The Australian and Northern Territory Governments today opened a women’s safe house and a men’s cooling off place in the remote community of Ngukurr, as part of a roll-out of 22 safe places across the Northern Territory as part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response.
Ngukurr is one of 15 remote communities in the NT to receive safe places under a joint initiative between the Australian and Northern Territory Governments to improve the safety and protection of Indigenous children and their families.
Safe places are important circuit breakers in the cycle of violence. They are a safe haven when violence threatens – short-term crisis accommodation for families and children.
The safe places will offer a range of counselling, legal and support services as well as parenting and men’s healing programs.
Local people will be employed to work in the safe places – building the local workforce and helping spread the word that there is an escape from violence.
The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin said keeping women and children safe is everyone’s responsibility.
“The Australian Government is determined to show national leadership to stop the abuse and neglect of women and children,” Ms Macklin said.
“To be safe and protected is the most basic of human rights.”
Indigenous women are 35 times more likely than other Australian women to be hospitalised and eight out of ten of them are assaulted by a partner.
Since 2007 the Australian and Northern Territory Governments have invested more than $22 million in the Family Support Package for Indigenous families – including safe places, a mobile child protection team and remote Aboriginal family and community workers.
The NT Minister for Children and Families and Child Protection, Malarndirri McCarthy said all safe places would be operational over the coming months. They are:
* women’s safe houses in Ngukurr, Angurugu, Hermannsburg, Kalkarindji, Lajamanu, Maningrida, Nguiu, Peppimenarti, Ramingining, Ti-Tree, Yarralin Darwin and Alice Springs, and
* men’s cooling off places in Ngukurr, Angurugu, Apatula, Beswick, Maningrida, Nguiu, Pmara-Jutunta, Ramingining and Yuendumu.
“Protecting children and women is essential if we are going to make in-roads into closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,” Ms McCarthy said.
Media Statement with NT Minister Malarndirri Mccarthy and MP for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon
31st January 2009
Jenny Macklin
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Expectant Indigenous mothers and their babies in North Queensland will have greater access to ante-natal and post-natal care at a new 24-bed accommodation facility in Cairns.
The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and Jim Turnour, Member for Leichhardt, today announced Australian Government funding of more than $5 million for the facility.
It will be managed by the Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan Corporation. Since 1983 the corporation has managed a 12-bed facility in Cairns caring for Indigenous women from the Cape York, Torres Strait and Gulf regions in Queensland.
“Many Indigenous mothers cannot access obstetric services in their home communities and need to travel to Cairns to have their babies,” Ms Macklin said.
“This facility will provide accommodation, referrals, advice, education and support for these mothers.
“There is such a high demand for services that Mookai Rosie currently turns away at least one woman a day. It is clear there is a real need to expand these services,” Ms Macklin said.
Construction of the new 24-bed facility is due to start in April 2009, to be completed by February 2010.
On top of the eight shared bedrooms, it will include two living areas, a large dining area and kitchen, plus a meeting room for post-natal education programs and other support services.
“The need for this type of facility was identified in the Australian Labor Party’s May 2007 policy paper New Directions: an equal start in life for Indigenous children,” Mr Turnour said.
“It will help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by improving outcomes for new mothers in remote parts of far north Queensland.”
The funding comes from the Government’s new Indigenous Mothers’ Accommodation Fund, announced in this year’s Budget, which provides $10 million in capital funding over three years for accommodation for expectant mothers travelling from remote communities to access medical and related services in urban centres.
Media Statement
31st January 2009
Jenny Macklin
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Member for Lingiari, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP today announced that three Territory boarding schools will receive more than $900,000 in Federal Government assistance to upgrade their grounds and facilities.
“ Yirara College and St Philip’s College in Alice Springs will receive $682,000 and $165,000 respectively, while Nyangatjatjara College in Yulara will get $82,500,” said Mr Snowdon.
“This is a terrific boost for these schools. All three have a strong track record in providing high-quality education to their Indigenous students.”
Mr Snowdon said Yirara College will use the funds to refurbish the male and female dormitories and resurface basketball courts.
St Philip’s College will construct a reception area for each of the dormitories and Nyangatjatjara College will construct perimeter fencing and gates to the complex.
This funding is being allocated as a part of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Boarding Infrastructure initiatives designed to improve boarding facilities at non-government schools which enrol significant numbers of Indigenous students.
The projects were recommended to government by the Northern Territory Joint Block Grant Authority.
“A quality education is a critical foundation for enabling all Australians to participate fully in society – both economically and socially.
“The Australian Government is committed to providing quality educational opportunities to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous educational outcomes,” Mr Snowdon said.
