|
|
Media Release Index 199619971998 |
 | Planned to shelve 25 of the 50 Roundtable Members after the first meeting of the Roundtable to enable them to remove those individuals who were outspoken in their opposition to various key Government policies; |
| Extended the period of application to the Roundtable to alter the balance of participants without informing those people who had already applied to be members of the Roundtable; |
| Gave only 9 days notice to Roundtable members regarding the date of their compulsory state workshops, and only 4 weeks notice for the actual Roundtable dates themselves; |
| Refused reimbursement for any communications expense occurred as part of the Roundtable process other than for e-mail, and even then have neglected to provide e-mail services to those members who are unable to access the Internet; |
| Forced Roundtable delegates to sign an agreement which stipulated that they would not speak to the public about the Roundtable process, drink alcohol during their stay in Canberra even if over the age of consent, or visit other Members of Parliament whilst at Parliament House; |
| Banned the use of votes as a democratic process of decision making; |
| Failed to provide the Roundtable members with their website, their sole forum for mass communication, until four weeks after the end of the first Roundtable; |
| Removed material hosted on the Roundtable website including survey details demonstrating the overwhelming opposition of young Australians to the Federal Government's proposed Voluntary Student Unionism; |
| Restricted access to Roundtable endorsed media to a select group of individuals (2-3 from each state) to silence their most outspoken critics amongst the Roundtable; |
| Attempted to prevent Roundtable members from discussing and formulating positions on generational issues such as reconciliation and the preamble; |
| Altered the Youth Media statement written by members of the Roundtable to reduce members opposition to government policy; |
| Publicly informed Roundtable participants that they were to be a "direct line to Government" then privately informed them that explicit statements or recommendations were not appropriate, rather, that they should merely offer the Government a diverse range of opinions; |
| Employed a consultant with no experience in hosting political forums, and who subsequently lost all of the files of material produced at the first Roundtable; |
| Actively restricted the access of the Opposition and minor parties to the Youth Roundtable delegates, including their contact details, regardless of the fact that they initially signed a disclaimer, part of which allowed the distribution of their details to Parliamentarians; and |
| Has secretly organised for some, not all, of the Youth Roundtable delegates to meet in Canberra with various Government Ministers. |
"AYPAC's closure leaves the Government's only youth body as the Roundtable.
The Government must do two things. It must admit that a Roundtable worth $200,000 is no replacement for a peak youth representative body such as AYPAC, and it must immediately address these and other concerns of Roundtable members to add a little transparency to this sham of a process" Senator Lundy said.
49/99. Contact: Melanie Stutsel 0417 002 317
"Senator Alston’s failure to provide leadership to the Australian IT&T industry was spotlighted with the establishment of Information Industry Investment Strategy, to be run by Industry Minister Minchin’s 'Invest Australia' branch," Senator Lundy said.
"Minchin has taken a bite out of Alston’s half-baked IT pie. In an effort to save face, Senator Alston himself released a public statement saying how closely his Department would be working with Minchin’s 'Invest Australia'.
"Sadly, it seems this initiative will work against the interests of Australian IT&T firms. Not once does the statement dwell on the critical importance of growing our own IT&T capabilities – a critical goal in the face of the burgeoning IT&T trade deficit - he skates over the point in one sentence.
"Phrases like "honest and accurate appraisal of Australia’s circumstances relative to its main international competitors" are thinly-veiled code for promoting opportunities for MNE (multinational investment enterprises) at the expense of vibrant and working Australian IT&T firms.
"The Minister’s commitment that 'Australia’s IT&T industries' will be 'heavily involved throughout the development and implementation of this investment strategy' sends shivers down the back of an indigenous IT&T sector that has been marginalised since the Coalition came to power in the following ways:
 | Exclusion from primary Commonwealth IT outsourcing contracts |
| Cuts to R&D support |
| Focus on attracting MNE investment rather than growing our own capabilities |
| Continual failure to provide leadership despite intense pressure from industry, three industry reports and departmental restructuring. |
"The fact that this statement was released at the lowest point to date of Senator Alston’s credibility as an IT Minister (on the eve of the Online Services Bill debate in the Senate) should not be allowed to pass without comment." Senator Lundy said.
"Unfortunately for Minister Alston, this shallow attempt to talk up the Coalition’s commitment to IT&T in Australia only draws attention to their failings to date. I note with cynicism that the Minister will add an Innovation Summit to the growing lists of summits, including the E-commerce Summit and his Summit Of Summits, which concluded a series of regional summits....."
