Date Time
Rural Maternal Care in Australia and Establishment of Rural Generalist Training Scheme
Thank you Deputy Prime Minister for your introductory remarks and your unwavering support for growing regional Australia.
I would also like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land where we meet, the Ngunnawal People, and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging.
It’s a pleasure to be with you today – thank you to the Rural Doctors Association of Australia and RANZCOG for inviting me to speak.
In particular, to RDAA’s Dr John Hall and RANZCOG’s Dr Vijay Roach for your advocacy and support of women across the country during pregnancy and birth.
Date Time
334 children adopted in Australia during 2019-20, mostly by long-term carers or step-parents
The number of adoptions in Australia increased by 20% between 2015–16 and 2019–20 as more children were adopted by long-term carers or other adults already known to them, according to a new report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The report, Adoptions Australia 2019-20, shows there were 334 adoptions finalised in 2019–20, including 249 ‘known child adoptions’ where children had pre-existing relationships with their adoptive parents.
‘The number of children adopted by Australians declined 50% over the past 25 years from 668 in 1995–96 to 334 in 2019–20. However, since a low of 278 adoptions in 2015–16, there has been a rise of 20%,’ said AIHW spokesperson Mr. Dinesh Indraharan.
Date Time
Seeking new members for our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group
Hume City Council established a Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RAPWG) in June 2019 and is now seeking further members to join the group.
The RAPWG advises Hume City Council on the priorities of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and guides the implementation of Hume’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2020-22.
We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members with strong connections to Hume who understand the priorities of the community and have a demonstrated commitment to supporting the rights and wellbeing of Aboriginal people.
Check against delivery
Madam Speaker,
In January last year I was honoured to receive the support of my colleagues to become the State’s 46th Premier and shortly after that, around 12 months to the day, coronavirus found its way to the Australian mainland and unfortunately to our shores as well.
We were faced with the probability of a significant health crisis if action wasn’t taken swiftly to protect our community, that action meant limiting people’s movements and closing businesses where people congregated, and sadly the impact on our economy was severe.
We banned cruise ships, closed our borders and we stayed home to save lives.
QUT's Gardens Point campus will open its doors to buskers, market and food stalls, and cultural performances from March 21 as part of Riverside at the.