Friday, 20 January 2017
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Premier Colin Barnett announced today that the Salvation Army would receive $250,000 a year for the next three years to open the additional beds in its The Beacon facility in Northbridge. "The State Government already provides funding to operate 77 beds at the facility, and will now provide the funding for 25 more beds," Mr Barnett said. "This important inner city facility also provides a number of support services to help the homeless address issues, such as mental health concerns and drug and alcohol dependencies, and to transition to independence." Acting Child Protection Minister Joe Francis said over the past few years, the State Government had made significant investment to increase the number of crisis beds in the Perth metropolitan area to meet the growing demand. "What's important is that these services, like The Beacon, offer support and access to programs and services that help the vulnerable break the cycle of homelessness," Mr Francis said. Individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness should contact Entrypoint Perth on 6496 0001 or 1800 124 684, or Crisis Care after hours on 9223 1111 or 1800 199 008 (country free call). Fact File
Friday, 20 January 2017
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Transport Minister Bill Marmion said the two-year improvement project had transformed Jetty 2 and was an important part of the harbour's ongoing jetty replacement program. "The project involved a partial demolition, piling work and implementation of new floating infrastructure and was partly funded by existing boat pen fees," Mr Marmion said. "Boat users will benefit from a number of improvements including the upgrading of 66 boat pens, providing new opportunities for boat owners wanting to house their vessel at the popular harbour. "The pens are safer than the original concrete and wood structure as they provide a wider platform and pen holders will also benefit from improved firefighting, security and fendering systems." The replaced section of Jetty 2 is now home to 29 pens of 15 metres in length, 21 pens of 18 metres in length, 15 pens of 20 metres in length and one multi-use pen. The jetty now provides additional pens for new customers seeking to accommodate their vessel at the harbour. Nearly 130 new and upgraded pens have been provided at the harbour since the jetty replacement program was implemented in 2009. The project upgraded the original part of Jetty 2 located off Capo D'Orlando Drive to meet the standard of an extension to the structure completed in 2012. Fact File
Thursday, 19 January 2017
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Housing and Racing and Gaming Minister Brendon Grylls said Liquor Restricted Premises Declarations, introduced by the Liberal National Government in 2010, were proven to have an impact on reducing disruptive behaviour in public housing. "Alcohol is often associated with disruptive behaviour and it is often the case that tenants have difficulty in controlling the behaviour of visitors when alcohol is involved," Mr Grylls said. "Liquor restrictions are effective in empowering public housing tenants to manage their tenancies and the Liberal National Government supports any application where a tenant is seeking to have a declaration over their house." Liquor restrictions are now in place for 266 single dwellings and seven complexes in regional Western Australia, as well as 15 single dwellings in the Perth metropolitan area. In this case, common areas of the complex have been declared liquor restricted to ensure tenants and visitors were unable to consume alcohol in these areas. "A tenant seeking to have their premises declared liquor restricted can advise their local Housing Authority officer, who will provide them with an application and assist them with the process," the Minister said. "If someone drinks or takes liquor into a restricted property, police can seize the liquor and take action against the person who committed the offence. "Both the State Government and WA Police believe this is a positive step in reducing disruptive behaviour." Anyone convicted of bringing liquor onto a restricted premises or consuming it there is committing an offence under the Liquor Control Act 1988 and may be fined up to $2,000. Fact File
Thursday, 19 January 2017
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Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said SilverSport - based on the Liberal National Government's highly successful KidSport program - provided up to $200 towards fees, uniforms and equipment needed for eligible seniors' sport and recreation activities. "Sometimes the cost of participating in sport and recreation can be a barrier for seniors and this is one way that the Government can help," Ms Davies said. "In November 2016, the Liberal National Government committed an additional $300,000 to expand the popular SilverSport program and as a result, I am pleased to announce seniors living in the City of Bunbury and the City of Albany will be given access to SilverSport. "Bunbury and Albany have quality sporting facilities and a strong club system which helps promote activity and this initiative further encourages seniors to get active by removing financial barriers." The innovative program is also being piloted in Belmont, Kwinana, Northam and Kalgoorlie-Boulder/Coolgardie for those 60 and over. Seniors and Volunteering Minister Paul Miles said the program would help eligible seniors, who might not otherwise be able to, join a sport or recreation club. "The aim is to keep seniors fit, healthy, active and socially connected using sport and recreation centres, seniors' fitness classes and clubs in their communities," Mr Miles said. The program is administered by the Department of Sport and Recreation in partnership with the Department of Local Government and Communities. Applicants with a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card can join a registered SilverSport program. The fees of up to $200 per person will go directly to recognised SilverSport clubs, recreation centres, programs and businesses. Fact File
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
