In the News
“The earthquake hit at a magnitude of 9,
one of the highest ever recorded earthquakes in world
history.
There were over 580 aftershocks at level 5 or greater,
which triggered a tsunami of an unimaginable scale and
led to the nuclear incident off Fukushima.
The disaster, known as 3/11, represented an
unprecedented challenge for Japan and its
people, Mr Hawke said.
“I recently had the opportunity to lead a delegation of
Australian MP’s and young political leaders to Japan
where we visited the Miyagi Prefecture
and Fukushima Prefecture exactly one year later.
We saw horrific scenes of devastation in
every town that we visited. The vast nature of this
terrible disaster was beyond comprehension.
“We visited the empty space that was once
the coastal town of Minamisanriku.
Standing in front of the skeletal remains of the
disaster centre was a profoundly moving experience.
The only structure left in this entire plain was the
twisted metal of the disaster structure
which was made of reinforced steel.
On level 3, you could still see the machine
that was used to warn the entire town
that a tsunami was coming.
We heard the story of a young 25-year-old Japanese girl,
who made the announcement to warn her
fellow citizens that a tsunami was coming.
She was swept away an hour later—that
certainly moved all of us on the delegation, said Alex Hawke.
“The Japanese people are overwhelmingly grateful to
Australia for the support and the deep
and profound assistance we have provided them.
There have been so many individual and business donations
by Australians, all of which were deeply appreciated by Japan.
“From my own visit and the visit of this delegation,
I can say that out of the terrible tragedies of 11 March 2011,
the people of Miyagi and Fukushima, and of Japan, are
working hard to rebuild and planning for a better future, said Alex Hawke.
“One year on from the triple 11 disasters,
our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan,
those who lost their lives and the families who lost loved ones”, concluded Alex Hawke.
Thursday, 15 March 2012
The Deputy Chair of the Parliament’s Cyber Safety Committee, Alex Hawke MP has this week used a speech to Parliament to urge corporations to embrace greater social responsibility in relation to children in Australia or face tougher regulation.
“In the face of increasing prevalence of cyber bullying it is vital social networking corporations take more responsibility, especially in relation to children on line”, Mr Hawke said.
Major sites for social networking, including Facebook, Myspace and Bebo, have stated age restrictions, in most cases 13 years old as a condition of use for their site. However it is a well-known fact that there are tens of thousands of children all across Australia and around the world today using social-networking sites who are under 13.
“Given the increase in reports of cyber bullying, the question of a corporation’s social responsibility in relation to children using their sites is emerging firmly into the spotlight of public and parliamentary scrutiny.”
“All too often it is apparent that the major social networkers are squibbing any responsibility for our children online. Parliamentary committees have even heard the farcical suggestions that there are no children under 13 on their sites or that children are liars or they simply should not be there.”
“The facts are children are in this social media space and the lack of meaningful response from social networking corporations to date has been extremely disappointing.”
“If the big social networkers are unwilling to demonstrate that they can effectively self regulate, it will fall to the Parliament to look at ways we can ensure there are effective measures taken to better protect kids and deal with online bullying more effectively.”
“I urge corporate social responsibility in the internet sector in relation to social networking to ensure that our children are protected before Government is forced to act,” concluded Alex Hawke.
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP has signed a pledge committing himself to the fair indexation of Defence Forces Retirement Benefit (DFRB) and Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB) military superannuation pensions.
“I am determined that we keep faith with those who have served and protected Australia”, said Alex Hawke.
“I have joined Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs Senator Michael Ronaldson in signing a pledge to provide fair indexation for the recipients of DFRB and DFRDB miliary superannuation pensions.
“This signed pledge will keep faith with hundreds of local residents who are recipients of military superannuation pensions.
“Under this pledge, a future Coalition Government will ensure that DFRB and DFRDB superannuants aged 55 and over will have their superannuation pensions indexed in the same way as aged and service pensions.
“Across Australia 57,000 superannuants, and their families, will have access to fair, just and equitable indexation of their superannuation entitlements under a Coalition government.
“Labor had led people to believe that they would provide a fairer deal for ex-servicemen and women. Unfortunately, the Rudd-Gillard government has never delivered, Alex Hawke said.
“I have signed my name and will keep my word.
“Our veterans and their families deserve fair indexation. A Coalition Government will deliver it,” concluded Alex Hawke.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke, encourages local community groups to apply for the Australian Government’s Community Heritage Grants (CHG) before they close by 5pm Friday 4 May 2012.
“The Community Heritage Grants were established to enable communities to assist in preserving cultural heritage collections of national significance. Since 1994 over $4 million has been made available for projects right across Australia.
“Community organisations such as historical societies, museums, public libraries, archives, Indigenous and migrant community groups are eligible to apply”, Mr Hawke said.
“$15,000 grants are available for projects which help preserve nationally significant collections and to provide collection management training that will improve the skills of staff and volunteers working with materials. Any Australian, not for profit, incorporated community organisation is eligible to apply.”
“The Community Heritage Grants are a great way for a local community group to improve the local knowledge about the heritage of their area, collect information on a local organisation, or preserve the works of earlier generations,” Alex Hawke said.
“Our Australian heritage is a great national asset. However much is located in small communities. These grants could help to preserve that heritage future generations.”
“I encourage our local community groups and individuals to apply for these grants, to further enhance our knowledge of the past and preserve that knowledge for the future,” concluded Alex Hawke.
Mr Hawke said that local community groups who were interested in applying for the grant could contact his office for more information on 9899 7211 or www.alex.hawke.com.au. Alternatively, more information can be found at www.nla.gov.au/chg. Applications for funding close on May 4 2012.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke MP has welcomed the announcement of 24 new buses and 46 new services during peak periods for residents of North West Sydney, by the NSW Minister for Transport, Gladys Berejiklian.
“Commuters who live in these growing parts of Sydney including Rouse Hill have been asking for more frequent services to the city and Parramatta, Alex Hawke said.
“Among the improvements is a new direct 602 Rouse Hill Town Centre to North Sydney route will be introduced on the M2. This service is expected to save passengers up to 25 minutes per trip, as they will not have to change buses mid-route, said Alex Hawke.
“On this route they will stop at employment centres such as Artarmon, St Leonards, Crows Nest and North Sydney with five new morning peak services and five new afternoon peak services.
“The new services will mean commuters will have more time at home to spend with their families,” concluded Alex Hawke.
The new buses and services will start operating from 19 March for customers travelling on the new Rouse Hill Town Centre to North Sydney route, with the final group of services from Kellyville Ridge to Parramatta starting in June.