31 May 2001 - Media Release

Where Young Australians have missed out

In a budget analysis paper sent to youth organisations this week, the Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy said, “It is very disappointing that this budget contains very little good news for Australia's young people”. 

“Perhaps more than any other group, young people look for leadership qualities that inspire confidence and optimism for the future. They look for a political party that has vision and the potential to give it form through effective policies and sound governance,’ Senator Lundy said.

“This budget did nothing to inspire young Australians and only served to reinforce the common belief that young people do not matter in the eyes of this government.

“More than ever this is the point of distinction for Labor. In Kim Beazley we have a leader of integrity and substance. 

“Howard’s way has seen many more young people become disengaged from society, while Labor not only has a vision but has its priorities right.

“Labor’s leader rejects Howard’s style of leadership that is taking the art of political manipulation to new heights,” Senator Lundy concluded.

67/01. Media Contact: Simon Tatz 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334

31 May 2001 - Joint Media Release

Redfern Photonics boost for ICT sector

Dr Carmen Lawrence Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation and Technology
and
Senator Kate Lundy Shadow Minister for Sport and Youth Affairs.  Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology

The announcement of $54 million in funding for Redfern Photonics Cooperative Research Centre is welcome news for Australia’s ICT industry, Labor’s Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation and Technology, Dr Carmen Lawrence and Shadow Minister Assisting on IT, Senator Kate Lundy, said today.

“Sydney based Redfern Photonics is a world leader in the development and manufacture of optical telecommunications products.  Research such as that undertaken by this organisation is fundamental to facilitating bandwidth communications and allied components and networks,” Senator Lundy said.

“A high level of investment in companies like Redfern Photonics is critical to Australia establishing itself as a competitive industrial environment where high-growth, high technology companies can flourish,” Dr Lawrence said.  

“Labor recognises that it is important that CRCs like Redfern Photonics are supported and encouraged, to ensure that Australia remains at the leading edge of the development of the industrial tools and technologies of the future,” Dr Lawrence concluded.

66/01.   Media Contacts: (Dr Lawrence) Patrick Bindon 0419 963 486 (senator Lundy) Simon Tatz 0418 488 295

30 May 2001 - Media Release

The Future of IT Outsourcing in Australia

The Shadow Minister Assisting on IT, Senator Kate Lundy, yesterday told the Australian Financial Review Government Outsourcing Conference the ALP’s IT Government outsourcing policy will create a solid foundation for growing Australia’s ICT (Information Communication Technologies) sector.

The dire predictions being made by Mortimer and Goldsworthy and others in a range of industry development reports between 1996 and 1998 about the exponential growth in the IT trade deficit was not seen by the Coalition as having anything to do with the IT outsourcing program. It was left to the Opposition and the indigenous IT sector to make the link.

And the link is this. Over 40% of information and communication technology purchased in Australia is by government.  With this kind of leverage, what the government purchases has the potential to determine the shape and health of an Australian information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

Apart from the opportunity this presents to specifically tackle the looming IT trade deficit, the potential exists to help Australia keep pace with the strong growth experienced in this crucial sector in comparable economies.

Australia is ranked last among the 18 OECD countries for which data is available in terms of the contribution of the information industries to the national economy.  Australia, with 4.1 % of business sector value added, compares to an OECD average of 7.4 %.  This means that despite the generally strong growth of the ICT sector in Australia, relative to other economies Australia is still lagging way behind.

By contrast, Labor recognises that government spending has enormous potential to influence the viability and growth of key strategic industries, such as the information and communications technology sector.

Labor has already announced, as part of our Government purchasing policy, a series of general measures to bring clarity to and improve procurement processes. These include re-introducing mandatory competency standards for all persons undertaking procurement functions as well as requiring all purchasing officers to act in accordance with the Commonwealth procurement guidelines (at present they need only “have regard to” the guidelines).

Other aspects of Labor policy that are relevant to the future of IT Outsourcing include the application of a public interest test as part of the business case analysis when considering external sourcing.

These foundations, along with a number of inquiries and reports, will continue to inform Labor’s ongoing policy development specifically for the strategic sourcing of IT.

The worst outcome for the IT industry is that the Coalition continues to ignore the opportunities that exist for supporting the growth of an indigenous ICT sector.