“I commend these schools for the positive contribution they have made to the welfare of their Indigenous students, and congratulate them on securing this funding.”
Media Statement
31st January 2009
Warren Snowdon
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel
The Rudd Government today announced a pilot package to drive the availability of improved television services as Australia makes the transition to digital.
“Digital television delivers many benefits to viewers and this package will help achieve the smoothest possible transition as we switch-off analog signals,” said Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
“This package focuses on Australia’s leading digital television region of Sunraysia, centred on the city of Mildura in north-west Victoria, and will ensure that free-to-air digital television is made available to all viewing households.”
The suite of measures includes:
* A package of in-home assistance to help targeted households;
* A new satellite service to extend access to digital TV;
* working with the local community to improve awareness and understanding of switchover;
* a labelling scheme to help consumers to easily identify digital ready products; and
* a national call centre and a web site providing switchover information;
The Rudd Government has designed a progressive timetable for digital television switchover starting with Sunraysia in 2010.
“The Government aims to empower the community with the information they require to make the digital television switch.
“We will introduce a labelling scheme to help people identify digital-ready products and services, and we will run an information campaign in the region.”
“Switching to digital TV is a straight forward and inexpensive task for the vast majority of Australians, however we understand that some viewers may need practical, in-home assistance to make the move to digital.”
“That is why the Government will provide an assistance package to households in the Mildura licence area where at least one resident is a recipient of the full Aged Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carers’ Payment or equivalent payment from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.”
The pilot switchover package also includes the establishment of a new satellite service, which, with the cooperation of broadcasters, will extend viewer access to digital TV throughout the Mildura licence area.
“Some Australians live in areas where the broadcasters have not built transmitters or the terrain prevents signals reaching them, but this is no reason for them to be denied access to TV” Senator Conroy said.
Senator Conroy said the Digital Switchover Taskforce will work closely with the broadcasters, retailers and antenna installers in the Mildura area to drive digital TV take-up by consumers.
The lessons learned from the switchover in Mildura will help to inform the approach to the broader digital switchover around the country.
“Digital switchover is important for all Australians as it not only provides access to better picture and sound quality, and additional channels, but it will also free-up spectrum which can be used for the delivery of new and improved broadcasting and communications services,” Senator Conroy said.
Media Statement
29th January 2009
Stephen Conroy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
In its World Economic Outlook (WEO) update, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has drastically revised down its forecast for the global economy since the November 2008 WEO update and has called for further action to support growth.
Against the sobering backdrop of a global recession and collapsing commodity prices, it is inevitable that Australian jobs and growth will be affected.
This update represents the third downward revision to IMF forecasts in just four months, demonstrating how rapidly the global economy is deteriorating.
While our economy is better placed than most other countries to face this crisis, we can't completely resist the pull of international economic forces.
The IMF is now forecasting that the global recession will be much deeper and more protracted than previously envisaged.
Global growth is now expected to fall to ½ per cent in 2009, with advanced economies expected to suffer their deepest recession since World War II. Collectively, advanced economies are expected to contract by 2 per cent in 2009 — the first annual contraction in the post‑war period.
Emerging economies are expected to slow sharply, growing by 3¼ per cent in 2009. The IMF has revised down its economic growth forecast for China in 2009 by almost 2 percentage points to 6.7 per cent — just half the rapid rate recorded in 2007.
The IMF also notes that the dramatic slowing in global growth has brought about a reversal of the global commodity prices boom, which has provided significant stimulus to Australia’s economic growth in recent years.
The IMF has called on governments around the world to undertake further action to support economic growth. The IMF says “Monetary and fiscal policy need to become even more supportive of aggregate demand and sustain this stance over the foreseeable future, while developing strategies to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.”
The Rudd Government has taken decisive action to protect Australians from the worst impacts of the global recession through our Economic Security Strategy, guarantee of bank deposits and wholesale funding and nation building investments.
And the Government stands ready to take whatever further action is necessary and responsible to support jobs and growth in the face of the global recession.
Media Statement
29th January 2009
Wayne Swan
Treasurer
The Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, today announced the appointment of Roger Beale AO to conduct a Federal Audit of Police Capabilities in line with the Government’s election commitment.
“The Australian Federal Police have had to meet increasing demands in recent years and it’s important we take a comprehensive look at its resources and how it can meet the Government’s priorities into the future.
“The audit will also examine the effectiveness of the AFP’s human resources, workforce planning, equipment and technology and current funding.”
Mr Beale has extensive experience working at senior levels of government and on national and environmental policy.
The audit will provide an opportunity for the States and Territories to have input through the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency, ANZPAA, a policy body led by Police Commissioners.
