21 December 2006 - Media Release

It is up to the Commonwealth to re-lease drag way land

Senator Kate Lundy today is calling on Howard Government Minister Jim Lloyd to re-lease the site of the former drag way for the use of motor sport enthusiasts.  

This call is in light of an ACT Government report released today that suggests the development of a facility in the Majura valley would be unlikely to meet applicable environmental noise criteria and would be likely to require substantial additional Government funding.

The site of the former drag way was taken back by the Commonwealth Government in 1998 citing an urgent need for the land and since then the land has remained idle.

Motor sport enthusiasts in the Territory are relying on the Commonwealth and Minister Lloyd to consider their needs seriously. The ACT Government has done everything possible and exhausted all territory land options, it is up to the Commonwealth Government to again consider making the land available and re-lease the former site.

Contact: Taryn Langdon 0417 148 059 or 6277 3334

18 December 2006 - Media Release

Where is the commitment Minister?

Local communities deserve a commitment to fix derelict facilities in their area - not the cynical lip-service that is being provided by Minister Lloyd.

It is clear that the Howard Government is sitting on their hands, watching local councils struggle to maintain facilities, and waiting for the opportunity to pour funds into the communities where this arrogant Government needs the votes.

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) report commissioned by Price Waterhouse Coopers was clear, it suggested that:

"Many local councils across the country now have sizable financial sustainability challenges, which require major reforms … without reforms, up to 30% of local government councils might not be sustainable."

ALGA is clear in its message that without a financial lifeline, communities faced the closure of key facilities.

This Government should not be playing politics with community facilities. Australians are tired of pork barrelling from this Government; they want local solutions not political solutions. The quality of swimming pool, community hall or library should not be based on whether it happens to be located in a marginal seat.

Labor is committed to the constitutional recognition local Government, and have committed to work with local government to introduce a new cooperation and a better deal for local communities

Labor calls on the Howard Government to apply fair allocation of funds to ensure that all Australians have access to decent facilities, infrastructure and services.

Contact: Taryn Langdon 0417 148 059 or 6277 3334

14 December 2006 - Media Release

Employers and Unions come together to stand up for young workers rights

Today Senator Lundy launched the '10 things new employees should know' initiative.

The '10 things' project aims to better inform young people about their rights and obligations in the workplace and about where to get help when faced with an employment issue.

The fold-out business cards that were released today lists the top 10 things young workers need to know when starting a new job. The card also directs new employees to where they can get help if they run into work related problems.

“Rights at work can only be effective if you know what they are and know how to enforce them. These resources encourage young workers to find out what their rights at work are and how to get help if they need it”, Senator Lundy explained. 

"This project demonstrates a great co-operative effort, local employers and unions came together to better inform young workers about their rights at work.”

“Unfortunately, young people are an especially vulnerable group within the workforce, they are more likely to be employed on a casual basis and often have less workplace experience. This makes it even more important that young people know their rights and how to resolve employment issues.”

“The Howard Governments unreasonable new workplace laws have made it even harder on young workers to get a fair go at work. A Labor Government will get rid of the Governments extreme industrial relations laws and restore balance to the workplace. All Australians deserve to be treated fairly and with respect at work”, Senator Lundy concluded. 

This project is the initiative of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU), Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) and Restaurant and Catering Australia.

Contact: Taryn Langdon 0417 148 059 or 6277 3334

11 December 2006 - Media Release

Health Promotion an important addition to Sport and Recreation Portfolio

Labor Senator Kate Lundy has warmly welcomed the addition of health promotion to the shadow portfolio of Sport and Recreation.

Labor recognises that prevention plays a vital role in reducing the economic and social burden of preventable disease and improving the general health and wellbeing of all Australians. Latest figures such as the fact that almost one quarter of our children are overweight and that over 1 million Australians have diabetes are alarming. Labor will be developing policy to begin to curb these trends.

Promoting health and healthy lifestyles has always been at the heart of sport and recreation policy for the Labor Party so this addition to the portfolio will help Labor build a stronger focus on the health benefits of physical activity for all Australians.

For years the Howard Government narrowed the federal sport portfolio, funding fewer sports and ignoring grass roots participation until recently when the obesity crisis forced them to act.

In contrast, a future Labor Government views sport and recreational activities which get people physically active as an essential part of achieving our goals for healthy kids and our strategies to improve the wellbeing of adults in Australia.