Labor looks forward to raising the policy bar as high as we can over the next few months to push the Government along a path consistent with our principles and policies.  To this end Labor welcomed the direction the Government has taken following the acceptance of the Humphry recommendations.

The trade deficit in ICT hangs over our heads and there is a public responsibility to address it.

Labor’s Government Purchasing policy builds a solid foundation for the challenging task of putting taxpayers money to work for industry growth in Australia.

Labor is prepared to pursue enhanced opportunities for domestic suppliers to bid for government business.  Specifically, we will seek to reduce of barriers and costs to SME’s doing business with government — an issue that the Coalition has acknowledged and has claimed it too, will address.

Finally, Labor is committed to develop strategic sourcing policy for ICT.  We will continue to consult with industry, in the strategy, meaningful enforcement of the measures and greater transparency in purchasing processes.

Click here for a  full text of Senator Lundy’s speech 

65/01.  Media contact: Simon Tatz on 02 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

29 May 2001 - Media Release

Sport ‘brain drain’ shows funding was too late

Australia lost many top coaches and sports experts after the 2000 Sydney Olympics because the Howard Government was too slow in ensuring funding was available, the Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Lundy, said today. 

“In previous budgets the Coalition slashed funding for sport and dropped the Olympic Athlete Program (OAP).  As a consequence, many coaches and sporting experts faced an uncertain future after the Sydney Games concluded,” Senator Lundy said.

“Prior to the Olympics I warned Sports Minister Kelly that unless the Coalition restored the funding they slashed immediately then Australia faced the risk of losing coaches and high performance managers.

“The Government only announced restorative funding for sport in this year’s Budget, which was way too late for many of our top sporting experts.

“While not every coach or official left because of the Coalition’s failure to ensure funding was in place, the Minister should acknowledge that the Government’s ‘roller-coaster’ funding regime has had a detrimental effect on the Australian Sports Commission,” Senator Lundy said.

The Australian Sports Commission and the Department of Sport and Tourism will be appearing at Senate Estimates hearings next week.

64/01.  Media contact: Simon Tatz on 02 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

In answers to Senator Lundy’s questions on notice, the Sports Commission revealed the following personnel changes post-Olympics.

28 May 2001 - Media Release

$31 million for IT consultants and contractors

The Office of Asset Sales and Information Technology Outsourcing (OASITO), which had its IT Outsourcing functions removed after their mishandling of the $5 billion whole-of-government IT Outsourcing Program, spent a staggering $31.681 million on IT contractors and consultants.

In answers to questions on notice from Senator Lundy, OASITO confirmed that almost $32 million was outlaid on IT consultants and contractors up until 31 December 2000.

The biggest beneficiaries of the Coalition’s squandering of taxpayers money were the US law firm Shaw Pittman, who were paid an obscene $19.302 million for advice which has been widely criticised. 

“The failures of the IT Outsourcing Program, initiated by Finance Minister John Fahey, have been exposed by an Audit Office report, the Humphry Review and the on-going into Senate Finance and Public Administration inquiry,” Senator Lundy said.  

“The Humphry Review specifically called for OASITO’s role to be downgraded.  It’s no wonder the Minister for Finance used last week’s Budget to change OASITO’s name to OASACS, the Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support.

“In his Budget reply Kim Beazley pointed out that

Spending on consultants amounted to a staggering one billion dollars over the three years to June 30, 2000.  In one year, the Government spent $368 million, an increase of $119 million over the previous year.

“Labor has pledged to cut this profligate spending on consultancies and advertising by $195 million over three years.  We will use this money to fund a national fight against cancer, and to ensure all Australians can get medical help outside working hours,” Senator Lundy said.

63/01.    Media contact: Simon Tatz on 02 6277 3334 or 0418 488295

27 May 2001 - Media Release

Congratulations to Brumbies!

ACT Senator Kate Lundy and running mate Robin Poke have joined the thousands of Canberrans rejoicing in the success of the Brumbies in winning rugby’s Super 12 grand final against South Africa’s Sharks.

Senator Lundy, the Federal Shadow Minister for Sport, said the Brumbies’ performance throughout the campaign had been “absolutely magnificent.”

