My interview with Jon Faine following the announcement of the same-sex marriage postal survey results.

I am encouraging the local community to apply for funding under the Armistice Centenary Grants Program. The grants program announced by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan will open in November this year and support projects or activities that commemorate the end of the First World War.

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS

Notices 1

MS VAMVAKINOU: To move—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) Amnesty International has evidence that hundreds of Rohingya women, men and children have been killed since the escalation of a violent assault in Northern Arakan/Rakhine State, Myanmar, since 25 August 2017;

(b) the United Nations has estimated that since August 2017, over 589,000 Rohingyas have been forced to flee to refugee camps in Bangladesh;

(c) there are at least another 20,000 Rohingyas being detained at the borders;

(d) the United Nations Human Rights Council has witnessed accounts and heard testimonies of the Myanmar security force setting villages on fire and injuring, torturing, raping, killing and executing innocent victims; Page 6 of 12

(e) 214 villages have been destroyed through fire and will be taken over by the Myanmar Government because burnt land becomes government-managed land;

(f) the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, has called these government attacks ‘a textbook example of ethnic cleansing’; (g) approximately 600,000 people are still deadlocked inside Rakhine State with limited access to food, medical care or humanitarian assistance;

(h) despite the history of the Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine region extending back the post-colonial era, this community has been denied citizenship and most basic government services under since 1982; and

(i) the treatment of Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine region is an issue that deeply concerns the Australian community; and

(2) urges:

(a) the Government of Myanmar to:

(i) recommit to the pursuit of peace and national reconciliation; and

(ii) allow access to all parts of Rakhine State to allow for the provision of humanitarian aid;

(b) the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs to:

(i) do everything in her power to help alleviate the suffering in Rakhine State;

(ii) lead the push for a strong United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the violence in Rakhine State, and

(iii) work to establish an independent United Nations investigation into human rights abuses in Myanmar; and

(c) the Australian Government to:

(i) support unimpeded humanitarian access to the Rohingya population;

(ii) maintain pressure on the Myanmar Government, particularly the military and security forces, by condemning the persecution, attacks, killings and human rights abuses of the Rohingyas; and

(iii) stand up for the moderate voices in Myanmar which are being widely suppressed by the threat of persecution by the Myanmar military.

(Notice given 23 October 2017.)

Join your neighbours and local police officers for coffee and conversation to celebrate Community Safety Month during October 2017.

No speeches or specific topics, just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know the police officers in your neighbourhood and the Broadmeadows Community Hub Leader Anne Coall and enjoy free coffee and cake. The event has been organised in conjunction with Hume City Council. 

WHEN: Thursday 5 October
WHERE: Olsen Place Bakehouse, Shop 19, Olsen Place, Widford Street, Broadmeadows
TIME: 11:00 am - 12:30pm
For more information contact Anne Coall, Broadmeadows Community Hub Leader, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Broadmeadows Central is holding an inaugural Jobs Fair to connect local jobs with the local community.

The shopping centre is encouraging members of the community to put their best foot forward and work where they love to shop as they come and explore the opportunity to meet with potential employers.

Monash University student Rhea Gotsis has begun a research internship with Federal Member for Calwell Maria Vamvakinou MP that will look at ways in which the Greek Financial Crisis has impacted on Australia, and ways in which Australia can assist the European nation. 

Ms Vamvakinou says political internships are important for students to gain knowledge of Australia’s political system whilst experiencing first-hand the workings of an electorate office, and the parliamentary duties of a Federal Member.

 Above: Rhea Gotsis with Maria Vamvakinou MP. 

Grants to help young people pursue their sporting dreams

Next round applications close Tuesday 31 October, 2017

The Local Sporting Champions (LSC) program provides financial assistance for young sportsmen and women aged 12-18. You can be an athlete, a coach, an umpire or a referee. Successful applicants receive a $500 grant that can be used towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing, coaching or officiating at an official national sporting organisation (NSO) endorsed state, national or international sporting championships, or a School Sport Australia state, national or international championships.

As the first Greek born woman to be elected to Federal Parliament, my story of migration has been showcased as part of Multicultural Arts Victoria's AFTERWARDS series.

The four-part series explores what it feels like to be a migrant or refugee, having to travel from the only home you’ve ever known to a new life in Australia.