A National Museum Commission

Labor will establish the National Museum Commission by amending the National Museum of Australia Act, providing a legislative umbrella for any existing or other federal museums that may be created.

The NMC will:

The NMC will be funded by:

Funding for the NMC’s access and participation programs will be provided by the current Visions of Australia program and the reallocation of the current Collections Sector Support budget to the NMC.

This will provide $2.5 million a year for NMC to commence a range of regional support services, including travelling exhibitions and addressing pressing issues of access, training and collection support.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or  0418 488 295

18 September 2004 - Media Release

Stanhope Government shows vision for the Arts in Canberra

I welcome the initiative taken by the Stanhope Labor Government in their Arts, Heritage and Library Policy released today. The Stanhope Labor Government has a proud record in its support of the Arts in the Territory, combining good policy, increased funding and provision of appropriate facilities.

In particular, I am impressed by the decision to progress the development of the City West Arts Precinct and undertaking a feasibility study on the design and construction of adjoining facilities for the Australian Choreographic Centre.

The future establishment of a Choreographic Centre is important not only for Canberra, but also for the nation, with the potential of becoming yet another wonderful cultural institution based in the Territory, providing opportunities for greater access and participation in dance.

The Howard Government has steadfastly ignored calls for such a feasibility study, and Labor congratulates AUSDANCE for continuing to pursue support for the growth of the Australian Choreographic Centre.

By investigating the expansion of the Australian Choreographic Centre and the viability of permanent space, the Stanhope Labor Government has stepped in to ensure that the sector is given the recognition and support that it so rightly deserves.

Federal Labor looks forward to working with the Stanhope Labor Government and other State and Territory Governments to progress the development of dance in Australia.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or  0418 488 295

17 September 2004 - Media Release

Balancing Work and Family in Our Community

Finding the balance between work and family is a challenge for many families in our Canberra community.

Under the Howard Government families have been forced to struggle along on their own. They have been left to bear the cost of care and education of their children, the care of their ageing parents, and their own health without any federal support.

A Federal Labor Government is committed to providing comprehensive support for working families that will help them to find the right balance between work and family commitments.

A Labor Government's plan for getting the balance between work and family right includes:

Labor's Federal work and family support policies will build on commitments made in the ACT's Stanhope Labor government's work and family policy.

ACT Labor has delivered substantial reforms in the public and private sectors on the work and family imbalance. ACT Labor secured the landmark 14 week paid maternity leave benefit for public sector employees, along with a raft of other improved conditions. In the private sector, Labor has also expanded work and family policies.

Together, Federal and ACT Labor Government's will work to promote supportive and family friendly workplaces. Labor Government's will also ensure that the essential community infrastructure needed to achieve this balance is put in place.

Join Senator Kate Lundy this Saturday 18th September, 10am to 11.30am, Gungahlin Marketplace to discuss Labor's approach to work and family.

Contact: Adina Cirson - (02) 6277 3334 or  0418 488 295

17 September 2004 - Media Release

Tell the Truth Helen: More Liberal Campaign Deceit Exposed

Labor believes the Building on IT Strengths (BITS) Incubator program is an important element in the innovation landscape for new Australian ICT companies.

That's why Labor will be maintaining funding at current levels. Under Labor, the program will be administered by the new ICT Section in the Department of Industry.

What part of these sentences doesn't Senator Coonan understand?

In a recent statement, Senator Coonan said, “Senator Lundy has indicated she will re-allocate $34 million for the ICT incubators program, despite the fact that it has attracted $160 million of private capital and supported 340 start-ups".

Clearly Senator Coonan has not read Labor's policy or she is happy to once again "cry wolf" and lie about Labor's plans to continue BITS Incubator funding.

Under Labor, the BITS incubators' future is far more secure, with Labor flagging their ability to incubate other types of technology companies. The inability of the Howard Government to do the same is having a constraining effect on their operation and potential to expand.

The BITS incubators were hung out to dry for 18 months as the Howard Government procrastinated over their funding future. This irresponsible management meant some incubators hit the wall.

It was Labor that kept up the political pressure to ensure that there was some further funding before more BITS incubators hit the wall.

