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Returning from East Timor Leste, in early August I rushed straight out to Mount Scopus to a function organised by Rabbi James Kennard, the school principal of my old alma mater. 10 years after focussing public and political attention on the security of Jewish schools via a TV program ("Sunday") I was there to see our Jewish schools get the resources from the Federal Government that would enable them to enhance their security. My friend Brendan O'Connor, the Minister for Home Affairs made the announcement at the Burwood campus of Scopus. He did this in the presence of all the Jewish schools leadership on the very day following the massive counter terrorism operation in Melbourne that foiled and disrupted the activates of some of our "home grown" potential terrorists.
Thank you, Rabbi Kennard.
First, may I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we meet on - and pay my respects to their elders, both past and present.
I'd also like to acknowledge my parliamentary colleagues: Anna Burke, the Member for Chisholm and Michael Danby the Member for Melbourne Ports
Distinguished guests
Staff and students
As Rabbi Kennard said, it is an important announcement.
We as a Government are aware that not all schools are equally safe and therefore it is incumbent upon us to do what we can for those schools and for the citizens of this country.
It is a great pleasure to join you today.
And I would particularly like to thank Rabbi Kennard and Mount Scopus College for their hospitality in hosting this event.
Secure Schools Program
It is essential for all schools to be welcomed and embraced as part of a socially inclusive nation.
This allows students to enjoy the pleasures and benefits of learning - and to feel secure in doing so.
That's why the Australian Government has invested $20 million in the Secure Schools Program, which aims to ensure that at-risk schools can keep their students safe.
I'd like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the work of my predecessor, the Hon Bob Debus, for getting the Secure Schools Program up and running.
Bob was a strong supporter of this program.
It would be nice to think that we don't need to have elaborate security measures in Australian schools.
The unfortunate reality however, is that we do.
There are schools that have been targeted on the basis of ethnicity or religious background.
These are threats based on ignorance and prejudice - and they have no part in the Australian way of life.
The Secure Schools Program provides opportunities for those most at risk to develop solutions to meet their particular needs.
And some of the most efficient preventative measures are fencing and Closed Circuit TV.
To date we have 20 schools around Australia approved for funding.
This covers government and non-government schools, including Jewish and Islamic schools.
And they're sharing $5 million to help make them more secure.
Funding Announcement
Today, I'm pleased to announce funding for a further five schools here in Victoria - that will share more than $2 million.
Five of these schools are in Victoria:
I'm sure these measures will help each school be a much safer place.
And I look forward to announcing further funding for schools in other states and territories in the near future.
I've also made it clear that I'm happy to meet representatives of schools to ensure that when we make decisions we do so with proper consultation.
It's great to see work such as this being done to keep Australian students and schools safe and secure.
But the Australian Government realises that more needs to be done to ensure this is the case over the longer term. This is part of our broader plan to keep all Australians safe, and to maintain social cohesion.
So later this year I'll be writing to my state and territory counterparts to seek their advice for future funding under the Secure Schools Program.
And I look forward to keeping you informed of progress in this regard.
Meanwhile, I'd like to congratulate all the recipients of the current funding - may your schools be kept safe - and may your students prosper.
Thank you.
