This year’s conference is themed How Museum’s Work: people, industry and nation  and will offer 39 concurrent sessions which will explore a range of issues relevant to people working in the industry.

“I am very pleased to address the conference and take this opportunity to talk about the great things happening in the museum and arts space, particularly in Canberra right now as we progress through our Centenary year celebrations,” Senator Lundy said.

“Art and creativity plays a major role in the lives of Canberrans.  We are continually surrounded by its beauty and mystery in an array of different mediums – every day of the year – whether through our collections at our national institutions or as we walk down the street and interact with the public art on display.

“The Gillard Government last month released its Creative Australia Policy which recognises the importance of Australia’s libraries,
galleries, museums and archives in preserving, interpreting and presenting Australian stories.  It highlights Australia’s national collections as essential for education, research and tourism, and for bringing significant economic benefits to local communities and the national economy.

“We want to make sure that no matter where people live, work or study they have access to information and objects that tell Australia’s story.

“I wish everyone a great conference and hope participants get to experience the national capital in its full autumn glory,” Senator Lundy concluded.

The Gillard Government is proud to support Museums Australia through our contribution of $25,000 towards the bursary assistance program
which has enabled the attendance of many of the participants at this conference.

The Minister will open the conference at 9.30am at the Visions Theatre, National Museum of Australia, Acton.

STATEMENT
ENDS

“The Gillard Government abolished the ABCC and replaced it with the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate with the view to restoring a more balanced approach to regulation on building sites,” Senator Lundy said.

“I can see no reason why Zed would ‘need’ the ABCC reinstated other than to seek to impose a harder line on trade unions and workers’ rights,” Senator Lundy said.

“What we need to be focusing on, is ensuring we are protecting our workers from injury and death while at work—it’s pretty simple.

“As a Labor representative, I will always argue and fight for better working conditions and safety in Australian workplaces. I will always put the health and safety of our workers first.

“Mr Seselja has still not made it clear what he stands for and who it is he will fight for if he wins the Senate seat for ACT in September. It’s certainly not for the 20,000 people who will lose their jobs at the hands of his party’s axe,” Senator Lundy concluded.

Mr Seselja’s remarks were made yesterday during a Legislative Assembly debate over a motion introduced by MLA  Mick Gentleman about the importance of strong and robust worker health and safety legislation to ensure our workers come home from work every day.

Quick facts about Fair Work Building and Construction:

• Fair Work Building and Construction has, and will continue to, outperform its predecessor – undertaking more investigations and getting matters to court faster.
•  Fair Work Building and Construction has secured more than $2 million in unpaid wages and entitlements for 1528 workers.  The ABCC was never focussed on this.
• The rate of industrial disputation in the construction industry under the Fair Work Act is on average less than one fifth the rate under the Howard Government.

STATEMENT ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Angie Drake

Angie.drake@aph.gov.au

Mobile: 0408 092 016

While Australians love their sport, we know that some young Australians are missing out on opportunities to get involved.

The Active After-school Communities program assists by providing access to free, inclusive and positive sporting experiences to children after school.

The Gillard Government invested $115 million in community sports participation programs in the 2013-14 Budget, including the Active After-school Communities program. This will ensure the Active After-school Communities program is funded until 31 December 2014.

The Active After-school Communities program is currently delivered at more than 3200 sites across Australia to about 190,000 children.

The Prime Minister and the Minister for Sport today visited Red Hill Primary School in Canberra to see first-hand how children are getting active through the program.

Research shows that after participating in the program, two thirds of kids show an interest in participating in sport. Over 70 different sports are on offer through the program.

One of the enduring legacies of the program is the 53,000 community coaches that have been trained through the program from when it commenced in 2005. These coaches are helping children across the country fall in love with sport and ultimately encouraging kids to join their local sporting club.

The program is particularly paying dividends in regional and remote Australia by helping to build strong local networks of sport providers.

The Active After-school Communities program is managed by the Australian Sports Commission through a network of locally-based regional coordinators who assist schools and after-school care centres to deliver the program.

Visit ausport.gov.au/participating/aasc/  for more information on the AASC program. 

CANBERRA 16 MAY 2013

PRESS OFFICE (02) 6277 7744

MINISTER LUNDY’S OFFICE 0409 945 476

With only one day until the budget reply speech to Parliament, they are calling on the Coalition to use this unique opportunity to make clear their plans for Canberra.

