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.

The Australian Government will hit the road in August to talk to Australian communities about getting involved in the National Landcare Programme.

 Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said community information sessions would be held in capital cities and regional centres across the country from August 4 telling people about the opportunities on offer in the National Landcare Programme and how to get involved in local projects.

 Mr Vasta said the information sessions would be held in every capital city as well as ten regional centres, so that farmers, environmental groups, local Landcare bodies and natural resource management organisations could have a say about how the National Landcare Programme could benefit their local area.

 “The Government is keen to get as many views as we can so a consultation survey will also be available online for all Australians to have their say on the National Landcare Programme,” Mr Vasta said.

 “We want to work with regional natural resource management organisations, Landcare groups, community organisations and individuals to deliver simple, local and long-term solutions to environmental challenges.”

 Online consultation will make it easier for those in regional and remote Australia to have their voices heard.

 “The Government is committed to empowering local communities to undertake projects with long-term benefits, based on local and regional priorities.”

“The consultation survey is a great opportunity for communities to help shape the programme in Bonner, and I encourage people to participate in this process,” Mr Vasta said.

 The Government will also shortly announce details of funding for future small projects and a one-off grants programme to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Landcare.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, is encouraging people in Bonner to have their say on the recently released interim report proposing improvements to Australia’s welfare system.

Mr Vasta says public submissions need to be lodged by Friday, 08 August 2014.

“The interim report, A New System for Better Employment and Social Outcomes, proposes changes to our nation’s welfare system to help ensure it is sustainable, simple, equitable and effective,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Government is seeking feedback on the interim report, and all feedback will be considered by the Reference Group on Welfare Reform in developing its final recommendations to the Government, due later this year.”

“This is a great opportunity for our community to contribute to the improvements which will be made to Australia’s welfare system, and I encourage individuals or organisations to participate in this process.”

“Interested individuals or organisations can put in a submission, or make a brief comment if they prefer.”

Among the suggestions in the interim report is a more simplified system that consists of four main payments: a tiered Working Age Payment; a Disability Support Pension; an Age Pension; and a Child Payment.

In addition to the public submissions process, the Reference Group invited feedback on its interim report through targeted roundtable discussions and a closed online forum.

Around 350 organisations were invited to take part in these forums, including community and business groups, advocacy groups and service providers, peak welfare organisations, employers and expert individuals, at both a national and local level.

A copy of the interim report, and information about how to lodge a public submission, can be found at www.dss.gov.au/welfarereform.

The Australian Government is working with local businesses in Bonner to create new opportunities, new markets and new jobs, Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

The new $484.2 million Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme (EIP) is putting in place the supporting infrastructure to help businesses become more robust and build on their strengths, as well as provide the advice and a helping hand to support businesses take the next step into new growth areas.

This will lead to a more diverse and competitive economy, including in Bonner.

Businesses in Bonner can access Government information and services through a single website or contact number. Eligible businesses will be able to request business evaluations from skilled advisors and be able to apply for assistance to grow their business.

The programme is easily accessible for businesses in Bonner through the new Single Business Service initiative, which simplifies how businesses access Government information and services, on the web, over the phone or face to face. 

“Queensland’s 413,800 small and medium-sized businesses are the bedrock of our community, creating jobs and underpinning our economy. Our new programmes mean that they can access the services needed to develop their businesses, in a user-friendly, streamlined way,” Mr Vasta said.

“Eligible businesses can request a business evaluation, where an assessment provides detailed recommendations and assistance to implement key improvements, boost business performance and growth.”

Mr Vasta said the full range of EIP activities will be rolled out in the coming months, and will provide professional support to assist businesses in Bonner to lift their capabilities, commercialise good ideas, find market and industry information, and get easy access to business management advice and connections to research.

“Under the old system, there were too many confusing and competing programmes and layers of expensive bureaucracy,” Mr Vasta said.

“These have been removed to make dealing with Government easier and quicker.”

“This is another way that this Government is boosting innovation, cutting red tape and ensuring that Australia is open for business.”

The Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme can be accessed through www.business.gov.au, on 13 28 46 or through your local AusIndustry office.

The Australian Government is working with local businesses in Bonner to create new opportunities, new markets and new jobs, Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

The new $484.2 million Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme (EIP) is putting in place the supporting infrastructure to help businesses become more robust and build on their strengths, as well as provide the advice and a helping hand to support businesses take the next step into new growth areas.

