FAHCSIA Media Release: Release of legal advice on gambling reform

The Australian Government today released legal advice - PDF [1.0MB] on the Commonwealth's power to legislate for important reforms to address problem gambling.

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, agreed with the Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, to commission this legal advice. The Prime Minister and Mr Wilkie also agreed that the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform would be informed of the legal advice.

The Australian Government is committed to working with the states and territories and industry to introduce key reforms which address the harm from problem gambling, including a full pre-commitment scheme for poker machines.

State and territory governments are responsible for the regulation of the gambling industry, except for online gambling.

However, problem gambling is a serious issue and the Australian Government believes more must be done to help problem gamblers and their families, particularly by reducing the harm caused by poker machines.

Research shows that three-quarters of severe problem gamblers have problems with poker machines.

Problem gambling can destroy families and ruin lives.

Problem gamblers spend an average of $21,000 a year on gambling.  That's a lot of money by anyone's standards – money that isn't being spent on food, bills or the family mortgage.

We have written to Mr Wilkie, as Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform, to our state and territory colleagues on the Council of Australian Governments Select Council on Gambling Reform, and to Professor Peter Shergold AC, Chair of the Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling Reform, to provide them with the legal advice.

The advice from the Australian Government Solicitor confirms there are a range of constitutional heads of power available to the Australian Government, including corporations, trade and commerce, telecommunications, banking, currency, taxation and territories powers.

While this advice identifies the legislative options available to the Commonwealth, the Australian Government remains committed to reaching an agreement with the states and territories to progress these important reforms.

Gambling is a legitimate industry and a valued form of entertainment for many Australians. We will work with industry to implement these reforms in a staged, evidence-based way. We have established the Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling, chaired by Professor Peter Shergold AC, to seek advice from the industry, academics and gambling support services on how to best implement the reforms.

The Productivity Commission recommended the Commonwealth intervene if the states and territories do not agree to implement gambling reforms Australia wide.

Media release issued by Hon. Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for FAHCSIA and Hon. Bill Shorten, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation

Media Release: NQ Fury FC announce 3-year partnership with Mission Australia

North Queensland Fury FC are delighted to announce an innovative three-year partnership with Mission Australia, which will see the two organisations work together to address Aboriginal disadvantage in North Queensland and the Northern Territory.

View the photo album from today's launch here: http://fb.me/BhCxNyYV

Mission Australia is one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit providers of community and employment services, with a strong history of engagement with Aboriginal communities.

This unique partnership, the first of its kind in Australian sporting history, will see Mission Australia use the power of sport via the vehicle of North Queensland Fury FC, to connect with and motivate individuals and communities.

NQ Fury FC Chief Executive Officer Rabieh Krayem and Mission Australia Employment Solutions’ Executive Leader Dr Prins Ralston said the partnership aimed to improve health, education, training and job prospects among Aboriginal people, especially young people.

Fury coaches, players and administrative staff would work with Mission to design and deliver programs in areas such as youth mentoring, release programs in gaols, as well certificate level courses in coaching and sports administration.

The partnership aimed in the first year to engage up to 150 people, including 60 prisoners, with a target of 30 employment outcomes.

To help promote this partnership, the Mission Australia corporate logo will be displayed on the front of the Fury’s playing shirts (home and away) and will enjoy strong branding at Fury home fixtures. Mission Australia will also be the Fury’s “charity of choice” during this period.

“This is a landmark day for North Queensland Fury FC and sport in general,” Mr Krayem said.

“This partnership provides much needed funds into our club and helps our sustainability, but just as importantly it is an active demonstration of our commitment to make a difference in the community.

“The partnership benefits strongly from Mission’s deep knowledge and experience and the Fury’s potential influence across Northern Australia.”

Dr Prins Ralston said Mission Australia was excited about the partnership and the opportunities it presented to improve Aboriginal welfare at the grassroots level.

“All around the world, sport is used in communities suffering disadvantage to motivate, build skills and transform people’s lives.

“Football is a great way for people to engage in a safe, non-threatening team environment, and offers plenty of opportunities to build meaningful support programs that are attractive and fun.

“We see the work of Mission Australia and the community ethos of the Fury as a terrific natural fit and we are looking forward to building a lasting relationship and delivering lasting legacies,” Dr Ralston said.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard joined MA Employment Solutions’ Executive Leader Dr Prins Ralston and Fury CEO Rabieh Krayem for the radio announcement in Townsville this morning. Top photo left to right: Rabieh Krayem, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Tony Mooney and Prins Ralston.

Note to Editors: 
NQ Fury FC will email to media some images from today’s Media Call at approximately 2pm this afternoon.

Media contact:
Rebecca Trbojevich | Corporate Communications Manager
North Queensland Fury FC 43-47 Dalrymple Road
P: 07 4758 0101 M: 0413 855 608
www.nqfury.com.au

---

---

Anti Poverty Week video winners' mission to Canberra

On Thursday 18th March 2010 winners of Mission Australia’s Anti Poverty Week video competition, Gavin Douglas, Revesby-Wirrimbirra Rotary Club member, and Daniel Petsalis, Missionbeat manager, met with Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector.

