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Written by Kate Lundy
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Monday, 29 August 2011 10:49 |
The Gillard Labor Government launched a new local ambassadors program on the 22nd fo August, this program is designed to champion inclusion and highlight the benefits of Australia’s diversity. The People of Australia Ambassadors program was formally announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard at the launch of the new independent Australian Multicultural Council.
The Prime Minister encouraged Australians to nominate local champions from their own neighbourhood and communities who have helped to promote inclusion and participation in their community. Up to 40 people will be selected as ambassadors to provide grassroots advice to the Australian Multicultural Council (AMC) about effective initiatives which promote inclusion and leverage diversity in our communities.
The AMC will provide advice to Government on multicultural policy and emerging issues and ensure Australian Government services respond effectively to the needs of Australia’s diverse communities.
The Council was appointed as part of the Government’s new multicultural policy, The People of Australia, released in February this year. The former advisory council recommended the new independent body be set up to... |
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Written by Kate Lundy
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Monday, 22 August 2011 15:19 |
 Independence is a significant step forward for a peoples and region that has suffered considerable humanitarian and security challenges for many years.
Australia is home to 29,000 Sudanese, most of them refugees who fled among the chaos of war and upheaval.
Indeed, Sudanese are one of the fastest growing communities in Australia, growing 34 per cent each year on average over the last decade.
In 2011 -11 the Australian Government contributed $23 million to Southern Sudan including $4 million for the conduct of the referendum, $3 million to the United Nations Development Programme, $1 million to the International Organisation for Migration and assistance for Sudanese voting within Australia.
This funding is assisting the nation’s development process directly after the referendum to provide health, education and other essential services, specifically to ensure that women and children are taken care of.
This contribution is also in addition to the $113 million already given to South Sudan in humanitarian assistance since 2004.
I was also pleased that the Australian Government will look to provide $10,000 to assist the Federation of the Southern Sudanese... |
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Written by Kate Lundy
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Monday, 22 August 2011 14:07 |
People with disability deserve the same opportunities as other Australians to participate in the community, have a job where possible and live meaningful lives.
That’s why the Federal Labor Government asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a landmark, independent inquiry into the costs, benefits and feasibility of a national long term care and support scheme for people with disability, including consideration of a national disability insurance scheme.
A national disability insurance scheme would provide individualised support and services, no matter how a person acquired their disability. It would also provide more opportunities for carers to participate fully in community life.
The Labor Government welcomed the Productivity Commission’s draft report, I... |
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Written by Andrew Barr
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Thursday, 18 August 2011 00:00 |
 Given the events of recent weeks and months, I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the outlook for the Territory economy.
The fundamentals of our economy remain strong.
Seasonally adjusted State Final Demand - or SFD - grew by 3.3 per cent in the March quarter 2011 - this was the strongest growth rate in the country.
In the nine months to March 2011, SFD grew by a solid 6 per cent – the strongest three-quarter growth rate since the June quarter 2007 - and the strongest growth compared to other jurisdictions.
We experienced the equal-lowest consumer price inflation of the capital cities in 2010-11 at 2.7 per cent.
The ACT labour market performs well compared with other jurisdictions.
We have the lowest unemployment rate in Australia.
It was 4 per cent in... |
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Written by Andrew Barr
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Wednesday, 17 August 2011 00:00 |
Sickened by the latest reports of a 15 year old referee getting abused during a junior rugby league match, I have decided to approach various sporting codes and local elite clubs as well as media outlets to see how we can work together to stamp out abuse of players, coaches and referees at games.
The ACT Government already provides training for coaches and parents on how to deal with abusive ‘ugly parents’ on the sidelines of kids’ sporting matches as well as how to stamp out discrimination, abuse and ensure child safety in sport.
Sport is important for helping kids stay fit and healthy and in helping them learn social skills. For many older kids it’s also an opportunity to volunteer as coaches and referees.
To have kids’ involvement in sport marred by adults on the... |
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Written by Joy Burch
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Monday, 15 August 2011 00:00 |
 A $647,000 pilot program focusing on the needs of students with disabilities by trialling the use of therapy assistants in schools was launched today by ACT Minister for Community Services Joy Burch.
"This initiative is the first time we have used therapy assistants in schools and represents a new approach to helping students with disabilities reach their potential," Ms Burch said.
"The pilot will focus on children from kindergarten to year 2 as we know that providing therapy assistance in the early years has the greatest impact."
The program will see four full time therapy assistants and three part time therapists work across seven schools, along with a team leader.
The pilot schools involved are Caroline Chisholm School, Gowrie Primary School, Florey Primary School, Harrison... |
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