Giving up smoking, taking care in the sun, eating nutritious food and taking opportunities for physical activity at all stages of life are important elements to lowering risk of chronic diseases.
I am thrilled to be able to develop Labor’s federal policy in Health Promotion further over the coming months as health and wellbeing is important to parents, families and individuals alike.

Contact: Taryn Langdon 0417 148 059 or 6277 3334

8 December 2006 - Media Release

Bring Hicks Home

Tomorrow Canberrans will be calling on the Howard Government to bring David Hicks home.

December 9 marks the fifth year of imprisonment for David Hicks, an Australian citizen held at Guantanamo Bay. That’s five years with no charges laid and no chance of his release in sight.

The rally to bring David Hicks home will be held on the grass outside Federation Mall, opposite Parliament House at 12 noon, Saturday 9 December. This event has been organised by Fathers Nikolai Blaskow and Richard Browning.

“Given Mr Hicks has not been given a proper and fair trial, and one appears unlikely in the immediate future, he should be brought back to Australia”, Senator Lundy said in support of the rally.

“Now is the time for the Government to reconsider its position, embrace the rule of law, and take this opportunity to end the injustice for an Australian citizen overseas”, Senator Lundy said.

“I will continue to pursue this matter vigorously.”

Labor believes that moves to bring Mr. Hicks home are long overdue and calls on the Government to take action right now.

Contact: Rachel Allen – 0418 488 295 or 6277 3334
 

3 December 2006 - Media Release

Serco Sodexho uses duress to force workers to sign AWA's

Jessica Shepherd, a 19 year old science student at ANU, has lodged a complaint this month with the Office of Workplace Services (OWS) against the multi-national corporation Serco Sodexho Defence Services.

In her complaint, Ms Shepherd alleged that Serco Sodexho, the company that won the Canberra Defence services contract, used duress to get her and other employees to sign new Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs).

Duress is specifically outlawed, but is often difficult for employees to prove.

Ms Shepherd was employed by Serco Sodexho as a casual employee to work at the Weston Creek, Australian Defence College Mess as a hospitality worker on October 1st 2006. Ms Shepherd has today bravely spoken out about how Serco Sodexho has been using duress to get employees to sign new AWAs.

Having already signed an AWA with Serco Sodexho, Ms Shepherd received a second contract in the mail with a letter outlining the changes and asking her to sign the new contract.

"When I read through the contract, there were more changes than the letter explained, especially in relation to the termination clause. I contacted my manager so that the changes could be explained before signing the contract", Ms Shepherd explained.

"I later received a voicemail message from manager informing me that my employment would be terminated if I didn't sign the AWA the very next day. I was shocked and didn't know what to do."

"The LHMU website had information on the OWS. I followed the link to their website and read the information provided on duress and recognised immediately that what Serco Sodexho had done to me was unlawful. I made a complaint to the OWS on November 9th in a successful effort to retain my position and the Defence College”

"I recognise that I'm in a fortunate position. I should be able to find other casual work if I have to. If I didn't have other employment options it would have been very difficult for me to make the complaint and risk losing my job" Ms Shepherd admitted.

The LHMU, who have been representing the cleaners during their dispute with Serco Sodexho, have reason to believe that other workers have also been put under duress but are reluctant to come forward because they are concerned about losing their jobs.

“I know for a fact I was not the only person threatened in this manner”, Ms Shepherd added.

Ms Shepherd met with Senator Lundy this week. "It takes people like Jessica to speak out to stamp out this bullying and unlawful behaviour by large corporations" Senator Lundy said.

"While the OWS appears to be acting on the allegation against Serco Sodexho in this instance, in reality it is very difficult for employees that have experienced duress to prove it. It is usually just their word against the employers. I will be monitoring their handling of this complaint", Senator Lundy said.

"Jessica's first hand experience of duress shows the dangers of the Howard Government's extreme new workplace laws that promote the use of AWAs" Senator Lundy concluded.

A Labor Government will rip up the Howard Governments unfair Work Choices legislation and put in place a system that is fair and respects workers rights.

Information about the use of coercion and duress is attached.

Jessica Shepherd can be contacted for comment – contact Lyndal Ryan (LHMU) 0411 643 982 for details

Contact: Rachel Allen - 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334 (Lundy)