Category Archives: Media Releases

Major grant brings bright future for Beechboro Christian School

Beechboro Christian School will benefit from the development of a new site and the relocation of classrooms ahead of its opening in 2022, thanks to a Coalition Government grant. The $750,000 grant was announced today by Senator Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s northern suburbs. Senator Smith said the Morrison Government would contribute to the project through the Capital Grants Program, which provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure. “This grant makes possible the relocation and modification of existing demountable buildings to a new site that has been purchased by the school. also includes siteworks, landscaping and paving, the construction of a new carpark, as well as fencing, and hard court and play areas,” Senator Smith said. “Beechboro Christian School has a wonderful school community, and these new facilities will further enhance the learning environment for students and the working environment for staff. “Students and their teachers thrive when their school has up-to-date facilities – that’s why the Morrison Government is proud of the Capital Grants Program, which continues to benefit thousands of schools across Australia. “Our Government is ensuring that every child gets a quality education no matter where they go to school. We are providing a record $314.7 billion for all Australian Schools from 2018 to 2029. “I congratulate Beechboro Christian School on their successful grant application and am looking forward to seeing the very positive impact the new facilities will have there.” The funding announcement was one of 158 projects approved for funding under the Capital Grants Program to commence in 2021. Schools that want to learn more about the Capital Grants Program can visit https://www.education.gov.au/capital-grants-non-government-schools.

New facilities transform Alta-1 College

Students and staff at Alta-1 College will benefit from new facilities in Joondalup, including offices, a boardroom, meeting rooms, teacher preparation space and three student learning areas. Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s northern suburbs, yesterday officiated at the opening ceremony for the project, which has been funded by the Morrison Coalition Government. The Morrison Government contributed $1 million for the upgrade through the Capital Grants Program, which provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure. Senator Smith said the facilities provide a safe environment for the students to engage and learn in. “It was great to visit Alta-1 College to see the finished project and hear about the positive impact it will have on students and their teachers,” Senator Smith said. “Alta-1 College has a wonderful school community and these new facilities will further enhance the learning environment here. “We are ensuring that every child gets a quality education no matter where they go to school, but this is testament to the Morrison Government’s commitment to schools in Perth’s northern suburbs. “Our Government is providing record funding for government schools, for Catholic schools and for Independent schools.  School funding has increased every year under our Government. “We are delivering real, needs-based funding that is matched by national reforms that will drive better results and outcomes, as recommended by David Gonski in his Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools.” More information about the Capital Grants Program is at https://www.education.gov.au/capital-grants-non-government-schools.

COVID-19 Youth Survey reveals job worries a rising priority

104 young people responded to a COVID-19 survey designed to measure their pandemic experience. The survey, operated through Senator Dean Smith’s Facebook page, asked them to compare their concerns and priorities pre and following COVID-19. While climate change remained the greatest overall concern, the biggest change was increasing anxiety over jobs and unemployment. The results are in from Senator Dean Smith’s COVID-19 Gen Z Survey, which closed recently after running from mid-July. The survey was aimed at 18-21 year olds from Perth’s Northern Suburbs and 73% of those who responded were from that part of the city. 64% of respondents were female and 33% were male. Senator for Perth’s Northern Suburbs Dean Smith and UWA post-graduate student Jake Harvey, who is an intern in the Senator’s office, designed the survey questions. “This was a way of learning more about and better understanding how the pandemic has affected young people in the Northern Suburbs,“ Senator Smith said. “It has been wonderful to receive so many responses and get a genuine insight into what local 18-21 year olds are thinking.” “Our aim was to give young people a voice and this has achieved that, which helps me to better represent them here and in Canberra.” Respondents were asked about their top three personal concerns and top three issues for Australia, both pre and following COVID-19. Stress and mental health remained the two most significant personal concerns before and following the pandemic, however physical health replaced university fees in third place following COVID-19. “This is evidence of the pandemic’s negative effect on the mental health of young people, as well as the emerging toll on physical health with gyms closed for extended periods,” Mr Harvey said. When it came to national issues, climate change remained the top priority, but there was a significant increase in the importance of jobs as a result of COVID-19. 36% of respondents rated jobs as the biggest issue for Australia pre-COVID-19, jumping to 66% following COVID-19. “The frequency in which jobs has been selected as a top concern has nearly doubled, supporting the data that suggests young people in particular have been badly affected by pandemic job losses,” Mr Harvey said.

