Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta today announced two undergraduate students from the electorate have been awarded Australian Government scholarships to live, study and intern in the Indo-Pacific.

“These local students have won two of only 105 prestigious New Colombo Plan scholarships to support our nation’s best and brightest to engage with our region,” Mr Vasta said.

Shaun Milligan, a Holland Park West local and Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business student from Griffith University, will undertake legal studies in dispute resolution at the University of Hong Kong for one semester.

“I believe the NCP experience will foster relationships, both personal and professional, that will last long into my career. These relationships will grant me exposure to intercultural perspectives and dialogue, and the capacity to increase my proficiency in regards to Indo-Pacific work practices,” Mr Milligan said.

Wynnum local Michael Lucas, a Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Arts student from the University of Queensland, will be undertaking full-time Indonesian language immersion at Universitas Gadjah Mada for one semester.

The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and intern in the region.

“New Colombo Plan scholarships recognise students’ exceptional academic performance, community engagement and commitment to deepening relationships with our neighbours in the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Vasta said.

“While overseas, New Colombo Plan scholars act as ambassadors for their communities, universities and indeed Australia. We can all be proud of our scholars’ achievements and look forward to their contribution to Australia’s relationship with the Indo-Pacific in the years ahead.”

New Colombo Plan 2017 scholars were announced this week by Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, and Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham.

“New Colombo Plan scholars will study in 17 Indo-Pacific locations in 2017, including Pakistan and Papua New Guinea for the first time,” Minister Bishop said.

“This reflects the continued strong demand for diverse study opportunities in our region.”

The NCP scholars will join more than 7,400 New Colombo Plan mobility grant recipients in 2017, taking the total number of students supported by the NCP in its first four years to 17,500.

“This is a remarkable achievement that reflects the commitment of the Government, our universities and business champions to invest in our young people and demonstrate our genuine commitment to long-term engagement with our region,” Minister Bishop said.

For more information on the New Colombo Plan visit www.dfat.gov.au/new-colombo-plan.

Community organisations in Bonner are encouraged to apply for a grant of up to $5000 to assist the work of their volunteers.

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said the funding is being provided under a $10 million Volunteer Grant funding round, announced by the Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter.

“This funding is a key part of the Australian Government’s support for volunteers who give their time and energy to help build stronger, more cohesive communities,” Mr Vasta said. 

“This is a great opportunity for community organisations in Bonner to apply for a grant of between $1000 and $5000 to support the important work of their volunteers.

“Last year 12 organisations in Bonner received a Volunteer Grant, out of 5282 groups that benefitted nationally.

“These grants can be used by organisations for anything that helps with costs incurred by their volunteers, such as first aid training, background security checks or transport for volunteers who may have a disability, as well as the purchase of much-needed equipment.”

Wynnum Arts Council Inc. used their 2015 grant to purchase equipment, including a first aid kit for first responders, a computer system and colour printer, a data projector and screen, an exhibition banner and more.

“These items will enable our volunteers to effectively deliver our programme of workshops and events for our community. Our volunteers also work with other local community groups to assist with the delivery of their programmes by supplementing their resources. The collaborations with our neighbours at the Wynnum Community Centre enables each organisation to enhance the activities specific to their requirements,” said Wynnum Manly Arts Council Treasurer, Coralie Peterson.

“Volunteer grants are very much appreciated and the Government’s support must be acknowledged.”

The St Agnes Catholic Primary School Parents and Friends Association used their 2015 grant to purchase replacement chairs for their school hall and a much-needed mobile public announcement system, while the St Agnes Netball Club used their grant to provide its volunteers with the opportunity to gain the latest netball training techniques.

“The St Agnes Parents and Friends Association appreciates the volunteer grant funds, which have been of enormous help to the school. These funds have helped cover the cost of new equipment and the training costs of our St Agnes Netball Club volunteers,” said Frances Fernandez of the St Agnes P&F Association.

