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Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan, Federal Member for Canberra Annette Ellis and Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy have expressed their deep concern about apparent plans from Shadow Minister for Finance Senator Barnaby Joyce to take an axe to Canberra’s public service.

Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, Senator Joyce said that with respect to public service jobs it was essential to “control costs now”. Senator Joyce stated: “You’ve got to cut the suit to fit the wearer.”

Earlier today on ABC radio, Senator Joyce was asked what areas the money would be cut from to fund the Coalition’s climate change policy. 

He said:  “If you have a look at the, their explosion of their costings, for instance, in the public service.”

The ACT Labor representatives said they were concerned but not surprised to learn about Senator Joyce’s intentions.

“When the Howard Government took power in 1996, they took an axe to the public service in Canberra, cut tens of thousands of local jobs, and helped cause a local recession,” the ACT representatives said.

“It now seems clear that if an Abbott Government were elected later this year, Senator Joyce would be all too happy to do the same again.

“I think we stand for every local Canberra family in saying that Abbott and Joyce should come clean on how many ACT-based public service jobs they intend to cut.”

The ACT Labor representatives called upon ACT Liberal Senator Gary Humphries to speak out against Senator Joyce’s radical plans.

I have today advised the Prime Minister, the Australian Labor Party and my staff that I have decided not to contest the next general election.

I intend to continue as Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance until the next election and the Prime Minister has advised me that he wishes me to do so.

This decision has been difficult.

I previously announced my intention to seek one more term. While I have found my engagement with international development assistance issues particularly satisfying and the local constituency work in Fraser both rewarding and enjoyable, I have concluded that I can make my best contribution to those issues to which I have dedicated my adult life by moving on while I am still fit, healthy and able to meet a new challenge.

The challenge of global poverty and global economic development is one which I hope to make the focus of the next stage of my life.

However, it is not appropriate to take any steps to seek opportunities in this area until I have completed my role as Member for Fraser and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance.

After the election Robin and I intend to take some long overdue holidays and then commence the process of starting the new stage in our lives.

I would like to thank the people of the ACT and the people of Fraser in particular for their support over the last twenty two years. I would also like to thank the hard working members of the Australian Labor Party who have supported me so ably over those years.

Without the support of my party and the electorate I could not have achieved any of the things I have been able to do during my career.

I will continue to serve the Government and the people of Fraser wholeheartedly and actively every day until the election.

The ACT branch of the Vietnam Veterans Federation will receive $7046 in funding from the Australian Government to support the health and wellbeing of the local ex-service community, the Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, announced today.

Mr McMullan welcomed the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin’s approval of the funding as part of the Australian Government’s Veteran & Community Grants program.

“Veteran & Community Grants provide on-the-ground funding for local projects that promote health and wellbeing in the veteran community,” Mr McMullan said.

“Projects funded through the grants program include initiatives that encourage veterans, war widows and widowers to learn new life skills to help them remain independent, as well as social activities and support for carers.”

This grant will contribute to the purchase of a new surface grinder machine for Vietnam Veterans Federation metal workshop.

Veteran & Community Grants are available to ex-service and community organisations, veteran representative groups and private organisations that contribute to the health and welfare of the veteran community.

“I congratulate the ACT Vietnam Veterans Federation on its good work, and this valuable initiative to support veterans in the ACT,” Mr McMullan said.

For more information on the Veteran & Community Grants program visit www.dva.gov.au/grants or contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs office on 133 254 (for metro callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metro callers).

Federal Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, has called on ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope and Federal Minister for Finance Lindsay Tanner to consider utilising available office space in Gunghalin as a way of easing pressure on the ACT construction industry.

Mr McMullan’s comments come in the wake of Mr Stanhope’s decision to delay ‘non urgent’ capital works in the ACT after the construction industry warned of critical skills shortages.

“I welcome the high level of capital investment in Canberra by the Rudd Government. This is contributing to Canberra’s strong economic growth and low unemployment.”

“However we have a situation where capital works, including construction of public service offices, are putting serious pressure on the ACT construction industry, and all the while there is 3000 square metres of fully furnished offices empty and gathering dust in Gunghalin.” Mr McMullan said.

“Not only does this space offer significant value for money for taxpayers, using it will also ease the pressure on the construction industry and provide a boost to Gunghalin’s economy.”

“In a situation where the ACT and Commonwealth governments are trying to reduce costs, this is an opportunity which is too good to be missed.”

Mr McMullan said he shared the Chief Minister’s belief in the need for long-term strategic planning for Commonwealth investment in ACT capital works to avoid peak and troughs and to provide better value for money.

“Obviously we need to figure out a better way of doing business in the future.”

Minister for Employment Participation Senator Mark Arbib and the Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, today announced the second round of Innovation Fund projects that will help disadvantaged job seekers in Canberra.

The Australian Government has provided $700,000 for the “Home to Work” program which will offer counselling and employment assistance to the participants.

“This innovative project will support 80 long-term unemployed job seekers in gaining the skills needed to become job-ready,” Mr McMullan said.

“The ‘Home to Work’ project will integrate support services to ACT public housing tenants and include social networking activities through a ‘Jobs Club’, and culminate in work experience placements with local employers.”

The Innovation Fund provides $41 million for competitive grants over three years to encourage inventive employment and training solutions for disadvantaged job seekers.

Fourteen projects around Australia, totalling more than $6 million, will be funded in the second round. This is in addition to the $20.4 million announced by the Prime Minister in June for earlier projects taking the total to $26.5 million funding a total of 47 projects.

“The Government is committed to supporting disadvantaged job seekers increase their chances of finding sustainable employment,” Mr McMullan said.

“Already disadvantaged job seekers are receiving support and training to successfully obtain and keep employment through projects currently being undertaken from the first round of the Innovation Fund.”

As a component of Job Services Australia, the Innovation Fund projects lead the way in supporting people in areas with entrenched disadvantage, the homeless, people with mental health conditions, Indigenous job seekers and families with generational unemployment.

Further information on the round two Innovation Fund projects can be found at www.deewr.gov.au

The Lion’s Club of Gungahlin and the Tuggeranong BMX Club are amongst 121 community organisations in the ACT to share in almost $490,000 in funding from the Australian Government’s Volunteer Grants 2009 initiative.

Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and Parliamentary Secretary for the voluntary sector, Senator Ursula Stephens, announced more than 6700 community organisations across Australia will benefit from $21 million in volunteer grants.

“Under this initiative, grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are provided to non-profit organisations to support their volunteers and encourage volunteering,” Minister Macklin said.
“Every day volunteers are out in our local community doing what they do best– helping those in need, nurturing our environment and fostering our nation’s sporting and cultural life” said Senator Stephens.
The Member for Canberra, Annette Ellis, Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan and ACT Labor Senator Kate Ellis welcomed the announcement of the 121 local volunteer organisations receiving Australian Government support.

“The Australian Government’s volunteer grants provide valuable support to organisations that keep the ACT community together,”

“For many local volunteer organisations these grants provide the opportunity to purchase new equipment and cover the cost of fuel.

The grants will be used to purchase small equipment such as computers, cameras, first aid and safety equipment and marquees.

“Volunteers are the backbone of so many of our non-profit organisations and make a real and lasting difference in the lives of so many people in our community.
“The Australian Government values the enormous contribution volunteers in the ACT and this funding will ease the financial pressure on non-profit organisations and their volunteers.”
For the full list of successful organisations, please go to
http://tinyurl.com/lha8qy

Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan, Federal Member for Canberra Annette Ellis and Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy have expressed their disappointment on behalf of the ACT at the Liberal Party’s decision to block the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in the Senate today.

 “Today’s reckless act by the Liberal Party marks a gigantic step backwards in the battle to tackle climate change, and a gigantic step backwards for Australia’s national interest.”

Australia is one of the hottest and driest continents on earth which means our environment and economy will be hit hard in the future by climate change. That is why the Rudd Government is taking action on climate change.

The potential impacts and costs to the Territory’s industries, infrastructure, environment and people is significant. The ACT is likely to experience rising temperatures, increases in extreme weather events including high-intensity rainfall, flood, drought and bush fire risk. By 2070 the annual average number of days over 35°C in the ACT could grow from the current 5 days to 8-25 days.