“It has been a fabulous effort, and I am delighted the Brumbies have at last achieved the win they have sought for so long,” Senator Lundy said. 

“I offer my sincere congratulations to coach Eddie Jones, captain George Gregan, every player involved and all the support staff. It truly was a team effort.”

Senator Lundy said she also drew encouragement from the fact that for the Brumbies the win was ‘third time lucky’.

“They lost heavily in their first Super 12 final, narrowly in their second and have now won well at their third attempt,” she said. “Here’s hoping Labor will emulate that performance come the federal election!”

Senator Lundy was joined in congratulating the Brumbies by Senate running mate Robin Poke.

Mr Poke, a sports reporter for Capital 7 TV for much of the 1980s, said the win was the culmination of a 20-year campaign by the ACT to become the major force in Australian rugby.

“For many years the ACT were the ‘poor cousins’ of the sport, behind New South Wales and Queensland,” Mr Poke said. 

“I am just so pleased that it is the Brumbies who are the first Australian team to ever win the Super 12 title.”

Mr Poke added that such is the dominance of the southern hemisphere in world rugby the Brumbies could lay claim to another title.

“I think we and they can justly proclaim they are the best provincial side in the world.”

62/01.  Media Contacts: Simon Tatz (Senator Lundy) 0418 488 295 or Robin Poke 0408 687104

23 May 2001 - Media Release

Labor’s Response to Interactive Gambling Bill

JOINT RELEASE
Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology
and
Senator Mark Bishop, Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Communications

The Australian Labor Party’s Minority Report to the Inquiry into the Interactive Gambling Bill 2001 was tabled in the Senate today. In their report Labor Senators Mark Bishop (WA) and Kate Lundy (ACT) point out fundamental flaws in the policy approach behind the Bill, and find fault with the drafting of the Bill and implementation of the policy. 

Senators Bishop and Lundy said, “The flaws in the Interactive Gambling Bill 2001 are so pervasive that not only will the Bill fail to achieve its stated objectives but it will most likely exacerbate the very harms that it seeks and professes to circumscribe.” 

The partial ban on interactive gambling proposed by the Government will not prevent Australians from accessing the plethora of overseas online gambling sites – they are simply a click away for any Internet user. 

Instead the Government will allow foreigners to gamble on properly regulated Australian Internet sites while forcing Australians to gamble with unregulated foreign Internet sites which have dubious or no consumer protection or probity and which are suspected of being run by organised criminal elements. 

“It is unbelievable that the Government would advocate this Bill as implementing measures that will reduce problem gambling. The evidence discloses that problem gambling in Australia is almost exclusively associated with land-based gambling venues,” concluded Senators Lundy and Bishop.

Senator Bishop said, “Labor Senators’ analysis of the evidence to the inquiry leads to the inevitable conclusion that the Opposition should not support the Government’s Bill. This is because the Bill fails to achieve its stated objectives.”

Labor Senators, by contrast, are concerned to ensure that problem gambling arising from interactive gambling is minimised to the greatest possible extent.  We are very concerned that the Government approach implemented by this Bill does not control or limit problem gambling in the online environment nor does it overcome any of the problems associated with interactive gambling.

“There is one policy that will provide Australians with the highest possible degree of protection. Labor Senators have set out a detailed approach to regulating interactive gambling with the overriding objective of protecting Australians from the potential harms and problem gambling that could arise from gambling through new media,” said Senator Lundy.

Labor’s approach is the only practical way to minimise resultant social harm from interactive gambling, including criminal harm. This approach will also maximise the benefits that will flow to consumers, the racing, gambling and IT industries, and the Australia economy.

“Only Labor will confront the issues to deliver a sensible policy that will restrict problem gambling to the absolute minimum.”

Click here for a  summary of the findings and recommendations of Labor Senators.

61/01 Media inquiries: Simon Tatz (Office of Senator Kate Lundy): 02 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295, Senator Mark Bishop: 02 6277 3101 or 0419 959 892

23 May 2001 - Media Release

$548 million for sport, but virtually nothing for Indigenous Australians

Sports Minister Jackie Kelly last night announced a total of $548 million for sport*, but there was next to nothing in it for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sport, despite their urgent need for sporting infrastructure.

