Caretaker message Before an election, the Australian Government assumes a caretaker role. Limited updates will be made to this site in line with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions.

Media Release

Welcome back Wayne

Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

The Australian Government is committed to the simplification of the claim forms for the Family Tax Benefit, which delivers an average $6000 a year to…

National Finalists announced for PM Awards

Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today congratulated the 10 National Finalists in the Prime Minister’s Awards For Excellence in Community…

Collins drops another clanger

Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

Shadow Minister for Children and Youth, Jacinta Collins has yet again displayed her complete lack of knowledge when it come to child care. The Labor…

Celebrating our volunteers

Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today marked International Volunteer Day 2003 by announcing funding of almost $1million to be distributed…

Report highlights dedication of carers

Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

The latest report on welfare services in Australia highlights the dedication and commitment of 2.5 million Australians who provide care for family and friends, the…

Report shows an increase in child care services

Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today welcomed the release of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s biannual report about Australia’s welfare…

Latham urged to dump Collins

Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today welcomed new Opposition Leader, Mark Latham’s interest in children’s policy issues. “Mr Latham today used his…

Collins an embarrassment

Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

 Jacinta Collins has again demonstrated her complete lack of credibility when it comes to talking about child care. In a statement today she said: “The…

Promoting research and discussion into gambling activities

Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today opened the National Association for Gambling Studies (NAGS) 13th Annual Conference in Canberra. Senator Patterson…

2003 National Child Protection Awards

Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, announced that Victorian-based organisation, Child Wise, was the overall winner of the third biennial National Child Protection…

Australian Government funding for women’s group projects

Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

A range of women’s organisations will share in nearly $520,000 in grants for policy and capacity building projects under the 2003-04 Women’s Development Programme the…

Labor want students to languish in debt

Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

Labor has taken the approach of ‘opposition for oppositions sake’ by opposing the closure of the Student Financial Supplement Scheme in the Senate today. The…

Prominent Australian men join White Ribbon Campaign

Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

A number of high profile Australian men including entertainers Wil Anderson and Andrew Denton supported the White Ribbon Day ceremony hosted by Senator Kay Patterson,…

Strengthening Indigengous communities and families

Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today announced funding of more than $1.6 million for six projects to help Indigenous communities…

Fountain to celebrate the Centenary of Women’s Suffrage

Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

The Australian Government will build a permanent artwork in the form of a fountain to celebrate the Centenary of Women’s Suffrage, the Minister Assisting the…

Recognising grandparents

Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

Many grandparents are shouldering the responsibility for care of their grandchildren with little recognition from governments or the community, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs,…

Child abuse costs the whole community

Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today welcomed the Kids First Foundation report, The Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in Australia. “Kids…

Number of homeless falls, says new report

Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, welcomed today’s release of the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ report “Counting the Homeless 2001”, which…

St John of God Health Care Berwick celebrates

Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

Senator Kay Patterson, Minister for Family and Community Services, was on hand today to celebrate the merging of Berwick Hospital Inc with St John of…

Western Australian appointed Youth Governor-General

Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today announced the appointment of Mr Leszek Golabek as the 2003 Youth Governor-General of the YMCA’s National…