A win for Indigenous education

I’m a keen advocate for the work of Clontarf Academies, which is why I was so pleased to speak at the launch of Narromine Clontarf Academy last week. Already more than 60 young Indigenous boys are benefitting from this academy, with that number expected to grow next year.

In my electorate we are lucky to have academies in Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Coonamble, Dubbo, Moree, Narrabri and Narromine. Getting children to attend school and complete their education is a priority for our Government, and it’s initiatives like Clontarf that do just this.

While in town I took the opportunity to catch up with the Narromine Shire Council Mayor Craig Davies and General Manager Jane Redden, as well as local constituents. It’s pleasing to hear of some of the exciting projects on the cards for Narromine and I’ll do what I can to promote those to my Federal counterparts.

Last Thursday I attended the funeral for the late Hon. Tim Fischer AC in Albury. It was a very special service to celebrate the life of a passionate advocate for regional Australians, and a man of great integrity. I am thinking of his family and friends at this difficult time.

Empowering people with disability

The Coalition Government has announced $100 million in funding for programs aimed at empowering people with disability.

Applications are now open for the latest National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program grant round and will close 30 September. If you are an organisation led by people with disability, for people with disability, you may be eligible to apply.

This program is for all Australians with disability (not just NDIS participants), so I’d encourage all eligible organisations in the Parkes electorate to get involved.

The grants are targeted at disabled peoples organisations and families organisations, and will fund grassroots programs that build the capacity of individuals. This includes peer support and skills-building, as well as professional development, leadership training and business planning.

More information, including support developing a grant pitch, is at www.ndis.gov.au. Grant applications can be submitted via www.communitygrants.gov.au

Contribute to NDIS Review

The Coalition Government has launched a review of the NDIS Act and is looking for contributions from across the country. We are encouraging people with disability and their families and carers to have their say on how NDIS processes could be improved, as well as the Participant Service Guarantee.

This review has been welcomed right across the disability sector so I would encourage contributions from our community. People from my electorate can make a written submission or complete the online survey, available from 9 September. There will also be face-to-face workshops held around the country. More information on this consultation is available at www.engage.dss.gov.au

Ag research grants

Australia’s young ag innovators wanting to make a difference in their industry are invited to submit their research project ideas, for a chance to receive a share in up to $242,000 in grants.

This is open to 18–35 year old innovators to undertake new research to help agricultural industries overcome industry challenges, with applications closing 4 October.

Australia is a world leader in agricultural innovation and our continued advancement is this area is needed more than ever. Interestingly, many of these ideas come from young people already working or studying in the industry. For more information visit www.agriculture.gov.au/scienceawards