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| ACT YOUTH JUSTICE CENTRE NAMED |
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The ACT�s new Youth Justice Centre has been named �Bimberi�. I announced the name recently at Gungahlin, near Mitchell, where the Centre is being constructed. When it opens next year, the $42.5 million Bimberi Youth Justice Centre will replace the Quamby Youth Detention Centre.
The Centre has been named after the ACT�s highest peak � Mount Bimberi. The construction of Bimberi marks the beginning of an enhanced approach to youth justice in the ACT.
Through its design and operation, Bimberi will seek to provide a safe and secure environment for those who use it.
Bimberi will promote the rights, interests and wellbeing of all children and young people detained in custody, whilst maintaining the safety, security and good order of the Centre.
This balanced approach will be achieved through the design of a Centre that will create a normalised and non-institutionalised environment, and will include separate residential, civic and public spaces.
In addition, the Centre design will allow for proper management of population groups, in order to comply with Human Rights requirements and to promote positive behaviour.
As part of the new approach, the operational philosophy of the Centre will be one that highlights an integrated response to youth offending, and provides opportunities for rehabilitation, positive personal development and reintegration into the community.
This will be achieved in many ways but notably through the collaboration with services and programs offered by government and non-government agencies alike.
Further improvements will be apparent from the delivery of education and vocational training services.
In addition to education and vocational training, and the provision of improved health services, there will also be better recreation facilities, which will allow for increased physical activity and inspire healthy lifestyle choices.
Importantly, the staffing models will work in a way that supports integrated case management and promotes better collaboration between services.
This will allow youth justice to be more holistically promoting better working relationships and further enable the delivery of therapeutic services as well as improved responses to situations for people at or in risk.
Bimberi has been designed by Perumal Pedavoli and is being constructed by the Hindmarsh Group.
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| 15 NOVEMBER, 2005 - THOROUGHBRED PARK, CANBERRA |
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| BIGGEST WORKERS RALLY HAS RECORD CROWDS |
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Today will go down in history as one of the biggest and best organised worker rallies in the ACT.
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| GALLAGHER ANNOUNCES SITE FOR NEW YOUTH DETENTION CENTRE |
04.11.05 |
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A site adjacent to Mitchell has been selected for the ACT�s new $40m youth detention centre, the Minister for Children Youth and Family Support, Katy Gallagher has announced today.
Part Blocks 740 and 751 Gungahlin (near Mitchell) have been chosen from four possible locations, following community consultation and further technical investigations.
�The site assessments were undertaken using a triple bottom line approach where each site was assessed against social, environmental and economic criteria,� Ms Gallagher said.
�The selected site is centrally located and has good access to public transport. While separated from existing residential areas, it is located in an urban environment offering access to health, education and community resources.�
�This location will enable children and young people in detention to have a continuing involvement with the wider community. The facility will be screened from view and will be large enough to accommodate indoor and outdoor recreation and program areas.�
Ms Gallagher said the centre�s design would address the current and future needs of residents and in particular would respond to the recommendations made in the Human Rights Audit � undertaken by the ACT Human Rights Commissioner in June 2005.
�The planning, design, construction and operation of the new detention centre will be fully consultative. The next formal step is to undertake a Preliminary Assessment of the site required as part of the planning approval process.�
�Reference groups will be formed with key stakeholders to examine specific issues pertaining to the detention and rehabilition of children and young people.�
�These issues include physical and mental health, education and training, as well as indiginous, family and gender considerations.�
The local community and its represenatives, including businesses, will be engaged fully in the planning and development of the facilty.
�Working with the community our objective is to commission a detention centre that is a national model of best practice, providing secure care to young offenders whilst assisting with their planned re-integration back into the community,� Ms. Gallagher said.
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| HOW WILL YOU BE AFFECTED? COME TO THE MEETING ON THE 15TH OF NOVEMBER |
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National Day Of Community Protest - 15 Nov. 2005
You can help send a strong message that you care about your rights at work by taking part in Australia's biggest ever workers' meeting on Tuesday 15 November.
Australia-wide Hook-up Venues
As part of a national day of community protest unions will hold a meeting using the special events Sky Channel to hook-up workers in major cities and regional centres across Australia.
CANBERRA VENUE: THOROUGHBRED PARK, 8.30AM - 15 NOVEMBER
SPREAD THE WORD
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| EXTENSIVE BRIEFINGS ON IR FOR MULCAHY |
20.10.05 |
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Minister for Industrial Relations, Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA today called on the ACT Opposition Shadow Spokesperson for Industrial Relations, Richard Mulcahy to reveal the details of the exclusive briefings on the Federal Industrial Relations reforms from the Federal Government.
The admission from Mr. Mulcahy came today in the Legislative Assembly during a debate on the Federal Government�s proposed reforms. Despite extensive community concerns from church leaders and prominent community members, Mr. Mulcahy spoke of the exciting, positive and progressive change that the new laws will bring.
Mr. Mulcahy today informed the Assembly that he had had briefings on the legislation spanning back some months.
�I am very concerned that this has been occurring given that the States and Territories have been asking for some briefings on this important issue for many, many months without any response from the Commonwealth Minister for Workplace Relations,� Ms. Gallagher said.
Mr. Mulcahy, as a representative of the ACT, needs to come clean on what he knows about these laws as these changes will come into effect in the ACT immediately after their passage through the Commonwealth Parliament.
The legislation will be introduced at the end of October
�We look forward to the secrecy of this legislation being lifted so we can see exactly how these radical changes will impact on ACT workers. Until we have that detail, we are unable to look at how we can protect entitlements for ACT workers.�
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| PARENTS REQUIRED TO TRADE AWAY RIGHTS |
20.10.05 |
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Minister for Youth, Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA raised concerns about the changes that the new industrial relations laws will have on young people in the ACT.
The recently released WorkChoices booklet admits workers under the age of 18 are in an unfair bargaining position, as compared to employers, and suggests the new system will therefore include a requirement that the consent of a parent or guardian be gained before a young person signs an AWA.
�Currently, awards and collective agreements do not require the consent of a parent or guardian, because through award determination and industrial relations regulation, industrial awards and collective agreements ensure young workers are not exploited in the workplaces,� Ms. Gallagher said.