“Given Mr Howard’s commitment to the Prime Minister’s XI versus ATSIC Chairman’s XI cricket match in Canberra last month, there was an expectation that finally Indigenous Australians would get a fair go from the Coalition,” Senator Lundy, the Shadow Minister for Sport, said today..

“Sadly, this expectation has not been fulfilled.

“According to Budget papers, of the $161 million allocated over four years for ‘A More Active Australia’, a miserly $1.5 million is earmarked for Indigenous Sports Programmes.  

“The Budget papers also note that donations to the Bradman Memorial Fund will be used for the “encouragement” of cricket in disadvantaged and Indigenous communities.

“Not only is there is no commitment to continue the Prime Minister’s XI versus ATSIC Chairman’s XI cricket match, but the $100,000 cost of hosting the PM’s cricket match had to be paid for by ATSIC and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. 

“There is an appalling lack of sporting and recreational infrastructure in rural and remote communities, and the needs of Aboriginal and Islander communities have been ignored yet again by the Coalition.

“The Howard Government’s funding package for sport services the elite end of town, but its meanness towards Indigenous sporting needs is disgraceful.

“Aboriginal and Islander peoples have a proud and magnificent record in sport and it is to their discredit that there is nothing of any substance in this budget to build on their achievements,” Senator Lundy concluded.

*Includes new and existing funding over four years.

60/01.   Media contact:  Simon Tatz on 02 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

23 May 2001 - Media Release

Nail in coffin for flawed IT Outsourcing Program

Evidence that the Howard Government is still in ‘damage control’ over their complete foul-up of IT outsourcing comes with the Budget announcement that OASITO (the Office of Asset Sales and Information Technology Outsourcing) is to have its name changed,” the Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology, Senator Lundy, said today.

“This is an obvious effort by the Coalition to distance themselves from the bad reputation OASITO earned from their appalling implementation of the Finance Minister’s IT Outsourcing policy,” Senator Lundy said.

“OASITO has now become OASACS, the Office of Asset Sales and Commercial Support.

“OASITO was responsible for implementing the $5 billion Whole-of-Government IT Outsourcing Initiative, however the Humphry Review, released earlier this year, was highly critical of OASITO’s role in the Outsourcing Program and recommended that responsibilities for IT Outsourcing be devolved to Department and Agency Heads.

“The Australian National Audit Office and the Humphry Review exposed the Government’s complete bungling and waste of taxpayers money through their IT Outsourcing Program.

“OASITO’s role in the failure of the IT Outsourcing Program has been a major embarrassment for the Coalition. So their solution is…change their name!

“This is a symbolic nail in the coffin that is long overdue,” Senator Lundy said.

59/01. Media contact: Simon Tatz on 02 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

22 May 2001 - Media Release

Young People not seen and not heard in Coalition’s mean Budget

“In over 900 pages of budget pages, the Coalition have managed one measly paragraph and no new money for their formal opportunity to address the recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce report, the Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, said tonight.

During 2001-02, the Government will consult with stakeholders regarding the report of the Prime Minister’s Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce, Footprints to the Future, on how to best advise and support young people in their transition thro school, and from school into further education, employment and independence.

(Budget Paper No.1 p 1-16)

“This is a pathetic response and profoundly disappointing for young people, their families and organisation that support young people, Senator Lundy said.

“After sitting on their own damning report which was leaked and tabled by the Opposition in April, the Coalition has now chosen token and unfunded pilot schemes over meaningful targeted and funded action.

“The Howard Government has deliberately ignored young people and in doing so has missed a big opportunity to demonstrate a genuine commitment to meeting the needs of young Australians.

“The Coalition has given young Australians a clear message that they are obviously not a priority in an election year, even when there is a documented need for extensive reform of youth allowance, job network and vocational education and training,” Senator Lundy concluded.

58/01. Media Contact: Simon Tatz 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334

22 May 2001 - Media Release

After five years of cuts, sport finally gets some funding restored

After five years of budget cuts to the sports portfolio, the sixth Howard-Costello budget has finally acknowledged they were wrong in cutting funding to Australian sport, Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister for Sport, said today.

