Andrew Leigh

Over 150 people joined Minister the Hon Mark Butler MP and me at the Griffin Centre in Civic to learn about the Gillard Government's significant reforms in the aged care sector. The event was well oversubscribed so I'm holding another event on 7 December at 10:30am, also in the Griffin Centre. If you'd like to come along, please call my office on 6247 4396 or email Andrew.Leigh.MP {at} aph.gov.au

THE HON MARK BUTLER MP

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing

Minister for Social Inclusion

Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform

ANDREW LEIGH MP

Federal Member for Fraser

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

19 November 2012

LIVING LONGER LIVING BETTER IN FRASER

Minister for Ageing Mark Butler joined local MP Andrew Leigh today to report back to the community on the Government’s $3.7 billion aged care reforms.

Mr Butler met with local residents to discuss the Federal Government’s Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package, designed to provide locals with a better aged care system now, and in the future.

Mr Butler said the $3.7 billion reforms provide a strong focus on helping people to stay in their own home as they get older.

“We’re redesigning an aged care system designed a quarter of a century ago which is now ill-equipped to meet the needs of retiring baby boomers and their parents who are living longer and healthier lives,” Mr Butler said.

“These reforms were informed by the community consultations I held with over 4000 carers, consumers, and industry stakeholders across the country.”

Federal Member for Fraser, Andrew Leigh said many people at a community consultation last year expressed a need for better aged care services.

“Locals told me during the consultation held in our electorate last year that they wanted more choice and control over the way their services are delivered,” Dr Leigh said.

“In particular, local residents have told me that they want to be able to live in their own home and get the support services they need to continue having a meaningful interactive life in our community.”

“I believe that the Government’s new plan will better address the needs of residents and their families.”

Other key aspects of the reform package include:

·        An increase in residential aged care places from 191,522 to 221,103.
·        Funding of $1.2 billion to improve the aged care workforce through a Workforce Compact.
·        More funding for dementia care in the aged care network, and more support for services.
·        A single gateway to all aged care services, to make them easier to access and navigate.


Information on the Living Longer Living Better package can be found at www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au.

The Australian Training Awards are on tomorrow night and we have two terrific finalists from the Fraser electorate.

SENATOR THE HON CHRIS EVANS

Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research

Leader of the Government in the Senate

DR ANDREW LEIGH MP

Member for Fraser

MEDIA RELEASE

14 November 2012



Local finalists for the Australian Training Awards

Local company Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) and Aranda’s Sara Burke have been named as finalists for the 2012 Australian Training Awards.

AIE is a finalist in the Small Training Provider of the Year category while Sara Burke is a finalist for the Australian Apprentice of the Year award.

Member for Fraser Dr Andrew Leigh said he was very pleased with the nominations.

“Ms Burke is an outstanding ambassador for the ACT and is a great example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication,” Dr Leigh said.

“The Academy of Interactive Entertainment provides training for a unique industry with many graduates going on to work for world leading companies.

“I wish our finalists the best of luck for the Australian Training Awards.”

Ms Burke, a hairdresser at La Bimbi Hair, completed a Certificate III in Hairdressing with the Canberra Institute of Technology. The Aranda resident won the 2010 and 2011 Australian Hair Expo Apprentice of the Year award. Ms Burke also volunteers to assist the Leukaemia Foundation and the Canberra Blind Society by donating proceeds from her work at fashion parades and runway shoots.

AIE has earned national recognition as Australia’s leading educator for the computer game development and 3D digital industries since its establishment in 1996. AIE offers nationally recognised qualifications from certificate through to the advance diploma levels and has won many state and national training awards.

Federal Minister for Skills Senator Chris Evans congratulated the finalists.

“These prestigious Awards are the peak, national awards for vocational education and training recognising innovation and excellence in the skills sector,” Senator Evans said.

“Being a finalist is a tremendous achievement with each nominee demonstrating personal drive and dedication to their own and to others’ vocational skills development.

