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23 November 2007A Rudd Labor Government will work with the ACT Government to deliver for CanberransACT Labor Senator, Kate Lundy, ACT Labor Senate Candidate, Peter Conway, the Member for Fraser and Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations, Bob McMullan and the Member for Canberra, Annette Ellis, met today with Chief Minister Jon Stanhope to discuss Federal Labor’s plan to reform Federal/State relations. The local ACT representatives discussed Labor’s 10 point federation reform program, focusing on Federal Labor’s plan to work co-operatively with the States and Territories to secure our water supplies, improve delivery of health care and education. “The Prime Minister has allowed Federal/State Relations to meander slowly and without pattern or purpose in the highly ineffective process so strongly criticised by the Business Council of Australia and Australian Industry Group”, Bob McMullan, Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations, said. “Contrast this approach with Labor’s wide range of practical measures, across a range of portfolios, which would have a positive impact on the workings of the federation”, Bob McMullan continued. “Today’s meeting shows Federal Labor’s commitment to working cooperatively with all the State and Territory Governments. Our discussion about how Federal Labor’s commitment to invest up to $44 million to establish Trade Training Centres in ACT schools and colleges fits with ACT Government measures to address our skills crisis was particularly useful”, Annette Ellis said. “Throughout this election we have seen a confusing array of ill-thought-out pork barrelling stunts designed to wage war on the States and Territories. Only last week we saw Senator Humphries announce funding for an ATC on a site where the ACT Government has already committed to building a CIT campus by 2010”, Senator Lundy said. “A Rudd Labor Government will work cooperatively with the ACT Government to deliver essential services to Canberrans”, Senator Lundy concluded. Contact: Rachel Allen – 0418 488 295 (Lundy) Annie Williams– 6247 4396 (McMullan) or Ashley Musgrove – 0419 020 419 (Ellis)
22 November 2007Humphries’ own goal on paid parking in triangleIn trying another desperate stunt yesterday Senator Humphries kicked an own goal when he forgot that it is the Howard Government, with the help of the National Capital Authority, that has pushed for paid parking in the parliamentary triangle for years. Federal Minister for Territories, Jim Lloyd has been reported as saying paid parking is inevitable in the parliamentary triangle. The reality is that it is Senator Humphries and the Howard Government that has sat back and watched the transport situation in the triangle go from bad to worse. Yesterday’s stunt is a feeble attempt by Senator Humphries to deflect attention from the Howard Government’s appalling planning and management of the parliamentary triangle. Instead of pointing the finger, Senator Humphries should sit down with all stakeholders and the ACT Government and sort out the transport issues facing the Parliamentary triangle. I congratulate the ACT Government initiative in investing in better bus services for public sector employees and commend their effort to improve public transport in Canberra generally. Contact: Rachel Allen - 6230 0411 or 0418 488 295
21 November 2007Federal Labor will invest in renewable energy researchSenator Kate Lundy today visited the Australian National University to discuss how a Rudd Labor Government would invest in the renewable energy industry. Expert renewable energy researchers took Senator Lundy on a tour of ANU’s solar thermal unit and photovoltaic laboratories to demonstrate the innovative research and technologies being used at the ANU. Federal Labor is committed to investing in renewable energies, and has announced that a Rudd Labor Government will invest $150 million in critical clean energy technology research under a new Energy Innovation Fund. This investment will include:
Australia used to be a world leader in solar energy, but after 11 long years of neglect, some of our best minds have gone overseas, and those that have stayed in Australia have struggled to find sufficient funding. Federal Labor is committed to the development of vibrant renewable energy sector. In addition to investment in research and development. a Rudd Labor Government will:
Federal Labor believes that a strong and well-supported renewable energy sector will help reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, grow jobs and support an innovative clean energy export industry. Contact: Rachel Allen - 6230 0411 or 0418 488 295
21 November 2007CPSU calls for balance in the SenateSenator Lundy met today with representatives from the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) to receive a photo petition which raised members concerns about losing compensation entitlements. The Howard Government’s failure to address workplace health and safety reform has led to the erosion of protections and entitlements under the Commonwealth workers compensation scheme, while at the same time expanding the number of workers covered by the scheme. Further, in April the Howard Government used its Senate majority to cut workers compensation protection. Under the Howard Government's laws public servants seriously injured while travelling to or from work are now at risk of financial ruin through loss of income. Federal Labor voted against these changes. “This is yet another example of the Howard Government arrogantly using the Senate as a rubber stamp for its own extreme legislative agenda”, Senator Lundy said. “I am very please to have had the opportunity today to met with the CPSU today and assure them that a Federal Labor Government will be reviewing the scheme”, Senator Lundy concluded. Contact: Rachel Allen - 6230 0411 or 0418 488 295
