Nationals candidate for Bonner, Ross Vasta says a Coalition government will restore confidence in the Australian fishing industry by returning scientific and commercial rigour to decision-making about Marine Protected Areas.

 

If elected, the Coalition will suspend and review the flawed Management Plans for Marine Protected Areas that have been imposed without adequate consultation, and will support the Rural Research and Development Corporations with greater funding to deliver cutting edge technology, continued applied research, and increased emphasis on collaborative innovation and extension.  

 

“Fishing is an important industry and Australia needs a balanced and informed approach to fisheries management,” Ross Vasta said.

 

“The Nationals understand the biggest supporter of environmentally responsible fishing practices is the fishing industry – they don’t want to harm the environment that provides them with a living.

 

“Australians know that Labor’s marine park lockouts are about trying to manage the Greens, not managing the environment. They have failed the fishing industry to hold on to power.

 

“A sustainable fishing industry is an integral part of a strong food production and export sector.  

 

“The ‘lock-up’ mentality of Labor completely ignores the fact that Australia’s recreational and commercial fishers are dedicated to sustainability,” he said.

 

The Coalition will boost confidence in the Australian fishing industry. We will:

 

·         Scrap the carbon tax.

·         Immediately suspend and review the flawed Management Plans for Marine Protected Areas imposed without fair or adequate consultation.

·         Require peer reviewed scientific evidence of threats to marine diversity within the Marine Protected Areas to be made publicly available.

·         Establish a Bioregional Advisory Panel for each of the five marine bioregions.

·         Establish a National Recreational Fishing Council to improve lines of communication between recreational fishers and government.

·         Cut red tape as part of the Coalition’s policy to cut $1 billion in red and green tape.  Areas identified include streamlining of regulatory audits required under the Food Safety and Export Certification (AQIS), harmonisation of regulations and simplification of regulations around management of introduced fish species.

·         Work with the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Indigenous Reference Group to improve engagement with indigenous communities.

·         Conduct recreational fishing surveys every five years.

·         Recognise OceanWatch as a Natural Resource Management Group with responsibility for enhancing fish habitats and improving water quality.

·         Provide $5 million to target invasive marine species with a view to the removal or eradication of these marine pests.

·         Fight illegal foreign fishing and ensure the ACV Ocean Protector and/or its replacement is provided with sufficient funding. 

 

The Coalition will help retirees by indexing the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, provide $200 million to dementia research and help young apprentices with a HECS-like apprentice loan scheme.

“We have a clear plan to build a stronger economy to provide more jobs and more support to those who need it”, said Ross Vasta, LNP, Member for Bonner.

Ross Vasta said the indexing of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) will provide retirees with peace of mind.

 “When I talk to seniors they tell me their number one concern is rising cost of living pressures, particularly the rising costs for healthcare as well as rising utility bills. 

“That is why the Coalition will scrap the carbon tax, keep fortnightly pension and benefit increases, end Labor’s war on private health insurance and index the CSHC.

Ross Vasta said the Coalition will also provide an additional $200 million for dementia research.

“Most families have been impacted by this insidious disease.  Without a medical breakthrough, nearly one million Australians will be suffering from dementia by 2050.

“This is an investment in the future health of every family in Bonner”.

Ross Vasta said new $20,000 Trade Support Loans for apprentices will help young apprentices finish their apprenticeship.

 “We all know that apprentices struggle and that apprenticeship completion rates are far too low.

 “Our Trade Support Loans will be repayable at the same thresholds as FEE-HELP loans for university students, so apprentices do not have to repay any money until they are earning a sustainable income.

“This policy will help lift apprenticeship completion rates, build Australia’s skilled workforce and strengthen the economy.

Ross Vasta said the election is a choice between the Coalition and its Real Solutions Plan to build a stronger Australia or another three years of Labor chaos and confusion.

 

The Coalition will be working to get more and better trained medical experts into rural and regional areas with its health policy announced today, Ross Vasta for Bonner said.

“We need more frontline services in Bonner, from highly skilled doctors, nurses and allied health professionals,” said Ross Vasta.

“This is a huge issue here and I particularly support the Coalition’s focus on helping busy professionals spend more time treating patients and financial assistance for students from rural and remote areas to further their studies.”

Unlike Labor which has run up enormous debt over the past six years and will have no alternative but to cut services if re-elected, the Coalition has a proven record on economic management and can deliver certainty of future investment.

The Coalition is committed to rebuilding general practice and assist them to expand their practices and provide space for teaching medical students. The Coalition will commit $52.5 million to provide at least 175 grants of up to $300,000 targeted to rural and regional areas.

The Coalition will also commit $13.4 million to provide 500 additional scholarships to a maximum of $30,000 per scholarship for nurses and allied health professionals in areas of need to undertake further study.

Another $40 million over four years will support up to 100 additional intern places in private hospitals, with priority given to positions and rotations outside major metro areas to bolster the medical workforce in rural and regional areas.