Labor will strengthen the IT portfolio with our plan to shift ICT industry development out of its orphaned location in Senator Coonan's portfolio, where the Howard Government's fractured approach has left ICT-specific programs vulnerable and distant from many of the industry development programs relating to R&D, innovation and exports.

The Howard Government’s favouritism of the big end of town has left Australian ICT companies out in the cold, at the expense of local jobs and growing sustainable local companies.

Contact: Pete Heininger – 0418 468 221 or 02 6277 3334

16 September 2004 - Media Release

Easy to prove Labor is better for Canberra

I welcome the call from Senator Humphries to a debate on Which party will be better for Canberra?

In our democracy it’s terrific to have the opportunity to debate our policies before the public. This gives the chance for voters to hear our parties’ policies and make up their minds on who to support with a full understanding of their options.

That’s why Labor believes that John Howard should have real debates with Mark Latham, not just one stage-managed joint press conference a month out from the polls.

But if Mr Howard isn’t willing to put his case and defend his policies, I’m glad to see that Senator Humphries has more courage. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to tell Canberra voters how the Australian Labor Party will strengthen Canberra’s essential social infrastructure, restore balance to our industrial relations system and foster strong communities.

Over the last 8 years, Senator Humphries’ Liberal Party and the Howard Government have overseen;

A Federal Labor Government will make sure that all in our community can participate in our community life. We will destroy the barriers to participation erected by the Howard Government’s policies, as Federal and Territory Government can work in partnership to ensure the re-establishment of essential social infrastructure and a reassertion of the importance of cohesive and inclusive community.

It is only under a Federal Labor Government that Canberrans can be assured of a genuine commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity and access to social services and welfare for all.

If Senator Humphries wishes to debate the issue, I am ready when he is.

Contact: Adina Cirson - 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334

9 September 2004 - Media Release

Creative Opportunity: New Australian Music

Joint Media Release
Senator Kate Lundy and Labor Candidate for Parramatta Julie Owens

Full Policy Here

Labor’s National Cultural Policy is based on the principles of creativity, participation and access.

This means that priority must be given to develop opportunities for Australians to foster creativity and provide support to emerging artists. Australian music and its continual growth are central to defining our national identity.

There are thousands of up-and-coming musicians who want to create their own recordings of original Australian music. Often what is missing is the ways and means of doing this and a lack of opportunity to get air time on Australian radio.

This is why a Latham Labor Government will provide funding of $1.5 million over 3 years for the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project – AMRAP – so that it can continue to deliver its key objective: promotion of contemporary Australian music through the community broadcasting sector.

AMRAP delivers what the commercial sector cannot: real air time for emerging musicians and new bands. The project supports the community broadcasting sector in developing and promoting contemporary Australian music of all types and since 1998 has distributed more than 50,000 CDs by Australian artists to the community broadcasting sector in all States and Territories.

It has also been extremely successful promoting music from rural, regional and remote communities – in particular Indigenous music. It also enables a diverse range of music to be distributed across the country.

Community Radio has grown rapidly over recent years, and there are now over 350 community radio stations in Australia and around 80 remote Indigenous services. Community radio provides an important interface between community organisations, Indigenous and migrant communities and the arts sector.

The AMRAP program is a community radio initiative that works with musicians, community broadcasters and the recording industry to create increased radio airplay opportunities for contemporary Australian music. AMRAP represents Labor’s principles of ensuring creativity, participation and access to the arts by all Australians.

Unlike the Howard Government, Labor is proud of our diverse Australian cultural identity.

Media contact: Adina Cirson on 0418 488 295

8 September 2004 - Media Release

SAFETYONLINE: Labor's Plan to make the Internet Safer

Full Policy Here

The internet is a great resource for communication and learning. It has become a fundamental part of our learning environment. Through the internet, communities and individuals are better connected than ever before. But like all new technologies, these benefits must be carefully balanced against the risks that the new technology can pose. A balanced approach ensures both community support for the new technology and the best conditions under which the technology can thrive.

That’s why Labor believes that measures are needed to make the internet safer for parents and children.

