Family & Community

Greens welcome call for a ten year poverty plan

Media Release | Spokesperson Rachel Siewert
Friday 20th August 2010, 12:19pm
in

The Australian Greens today welcomed a call by the major church providers for the next government of Australia to work with community services to develop a 10 year plan to tackle poverty.

Greens will keep government honest on delivering Not-for-Profit reform

Media Release | Spokesperson Rachel Siewert
Monday 9th August 2010, 1:49pm
in

The Greens have welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister of her reform agenda for the government's relationship with the not-for-profit sector.

Senator Bob Brown's address to the National Press Club - July 2010

Speech | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Wednesday 14th July 2010, 5:02pm
in

At this National Press Club I acknowledge the traditional owners of the Canberra region and all the Indigenous people of our nation.

This year will be another milestone in politics for the Australian Greens. The sole balance of power in the Senate and a breakthrough into the House of Representatives are both within reach. Australia's voters are looking for more progressive politics and the stable, experienced leadership which we alone have produced over the past three turbulent years in Canberra.

A Strong Paid Parental Leave Scheme

Blog Post | Blog of Sarah Hanson-Young
Tuesday 25th May 2010, 6:36pm
by SarahHanson-Young in

We have a tremendous opportunity coming up in the Senate to deliver really strong paid parental leave for Australian new mums and dads.

The Greens want to give Australian parents 6 months of paid leave including super and make sure that whoever you are, you get your job back after you have a baby.

But the scheme the Government will pass in the Lower House this week is selling Australian families short.

It's Time To Get Serious on Paid Parental Leave

Opinion Editorial | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Friday 12th March 2010, 5:08pm
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THE Federal Government's 18-week paid parental scheme is not a serious enough response to the needs of families.


They know it, we know it, and the public certainly knows it.


What's not clear is whether the government is so wedded to a weak proposal that it is willing to see this vital reform go down just so it can have another election issue to fight on.

Families Must Come Before Politics on Parental Leave

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Wednesday 10th March 2010, 3:20pm
in

The Australian Greens have urged the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader to set aside election year politicking to help deliver proper paid parental leave, according to Green Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.


Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on the Status of Women, says it is vital that all sides of politics co-operate to ensure that there is a paid parental scheme in place before the next federal election.


"It is reassuring to see how far we have come in twelve months on paid parental leave,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.

Greens private health insurance proposal to break deadlock, deliver $145m for mental health

Media Release | Spokesperson Rachel Siewert
Monday 22nd February 2010, 5:27pm
in

The Greens will propose a compromise on private health insurance today that offers a way to break the senate deadlock and deliver over a billion dollars to public hospitals and $145 million for specific mental health funding.


The compromise proposal would:
- Support the passage of the bill which means-tests private health insurance rebate to deliver an estimated $1.8 billion to public hospitals over four years


- Support the passage of the Medicare Levy Surcharge with an amendment to direct all revenue raised through the increased surcharge (approximately $145 million over four years) into early intervention mental health services.

Greens fight moves to restrict homebirths

Media Release | Spokesperson Rachel Siewert
Friday 19th February 2010, 10:16am
in

The Australian Greens will continue to support midwives and a mothers' right to choose a homebirth.


"We are alarmed that Federal Government legislation undermines the ability of midwives to be able to provide support for mothers who decide to have a homebirth," said Greens health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert.


"The Greens will be moving amendments once the legislation is introduced next week, to ensure that colaborative arrangements don't give doctors a power of veto over a midwives ability to practice.

Financial Counselling

Estimates Transcripts | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Tuesday 19th January 2010, 12:00am
in

Senate Finance and Public Administration Standing Committee
SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET ESTIMATES - 20 October 2009
ANSWER TO QUESTION ON NOTICE
Human Services Portfolio

Question reference number: HS29
Senator: Ludlam

Question:
Minister Plibersek on the 4th September announced a doubling of financial counselling – where an additional $10 million over 4 years for financial counsellors and increased legal support to help people who experience hardship to hang on to their homes is to be provided. Is Centrelink involved with the delivery of these financial counselling services?

Answer:
No. The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) is responsible for the delivery of the Financial Counselling Services program. Centrelink suggests the Senator refer the question to FaHCSIA for their response.

Financial Counselling

Estimates Transcripts | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Tuesday 19th January 2010, 12:00am
in

Senate Finance and Public Administration Standing Committee
SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET ESTIMATES - 20 October 2009
ANSWER TO QUESTION ON NOTICE
Human Services Portfolio

Question reference number: HS30
Senator: Ludlam

Question:
a) What financial counselling services does Centrelink currently provide to its clients, particularly those at risk of homelessness?
b) How many people are currently employed in this service and how many clients would they see per year?

Answer:
Centrelink is unable to answer the Senator's questions as Centrelink does not provide financial counselling services. The Financial Counselling Services program is provided by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). Centrelink suggests that the Senator refer the question to FaHCSIA for their response.