Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, is today encouraging local schools to get involved in National Literacy and Numeracy Week, which runs from 25 to 31 August.

“National Literacy and Numeracy Week aims to celebrate learning and raise awareness of the importance of reading, writing and maths skills. I encourage all schools in our community to get involved,” Mr Vasta said.

The literacy activities this year are A Poem in Your Pocket and Read for Australia. The numeracy activity is Reach for the Stars.

–           A Poem in Your Pocket invites students to write a poem in any form they choose and share it with their friends, classmates, family and communities.

–           Read for Australia will provide all schools with the chance to participate in a simultaneous reading of the book Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabey at 2pm, Friday 29 August.

–           The numeracy activity Reach for the Stars has the theme drinking water. Students will identify, count and measure the sources of water in their community.

Mr Vasta also encouraged families in Bonner to get involved in National Literacy and Numeracy Week.

“The Government understands the important influence parents have on their children’s education, and I invite them to join in to celebrate literacy and numeracy,” Mr Vasta said.

Schools can also enter a draw to win great prizes by completing a short survey, available on the Literacy and Numeracy website, once they have completed all their activities.

National Literacy and Numeracy Week is part of the Australian Government’s Students First approach, focussing on four key areas that will make a difference to students:

–           Teacher quality

–           School autonomy

–           Parental engagement

–           Strengthening the curriculum.

Local schools and families wanting to get involved in National Literacy and Numeracy Week can access more information and a large range of free online resources at www.literacyandnumeracy.gov.au.

New payments to councils in Bonner are being made today under the Australian Government’s Financial Assistance Grant programme, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said today.

 “Brisbane City Council will receive a total of $38.4 million this financial year,” Mr Vasta said.

 “The Coalition Government is providing $2.3 billion to local councils nationwide in 2014-15 alone, including $453.1 million to Queensland councils.”

 Mr Vasta said the Government is committed to supporting local communities to deliver the services and facilities they need.

 “We will deliver a further $9.3 billion to Local Governments from 2014-15 to 2018-19 through the Financial Assistant Grants programme to deliver services and build community infrastructure,” Mr Vasta said.

 “Councils are free to spend this untied grant funding according to local priorities, including for infrastructure, health, recreation, environment, employment and roads projects.

 “The first quarterly payment for 2014-15 has been made.”

“I am looking forward to seeing our local councils target local priorities with this funding, along with additional funding provided by the Federal Government under the Roads to Recovery, Black Spot and Bridges Renewal programmes.”

 Local councils will receive the following funding under the Australian Government’s Financial Assistance Grant programme:

 NB: Some councils jurisdictions cross multiple federal electorates.

Electorates are as at 2010.

Full details of the allocations to councils under the Financial Assistance Grant programme are available online at www.regional.gov.au/local/assistance/index.aspx.

Young people in Bonner will be among the first 17 to 24 year olds to join the Australian Government’s Green Army and become part of the largest environmental movement in Australia’s history, Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“The first round of Green Army projects is set to get underway in the coming weeks, and I’m pleased to announce Bonner will be one of the first to host a Green Army project team,” Mr Vasta said.

“Young Australians will now have the opportunity to be a part of one of the Government’s major environmental initiatives and help our community deliver important local conservation outcomes.”

A number of Green Army rehabilitation projects are set to be rolled out soon in Bonner, with the aim of restoring habitat and creating connectivity. The projects will commence in:

 Mansfield;

 Wynnum North;

 Minnippi Parklands;

 Rochedale; and

 Clem Jones Centre at Carina.

“The Green Army provides opportunities for young Australians aged 17-24 years to gain training and experience in environmental and heritage conservation fields and explore careers in conservation management, while participating in projects that generate real benefits for the Australian environment,” Mr Vasta said.

“Participants will receive a Green Army allowance for the duration of their project. Participants will also be supported to obtain Certificate I or II qualifications or nationally endorsed skills set to help them prepare for the workforce or improve their career opportunities.”

The Green Army was a key Coalition election commitment, and with $525 million budgeted over four years, the Green Army is one of the Government’s major environmental initiatives. It will encourage practical, grassroots action to support local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia, providing training to 15,000 young Australians by 2018.

