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 | Strong probity measures for firms and individual directors providing online gambling services. |
| Obligations to participate in and promote problem gambling services. |
| System integrity controls and gambling protocols. |
| Appropriate safeguards for protection of minors and exclusions for those not eligible to gamble under Australian law. |
| Problem gaming measures including but not restricted to periodic transaction reporting, mandatory time cut outs, and the like. |
Labor will work with the States and Territories through the COAG process to implement the code of conduct.
A Latham Labor Government will also amend the IGA to introduce a mandatory statutory review in the Act and require the review to be undertaken in consultation with the States and Territories.
Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
Kate Lundy will host an ACT Film and Television Industry Insight tomorrow night will showcase the work of well known local filmmakers Dean Toovey and Duane Fogwell.
The ACT Film and Television Industry is at an exciting stage of its evolution. The ACT Film and Television Industry Insight will show that the industry is breaking through the well regarded production, documentary and news boundaries and is becoming established as a hub of innovative film making which utilises the latest digital technology.
Filmmaker Dean Toovey will tomorrow night give an insight into the making of digital film and television with the showing of the first ever peek at his exciting new Science Fiction production - Silicon Spies – which uses Canberra as its location. Dean’s production team will take us through what goes into producing film at the cutting edge of technology.
Winner of the ACT Short Film Festival 2003, Duane Fogwell, will present highlights of his outstanding work and will also show his latest work – Colour – and speak of his experiences as an up and coming local filmmaker.
Other highlights of the evening will include selected screenings of the Archives Sci-Fi footage, and a presentation by well known Australian science fiction and fantasy writer, Sean McMullen who will speak about the history of Sci-Fi.
There will also be screenings of new work by Narrabundah College students who are currently learning the art of film and television production. Canberra is fast developing a well regarded reputation for the quality of work produced, and is seeing a growth in the numbers of young people who are interested in pursuing work in the area.
Labor’s Bob McMullan MP will talk about this exciting time for the ACT film and television industry.
We welcome members of the public and media to attend the event, and gain an insight our local film and television industry at this exciting time.
Contact: Adina Cirson 0418 488 295
The truth behind Senator Humphries sudden feigned concern for the wellbeing of females has now become clear. He was obviously aware that Health Minister Tony Abbott was set to slash funding for mammogram screening in the ACT.
For the 2005-06 year, funding in the ACT under the Public Health Outcomes Funding Agreement (PHOFA) will be cut by 11.35%, the largest percentage funding cut proposed for any State or Territory under the terms of the proposed new Agreement.
The effects of these funding cuts on ACT women are devastating. It will mean that 20 ACT women will now miss out on the opportunity of early cancer detection. Simply put, this funding cut potentially increases the risk for these women of developing life-threatening cancer.
The ramifications of this move go beyond funding concerns; this time the Howard Government is playing with women's lives.
In addition, the new PHOFA now proposed by the Howard Government dispenses with the National Women’s Health Program which was formerly a separately listed priority.
Under the new arrangement the funding for family planning services, which was previously separate, will be ‘broadbanded’ from 2005, and reproductive health services will be included under a communicable diseases priority area.
This move clearly shows the Howard Government's ongoing disregard for the concerns of Australian and ACT women. This funding cut is unnecessary, and it is unacceptable.
Contact: Kate Roffey - (02) 6277 3334 or 0417 148 059
The distorted half-truths offered by Senator Humphries yesterday show just how out of touch he is with the real issues affecting Australian women.
Mr Humphries claimed that there are 200,000 more child care places since the Howard Government came to office. The truth behind this spurious claim is that the majority of these places are outside school places. The Government has beefed-up these figures by counting many children 3 times, once for before school care, once for after school care, and once for vacation care.
Since June 2002, the Government has known about child care shortages in Outside School Hours Care, Long Day Care, and Occasional Care. Despite this they waited over 2 years before delivering on any of these shortages and even then ignored long day care entirely.
Mr Humphries has not presented the facts, he has merely highlighted the Government's use of creative statistical analysis to try and prop up their poor record on child-care.
It is also interesting to note that the Government's empty rhetoric never mentions the difference in real terms, the average weekly wages between men and women. Why? Because under the Howard Government the gap between men and women's weekly earning figures has actually increased.
According to the latest ABS figures, as at November 2003, seasonally adjusted figures showed that average total weekly earning for all males was $898.20, compared to $587.30, for females- a shortfall of $310.90 per week or more than $16,000 less per year.