Office of Brendan O'Connor
Minister for Home Affairs
M1-19 Parliament House
Canberra
0400 917 570
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There was a favourable election report on the Melbourne Ports Victory in the Melbourne Weekly. Click here
Look who is suppporting Michael Danby on August 21. Click here
The Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor today announced that, if re-elected, a Gillard Government will extend the highly successful Secure Schools Program, which has already improved security at 54 schools across Australia. Click here Michael Danby calls for Liberal candidate for Melbourne Ports to disassociate himself from fake Danby website. Click here Emerald Hill Weekly interviews Michael Danby on rise La Gillarde. Click Here
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Before Australia's Parliament leglislates autonomous sactions against Iran, Australia welcomed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929 imposing new sanctions against Iran, adopted overnight in New York. Click here
Danby examines how the Federal Labor Government is addressing Public Housing in Melbourne Ports. Click here
Broadcaster and eminent theatrical producer John Michael Howson writes to Michael Danby on Passports Affair. Click here
Michael Danby, has welcomed the Treasurer's 2010 Federal Budget which is economically responsible and provides relief for the people of Melbourne Ports experiencing cost of living pressures, while also affording additional incentives for saving. Click here
New Salvation Army Crisis Accommodation Centre opened by Michael Danby and Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek. Click here
Malaysian Militant attacks Danby in Malaysian Parliament, Click here
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Michael expressed his doubts about the fairness of Chinese legal system and its dealing with the Australian citizen Stern Hu. Follow the link to see Michael Danby on Bloomberg TV's 'The Trade', speaking on Stern Hu Click here
Michael Danby criticised Tony Abbott's undignified jibes in front of Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Click here
Michael Danby welcomed the resumption of Middle East Peace Talks and pointed to generous offers made to the Palestinians by previous Israeli leader Ehud Olmert-see map, click here
More than 400 people attended a function at the St Kilda Town Hall on February 15 to pay tribute to Danby's work in the electorate for more than 11 years. Click here
Over 60 Australian Mp's and Senators signed a letter to the Malaysian Government asking to drop the charges against Anwar Ibrahim. Click here
Michael Danby says the ABC wont kow-tow to the Chinese communist party, click here.
Click here to read Laurie Oakes's overview of proposals that would cost the taxpayer $500 million dollars to finance political parties, published in The Herald Sun on the 19th of December, 2009.
Click here to read the speech delivered by Governor-General Bryce on Sir Zelman Cowen's 90th Birthday.
Julie Bishop makes a desperate and out of context attack on Michael Danby. Click here
Michael Danby has called the Liberal Party's recent outburst on Border Security nonsense. Follow the link to see Minister for Immigration & Citizenship, Chris Evans, discuss the recent influx of asylum seekers on Lateline (October 14), click here, or more recently the Minister's interview on the 7.30 Report on the 21st of October. Click here
Michael Danby delivered a detailed speech on New Matilda and Crikey.com declaring them the ‘dark and ugly recesses of the internet' . Mr Danby called on Crikey owner Eric Beecher to explain his publications failure to moderate racist comments. Click here.
Beijing's treatment of minority groups. Says a cover story of the Aust. Jewish News. Click here
An All party delegation to India consisting of 6 mps had their outrage towards the recent attacks on Indian students reported in the Economic Times (of India). Click here
Michael Danby promoted the Harmony Day Walk in the Hindustan Times on the 4th of July Click here and on the same day the Sunday Tribune (of Bangalore) newspaper reported on the delegations outcry at the attacks on Indian Students Click here
25 May 2009: Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration Michael Danby, today tabled the 2nd of the Committee's reports into immigration detention. For Michael's tabling speech please click here. Please click here for the media release.
Local area receives Budget millions. Please click here for information on the benefits Melbourne Ports is receiving in the 2009-10 Budget.For a macro explanation of the budget, please see this interview with Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner and this interview with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Local small businesses were winners in this year's budget. There will be an increase and extension of the Small Business and General Business Tax Break. For more information please see these links to Media Releases from the Minister for Small Business Craig Emerson.
Media Release 1 Media Release 2
The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd blasted Iran's role in undermining the anti racism essence of last week's UN conference, which had the stated objective of opposing bigotry. Click here
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Chinese Ambassador ticks off Member for Melbourne Ports. Danby welcomes his felicitous response: SMH article, Canberra Times articleForeign Minister defends Danby's appearance at rally click here
Michael Danby today announced that 28 local schools in Melbourne Ports will receive $4 million for minor infrastructure and refurbishment projects under Round One of the National School Pride (NSP) program. Click here
Pauline Hanson drops her bundle appearing on Today Tonight (channel 7) and walks out on an interview over questions about the $200 000 bonus she received, for receiving 4% of the Queensland Senate vote ($2.10 per voter) at the 2007 election click here. To read how Michael Danby exposed her earlier funding rort Click here
The Joint Committee on Migration established a new paradigm for the humane but rational treatment of asylum seekers. Click here.
Clive James, one of Australia's most celebrated expatriates penned the following poem in the Australian Literary Review. September 7 2007
