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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
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Media Releases
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 200820 Jul 2008 - Soccer championship helps disadvantaged Australians
The Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, today launched the Community Street Soccer National Championships which is helping homeless and unemployed people transform their lives through the health and social benefits of sport.
"The Community Street Soccer program provides vulnerable people with an opportunity to regain their self-esteem and independence and to deal with the issues of homelessness, substance abuse and mental illness," Ms Ellis said.
"Soccer has an amazing ability to bring people together and to break down social and cultural barriers.
"Sport also helps with the development of good physical and mental health, promotes team work and helps to build self-confidence in individuals, which is why the Government actively supports initiatives like Community Street Soccer."
The Rudd Government is providing $3 million until 2009-10 to The Big Issue for the development of its Community Street Soccer program. The Victorian Government has also provided $500,000 to this worthwhile initiative.
The funding will be used to establish and operate the program in 30 communities across Australia, and will benefit approximately 3000 participants.
The Street Soccer program involves four stages; starting at the community level and progressing through to state and national finals.
Players at today's National Championships will be vying for a spot in Australia's Street Socceroos team which will compete at the Homeless World Cup in Melbourne on 1-7 December 2008, bringing together teams from more than 50 countries.
"I'd like to congratulate The Big Issue in Australia for establishing the Street Soccer program, and wish competitors all the best for the National Championships," Ms Ellis said.
The Big Issue in Australia is a not-for-profit company which assists people who find it hard to access employment for a variety of reasons, including psychiatric illness, alcohol and drug addiction, and intellectual and physical disabilities, as well as homelessness.
NOTE: The launch of the Community Street Soccer championships will take place at 1pm today (Sunday 20 July) at Waterfront City Piazza, Docklands Drive, Docklands.