People in Bonner who are suffering from pancreatic cancer will be able to access the breakthrough drug Abraxane on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from November 1.

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said pancreatic cancer was a highly aggressive disease with very few treatment options.

“The Australian Government has committed over $92 million over four years to subsidise Abraxane, which will improve the lives of around 1,500 Australians and their families,” Mr Vasta said.

Without the PBS listing of this medicine, patients would face an average cost of $16,000 for a course of treatment, at an average cost of $1,300 per script. Once listed on the PBS, that script will cost a concessional patient only $6.00.

The Commonwealth spends more than $9 billion annually to fund existing items on the PBS, which is up a staggering 80 per cent in the past decade.

The listing of nanoparticle albumin bound paclitaxel (Abraxane®) was recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee in March, and the details were agreed with the pharmaceutical company in July. It has now received approval from Cabinet.

“Following agreement of pricing and listing arrangements with the pharmaceutical company, the Government has taken less than two months to consider the listing, making it one of the fastest listing approvals for a high cost medicine in recent years,” Mr Vasta said.

All PBS listings are subject to final arrangements being met by the suppliers of the medicine.

Government schools in Bonner will benefit from the Australian Government’s $70 million Independent Public Schools (IPS) initiative, designed to strengthen the capacity of school communities to make better decisions for students.

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said Australian Government funding will flow to local schools as a result of an agreement between the Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, and the Queensland Minister for Education, Training and Employment, the Hon John-Paul Langbroek MP.

“This is great news for our local community,” Mr Vasta said.

“No one is better placed to make decisions about how a school should be run than the principal, teachers and parents at that school.”

“This funding will expand Queensland’s Independent Public Schools initiative, and provide professional development to support local school leaders in making better decisions.”

Under this initiative, Queensland will receive $12.88 million from the Australian Government between 2014 and 2017 to enable an additional 130 government schools to become Independent Public Schools.

“This is over and above the state’s current program, and will directly benefit school principals, leadership teams and school communities in Bonner,” Mr Vasta said.

“The funding means the good work already happening in local schools can be expanded to provide more parents in our community with more choice.”

The funding will also assist with the development and delivery of three professional development programmes, and an online system to help schools better manage their budgets.

Mr Vasta said the IPS initiative is part of the Government’s Students First approach, which focuses on four key areas – teacher quality, school autonomy, parental engagement, and strengthening the curriculum – that will allow local schools to better meet the needs of students.

 For further information, visit www.studentsfirst.gov.au.

The Government is now inviting young people aged 17 to 24 years old to sign up to key Green Army projects in Bonner, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said today.

“These are some of the first Green Army initiatives to roll out in the country, and are aimed at restoring and rehabilitating our local natural habitat,” Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage young people in Bonner who want to gain valuable skills, training and experience in environmental and heritage conservation fields to become a part of this monumental environmental undertaking.”

Mr Vasta said Campbell Page, one of five appointed Green Army Service Providers that have been contracted to deliver Green Army projects across the country, has commenced recruitment for rehabilitation projects at:

·         Mansfield – area between Cresthaven Park and Caterson Park, on the southern side of Bulimba Creek;

·         Wynnum North;

·         Minnippi Parklands.

“Green Army participants will be able to undertake accredited training such as work readiness, conservation and land management, heritage conservation, project and human resource management and heritage trade skills,” 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.”

Participation is open to a diverse range of young people, including school leavers, gap year students, graduates and job seekers. Participants must be aged between 17 and 24 years and an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

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.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today said it was an honour to present at SpecialCare Central’s 2014 Recognition Awards on Friday, 12 September.

 “These awards recognise the hard work and achievements of worthy members of our community who have a disability, as well as businesses that employ people with a disability,” Mr Vasta said.

 “SpecialCare Central is to be commended for their excellent Disability Awareness and Opportunity Expo this year, which was their sixth annual event.”

 “Every year, the Expo brings together members of our community to offer support and recognition to those living with a disability.”

 The team at SpecialCare Central said they felt the Recognition Awards were the highlight of the Expo.

 “We are blessed to have the opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful people that make up our community,” Yvonne Campbell, organiser of the Expo, said.

 Ross Vasta said he was touched by the story of Ronald Sheehey, who has autism and who currently works as a kitchen hand for Greenmeadow Court, one of the Nominee Certificate recipients for Best Employer.

“Ronald once lacked confidence, and was quite shy and withdrawn – now through his work at Greenmeadow Court, he has gained the confidence to catch public transport to and from work, and has recently passed his Provisional Driver Licence exam,” Mr Vasta said.

