The full announcements are available at:

• Children with a disability given a better start
• More supported accommodation for people with disability

Click here to view the embedded video.

TRANSCRIPT:

Senator Lundy:

I’m really pleased to be here today as part of Labor’s announcement for funding for support and accomodation for people with disabilities. It’s a really important announcement and it means a lot for a particular initiative here in Canberra. The Community Living Project has been lobbying, campaigning, working really really hard to try to find a way to get government support for a living option for people with disabilities.

Well I’m really proud to be able to announce today our new policy to fund supported accommodation is potentially the answer for the Community Living Project, and other initiatves like it.

Dr Leigh:

Well we’re here today to talk about a new announcement that Prime Minister Gillard has announced today along with Bill Shorten. This is going to involve two really important initiaves. One is new resources for early intervention for children with particular impairments. These include hearing impairments, sight impairments, Fragile X and Down Syndrome.

The announcement provides up to $12,000 for children with one of these impairments for very early intervention before the ages of about 6 years old. The other announcement today is a capital works announcement for supportive accommodation. This is supporting some of the most valuable work that is done by community groups in Canberra and throughout Australia.

Senator Lundy:

The two aspects to this policy: supporting early intervention for children with a disability and also providing capital support for an independent and supported accommodation for people with disabilities represents a real milestone for Federal Government funding and support for people with disabilities and their carers.

Myself, Andrew Leigh and Gai Brodtmann are all really proud of this policy and are pleased to be here today with representatives of the Community Living Project which is a very good example of a community organisation taking the initiative and wanting to provide accommodation and we believe that this new fund, this $60 million dollars is the kind of fund that they will be able to apply to to support their vision and endeavours to provide better accommodation choices for people with disabilities and their parents and carers.

Esther Woodbury:

The Community Living Project is a group fo parents in Canberra, there’s 250 families who are looking for support and accommodation options, meaningful things to do everyday and medical and dental health care for the child, their children. We’ve come together because of the lack of services in the ACT, and really the lack of services throughout Australia. We met with Bill Shorten and many more politicians. We met with Bill Shorten a number of times and he has been very enthusiastic about our project and talking to us about what he thinks that we need.

I believe that policy that he announced today, that he is really listening to us and what was said, and put together a lot about what we asked for into the policy and it’s going to be a real bonus for us to be able to do things in the future.

Alison McGregor:

I think one of the important parts of the Community Living Project is about the fact that it is a grassroots organisation. That it is looking to the needs of the families who are caring for a loved one with a diasbility and that it is trying to make sure that they feel empowered to go and grab the opportunities that are available to them. The Community Living Project is more than just looking at support and accommodation, it really is looking at the whole person and what they will need to live a good life. So part of what we’re doing is looking at quality life choices for people with a disability not just in the ACt, though our focus is here, but for all people with a disability across Australia.

Senator Kate Lundy
Labor Senator for the ACT
Gai Brodtmann
Labor Candidate for Canberra

Senator for the ACT, Kate Lundy, and Labor Candidate for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann, today attended the official openings of two school projects in the ACT as part of the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER).

Senator Lundy and Ms Brodtmann congratulated Woden and Wanniassa schools on their new and upgraded facilities, and spoke of the benefit to both the school and local community.

“It has been fantastic to see local principals, parents and tradespeople working together to deliver this important project,” Ms Brodtmann said.

“None of this important funding would have flowed to these schools if it was up to the Coalition,” Senator Lundy said.

The Woden School received more than $1 million in Commonwealth funding for the construction of a shade structure and new classrooms.

The Wanniassa School received $2.2 million in Commonwealth funding for a refurbished hospitality teaching area and school facilities and construction of a new covered learning area.

Building the Education Revolution is a key element of the Federal Labor Government’s $42 billion Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan to support jobs, stimulate local economies and invest in important infrastructure for the long-term.

The National School Pride program has delivered more than $19 million funding to 126 ACT schools for minor infrastructure and refurbishment.

