Member for Bonner Ross Vasta has praised the initiative of Wynnum locals to establish a community garden in the green space near the Woolworths shopping centre on Florence Street.

Mr Vasta said he had been approached by local business owners, Charlene Lestley from Crystal Rose Gallery and Cherie Attias from Reel Cutz for Men, with their idea for the community garden.

“I’m proud to put my name to this petition and throw my full support behind a community garden at Wynnum Central,” Mr Vasta said.

The petition has gathered 150 signatures in less than two weeks.

Mrs Lestley said she, her husband Peter and son Barry were overwhelmed by the support from Wynnum locals.

“I think a community garden would be a great way to beautify the area and bring people together,” Mrs Lestley said.

Mrs Attias said the community garden was part of the new Wynnum Merchant Movement founded by herself and Mrs Lestley.

“This garden will give people purpose and draw people back to the area. Many of my clients would like a space where they can give back to the community along with others,” Mrs Attias said.

To sign the petition, visit Crystal Rose Gallery on Edith St, Wynnum.

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta is proud to partner with Silky Oaks Children’s Haven for their 2018 Hampers of Hope campaign.

Mr Vasta is calling for donations and support from the community to help deliver Christmas hampers to people in need in our community.

You can help support the campaign in the following ways:

• Sponsoring a hamper through a financial donation

• Donating non-perishable food items such as tinned fruit and vegetables, biscuits, long-life milk, tea, coffee

• Donate new children’s toys (unwrapped)

Mr Vasta’s office at 69 Clara St, Wynnum will act as a drop-off point for donations until 7th December 2018.

Online donations can be made at http://paypal.me/silkyoaks.

Mr Vasta thanks partners Mangrove Housing, BABI, St Peters Church, St Pauls Church, and Wynnum Christian Community Church for their support of this wonderful cause.

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta has welcomed the opening of a new memorial at Citipointe Christian College commemorating the Centenary of the First World War Armistice.

“It is an honour to attend their Centenary Memorial Ceremony and Opening today and see the school and the community mark Armistice Day,” Mr Vasta said.

“I was pleased to help secure $18,182 under the Armistice Centenary Grants Program to support this project.”

The project, named “The Centenary Memorial”, is modelled on the Australian national monument in Villers-Bretonneux. The new area will allow Citipointe to host community commemoration events and will also be used for its annual ANZAC assembly.

Principal of Citipointe Christian College Pastor Brian Mulheran thanked Mr Vasta for making the school aware of the Armistice Centenary Grants Program and his help securing the grant.

Mr Vasta encouraged locals to attend a Remembrance Day service this Sunday, November 11 and to observe a minute’s silence at 11am to remember the Australian men and women who have suffered and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

For more information on the Armistice Centenary Grants Program visit http://www.anzaccentenary.gov.au/contribute/anzac-centenary-commemorative-grants.

The second annual Bonner Seniors’ Expo hosted by Member for Bonner Ross Vasta attracted 320 locals from across the electorate today.

The free Seniors’ Expo included 50 stallholders representing a range of government departments, community organisations, businesses and local services available to seniors.

There were also information sessions held throughout the day from Queensland Rail, NBN, Wealth Create Financial Planners, Department of Human Services, Office of Fair Trading and Carers Queensland.

“It was my pleasure to bring the Expo back and see so many new faces this year. I’m proud to host local events that help our seniors and help them access valuable services in our community,” Mr Vasta said.

Barbara Grayson from Wynnum thanked Mr Vasta for holding the Seniors’ Expo.

“I’m so grateful to Ross for hosting this event again this year and looking after his senior constituents,” Mrs Grayson said.

Minnie Bowman from Wynnum said she had greatly enjoyed everything the Expo had to offer.

“I found all of the information stalls so useful and thanks to Ross for making this possible,” Mrs Bowman said.

Jackie Butler from stallholder Friends of Tingalpa Cemetery Heritage Group said there had been a wonderful response from people to the Expo.

“It’s not often you see an event like this that benefits older people. I’m very happy to see this and I think Ross did a wonderful job. I hope the Expo will continue next year,” Ms Butler said.

Mr Vasta thanked TransitCare for supplying transport to and from the Expo for attendees, as well as Senator Amanda Stoker for her ongoing support of the Expo.

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta has welcomed the opening of the new community hub space at the Silky Oaks Children’s Haven in Manly West.

Mr Vasta said Silky Oaks had converted the space into a multi-purpose care facility that would offer locals in need temporary accommodation, shower facilities, food hampers and more.

