30 June 2006 - Media Release

Government has the money – but are not supporting our athletes when they need it most

The inconsistency and unreliability of Direct Athlete Support (DAS) is of great concern to our elite athletes. The Minister for Sport, Rod Kemp, needs to clarify how DAS funding is allocated athletes preparing for the Olympic Games.

The Government allocated $4.4 million in the 2005/06 financial year and has allocated $4.2 million to support athletes in 2006/07, yet there are clearly problems associated with the distribution of these funds.

The Courier Mail today reported that athletics star Bronwyn Thompson is still waiting for support under the Government's DAS scheme. Ranked third in the world and a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Thompson has received no DAS funding so far this year. Thompson and athletes like her rely on the funding to travel overseas for competition to prepare for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

This is not the first time concern has been raised. Some athletes have missed out on support all together. Others have made the tough decision to retire from their top of their sport for financial reasons – only to discover that this type of funding could have been available to assist them in continuing.

Labor sought an explanation of DAS guidelines and payments during Senate Estimates in May. But clearly more clarification is needed – because it's not providing athletes support when they need it the most.

I call on Minister Kemp and the Australian Sports Commission to clarify the operation of the DAS scheme and explain why some of our best athletes have received no payments at all this year to assist their preparation for Beijing.

Contact:  Taryn Langdon 0417 148 059

28 June 2006 - Media Release

IR Protests across Capital Region

As part of the ACTU’s National Day of Protest, Queanbeyan, Goulburn and Canberra all hosted significant protests against the Howard Government’s extreme industrial relations changes today.

ACT Labor Senator Kate Lundy addressed meetings in all three places, calling on workers to keep up the campaign until the next election.

Senator Lundy addressed a packed hall at Goulburn Workers Club, a Picnic Meeting in Queanbeyan and just one of several gatherings around Canberra at the ANU, organised by the National Tertiary Education Union.

“The Howard Government’s Industrial Relations changes remove the protection workers had from unfair dismissal and reduce wages and conditions,” Senator Lundy said

“A Labor Government will rip up this unfair legislation and abolish AWA's and statutory individual contracts so we urge working people to join the union’s campaign and support Labor at the next election."

“Working people, young and old alike, will be worse off under a system that gives all the power to the employer in discussions or negotiations about employment."

“Already the horror stories of this unfair system are here in our region for people to see, with unfair sackings, workers dismissed and re-employed on less money and migrant workers exploited under the threat of deportation - all features of John Howard’s extreme IR system."

Contact: Adina Cirson 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334

27 June 2006 - Media Release

Thankyou Socceroos! You're inspiring

So much has happened in the sport of football in Australia in the very short time since the Crawford Review.

The Crawford Review was initiated by Minister Kemp in the best interests of the sport in Australia, with the support of the Opposition.

The subsequent implementation of the Crawford Review recommendations by Chairman Frank Lowy AO and his Board of Directors was a prerequisite to the inspiring achievements of the Socceroos at the World Cup finals.

It is our hope that a legacy of their unprecedented success is strong and sustainable growth across all age groups of the sport but particularly in the junior ranks male and female.

Labor would like to thank Frank Lowy and the Board, John O'Neill and his team of administrators and all the support staff who made the Socceroos World Cup finals campaign such a success.

We particularly applaud and congratulate the team for their hard work, dedication, inspiration and brilliant performance both on and off the field and graciousness in defeat after last nights sudden death match against Italy.

We would also like to thank Guus Hiddink for his outstanding leadership and insight in coaching and managing these remarkable athletes to the pinnacle of football success in Australia to date.

We also acknowledge the fantastic role the fans have played both home and abroad.

Labor looks forward to a future that is brighter than ever in football in Australia, to the ongoing success of the FFA and to the Socceroos and future campaign.

Contact:  Taryn Langdon 02 6277 3334 or 0417 148 059

26 June 2006 – JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Abbott knocked back Kewell offer to help kids!

Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister Sport and Recreation and Julia Gillard, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business

Shockingly, the Minister for Health, Tony Abbott knocked back an offer from Socceroo, Harry Kewell to help with a childhood obesity campaign.

