Ross Vasta: I stood up for Fair Indexation


Ross Vasta, Federal Member for Bonner, said he stood up for Fair Indexation in the Parliament today.

 

“Today the House of Representatives voted against a Coalition proposal to give our veterans a fair go”, Ross Vasta said.

 

“The Coalition moved to prevent further debate on the Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 until the Gillard Labor Government introduces Fair Indexation legislation.  However, Labor, Greens MP Adam Bandt and Independent MPs Tony Windsor, Craig Thomson and Bob Katter voted against the amendment.

 

“Independent MP Rob Oakeshott failed to show up for the vote.”

 

“Today was the day for the House of Representatives to draw a line in the sand and tell the Gillard Labor Government it was time to deliver a fair go.  That Labor failed to do that is a shameful decision.”

 

“The Coalition is committed to delivering fair indexation for military superannuants.  The Coalition believes DFRB and DFRDB military superannuation pensioners aged 55 and over should have their pensions indexed in the same way as aged and service pensioners.”

 

“At the 2010 election we committed to fair indexation.  Despite losing the election, the Coalition introduced legislation into the Senate to provide fairness, justice and equity.  Sadly, the Greens and the Labor Party opposed the legislation.”

 

“Local military superannuants are fighting for a fair go.  I took this stand in the House of Representatives today to show that I am serious about delivering the fair go my local constituents deserve.”

 

“It is no longer acceptable that this Labor Government continues to fiddle about the edges of policy while at the same time wholly dismissing the everyday concerns of veterans, ex-service personnel and their families.”

 

“Six weeks ago, many local veterans received letters from the government giving them a few extra cents per fortnight in their pensions.  This is deeply unfair.  Had the Coalition’s Fair Indexation legislation passed the Senate last year, these increases would have been nine times higher.”

 

“Local veterans who are DFRB and DFRDB military superannuants have proudly served their nation.  It’s time the nation recognised the unique nature of military service and delivered fair pension indexation to these men and women, and their families.”

 

“It is now even clearer that we must change the Government in order to deliver this important reform for our veterans.”

Read More

ROSS SAYS HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESS IN BONNER WILL EXPERIENCE BILL SHOCK FROM JULIA GILLARD’S CARBON TAX


Ross Vasta, Member for Bonner, said Julia Gillard’s attempt at blaming others for surging electricity prices was laughable given that she introduced the world’s biggest carbon tax only weeks ago.

“The electricity bills are starting to arrive throughout Bonner and families and businesses are starting to experience ‘bill shock’ from Julia Gillard’s carbon tax”, said Ross Vasta.

“Since the Rudd-Gillard government was first elected, electricity prices have risen by a staggering 60%.

“Julia Gillard has shown no interest in household prices during the past five years and now, after introducing the world’s biggest carbon tax, she wants the people of Bonner to believe she understands what households and businesses are facing.

“How can the Prime Minister who said “there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead” be believed when it comes to claims about electricity prices now?”

“The carbon tax is an electricity tax, it’s a gas tax and a tax on the essentials of life.

“Five weeks after introducing this tax, it’s simply not good enough for Julia Gillard to point the finger elsewhere.

Ross Vasta said Julia Gillard had designed a carbon tax that would go up and up – putting more pressure on electricity prices with every year.

“The carbon tax is now $23 a tonne, it will rise to $37 a tonne by 2020 and $350 a tonne by 2050.  According to the government’s own figures, the carbon tax will wipe a cumulative one trillion dollars from Australia’s GDP by 2050 – that’s like closing down the country for a year.

“The best way to tackle rising electricity prices is to scrap the carbon tax.  Only the Coalition has a plan to scrap the carbon tax and that plan starts on day one of a Coalition Government.

Ross Vasta said in addition to carbon tax price pressures, Julia Gillard’s own electricity regulator, the Australian Energy Regulator, had approved all electricity network price rises over recent years.

“The Rudd-Gillard Government has been in office for five years and during that time they have approved all electricity network price increases and introduced the world’s biggest carbon tax. 

“When it comes to electricity prices, the culprit for rising electricity prices is Julia Gillard and her government.”

Read More

Waterloo Bay Lapidary Club Gem Show


Waterloo Bay Lapidary Club presents it’s annual fundraising GEM SHOW. Come and see the fascinating world of lapidary, faceting and jewellery making.

Gemstones, opals, crystals, fossils, minerals, jewellery, beads, lapidary supplies, handicraft, home made jams, pickles, cakes. Refreshments and raffle. Something for everyone – all tastes, all ages, all budgets. For further information www.lapidary.net.au or email wblc.coordinator@lapidary.net.au

 Details:

Where: Hemmant Community Hall, 31 Hemmant-Tingalpa Rd, Hemmant. (Access via Ramsay and Brand St, Hemmant)

When: Saturday, 1st September 2012

Time: 9am-3pm

Read More

Veterans Access Network – Wynnum Appointments

An Officer from the Veterans’ Access Network, Brisbane Office will be visiting Bonner on Thursday 30 August to conduct personal interviews with Veterans, war widows and their families who would like assistance or inforamtion on the Department’s services and benefits.

When – Thursday 30 August
Time – 10.00am-1.00pm

To make an appointment please call the Wynnum RSL Sub Branch on (07) 3396 7333.

Read More