This will lead to a more diverse and competitive economy, including in Bonner.

Businesses in Bonner can access Government information and services through a single website or contact number. Eligible businesses will be able to request business evaluations from skilled advisors and be able to apply for assistance to grow their business.

The programme is easily accessible for businesses in Bonner through the new Single Business Service initiative, which simplifies how businesses access Government information and services, on the web, over the phone or face to face. 

“Queensland’s 413,800 small and medium-sized businesses are the bedrock of our community, creating jobs and underpinning our economy. Our new programmes mean that they can access the services needed to develop their businesses, in a user-friendly, streamlined way,” Mr Vasta said.

“Eligible businesses can request a business evaluation, where an assessment provides detailed recommendations and assistance to implement key improvements, boost business performance and growth.”

Mr Vasta said the full range of EIP activities will be rolled out in the coming months, and will provide professional support to assist businesses in Bonner to lift their capabilities, commercialise good ideas, find market and industry information, and get easy access to business management advice and connections to research.

“Under the old system, there were too many confusing and competing programmes and layers of expensive bureaucracy,” Mr Vasta said.

“These have been removed to make dealing with Government easier and quicker.”

“This is another way that this Government is boosting innovation, cutting red tape and ensuring that Australia is open for business.”

The Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme can be accessed through www.business.gov.au, on 13 28 46 or through your local AusIndustry office.

The Abbott Coalition Government is building a stronger economy by supporting apprentices to successfully complete their qualification.

The legislation for Trade Support Loans has been passed by the Parliament, allowing loans of up to $20,000 over the four years of an apprenticeship.

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said the Government is delivering on its commitment to introduce Trade Support Loans for apprentices to encourage more young people to take up a trade and complete their qualification.

“Young apprentices are too often unable to complete their training because they can’t afford the costs associated with undertaking an apprenticeship,” Mr Vasta said.

“These loans will ease the financial burden and help increase apprenticeship completion rates.”

Apprentices in the Bonner electorate will have access to $20,000 over the entire period of their training, with more support provided during the initial years when it is needed most.

The Trade Support Loans will provide support of up to $8,000 in the first year of the apprenticeship, $6,000 in the second, $4,000 in the third, and $2,000 in the fourth.

“Apprentices who successfully complete their training will be rewarded. When an apprentice completes their training, 20 per cent of the loan, or up to $4000, will be immediately deducted from the total of their loan,” Mr Vasta said.

“Like HELP loans for tertiary students, the loans will be repayable once apprentices are earning a sustainable income.”

Trade Support Loans will specifically target occupations on the National Skills Needs List such as plumbers, diesel mechanics, electricians, and fitters, as well as priority areas in horticulture and agriculture.

“These loans will provide real support for current apprentices to complete their skills training, and provide a stronger incentive for young Australians to become apprentices,” Mr Vasta said.

“Trade Support Loans will help more apprentices finish their training and get straight out into the workforce, by providing support across the entire period of their apprenticeship, and by providing an incentive to complete their course.”

“We want people who start a training programme to actually finish it – and realise the opportunity of working in their chosen field.”

“The new Trade Support Loans are part of the Government’s Economic Action Strategy to build a strong and prosperous economy.”

For further information on the programme, contact your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre or visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au.

ENDS

Yesterday’s vote by the Senate to repeal the Carbon Tax is great news for local families and small businesses,” Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

 “Scrapping the Carbon Tax will save the average household around $550 a year, including around $200 on the average household electricity bill, and around $70 on the average gas bill, Mr Vasta said.

 “The Government’s consumer watchdog, the ACCC, has been given extra funding and powers to ensure that savings are passed on to consumers.”

 “Scrapping the Carbon Tax will also take a cost burden off local businesses. This will make it easier for them to compete and employ more people,” Mr Vasta said.

 “I’ve listened to many local residents concerned about how this unfair tax has imposed a real burden on their small businesses and their family.”

 “The Carbon Tax is a $9 billion a year hit on the economy. It hurts small businesses and costs jobs.”

 “Scrapping the Carbon Tax is just one part of our plan to build a stronger economy and create more jobs. It is also important we get the Budget under control, continue to reduce paperwork, and build the infrastructure we need, like the Mount Gravatt-Capalaba Road upgrade across the Gateway Motorway South.”

 “There’s much more to do, but removing the world’s biggest Carbon Tax from the backs of everyday small businesses and families is an important step in building a stronger economy.”