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Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Red Alert is Senator Pratt's eNewsletter keeping readers updated on activities in Parliament, Committees and the Community.
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Tuesday, 31 January 2012
This morning, I had the pleasure of representing the Gillard Labor Government at the start of major works on the Perth City Link Project.
I took the train in – a fitting way to arrive at an event that marks a major reform to Perth’s rail network.
The City Link Project has seen all three tiers of government come together to revitalise Perth’s city centre. Today, we took a big step forward by... read more...
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Friday, 23 December 2011
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said 2011 was going to be a year of decision and delivery, and it certainly was that.
It has been a challenging year, but one that has produced results.
The lesson for 2011 is that perseverance pays off.
The Gillard Labor Government has taken the right long-term decisions for the country, and it is worth reflecting on the many achievements that we have had this year.
read more...
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Friday, 4 November 2011
For this week’s Red Alert I am sharing with you my experiences of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – including a quick trip to Karratha.
Decriminalising Homosexuality in the Commonwealth
CHOGM bought with it the opportunity to hear from one of my favourite public figures – former High Court Justice, Michael Kirby. As a member of the Commonwealth’s Eminent Persons Group, Michael was behind the push to decriminalise homosexuality in the 39 of 54 Commonwealth countries where it is still a crime.
He rightly pointed out that this type of sexual apartheid is hampering the fight against HIV/AIDS. While the push received mixed results, the experiences of African gay rights activists remind us... read more...
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Friday, 21 October 2011
I am certain that last week will be remembered as a landmark moment for the Gillard Government. Despite the scaremongering of the Liberal Party, and being in minority government, Labor is continuing to honour our great history of reform.
Carbon pricing passes the House
On Wednesday October 12th, the House of Representatives passed 19 Bills comprising the Clean Energy and the Steel Transformation legislation – the first step in pricing carbon.
That package of legislation will allow Australia to seize the economic and job opportunities that will come as the world tackles climate change and shifts to a clean energy future. read more...
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Wednesday, 12 October 2011
There is no doubt that this is a tough time for Labor federally. However, rather than playing into the mindless negativity of Tony Abbott, we are getting on with the job of governing.
Nowhere is that more apparent than in the north of our great state where last month I announced funding for, or opened, more than six major projects.
New school facilities in the Kimberley and Pilbara
On two visits to the Kimberley and Pilbara, I had the pleasure of opening school facilities that were funded under Labor’s Building the Education Revolution.
The new covered assembly and music block at Millars Well Primary School in Karratha will ensure that the community’s growing population has access to the best educational facilities. Meanwhile, Sacred Heart School at Beagle Bay Mission will benefit from a new library – their first ever!
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Monday, 5 September 2011
Perhaps more than any other part of the country, Western Australia needs a clean energy future.
That’s because, despite our carbon intensive economy, our fragile environment needs our protection.
There is a threat that would negatively impact on our way of life, tourism, agriculture and other economic opportunities.
That threat is climate change.
A new report released by the Climate Commission tells us that Western Australia, and particularly the South West, is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change.
Rainfall in the South West has reduced by 15% over the past 40 years.
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Tuesday, 16 August 2011
In the past month of carbon-flamed debate, the good news for Western Australia appears to have gone under the radar.
Independent Treasury modelling shows that the WA economy will continue to grow after a carbon price is introduced, and will outperform other Australian states.
And contrary to Tony Abbott’s dire predictions, the Australian economy as a whole will continue to grow after a price is put on carbon in July next year. read more...
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Thursday, 14 July 2011
On Sunday July 7, the Prime Minister unveiled how Australia will seize its clean energy future.
Putting a price on pollution is a historic Labor reform, and it is an important one for Western Australia.
WA is increasingly experiencing extreme weather, and the South West is drying at an alarming rate.
There is no doubt that we need to take action to address these problems, while protecting jobs and households.
The rest of the world is already taking action, and our economy and environment will be badly damaged unless Australia acts too.
That’s why Labor has launched its Clean Energy Future Plan. read more...
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Friday, 8 July 2011
With the financial year and parliamentary session at a close, I’d like to update you on the reforms Labor is delivering for Western Australian families. Many of our reforms took effect
on 1 July – here is a brief outline of just some of these changes.
Flexible Childcare Rebates
Labor has delivered on its commitment to increase the flexibility of Child Care Rebate payments. Now, rather than being paid on a three-monthly basis, you can opt to receive payments fortnightly or weekly. You can find out more about these changes here. read more...