Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk will today meet and attend events with former Australian of the Year and outspoken family and domestic violence campaigner, Rosie Batty.

Ms Batty will visit a State Government-funded women’s refuge this morning before addressing an event at Parliament House.

The event will hear Ms Batty share her thoughts on ‘what remains to be done to stop family and domestic violence in our country and in our communities’. Leaders from the community, business and public sectors, including Members of Parliament, will attend the event.

This evening, members of the public, who have registered, will have the opportunity to hear from Ms Batty, Ms McGurk and Elizabeth Proust AO – a distinguished leader in government, community organisations and business – at the ‘Reflections on leadership in public life’ event at Perth Arena.

“Rosie Batty has worked tirelessly for victims of family and domestic violence, especially through the Luke Batty Foundation which she founded,” said Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk.

“Ms Batty will soon step down as CEO of the Foundation but she is leaving an immeasurable legacy – her work as a champion for families who have endured violence, as well as an outstanding leader and advocate for women’s issues and gender equality.

“As WA’s first Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Rosie has personally inspired me. I am incredibly sad to say goodbye, but I have a feeling this won’t be the last time we see her.

“I’d like to thank Rio Tinto for bringing Rosie Batty to Western Australia, to the Members of Parliament and giving the community an opportunity to hear her experience.”

The McGowan Labor Government today welcomed an announcement from Princess Cruises that it would homeport the Sun Princess superliner in Fremantle for a record 141 days in 2019-20.

The announcement follows the Government’s commitments to improvements and upgrades at Fremantle, Broome and Geraldton ports.

The Sun Princess, which carries 2,000 guests, will also visit regional port destinations including Albany, Busselton, Geraldton and Broome.

The move represents the biggest investment any cruise brand has made in cruising in Western Australia and a significant boost for local jobs.

This historic investment will inject $32 million into the State’s economy and will generate a 100 per cent increase in cruise ship guests sailing from WA compared with the 2018-19 season.

The Sun Princess’ homeported season will include 28 cruise ship visits, including 18 to regional port destinations in Western Australia.

Each cruise ship visit will be bringing thousands of visitors to each port, as passengers disembark and explore the on-shore attractions.

“The State Government is thrilled with Princess Cruises’ decision to homeport the Sun Princess in Fremantle next year and what it means for local jobs,” said Premier Mark McGowan.

“When Carnival stopped homeporting in Western Australia because of some regional port issues, we acted swiftly to rectify the problems and committed to improvements at Geraldton, Broome and Fremantle ports.

“Princess Cruises has responded with the biggest investment a cruise brand has ever made in this State, which is a huge win for our State, will create a great boost for the WA economy and help create jobs.”

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said, “Sun Princess will make 18 visits to regional ports over the 2019-2020 season, with each visit estimated to inject up to $500,000 into the economy as the visitors explore the local area.”

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti stated the McGowan Government is forming a positive working relationship with the growing cruise industry to ensure WA is well placed to reap the benefits of cruise tourism, and that these infrastructure commitments go a long way towards attracting and retaining cruise ships to WA ports.

State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk commented that this local commitment will inevitably create local jobs by securing Fremantle’s status as a tourism destination, and that she was excited to welcome Princess Cruises to Fremantle Port next year.

The State Government, Minderoo Foundation and Telethon Kids Institute have today announced a $49.3 million investment into a long-term early childhood initiative.

The unprecedented 10-year partnership will see community leaders, all levels of government, researchers, business and philanthropic organisations come together to look at ways to better design and deliver services for children aged 0-4 years.

Four communities across metropolitan, regional and remote Western Australia will be invited to take part in the initiative. These locations are yet to be confirmed.

Research shows that early childhood is the most critical lifespan phase if we want people to thrive. It also shows that a healthy and positive start to life can strengthen a child and help them to reach their full potential.

Despite significant investment in the early years, the developmental gap between children living in high and low socioeconomic areas has widened since 2009.

The new initiative will see organisations involved in childhood development working closely together, sharing data and tailoring responses for different communities.

The initiative will ensure that children in participating communities are starting school on an even playing field with their peers across the State. It will do so by supporting communities to implement a range of evidence-based changes to make better use of existing services and supports for families with young children.

The costs and resources of the initiative will be shared between the State Government and partners Minderoo Foundation and Telethon Kids Institute, with the State Government investing $24.6 million over 10 years, using existing funding.

“Despite our best efforts, one in five children in WA are developmentally vulnerable.  This is shocking and demands a different approach in our community,” said Premier Mark McGowan.

“We are committed to delivering better outcomes for young people, and this initiative will be one of the longest and most ambitious early years’ approaches in Australia.

“This initiative is about listening to WA families who are best placed to understand the needs of the children and communities, and how services in their local area can be improved. I believe this will result in genuine change.”

Community Services Minister Simone McGurk said,  “The physical, emotional and cognitive development of a child’s first years is pivotal. If we want to make a difference, concentrating our efforts on those first years is by far our best chance.