“We must take decisive action on climate change for our children, grandchildren and future generations of Australians.

“The Rudd Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme is the most effective, responsible way to reduce carbon pollution and help families and businesses make the transition to a greener economy.

“The climate change extremists in the Liberal Party have stopped Australia from taking decisive action on climate change.”

32 countries already have national emissions trading schemes, 4 other major economies are moving towards emissions trading and 27 states and provinces in the US and Canada are introducing emissions trading.

Media contact:   Annika Hutchins – 0407 458 882 (Lundy)

                 Sam Casey –  0421 697 660 (McMullan)

                 Brenton Sloane – 0431 252 698 (Ellis)

Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan and Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy today congratulated the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Canberra (UC) and their hard working researchers on receiving a total of $40,742,839 to fund 107 outstanding research projects from the Rudd Government.

Funding for these projects comes from the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development, Discovery Projects and Linkage Projects schemes – announced today for funding commencing in 2010.

Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan and Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy have welcomed the announcement of Australian Government funding of $5,000,000 to help improve the higher education facilities of the University of Canberra (UC).

The funding will be allocated to the Innovative Sustainable Practical Interactive Research in Education (InSPIRE) Centre, under the $71.5 million Capital Development Pool (CDP) program, that will help UC deliver important infrastructure.

Bob McMullan has announced Centrelink will run a free seminar next week to explain how the new Pension Reforms will benefit pensioners.

“With some of the most significant changes to the pension system in 100 years set to be introduced on 20 September, Centrelink will be holding free seminars to help pensioners understand how the changes will impact them,” Mr McMullan said.

The Australian National University (ANU) will receive $1 million in Rudd Government funding to transform its iconic Canberra campus into a sustainable green hub.

The Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan today welcomed the approval of the Canberra Airport Master Plan by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Anthony Albanese.

The Master Plan is expected to generate at least 13,000 jobs over the next 20 years and enable Canberra Airport to continue to be a key economic driver for the ACT and surrounding regions.

New learning facilities were officially opened today at St Matthew's Primary School, Page, by Mr Bob McMullan.

Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan has welcomed the commencement of construction work of a new purpose-built performance stage and shading for the children’s play area in Glebe Park.

Federal Member for Canberra Annette Ellis and Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan have welcomed the Australian Governments $660,000 investment in the ACT to support a number of vital community services under the Government's $19.3 million Community Investment Program.

The Federal Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, announced today that emergency service volunteers in the ACT will receive an additional $88,000 in funding from the Australian Government’s National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund.

The funding will be provided to the Southcare Helicopter, the Salvation Army, St John Ambulance, the Australian Red Cross, Volunteering ACT and the ACT Emergency Services to help boost volunteer services in the region.

The Federal Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, today announced more than $480,000 of Australian Government funding for ACT Health and the ACT Chinese Australian Association Inc to help make culturally appropriate aged care more accessible for the Canberra community.

Bob McMullan, today welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Childcare and Youth, Kate Ellis, and ACT Minister for Children and Young People, Andrew Barr, that a $12 million Children and Family Centre will be established in the ACT.

The centre will be located in West Belconnen and based on the successful Children and Family Centres located in Tuggeranong and Gungahlin.

Federal Member for Canberra Annette Ellis, Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan and ACT Labor Senator Kate Lundy have welcomed yesterday’s announcement of more than $2.7 million in funding over two years from the Rudd Government for the ACT Regional Investment Strategy through the Caring for our Country program.

This funding is part of a total of $403 million announced yesterday through Caring for our Country for environmental and sustainable farming projects across Australia.

Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, and Member for Canberra, Annette Ellis, have announced that the Australian Capital Territory has been allocated $800,000 to assist them to build new or upgrade existing community facilities such as libraries, community centres and sports grounds.

The Federal Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, today welcomed the announcement of Australian Government funding of $6,184,218 to the CIT campus in Bruce.

“This funding will pay for the construction of a new sustainable building at CIT’s Bruce campus, providing green jobs, practical hands-on training of sustainable skills in sciences and engineering; and up skilling of existing workers,” Mr McMullan said

The Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, today welcomed $430,000 in funding for community projects in Fraser as part of a $19.3 million commitment to the new Community Investment Program.

“The wellbeing of families in Fraser is a central priority of mine, and I am extremely pleased to see this Australian Government funding in my electorate over the next year,” said Mr McMullan

The member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, today announced the Federal Government would spend more than $188,285 on services to assist refugees and migrants settle in Canberra.

Federal Member for Canberra Annette Ellis, Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan and ACT Labor Senator Kate Lundy today announced that 49 local schools in the ACT will receive more than $7.3 million for minor infrastructure and refurbishment projects under Round Two of the National School Pride (NSP) program.

The NSP program is one of three elements of the Rudd Government’s $14.7 billion Building the Education Revolution (BER) and will deliver much needed funding for school infrastructure projects and, importantly, support local jobs.

Bob McMullan MP, Member for Fraser, today welcomed the announcement of $60 million from the Rudd Government for the Eccles Institute, the third stage of the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the ANU.

“This is a significant investment in research capacity at the ANU,” said Mr McMullan.

“I’m glad to be a part of a Government that takes the research work of our universities so seriously."

Bob McMullan MP, Member for Fraser, today welcomed the Rudd Government’s commitment of a new, $90 million Chemical Sciences Hub for the ANU.

“This is a great initiative,” said Mr McMullan.

“I’m just so glad that the Government is making this investment, which is such a boost for the ANU, and at the same time provide work during the construction phase for small businesses in our community.”

Bob McMullan MP, Member for Fraser, today welcomed the Rudd Government’s commitment of $50 million in funding for new supercomputing infrastructure to be based in Canberra.

“The new infrastructure will analyse and model information on climate change, earth systems and national water management,” Mr McMullan said.

The Australian Government will provide The Smith Family with up to $153,000 for the next two years to enable it to deliver parenting support services to Indigenous Australians in partnership with Gungahlin Child and Family Centre.

Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin.

Member for Fraser Bob McMullan, Member for Canberra Annette Ellis, and Senator Kate Lundy have today welcomed the announcement that 27 primary schools in the ACT will receive over $50 million for new infrastructure projects under Round One of the Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) program.

Schools successful in Round One funding include: Bonython Primary, Canberra Girls’ Grammar Junior School, Canberra Grammar Junior School, Garran Primary, Holy Family Parish Primary, Isabella Plains Early Childhood School, Monash Primary, Richardson Primary, Stromlo High, Telopea Park School, Trinity Christian School, Wanniassa Hills Primary, Brindabella Christian College, Fraser Primary, Holy Spirit Primary School, Lyneham Primary, Macgregor Primary, Miles Franklin Primary, Rosary Primary School, Southern Cross Early Childhood School, St Michael’s Primary School and Turner School.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, and Senator Kate Lundy have today encouraged ACT school kids to enter a new national competition to tell Australia what they think about climate change.

The Think Climate Think Change competition will encourage both primary and secondary students to use their creative talents to answer the question: ‘What does Climate Change mean to me?’

The Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, today encouraged nurses who have left the nursing workforce to take advantage of the Rudd Government’s cash payments of up to $6,000 for qualified nurses and midwives who choose to return to work.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser and Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra today welcomed the announcement that up to 56 new social housing dwellings will be built in the ACT under the Australian Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

The Australian and ACT Governments have committed to deliver 56 new social housing dwellings across the Territory by July 2010 at a cost of $11 million

Federal Member for Canberra Annette Ellis and Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan have welcomed a $12 million funding boost to 77 ACT schools as part of Round One of the National School Pride (NSP) program.

The NSP program delivers the first phase of the Rudd Government’s $14.7 billion Building the Education Revolution (BER) investment.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese and Member for Fraser Bob McMullan have today announced the Rudd Labor Government will invest $775,340 to fix eight dangerous black spots on local roads in Fraser.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, and Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, today welcomed the announcement that the Australian Government will provide an additional $270,055 over two years to increase carers’ access to training and information services, early intervention projects and recreational activities in the ACT.