�Working life for many young people under AWA�s will be very different with many of the protections of awards or certified agreements lost forever.�
�Today, a parent can rest assured their children are not being take advantage of because of the protections in the system. Tomorrows parents will be asked to trade away their child�s rights and protections in order for them to be competitive and get a job.�
�The current system of award provisions and collective agreements offers young people protections and entitlements to create a fair workplace environment. Life under AWA�s will require parents to trade away these current protections,� she said.
Areas significantly threatened by these proposed changes are:
� Minimum wages
� Penalty rates
� Public holidays
� Casual and shift loadings
�The employment futures of our young people are threatened by the Howard Government�s decision to radically alter a workplace relations system that has led to harmonious workplaces, fostering good working relationships between young employees and their employers,� Ms. Gallagher said.
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| WOMEN SUFFER UNDER AWA�S |
20.10.05 |
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Minister for Women, Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA today expressed serious concerns at how the planned industrial relations changes could unfairly impact on women in the ACT.
As the ACT operates under federal workplace relations laws, the changes to the industrial relations system, once enacted will take effect immediately in the ACT.
�I am very concerned about the impact that these changes will have in the ACT where 48% of our workforce is made up of women and we boast the highest percentage rate of female workforce participation in the country,� Ms. Gallagher said.
�The recent comments by the Prime Minister have shown his desire to have more Australians on secret workplace contracts. We already know that the use of AWA�s clearly results in poorer outcomes for women,� Ms. Gallagher said.
� Department of Workplace Relations (DEWR) figures show that only 8% of AWA�s registered to date make provision for paid maternity leave;
� Women on AWA�s earn on average $5.10 an hour less than men;
� Women covered by collective agreements have an hourly wage rate 11% above women on registered individual contracts;
� Research also suggests that secret contracts offer less flexibility for work family balance and provide less job satisfaction.
When you consider that most women work in part-time or precarious employment, the picture looks even worse. Casual workers on AWA�s are paid 15% less than workers on registered collective agreements and permanent part-time workers don�t fare much better.�
�Those on �award only� conditions earn an average of 8% more than AWA workers,� she said.
Family friendly workplace arrangements are also under threat with the Prime Minister silent on the recent wins gained in the AIRC family test case decision.
�The percentage of women in the ACT workforce with children under 4 is 10% above the national average. It is vital that modern workplaces are able to offer women improvements in family friendly conditions. This is in stark contrast to the federal governments approach which is to trade away everything other than the most basic of entitlements,� Ms. Gallagher concluded.
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| Katy Gallagher on Mother's Day - City News |
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Mother�s Day will be like any other day for me, with some bonuses thrown in. Firstly, it�s a weekend; secondly, I may get brekkie in bed; and thirdly, I�ll get to spend some time with my daughter, as well as my own mother.
Mother�s Day seems to have increased in importance since I was young. My daughter has been talking about it for weeks, asking questions such as "what would you like for mothers day?" and "what would you like for breakfast?" and "how do you make toast?" - and she seems to understand that the day is about appreciating your Mum and everything she does for you. Although, it remains to be seen whether she can deliver an entire day of appreciation.
Looking back to when I was a child, Mum was lucky if the four of us managed to pull together some poorly-made toast and coffee before we dashed off to engage in the selfish ways of childhood. This mother�s day, I will be reflecting on how lucky I am to be a Mum as well as how lucky I am to be able to spend time with my own Mum. I really enjoy being a mother and feel that the rewards are there all year round. As to whether I will be treated to a full day of relaxation and appreciation, my guess is that by the time the usual Sunday rush comes - culminating in dinner, bath time and bed - Mother�s Day will be well and truly over for another year.
Katy Gallagher is ACT Minister for Women.
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| ACT Government rejects ACCI calls for industrial reform - ABC Radio |
03.05.05 |
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The ACT Government has defended Canberra's occupational health and safety (OH&S) laws after calls for industrial reform by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
The Chamber has told federal Minister for Workplace Relations Kevin Andrews that Australia's OH&S laws place an unfair burden on employers, discouraging them from implementing safer workplaces.
But ACT Industrial Relations Minister Katy Gallagher says the current ACT system balances the responsibilities of employees and employers to workplace safety.
She says the Federal Government has made it clear it thinks the ACT's industrial manslaughter laws are unfair to employers.
And she says the territory's laws will be under threat after the Federal Government takes the Senate majority in July.
"There's no doubt that the Federal Government will use their majority to impose significant changes in industrial relations," she said.
"The extent to which those changes affect other states and territories remains to be seen, but certainly for the ACT it will have a significant effect primarily because we operate under federal laws."
She says any changes to legislation would be a backward step.
"We can't see any reason to water down occupational health and safety laws, we can certainly agree with looking at areas for greater national consistency in relation to occupational health and safety, that's something all the ministers are keen to work on but in relation to watering down I can't see any strong arguments at this stage."
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| Universities singled out for workplace reforms - media release from the Australian Vice-Chancellor's Committee |
02.05.05 |
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Universities reject being the testing ground for the Government�s workplace relations national reform agenda, the Australian Vice-Chancellors� Committee (AVCC) said today.
The reforms specifically targeting the university sector were announced today by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Kevin Andrews and the Minister for Education, Science and Training Dr Brendan Nelson.
AVCC CEO Mr John Mullarvey said that Vice-Chancellors were stunned at the apparent singling out of the university sector for the reforms well ahead of the national reform agenda, particularly when the strategy and timing of national reform has not yet been decided.
�In advance of the Government�s national workplace reform agenda the university sector has been singled out for workplace reform as of today,� Mr Mullarvey said.
�It is absolutely inappropriate to be singling out any particular sector ahead of nation-wide reforms.
�Universities expect to work under the same laws and requirements as other employers,� he said.
�The level of control that the Government is exerting over the university sector is an increasing cause for concern as it is not proportionate to the level of funding provided; Government funding is steadily in decline as a proportion of total revenue, on average down from 90% in the 1980s to currently about 40% in 2003 ($4.9 billion in 2003),� Mr Mullarvey said.
