Education and awareness packages designed to reduce rates of stillbirth, will soon be available for health professionals and pregnant women across Australia.

The Safer Baby Bundle, developed principally by the Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) in Stillbirth at the University of Queensland, will be provided to hospitals in selected areas.

The national rollout of the bundle is assisted by $3 million from the Morrison Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), to support research to help transition maternity care into routine clinical practice.

This builds on a $1.3 million National Health and Medical Research Council grant to the CRE earlier this year, which funded trials in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

The Safer Baby Bundle provides evidence based recommendations in five key risk areas:

• Detection and management of impaired fetal growth.
• Awareness and management of decreased fetal movement.
• Advising women on safe sleeping positions.
• Supporting women to stop smoking.
• Better timing of birth for women with risk factors.

We are also providing $3 million for stillbirth education and awareness programs, and we are developing a National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan, working with key stakeholders and individuals.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP says that stillbirth is an issue that affects everyone and is a priority for the Australian Government.

“Reducing the rate of stillbirth in Australia, including providing the best possible support services for families living with the tragedy of a stillbirth, is a Morrison Government health and well-being priority,” Mr Vasta said.

“We understand the importance of this issue, not only for the women affected, but for their partners, families and the broader community. “

Kindy’s in Bonner have the opportunity to learn another language thanks to the Morrison Government’s play-based Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) program that teaches young Australians a foreign language.

The $27.5 million ELLA program has already helped educate 110,000 children about foreign languages, across more than 3,500 preschools.

ELLA is a digital, play-based program that introduces young Australians to languages other than English. It can help teach 13 languages: Arabic, Mandarin, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Modern Greek, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said learning a second language would give students an educational advantage and broaden their horizons.

“ELLA supports children to explore other languages and cultures, inspiring them to continue learning in years to come,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our Government is helping prepare students in Bonner for the future economy where having a second language will be an enormous benefit.

“Kindy educators don’t need any language training experience to run the ELLA program because extensive support material, offline games, learning resources, and a responsive helpdesk are all provided.

“I encourage kindergarten operators in Bonner to apply to run the ELLA program to introduce our children to the joy and challenge of learning a second language.”

The Coalition Government has already provided $11.8 million to expand ELLA into 300 schools for grades Foundation to Year 2. Visit www.ella.edu.au for more information, including eligibility criteria, device requirements and how to apply.

Researchers and entrepreneurs can receive up to $ 1 million from the Morrison Government for breakthrough medical devices that improve patient care.

The third round of funding from the Government’s $45 million BioMedTech (BMT) Horizons initiative, funded by our landmark Medical Research Future Fund, opened on 15 October.

This round will direct funding to projects in three focus areas:

• Digitally enabled medical devices in mobile health, health information technology, wearable devices, telehealth and telemedicine, and digitally enabled personalised medicine.
• Implantable digitally enabled medical devices addressing unmet needs in any therapeutic area.·
• General medical devices in the areas of regenerative medicine, women’s health, cardiovascular, orthopaedics, neuroscience, general surgery and oncology.

The funding will be available through a competitive process. The three focus areas will support development of biomedical and medical technologies in the priority areas, to the proof of concept stage and towards to commercial development.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP says that this funding will improve upon the nation’s world renowned health care Australians receive and boost the economy.

“New medical treatments and technology supported by BMT Horizons funding will result in better health outcomes and quality of life for Australians and people around the world,” Mr Vasta said.

“In some cases, they will be life changing or even lifesaving,

“They will also fuel growth in Australia’s biomedical and medical technology sector. As projects mature and reach commercialisation, they will create jobs and generate domestic and export income.”

Successful applicants for the second round of BMT Horizons funding are currently being finalised.

Further details are available at: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/biomedtech-horizons

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP represented Foreign Minister Marise Payne at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly reception on Disability Rights and Inclusion.

Mr Vasta attended the reception to celebrate the launch of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) at the Global Disability Summit one-year progress report.

“I was very honoured to represent the Foreign Minister at this important event which was co-sponsored by the Australian Government and hosted by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Disability Alliance (ISA),” Mr Vasta said.

“As well as launching the UNDIS, it was a great opportunity for UNICEF, IDA and partners of the UN community to renew their commitment towards disability rights and inclusive development.”

Mr Vasta said the UNDIS provided the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion through all the pillars of the work of the UN.

