The Howard Government has known for some years about animal welfare concerns at a number of overseas abattoirs and livestock handling facilities, including those in Egypt.

In October 2006, the Howard Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Egypt on the handling and slaughter of Australian live animals.

It has been the Howard Government’s responsibility to ensure the terms of this MOU are met and real animal welfare concerns are effectively addressed.

Labor has long advocated measures to better secure the welfare of animals shipped to overseas markets, including more modern transport, holding and slaughter facilities and improved training for handlers. We believe these measures should be subject to regular audits.

Over recent years Labor has liaised closely with representatives of the live export industry to address genuine community and international concerns about animal welfare in the live export trade.

A Rudd Labor Government would work constructively with producers and exporters to continually enhance Australia’s live export industry and improve animal welfare standards. Labor would fully enforce the MOU with Egypt.

Labor also recognises the importance of the domestic meat processing sector. Growth in this sector will bring higher animal welfare standards, a better return to the Australian economy from the sheep and beef sectors, and more jobs in regional communities.

For those of us who believe in a compassionate, progressive society, there is no more fundamental obligation than ensuring the protection of the vulnerable. Every child has the right to live free of abuse, and to a positive, nurturing home environment. Bearing this in mind, in May this year, on the 40th anniversary of the 1967 referendum, Kevin Rudd committed:

· to eliminate the 17 year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous babies born today within a generation;

· to at least halve the rate of Indigenous infant mortality among babies and separately for children aged under five within a decade; and · to at least halve the difference in the rate of Indigenous students at years 3, 5 and 7 who fail to meet reading, writing and numeracy benchmarks within 10 years.

These long term goals were underpinned by a $261 million funding commitment to early childhood development, child and maternal health, parenting support, and intensive literacy and numeracy education – a plan that is sustained and comprehensive.

Since it was announced in June, Federal Labor has articulated a simple test when assessing the Government’s intervention into the Northern Territory: Whether it improves the safety and security of children. While the Government’s legislation represented a major intervention in and challenge to the lives of many Territorians, Federal Labor believes, on balance, that it satisfies this test. That is why we supported it.

In the Parliament Federal Labor moved amendments to retain the permit system on Northern Territory Aboriginal land in town areas and public roads because it helps to keep children safe and secure. Federal Labor also moved amendments to expand the categories of people who would not require a permit in the townships to Government agents such as doctors and journalists. The Northern Territory Police Association strongly supports the retention of the permit system because it adds another layer of protection against grog runners, drug dealers and paedophiles entering Aboriginal communities.

The importance of this intervention also requires community confidence in Parliament’s belief that these are in fact special measures to benefit Aboriginal people. We believe that a blanket exemption from Part II of the Racial Discrimination Act 1976 is unhelpful and unnecessary. Hence Federal Labor moved amendments to remove this blanket exemption. Finally, Federal Labor also moved amendments in relation to the 5 year leases acquired over townships to guarantee that ‘just terms’ compensation is paid, and to enable ongoing access for traditional purposes to land.

Federal Labor is disappointed that the Howard Government opposed every one of these amendments.

The scale and effect of the Indigenous housing shortage cannot be overstated. The Anderson/Wild report Little Children are Sacred noted that severe overcrowding in Indigenous homes – up to 20 people per home in many places – directly contributes to child abuse and recommended a \”critical mass construction [of homes].\” The Government proposes a five year lease over the Aboriginal townships to facilitate immediate investment in additional housing and maintenance.

Underlying title in the land will remain in Aboriginal hands – land rights are preserved. The proposed lease is limited to five years, unless terminated sooner. There is provision for rent to be paid and just terms compensation can be independently determined by a court. Amendments to the legislation currently before the Parliament will also allow compensation to be paid after agreement between the Commonwealth and the owners. Importantly, any major works or commercial development that will outlive the five year lease will have to have the consent of the relevant land council before being progressed. There is an ongoing opportunity for commercial and economic development by Traditional Owners while the five year lease is in place through the normal leasing arrangements.

The legislation also gives the Commonwealth significant new powers in relation to the town camp leases. Federal Labor believes that effective partnerships with lessors and negotiated outcomes should obviate the need for compulsory acquisition.

Federal Labor is determined to improve housing and infrastructure. We also want to see more economic development in these townships. That is why we have moved an amendment to require a review to assess, after 12 months, progress in establishing infrastructure, housing and economic development in both the townships and the town camps. If the situation has stalled or become mired in legal dispute and is not delivering outcomes a Federal Labor Government will act to fix it.

Federal Labor also supports the changes in this legislation that cover

· the tough restrictions on alcohol with large fines and strict penalties;

· the ban on pornography; and

· welfare payments being spent for the benefit of children and to make sure children go to school.

In relation to Northern Territory specific welfare measures, Federal Labor moved an amendment to review the operation of income management at the end of the first period of 12 months.

Federal Labor has committed to pay for teachers for the 2,000 Indigenous children currently not enrolled to go to school in the Territory and will work with the Northern Territory Government to ensure there are enough classrooms, teacher housing and teacher’s assistance.

Federal Labor has also committed $200 million for an extra 500 Federal Police officers over the next five years. This will enable the AFP to better handle a wide range of tasks across the nation including child sexual abuse matters in the Indigenous communities. Federal Labor will also implement an Indigenous Australia AFP Recruitment Strategy, to increase employment and broaden the force’s expertise, particularly in local languages.

Federal Labor also understands the critical importance of economic security to child and family well-being. As part of its Indigenous Economic Development

Agenda, Federal Labor has committed $90 million over five years to train and employ up to an additional 300 Indigenous rangers; $50 million over five years

to improve and expand the successful Indigenous Protected Areas Program; and $10 million to enhance Indigenous participation in carbon trading markets. We have also committed to reforming CDEP to get more Indigenous people into industry-based training and jobs and make it available to all remote Indigenous communities, including those in the Northern Territory.

Federal Labor’s approach is to move forward in a reciprocal partnership with Indigenous Australians. We will earn their trust by showing our real commitment to delivering a more sustainable future for Indigenous children, and the communities they live in. I hope this information will help you to assure you of the Labor Party’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous issues, and provision of support and leadership for Aboriginal people and all Australians.

Thank you again for your valuable contribution.

Yours Sincerely,

Trish Crossin

Labor Senator for the NT

Provide $50 million for an Australian Solar Institute in Newcastle.

Fully funding a Medicare licence for the Mater PET cancer scanner.

Investing $200,000 in Newcastle’s Dementia & Memory Resource Centre.

Establishing a Defence Family Healthcare Clinic for RAAF Williamtown.