The Morrison Government has delivered another increase to payment rates for pension and allowance recipients.

From the 20^th March more than 29,000 pension and allowance recipients in Bonner will receive a boost in their fortnightly payment.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said pension payments including Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment will increase by $9.90 a fortnight to $926.20 for singles, and $14.80 a fortnight to $1,396.20 for couples combined.

“Since we were first elected, the Age Pension has increased by $117.80 per fortnight for single pensioners and by $177.40 per fortnight for couples combined,” said Mr Vasta.

Individuals receiving Newstart Allowance, Widow Allowance and Sickness Allowance will benefit from an increase of $5.50 a fortnight to $564.50, including Energy Supplement. Members of a couple will see an increase of $5.00 a fortnight to $509.60 each, including Energy Supplement.

The rate of Parenting Payment (Single) will increase by $7.60 to $788.10 a fortnight, including Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement.

The Morrison Government understands the importance of these increases to help pensioners and allowance recipients keep up with the cost of living,” Mr Vasta said.

“Rent Assistance rates will also increase from 20 March, as well as a range of income and assets limits for pensions and allowances. This includes higher limits to the income and assets tests for age pensioners.”

“While the Morrison Government is protecting older Australians in Bonner, Labor and Bill Shorten want to steal their retirement incomes.

“Labor’s Retiree Tax would rip an average of $1,400 in income away from more than 5,600 retirees in the Bonner electorate, including pensioners,” Ross Vasta said.

Full details of new rates and thresholds can be found on the Department of Social Services website at www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/benefits-payments.

The Liberal National Government is investing $150 million to advance stem cell research that could potentially grow kidneys, repair damaged spinal cords and cure dementia for patients in Bonner.

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said the establishment of the $150 million 10-year Australian Stem Cell Therapies Mission, funded through the Government’s landmark Medical Research Future Fund, will enable the momentum around stem cell science to continue.

“Funding from this mission will accelerate the investigation of the use of stem cells from fat, cord blood, bone marrow and foetal tissue as possible treatments for spinal cord injuries,” Mr Vasta said.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said, this mission will also find new hope for patients with dementia as stem cells can grow into brain cells and as a result may have the potential to repair brain damage caused by neurological conditions.

“Stem cell treatments applied through regenerative medicine, precision medicine and synthetic biology will provide new, targeted and more effective treatments,” Minister Hunt said.

“They will reduce the burden of disease on patients and carers. They will enhance equity in health care by addressing unmet clinical needs.”

“Human stem cells are also currently being used to develop kidneys with functioning tissue as an alternative for renal replacement. This mission could fast-track the use of these kidneys in humans.”

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said one in 10 Australians having chronic kidney disease, one in three children having inheritable disease and approximately 53 Australians dying every day from related kidney disease.

“Stem cell medicine’s benefits are not only about individual health but the economic potential immense,” Mr Vasta said.

“It has been estimated that if Australia were to capture a five per cent share of the burgeoning regenerative medicine market, this would represent $6 billion in annual revenue and create approximately 6,000 jobs.”

“Stem cell medicine is poised to become a core part of mainstream health care. It will transform and save the lives of people with incurable diseases.”

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the establishment of the Australian Stem Cell Therapies Mission is the first step in a coordinated effort to stimulate regenerative medicine research and industry in Australia.”

“Our Government is able to provide unprecedented levels of support to health and medical research because of our strong economic management.” Minister Hunt said.

“This funding is made available through our landmark Medical Research Future Fund —an endowment fund which will mature at $20 billion, providing a sustainable source of funding for vital medical research.”

It is the single largest boost in health and medical research funding in Australia’s history.

Since 2013 we have provided $506.6 million for stem cell research through the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Brisbane City Council has completed a major upgrade of the Green Camp Road corridor, reducing congestion and improving safety for all road users.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the upgrade was part of Council’s $1.3 billion investment to tackle traffic congestion across Brisbane.

“Council is taking real action on congestion across the city, with 90 congestion-busting projects to get residents home quicker and safer with more travel options,” Cr Quirk said.

“Green Camp Road is used by 30,000 vehicles every day and this critical upgrade has widened the corridor to a minimum of four lanes, cutting travel times by up to 50 per cent,” Cr Quirk said.

“The project has also delivered major upgrades to the Tilley Road and Green Camp Road intersection as well as the Rickertt Road and Green Camp Road intersection.”

Deputy Mayor and Chandler Ward Councillor Adrian Schrinner said the upgrade would also deliver major benefits for cyclists, with new on-road bike lanes along Green Camp Road and Rickertt Road.

“Green Camp Road is a major corridor between the CBD and the bayside and this upgrade will boost safety for all road users, with new on-road cycle lanes and a shared pathway,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Over seven years, there have been 57 serious crashes reported along this corridor and this upgrade will cut the risk of future accidents by more than half.”

Doboy Ward Councillor Ryan Murphy said until now, the Rickertt Road intersection had been operating above capacity during peak periods.

“Until now, motorists have been looking down traffic queues up to 800-metres long, with 18-minute delays during the afternoon peak,” Cr Murphy said.

“This upgrade will reduce peak travel times by up to 50 per cent, helping local drivers get home up to 13-minutes sooner.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the project would make the corridor safer and ease congestion at well-known choke points.

“This upgrade is offering immediate benefits to all road users, as well as future-proofing the corridor by delivering the infrastructure needed for the growing Brisbane region,” Mr Vasta said.

Federal Member for Bowman Andrew Laming said the collaboration between Brisbane City Council and the Australian Government had delivered huge benefits for residents.

“I’m delighted this high-quality project to expand Green Camp Road to four lanes has been delivered, as promised to Brisbane City Council and Redland City residents,” Dr Laming said.