When the Howard Government came to power in 1996, females on average earned $436.40 per week- $229.10 less than the average weekly earnings for men.
The Howard Government also claims that there are now more women in paid employment but ignores the quality of jobs created for women.
Since the Howard Government's election, 1 in 3 jobs created for women has been a casual job- this means that 1.2 million Australian women are missing out on job and income security and cannot access much needed leave to take care of themselves and their families.
Yesterday’s comments by Senator Humphries are further evidence that the Howard Government is trying to sweep the issues affecting women under the carpet.
The people of Australia have not fallen for the Howard Government's manipulations.
It seems Mr Humphries, that the only person who has been hoodwinked by Mr Howard's half-truths – is you.
Contact: Kate Roffey - (02) 6277 3334 or 0417 148 059
The sloppy handling of doping investigations and obfuscation of evidence that has come to light recently has made a mockery of the Howard Government's claim that they are "getting tough on drugs in sport".
The clumsiness and inconsistency with which a number of recent doping allegations have been handled emphasises the need for the Howard Government to act immediately to overhaul the entire system of investigation and prosecution of doping allegations.
In particular attention must be paid to infractions that pertain to breaches of the anti-doping code that fall outside the jurisdiction of positive drugs tests and failure to comply breaches.
On 9th March 2003, Sports Minister Kemp said that the "Government was moving quickly" to put a proposal to establish a recognised tribunal with the power to investigate substance abuse in every sport.
As yet no serious moves have been made toward setting up any kind of independent investigative and prosecutorial body.
We now face a situation where serious questions have been raised regarding the thoroughness and independence of investigations into a number of doping allegations. At best these investigations have been lack-lustre and shoddy, at worst they indicate acquiescence by the Howard Government in allowing these allegations to be swept under the carpet.
Funding cuts, research bans and cover-ups under the watch of the Howard Government have led to a serious deterioration in Australia's fight against drugs in sport.
It is always unpleasant to find any athlete guilty of a doping offence, and it is always difficult to deal with such cases, however dealing with these issues quickly and openly must always be the primary consideration.
Getting tough on drugs in sport means that when required we face the difficulties associated with dealing with such issues rather than turn a blind eye.
The Howard Government must take action now if they are to reassure the Australian public that they are serious about stamping out the use of performance enhancing substances in sport.
Contact: Kate Roffey - (02) 6277 3334 or 0417 148 059
Cricket New South Wales decision today to issue a request for tender (RTF) for the provision of venues for major cricket matches allocated to NSW by Cricket Australia should focus on one main issue – taking good cricket to all people at affordable prices.
History and tradition are important aspects of Australia's cricketing heritage, however of equal importance is the fact that Sydney's population has shifted westward.
In consideration of this population shift, the need to take cricket to other venues in order to reach a broader population is an issue equally worthy of consideration and
Labor applauds Cricket New South Wales's consideration of this issue in this in their decision to send out an RTF for major cricket matches.
Labor also welcomes the emphasis Cricket New South Wales has placed on the use of a competitive tender to provide additional revenue for grassroots development.
The importance of participation at the grassroots level cannot be underestimated. Not only does greater grassroots participation provide a broader pool of talent from which to catch potential elite sportsmen and women, it also promotes better health outcomes for all Australians.
Labor congratulates Cricket NSW for its proactive consideration of these very important issues in its decision making processes.
Contact: Kate Roffey - (02) 6277 3334 or 0417 148 059
It has been revealed today that the Melba Foundation had their original grant application multiplied by a factor of ten: from $500,000 to $5 million, presumably after the political intervention by the Prime Minister and the cooperation of Arts Minister Senator Kemp.
This raises new questions about the extent to which Ministers play favourites with taxpayers money and shows the arrogant contempt the Howard Government has for the independent, merit-based assessment of applications for funding established by the Australia Council.
In this years budget, Minister Kemp took the unprecedented step of directing the Australia Council to allocate half of the additional funding received in the Budget to a single recipient: The Melba Foundation, for the promotion of Australian operatic performers through its record label – Melba Records.
This figure amounted to $5 million over the next five years. But The Australian has revealed today that the original proposal submitted by Melba was for a one off pilot program costing $500,000.
Not only did they receive many millions more than they requested, but it appears that their proposal was based on misleading information about ABC Classics claiming that they were “industry behemoths” and that they had “failed to produce consistently high quality recordings of interest to the international market”.