19 November 2007$1.5 million for Australian National Botanical GardensA Rudd Labor Government will commit $1.5 million towards securing water for the Australian National Botanical Gardens in Canberra. Labor recognises the urgent situation facing the Botanic Gardens and their neglect under the Howard Government. The Liberal statement today is an acknowledgement of the poor performance of the Howard Government to address the long term climate change challenges facing national institutions generally, as well as last minute desperation to save the Liberal Senate seat. It is also confirmation that the National Capital Authority and Minister for Territories have failed their duty to plan for necessary sustainable water solutions for national icons in and around the parliamentary triangle. Federal Labor totally rejects statements by Treasurer Peter Costello, who said on 9 May 2007 that “meeting the urban water crisis was a job for State Governments, not the Federal Budget”. The project will be funded under Federal Labor’s National Water Security Plan for Towns and Cities, which is a practical and commonsense response to the impact that climate change and diminished water supply will have on the towns and cities where millions of Australians live. Under this Plan, a Rudd Labor Government will invest $250 million to:
Contact Rachel Allen - 0418 488 295
15 November 2007Labor leads the way on work family balanceComments made yesterday by Jacqui Burke in the Legislative Assembly about Katy Gallagher, Deputy Chief Minister, taking maternity leave showed we still have a long way to go to ensure equality for women in the workplace. As a working person with children I am familiar with the challenges of balancing work and family. No-one should be made to feel ashamed for taking their child to work. It is not only unfair, but blatantly discriminatory. A woman’s right to take maternity leave and return to work isn’t only good social policy, but is essential for maintaining skills in our workplaces and promoting economic growth. I have always been proud of the leading role the ACT has taken on advancing equality in the workplace, however, Ms Burke’s comments shows how far we still have to go to gain real equality for women at work. Families should be represented in the Legislative Assembly and Federal Parliament. Contact: Rachel Allen - 6230 0411 or 0418 488 295
15 November 2007Coonan Must Find a Way to Televise World Netball Final Live on Saturday NightFederal Communications Minister, Senator Helen Coonan must find a way to broadcast live the World Netball Championship grand final. We are concerned about the delay in broadcasting the grand final from New Zealand. These elite athletes are being treated like a second class citizens. Mr Shorten and Senator Lundy have had representations from netball players and fans. Currently, the ABC is planning to broadcast the final on Saturday, November 17 at 9.20pm (AEDST) in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and ACT. That is three hours and 10 minutes after the actual final -- 6.10pm AEDST. Mr Shorten said: “Senator Coonan should stop listening to the bureaucrats who always give you a reason not to do something. Put simply, Australian fans want to watch our netballers in the grand final live and she should find a way to broadcast it.” Senator Lundy said: “The delayed broadcast is devastating for these elite athletes who deserve to have an opportunity to have their skills shown across the nation.” Australia is the undisputed powerhouse of world netball, winning seven of the 11 titles outright and sharing an eighth since the tournament started in 1963. Sixteen nations are competing until November 17. The competition comprises 48 matches over eight days. Australia is likely to be in the final. Netball is one of the nation's most popular sports and deserves to be broadcast live like other international sporting events. Federal Labor has consistently advocated better coverage of women’s sport. Female sport receives two per cent of the total television sporting coverage and 10.7 per cent of newspaper sporting coverage. (Source: Senate Inquiry into Women in Sport and Recreation in Australia. Submission by Netball Australia, June 2006) Netball is perceived to be a low profile sport because of low awareness of “international” competitions, limited media coverage of games and players and few references to netball in popular culture. (Source: Motivations and Barriers to Women Participating in Sport and Netball, 2 February 2007) Details: Bill Shorten – 0419 105 263 - Please note: Mr Shorten is also
the Federal Labor candidate for Maribyrnong
