Simone McGurk MLA | Politician

Simone McGurk MLA

Phone: +61 8 9336 7000

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25.01.2022 Devina and Helena are from the Nyul Nyul Ranger Program, on Kooljaman. I joined the Minister for Environment and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs at Kooljaman to announce $4.75 mill for more Rangers across 10 projects - that’s 39 jobs for women rangers and over 100 training opportunities. Over 50% of the participants in the aboriginal ranger program are women. In fact, Davina told me she was the first Aboriginal woman to take a ranger position.... I’m so proud to be part of a Government what is delivering practical gains like this.

23.01.2022 Today, two new offences take effect in Western Australia to protect victims of family and domestic violence. Research tells us that non-lethal strangulation is one of the strongest indicators of an increased risk of homicide. There are often no visible injuries, but it can still have severe medical consequences for the victim.... To reflect the seriousness of this conduct, our new law against ‘suffocation and strangulation’ means it can be charged and prosecuted as a specific criminal offence. Persistent family violence is now also a criminal offence, recognising that physical and psychological abuse against a partner often forms a pattern of offending. It applies to an act of family violence against one victim on three or more occasions, over a 10-year period. These changes are part of the McGowan Government’s ongoing efforts to stop family and domestic violence in the community. They put WA at the forefront of criminalising this behaviour. By holding perpetrators to account, we can save lives.

23.01.2022 It was great to talk to local residents at Port Coogee Shopping Centre and outside Scavaci’s IGA in Hamilton Hill today about what matters most to them. Thanks for coming by with your issues and feedback and for just stopping to say hi!

22.01.2022 I can’t think of a better way to spend day two of our 16 Days in WA campaign than opening the McGowan Government’s new state-of-the-art women’s refuge in Peel. The opening of ‘Warlang Bidi’ (which means ‘healthy path’ in Noongar language) marks the delivery of an important commitment that we took to the 2017 election, and significantly increases capacity in the region to support women and children escaping family and domestic violence. It is also WA’s first therapeutic refu...ge, setting a new standard for refuges that enable women to live free from violence and have a place to call home. This means that, as well as accommodation, it will provide tailored specialist services to address any co-occurring needs that women may have, such as mental health concerns or harm from alcohol and other drugs. By holistically managing each person’s needs, and helping to build their capacity and resilience, the therapeutic model will help them to get their lives back on track after experiencing violence. The refuge will be delivered by experienced service provider OVIS Community Services in partnership with Allambee Counselling. I’m very proud to be opening WA’s first therapeutic refuge on time and during 16 Days in WA, which is also key to our efforts to address high rates of family and domestic violence in the community. #16DaysinWA #RespectStartsWithYou #StoptheViolence

22.01.2022 Just one week to go! Nothing says getting back to "normal" like Sunday gigs at Fremantle Arts Centre. ... This is all possible because of the community's sacrifice and solidarity, along with the McGowan Government's effective management of COVID-19.

17.01.2022 As we shine a light on the attitudes and behaviours that can lead to domestic violence, we are also lighting WA up in orange for 16 Days in WA. Matagarup Bridge, Optus Stadium, Elizabeth Quay, RAC Arena, Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel, Council House, the Perth Concert Hall and Fremantle Prison are among the prominent landmarks around Western Australia that have been lit up in the campaign colour to increase awareness of efforts to end violence against women and their children.... You can find the full list of orange landmarks here: https://www.communities.wa.gov.au//16-da/landmarks-alight/ And to find out how you can get involved in this important campaign, view the campaign kit here: https://www.communities.wa.gov.au/projects/16-days-in-wa/ #StopTheViolence #16DaysinWA #RespectStartsWithYou

16.01.2022 I feel sadness and anger at the senseless violence against the women at the centre of the trial coming to an end in WA’s Supreme Court today. Tragically, this kind of violence continues to be a part of modern life. But we will continue to fight against it for Sarah, Jane and Ciara. What happened to these young women changed our State.... Like others, I am thinking of their families today. The thoughts of every Western Australian will be with you forever.

12.01.2022 It’s been great to see so much community enthusiasm for the construction of Perth Common Ground. Projects like these are defining moments in our increasingly sophisticated response to people experiencing homelessness in WA. Thanks to Committee for Perth for the opportunity to share my thoughts on this important issue: https://www.committeeforperth.com.au//guest-article-the-ho

12.01.2022 Containers for Change is here! From today, Western Australians are able to cash in their eligible drink containers for a 10 cent refund at any of the more than 200 authorised Containers for Change refund points across the State. I know many local community groups and clubs are planning to fundraise through the scheme, so I look forward to watching them get started now that it’s launched. ... You can find your nearest refund point and more information about WA's container deposit scheme here: www.containersforchange.com.au/wa

11.01.2022 I met Latham, an incredible young man with a bright future ahead, in Broome on Monday as part of our Kimberley Community Cabinet. He grew up as a child in care and has not only tackled every challenge head-on, but succeeded as well. Early on in high school, Latham set himself a challenge to become Head Boy of his school.... And sure enough, this year he’s Head Boy of Broome Senior High School and preparing to finish Year 12. Not bad for someone who has English as a second language. Meanwhile, he’s learning to live independently with the support of fantastic services like Clontarf and Horizon House. Latham is dreaming of moving to Perth, going to WAAPA and getting a part-time job. It’s so heartening to meet young people who have overcome challenges many of us will never understand, and are so full of ambition and hope for the future. Go Latham!