Grandstand unveiling boosts commitment to Kingsway Sporting Complex to $1.45 M

A 200-seat grandstand and new changerooms have been unveiled at Olympic Kingsway Sports Club. The transformative project was made possible by a $200,000 grant from the Morrison Government. $1.45 million has been spent by the Federal Coalition on the Kingsway Sporting Complex since 2016. Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s Northern Suburbs, has officially opened a new grandstand and changerooms at Wanneroo’s Olympic Kingsway Sports Club. The grandstand, which will principally be used to enjoy soccer games, is capable of accommodating 200 spectators. The changerooms are incorporated into the same building, located underneath the seating area. Last Saturday afternoon, Senator Smith helped unveil two plaques to inaugurate the facilities, joined by City of Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts and Olympic Kingsway Sports Club President Steven Nelkovski. The Club, known as the ‘Green Machine’, received a $200,000 Community Development Grant from the Morrison Government for the project. The Grant is the latest instalment of the $1.45 million spent by the Federal Coalition on Kingsway Sporting Complex since the 2016 Election. Other contributions have included $500,000 towards the installation of floodlights at the Wanneroo Districts Netball Association, $400,000 to build six changerooms and storage at Wanneroo City Soccer Club and $300,000 to complete the Kingsway Aquatic Play Centre. Senator Smith said building the grandstand and changerooms was a 2016 election commitment and he was delighted it has been delivered on. “These are superb facilities that will help both players and spectators make the most of their soccer.” “The Green Machine, and President Steven Nelkovski in particular, are champions of community sport, and deserve every support,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see Olympic Kingsway Sports Club go from strength to strength and, with this upgrade, it’s now guaranteed an even brighter future.” “This grant is further proof of the Morrison Government’s real commitment to sport and recreation in our Northern Suburbs, and its commitment to delivering on its promises to locals.”

Safety boost for WA’s Sikh community

Background: Sikh Gurdwara Perth Inc has received $315,000 from the Morrison Government as part of the Safer Communities Fund. The money will go towards a perimeter security fence and an emergency PA system at their Bennett Springs headquarters. Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s Northern Suburbs, this week met with President Navtej Kaur Uppal and other senior members of the organisation. The Senator, who supported Sikh Gurdwara Perth Inc’s grant application, took part in a virtual announcement to the local community via Facebook Live. Quotes attributable to Senator Dean Smith: “I’m delighted to see the WA Sikh community, which gives so much to its members and WA as a whole, receive the funding required to keep it safe and flourishing.” “Their Bennett Springs base is used for religious worship and community events, but also for learning and children’s’ sport, so security is a major priority.” “Now the WA Sikh community can focus on the wonderful cultural and philanthropic work it does without fear of any antisocial behaviour, which, sadly, it has suffered from in the past.”

Time for Fairbridge survivor justice is now, calls on Premier to pledge support

Senator Dean Smith, Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme, has met with representatives of the Old Fairbridgians Association of WA to confirm new initiatives being undertaken to reverse compensation delays faced by survivors of child sexual abuse while in the care of Kingsley Fairbridge Farm School in Pinjarra, Western Australia. Senator Smith was able to confirm: Firstly, that Fairbridge (Restored) Limited and The Prince’s Trust would be called to appear before the Joint Parliamentary Committee overseeing the National Redress Scheme to publicly explain their failure to sign up to the Scheme by the 30 June, 2020 deadline. Secondly, he had formally written to WA Premier Mark McGowan (letter attached), seeking his full cooperation on this matter and for an undertaking that, if Fairbridge (Restored) Limited or The Prince’s Trust were found to be a ‘defunct organisation’*, the WA Government would not delay invoking the ‘Funder of Last Resort’^ provisions in the National Redress Scheme to provide redress to survivors. And, finally, that senior officials from the Attorney-General’s Department, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Home Affairs had begun convening to resolve the Fairbridge matter as quickly as possible. Senator Smith used his meeting with the OFA to again reassure survivors that he will fight to ensure justice is delivered to those who deserve it as quickly and painlessly as possible, noting the tragic reality that for many survivors it is already too late.       *An institution which no longer exists. It can be either a government or a non-government institution. ^Where it is determined that a Commonwealth, state or territory government institution is equally responsible for the child sexual abuse of a person with a defunct non-government institution, and pays the defunct institution’s share of redress. The Commonwealth, state or territory government must agree that it will be a funder of last resort for a defunct non-government institution before any payment for redress is made to a person.

Senator gives youth a voice with new COVID-19 survey

Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s Northern Suburbs, has launched an online survey for young people. Called the COVID-19 Gen Z Survey, it’s aimed at finding out more about how the pandemic has affected youth across Perth’s Northern Suburbs, and what they want the post-pandemic future to look like. The initiative, which begins this week and is expected to run for a month, is accessible through the Senator’s Facebook page. Open to 18-21 year olds, it asks participants what challenges both young people and Australia as a whole have faced during COVID-19. Other questions include what they’d do if they were the Prime Minister or WA Premier, and what things they wish were done differently during the pandemic. Senator Smith feels that COVID-19 has been a once in a lifetime event and it’s important to learn more about its effect on young locals. “So much of the focus during the pandemic has been on older people, which is appropriate given the risks posed to that part of our community, but it’s vital we also hear how it has been for young adults.” “This survey gives them a voice, an opportunity to share their COVID-19 stories and to tell us what they think was done well and what could’ve been better. “We want to know what their major concerns have been, how their employment was affected, what has happened to their studies, their families and friends. “It may be that we get some unexpected results back, but that’s great, we want that genuine insight into their experiences.” The survey is a collaboration between Senator Smith’s team and UWA post-graduate student Jake Harvey, who is interning in the Senator’s office. Jake said the survey is a timely way of engaging young people like himself in politics. “This has been a formative time, but has also potentially affected young people mentally, physically, and in many other ways.” “I think some of them feel left out of politics and decision making, but this gives them a platform to be heard.”