These claims are simply not true and we understand that ABC Classics – as the producer of over 350 CD recordings – and highly regarded both in Australia and internationally was never approached in regards to Melba’s claims.
This debacle can also be interpreted as yet another attack on the ABC, one of many in an unrelenting pressure on the ABC by the Howard Government.
The purpose of statutory independence of the Australia Council is to ensure that funding decisions are not subject to the political agendas of the government of the day, whichever party, nor the personal preferences of Arts Minister or other members of government.
The compromising situation that the Australia Council has been placed in is unacceptable and threatens the very integrity and arms- length independence that embodies the Australia Council’s charter.
This is yet another Howard Government attack on the independence of cultural institutions in Australia.
Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
Canberra residents, who have volunteered to join the Australia Defence Force, will be given proper recognition under Federal Labor’s plan to strike and award a Volunteer Defence Service Medal.
A Latham Labor Government will make the medal available to approximately 650,000 personnel who served as a member of the Regular or Reserve Force for a period of at least three years since World War II.
The announcement has been welcomed by the ACT Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia, Gary Brodie, State President, stating today that:
“Our Canberra area and surrounds have had for many years a proud tradition of military service and it is a wonderful thing that they can now be recognised for their service in this way.”
“The RSL welcomes any initiative that recognises volunteer service in the Australian Defence Force. I am aware that this issue of a new medal being struck, was first raised at the 1998 RSL National Congress.
“It is a positive step because it truly recognises individual commitment to the defence of our nation. It is yet another reminder to our community that we have men and women who have and will always be prepared to step forward for defence service for our country”
Labor believes that these Australians deserve a medal for their military service to recognise their goodwill and selflessness.
The National Service Medal minted in 2001 was rightful recognition of the contribution of conscripts, and saw many Canberrans gain recognition for their service. Labor believes that it is also important to honour volunteers - regular and reserve - and that's why Labor will strike a new medal for them.
We need to give special thanks to the champions of servicemen and women, including constituents in Canberra and other parts of the country, who have lobbied so hard for the Medal's creation.
The volunteer Defence Service Medal will be awarded to all Australians who served as a member of the Regular or Reserve Force for a period of at least three years since World War II.
This contrasts with the Howard Government's policy insistence that volunteers must have served six years. Labor believes that three years' volunteer service to our nation's defence deserves recognition.
This contrasts with the Howard Government's policy insistence that volunteers must have served six years. Labor believes that three years' volunteer service to our nation's defence deserves recognition.
It is estimated that up to 350,000 regular and up to 300,000 reserve volunteers will be eligible for the Medal.
There will be discretion to award the Medal to members of the ADF who, because of injury or other unavoidable reasons, did not reach three years' service. For example, in the past some servicewomen were forced to resign because of pregnancy or marriage.
Labor's policy is fully costed and funded and details will be released prior to the election.
Contact: Adina Cirson - 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334
The new drug allegations revealed today regarding cyclist Sean Eadie increase the pressure on Sports Minister Rod Kemp to solve this drugs-in-sport debacle.
The new allegations go back to 1999, the Mark French allegations date from December 2003.
These problems have all arisen under the Howard Government's watch and indicate a serious deterioration in Australia's fight against drugs in sport.
This worsening of Australia's reputation has been highlighted by comments from the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Dick Pound.
The fact this is all occurring in the final weeks prior to the Athens Olympics is of serious concern to all Australian sports lovers and the members of our Olympic team.
Sports Minister, Rod Kemp, must act immediately to comprehensively address all allegations now outstanding, and he must overhaul the entire system of investigating and prosecuting allegations of possession and use of drugs in sport.
Contact: Kate Roffey - (02) 6277 3334 or 0417 148 059
Senator Kate Lundy will attend Diabetes Australia – ACT’s National Diabetes Week 2004 launch on Sunday 11th July at the Olims Ainslie hotel at 2pm.
Decreasing the risks of developing preventable lifestyle diseases like Type 2 Diabetes is a key element of Labor's comprehensive cross-portfolio policy Tackling Obesity and Promoting Community Wellbeing: Labor’s plan for a healthier and more active Australia.
Australia urgently needs a coordinated community based strategy for the prevention and cure of diseases like Type 2 Diabetes that are directly related to physical inactivity and obesity.
