Focus on Cyberbullying – National School Chaplaincy Programme

The Coalition Government has backed school chaplains with hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding, having announced its ongoing support of the National School Chaplaincy Programme. This Programme provides vital pastoral care services to thousands of students and school communities across Australia, including in the Parkes electorate.

A focus on bullying, specifically cyberbullying, will mean school chaplains across the electorate are required to undertake training in this area to fully equip them to deal with the challenges they face.

I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact this programme has and the strong community support behind it, and I’m pleased to see a greater focus on addressing bullying.

The Government has announced its ongoing support of the National School Chaplaincy Programme, which provides vital pastoral care services to thousands of students and school communities across Australia, including in the Parkes electorate.

The Government’s 2018-19 Budget extends the National School Chaplaincy Programme on a permanent basis and backed it with an extra $247 million.

The funding will enable the valuable work school chaplains do across the Parkes electorate to continue. It will mean school chaplains can continue to provide important pastoral care and run programs such as breakfast clubs and other volunteer activities within their school communities. 

Ensuring that schools are supportive, inclusive and safe learning spaces provides a strong foundation for students to reach their full potential in learning and in life, and I know the important role the National School Chaplaincy Programme plays in promoting this.

Participating schools are eligible to receive up to $20,000 (in metropolitan or regional areas) or $24,000 (in remote/very remote areas) to employ a school chaplain.

Better GPS and Satellite Imagery

The Coalition Government is investing in the global positioning system (GPS) technology that will create jobs and support Australian industry in the Parkes electorate. 

We rely on satellite and GPS technology for just about every aspect of our lives; from Google Maps on our phones, through to air traffic control at airports.

Over $260 million is being invested to develop the satellite technology to make Australian businesses more productive, safer and more efficient. This investment will allow more accurate GPS to foster the creation of new technology. Growing Australia’s digital economy will also benefit developed sectors like mining, transport, construction, aviation and agriculture.

This world-standard technology will have direct benefits including virtual fencing for farms and better management of cattle and livestock over vast distances. It also has applications for regional aviation like improved access to regional areas by enabling planes to land on smaller airstrips.

Safety will be improved for aircraft flying into regional and remote aerodromes, such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service fleet. It will reduce the impact of weather on flight cancellations and diversions, and improve the safety of landings.  

The practical benefits of this investment will extend across our economy. This data will help researchers, governments and business better understand environmental changes, such as coastal erosion, crop growth and water quality. For example, information drawn from satellites is vital to help graziers increase the capacity of paddocks and make their farms more viable and sustainable. 

Our investment in satellite imagery will ensure a range of Australian industries have access to data that can help them tailor their investments, create jobs in target regions and increase their competitiveness.

Support for Veterans’ Health Week

Nutrition will be the theme for this year’s Veterans’ Health Week from 22-30 September 2018. Funding is now open for applications to support events highlighting the week for Ex-Service organisations (ESOs) and community groups.

Organisations that provide ongoing support, engagement and information to the veteran and ex-service community are vital to the success of Veterans’ Health Week.

Veterans’ Health Week is a fantastic opportunity to positively engage with veterans in their communities and promote the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle. Nutrition plays a big part in being healthy and we know that it leads to improved wellbeing. Importantly, it’s a great way to achieve better lifestyle outcomes.

The funding available will support the development and delivery of Veterans’ Health Week events. This can include great initiatives like information sessions with dieticians and nutritionists, supermarket and grocery tours or learning more about food labels.

Any ESO or community group with a link to the broader veteran community is eligible to apply and is encouraged to partner with other organisations that promote healthy, active and engaged lifestyles. My advice is to think outside the square and get creative. Activities like cooking and sharing a meal are a great way to learn new skills, meet people and enjoy fresh and healthy food options.

Applications for funding close on 29 June 2018. Application forms and other great resources are available on the Department of Veterans' Affairs website: dva.gov.au/veterans-health-week.