25 October 2001 - Media Release

National Party candidate in conflict with Jackie Kelly

The National Party candidate for Calare, Dave Shearing, is in conflict with the Minister for Sport, Jackie Kelly, after announcing a different Coalition policy on the upgrading of Mount Panorama, the Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Lundy, said today.

Earlier this month, Minister Kelly categorically ruled out any federal funding for the upgrade of Mount Panorama.  The Minister has stated that the:

“development and maintenance of facilities such as the Mount Panorama circuit and its surrounds are essentially the responsibility of state and local governments.” (Weekend Advocate, 13 October 2001)

“Now the National Party candidate for Calare is promising $10 million in funding for Mount Panorama on one condition – that he is elected!”

“Mr Shearing, who appears to know more about the Coalition’s sports policy than Jackie Kelly, told the Western Advocate today that he “will guarantee the funding” for Mount Panorama only if he is elected.

“This policy announcement contradicts Jackie Kelly’s unconditional statement that the Coalition will not fund Mount Panorama.

“Minister Kelly must immediately clarify the Coalition’s position on Mount Panorama.

“Is it going to be funded by the Coalition, or is Dave Shearing evoking tacky political blackmail by telling the people of Calare that they will only receive funded if he is elected?

“By contrast, Labor has been upfront and honest in saying that we are not in a position to deliver funding, but will genuinely consider the issue in Government, if elected.

“Local Labor candidates have advocated strongly and credibly on behalf of their region and their views are respected.

“I suspect the same can’t be said for Mr Shearing,” Senator Lundy said.

24 October 2001 - Media Release

Alston has ‘luddite’ tag added to ‘global village idiot’.

Communications Minister Senator Alston has been described as the global village idiot.  Now he's the “world’s biggest luddite” according to a leading British online journal.

In the latest online issue of The Register, Senator Alston has been ridiculed for comments he made during a debate with Senator Kate Lundy on information technology in Australia.

The Register was highly critical of Senator Alston’s ignorant attack on Labor’s policy of improving broadband access in Australia:

A proposal in the Labour party's policy statement … that all homes should have cable by 2006 has been rubbished by Senator Alston, who called it "a costly waste of time" and "horrendously expensive".

Maybe it is if he has his way - there would be no point in using the Internet in the first place. He then claimed that despite 98 per cent of households in Singapore having a cable connection, only two to three per cent of them have taken it up.

The only reason South Korea uses so much broadband, he continued, is because kids are playing games. "There's no role for government in facilitating that roll-out," he said. "My kids don't need any help in that regard."

This, may we remind you again, is Australia's minister for Communications, Information Technology and The Arts.  Proof, were it needed, that Richard Alston retains his crown as Greatest Luddite in the World. Well done Richard. ®

“Senator Alston’s inability to understand the IT needs of all Australians has once again been exposed internationally,” Senator Lundy said.

“The Howard Government just doesn’t get IT, and Senator Alston has demonstrated that he doesn’t understand the importance of connectivity and closing the digital divide.

“It is no wonder that the Coalition is content with belittling Labor’s vision for a knowledge nation, they can’t even grasp the concept that broadband communication networks are essential infrastructure, particularly for our regions where affordable, quality internet access can make the difference between economic success and failure.”

For copy of World’s Biggest Luddite Strikes Again! see www.theregister.co.uk

106/01.  Media Contact: Simon Tatz on 02 –6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

24 October 2001 - Media Release

Truss misleads Australia’s recreational and sports fishers

The Minister for Agriculture, Warren Truss, has misled Australia’s recreational and sports fishers about Labor’s fishing policy.

Labor’s policy includes funding Recfish Australia as the peak national organisation representing the interests of all Australian recreational and sport fishers, club members and non-club members alike.

Mr Truss claimed today that Recfish Australia had received funding from the Howard Government for the National Junior Fishing Code Education kit. 

According to Recfish Australia, this is not true.  Recfish has never received any funding for this kit and it was not even produced by Recfish.

