CONTACT ROSS
April 2015
Home 2015
Media Releases

NEW CAMPAIGN TO BOOST EARLY BREAST CANCER DETECTION

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today said the launch of the Australian Government’s ‘An invitation that could save your life’ will boost screening awareness in at risk groups. 

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Australia, however if detected early and managed nine-out-of-10 cases can be successfully treated.

Mr Vasta said all Australian women aged 50 to 74 will receive an invitation that could save their life as part of a $55.7 million initiative.

“This campaign also marked the first time Australian women aged 70 to 74 have been specifically targeted for breast screening awareness, with an additional 220,000 breast screens expected to be delivered over four years as a direct result,” Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage all women in Bonner aged between 50 and 74 to make a breast screening appointment as we know the more Australian women who are screened, the more cancers that are detected. It’s an invitation that could save your life.”

The additional screening delivered as a result of the campaign could potentially lead to the detection of an extra 600 breast cancers across Australia a year.

More than 1.8 million women are screened every two years and more than 75 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over 50. Most women who get breast cancer also have no family history.  

The ‘An invitation that could save your life’ campaign will run across print, radio and online media to make sure women who receive a breast screen invitation in the mail are aware of its importance. 

The Abbott Government’s $55 million commitment will cover the cost of the promotional campaign, as well as the cost of additional invitations and free breast screenings generated as a result.

Women aged outside of the 50 to 74 age group are encouraged to talk to their GP or health professional to find out if breast screening is appropriate for them. For further information, please visit www.australia.gov.au/breastscreen.

Read More
bonnermp24 0
Community Noticeboard

Mothers Day Morning Tea

Treat your mother this Mothers Day to something special and also help a local community group! See flyer for full details.

Read More
bonnermp24 0
Community Noticeboard

St Gabriel’s Autumn Bazaar

St Gabriel's Carindale is holding an Autumn Bazaar on Saturday 16 May – please see flyer for full details.

Read More
bonnermp24 0
theGov_logo-2
Media Releases

BONNER ENCOURAGED TO COMMEMORATE ANZAC CENTENARY

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today encouraged the local community to remember Australian servicemen and women from all wars and conflicts.

“On Anzac Day, I encourage all Australians to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have served our nation in wars, conflicts and on peace operations,” Mr Vasta said.

“Anzac Day is one of the most important dates in our commemorative calendar.”

“It is a time to remember all those who have defended our nation and in doing so have sacrificed their good health and, in many cases, their lives.”

“On this day we are able to demonstrate our eternal gratitude for their service and for the freedom they have afforded us today.”

This year marks 100 years since Australian troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

Between 2014 and 2018, Australia will commemorate the Anzac Centenary, marking 100 years since our nation’s involvement in the First World War.

 

The Centenary is the most significant period of commemoration in our nation’s history. It is an opportunity for all Australians to recognise and thank all of those who have served our country and worn our nation’s uniform over the past one hundred years.

 

The Anzac Centenary is also a time to remember the essential contribution of those on the home front who support and care for those in service, and often face the loss or injury of loved ones.


“I encourage everyone in Bonner to attend a service this Anzac Day, or at least to take the time to pause and reflect, and remember those who gave their lives in the service of our country,” Mr Vasta said.

Australians are also encouraged to utilise the Anzac Centenary photo app, which will allow them to share commemoration photos and embrace the spirit that helped forge our national identity.

Further information about Anzac Day and the Anzac Centenary can be found on the Anzac Centenary website at www.anzaccentenary.gov.au.

Bonner ANZAC Day services:

Bayside Combined ANZAC Centenary Service
5:15am- George Clayton (Bandstand) Park, The Esplanade, Manly. This will replace all other dawn services and parades in Wynnum and Manly on ANZAC Day.
Parking- The Upper and Lower Esplanades will be closed off from 4:30am until the end of the service between Pine Street and Darling Point Special School.


Holland Park/Mt Gravatt Sub Branch March and Service
6:30am- Assemble for march on Cnr Logan Road and Barter Avenue, Holland Park West.
6:50am-  March begins.
7:20am- The service will commence at the Memorial and will be completed by 8:00am.

Rotary Club of Wishart & Mt Gravatt Showgrounds Trust
10:45am- Service begins at Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, Logan Road.

Sunnybank RSL Dawn March and Service
4:15am- March starts at Cnr Turton Street and Gager Street, Sunnybank. March concludes at 19 Gager Street, Sunnybank.
4:28am- Dawn service begins at 19 Gager Street, Sunnybank.