The AVCC said that the tying of the reforms to the Commonwealth Grant Scheme (CGS) funding is a clear back-flip on the agreement made between Vice-Chancellors and the Government in 2003 when the sector supported the Crossroads review.
The CGS funding has been provided to enhance the education provided by universities; the Government is putting at risk universities� access to these funds by tying them to its workplace reforms.
�Vice-Chancellors supported the Backing Australia�s Future (BAF) package and praised the Government�s foresight in increasing university funding through the introduction of the CGS, after a compromise position on workplace relations reform was agreed,� Mr Mullarvey said.
�Vice-Chancellors accepted the final package in good faith: this is an unacceptable retrospective change to BAF,� he said.
�Universities now face enormous pressure to conform to the Government�s requirements in the timeline stipulated. If universities fail to comply with the workplace relations reforms, they will lose the additional CGS funding � the main additional funding in BAF.
�The effects on the operation of Australian universities in 2006 will be considerable � this will have a substantial impact upon all students,� Mr Mullarvey said.
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| ACTU National Competition for Students - Win $200! |
29.04.05 |
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ACTU Media Release
The ACTU's Worksite for Schools website (www.worksite.actu.asn.au) is currently running a national competition for school, TAFE and RTO students � A Fair And Fun Workplace.
Not only do we have $200 to give to the student winner, there�s $100 for 2 runner-ups and $50 for special effort (given to special education students).
To enter, students must tell us in 300 words or less what makes a job fair and fun for them and why, as well as their ideas to make jobs fairer and more fun. Competition forms can be downloaded from the website. The competition closes Friday 1st July 2005.
Worksite for Schools continues to be a valuable resource for young people about the world of work. With facts, case studies, job descriptions, quizzes and more, Worksite is a terrific source of information about the workforce, providing statistics, encouraging debate, creativity and analysis.
If you have any questions, please call 1800 620 362 or email worksite@ei.com.au
Get on-line and up-to-date with the changing world of work at www.worksite.actu.asn.au
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| Queensland Council of Unions joins the fight to save the minimum wage - Media Release from Stephen Smith (ALP) |
29.04.05 |
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Stephen Smith, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, announced today that the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) have joined Labor's fight to save the Minimum Wage from the Howard Government's proposed industrial relations changes.
"The labour movement has a long and proud history in Queensland. I am pleased to be part of the commencement of activities for Queensland's Labour Day celebrations this year." Mr Smith said.
"Over 360,000 Queensland individual employees depend on the National Minimum Wage Case, and it is important that all Queenslanders support these employees and their families."
The Howard Government has consistently refused to give a guarantee that no individual Australian employee will be worse off its under proposed changes to the minimum wage and the Minimum Wage Case.
The Government has said it wants the National Minimum Wage Case taken away from the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), the independent umpire.
Removing the National Minimum Wage Case from the independent umpire is all about the Howard Government taking the axe to the pay of Australia's lowest paid and most vulnerable workers.
The minimum wage as set by the AIRC protects the wages and entitlements of Australia's lowest paid employees. This safety net also acts to limit the wage divide between Australia's highest and lowest paid workers and improves wage rates for all Australian workers.
The AIRC has commenced the National Minimum Wage Case for 2005.
If the Howard Government gets its way, this could be the last National Minimum Wage Case of its kind.
The Howard Government has opposed every national minimum wage increase since 1996.
If the Howard Government had had its way individual Australian workers and their families would today be $2300 a year worse off, or $44 a week. Under the Government's extreme approach, the wages of thousands of Australian employees could be slashed.
Those concerned about the Howard Government's proposed changes to the minimum wage should sign Labor's petition which calls on the Howard Government to guarantee that no individual Australian employee will be worse off under its proposed changes.
It also calls on the Howard Government to ensure the National Minimum Wage Case will continue to be set annually by the independent umpire, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
Without these guarantees, Australian employees and their families have got nothing to look forward to under the Howard/Costello Government other than rising interest rates, higher health costs, higher petrol prices, and at the same time having their wages reduced, conditions and entitlements slashed, and safety nets removed.
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| Training offer not good enough, Gallagher says |
18.04.05 |
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ACT Education Minister Katy Gallagher says the Federal Government's funding offer for national training is inadequate.
State and territory education ministers have met their federal counterpart to discuss a new national agreement which covers the next three years of vocational education and training.
Ms Gallagher says the Commonwealth is offering less than $5 billion over three years to address the skills shortage.
She says that is not enough compared to the state and territory contribution of $20 billion.
"Unfortunately the Commonwealth haven't agreed to invest any more money, what they have said is that they'd like 100 per cent of the power and control over the training and education in Australia but they're only prepared to pay less than a third of the money going into the training system, so on that level the meeting was disappointing," she said.
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| Youth Guarantee: learning or earning |
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ACT Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA has welcomed Federal Labor�s Youth Guarantee, Learn or Earn policy, details of which were released in the Budget Reply speech by Labor leader Mark Latham.
�Finally, an alternative federal government has outlined a serious and innovative plan for our youth. A plan which complements the ACT Government�s recent announcement of $9.5 million over four years to target training opportunities,� Ms Gallagher said.
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| Katy Gallagher opens new Amaroo School |
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Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services Ms Katy Gallagher has officially opened the new school at Amaroo.
�Amaroo School has been designed to provide flexible learning spaces to meet the educational needs of students, while nurturing the development of a sense of community,� said Ms Gallagher.
�The school will provide �home rooms� and a range of connected specialist facilities (in computing, drama, music and science) for students.�
�Amaroo School has several innovative environmental sustainable design features. Features include the construction of large underground rainwater storage tanks for use in toilet flushing and garden watering, hydronic in-slab heating, good supply of fresh air supplied to buildings via operable windows and the use of environmental friendly materials in the construction.�
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| Trauma at Work booklet launched |
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The ACT Minister for Industrial Relations, Katy Gallagher MLA, launched a new booklet, �Trauma at Work� today.
The new booklet, developed by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (the CFMEU) aims to improve the understanding of the potential consequences of trauma at work for members of the Australian construction industry.