“I was pleased to deliver $9,745 in Stronger Communities funding to help make the Community Hub possible,” Mr Vasta said.

“Silky Oaks has provided care and support for children and families on the bayside for 75 years and I’m proud to support their work.

“I would encourage locals to donate food and other non-perishable goods to Silky Oaks as part of their Christmas appeal this year.”

Silky Oaks Chief Executive Officer Darren Frame thanked Mr Vasta for securing the Stronger Communities grant.

More information on the Stronger Communities Programme can be found at https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/stronger-communities-programme.

Bonner schools and community organisations that encourage practical skills, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking can apply for a grant between $2,000 and $20,000 from the Coalition Government.

Applications for the Coalition Government’s Maker Projects grants will open on Thursday 8 November.

“The Coalition is providing $1 million in grants through the Maker Projects program, supporting the development of science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills among Australia’s youth,” Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said.

“Mathematics and science skills are essential for our economic prosperity and the jobs of the future, and the Coalition is working to encourage more Bonner students, particularly girls and young women, to study these subjects.”

“We know that 75 per cent of future jobs will require these skills, and this program introduces young people to STEM, allowing them to learn useful skills that can lead to rewarding careers.”

Mr Vasta said that the highly sought after grants provide an opportunity for students to apply their STEM knowledge and develop entrepreneurial skills.

“The Maker Projects program introduces young people to STEM in innovative and enjoyable ways, allowing them to learn useful skills that can lead to rewarding careers in the jobs of the future,” Mr Vasta said.

“It’s grants and programs like this that foster creativity and learning in Bonner schools and communities and that’s why I strongly encourage local schools and organisations to put themselves forward.”

Grants are offered through two streams. Stream A is for primary and secondary schools, where they can access grants of between $2,000 to $5,000 to establish maker spaces. Stream B is for organisations partnering with industry to run STEM-related events and education activities for Australians under 18. Eligible organisations can apply for funding of between $5,000 and $20,000.

Funding for the program comes from the $29.8 million Inspiring Australia science engagement program through the Coalition’s National Innovation and Science Agenda, aimed at harnessing science, research and innovation as long-term drivers of Australia’s economic prosperity, jobs and growth.
Maker Projects grants are highly competitive and applications will be assessed in the order they are received. The round will close once the annual allocation of funding is exhausted.

Applications can be submitted online from Thursday 8 November 2018 at midday (AEDT). For more information about the streams and to apply, go to: Stream A: https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/inspiring-australia-science-engagement/maker-projects and Stream B: https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/inspiring-australia-science-engagement/maker-projects-stream-b

Local bayside businesses spoke first hand with the Minister for Energy Angus Taylor and Federal MP for Bonner Ross Vasta today about the coalition’s recently introduced energy policy.

Minister for Energy Angus Taylor said for too long people have been paying through the nose for their electricity, so the Government is taking strong action to lower power prices while keeping the lights on.

“Our four point plan will include creating a price safety net and scrapping the loyalty tax. This means customers who haven’t had a chance to negotiate a better price will get a fairer default price, plus greater transparency and clarity,” Minister Taylor said.

Curtis and Lisa from Flex Fitness in Wynnum said as a busy small business they often don’t have time to negotiate with power companies and this policy would help them save precious dollars on their quarterly bills.

“We pay roughly $2000 a quarter at the moment but as the weather heats up we will need to use the air-conditioners more and more so we welcome any support to try and bring the price of our bills down.”

“We’re so lucky to be able to run our own business and do what we enjoy and we want to make sure we can keep doing it for many years to come so we need to keep our costs low,” Curtis said.

Mr Vasta agreed and thanked the Minister for meeting with locals and business owners of Bonner.

“The coalition is looking out for the people of Bonner. We’re taking a big stick to the power companies and it’s only under our plan for affordable reliable energy that local families and small businesses will benefit from big savings.”

“Our policy will take the pressure off families and small businesses and put customers back in charge by cracking down on dodgy practices, supporting investment in new generation and guaranteeing reliable supply,” Mr Vasta said.

The Morrison Government will:

• Stop the price gouging by the big energy companies by banning sneaky late payment penalties, requiring them to pass on savings in wholesale prices to customers, strengthening the regulator’s power to crack down on dodgy, anti-competitive practices, and shining a spotlight on energy companies’ rorting through ‘gold plating’ their networks. We will take a big stick to the big energy companies to stop the big rip offs.

