Sunday, 18 September 2016
Deputy Premier and Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey today launched a public education campaign five weeks ahead of the laws coming into force. "The campaign will make it crystal clear that WA will now include alcohol interlocks as part of the penalties for drink driving," Ms Harvey said. "The campaign highlights the new laws and also the impact these devices have on a person's freedom when they have to blow into an alcohol interlock every time they get into their vehicle." The Deputy Premier said the devices would be fitted to vehicles once drivers had served their drink driving penalty and would remain in place for at least six months. The scheme would capture first time offenders convicted of Driving Under the Influence of alcohol (BAC of or above 0.15%) and repeat drink drivers who have been convicted of two or more Drink Driving offences (BAC of or above 0.05% or 0.02% for P-platers) within a five-year period. "As part of our commitment to address the root cause of drink driving, offenders who breach the scheme will also have to undergo Alcohol Assessment & Treatment counselling," Ms Harvey said. "The offender will be responsible for the cost of installing the alcohol interlock system. Once the driver blows 0.02 or less, the vehicle will start, however they may be required to re-test during the journey." The Deputy Premier said the alcohol interlock scheme was funded through the Road Trauma Trust Account which was made of speed and red light camera fines. Fact File
Saturday, 17 September 2016
The Southern Playing Fields and Pavilion - four synthetic rectangular fields, changerooms, storage and a kiosk - were officially opened today. Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said $2 million was provided towards the project through the Liberal National Government's Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF). "The opening sees the completion of a major piece in the larger Ellenbrook District Open Space project," Ms Davies. "This space offers another opportunity for sport and recreation lovers in Ellenbrook and surrounding areas to get out and be active close to home." The Minister said the ground would be home to the Ellenbrook United Football Club and would also be used by local rugby and lacrosse teams. "There is also an adjacent play space and picnic area and I am sure the precinct will be one that brings the local Ellenbrook community together for years to come," she said. The playing fields are the second synthetic rectangular facility to be installed in Western Australia, after Mills Park in the City of Gosnells. Synthetic pitches allow about three times more usage per week than natural grass fields and do not require irrigation. "Active communities are healthier communities, so what better way to be active than to join a local sporting club," Ms Davies said. For the wider Ellenbrook precinct development, the City of Swan has received $4.54 million through the CSRFF. Since 2009, the State Government has invested more than $157 million in 1,000 sport and recreation facility projects across the State. Fact File
Saturday, 17 September 2016
Statement from Premier Colin Barnett "I would like to thank Tony for his service. "He has been a good Minister and is a good local member "I understand he wants to focus on winning his seat at the next election and I wish him well. "While I am sorry to see Tony leave Cabinet, it now presents an opportunity for someone else to become a Minister." Saturday, 17 September 2016
Students from all three branches of Chung Wah Chinese schools are welcoming in the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival with dancing, singing and a Chinese costume parade. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Mooncake Festival - after the traditional cakes prepared especially for the celebration. It is the second most important festival in China (after Chinese New Year) and is a time to celebrate the full moon. During this time, Western Australia's Chinese communities, as well as the Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Philippine communities, will be celebrating by visiting family and friends, enjoying cultural performances, mooncakes and other traditional foods. Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Mike Nahan said community language schools - including Chung Wah's Chinese schools in Morley, Leeming and Rossmoyne - played an increasingly important role in maintaining language and culture for generations to come. "Language learning is imperative in our globally connected world. It is crucial for the cultural perspective it gives us, and for the global advantage it gives WA," Dr Nahan said. "The performances of the students from Chung Wah Chinese schools today are a wonderful example of the fundamental connection between language and culture. "These students are ensuring the State's cultural diversity will remain vibrant and exciting well into the future. "Language learning should be a key part of the education of every Western Australian, and should be something we build upon from an early age, and take with us into later life." Fact File
Saturday, 17 September 2016
They are among nearly 6,000 people to take the citizenship pledge across the country today in 89 ceremonies held to celebrate Australian Citizenship Day, which was launched in 2001 to increase community awareness of Australian citizenship and its benefits. Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Mike Nahan said Australian Citizenship Day was an opportunity to acknowledge the role new citizens played in building the nation. "Today is a day for all Australians to reflect on the meaning and importance of citizenship, and the responsibilities and privileges associated with it," Dr Nahan said. "Australian citizenship symbolises our unity as a nation, the values we share and our common future. It also represents a sense of belonging and pride in our nation's achievements. "WA has the benefit of being one of Australia's most multicultural States, attracting a significant number of migrants who have all become valued members of our community. "The development of WA owes much to the hard work, valuable skills and commitment of those who have chosen to make this State their home." Under the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code, local government councils are encouraged to hold ceremonies on or around this day. Schools, organisations and community groups are also encouraged to organise special events and activities. The Liberal National Government, through the Office of Multicultural Interests - in partnership with the Constitutional Centre of Western Australia, Electoral Education Centre and Australia Day WA - run Civic and Citizenship workshops to improve understanding of citizenship rights and responsibilities. Fact File
Saturday, 17 September 2016
Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the "Unknown Land" Mapping and Imagining Western Australia exhibition would offer unique perspectives of well-known landmarks which would resonate with audiences from across the State. "This is both a visual showcase and a history masterclass, as viewers explore WA's colonial past through the eyes of professional and amateur artists, illustrators and surveyors," Mr Day said. "With more than 150 works drawn from the State Art Collection, the exhibition reaches from the west coast to Albany and across the interior, through fascinating drawings, prints and watercolours featuring landscapes, people, flora and fauna. "Visitors will marvel at familiar sites including views of Mount Eliza, Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay and Heirisson Island from times long past." Highlights of the exhibition include the display of many of the gallery's colonial works on paper, brought together for the first time since 1979. "People will be prompted to ask questions about WA's heritage, examine social, political and environmental changes, and consider the role of art in what were often challenging colonial times," the Minister said. "The opening of Unknown Land is timely, as WA prepares to mark the 400th anniversary of the first recorded European landing on the Western Australian coastline." On October 25, 1616, Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog, sailing in the Eendracht, dropped anchor at Cape Inscription in Shark Bay. A special commemoration event will be held next month as part of the anniversary celebrations. Fact File
Australian Red Cross supports unpaid family carers who are not in paid employment with a support service, and are caring for an elderly family member or friend who has a chronic illness or disability, a mental health concern or who are frail aged and living in the Community.