In opening the Volunteer Grants 2016, Minister Porter said this funding is part of the Commonwealth Government’s $28 million Strengthening Communities programme that supports the capacity of communities to address local issues. 

“Funding priority will be given to organisations working in disadvantaged communities or those affected by natural disasters,” Minister Porter said.

“I particularly encourage regional and Indigenous organisations to apply.”

Applications for Volunteer Grants close 20 December 2016. For further information go to dss.gov.au/grants.

Alternatively, contact the Volunteer Grants 2016 Hotline on free call 1800 020 283 or email grants@dss.gov.au.

As Australians prepare to spend around $50 billion in the lead-up to Christmas Day, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta has urged locals to shop small in our community.

“The coming month is when many local businesses take risks, make investments and employ more locals in the hope that the upswing in Christmas retail trade makes it possible,” Mr Vasta said.

“From the many local stores which have unique gifts and must-haves for family, friends and loved ones, to small businesses which sell the groceries necessary for the festive season, there is nothing we need this Christmas which Bonner small businesses don’t sell.”

Mr Vasta said many of Bonner’s small businesses employ more young people and those looking for casual work during the Christmas season.

“Christmas is a vital injection of cash and confidence into our community and a chance to help our small businesses employ more local – particularly young people – and keep that money flowing around our local economy.

Mr Vasta also backed Federal Small Business Minister Michael McCormack’s challenge to Australians this Christmas – think local and shop small. 

“Through your support and the hard work of millions of Aussies and their small businesses, this can be a merry Christmas for local jobs and for our communities,” Mr McCormack said.

Mr Speaker,

I present the fifth report of the Petitions Committee for the 45th Parliament together with 3 petitions and 1 ministerial response to a petition previously prevented. The terms of the petitions and the ministerial response will be printed in Hansard.

As this is my last presentation for the year, I will take the opportunity to brief the House on the work of the Petitions Committee thus far. Since the commencement of the 45th Parliament, the Petitions Committee has held 5 meetings, considered 87 petitions, certified 32 e-petitions and 32 paper petitions as being in order and certified 23 petitions as being out of order. The committee has taken time to deliberate over the content of some petitions at these meetings to ensure that they meet the requirements of the standing orders.

In my role as the Chair, I have presented 13 petitions and 21 ministerial responses that were certified in the 44th Parliament. I have, on behalf of the Committee, presented 16 e-petitions and 18 paper petitions along with 5 ministerial responses.

Mr Speaker, the Petitions Committee is pleased to note that at this time there has been a good uptake of the e-petitions system, with there being an equal number of e-petitions and paper petitions that have been found in order to this date. The committee is also pleased that the majority of petitions that the committee considers are in order, which is a good result for those who seek to petition the House.

The content of the petitions has been diverse with petitions from school children concerned about the price paid to dairy farmers for their milk, communities concerned about the lack of mobile phone coverage or the protection of local environments. Communities have banded together to petition the House on topics close to them such as the provision of an integrated cancer centre in a regional hospital.

Mr Speaker, the Petitions Committee has been very busy so far this Parliament and I am sure that in 2017, the committee will continue to be busy assisting concerned members of the Australian community to petition the House.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said veterans and their families in the Manly-Lota area would benefit from Australian Government grant funding for a local project.

Mr Vasta said the Returned and Services League of Australia’s Manly-Lota Sub-Branch had been awarded $37,800 to install air-conditioning at its community hall in Manly under the Veteran and Community Grants program.

“By providing funding to local organisations for special projects, the Government is helping improve the lives of veterans, their families and local communities,” Mr Vasta said.

“The dedication and hard work of organisations such as Manly-Lota RSL ensure veterans and their families receive services, support and opportunities to play a bigger role in our community.
  
“Manly-Lota RSL has a well-deserved reputation for its commitment to improving the lives of those who have served our nation and these grants are another way we honour the service and sacrifice of the men and women who serve in defence of our country.”