Furthermore, Mr Truss’ claim that the Coalition has provided $5 million in funding to the recreational fishing sector through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation is misleading.  This funding was almost exclusively oriented towards commercial fishing, not recreational fishing.

What Minister Truss did not mention is that in 1996, the Howard Government ended 13 years of Commonwealth support for Recfish Australia by slashing all funding without notice. 

The Coalition's funding axe reduced Recfish Australia's capacity to fully represent its constituents.  It also meant that the Commonwealth largely lost its contact and influence with recreational and sport fishers, who play a substantial and highly significant role in the Australian community.

The Howard Government has neglected recreational and sport fishing.  They have dissociated themselves from the recreational and sport fishing community, failed to provide any leadership or vision and failed to deliver a National Policy on Recreational Fishing.

Mr Truss is obviously embarrassed that, unlike the Liberal-National Parties, the Labor Party recognises that the Commonwealth Government does have a responsibility for recreational and sport fishing- and Labor takes this responsibility seriously.

If Mr Truss is so committed to Recfish, why did his Government slash all their funding – and why won’t they commit to refunding the body that represents the millions of Australians who enjoy recreational and sports fishing?

105/01.    Media contact: Simon Tatz on 02 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

20 October 2001 - Media Release

Field of Women

ACT Senator Kate Lundy has urged the people of Canberra to join her in raising awareness of breast cancer by participating in the Field of Women 2001 walk this Sunday from Lennox Gardens to the Southern Cross Yacht Club starting at 10.30 am.

“Field of Women is a very important way to highlight the fact that breast cancer affects real women and their families,” Senator Lundy said.

“One in eleven Australian women will suffer from breast cancer at some time before the age of 75 years, and more than 10,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. The total cost to the health system for breast cancer was estimated to be $184 million in 1993-94, the latest figures given in Australia’s Health 2000.

“The national breast cancer screening program, initiated by the Labor Government in 1990, is largely responsible for the decrease in breast cancer deaths.  Participation rates in this program have increased steadily and the program has reached out to rural and isolated areas.  The program aims for at least 70 per cent participation in screening for its target group -- women aged 50 to 69 years. 

“Although the participation rate for Australia as a whole was only 54.3 per cent in the 1997-98 year, the ACT has a significantly higher participation rate, which reached 69.2 per cent by the end of August this year.

“We have, at last, recognised the magnitude of the problem of breast cancer.

“The on-going needs of cancer survivors for support and counselling to combat anxiety and depression have only recently been recognised.  Field of Women plays an important role in both raising awareness and providing support.

“The Labor Party has already released its $148 million plan to fight cancer, which includes $30 million to create Comprehensive Cancer Centres and $6 million to establish a New National Cancer Alliance.

“I urge all Canberrans to support Field of Women by joining the walk from Lennox Gardens to the Southern Cross Yacht Club this Sunday.”

104/01.  Media Contact: Simon Tatz on 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

16 October 2001 - Media Release

Capitals embark on exciting new season

ACT Senator Kate Lundy has wished the Canberra TransACT Capitals well as they embark on an exciting new season in the WNBL.

Senator Lundy, the Shadow Minister for Sport, said she was certain the Capitals could go one better this season than last, and recapture the crown they won in season 1999/2000.

“I particularly look forward to seeing the Capitals beat Sydney at Tuggeranong next Saturday in the replay of last year’s grand final,” Senator Lundy said.

Senator Lundy said she looked forward to the prospect of a Beazley Labor Government, which would ensure a better deal for women’s sport.

“The Howard government promised to increase the profile of women’s sport and increase female participation.  Instead, they slashed funding for Womensport Australia, scrapped the Prime Minister’s Women in Sport award and downgraded the Women’s Sport unit at the Australian Sports Commission.

Senator Lundy was joined in wishing the Capitals well by Senate running mate Robin Poke, a former sports journalist.

“As one who played a part in establishing basketball in Canberra in the early 1980s, then in promoting the Women in Sport debate, I have been delighted to note the Capitals’ progress since they were formed in 1986,” Robin Poke said.

