The Coalition Government has committed an additional $22.5 million in Budget 2018-19 to continue the highly successful Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said the fourth round of the program would ensure funding was available for a range of important community infrastructure projects such as sporting facilities and community halls.

“Bonner has been very successful under previous rounds of the Stronger Communities Programme,” Mr Vasta said.

“In the first three rounds of the Stronger Communities Programme, I have been proud to secure $397,028 in Stronger Communities grants for 35 community groups—including school P&Cs, sports clubs, environmental groups, men’s sheds, and community kindergartens—in my electorate.”

Mr Vasta said the additional investment for a fourth round of SCP would ensure that local decision-making continues to play a decisive role in funding community building projects. He encouraged local community groups to start 

“The Coalition Government will fund up to 50 per cent of costs for successful projects from a pool of $150,000 in each electorate, delivering more than 1,000 further projects in this round.

“Grants will be available between $2,500 and $20,000 for successful applications and I will soon invite organisations within the community to put forward their high-quality projects for assessment.”

“This Budget continues the Coalition Government’s commitment to building strong communities with extensions to vital community grants programs that invest directly in economic and social infrastructure,” Mr Vasta said.

Successful Round 3 Stronger Communities projects included: 

For more information on the Stronger Communities Programme visit: http://regional.gov.au/regional/programs/stronger-communities.aspx or call 3893 3488.

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP today invited locals in his electorate to celebrate National Families Week and honour the central role that families play in our lives and our communities.

National Families Week runs from 15 to 21 May and has the theme ‘Stronger Families, Stronger Communities’. The United Nations International Day of Families is also on 15 May.

Mr Vasta said the week allowed people to reflect on the families who supported Australian children to grow up happy, healthy and strong.

“Families play such an important and central role in our community,” Mr Vasta said.

“National Families Week is a great opportunity to come out and help celebrate your family, your neighbours’ family and all the families who contribute so much to this country.

“I’m pleased to see the Turnbull Coalition Government is providing over $117 billion to support Australian families this financial year.

“We provided a further $652 million in 2017–18 under the Families and Communities program, which includes children and parenting support, settlement grants and emergency relief.

“We invest significantly in programs that support children and families, including parenting programs and family relationship services.”

This week, more than 100,000 people will participate in National Families Week events around the country. To find an event near you, visit https://nfw.org.au/find-an-event/.

Further information on the Turnbull Coalition Government’s Budget commitments for families can be found at https://www.budget.gov.au/2018-19/content/families.html.

The Brisbane Small Business Expo held in Mt Gravatt today was a huge success, with over 1000 people attending, and over 230 exhibitors showcasing small businesses from across the Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Logan regions.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, who attended with Minister for Small Business the Hon Craig Laundy, said he was proud to have helped bring the Expo to Brisbane for the first time in its seven year history.

“It’s great to have an event like this in Bonner that recognises the outstanding contribution small businesses make to our community, and gives them the opportunity to network and learn other ways to bolster their business,” Mr Vasta said.

“I’m glad to have the Small Business Minister here with me to chat with hard-working small business owners and hear their thoughts on the recent Budget.”

Organiser Paula Brand from Small Business Expos said the event wouldn’t have been possible without Mr Vasta and thanked him for his help.

“The Expo is amazing for businesses and it’s great to have it all happening right in our own backyard,” Mrs Brand said.

Mrs Brand said she hoped to bring the Expo back to the Brisbane region next year, and thanked local businesses for their support.

More information on the Expo can be found here.

The intersection of Newnham Road and Wecker Road in Mount Gravatt East is notorious. It has recently been named by RACQ as the worst intersection in Brisbane for serious crashes and casualties, and ranks fifth-worst in Queensland.

I've lost count of the number of locals who've told me about their near misses and crashes. Parents who drop off their kids at Mount Gravatt East State School have an appalling time navigating the intersection. Paramedics are being called out far too often.

I've started a petition, and we are demanding action to improve safety at this dangerous black spot. I call on all levels of government to work together on a solution.

I've already written to the Lord Mayor to request Brisbane City Council's assistance in improving the intersection. The petition I started last year to fix Lindum crossing generated huge community support.

I believe upgrading the Newnham and Wecker Road intersection is also important, and it deserves federal funding. Over the weekend, I had a stall at the Mount Gravatt Markets, and it was clear from the conversations I had with locals that this intersection needs to be fixed now.

To sign my petition, visit my website or just drop into my office.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today launched a community petition to fix the intersection of Newnham Road and Wecker Road at Mount Gravatt East.

“I’m starting this petition on behalf of local residents and commuters who’ve contacted me about this dangerous intersection,” Mr Vasta said.

“Several people have told me about near misses and crashes they witness at the intersection week after week. Parents who drop off their young children at the school on the corner have a terrible time getting in and out. Paramedics are being called out there far too often. There is a serious issue with people not slowing down when travelling through the area.

