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Kate is passionate about contributing to public debate on a wide range of important issues. Here are some of the issues she has touched on in the past.
- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
- Is safe sex message falling on deaf ears 31 Aug 2008
- Grassroots funding is key to Olympic glorys 10 Aug 2008
- Easy to overlook big issue of homelessness 20 Jul 2008
- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
- Make Poverty History 18 Sep 2005
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Media Releases
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 200813 May 2008 - Funding for Special Olympics Australia
Joint Media Release with Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services
More people with an intellectual disability will have the chance to participate in sports, with the Australian Government committing to annual funding to Special Olympics Australia of $300,000 a year.
Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, Bill Shorten have announced the funding will be provided through the Australian Sport Commission.
"This funding allows Special Olympics Australia to continue the great work it does across Australia," Minister Ellis said.
"Special Olympics Australia makes a vital contribution to the health and fitness of people with disability providing year-round sports training and competition for children and adults, helping them increase their fitness, develop skills, make friends and be part of the community."
The Special Olympics caters for people at all levels, not just elite athletes, who want to compete in international competitions.
"This funding will help Special Olympics Australia to reach more people with intellectual disability, and allow them to participate as the valuable and valued members of the community they are," Parliamentary Secretary Shorten said.
"It will let them continue to prove to us all that disability does not mean inability."
Special Olympics Australia currently works with 4,500 athletes in 45 regions to participate in 12 official sports and relies almost entirely on volunteers.