Sunnybank RSL Main March and Service
8:00am- Main march starts at Cnr Turton Street and Gager Street, Sunnybank. March concludes at 19 Gager Street, Sunnybank.
8:30am- Main service begins at 19 Gager Street, Sunnybank.

Read More
bonnermp24 0
Media Releases

NEW PRIMARY HEALTH NETWORKS TO DELIVER BETTER LOCAL CARE

Patients in Bonner are set to receive better access to frontline health services, with Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta announcing who will be running the new Primary Health Network locally.

Primary Health Networks – or PHNs – are part of the Abbott Government’s plans to improve the health of the nation and will replace Medicare Locals from July 1. 

Mr Vasta said the successful bid by Greater Metro South Brisbane Medicare Local to become the Brisbane South Primary Health Network was good news for local residents.

“The new Primary Health Network will ensure the people of Bonner are able to access the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” Mr Vasta said.

“The key difference between Primary Health Networks and Medicare Locals is that PHNs will focus on improving access to frontline services, not backroom bureaucracy as we saw under Labor.”

“This is backed by the fact PHNs will deliver improved access to primary care services for local patients, as well as better co-ordination with local hospitals, while at the same time improving the overall operational efficiency of the network by 30 per cent.”

“There’s no doubting that, individually, there were some high-quality Medicare Locals across the country; however there were also plenty that haven’t lived up to Labor’s promise.”

The nation’s 31 new Primary Health Networks will better align with state Local Hospital Networks. 

Mr Vasta said PHNs would work directly with GPs, other primary health care providers, secondary care providers, hospitals and the broader community to ensure improved outcomes for patients.

“In addition to general health, the Abbott Government had also set PHNs six key priorities for targeted work in mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, population health, health workforce, eHealth and aged care,” Mr Vasta said.

Mr Vasta said the Abbott Government had also added additional checks and balances via the creation of PHN Community Advisory Committees, which will ensure all patients and local communities can provide feedback to, and have direct input into, the PHN to ensure they deliver the localised health care requirements that were unique to their region. 

PHNs were selected following a thorough tender process run at arm’s length by the Department of Health.

 

Read More
bonnermp24 0
Community Noticeboard

Wynnum Manly Chaplaincy Gala Event

see flyer for all information.

Read More
bonnermp24 0
Community Noticeboard

Chappies Big Brekkie!

Support the wonderful work out local Chappies do for our community. See flyer for further information.

Read More
bonnermp24 0
Media Releases

NO JAB, NO PLAY AND NO PAY FOR CHILDCARE IN BONNER

 Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today said the conscientious objector exemption on children’s vaccination for access to taxpayer funded Child Care Benefits, the Child Care Rebate and the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement will cease from 1 January 2016.

“Parents in Bonner who vaccinate their children should have confidence that they can take their children to child care or into the community without worrying that their children will be at risk of contracting a serious or potentially life-threatening illness, because of the conscientious objections of others,” Mr Vasta said.

“From the beginning of next year, ‘conscientious objection’ will be removed as an exemption category for child care payments (Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate) and the Family Tax Benefit Part A end of year supplement.”

Mr Vasta said immunisation requirements for the payment of FTB Part A end-of-year supplement will also be extended to include children of all ages. Currently vaccination status is only checked at ages 1, 2 and 5 years.

Existing exemptions on medical or religious grounds will continue, however a religious objection will only be available where the person is affiliated with a religious group where the governing body has a formally registered objection approved by the Government.

This means that vaccine objectors in Bonner will not be able to access these government payments.

Mr Vasta said this new policy will strengthen the rules, and reinforce the importance of immunisation and protecting public health, especially for children.

Australia now has childhood vaccination rates over 90 per cent, from one to five years of age, but further protection from preventable diseases is needed for our children and our community.

While vaccination rates in Australia have increased since the Childhood Immunisation Register was established by the Howard Government in 1996, vaccine objection rates for children under the age of seven have also increased steadily, especially under the conscientious objector category.

The vast majority of FTB families meet the current immunisation requirement at relevant age points (around 97 per cent).

However, more than 39,000 children aged under seven are not vaccinated because their parents are vaccine objectors. This is an increase of more than 24,000 children over 10 years.

“The Government is extremely concerned at the risk this poses to other young children and the broader community, including in Bonner,” Mr Vasta said.

“The choice made by families not to immunise their children is not supported by public policy or medical research nor should such action be supported by taxpayers in the form of child care payments.”

Further information about child care assistance and family payments can be found at www.humanservices.gov.au.

