Local Government News

Justine Elliot
National News

What you can do to help

The beginning of this new year has certainly been marked by tragedy.

The tsunami that hit Asia and the sub-continent has devastated millions of lives.

Statistics and the numbers of dead, sick and injured can never give a true account of the human cost of this terrible natural disaster. I have been heartened to read so many stories of heroism, but heartbroken at story after story of families who have no hope of ever finding their missing loved ones.

Australians have been digging deep to help the regions devastated by the tsunami. We are the second most generous nation when it comes to donations to the many aid organisations that are driving the assistance, something of which we should be very proud.

Locally, we can all make a contribution. I have joined the Australian Medical Association's appeal for medicines and medical supplies.

Donating medicines and other medical supplies like bandages will go a long way to helping the sick and injured. Now that the clean-up has begun, disease is a major problem which will need to be tackled urgently. Donations of medical supplies can be made to my office at 6/107 Minjungbal Drive South Tweed Heads or PO Box 6996 South Tweeds Heads 2486. They will then be packaged and forwarded to the AMA for distribution. Donations of clothing, shoes, towels and soap can also be made through my office.

For cash donations please call the following aid agencies:

• Australian Red Cross - 1800 811 700
• World Vision Australia - 13 32 40
• UNICEF - 1300 732 240
• CARE Australia -1800 020 046
• Caritas Australia -1800 024 413
• Oxfam/Community Aid Abroad - 1800 034 034

A whole-of-government information portal has been set-up and can be accessed at www.tsunamiassist.gov.au.

Hotlines for Australians with concerns about family members and Australians in areas affected by the tsunami have also been set up. Centrelink and the Health Department are providing information on counselling and personal support services and allowing health worker volunteers offering to assist to register details.

Please contact my office on 1300 720 675 for more information.

Australia Volunteers International (AVI) can be contacted to register volunteer specific relief or expert services (language skills essential) on (1800 331 292) or www.australianvolunteers.com/home/tsunami/h.

Australians are known the world over for pulling together in times of tragedy. I would like to commend all the local people who have given so much so far, and urge all local families to contribute as little or as much as they can afford.

I wish you all a safe and happy 2005. Please contact my office on 1300 720 675 or email Justine.Elliot.MP@aph.gov.au if I can be of assistance to you at any time.

Phone: 1300 720 675
Fax: (07) 5523 4379
Email: Justine.Elliot.mp@aph.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 6996, South Tweed Heads, 2486.

Ian Causley
Canberra Connection

Tsunami response commended

Like so many others around the world, I have been following the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami which hit many parts ofAsia and east Africa.

The aftermath of the tsunami is a tragedy for the entire world. I believe Australians have demonstrated in recent days our willingness to provide support.

No one envisaged such an appalling disaster and to get aid to people on such a massive scale takes time and logistics to put right what the ocean did in minutes.

Personally, I have marvelled at the way funds have been collected in such a short period of time and channelled through various aid agencies and charities.

Most people the world over have reacted sympathetically and donated money to the victims of this freak tragedy. The response has been tremendous and swift. It shows that no matter how substantial our differences and grievances, we feel for and empathise with our fellow man in a time like this.

Relief agencies are continuing attempts to send supplies to areas affected by the tsunami disaster. I feel confident that all of the countries involved in the relief efforts are doing the best job they can.

My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.

Research money for SCU

Southern Cross University will receive $1.2 million a year for the next seven years in research funding following the announcement of three successful Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) grants.

The research will cover the areas of acid sulphate soil, plant biosecurity and sustainable forestry. The projects involve partnerships between local, State and Federal governments, universities and commercial.

The Australian Government's CRC program is designed to encourage universities to work with all three levels of government and private enterprise.

ABN search

A new business initiative which could save a small business anywhere from an hour to several days a month in bookkeeping time was recently launched by the Minister for Small Business andTourism, Fran Bailey.

One of the bookkeeping difficulties facing many businesses is that they need to make multiple ABN searches regularly to verify the details of those organisations they are doing business with.

ABNLook-up provides businesses with a free, simple and quick way to check the details of other businesses. It automates what has previously been at times a repetitive process.

The number of ABNs a small business has to verify each day, or each month, will vary depending on the type and size of the business. This new tool could save a small business anywhere from an hour up to several days a month.

The ABNLook-up means that businesses do not need to manually key in ABNs each time they re-check business details.  Details are entered only once in a spreadsheet - from then on the process is completely automated.

ABNLook-up can be downloaded for free at www.abr.business.gov.au

Male teacher decline

The Australian Government will again attempt to amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to help address the decreasing number of male teachers in Australian schools.

The Sex Discrimination Amendment (Teaching Profession) Bill 2004 allows teaching scholarships to be offered for a particular gender, where they are intended to redress a gender imbalance.

The Government is concerned about the decreasing number of male teachers and male role models, particularly in primary schools, and the possible effect on the learning and development of both boys and girls in schools.

Between 1993 and 2003, the proportion of male teachers decreased from 25.6 per cent to 20.9 per cent in primary schools and from 48.9 per cent to 44.7 per cent in secondary schools.

The Billcomplements the Government's provision of $27 million over six years to 2008 for boys' education.

For further information please contact my electorate office on 1300 301 735, or send me an email: ian.causley.mp@aph.gov.au.