This investment in the Green Army will bring the Government’s total investment in natural resource management to more than $2 billion over four years.

Young Australians interested in joining the Green Army can apply through the appointed Service Providers for each state and territory. Contact details for Service Providers are available from www.environment.gov.au/green-army.

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today welcomed the restoration of Australian Government funding to assist ex-service organisations (ESOs) in continuing their important work with the local veteran community.

Mr Vasta said the Queensland RSL Manly-Lota Sub-Branch would receive $13,525 in funding under the restored Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program.

“This funding will help Manly-Lota RSL with staff wages, the purchase of computer equipment and office supplies, and other office expenses including Internet and telephone costs,” Mr Vasta said.

“I congratulate them for the wonderful work they do for our local veterans, and thank them for their ongoing commitment to the local veteran community.”

BEST grants assist the largely voluntary ESO workforce to help the veteran and defence communities and their families access Department of Veterans’ Affairs entitlements and services.

Overall, 141 organisations will share in a total of nearly $3.8 million (GST Exclusive) in funding allocated in BEST Round 16.

Mr Vasta said this round of BEST funding included an additional $1 million reinstated as part of the 2014-2015 Budget.

“The Abbott Government has restored advocacy and support funding for the veteran community that was cut by Labor,” Mr Vasta said.

“The 2014-15 Budget provides an additional $1 million per year to the BEST programme over the forward estimates. This funding will support the work of veterans’ advocates in helping veterans, war widows and widowers to access important information and services.”

“The additional funding will support the work of veterans’ advocates, welfare officers, and pension officers right across the country and provide them with greater certainty into the future.”

The Government consulted with the ESO community to determine how best to spend the additional money and these changes have since been actioned.

 For more information on DVA grants, visit www.dva.gov.au/grants or call 133 254 (or 1800 555 254 for regional callers).

The 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games has been an outstanding success for our athletes from the Bonner area, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“There were 27 athletes hailing from Bonner who qualified to compete at the Commonwealth Games this year, and they should be extremely proud,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our local athletes picked up a total of 20 medals – 10 Gold, 4 Silver, and 6 Bronze.”

Mr Vasta said the results were a testament to the hard work and dedication of the athletes, and wished them well for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

A list of Bonner’s local 2014 Commonwealth Games competitors and medal winners can be found below. More information on this year’s Games can be found at www.commonwealthgames.org.au

List of local 2014 Commonwealth Games athletes and medal winners

Diving

·         Anabelle Smith

·         Dominic Bedggood

·         Emily Boyd

·         Georgia Sheehan

·         Lara Tarvit

·         Maddison Keeney (Silver-1m Springboard; Bronze-3m Springboard Synchronised)

Gymnastics

·         Danielle Prince

 
High jump

·         Hannah Joye

·         Nik Bojic

 
Hockey (Kookaburras) – from Easts Hockey Club

·         Daniel Beale (Gold)

·         Jacob Whetton (Gold)

·         Mark Knowles  (Gold)

·         Matt Gohdes (Gold)

 
Judo – from Ohori Judo Club

·         Arnie Dickins

·         Chloe Rayner (Bronze-under 48kg)

 
Long jump

·         Robbie Crowther

 
Rugby Sevens

·         Tom Lucas (Bronze)

Shooting

·         Dane Sampson

·         Michael Diamond

·         Paul Adams

 
Swimming

·         Daniel Fox (Gold-200m Freestyle Para Sport S14)

·         Emma McKeon (Gold-200m Freestyle; Gold-4x100m Freestyle Relay; Gold-4x100m Medley Relay; Gold-4x200m Freestyle Relay; Bronze-100m Butterfly; Bronze-100m Freestyle)

·         Mitch Larkin (Gold-200m Backstroke; Silver-100m Backstroke; Silver-50m Backstroke; Silver-4x100m Medley Relay)

 
Weightlifting – from Cougars Weightlifting Club

·         Damon Kelly (Bronze-over 105kg)

·         Erika Ropati-Frost

·         Robert Galsworthy

·         Tegan Napper

Nominations for the Australian of the Year Awards 2016 are now open!