The funding for Communities@Work and The Mental Health Foundation (ACT) is part of the Australian Government’s $13 million boost to 46 National Respite Development Fund (NRDF) organisations across Australia.

Up to 54 new affordable rental homes will be built in Fraser for low and middle income families under the National Rental Affordability Scheme, the Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, said today.

“This is an excellent outcome for Fraser, especially families on low to moderate incomes,” Bob McMullan said.

Statement of the Hon Bob McMullan MP, Envoy of the Australian Prime Minister to the International Conference in Support of the Palestinian Economy for the Reconstruction of Gaza – 2 March, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

The Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan today announced more than $266,000 to fund Anglicare Canberra and Goulburn to improve and support respite services for carers in the ACT.

Almost 2.6 million Australians provide care for family members or friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition or who are frail aged. Of these, about 500,000 are primary carers – the people who provide the most care.

The $266,000 announced today is part of a 2-year, $12 million program funded under the Australian Government’s commitment to carers through the National Respite for Carers Program, which is providing $194 million in 2008-09.

The Rudd Labor Government has today signed off on $2 million for ready-to-go local infrastructure projects in Canberra – to support local jobs, boost local economies and improve the quality of life for local communities.

Federal Member for Canberra Annette Ellis and Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan have urged ACT residents struggling with the news of the devastation of the Victorian bushfires to be prepared to seek some help if necessary.

“Members of the community who are experiencing distress as a result of the Victorian bushfires following our own bushfires in Canberra in 2003 may wish to consult their General Practitioner and can receive Medicare rebates for that consultation,” Mr McMullan said.

The Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, today welcomed the funding for community groups in Fraser announced by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin.

The funding will provide over $135,000 in grants to 24 community groups from the Australian Government’s 2008 Volunteer Grants Program.

The Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan MP, today announced that Majura Primary School will soon grow, harvest, cook and share fresh food after being announced as the ACT demonstration school under the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.

As a demonstration school, Majura Primary will receive $60,000 to implement the program and an additional $80,000 over two years to fund specialist kitchen and garden staff.

University of Canberra will receive $11 million to construct the International Microsimulation Centre through a fast-tracked grant from the Education Investment Fund.

Together with the $8.6 million in extra funding to increase support specialisation and diversification at the University of Canberra and the Australian National University, the Rudd Government is demonstrating its commitment to the future of quality higher education in Canberra.

Member for Fraser Bob McMullan, Member for Canberra Annette Ellis, and ACT Labor Senator Kate Lundy have welcomed Australian Government funding of $8.6 million for the Australian National University and the University of Canberra.

Bob McMullan discusses the Bali Democracy Forum, the FAO's World Food Insecurity Report 2008, and the Future of Australia’s aid program with Alex Sloane on the 666 ABC Canberra Morning Show.

“Australia will provide a $1 million grant to the Indonesian National Commission on Violence Against Women as part of our commitment to addressing violence against women in the region,” Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Bob McMullan announced today.

The funding will assist the Commission to promote human rights and particularly the rights of women in Indonesia.

The Australian Government has for the first time made people with disability a priority for Australia’s international development program.

Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, will today launch Australia’s first strategy to guide Australia’s aid program in supporting people with a disability in the developing world.

With Senator Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, today I announced funding of $243,300 to tackle youth binge drinking in the ACT.

Directions ACT has been awarded the funding to deliver their Party Safe Binge Drinking Project, which will address risk-taking behaviour by young people under the influence of alcohol. The Project will target binge-drinking hotspots such as night clubs and festivals and will deliver age-appropriate information and resources such as safe sex information, bottles of water and condoms

Parliamentary Secretary for International Development, Bob McMullan will today help launch an art exhibition to break the ‘toilet taboo’ and raise awareness of sanitation needs in the Asia-Pacific region.

Poor sanitation affects about 190 million people in the Asia-Pacific region. Approximately 75,000 children die every year from diarrhoea in South-East Asia and the Pacific alone.

The public exhibition of 100 decorated toilet pans, to be displayed in Brisbane today, is part of World Toilet Day, which aims to generate public discussion on sanitation issues.

An agreement to up-skill Papua New Guineans to work on the proposed liquefied natural gas PNG LNG project is just one of the outcomes from a visit to PNG by Bob McMullan, Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for International Development.

Mr McMullan said his visit to PNG would result in both countries getting to work on how to deliver the Pacific Partnership for Development.

A warehouse containing essential emergency relief supplies opening today will enable Australian humanitarian agencies to respond faster to disasters in the region.

Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, today opened the Joint Emergency Stores Warehouse in Brisbane, a partnership between the Australian Government and three humanitarian relief agencies.

The Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan MP, today welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of short listed proposals for the accelerated second stage of the Higher Education Endowment Fund (HEEF).

This follows the Prime Minister’s announcement to fast track the Australian Government’s nation building agenda.

The Rudd Government has taken decisive action to make sure working families under financial pressure in Fraser have a secure future and the benefits of a strong economy.

“Today Kevin Rudd announced a $10.4 billion strategy to strengthen the national economy and support Australian households during a deep and prolonged global economic slowdown,” Bob McMullan, Federal Member for Fraser said today.

“To help struggling household economies boost the national economy, families receiving Family Tax Benefit A will receive financial support through a one-off payment of $1,000 for each eligible child in their care. This will deliver relief before Christmas for more than 18,000 families right here in the ACT.

Financial counselling services in the ACT will receive Australian Government funding to continue delivering services to help ease the strain on people under financial pressure.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, and Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, said CARE Inc would receive increased funding now totalling $74,000 from the Australian Government to operate expanded Commonwealth Financial Counselling services.

Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, today committed Australia to a leadership role in supporting people with disability in the Asia Pacific.

An estimated 650 million people across the world have a disability and about 80 per cent of the population with a disability live in developing countries. The Asia Pacific region is home to two-thirds of this population.

“The Australian Government recognises that poverty is both a cause and consequence of disability and is committed to ensuring that the benefits of development reach those who are most excluded,” Mr McMullan said.

The Member for Fraser, the Hon Bob McMullan MP, today welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, of funding for 54 new Commonwealth supported higher education nursing places at the University of Canberra.

The Australian Government has joined with the ACT Government and the West Belconnen Health Cooperative to establish a Community Health and Wellbeing Centre in West Belconnen, Canberra.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, today welcomed the Rudd Government’s announcement that the Charnwood community would benefit from the Home Interaction Program for parents and children.

As part of the Education Revolution and in partnership with the Brotherhood of Saint Laurence, this program offers home tutoring, books and educational resources to disadvantaged children.

Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Bob McMullan today launched a new teaching kit, Global Connections, developed by Austrade, to assist Canberra students in years 5 to 8 with their study of international trade and globalisation issues.

The Federal Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan MP, today welcomed comments by the ACT Minister for Planning, Andrew Barr MLA, that discussions with the Federal Government about locating a Federal Government department in Gungahlin are progressing.

Community organisations in Fraser can now apply for a share in the Australian Government’s $21 million Volunteer Grants Program 2008.

The Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan MP, welcomed the opening of the funding round, announced by Jenny Macklin, the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

A transcript of a speech delivered by Bob McMullan to the annual conference of the United Nations Association of Australia in Brisbane.

The Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan MP, today announced new funding for St Thomas More’s Primary School in Campbell as part of the Government’s Australian Better Health Initiative (ABHI), which will provide over $17.6 million for 190 school and community organisations to run local programs promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

The Rudd Government continues to support veterans in the ACT with Vietnam Veterans' Federation ACT Branch one of 220 ex-service organisations to receive a grant in the latest funding round, the Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, said today.

The Morshead Home for Veterans and other Aged Persons will receive $7,000 in funding from the Rudd Government, Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan MP, said today.

Mr McMullan said the funding had been approved by Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, as part of the Saluting Their Service commemorations program.

Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, has expressed his sympathy for the family of Sydney aid worker Darren Stratti.

The Rudd Government will invest $204 000 to fix two dangerous black spots on local roads, Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, announced today.

Mr McMullan said the Rudd Government was committed to preventing crashes and saving lives on our roads.

Australia will be amongst the first countries to provide urgently needed help to the victims of Typhoon Fengshen in the Philippines.