“Household names such as Lauren Jackson, Kristen Veal and Shelley Sandie have placed the team at the forefront, while local talent such as Natalie Hurst and Gemma Sutherland are the key to its future. Add to that the experience of coach Carrie Graf, and I’m sure the Capitals will this year be back where they belong – on top” Mr Poke concluded.

103/01.  Further information/comment: Senator Lundy (Simon Tatz) 0418 488 295. Robin Poke 0403 908 173

15 October 2001 - Media Release

Is a vote for Reid a vote for Humphries?

The ACT branch of the Australian Labor Party today called on Senator Margaret Reid to end speculation that senior figures within the Liberal Party are encouraging her to stand down if elected to a further term at the Federal election on 10 November and make way for Chief Minister Gary Humphries.

There has been increasing speculation, fuelled by letters to the Canberra Times, regarding Senator Reid’s future, included claims by one letter writer that Liberal Party pollsters had been seeking views on a replacement for Margaret Reid if she retired.

ALP Branch Secretary Michael Kerrisk said Senator Reid owed it to the people of Canberra to make her intentions clear before the Federal election.

“She should either commit to a full term or resign now,” Mr Kerrisk said. “If she does not, the people of Canberra will continue to have grounds for believing they are being misled, at both the Federal and ACT level.”

ALP Senator Kate Lundy said that the people of the ACT had a right to know who they were voting for – just as Australians everywhere did when deciding on their next prime minister.

“Given the ACT speculation, we now have a situation wherein the people of the ACT might vote for John Howard but get Peter Costello, vote for Margaret Reid but get Gary Humphries – and vote for Gary Humphries and get Brendan Smyth!  The Liberals should come clean and stop playing games with the voters,” Senator Lundy said.

The ALP’s second Senate candidate, Robin Poke, said his main reason for deciding to stand for election this year had been a perception that the Liberals were vulnerable in Canberra.

“That perception has not changed,” he said. “I think there is a very strong feeling within the community that Labor’s chances of winning both Senate seats are stronger this year than they have ever been.  The Prime Minister’s failure to live in Canberra and cutbacks to the public service highlight the Liberal Party’s disdainful, even contemptuous attitude to the national capital and the people who choose to call it home. 

Kate Lundy and I are basing our campaign on ‘Putting Canberra’ First’ – something the Liberals have clearly not done.”

102/01.  Media contacts: Simon Tatz (Kate Lundy) 6277 3334 or 0418 498 295/Robin Poke 0403 908 173

14 October 2001 - Media Release

DMO move another blow to Canberra.

“The Howard Government’s decision to shift the Defence Materials Organisation (DMO) from Canberra is another blow to Canberra from the Howard Government and will result in a dramatic downturn in the prospects for small and medium Australian companies in the Defence market,” Senator Lundy said today.

“The Coalition’s decision to relocate the DMO from Canberra at a cost of over $150 million was announced last year, but only now is the full extent of the impact on Canberra becoming known, Senator Lundy said.

“Hundreds of jobs are going to be lost in the ACT. 

“The owners of defence-related businesses have invested substantial sums to establish their companies in Canberra, building the private sector infrastructure around the DMO purchasing operations in Canberra.

“How many small Australian businesses can afford to establish another branch, or re-locate their companies in this cash-strapped, post GST environment?

“This is a decision that demonstrates two things that have become hallmarks of the Howard Government – political desperation and Canberra-bashing.

“Firstly, true to form, John Howard wants to offer a bribe to marginal seats by saying his Government is transferring jobs into their electorates.

“And secondly, as far as Mr Howard is concerned, there is no downside – the only community he thinks he is hurting is Canberra, a community he has time and again treated with contempt,” Senator Lundy said.

“This decision puts the lie to this Government’s claims to be the champion of small business and the men and women who have served their nation as members of the Armed Forces,” said Mr Robin Poke, Labor’s second Senate Candidate.

“This decision will actually see the loss of people with critical skills and expertise from the defence organisation because they have made the decision to establish their lives in Canberra and will not be moving as a result.

“The business case for this relocation is weak.  This is nothing but a political decision and not a good public policy decision,” Mr Poke concluded. 