In collaboration with Manjimup HACC, we welcome these carers to an information session on Red Cross Services in the SW and how Carer Support can assist them to maintain their caring role in a supportive and non judgemental environment, whilst also learning how to navigate the system and what supports and services are available to assist them in their caring role as well as a focus on looking after their own wellbeing. WHEN: Wednesday 21/9/2016 10am – 11am WHERE: Manjimup HACC Centre, 49 Bath St Manjimup Morning tea will be provided. COST: FREE ELIGIBILITY : Carers must be caring for someone who is eligible to receive HACC services. Carers who are caring for someone on NDIS are NOT eligible to attend. In home or day centre respite can be arranged for eligible carers to enable them to attend the meeting with peace of mind. Transport assistance to attend meeting where available. Friday, 16 September 2016
Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said the prominent landmark hotel characterised the exuberance and prosperity of the hotel industry during the gold boom. "The grandeur of the Exchange Hotel evokes memories of the economic prosperity that characterised Kalgoorlie during the gold rush," Mr Jacob said. "This was a time when the gold boom was having a profound impact on Western Australia and the subsequent growth and development changed the face and fortunes of our State." As Kalgoorlie's population grew during the gold rush years, Hannan Street saw a growth in hotels from 1894 onwards, to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding town. A hotel has been operating on the site of the Exchange Hotel since 1894. The existing hotel was built in 1901, and at its opening was described as a 'credit to the town'. Hotels were crucial to the economic and social life of the Goldfields. They were meeting places for the mine workers, providing comfortable surroundings in contrast to their everyday experience. Designed by architects Hawkins and Sprigg, the Exchange Hotel is characterised by its grand Federation Filigree style, with a protruding gabled verandah and corner belvedere. "Today, the Exchange Hotel continues to be an important social hub for locals and tourists who want to experience the grandeur of a by-gone era," the Minister said. Fact File
Friday, 16 September 2016
Indradhanush is an annual, family friendly event that brings together Western Australian Indian, Bangladeshi, Indonesian and Pakistani performers to showcase their cultural and musical talents. Hindi, the official language of India, connects people of Indian origin who have migrated all over the world. In WA, India has replaced Italy in the top five countries of birth for overseas-born migrants, making it the State's top non-English speaking country of birth. Hosted by the Hindi Samaj of WA, the concert is supported by the Liberal National Government through a $5,000 grant from the Office of Multicultural Interests' (OMI) Community Grants Program. Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Mike Nahan said community organisations such as Hindi Samaj presented outstanding entertainment and also played an important role in maintaining culture and language in diverse communities. "These community organisations ensure WA's cultural diversity will remain vibrant and exciting well into the future," Dr Nahan said. "The performances in Indradhanush are a spectacular display of cultural diversity and are not to be missed by anyone with a passion for dance and music. "The State Government is proud to support WA's Indian communities and, since 2009, a total of $276,460 in OMI grants has been awarded to Indian, Hindi and Punjabi projects." Indradhanush takes place at Penrhos College in Como on Sunday, September 18 at 6pm. Fact file
Thursday, 15 September 2016
Mines and Petroleum Minister Sean L'Estrange said the move was a direct response to recommendations from the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs report on 'Implications for Western Australia of Hydraulic Fracturing for Unconventional Gas'. "The Land Access Working Group will review existing provisions under the State's mining and petroleum legislation, with a primary focus on onshore petroleum," Mr L'Estrange said. The Land Access Working Group will comprise representatives from industry and farmer organisations, local government (Western Australian Local Government Association), the Conservation Council of Western Australia and various State Government agencies and will be chaired by the Director General of the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP). "The working group will compare land access arrangements in other jurisdictions and make recommendations to Government, including possible changes to the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association's 'Farming Land Access Agreement' template," the Minister said. "The Land Access Working Group will consult with a wide range of stakeholders in order to report and make recommendations to the Government by June 30, 2018." Mr L'Estrange said the group would also consider and advise in relation to recommendations for a statutory body to act as an independent arbiter for land owners and resource companies in land access negotiations. "WA has a long history of mineral exploration and agriculture working together co-operatively and successfully," he said. Fact File
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