“For individuals, skills are the passport to a better job, a bigger pay packet and a more rewarding working life. For businesses, skilled workers are the critical ingredient for sustained success.

“I congratulate Ms Burke and the Academy of Interactive Entertainment on behalf of the ACT community whose economy is benefitting from their skills and ongoing commitment to training.”

The 2012 Australian Training Awards will be held on 16 November 2012 in Melbourne.

To view all the 2012 Australian Training Awards finalists, visit:

http://www.innovation.gov.au/Skills/Awards/AustralianTrainingAwards/Pages/2012ATAFinalists.aspx

I was pleased to announce today that a local company received funding under the Clean Technology Investment Program to reduce their energy use and power bills.

MEDIA RELEASE

Andrew Leigh MP

Member for Fraser

14 November 2012

LOCAL MANUFACTURER REDUCES EMISSIONS, CUTS POWER BILLS



$90 945 from the Gillard’s Government’s $1 billion Clean Technology Investment will help Elvin Group, a local manufacturer based in Mitchell, to reduce energy costs, improve efficiency and lower carbon pollution.

Andrew Leigh, Member for Fraser, congratulated Elvin Group for preparing for a clean energy future by transforming its operations to reduce energy emissions and improve its competitiveness.



“In partnership with the Gillard Government, Elvin Group will be able reduce carbon emissions of the energy consumed by its operation by 26 per cent,” said Dr Leigh.

“This grant will go towards installing a 55 kW solar photovoltaic panel array on the roof of its Mitchell facility to generate electricity to provide some of the site’s power requirements.

“Elvin Group is matching the Government’s investment with around $90 000 of its own funding.

“The Clean Technology Investment Programs are about helping local manufacturers invest in clean energy. They are an important part of the Australian Government’s plan for a Clean Energy Future.

“It’s a win for business, the economy and the environment.

“The Clean Technology Programs are open for business and I encourage more local manufacturers to apply for support.”

The grant was one of 89 announced recently by Minister for Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet.

“The $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program and the $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program are in place to support manufacturers,” Dr Leigh said.

For more information, companies should contact AusIndustry on 13 28 46 or visit the website – www.ausindustry.gov.au.

My terrific chief of staff (aka office manager) Louise Crossman has just been offered a job as women's adviser to Julie Collins, Minister for Community Services, Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, and Status of Women. Louise has run my office wonderfully well over recent years, and many in the Canberra community will have had the opportunity to get to know her at community forums and other events.

I'm very sorry to see her moving on, but am also pleased that in past years, I've seen staff happily move into jobs with Ministers Combet, Garrett and Collins. No job is forever, and having the chance to work with a team bright and energetic people is one of the things I really enjoy about this job. Over the coming years, Louise is certain to make her mark on Australian politics.

Accordingly, I'm now looking for a new Louise. You can think of the job as a hybrid of 'chief of staff' (managing people) and office manager (managing paperwork). Successful applicant will need to be politically attuned, good at teamwork, and enjoy community development. Sense of humour a plus.

The official job ad is below.

OFFICE MANAGER

Applications are invited for the above position based in Canberra.

The duties of the positions include: managing a team of five full-time and part-time staff (plus volunteers), community engagement, liaising with government departments, preparing and coordinating correspondence, organising events and meetings.

Applicants should possess the following skills and experience:

• Experience in managing a medium-sized team in a high-pressure environment


• Passionate about community engagement


• Hard working and enthusiastic about addressing local issues


• Excellent oral and written communication skills


• Understanding of local media

Extensive understanding of government and parliamentary processes

A commencing salary between $67 956 and $76 548 will be paid, plus allowances up to $25 060, depending on skills and experience.

A probationary period of 3 months will apply.

Applications attaching a CV plus at least two referees should be forwarded to [email protected]

Applications close on 21 November 2012. For further information please contact Louise Crossman, acting office manager, on 02 6247 4396.

My latest Chronicle column is on parenthood.