“The partnership is designed to provide a different, place-based approach to supporting families and empowering communities to drive the services that they need.

“We know that early childhood development is complex and this cannot be solved by Government alone – it requires a united effort. The Early Years Initiative will do exactly that.”

The congestion-busting upgrade of High Street in Fremantle has reached a significant milestone today, with the release of the draft concept plan.

High Street, between Stirling Highway and Carrington Street, will be widened to include a new roundabout and a median, improving safety, freight efficiency and the general flow of traffic.

The High Street Upgrade draft concept includes a roundabout at the Stirling Highway intersection, a wide median to separate traffic and preserve a number of mature trees, and a single-lane service road for residents north of High Street.

The current layout of High Street, between Carrington Street and the Stirling Highway intersection, provides direct access to several local roads and driveways, which results in stop-start conditions and heightened safety risks, including accidents.

It also impacts freight efficiency by creating unpredictable journey times to and from Fremantle Port.

The High Street Upgrade project forms part of a package of congestion-busting road projects that came from the successful renegotiation of the Federal Government’s Perth Freight Link funding in May 2017.

Further community consultation and preliminary work will take place prior to a scheduled construction commencement by mid-2019.

“The upgrade to High Street will help to ease congestion in Fremantle and surrounding suburbs, improve safety and create jobs for Western Australians,” said Premier Mark McGowan.

“We expect the project to create about 700 jobs – part of around 4,500 jobs expected to be created through the State Government’s major investment in infrastructure in Perth’s suburbs.

“The State Government is getting on with the job of delivering important upgrades across Perth’s suburbs to complement our METRONET vision.”

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, “the High Street Upgrade project is designed to resolve what has been an historic, long-term safety issue and provide a solution to the truck rollovers and peak hour congestion in the area.

“Consultation is continuing with the City of Fremantle and we will be speaking with key stakeholders, local community groups and residents together with the freight industry to develop and refine a final concept and scope of works.

“Other initiatives include the recent increase to the freight on rail subsidy and the creation of the Westport Taskforce. It will guide the planning, development and growth of the Port of Fremantle, and the associated road and rail links to support the new port facilities.”

Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk said the High Street Upgrade was a well-awaited project that will properly tackle congestion and improve safety for The Fremantle community.

“It is an important part of the State Government’s alternative to the flawed Perth Freight Link, and I’m pleased to see plans progressing well.”

East Hamilton Hill Primary School will be among the first 100 schools to receive funding to convert classrooms into science labs and purchase equipment, as part of the McGowan Labor Government’s $17 million commitment to science in schools.

Primary schools across Western Australia – from the Kimberley to the Great Southern – put up their hands for this funding program. Schools were selected based on their plans to grow and improve science education at their schools to skill students for the jobs of the future.

Half of the allocated schools are from low socio-economic areas where students are often disadvantaged by not having access to science facilities.

“It is vital for today’s students to understand the concepts taught in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for their future job prospects,” said Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery.

“We want to ignite an interest in science in WA children from a young age so they continue with that study in secondary school and are job-ready when they start to enter the workforce in the late 2020s or early 2030s.

“Even those students who don’t become science practitioners will benefit from the generic skills science subjects teach them – teamwork, problem solving, creativity, independent thinking, critical analysis, initiative and communication.

State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk said this news was a great start to the school year for those in the Fremantle community.

“Delivering this $17 million election commitment means students across the State will be able to learn in state of the art laboratories, encouraging a focus on STEM that can only bring good things for the future.

“I’m pleased that East Hamilton Hill Primary School was selected as one of the first 100 schools to receive this funding, and I look forward to seeing the labs once they are completed.”

The Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) is not normally found in WA, but has recently been detected in the Fremantle area.

Qfly is a destructive fruit pest which attacks a wide range of fruits and some fruiting vegetables.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development have warned that anyone living in Fremantle, East Fremantle, North Fremantle and White Gum Valley may be in a Quarantine Area. Subsequently, anyone who grows their own fruit and vegetables in this area must keep their produce to themselves until further notice.

A Quarantine Area Notice (QAN) was published in the West Australian on Saturday 3 February 2018 and in the Fremantle/Cockburn Gazette on Tuesday 6 February 2018. It will also appear in the Fremantle/Cockburn Herald on Saturday 10 February 2018. It applies to all of Fremantle, and parts of East Fremantle, North Fremantle and White Gum Valley.

The Quarantine Area Notice (QAN) instructs the following:

• Non-commercial and home-grown fruit must not be taken out of the Quarantine Area unless it has been cooked or processed, or approved by the DPIRD Director General;
• Ensure any ripening fruit or vegetables on host plants, or any fruit that has fallen to the ground is removed and disposed of every three days;
• The fruit can be disposed of by eating, cooking (boil or microwave), freezing or securing in a sealed heavy duty black plastic bag which is placed in direct sunlight for a period of three days. This should kill any flies or larvae before disposing of in regular bins;
• Do not place untreated fruit or vegetables into compost; and
• Do not give your fruit and vegetables away.