14 November 2007Canberra’s 19,000 Year 9-12 Students to Benefit from Federal Labor’s Education RevolutionOver 19,000 students in the ACT would benefit from Federal Labor’s commitment to provide a school computer for every year 9-12 student. A Rudd Labor Government will invest $1 billion over four years to turn every secondary school in Australia into a digital school. Federal Labor’s National Secondary School Computer Fund will allow every Australian student in years 9-12 to have access to their own school computer. Under Federal Labor’s plan, every secondary school in Australia, Government and Private, will be equipped with the education tools of the 21st Century to teach the lessons of tomorrow. “Today’s announcement of a National Secondary School Computer Fund is great news for parents and students in the ACT. It will mean that over 19,000 local students will have access to a personal computer giving them essential computer skills for life and the workforce”, Senator Lundy said. The National Secondary School Computer Fund will allow secondary schools to apply for capital grants of up to $1 million to acquire new or upgrade information technology equipment. This could include personal laptops or computers and internet network infrastructure to plug our secondary schools into the information superhighway. Under Labor’s plan, 99 per cent of school children will also get access to broadband connections of speeds up to 100 megabits per second at school through optical fibre to the premises (FTTP) broadband infrastructure. Computers are no substitute for face-to-face teaching, but they provide a modern additional resource of immense value, connect Australian students to some of our finest scholars and institutions, open schools to the world, and encourage independent research and curiosity in the next generation of Australians. Contact: Rachel Allen - 6230 0411 or 0418 488 295
13 November 2007Government caught in dental deceptionIn a desperate bid for votes, the Howard Government has begun peddling lies about its failing dental policy and it’s about time Gary Humphries came clean on the true impact of this scheme. Gary Humphries – just like coalition members and candidates around the country have been telling voters their dental policy is open to all Australians – when it is only open to a very narrow range of people. Here in Canberra there have been wildly exaggerated tales of who can receive dental care under the Howard Government’s so called Enhanced Primary Care program. The fact is that the Government's failing dental scheme is not available to anyone with a toothache, it is only available to people who meet a strict set of criteria. Under this policy, if you have a chronic medical condition, like valvular heart disease or diabetes or malignancies of the head and neck AND you have poor oral health or a dental condition which is exacerbating a chronic and complex disease AND you are being treated under a Multidisciplinary Care Plan, then you are eligible for assistance with your dental care. Narrow eligibility is one reason why only 8000 Australians have received assistance from the program over the last three years. The Howard Government slashed the Commonwealth Dental Program when they came to Government in 1996, meaning access to dental care for working families was seriously reduced. In contrast, the first instalment of Labor's Commonwealth Dental Health Program – committing $290 million for our new Commonwealth Dental Health Program – will fund up to 1 million dental consultations and treatments across the country. Federal Labor’s dental policy will help clear the backlog on our public dental waiting lists; the Government’s policy will do nothing to alleviate Australia’s dental crisis.” In addition, Federal Labor has committed $510 million to a Teen Dental Plan that will allow many ACT parents to claim up to $150 on the cost of an annual dental preventative check for each of their teenage children through Medicare. Canberrans can’t afford three more years of a government that has lost touch with the genuine interests of our community. Contact: Rachel Allen 0418 488 295
13 November 2007
Investment in Green Precincts, including $1m for Essendon’s Windy Hill green development
A Rudd Labor Government will invest $15 million in at least 10 high profile practical projects to encourage water and energy saving measures such as solar and rainwater.
Federal Labor launched its Green Precinct policy today at Windy Hill in Melbourne, home to Melbourne’s Essendon Football Club, where up to $1 million was pledged in matching funds towards the Windy Hill Green Precinct Project.
Windy Hill has enormous roof space on its grandstand and buildings that can be used to harvest over 500,000 litres of rainwater each year. Capturing this water and investing in water efficiency measures could cut current consumption of mains drinking water in half.
The Precinct will include significant solar power generation, solar hot water services and energy efficiency measures – together delivering substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Windy Hill facilities will be a high profile example to all its users, including local schools, sporting clubs as well as the Essendon Football Club and its tens of thousands of supporters.
A Rudd Labor Government will create high profile Green Precincts around Australia, investing $15 million in demonstration projects that provide both direct environmental benefits and opportunities for broader community awareness raising about water and energy savings.
Working in partnership with community organisations, sporting clubs and State and Local Governments, a Rudd Labor Government will use Green Precincts to encourage Australian families to harness similar opportunities in their own homes.