President of Manly-Lota RSL, Doug Jones welcomed the announcement.

“Air-conditioning for the hall will not only benefit the older ex-diggers, but also other citizens who use the hall. There are 27 community organisations that currently use the hall,” Mr Jones said.

“Temperatures can get quite hot inside the hall, so this will make it more comfortable for the people inside particularly the elderly.”

Ex-service and community organisations, veteran groups and private organisations that contribute to the health and welfare of the veteran community are eligible to apply for funding through the DVA Veteran and Community Grants program.

For more information about the Veteran and Community Grants program or to apply, visit the DVA website www.dva.gov.au/consultation-and-grants/grants or contact your nearest DVA office on 133 254 or 1800 555 254 from regional Australia.  

It was my pleasure to attend the launch of the Shop Small campaign here on Tuesday evening. I’d like to thank Minister McCormack and my colleagues for spreading the message of just how important it is to shop local within our communities. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. There’s great value to be found by shopping local, all while supporting local jobs and providing security to local businesses and their families. 
 
Since Shop Small began this month I’ve been happy to see this message taken up throughout my electorate. There has always been a strong emphasis on supporting small business within the community. Last month I was thrilled to see an even greater turnout for the annual Bayside Business Expo held in Wynnum. The expo provides a great opportunity for small businesses just starting out and established businesses to network and share their knowledge. The expo also showcases what these local businesses had to offer to locals who dropped in.

As an avid supporter of small business, I look forward to seeing initiatives like Shop Small and the Bayside Business Expo provide a boost to local businesses this holiday shopping season.

Today I rise to speak on a vital issue in my electorate: the issue of youth unemployment. I would like to address the effect of youth unemployment on the community, and what this Government is doing to help young people find and stay in work. I’d also like to mention a local organisation in Bonner that is doing fantastic work with young locals to help boost their job prospects.

I’m pleased to say the latest figures show unemployment is continuing to fall and jobs growth is on the rise under this Coalition Government. Over 50,000 more young Australians have found jobs in the last 18 months. This is a great accomplishment. However, there’s more to be done to address the barriers young people face to employment.

I’ve heard many heartbreaking stories from young jobseekers and their parents about the mental strain of searching for work for months on end. I want to assure my constituents the Government is tackling this issue head on.

This year the Government expanded on its existing youth employment initiatives, such as the Transition to Work service and Empowering YOUth Initiatives programme, by introducing the $840 million Youth Employment Package. A central part of this package is the Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare-Trial-Hire) programme.

Youth Jobs PaTH will give thousands of young Australians a chance to get real work experience and a real job, through pre-employment government-funded skills training, internships lasting 4 to 12 weeks, and a Youth Bonus Wage Subsidy up to $10,000 for employers.

This programme presents a great opportunity for local youth and local businesses when it launches in April 2017. It will help young people be better prepared for the workplace and encourage more businesses to hire them. I’ve been happy to hear from local businesses interested in Youth Jobs PaTH and I encourage more businesses in my electorate to register online to participate and host an intern.

I’m proud that local businesses and groups in Bonner have already rallied to help disadvantaged youth find work. BABI Youth and Family Service is one outstanding local organisation that for years has been giving young people training and employment opportunities.

Recently BABI’s general manager Michelle McNamara shared with me a promising new social enterprise project that will involve the whole community to help vulnerable and disadvantaged young people find work. The two-year program would see BABI team up with local businesses and RTOs to deliver valuable counselling, training and work experience for young locals.

The program will address the barriers young people face getting into employment, from mental health issues to lack of transport. I’m proud to support this project and look forward to seeing it get off the ground.

BABI has serviced the Bayside and Redlands area for over 30 years. I commend them for their outstanding work and I wish them the best in their future work helping young people where they need it most. The Government will continue to support local youth employment programs like those run by BABI. I look forward to seeing Youth Jobs PaTH begin next year and seeing more positive employment outcomes for young people in my electorate.