"Rhetoric will do nothing to redress the neglect of IT industry policy or repair the damage to the reputation and infrastructure of Australia’s information economy arising from the Broadcasting Service (Online Services) Bill" Senator Lundy concluded.
48/99 Contact: Simon Tatz on 0418 488295
The Government’s White Paper into the future of Australian sport will be used to justify further cut backs in sports funding after the Olympics, Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister for Sport, said today.
"There is a great deal of anxiety among sporting organisations about the direction the White Paper will take, considering that the Australian Sports Commission, the National Elite Sports Council and the Standing Committee of Sport and Recreation Ministers are all holding reviews into post-2000 sport.
"Every indication is that Jackie Kelly will use the White Paper as a strategic blueprint for wielding the funding knife.
"The Minister is already putting sports under pressure to deliver ‘successful results’ if they are to continue to receive federal funding after 2000.
"It is a flawed policy if the Government is to use Olympic results to determine the opportunities for targeted federal assistance for sport.
Senator Lundy has also expressed concern about the Government’s intention to examine changing the structure and organisation of the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport.
"Kelly is giving strong signals that the AIS will be further decentralised and maybe even reduced to just a research and resource Institute. This indicates that the Minister is willing to play State institutes off against the AIS - a treacherous game in an environment of funding cuts.
"This gives me cause for grave concern and the post-Olympic future of sport in Australia is looking very bleak indeed.
Senator Lundy has recently issued a discussion paper, Community vs Elite Sport - The Elusive Balance, which argues that community sport, be it simply for the fun and enjoyment of participation, a competitive endeavour or as a stepping stone to professional sport, is being neglected in the pursuit of Olympic Gold.
"The Olympics should be used as a catalyst for building community sport in Australia.
"Australia’s Olympic legacy should be enhanced opportunities for participation in sporting and recreational activities for all Australians, Senator Lundy said.
47/99 Contact: Simon Tatz on 0418 488295
The Coalition is not delivering on its election promise to increase participation rates for all Australians and they are failing to recognise the importance of community-based sport and physical leisure activities, Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Kate Lundy, said today.
Senator Lundy, who this week participated in the launch of SportNet, an internet service established by the Australian Sports Commission and Telstra, said that the Government is not delivering on its promise to improve participation rates for women, Older Australians, indigenous Australians and those living in regional and rural areas.
"It was interesting to see Minister Kelly try to claim that SportNet is somehow fulfilling the Coalition’s election promise to increase community participation in sport", Senator Lundy said.
"The Australian Sports Commission and Telstra began working on SportNet over 18 months ago, and the Minister’s feeble attempt to claim credit for this innovation shows just how lacking she is in terms of policy development.
"After three year’s in office, the third Coalition Sports Minister is yet to deliver any substantive participation-based programs.
"In fact, the Coalition has a history of dismantling community-based participation programs established under a Labor Government.
"Minister Kelly only focuses on sport as an ‘industry’ without any regard for policy initiatives designed to promote physical activities that improve the physical and mental health of all Australians.
"The Minister has not delivered on the Coalition’s election promise to increase participation programs, and there is increasing concern among sporting organisations that the Government is abandoning community-based sport and leisure activities," Senator Lundy said.
46/99. Contact: Simon Tatz on 0418 488295
The Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Kate Lundy, has welcomed today’s Anti-Drugs in Sport initiative, saying it is about time that the Federal Sports Minister acted on the measures established by the Labor Party.
"The Coalition’s record on this issue has been pitiful. Former Liberal Sports Minister Andrew Thomson reneged on an election promise to appoint an anti-sports drug envoy and Jackie Kelly refused to attend the IOC drug conference in Switzerland earlier this year," Senator Lundy said.
"Finally the Minister is doing something to build on Labor’s efforts to eliminate the use of banned substances in sport.
In 1990 Labor established the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA) as the primary agency conducting comprehensive drug testing programs and it has been very successful in deterring athletes from taking prohibited substances. ASDA estimate that 99 per cent of athletes have been deterred from participating in banned doping practices since its establishment under a Labor Government.
"Drugs have been used in sport since the time of the ancient Greeks, however international efforts to eliminate their use only seriously began in 1960. In fact, the IOC did not become actively committed to anti-doping policies until the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games, which were the first to initiate a schedule for testing for banned substances.
Senator Lundy has previously highlighted the groundbreaking research conducted by two University of Queensland researches, Professor Ross Cuneo and senior research scientist Jennifer Wallace, who helped develop the first test for growth-hormone abuse in athletes.