“Australia is a strong advocate for disability inclusive development and disability rights,” Mr Vasta said.

“Speaking at the event, I shared how in Australia, all levels of government are working together to improve the lives of Australians with disability, their families and carers in line with the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020.”

Mr Vasta said he also shared a story from a local constituent in Bonner who had benefited from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“When Tricia contacted me crying with gratitude because her 15-year-old with Aspergers and NF1 had been approved for the NDIS, it really hit home the impact our Government is having on people with disability and their families,” Mr Vasta said.

“It was an important message to share at the UN reception on Disability Rights and Inclusion because it puts a face and emotion to the cause we are championing.

“Australia has been a steadfast supporter of the UNDIS since its inception and it was an honour to represent Australia at this UNGA event.”

Bonner  veterans and their families will benefit from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ (DVA) Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program.

Federal Member, Ross Vasta MP said this funding will help Bonner  ex‑service and community organisations to continue to put veterans and their families first.

“It is through the dedication and hard work of ex-service and community organisations that veterans and their families receive services, support and opportunities allowing them to continue active roles in their local communities,” Mr Vasta said.

“I congratulate the Manly-Lota RSL for receiving a $24,207.75 grant through DVA’s Building Excellence in Support and Training grants program.

The Manly-Lota RSL have provided continued to support to our veterans and their families through their programs.”

MR Vasta said that ex‑service and community organisations, veteran groups and private organisations play a crucial role in supporting the health and welfare of the veteran community.

“Thank you to these organisations for provide support to our veterans and their families when it is most needed.

“The Government will continue to support veterans and their families by providing more than $4 million to 139 projects across the country.”

For more information on BEST grants visit the grants page on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website (www.dva.gov.au/grants).

Multicultural groups and not-for-profit organisations in Bonner are encouraged to apply for the Fostering Integration Grant Program, with applications now open.

The Morrison Government is providing $2.3 million for community organisations to support the integration of migrants into Australian social, economic and civil life.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrants Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman MP said this round of grants would fund activities that celebrate and recognise Australia’s multicultural communities, increase cultural awareness and help build more socially cohesive communities.

“The program has been refined to optimise opportunities for smaller, grassroots organisations,” Mr Coleman said.

“There is also a focus on key cultural events, which raise awareness of Australia’s multicultural diversity and promote a sense of belonging by bringing people together.

“Activities funded may include cultural events or festivals, programs that help migrants undertake valuable work experience in order to succeed in the workforce, or opportunities to practice English in their local community.”

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the grants would enhance the important work they do at the local level, recognising that safe communities are built on strong communities.

“Local community organisations have an important role to play in in helping migrants, particularly young people, women and those in regional areas access the workforce and participate more in the community,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Fostering Integration Grants program is about supporting organisations that work at the grassroots level in their community and have a strong understanding of the challenges facing migrants.”

Not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants of up to $60,000 for activities lasting up to 12 months.

Applications for the Fostering Integration Grants close November 5, 2019.

For more information and to apply for the Fostering Integration Grant Program, visit the Community Grants Hub website at www.communitygrants.gov.au

The third annual Bonner Senior’s Expo is set to bigger and better than ever with exhibit spaces now completely booked out and hundreds of local seniors expected to attend.

The free Senior’s Expo is on Thursday, October 31 and will include over 50 stallholders from government services and community organisations right through to legal aid and real estate agencies.

Information sessions on issues such as the National Broadband Network rollout to services provided by the Department of Human Services will be held throughout the day.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the annual expo was always a great opportunity for local seniors to have face to face access with the services they use and community groups there to support their needs.

“It is a big day out for all our wonderful seniors to gather information and enjoy a locally sourced morning tea,” Mr Vasta said.

“Even though I will be at the United Nations for this event, I have made sure all the relevant resources will be available to our local seniors just like past events.

“At the end of the day, we’re here to help, we’re here to provide and we’re here to listen to the unique concerns of the seniors in the Bonner electorate – that’s what this expo is all about.”

The Bonner Senior’s Expo will be held from 9am to 1pm on Thursday, October 31 at the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club.

Stall holders will include:

NBN

Piccardi Legal

Department of Health

TransitCare

Carers QLD

It’s a Bloke Thing

Vision Australia

Brisbane City Council

NDIS

Cancer Council

and many more.

For more information call the office of Ross Vasta MP on (07) 3893 3488.