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Community Services Minister Paul Miles today announced the grant had been awarded to Southcare to continue delivering 'Engaging Young Leaders on Aged Care and Community Boards', which creates opportunities for young leaders to succeed on Boards of Governance. "The Liberal National Government is committed to providing young West Australians with the opportunity to be involved in decision-making bodies in their local communities," Mr Miles said. "Sitting on a board can be a great way for young people to share in decision-making and use their skills to benefit others. Their knowledge and fresh perspectives can make services, events or decisions more relevant, appropriate and effective." As part of the program, Southcare will use the grant over two years to encourage local governments and community organisations to improve the representation of young people on community boards. "The program addresses challenges posed by the ageing profile of current board members while providing more diverse representation and quality members," the Minister said. "Participants in the program undergo intensive training, attending learning and development opportunities to equip them with the knowledge, experience and networks to accept their first board position or board traineeship." Mr Miles took the opportunity to meet one of the program's alumni - Laura Koh - who currently sits on the Board of YMCA WA. "This program has an established alumni and demonstrated results with more than 60 per cent of graduates accepting a board position or traineeship. This is a fantastic result which this funding will help increase in the coming years," he said. Fact File
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
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Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said 377 victims reported losing $10,057,015 to scams overall in 2016, with $4.1 million lost to relationship fraud. "While most scam categories have seen a drop in both victims and losses, there are two categories that have seen huge increases in losses which is a cause for concern," Mr Mischin said. "Technology scams have seen a 21 per cent increase in victim numbers while the losses have almost tripled. Scammers contact their victims usually by phone and pretend to be from a well-known telecommunications company such as Telstra, saying their computer has been hacked. "They trick the person into giving them remote access to their computer and then ask them to log on to their online banking, where the bank accounts are later raided. "The other area of concern is the doubling of losses from investment scams to $2.6 million in 2016, even though there has been a slight drop in the number of victims in this category. "Using fake websites and sometimes stealing the identity of legitimate companies, the scammers dupe investors with promises of quick financial gains. A range of different investments are offered by scammers, particularly in the area of binary option trading." The Minister said Project Sunbird, a joint initiative between Consumer Protection and the Major Fraud Squad at WA Police, had continued to be a highly successful and effective intervention method, which monitored money transfers from Australia to countries in western Africa. "The project has contained losses for many WA victims of romance and investment fraud, with about 74 per cent of the 700 people who received a letter from Sunbird ceasing to send more money, after being warned that they could be the victim of a scam," he said. Mr Mischin today released the 2016 Scam Review report prior to the destruction of almost 70,000 scam mail items, bound for Australian homes, that had been intercepted in the past two years in a joint operation between Consumer Protection and Australia Post. "The letters mainly inform recipients that they have win a prize or lottery but must pay a small fee upfront in order to receive it. There are also letters from clairvoyants who say they can provide secrets to finding fame and fortune, again for a small fee," he said. "Had these letters been delivered, there is a potential for recipients to be tempted to respond and be conned into giving money for a product or service that either doesn't exist or won't deliver on the false claims being made." Fact File
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
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Presenting the grant to the Federation of Western Australian Police and Community Youth Centres (PCYC), Youth Minister Paul Miles said the funding would aid in the delivery of the 'Drive to the Future' program. Delivered in partnership with WA Police, the program gives at-risk youths a chance to attain a motor vehicle license and reaches in excess of 80 participants per month. "The Liberal National Government recognises the importance of meaningful engagement and community participation of young people," Mr Miles said. "The PCYC has been instrumental in shaping, developing and influencing young people and their involvement in WA communities for more than seven decades. "The 'Drive to the Future' program has been incredibly successful, resulting in decreased criminal activity, enhanced employment opportunities, reduced antisocial behaviour and improved self-esteem, confidence and self-worth of participants." The grant will allow the PCYC to repair its existing driving simulator and purchase a second mobile unit, which will allow the program to be delivered in regional locations. It will also enable the purchase of iPads for regional managers to assist them in becoming more flexible in their operation. The Minister said the State Government provided more than $65,000 to the PCYC in 2016 for the operation of nine Police Ranger units in WA, which provided training and support to young people engaged in the program. "More than $10 million has also been provided to the WA PCYC to upgrade and further develop its facilities across WA," Mr Miles said. Fact File
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
