Latest news with #StephenDawson
BreakingNews.ie
26-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Irish MEP warns of dangers to LGBT community across Europe
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has warned of the increasing dangers people of the LGBTQ+ community are facing across Europe. Ms Walsh was speaking on the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum in Ireland, which saw 62 per cent in favour of same-sex marriage, on a high turnout of 61 per cent. Advertisement The Fine Gael MEP made headlines in 2014, as she was the first openly gay winner of the Rose of Tralee. Speaking to Breakingnews, Ms Walsh recalled the celebrations in Australia as Ireland voted for same sex couples to have the right to get married. "In many ways, it was a bittersweet moment", said Ms Walsh. "I wasn't in Dublin Castle for the announcement of equality for my peers and my generation, but I was on the dance floor in Perth, having just watched the new Perth Rose get selected, standing alongside a Labour politician, who is Dublin born but Australia raised of the name of Stephen Dawson. Advertisement "While he and his husband were married in 2013, he re-proposed right in front of us on the dancefloor. For him, his home country had seen this overwhelming change of welcome and removal of indifference. "It was such a unique moment to experience, but obviously I would have loved to have been in and around Dublin Castle, but probably more so the West of Ireland, where the perception coming into the election was rural communities would never see the equality that was needed." Ms Walsh admitted the referendum, combined with passing the referendum in 2018 for abortion rights in the country, were big contributing factors to her entering politics. However, she warned that referendums alone would not be enough to continue social change in the country. Advertisement "People were excited about themselves or a family member or a friend or an auntie or uncle who moved away in the 70s because of their orientation, was now being celebrated. "Repeal the eighth, just the very basic right to women's healthcare, it captured the change that was needed. It was a removal of the shackles in many ways for cultural beliefs. "That hold that we had of ourselves or of other people had of us as a country, that just lifted, which is incredible. "I remember having really deep and meaningful conversations around marriage equality and repeal the eighth, and one of the things that really frustrated me in those conversations was a general election would be coming on and I would ask if they are interested in that, and they would say "not at all, that's not really for me". Advertisement "We do know the circle of change happens when we elect people who want positive change and positive change. That disconnect was apparent in those two referendums. "They are sexy, they are trendy, they mobilised a vote, they got people home to vote. All of that became so relevant, which is fantastic. "Since then, I wonder how we can connect people to push that progressive change outside of these referendums." In the last few years, countries across Europe have seen a push from far-right politicians and groups which have targeted the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Advertisement Earlier this week, an event by the Labour party had to be postponed 'due to the threat of protest from far-right actors at the original venue'. Ms Walsh highlighted further examples of moments of feeling unsafe for herself and other members of the community, both in Ireland and across Europe. "There is a website dedicated to me from the 2019 election created by a very infamous family from the west of Ireland, that says by going to schools I brainwash children into becoming LGBTI people, which is so far away from the truth it is laughable. "In June last year, Wicklow Pride was forced to cancel due to threats from protestors. Research from the Midlands LGBTI+ project show 20 per cent of gay people feel unsafe. "Panti Bliss shared on the radio over the weekend that she has never felt more unsafe in the last 10, 15, or 20 years. "I feel safe, but I'm not walking around Dublin city all the time. I am not coming out of gay pubs or nightclubs every weekend. "I absolutely felt unsafe when I was in Belgrade in the Euro Pride parade two years ago. I absolutely felt unsafe attending Budapest pride a couple of years ago, I have no doubt I will feel unsafe when I attend again at the end of June. "There is points over the campaign where do I feel unsafe, no, but it is certainly unsafe online. It doesn't take a whole lot to shift from online to the physical space. "Equality is so hard fought, and very quickly lost, and that is the epicentre of the work we still need to do."
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Stephen Dawson urges Kimberley families to grab student assistance payment before deadline
Kimberley parents are being encouraged to cash in on the WA Student Assistance Payment by Minister for the Kimberley Stephen Dawson. The payment offers $150 per child in kindy or primary school and $250 per high school student, in a bid to help pay for school essentials, from uniforms and school shoes to laptops. 'The Cook Government is committed to supporting regional families with the cost of living, and this payment is one way we're delivering on that commitment,' Mr Dawson said. Families have until Friday, July 4 to make their claim, and are told the easiest way to do it is through the ServiceWA app. For those who need a hand with the digital side of things, there's also in-person help available at libraries across the Kimberley including a Digital Assist Kiosk at Broome Library. Education Department staff are also hitting the road to help families and schools navigate the process. 'We encourage families to claim their payment as soon as possible to help with education expenses,' Mr Dawson said. 'The ServiceWA app is the most efficient and secure way to make a claim for WASAP, but families can also claim through our alternate methods using the web or paper form.' To find out more or to get support, visit
West Australian
14-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Clinical trials ‘roadmap' launched in Bunbury in bid to converge medical research
A clinical trials 'roadmap' will be launched in Bunbury today that aims to set out a plan to bring together research by universities, hospitals and medical research institutes to improve health outcomes. The Cook Government will unveil the WA-first plan at the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund Open Day in Busselton on Thursday. It sets out a plan to build a 'strong clinical trials ecosystem that brings together universities, hospitals, medical research institutes, industry sponsors, consumers, and the WA Health system', the government says. 'The WA Clinical Trials Roadmap is a bold strategy to take our State's clinical research to new heights by empowering our talented researchers and building global partnerships,' Medical Research and Science Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson said. 'The Roadmap will deliver innovative, evidence-based treatments and make a real difference for the people of WA and beyond. 'The Cook Government is committed to building a strong clinical trials ecosystem that attracts investment, improves care, and puts WA at the forefront of personalised, precision medicine.'
