Bonner seniors and their families will benefit from a new era in Australian aged care, with the independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission now open, offering a one-stop quality and safety website and the single new contact number for local aged care concerns and queries: 1800 951 822.

Ross Vasta said the new Commission was a landmark Liberal National Government aged care reform and would better target sub-standard care and ensure the safety and security of local seniors.

“For the first time, local seniors and their loved ones have one place to go when they need help, want to raise a concern, or access information about an aged care service,” said Mr Vasta.

“While the vast majority of aged care homes and their dedicated staff provide outstanding care, the new Commission is about giving confidence to residents and their families and ensuring quality care is delivered at all times.

“The Commission will also be empowered by the new aged care Charter of Rights and will implement the new, stronger set of Aged Care Quality Standards, the first upgrade of standards in 20 years.”

The Commission has a budget of almost $300 million over four years, with more than $48 million to continue ramping up compliance checks and risk management, including the employment of dozens of new compliance officers and developing options for a Serious Incident Response Scheme.

“The new Commission’s key focus is to safeguard all people receiving aged care services, including the hundreds of recipients in Bonner,” said Mr Vasta.

“The new website has been carefully designed and tested to ensure it is user-friendly, with easily searchable information.”

The website includes details on:

• Aged care consumer rights
• Access to free advocacy services to support senior Australians
• Consumer Experience Reports about individual aged care services
• Access to audit reports on aged care homes
• How to register complaints, including tips on documenting concerns
• New resources to help providers meet the Standards
• Translation services to support non-English speaking clients

“The new Commission is another example of our Government’s aged care reform agenda,” said Mr Vasta.

“We are dedicated to providing senior Australians and their families in Bonner with confidence and certainty in quality aged care delivery.

“The establishment of the new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is part of our Government’s record aged care funding boost, increasing aged care spending by $5 billion over four years.”

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission can be contacted on 1800 951 822 or by visiting agedcarequality.gov.au.

The Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta is calling on all local sport and physical activity providers to apply for funding for a national $28.9million program aimed at encouraging Australians to get more active.

The Liberal Nationals Sport Participation Grants program was launched today by Federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie, enabling sporting organisations, sporting organisations for people with a disability, non-government and local government organisations, to apply for grants that will genuinely impact the level of activity of Australians.

Mr Vasta urged sporting groups and local government organisations to create or enhance programs that would help attract people across a wide range of age, ability and location to participate in physical activity and sport.

“We know how important sport and physical activity is to help both children and adults lead a happy, healthy life. Our goal is to get more Australians more active more often, Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage eligible organisations to consider impactful ways to innovate with new programs, or enhance existing physical activity initiatives that will improve the lives of all Aussies across my electorate. We need help get adults to “Find their 30” minutes of exercise a day, and children to reach the 60 minutes per day recommended by the Dept of Health.

The Sports Participation Grants follow the recent announcements of the Better Ageing grants and the Community Sport Infrastructure Grants.

Applications will open on Monday January 7th 2019 and close on 18^th of February 2019 for more info visit: www.sportaus.gov.au/participationgrants

The Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta is calling on all local sport and physical activity providers to apply for funding for a national $28.9million program aimed at encouraging Australians to get more active.

The Liberal Nationals Sport Participation Grants program was launched today by Federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie, enabling sporting organisations, sporting organisations for people with a disability, non-government and local government organisations, to apply for grants that will genuinely impact the level of activity of Australians.

Mr Vasta urged sporting groups and local government organisations to create or enhance programs that would help attract people across a wide range of age, ability and location to participate in physical activity and sport.

“We know how important sport and physical activity is to help both children and adults lead a happy, healthy life. Our goal is to get more Australians more active more often, Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage eligible organisations to consider impactful ways to innovate with new programs, or enhance existing physical activity initiatives that will improve the lives of all Aussies across my electorate. We need help get adults to “Find their 30” minutes of exercise a day, and children to reach the 60 minutes per day recommended by the Dept of Health.

The Sports Participation Grants follow the recent announcements of the Better Ageing grants and the Community Sport Infrastructure Grants.

Applications will open on Monday January 7th 2019 and close on 18^th of February 2019 for more info visit: www.sportaus.gov.au/participationgrants

The Liberal National Government is giving Aussie small businesses the opportunity to be part of a nationwide mentoring program to transform and grow their business through improving digital capabilities.

Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the Government’s Small Business Digital Champions Project, will create relatable, real-time case studies to inspire and inform small business owners across Australia about how to go digital.

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said 100 small businesses, including those in Bonner, from diverse sectors across Australia will be chosen to receive a digital transformation valued at up to $20,000. This will include the hardware, software and digital skills training required for them to thrive in their particular field.

Fifteen of these businesses will be selected to become a ‘Digital Champion’ – to undergo their transformation in the public spotlight, with the mentoring assistance of high profile Australian entrepreneurs including: Larry Kestelman – founder of Dodo internet, Dr Sam Prince – founder of hospitality chain Zambrero and Michelle Bridges –founder of the online 12WBT Program.

Mr Vasta said the project was part of the Government’s elevation of small business as a key economic contributor and an important acknowledgement of the productivity gains offered by digital technology.

“The Liberal National Government is committed to ensuring that all 13,000 small businesses in Bonner have the support they need to grow and prosper and employ more Australians. That includes helping them go digital so they can fulfil their true potential in the modern economy.

Local small businesses will be able to follow the 12 month digital transformation of the Digital Champions, learning as they learn, and gaining the confidence and understanding they need to make these tools work for them, and their own business.

The Digital Champions’ business upgrade will be boosted by expertise and resources contributed by a range of corporate partners, including Facebook and Google.

The project will formally commence in early 2019.

For more information or to register your interest in being a Digital Champion, a Digital Mentor or a corporate partner visit: digitalchampions.jobs.gov.au