Latest Portfolio Ministerial Media releases from the current government

29 August, 2008 - The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Sport

The Australian Government will provide $1 million to upgrade three community sporting projects in Burnie, Tasmania. The Member for Braddon, Sid Sidebottom, and the Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, announced the funding on 29 August 2008.

29 August, 2008 - The Hon Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing

In the June quarter, 73.9 per cent of all Medicare services were bulk billed – a record high. This was a 0.2 percentage point increase on the previous (March) quarter of 2008.

29 August, 2008 - The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing

Over the next four years, the Australian Government will provide record funding and support of almost $300 million to the ACT’s 16 approved nursing homes and their 1,600 residents

29 August, 2008 - The Hon Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing

Eligible patients suffering from the rare, life-threatening Hunter Syndrome will have access to a subsidised medicine to treat their illness, thanks to the Government’s Life Saving Drugs Program.

28 August, 2008 - The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Sport

The Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, announced the appointment of the independent expert panel that will investigate the reforms required to ensure that Australia’s sporting system remains prepared for the challenges of the future.

28 August, 2008 - The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Sport

The Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, announced that Australian Sports Commission (ASC) chief executive, Mr Mark Peters, has resigned.

28 August, 2008 - The Hon Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing

The Australian Government and the Tasmanian Government have signed an agreement that provides for the Tasmanian Government to manage and operate the Mersey Community Hospital from 1 September 2008.

28 August, 2008 - The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing

The Australian and Queensland governments have reached an historic agreement to provide record funding to support services for vulnerable Queenslanders such as help at home, meals on wheels and community transport.

27 August, 2008 - The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing

Federal Minister for Ageing Mrs Justine Elliot today announced home and community care services for the elderly and people with disabilities in Western Australia had received an additional $1.4 million.

27 August, 2008 - The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot has paid tribute to the 80,000 volunteers and workers who deliver about 15 million meals a year from 750 kitchens to frail aged and people with disabilities across Australia.

27 August, 2008 - The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing

Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot detailed the Australian Government’s unannounced visits program for the nation’s nursing homes in Federal Parliament, saying they protected frail and aged Australians.

26 August, 2008 - The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing

The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency has reduced the accreditation period of Brighton Aged Care in Adelaide as an outcome of a review audit conducted in early August.

26 August, 2008 - The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Sport

Centenary of Sir Donald Bradman - regarded as one of the greatest exponents of any sport, of any era, anywhere in the world.

24 August, 2008 - The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing

The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, today announced the Australian Government will fund $3.6 million to five separate groups for research into ways to prevent avoidable hearing loss

22 August, 2008 - The Hon Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing

Australians living with cancer – including those in remote and regional areas, people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and women affected by gynaecological cancers – are among those to benefit from new cancer support projects funded by the Australian Government and announced on Daffodil Day, 22 August 2008.

22 August, 2008 - The Hon Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing

Australia will play a role in the biggest ever international effort to unlock the genetic secrets of cancer. This enormous research project, spanning 24 countries, is expected to deliver significant benefits in detecting, preventing and treating cancer.

21 August, 2008 - The Hon Nicola Roxon MP, Minister for Health and Ageing

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program will teach kids in Government primary schools, in years 3-6, to grow, harvest, cook and share fresh food. From 21 August 2008, interested schools can apply to take part in the initiative.

20 August, 2008 - The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing

In the last seven months, the Australian Government has imposed sanctions on nine nursing homes in Australia – with three identified as a result of unannounced visits.

20 August, 2008 - The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing

The Australian Government announced on 20 August another 66 transition care places - bringing the national total to 101 fully-funded places. The new places are in Victoria and NSW. The Government has committed to create 228 fully funded places under its $293.2 million transition care plan.

20 August, 2008 - The Hon Justine Elliot MP, Minister for Ageing

New reporting procedures on residents who inexplicably go missing from nursing homes and new measures on infectious disease outbreaks in facilities are among the topics for discussion at the Ageing Consultative Committee. It is the second meeting of the group which takes place in Canberra on 21 August.