Ross Vasta Member for Bonner said the Abbott Government’s first Budget is laying the foundations for a strong and prosperous economy with less debt.

“At the election, the Coalition made the solemn promise to get the Budget back under control, as well as scrap the Carbon Tax, end the waste, stop the boats and build the roads of the 21^st century.  This Budget keeps that pledge”, said Ross Vasta.

“The Budget is part of the Abbott Government’s Economic Action Strategy to build a strong, prosperous economy for a safe, secure Australia.

“The Government has made the difficult but necessary decisions to put the Budget on a more sustainable footing so that we can all share in prosperity in the future.

“We are all playing a part – because it’s in sharing the load that we lighten the load.

“Labor ran up five record deficits and left $123 billion in future deficits.  If we took no action, debt would have hit $667 billion.  Every month, the government is paying $1 billion in interest costs on Labor’s debt.  

 “Governments, like households, must live within their means.

“Because of this Budget, Labor’s deficits have been reduced by $43 billion and debt is forecast to be about $275 billion lower in a decade.

The Budget includes:

·         Australia’s biggest infrastructure programme – with $50 billion in transport investment by 2019-20;

·         Creating the world’s biggest medical research endowment fund – the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund.  It will find the cures of the future and be funded by the health reforms;

·         Requiring young people who can work to be earning, learning or participating in Work for the Dole;

·         Providing stronger incentives to businesses to hire older workers – businesses will receive up to $10,000 for employing workers older than 50;

·         Funding for additional road infrastructure by reintroducing twice-yearly indexation of fuel to CPI from 1 August 2014;

·         Providing Australian universities with the freedom to innovate through full deregulation;

·         Reforming the Age Pension to make it more sustainable – that includes gradually increasing the Age Pension age to 70 by 1 July 2035;

·         Freezing politicians’ pay and ending the life-time gold pass;

·         Changing family payments to target support to those who need it most; and 

·         Introducing a three-year Temporary Budget Repair Levy – payable, from July, by individuals with a taxable income above $180,000 at a rate of two per cent. The Levy will ensure those on a higher income contribute to the Budget repair. 

Ross Vasta said the Government is honouring its commitment to reduce the overall tax burden – so that families can plan their future and get ahead.

“Every year, the Carbon Tax is a $9 billion hit on the economy and it costs an average family $550.  We will scrap the Carbon Tax. 

“Fewer than 4 per cent of taxpayers will pay the new Temporary Budget Repair Levy on high income earners making over $180,000.

Mr Vasta said this is the largest roads Budget in Australia’s history and will help families across Australia spend less time in traffic.

“This record roads Budget will, in part, be funded by the change in fuel excise.  The change will cost about 40 cents a week, depending how far you travel.  The increase in fuel excise will be directed towards road funding.   

Ross Vasta said medical research will benefit from the changes to the Medicare Co-payment.  Prevention is always better than cure – and this will become a $20 billion fund in our future health.

“By making the Health system more sustainable and investing in medical research, we are ensuring that Australia remains the best and healthiest place in the world to raise a family and care for loved ones”.

“The key goal of the Budget is to strengthen the economy – because when you strengthen the economy, small businesses succeed, families have less pressure on them and jobs are created.”

More people in Bonner will be able to benefit from higher education as a result of improvements to the higher education system announced as part of the 2014-15 Budget today.

“The Abbott Government’s higher education reforms will expand opportunities and choice in Bonner meaning more people will be able to study,” Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said.

“This higher education reform is part of the Abbott Government’s Economic Action Strategy to build a strong, prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia.”

There are many benefits for university graduates. They:

·         earn on average up to 75 per cent more than those who do not go on to higher education after secondary school;

·         over their lifetime may earn around a million dollars more than if they had not gone to university;

·         are less likely to be unemployed; and

·         do not have to pay a dollar upfront for their course because they have access to the Higher Education Loan Programme.

“That is why the Abbott Government wants to see these opportunities for success shared by the people of Bonner.

“We will make higher education more accessible by expanding support to pathway courses such as diplomas for those who might not yet be ready to do a full degree.

“The Abbott Government will introduce a massive new Commonwealth Scholarship programme to boost equity of access for disadvantaged students.

“We also want to ensure Australian universities are not left behind by the rapidly improving higher education systems of our neighbours, particularly in the Asian region.”

To help create more opportunities for Australians to undertake higher education and ensure Australia isn’t left behind the Abbott Government will:

·         expand the demand driven Commonwealth funding system for students studying for higher education diplomas, advanced diplomas and associate degrees, costing $371.5 million over three years

·         extend Commonwealth funding to all students in non-university higher education institutions studying bachelor courses, costing $448.9 million over 3 years

·         create more opportunities for students for low-socio economic backgrounds through a new Commonwealth scholarship and equity initiative

·         remove all HELP loan fees which are currently imposed on some students undertaking higher education and vocational education and training

·         maintain the Higher Education Loans Programme (HELP) that sees the taxpayer support all students’ tuition fees up front.

·         free Universities to set their own fees and compete for students.

The Abbott Government will provide support to all bachelor and diploma students in all higher education institutions, in universities, colleges and TAFEs accredited to provide higher qualifications.

The new arrangements for university fees will apply from 2016, but all currently enrolled students will continue under the existing fee structure until the end of their current degree or the end of 2020 (whichever is sooner).

“This reform package will ensure people in our community will have more choice about their education,” Ross Vasta said.

“The HELP system will support a wider range of study choices in a fair and balanced way, ensuring students can gain the skills and knowledge they and our communities and local businesses need.”