Australia has responded by providing an initial $500,000 to the Philippines National Red Cross appeal for emergency assistance, issued yesterday.

The Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan MP, today congratulated Gold Creek School on it’s successful application for 139 new computers from the first round of funding from the Australian Government’s National Secondary School Computer Fund.

The Australian Government will provide $1.2 million in additional humanitarian assistance to meet the essential needs of vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.

Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, has opened Relief in Sight – a compelling display of 68 photographs reflecting Australia’s commitment to helping people affected by natural disasters and conflict.

“The powerful and poignant images offer a rare insight into the role of volunteers and relief workers in rebuilding communities after disaster strikes,” Mr McMullan said.

Australia will work with Pacific Governments and the UN to strengthen women’s leadership in the region.

Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, said women are significantly under-represented in decision-making positions in the Pacific.

I proudly support the Government bill introduced today reducing the cost of a Defence Force family home loan by up to $700 per month.

The Defence Home Loan Assistance Scheme Bill 2008 represents another election promise kept by the Rudd Government.

Bob McMullan, the Member for Fraser, has welcomed the announcement of a special one-off payment to the Australian National University, the University of Canberra and the Australia Catholic University.

The funding was announced by the Rudd Government as part of an extra $500 million to Australian universities to help them rebuild their infrastructure.

The 2008-09 Budget lays the foundation for implementing the Government’s long-term commitment to increase Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015-16.

Australia will provide an estimated $3.7 billion in ODA in 2008-09, increasing Australia’s ratio of ODA to GNI from 0.30 per cent in 2007-08 to 0.32 per cent in 2008-09. The Government expects to increase Australia’s ODA to levels equivalent to 0.35 per cent of GNI in 2009-10, 0.37 per cent of GNI in 2010-11 and 0.38 per cent of GNI in 2011-12.

Australia will help increase youth employment in East Timor.

A $24 million four-year program is helping to create short-term employment opportunities and establish vocational education and training benefiting up to 70,000 young people.

I will visit East Timor from 7 to 11 May, 2008. It will be my first visit to East Timor as Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance.

During my visit I will call on President HE Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta and meet with Prime Minister Mr Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao and other Ministers and senior officials in the Government of Timor Leste to discuss the Australian development cooperation program.

I am pleased to announce funding of a new agricultural research project that will help increase wheat and maize production in Afghanistan, as part of Australia’s commitment to rebuilding food security, income generation and rural employment opportunities.

To achieve this, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and AusAID are providing $1.5 million funding over four years in partnership with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre and the Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock.

The Rudd Government has taken action to end unacceptable delays experienced by home-owners seeking to access the Federal Government's $1,000 rebate for installing a solar hot water service.

The refurbished Papua New Guinea National Library will be officially opened by Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance today, 30 years after its official opening in 1978.

The Hon Bob McMullan MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, will today open Survivors, a photographic exhibition detailing the impact of landmines on survivors in Cambodia.

A range of Australian organisations will open their doors to current and future regional leaders after securing funding under Round 2 of the Australian Leadership Awards -Fellowships program.

Australia will help the Philippines to ensure public schools reach and maintain higher standards of basic education and increase young Filipinos’ access to education.

We will provide a $41 million development assistance grant over four years (2007 –2011) through a World Bank trust fund in support of the Government of the Philippines’ basic education reforms.

The Australian Government will establish stronger alliances with a range of domestic, regional and international partners to improve the quality and effectiveness of health sector development assistance in the Asia-Pacific region.

We will provide up to $24 million over four years to establish Health Knowledge Hubs with the Nossal Institute; the University of New South Wales; the University of Queensland; and the Centre for International Child Health, Menzies School of Health Research and the Burnet Institute.

On the eve of United Nations World Health Day (7 April), the Australian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving sanitation services in the Asia-Pacific region.

Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, said improving access to clean water and sanitation services is crucial to raising the health and living standards of people in the Asia Pacific.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, and Senator Kate Lundy today invited ACT residents to participate in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) National Grocery Prices Inquiry when it hold hearings in Canberra next week.

The private sector in Cambodia can now bid for Australian Government-funded grants for projects that lift people out of poverty.

The Enterprise Challenge Fund for the Pacific and South East Asia provides grants of up to $1.5 million for developing successful business ideas which improve livelihoods, incomes and access to vital goods and services in Cambodia.

Australia will contribute $570,000 to support voter education and civic participation in the lead up to the Cambodia National Assembly election this year.

Australia will provide further support to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia which have been established to prosecute those leaders most responsible for crimes against humanity during the Khmer Rouge period.

Australia is working with Mekong countries to address the impacts of climate change.

The Australian Government is providing $450,000 to support a climate change partnership between the CSIRO and the Mekong River Commission (MRC).

I will visit Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from 1 to 4 April, to attend the “Phnom Penh Dialogue 2008 on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace and Harmony.”

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, and Senator Kate Lundy have today welcomed the announcement of the Career Transition and Support Centre at the Australian Public Service Commission.

Announced today by the Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner, the Career Transition and Support Centre will manage and co-ordinate opportunities for excess staff to be redeployed across the public service.

The Australian Government is partnering with business to fight poverty in our region.

The Government will provide $400,000 to Business for Millennium Development to encourage business to address poverty in developing countries in the Asia Pacific.

I am pleased to release the first Annual Review of Development Effectiveness.
The Rudd Government came to office with a commitment not only to increase Australia’s overseas aid, in line with the growing contributions of other developed nations, but also to make it more effective.

More than 15,000 people in Fraser and 16,000 people in the electorate of Canberra will start receiving increased allowances and more regular financial payments from the Australian Government, starting today.

The Australian Government will provide grants to community groups, non-government organisations and national human rights institutions in developing countries to help promote and protect human rights.

The Australian Government, through AusAID, will provide $2 million in humanitarian assistance to flood victims in southern Africa.

Australia will provide an additional $2 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) for food aid to meet an urgent and growing need for humanitarian assistance in Zimbabwe.

Australians are being reminded that tuberculosis remains a significant global problem.

The Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, today officially opened an exhibition focusing on the lives of people living with TB.

Australia will provide $5 million for food aid to Afghanistan through our international development assistance agency, AusAID, to help address severe food shortages affecting more than 2.5 million Afghans.

Australia will provide further support to Ethiopia's Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, which treats women with the debilitating condition, obstetric fistula.

Australia will provide food aid to the most vulnerable people in East Timor to improve food security and support longer-term solutions to civil unrest.

The Australian Government’s international aid agency, AusAID, will provide $1 million to the World Food Programme to help meet shortfalls in supplies of rice, beans, oil, sugar, corn and other food staples.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, said today that significant changes to the Child Support Scheme will commence on 1 July this year.

“All 1.5 million separated parents registered with the CSA, paying and receiving parents as well as those with private arrangements, will be affected by these changes to the Child Support Scheme,” said Bob McMullan.

Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, today announced that local families would benefit from the Rudd Government’s Teen Dental Plan.

The plan will assist over one million Australian teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 with dental costs.

Establishing a Teen Dental Plan to help working families fix their kid’s teeth honours another major election commitment by the Rudd Government.

For information on how to make a submission to the ACCC inquiry into grocery prices, Fraser residents are invited to go to the ACCC website – www.accc.gov.au – or call the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted my office about the apology to the Stolen Generations. I am attaching a press release from the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, with details of the arrangements in and around Parliament House on the day for those of you who wish to attend this important event.

Today the Rudd Government is releasing the First Home Saver Accounts (FHSA) discussion paper outlining the proposed features of the accounts and how they would operate.

This follows Cabinet’s formal approval of the establishment of the FHSA on Monday this week.

“Labor recognises that young people and families in Australia are facing real financial hurdle to purchasing their first home. That’s why we announced we would pursue this policy in the 2007 federal election campaign, to give people a better chance at achieving the great Australian dream of owning their own home” the Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan said.

Australian Hearing is offering free hearing checks at the Retirement and Lifestyle Expo in Canberra on 8-10 February 2008.

Member for Fraser, Hon Bob McMullan, said the Australian Government hearing service provider is hosting a stand at the event to promote hearing awareness to retirees.