Labor recognises that the strength of the internet is its role as an accessible information and communication resource for citizens, businesses, governments and community organisations. However, Labor also recognises that it is in the public interest that government takes an active role in improving the safety and security of the internet for citizens and consumers.

Labor understands that many people, particularly parents, are understandably concerned and uncertain about the internet and the risks that are involved. That's why Labor is committed to helping internet users manage their internet content, particularly parents who are concerned about their children's use of the internet.

Regulating a global technology such as the internet requires careful management. Often what at first appear to be attractive solutions can have downstream consequences, with adverse costs to the community.

For this reason, Labor’s plan for the internet is to combine effective regulation with a strong and effective Industry Code along with assistance for parents, students, teachers and the community to protect them from unwanted content.

Under our plan, a Federal Labor Government will:

Labor’s SafetyOnline plan is fully funded and costed.

Contact: Pete Heininger – 0418 468 221 or 02 6277 3334

7 September 2004 - Media Release

Humphries finally discovers Gungahlin

The Howard Government and their local foot soldier, Senator Humphries, have taken 8 years to notice that Gungahlin is in need of attention.

Canberrans know that the Liberal’s record in Gungahlin is nothing short of dismal.

The Liberal Party vetoed Labor’s planned route of the Gungahlin Drive Extension (GDE). This left residents of Gungahlin fuming in the traffic.

Despite this, Labor has overcome many of the problems caused by Senator Humphries and the Liberal Party and when completed, the GDE will dramatically improve the traffic situation in and out of Gungahlin, easing the transport bottleneck that residents experience every day when travelling to and from work.

Senator Humphries and his fellow Liberals have continuously ignored the lack of broadband services and mobile service coverage in Gungahlin. It was only when Labor demanded better service for Gungahlin residents, expressed through a number of community forums, that the situation started to improve.

The hypocrisy of Senator Humphries is laughable as he continues to claim the Liberal Party cares about public service jobs in Canberra and in particular Gungahlin when in 1996 the Howard Government cut 32,400 jobs from the public service in the 2 years following their election from 1996 – 1998. It had previously promised to only cut 2,500.

When Peter Costello spoke of the 1996 cuts to the Public Service in Canberra earlier this year he said that it was “…the best thing that ever happened.” Gary Humphries was reported by the Canberra Times the next day as saying that Mr Costello’s comments were essentially right and the big cuts had been needed.

One thing is clear; a vote for the Liberals is a vote for Peter Costello as Prime Minister, whose anti-Canberra views are very clear.

The Howard Government does not have a plan for Australia, and Senator Humphries does not have a plan for Canberra – just a plan for their own re-election.

Contact: Adina Cirson - 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334

6 September 2004 - Media Release

Labor’s Medicare rebate relieves financial pressure on families in Canberra

All visits to bulk billing doctors in Canberra will qualify for the full 100 per cent Medicare patient rebate under a Federal Labor Government.

Canberra families are finding it more and more difficult to be bulk-billed by a GP with the number of bulk-billing visits dropping by a staggering 377,468 across the Territory in the last three years. In the electorates of Canberra and Fraser, the bulk-billing rates are as low as 39.8 per cent and 35 per cent respectively.

Under Labor’s plan to reverse the sharp decline in bulk-billing in Canberra, we will immediately increase the Medicare patient rebate to 100 per cent of the scheduled fee – an average increase of $5 per consultation.

Mr Howard has stood by while bulk-billing levels have fallen nationally to 70 per cent. Labor will reverse this trend by increasing bulk billing to 80 per cent.

Strengthening bulk-billing is part of Labor’s $3.4 billion commitment to health to improve services and relieve the financial pressure on Australian families.

Labor will also provide an annual $7,500 incentive to doctors in metropolitan areas who bulk-bill 80 per cent or more of their patients and an additional $15,000 for outer metropolitan and regional doctors who bulk-bill 75 per cent or more of their patients.

Critical nursing shortages would also be eased with the creation of 3,125 undergraduate nursing places and 500 full time postgraduate nursing HECS places in areas of greatest need including obstetrics and intensive care.

