Federal Government

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Government Contact Listing

Aboutseniors has compiled a list of all current local members and senators with contact details. Click here to view this list.

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

AIHW is Australia's national agency for health and welfare statistics and information. It is a statutory authority of the Australian Government.
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Electoral laws overturned

If you missed the cut-off at 8pm July 19 to enrol to vote, you may still be able to have your say thanks to a High Court ruling overturning Howard-era laws.

GetUp!, the activist group which brought the constitutional challenge to the 2006 changes to the electoral roll registration timescales, have effectively given the right to vote to 100,000 Australians. The High Court has announced that the changes, which brought forward cut off time to 8pm on the day writs for an election were issued from seven days, were invalid.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will now try to contact the estimated 100,000 people who missed the cut off date of 19 July but still registered within one week of the election writs being issued.

If you think this change will make you eligible to vote, you should contact the AEC.

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What is “The Budget”?

Most Australians will be aware that Treasurer, Wayne Swan, will today deliver the 2010/11 Commonwealth Budget but what is it exactly and why do we need one?

Simply put, the Commonwealth Budget is a way of balancing the books. The Treasurer has a look at the revenue that can be obtained from taxes and investments and decides how it would best serve the country to have this money distributed.  Budget spending is utilised to provide additional spending on public health, infrastructure funding, social security, superannuation and tax cuts. 

Of course, all this spending must be matched by making savings elsewhere. Budget cuts or increases in taxes are not usually met with enthusiasm but a country must have surplus of money to promote a healthy economy.

As a result of the global financial crisis and associated measures taken to stop Australia from falling into recession, Wayne Swan has a difficult task on his hands. How can he deliver the funding the country needs to grow, while restoring a healthy bank balance?

Need help with your household budget? While the figures concerned may be slightly smaller, keeping your own budget in check is no less important.  If you need help with your household budget, click YOURLifeChoices simple short cut for some useful tips.

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What happens at the budget lock-up?

YOURLifeChoices is delighted to be included in this year’s Budget lock-up but what is it and why is it important?

Each year, a select few from Australia’s media are granted access to the House of Representatives to watch first hand as the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, delivers his budget speech.  As the name suggests, those granted access are essentially “locked-up” so they can’t release the information to anyone on the outside before the Treasurer has made his speech.

This year, YOURLifeChoices’ very own Kaye Fallick has the honour of experiencing the spectacle from the gallery of the House of Representatives as the action unfolds. And of course, will get advance access to the all important budget papers.  By the time were online tomorrow, Kaye will have digested all the information and will be ready to give a run-down of what it all means for YOURLifeChoices subscribers.

To find out more about the budget lock-up and what it entails, click YOURLifeChoices simple short cut.

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Insulation safety update

Following recently raised safety concerns over work carried out via the Home Insulation Program, homeowners can have the electrical safety of their homes assessed.

The Federal Government has implemented a program of safety inspections for homes where foil insulation has been used. This will be at no cost to the householder. Any householder who has immediate concerns over the safety of their insulation installed under the Home Insulation Program, may engage any electrical contractor’s license holder to conduct a safety inspection, and where necessary, rectification work related to the installation of foil insulation under the Program. The electrical contractors license holder will be able to seek reimbursement from the Government, within agreed limits, ensuring no cost implications for homes affected.

If you have any concerns about the safety of any insulation installed under the program, visit environment.gov.au.

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Golden gurus

Admittedly, world issues may have pushed the proposals from Rudd’s 2020 summit onto the back burner but finally, $400,000 has been committed to the Golden Gurus program.

The aim of the Golden Gurus’ program is to provide more opportunities for skilled Australian’s over 55 years old, by getting them involved in mentoring programs, particularly for small business.  With around half of Australia’s current workforce retired by 2020 and many more being semi-retired or working less than full time, there is a danger that these skills will be lost from the workforce, business and the community.

The initial $400,000 will encourage existing mentoring programs and facilitate the move of such schemes from the voluntary to the business sector. A key component of the program will be its connection to the Australian Government’s New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS).

For more information, visit DEEWR.gov.au.

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Grandparents support

It used to be that grandparents were the mainstays in families, helping to raise their grandchildren with much needed advice and support. But when families break-up, this link is often broken.

The Federal Government has announced changes to help grandparents maintain relationships with their grandchildren following the separation of the children’s parents. Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, has advised courts and family relationship centres that he wants more assistance for grandparents affected by family separation. 

Proposed changes would enable grandparents to become involved in court proceedings, get advice on family law and access to family counseling sessions. This would also give the courts a further option for residence and help provide stability in a child’s life at a difficult time,

Whilst campaigners state the moves are not enough and action, not more studies is needed, any move in the right direction is surely a good one. For more details on the changes and how you can get help with a family dispute, visit the Office of the Attorney-General.

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Seniors’ rights

Seniors Rights Victoria, ia an information, advocacy, legal and education and training service which has been established to address abuse of older people in the community.

Elder abuse is any act causing harm to an older person inflicted by someone they know and trust. It can be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and includes mistreatment and or neglect. Seniors Rights Victoria is a new free service established to prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older Victorians. It provides a range of services including a telephone helpline – 1300 368 821 – referrals, legal advice, advocacy, and community and professional education. It also has an office located in Seniors Information Victoria, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. A website is also under development.

