In the News
My office recently held a ceremony for 5 Australian volunteers who have returned from overseas service projects. The volunteers were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation to formally recognise their efforts towards international development, education and poverty reduction.
Volunteers play a vital role in the Australian Government’s overseas aid program. Over the past 12 months, over 600 Australian volunteers represented Australia as volunteers through Government and non Government organisations or as Youth Ambassadors.
With the Prime Minister Mr Rudd bracing us all for a “tough year” ahead, I took confidence in reading that Australia ranked third in a worldwide poll believing that 2009 would be a better year than 2008. Whilst we are no doubt in testing economic times, like many Australian’s I am looking forward to a busy and rewarding year ahead.
This year the Government needs to take note of some important priorities:
In particular the Government must place its highest priority on protecting the job prospects of Australians and in particular Young Australians.
Mr Rudd must keep his election promise that Labor would not bring back compulsory student unionism . This was made just twelve short months ago and now, in government, they appear set to reintroduce compulsory fees for students repackaged as a “compulsory amenities fee”.
Alex Hawke in AM Agenda
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Malcolm Turnbull Visits the Hills
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Alex Hawke's Speech to Parliament
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