Braitling NewsADAM GILES MLA Member for Braitling

FIND ME ON FACEBOOKfacebook.com/adam.giles.9693

August 2013

New Office of Children and Families opens

in AliceMinister Alison Anderson recently announced changes to the Office of Children and Families with regional services staff being moved to a new location making way for Mwerre House to operate exclusively as a service centre.

The service centre is an important point of contact for enquiries about existing cases, carers who are involved with OCF or general public seeking information.

The Mwerre House office is ideally located to service the constituency with their enquiries.

The realignment of services will allow two separate functions of the agency to operate with more efficiency and focus on their key outcomes.

Business Services, Foster Care and non-Government Operations will now operate in the new premises at Minerals House.

New office phone

numberThe Braitling electorate office

number has changed.

Our new number is

8951 5463

Alice Springs police are going high-tech to keep our roads and communities safe while at the same time freeing-up valuable resources to fight crime.

I was privileged to be able to join police as they showed off the new mobile technology that will allow officers to speed-up time-consuming car and personal identification checks that are currently done manually.

The use of iPads by officers is an efficient and practical way to enhance the Territory’s police force and keep our community safe.

This is all part of the Northern Territory government’s push to provide a better service to the public and modernise the way the Territory does business.

Selected police vehicles will be fitted

Alice Police go High-Tech

with the new iPad devices in urban areas of Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.

The new mobile policing technology will allow officers to check personal particulars and vehicle registration at the touch of a button.

This means our police can stay out on the street patrols keeping the community safe, rather than having to head back to the office to gather information.

Other frontline officers, including mounted police, will also be issued with an iPad which links into police databases allowing officers to access other police information in the field.

Eight mobile devices are already being trialled with the full roll-out of 70 devices expected to be complete in coming months.

The use of iPads by officers is an efficient and practical way to enhance the Territory’s police force and keep our community safe.

Braitling News

Sport VoucherThe Northern Territory Government introduced the $75 Sport Voucher Scheme to assist families with the cost of their child’s sporting activities. Every enrolled, school-aged child across the Northern Territory is eligible for the voucher to help cover the costs of playing an organised sport.

Parents or guardians of students enrolled in an urban school should have received their child’s Sport Voucher. Sport Vouchers can be used for registration, equipment and uniform costs at any registered sporting club.

If you have not received your child’s Sport Voucher, lost it or are new to the Territory, visit www.sportvoucher.nt.gov.au to request a new one.

The $75 Sport Voucher Scheme is enabling sport for all young Territorians. For more information, call 1800 045 678 or email participation.dsr@nt.gov.au

DEPARTMENT OF SPORT AND RECREATION

Every enrolled, school-aged child across the Territory is entitled to receive a Sport Voucher up to the value of $75 to help cover the costs of playing organised sport.

Use your voucher at a registered sport organisation today!

If you are yet to receive your $75 Sport Voucher please visit

and request one.

www.sportvoucher.nt.gov.au

Have you received your Sport Voucher?

The chances of the Territory container recycling scheme being back in operation with compulsory involvement from the beverage industry have improved.

I am optimistic of this outcome and want to thank all jurisdictions and the Commonwealth Government for their support. They have taken the necessary steps to move the Territory forward in its bid to gain permanent exemption under Commonwealth law.

An exemption will force any beverage supplier wanting to sell drinks in the Territory to comply

with the law that covers the Container Deposit Scheme.

If the exemption succeeds it will be a great relief. The Territory Government has been funding the 10 cent refunds

for containers and handling charges at the depots since the major beverage companies pulled out in March. We cannot continue to fund a scheme costing up to a million dollars a month given the black hole of billions of dollars of debt left by the former Labor government.

We expect a decision early next month.

Container Deposit Update

MVR Changes GearsLong gone are the days of registration stickers, frequent eye tests and vehicle rego checks at 3, 7 and 9 years.

The Government is streamlining MVR services to reduce wait times and improve efficiency while still keeping you safe on the road.

From 1 July light vehicles in the NT will no longer need a registration sticker.

From August 2013 you will be able to do most transactions over the counter at Australia Post retail outlets.

Alice Springs Youth CentreAs part of our election commitment that was announced in the Mini Budget late last year I am pleased to advise the funding agreement was signed by all parties on 24 June 2013.

The government will work closely with ASYC to ensure the design meets the functional and practical requirements of the Youth Centre. Works include the construction of a new gymnastics/sports hall and administration centre; new entry forecourt; car park and landscaping.

Local builder Scope Building was awarded the contract with anticipated completion being December 2013.

The Youth and Community Centre will provide a modern practical facility serving the local community into the future and promote an active lifestyle for Territorians in the Alice Springs region.

Japan visits the centreI was pleased to show the Japanese Consul-General Dr Masahiro Kohara the Centre’s iconic Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park.

Japan is our fourth largest international tourist market with an estimated 28,000 Japanese visitors coming to the Territory in 2012. This visit will add to the work we are doing building the Territory’s tourism business in Japan.

FIND ME ON FACEBOOKfacebook.com/adam.giles.9693

Minister for Parks and Wildlife Matt Conlan recently announced the Alice Springs Desert Park will be holding Family Fun Days in the months of July, August and September.

The Family Fun Days are a chance for locals and visitors to enjoy our natural backyard and learn more about our native wildlife.

Family Fun with Aurora the Eagle at the Desert Park

The Alice Springs Desert park is a fantastic place to take the whole family.

