Welcome to my official website. As Federal Labor Member for Bonner I know it’s important to keep in touch with residents, and make it easy for residents to contact me. That’s why I have established this web site. On this site you’ll be able to find out the latest news, or just learn a little more out about your area. You’ll also be able to find out more about the latest events and programs happening throughout Bonner. Thanks for visiting! Kerry Rea First Speech Kerry's First Speech to House of Representatives, Tuesday 19th February 2008 More>> Latest News Paid Parental Leave Scheme As your local member and a member of the Gillard Labor Government, I am happy to advise you that the Government has delivered Australia's first Paid Parental Leave scheme. The Government's Paid Parental Leave legislation was passed by the Parliament on Thursday 17th June 2010. The Gillard Government’s scheme will provide eligible working parents with financial support so they can spend those important early months with their newborn baby, giving babies the best start in life. The Paid Parental Leave scheme will provide eligible working parents with financial support so they can spend those important early months with their newborn baby, giving babies the best start in life. From 1 January next year (2011), eligible parents will receive 18 weeks Parental Leave paid at the Federal minimum wage, currently $570 a week. Until now, Australia and the United States were the only two OECD countries in the world without national paid parental leave schemes. We've now caught up with the rest of the developed world. People in Bonner will be able to lodge claims for Paid Parental leave with the Family Assistance Office from 1 October this year. Our scheme is based on the expert recommendations of the Productivity Commission and payments can be received in addition to existing employer-funded entitlements, helping local employers enhance the family-friendly workplace conditions they already offer. The Gillard Government’s scheme will give local parents more options to balance their work and family life, help local employers retain skilled staff, and boost Australia’s productivity. If you would like more information on the Government’s Paid Parental Leave scheme, please contact my office on 3893 3488 or visit the Department of Families’ website at http: Paid Parental Leave Scheme //www.fahcsia.gov.au. I look forward to continuing to work hard to deliver for the families of Bonner. Paid Parental Leave Scheme International Development Assistance The Gillard Labor Government remains committed to increasing official development assistance to 0.5% of Gross National Income by 2015-16. This will result in a substantial increase in the aid budget going forward. In the 2010-11 Federal Budget, total Australian official development assistance (ODA) is forecast to increase to $4.3 billion, up from $3.8 billion in 2009-10. Beyond 2015-16, as economic and fiscal conditions permit, Federal Labor will progressively increase Australia’s official development assistance until we reach 0.7% of Gross National Income. Australians are a generous people. They help out those in need. But they also have every right to expect that our aid dollars are used wisely and have a real impact on the lives of those less fortunate. Significant progress has been made in reducing poverty since the international community committed to the Millennium Development Goals in 2000, but there is more work to be done. Federal Labor has placed the Millennium Development Goals at the centre of Australia’s aid program, directing more funds to education, health and other basic services. We have made education a flagship of the aid program to give children in poorer countries a chance to go to school and improve their opportunity for a better life. We have also refocussed the program to improve the quality of Australia’s aid and to make it more accountable. Our record on international development assistance stands in stark contrast to that of the Coalition. Throughout the former Coalition Government’s term of office, the Coalition’s contribution to foreign aid averaged only 0.27% of Gross National Income, and hit a low of 0.25%. Right now, the Coalition’s only policy on foreign aid is a $300 million cut to the foreign aid budget, an action which seriously calls into question the Coalition’s commitment to assist the world’s poorest people. The Gillard Labor Government is committed to an aid program that is generous, effective and in Australia’s national interest. Through the development assistance program, we can make a difference and improve the lives of millions, and it is our intention to do more. Mr Abbott’s only policy on foreign aid is a $300 million cut to the foreign aid budget, an action which seriously calls into question the Coalition’s commitment to assist the world’s poorest people. These policies are listed as savings by the Coalition on their website. Halve Global Poverty by 2015 If assisting people in developing countries interests you please see the following web site Micah Challenge. More>>