As a first step in the long process of improving the quality and effectiveness of Australia’s overseas aid, the Australian Government is implementing an enhanced three-year Development Research Strategy.

“It is not good enough to just increase the quantity of aid, although that is very important, we must increase the quality of the aid as well,” said Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance.

“Therefore, the Australian Government will provide $8.8 million for 27 new Australian Development Research Awards.

“Good research leads to a more effective aid program.

“The research will provide decision-makers with practical solutions to the most difficult development challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Mr McMullan announced the strategy and the Development Research Awards at an international development conference in Brisbane.

Member for Fraser Bob McMullan today welcomed the establishment of a Headspace youth mental health centre in Canberra.

“Young people in the Canberra and surrounding regions at risk of mental health and drug and alcohol problems will benefit from the establishment of a new Headspace Youth Services Centre in the ACT” said Mr McMullan.

One of the most important promises we made during the election campaign was ending the blame game between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories. Today’s COAG meeting in Melbourne signals the start of this core task.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is meeting with Premiers, Chief Ministers and the Australian Local Government Association today to map out the future direction for the Australian Federation over the next several years.

ACT Federal Labor representatives today attended the ACT declaration of the polls as members of the newly elected Labor Government.

The Labor Government has an ambitious agenda to bring about positive change for all Australians, and all three expressed excitement at being a part of the new Labor Government as ACT representatives.

Kevin Rudd said Australia should be a world leader in the fight against global poverty in his campaign launch speech – Mr Howard did not even mention it.

It is clear that only Labor is genuinely committed to making poverty history.

Labor welcomes yesterday’s Make Poverty History’s SMS and email campaign, in which all the leading agencies are calling on Australians to make aid an issue at the election next week.

Make Poverty History’s report card has highlighted the relative strengths of Federal Labor’s aid policy, and articulated the numerous areas where Australia’s aid is currently falling short of decent international standards.

The need for more assistance to fight treatable or preventable blindness was highlighted in last night’s “7:30 Report” on the ABC.

Dr Nitin Verma is to be commended on the invaluable work he is carrying out, restoring vision to hundreds of thousands East Timorese people.

According to the ABC, Australia’s official contribution will end this year. Dr Verma says the real need is for the training of eye care personnel.

On World Sight Day earlier this month (11 Oct 07) Federal Labor announced our plan to Fight Avoidable Blindness in the Region, as part of a broader policy on disability in development.

After 11 years of inactivity, and after Federal Labor’s announcement, the Howard Government followed suit and made an announcement on blindness and disability.

While the decision was 11 years late, it is nevertheless more than welcome.

Federal Labor's Overseas Aid spokesperson, Mr Bob McMullan today said he was deeply disappointed that Federal Howard Minister, Mr Tony Abbott had criticised World Vision chief Tim Costello for his support for Federal Labor's foreign aid policy.

A Rudd Labor government will take the lead on water and sanitation for developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Unclean water and poor sanitation are the world’s second biggest killers of children, needlessly killing 1.8 million children every year.

An incoming Rudd Labor government will allocate an additional $100 million from Australia’s international aid budget in 2009/10 and an additional $200 million in 2010/11 to assist our neighbours meet a basic human need – access to clean water and sanitation.

ACT Federal representatives, Senator Kate Lundy, Bob McMullan and Annette Ellis have today expressed concern about reports that the Australian National Botanic Gardens will be forced to compromise its research and biodiversity programs in order to service projected debts.

After 11 years of inactivity, 5 weeks before the election, and one week after Federal Labor’s announcement, the Howard Government is finally coming on board to realise the importance of assisting people with disabilities in developing countries.

Not to be churlish, while the decision is 11 years late, it is nevertheless more than welcome.

It now guarantees that whoever is elected, the long neglected issues facing the poorest of the poor in developing countries - people with disabilities - will move to the centre of Australia’s aid program as they should have more than a decade ago.

Australia needs to do more to make poverty history.

Federal Labor believes Australia should be a leader in the fight against poverty.

In July this year, Kevin Rudd made the historic announcement to lift Australia’s international development assistance performance to hit the intermediate UN target of 0.5 per cent Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015.

This would be an important step in the right direction towards Australian doing its fair share of the work (particularly here in our own immediate region) to truly make poverty history.

In Canberra, our local Sudanese community has made many important contributions to our community, and have many significant achievements in their own right.

It is extraordinary to have a Minister for Immigration who has nothing positive to say about the vast majority of Australian families of African background who are hard working, law abiding and make a valuable contribution to Australian society.

There is a vibrant and engaged Sudanese community here in the ACT that, in the context of Minister Andrews recent offensive remarks, must be recognised for its contributions to Canberra and our community.

Shadow Minister for Transport, Roads and Tourism, Martin Ferguson announced today that a Rudd Labor government will help fund a $60 million upgrade of roads in the Canberra International Airport precinct.

Up to 75% of blindness is treatable or preventable, yet more than half of the world’s vision impaired live on Australia’s doorstep in Asia and the Pacific.

A Rudd Labor government will lead efforts to give sight to the poorest of the poor in our region, and will provide up to $22.5 million each year for two years to:
• Address eye health and vision care needs in our neighbouring countries in the Pacific using existing health system infrastructure.
• Identify and plan to expand into selected priority countries in South-East Asia.

As part of this plan, a Rudd Labor government will undertake a pilot program in the South Pacific and priority countries in South East Asia, establishing at least 10 Vision Centres and at least one Service Centre as well as providing support to the Pacific Eye Institute and training crucial eye and vision personnel.

Download the policy here.

The Howard government’s growing neglect of our health and hospital system has been exposed again, with reports today adding to the mounting evidence of Peter Costello as Australia’s highest taxing Treasurer ever.

Mr Costello is very good at patting himself on the back, but here are the facts he doesn’t like to share with the Australian people:

• Commonwealth tax as a share of GDP has risen to an all time high of 24.6 per cent of GDP in 2006-07, up from 22.8 percent in 1996-97 – according to official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

• Total payments to the states and territories, including grants and GST revenue, have fallen to their lowest level in a decade – at 6.5 per cent of GDP in 2006-07, compared to 7.2 per cent of GDP in 2001-02 according to the Government’s own Final Budget Outcome.

Federal Labor welcomes the Government’s announced humanitarian assistance to Burma.

Scores of Burmese are still being arrested, as the country’s military continues its crackdown following last week’s protests.

Therefore, Australia needs to maintain its active assistance to the people of Burma.

The Howard Government has missed an important opportunity to join an international development initiative which breaks new ground in financing the fight against the world’s three most dangerous infectious diseases.

Yesterday the German and Indonesian governments signed an agreement to cancel a proportion of Indonesia’s debt on the condition that Indonesia invests half of the freed up money into national health programs.

Federal Labor welcomes reports of a partnership between Australia and Indonesia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as part of the Global Initiative on Forests and Climate which was announced in March 2007.

Tackling this challenge is a useful and cost effective way to reduce the 20-25 per cent contribution of deforestation and other land use changes to global emissions.

The Government should build on this weekend’s positive announcement by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol and arguing for avoided deforestation to be included in global climate change commitments beyond 2012.

Reform of the federation requires a plan of action and only a Rudd Labor Government has such a plan.

In a speech today to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations, Bob McMullan, welcomed the fact that Federal/State Relations is finally on the political agenda.

Kevin Andrews’ wild allegations about unskilled workers “flooding into Australia” are a desperate attempt to divert attention from his own government’s failings.

To reiterate what was said and reported, a labour mobility scheme is impossible under current workplace legislation, as the necessary protection mechanisms for vulnerable workers are not present.

The Make Poverty History report card reported today illustrates the stark difference between the alternative governments, when it comes to the campaign to making poverty history.

In comparing the aid policies of the major political parties, the report card has highlighted the relative strengths of Federal Labor’s aid policy, and articulated the numerous areas where Australia’s aid is currently falling short of decent international standards, under the Howard Government.

The Howard Government has the wrong priority in its campaign to improve governance in neighbouring countries through the Australian aid program.

The Shadow Minister for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, outlined to an aid forum in Queensland last night the need for a changed focus in Australia’s aid budget

The Prime Minister’s intention to establish an infrastructure fund from the earnings of future surpluses is a carbon copy of Labor’s Building Australia Fund.