The Primary Schools for the 21st Century program has delivered more than $223 million funding to 104 ACT schools for major new infrastructure.

Media Contact:

Annika Hutchins (Lundy) 0407 458 882
Gai Brodtmann 0409 826 932

CANBERRA
30 JULY 2010

COMMUNICATIONS UNIT: Phone: (02) 9384 2220 | Fax: (02) 9264 2213 | www.alp.org.au

AUTHORISED N.MARTIN for the ALP, 5/9 Sydney Ave. Barton ACT.

Together with the organisations representing you, I have worked to develop a new proposal to achieve a fairer outcome. Our proposals include the development of a new Analytical Living Cost Index (ALCI) tailored to a realistic cost of living assessment for this group of retirees, and reform of the tax treatment of ComSuper and Defence pensions.

We completely reject the cynical attempt by the Opposition to inject chaos and disunity into the campaign by offering a change in indexation to one section only of the Defence superannuants.

I look forward to working with the new Prime Minister and the new Finance Minister in a re-elected Labor Government to achieve the equity we seek.

Thank you for continuing with us the campaign for fairer indexation for Defence and ComSuper pensions.

Senator Kate Lundy has become known in the technology community as a fierce advocate of government engagement and Gov 2.0, pushing for support of many of the recommendations made last year by the Government 2.0 Taskforce, and pre-empting the declaration of open government by Finance minister, Lindsay Tanner. Lundy has also been involved in many of the government’s committees into technology, including the recent Senate select committee on the National Broadband Network.

Her role in supporting the technology initiatives of the government in recent years has led some in the technology community to even proclaim her as Communications minister, Senator Conroy’s, apt replacement or, alternatively, the optimal choice for a hypothetical IT minister in Federal Government.

Lundy began her career as a builders labourer after leaving school at 16, where she was tasked with removing asbestos. After being made aware of the occupational health and safety risks of such a job she became active in the BWIU (Building Workers Industrial Union of Australia) – later the CFMEU (Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union) – and ultimately became the first female vice president of the BWIU’s ACT Branch.

Computerworld Australia asked Senator Lundy about what got her into politics, her view of technology in Australia and whether she would accept an IT posting on the government’s frontbench.

Full story available at http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/354782/politician_profiles_senator_kate_lundy/

SENATOR FOR THE ACT

LABOR CANDIDATE FOR FRASER

NEW FACILITIES OPEN AT GIRALANG PRIMARY SCHOOL

Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy and Labor Candidate for Fraser Andrew Leigh today attended the official opening of the refurbished multipurpose hall at Giralang Primary School built as part of the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution.

Giralang Primary School received $75,000 under the National School Pride (NSP) element for an upgraded school front entry and $850,000 under the Primary Schools for the 21^st Century (P21) element of BER for refurbishment of a multipurpose hall and main entry.

Building the Education Revolution is a key element of the Federal Labor Government’s $42 billion Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan to support jobs, stimulate local economies and invest in important infrastructure for the long-term.

Senator Lundy and Andrew Leigh congratulated Giralang Primary school on their new and upgraded facilities and spoke of the benefit to both the school and local community.

‘It has been fantastic to see local principals, parents and tradespeople working together to deliver this important project,’ Senator Lundy said.

“None of this important funding would have flowed to Giralang Primary School if it was up to the Liberal-National Coalition,” Andrew Leigh said.

The National School Pride (NSP) element has delivered  more than $19 million funding to 126 ACT schools for minor infrastructure and refurbishment.

The Primary Schools for the 21^st Century (P21) element has delivered approximately $221 million funding to 126 ACT schools for major new infrastructure.

Further information about this project and all schools funded is available at www.buildingtheeducationrevolution.gov.au or at: www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au

COMMUNICATIONS UNIT: Phone: (02) 9384 2220 | Fax: (02) 9264 2213 | www.alp.org.au

AUTHORISED N.MARTIN for the ALP, 5/9 Sydney Ave. Barton ACT.