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Regional Development Minister Terry Redman today announced that Royalties for Regions would invest more than $6.16 million to support the development of 32 new units in Brunswick Junction, Donnybrook and Waroona. "These important projects will open the door for people in some of the State's smaller towns to stay connected to their communities and their established support networks," Mr Redman said. "Without appropriate and affordable housing and more age-friendly places, people can be forced to move to bigger towns or cities as their needs change with age. "Projects like the ones planned for Brunswick Junction, Donnybrook and Waroona make a big difference to people's lives by allowing them to stay close to family, friends, community groups and regular service providers." More than $2.3 million has been allocated to support the construction of an additional 12 affordable retirement units to rent or buy at the existing eight-unit Brunswick River Cottages development. In Donnybrook, $2 million will support the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup and Alliance Housing to build 11 independent living units for over 55s or people with special needs as part of the Bridge Street Affordable Housing project. A total of $1.84 million will support the Quambie Park Waroona Housing Options Village to address the high demand for aged services while enabling older residents to remain living in a home setting. Fact File
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
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Preliminary results from the inaugural trial from August to November 2016 were encouraging, with 1,644 people experiencing swimming with these giants of the ocean. Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the trial, undertaken with licensed operators that already delivered swimming with whale shark tours, aimed to determine the environmental sustainability and risks to swimmers and whales. "The Department of Parks and Wildlife regulates the interactions so the tour operators have rules in place to minimise the risk to swimmers and disturbances to humpback whales, while still ensuring visitors have a unique experience of nature," Mr Jacob said. "Most visitor responses from a trial survey were complimentary about the experience and a social research study during the trial also gave positive results. On this basis, the trial will continue this year so we can gather more information about human interaction with these great creatures." The Minister said the trial boosted nature-based tourism in the World Heritage-listed marine park, with a significant increase in whale shark tour passengers on the back of interest in the humpback swimming tours. "Passenger numbers for whale shark tours were up by an unprecedented 32 per cent in 2016, giving a boost to the local Exmouth and Coral Bay economy," he said. "More than 27,500 people took part in whale shark tours at Ningaloo, up from 20,834 in 2015 indicating the growing public awareness of Ningaloo and interest in the trial. This clearly demonstrates the economic benefits of the Liberal National Government's commitment to growing eco-tourism in this State." An extra 3,500 passengers were recorded during the main whale shark season from March 1 to July 31 and the remainder throughout August, September and October, when the Government also trialled tours for in-water interaction with humpback whales. Exmouth accommodation bookings for July to October 2017 through travel website Expedia are up by more than one-third compared with the same time last year, which is attributed to interest in the swimming with humpback whale trial. Fact File
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
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Mr Barnett said the Government would also remove limitation periods for serious physical abuse, recognising that this was also traumatic and could have a lasting impact on a person's wellbeing. The change would make WA one of only three jurisdictions - alongside New South Wales and Victoria - to remove limitation periods for physical as well as sexual abuse. The removal of limitation periods would not be limited to child abuse which occurred in an institutional context. "Survivors, regardless of where the abuse occurred will be able to commence civil action without the barrier of limitation periods," Mr Barnett said. The Premier thanked Eyre MLA Graham Jacobs for his advocacy for victims. "Graham's work on this issue has led to these changes and he has made a significant contribution to this outcome," he said. Deputy Premier Liza Harvey, who chaired a Cabinet sub-committee to examine the matter, said after meeting with a range of people including survivors of child sexual abuse, and considering submissions, it was clear an injustice needed to be corrected. Ms Harvey said the Government also recognised that some survivors may have accepted out of court settlements for abuse they suffered in circumstances where the limitation period for their claim had expired, leaving them with no ability to take action in the courts. They may have felt obliged, by reason of their poor bargaining position, to take what was offered to them by way of settlement. "Consequently, our amendments will allow victims who have received out of court settlements for child abuse to have these settlements set aside by the court," the Deputy Premier said. "There will be no cap placed on the maximum damages that can be awarded to survivors - the court will determine the damages payable to a person who suffered child abuse." Attorney General Michael Mischin said the changes would not preclude victims who had previously received redress for sexual or serious physical abuse experienced as a child from commencing civil action. "Western Australia has administered two State-based redress schemes - Redress WA and the Country High Schools Hostels Ex Gratia Scheme," Mr Mischin said. "The Liberal National Government is committed to allowing survivors of child abuse to be able to take civil action against the perpetrator or, where relevant and possible, the institution that failed to protect them as children and, if necessary, have the merits of their case decided by a court." Fact File
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