Australia must improve its dismal infrastructure investment record which has left Australia ranked 20th out of 25 OECD countries for investment in public infrastructure.

In the absence of comprehensive infrastructure coordination and planning, the government is simply creating a slush fund for marginal seats.

The Government’s announced $6.5 million for global climate challenges is pathetic.

It is a wonder that the Minister for Foreign Affairs even bothered to put out a media release to announce such a paltry amount. He should be embarrassed to have called a press conference for so little.

Climate change is an especially real threat to the world’s poor. They are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and the least able to adapt to these changes.

An incoming Rudd Labor government would work with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) to address urbanisation of the poor as part of Australia’s international development assistance.

The United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) State of World Population 2007 report marked the first time in history when half of the world’s population will be living in cities.

Today’s interest rate rise, the ninth since 2002, will put additional pressure on already stressed Canberra families, say Federal ACT representatives, Senator Kate Lundy, Annette Ellis MP and Bob McMullan MP.

The ALP Advisory Group on Federal-State Reform today released its report on reform to the system of Specific Purpose Payments (SPPs).

Among the range of options was a suggestion to reform SPP agreements to focus on outcomes, not inputs, to encourage efiiciency and innovation in the delivery of services by States.

A Rudd Labor Government will commit $150 million from Australia’s international aid budget to assist our neighbours prepare for and adapt to the effects of climate change.
Experts warn that the impact of climate change, particularly through rising sea levels, could lead to the submergence of tiny atolls and the inundation of low lying land – and that by 2050 up to 150 million people may be displaced.

Federal Labor welcomes reports that the Howard Government is heeding Labor’s advice and increasing support to combat HIV/AIDS in our region.

An increase in funding to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Asia-Pacific region is welcomed, but we await the details of the spending profile.

“The United Nations First Annual Report Card exposes the inadequacies of the Howard Government’s 11 year record on international development assistance”, said Shadow Minister for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, speaking at the launch of the report today.

Alexander Downer must come clean on the dirty deal he struck during his visit to Nauru this week.

The Howard Government has historically been very secretive about the money it provides to Nauru and which it disguises as aid funding.

The Shadow Minister for Federal/State Relations, Bob McMullan, last night told a meeting of the ALP in Canberra that the Government’s Australian Technical Colleges have been an expensive failure.

Mr McMullan said that figures released on the weekend illustrate the worst features of the Howard Government’s failed strategy in this area of federal/state relations.

Member for Fraser Bob McMullan today expressed strong concern that the Government’s Simplified Superannuation reforms to public superannuation schemes will leave members of the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS) significantly worse off.

Elderly ACT residents and their families are being neglected by Federal Government policy on aged care accommodation.

Federal Labor ACT Representatives Senator Kate Lundy, Bob McMullan MP and Annette Ellis MP pointed to the ACT’s unacceptably low Residential Aged Care Provision ratio.

“The ACT has the lowest ratio of all the states and territories,” Senator Lundy observed. “Our ratio is 72.1 beds per 1000 people aged 70 years or older, which falls short of the national average of 85.6, and far below the Federal Government’s own target ratio of 88.”

“Peter Costello yesterday on Insiders showed a smug complacency about the Government’s inadequate performance in the fight against global poverty”, said Bob McMullan.

Federal Labor believes all options to solve the housing affordability crisis should be put on the table - options which look at both supply and demand. The Howard government only ever talks about land release, without addressing the spectrum of associated problems.

The Leader of the Opposition’s speech to the Lowy Institute today is historic.

It establishes for the first time in Australia’s history a commitment to lift Australia’s international development assistance performance to hit the intermediate UN target of 0.5 per cent Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015.

This is also an important step in the right direction towards Australian doing its fair share of the work (particularly here in our own immediate region) to truly make poverty history.

Labor MP for Fraser, Bob McMullan, has welcomed news that Kevin Rudd will convene a National Housing Affordability Summit later this month - as families struggle to make the great Australian dream a reality.

“Home ownership has now slipped beyond the reach of many young Canberra families, with housing less affordable now than at any time in Australia’s history,” Mr McMullan said.

Today Senator Kate Lundy, Federal Member for Canberra Annette Ellis MP and Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan MP joined together to urge all senior Australians and groups to make a submission by 20 July 2007 to the Senate Inquiry that Labor has established into the cost of living pressures facing older Australians.

The Howard Government's so-called Australia Connected ignores the plight of thousands of people in city, suburban and outer metropolitan areas that are denied access to broadband because of the poor quality of existing infrastructure.

Federal Labor’s new policy proposal on aid to Indonesia could radically change the lives of thousands of poor Indonesians fighting deadly diseases.

Senator Kate Lundy, Annette Ellis MP, and Bob McMullan MP joined together today to encourage ACT college students to make sure they have their say in this year’s federal election by enrolling to vote now.

Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan today said that the ACT Government’s announcement of a $1.7 million boost for public dental services emphasised the callousness of the Howard Government’s refusal to assist Australians with dental health problems.

Comments made by HIV/AIDs Ambassador in Senate inquiries yesterday have raised concerns that the Howard Government may have underestimated the HIV/AIDs problem in PNG.

While I welcome the work of AusAID’s HIV/AIDs program, the limited increase in new funds for HIV/AIDs programs in this year’s aid budget was a disappointment.

Annette Ellis MP and Bob McMullan MP today jointly called on the Prime Minister to act to reign in petrol prices in the ACT.

Petrol prices are climbing steadily, and are hurting families who were already struggling with their mortgage repayments. These price increases particularly hurt Canberra residents living in Tuggeranong, Gungahlin and West Belconnen.

Federal Labor today announced the formation of an Advisory Group on Federal/State Relations.

It will make recommendations on how to improve relations between the two levels of government and assist on policy development in this important area before the forthcoming Federal election.

This budget fails to deliver the reform of federal/state relations that has been identified as necessary by a wide variety of individuals, organisations and committees.

In his speech the Treasurer mentioned federal/state relations only once when he played the blame game on dental care. Government ministers constantly call on the states and territories to fund programs from the supposed “rivers of gold” flowing from the GST but in fact the money the states receive from the Commonwealth has declined.

On the face of it, Labor welcomes the modest improvement to the aid program announced in the 2007 Budget.

Although the broadcast improvements are not as significant as the Government would like the aid community to believe, we welcome even a slight improvement to the lagging Australian aid program.

A Rudd Labor Government will make a real commitment to climate change solutions by offering households interest free loans of up to $10,000 to help make homes greener and more energy and water efficient.

Federal Labor has called on the Howard Government to explain why it gives priority to the funding of detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island in the overseas aid budget.

And it also called for a new direction in overseas aid and focus on the South Pacific taking into account the emergency of “climate change refugees” from struggling atolls affected by increased ocean levels.

Bob McMullan, Federal Member for Fraser, said today that the emerging parking crisis in Civic could be drastically reduced if his call to relocate some government departments and agencies outside Civic was adopted by the Howard government.

Labor welcomes the Business for Poverty Relief report released today urging businesses to take an active role in reducing poverty in our region.

At the launch of the Business for Poverty Relief Alliance in Melbourne today, Paul Gardner (Grey Global Group Australia) highlighted the inadequacy of the Australian Government’s contribution to overseas aid in contrast to other countries and called for a significant increase.

Labor Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, today condemned the Howard Government’s continuing neglect of, and refusal to act on, Australia’s escalating dental crisis.

“Ordinary families in my electorate simply cannot get the dental care they need, when they need it, because of Mr Howard’s refusal to help solve this crisis” said Mr McMullan.

Around 400,000 voters could be left without a voice in this year’s election as a result of the Howard Government’s extreme electoral laws which took effect last week.

As Member for Fraser I extend my deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of ACT Chief Police Officer Audrey Fagan.

Federal Labor welcomes reports that AusAID will launch an Enterprise Fund in the Pacific and poorer parts of Asia. We are pleased the Howard Government seems to be finally catching up on policy proposal we put forward last year.