If the first incarnation of the internet saw the democratisation of information and made us all publishers, the second incarnation of the internet, Web2.0, is the democratisation of innovation and decision-making, and will make us all co-designers of civil society in the 21st century.
This brings with it a great deal of responsibility, perhaps more than most people realise.

In Australia, we have one of the world’s most open democracies. As citizens you can vote, easily contact your political representatives, participate in the parliamentary process and you can get access to all parliamentary business transcriptions and documentation including speeches, legislation, committees and much more. Compared with most countries and democracies around the world, we have it pretty good.

However, the Internet and particularly the explosion of social media and online communities has meant a fundamental shift for citizens, and I believe a fundamental shift for democracy. It means you are more empowered to have your say, collaborate with others on shared concerns and even directly influence and co-design government policies.

My personal belief is that we are heading into a new era where governments are tuned into and engaged with the digital lives of citizens. After all, Governments that do not reflect the digital lives of their constituents, can not truly represent them.

I’ve written at length on my website about the pillars of Gov 2.0, which is the emerging next generation of a digitally engaged democracy. Just briefly the pillars are:

• democratising data which is about making information collected for and on behalf of citizens publicly available in a useful, open format, unless there is a demonstrable reason not to. This would create major benefits for transparency and the ability to make government data come alive in new and exciting ways, but will take a major shift in the practises, governance and indeed the culture for the public sector.
• citizen-centric services is about delivering government services that are developed with the needs of the citizens put first. Imagine being able to supply as much or little information as you’d like to get a personalised online service rather than having to figure out the complexities of government just to find out what services you have access to.
• participatory democracy is about directly involving citizens in the design and implementation of government policies for better outcomes. The best recent example of this is the Citizen’s Assembly announced by the Prime Minister to truly build consensus around Climate Change in Australia. It is an enormous policy, and by engaging citizens directly in the process of the policy development, we will see the highest level application of participatory democracy to policy yet seen in this country.

The proposal for a citizens assembly is one part of the Gillard Labor Government’s climate change plan which involves preparing for a price on carbon, investing in clean energy and reducing pollution in our daily lives. The Citizens Assembly is part of this plan because this issue shouldn’t only be decided in the corridors of parliament – with the big polluters throwing their weight around.

This should not just be a debate between experts. It must be a real debate involving many real Australians. Our challenge is to answer the community’s questions and develop the community’s commitment to taking the right action. The people need a voice on climate change – because climate change is about their future. And such a transformational change can’t be hostage to the political cycle.

It is important to acknowledge that accessibility will continue to be a challenge in delivering government services, however technology presents some truly exciting opportunities to close the digital divide, for instance the National Relay Service which is a phone service for the hearing impaired. In fact, the Government is reviewing the National Relay Service to see if it might be improved to better meet the current and future needs of deaf Australians, and Australians with hearing and speech impairments

Other great opportunities to close the Digital Divide include the National Broadband Network which will deliver ubiquitous, fast and reliable broadband to all Australians, the extensive web accessibility guidelines being implemented across government and of course getting more computers in the hands of students.

Briefly in conclusion, I am extremely proud of what we are doing to take Australia into the 21st century with a raft of fantastic ICT policies, and I am very excited about the opportunities to create an even more open, participatory and citizen centric government through the applied use of technology. I’m very proud to be here to help launch the Google Election 2010 platform, and I look forward to seeing the participation of Australia’s youth.

• Duffy Primary School received $2.125 million in commonwealth funding for the construction of a shade structure and refurbishment of library and student facilities,
• Stromlo High School received $450,000 in Commonwealth funding for the construction of shade structure and the construction of a covered outdoor learning area and
• Malkara School received $925,000 in Commonwealth funding for refurbishment for extension and refurbishment of classrooms.

BER is a key element of the Federal Labor Government’s $42 billion Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan to support jobs, stimulate local economies and invest in important infrastructure for the long-term.

Senator Lundy congratulated all three schools on their new and upgraded facilities and spoke of the benefit to both the school and local community.