“Most of the money announced today restores funds cut over the past five years.  The last Howard-Costello budget slashed $16 million from the sport budget and signalled the end of the $135 million Olympic Athlete Program (OAP),” Senator Lundy said.

“The Government made its sports funding package announcement in April, so there is little that is new in today’s budget announcement.

“The allocation for community sport comes after five years of ignoring the needs of those who most require sporting and recreational services, such as Australians living in rural and regional areas, women, older Australians and Indigenous Australians.

“It’s a pity that it takes an election budget to restore five years of mean-spirited cutbacks,” Senator Lundy said.

57/01.  Media Contact:  Simon Tatz on 02 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

21 May 2001 - Media Release

Sport budget: Government must get balance right

“While the ALP welcomed last month’s announcement of restorative funding for sport, Labor is concerned that tomorrow’s budget does not address areas of sporting disadvantage and lack of access and opportunities which still exist,” the Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Kate Lundy, said today.

“The Coalition has never got the balance right between the sporting needs of elite athletes and sport and recreational participation in the general community.

“There are many Australians - especially those living in rural and regional areas, women, older Australians, Indigenous people and those with disabilities - who do not have equal access to sport and recreational facilities, expertise and programs.

“The Coalition has already announced the budget funding package for sport, so the only unknown in Tuesday’s budget is how they will divide up the money.

“If Australia is to build on the magnificent achievements of the Sydney Olympics and provide a genuine sporting legacy available to all Australians, then greater attention must be paid to community-based sport.

“After five years of bad budget news for the sport and recreation sector, the Coalition has a chance to equitably redress the imbalances created by their failure to provide access and opportunities for all the community,” Senator Lundy said.

56/01.  Media contact: Simon Tatz on 02 6277 3334 or 0418 488295

21 May 2001 - Media Release

Young Australians put Coalition on Notice

Young Australians, the largest group in society falling into poverty, will be looking to tomorrow’s budget for some signs of relief after being subjected to five years of this Government’s mean cutbacks and shallow rhetoric.

Mean: The Coalition has been breaching young people on social security benefits and depriving them of income over prolonged periods of time without caring for the individual circumstances of the young people involved.

The leaked copy of the Prime Minister’s Youth Pathways Action Plan taskforce report was scathing of this Government’s breaching policy and found that some young people on the Coalition’s youth allowance had “turned to petty theft or drug dealing to survive” .

Tricky: The Coalition de-funded AYPAC, the full-time national youth peak body, because it was critical of its youth policy and replaced it with a more ‘manageable’ consultation process of 50 handpicked young people. Minister Kemp now sifts through the ideas of these young people and chooses which ideas he will implement and when - a process void of any accountability.

Out-of-touch: Despite past election pledges "that addressing the unacceptably high levels of youth unemployment must be the first priority of the next federal government”, youth unemployment is still 23.3%. Young people have lost training opportunities previously funded under Labor’s Working Nation and have been subjected to both the failed job network and an ad hoc and substandard VET system.

“Many young people are in crisis as a result of the Coalition’s policies of depriving them of income and training opportunities with the consequences being homelessness, increasing levels of self-harm and drug abuse,” Senator Lundy said.

“The Howard-Anderson Government has been siphoning money out of budget measures which benefit young people and young people will be looking to the Government to put something back.

“We will be looking closely at the budget response to the Youth Pathways Action Plan Taskforce report to ensure that the Coalition hasn’t scrimped in providing young people with supported opportunities to make successful transitions to economic independence.

“Welfare reform must be about assisting people to move from joblessness to work - not to put more benefit recipients off benefits through breaching under increasingly aggressive mutual obligation policies.

“Our commitment is to fairness for all Australians, and that means a much better deal for young people who are currently missing out.

“The Coalition is on notice!”

55/01.  Media contact: Verity Newnham on 02 6277 3334

17 May 2001 - Media Release

Taxpayers foot $12m bill for Telstra's neglect.

“The Government’s response to the independent Telecommunications Services Inquiry report (the Besley report) is to give Telstra $12m,” the Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology, Senator Kate Lundy, said today.

“With Telstra providing the remaining $38 million, this alleged ‘joint venture’, worth $50m, aims to improve poor rural and regional internet access, a problem of Telstra's own making through their service and infrastructure neglect,” Senator Lundy said.