Read More
bonnermp24 0
1_RSL-logo
Media Releases

ANZAC DAY FOR THE TROOPS 2015

On 25 April, Australians will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Gallipoli landings during the First World War and honour the sacrifices of those service personnel who helped forge our national identity.

This Anzac Day Australians are also being asked to spare a thought for our current serving personnel and recently returned veterans who have served on operational service overseas.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said it is as important to commemorate the ongoing work of the men and women who continue to serve and represent our nation abroad today as it is to commemorate the acts and deeds of those present at the Gallipoli landings.

“It is important to honour and support the current generation of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans who have served on our behalf in what are often complex, challenging and extremely dangerous environments,” Mr Vasta said.

“In recognition and gratitude for the service of our current personnel, I encourage Bonner residents to consider donating to ex-service organisations such as the RSL, Legacy and Soldier On.”

“These excellent organisations provide phenomenal support to our ADF personnel, past and present, and their families.”

“The service of Australia’s military personnel is rightly revered by the community and I urge everyone to show their support this Anzac Day.”

Donations can be made to Legacy (www.legacy.com.au) or Soldier On (www.soldieron.org.au) in support of those personnel who have been wounded on operations, and those family members who are suffering financially and socially from the death of a loved one.

Messages of support can also be emailed to serving personnel at supportthetroops@defence.gov.au.

For those still wishing to send a care package, the Australian Forces Post Office box address below will be open until 13 April 2015:

An Australian Defence Member
AFPO 60
Australian Defence Force NSW 2890

Those who are short on time can still help by donating to the RSL’s Australian Forces Overseas Fund. Which can be found by going to www.rsl.org.au – then click on the “Supporting ADF Personnel” link and then on the “RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund” link. This page also includes a link to a donation form. Donations over $2 are tax deductable and every donation is individually acknowledged by the RSL.

What can be included in care packages

Be creative with donations while being mindful of Australia Post’s guidelines for the free delivery of care packages. Some suggestions are listed below, as are the general restrictions. It is recommended that any donated goods collected by EOs, and which are unable to be sent due to size or weight, be donated to local charities.

Food
– Anzac biscuits
– Salted peanuts
– Muesli bars
– Instant noodles
– Lollies
– Small tinned consumables
– Other commercially manufactured and packaged foods that are non-perishable

Other ideas
– Magazines
– Puzzle books
– DVDs
– Socks
– Letters of support
– Posters and letters from school children
– Stamped, self-addressed envelope – this way personnel can thank you for the package

Toiletries
– Deodorant (non-aerosol)
– Shaving cream (non-aerosol)
– Small bottle of talcum powder
– Disposable razors
– Shower Gel
– Lip Balm

What not to include
– Pornographic material
– Alcoholic beverages
– Any food prepared or cooked at home, including cakes and biscuits
– Clothing (except socks)
– Pork products
– Cigarettes
– Perfumery products

Read More
bonnermp24 0
national-library-of-australia
Media Releases

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY HERITAGE GRANTS

The Australian Government is calling for applications for the 2015 Community Heritage Grants program.

Grants of up to $15,000 are available to not-for-profit community groups across Australia to preserve and manage nationally significant cultural heritage collections of documents and objects for future generations. Projects supported include significance assessments, preservations needs assessments, conservation activities and collection management.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, invites local not-for profit community organisations to apply for the Community Heritage Grants.

“I strongly encourage local libraries, archives, museums, genealogical and historical societies, and multicultural and Indigenous groups in Bonner to apply for this year’s grants.”

“This funding is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to our national cultural identity by restoring our locally-held collections to share with future generations.”

Minister for the Arts, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, said, “The successful recipients of the Community Heritage Grants program will assist in preserving and maintaining collections of important objects that make up Australia’s history.”

“The program also invites first-time recipients to Canberra to receive their grant and build their collection management skills through training from our national collecting institutions including the National Library of Australia, National Archives of Australia, the National Film and Sound Archive, and the National Museum of Australia.”

Since the Community Heritage Grants program began in 1994, the Australian Government has provided more than $5 million to 1117 projects.

The Community Heritage Grants program is managed by the National Library of Australia and funded by the Attorney-General’s Department with the National Archives of Australia, the National Film and Sound Archive, and the National Museum of Australia.

More information about the Community Heritage Grants Program can be found on the National Library of Australia website at www.nla.gov.au/awards-and-grants/chg. Applications close on 1 May 2015 and should be submitted online.

Read More
bonnermp24 0