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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 | 200804 Nov 2009 - Closing the Gap for Indigenous Families in Queensland
The Hon Kate Ellis MP
Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth
4 November, 2009
Joint Media Release
Closing the gap for Indigenous families in Queensland
Joint media release with Queensland Premier Anna Bligh
The Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education and Child Care Kate Ellis and Queensland's Premier Anna Bligh today announced ten new Children and Family Centres for Queensland.
The Australian Government is investing $75.18 million in centres at Mt Isa, Cairns, Mareeba, Ipswich, Mackay, Rockhampton, Mornington Island, Doomadgee, Marsden and Palm Island.
"The first years of a child's life set them on a road to adulthood - we want that journey to take them to good health, education and social development," Ms Ellis said.
"We want Indigenous children to get the best start in life. Experts tell us that quality early education has the power to break the cycle of disadvantage and that's vital to closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people."
The ten centres will target the needs of Indigenous families and their young children, but all families will be able to use the centres.
Children and Family Centres are a hub for services that help children and their families develop in terms of health, education and social interaction.
Premier Bligh said the State Government will contribute the land for the centres where possible.
"These places were chosen because of their growing number of young Indigenous children. This is about providing real support for vulnerable Queensland children and their families.
"Many of the centres across Australia will be in Queensland due to the state's high number of remote communities. We want all families to have access to vital childhood services, no matter where they live in Queensland," Ms Bligh said.
The Queensland Government will lead the next step - talking with each community about the specific sites for the centres and what types of services best suit local needs.
Thirty-five Children and Family Centres will be built across Australia as part of the $564 million Indigenous Early Childhood Development National Partnership Agreement between the Australian Government and states and territories.
The centres will open over the next four years, with Mt Isa opening in mid-2010; Cairns, Mareeba and Ipswich in early 2011; Mackay, Rockhampton, Mornington Island and Doomadgee from early 2012; and Marsden and Palm Island in mid-2012.
For more information visit www.deewr.gov.au/earlychildhood or call 1300 363 079.
Media Contact:
media@deewr.gov.au
Non-media queries: 1300 363 079