"I hope that the IOC recognises the importance of this breakthrough in drug testing and provides the necessary funding to the IOC Medical Commission to help Australia ensure that the Sydney 2000 Games are fair and that no competitor has an unfair advantage." Senator Lundy said.
45/99. Contact: Simon Tatz on (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488295
Today's release of the Labor Senators’ Minority Report on the Senate Select Committee inquiry into the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Bill 1999 highlighted the key deficiencies of the Government’s proposal to regulate Internet content.
The report notes that regulation of Internet content must be undertaken in a thoughtful and appropriate manner, with due regard to the unique characteristics of the Internet as an information and communications medium, and a principle of minimum adverse impact on Australia’s Internet users and the emerging Internet and e-commerce industry.
Labor believes that the sensible approach is to empower end-users - parents, guardians and teachers of young Internet users - by way of information, education and access to effective end-user filter devices, appropriate to Australian community standards.
Labor Senators do not support mandating of ISP filter devices
Labor was particularly critical of the following aspects of the Government’s approach:
The indecent haste with which the Government has approached this issue, and the blatant disregard this shows for the views of the community and the emerging Internet industry.
The Government has deliberately sought to create the impression that its measures would "solve the problem" of unacceptable content, when the reality is (backed by CSIRO advice and industry analysis) it is not feasible to regulate such content as over 90% of Internet content is hosted off shore.
The legislation does not specify what "reasonable steps" are required to be taken in respect of offshore content.
The failure of the Bill to expressly limit to "technically feasible, commercially viable and cost effective", "all reasonable steps" required to be taken by ISP’s in respect of access to offshore material.
The lack of a commitment to the fundamental goal of the empowerment and education of Internet end-users.
In the Parliament, Labor will:
Support as the only ultimate effective realistic content regulation solution the education and empowerment of end-users particularly by way of end use filter devices; Support an industry based and industry agreed code of practice as a regulatory vehicle in conjunction with the legislation; Support the notion of pursuing international activity and international agreement to address the question of Internet content; Recommend that the 24 hour "take down" period be extended to 48 hours, and apply only after a process of real and effective notification of a breach; Recommend that the proposed penalty regime be reduced; Recommend that "all reasonable steps" be expressly defined in the legislation to include end user empowerment, information provision, and advice on culturally appropriate end user filter devices, and that such reasonable steps be generally technically feasible, commercially viable and cost effective; Recommend that the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) take into account the public interest in not requiring steps which would unreasonably reduce national Internet capacity; Recommend that the ABA take into account the public interest in ensuring that Australia remains an attractive Internet / e-commerce investment jurisdiction, by not requiring measures which would unreasonably degrade Internet capacity or utility.
Labor will also move to amend the legislation such that it would be reviewed after an appropriate period of its operation, and that the legislation itself be subject to a three year sunset clause.
Full copies of the Labor minority report are available on my home page:
http://www.katelundy.dynamite.com.au
44/99. Contact: Simon Tatz on (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488295
Six months after her appointment, Sports Minister Jackie Kelly deserves an ‘F’ for failure for doing virtually nothing to address the long-term future of Australian sport, Shadow Sports Minister Senator Kate Lundy said today.
During today’s additional Senate estimates hearings, it was revealed that Minister Kelly’s ‘White Paper’ into the future of Australian sport, which was a Coalition election promise, has not even begun. No terms of reference or reporting date are available and there have been no appointments made to the White Paper taskforce.
"The total lack of commitment to Australian sport has put Ms Kelly offside with sporting organisations", Senator Lundy said.
"Ms Kelly has failed to provide security and stability to elite and participatory sport in Australia is secured. With the Olympics less than 500 days away, the Minister is still watching from the sidelines instead of actively pursuing the sporting goals of Australia.
"The lack of information emanating from the Sports Minister’s office about this so-called ‘white paper’ makes one wonder whether it is a figment of the Minister’s imagination.
"Every time an important sporting issue is raised, Ms Kelly either refuses to comment or simply offers shallow rhetoric in the hope the issue goes away.
"After six months in the first division side Coach Howard should bench his Sports Minister and bring on someone who is capable of performing." Senator Lundy said.
43/99. Contact: Simon Tatz on (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488295Comment: Despite announcing a Government White Paper that will result in a major shake-up for Australian sport, absolutely no action has been undertaken. No one has been appointed to the task force, no reporting date or terms of reference have been made available and the future of post-Olympic sport remains in doubt.
