Members of the local skating community will be able to have their say on a future skate park. City of Bayswater councilors at the July 21 meeting voted unanimously in favour of Cr Stephanie Gray’s motion to bring back the skate park development advisory committee.
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.”
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.
A Jewish community group in Noranda has received almost $200,000 to improve security. Chad Lubavitch of WA uses its Garson Court facilities for synagogue services, adult education, children’s programs and other community services.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.”
WA’s job-creating businesses need to be supported and encouraged, not bound in red tape and subjected to attacks from activist groups! I took the opportunity in Parliament to talk about the negative experiences of fertiliser producer Yara Pilbara, which operates a significant plant in the region. Our State’s mining and resources sector has been a lifeboat during the COVID-19 economy and the WA Government should treat it accordingly.
The Federal Court decision on live exports was an important breakthrough for our cattle industry and Northern Australia. I spoke in Parliament about the lessons to be learnt from Labor’s mistakes when in office and why they must never be repeated.