 “It was wonderful to see employers like Greenmeadow Court, who have given so much support to their disabled employees, receiving the recognition they deserve.”

 “I look forward to hearing more from the award winners in future, as well as seeing more of the great work SpecialCare Central does for our disabled community.”

 To see more photos of the Expo and to read more about the event, visit www.specialcarecentral.com.au.

Date: Sunday 26 October 2014
Time: From 10am to 2pm
Place: Cnr Bridgnorth St & Old Cleveland Road Carindale

Stalls include trash and treasure, pre-loved books and clothing, handicrafts, cakes and sweets, plants, devonshire teas, Asian foods, sausage sizzle and cold drinks.

Lots of free local entertainment and community displays plus activities for children – baby farm animals, pony rides, jumping castle, face painting, puppet show. 

Phone 3398 8069 for more information.

More than 3.7 million pensioners in Australia, including over 14,000 pensioners in Bonner, will receive an increase to their payments from September 20, Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said today.

“Single age pensioners will receive an increase of up to $11.50 a fortnight, while age pensioner couples will receive up to $17.40 extra a fortnight, the second rise this year,” Mr Vasta said.

“This means total pension payments for people on the maximum rate will be $854.30 a fortnight for singles, and $1,288.00 a fortnight for couples.”

“This is good news for the 14,189 age pensioners in Bonner.”

In addition, around one million allowance recipients will also benefit on September 20 from increases to income support payments such as Newstart and Parenting Payment.

Parenting Payment Single recipients will receive an extra $7.20 a fortnight to $732.30.

Newstart Allowance, Parenting Payment Partnered, Widow Allowance, Partner Allowance and Sickness Allowance will increase by $5.20 a fortnight for singles and $4.70 each for couples (including Energy Supplement).

Mr Vasta said the increases will help pensioners keep up with rises in cost of living expenses.

“Pensions will continue to increase in March and September every year under an Abbott Government,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Abbott Government is pleased to deliver increases to those on the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and veterans’ income support.”

“This is on top of our election commitment delivered earlier this week to annually index the income thresholds for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card to CPI,” Mr Vasta said.

Full details of all rates and thresholds to be indexed on 20 September can be found at www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/benefits-payments/indexation-rates-september-2014.

This weekend marks one year since the Australian people entrusted the Coalition with the job of building a stronger Australia.

Since then we have been working to deliver on our commitments to you and to make decisions that are in the best long-term interests of our country.

Our focus has been on building a strong, prosperous economy and a safe and secure Australia.

 We’re making progress:

 ·         The Carbon Tax is gone;

·         The boats are stopping;

·         Our record $50 billion roads and infrastructure programme is underway;

·         The Mining Tax has been abolished;

·         We’ve given environmental approvals to major new projects worth over $800 billion;

·         We’re boosting exports and jobs with Free Trade Agreements with two of our major trading partners;

·         We’re reducing Government debt and getting the Budget back under control;

·         And importantly, 109,000 new jobs have been created since the end of last year.

 
These achievements are just the start. You can read more here.

As a nation, we’ve also faced serious challenges in the past year because of the increasingly uncertain world in which we live.

Uncertainty in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine and the rise of violent extremism has tested Australia, as it has other nations.

In an increasingly uncertain world, we are determined to keep our nation safe and secure.

Over the next two years, the Government will continue its work building a stronger economy because that means more jobs and prosperity.

We’ll be building roads, protecting the vulnerable, ending rip-offs, fixing the Budget and ensuring our country is safe and secure.

Regards,

Tony Abbott
Prime Minister

Residents in Bonner should ensure they have retuned their digital television equipment, as part of the national relocation of digital television services that is due to end in December 2014, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said today.

“This retune process has been occurring progressively, moving free-to-air TV channels to different frequencies in order to make spectrum available for next-generation services such as mobile broadband,” Mr Vasta said.

“On or after their retune date, people will need to have retuned their digital TV, set top box or digital TV recorder to be able to view the channels that have changed frequencies.”

Mr Vasta said people can check their retune date at www.digitalready.gov.au/retune.

“Retuning is a simple process and will not affect the current quality of TV reception or coverage,” Mr Vasta said.

To retune, on your remote:

·         Press the “Menu” button;

·         Look for your set-up options and select options such as “Channels” or “Auto-tuning”;

·         A scanning bar may appear – when the scan finishes, you should be able to receive all available digital TV channels.