Mr Vasta said the Government is making decisions that repair the Budget, strengthen the economy and prepare Australia for the long term challenges before us.

“By making the right choices today, we are creating a stronger country for tomorrow – with stronger small businesses and more well-paying jobs so that all Australians can get ahead.

“The Australian people have said they want a government that would fix the Budget and strengthen the economy.  That is what we are doing,” Mr Vasta said.

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta

Contact: (07) 3893 3488

The students and schools in Bonner will benefit from the Abbott Government’s record recurrent funding investment of $64.5 billion in schools over the next four years.

“This government has matched the former government’s funding for schools over the period to 2016-17 as promised at the election and has increased its investment by adding $1.2 billion more than the previous government,” Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said.

“The Abbott Government is honouring its commitment to education. The commitments we made at the election are fully funded, ensuring no additional pressure on the Budget.

“This decision honours the commitment of the Government to the Australian people.

“I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to increasing Commonwealth spending to schools over 4 years,” Mr Vasta said.

Mr Vasta said the Abbott Government has also kept its election commitment to invest $243.8 million over 4 years to revitalise the School Chaplaincy Programme.

“I am particularly pleased the Chaplaincy Programme has been returned to its original intent of funding school chaplains only.

“I encourage all schools in Bonner to apply for funding which offers up to $20,000 per year to support a chaplain, and up to $24,000 per year in remote areas.

Other elements of the Abbott Government’s record spending in education include:

 · $5 million over 4 years to help ensure more students study science, technology, engineering and mathematics in primary and secondary schools through the Primary Connections: Linking science with literacy and Science by Doing science education programmes

·  $11.6 million to improve uptake of languages other than English including: providing $9.8 million for the Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) trial; and $1.8 million for the development of new curricula under the Australian Curriculum, for Foundation to Year 10

“To put students first this Government will focus on delivering on what works to improve student results,” Ross Vasta said.

“Students do best in schools that have autonomy, great teachers, effective curricula, and greater parental engagement, which is what this Government is delivering under its Students First initiative.”

These measures will encourage students to develop practical, targeted skills that help them compete in the global jobs economy.

“As a result of Labor’s poor Budget management, wasteful spending and increasing debt, Australia has been living beyond its means,” Mr Vasta said.

“However the Abbott Government remains committed to making child care more affordable, flexible and accessible for Australia’s working families, especially those in regional areas.

“The Government will invest around $28.5 billion in child care fee assistance for families over the next four years. And many millions of that will go to assist families in our community.

“The Budget is part of the Government’s Economic Action Strategy to build a strong, prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia.

 “The Australian people have said they want a government that would fix the Budget and strengthen the economy.  That is what we are doing,” Ross Vasta said.

Bonner will benefit from the Abbott Government’s commitment to build the infrastructure of the 21^st Century with more than $70 million for local projects announced in the 2014-15 Budget.

This is part of the Government’s Economic Action Strategy to invest a record $13.4 billion in productivity-enhancing infrastructure in Queensland which will create thousands of jobs, slash travel times and boost economic growth.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said the funding will support much needed infrastructure projects in Bonner.

“They will bring job opportunities, boost our local economy and make our roads safer for motorists.

Mr Vasta said that 4 projects in the Bonner electorate will receive funding including;

· Gateway Motorway South (Mt. Gravatt-Capalaba Road to the Pacific Motorway):

    – Federal contribution: $70 million;

· Mount Gravatt Men’s Shed (Stage 2 Construction and Fit Out of Existing Facility):

    – Federal contribution: $100,000;

· Yandina Park Mansfield Clubhouse Facility Construction:

    – Federal contribution: $54,000; and

· Gumdale Scouts Car Park Construction:

    – Federal contribution: $26,000;

“Projects like these will relieve pressure on existing infrastructure and unlock the economic capacity of Bonner, making it an even better place to live and do business,” Mr Vasta said.

The Abbott Government’s infrastructure package will drive growth and create jobs so that we can have a stronger, more prosperous economy in Bonner.

Further information can be found at http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/projects/.

The Abbott Government today reaffirmed its commitment to the Green Army.

“The Green Army is part of the Government’s Economic Action Strategy. It will provide hands-on experience for young people in Bonner as well as protect local environmental sites across Bonner,” the Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said.

“The Government will provide $525 million over 4 years to support grassroots action to meet local environmental challenges,” Mr Vasta said.

 “The Green Army will be Australia’s largest-ever team supporting environmental action across the country, building to 15,000 in number by 2018.”

“Teams will help clean up riverbanks and creek beds, re-vegetate sand dunes and mangroves, manage weeds and invasive pests, and protect local significant heritage sites. Green Army teams will be guided by local community needs and contribute to Bonner’s environmental priorities and obligations.”

“The Green Army will provide opportunities for young people aged 17–24 years across Australia to gain valuable training and experience in environmental and heritage conservation fields and explore careers in conservation management.”

“Green Army participants will be paid an allowance and will help local communities deliver a range of projects for up to six months. Hands-on work experience will be combined with nationally recognised training opportunities to help thousands of young Australians enter the workforce or improve their career opportunities.”

“The Green Army will make a real difference to the environment and local communities through projects that will be carried out across urban, regional and remote Australia on public land, Indigenous-held lands, or private land where there is a clear community and environmental benefit.”

“In coming months, the Government will announce the first of the Green Army projects.”

“This measure will bring the Government’s entire investment in natural resource management to $2 billion over four years from 2014/15,” Mr Vasta said.

Further information about the Green Army is available at: www.environment.gov.au/green-army