognise local government in the Constitution.  Senator Lundy said that Constitutional recognition would redefine the relationship between Commonwealth, state and local governments and guarantee that communities have an effective local voice in decision making on the issues that affect their lives.

One of the first tasks for the new Council will be to plan for a national referendum on the Constitutional recognition of local government.

Senator Lundy again called on the Liberal and National parties to support this important constitutional initiative.

 Click here to view Kate's speech: 29 August 2007 - Speech to the annual conference of the Local Government Association of Queensland

Contact:       Taryn Langdon - 0417 148 059

Background on Council of Australian Local Governments

Who will be on the Council?

The Council of Australian Governments will include representatives from:

The Council will also include federal representatives not just from the local government portfolio, but from portfolios across the Federal government, including:

How will the Council operate?

The Council will meet twice a year to consider a formal agenda of items.

What will the Council do?

The Council will provide a forum in which local government can be involved in addressing issues of national importance.  The Council will be charged with developing policy on areas of joint interest to the Federal and Local spheres of government, including:

One of the first tasks for the Council will be to plan for a national referendum on the Constitutional recognition of local government, including hosting a form of constitutional convention if that is what is agreed by stakeholders.

27 August 2007

Labor to drive Constitutional recognition of local government

Federal Labor believes that local government should be formally recognised in the Australian Constitution.

An incoming Rudd Labor Government will consult with state and territory governments, and representatives of local government, including the Australian Local Government Association, the Capital City Lord Mayors and other stakeholders on the process for achieving constitutional recognition.

Constitutional recognition will redefine the relationship between Commonwealth, state and local governments and guarantee communities have an effective local voice in decision making on the issues that affect their lives.

The major issues facing our communities today such as housing affordability, heath care, and access to jobs and transport can only be solved through collaborative partnerships between the three spheres of government.

Constitutional recognition of local government is a long standing commitment of Federal Labor and was recently endorsed as a key element in the National Platform.

The Federal Parliamentary Labor Party has a long history of supporting the constitutional recognition of local government. In 1974 and 1988 Federal Labor sought Constitutional recognition - on both occasions this was not supported by the Coalition and the referenda failed.

As Leader of the Opposition in 1988, John Howard campaigned against the constitutional recognition of local government and as recently as last year, the Howard government failed to support a proposal by Federal Labor in the Parliament for the constitutional recognition of local government.

Labor calls on the Liberal and National parties to support this important constitutional initiative.

 Contact: Taryn Langdon - 0417 148 059

21 August 2007

How will communities benefit Mr Howard?

As details emerge from John Howard's statement on infrastructure yesterday, it appears that it is nothing but pre-election political posturing. It will have little impact on the grass roots, social infrastructure that is desperately needed in our communities.

John Howard cannot tell us where the money will go.

When asked on ABC radio's AM program this morning whether this funding would go to community libraries and sporting facilities, he replied:

                     "I haven't mentioned those…"

He cannot tell us how much money there is, except to emphasise how little he is going to spend:

"We are talking here about a very disciplined fiscal policy and one which would only spend the earnings on future surpluses and then only to the extent that would be economically appropriate."

He cannot guarantee that communities will have a say – that this money will go to communities who need it rather than where he needs the votes.

                    "we will determine those according to sensible national priorities."

The questions that need to be asked of John Howard are: What will the criteria be for funding? Will the funding go to areas of genuine need with independent assessment, or will it go to areas of Howard's need in marginal seats?

With the drought and ageing infrastructure, the pressure on local governments and community organisations to provide enough safe facilities is greater than ever before.

PricewaterhouseCoopers has estimated a local council funding gap for infrastructure renewals of $2.16 billion.

This is not a new problem, yet John Howard has sat on his hands, watched the state of social infrastructure in our communities worsen and waited until 4 weeks out from an election to make a statement about it.

Contact: Taryn Langdon 02 6277 3334 or 0417 148 059

21 August 2007

Workplace Ombudsman delays leave local worker waiting for action

While the Government has been spending up big on a multi-million dollar advertising  campaign to try and reinvent it's unfair workplace laws, the Workplace Ombudsman has been slow to act on a local employees complaint.

A local Canberra casual employee, Jessica Shepherd, lodged a complaint with the then Office of Workplace Services on the 9th November 2006, claiming that she was being forced to sign an AWA by her employer Serco Sodexho.

It has taken the Workplace Ombudsman over 9 months to decide to prosecute in this matter, filing the case in the Federal Court only two weeks ago.

"I strongly support the Workplace Ombudsman's decision to prosecute in this matter, but it has already taken far too long and the matter has only just been filed" Senator Lundy said. 

"The multi-million dollar Government funded ads certainly give employees the impression that justice will be swift. However, as this case shows, the process is long and ongoing" Senator Lundy continued.     

"I am disappointed that while the Government has been sinking millions of taxpayers dollars  into an advertising campaign, people like Misss Shepherd have not had their complaints dealt with in a timely manner by the Workplace Ombudsman." 

"This matter has received media attention because Jessica has been brave enouogh to speak out about her unfair workplace experiences. While this matter is going to be prosectuted by the Workplace Ombudsman, unfortunately many more cases that don't get media attention seem to go unprosecuted", Senator Lundy concluded.

Contact: Rachel Allen – 6230 0411 or 0418 488 295

14 August 2007

How can we apply for facility grants Minister?

In May, the Prime Minister announced $700,000 funding for the new sports and aquatic centre at Lithgow and then the Government member handed over $200,000 for floodlights at the Bathurst Rugby Club.

In Senate Question Time today, Senator Kate Lundy, the Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation invited the Minister for Arts and Sport George Brandis to explain the process for distributing these grants in the marginal seat of Macquarie and how they were assessed.