The Minister for Industrial Relations, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, said that the Canberra Social Plan outlined the Government�s commitment to �a safe environment for every member of the community� and that this included the working environment. Ms Gallagher commended the CFMEU for its initiative which aims to reduce the impact of workplace injury on Australian workers and their families.
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| Plan to revitalise Civic |
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A Task Force is being set up which will identify strategies to revitalise Civic, ACT Planning Minister Simon Corbell announced today.
Mr Corbell will open Canberra�s Dynamic Heart, a forum bringing together community leaders to discuss ways to ensure that Civic reaches its potential as the cultural and commercial heart of Canberra.
Mr Corbell said The Central Canberra Implementation Program was allocated $1.5 million over four years in last year�s Budget, supplemented with a further $600,000 in this year�s Budget, to start work on the design for physical improvements to the Childers Street precinct. This will become a pilot for the standard of public works in Civic.
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| Government rewards excellence in recycling |
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Organisations practicing excellence in waste reduction can now win up to $3000 under a new award scheme announced today by Urban Services Minister Bill Wood.
�The inaugural No Waste Awards will be open to all schools, businesses, government departments and community organisations in the ACT which have actively implemented waste minimisation initiatives,� Mr Wood said.
�The Awards will encourage innovative solutions to waste reduction and promote innovative ideas which can be adopted by others."
For more information see www.nowaste.act.gov.au
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| ACT Labor Government makes housing more affordable |
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ACT Treasurer Ted Quinlan has announced a new Affordable Housing Package, effective from 1 July 2004, aimed at assisting first home-buyers and families in Canberra to realise the �great Australian dream� � home ownership.
Mr Quinlan said the package, which includes significant cuts in Stamp Duty and Land Taxes, was deliberately targeted at easing the burden for families and lower income earners wanting to enter the housing market.
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| Federal Budget leaves behind a new class of forgotten people |
12.05.04 |
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STATEMENT BY SIMON CREAN, SHADOW TREASURER, ON THE FEDERAL BUDGET:
This Budget leaves Australia with a new class of forgotten people.
There are 8.5 million forgotten Australian families[1] who don't receive a single cent in tax cuts � those earning less than $52,000 a year. For them, last year's sandwich and milkshake tax cut looks like a feast.
And there are 6 million forgotten Australian families who don't receive a single cent in either tax cuts or increased family benefits.
Of the 2 million families eligible for increased benefits, 600,000 may never see a cent of it. The money will be eaten up by existing family payment debts. The Government is just compensating families for bad policy and its inability to solve the family debt crisis.
John Howard has left his battlers behind and dashed their expectations. In 1996 he said he would govern �for all of us'. This Budget provides relief for just a small proportion of Australians.
The Howard Government has run out of ideas and out of puff. It has produced a budget for the next election but not a plan for Australia's future.
A real plan would reward Australians who get stuck in and work hard. It would deliver greater incentive to grow the Australian economy.
And it would address the rundown in vital services like health and education that has been the legacy of the Howard Government.
This Budget is a wasted opportunity. Australians deserve relief from the high tax burden they currently face.
The Government is spending $52 billion to get itself re-elected, but doesn't offer one cent in tax relief to people earning less than $52,000 a year.
In the first year, the tax cuts in this Budget are smaller than the sandwich and milkshake tax cuts Peter Costello handed out last year.
For each and every year to come, the highest taxing government in Australia's history takes more in bracket creep than it returns in tax cuts.
The net budget impact of this Budget over the forward estimates is a record $52billion � more than double the $25 billion spending spree prior to the last election.
Despite this record pre-election spending spree, the Budget and the tax cuts:
Fail to deliver financial relief for all Australians
Fail to remove the punishing disincentives to work
Fail to fix the family benefit debt trap.
One-off Budget maintains pressure on families
This Budget contains a record number of one-off measures:
Family payments of $600 that will be lost in a cycle of debt
A one-off carers payment that doesn't address the real pressures facing carers
A one-off capital payment for aged care.
Australian families are still left with money pouring out of their pockets through:
$14 out-of-pocket expenses each time you go to see a doctor
$25 per week average increase in university fees
Ever increasing private health insurance premiums � the latest rise from 1 April adding around $228 to the insurance bill of a $3,000 family policy
Record Telstra line rental charges.
For all the record taxes that hard working Australians are paying, they are getting less in return from the Howard Government.
Tonight's budget confirms that the Howard Government has:
no plan to save Medicare or lift bulk billing rates;
no plan to invest in the education of our children;
no plan for a national dental scheme;
no plan for investment in early childhood development.
Only Labor has a positive plan for Australia's future.
It includes:
$1.9 billion plan to restore bulk billing and Save Medicare
20,000 new TAFE and 20,000 new university places with extra places for more teachers and nurses � all without putting up fees for our students
$300 million plan to set up a National Dental Care scheme to address the backlog on dental treatments
A Plan to encourage Australian parents to read to their children � something which we know is critical to early childhood development
A $2.7 billion plan to help parents at the time of a child's birth with Labor's Baby Care Payment
A new mentoring plan to help our young kids, particularly our boys, to find role models and a steady hand through the difficult years of growing up.
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| New Gungahlin suburb progressing |
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The Gungahlin suburb of "Crace" could soon become a reality, creating space for 1000 new dwellings.
Negotiations between the Commonwealth Government and the ACT Government have been cooperative, with the Commonwealth agreeing to release the necessary land.
�The negotiations between the ACT�s Land Development Agency and the Commonwealth�s Department of Finance have been very cooperative, though it is the ACT Government�s preference that Commonwealth land that is no longer needed is handed over to the ACT rather than requiring a sale and talks to occur,� ACT Planning Minister Simon Corbell said.
The ACT Government is considering the issue and will make an announcement shortly.
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| The Big Issue arrives in Canberra |
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The Big Issue, a street magazine sold by the homeless or long-term unemployed, is now on sale in the ACT after being launched today by Disability, Housing and Community Services Minister Bill Wood.
The magazine�s availability results from a collaboration between the ACT Government, Clubs ACT, The Body Shop and Woden Community Service.
