Thursday, 15 September 2016
Culture and Arts Minister John Day said the fund was part of the State Government's $24 million investment over four years in regional arts through the Creative Regions program. "The RRTF allows regional audiences access to top Western Australian productions that have taken part in the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Perth Fringe World Festival and fringe festivals in Edinburgh and New York," Mr Day said. "Most recently, the fund is supporting the tours of seven productions that will collectively put on more than 200 performances, workshops and community and school activities throughout regional WA. "The RRTF is a rolling fund that can be applied for at any time. It is this flexibility that provides regional presenters a greater voice in the choice of performances. "Applications are demonstrating that presenters are basing choices on recommendations by their peers, viewing online excerpts, reviews, seeing performances and their meetings with producers and performers." Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said Creative Regions was making an invaluable contribution to the vibrancy and revitalisation of regional areas. "The Royalties for Regions investment in the RRTF and the overall $24 million investment over four years in the Creative Regions program is helping lay a strong foundation for regional WA's arts future," Mr Redman said. "As more of the program's projects roll out during the next three years, we will continue to see more benefits for communities economically, culturally and socially." Fact File
Performances to tour regional WA between now and October 2016
Thursday, 15 September 2016
Deputy Premier and Training and Workforce Development Minister Liza Harvey said the pilot program would give people access to information technology training. "Up to five training scholarships to the value of $5,000 each will be awarded to people who are on the Autism spectrum to study in the field of information technology," Ms Harvey said. "Software testing can be a difficult job to fill because of the high levels of attention needed over prolonged periods of time, but that plays to the strengths of many individuals who are on the Autism spectrum." The scholarship program is a collaboration between the Autism Academy for Software Quality Assurance, based at Curtin University, South Metropolitan TAFE, Autism Association of Western Australia and the Department of Training and Workforce Development. "The program supports the work of the Autism Academy in particular, which has a unique role in harnessing the talents and skills of students who have autism to create pathways to long-term employment," the Deputy Premier said. "With the combined strength of each organisation, students will be supported through their initial training while a link to possible employment will also be provided." Scholarships would cover the cost of student fees for Certificate IV and Diploma level courses in information technology, programming or software development. Applications will be open until October 14, 2016 and successful recipients will be notified in November. Fact File
Thursday, 15 September 2016
The results are in the Local Government Waste and Recycling Census 2014-15, published by the Waste Authority. Environment Minister Albert Jacob said local councils which participated in the Liberal National Government's Better Bins pilot program had recovered 42 per cent of waste from all three bins compared with those councils with two bins, which recovered only 22 per cent. "The difference in recycling rates shows use of a third bin for green waste clearly produced better results," Mr Jacob said. "When it's easier for households to recycle green waste, such as garden clippings, recovering other waste products improved as well. "Better Bins gives local councils better kerbside services that contribute to achieving the State's recycling targets and reduce their exposure to increasing landfill costs. "The justification for investing in this setup is clear with the impact of using a third bin. This is an encouraging result and I hope more local councils will roll out the three bin system." The State Government has $15.4 million available for more local councils to roll out Better Bins based on the success of the pilot program in the cities of Bayswater, Rockingham and Stirling; towns of Cambridge and Cottesloe; and the shires of Capel, Collie and Donnybrook-Balingup. The recovery rate for municipal solid waste in the Perth metropolitan region has remained at about 40 per cent in recent years. Efficient use of the three bin systems across Australia has achieved a recovery rate of 50 per cent, or more than 60 per cent if food organics are included. With Better Bins, general waste goes in a bin with a red lid, co-mingled recycling goes in a yellow lid bin, and green or organic waste is collected in a lime-green lid bin. This makes it easier for waste processors to recover resources and helps prevent cross contamination. Fact File
Thursday, 15 September 2016
Attorney General Michael Mischin has introduced the Sentencing Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 into State Parliament, which proposes allowing an offender to undertake community work in lieu of paying a fine under an enhanced Conditional Release Order regime. Mr Mischin said the amendments were part of the Liberal National Government's commitment to divert low level first time offenders away from sentences that could lead to incarceration. "The concern is that in many cases, this creates a cycle of offending and convictions, where an inability or unwillingness to pay the fines leads to entry into the fines enforcement system and potentially imprisonment," he said. "While legislation applies to everyone equally, one of the key aims of this amendment is to reduce the incarceration of Aboriginal people for the non-payment of fines for low level offences which don't warrant imprisonment." The amendments enhance the current Conditional Release Order and provide the court with the ability to impose a fine, but then immediately offer the offender attendance at a rehabilitation program or unpaid community work in lieu of paying the fine. The court will have the discretion to set no undertaking, a monetary undertaking, or require the offender to deposit money with the court, essentially giving legislative reinforcement to what sometimes happens in practice. "As this measure will be a direct alternative to a fine, the involvement of the offender in any programs or work will be by agreement and therefore voluntary," the Attorney General said. "It is hoped that some of the more than 5,000 volunteer organisations, not-for-profit community organisations and local governments across the State will become involved in the scheme." Mr Mischin said the Bill complemented the Bail Legislation Amendment Bill 2016, which had been introduced into State Parliament in June to reduce the risk of accused people being unnecessarily remanded in custody, particularly those living in regional and remote WA. "These changes are reflective of the State Government's commitment to prevent and reduce the number of Aboriginal deaths in custody, as well as the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the justice system," he said. Fact File