Major security boost protects Jewish Community Centre from crime

Chabad Lubavitch of WA has received nearly $200,000 from the Morrison Government to improve security at its Noranda hub. The funding is part of a $15 million commitment to the Safer Communities Fund. CCTV cameras, security lights and fencing are among the crime-fighting upgrades the money will help deliver. A Jewish community group in Perth’s Northern Suburbs can rest easier about the security of its headquarters, and the congregation of all ages that uses it, after successfully applying for a grant of $197,100. The Garson Place facility features synagogue services, adult education, children’s programs and a wide range of other community outreach. Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s Northern Suburbs, supported Chabad Lubavitch of WA’s application and is delighted to announce the grant. The Senator visited the centre yesterday, meeting with Rabbi Shalom White and his team, and joining in one of the school holiday children’s’ workshops currently being run there. “This is a wonderful outcome for Chabad Lubavitch of WA and all those to whom this place means so much,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, but the reality is that the community here has had security concerns for some time, including for the kids who spend time here. “This significant security upgrade means they can head into what I’m sure is a very bright future with increased confidence.” Chad Lubavitch of WA will put the money towards 34 CCTV cameras, 6 security lights, fencing and gates, a video intercom system and 60 bollards – all aimed at deterring intruders and other threats. It is part of a $15 million spend by the Morrison Government towards the Safer Communities Fund Infrastructure Stream Round 5. It supports crime prevention initiatives by schools, places of worship, community organisations and local councils, fighting violence and anti-social behaviour driven by racial or religious intolerance. “Communities like this one need celebrating and protecting, which is why these grants are so important,” Senator Smith said. “These grants are proof positive of the Morrison Government’s commitment to the wellbeing and success of the Jewish community in Perth’s Northern Suburbs.”

Kicking goals for Cowan

Wanneroo City Soccer Club has received $400,000 from the Morrison Government for its new changerooms. The money is part of the Government’s Community Development Grants (CDG) Program. The project helps further establish Kingsway Regional Sporting Complex as a major sports and recreation facility for Perth’s northern suburbs. Wanneroo City Soccer Club’s new changerooms are now a reality, thanks to $400,000 funding from the Morrison Government’s Community Development Grants (CDG) Program. Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s northern suburbs, is delighted the Club has benefited from the grant. “This upgrade has the potential to significantly boost soccer participation at Wanneroo City Soccer Club,” Senator Smith said. “It’s also going to enhance the wellbeing of many others from across the City of Wanneroo and the northern suburbs. “The provision of quality sport and recreation facilities is essential to promoting healthy and vibrant communities. “As restrictions lift, and community sport and leisure activities resume, getting out and enjoying places like this will take on a new importance.” Club President Dean Bell said the upgrade, which cost more than $900,000, has been nearly a decade in the making. Mr Bell hopes the six new changerooms, which offer larger and improved facilities for female players, will attract more girls to the Club. Senator Smith believes the redevelopment will also continue to increase Kingsway Regional Sporting Complex’s status as a premier sports and recreation hub for Perth’s northern suburbs. “This exciting project is exactly the sort of community-focused initiative the CDG Program is aimed at helping,” Senator Smith said. The $400,000 grant is part of the Coalition Government’s $40 million CDG Program, spent on sport and recreation facilities to enhance participation in sport and recreation. More information about the (CDG) Program is available here: https://www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/community-development-grants.aspx.

Bayswater Skate Park

Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s Northern Suburbs, has visited the Bayswater Skate Park to meet with representatives of the Bayswater Skate Park Community. Senator Smith heard their ideas for a replacement facility, as well as their concerns about some of the roadblocks they feel they are facing. The Senator assured the group that he’ll do everything in his power to ensure the best and timeliest possible outcome is achieved for them. “I can see from the kids and parents I met at the Skate Park that this is a very important part of many peoples’ lives in our community, a place to meet and exercise and express themselves,” Senator Smith said. “That’s why I’m backing calls for a new Skate Park to be built, either incorporated into the Morley Metronet development, or somewhere else as nearby as possible.” “While on first glance a proposed site under Redcliffe Bridge might seem a good idea, closer examination reveals it to be a ‘C grade’ option, with problems including the risk of antisocial behaviour due to a lack of visibility.”