Importantly, a Federal Coalition government would work to cut administration and bureaucracy in favour of more frontline services, and work with States and Territories to support more local control of hospital services.

“I’ve always believed that hospitals can operate better at a community level than under the control of bureaucrats in Canberra,” said Ross Vasta.

The Coalition has a strong record on health. As health Minister, Tony Abbott increased funding for public hospitals from $7.49 billion in 2003 to over $9.5 billion in 2007. Just last year, the Federal Labor government cut $1.6 billion from State public hospitals.

An elected Coalition Government will invest $100,000 to upgrade facilities at the Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed, announced the Liberal National Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP, today.

Making the announcement with the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Julie Bishop MP this morning, Mr Vasta said he was proud to secure this investment in such a worthy local organisation. 

“I am delighted to be able to make this commitment Men’s Shed Mt Gravatt, which is an important local community organisation here on the Southside,” Mr Vasta said.

The Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed allows men to participate and interact within their community – improving health and wellbeing.   

This significant local investment will allow the Men’s Shed to build new facilities and upgrade existing infrastructure.

Come and see Queensland’s and Australia’s best long range target shooters. Free entry!  Stay and enjoy the hospitality of the Bullseye Bar and Cafe.

 
Belmont Shooting Complex, Brisbane

(enter Old Cleveland Rd opposite Stanborough Rd)

August 10 – 17, 2013

Competition from 8.00am – 1.00pm.

for further information visit: http://www.majorleague.com.au/ 

After a fantastic festival last year, Bayside Arts and Music is back, and will be buzzing again with creativity and a strong community vibe.

There will be music from SN@P; handmade art, craft and design stalls at our Artisan Marketplace; food; and art workshops. Come along to the park of the Old Wynnum Central State School – do some screen printing, a weaving workshop; have fun helping to build a papier mache seahorse, or just relax and listen to some creative, musical talent.

It’s on Saturday 31 August from 12 noon – 5pm. Come down for the afternoon – Florence St Wynnum.

Families in Bonner will be an average of over $550 better off next financial year as a result of the Coalition’s plan to scrap the carbon tax said Ross Vasta, LNP Member for Bonner.

“Kevin Rudd’s carbon tax adds to the cost of living. It is a tax on electricity, it’s a tax on gas and it hurts family budgets”, said Ross Vasta.

“As the carbon tax goes up, so will families’ cost of living.

“Only the Coalition will reduce your cost of living by abolishing the carbon tax.

Ross Vasta said that on the Government’s own figures, the carbon tax will increase six-fold between mid-2014 and mid 2019 – reaching $38 a tonne by 2019 and increasing to $350 a tonne over time.

“That means if Labor is re-elected, average families will pay $3,000 in carbon tax over the next six years. 

“Only the Coalition will scrap the carbon tax lock, stock and barrel.”

“And the Coalition will also keep the current income tax thresholds and the current pension and benefit fortnightly rates while scrapping the carbon tax.

Ross Vasta said this means local workers, families and pensioners will keep the tax cuts and fortnightly pension and benefit increases provided in Labor’s carbon tax package, but without the carbon tax.

“As a result, these tax cuts and fortnightly benefit increases will become genuine cost‑of‑living relief, worth around $4 billion a year, rather than partial compensation for Labor’s damaging carbon tax hit.

This means that – based on the Government’s own figures – under the Coalition:

• average families will be better off by more than $550 a year in 2014-15, rising to around $900 a year in 2019-20; and
• over the next six years, average families will be $3,000 better off under the Coalition than under Kevin Rudd’s carbon tax.

 

 

Ross Vasta, LNP Member for Bonner said the election is a clear choice between more of the same from Labor and real change from the Coalition.

“The choice between the major parties could not be clearer”, said Ross Vasta.

“At this election, the Coalition offers strong, experienced and stable government, a stronger economy, stronger borders, a stronger Australia and a better future – for all Australians.

“Labor is offering just more of the same: more talk, more chaos, more division, more debt, more deficits and more taxes.

“Only the Coalition can form the strong, stable government to deliver a stronger economy with more jobs, real help for families and small business, lower taxes and secure borders.

“We are getting a positive response in Bonner and throughout Australia – people want a government that can deliver more jobs and a stronger economy.

Ross Vasta said the Real Solutions Plan lays down 10 clear actions that we will take which will make our country stronger and families more secure:

1. We will build a stronger, more diverse economy with lower taxes, less waste.
2. We will get the Budget back under control
3. Help families get ahead by freeing them from the carbon tax
4. Help small businesses grow by reducing business costs
5. Build a Five-Pillar economy
6. Generate one million new jobs over the next five years and two million new jobs within 10 years
7. Build more modern infrastructure to get things moving
8. Deliver better health and education services – with local communities in charge
9. Build a 15,000-strong Green Army to clean-up the environment
10. The boats will stop – with tough, proven measures not talk from proven boat failures.

Ross Vasta said he will be campaigning every day between now and the election on the positive choice offered by the Coalition at this election.

“It is only by voting for the Coalition that our community can get a strong voice in a better government.”