11.01.2022 The McGowan Labor Government is committed to ending cruel puppy farming, but the protections are at risk of being opposed by opposition parties in the State Parliament. We are determined to #stoppuppyfarming and ask you to help us achieve that. Sign our petition here. https://walabor.org.au/EndPuppyFarming

10.01.2022 In recent months, in light of Victoria's outbreak and community transmission of COVID-19 in New South Wales, those States have been subject to additional condit...ions for travel to Western Australia. With the situation improving in those States, and the development of a crucial new tool to support self-quarantine in Western Australia, we are now able to adjust those conditions, based on health advice. - NEW APP TO SUPPORT SELF-QUARANTINE - Today we are formally launching the new G2G Now App - an important new tool to ensure people in 14 days self-quarantine follow the rules and keep our community safe. WA Police have been doing an exceptional job in monitoring those people self-quarantining, including physical checks. But our WA Police cannot be there 24/7. This new app will complement the work of WA Police, to allow them to check-in on people remotely, while in self-quarantine. It is an Australian-first, making a smart use of technology and developed by a local company here in WA. We encourage everyone who has an exemption to come into WA, to download the app and use it. It will make life easier for yourself and for WA Police, but most importantly it keeps you safe and the rest of our community safe. As a result of this technology, we have confidence in taking the next steps to ease some of our border restrictions. - ARRIVALS FROM VICTORIA - Effective next Monday, 5 October, arrivals to Western Australia who have been in Victoria in the previous two weeks will be allowed to complete self-quarantine, instead of in a hotel, where that is possible. The limited exemption categories for Victorian arrivals will continue to apply and they will continue to be subject to mandatory COVID-19 tests on arrival and on day 11 of their quarantine. Please note that any exempt traveller from Victoria who arrives before next Monday will still need to serve their full 14 days of quarantine in a hotel. - ARRIVALS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES - Also from Monday, 5 October, the additional restrictions which had applied to New South Wales will be lifted. That will mean that the current conditions that apply to other States and Territories, except Victoria, will now apply to NSW as well. This change will allow for more exempt travel to occur from New South Wales. These changes are based on our latest health advice. -- This is a positive step forward for our nation. We can make these adjustments because of the positive results we have seen recently over east. We have a responsibility to ensure our border controls are appropriate and reasonable, as we continue to do what is in our State’s best interest to protect Western Australians from the worst of this deadly virus. We are witnessing the damage COVID-19 is having around the world, too many people have lost their lives. Right now, Europe is experiencing a second wave, worse than the first. Western Australia is the envy of the world. Our health and our economy is in the best possible position, considering what is happening around us. That is why a cautious approach is necessary. As always, like everything, we will continue to monitor the situation over east, but until we have confidence that community spread is under control, the border will remain in place. I have been clear and consistent about this. We look to our friends in Victoria, and we hope that as they come out of lockdown, we continue to see community spread get under control. So then, as a nation, we can continue on the same positive path out of COVID-19.

09.01.2022 No matter what is going on in the world, violence against women (or anyone else for that matter) is never acceptable. We all have a responsibility to help stop the violence in our communities. This year’s 16 Days in WA campaign to stop violence against women has some fantastic ‘Agents of Change’ speaking out against family and domestic violence, and sharing their takes on this year’s theme ‘Respect Starts with You’.... Two of these incredible ambassadors - domestic violence survivor Sheree Lucas Neto (I Am Sheree) and Yamatji woman and youth worker Brooke Blurton - joined me to speak to the media at our campaign launch this week. You can find out more about Brooke and Sheree, and our other Agents of Change ‘Boy Swallows Universe’ author Trent Dalton, MAN UP co-founder Haseeb Riaz and online abuse campaigner Noelle Martin, here: https://www.communities.wa.gov.au//16-da/agents-of-change/ #16DaysinWA #RespectStartsWithYou #StopTheViolence

05.01.2022 I am delighted that Beaconsfield Primary School and John Curtin College of the Arts in my electorate are among 25 WA schools to receive a share in more than $60,000 funding as part of the Waste Wise Schools grant program, designed to help schools to set up systems to avoid, reduce, reuse and recycle. We all have an important role to play in reducing waste and it’s really pleasing that these schools are showing leadership in this space.

05.01.2022 I met Nikki McKenzie, a recipient of the Dr Tracy Westerman Indigenous Psychology Scholarship program, at Government House last year. She's from Derby, where she developed an interest in suicide prevention, and had been working full-time while studying psychology full-time(!) prior to receiving the scholarship. The recent launch of the Westerman Jilya Institute means this scholarship program, which previously ran under a Curtin University partnership, will undergo a national ...expansion. Thirteen recipients were announced this year, reflecting the growth of the program. This effort is about ensuring Aboriginal people are equipped to identify risk factors, heal past trauma and foster a healthy and strong new generation. If Nikki is anything to go by, they are well on their way. Thanks to Dr Tracy Westerman for this trailblazing work.

04.01.2022 Today’s Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March marked 30 years of this enduring and vital event. The march is an important occasion to reflect on the lives that have been lost to family and domestic violence each year. There is still plenty of work to do, so it is a sobering reminder for everyone that we need to stay focused on our collective efforts to keep women, children and families safe. ... It’s so important that community-led initiatives like this march happen, because they bring awareness and understanding to this issue across the community. We are all impacted by this violence, whether we recognise it or not. The McGowan Government is committed to addressing this very serious issue and the affect it has on women, children and families throughout Western Australia. Thanks to Women's Council for Domestic & Family Violence Services - WA and supporters for organising the march. #16DaysinWA #RespectStartsWithYou #StopTheViolence

02.01.2022 Zonta House Refuge Association Inc does a fantastic job supporting women and children who have fled family and domestic violence. Congratulations to their chief executive, Kelda Oppermann, on receiving a 40Under40 award! It's great to see recognition of talented women in the community services sector.

01.01.2022 Whoa! Amazing pic by Roel Loopers. A Morton Bay Fig being lifted in to replace the old 'Christmas Tree' in Kings Square, which, by the way, is going from strength to strength.