Submissions

Euthanasia

Greens MLC Robin Chapple is expected now to introduce the Euthanasia Bill into the Upper House of the WA Parliament when it next sits on March 2, 2010. The Liberal Party members have been told that they are able to cast a conscience vote on this issue.

Action: The Australian Christian Lobby is asking people to sign a petition and hand around to friends. MLC Nick Goiran will table the petitions in parliament. Each lot of petitions need to have a promoter. For petition:http://www.acl.org.au/pdfs/load_pdf_public.pdf?pdf_id=1441

Action: Saltshakers is asking people to write to their local MP. For contact details: http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/web/newwebparl.nsf/iframewebpages/Members+-+Current

Completed petitions should be returned to the office of the Honourable Nick Goiran Unit 2, 714 Ranford Road, Southern River WA 6110. For more info call Goiran’s office on 9398 3800

Suicide Inquiry

Due to public interest the public submission period has been extended for an inquiry into Suicide in Australia, being undertaken by the Senate Community Affairs Committee. Submissions can be sent during the life of the inquiry. The inquiry is expected to lead to a report by April 2010.

Committee terms of reference:http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/clac_ctte/suicide/tor.htm

Guidelines on writing submissions:http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/wit_sub/index.htm

Lifeline’s info:http://www.lifeline.org.au/support_us/senate_inquiry_into_suicide

The Committee is seeking written submissions from interested individuals and organisations preferably sent electronically by email to community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au as an attached PDF or Word format document. The email must include full postal address and contact details.

Alternatively written submissions may be sent to:

Committee Secretary
Senate Community Affairs References Committee
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Family Violence Inquiry

The Australian Law Reform Commission is looking into issues concerning violence against women and their children. The ALRC is planning to issue its final report and recommendations by July 31, 2010.

For more: http://www.alrc.gov.au/inquiries/current/family-violence/about.html

R18+ rated computer games

The Rudd Govt is considering extending the R18+ classification to computer games. Currently the highest classification is M15+. Saltshakers says it is not the first time this has been considered and is an attempt to allow graphic games. The ACL says that “The introduction of such games into Australia would inevitably lead to some children playing and being influenced by these games – to the detriment of both their development and the wider society.”

For story: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/r-rated-games-could-get-nod/story-e6frf7l6-1225810391370

For Govt discussion paper and submission template:http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Consultationsreformsandreviews_AnR18+ClassificationforComputerGames-PublicConsultation

Action: Saltshakers is urging people to write a submission. They are due Feb 28, 2010. For Saltshakers ideas on what to write:http://www.saltshakers.org.au/take-action/campaigns/583-r18-rated-computer-games-on-the-agenda

ACL media release: http://www.acl.org.au/pdfs/load_pdf_public.pdf?pdf_id=1462&from=national

Send to E: classificationreview@ag.gov.au

F: 02 6141 3488

Post: Classification Review, Attorney-General’s Department, 3 -5 National Circuit, BARTON ACT 2600.

Say NO

Note: The Say No 4 Kids petition has been extended until April 2010. The Standing Committee of Attorneys General which oversees censorship is reviewing the classification laws and guidelines and will meet around April next year. By April the SN4Ks group hopes to collect 45,000 signatures.

Action: Say No 4 Kids is asking people to download petition and return to them.

For paper petition: http://www.sayno4kids.com/blog/

To sign the online petition: http://www.gopetition.com.au/online/29705.html

Return completed petition to Sayno4kids P.O. Box 707, Pakenham 3810 http://www.sayno4kids.com

Gambling

The Productivity Commission released its draft report into Gambling on Oct 21, 2009. The final report will be prepared and sent to the Govt by Feb 26, 2010. Public submissions on the draft report needed to be submitted by Dec 18, 2009. The final report will be released to the Govt by Feb 26, 2009.

To read the draft Report and find out how to make your submission visit:http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/gambling-2009/draft

Paul Bendat, son of Perth entrepreneur Jack Bendat runs a heavy campaign against pokie machines, in particular Woolworths and Coles(a Wesfarmers subsidiary). Through its hotel network run by Australian Leisure Holdings, Woolworths is the largest operator of pokie machines with an estimated 11,000 pokies. For more on his campaign and ideas how to get involved:http://www.pokieact.org/

Drug Inquiry

The Education and Health Committee of the Legislative Assembly in WA is undertaking an inquiry into the Adequacy and Appropriateness of Prevention and Treatment Services for Alcohol and Illicit Drug Problems in WA. Following a public submission period it will report to parliament by March 30, 2010.

For more:http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/web/newwebparl.nsf/iframewebpages/Legislative+Assembly+-+Current+Committees