Media Releases by The Hon Bill Shorten MP
Early intervention funding for Autism Spectrum Disorder
The Rudd Government will start rolling out the $90 million early intervention component of its Helping Children with Autism package from 27 October.Families of children…
Calling for input to the National Disability Strategy
Jenny Macklin, and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten, today launched a discussion paper for the National Disability Strategy. “To ensure the…
People with disability big winners from Economic Security Strategy
For the first time, lump sum payments are being extended to include more than 700,000 Disability Support Pensioners. The Rudd Government will deliver a $4.8…
Welcome home to our Aussie Paralympic heroes
The largest ever Australian Paralympic Team to compete abroad returned to our shores today with 79 medals, including 23 gold. Minister for Sport and Youth,…
Golden finish for Aussie champ Kurt Fearnley in marathon
Kurt Fearnley’s thrilling win in the marathon today topped off a golden night at the 2008 Paralympic Games for Australia. Our men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team,…
Aussies up for Gold as Paralympics draw to an end
Australia is up for three huge Paralympic golds tonight as the Games head into the final two days of competition. The Australian Wheelchair Rugby Team,…
National disability council meets for the first time
A new national advisory council providing advice to the Australian Government on the needs of people with disability, their families and carers is meeting for…
Our 2008 Australian Paralympic Team departs for Beijing
The largest Australian Paralympic Team to compete abroad today left for Beijing to take on the world’s best in the 13th Paralympic Games. , Bill…
More children with disability in school but still behind in jobs
New research has shown that the number of children with disability attending school has more than tripled over the last 25 years but people with…
Over $1 million funding boost to assist people with disability to speak out
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten, today announced a $1.1 million boost for organisations representing people with disability across Australia. The Australian Government has committed…
Aussie Diamond sparkles on world disability stage
The Australian Government today extended its congratulations to Victorian Maryanne Diamond on her election as the President of the World Blind Union (WBU) in Geneva…
Conferences for people with disability receive $320,000 funding boost
The Australian Government is providing $320,000 to help people with disability attend 27 conferences throughout Australia., Bill Shorten, announced the conference funding today while speaking…
$3.88 million funding boost for 769 out-of-school care places for children with disability
The Australian Government today announced $3.88 million for 769 much needed after school and vacation care places for secondary school-aged children with disability. Jenny Macklin…
$2.6 million for new supported employment places for people with disability
The Australian Government today announced $2.6 million to fund 278 new supported employment places for people with a disability, in locations where demand for places…
Helping more disabled Australians into work
The Rudd Government today announced that one of the most significant barriers for people receiving a Disability Support Pension who wish to find employment will…
Top business services honoured
Ten Australian businesses were honoured for their commitment to employees with disability at the inaugural Business Services Excellence Awards in Brisbane today. The awards recognise…
Australia ratifies UN disabilities convention
Australia has today ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, making Australia one of the first Western countries to ratify the…
Rudd Government to improve Australia’s disability discrimination system
The Rudd Government will introduce legislative amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act in the Spring sittings of Parliament to implement recommendations made by the Productivity…
Opening of new Orana Administration and Netley Business Service
A new location for Orana’s Administration as well as a new Business Service at Netley will better assist more than 130 people with disability employed…
Great response to the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy
The Government has received more than 300 submissions into a strategy to boost the number of people with a disability and/or mental illness in the…
Appointment of Disability and Race Discrimination Commissioners
Attorney-General Robert McClelland has today announced two substantive appointments to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. These appointments were welcomed by Parliamentary Secretary for…
$190 million boost for children with autism and their families
All children aged six and under who are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and are not yet at school will have access to…
New Funding as MyTime Turns One
The Australian Government has marked the first birthday of the MyTime peer support groups by announcing $90,000 for four new pilot groups. Bill Shorten, made…
Marketing Boost for Business Services
Business services will receive a one-off payment of $2,500 from the Australian Government for marketing and promoting their products, a total commitment of $525,000. “All…
Rudd Government Proposes Ratification of UN Disabilities Convention
The Rudd Government has today tabled in Parliament a National Interest Analysis, which proposes that Australia ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of…