The Business Council of Australia is right. The Federal-State relations reform process is progressing much too slowly. I join Michael Chaney of the BCA in expressing disappointment at the lack of outcomes from the COAG meeting last Friday.

Bob McMullan today welcomed plans for the Healthy Kids Check – an initiative which will include an assessment of a child’s basic health such as teeth, hearing, balance and sight.

The Prime Minister must use next week’s Council of Australian Governments meeting to demonstrate his commitment to reform of the federation.

Our federal structure is struggling. The Inter-Generational Report shows productivity is faltering with growth this decade revised down to 1.5 percent compared to the long term average of 1.75 percent.

Reform of federal-state relations is the key to the new wave of economic and social reform Australia needs to raise productivity over the coming decades.

Mr Downer must think the international aid community is blind and can’t see through his trumped up claim that Australia’s aid has improved significantly.

In claiming international recognition for an increase in overseas aid, the Australian Government has not been transparent about the real nature of the increase.

Australians are entitled to know where our aid money is going and Labor is calling for increased transparency in the overseas aid program.

The Australian Government should propose an assistance package for Indonesia that will make a practical and lasting difference to our neighbour's aviation safety standards.

Last week the political divide was forgotten as Government and Opposition joined together to grieve for the Australians who lost their lives in the crash and extend best wishes to the injured Australian survivors. The Federal Parliament also united in an expression of sympathy to the Indonesian people for their loss of life in the Garuda crash.

The value of Australian assistance was highlighted in the wake of the catastrophe. Australia already has in place an agreement that will enable an Indonesian investigator to train with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau for 12 months from the middle of next year.

But we can, and must, do more. Australian assistance must not end at the conclusion of the current crash investigation. In the wake of this tragedy we must do all we reasonably can to prevent future disasters.

The Government must act to stop the world’s second largest killer of children – unclean water.

World Vision reports, “diseases or infections associated with inadequate water supply and sanitation affect almost half the people in the developing world. More than a billion people in the world lack clean water and more than two and a half billion people lack access to improved sanitation.”

But the Government’s commitment to water and sanitation through the Australian aid program is running dry. There is a shortfall between the aid program’s water policy (published in 2003) and practice.

Today Labor Leader Kevin Rudd has announced a nation building investment in communications infrastructure for Australia. Under Labor’s plan, a national broadband network will deliver access to broadband speeds of a minimum of 12 mbps to 98 per cent of Australian homes and businesses. This is great news for the many people in Gungahlin struggling to obtain decent broadband access.

The Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, has criticised Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop for her failure to take action to assist the growing number of students who are risking their studies due to financial hardship.

“As the representative of an electorate which contains five universities campuses, I am very concerned about the Minister’s contempt for the welfare of students.”

Today we have signed a letter to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US Congress, calling on the United States Congress to help bring David Hicks home immediately.

David Hicks, an Australian citizen, has been held at Guantanamo Bay for over five years now. That’s five years with no charges laid and no chance of his release in sight.

It is clear that the Howard Government has abandoned one of its own citizens to a military commission process that no other Western country considers acceptable.

The sneaky stunt of the federal and NSW liberal parties is proof the Howard Government will always play politics with water.
This is a very bad sign given the Howard Government’s intention to announce a water package later today

I confidently predict that John Howard will, at some time during 2007, declare that reform of federal-state relations is a national priority. I expect he will then announce a proposition which will look like a step in the right direction, even though nothing will actually happen.

The 20 to 50% increase in electricity costs required to make nuclear power viable would cost low income families between $140 and $350 per annum.

I wholeheartedly support the call by retiring Secretary for the Department of Defence Ric Smith for a code of conduct for ministerial staff. This has become a black hole in the accountability system of our democracy.

Senator Kate Lundy, Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, and Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, are today reminding Canberrans to make sure they are correctly enrolled on the ACT electoral roll before changes to the Commonwealth Electoral Act commence early in the new year.

Question Time should be central to the vital process of holding ministers accountable for the discharge
of their important public duties. On most days, however, it is a farce!

Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, and Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, have today in Parliament defended the performance of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra after the Australian Ballet cited that as one reason why it would not be coming to Canberra in 2007.

Senator Kate Lundy together with Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, and Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, will today launch a campaign to make sure Canberrans are correctly enrolled on the ACT electoral roll before changes to the Commonwealth Electoral Act commence on December 11. Under the new rules, in the 2004 election 10359 electors could have lost their right to vote in the electorates of Canberra and Fraser.

According to a report from the ACT Consumer Law Centre due to be released to day, house repossessions in the ACT increased dramatically in 2005 and the trend for 2006 is the same, Member for Fraser Bob McMullan said today.

Kim Beazley, ACT Labor Senator Kate Lundy, Member for Fraser Bob McMullan and Member for Canberra Annette Ellis today met with Canberra cleaners regarding their concerns about being pushed off the ACT cleaning award and onto AWAs.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, says that yesterday’s rise in interest rates was inevitable, given Australia’s appalling trade performance, and he forecast this in his speech to the Parliament in May on reaction to the budget. However the inevitability of the rate rise does not make it any the less painful.

This article on trade policy originally appeared in The Age on 24 July 2006.

The current Australian trade crisis has many causes. Therefore, any solution will require a number of elements.

But the first thing is to acknowledge just how bad our trade performance has been. There is no way anyone can find a solution until they acknowledge the need for one.

Craig Emerson has contributed this Progressive Essay, which examines broad concepts of how the Labor Party can position itself to improve the lives of Australians.

The 7th annual Fraser Lecture was delivered by Clare Martin MLA, Northern Territory Chief Minister. She spoke on developments in Indigenous Affairs in the Northern Territory.

In this Progressive Essay, Bob McMullan and Dave Peebles examine the "Responsibility to Protect" principles in the light of Australia's experience in the Solomon Islands.

Australia ’s alliance with the United States has always had a different character under Labor governments. The key elements remain the same: policy dialogue; intelligence; access to technology; and the distant possibility of the “security guarantee”.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, has welcomed the support for his campaign for setting specific goals to overcome indigenous inequality reflected in the reports launched last week by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mr Tom Calma.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, Annette Ellis, Member for Canberra, and Senator Kate Lundy have today called on Senator Gary Humphries to support the ACT government against the attempts of Attorney-General Ruddock to intervene in ACT affairs.

According to new figures from the Department of Education, Science and Training, university students and graduates in Fraser now owe a staggering $ 183,544,578 in HECS debts, Member for Fraser Bob McMullan said today.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, has today introduced a private member’s bill, The Artist’s Resale Rights Bill 2006, which is a long overdue recognition of the need to provide resale royalties for visual artists, particularly those from an Indigenous background.

Australians wanting to reform the euthanasia laws need to mobilise a “coalition of the willing”, Member for Fraser, Bob McMullan, said today.

Writing for the Progressive Essay series, Bob McMullan examines the need for an Indigenous representative body to hold government to account, and suggests a number of ways in which such a representative body could be improved.

Despite a small increase, bulk billing figures for the electorate of Fraser are still the lowest in the country, causing a crisis in accessing health care for many Canberra families, Member for Fraser Bob McMullan said today.

The loss of 300 jobs at Airservices Australia is a stark reminder that while the ACT economy is strong, there are always some people doing it tough.

The current restrictive employment practices of the Howard government don’t provide the level of support employees are entitled to expect from their employers.

This is a proposal for reforming the structure of the Australian Labor Party. It was written by Bob McMullan, and he has circulated it to ALP Members within the electorate of Fraser.

Yesterday’s announcement by Airservices Australia that at least 300 jobs are to be lost in a restructure has come as a surprise to many, including the staff who will be most affected. The 300 jobs represent almost 10% of Airservices Australia’s current work force and it is hard to imagine how a loss of this number would not impact on day-to-day activities.

The public needs to be reassured that the safety of the travelling public will remain a top priority and these proposed cuts will not impinge on this.

In the latest Progressive Essay, Andrew Leigh argues that those who advocate lowering top tax rates are out of step with the views of most Australians. Contrary to figures that are often reported, the income of the average Australian is merely $26,000 per year, which is near the bottom of the 30 percent tax bracket.

