'Journey to Recognition' comes to Footscray
It’s time to Recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s Constitution.
On the 15th anniversary of Sorry Day, Recognise will launch an epic relay across the country. Inspired by Michael Long’s ‘The Long Walk’, the “Journey to Recognition” will be partnering with the Long Walk Foundation.
The "Journey to Recognition" will be meeting communities and gathering support across our country to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our Constitution. AFL legend Michael Long will take the first steps of the Journey, leading Australians onto the road to recognition.
When: 1:30pm for 2pm arrival, Sunday 26th May.
Where: Nicholson Street Mall, Northern end near Barkly Street, Footscray
Who: 'Journey to Recognition' walkers, former Senator Aden Ridgeway, Gathering Place CEO Colleen Marion, and Greens MP Colleen Hartland.
Government drags their feet on new ambulance station at Wallan
Colleen Hartland questions the Minister in parliament
My question today is for the Minister for Health. In June 2010 the Liberal-Nationals coalition announced that if elected, it would build a 24-hour ambulance station at Wallan, in north-east Victoria, and that it would be operational by the end of the first term of government. It is 18 months out from this deadline, and I do not believe the government has selected a site for the new station, and there appears to be no funding for it in the recently announced budget.
There are currently 10 Ambulance Victoria staff that service the Wallan community who are forced to operate out of a cramped temporary facility located at Kilmore ambulance station, which is some 12 minutes drive away from the Wallan. My question for the minister is: when does he expect the site to be purchased, building to commence and the new station to be operational?
Animal Studies - another victum of TAFE cuts in the West
Colleen Hartland - Speech in Parlaiment
My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Minister for Higher Education and Skills, the Honourable Peter Hall. Animal studies TAFE courses provide the skills and knowledge to care for and manage the daily needs of a range of animal species. These courses provide skills for potential careers in pet grooming and veterinary nursing, and for shelter workers, kennel or cattery attendants, animal attendants, pet shop workers, community animal-care workers and farm workers.
Thanks to the government’s TAFE funding cuts Victoria University has been forced to discontinue providing an animal studies TAFE course. There is now no institution offering an animal studies course in the western region of Melbourne.
Campaign Win! Cuts to community and women’s health stopped!
In early 2013 Colleen Hartland launched a campaign, including a petition, calling on the Napthine Government to stop the proposed cuts to community and women’s health services in the State Budget.
Thanks to the hundreds of people that signed this petition, last week’s budget has returned $23 million in funding to community and women’s health!
Click here to sign up to stay in the loop on this and other campaigns
Greens act on doctor's orders - smoke free law within weeks
Victorian Greens Health spokesperson Colleen Hartland will proceed with her Smoke Free Bill on June 12th as the Victorian Premier fails to respond to the latest call from 197 cancer clinicians* for a smoking ban in outdoor dining and drinking areas.
“The doctor's orders are to ban smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas. The Greens are listening and will take the necessary steps to protect the public health of Victorians” said Greens MP Colleen Hartland.
“In the absence of any action from the Premier in response to this latest call from Victoria’s doctors, I will proceed with my smoke free Bill on 12 June 2013.”
Budget mostly bad news for West with small morsel of wins
Greens MP for the Western Suburbs Colleen Hartland says that the state budget is mostly bad news for the Western Suburbs, but contains a small morsel of community wins.
"The single biggest disappointment is that government's complete neglect of addressing our transport problems. This government was elected on a commitment to fix public transport, yet this budget confirms they have abandoned this promise" said Colleen Hartland.
Footscray dental clinics saved - community campaign win
Colleen Hartland, Greens MP for the Western Suburbs, has congratulated the residents of the West on their community campaign win and saving their dental clinics.
The government has announced a committment of $9.7 million for the Western Region Health Centre (WRHC) to build a new dental clinic.
“Many hundreds of local residents have participated in the community campaign to save the Footscray dental clinics and this is their win. Congratulations to each and every one of you” said Colleen Hartland.
“I’ve been working with the community and in parliament to save these dental clinics in Footscray for over a year now so this is very welcome news.”
Natalie Pa'apa'a of Blue King Brown headlines Keep Colour Box Cranking!
Natalie Pa'apa'a of Blue King Brown has been announced as the headline act for Keep Colour Box Studio Cranking!
Natalie Pa’apa’a is a founding member and the frontwoman of Blue King Brown. She is a vocal social activist and is known for speaking out on environmental and human rights issues.
Natalie and her partner and bandmate Carlo Santone are Western Suburbs residents and supporters of Colour Box Studio.
Natalie Pa'apa'a will be performing at approx 8:45pm.
----------------------------
Keep Colour Box Studio Cranking
The Colour Box Studio Crew and Greens MP Colleen Hartland presents Keep Colour Box Studio Cranking!
6pm 30 April at Colour Box Studio, 236 Nicholson Street, Footscray.
Fair go for Firefighters a step closer as bill sent to committee for inquiry
Speech in parlaiment by Colleen Harltand
I move: That the Accident Compensation Legislation (Fair Protection for Firefighters) Bill 2011, as introduced into this house by myself and ruled out of order by the President on 20 February 2013 for infringing section 62 of the Constitution Act 1975, be referred to the Economy and Infrastructure Legislation Committee for consideration and report by 12 June 2013 on measures aimed at addressing any constitutional impediment to the bill’s introduction into the Legislative Council.
The Accident Compensation Legislation (Fair Protection for Firefighters) Bill 2011, which I introduced into Parliament, would see artificial barriers removed to enable firefighters to access WorkCover compensation when they contract cancer from work-related smoke and toxic exposure. This is a bill with utmost merit. It is the right thing to do. It is the decent thing to do. Unfortunately it is not the merit of the bill that is in question here; it is whether it is constitutionally valid to introduce this bill into the Legislative Council that is in question.
Hartland sets deadline for smoke free outdoor dining
Victorian Greens Health Spokesperson Colleen Hartland has announced a 29 May deadline for the Government to announce a ban on smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas, or face up to the issue in parliament via her smoking in outdoor areas bill.
In response to the release of the Government’s consultation on smoking in children’s recreational areas, and the launch of the peak health organisation campaign ‘Keep Fresh Air Fresh’, Colleen Hartland has announced that she will proceed with her Bill on the 29th May if the government fails to act before then. Ms Hartland’s Bill aims to make outdoor drinking and dining areas smokefree.
“I will give the government the opportunity to do the right thing and act on submissions to the consultation that support making outdoor dining and drinking areas healthy and smokefree. If they do not make this announcement, I will proceed with my bill in parliament.” said Colleen Hartland.