For non-Victorian residents, the following organisations:
Aged Rights Advocacy Service: SA
Aged Rights Advocacy Service: NSW
Aged Rights Advocacy Service: ACT
Aged Rights Advocacy Service: QLD
Aged Rights Advocacy Service: NT
Aged Rights Advocacy Service: WA
Aged Rights Advocacy Service: TAS

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Online complaints help

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has made it easier for consumers and investors to go online to make a complaint about a financial services business.

ASIC’s public register, which lists all businesses licensed to conduct financial services in Australia, now contains details of external dispute resolution schemes, which help resolve complaints when efforts between companies and consumers have come to a standstill.

ASIC says it is often difficult for consumers to know which dispute resolution schemes to contact and believes this change to their online service will make the whole system more transparent and easy to access.

Consumers have certain legal protections, though limited, when dealing with licensed financial businesses, but they have none if the business is unlicensed. ASIC urges consumers and investors to check the ASIC register to make sure you are dealing with a licensed operator. If you cannot go online, call 1300 300 630, ask for ASIC’s free guide You can complain or to search the ASIC register, click here

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Government contact list

AboutSeniors has compiled a of relevant government contacts. Please note these names are sorted alphabetically by surname.

MP list







































































Katter, The Hon Bob, Member for Kennedy











































Rudd, The Hon Kevin, Member for Griffith

Senator contact list
Senator The Hon Eric Abetz




Senator Cory Bernardi



Senator Suzanne Boyce



Senator David Bushby






Senator Mathias Cormann
Senator Patricia Crossin


Senator The Hon Christopher Evans




Senator Mitchell Fifield
Senator Mary Jo Fisher

Senator The Hon William Heffernan




Senator The Hon David Johnston


Senator The Hon Joseph Ludwig










Senator Claire M.Moore




Sen Stephen Parry



Senator The Hon Michael Ronaldson






Senator The Hon Judith M.Troeth



Senator The Hon Penny Wong

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National Security

National Security Australia embraces measures to protect the Australian community, government and institutions from harm. This website provides a single access point for national security information from the Australian Government.
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Hotline: Freecall 1800 123 400

Emergency Management Australia website provides comprehensive information on preparing for the unexpected, whether it be natural or human caused. There is also valuable guidance on preparedness and response to all disasters and emergency situations, including development of an emergency plan and survival kit, plus links to other federal and state agencies providing emergency services.
Go there

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Entry Points

Australia.gov.au is a web site to help you find the Australian Government services you need without needing to know which government agency to go to. It represents the entry point in providing you with easy access to government information and services.
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Australian Governments' Entry Point is an Australian whole-of-government single point of access which provides links to the ten entry points for Australian, State, Territory and Local governments.
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Find hundreds of Australian Government programs and services available to people living in regional and rural Australia. The Regional Entry Point provides information and links to Commonwealth Government programmes and services relevant to people living in non-metropolitan, rural and remote Australia. The primary objective of the regional portal is to make accessing programmes and services easier without people needing to know the structure of Government or portfolio responsibilities.
Go there

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seniors.gov.au

This site will assist all older Australians appreciate the services, programs and benefits that are currently available to them across Australia. It addresses the needs of both dependent older people and healthy older people.
Go there

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The Commonwealth Regional Information Service (CRIS)

The Federal Government's information access service for country people. This program provides people living outside of the capital cities with information about Federal Government programs, agencies and services.
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For Regional Information Freecall 1800 026 222

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Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner

The Office, amongst other things, gives advice about our privacy laws, your privacy rights and about making complaints on privacy matters.
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or phone (local call charge) 1300 363 992

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Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs

Go to this site if you are thinking of migrating to Australia or visiting Australia or you want to know about settling in Australia. Also information on multiculturalism, indigenous affairs and resources.
Go there

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Comsuper

ComSuper, an Australian Government Business Unit, is responsible for the day to day administration of the CSS, PSS, Military Super and DFRDB superannuation schemes for members of the Australian Public Service, participating employers, and members of the Australian Defence Force. From the Comsuper website, there are links to each of the four schemes where detailed information is available.
Go there 

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Community Portal

The Community Portal helps Australians find relevant, up-to-date community information and services. There are more than 250 community topics and links to thousands of resources provided by all levels of government and the non-government sector. The Community Portal is for individuals and communities, and includes special sections for community groups and for community developers.
Go there

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Commonwealth Ombudsman

For complaints about Australian Government departments and authorities, including the Federal Police. There is also a special advisor for taxation matters.
Go there
or phone the National Complaints Line on 1300 362 072.

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Australian Bureau of Statistics

The ABS is Australia's official statistical agency. It provides statistics on a wide range of economic and social matters, covering government, business and the population in general. There is a vast amount of information on their site. You might like to explore statistics on 'Disability, Ageing and Carers' or 'Demography', just to mention a couple under 'Themes'.

For instance, Did you know that life expectancy for a 65 year old in 2000-02 was a further 17 years for males and 21 years for females, compared with a further 11 years for males and 13 years for females in 1901-1910?
Did you also know in 2003 there was a total of 2.6 million carers in Australia, of which 19% (475,000) identified as a primary carer. The male to female sex ratio of all carers was 0.9 and 0.4 for primary carers. Some 454,000 (approximately 1/5) of all carers in Australia were aged 65 years and over, with 25% (113,000) identifying as a primary carer? This snapshot of carers and much more detail from the Australian Bureau of Statistics is available in the Age Matters update which can be accessed on the ABS website.
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