Wonderous Times With Newborns, The Chronicle, 6 November 2012

Ever wondered why a calf can walk after a few hours, while a baby takes a year to learn the same skill? It turns out that the problem arises from two features of humans – we stand on two legs (which requires a small and bony pelvis), but also have large brains (which are hard to fit through that pelvis). Evolution’s solution to this problem is that all humans are born – in a sense – prematurely. After emerging from the womb, we need more protection from the world than do most other animals.

I’m typing this article one-handed, with a one month old boy asleep in the crook of my left arm. There’s something extraordinary about new life – its beautiful vulnerability and that unique ‘new baby smell’ that disappears all too quickly. Zachary is our third child, and we’ve gotten a few things right this time that we wish we’d done before.

First, when the baby arrived, we politely asked friends who thought of sending flowers to please instead make a donation to the charity ‘Send Hope – Not Flowers’. The charity was established by three young Canberrans - obstetrician Steve Robson, journalist Emma Macdonald and internet entrepreneur Alex Fahey - along with Sydney writer Julie Ulbricht. For the cost of a bunch of flowers, you can save the life of a mother in the developing world. The charity works with partner organisations in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands, and donations can be made through their website: www.sendhope.org.

Second, I’ve really been relishing taking a bit of extra dad time with the children. A new baby is both exciting and unsettling for siblings. So the chance to kick a football or read a book with the two older boys has given them a bit of stability at what would otherwise be a chaotic time. Paternity leave isn’t so easy in my job, since no-one else becomes the Member for Fraser when I’m not at the office. But community organisations have been wonderfully understanding when I’ve told them I can’t attend an evening event because of the munchkins. Indeed, Zachary arrived only a few months before the commencement on 1 January 2013 of ‘Dad and Partner Pay’. The program will give eligible fathers and partners two weeks’ leave at the minimum wage (currently $606 a week).

Third, my wife and I are realising that the right answer when anyone offers help is ‘yes’. Family and friends are invaluable at a time like this, and we’ve been lucky to have a strong network of people around us. Some of our friends came through Gweneth’s mother’s group. These groups are coordinated by ACT Playgroups, which will celebrate its 40^th anniversary next year. If you’re a new parent, I can’t recommend them highly enough.

But while we’ve learned a thing or two over the past five years, we’re still bumbling our way along – trying to work out the best way to raise our kids. It’s fun, it’s daunting, and it’s exhausting. It’s parenthood.

Andrew Leigh is the federal member for Fraser.

On Sky AM Agenda, I spoke about lessons from President Obama's victory for Australian politics, the need to better manage peak power demand, and why good governments routinely cost policy ideas that are in the public domain. The presenter was David Lipson and my co-panellist was Kelly O'Dwyer.

On ABC24 Capital Hill, we spoke about Australia's trifecta of strong growth, low unemployment and stable inflation; about the difficult issue of live exports; and about wheat deregulation. The host was Lyndal Curtis and my co-panellist was Dennis Jensen (who bravely abstained from the Coalition's vote against deregulating the wheat export market).

Disappointing to see the NSW Government burying the announcement of the Tralee Development approval on Melbourne Cup day.

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT

Senator the Hon Kate Lundy

Senator for the ACT

Andrew Leigh MP

Member for Fraser

Gai Brodtmann MP

Member for Canberra

6 November 2012

TRALEE DEVELOPMENT WILL HURT CANBERRA’S ECONOMY

The decision by the O’Farrell Government to approve the Tralee Development on the border of NSW and the ACT is a short-sighted decision that could hurt Canberra’s economy in the long term. Federal Labor Representatives have consistently opposed the development as it against Canberra’s interests.

Planning approval for the development is contrary to every single independent assessment of the development, which recommended that the development not go ahead.



The new development will be situated under flight paths and compromises the ability of Canberra Airport to provide additional services in and out of the national capital. It also has the potential to redirect existing flight paths over long-standing residential areas of Canberra.

This will have a long-term impact on Canberra’s economy as it has the potential to reduce the amount of business and tourist travel to and from Canberra.