‘It has been fantastic to see local principals, parents and tradespeople working together to deliver these important projects,’ Senator Lundy said.

The National School Pride (NSP) element has delivered $19.355 million funding to 126 ACT schools for minor infrastructure and refurbishment.

The Primary Schools for the 21^st Century (P21) element has delivered $221.55 million funding to 126 ACT schools for major new infrastructure.

Further information about this project and all schools funded is available at www.buildingtheeducationrevolution.gov.au or at: www.economicstimulusplan.gov.au

Media Contact: Annika Hutchins (Lundy) 0407 458 882

Old Parliament House, Canberra
22^nd July 2010

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we are gathered.

Senator Gary Humphries
Archbishop Mark Benedict Coleridge, Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn
Helen Forde, Community Engagement Manager, Caritas Australia
Jenny Anderson, Director, Museum of Australian Democracy
Dr Ingvar Anda, Program Coordinator, Humanitarian and Emergencies Response Team, Caritas Australia
Brendan Smyth, leader of the Opposition in the ACT Assembl
Distinguished guests

It is my pleasure to participate in the opening of this important exhibition. I congratulate Caritas for the work it does to improve social justice in the world, here in our community and globally.

I will comment today on the investment the Australian Government has made on behalf of the citizens of Australia in overseas aid and in reference to the Millenium Development goals.

But first, allow me to give a little background.. In 2000, Australia joined 189 countries in committing to the Millennium Development Goals. These goals aim to halve extreme poverty by 2015 and end it by 2025.

They are a bold statement of the change we want to achieve in the first quarter of the 21^st century and provide a practical and measurable score sheet against which we can track our successes and our shortcomings.

The goals require action in both the developed and developing world. They require new thinking and new technology. Most importantly they require the political and social will to see them through.

We can’t afford to underestimate the task ahead, with 900 million people around the world sleeping hungry tonight.

We know that 25,000 children will die today from preventable diseases. Tomorrow 1.4billion people will be forced to survive on less than US$1.25 for the day – more than two-thirds of them women and children.

It is also important not overlook the real progress we have made.

In the last 25 years we have seen 500 million fewer people living in poverty despite rapid growth in global population.

Real incomes in the developing world have more than doubled.

Child mortality has halved and life expectancy has increased by more than five years. In the last decade deaths from measles in Africa have fallen by 90%.

The number of children in developing countries out of school has dropped by 28 million. Overall, I am pleased to see girls now have the same participation rate in primary and secondary schooling as boys.

There has also been a seven per cent rise in the percentage of women in the world’s parliaments.

However, while the global recession has hampered our progress toward the MDGs but we should not let it weaken our community and national commitment to them. It is imperative that we do everything in our power to stop those countries we have done so much for from sliding back into poverty.

It is imperative that we ensure the health and wellbeing of women, children and the disabled continues to improve. It is imperative the countries of the developed world continue to embrace the shared challenge of reducing global poverty while confronting the shared burden of global recession.

The Federal Labor Government will deliver on its election promise to boost Australia’s commitment to Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015-16.

Australia’s ODA/GNI ratio is forecast to increase to 0.33 per cent over the coming financial year and reach 0.42 per cent in 2013-14.

In dollar terms this means since we came to government, we have invested in 2008-09 $3,799.5m, 2009-10 $ 3,820.9m and the forward estimates for 2010-11 are for $4,349.3 m.

This money will be used to help developing countries improve the delivery of basic services, particularly education and health. Our largest programs are Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. We have a geographic spread to  E Asia, S Asia, W Asia, Pacific, Latin America and Africa.

The Government’s commitment to ODA ensures that Australia is doing its bit to help developing countries achieve the global Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

In conclusion, I would like to say a little about climate change.

It is in Australia’s national interest to support developing countries in their transition to lower carbon economies, including through participation in emerging carbon markets, and to help developing countries build resilience to climate change.

Country programs will focus on reducing deforestation and forest degradation in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea and adapting to climate change in East Timor, the Pacific and the Mekong region.