Under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Regulations 2013, failure to comply with movement restrictions can result in fines. We are appealing to residents to do the right thing in supporting WA’s horticultural industries.

The QAN will remain in place until 18 April 2018. It may be extended if any further flies are detected. Residents in the Quarantine Area will be notified when the response program concludes.

Click here for a map of the Quarantine Area and here for more information.

(Photograph of the Qfly supplied by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development)

Minister for Heritage, Culture and the Arts, David Templeman opened a new exhibition at Fremantle Prison this morning, documenting the story of convict transportation to Australia.

Transportation tells the stories of individual convicts sent to Australia and the impact forced migration had upon their lives as well as the major impact convictism played in shaping Australian society.

Key objects on display include an original flogging post, convict clothing, a recently donated Ticket of Leave and Hampton Cheese road paving.

A highlight of the exhibition is The Wild Goose, a newsletter hand-written by some of the 62 Irish Fenian convicts while on board the Hougoumont. This rare artefact is on loan from the State Library of New South Wales and features the writings of John Boyle O’Reilly, John Flood and John Casey.

Transportation was developed by Fremantle Prison, and will be open to the public, free of charge, for one year. The event is expected to attract visitors to the City of Fremantle, boosting the local economy.

“This outstanding exhibition strengthens Fremantle Prison’s status as WA’s premier heritage site,” said State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk.

“I’m sure the exhibition will bring plenty of people to the prison for the first time or a return visit.”

Heritage, Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said,  “This exhibition provides an amazing insight into life on a convict ship and features important objects that are of international significance.

“The Fenians on board the Hougoumont collaborated on a weekly newsletter, The Wild Goose, that included poems, stories and observations of their voyage. Only one copy of each issue was made, which was then read to the convicts aloud.

“The originals of these newsletters were bound into a book which has been loaned to Fremantle Prison for the duration of the exhibition. Transportation provides a rare opportunity to view this valuable artefact.

“The Hougoumont carried the last shipment of convicts to Australia in 1868, and to commemorate the 150th anniversary, the Heritage Council is inviting nominations for a special assessment program that will focus on identifying places associated with convicts for inclusion in the State Register of Heritage Places.”

Five heritage building in Fremantle are among 23 Western Australian heritage projects to receive funding under the State Government’s 2017-18 Heritage Grants Program.

The grants program, overseen by the Heritage Council of Western Australia, offers dollar-for-dollar funding for grants of up to $100,000, including conservation plans to help guide works.

The Heritage Council’s grants program is one of the few grant programs in Australia that assists private owners with the costs associated with maintaining heritage places.

Since the Heritage Grants Program’s inception in 1997, 768 heritage projects have received grants totalling more than $19.5 million.

“I am thrilled that so many Fremantle properties have secured heritage grants for much needed conservation work,” said State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk.

“Freo’s heritage buildings add enormous value to our community and local economy. We have an obligation to maintain them.”

Heritage Minister David Templeman said, “In total, this year’s Heritage Grants Program will provide funding of $1.22 million which, when combined with owner contributions, will generate more than $3 million in conservation works around the State.”

“This partnership between Government and private owners helps ensure the long-term viability of our State’s cultural heritage, and promotes local jobs and heritage tourism.”

“This funding will allow private owners to conserve and revitalise ten regional and 13 metropolitan State Registered heritage properties and protect some of our State’s most valuable heritage assets.”

State Member for Fremantle, Simone McGurk, has encouraged Fremantle residents to leave the car at home and take advantage of new public transport options to reach Perth Stadium.

Transperth has announced two new, high-frequency bus routes to carry Fremantle area residents to the stadium on event days.

The new 658 route will run from Memorial Hall in Hamilton Hill, through Hilton, O’Connor, Willagee, Myaree, Booragoon and Applecross, and then along Canning Highway to the stadium.

The new 659 route will run the length of Canning Highway from Fremantle Station to the stadium.

The new services will run every five to ten minutes for two hours before the start of events at the stadium. Stops along these routes will be specially branded as ‘Stadium Event Bus Stops’ for easy identification.

The train will continue to present a very convenient option for patrons, with high-frequency services on event days running directly to Perth Stadium from Fremantle Station.

The new 658 and 659 routes will commence on 28 January for the One Day International Cricket.

Transperth has developed its integrated public transport plan to carry 80% of patrons to and from Perth Stadium.

Transperth fares are included in all tickets to events at Perth Stadium.

“A lot of people will be used to driving to Subiaco Oval, but we really need a massive cultural shift in terms of how we get to and from major events,” said State Member for Fremantle Simone McGurk.

“These new services will make it even easier to go cheer on the dockers or see a concert without the stress and hassle of traffic and parking.”

Hamilton Hill local, Nicole Montgomery, said the new routes would make game-days a lot easier on her family.

“I thought it was going to be really complicated to get to the stadium but I will be able to load my kids onto the new bus and we’ll get straight there. I think it’s great.”