Labor has made a commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians through the establishment of a new community wellbeing fund to promote physical activities, encourage better dietary habits and reduce obesity.
Labor believes that promoting healthier lifestyles and providing more community based opportunities for people to get physically active are keys to improving the health and wellbeing of all Australians.
Thanks to the outstanding work of groups like Diabetes Australia significant progress is being made, however much more remains to be done to tackle serious health issues like Type 2 Diabetes and obesity.
Developing strong links with leading organisations like Diabetes Australia is an integral part of improving the health outcomes of all Australians.
Labor believes that the Government has a vital role to play in achieving better health outcomes and will continue to work closely with stakeholders and provide support to ensure that these groups continue their success in their fight to decrease the incidence of lifestyle related diseases.
Contact: Kate Roffey - (02) 6277 3334 or 0417 148 059
Federal Labor welcomes the bipartisan nature of this report. The Report chronicles examples of poor consultation and failure of the NCA to follow due process.
While it presents a sharp criticism of the National Capital Authority, the Report also acknowledges the important role the NCA has with respect to the National Capital, Canberra.
The recommendations include these important changes:
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Improved integration between Territory and National capital planning regimes by improving consistency relating to planning and land management; |
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New consultation and appeals process for the NCA; |
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Recommends that the Territory Planning Authority (ACTPLA) be responsible for processes and approvals, in accordance with the National Capital Plan relating to Territory land and Arterial Roads. |
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Remove ambiguity surrounding Territory Land that has “special requirements” under the National Capital Plan. |
The full list of Recommendations can be found on the Committee's web site.
This Report represents an excellent basis for Federal Labor’s policy on the National Capital Authority.
Labor has been critical of the conduct of the NCA in many areas and believes this Report represents the right balance for improving clarity and consistency between National and Territory planning and tempers the excesses of the National Capital Authority.
Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
The Howard Government’ war on culture has reached its climax with the decision to remove the Horizons and Nation galleries at the National Museum of Australia.
The Handpicked foot soldier of the Howard Government - Dr Craddock Morton - has begun the whitewashing of the National Museum, designed to portray John Howard’s view of Australian history.
In short this means a greater emphasis on the great achievements of white men in Australia, rather than the complex and diverse stories that make up Australian Culture.
Based on the recommendations of the highly criticised Carroll Review, Dr Morton will replace two of five permanent exhibitions, and refurbish all of the Museum galleries to enable changes to the way our Australian story is told.
The closure of the Horizons Gallery will mean a removal of a true historical account of immigration to Australia. The Exhibition looks at the quarantine of immigrants and deals with the White Australia Policy. The Carroll review stated that this exhibition created an ‘unbalanced’ view of migration to this country.
This is nothing more than an absurd attempt to wipe out any truth relating to the treatment of immigrants and refugees by our country.
The Museum’s own stated intention to cover “European exploration of and immigration to Australia” marks its determination to airbrush out of Australian History the contribution of many other races and nationalities.
This will undoubtedly lead to our darkest moments in history being quietly moved to the background, replaced with stories of Captain Cook’s Adventures.
Just like the colonial authorities did with the records of Aboriginal people their murders and later their removal– John Howard hopes that if we leave these events out of the record – out of the National Museum - then maybe we might just forget it every happened.
John Howard’s effort to exert his influence over the Museum through those council members, who enjoy the Prime Ministers personal patronage, is nothing short of political censorship of Australia’s cultural history.
Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
While Labor welcomes the new measures regarding children's food advertising in today's new television code of practice, Labor will still go one step further and implement a children’s junk food advertising ban.
A ban on junk food advertising during children’s programs can only assist the nation’s health care and the fight against childhood obesity.
Under a Labor Government all food and drink advertising will be banned during all P (preschool), C (children) classified programs, and during G (General) classified programs that are, as defined by the ABA, clearly aimed primarily at children. Such a ban will not preclude the promotion of healthy eating messages via Community Service Announcements and the like.
The new provisions against incorrect information about nutritional value while welcome, only confirm existing consumer law. While placing a ban on children's food ads that promote an inactive lifestyle or promote unhealthy eating habits is welcome, unfortunately most children's junk food ads would not fall foul of these provisions.
A total ban on all food and drink advertising during television programs aimed directly at children is the only solution that will have a genuine impact on "junk" food advertising to children.
Labor will take action where the Howard Government has for 8 years neglected to tackle this problem effectively.
Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
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