Mark your calendar for the next Family Fun Day which is planned for Saturday 31 August 2013.

The Park’s newest resident, ‘Aurora’, our one metre tall Wedge-Tailed Eagle pictured with Minister Matt Conlan after his name was announced following the competition.

$20 per groupplus entry to the Desert Park.

Bookings are essential. Book at entry station on arrival.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 11:30am

One group is classed as 1 adult and up to 2 adults with 4 children.

Conditions apply.

Maximum of 10 groups.

www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au

EaglE

EncountEr

BooK

HErE!

This could be you!

Get up close with Australia’s largest bird of prey, the Wedge-tailed Eagle.

Discover the interesting lives these magnificent birds live.

Remember to bring your camera to capture the memory.

Show StopperThe Alice Springs Show once again proved to be a great hit with the community.

I must confess I had the best time – but probably had way too much wonderful food and drink.

My congratulations go to the organisers for their hard work, and to all the participants.

Handing over $20,000 to the Alice Springs Scout Group at the show.

Safety officers a huge successTerritorians have Australia’s first public housing safety officers and their efforts are impressive.

Housing Minister Peter Chandler was on hand recently at a seniors’ village where a tenant presented a ‘one-year old’ birthday cake to the safety officers team.

The safety officers have taken a huge amount of work out of the hands of police – freeing them up for other jobs.

In one year they have: responded to 5697 complaints; attended 8525 incidents and removed 10,400 unwanted persons; banned 241 people from public housing for up to 12 months; and tipped out more than 600 litres of alcohol and seized 14 dangerous items.

There are six Public Housing Safety Officers in Alice Springs. The Officers work proactively with tenants, neighbours and visitors to resolve and reduce antisocial behaviour.

ADAM GILES MLAMember for Braitling Ground Floor Anangu House PO Box 1770 Alice Springs NT 0871

Tel: 08 8951 5463 Fax: 08 8952 5373 Email: electorate.braitling@nt.gov.au

Braitling News

FIND ME ON FACEBOOKfacebook.com/adam.giles.9693

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. It features approximately 1000 events around Australia and is in its 15th year.

Most events are free and are open to the public, offering an opportunity for the Australian community to get involved in science.

I encourage everyone, young and old to get involved in an event this year.

9 August EcoFair Schools Day – open to all Centralian Schools9.00am to 2.30pm Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs

9 August desertSMART Dinner with Special guests Rod Quantock and Tanya Ha7pm – 11pm Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs

Australian Honours

The nation’s way of saying thankyou

Some quiet achievers avoid the limelight. They elude public attention, instead preferring to do their good deeds without seeking notoriety or reward.

Australian honours recognise people who have contributed above and beyond to the nation.

It could be for outstanding service to business or the community, or for risking their lives to save others, anyone can be nominated - it’s up to you.

If you know someone who you think should be honoured, consider nominating them today.

Go to www.itsanhour.gov.au or drop into my office to collect a nomination form.

 

 

Date Event Time Place Tuesday 6th August MATHEMANIA – Simon Pampena’s Stand

Up Comedy Show (+16 years) 7:30pm The Studio, Darwin Entertainment Centre,

93 Mitchell St, Darwin Friday 9th August EcoFair Schools Day – Open to all

Centralian Schools 9:00am – 2:30pm Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs

Friday 9th August desertSMART Dinner with special guests Rod Quantock and Tanya Ha

7pm-11pm Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs

Friday 9th – Sunday 11th

August Alice Springs desertSMART Sustainable

Living Festival All day Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs

Saturday 10th August Rod Quantock presents “Pardon My Carbon”. A refreshing insight into climate

change followed by a panel of local speakers.

6pm-8pm Railway Club, Somerville Gardens, Parap, Darwin

Saturday 10th August – Tuesday 13th August

Star Safari - 20 minute laser guided tour of the night sky, plus telescopic Moon viewing. Bring telescope if you have one or your iPad

with night sky apps.

6:30pm for a 6:45pm start

Godinymayin Open Air Cinema, Stuart Highway and Maluka Rd, Katherine

Saturday 10th- Sunday 18th

August Find the Wonders of the Waterfront – Free

interactive science exhibits All day/ All night Darwin Waterfront

Tuesday 13th August “Protecting northern Australia’s biodiversity: What science is telling us”:

Speakers from NERP and AFANT

7pm Railway Club, Somerville Gardens, Parap, Darwin

Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th August

Science Week Fun Facts – Free interactive roving clown.

12pm-2pm Smith Street Mall, Darwin

National Science Week 2013 9 – 11 August Alice Springs desertSMART Sustainable Living FestivalAll Day Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs

9 – 12 August “Living with Wildlife” Photography Competition and Exhibition (competition open 1 July – 2 August)Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs

18 August Desert Knowledge Precinct Public Open Day11am – 3pm South Stuart Highway, Alice Springs

For further information visit www.scienceweek.net.au

or drop in to the office

The nation’s way of saying thank you

Know any quiet achievers?

Some quiet achievers avoid the limelight. They elude public attention, preferring instead to do their good deeds without seeking notoriety or reward. Australian Honours recognise people who have contributed above and beyond to the nation. It could be for outstanding service to business or the community, or for risking their lives to save others. Anyone can be nominated, it’s up to you. For more information visit www.itsanhonour.gov.au

C V . A C . A O . S C . A M . B M . O A M