The chief executive of the Police Federation of Australia, Mark Burgess, welcomed the announcement.
“This audit is a vital step in a wider pre-election commitment from the ALP on national police workforce planning issues.
“The PFA calls upon all police jurisdictions and governments to play an active role in the process.”
It expected Mr Beale will begin the audit in early February. Mr Beale will be supported by a team drawn from the AFP and relevant agencies and will report to the Government by 30 June 2009.
Media Statement
29th January 2009
Bob Debus
Minister for Home Affairs
As we celebrate Australia Day with our friends and families - over barbeques, picnic tables and beach towels - I know that many of you share my concerns about the impact of the global financial crisis on our families.
This year will not be an easy one, and to be frank, we face some very big challenges.
But I am confident that, if we all pull together, we can come through this together - and come out even stronger and emerge from this crisis even more resilient than before.
Australia is better placed then almost every other nation to deal with the global financial crisis, but it's going to be tough.
Our history as a nation is one of resilience - to confront obstacles and see a way through, to emerge stronger and more determined.
From the struggle of Indigenous Australians for recognition and respect;
From the courage of our diggers in Gallipoli, on the Western Front, at Kokoda, in Timor Leste and in Afghanistan;
From the determination of miners on the goldfields, of women for the right to vote and of workers for a fair go at work.
This is not an ordinary nation... This is an extraordinary nation.
Resilient, courageous, and purposeful, without sacrificing compassion.
In 2009 we will be calling on all those great Australian qualities because we are all in this together.
The Government stands ready to do whatever is necessary to support the stability of our financial institutions at a time when others around the world are under threat; to support the economy during a global economic recession; and to create new jobs through government investment as other jobs in the private sector come under pressure
Our shared history as Australians shows that together, we can meet the challenges the world might throw at us in 2009.
I wish you a very happy Australia Day.
Media Statement
26th January 2009
Kevin Rudd
Prime Minister
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy today announced that the final report from the Panel of Experts on submissions to the National Broadband Network process has been received.
The Minister stated that the receipt of this report marks a significant milestone in the NBN process: "The Government is now considering the Panel of Experts' report."
"Until this point, the evaluation of proposals received in the National Broadband Network process has proceeded at arm's length from the Government."
"The Government had not seen the contents of any proposal, nor had it received detailed briefings on any proposals from the Panel of Experts."
"The Government will give this serious and detailed report careful consideration."
The Minister emphasised that while the Government had now received the final report of the Panel of Experts, the NBN process and associated probity requirements remained active.
The disclosure of the contents of the Panel of Experts' report before the completion of the process, particularly any negotiation phase, has the potential to prejudice the outcome of the process. As such, the Government will not be commenting on the contents of the report.
The Minister also took the opportunity to congratulate the Panel of Experts for their contribution to the NBN process: "I would like to thank the members of the Panel of Experts for their hard work."
"The Panel has made an invaluable contribution to the realisation of the Government's commitment to the roll out of the National Broadband Network."
The Minister also acknowledged the important contribution to the process by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission which had provided its own report as input to the Panel's consideration.
Media Statement
22nd January 2009
Stephen Conroy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has welcomed the release of exposure draft legislation to support the establishment of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
The creation of AEMO, which will require amendment to the National Electricity and Gas Laws and National Electricity and Gas Rules, will implement the decision of the Council of Australian Governments in April 2007 to strengthen the national character of energy market governance arrangements. The National Gas Law and Rule amendments released yesterday complement the National Electricity Law and Rule amendments released on 19 December 2008.
Minister Ferguson said: "These amendments are essential to the formation of AEMO, a national institution to operate Australia's energy markets. AEMO will create efficiencies in Australia's energy markets and will enhance their competitiveness by taking on new functions, including the National Transmission Planner and the production of an annual gas statement of opportunities."
AEMO will operate gas and electricity markets in all jurisdictions except in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Minister Ferguson said: "The Ministerial Council on Energy, comprising Ministers with responsibility for energy from the Australian Government and all States and Territories, is committed to ensuring AEMO is operational by mid-2009. Consultation on the exposure drafts is a key step in achieving this goal."
Stakeholders are invited to provide comments on the proposed electricity and gas legislative amendments. A public forum was held yesterday to receive initial stakeholder comments on the electricity amendments and a similar forum will be held for the gas amendments on 3 February 2009.
"These are essential reforms that will have a lasting impact on Australian energy supply. I urge all interested parties to become involved in the public consultation process," Minister Ferguson said.
Media Statement
22nd January 2009
Martin Ferguson
Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for Tourism
Craig Hill
KC Hill
Paladin
Oracle of Delphi
Add Comments
Comments (1)
