31 August 2016
Deputy Premier and Police Minister Liza Harvey said the State Government purchased two adjacent blocks of land in the heart of Armadale for $4.9 million. "This Government is committed to ensuring the south-eastern suburbs community is kept safe and police in the area have the resources they need to help combat crime and antisocial behaviour," Ms Harvey said. Attorney General Michael Mischin said the Armadale justice complex would include a new police station and courthouse. "While the land purchase has been underway, the Government has also committed $1.8 million for the planning of the Armadale justice complex building in the 2016-17 State Budget," Mr Mischin said. "The Armadale justice complex will have state-of-the-art facilities and update the current courthouse and police station." The Armadale justice complex site is bound by Third Road and Thomas Street, behind Armadale Shopping City. "This is a further example of the Liberal National Government renovating Western Australia. In the last four years, $116 million has been allocated to build new and refurbished police stations across the State," the Deputy Premier said. Ms Harvey said the Government was also committed to getting more police back onto frontline duties and away from desk work and administrative tasks. "Since 2014, we have added 104 more uniformed officers into the Armadale sub-district. Labor is committed to removing officers from the frontline and putting them on administration and desk duties," she said. Fact File
31 August 2016
Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis said the State Government would enter negotiations with the company, which were expected to be completed in October 2016. "Broadspectrum provided a comprehensive response to the request for tender, drawing on several decades of experience in court custody and prisoner transport services in the United Kingdom," Mr Francis said. "The company also has significant experience in providing custodial services in Australian immigration detention." Broadspectrum is a multi-national company working across a range of sectors including transport, facilities management and defence. The Department of Corrective Services and Broadspectrum will now negotiate the contract and, if successful, the company will take over service delivery in early 2017. The Minister will table a project summary report in State Parliament once negotiations are completed. This report will provide further details of the procurement process and the contract. Fact File
29 August 2016
Mr Francis said the 12 metre diesel-powered patrol vessel (PV) Lesueur would increase patrol capability in the Mid-West by monitoring fishing activity along the coast between Lancelin and Dongara. "With its waterjet propulsion, PV Lesueur will be able to work in the shallower areas of the Jurien Bay Marine Park, reef inshore areas along the Mid-West coast and also at the Abrolhos Islands, if required," he said. "The Jurien Bay Marine Park is sheltered by islands and reefs that make the surrounding ocean perfect for water activities, and suitable vessels are needed to enable Fisheries and Marine Officers to carry out compliance work. "While the region is popular with recreational fishers, commercial activity includes rock lobster fishing and wetliners catching sharks and demersal species, such as pink snapper and dhufish. There is also a developing octopus fishery and deep sea crab operations." The $934,000 PV Lesueur is capable of operating up to 100 nautical miles offshore, providing wider flexibility for at-sea operations. "Like the majority of the department's patrol vessels, PV Lesueur is fitted with a soft collar to allow it to come alongside commercial and recreational vessels at sea," the Minister said. "This means inspections can not only be conducted at sea, but also in a range of weather conditions, while reducing the likelihood of property damage or injury to people." Fact File
29 August 2016
The grant, which is part of the Liberal National Government's $25.9 million suicide prevention strategy, Suicide Prevention 2020, will enable the organisation to train 'cultural brokers' to engage families and ensure they can access the care they need following a suicide within the community. "This grant will make a significant contribution to strengthening the capacity of the Wheatbelt community to reduce the incidence of suicide and will deliver long-term change in groups of people who are especially vulnerable," Ms Mitchell said. "The pilot program will engage families over a 12-month period to ensure they are can recognise and respond to signs of suicide and self-harm and then access the most appropriate services. "Working on the ground with families over an extended period will allow more meaningful relationships to develop and provide the opportunity for honest conversations about mental health and suicide." The pilot is a grassroots program developed by KAATA, which is re-applying the skills and experience it has gained through engaging Aboriginal students in education to suicide prevention. Fact File
Sunday, 28 August 2016
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said regional WA had an older population profile than the State as a whole and would encounter an increasing need for aged care not yet experienced in metropolitan areas. "The State Government understands the value of retaining older residents in regional WA and it is important we provide opportunities that allow them to remain in their communities," Mr Redman said. "Staying connected with the community is a real concern for seniors, especially in regional areas. "Seniors have contributed greatly to our communities over many years and the report identifies ways in which government, communities and the aged care sector can work together to enable people living in regional WA to better access care they require." Health Minister John Day said the report identified a series of innovative aged care solutions based on four key principles and had already guided more than $70 million of investment in aged care through the State Government's Royalties for Regions program. "The Ageing in the Bush Report will continue to provide a critical evidence base to guide intelligent and targeted investment," Mr Day said. "Addressing needs for aged care services presents real opportunities for economic and jobs growth across WA. If we can get it right, the social and economic dividends are considerable." Mr Redman congratulated the Regional Development Council on leading the development of the Ageing in the Bush Report and said it identified fundamental and realistic solutions based on evidence and community need. Fact File