“The Besley report confirmed the poor service in rural and regional areas was Telstra's fault.

“As a result, Senator Alston is misleading the public by implying that this initiative is above and beyond the services Telstra should be expected to provide in rural and regional Australia.

“This is simply not the case: Telstra have neglected this market because they have little regard for their obligations to customers.

“For many years now Telstra have exploited their ongoing monopoly outside capital cities and have kept connection costs high for rural and regional customers. How? By controlling the pricing if wholesale bandwidth to competing ISPs as well as how they charge for retail bandwidth through their Big Pond suite of internet access products. These retail products cost rural and regional customers more than their city counterparts.

“In addition, the quality of internet access has been kept unnecessarily low by Telstra's unwillingness to upgrade the infrastructure in a timely fashion (such as rural exchanges) and adequately service and upgrade the copper wire 'local loop'.

“This '$50m joint venture' is a farcical exercise by the Minister and Telstra and demonstrates the Coalition's willingness to spend taxpayers money on bandaids for Telstra's failure to stand on its on two feet in the eyes of rural and regional customers.

“Finally, this so-called initiative is confirmation that the Coalition intend to pursue the privatisation agenda as soon as possible - why else would they be so keen to help Telstra, at the direct expense of other local consortia that have worked hard to create competition in regional Australia - to the tune of $12 million dollars?

“It seems to me that those who have been encouraged to compete with Telstra to break the stifling hold on high bandwidth costs in rural and regional Australia would each be justified in seeking a similar sum to assist them in provided much needed improved internet connectivity," Senator Lundy said.

54/01.  Media Contact: Simon Tatz on 02- 62773334 or 0418 488295

4 May 2001 - Media Release

The National Youth Affairs Network’s (NYAN) conference kicks off today.

Joint Statement of Support for NYAN Deliberations
Leader of the Opposition, The Hon Kim Beazley
and
Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy

The two-day workshop in Melbourne will bring together various groups who service and work with young people, including State and Territory youth peak bodies, youth service providers and youth membership organisations.

The conference will focus on the role, functions, structure and processes of a new national youth sector peak body to provide policy assistance and advice to government.

Labor believes that the Federal Government should listen to the diversity of views, opinions and concerns of Australia’s young people.  Input from groups which have young people as members and clients can broaden the reach and complement direct consultation mechanisms.

Labor recognises the importance of a youth sector policy body operating in combination with direct consultation with young people on policy issues affecting them.  The Howard Government has systematically destroyed its tools for listening to young people, with the exception of its hand picked Youth Roundtable, which meets only twice a year and whose recommendations appear to have been ignored by the Minister.

The Australian Labor Party wishes all delegates well in their deliberations and looks forward to engaging in an on-going dialogue with those who work with young people to discuss ways in which we can work together to improve the lives of young Australians.

53/01.  Media contact: Simon Tatz on 02 6277 3334 or 0418 488295

2 May 2001 - Media Release

Kelly on the ropes over boxing

The Minister for Sport, Jackie Kelly, has failed to deliver on a promise to produce a national approach to boxing, the Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Lundy, said today.

On 26 November 1998, Minister Kelly told Parliament that she had recently chaired a meeting of the Sports and Recreational Ministers on the issue of boxing and:

“We came to a unanimous decision, backed by the New South Wales minister and the South Australian minister, that we would form a working party to look at the Victorian legislation to come up with a national approach to the problem and that I would go away and discuss with the national sporting organisations a resolution to this issue.”

“It is now obvious that Jackie Kelly has done nothing since November 1998.  There is no national approach and no national resolution derived by Minister Kelly,” Senator Lundy said.

“Given the recent controversies surrounding the sport of boxing, and that responsibility for control of boxing rests with the States and Territories, it is essential that the Federal Sports Minister gets off the ropes and fulfils her promise to produce a national approach.

“Labor agrees that a national approach to boxing is needed and that federal leadership is urgently required to ensure the State and Territory governments adopt a uniform approach to boxing.

“It’s time for the Minister for Sport to deliver on her 1998 promise to present “a national approach” and resolve this issue to ensure that every possible measure is taken to prevent injuries in this sport,” Senator Lundy said.