The video competition was launched for Anti-Poverty Week in October 2009. The idea behind the competition was to organise a fun activity via a 60 second video that raised awareness around the issue of poverty as well as engaged people in what they could do to help.

“Senator Ursula feels very passionate about homeless people and people that work with them. It was an amazing experience to be able to share some of our experience of what we are doing to assist Sydney’s disadvantaged people, as well as some of our Rotary projects” said Daniel.

On their visit to Parliament, Daniel and Gavin also met with their local MP, Daryl Melham. “Daryl was incredibly down to earth, the sort of bloke you wouldn’t mind having a beer with”.

“Revisiting the House of Representatives as an adult is an interesting process to sit through. It is nothing compared to the visit we did when we were in primary school. Being able to see politicians on Question Time get vocal and animated, that seem normally quiet and reserved on the outside was a great surprise,” said Daniel.

“Walking around the parliament with an unaccompanied pass was like having a back stage pass to a concert. Passing Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd in the corridor and seeing where their offices were located within parliament, was a fantastic opportunity”

View the winning video here:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=48qaqdej3PQ

Mission Australia announces winner of Anti-Poverty Week competition

Early in October Mission Australia launched the Anti-Poverty Week competition to raise awareness around the issue of poverty and engage people in what they could do to help.

Entrants were asked to prepare a short video - no longer than 60 seconds - addressing what they would do to alleviate poverty if they were Prime Minister for a day to help mark Anti-Poverty Week (11-17 October).

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, announced the winner this week to be The Rotary Club of Revesby-Wirrimbirra. One member of the winning team will be flown to Canberra to meet the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens, to discuss the club's idea.

Congratulations to the winners for a fantastic idea!

To view the winning video on Youtube, follow this link:  www.youtube.com/user/RotaryRW

Media Release: PM for a day? What would you do to tackle poverty?

Mission Australia is encouraging Australians of all ages to say what they would do to alleviate poverty if they were Prime Minister for a day to help mark Anti-Poverty Week (11-17 October).

The best response – delivered in the form of a short video no longer than 60 seconds – will be judged by Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, with the winner being flown to Canberra to meet the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens, to discuss their idea.

According to Toby Hall, the idea behind the competition was to organise a fun activity that also raised awareness around the issue of poverty and engaged people in what they could do to help.

“Most Australians are pretty lucky but there is a significant minority who are stuck in poverty, cut off from life’s essentials, and who need our help,” said Mr Hall.

“From our own research we know that around one in seven people who turn to welfare organisations lack a substantial meal at least once a day – that’s a shocking situation in modern Australia.

“As well as the most basic need for food, 30 per cent of our clients lack a decent and secure home; 25 per cent are unable to buy prescribed medicines; 46 per cent don't have access to dental services; and 11 per cent don't have a separate bed for each of their kids.

“People living in poverty are unable to participate in the activities that most of us take for granted. They are often faced with difficult choices – such as skipping a meal to pay for a child’s text book.

“Getting involved in the ‘PM for a day’ competition is easy. All participants need to do is make a short video of themselves – no longer than 60 seconds – and tell us what they would do to address poverty if they were Prime Minister for 24 hours.

“It doesn’t have to filmed on a video camera – you can use your mobile phone – just as long as it’s less than 60 seconds and sticks to the subject.

“Simply visit www.missionaustralia.com.au/apw for entry details. To post your video participants will need to register with youtube.com.

“There's still two weeks left to get your entry in. We have to receive videos by midnight on Friday, 16 October with the winner being announced online on Friday, 30 October.

“We’ll fly the winner to Canberra to meet the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens, to discuss their ideas and the issues surrounding poverty,” said Toby.

Media contact: Paul Andrews (02) 9219 2080 or 0409 665 495

60 seconds of fame for a world without poverty

Speak-up with Mission Australia for a world free of Poverty!

Anti-Poverty Week commences Sunday, October 11 to Friday, October 17.

It is a week when Australians from all walks of life are encouraged to speak up in support of people who go without the essentials of life.

People living in poverty are often faced with difficult choices - such as skipping a meal to pay for a child’s text book. In fact, latest research shows that around one in seven Australians who turn to welfare organisations for help lack a substantial meal at least once a day.

As well as the most basic need for food, 29.6% of clients lack a decent and secure home; 25.3% are unable to buy prescribed medicines; 45.7% don't have access to dental services; and 11.4% don't have a separate bed for each child.

In support of Anti-Poverty Week, Mission Australia is encouraging the Australian public to tell us how you would tackle poverty if you were Prime Minister via a short, 60 second video. Your video will join many others in a video petition as your 'signature' against poverty.

If you are over 18 and would like to participate, visit the Mission Australia website for full details on how to sign-on and speak-up for a country free of poverty!

We also encourage you to coordinate your own Anti-Poverty Week activity. For ideas and details on how to register your activity, or to join an activity in your local community, visit the Anti-Poverty Week website.