50 years since first opening its doors, Tingalpa Kindergarten continues to provide first class care to the children of Bonner.

Federal Member Ross Vasta attended the recent 50 year celebrations and said the stories of past and present students were testament to the amazing dedication of the staff at Tingalpa Kindy.

“A lot has changed since the facility was officially opened on 28th September 1968, it was great to hear the stories of children arriving on horseback and seeing educators reunited with past students.

“Former students are now sending their own children to Tingalpa Kindy and it was beautiful to see them all celebrating this milestone which wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of Director Kerry Lucy and assistant educator Sue Stevens and other staff,” Mr Vasta said.

Mr Vasta said the Coalition is committed to delivering a stronger economy to ensure essential services that families rely on, such as early education.

“Thanks to the Coalition’s recently introduced childcare reforms and $2.5 billion funding package, Tingalpa Kindy parents will be a part of the 370,000 Aussie families who will benefit from increased subsidies.”

“The Coalition has taken action to slow child care fee growth, this is in contrast to the flip flopping and lack of action Labor has shown towards helping local families.”

The Kindergarten is still going stronger than ever thanks to the support from the local community. Spaces are limited, for more information call 3390 4951.

Two major new listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) have the potential to extend the lives of patients in Bonner with advanced lung cancer and those at risk of a heart attack, saving patients up to almost $190,000 a year.

Welcoming the announcement Ross Vasta said, “These new listings will help the thousands of Australians and their families fighting lung cancer and the devastating impact of heart disease.”

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and from 1 November, patients with advanced lung cancer will have the treatment Keytruda® subsidised for first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

“Without PBS subsidy it would cost over $11,300 per script or $188,000 a year. Patient will now pay a maximum of $39.50 per script or just $6.40 per script for concessional patients, including pensioners,” Mr Vasta said.

“This listing means that for the first time eligible patients in Bonner with advanced lung cancer can avoid chemotherapy and be treated with this novel immunotherapy treatment Keytruda®. It will benefit around 850 patients a year.”

Keytruda® is an immunotherapy medicine working with a patient’s own immune system to recognise cancer cells and destroy them. Clinical trials of Keytruda® for lung cancer has shown that some patients became virtually cancer free after treatment.

This medicine is already listed on the PBS for classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma and unresectable Stage III or Stage IV malignant melanoma.

The Liberal National Government is also listing Repatha® from November 1 for the treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia, which is a genetic high cholesterol condition.

Mr Vasta said, “More than 6,000 people a year with the condition, who are at risk of having a heart attack or stroke at an early age, will benefit from the treatment.”

“Patients would normally pay around $630 a script, or more than $8000 a year. With its listing on the PBS, eligible patients will pay a maximum of $39.50 per script for Repatha or just $6.40 with a concession card.”

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said, “Our Government’s strong economic management means we are providing Australian patients with access to life-saving and life-changing medicines quicker than ever before.”

“Since coming into Government, the Coalition has helped improve the health of Australians by subsidising almost $10 billion worth of new medicines, and we are now making on average one new or amended PBS listing every single day. Only the Coalition can be trusted to deliver for Australian patients,” Minister Hunt said.

The independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended the listings.

The Committee is independent of Government by law and in practice. By law the Federal Government cannot list a new medicine without a positive recommendation from PBAC.

Minister Hunt said, “Unlike Labor, we are subsidising all drugs recommended by the independent medical experts.”

“In the Budget we announced our commitment to invest $2.4 billion in new medicines to build on our commitment to guarantee those essential services that all Australians rely on.”

“Our commitment to the PBS is rock solid. Together with Medicare, it is a foundation of our world-class health care system.” Minister Hunt said.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to raise community awareness of lung cancer. For further details visit https://canceraustralia.gov.au/healthy-living/campaigns-events/lung-cancer-awareness-month

The Morrison Government will invest $80 million in eye medications through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), helping those living in Bonner improve and preserve their vision.

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said from 1 November 2018, patients will get new subsidised treatment options for a range of eye conditions.

The medication Ozurdex® is being listed for the treatment of blocked veins in the retina due to a condition known as retinal vein occlusion, which leads to varying degrees of vision loss.

“This medicine will benefit patients in Bonner who would normally pay around $5,000 a year for this treatment or more than $1,350 per script,” Mr Vasta said.

“Under the PBS they will pay a maximum of $39.50 per script, with concessional patients, including pensioners, paying just $6.40.”

In addition, the current PBS listing for the medication Lucentis® will be expanded for patients suffering a condition that is associated with unwanted growth of new blood vessels in the eye that impact vision and a type of extremely acute near-sightedness.

“Local patients in Bonner will be able to access this medicine, which would normally cost up to $7,000 a year, for maximum of $39.50 per script, with concessional patients paying only $6.40.

“These listings have the potential to preserve the precious sight of patients. It will make a difference to patients and their families who are battling poor and deteriorating vision due to a range of diseases.”

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said since coming into Government, the Coalition has helped improve the health of Australians by subsidising close to $10 billion worth of new medicines.

“Our commitment to the PBS is rock solid. Together with Medicare, it is a foundation of our world-class health care system,” Minister Hunt said.

The number of Australian children who are fully immunised continues to increase to record levels with new data showing more parents are getting the message to protect their children with life-saving vaccines.

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said new data for the September 2018 quarter reveals the nation-wide immunisation rates for five year olds was 94.62 per cent, which is the highest figure on record. It is up from 94.42 per cent in the June quarter.

“Throughout Queensland immunisation rates are at 94.46%.”

“Parents are hearing the message about the benefits of vaccinations and I am delighted that our public health campaigns and our immunisation programs are protecting local children.”

“As a father I know how worrying the threat of whooping cough and other illnesses can be for parents, especially when your children are just precious tiny babies.”

“Immunisation saves lives and protects the lives of babies and children and it is important that we keep the public informed about its benefits,” Mr Vasta said.

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said immunisation has been repeatedly demonstrated to be one of the most effective interventions to prevent disease worldwide, and our Government continues to invest in a strong vaccination program.

“The immunisation rate for five year olds in June 2013 was 91.5 per cent, meaning the immunisation rate has grown steadily to record levels since the Coalition came into Government,” Minister Hunt said.
“More than 96.6 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander five year olds were immunised, which is well above the national average.”

“Last month, the Australian Government announced it would invest $52 million to protect Australian teenagers against meningococcal by putting the meningococcal A, C, W and Y vaccine on the National Immunisation Program from April 2019.”

“From July 1 this year, every 12-month old in the country was eligible for a free ACWY meningococcal vaccine and every expectant mother given the opportunity to vaccinate against the whopping cough with a free vaccine.”
“The Morrison Government has invested $446.5 million the National Immunisation Program this financial year,” Minister Hunt said.

The September 2018 child immunisation rates are available here: https://beta.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/childhood-immunisation-coverage/immunisation-coverage-rates-for-all-children