Comment: Despite a specific commitment to implement a national water safety strategy, all the Minister has done is issue one press release. There is still no national strategy on water safety, nor has any additional funding for water safety been forthcoming.
Comment: By refusing to attend the International Olympic Committee drug conference in Lausanne (a poor excuse Jackie, claiming that you saved taxpayers money because you have to travel with an entourage), Australia’s international reputation suffered.
Comment: Failed to intervene to help Olympic sports threatened by funding cutbacks, which left Synchronised Swimming threatening to do a Playboy centrefold in order to raise money for their team to compete at the Sydney Olympics.
Comment: Refused to consider a ban on teenage boxing, as recommended by the AMA and Dr Wooldridge, claiming it is no more dangerous than mountain bike racing.
Comment: Made two highly controversial appointments to the board of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), including appointing 2UE broadcaster Alan Jones as deputy chairman of the ASC amid claims he was sent the wrong paperwork. These appointments represent the only decision made by Ms Kelly to date.
Comment: Jackie has refused to answer vital questions about why the GST will not adversely affect sporting participation given that under the Government’s tax package:
It will cost more to register in a sporting competition; It will cost more to enter as an individual or team in a sporting competition; It will cost more to attend a sporting event; It will cost more to buy equipment to participate in sport; and It will cost more to buy uniforms It will cost more to attend coaching and training courses.
Comment: Ms Kelly has hidden up the back of the class and refused to answer questions about the Higher Education Amendment (VSU) Bill. If she is in favour of abolishing the collection of student amenties fees, then she must tell us whether the Government will:
43/99. Contact: Simon Tatz on (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488295
Provide the $160 m currently spent on sporting infrastructure on campuses; Provide the $17 m currently spent on maintenance; Guarantee the jobs of the 3000 Australians currently employed in university sport; Guarantee continued funding for the University Games; Provide financial assistance to the 174 Australian students competing in the World Student Games in Spain in July; and Ensure that all campus facilities are available for Olympic preparations Back to top
"The Government's unjustified attack on public libraries has exposed their shameful tactic of using the 'sleaze-factor' to promote their flawed Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Bill", Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology, said today.
Liberal Senator John Tierney today claimed that public libraries are a "red light district in the making" and that they are "the cyber sex and violence drop in centre of the new millennium."
According to Senator Lundy, who is also a member of the Senate IT Select Committee, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) carefully described to the Committee their responsible approach to supervision of minors with respect to internet access within public libraries.
"Libraries around Australia are very active providers of access to the internet, and they take a responsible approach towards the provision of access and the education of users. For example, libraries incorporate internet use principles..…they consult with communities …..require permission from parents"
extract , page 190: Senate IT Select Committee Hansard, Monday 3 May 1999.
"It is obvious that the Government's representatives are intent on misleading the public as they have chosen to completely ignore this evidence, Senator Lundy said.
"Evidence heard yesterday by the Senate IT Select committee was all bad news for the Government and this public statement demonstrates the depths they are prepared to sink in order to sensationalise a very serious debate about internet content.
"Public access to the internet in libraries is the only opportunity for many Australians to participate in the information society, regardless of their age. There is a growing chasm between the information rich and the information poor in Australia and the Coalition's policies have done little to stem this trend.
"Quite often it is the private schools that have the resources to ensure that computers with internet connectivity are standard issue, but public schools are forced to rely on library access. The Government's attack on the diligent and active policies of public libraries in Australia is shameful." Senator Lundy concluded.
42/99. Contact: Simon Tatz on (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488295
Senator Kate Lundy today expressed her support for the launch of a national network of support and advocacy services for young gay men, lesbians and bisexuals living in rural Australia.
Young gay, lesbian and bisexual youth are subject to numerous pressures in Australia's rural communities, and often experience negative social impacts such as violence, discrimination and social isolation.
The Outlink project will work towards providing a national voice for rural homosexual and bisexual young people on issues such as service provision, community education, funding and government policy.
Outlink will assist government and other policy makers to identify those factors which place these rural youth at high risk of depression, suicide, homelessness and drug and alcohol abuse.
This research is critical if we are to address the distinct, and often negative, experience of gay, lesbian and bisexual youth through initiatives such as targeted community education programs, peer support networks and the provision of support for further research and projects in the area of youth sexuality.
The project of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission is given even more strength through the involvement of Rodney Croome, prominent gay rights activist, in his role as project coordinator.
The ALP welcomes this initiative and looks forward to the positive contribution that this project will make in the lives of rural gay, lesbian and bisexual youth.
41/99. Contact: Simon Tatz on (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488295
|
|