Federal Labor’s $15 million Green Precincts program will fund at least ten projects that:
Green precincts could include public libraries, local governments, shopping centres, heritage-listed community buildings and other iconic public facilities.
The Green Precinct Fund will complement Federal Labor’s other programs to boost water and energy saving in households and communities, including investing $1 billion in building urban water infrastructure and making every Australian school a Solar School.
A Rudd Labor Government will fund its Green Precinct Fund with $8.8 million from Federal Labor’s National Water Security Plan for Towns and Cities and $6.2 million from Federal Labor’s enhanced Solar Cities program.
Under the National Water Security Plan for Towns and Cities, a Rudd Labor Government will invest $250 million to:
12 November 2007Rudd Labor commits to Albert Hall restoration fundsToday Canberra’s Federal Labor representatives Senator Kate Lundy, Bob McMullan MP and Annette Ellis MP announced a Rudd Labor Government will commit $500,000 towards the cost of restoring Albert Hall. The Albert Hall is listed on the Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture, the National Trust of Australia (ACT) Register and the ACT Heritage Places Indicative List. The Albert Hall is also currently listed on the Register of the National Estate, but as a result of a Howard Government decision, this Register is in the process of being repealed and its limited protections will no longer apply. "A Rudd Labor Government will assess Albert Hall for inclusion on the National Heritage List, so future generations can continue to enjoy this terrific local venue", Ms Ellis said at today's announcement on the steps of Albert Hall. “We congratulate the ACT Labor Government for their ongoing commitment to managing the Albert Hall on behalf of all citizens of Canberra, for whom the Albert Hall has a unique cultural significance, in addition to providing a venue for a diverse range of community activities and events.”, the Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan said. “The Albert Hall was the heart and soul of civic life in the early years of the national capital and is still a much-loved landmark. In this respect it has local and national heritage significance.” Ms Ellis said. "The Howard government's track record on heritage is dismal. Whilst the Federal government continues to drag its feet on properly recognising our unique heritage, this commitment means a unique part of the ACT's heritage and history will now be preserved", Senator Lundy said. “Federal Labor’s funding commitment will allow restoration and repair work to continue on this wonderful community asset and we look forward to working with the ACT Government to ensure a sustainable future for the Albert Hall as a community asset”, Senator Lundy concluded. Contact: Rachel Allen - 0418 488 295 (Lundy) Annie Williams – 6247 4396 (McMullan) Ash Musgrove - 0419 020 419 (Ellis) For comment from the Friends of Albert Hall please contact Lenore Coltheart on 0413 300 874
8 November 2007Liberals will take Work Choices even further if given the chanceSenator Kate Lundy and Peter Conway, second ACT ALP Senate Candidate, today launched the ACT Labor Senate Campaign by highlighting how the Liberal Government will take their extreme Work Choices legislation even further. John Howard has conceded he would “finetune” his laws after the next election saying earlier this year“We don't have any changes in mind except any finetuning that might arise in the operation of the law.” (29/8/07 doorstop) When John Howard says he will “finetune”, does he mean removing the so-called fairness tests, awards, penalty rates, overtime and holiday leave loading? The Coalition cannot be believed on industrial relations. Mr Howard’s Finance Minister Nick Minchin told the H.R.Nicholls Society in 2006 that he wanted “another wave of industrial relations reforms”. Mr Minchin said: "There is much more to do and I pray that we remain in Government and effect further change, but I do ask for your forgiveness - that change has not been as rapid as you would have liked....This is evolution, not revolution, and there is still a long way to go . . . awards, the IR Commission, all the rest of it." In the ACT, voters have the opportunity to end the Coalition’s absolute control in the Senate so that John Howard and Peter Costello can’t take their extreme Work Choices legislation even further. Contact: Rachel Allen - 6230 0411 or 0418 488 295
7 November 2007ACT family budgets slugged $212 more a month as another interest rate rise hitsWith today’s interest rate rise, families in the ACT are paying an average of $212 more a month since Mr Howard promised to ‘keep interest rates at record lows’. "Today’s interest rate rise alone will add $36 a month to the typical mortgage in the ACT", Senator Lundy said. "This is the sixth straight interest rate rise since Prime Minister John Howard’s misleading promise at the 2004 election. Mr Howard has well and truly broken that promise", Senator Lundy said. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2006 Census shows that the typical mortgage in the ACT is $215,000. Today’s interest rate rise means mortgage repayments are up by:
These payments are now eating up around 20 per cent of local families incomes. Today’s news will put more pressure on families already hurting from:
Families have a right to know how Mr Howard can say ‘working families in Australia have never been better off’’ when it’s so hard to make ends meet. Federal Labor has a plan to fight inflation – helping to put downward pressure on interest rates and ease the cost of living pressures on families. Our plan includes helping families face cost of living pressures by providing:
Contact: Rachel Allen - 6230 0411 or 0418 488 295
5 November 2007Federal Labor’s Low Tax “Dream Saver” Accounts Will Help First Home Buyers in the ACTSenator Kate Lundy, Bob McMullan and Annette Ellis today said that a Federal Labor Government will help aspiring first home-buyers save a larger deposit by establishing new, low tax First Home Saver Accounts. “This will be a great way for young people in the ACT to save up for that all-important deposit for their first home”, Senator Lundy said. “The ACT Government has some terrific incentives to address housing affordability in the ACT, however, this issue requires a national response”, Member for Canberra Annette Ellis said. “Federal Labor is determined to help alleviate the housing affordability crisis, and this is a great way to help young people get a head start in buying their own home,” Member for Fraser Bob McMullan said. Over the first three years Federal Labor’s First Home Saver Accounts will help around half a million aspiring first home buyers save towards a bigger deposit by establishing superannuation-style low tax savings accounts. Federal Labor’s First Home Saver Accounts will help boost national savings, with the accounts holding around $3.5 billion in savings after three years. Federal Labor’s First Home Saver Accounts will allow a couple – each on an average wage and saving 10 per cent of their income – to save a deposit of around $64,000 over five years. This $64,000 deposit is around $14,500 - or 30 percent - more than could be achieved by saving through an ordinary deposit account. This benefit amounts to an extra $2,900 a year in savings towards a home deposit. Of course, Labor will retain the first home owners grant in addition to this new savings plan More information on how the First Home Saver Account would work is available at www.alp.org.au. Contact: Rachel Allen - 0418 488 295 (Lundy), Patrick Myrtle – 6247 4396 (McMullan) or Ash Musgrove - 0419 020 419 (Ellis)
2 November 2007Labor’s plan to put the focus back on OH&SToday Senator Kate Lundy visited the Electro Skills training centre to talk to apprentices about Federal Labor’s plan for occupational health and safety. The Howard Government has failed to address significant issues in the area of workplace health and safety because of its ideological obsession with Work Choices. In contrast, Federal Labor believes that policy inaction in the area of workplace health and safety is bad for business and bad for workers. Labor has already announced it will:
Federal Labor’s plan to harmonise OHS regulations and workers compensation schemes will uphold existing safety standards, while streamlining the different state systems and reducing complexity for employers and employees. “Unfortunately, recently occupational health and safety has become the forgotten element of national industrial relations policy” Senator Lundy said. “In 2003-04, 332 people died in Australia as a result of work-related industries. This equates to a rate of 3.5 per 100,000 employed Australians”, Senator Lundy said. Federal Labor’s OH&S plan shows that Labor has fresh ideas for health and safety in Australian workplaces. Contact: Rachel Allen – 6230 0411 or 0418 488 295
1 November 2007Botanic Gardens Wilt Under Government NeglectACT Federal representatives, Senator Kate Lundy, Bob McMullan and Annette Ellis have today expressed concern about reports that the Australian National Botanic Gardens will be forced to compromise its research and biodiversity programs in order to service projected debts. “This issue faced by the Botanic Gardens is just one example of the type of problems Canberra institutions will face unless we take serious action to address and adapt to climate change”, said Senator Kate Lundy. “This is a time when climate change and drought adaptation is one of the foremost challenges for Australia” said the Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan. “It is of serious concern that this significant institution would have to compromise its research into these important matters”. Member for Canberra, Annette Ellis, observed “This is typical of the Howard government’s failure to adapt to the increasing demands of climate change and to invest in protecting Australia’s future”. “I am alarmed that this will lead to the downgrading of this national institution which is of national and international importance”, Ms Ellis said. The three Federal representatives committed themselves to continuing to advocate for a higher level of government support for the Botanic Gardens in order to defend and enhance its unique status. Contact: Rachel Allen – 0418 488 295 (Lundy), Patrick Myrtle – 6247 4396 (McMullan), Ash Musgrove - 0419 020 419 (Ellis)
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