8 October 2001 - Media Release

Labor urges young people to CLICK HERE TO RESET YOUR DEMOCRACY!

Labor’s Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, has launched her CLICK HERE TO RESET YOUR DEMOCRACY website, urging all young people to enrol and find out about civic process surrounding elections.

The launch was co-hosted by the ACT Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs, Simon Corbell MLA, and was attended by Labor members as well as ACT Assembly candidates from both major parties.

“I have built this website on my home page at www.katelundy.com.au/youth in response to questions that have been raised with me by young people around the country about Australia’s political system,” Senator Lundy said.

The website focuses on the following areas:

·        How do you enrol and vote,

·        What happens when a federal election is called, and

·        How Australia’s parliament works.

“I have tried to keep it simple and practical and hope this website goes part of the way to explaining the basics to young people, Senator Lundy said.

“There has already been some fantastic information produced for first-time voters for this election and I have provided links to other websites so young people can access more detailed information.

At the launch, young people spoke about the most effective ways for politicians to communicate with them. 

Neil Pharoah (17years) a Member of the ACT Ministerial Youth Advisory Council, spoke about the importance of young people analysing the views and values of individual candidates and not just political parties.  He said that even though young people may not be eligible to vote at this election, their political views are often formulated early on and reflected when they do vote.

Tim Goodwin (18yrs) from the National Indigenous Youth Leadership Group and a past member of the National Youth Roundtable discussed the need for young people to feel part of the political system.  He urged politicians to meet directly with more young people and youth advisory councils.  The evil word for young people, according to Tim, is ‘tokenism’ – and dialogue is a two-lane road in which governments must meet young people halfway.  Tim concluded that young people are not cynical; they are full of optimism and hope for the future.

Verity Newnham (26yrs), a former Youth Governor General, affirmed that, in order to more effectively communicate with young people, politicians need to acknowledge the challenges and barriers faced by young people and provide meaningful and culturally appropriate opportunities to communicate with them.  Verity said that young people are a diverse group with different needs, aspirations and developmental stages.  Young people need greater access to civics education and politicians need to create mutually beneficial opportunities to consult with young people.

Tim Moore (26years), an Education and Outreach Worker at Youth in the City spoke about how young people are finding it tough and many are finding life a struggle. He said politicians must acknowledge the problems and disadvantaged faced by young people and called on politicians to become better informed and act on issues such as youth homelessness and addressing disadvantage.

“The messages presented were very relevant and insightful, particularly in this election climate,” Senator Lundy said.

Both Senator Lundy and Simon Corbell encouraged every young person who is not already on the electoral role to enrol now and vote.

To access CLICK HERE TO RESET YOUR DEMOCRACY go to www.katelundy.com.au/youth

100/01.  Media Contact: Simon Tatz on 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295

5 October 2001 - Media Release

A clear choice for the ACT

“The November 10 Federal election is an important opportunity for the voters of the ACT to express their view about Australia’s future security, at home and abroad, ACT Senator Kate Lundy said today.

“As Kim Beazley has said, this election is about a secure future for all Australians. 

“The people of Canberra, and indeed all Australians, require a leader qualified for the job, and committed to doing the job for a full term.

“The ACT also deserves a Prime Minister who wants to live in the Lodge and make Canberra his home. 

“We want a Prime Minister who embraces our community and is proud to live here. 

“With Kim Beazley in the Lodge, Labor will be able to rebuild our hospitals, universities and the public service. 

“There is a clear choice at this election: a tired Government out of touch with ordinary Australians, led by a man who refuses to live in Nation’s Capital; or a new Labor Government with a firm commitment to the future of Australia and the ACT.

“Labor stands for the restoration of decent health care, rebuilding Medicare and our public hospital system.

“Labor stands for a good education for all Australians, regardless of background or income.

“Labor stands for putting the care back into aged care and a fair deal for older Australians who built this country.

“Importantly for the voters of the ACT, Kim Beazley and the Labor Party stand for the Knowledge Nation, for building the industries of the future, and winning a good place for Australia in a fiercely competitive world,” concluded Senator Lundy.