With Premier Barry O’Farrell calling for Canberra Airport to be Sydney’s second airport, this decision completely undermines those statements. Given the NSW Planning Minister has said no homes will be built under flight paths, we call on the New South Wales Government to give a public commitment that they will not stand in the way of future development at Canberra Airport and will not seek to divert future flight paths over Canberra.

We remain opposed to the development and will continue to advocate for planning decisions that take into account the need to balance the economic and social interests of Canberra and the broader region.

I was delighted with yesterday's announcement of Australian Research Council funding, particularly for projects undertaken by local researchers.

SENATOR THE HON CHRIS EVANS

Leader of the Government in the Senate

Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research

Dr Andrew Leigh MP

Federal Member for Fraser

MEDIA RELEASE

6 November 2012

ACT punches above its weight in research funding

Universities in the Australian Capital Territory will receive $39.3 million for 112 research projects that will benefit Australians, drive innovation and keep Australia at the forefront of science globally.

The Australian Research Council’s 1014 major grants, worth a total $360 million, will also increase opportunities for Indigenous researchers and researchers in the early stages of their careers.

Fraser is one of 150 electorates, but has received 10% of total available research funding for 11% of all projects.



Federal Member for Fraser, Dr Andrew Leigh, today congratulated the Australian National University, the University of Canberra and the CSIRO on their success.

“Canberra always punches above its weight for research investment and I’m delighted to see this tradition continue.

“Research is a crucial part of Australia’s economic development and I’m delighted as a part of the Gillard Government to recognise the role research plays in keeping us innovative and competitive.

“Fraser would have to be one of the most research-intensive electorates in Australia. Research and innovation is a key part of Canberra’s economy and it’s great to see Government investment continuing in Canberra,” said Dr Leigh.

Minister for Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans, said the Gillard Government is making an investment in research and researchers to help deliver solutions to national problems and improve the lives of Australians.

“The projects span a variety of issues – mapping the universe, reducing Indigenous incarceration, gravitational waves, energy efficient lighting, the role of mentoring, diseases and parasites,” said Senator Evans.

“This research will deliver results that not only benefit Australians, but keeps Australia at the forefront of global science,” Senator Evans said.

The new research projects will be funded under the ARC Discovery Projects, Discovery Indigenous, Discovery Early Career Researcher Award and Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities schemes. More information is available at http://www.arc.gov.au/

An edited version of one of my opinion pieces appears in The Australian today.

ONE of the myths in the carbon pricing debate has been the claim that "Australia has the world's only economy-wide carbon price" ("carbon" being shorthand for four greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and perfluorocarbons from aluminium smelting).

Over recent years, members of the opposition have made such a claim in parliament more than 50 times. The theme has also been picked up by many newspaper articles. Indeed, even in this newspaper it has been claimed that Australia's carbon price - uniquely in the world - covers the entire economy.

In fact, Australia's carbon price excludes agriculture, smaller emitters and household transport (although some businesses will face an effective carbon price via changes to the present fuel tax regime). Overall, it captures about 60 per cent of total carbon emissions.

One way that the opposition has "truth-proofed" it is by adding an authoritative source: the Productivity Commission. In a 2011 review of global action on climate change, the commission found that while many other countries had carbon prices, none covered all emissions. The Coalition spinners took this truth ("no country has an economy-wide carbon price"), and turned it into a falsehood ("Australia is the only country with an economy-wide carbon price").

Ideally, greater scrutiny of the Coalition might also focus on the underlying issue: whether taxes should be broad-based or narrow-based. In the debate over the goods and services tax, John Howard and Peter Costello argued strongly that narrowing the base would be distortionary, and that fairness demanded broad-based taxation. Yet today, his successors are effectively arguing the opposite: that carbon pricing should be as narrowly based as possible.

The fact is that the Australian carbon price is quite typical of international schemes. For example, the emissions trading scheme in California will cover 85 per cent of that state's emissions. Ten other US states are going ahead with carbon trading schemes. China's emissions trading pilots will cover 200 million people. Indeed, if the Australian carbon pricing scheme were internationally atypical, we would not be linking to similar schemes in the European Union and New Zealand.