Leigh suggests simplifying our tax filing system by allowing most people the option of not filing a return. He also argues for reducing effective marginal tax rates at the bottom, where the rates are highest, and the problem of joblessness most acute.

Major political parties exist to form governments. Minor political parties exist to gain enough votes to influence the policies of the government of the day but not enough to form a government in their own right.

In the recent past Labor has been at risk of making an unwanted transition from a major political party to a minor one. Any Australian political party that fails consistently to attract 40 per cent of first preference votes must struggle to qualify as a mainstream political force.

The recently announced decision to abolish the Board of Austrade is extraordinarily silly and will almost certainly be counter-productive to Australia’s desperate need to improve its export performance, particularly in manufactured goods and services.

(This article appeared in The Canberra Times on 5 January 2006 with slight amendments.)

It is a source of great disappointment that John Howard appears to have rejected out-of-hand the proposition that the size of the ACT Assembly should be increased.

Clashes of wills over the distribution of power and responsibility between the federal government and the states are as old as the nation itself and are common to all comparable federations. And the reasons are not hard to find. They have always had at their core the competing ambitions and priorities of governments at different levels; evolving judicial interpretations of constitutional provisions; fiscal imbalances and conflicting political agendas.

The citizen is at the heart of a properly functioning democracy. In this Progressive Essay, Carmen Lawrence examines democratic participation by Australian citizens, and puts forward a case for strengthening their role.

Debate on the massive changes proposed for industrial relations in Australia was this morning gagged in the House of Representatives, denying many members a say on the legislation.

Greg Combet was the guest speaker at the first Progressive Essays Dinner. In his speech he speaks about the injustice of the industrial relations changes, and how they fail to address the real issues for the Australian economy.

Gary Nairn appears to be missing in action while the government slashes potential jobs from the regional, Federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan said today.

Bob McMullan says that Australia can learn some important public policy lessons from developments in the debate about global poverty.

Dave Peebles' Progressive Essay discusses how the ALP must market itself better in order to win the next federal election.

Nicholas Gruen's Progressive Essay discussses "the Backstop Society", a proposal for a framework that seeks to assist members of society by setting ‘designed defaults’, influencing perceptions of what is normal and prudent.

This progressive essay is by Don Russell, Chief of Staff to the Hon Paul Keating both during his time as Treasurer and Prime Minister.

Craig Emerson's Progressive Essay discusses setting priorities in income tax reform.

Copies of the 2005 Mid-Year Report are available from my Electorate Office on request.

The Howard government appears to be backing away from its election commitment to provide a Medicare office in Gungahlin this year, said Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser. “On 31 August last year a proposal to establish a Medicare office in Gungahlin was announced and so far the government has failed to deliver.” Mr McMullan said that the Gungahlin region desperately needs more everyday services such as a Medicare office.

Craig Emerson MP writes the third Progressive Essay examining the Australian Labor Party, and asking how it needs to change in order to remain relevant in Federal politics.

In this second Progressive Essay, Andrew Leigh examines the state of Australia's school system, and suggests that changes need to be made.

The first in the Progressive Essays series, Rodney Hall examines current Arts funding, and proposes a new approach.

Australian author Thomas Keneally delivered the 2005 Fraser Lecture. He spoke about Australia's policy and attitudes towards refugees and asylum seekers, focussing on their treatment in Australian detention centres.

The Ten Percent System will give the Territories fairer representation in the Federal Parliament.

Apprentices training in the traditional trades have dropped by a massive 36 per cent in Fraser, federal Member for Fraser Bob McMullan said today

Canberra citizens are being short changed. The Australian Capital Territory has the lowest level of Federal representation in the country. I hope the people feel that the quality of their representation is of a high standard. The problem is the quantity.

Cyclist Kate Leeming was greeted as she arrived at Parliament House today by school children from Campbell Primary School and Member for Fraser Bob McMullan. Kate has completed her 27 000 kilometre ride around Australia, visiting schools and communities to promote the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

Bob McMullan, Member for Fraser, today visited Palmerston Primary School and congratulated the staff, students and parents on their National Award for Quality Schooling for 2004.

Bulk billing figures in the northern suburbs of Canberra are the lowest in the country, causing a crisis in accessing health care for many Canberra families, Member for Fraser Bob McMullan said today.

There is a long hard road ahead for the federal Labor party to win the 2007 election. But at least yesterday’s caucus decision shows that we are on the road and heading in the right direction at last.

Economic credibility is not something that can be given. It has to be won on the basis of hard decisions. At least this is the case for a party in opposition.

The editorial in The Canberra Times of November 22 was right to call on the Labor Party to focus on regaining its core constituency. Labor can’t win without achieving that. But as society changes so does key elements of that constituency.

There is no doubt that Australia is a better place for Gough Whitlam having been Prime Minister.

The Commonwealth Treasury has today supported Labor’s claim that privatising Telstra is not only bad for the nation – particularly for our outer suburbs and regions – but it is also bad for the Budget.

We can confirm today that the Labor Party will meet its Budget Pledge and put downward pressure on interest rates.

Finance Minister Senator Nick Minchin has spent just under half a million dollars over the past eight years shifting his office around the marginal seats of South Australia to shore up support for sitting Liberal Members.

For 2 years the Howard Government has claimed that Labor’s proposal to achieve savings in the PBS through generic drugs could not be achieved. Barely one week out from and election John Howard has suddenly discovered that there are savings for the PBS in Generic drugs to fund his billion dollar pension bribe. His announcement is timely confirmation of Federal Labor’s fiscal credentials.

The Coalition’s proposal to establish twenty four new technical colleges in competition with the Australian TAFE network will have a serious and adverse effect on automotive training in Australia.

Mark Latham’s policy to substantially boost the funding for the CSIRO is great news for Canberra. Labor will halt the shameful assault by the Howard government on the CSIRO that has reduced the research effectiveness of the organisation over the past 8 years.

A Latham Labor Government is committed to ensuring that there is no upward pressure on interest rates by fully funding its spending proposals. A Latham Labor Government is committed to examining every element of Government expenditure to ensure that full value is received and that waste and inefficiency are eliminated. I am today announcing savings measures totalling $448.8 million. These savings will be used to fund Labor’s election promises and will in themselves ensure downward pressure on interest rates to which a Latham Labor Government is committed.

At a meeting today of the Directors of the Australian Franchisees Association, the Shadow Minister for Small Business Bob McMullan gave an undertaking that a Latham Labor Government would, upon election, immediately seek to undertake a review and then act quickly to strengthen the Franchising Code of Conduct.

At a meeting today at the Motor Trades Association of Queensland the Shadow Minister for Small Business Bob McMullan announced that the Australian Labor Party has committed to implementing the ten critical reforms to the Trade Practices Act proposed in the Small Business Charter of Fairness issued by the Fair Trading Coalition (FTC).

The Howard government has shown once again that it cannot distinguish between what is taxpayers’ money and what should be paid for by the Liberal Party.

Enrolment figures released by the Australian Electoral Commission for the election on 9th October show that once again Canberra voters have been dudded.

A Latham Labor government will also take action to ensure fair payments for small business by introducing a clause into all Commonwealth Government contracts similar to that to be introduced by Victoria.

Today’s figures confirm why Australian families are under so much financial pressure. Families are being taxed more than ever before and Mr Howard won’t give four out of five taxpayers any tax relief.

Liberal Party Minister Robert Hill and Liberal candidates Gary Nairn and Senator Humphries have been caught up in a blatant breach of the rules about proper use of taxpayers’ resources during an election campaign.

Peter Costello and Nick Minchin should give Australian taxpayers a guarantee that they are not spending the Telstra special dividend to fund their election commitments.

The continuing failure of the Howard government to demand cost effective airline travel is starting to bite.

I announce today that a Latham Labor Government will establish a Red Tape Reduction Office (RTRO) in order to evaluate, remove and streamline government rules and regulations.

I congratulate Jon Stanhope’s ACT Labor Government on the creation of a Small Business Commissioner for the ACT announced by Ted Quinlan today.

“The Howard Government’s advertising spending juggernaut is gathering steam and continues to swallow tens of millions of taxpayers hard earned dollars,” Shadow Minister for Finance and Small Business Bob McMullan said today.