What an honour to meet with His Excellency @jayweatherill, High Commissioner @AusHouseLondon, to discuss the common challenges and huge opportunities for children & young people in our two countries. From early years to online safety, we have a lot to learn from each other 🇦🇺 🇬🇧
Due to military conflict underway and the deteriorating regional security situation, we’ve raised our level of advice and now advise, do not travel to Lebanon due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism. (1/2)
Airspace closures and flight disruptions are already occurring across the region. Prioritise your safety, monitor events and follow local advice. Read & subscribe: https://t.co/dsf36pmcrT (2/2)
@SafirAustralia
Due to military conflict underway and the deteriorating regional security situation, we now advise do not travel to #Israel due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism. Read & subscribe: https://t.co/KmrdGVzONm (1/2)
Airspace closures and flight disruptions are already occurring across the region. Prioritise your safety, monitor events and follow local advice. (2/2)
@AusAmbIsrael
Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression.
For decades, the Iranian regime has been a destabilising force, through its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, support for armed proxies, and brutal acts of violence and intimidation.
Iran directed at least two attacks on Australian soil in 2024. These appalling acts targeting Australia’s Jewish community were intended to create fear, divide our society and challenge our sovereignty. In response, Australia took the unprecedented steps of expelling Iran’s Ambassador, suspending operations at our embassy in Tehran, and listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Our Government has sanctioned more than 200 Iranian-linked individuals, including more than 100 linked to the IRGC.
With international partners, including the United States and the G7, we have called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran’s citizens.
These calls have gone unheeded. Instead, the regime has instigated a brutal crackdown on its own people leaving thousands of Iranian civilians dead. A regime that relies on the repression and murder of its own people to retain power is without legitimacy.
It has long been recognised that Iran’s nuclear program is a threat to global peace and security. The international community has been clear that the Iranian regime can never beallowed to develop a nuclear weapon. The United Nations Security Council has reimposed sanctions on Iran for failing to comply with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the International Atomic Energy Agency Board has formally declared Iran in non-compliance with its non-proliferation safeguards obligations.
We support the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent Iran continuing to threaten international peace and security.
Australian officials are closely monitoring this evolving situation. We continue
to advise Australians do not travel to Iran and leave Iran as soon as possible, if it is safe to do so. Our ability to provide consular assistance in Iran is extremely limited.
Given our concerns around security in the region, we have also upgraded Australia’s travel advice for Israel and Lebanon to Do Not Travel. Australians should leave now if it is safe to do so.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has activated its Crisis Centre to provide consular support to Australians in the region.
Australians requiring urgent consular assistance can contact the Consular Emergency Centre 24/7 on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia.
Farewelled my Uncle Merv today after 86 years - born in Rosewater apprentice fitter and turner at 15 - 47 years service at Holden Woodville / Elizabeth loved his family his union his party ( life member ALP ) and his Monaros
Want to see a baby make 60 million neural connections? 🧠
Look no further than this fantastic video.
As they bide a little time in the car, our hero and his dad engage in this lovely “serve and return” interaction.
And it’s hard to tell which of them is loving it more.
If you’re a new parent or grandparent, know that these face-to-face, back-and-forth interactions are one of the very best ways to light up your baby’s developing brain.
At birth your baby’s brain is home to up to 100 billion neural (nerve) cells - but depends heavily on early experiences and interactions to help create the connections between them that will go on to undergird language and more sophisticated forms of cognition.
During the earliest months of life researchers estimate that these neural connections occur at a rate of one million per second - meaning that 60 million or more occur over the course of this beautiful one minute conversation.
Talk, talk, talk to your baby. The payoff will be huge.
This loving father and son duo was shared to TT by smileybunch.
The Power to End Violence Against Women Program run by the Port Adelaide Football Club is an important prevention program, educating year 10 students on the importance of respectful relationships and gender equality.
The State Government is proud to support it as a key part of our commitment to Respectful Relationships Education. We are encouraged by the engagement and advocacy from school communities which has seen over 17,000 students participate in this program since 2016. Yesterday I had the privilege of reaffirming the Government’s commitment to that work with @KatrineHildyard
#Play is not a luxury–it is a fundamental right of every child.
Play is not optional–it is the essence of human development skills.
Play is not just a pastime-it is the learning language & the emotional and biological imperative of children.
https://t.co/WRZRSGSLJE
@UNICEF
As a member of parliament you’re elected to represent the people of your community, not special interests with special access.
We need much greater transparency of what lobbyists are doing so the public knows who is meeting MPs, ministers & shadow ministers, and why.
Today I spoke at the Extended Minister’s Early Childhood Advisory Forum about our unshakeable commitment to our early educational system and improve educational and developmental outcomes.
@kevinbonham A Study of the high informal vote in my electorate of Cheltenham similarly found high English as second language & large number of candidates - interestingly differing from neighbouring Croydon where the local member @MickAtko produced HTV cards in various languages
Early years numeracy checks are a key part of the record schools funding deal we’ve reached with every state and territory.
This is really important to identify children in the first years of school who are behind and need help to catch up.
The earlier we identify children who need additional help the easier it is to help them catch up.
It’s great to see NSW bursting out of the blocks and trialling this in 165 schools this year.
This will change lives and help more children catch up, keep up and finish school.
Terrific celebratory screening last night with two film legends, actor Jack Thompson and producer Matt Carroll, on the 50th anniversary of the @SA_Film “Sunday Too Far Away”. Jack and Matt made two other SA Film Corporation films together, “Breaker Morant” and “The Club”.