The Coalition has already proposed a number of cuts that would hurt local workers and families, including:

•  At least 20,000 jobs from the public service in Canberra
• Household assistance payments typically worth over $1000 a year to local families
• The School Kids Bonus – used by 14,000 local families in our electorate
• The Instant Asset Write Off that 34,100 of small businesses in our electorate are eligible to use if they purchase new equipment
• The re-introduction of a 15% superannuation tax on 46,500 of Canberra workers earning below $37,000.  This is worth up to $500 a year to their retirement savings.
• Labor’s fibre to the home NBN now confirmed for roll out in the suburbs of the Inner North and Gungahlin, and the whole of Canberra within 3 years.  The Coalition will make people pay up to $5,000 to get optic fibre all the way to the premises

Given the Coalition’s track record, ACT Labor representatives are concerned the Coalition may also cut:

• The Income Support Bonus payments going to 9321 people in Canberra.  Payments of $210 per year for singles, and $350 to couples – the next payments are scheduled for a week after the election.  The Coalition voted against this cost-of-living help only a few months ago in Parliament.
• The Fair Entitlements Guarantee scheme that supports workers who would otherwise lose entitlements if their employer goes bankrupt or into liquidation. Since 2007, 829 local workers have received $8,699,566.73 in entitlements under this scheme

If these concerns about possible cuts are unfounded, then Tony Abbott should use his Budget reply on Thursday to make absolutely clear that he will not take the axe to these programs if elected.

If Tony Abbott is going to be honest and upfront with our community, he needs to assure us that important help for local families and communities won’t face the axe.

If he is not prepared to give that assurance, then he must clarify what is on the chopping block.

Canberra deserves detailed candour in Thursday evening’s budget reply so voters can make an informed choice on 14 September.

Labor have been absolutely clear about our future investment and spending plans – it is there for all to see in Tuesday’s budget.

Media Contact:

Courtney Sloane 0407 905 709 (Leigh)

Madeleine Firth 0422 664 772 (Brodtmann)

Angie Drake 0408 092 016 (Lundy

This May MS Australia is asking you to Wear, Dare or Share to raise both awareness and funds so that we can all Kiss Goodbye to MS.

Wear the brightest shade of red lipstick you can find and dress red. Then post a selfie to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #kissgoodbyetoms and the link www.kissgoodbyetoms.org to help raise awareness.

Dare someone to do something completely outrageous to raise funds for much needed research and services – but please keep it safe

Share the load by holding a Kiss Goodbye to MS event and spread the word on social media by liking Kiss Goodbye to MS on Facebook, following it on Twitter and sharing this video.

I hope you’ll all join me in supporting Kiss Goodbye to MS by Wearing, Daring and Sharing this May.

While Canberra is small compared to other Australian states and territories, initiatives outlined in this Budget demonstrate the special role Canberra plays as a city of culture, learning, and a provider of important services to the whole country.

The Budget also captures the relationship forged with the ACT Labor Government on important reforms such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme, now called DisabilityCare Australia.

This Budget delivers a range of initiatives that map a path back to surplus. The initiatives outlined in this Budget are offset by responsible savings ensuring that the cost of nation building programs such as DisabilityCare Australia and the National Plan for School Improvement are shared across the whole community.

Canberra will be able to share in over $690 million in additions and amendments to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and $29.6 million for support in the dispensing of chemotherapy medicines.

$96.7 million will be made available to increase the number of Commonwealth Support Places in sub-bachelor and post-graduate level studies.

Labor’s historic Paid Parental Leave Scheme will also be improved as a result of this Budget to make it easier for working mothers with children born close together to qualify for Paid Parental Leave for subsequent children.

This Budget prioritises Australian jobs and growth by taking responsible decisions. This directly contrasts with Tony Abbott’s arbitrary measures which will cut Canberra to the bone.

Tony Abbott has promised that should he get elected in September, at least 20,000 Canberra jobs and the local businesses that rely on them stand to be wiped out, to pay for promises like Mr Abbott’s tax cuts for big miners and big polluters.

The reality could be worse still. After the 1996 election, John Howard sacked ten times as many public servants as he had promised before the election.

With a self-confessed $70 billion black hole, Senator Lundy and members Gai Brodtmann and Andrew Leigh call on Tony Abbott to outline what cuts he will make to Canberra in order to fund his promises.

Media Contact: 

Courtney Sloane 0407 905 709 (Leigh)

Madeleine Firth 0422 664 772 (Brodtmann)

Angie Drake 0408 092 016 (Lundy)

Meeting with some of the participants of the Settlement Grants Program information session held at the Woden Community Service

It was a pleasure to visit the Woden Community Service (WCS) and meet some of our newest Canberrans.  The Settlement Grants Program (SGP) which has provided a further $270,000 to the WCS to continue to provide this program, is targeted to meet the settlement needs of recently arrived  humanitarian migrants and family stream migrants, as well as dependents of skilled migrants in rural or regional areas with low level english proficiency.

