Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
Mavis Robertson: Tribute to pioneer of Australia's Super System
Australian Unions have paid tribute to one the leading pioneers of Australia’s compulsory super system, Mavis Robertson AM, who died overnight at the age of 84.
ACTU President Ged Kearney said Ms Robertson was a driving force behind the development of the industry super fund network.
“Mavis devoted her working life to the union movement and to developing industry super funds from very small beginnings into the major economic institutions they are today,” said Ms Kearney
“Her focus was always on delivering profits to members, which is at the heart of industry super.
Ms Kearney said Mavis was a vocal advocate on women’s issues and retirement.
“She put the concerns and needs of women, especially the low-paid, at the centre of economic debate.”
Mavis Robertson was an integral part of many industry initiatives including being a founding member of the Conference of Major Super Funds (CMSF); Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST); Women in Super; the Australia Council of Super Investors (ACSI); and the Mother’s Day Classic – the latter having raised more than $24 million for Breast Cancer research.
Ms Robertson served as a mentor to many senior women in superannuation and fought hard to ensure that women from all levels of the industry were well-represented on boards, committees and at industry events.
She was awarded membership of the Order of Australia for her services to the superannuation industry in 1984.
Ms Kearney said Mavis leaves an enduring legacy in superannuation.
“Mavis was a remarkable person who used her energy and intellect to benefit others, and who never lost sight of the not-for-profit ethos and social policy side of superannuation".
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Eight women in Queensland cabinet
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a "mix of experience and fresh faces" in her 14-person ministry following the party's first Caucus meeting.
At a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Ms Palaszcuk announced her cabinet would feature eight women, including Indigenous MP Leeanne Enoch.
All 44 Labor MPs met at Parliament House to discuss the composition of the party's newer, slimmer ministry.
During the election campaign, Labor promised to cut the number of ministers from 19 to 14, and have just one assistant minister, compared to the Liberal National Party's (LNP) 12.
They claimed the move would save $23 million over three years.
Ashgrove MP Kate Jones, who dethroned former premier Campbell Newman at the election, was named Minister for Education; Tourism, Major Events and Small Business and Minister for the Commonwealth Games.
Dr Anthony Lynham, who won a by-election last year, was named Minister for State Development and Natural Resources and Mines.
Redcliffe MP Yvette D'Ath, who also won a by-election last year, was made the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, as well as Minister for Training and Skills.
Earlier today, Ms Palaszczuk was greeted with a round of applause as she made her way into the Caucus meeting at Parliament House, flanked by her Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Treasurer Curtis Pitt.
"Well done, everyone," Ms Palaszczuk said to her gathered MPs.
"I think back three years ago there were seven us of us ... look now.
"We have climbed Mount Everest ... but having climbed Mount Everest there is now an enormous amount of responsibility that needs to be placed on each and every caucus member sitting here today.
"That's the responsibility of standing up for your constituents each and every day, not to be silent, but to represent them and fight for them every step of the way."
Ms Palaszczuk said her first act as Premier was to put "a clear stop to any work to do with asset sales".
Prior to today's meeting, Woodridge MP Cameron Dick said "hard work" would define the new Queensland Government.
"Hard work to make sure we stay connected to the people of Queensland, hard work to deliver on our promises and hard work to change Queensland for the better," Mr Dick said.
"Today with the first meeting of the state Labor Caucus we see the end once and for all of the Newman government ... I and I know so many Queenslanders are so glad to see the back of a bad government.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Aboriginal rights activist Faith Bandler dies aged 96
A state funeral has been offered for Bandler, who was instrumental in campaigning to give Indigenous Australians rights under the constitution.
Monday, February 02, 2015
Peter Greste released by Egyptian court
There was no official word on the fate of his two Al Jazeera colleagues - Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian national Baher Mohamed - who were also jailed in the case that provoked an international outcry.
Greste was set free by order of Egypt's president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued under a new law allowing foreign prisoners to be deported.
He travelled straight to the airport with his brother, and was said to be in good health when he boarded the plane to Cyprus.
Greste's family, who will hold a press conference in Brisbane later this morning, confirmed his release from jail in a statement posted on social media.
His brother Andrew Greste said the family was ecstatic and called for the world to respect his brother's privacy and to give him time to appreciate his freedom. Greste has been deported from Egypt after 400 days behind bars, and has flown to Cyprus on his way home to Australia.
There was no official word on the fate of his two Al Jazeera colleagues - Canadian-Egyptian
Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian national Baher Mohamed - who were also jailed in the case that provoked an international outcry.
Greste was set free by order of Egypt's president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued under a new law allowing foreign prisoners to be deported.
He travelled straight to the airport with his brother, and was said to be in good health when he boarded the plane to Cyprus.
Greste's family, who will hold a press conference in Brisbane later this morning, confirmed his release from jail in a statement posted on social media.
His brother Andrew Greste said the family was ecstatic and called for the world to respect his brother's privacy and to give him time to appreciate his freedom.
Sunday, February 01, 2015
Qld: Stunning comeback for Labor
Labor Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk, who has so far achieved a 19 per cent swing in her Inala electorate, said that three years ago Labor did not believe it could come this close to victory.
"It's still too close to call at present, but I'm very hopeful that we will be able to form government in this state," she said.
"Can I thank the union movement," she said."Because it it is the union movement that stands up each and every day and fights for better conditions for workers across this state."
Ms Palaszczuk campaigned on a "no asset sale agenda" and said a Labor government would not offload the $37 billion worth of assets the LNP wanted to privatise.
"Let's put the past three years behind us," she said.
"Let's have a consensus government where we bring people together, where we listen and where he unite.