For more information or help with retuning, visit www.digitalready.gov.au/retune, or free call the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 201 013.

THE BAYSIDE PCYC AND THE MANLY HARBOUR VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC

PRESENT MOVIES IN THE PARK – A Free Community Event

Just in time for Father's Day … “FATHER OF THE BRIDE 2”

SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014, 6.30 pm, Little Bayside Park, Manly (at the

intersection of Cambridge Parade & Esplanade)

Bring the family, a picnic rug or folding chairs and enjoy the Movie on the

shore of Moreton Bay!

Dine at the variety of restaurants, cafes and eateries in Manly

HarbourVillage. Food can also be purchased at the Movies from 4.00 pm!

For further details go to www.manlyharbourvillage.com

Madame/Deputy Speaker I rise to give an update on some of the positive outcomes that have been achieved in my electorate of Bonner.

As I have previously spoken about in this chamber, Bonner has benefited from a significant amount of Federal funding, and we have continued to deliver on our commitments to the area.

This month, I received the extremely good news that the Queensland RSL Manly-Lota Sub-Branch will be receiving $13,525 in Government funding. This will be provided under our restored Building Excellence in Support and Training, or BEST, grants programme.

The Manly-Lota RSL provides vital support to local veterans, and it’s wonderful to be able to supply this funding that will help the volunteers at Manly-Lota with their day-to-day work.

I am extremely proud of Bonner’s active veteran community and it was a privilege to attend services for Vietnam Veterans Day in August at the Wynnum RSL and also the Brisbane East Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association at the Manly Lota RSL Hall– it was a great honour to be asked to do a the Bible reading at the Brisbane East Branch’s service on the day.

On top of Manly-Lota’s BEST grant, the Government will also be providing $125,000 to Bonner under our ANZAC Centenary Local Grants programme. These funds will help local groups and organisations with projects and events that commemorate the coming ANZAC Centenary. I look forward to seeing these wonderful projects that have been set up to honour the Centenary being rolled out throughout Bonner.

This month has also seen the rollout of a number of Green Army projects in Bonner. The Government is now recruiting young people aged 17 to 24 to take part in rehabilitation projects in Mansfield, Wynnum North, Minnippi Parklands, Rochedale, and Carina. Local youths who sign up will be some of the first in Australia to take part in this crucial environmental initiative.

Several young people in Bonner have also benefited from individual grants to help them pay the costs of participating in state, national or international sporting competition. A total of 15 young sportsmen and women from Bonner, whom I was happy to nominate for funding, have received Local Sporting Champions grants of $500 to help cover their costs.

I was so happy to hear from Laura Tyson and her mother Dee about how the $500 grant she received helped her attend the World Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships in Paris. I’m glad Laura was able to have this wonderful experience, and I look forward to helping many more young athletes like her in future.

 Primary school students across Bonner will benefit from $100 million that the Government is putting into its new Sporting Schools initiative over the next three years. From next year, local primary schools can apply for grant money that can be spent on their sporting activities throughout the year. I’m pleased that primary schools in Bonner will have these funds available to them to help their students into a more active and healthy lifestyle.

Students who would benefit include the wonderful boys and girls at St. Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, whom I was thrilled to meet with last month. They had some great questions for me about Australian politics and life in Parliament House. I thank them and their teachers for their insight and for a lovely morning out.

Following up my previous update, I am pleased to report that the improved safety measures at Minnippi Parklands in Tingalpa are going ahead smoothly.

We have provided $70,000 in funds to go toward safety measures that will include new CCTV cameras in the area.

I would like to thank the members of the Tingalpa Model Aero Club, who have given their time and assistance in implementing the new safety measures at the Parklands. They’re a great bunch who are doing their annual fly-in to Norfolk Island this October. I was happy to arrange some meetings for them for their time over there. I wish Allen Danvers and the rest of the TMAC team the best, and I look forward to hearing the outcomes of their trip.

Finally, I am so pleased to report that the volunteers at the Mount Gravatt Men’s Shed have been doing well. Just last week I heard that five volunteers at the Shed have been working on an important G20 project. They are constructing a giant 3D “E”, which will be used to form a 25 metre-long sign of the word “BRISBANE” that will go on display in the lead-up to the G20 Cultural Celebrations later this year.

It’s great to hear the men at the Shed have taken a lot of satisfaction out of the project. It’s just one example of the great work the Mount Gravatt Men’s Shed does, and I look forward to seeing what else they achieve, with the help of the $100,000 in funding we will be providing them.

 Thank you.