�The Big Issue was established in London and spread across the United Kingdom, the US and South Africa, and came to Australia�s major metropolitan centres in 1996,� Mr Wood said.
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| New aged beds in the ACT |
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Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has announced the development of a new 20 bed dementia wing at the Croatian Retirement Village in Stirling.
�The Croatian Retirement Village is constructing of the new 20 bed wing designed to provide care and support for people suffering with dementia in the ACT," Mr Stanhope said.
�This project will help fill a demand for high care aged care beds in the ACT and, in particular, will help meet the need for dedicated facilities to provide care for people suffering from dementia," he said.
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| ACT education legislation to benefit Canberra children |
30.03.04 |
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Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA last night welcomed the passing of legislation which provides for reforms that will support flexible, responsive and student centred education by ACT schools and home educators.
The Education Act 2004 replaces the Education Act 1937, the Free Education Act 1906, the Public Instruction Act 1880 and the Schools Authority Act 1976. This is a major overhaul and modernisation of the legislation which regulates our education system in the ACT.
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| YOUTH WEEK |
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Youth Week will be held from March 27 - April 4 and there's a lot happening in the ACT to mark the occasion.
Youth Week will be launched at the National Museum of Australia on March 26 from 3.30pm-4.30pm.
The "Cause and Effect" expo is happening on Friday, April 2 in Garema Place from 4pm until late, with live music, a skating comp, sumo and boxing, food, short films and much more.
The Fatback Festival, a free day of art, music and sport, is happening in Glebe Park on March 13 from 10am-6pm.
The Multicultural Youth Party will be held on April 1 from 5pm-7.30pm at Youth in the City on Cooyong Street; the Creative Expression Exhibition Launch will happen on March 30 from 4pm-6pm at Belconnen Community Gallaery; the Young Mentors and Mentees Forum will be held at Lifeline in the Novell Building on March 27 from 2pm-4pm; the Prevo Youth Festival for young people in Weston Creek will be held at the Parkinson Street Church Centre on March 28 from 8am-10pm; the Belconnen Youth Expo and Community Fun Day will be held on April 3 from 10am-4pm at Belconnen Baptist Church Centre; the Gungahlin Youth Expo will be held on April 3 from noon-4pm at Gungahlin Community Centre; the Young Carers Big Breakfast and Carnivale will be held at Southern Cross Yacht Club on April 3 from 8am-4pm; the Youth Sexuality SUmmit will be held on March 31 from noon-4.30pm at Youth in the City; and a Youth Legal Forum will be held on March 31 from 7pm-9pm at the ANU Arts Centre.
If that's not enough for you, there's more to come! See www.makingcontact.net.au for updated listings.
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| Canberra Plan launched |
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When the vision of The Canberra Plan becomes a reality, Canberra will be recognised throughout Australia and throughout the world as a place representing the very best in Australian creativity, community living and sustainable development, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said at the plan�s launch.
Details about the Canberra Plan have gone to households in Canberra. The plan is also available via http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/
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| UK supports ACT Bill of Rights |
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The ACT human rights legislation was soundly endorsed in high level talks in London initiated by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope.
Mr Stanhope met with Cherie Booth QC, an international human rights lawyer and wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Professor Francesca Klug OBE, a prominent British human rights academic at 10 Downing Street. Professor Klug assisted in the development of the UK legislation and was involved in the consultation on the ACT bill of rights.
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| Heart Week |
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Heart Week will be held on May 2 to 8.
It is the Heart Foundation's annual heart health awareness and fund-raising week.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia.
May 7 is Heart Day, and getting involved simply involves asking your friends, colleagues and family to wear red and make a donation to the Heart Foundation.
For more information, check out www.heartfoundation.com.au
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| New child care places in the ACT |
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Canberra families have access to 90 additional child care places since the opening of the Gungahlin Children�s Centre. The Centre will be officially opened tomorrow by Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA.
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| University on the agenda |
13.02.04 |
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The Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA, today announced ACT Government priorities for new Commonwealth-funded university places in the territory.
�We would like to see new places in nursing and other health-related disciplines, as well as teaching, to meet current and emerging needs in the region,� Ms. Gallagher said.
More places in human services will be a positive step in the government�s aim to recruit qualified staff in family services.
The recommendations cover extra fully funded places announced earlier this year by the Federal Education Minister, Dr Brendan Nelson. The ACT is guaranteed to receive 200 of these places in 2005, and at least 547 of them by 2008.
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| National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week |
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It is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week from 8 February until 14 February.
This cancer kills more than 800 Australian women each year, or one woman every 10 hours.
Symptoms for the cancer include pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort and/or a feeling of fullness; bloating or swelling in the abdoman; weight loss or appetite loss; feeling tired; vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets; bladder problems; and unusual bleeding or pain. See a doctor if you have some of these symptoms for more than a week.
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| Four point plan for child protection |
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A four point plan to address issues of rising concern about child protection in the ACT has been implemented by Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, Katy Gallagher.
The plan involves:
1. A team of senior child protection workers immediately assessing the safety of all children in care.
2. An injection of $1.8 million to address immediate areas of need within the child protection system.
3. A review of the child protection system by the Commissioner for Public Administration to improve its management and to ensure statutory obligations are met.
4. A departmental restructure to separate statutory child protection from early intervention and family support.
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| Planning award |
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A planning strategy based on extensive work by Environment ACT and the NSW Department of Environmnet and Conservation has received a top award.
The strategy, "Planning Framework for Natural Ecosystems of the ACT and NSW Southern Tablelands," received a "Commended for Excellence" award by the Planning Institute of Australia (NSW Division) in the Rural and Regional division.
"This is a key step in achieving true ecologically sustainable development for the region," Environment Minister Jon Stanhope said.
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| Canberrans honoured on Australia Day |
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Congratulations to the ACT residents honoured in the annual Australia Day Honours List.
Forty-five residents of the ACT were recognised for outstanding service to the community and the nation in a wide range of areas, including community services, indigenous affairs, literature, science, business, health, aged care and medicine.
They included Agnes Shea, the well-respected elder of the Ngunnawal community, and ACT Public Service officers Di Butcher, John Leahy and Jennifer Osborne.
