Senator Andrew Bartlett
Queensland's only independent voice in the Senate

SUPPORTING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF TIBET 
Senator Bartlett at the National Day of Action Supporting Tibet protest rally in Brisbane March 31 2008. (photo courtesy Tony Robertson)  Follow this link to read Senator Bartlett's speech to the Senate on Tibet.

TURN LIGHTS OFF FOR AN HOUR, THEN GO VEGETARIAN FOR A DAY

"Earth Hour" is a worthwhile way to raise awareness about the urgent need to significantly cut greenhouse emissions, but the lasting impact comes from permanent changes to our lifestyles which will make a meaningful difference to reducing greenhouse emissions.

There is no easier, cheaper and more immediate thing we can do to significantly reduce our personal contribution to greenhouse emissions than to cut the amount of meat and dairy products that we consume.

It is something which has clearly verified health and environmental benefits that we can do straight away, rather than have to wait for new technology, better public transport services or renewable energy options to be provided, it saves money rather than costs it and it doesn’t cause any ongoing harm to our economy.   Follow this link to read the full press release. 

Follow this link to read more about Climate Change.  Follow this link to read more about Animal Welfare. 

NATIONAL COMMISSIONER FOR CHILDREN BILL 2008

On 18 March 2008 I introduced my National Commissioner for Children Bill 2008 to the Senate in an effort to build community support for the new Labor government to act on this much needed reform.

The National Commission for Children and Young People will:

• monitor and review laws, policies and practices which impact on service provision for children and young people;
• strive to increase public awareness on issues relating to child welfare, promote and support the role of families in the development and wellbeing of children and promote the participation of children in relevant decision making forums;
• develop best practice models and protocols for the provision of services for children and for addressing child abuse complaints;
• receive and investigate complaints on service provision to children and young people across all jurisdictions;
• develop a National Code for the protection of children and undertake research into issues relating to child welfare.
• seek to ensure the voices and needs of children and young people are heard and listened to as we make decisions about the Australia they will inherit, and the life they will have because of those decisions.

Follow this link to access the Bill.  Follow this link to read my speech to the Senate.  Follow this link to read about Childrens Issues.

INDIGENOUS ISSUES - PUTTING OUR FIRST PEOPLES FIRST 

 The extent of Indigenous inequality and disadvantage in Australia at a time of record prosperity is a national disgrace.  Only a significant and sustained investment by governments to improve the quality of life and the safety, education and health care available to Indigenous people will bring the life expectancy and levels of opportunity closer to those of the non-Indigenous population.  Follow this link to read more.

STOLEN GENERATIONS: Despite delivering a formal national apology today the federal government considers it inappropriate to provide monetary compensation for those forcibly and unjustifiably separated from their families.  I have tabled a Stolen Compensation Bill  in the Senate which aims to address  the issue of compensation. Money can never fully compensate for such a wrong, but a mechanism for some reparition also provides recogntion of the harm done to the individual person.  Click here to access the bill.  You can read my speech to the Senate  here.   Follow this link to read more.