Wednesday 24 August 2016
Today the Canberra Liberals are committing to enhancing Canberra’s community sector through a number of initiatives that will increase homelessness services, reduce red tape and keep the government out of the sector’s own pockets, Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services Nicole Lawder and Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Hanson said today.
“The Canberra Liberals believe in Canberra’s community sector and the contribution it makes to many disadvantaged people across the ACT. As a former CEO in the sector I understand what it needs to thrive,” Ms Lawder said.
“Today we’re committing to three separate initiatives including:
- $800,000 for the Communities@Work Reach Home Program to continue its role offering affordable, safe and secure housing for families in need.
- Removing the 0.34% Community Sector Reform Levy, thereby allowing community sector organisations to put more money where it’s needed.
- Removing red tape that inhibits organisations who want to provide short-term emergency accommodation.
“The Communities@Work Reach Home Program provides critical accommodation to women and families escaping domestic violence situations and deserves further support while the Community Sector Reform Levy has been an inhibitor to the sector for some years.
“I’ve heard from many organisations that want to provide short term crisis accommodation, only to face restrictive red tape,” Ms Lawder concluded.
“The Canberra Liberals believe the community sector should be able to get on with what it does best and provide support to people in need, which is why we’re committing to this package today. We’ll continue to announce further initiatives ahead of the ACT Election,” Mr Hanson concluded.
Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432
15 August 2016
Member for Brindabella Nicole Lawder has welcomed the announcement of $1.25 million in Black Spot funding to improve intersections in Tuggeranong.
“The investment from the Commonwealth Government will help to make intersections in my electorate of Brindabella safer for all Canberrans. I have made numerous representations about dangerous roads in Tuggeranong and I am thrilled that funding has been made available from the Commonwealth” Ms Lawder said.
The combined sum of $1.25 million has been set aside to install traffic lights at the intersection of Sternberg Crescent and Langdon Avenue in Wanniassa and to improve median approaches to Comrie Street, and to build a roundabout and improve median approaches at the intersection Sternberg Crescent and Ashley Drive in Wanniassa.
“Sadly, some years ago a cyclist was killed at the intersection of Sternberg Crescent and Ashley Drive, so this investment will be gladly welcomed”.
“Over the years I have received representations from many residents about these intersections. These investments should greatly improve road safety in Tuggeranong,” Ms Lawder concluded.
Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432
3 August 2016
Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services, Nicole Lawder will today call on the government to prioritise faster processing of local adoptions.
“On 15 September 2015 the Legislative Assembly debated a motion about the local adoption process. Since then I have heard from families that have been going through the adoption process who have found it to be stressful and lengthy, sentiments that are also likely felt even more so by the children themselves,” Ms Lawder said today.
“The ACT government’s new out of home care strategy, A Step Up for Our Kids, is costing approximately $39 million from 2015-2016 to 2018-2019. This strategy is not prioritising efficient and faster processing of local adoption despite that being in the best interest of the child or young person.
“My motion today will specifically ask the government what progress and action there has been in prioritising faster processing of local adoptions since September 2015 and that a report is tabled in the Legislative Assembly before the final sitting day for this term.
“I will continue to work with Canberra families to ensure that adoption is a viable option for vulnerable children and young people in our community where that is in their best interest,” Ms Lawder concluded.
Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402 768 432
10 August 2016
A Canberra Liberals government will expand the Canberra Hospital to meet extra demand and enhance capacity in critical care over the next decade, instead of building light rail. We are committed to making our health system the envy of the nation and this is a flagship election commitment to make that happen, Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Health Jeremy Hanson said today.
“The $395 million new hospital building at the Canberra Hospital site will be supported by $8 million for new nurses, doctors and other staff and will be broadly based on the plans that ACT Labor shelved so it could build light rail,” Mr Hanson said.
“The new building includes:
- A new 92 bed 21st century emergency department.
- A new 48 bed intensive care unit.
- A new 25 bed emergency medical unit.
- Capacity for 20 new operating theatres.
“The new hospital will also cater for a new 25 bed medical assessment planning unit, 105 ambulatory treatment spaces and a new state of the art medical imaging unit. There will also be new admission foyer, sterilisation unit and new patient and volunteer facilities.
“Because we won’t build light rail, a Canberra Liberals government will be able to invest in the health infrastructure and services that the ACT has badly needed for many years.
“We believe in delivering the infrastructure the ACT needs and wants, not the unnecessary light rail that was demanded as a price to secure government,” Mr Hanson concluded.
28 July 2016
Shadow Minister for the Environment, Nicole Lawder will join Teddybears Childcare Centres in Macarthur and Curtin tomorrow to celebrate National Tree Day.
“I’m looking forward to joining the crowd at Teddybears Childcare Centres to help plant trees in recognition of the 20th National Tree Day in Australia,” Ms Lawder said today.
“Since 1996, more than 22.3 million plants and trees have been planted on National Tree Day. The day is all about giving the community the opportunity to give back to our local environment.
“It will be great to hear from parents and staff of the Centres about how the trees are going to improve their outdoor play areas for everyone to enjoy for years to come.
“Last year in the ACT there were 120 tree-planting sites with 25,000 seedlings planted and we hope to do even better this year.
“If you have time to spare this National Tree Day I encourage you to help me make a small difference to our local environment,” Ms Lawder concluded.
Details of the events on Friday the 29th of July 2016:
Teddybears Childcare Centre
50 Carson Street, Macarthur
11:00am
Teddybears Childcare Centre
30 Storey Street, Curtin
2:00pm
Authorised by Nicole Lawder, Canberra Liberals, 4/50 Geils Court Deakin ACT 2600