Monday, September 08, 2008
Ms Mary Ann O'Loughlin, who has extensive experience in the reform of child protection systems, will work with the states and territories to identify existing barriers to information sharing and ways these barriers can be overcome.
This will include determining how the Commonwealth can best help states and territories and the non-government sector in sharing information.
As part of her work, she will examine the early intervention capacity of agencies such as Centrelink, and how they can share information with the states and territories to better protect children at risk.
Families across the nation would welcome the announcement by the Reserve Bank to cut official interest rates by 0.25 per cent.
The cut in official interest rates would take some pressure off family budgets, which had been stretched to their limit recently.
Here’s a summary of the September ’08 Rate Cut:
|
|
Monthly Repayment |
|
| ||
|
Mortgage Amount |
|
|
Monthly Saving |
Annualised Saving |
Saving over life of loan |
|
Before |
After | ||||
|
$100,000 |
$882 |
$865 |
$17 |
$209 |
$5,213 |
|
$150,000 |
$1,323 |
$1,297 |
$26 |
$313 |
$7,819 |
|
$200,000 |
$1,764 |
$1,729 |
$35 |
$417 |
$10,425 |
|
$243,100 |
$2,144 |
$2,102 |
$42 |
$507 |
$12,672 |
|
$246,900 |
$2,178 |
$2,135 |
$43 |
$515 |
$12,870 |
|
$250,000 |
$2,205 |
$2,162 |
$43 |
$521 |
$13,032 |
|
$300,000 |
$2,646 |
$2,594 |
$52 |
$626 |
$15,638 |
|
$350,000 |
$3,087 |
$3,026 |
$61 |
$730 |
$18,244 |
|
$400,000 |
$3,528 |
$3,459 |
$70 |
$834 |
$20,851 |
|
$450,000 |
$3,969 |
$3,891 |
$78 |
$938 |
$23,457 |
|
$500,000 |
$4,410 |
$4,323 |
$87 |
$1,043 |
$26,064 |
|
$550,000 |
$4,851 |
$4,756 |
$96 |
$1,147 |
$28,670 |
The average new first home buyers’ mortgage is $243,100.
The average new mortgage is $246,900.
The Government aims to develop a new relationship with the non-profit sector, one that is based on partnership and respect, and is consulting with the sector about how this can be achieved.
We are exploring whether a Compact, such as those that operate in
A Compact would provide a framework to articulate our shared values and goals to reduce disadvantage, create opportunities for social and economic participation, build social cohesion and improve service delivery.
The Panel will work in partnership with the Government to ensure the integrity of the consultation process and provide advice on how a diverse range of views are considered as we develop the Compact.
It will also be an important vehicle for advancing the Commonwealth’s Social Inclusion agenda through a strengthened sector that will play a critical role in providing opportunities for social inclusion and participation.
I am delighted that the members of the panel have accepted my invitation to participate, and welcome the opportunity to work with a group of Australians with such a wide range of experience representing the interests of Australian communities.
More information about how you can express your views about the Compact can be found at:
Members of the Compact Expert Panel:
|
Mr David Crosbie Co-Chair |
Chief Executive, Mental Health Council of |
|
Mr Evan Lewis Co-Chair |
Group Manager, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs |
|
|
|
|
Dr Ken Baker |
Chief Executive, National Disability Service |
|
Ms Rhonda Galbally AO |
Chief Executive, Our Community |
|
Dr Stephen Judd |
Chief Executive, The Hammond Care Group |
|
Ms Voula Messimeri |
Chair, Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of |
|
Ms Diane Morgan |
Chief Executive, Volunteering |
|
Mr Julian Pocock |
Executive Officer, Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) |
|
Mr Frank Quinlan |
Executive Director, Catholic Social Services |
|
Dr Wendy Scaife |
Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, |
|
Mr David Thompson AM |
Chief Executive, Jobs Australia & Chair of the National Roundtable of Nonprofit Organisations |
|
Ms Lesley Young |
National President, Country Women’s Association of Australia |
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The Government will expand items eligible for funding under the program to include petrol for volunteers who use their vehicles for volunteering purposes.
By subsidising fuel costs, the Government is delivering on its election commitment and acknowledges the pressure of rising fuel costs on not-for-profit organisations and volunteers.
We recognise the enormous contribution made by the more than five million volunteers who work tirelessly to help the elderly, disadvantaged children and those who’ve hit hard times.
For the first time, organisations will be able to apply for a contribution to reimburse volunteers for fuel costs incurred during their volunteering work.
This new measure will assist volunteers who use their vehicles to support people in the community, including delivering food to the homeless, taking disadvantaged children to Saturday sports and visiting the elderly.
The Australian Government has also expanded the eligibility rules for the Volunteer Grants Program to include school Parents and Citizenship Associations for the first time.
Organisations can apply for grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 to purchase equipment – including computers, air conditioners, mowers and sporting items used by volunteers.
These new funding arrangement are one of the ways the Australian Government can thank community group and volunteers for their contribution.
For more information or to obtain an application form and guidelines visit www.fahcsia.gov.au or call the toll-free hotline on 1800 183 374.
Applications close Friday 17 October 2008.
The rapid pace of technological and industrial change has placed new demands on today's employees.
Adult education provides people with the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to these new demands.
The Rudd Government also recognises the benefits and opportunities adult learning provides to boost skills and engage people in their communities.
The Government is therefore committed to supporting and sponsoring adult education as part of our Social Inclusion agenda.
I congratulate adult learning providers for the diverse range of courses and services they offer, and the mix of teaching methods and learning environments.
Adult Learners' Week is part of an international festival of adult learning, and was celebrated in
Funding for the event, which will take place between 1 and 8 September, is being provided by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Globally, Adult Learners' Week commenced in the
I encourage local communities to take part in this significant event.
Organisations and participants alike can get involved by becoming a Face of Adult Learners' Week, a Learn @ Work Day Partner or a Friend of Adult Learners' Week.
International Gynaecological Awareness Day - 10 September
Indexation delivers increase to Pensions and other Income Support Payments
$14.8 million to help vulnerable countries in our region adapt to Climate Change
Aussies asked to give generously in Legacy Week
Productive Gardens for Government Schools
Rudd Government mounts major attack on cancer
Nominate a community number cruncher for the Westpac Community Treasurers Awards
Over $1 million funding boost to assist people with disability to speak out
Better information sharing to improve child protection
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