The standard hourly rate of Child Care Benefit families in Bonner receive will increase by the CPI today, as highlighted in the recent Federal Budget.

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said, “This could see a lower income family, with one child in full-time care, receive up to $264[1] extra this year in the Child Care Benefit alone.”

“This increase in assistance is timely relief for Bonner families struggling with the cost of care, after fees skyrocketed 53% during Labor’s six years in government.”

“It will help take some of the pressure off working families as we continue to tackle the broader issue of making child care more affordable, flexible and accessible through our Productivity Commission Inquiry.”

“We’re also working closely with Queensland to cut unnecessary and excessive child care red tape to reduce pressure on fees for both parents and child care services alike,” Ross Vasta said.

In total, the Abbott Government is increasing overall spending on child care fee assistance to $28.5 billion over the next four years for around a million families. The Productivity Commission Inquiry’s draft report is due this month, with the final report due in October.

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[1] The standard hourly rate of the means-tested Child Care Benefit will rise by the CPI from $3.99 per hour to $4.10 per hour from Monday, July 7 2014. Families earning under $42,997 receive the full rate of Child Care Benefit, while families earning above that amount receive a partial rate that lessens as their income increases. A low-income family eligible for the full rate of Child Care Benefit with one child in care 50 hours per week, 48 weeks per year could receive up to $264 extra CCB in 2014-15, depending on their circumstances.

Work towards the commencement of the 20 Million Trees Programme is continuing to progress and the Government is now seeking feedback from organisations who may wish to be involved in the rollout, Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said today.

20 Million Trees will be implemented through two streams: competitive grants to land managers and local community groups, and a tender process for larger-scale Service Providers.

“The 20 Million Trees Programme is a key Coalition election commitment, and there are opportunities in Bonner for large-scale revegetation projects delivered on the ground,” Mr Vasta said.

“Projects will include re-establishing green corridors and urban forests, increasing and improving habitat to support our threatened species, and creating greener spaces to improve the liveability of our communities.”

“The Government has committed $50 million over four years to the 20 Million Trees Programme, with funding to commence from 2014-15. It’s an important part of the National Landcare Programme, and will deliver real environmental benefits to Bonner.”

“The Government is now inviting submissions from interested parties on how best to deliver large-scale tree planting in a way that best utilises industry expertise, knowledge and capacity to achieve environmental conservation outcomes and community engagement,” Mr Vasta said.

Suitable Service Providers are encouraged to take this opportunity to make a difference to the environment by helping the Government to reach its target of planting 20 million trees by 2020.

Submissions received through this Request for Information process will inform a subsequent Request for Tender (RFT) process that will invite potential delivery partners to apply to become a 20 Million Tree Service Provider.

There will be opportunity for the community to be involved in consultation for the 20 Million Trees Programme as part of wider consultation for the National Landcare Programme in the coming months.

For more information on 20 Million Trees, visit www.environment.gov.au/land/20-million-trees.

For more information on how to make a submission, visit www.tenders.gov.au.