“I’ve decided to step in and seek support from all levels of government so everyone can get home to their families quicker and safer.

“I’m asking for the community’s support before someone is killed.”

Mr Vasta said he would be seeking Federal funding to go toward a safety upgrade for the intersection. He said he had recently written to the Lord Mayor to request Brisbane City Council’s assistance in improving the intersection.

Mr Vasta said that, working together, the community and all levels of government could get the intersection fixed once and for all.

“Please sign and share my petition—every signature will help strengthen the case for action to fix this notorious intersection,” Mr Vasta said.

The petition can be signed at https://rossvasta.com.au/CommunityHub/NewnhamRd-WeckerRdIntersectionPetition.aspx.

Sunday 20th MAY 2018 from 10 am to 2 pm

FREE COMMUNITY FAMILY FUN DAY – this is a chance for families to get together, have some fun and learn about how to stay safe in the community!!

Enjoy Becoming Involved and Staying Involved at our local Community Family Fun Day where we bring the community together for education and fun.
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Wynnum Manly Rotary Club with the support of local businesses and local community organisations is hosting a FREE Community Family Fun Day at Bandstand Park on the Lower Esplanade Wynnum from 10 am until 2 pm on Sunday 20th May 2018.

This is an initiative by Rotary with the focus on reducing crime and violence and improving the safety of our community through education, support and access to local services at a fun day out with family and friends.

There are loads of FREE fun activities to be enjoyed by all and a wonderful opportunity to meet members from our local Police, Fire Brigade and Ambulance Services who continue to offer great support across the community.

• Sausage Sizzle • Fresh Fruit
• Popcorn • Face Painting
• Jumping Castle • Balloon Twister
• Photo Booth • Farm Animals
• AFL Footy Handball • Tug of War
• Sack Races • Egg and Spoon Races
• LIVE Music
• Show Bag 
• Beyond Blue • Kindergarten Art Activities
• Make It Home Initiative
• Volunteering in Policing

Wynnum Manly Rotary Club President Selwyn Payne says “Wynnum Manly Rotary Club is committed to strengthening family safety through continued education and support and believes that celebrating Family Fun Day with access to information and fun activities is an important first step in helping to keep our local community aware and safe”.

For further media information contact: 
Jo-Anne O’Connor, Wynnum Manly Rotary Club
Mobile: 0407 522 347
Email: joc@airtrek.com.au

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The Turnbull Government has released a landmark report into Australia’s school system that outlines a clear plan to ensure every school student, including those in Bonner, has the opportunities they need to succeed.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta welcomed the Turnbull Government’s in-principle support for all recommendations of the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools led by Mr David Gonski AC.

“Every student deserves a quality school education, and every student in every school in our community should be given every opportunity to succeed and to thrive,” Mr Vasta said.

“I know that local parents value their schools and the teachers who work hard in our classrooms to teach and help prepare their children for whatever challenges the future holds.

“Parents also want to know how our record amount of school funding will improve our students’ educational outcomes.

“This is a challenge the Turnbull Government is committed to tackling. This review is an opportunity for all levels of government, educators, and families to turn around Australia’s performance and build a stronger school system.”

Head of Secondary at Citipointe Christian College, Mrs Helen Moore, welcomed the review.

“For years we have noted a drop in overall standards of literacy in particular, especially in the lack of sophistication of style and breadth of student writing. We were concerned enough eight years ago to begin addressing this specific area in our College,” Mrs Moore said.

“The recommendations in the Gonski report are wide and general so the impact on schools remains to be seen when further details of actions are published.”

Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the Review provides a national blueprint for every government, every teacher, and every family to help tackle declining school performance in Australia.

“There’s no doubt Australia has some of the world’s best teachers and school leaders, and they work hard to help students achieve outcomes that are the envy of many other countries,” Minister Birmingham said. 

“But it is clear that while school funding has been growing year after year and is now, for the first time, truly needs-based – and will continue to grow under the Turnbull Government to new record levels over the next ten years – student outcomes aren’t keeping pace.

“This Review was about how to put our record and growing needs-based funding to best use to improve school performance and student outcomes.

“Australia must focus on creating an education system that gives each student the opportunity to excel and to be their individual best.”

The report is available at: Through Growth to Achievement: the Review to Achieve Education Excellence in Australian Schools

The report identifies 23 recommendations under five themes:

• Laying the foundations of learning before the school years and in the home environment;

• Equipping every student to grow and succeed with the knowledge they need and a focus on growing each individuals’ skills;

• Creating, support and valuing a profession of expert educators including building on the Government’s reforms to date in teacher education;

• Empowering and supporting school leaders with experience and autonomy;

• Lifting aspirations with quality assurance, data and evidence-based research. 

The Government will now work with states and territories and non-government school systems to determine how the reforms set out in the Review should be delivered. A new reform agreement between the Commonwealth and jurisdictions will be negotiated this year to come into effect from 2019.