Bill Shorten MP - Standing up for our community Featured Content

August 21st: Election Night Function in Moonee Ponds

Bill Shorten bill.shorten.mp@aph.gov.au — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:51:46 PST

After the hard work of the campaign it all comes down to one day of voting and one night of counting.

I held my election nightt party at Maribyrnong Bowls Club to thank all of the party members and other volunteers who have helped me in my campaign.

It was certainly a strange night, for the first time in 70 years it looks like we will end up with a hung parliament, with no clear winner emerging. This will lead to an interesting few weeks of negotiations.

In the seat of Maribyrnong the result was clear, with Labor being returned with a swing to me (on two-party-preferred) of between 2 and 3 per cent. This reslt is a tribute to the hard work of the campaign team, and the result of the good work Labor has done in the west of Melbourne over the last three years.

August 19th: Visiting local Pensioners Groups

Bill Shorten bill.shorten.mp@aph.gov.au — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:41:53 PST

My electorate is home to a big number of migrants who have chose to make Australia their homes and are rightly proud of their contribution to this country.

Many of them have thriving pensioners groups which provide mutual support and companionship.

Today I went to the Errington Community Centre in St.Albans to meet with the local Vietnamese and Maltese pensioners groups. Thanks to both for having me and giving me the chance to meet people who have made such a difference to this country. I understand that. although this Government, has raised the Aged Pension, it is still difficult to live on, and that we need to keep working to give older Australians secure and dignified lives.

August 19th: Meeting constituents at Albion Train Station

Bill Shorten bill.shorten.mp@aph.gov.au — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:35:03 PST

I've been going to train stations most mornings during the election campaign, because it gives me a chance to talk directly to voters who live in the electorate and catch public transport.

Today I was at Albion train station in the western part of the Maribyrnong electorate. It was great to hear the concerns of residents, about the need for good services in the area, and for more to be done to preserve jobs.

August 18th: Opening of Villa Maria disability accommodation in Alphington

Bill Shorten bill.shorten.mp@aph.gov.au — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:51:55 PST

Despite some progress in recent years, the plight of young people with severer disabilities who remain in nursing homes, is one of the most shameful aspects of Australia's treatment of people with disability.

This Government has worked with the States to build suitable homes for these young people, which allow them to live with people their own age, have friends and family visit, and be involved in the community.

Today I joined Victorian Governor David de Kretser and Victorian Disability Minister Lisa Neville at the opening of Villa Maria's new home for 10 young people in Alphington.

The new home is magnificent, with big light-filled rooms and common areas. It'll give the residents privacy and the chance to socialise.

There is still a long way to go on this issue, and more than 800 people under 50 remain in aged care facilities, but we are turning things around thanks to projects like this.

August 16th: Attending disability forum in Adelaide with Tony Zappia

Bill Shorten bill.shorten.mp@aph.gov.au — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 02:46:35 PST

Tony Zappia, the member for Makin in Adelaide, has a strong interest in disability issues, and in promoting the concerns of people with disability in his electorate.

Today I travelled to Ingle Farm inAdelaide to participate in a disability forum, organised to allow groups in northern Adelaide to raise their concerns with me about the disabiltiy system in Australia.

As always at these forums i am reminded that our current system, despite the valiant efforts of those who work in it, is not delivering for many people with disability.

The system we have is a patchwork that often intervenes too late, and that the status quo can not continue in disability.

I believe that the Productivity Commission's investigation into the possibility of a long-term care and support scheme, which will report to the Government next year, may be the best chance we have to create a better system for people with disability