ON OCTOBER 11, the International Day of the Girl Child, Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) has called for a universal concept of ‘let a girl be a girl until they reach full maturity'.

According to THE UN Population Fund (UNFPA), more than 640 million women alive today were married in childhood. In the developing world, nearly one in three women begin bearing children in adolescence. Twelve million adolescents give birth each year.

SPA national president Jenny Goldie said girls were not commodities that can be married off at an early age for the benefit of their families, even in cases of extreme poverty.

“Girls should have the same rights as boys,” Ms Goldie said. “They should be allowed equal nutrition, equal access to health services, equal education, and equal opportunity; in short, equal rights. They should be allowed to marry when they choose to do so.

“Adolescent girls should have comprehensive sexuality education and access to contraception to ensure they have control over their own bodies. Not only should they decide when they are ready to marry, but if and when they will bear children.

“If they are to have equal education and equal opportunities in the workforce, they should delay pregnancy until they are educated. Educated women have fewer children and the reduction in birth-rates will, in turn, reduce pressures on resources and the environment, making life better for all.”

The theme for the 2023 International Day of the Girl is 'Digital generation. Our generation'.

"Girls face disadvantages online,” Ms Goldie said. "2.2 billion people under the age of 25 do not have internet access, with the majority being girls.

“Access to the internet has enormous educational benefits, although it is not without its challenges, especially for girls and their use of social media. Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly a ‘net’ good, providing opportunity for communications with other young people that might otherwise be impossible. It is not difficult to imagine what it might offer the young women of Afghanistan who are otherwise denied access to education and regular social interaction with peers.

“It is important that we allow our daughters and granddaughters to enjoy life as children and adolescents. It is the critical first step towards a healthy and successful adulthood and the fulfilment of enormous potential that lies within each.”

www.population.org.au

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THE façade of Australian Parliament House will be illuminated this evening in blue and white, the colours of the Israeli flag.

This is in line with the other significant buildings and monuments across the country, a government spokesperson said,

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THE Trade Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold a public hearing in Port Campbell today for its inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors, with an additional public hearing to be held tomorrow in Ballarat.

The subcommittee will hear evidence from a range of stakeholders in regional Victoria’s tourism industry, including First Nations corporations, regional tourism organisations, small businesses and heritage tourism operators.

Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill, said, "The Great Ocean Road continues to be an iconic tourist destination in regional Victoria and the subcommittee is looking forward to gaining insights into what can be done to further encourage overseas visitors into this region. In travelling to Ballarat, the subcommittee will better understand how heritage tourism in places like the Goldfields and the Sovereign Hill Living Museum may be an untapped opportunity for Australia.

"In its quest to better understand the unique tourism experiences offered across Australia, the subcommittee is interested to hear different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing operators in this part of regional Australia," Senator O’Neill said. "We also look forward to continuing our discussions about the connections between tourism and international education, and the role of international students in the operations of universities in regional Australia."

Further information about the inquiry and programs for both hearings are available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing – Port Campbell

Date: Tuesday, 3 October 2023
Venue: Sunset Room, Port Campbell Lifesaving Club, 1 Cairns St, Port Campbell, VIC
Time: 9am – 12pm (AEDT)

Public hearing – Ballarat

Date: Wednesday, 4 October 2023
Venue: Federation University, SMB Campus Rooms A211 and A214, Building A, Lydiard Street, Ballarat
Time: 9:20am – 2pm (AEDT).

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AS THE October 31 deadline approaches, the Australian Taxation office (ATO) is reminding people to lodge their returns or engage with a registered tax agent to avoid late lodgment penalties.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson said more than 7.9 million people have already lodged their returns, which is about 400,000 fewer lodgments than this time last year.

"If your long weekend plans are filled with DIY projects, how about you add your ‘DIY’ tax return to the list?" Mr Thomson said.

People with simple affairs can lodge online, often in under 30 minutes, through myGov. Most of the information will already be pre-filled – people just check it's correct, add any additional income, and claim the deductions they may be entitled to.

"DIY projects can get pretty complicated, but unlike flatpack furniture, doing your own tax return can be simple thanks to the data we pre-fill for you and the in-built help. But if you do need some help, you may like to speak with a tax agent to give you a hand," Mr Thompson said.

"Remember to only use a registered tax agent, and to get on their books by 31 October," he said.

To check whether an agent is registered, visit the Tax Practitioners’ Board register.

The ATO is also reminding people to make sure their claims for work-related expenses accurately reflect their working arrangements this year – "don’t just copy and paste claims from last year," he warned.

"We want people to get their deductions right on the first go and claim what they are entitled to – nothing more, nothing less. We have a series of 40 occupation and industry-specific guides which you should have a look at.

"It may be tempting to boost your refund by leaving out income or inflating your deductions – but remember, we have sophisticated data analytics that will pick up returns that look suspicious."

The ATO is reminding the community that the outcome of their tax returns this year may be different than in previous years, with some people receiving a lower refund than expected, or even a tax bill.

"If you don’t receive a refund this year and you don’t have a bill, it means you’ve paid the correct amount of tax throughout the year. You may receive a bill for a number of reasons, one of which could be because you didn’t pay enough tax," Mr Thomson said.

The ATO is also reminding the community that the due date for payment is November 21, regardless of when the return is lodged. Those using a registered tax agent may obtain a later due date.

"If you’ve received a tax bill, you need to pay it in full and on time to avoid interest charges. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, we’re here to help. You can contact us or speak to your tax agent before the due date to discuss the support available," Mr Thomson said.

www.ato.gov.au

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