Thursday, 15 September 2016
The National Visitor Survey (NVS) shows intrastate visitation in WA is continuing to grow, increasing at a rate faster than the national average across each of the three key measures of number of visitors, nights stayed and spend. Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett said the NVS data also revealed the number of overseas holidays taken by West Australians dropped by four per cent, driven by fewer trips taken to nearby Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. "This, combined with the strong growth seen in intrastate holiday travel, suggests more West Australians are taking domestic holidays instead of short haul overseas holidays," Mr Barnett said. "We have such a large State full of diverse experiences and landscapes and it's wonderful to see locals embracing that." In the 12 months to June 2016, the number of intrastate visitors increased by 16.6 per cent to 7.8 million, the nights they stayed increased 18.4 per cent to 31.693 million and the amount they spent was up by a massive 24 per cent to $4.08 billion. West Australians are also embracing packing up the family and going for a drive or catching the train to Mandurah or the ferry to Rottnest with day trips also up by 10.2 per cent to 19.36 million. The Premier said the survey also showed strong increases across the interstate market, with increases across all three measures in the 12 months to June 2016. "While we should view the increases with some caution because of the relatively small sample size, these are significant results given interstate travel has been one of our weaker performing markets of late and a welcome positive reversal," he said. When combined with the International Visitor Survey figures released last month, the data reveals a record-breaking 10.1 million overnight visitors came to or travelled within WA in 2015-16, spending $9.6 billion. The Liberal National Government has a goal to increase visitor spend in WA to $12 billion by 2020. Fact File
15/09/2016
Education Minister Peter Collier announced today another 73 public schools would gain independent status, following an exhaustive development and selection process. "Along with six new schools opening for the first time next year, the State Government will have 524 Independent Public Schools in 2017," Mr Collier said. The Minister said more than 100 school communities had applied to join the initiative, and the standard was so high the initial cap of 50 schools was extended. "Such a strong field of schools were deemed ready to become Independent Public Schools that we could not deny them this great opportunity," he said. "Independent Public Schools have stripped away the barriers that used to shackle principals and staff from doing their jobs effectively - that is, providing the very best teaching and learning environments for students. "Principals say they have never looked back after becoming independent and having the authority at school level to select staff, run budgets and decide how their schools operate." School staff and council members will be part of a comprehensive transition program next term to prepare them for the transition. Fact File
And only 6 days till the Song Competition finishes - midnight next Wednesday 14th September. If you're coming to the workshops - don't delay your bookings - and please read the how to book details carefully! Call for Stall Holders Do you Make, Bake or Grow things and would like to take a stall on Saturday October 1st? Vintage and Classic Cars Do you own a classic car? Want to display your pride and joy in the main street of Manjimup on Saturday October 1st? Song Competition Songs are staring to come in – have you got yours underway? Are you singing Waltzing Matilda all the time to come up with alternative lyrics? Local & Visitors Stage Calling for interest from bluegrass / old timey style acts – the free stage will run between 9am and 4pm on the Saturday October Feature band for the weekend, The Davidson Brothers, is one of Australia's leading bluegrass bands and they have never been to WA before!
They are performing at the Manjimup Town Hall and giving hands on instrument workshops and joining jam sessions in Manjimup during the weekend. Wednesday, 14 September 2016
Disability Services Minister Donna Faragher presented the grant at the centre this morning and said it would support the purchase of equipment that people with disability could otherwise not afford. "For more than 35 years, the centre has provided services to people with disability, older people, carers, service providers, health professionals and educators," Mrs Faragher said. "The experienced, professional team support people to choose and access equipment, technology and services for independence and wellbeing. "The centre has administered the Disability Equipment Grants program since 2003, and over that period it has helped thousands of people with disability to obtain vehicle modifications, specialised assistive technology and other essential independence equipment." In 2015-16, 712 West Australians with disability obtained equipment through the program. "Some people with disability need a range of supportive equipment to maintain their independence so these grants have a significant impact on the quality of people's lives," the Minister said. "The Independent Living Centre is a centre of excellence for information, advice and expertise about the best assistive technology and equipment available for people with disability in WA." Fact File
Wednesday, 14 September 2016
Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said product safety officers from Consumer Protection inspected the contents of every showbag and only discovered labelling issues with some items. "The officers found eight showbags containing cosmetics, toiletries and temporary tattoos did not have the correct labels listing the ingredients as required by product safety regulations," Mr Mischin said. "The labelling issues have been quickly rectified by the suppliers in time for the start of the show, so all showbags on sale have now been deemed safe for children by complying fully with Australian safety standards." The Minister said the inspectors focused on toys and novelty items to determine if any had sharp edges or could pose a choking, strangulation or other hazard to children. "Particular attention was paid to items containing button batteries, but all battery compartments were found to be secured. However, parents should remain vigilant if toys contain these small batteries which can easily be swallowed and can prove fatal to small children," he said. "Families with a mix of older and younger siblings should ensure children under three do not get hold of toys intended for children above three years of age. "Suppliers or sellers who offer unsafe products for sale could face heavy fines, so it is in their best interests to ensure all their products are compliant. I appreciate their co-operation in quickly rectifying the issues identified by the safety audit. "The pre-show safety examinations are conducted each year at the invitation of the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia to ensure this major community event is as safe as possible for everyone to enjoy." Fact File
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