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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.