Month: February 2022

As Queensland kids return to classrooms tomorrow, the Greens have pledged to keep them safe and healthy by fully funding comprehensive consent education and providing free period products from sustainable suppliers.

While most parents will rightly be focused on ensuring their children are protected from Covid-19, the Greens recognise that many schoolkids face other significant challenges, including sexual harassment and assault, and period poverty.

The Greens will:

• invest $477 million to support the national rollout of Our Watch’s Respectful Relationships education in all public schools; and
• provide $68.5 million over 10 years to make pads and tampons free in all public schools.

The highest rates of sexual assault and harassment still occur among 15-19 year olds, making it critically important that work is done to ensure student safety. Nationally consistent respectful relationships and consent education is key to making schools safe, promoting gender equality, and eliminating rape culture.

Although period products are a health essential, for many students and their families paying for pads and tampons is a financial burden. The Greens’ plan will improve students’ health and wellbeing, reduce period stigma, and ensure that no student has to skip school during their period because they cannot afford period products. 

The above policies are in addition to our plan for truly free public education and Covid-safe classrooms, launched last month.

Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on women Senator Larissa Waters said:

“With the Omicron variant still persistent in the community, parents are rightly anxious to ensure that their children are protected as they return to school. That’s why last month the Greens announced our plan to provide $224.1m to install HEPA filters and CO2 monitors to improve air quality in schools.

“But Covid-19 isn’t the only challenge facing many kids. Children must be safe from sexual assault, bullying and harassment, and learn at school about healthy boundaries and respect.

“The Greens will fully fund the delivery of Our Watch’s age appropriate, whole-of-school and evidence-based Respectful Relationships program in all public schools.
 
“We know that an alarming number of people still disbelieve or victim-blame survivors of assault. Sexual consent education in schools can help dismantle this persistent rape culture and ensure everyone understands that anything less than informed and enthusiastic consent means no. 

“All students should get the benefit of learning about respect, gender equality and not letting their career aspirations be limited by their gender.

“Period poverty is also a major problem faced by many students. Some students use socks or rolled up toilet paper to manage their periods. Many students skip school out of shame.

“Period products are a necessity, not a luxury, and it’s about time we made them accessible to everyone, regardless of their income.  The Greens’ policy costing allows for supplies of carbon-neutral, largely compostable period products.

“Less than $7 million a year is a very small price to pay to improve the health and wellbeing of students, reduce period stigma, and ensure that no one has to skip school.”

Greens education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:

“A national, fully-funded rollout of school-based programs about respectful relationships is long overdue.

“In our patriarchal society, boys, in particular, are at risk of developing harmful attitudes and behaviours which can lead to sexual violence and harassment.

“There must be respectful relationships education including sexual consent in all schools across the country. The Greens will make this happen.”

An Albanese Labor Government will ensure all Australian schoolchildren can develop the digital and media literacy skills they need to stay safe and thrive in the online world.

Labor is today announcing it will support the national rollout of the eSmart Digital Licence+ for primary and secondary school students, as well as the eSmart Media Literacy Lab for secondary school students, to be developed and delivered by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. 

The eSmart Digital Licence+ equips children with the digital literacy required to harness the opportunities and deal with the challenges of the internet. The eSmart Media Literacy Labempowers young people to think critically, create responsibly, and be active citizens online.

Improving digital media literacy are keyrecommendations of the ACCC’s Digital Platforms Inquiry report, but delivery of these programs is currently limited to schools who can afford it or have philanthropic support. 

It’s another example of the Morrison Government doing too little, too late. Australian children deserve a government that is on their side and prioritises their safety online. 

That’s why Labor’s plan will expand this to all schools, ensuring all Australian children have access to critical knowledge and skills in the digital economy.

The Shadow Minister for Education, Tanya Plibersek said “for years our kids have been getting a pen licence as they learn to write – this is the pen licence for the digital age.” 

“Labor wants to ensure these resources are available to all children, regardless of what school they go to. It’s crucial all our kids learn the skills they need to keep them safe online,” Ms Plibersek said.

The Shadow Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland said the internet was providing new opportunities but also posing challenges when it comes to online safety. 

“Whether it’s to confront cyberbullying or disinformation, we need to provide our children with the best tools available. Australian kids deserve no less.”

