Media Releases by The Hon Bill Shorten MP
$10 million business package to boost bushfire affected economies
Victorian Premier John Brumby and Commonwealth Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction Bill Shorten today unveiled a $10 million Commonwealth and Victorian government stimulus package…
Winter Paralympians to Inspire a Nation
The Australian Government today sent its best wishes to Australia’s team ahead of the Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games this weekend. “Sport shows us the great…
New arrangements for blind and vision impaired electors
Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig, today announced new measures providing a legal framework for blind and vision impaired electors to cast a vote…
New Accommodation for Younger People with Disabilities
The Minister for Human Services, Lin Thorp, and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten, today opened a new $1.7 million supported accommodation facility at Chigwell…
Government launches new Disability Employment Services
Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib today launched the Rudd Government’s new $1.2 billion Disability Employment Services. Senator Arbib, who launched the service at Break…
Rudd Government continues monitoring of States and Territories disability accommodation program
The Rudd Government recognises the difficulties faced by the ageing carers of people with disabilities and the urgent need for secure accommodation for people with…
New autism services for young children in Perth
A new Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre in Perth will give young West Australian children with Autism Spectrum Disorders access to specialist early…
Widespread support for upcoming national disability parking scheme
A national parking scheme for people with disability is a step closer following the release of a summary of consultations on the proposed scheme which…
Australian Rugby Union and Brumbies reach out to fans with disability
People with disability will find it easier to attend ACT Brumbies and other Australian Rugby Union (ARU) matches, including the Australian Wallabies, after the ARU…
Statement on the death of Tasmanian disability advocate Mary Guy
I would like to acknowledge the immense contribution to the lives of people with disability made by Tasmanian disability activist Mary Guy, who passed away…
National Companion Card launch means greater inclusion for people with disability
Australians with severe disabilities will find it easier to attend sporting and cultural events without paying for an extra ticket for their carer, after the…
Disability Investment Group Report released
The Australian Government today released the Disability Investment Group’s report commissioned as part of our commitment to set out a ten year agenda for coordinated,…
Australian Government to consider new approaches to disability
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, announced the inquiry at the National Disability Awards ceremony in Parliament House. The inquiry forms part of the Australian Government’s…
Disability Awards recognise six high achievers
Six outstanding individuals have received recognition for their selfless contributions to the disability sector at the 2009 National Disability Awards ceremony in Canberra. The awards…
United Nations Disabilities Committee Chair
The Australian Government today congratulated Professor Ron McCallum AO on his election as the 2010 Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of…
National Dialogue Agrees to Improve Accessible Housing Options
Participants in a National Dialogue on Universal Design have agreed to work together towards a national approach to promoting Universal Design and to provide Australians…
Expanded autism services begin today
Around 1400 children with Autism Spectrum Disorders will have easier access to early intervention services from today, following changes to the Rudd Government’s Helping Children…
Parenting guides to help newly arrived families
The latest series of ‘Parenting in a New Culture’ African parenting guides will to help migrants and refugees become familiar with parenting in Australia. The…
$4.8 million for new autism care centre in Burnie
A new Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre in north-west Tasmania will give young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders access to specialist early childhood…
National Arts and Disability Strategy
Arts Minister Peter Garrett and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten, today commended the Cultural Ministers Council for endorsing the National Arts and Disability…
National Disability Awards 2009 finalists announced
Today Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten, announced the finalists…
Strathewen recreation reserve to be rebuilt
A new partnership between the Rudd and Brumby governments and the private sector will help transform Strathewen through the redevelopment of Strathewen Recreation Reserve to…
Autism services expanded across Australia
Around 1400 children with Autism Spectrum Disorders will have easier access to early intervention services, following changes to the Helping Children with Autism package. The…
Private sector commits to employing more people with disability
Over 20 organisations and peak bodies today signed a Statement of Intent committing to employing more people with disability. The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and…
Pension increases for carers and people with disability
More than 870,000 disability support pensioners and carers across Australia will receive increased pension payments under much-needed changes to the pension system.The Australian Government’s Secure…