Only Labor will save Medicare before it’s too late. Under the Howard Government, families in Canberra are under enormous financial pressure and face skyrocketing health care costs. Only Labor believes in Medicare because we understand it relieves financial pressure on families.

Contact: Adina Cirson - 0418 488 295 or 02 6277 3334

1 September 2004 - Media Release

Labor moves on Open Standards and Open Source Software
for Government IT

Open standards are the foundation for efficient and interoperable IT systems, and will enable greater use of open source software in the public sector.

It is important that Open Source Software can compete fairly with other software in the market, and Labor is committed to removing the barriers facing smaller local companies wanting to compete for Government contracts.

In a presentation to the Australian Unix Users Group (AUUG) in Melbourne, Senator Lundy said Open Source Software had many potential benefits including greater innovation in an interoperable IT environment, improved reliability and transparency as well as the potential for long term cost reductions.

With the Australian Bureau of Statistics identifying $1.4 billion in ICT operating costs in the Commonwealth (excluding wages and salaries), it is reasonable to aim for a modest cost reduction of an average of 2.5%, or approximately $35 million per year through an assertive promotion of the strengths of Open Source Software in conjunction with the development of open standards in public sector IT.

While long term cost reductions may be possible, Labor understands that many agencies and departments have already adopted Open Source Software and will have no capacity to reduce costs further. For this reason, any cost reductions will differ substantially across agencies and departments.

Labor is committed to improving the quality and efficiency of Government IT and believes that developing open standards will assist this goal.

Contact: Pete Heininger – 0418 468 221 or 02 6277 3334

1 September 2004 - Joint Media Release

Senator Urges Action on Childcare

Senator Lundy will join Susan McCarthy, Convenor of the ACT Community Childcare Campaign and Candidate for Ginninderra for the:

ACT LAUNCH OF THE ACTU CHILDCARE PHONE IN

11.00am
Thursday 2 September, 2004
Baringa Childcare Centre,
Baddely Crescent, Spence

MEDIA MOST WELCOME

Senator Kate Lundy has called on parents and child care workers to voice their concerns about child care during the ACTU Child care phone-in this week. “The issues facing the child care sector are so serious that the ACTU is commencing a phone in for parents and childcare sector workers,” said Kate Lundy, Senator for the ACT.

The campaign is being supported by the ACT Community Childcare Campaign. Campaign Convenor Susan McCarthy said that the phone-in was of particular importance in the ACT. “We held a public meeting in August. The room was full to capacity with parents, workers and centre managers concerned about their ability to keep centres operating and the need to ensure that staff are paid a fair wage,” Ms McCarthy said. The meeting resolved to advocate the concerns of the childcare community to all levels of government.

Senator Lundy, a long time child care campaigner expressed concern about the looming child care workers’ wage decision. “A successful outcome to the LHMU’s claim for a new classification structure and wage increase for child care professionals is expected – but delays have dogged this industrial process with a decision now, conveniently for the federal Government, not expected until after the election on 9 October.

Senator Lundy insists that pay increases are absolutely vital for improving the work and professional environment in the childcare sector – it will recognise qualifications and experience, and will help to improve staff retention and address critical staffing shortages.

“In the ACT the situation for parents and child care professionals is critical. Waiting lists are too long and staff turnover is high due to poor wages and limited career options for child care professionals - and government is still not taking parents seriously,” Ms McCarthy said.

Both Senator Lundy and Ms McCarthy urge parents and child care professionals to phone the ACTU hotline on 1300 362 223 to express their views about a range of childcare issues – access to childcare, quality of facilities, waiting lists for places, fees, wages and staff turnover.

“The ACT Community Childcare Campaign Committee fully supports the need for improved pay and conditions for child care workers. This crisis reflects a long standing gap between what parents can afford, reasonable pay for child care workers and inadequate support from government,” Ms McCarthy said.

Authorised by Matthew Cossey, ACT ALP, Torrens Street, Braddon, ACT, 2612

Contact: Susan McCarthy 0419 125 706 or Adina Cirson (Lundy)- 0418 488 295