The Assistant Shadow Minister for Communications and Cyber Security, Tim Watts said “any parent can tell you that during the pandemic we’ve seen more kids spending more time on screens. Unfortunately, the experts tell us we’ve also seen more kids exposed to the ugly side of being online.” 

“We need to act now to ensure every Australian child has the skills and knowledge they need to stay safe online,” Mr Watts said.

Alannah & Madeline Foundation CEO, Sarah Davies AM, said “it is critical that legislative and industry changes are coupled with initiatives that build digital intelligence and media literacy skills in children and young people, as well as in schools, early childhood settings, families, and support services. We want every Australian school student to have access to our comprehensive suite of Australian curriculum-aligned, and evidence-informed eLearning programs so they are empowered with the skills to effectively and safely use technology today, and in the future.”

The eSmart Digital Licence and Media Literacy Lab are among the most comprehensive digital and media literacy resources available in Australia, developed with the DQ Institute in Singapore to internationally recognised global standards. 

Improving digital skills and enhancing eSafety is a whole of society effort and Labor is pleased to support the Alannah & Madeline Foundation in leveraging its good work in our community.

This commitment will cost $6 million over three years which is a small but powerful investment in digital skills to support our children’s safety online, their participation as digital citizens and the development of Australia’s future workforce.

Research shows that Lifeline’s Crisis Text service is reaching entirely new groups of Australians in distress and at high risk of suicide.

Since 2019, Lifeline has provided Australia’s only Crisis Text helpline, providing support to people in psychological distress. Thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the Australian Government, Lifeline Australia has now been able to fast-track the expansion of text and chat services to 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to meet demand and increase accessibility for hard-to-reach groups.

Lifeline CEO Colin Seery said that rather than diverting phone calls from the 13 11 14 service, the always-on digital platform has in fact increased the range and total number of people contacting the organisation.

“This is a landmark in suicide prevention in Australia and is all about bringing help to people who are in situations and environments where accessing support through digital communication is the only safe or viable option,” said Mr Seery.

“The service is unique in that it allows for genuine privacy during contact, so it is well suited to support cohorts at heightened vulnerability such as help seekers experiencing domestic and family violence or those living with a disability.”

In a 2019 evaluation of the original service by the Australian Health Services Research Institute, 42 percent of contacts said they would not have used another service if the text or chat were not available.

Of 1000 help seekers who were asked to provide demographic information, the median age of people using the service is 24 years old, while 80% of help seekers identified as female.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said Lifeline’s 24/7 text service is an important expansion of the vital service the charity provides in crisis support and suicide prevention.

“The significant surge in demand for Lifeline’s services during COVID means more people are reaching out for help, and services like Lifeline are there to help,” said Minister Hunt.

“The expansion of the text service is backed by data showing that it is the preferred channel for high risk members of the community including young people, those experiencing family and domestic violence, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said the Morrison Government’s long partnership with Lifeline was part of its resolute commitment to suicide prevention.

“Lifeline’s crisis service and the passion of its volunteers mean that no Australian has to experience their darkest moment alone – they literally save lives,” said Mr Coleman.

Lifeline Crisis Text is currently funded by the New South Wales State Government through a $6 million four-year grant agreement. The service has also been supported under the COVID-19 response funding ($2.5m) provided to Lifeline by the Australian Government.

NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Health and Women, Bronnie Taylor welcomed the fast-tracking of the 24/7 service.

“It is so important for people to be able to access support in a timely way when they are doing it tough, especially for those in difficult living environments.”

“Lifeline’s text service is uniquely placed to deliver that immediate help as well as referring help seekers to other services if they need it.”

To handle the unique challenges of the service, Lifeline is continuing to train a new legion of volunteers, while In Shift Support Supervisors offer psychological support in real time with up to eight Crisis Supporters on a shift.

Mr Seery thanked Woolworths, RACV, Domino’s registered charity Give for Good, nib Group and AGL for their backing of Lifeline 24/7 Crisis Text.

“On behalf of Lifeline Australia, I would like to thank our incredible partners for their generosity. Their contributions have enabled us to get to this landmark in digital national crisis support provision and are continuing to make a difference in the lives of real people.”

If you, or someone you know are feeling overwhelmed, we encourage you to connect with

Lifeline in the way you feel most comfortable.

You can phone Lifeline to speak to a Crisis Supporter on 13 11 14 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), text 0477 131 114 (24 hours/7days) or chat to Lifeline online at www.lifeline.org.au (24 hours/7 days).