Today’s session which was delivered by the ACT Police, was designed to allow members of the community to meet with other people and ask questions about the role of the police, neighbourhood watch, drinking and driving, our court system and crime prevention.

Clients are also assisted in finding stable accommodation, employment, training and education services, family support, financial stability and community interaction. SGP workers at WCS provide services such as referrals, advocacy, information and casework services to eligible clients.

WCS will receive funding under the Gillard Government’s Settlement Grants Program (SGP) which aims to help refugees and migrants become independent, acquire crucial skills and knowledge about life in Australia and contribute to the national economy.

The Minister was delighted to be able to see the program in full swing, and was able to meet with some the participants to talk about their experiences and learn more about the program.

“Woden Community Service is a long standing and well respected service provider in the south of Canberra who provide some great programs for the local community – this one in particular supports humanitarian entrants and migrants to settle in their new home, and be able to participate confidently and equitably in Australian society as soon as possible after their arrival,” Minister Lundy said.

“The services will assist refugees and migrant families to strengthen their connection to the wider Australian community and encourage participation, engagement and inclusion,” she said.

Today’s information  session funded through the SGP was delivered by ACT Police, and is designed to allow members of the community to ask questions about the role of the police, neighbourhood watch, drinking and driving, our court system and crime prevention.

The SGP is targeted to meet the settlement needs of recently arrived humanitarian migrants and family stream migrants, as well as dependents of skilled migrants in rural or regional areas, with low levels of English proficiency.

During the 2013-14 financial year the Gillard Government is providing a total of $41.3 million to support new migrants and refugees through the Settlement Grants Program.  This includes $1.39 million in funding to support the implementation of recommendations of the Report of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers.

A complete list of successful applicants in the 2013-14 funding round is available on the Department of Immigration website http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/delivering-assistance/settlement-grants/funded-orgs.htm

Media contact: Angie Drake 0408 092 015

Federal Minister for Sport Kate Lundy today toured Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence at Allan Border Field with its Senior Manager Belinda Clark and several Australian cricketers.

Senator Lundy said it was a fantastic opportunity to tour the site and inspect the current construction of the Centre built with the support of $17.5 million from the Australian Government.

“This will be a fantastic home for high performance cricket in the very near future,” Senator Lundy said.

“Queensland is home to many of our greatest cricketers, so it seems fitting that not only our current team, but also those coming up through development pathways, will hone their skills in Brisbane.

“It was wonderful to tour the site today with Southern Star cricketers Alex Blackwell and local Jess Jonassen as well as Australian cricketers Pat Cummins, Ben Cutting, Peter Forrest and Gurinder Sandhu.”

Senator Lundy said construction of the centre began in December 2012 and is expected to be completed in October this year. 

“The new facility will include a state-of-the-art athlete development centre integrating science, technology and coaching to enhance both the development and performance of our cricketers,” Senator Lundy said.

Senator Kate Lundy, Senator for the ACT

Gai Brodtmann MP, Member for Canberra

Andrew Leigh MP, Member for Fraser

 The Liberals are scrambling to rein in the costs of their paid parental leave scheme and as usual they are sharpening their knives to cut into the rights of public servants.

This morning’s AFR reports that members of the Coalition have a plan to shave down their $5 billion PPL scheme by excluding public servants at all levels of government.

The proposal, which has been put forward by several members of the Coalition party room, represents a desperate struggle to patch up the funding gaps in the PBO-costed $5 billion scheme.

Tony Abbott, Joe Hockey and Andrew Robb have already floated a series of job cuts and forced relocations to thousands of public servants.

In a cynical attempt to reduce the costs of his scheme, Tony Abbott is prepared to leave the public service’s women behind just for some cheap point scoring about public servants.

These are women who work extremely hard in delivering important services for our community.

Are these women not of sufficient calibre to benefit from Mr Abbott’s policy?

Joe Hockey has spoken many times about ‘ending the age of entitlement’, and yet it seems that the Liberals’ PPL scheme will only benefit those who least need it.

Public servants, teachers, cleaners and nurses will all be left outside a scheme reserved for Tony Abbott’s women of calibre.

Media Contact: 

Courtney Sloane 0407 905 709 (Leigh)

Madeleine Firth 0422 664 772 (Brodtmann)

Angie Drake 0408 092 016 (Lundy)