Each year our nation celebrates the achievement and contribution of eminent Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards by profiling leading citizens who are role models for us all. They inspire us through their achievements and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating a better Australia. The Awards continue to offer an insight into the Australian identity and celebrate the diversity of its people.

The Australian of the Year Awards provide all Australians with the opportunity to recognise someone who makes them proud in four categories: Australian of the Year; Senior Australian of the Year (those aged 60 years and over); Young Australian of the year (ages 16 to 30); and Australia’s Local Hero.

Further information is also available at www.australianoftheyear.gov.au or by telephone on 1300 655 193

The Coalition Government maintains its commitment to fund measures that will improve safety near the Minnippi Parklands in Tingalpa.

Federal Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan joined Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, and Councillor for Doboy, Ryan Murphy at Minnippi Parklands to discuss the Government’s funding of $70,000 for the area.

 Minister Keenan pledged the funds as part of the Government’s $50 million Safer Streets Programme.

 Mr Vasta said the Government had delivered on its Budget commitment to provide the funding in a significant boost for community safety in the Minnippi Parklands area.

 “The measures this funding will help provide will deter anti-social behaviour, and provide a safer and more family-friendly environment for the community,” Mr Vasta said.

 “They will build on existing measures taken by Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Police Service to improve safety in the area.”

Mr Vasta commendd Cr Ryan Murphy and the Queensland Police Service for their continued efforts to address crime in the area.

He also thanked members of the Tingalpa Model Aero Club who were in attendance for their support and assistance in implementing the new safety measures.

Young people in Bonner will be among the first 17 to 24 year olds to join the Australian Government’s Green Army and become part of the largest environmental movement in Australia’s history, Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“The first round of Green Army projects is set to get underway in the coming weeks, and I’m pleased to announce Bonner will be one of the first to host a Green Army project team,” Mr Vasta said.

“Young Australians will now have the opportunity to be a part of one of the Government’s major environmental initiatives and help our community deliver important local conservation outcomes.”

A number of Green Army rehabilitation projects are set to be rolled out soon in Bonner, with the aim of restoring habitat and creating connectivity. The projects will commence in:

·         Mansfield;

·         Wynnum North;

·         Minnippi Parklands;

·         Rochedale; and

·         Clem Jones Centre at Carina.

“The Green Army provides opportunities for young Australians aged 17-24 years to gain training and experience in environmental and heritage conservation fields and explore careers in conservation management, while participating in projects that generate real benefits for the Australian environment,” Mr Vasta said.

“Participants will receive a Green Army allowance for the duration of their project. Participants will also be supported to obtain Certificate I or II qualifications or nationally endorsed skills set to help them prepare for the workforce or improve their career opportunities.”

The Green Army was a key Coalition election commitment, and with $525 million budgeted over four years, the Green Army is one of the Government’s major environmental initiatives. It will encourage practical, grassroots action to support local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia, providing training to 15,000 young Australians by 2018.

This investment in the Green Army will bring the Government’s total investment in natural resource management to more than $2 billion over four years.

Young Australians interested in joining the Green Army can apply through the appointed Service Providers for each state and territory. Contact details for Service Providers are available from www.environment.gov.au/green-army.

“The Productivity Commission’s inquiry into Childcare and Early Childhood Learning is now open for public comment,” Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

The Coalition Government tasked the Productivity Commission with investigating and making recommendations regarding future options for childcare and early childhood learning.

The Productivity Commission recently released a draft interim report as part of the Childcare and Early Childhood Learning inquiry.

“Individuals, groups and organisations in Bonner are encouraged to submit their thoughts and feedback on the draft report,” Mr Vasta said.

“This inquiry is an important step in developing a system that will encourage workforce participation, and also address children’s learning and development needs.”

The draft report can be found here: www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/childcare/draft.

If you wish to comment on the draft report, submissions are being accepted prior to finalisation of the final report. Please email submissions to childcare@pc.gov.au.