Opposition to carbon pricing need not be in the DNA of conservative parties. In 1989, it was president George H. W. Bush who first proposed an emissions trading scheme to deal with acid rain. That scheme met its targets at one-third of the projected costs. In Britain and New Zealand, conservative leaders who back emissions trading schemes do so because they recognise that this approach captures the ingenuity of the market.

Under the leadership of Howard, Brendan Nelson and Malcolm Turnbull, the Liberal Party was a party that believed in emissions trading. During this era, many members of the Liberal Party articulately explained why market-based approaches were the most efficient way of cutting carbon emissions. Unfortunately, Tony Abbott has walked away from that proud legacy.It is ironic that China (a nominally communist country) is more committed to market-based approaches to reducing carbon pollution than the Liberals.

Australia's emissions trading scheme is almost boring in its adherence to standard economic wisdom on how best to design carbon markets - which is why we'd be mad to drop out and start jeering from the sidelines.

Andrew Leigh is the federal member for Fraser. www.andrewleigh.com.

The claim has been most often repeated in The Australian, which is why I was pleasantly surprised when they agreed to run the piece. However, they didn't want to include my list of those journalists who on the pages of The Australian have either made the claim themselves, or quoted Tony Abbott as making it (without pointing out that the claim is untrue). Here's a sampling:

• “We are the only country in the world that has put in place an economy-wide carbon tax of more than a symbolic level, and done so at a punitive level far above global levels.” (Terry McCrann, 24 March 2012)


• “And as noted by the Productivity Commission, Australia is the only country with an economy-wide price on carbon; the efforts of other countries tend to be more selective and directed at particular industries.” (Judith Sloan, 7 July 2012)


• “In contrast to Labor's rhetoric, [Gary Banks] cautions that no other country now imposes an economy-wide carbon tax or emissions trading scheme.” (Michael Stutchbury, 26 March 2011)


• “Last night business groups were already calling for a new inquiry into how a carbon price in Australia would compare with key competitor countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. And Tony Abbott maintained his campaign, saying no other country was contemplating an economy-wide carbon price.” (Sid Maher, 10 June 2011)


• “Tony Abbott said the report showed that there was "no other comparable country which is imposing an economy-wide carbon tax on itself, there is no other comparable country which is imposing an emissions trading scheme on itself'.” (Sid Maher and Joe Kelly, 10 June 2011)


• “Tony Abbott said the report showed there was no other comparable country that was "imposing an economy-wide carbon tax on itself'.  "What that means is that any move towards a carbon tax or emissions trading scheme would be an economic own-goal. It would be an act of economic self- harm by Australia," the Opposition Leader said.” (Sid Maher, 10 June 2011)


• “It is not all bad news for the Coalition. Abbott will seize upon and promote the statement that no other country has an economy-wide tax on greenhouse gas emissions. The report contradicts the previous week's final Garnaut review, which argued Australia was left behind by much of the world on climate change action.” (Paul Kelly, 11 June 2011)


• “Tony Abbott said the package was "a world first" and accused Ms Gillard of using her carbon tax plan as a cover for a redistribution of wealth, describing it as "socialism masquerading as environmentalism". Noting that "no other country on the face of the earth" had an economy-wide carbon tax, the Opposition Leader said 10 per cent of households would receive no compensation, while 60 per cent would be worse off or "line ball".” (Sid Maher, 11 July 2011)


• “Noting that "no other country on the face of the earth" had an economy-wide carbon tax, Mr Abbott said 10 per cent of house-holds would get no compensation, while 60 per cent would be worse off or "line ball". "This is a redistribution pretending to be compensation, it's a tax increase pretending to be an environment al policy," he said. "It's socialism masquerading as environmentalism."” (Matthew Franklin, 11 July 2011)


• “Please explain why no other comparable country with resource-rich and trade-exposed industries is imposing an economy-wide carbon tax?” (Janet Albrechtsen, 13 July 2011)