Union Aid Abroad is committed to justice and solidarity and to self-reliance, not charity. They work with local communities, training local people and organisations in vocational skills to help them support themselves. They were established to contribute directly to countries and regions of the world where workers are disadvantaged through poverty, a lack of workplace, denial of labour and human rights, civil conflict and war and have expanded to work in communities affected by natural disasters like the tsunami and cyclones.

This past year, following the devastation wrought by Cyclone Nargis, Union Aid Abroad provided funds through local groups to supply aid to the people of Burma. Given the incompetent response of the Military junta, it was left to local grassroots associations in Burma to get aid to people in need. With their partner, the Shan Health Committee, they also provide health care to over 5,000 Shah refugees from Burma at the Shan Health Clinic on the Thai-Burma border. They also worked with communities in Manilla who survive by scavenging on rubbish dumps collecting materials to recycle. Union Aid Abroad has begun a project with the Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development trying to improve safety conditions, especially for children, at the dumps. You can check out more of their projects here.

To enable them to do this amazing work, Union Aid Abroad is supported by union members, unions and individuals. Donations over $2 are tax deductible and you can support specific projects or areas through monthly donations.

The Convention aims to promote a global community in which all people with a disability are equal and active citizens. It is guided by principles of non-discrimination and full and effective participation and inclusion in society. So far, it has been ratified by 29 other countries.

Ratifying the Convention shows the Federal Government's international commitment to ensuring people with disability are treated equally. Australia will also be able to participate in the inaugural election of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities who will oversee the implementation of the Convention.

Congratulations to the Federal Government as well as the other Government and Non-Government stakeholders who worked together to see this important initiative achieved.

The Evidence Amendment Bill 2008, Same-Sex Relationship (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws-Superannuation) Bill 2008 and Family law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Bill 2008 were introduced by the Rudd Government as part of the first round of reforms based on the recommendations of HREOC's Same Sex: Same Entitlements report. 

The Attorney General had hoped these Bills would be passed before the Federal Parliament rose on 26 June, but they were referred to a Senate Committee by the Coalition.

In particular, the Coalition wanted the Committee to examine the definition of "couple relationship" and "child" under the Same-Sex Relationship (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws-Superannuation) Bill 2008, and the definition broadened to "interdependent couples" (such as two elderly sisters living together).

HREOC has said that 'interdependency' fails to recognise the love and commitment of same-sex relationships. Interdependency does not recognise same-sex relationships as equal to heterosexual relationships.

Support same-sex couples and their kids by making a submission to the inquiry. Make sure you identify the Bill you are writing about.

Submissions close on Friday, 25 July 2008.

Earlier this year, the Productivity Commission was asked by the Federal Government to inquire into the potential introduction of Paid Maternity Leave in Australia.

Paid maternity leave is important because it provides financial support to allow time for mothers to recover physically from the birth and bond with her baby. There are also economic benefits. The ACTU points out that:

According to employers, the cost of replacing staff - including recruitment and skills acquisition - appears to be at least $10,000, and more for higher salary/skilled areas.
Overseas experience shows that women with paid maternity leave are more likely to return to work (up to 90%) than those without, giving employers a real saving on the bottom line.

UnionsNSW is petitioning the Federal Government for six months paid maternity leave. They're asking the Government for:

a legislated, government funded system of six months universal paid maternity leave, available to all mothers irrespective of whether they are casual, full time, contractors or stay at home mums. It should also be able to be accessed by parents who are assuming the primary carer role.

You can support their campaign by signing the online petition and adding a person message.

Submissions to the Productivity Commission's inquiry closed on 2 June, but you can follow the progress of the inquiry on the Productivity Commission's website: http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/parentalsupport

The inquiry is focused on identifying strategies to address the lifetime expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people (currently estimated to be 17 years). The terms of reference were referred by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon Paul Lynch MP late last year. The Interim report looks at issues such as education, housing, environmental health as well as the criminal justice system. The report identifies a number of issues for further consideration in the Final report (due in November) which will also include to Committee's recommendations.

During its inquiry the Committee has received 74 submissions, conducted ten public hearings and one public forum. The Committee also visited Bidwill in Sydney's west, Redfern in the inner city, and the regional areas of Kempsey, Dubbo and Nowra.

The Committee intends to conduct further hearings and site visits, engaging with Indigenous communities and will also use evidence already gathered to further inform its recommendations.

According to the Chair,

the message from this Inquiry so far is that there must be significant reform to the delivery of services to Aboriginal people if the gap between the circumstances of Indigenous and non-Aboriginal Australians is to be overcome. It is vital to build effective partnerships with the Aboriginal community, and for communities to have real ownership of programs and outcomes.

Submissions close on 15 August.

According to the UN,

At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime - with the abuser usually someone known to her. Violence against women and girls is a universal problem of pandemic proportions. Perhaps the most pervasive human rights violation that we know today, it devastates lives, fractures communities, and stalls development.

To get the message through that violence against women is not acceptable, UNIFEM wants at least one million people to join its Say NO to Violence against Women campaign by 25 November 2008.

The message that ending violence against women must be a top priority for governments everywhere is being heard. Recently, UNIFEM's Goodwill Ambassador, and spokesperson for the campaign, Nicole Kidman participated from Nashville, Tennessee, as the Government of Spain gave their full support at an event in Madrid's Presidential Palace on 4 June.

And the campaign continues to grow with Foreign Ministers and Prime Ministers from nine new countries, the European Commission, and others went joining in an event in Austrai on 23 June.

But UNIFEM needs your help.

Please add your name and send this on to a friend (or three) so that UNIFEM can reach its target of one million people by 25 November 2008.

Last year, the All Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (PGPD), of which I am a member, strongly recommended abolishing the guidelines.  

The Guidelines were introduced in 1996 by the Howard Government as part of a deal with Brian Harradine that bargained off the rights of women in developing countries for Senator Harradine's support for the Telstra sale. They prohibit information about abortion being given, or abortion services being provided, even when it might save the life of a woman. Information about what not to do in terms of accessing unsafe abortion is banned and only some forms of contraception can be funded with Australian aid money. Australia and the US are the only countries who have such guidelines.

The PGPD estimates that worldwide access to contraception and safe abortions would reduce maternal deaths by up to 35 per cent and child deaths by 20 per cent. And just last week, the PGPD, reiterated their call for the abolition of the guidelines. As the PGPD put it:

Australia has a responsibility to offer assistance in the full range of reproductive health care services and should not deny the rights women here have, to women in the developing world (where those rights are within the law).

This is an issue that I have spoken about before and I am looking forward to positive results from the review by my Federal colleagues.