• Create a price safety net to protect customers and remove the loyalty tax on those who have stayed with their energy company or don’t have time to shop around for a better deal. A fairer default price will give customers transparency and clarity, providing relief from confusing and often more expensive standing offers. Median standing offers in South East Queensland can be up to $369 per year more expensive than the cheapest market offer for households, and up to $2152 per year more for small businesses.

• Back investment in reliable generation which will improve competition, lower prices and guarantee reliable supply. We know that renewables are only cheap when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing. The Government will support projects that reduce wholesale electricity prices, support the reliability of the grid and increase competition.

• Support reliable power by requiring energy companies to sign contracts guaranteeing enough energy to meet demand. This will prevent blackouts and stop their disastrous impact on local economies in Bonner.

In contrast, Labor plans on introducing a 50% Renewable Energy Target and 45% Emissions Reduction Target. This reckless policy will damage the local economy and be paid for by every energy user in the country.

Local organisations are urged to apply for funding to put more Local Drug Action Teams (LDATs) on the ground to tackle ice and other drug issues in our communities.

Round four of the LDAT program has now opened and interested community organisations have until the 7^th of December to get their funding applications in.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said today that through local partnerships, LDATs provide evidence-based prevention activities to minimise alcohol and other drug related harms in their communities.

“The Liberal National government is committed to keeping Australian families and communities safe and through the proactive work of local LDATs, we are taking a preventative approach to tackling drug issues,” Mr Vasta said.

“So far we have seen 172 LDATs funded across Australia and these teams directly tackle the devastating impact alcohol and drugs – including ice – have on their communities.

“We have had some excellent examples of the work these groups are doing to prevent drug use and improve health outcomes for young people.

“For example, the Wangaratta LDAT in Victoria is educating staff in workplaces on the challenges facing their colleagues who have a problem with alcohol or drugs.

“This program helps their contemporaries understand the challenges in dealing with these issues and creates a pathway to help them to address their issues.”

The Minister for Regional Services, Bridget McKenzie said the teams were supported by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, which helped the LDATs develop and implement primary prevention activities in the community.

“This is all about community partnerships working together on a plan of action to prevent and minimise stamp out the misuse of drugs and alcohol in their town – developing local solutions for local problems,” Minister McKenzie said.

“If you want to make a difference in your community, like many LDATs already have, I encourage you to build local partnership and apply for the program.”

More information about LDATs and the application process can be found on the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s website https://community.adf.org.au/implement

The Liberal and Nationals’ Government will invest $60 million to trial a wage subsidy as an incentive for employers in regional and rural communities to engage more apprentices.

Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education Senator Michaelia Cash said the trial would see up to 1,630 new Australian Apprentices in areas of skills needs.

“There are 3.3 million Australian small businesses which contribute around $395 billion annually to our economy. Small business plays a vital role in our community, from giving young Australians their first real job to supporting our local charities and sporting organisations,” Minister Cash said.

“Through this incentive we are securing the skills our regional and rural businesses need to remain competitive and give local students new opportunities at home.”

From 1 January 2019, the new subsidy under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program (AAIP), will support eligible new Australian Apprentices in areas such as plumbing, mechanical, electrical, painting trades and hairdressing.

Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals’ Leader and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the incentive will provide a much-needed boost to communities throughout regional and rural Australia.

“It’s an incentive that I’m confident will encourage businesses and employers to engage a new apprentice and turbo-charge someone’s future career,” Mr McCormack said.

“This investment from the Liberal and Nationals’ Government is just another practical step to help create jobs and opportunities for small businesses and young people in the regions.

“A VET qualification is every bit as important to the economy as a university degree.

“That’s why our investment in the Skilling Australians Fund – alongside New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and the ACT – is vital to create thousands of additional pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships and higher apprenticeships.”

Mr Vasta said under the subsidy, eligible employers within Bonner will be able to receive payments based on the apprentice’s relevant award wage rates.

“Subsidies will be provided at 75 per cent of the apprentice’s award wage in the first year, followed with 50 per cent in the second year and 25 per cent in the third year,” Mr Vasta said.

“The investment is part of our Government’s commitment to maintain a strong vocational education and training (VET) sector that delivers the quality skilled workforce our community needs.”

The new wage subsidy will complement other incentives currently available through the AAIP and support the engagement of eligible new full-time apprentices at the Certificate III and IV levels in occupations on the National Skills Needs List in regional and rural communities.