News Stories

News stories from Penny.

This year will mark some dark moments in our recent history.  Seventy years ago, today, on 19 February 1942, saw the WW2 bombing of Darwin in two separate raids, resulting in more than 240 people being killed, and hundreds more injured.

All around Australia people will be passing this anniversary in various ways. For my part, I will be remembering those who died or were injured defending our country – and the many, many civilians who were – and are always - inevitably caught up in the conflict.

Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 11:10

Reading my newspapers on Wednesday, I was horrified to see a report about a young Aboriginal girl from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands who had hanged herself.  She was only nine years old.

I was first shocked – then deeply, deeply saddened. As a parent, I can only imagine what this loss has meant to her family and community and, like many Australians, I am struggling to comprehend that a child so young would do such a thing - in our nation.

Posted on Friday, February 3, 2012 - 13:48

Coming on the back of the government’s announcement of a revision to the Better Access cuts, I commend Mental Health Minister Mark Butler for his willingness to discuss with us our concerns that seriously ill people would be left without the help they needed and for heeding the clear message coming from consumers, carers and health professionals.

He has listened, and responded in a way that will now allow for alternative programs to be further developed and implemented over the next year, mitigating the worst aspects of the changes to Better Access which took effect on 1 November.

Posted on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 - 13:56

This week marks a disturbing 10 year anniversary. It was on 11 January 2002 that the United States’ infamous Guantanamo Bay detention camp opened and David Hicks was one of the first inmates incarcerated there.

On this anniversary we should pause to reflect on the role played by the Australian government when two of our fellow Australian citizens – David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib - were being held by an ostensibly friendly ally, in conditions that were deplorable. 

Posted on Monday, January 9, 2012 - 17:14

Yesterday the Federal Court granted traditional owners native title rights over about 35,000 square kilometres of pastoral lands and national parks in the Gawler Ranges on upper Eyre Peninsula.

This eighth South Australian native title determination is one of the most comprehensive in the state to date.

The fact that the traditional Aboriginal owners now have the right to hunt, fish and camp and have a say in the management of this spectacularly beautiful part of South Australia is a great outcome – their connection to this land goes back many thousands of years.

Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 - 12:57

Arthur Boyd's beautiful tapestry, displayed in the Great Hall of Parliament House.

Well… we made it! On Friday, we marked the end of this year’s Senate sitting calendar and Parliament has now risen for the summer.

Posted on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - 10:52

I have given notice of a motion to disallow the government’s regulations which have cut the maximum number of sessions available under Better Access from 18 to 10.  I have taken this step in a bid to encourage the government to delay the implementation of the Better Access changes until the other services such as ATAPS and the youth mental health services are sufficiently geared up to take up the increased demand. 

Posted on Thursday, November 24, 2011 - 07:39

Above: Penny with artist, Kathie Curtis and her wonderful painting "Flowers" (acrylic on canvas).

As we are marking this year’s Social Inclusion Week, it is a good time to think seriously about those members of our community who are living in the margins and not fully on the page.

While many of us are blessed, and can be thankful for that, there are many who are not.  During this special week in the calendar we are reminded of those people who are not as fortunate, who are disengaged, disadvantaged and unable, temporarily or more long term, to find a way back in.

Posted on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - 12:28

Until recently suicide has long been the topic no media will touch. Yet more than 2000 Australians commit suicide each year and for every person who dies from suicide, another 30 attempt it.

For the most part, it’s a topic the media has been reluctant to cover for fear that highlighting the issue could prompt copycat acts or glamourise suicide in some way.

Posted on Friday, September 9, 2011 - 20:35

Senator Penny Wright has started her term in a blaze of fire, taking on smoke and flames to experience firsthand what it's like to be a firefighter for a day.

Penny took part in the exercise as part of the current Senate inquiry into Greens MP Adam Bandt's Bill to help firefighters who experience occupational cancers.

To find out more, read Penny's blog post A Fair-Go for Our Firefighters, and to view photos click here.

Posted on Monday, September 5, 2011 - 10:26

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Authorised and printed by Senator Penny Wright, Parliament House Canberra