|
|
|
31 March 2006 – MEDIA ALERTCanberra Childcare worker unfairly dismissedToday Senator Kate Lundy and the LHMU will today will join a local Childcare worker who has become the Howard's Government's latest unfair dismissal victim. Emily is a single mum who yesterday was sacked from her workplace because of a 'personality clash' with her employer. The ACTU will be issuing a statement on this case later today. 12.30 PM
|
 |
That the effective closure of the State Circle slip lane to provide for visitor parking for the new apartments will be hazardous; |
|
the massive increase in residential density proposed for the apartments – from five existing dwellings to 57 individual apartments; |
|
inadequate privacy protection for rear neighbours from overlooking balconies in the new development; |
|
traffic congestion and associated risks caused by the single access ramp onto Melbourne Avenue for the private underground garages (spaces for 107 cars). |
Residents have 3 weeks to make submissions to the National Capital Authority expressing their concerns and to urge changes to resolve these and several other problems raised at the meeting.
The way was cleared for the State Circle proposal to be submitted to the NCA for consideration after the NCA put forward Draft Amendment 39, which permits the type of apartment redevelopment now being considered.
Amendment 39 has been the subject of numerous parliamentary inquiries and has been characterised by the fact that the NCA has changed their position five times in five years.
Residents have a right to have their grievances acted upon and I am sure that if their problems are addressed then a better outcome will be achieved for all parties concerned.
For further Information, please contact: Adina Cirson - 0418 488 295 or 62773334
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations have upheld the Union's claims of underpayment and have found that two employees of Zeffifelli's pizza restaurants are owed $510.92 for every week worked. The employer now has 14 days within which to pay outstanding payments to the workers, and DEWR is expected to release findings of other wage investigations this week.
As many as 6 Canberra restaurants are being investigated by several Commonwealth Agencies including the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA), relating to underpayment and other concerns raised by some 20 migrant workers in the ACT.
Despite the Department's findings, the Chamber continues to deny and defend those employers found to be in breach of federal awards and in breach of their 457 visa requirements. What they should be doing is urging all employers to simply abide by the Law.
The Chamber should also be concerned that other Canberra restaurants that pay award rates cannot compete with employers who have been found to be underpaying their staff.
If underpayment of skilled migrants is a practice which the Chamber wants to condone and defend, they do so at the expense of other local businesses and at the expense of Australian Jobs.
All workers in Australia, be they local or from overseas, are entitled by law to be treated with respect and dignity and are rightfully entitled to be paid according to the Australian Federal Award. For the ACT Chamber of Commerce to suggest otherwise is beyond reproach.
For further Information, please contact: Adina Cirson - 0418 488 295 or 62773334
Senator Humphries has today had the audacity to brag about 10 years of the Howard government.
But the reality is that since 1996 the Howard Government has overseen:
| Following unprecedented budget cuts in 1996 thousands of jobs were lost and home prices collapsed – note that this is the budget Howard said was his best! Bit offensive! |
| Child care cost increases, lack of child care places and serious staff shortages |
| Extreme Industrial Relations reforms which will lead to job insecurity and loss of basic conditions. |
| More than 10,000 public Service jobs axed in Canberra alone, with close to 35,000 nationally |
| Bulk Billing rates in Canberra haven plummeted and are nearly half of the national average |
| In 1996 the Bulk Billing rate for the electorate of Canberra was 59.9% |
| In June 2005 Bulk billing rates were as low as 41.6% |
| In 1996 Bulk Billing rates for the electorate of Fraser were 69.1% |
| In June 2005 Bulk Billing rates had dropped to just 38.4% |
| A national crisis in our health workforce and in the ACT the ratio of people per full time equivalent GP has hit 1641 higher than the national average of 1453. |
| The average age of Doctors in the ACT hit 51 for men and 47 for women, illustrating the urgent need for Australia to train more young people in medicine as the current workforce gets set to retire. |
| NCA interference in planning forcing delays in Gungahlin Drive Extension and other planning issues. |
| Students turned away from TAFE and University |
| Skills shortages hindering economic activity and business expansion |
| Politicisation of our national cultural institutions and cuts to their base funding |
| class sizes at both the ANU and the University of Canberra between 1996 and 2004 increased to 27%. In 2004 ACT Universities had a student to teacher ration of 19.8 students to every teacher compared to the National average of 20.7 – which has blown out from 15.6 students per teacher in 1996. |
As the only Prime Minister who still refuses to live in Canberra, the symbolic and proper home of Australia's Prime Minsters, no wonder he cares little about the people of Canberra.
For further Information, please contact: Adina Cirson - 0418 488 295 or 62773334
Reports today that Australian Netball Champion Janine Ilitch is at risk of being banned from the Commonwealth Games village because she wants to express milk for her 5 month old breastfed child are outrageous and all efforts should be made to ensure her needs are accommodated during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Ms Ilitch, like her team mates is obviously dedicated to preparations for the Commonwealth Games. It is simply not acceptable that breastfeeding be cited by any sporting organisation as a reason for exclusion. The decision to breastfeed should be made entirely by an individual in the interests of their infant.
Given that the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 provides that breastfeeding (and expressing milk) is a characteristic of women, thereby bringing it under the umbrella of the prohibition on sex discrimination, it is highly inappropriate that any doubt remain over Ms Ilitch's right to breastfeed and or express milk for her baby.
Additionally, the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 actually lists breastfeeding (which also encompasses the expressing of milk) as an attribute on the basis of which discrimination is prohibited, in the areas of employment, employment-related areas, education, accommodation, clubs and club members, sport, and local government.
I would urge all parties involved to ensure that Ms Ilitch's rights and that of her baby's are respected and accommodated both at the Village and in all associated preparations for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
For further Information, please contact: Adina Cirson - 0418 488 295 or 62773334
|
|