The Minister failed to provide sporting clubs with the criteria or process to apply for this type of funding.

This leaves clubs who are in need of facilities with no other option than to contact the Minister directly.

Labor knows that local sport and community clubs are under immense pressure to provide enough safe facilities. With the onset of the drought and ageing infrastructure the pressure on clubs is greater than ever before.

After 11 years this Government still has no clear policy to support these dedicated clubs.

Contact: Taryn Langdon 02 6277 3334 or 0417 148 059

14 August 2007

ACT Labor Senate candidates to keep watch on local grocery prices

Today Senator Kate Lundy and Peter Conway, ACT Labor’s second Senate candidate, launched a price watch into the price of groceries in the ACT.

The local price watch will track the prices of basic food items such as milk, bread, bananas, eggs and meat over the coming weeks to keep a close watch on grocery prices at our major supermarkets.

“The fact is that balancing the household budget is getting harder and harder - with grocery bills, child care, petrol prices and housing. The costs of basic household goods ought to be closely monitored.” Peter Conway said.

“When the price of fruit jumps by over 8% and vegetables increased by 6% over the past quarter, it shows that families in Canberra, and across Australia, are under increasing financial pressure”, Senator Lundy said.

“Federal Labor understands the financial pressures on Australian families. That’s why Kevin Rudd has announced plans that would see the consumer price watchdog monitor grocery prices for the first time” Senator Lundy added.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) already monitors the price of other household costs such as petrol, utilities and bank fees.

Under Kevin Rudd’s plan a Federal Labor Government will:

The ACCC will also set up a dedicated website to publish this pricing snapshot. This act will serve to increase transparency in the market place and exert greater competitive pressure on the retail market.

Local grocery prices will be updated at the start of each week at http://www.katelundy.com.au, just click on the grocery price watch links.

Contact: Rachel Allen – 0418 488 295 or Peter Conway – 0418 627 501

10 August 2007

Humphries' scare campaign on the Public Service another desperate exercise

Senator Lundy said today that Senator Gary Humphries' scare campaign on the Public Service is desperate, irresponsible and misleading.

The facts are that in Lindsay Tanner's address to the National Press Club on Wednesday 8 August 2007, he said:

Labor wants to improve the quality of services and service delivery.

The savings amounting to $209 million comprise:

The overall impact on jobs in Canberra will be insignificant under a Labor Government as Labor will be just rearranging priorities, and it will bring Public Service growth back into line with the overall economy. Labor wants to improve the quality of services and service delivery.

Contact: Meg Martin 0422 409 614

8 August 2007

Canberrans suffering after ninth interest rate rise

Today’s interest rate rise, the ninth since 2002, will put additional pressure on already stressed Canberra families, say Federal ACT representatives, Senator Kate Lundy, Annette Ellis MP and Bob McMullan MP.

“These families have been repeatedly told by John Howard that they have never been better off, when owning a home is out of the reach of many Australians and those with mortgages are under growing financial pressure” said Senator Kate Lundy.

The cost of living in Canberra has skyrocketed - driven by increased mortgage repayments, rising rents, higher grocery and petrol prices on top of escalating health, education and childcare costs.

This is the fifth rate rise since Mr Howard promised at the last election to keep interest rates low, with rates now at a 10-year high.

“Canberrans are working harder for longer hours than ever before and, in addition to the crippling increases in living costs, are also having their employment conditions and job security threatened by individual contracts,” said the Federal Member for Canberra, Annette Ellis.

"With average house prices in Canberra significantly above the national average, this increase will make covering the basic costs of living even more difficult for ACT families. This latest rate rise will surely be passed onto renters in the form of higher rents, making it even harder to save for a house deposit." 

“Having promised to keep interest rates at record lows if he was re-elected, John Howard now blames the States and Territories for an undertaking he knew could not be kept.  He has lost touch with working families and is desperately trying to shift the blame” said the Federal Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan.

"We urge local residents who are under serious financial pressure to get some professional financial advice. Don’t ignore the warning signs until it is too late." 

Affected families may seek financial assistance and advice from local organisations.  The contact details for local organisations are:

Contact: Meg Martin - 0422 409 614 (Lundy) Annie Williams – 0415 871 540 (McMullan) Ash Musgrove – 0419 020 419 (Ellis)

5 August 2007

Telstra Boss has form on Landline Connection Delays

Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo has form on leaving households for months without phone lines, something the Howard Government has known since he was appointed were aware of before Telstra was fully privatized and put beyond the scrutiny of Parliament.

In fact, his former company in the US was sued for hundreds of millions of dollars for such disgraceful behaviour.

When Mr Trujillo was at US West, the company had a policy of misleading customers about connection delays. A class action was mounted and aggrieved customers were eventually compensated, not by US West, but by Qwest, who bought US West and were left to deal with the litigation and subsequent compensation.

Attached is a 2001 article reporting the litigation. (see link below)

I draw your attention to this paragraph:

Whilst there is no evidence of this practice occurring in Australia, it worries me greatly that customers here in Canberra are also being forced to wait months for a simple landline connection.

I note the story of Mrs Wong of Bruce in the Canberra Times Sunday edition has a disturbing similarity with the US West situation: Canberra residents were told that their lines would be connected last Tuesday after months of waiting.

Disturbingly, Tuesday has come and gone and Telstra’s local mouthpiece, Ian Peters is nowhere to seen or heard!

Are Telstra up to Trujillo’s old US West tricks? If they are, the buck stops with the Howard Government.

Find Lawyers on the Line When Qwest took over US West, it took on a class-action lawsuit, by Stuart Steers at http://www.litigationcolorado.com/articles.php?id=79

For more information, Contact Kate Lundy on 0419421553