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| Wood heater replacement program |
02.01.04 |
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The program began on January 1 2004, and aims to improve Canberra�s air quality by replacing old wood heaters with cleaner forms of heating. For more information, see http://www.environment.act.gov.au/airandwater/woodheater.html or phone 6207 9777.
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| Helping earthquake victims |
02.01.04 |
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More than 25,000 people are dead after an earthquake hit the Iranian city of Bam on December 26.
Another 30,000 people are injured and 70,000 homeless.
Cash is needed to help provide urgent assistance to Iran. If you can make a cash donation, please consider contacting an aid organisation. Those conducting special appeals include:
Australian Red Cross: 1 800 811 700 www.redcross.org.au
CARITAS: 1 800 024 413
Oxfam/CAA: 1 800 034 034
UNICEF Australia: 1 300 884 233
World Vision Australia: 133 240 www.worldvision.com.au
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| Anniversary of fires remembered |
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A community event to mark the first anniversary of the January 2003 bushfires will be held at Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, on January 18 from 10am-11.15am.
The program, which is still being finalised, will remember the lives lost in the bushfires and the people who lost homes, animals and possessions.
It will also reflect the spirit of the Canberra community since the fires. There will be light music and refreshments following the ceremony.
Enquiries: Bushfire Recovery Taskforce on 6207 8111.
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| Cards 4 Planet Ark |
02.01.04 |
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Wondering what to do with all those Christmas cards?
All this month, you can drop your old greeting cards into special Planet Ark recycling bins in your local Coles supermarket.
While stocks last, you can also pick up a free postage-paid recycling envelope from participating Australia Post outlets.
Since Pat Cash launched the "Card 4 Planet Ark" campaign a decade ago, more than 500 million greeting cards have been recycled.
This means almost 100,000 trees have been saved.
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| Fitness for women |
02.01.04 |
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TriFIT, a triathlon training program for novice women of all ages, will be run by Females in Training (FIT) again this year.
An information night will be held on Tuesday, January 6 at 7.30pm at the Ainslie Football Club.
Enquiries: Sandy Waters 6289 8123 (bh).
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| Water restriction exemption |
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A limited exemption is in place for the use of sprinklers and automatic sprinkler systems on gardens and laws (excluding nature strips) on Sunday evenings over the holiday period.
This limited exemption allows the use of sprinklers and automatic sprinkler systems only between 7pm and 10pm on the following days:
Sunday 11 January 2004
Sunday 18 January 2004
Sunday 25 January 2004
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| 2004 school terms |
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Term one: January 30 � April 8
Term two: April 27 � July 2
Term three: July 19 � September 24
Term four: October 11 � December 17
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| 2004 public holidays |
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New Year�s Day � 1 January
Australia Day � 26 January
Canberra Day � 15 March
Good Friday � 9 April
Easter Saturday � 10 April
Easter Monday � 12 April
Anzac Day holiday � 26 April
Queen�s Birthday holiday � 14 June
Labour Day � 4 October
Christmas Day holiday � 27 December
Boxing Day holiday � 28 December
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| Going away this summer? |
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If you are going away this summer, remember to ask someone to mow your lawn and regularly clear your letterbox, so that thieves do not target your house.
Check all doors and windows are securely locked; lock your wheelie bin in the garage or have a friend use it and put it out for collection at the usual time; cancel all deliveries of newspaper, milk etc; inform trusted neighbours of your absence; and turn down the volume on your telephone.
Leaving garden tools or ladders lying around can also provide an offender with a way to break into your house, so it is best to lock them in a shed or garage.
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| Stop the drop |
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Canberra is currently in Stage 3 water restrictions. Only hand held hoses and buckets are allowed from 7am-10am and 7pm-10pm on alternate days as per the �odds and evens� system.
Fountains must be switched off and ponds can only be filled with a bucket. Private pools cannot be emptied or filled without written exemption but may be topped up, as long as the pool has a pool cover and is done within the hours of watering.
Car washing is permitted at commercial car washes that recycle water.
Enquiries: 6248 3131 or www.actew.com.au
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| $1.65 million Regreening of Canberra after the bushfires |
02.12.03 |
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The ACT Government's $1.65 million Regreening Canberra project has been announced. It will be replacing lascaping works in urban areas affected by the January 2003 bushfires.
The Regreening Project will complement trees and shrubs that survived the January bushfire and help restore the landscape character of Woden, Weston Creek and Tuggeranong.
Planting started in some areas in Spring and will continue over Summer to replace trees and shrubs at:
Duffy Shops;
the Duffy side of Hindmarsh Drive;
both sides of Sulwood Drive at the intersection with Drakeford Drive; and
Streeton Drive between Hilder Street and Cotter Road.
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| Religious Fundamentalism and Human Rights |
02.12.03 |
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The fifth annual International Human Rights Day Address is taking place on Wednesday 10 December at Johnson Auditorium, Pilgrim House, 69 Northbourne Avenue. Speakers include the President of the Canberra Islamic Centre, Ahmed Youseff; the President of teh ACT Jewish Community, Gary Fellman; and the Right Reverend George Browning, Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn.
This year's lecture concerns Religious Fundamentalism and Human Rights. It seeks to discuss religious ideas and human rights ideas in a open forum, with questions from the floor at the end. The cost is $15 per person, and bookings can be made at the Amnesty office on 6249 8263.
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| Outstanding High School Students Rewarded |
02.12.03 |
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I celebrated the excellence of ACT public schooling today when I presented awards to 92 outstanding students at the annual Microsoft Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the High School Years.
These awards are an oppotunity to acknowledge the extrodinary sucess achieved by ACT students, supported by their parents, teachers and the school community.
I am extremely impressed with the students' achievements, and I congratulate everyone involved.
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| The Asia Pacific Film Festival- Human rights abuse |
02.12.03 |
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Did you know that half the world's population is in the Asia Pacific region? The Asia Pacific region hosts half of the world's population and, unfortunately, hosts some of the world's gravest human rights abuse. To learn more about these human rights abuses on our doorstep come along to the Asia Pacific Film Festival
When: Friday 12 December,
Time: 6 pm for drinks and nibbles, films at 7pm.