In 2010–11 funding will continue to build on existing programs as part of our commitment to provide international climate change financing to assist developing countries.

The International Forest Carbon Initiative will receive $56.0 million over two years to 2012-13 to assist developing countries reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

The International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative will receive $178.2 million over two years to 2012-13 to help the most vulnerable countries adapt to impacts climate change.

The Climate Change Partnerships for Development budget measure will receive $15.0 million over two years to 2012-13 to support developing countries in their response to the challenges of climate change.

To assist countries transition to lower carbon economies and address the impacts of climate change, $106.2 million over three years, including $5 million in 2009-10, will support multilateral mechanisms, such as the World Bank’s Climate Investment Funds.

Thankyou for the privilege of having me hear today and once again, congratulations to all of your for your ongoing commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Gungahlin is one of the first 19 mainland rollouts of the NBN, with 3000 premises to be initially connected to the 100Mbps fibre network beginning in March 2011. The NBN will deliver a 100Mbps future-proof fibre to the premises connection to over 90% of Australians, with the remaining households receiving 12Mbps wireless services, particularly  for remote areas (see my NBN in Gungahlin Fact Sheet). The long suffering residents of Gungahlin have had to cope with some of the worst Internet services in the country.

The Liberals policy to dump the NBN, without an alternate plan, and with a long legacy of failure in addressing the issue of delivering high speed and quality networks or even a competitive telecommunications industry presents a real issue for all Australians, as well as the 25,000 jobs that will be supported every year through the NBN rollout.

Background
Last week Senator Humphries stated in a media release that he welcomed the announcement of early NBN deployment to Gungahlin. But this morning the Senator was once again caught out playing both sides of the fence as he admitted on ABC Canberra Radio that a Liberal government would scrap the NBN and don’t have an alternative plan. Below is a transcript of some of the comments from Senator Humphries this morning.

“Well Greg, as you may know, I’ve been quite vocal in suggesting there should be some action on improving the broadband upgrade of Gungahlin. The Liberal Party obviously believes in Australia getting high quality rollout of broadband. It doesn’t believe in doing that through the NBN. And the point it that we think that the NBN is an extremely dangerous venture in banking on a particular kind of technology in a way that puts a huge risk to the Australian community in the future as we invest $43b over several more years which may be the case to be a very large white elephant.

“We had a plan before 2007 to deliver high speed broadband through a combination of government intervention and encouragement of the private sector to deliver that. I’m confident that would have provided Gungahlin with those kinds of services in due course. Now, we need to work out how we deliver these kinds of services if we get in government in the wake of NBN being abolished.”

Senator Gary Humphries, 21st July 2010, ABC Canberra Radio (around 0915)

Combined media release by:

• Kate Lundy, Senator for the ACT
• Andrew Leigh, Labor Candidate for Fraser
• David Mathews, Labor Candidate for the Second Senate position in the ACT

Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy said Trade Cadets would be the electricians, carpenters and tradies of tomorrow.

The Cadetships will be open to students from Year 9 to 12 and will help to ensure they have the skills and experience to be job-ready and start a trade.

“I know families want their children to have the best education and training,” Candidate for Canberra Gai Brodtmann said.

“That’s why we’re offering a new pathway to trades and technical careers.

“While we’re rolling out Trade Training Centres and the Trade Cadets programs, Tony Abbott wants to scrap them,” Candidate for Fraser Andrew Leigh said.

“Under Tony Abbott, 1.2 million Australian students would miss out on the opportunity to learn a trade at over 1,800 high schools.

“I call on Senator Gary Humphries and the ACT Liberal Candidates to come clean about whether they support Tony Abbott’s plan to axe trades funding promised to our local high schools, and if they support the National Trade Cadetship,” Senator Lundy said.

Federal Labor will provide $3.1 million over two years to establish the Cadetships, which will be delivered as part of the National Curriculum.

This funding will be fully offset over the forward estimates, consistent with the Gillard Labor Government’s commitment to return the budget to surplus in three years.