It is however, hardly a surprise that Tony Abbott knocked back this offer from one of the biggest names in sport given his incompetence in the health portfolio generally.

The Minister for Health has never grasped the complex nature of obesity, failed to allocate any funding in the last Budget to childhood obesity and has absolutely no plan to address childhood obesity.

Labor would snap up any offer from Harry Kewell or indeed any of the Socceroos to help raise awareness and address the escalating rate of childhood obesity in Australia.

Labor would graciously accept an offer as well as deliver a range of other initiatives previously announced, because Labor is committed to helping Aussie kids avoid becoming overweight or obese and avoid the health conditions obesity may lead to.

Childhood obesity is currently increasing at a rate of 1 per cent per year which means that unless something is done, half of all young Australians will be overweight by 2025.

According to an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare study, over the past decade the percentage of overweight children has almost doubled and the percentage of obese children has more than tripled.

Treating obesity related health problems is now costing us a staggering $1.3 billion every year.

Unfortunately, the Minister for Health, Tony Abbott has failed to accept the vital role of the Federal Government in ensuring the number of obese and overweight kids doesn’t continue to rise nationally.

Kim Beazley has already announced that a Beazley Labor Government will implement a national childhood obesity campaign in our first term through Labor’s Centre for Children’s Health to radically turn around the increasing incidence of childhood obesity.

CONTACT: KIMBERLEY GARDINER 0417 428 123 (GILLARD)  TARYN LANGDON  0417 148 059 (LUNDY)

09 June 2006 - Media Release

All the best for the Socceroos

It will be a historic moment when the Socceroos walk out for their first game of the 2006 FIFA World Cup on Monday against Japan – many across Australia will be watching.

The Labor Party wishes the Socceroos all the best for their first game. Qualifying for the World Cup in itself is a terrific achievement. The Socceroos will continue do our country proud throughout the tournament.

Many Australians – along with millions of others throughout the world - have caught World Cup fever. They will be entertained and inspired by the Socceroos in the coming weeks.

Football (soccer) is already the highest junior participation in sport in Australia. With their role models performing on the world stage, we will see many more young boys and girls inspired to give football a go.

We all recognise the spirit and dedication required by these players to play for their country. I hope many football players will aspire to play in a World Cup for Australia.

Contact:          Taryn Langdon 0417 148 059

2 June 2006 - JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

The Hon Kim Beazley, Leader of the Opposition; Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister Sport and Recreation and
Julia Gillard, Shadow Minister for Health and Manager of Opposition Business

$50 Million For Our Kids – Not Howard’s Adds

The Howard Government is planning to splurge $50 million on advertising for the private health insurance industry. That’s just wrong. 

I call on John Howard to put this money towards fighting childhood obesity – not advertising for a private sector industry.  The private health insurance industry can fund its own advertisements.  Aussie kids need help now.

That’s why in my Blueprint for Children’s Health I said a national childhood obesity campaign would be a first term goal for a Beazley Labor Government.

Instead of spending $50 million on spoiling television for middle Australia, John Howard could be funding a national campaign with initiatives such as:

$15 million to encourage all Australians, especially children and parents, to adopt healthy eating habits and make positive food choices.  This would include developing a National Nutrition Education Framework and National School Canteen Food Guidelines, plus education and awareness activities targeted at parents, teachers, carers and children;

$10 million for Children’s Wellbeing Pilot Programs for schools to run innovative health and wellbeing initiatives – everything from outdoor sports and activities to cooking programs and vegetable gardens;

$5 million for a national awareness campaign to support positive body image, including professional development support for teachers and community leaders; and

$20 million for specialist treatment centres for severely obese children to address their physical and mental health care needs.

Families in Middle Australia are worried about their kids’ health.  Yet the Howard Government has become so out of touch with their concerns that there was no new money in the recent Budget to tackle the problem of childhood obesity.

CONTACTS:  George Svigos (Beazley): 0417 196 836 Kimberley Gardiner (Gillard): 0417 428 123  Adina Cirson (Lundy):  0418 488 295