The Morrison Government has committed to working with the Queensland Government and local councils in South East Queensland to develop a City Deal for the region.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Federal Government was already delivering billions of dollars of funding for congestion busting roads and rail projects and this new deal would help unlock further investment.

“I want people to get home sooner and have dinner as a family. I want tradies to spend less time on the road and more time at the worksite,” the Prime Minister said.

“We want to ensure Queensland remains a major tourism destination and one of the world’s premier locations to live, work and raise a family.”

It will be the second City Deal for Queensland following the policy being first established in Townsville.

It comes in addition to the Morrison Government piloting a Regional Deal for the Bundaberg Hervey Bay region.

The commitment to an SEQ City Deal is supported by Queensland LNP MPs and Senators who have campaigned for funding to support the diverse sectors within the region including tourism, manufacturing and education.

The Morrison Government has been working with the SEQ Council of Mayors, in particular Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, on the recently released People Mass Movement Study which explores the impact of population growth on the region’s ability to cope with future transport demand.

Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the Liberal and Nationals Government was committed to the people of South East Queensland and to making the region even more liveable than it already is.

“South East Queensland is already home to over two thirds of the state’s population and is expected to accommodate 5.3 million people within 25 years’ time,” Minister Tudge said.

“The SEQ City Deal will be a huge step forward in making sure the people of South East Queensland get the most out of living in this beautiful region.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the City Deal has helped deliver $12 million to fix Newnham Wecker Rd intersection in Mt Gravatt and $6 million for Chelsea Rickertt Rd intersection in Ransome, as well as more public transport options via the Brisbane Metro.

“We’re investing in getting locals home sooner and safer so that they can spend less time in the car and in traffic and more time at home with their families.”

The Liberal and Nationals Government is already investing $7.2 billion into major transport infrastructure projects within the region including:

• $2.7 billion to upgrade the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast;
• $1.2 billion for six projects to bust congestion on the M1 Pacific Motorway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast;
• $1.1 billion to construct the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing;
• $902 million to increase the efficiency of Brisbane’s motorway network by building the Gateway Upgrade North and;
• $390 million to duplicate the North Coast Rail Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough and provide further improvements to Nambour
• $300 million to support better public transport via the Brisbane Metro;
• $207 million to support construction of Stage 2 (Gold Coast University Hospital to Helensvale), and Stage 3A (Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads) of the Gold Coast Light Rail project;
• $200 million for additional lanes on the Ipswich Motorway between Rocklea and Oxley;
• $170 million for critical safety upgrades at the Yamanto and Amberley intersections with the Cunningham Highway; and
• $20 million for safety and congestion works along Bribie Island Road.

Earlier this month the Morrison Government also committed $244 million for a range of local congestion busting road, and park and ride, projects through its $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund.

Morrison Government pressure on the big energy companies has seen half a million Australian families and small businesses get an automatic discount of up to 15 per cent on their energy bill.

For too long the big energy companies have focused on their massive profits and not on their customers. The Morrison Government has demanded they put customers first, get rid of the loyalty tax and deliver lower, fairer prices.

Energy retailers including Origin, Energy Australia and AGL have listened and lowered their standing offer prices for customers in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and South East Queensland who are paying too much for their electricity.

On average, this is delivering savings of $280 for residential standing offer customers in Bonner from 1 January 2019.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the Government’s energy policy is delivering for hardworking Australian families and small businesses.

“Rising power prices are impacting household budgets and are stopping small businesses in Bonner from growing and employing more staff”, said Mr Vasta.

“The big energy companies have heard the Government’s calls for a fairer deal for Australian families and small businesses, and they have responded.”

The Government is getting results, but there is more to be done.

We know that navigating your power bills, understanding your energy usage and negotiating a better deal can be confusing and time consuming. That’s why the Government is developing a reference bill to be implemented by 1 July 2019 – a price safety net making it easier to compare offers.

We are also banning sneaky late payment fees. Australians can pay up to $600 more a year just because they struggle to pay their electricity bill on time. This is unfair.

In addition, new rules will come into effect in 2019 so vulnerable customers get the help they need to pay their power bills, and energy retailers will be required to notify their customers when their discounts will cease or change.

“Australian families and small businesses are now better off because of the action this Government has taken. We are delivering lower and fairer power prices, making a real difference to household budgets, while keeping the lights on”

For more information on how you can save, visit energymadeeasy.gov.au

The Liberal National Government will support the mental health of expectant and new parents in Bonner and around the nation with a $26 million for a new Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing Program.

Member for Bonner said the impending birth and arrival of a baby—the perinatal period—brings incredible joy as well as new challenges and responsibilities which can be overwhelming.

“Each year, an estimated 100,000 people are affected by perinatal depression and anxiety. Studies show that up to one in ten women experience depression while pregnant and one in seven women in the year following birth,” Mr Vasta said.

“Men can also experience perinatal mental illness, with about one in ten expectant and new fathers experiencing depression, anxiety or other forms of emotional distress in the perinatal period.”

Appropriate supports for families experiencing grief following the death of a child is an important element in the prevention and early intervention of perinatal mental illness.

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said funding will improve the range of services available to better support the mental health and wellbeing of women and families affected by perinatal mental illness, or experiencing grief after the death of a child.

“This new funding will deliver innovative screening and treatment approaches, improved access to perinatal mental health support and treatment, and increased community awareness of perinatal mental health issues,” Minister Hunt said.

“Organisations will be invited to apply for grants for the Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing Program. The program aims to fill gaps in services to ensure the right supports are in the right place, at the right time.”

Dedicated grants rounds will be available for:

• Perinatal mental health support
• Perinatal loss and bereavement peer support
• Perinatal mental health promotion and training

Minister Hunt said the announcement will ensure that funded bereavement organisations provide culturally appropriate support and information for bereaved families who have experienced stillbirth, as recommended by the Select Committee on Stillbirth Research and Education Report.

“This funding is on top an initial commitment of $7.2 million for medical research and education programs to address the rate of stillbirth in Australia announced in December last year as part of our Government’s immediate response to the report from the Select Committee on Stillbirth Research and Education.”

The Liberal National Government is prioritising better mental health for all Australians with a record $4.7 billion expected to be spent on mental health this financial year alone,” Minister Hunt said.

The Government’s strong economic management ensures continued record investment into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.