Where: Canberra Museam and Art Gallery Theatre
Cost:The cost is $15.
The films on show include Rights and Wrongs no 3: Woman under Attack, a film about rape as a weapon of War; and Without Choice, a film that looks at the struggle for democracy in Burma.
If you would like a ticket, please ring the Amnesty office on 6249 8263. It's open between 10 am and 3 pm, Monday to Thursday.
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| Telecommunications Facility to provide improved services to Gungahlin |
26.11.03 |
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The first sod for the new telecommunications facility to be constructed in the Gunghalin Town Centre, has been turned.
This new facility will provide Gungahlin residents with high speed services that have to date been generally unavailable.
This will mean improved acess to broadband internet and also increase the mobile coverage in the Gungahlin area, providing better service and communications.
It is anticipated that the facility will be operational by June 2004.
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| Student ideas for a fairer Australia |
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The Australian Council of Trade Unions is currently running a student competition for school, TAFE and RTO students.
To enter, students must tell the ACTU how they would make Australia fairer. It could be related to employment, education, family, youth affairs or any other issue they choose. Entries can be text, photography, design or even a cartoon.
The best entries will be made into a book and sent to all federal members of parliament.
More information and an entry form can be obtained from the ACTU Worksite for Schools website - www.worksite.actu.asn.au
Deadline is Thursday, December 4 2003.
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| Ethos lights up to protest Death Penalty |
01.12.03 |
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The Ethos Statue in Civic Square was floodlit for 24 hours to commemorate Tuscany day, an important milestone in the struggle for human rights, Chief Minister Stanhope has announced.
"On this day in 1786, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany became the first sovreign state to abolish the death penalty," Mr Stanhope said.
"This was a great leap forward at a time when attitudes towards criminal justice were harsh in the extreme."
On Tuscany Day last year, Canberra was one of about 60 cities around the world to illuminate leading public monuments in the most concerted campaign yet against capital punishment.
"lighting up public monuments to protest against the death penalty began in Rome, where the Colosseum is illuminated every time an execution is overturned or a country abolishes the death penalty," Mr Stanhope said.
"By illuminating the Ethos Statue, we are making a statement that the people of the ACT do not support capital punishment and we believe profoundly in human rights."
"The death penalty is the ultimate in cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. It has never been shown to be a more effective deterrent than any other form of punishment."
Mr Stanhope said that by November 2003, 112 countries had either abolished the death penalty entirely, or were abolitionist in practice (ie. had not carried out an execution in more than 10 years and were believed to have a policy or convention of not carrying out executions).
"However, in 2002, at least 1,526 people were executed in 31 countries. The vast majority of these were carried out in China, Iran and the US."
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| Industrial manslaughter legislation passed |
28.11.03 |
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The ACT has become the first jurisdiction in Australia to pass legislation creating the offence of Industrial Manslaughter.
The Crimes (Industrial Manslaughter) Bill 2002 was passed by the Government with the support of crossbenchers Kerrie Tucker MLA (Green), Roslyn Dundas MLA (Democrat) and Helen Cross MLA (Independent).
The Government�s position is clear � if a workplace death occurs and that death can be attributed to the employer, then the death should be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
The ACT Government is pleased that the majority of the Assembly members have given their support to such an important piece of legislation.
See the "Media releases" section for the media release and fact sheets.
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| International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women |
25.11.03 |
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On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), I urged the ACT community to express its opposition to violence against women.
Meeting with other members of the Legislative Assembly in joint support of the day, I pinned a white ribbon on Chief Minister Jon Stanhope.
It is important to promote a day like this, to raise the community�s awareness of the level of violence against women that still exists.
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| Help children at Christmas |
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I have launched the 2003 Smith Family Toy & Book appeal.
This appeal is an opportunity for Canberrans to come together and extend the Christmas spirit to those disadvantaged within our community, by donating a toy or book to be distributed by the Smith Family to individuals and families in need.
The Smith Family will provide parcels of toys and books for 2,000 ACT children at Christmas time. The target for the appeal is 8,000 toys and books.
Members of the community are invited to place a suitable gift for a child up to 12 years of age under the Giant Christmas tree at the Canberra Centre.
Other major drop off points are at Westpac branches in the Canberra region, Elders Real Estate centers, and Old Parliament House.
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| CIT accommodation |
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I have officially launched the construction of new student accommodation for the Canberra Institute of Technology by turning the first sod in a special ceremony.
The ACT is currently struggling to provide sufficient accommodation for regional and international students. The CIT accommodation is expected to relieve some of the current high demand for affordable housing.
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| Occupational Health and Safety Act |
25.11.03 |
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Yesterday I announced the Government�s intention to amend the ACT Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989 (the OHS Act) to provide for an improved enforcement and compliance framework.
The Stanhope Government is committed to improving workplace safety and injury prevention. The proposed framework will assist in building a more robust approach to OHS compliance support and enforcement.
The framework will be structured around a hierarchy of enforcement measures ranging from advice, education and persuasion to increasing serious negative sanctions such as Improvement Notices, Prohibition Notices and finally prosecution. It is proposed to introduce an innovative mix of compliance mechanisms into the OHS Act including notices of agreed compliance, remedial orders, enforceable undertakings and injunctions.
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| Assisting with Katy's campaign |
30.10.03 |
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Would you like to assist with Katy's campaign for next October's election? If so, please call Christina on 6205 0384 to find out how you can help.
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| International student ambassadors |
29.10.03 |
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I have presented graduation certificates to the students who completed the ACT Government�s 2003 International Student Ambassador Program.
There are now 20 new International Student Ambassadors whose job it is to promote the city throughout the world.
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| Scholarships for teachers |
29.10.03 |
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I have announced two exciting new retraining scholarships for government school teachers who wish to teach maths or become a school counsellor.
The first initiative, jointly supported by the University of Canberra and the ACT Department of Education, Youth and Family Services will make retraining scholarships available to primary school teachers who wish to retrain as high school maths teachers.
The second initiative is a retraining scholarship for teachers to undertake part time study in counselling.
By providing paid study leave and payment of course fees the programs offer teachers the chance to have a change in their career whilst also
providing a great opportunity to enhance their teaching skills.
