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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
2010 | 2009 | 200828 Oct 2009 - Water Safety DVD for Thousands of New Parents
The Hon Kate Ellis MP
Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth
28 October, 2009
Media release
Water safety DVD for thousands of new parents
The Minister for Early Childhood Education, Childcare, Youth and Sport, Kate Ellis, today launched an important water safety DVD which will go to thousands of new parents.
The Living with Water DVD a Comprehensive Guide to Water Safety for Under 5's will be distributed to new parents through the Bounty New Mothers Bag which reaches about 83% of new mothers in Australia each year.
"It's Children's Week - a time to celebrate the contribution of children to our lives and our society. But it's also a time to think about what we can do to make their lives better."
The DVD was produced by water safety advocate Laurie Lawrence and the Federal Department of Health and Ageing as part of the Federal Government's $4.2 million Saving Lives in the Water measure to support water safety initiatives for young children.
"It's a tragedy that 32 children under the age of five drowned last year, with 19 deaths in swimming pools. We can change that and we will," Ms Ellis said.
"This DVD for parents is just one way we're putting a focus on water safety and working hard to make sure young lives aren't lost in the water," Ms Ellis said.
The Living with Water DVD promotes water safety messages for newborns, crawlers, toddlers and pre-schoolers. It includes essential information about familiarising children with water, eliminating water hazards, pool fencing, constant supervision of children around water and learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills.
"This DVD will help remind parents and carers to be vigilant supervising their children around water and to review the adequacy of safety measures like pool fences.
"Water safety is everyone's responsibility. You never know when you might be in a position to save a life," Ms Ellis said.
The Living with Water DVD will be distributed to new parents through the Bounty New Mothers Bag and will be available free of charge from the 'Kids Alive' website, or through Laurie Lawrence on 07 5525 6820.
The Minister and Laurie Lawrence will launch the DVD at 9.30am TODAY at the Australian Institute of Sport Swimming Centre, Leverrier Street, Bruce, ACT.
Media Contact: media@deewr.gov.au
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