Governing in the great Labor tradition of reform
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.
Most importantly, we are doing it in a way that has the Labor values of equity and fairness at its very heart. Not only is carbon pricing the cheapest way to cut pollution, our household assistance package is targeted at those individuals and families who need it most.
I look forward to supporting these historic reforms when they come before the Senate.
Better services for university students
In another victory for Labor ideals last week, the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill 2010 passed the Senate on Tuesday October 11th.
As you would know, university student services were gutted under the former Howard Government, destroying access to important student services like child care, financial advice, on-campus activities and much more.
Under Labor’s Bill, universities can charge a fee of up to $263 per student in 2012, which will go toward rebuilding these services.
Importantly, no student will be forced to join any student organisation and the Bill expressly prohibits the fee from being used to support a political party.
The End of Polio
I recently also had the privilege of speaking in the Senate on the Global Poverty Project’s campaign to eradicate polio.
A disease that once swept the globe, polio is now endemic in just four countries. This campaign is calling for full funding of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which is currently facing a US$590 million shortfall.
With the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth approaching, now is an ideal time to get behind this campaign. Find out more by clicking here.
Best wishes
Louise