28/08/2016
The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) canine course, at the Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services Academy in Forrestfield, is aimed at strengthening Western Australia's capacity to respond to the collapse of buildings and other structures. "This innovative course is the first of its kind in Australia, and is being attended by international and interstate emergency services personnel," Mr Francis said. "The course will provide volunteer canine handlers with the expertise and knowledge to teach their dogs to detect people buried under rubble, with a focus on agility skills to enable them to access hard to reach areas. "Canines are superior to people and equipment in undertaking this lifesaving work. When disasters such as earthquakes or cyclones strike, it is essential we have highly trained and skilled search dogs ready to be deployed at a moment's notice." The Minister congratulated the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) for its work to develop and implement the specialised training course. "This course will enable us to increase our USAR capacity not only in WA, but also our ability to help interstate and internationally," he said. "The course will help in fast-tracking USAR canine handlers, who come from DFES and the general public, to become operational." Fact File
Friday, 26 August 2016
Youth Minister Tony Simpson said the role of National Youth Week Ambassador was a great platform for a young person looking to take on a leadership role in the State-wide celebrations. "The ambassador will play an important part in guiding and promoting the week's events and will chair the planning committee," Mr Simpson said. "This is a rewarding opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to showcase their creative flair and inspire other young people across WA to become involved." The Minister said 2016 ambassador Georgie Carey had been an invaluable part of this year's activities and commended Georgie for her commitment to the role. "Georgie started out by getting involved in her local community through the Youth Advisory Council in Mosman Park," he said. "Through her appointment as ambassador, Georgie demonstrated admirable leadership skills, actively promoting, informing and influencing National Youth Week events in WA. I thank her for a job well done." To be eligible to apply for the National Youth Week ambassador role, candidates must be aged between 18 and 25 years. They must be accessible by phone and email and available for meetings and media activities relating to National Youth Week 2017. Fact File
Friday, 26 August 2016
Officially opening the $550,000 centre today, Health Minister John Day said screening rates remained steady in Western Australia but fell short of the national target. "We have to do better with breast screening," Mr Day said. "This state-of-the-art clinic is about saving lives and improving the quality of life for cancer sufferers, through early diagnosis. "The female population in the eligible 40 to 74 year-old age group in the Peel region is expected to grow by 19 per cent in the next decade. That means there will be 21,700 women in the higher-risk category, with research showing that about 2,700 of these will likely develop breast cancer." The new, purpose-built facility replaces the visiting mobile unit which has been servicing Mandurah and the broader Peel District. "As a result, the mobile van will now be able to spend 15 more months during each two-year testing cycle to meet the growing demand in other regional areas across the State," the Minister said. "The Liberal National Government is proud to contribute about $1.1 million per year towards the operations of BreastScreen WA, as part of our commitment to delivering quality health care services closer to home. "This will include jointly funding a new $296,000 awareness campaign to help lift screening rates in women aged 50-74, from 54 per cent towards the target of 70 per cent." Testing takes less than 20 minutes and can detect tiny cancers that cannot be identified by touch. More than 75 per cent of breast cancers are found in women aged over 50. Fact File
Friday, 26 August 2016
Featuring local and national comedians, Stand Up! For Comedy is expected to attract an audience of nearly 600 people. Mental Health Minister Andrea Mitchell said part proceeds from the comedy night would be reinvested back into community mental health. "The aim of Mental Health Week is to reduce stigma and promote mentally healthy communities," Ms Mitchell said. "If we can build awareness through comedy while raising funds to continue awareness raising for the rest of the year, that's a great outcome." Relocating to the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia from His Majesty's Theatre, Stand Up! For Comedy will feature a stellar line-up of comedians, including Ben Darsow, Matt Dyktynski, Damien Callinan, Suns of Fred, Cameron McLaren, Sian Choyce, Hayden Stevens and other special guests. Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the event marked the second time the Perth Theatre Trust had partnered with the Western Australian Association for Mental Health. "This event demonstrates the role the arts can play in raising issues with the community, as well as increasing public awareness," Mr Day said. "Laughter is a vital ingredient for mental health and wellbeing. I encourage everyone to get out to as many events as possible during Mental Health Week, including Stand Up! For Comedy." Mental Health Week 2016 will have a special focus on suicide prevention, promoting the Act-Belong-Commit message 'Together we can save lives'. Mental health consumers and carers have been allocated tickets to the comedy night. Fact File
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