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| Happy birthday to Turner School |
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I recently attended Turner School for a special school assembly to celebrate its 50th birthday.
The school first opened in 1953 with its official opening ceremony held on 7 April 1954.
The school began as Turner Primary School but in the late 1960s the school was altered and refurbished to meet the needs of students with a physical disability.
This facility was named the Hartley Street Annex to Turner Primary School. In the early 1990s the two facilities were united and named Turner School.
Turner continues to enrol a large number of students with disabilities. The school offers a range of programs and special facilities to cater for the needs of preschool and primary age children who have a disability.
Turner School is an excellent example of a school constantly reviewing and evolving to better meet the needs of the local community.
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| Focus on human rights |
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George W Bush�s October visit to Australia has put the spotlight on human rights offences in the USA.
Thirteen of the world�s 20 recorded executions of child offenders since 1994 have occurred in the USA, according to human rights group Amnesty International.
And the US military has denied access by human rights groups, lawyers and family members to prisoners at Guantanamo Bay despite repeated requests from groups such as Amnesty.
Australian national David Hicks is detained at Guantanamo Bay and looks set to be tried by a US military tribunal.
Of course, stories like this didn�t stop our sycophantic Prime Minister John W Howard from welcoming George W Bush to Australia � and protecting him from protesters and Australian journalists � for his insulting 24-hour visit.
Chinese President Hu Jintao also visited Australia in October.
According to Amnesty, serious human rights violations are continuing to occur in China, where tens of thousands of citizens are detained for �peacefully exercising their right to freedom of speech, association or belief�.
Visit www.amnesty.org.au for information on how to get active in human rights campaigns.
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| Supporting women just plain common sense |
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I was very happy to deliver the keynote address at the 2003 Telstra Business Women�s Awards gala luncheon.
I believe a major issue facing women is lifelong financial security. This issue is being addressed by women taking on the challenge of developing their own business.
Women have always taken an important role in the business life of Canberra, a contribution that has not been significantly recognised in the past.
Women make up more than half the ACT population and it is vital that they are encouraged and supported in their participation�in particular, as part of decision-making bodies and in leadership roles.
This is more than equitable. It is plan common sense and it enriches us all.
Ms Fiona Wright won the 2003 Business Woman of the Year Award. Ms Wright last year opened �The Water�s Edge Canberra�, a fine-dining restaurant.
Congratulations to Fiona and the other winners and nominees.
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| Online youth initiative |
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Young people will be able to be more in touch with what's going on in their community with the launch of the new ACT Government's youth web site.
An innovative approach between DEYFS and the Youth Coalition of the ACT has resulted in the development of 'Youth InterACT Your Place, Your Space... open 24 Ours' at www.youth.act.gov.au
It includes free e-mail, forums, games, competitions and more.
Youth InterACT is an initiative aimed at 12- to 25-year-olds. It encourages young people to participate in the community and government sectors.
Support for young people is also available at http://www.makingcontact.net.au
This site allows young people to ask questions anonymously about any topic and have them answered by an ACT youth worker within 72 hours.
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| Industrial manslaughter legislation update |
24.10.03 |
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The ACT could become Australia�s first jurisdiction with industrial manslaughter legislation by the end of the year.
If passed, full criminal sanctions would apply if an employee was killed in the course of their employment through reckless or negligent action by an employer or executive officer.
The Legislative Assembly is due to debate the landmark Crimes (Industrial Manslaughter) Amendment Bill 2002 in November.
The bill addresses gaps in our criminal legislation regarding the prosecution of companies for manslaughter.
It is currently very difficult to prosecute a company for manslaughter, but the ACT Government believes a company should be held to account if the directors� policies and decisions actually caused the death of a worker.
There are some misconceptions about industrial manslaughter laws that are addressed in fact sheets located at http://www.psm.act.gov.au/publications.htm
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| Supporting building workers |
09.10.03 |
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I spoke about industrial manslaughter legislation at a union-organised rally.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union rally was held in Civic Square in opposition to the Federal Government's introduction of anti-union legislation.
This legislation follows the Cole Royal Commission into the building and construction industry.
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| Long Service Leave amendments |
03.09.03 |
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The Assembly recently passed legislation I introduced which amends the three private sector Long Service Leave (LSL) Acts allowing for improved conditions for ACT workers.
The amendments to the Long Service Leave Act 1976, Long Service Leave (Building and Construction Industry) Act 1981 and the Long Service Leave (Contract Cleaning Industry) Act 1999 will ensure that public holidays are no longer counted for the purposes of long service leave. These amendments will ensure that where a public holiday falls within a period of LSL, an additional day's leave will be added to the entitlement.
These changes will ensure a consistency of entitlements across all of the Territory's LSL schemes and will have the additional benefit of aligning entitlements with those that exist under similar legislation in NSW.
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| Women Influencing, Leading and Deciding |
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The final YWCA WILD: Women Influencing, Leading and Deciding Course for 2003 will be held at the YWCA "Mura" Lanyon Youth and Community Centre on Sidney Nolan Street.
The eight-week course is free of charge and is aimed at enhancing the well-being of marginalised women such as young women, isolated women, women from public housing, single mothers and women from culturally diverse backgrounds.
It begins on October 13 and runs until December 1. Enquiries: 6207 1430.
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| Recognising outstanding bushfire efforts |
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The ACT Government wants to recognise those people who provided outstanding help and assistance to others during the bushfires and who have helped in the recovery process.
The Government would like to recognise this sort of contribution through a certificate of recognition.
To nominate an individual or organisation for their outstanding contribution, obtain a form by telephoning Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
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| Stage 3 water restrictions now in place |
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Stage three water restrictions are now in place, with total dam levels below 50 per cent.
Stage three restrictions mean that only hand-held hoses and buckets are allowed from 7am-10am and 7pm-10pm as per the "odds and events" system; fountains must be switched off and ponds can only be filled with a bucket; and private pools cannot be emptied or filled without a written exemption. Car washing is only permitted at commercial car washes that recycle water.
For more information contact the Drought Hotline on 6248 3131 or visit www.actew.com.au
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