The Liberal National Government will invest $10 million in an advertising blitz to boost participation in the free and life-saving National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said the Cancer Council Australia will use TV, radio, social media and outdoor advertising throughout 2019 to help people better understand the benefits of bowel cancer screening and encourage more people to participate in a program that could save their life.

“The campaign aims to create awareness about the benefits of early detection, prompt diagnosis and treatment,” Mr Vasta said.

“This is the largest single investment in a national cancer-specific mass media campaign, reflecting the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program’s extraordinary capacity to save Australian lives.”

Minister for Health Greg Hunt said bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia with 17,000 people diagnosed each year.

“From age 50, the risk of bowel cancer increases, with one in 11 men, and one in 15 women, developing bowel cancer before the age of 85,” Minister Hunt said.

“Symptoms can often be silent, so screening is absolutely critical for early detection. Testing can even find the early warning signs even before bowel cancer develops.”

“Research shows that 90 percent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated through early detection, reducing the number of family, friends, and loved ones who die each year from the disease.”

“The free home test kit contains a full instruction booklet, a zip-lock bag, two flushable collection sheets, two sampling sticks and sterile collection tubes, two identification stickers for the collection tubes, two transportation tubes, and a prepaid envelope and checklist with which to return your samples.”

“Of the 3.2 million people invited to screen between January 2015 and December 2016 – 41 per cent participated in the program. This is a two per cent increase in the previous screening period.”

“Independent modelling by Cancer Council NSW shows that 59,000 lives will be saved between 2015 and 2040 at current rates of participation.”

“Increasing participation rates to 60 per cent could save more than 83,000 lives by 2040.”

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program was introduced by the Howard Government with initial funding in 2005-06, following three successful localised pilot projects and a plan to test national feasibility through an incremental roll-out.

“In the 2014–15 Budget the Liberal National Government invested $95.9 million to fast track the expansion of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.” Mr Vasta said.

“By the end of 2019 all Australians aged 50 to 74 will be invited to screen. This makes it an ideal time to invest communications funding into increase program participation.”

“We must get the message through to people that early detection of this cancer is vital in saving lives and protecting lives.”

“I encourage people aged between 50 and 74 years, just like myself, living in Bonner to take the test to live a longer, healthier life and give peace of mind to their family and loved ones.”

Minister for Health Greg Hunt said by commissioning Cancer Council to run the campaign, we partner with the largest and longest established cancer charity in the country, with a long history of working with us to establish and promote the program.

“Our Government is able to provide unprecedented levels of support life-saving programs such as the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program because of our strong economic management,” Minister Hunt said.

For more information about the screening program go to www.cancerscreening.gov.au

The Liberal National Government will provide a record $1.45 billion for community mental health services and change the funding model to ensure security for both jobs and services.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta welcomed the announcement, and said the funding will be provided through the Government’s innovative 31 Primary Health Networks (PHNs).

“PHN’s were setup as an independent regional health organisation to commission health services including mental health, in response to the needs of local communities throughout Australia, including that of Bonner, said Mr Vasta.

“The Brisbane South PHN is expected to receive more than $52 million over a three period to help tailor services to meet the specific needs in our region and help deliver a stronger, more integrated mental health system.

“This funding means more services for the 150,000+ adults and children here living in the Bonner region, including funding specifically allocated for indigenous mental health services.”

It is estimated that one in five people in Australia experience a common mental disorder each year. Nearly half of the Australian population will experience mental illness at some point in their lives, but less than half will access treatment.

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said PHNs coordinate local support for child and youth mental health, psychological therapy, severe and complex illness, community-based suicide prevention and Indigenous mental health.

“In 2017–18, about 200,000 Australians accessed over 900,000 mental health services through local providers commissioned by PHNs,” said Minister Hunt.

“The record three year $1.45 billion funding commitment will commence from July this year until 2021-22 and is $170 million more than what was provided for the previous three years.”

“It will continue to support important services such as headspace centres, psychological services for hard to reach groups, suicide prevention activities, mental health nurses and mental health support for older Australians.”

It is estimated that the $1.45 billion funding includes:

• $177 million for mental health nurses
• $77 million for suicide prevention including Indigenous suicide
• $74 million for the mental health of those in residential aged care
• $89 million for Indigenous mental health
• $617 million for youth mental health including headspace
• $399 million for psychological therapies for hard to reach populations

Minster Hunt said the Government will also change the way that PHNs are funded to ensure that the staff and mental health professionals who deliver these critical services will no longer face uncertainty on short term contracts.

“This will allow longer term planning, provide job certainty for thousands of people employed in the sector, and deliver a stronger mental health system,” said Minister Hunt.

“The new funding process will dramatically improve their ability to ensure that services can be commissioned well in advance at any point in time, and provide greater funding certainty for the community-based mental health sector.”

“This will particularly benefit those living in rural and remote areas, where staffing shortages due to employment uncertainty have historically reduced access to mental health services.”

“Our Government has an ongoing commitment to supporting the mental health of Australians,” said Minister Hunt.

The Liberal National Government has prioritised better mental health for all Australians with $4.7 billion expected to be spent on mental health this financial year.

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

Thousands of Bonner residents are being asked to take new online Life Checks, as the Liberal National Government continues rolling out its More Choices For A Longer Life measures, to support local people to live longer, better lives.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said Life Checks are about empowering people to make the best choices for their future.

“Taking a Life Check gives you a clearer picture of how you’re currently tracking and helps you prepare for the next stage of life.

“This is one of the best New Year’s resolutions you can make in 2019 and it’s something to tell you friends about, because spending a few minutes taking a Life Check could make a lifetime of difference.

The new Life Checks website offers two free quizzes, one for 45 to 64 year olds and the other for 65s and older.

Each quiz is broken into four parts – health, work, finance and social life – the key areas that determine our wellbeing and ultimately how we will live our future lives.

The questions in each section have been shaped by research showing Australians are not adequately prepared for their next stage of life.

“Many of us are not taking action to reduce preventable diseases and most do not have financial plans in place,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our health and financial circumstance are crucial to our ability to live comfortably.”

The work and social life inclusions in the quiz encourage people to stay engaged with work and their local communities.

“I want everyone living in our local communities to be adequately prepared to live the life they want,” Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage every person over the age of 45 to visit lifechecks.gov.au today.”

Brisbane continues to benefit from strong International traveller numbers, according to the latest International Visitor Survey data.

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the latest results showed South East Queensland and Brisbane continued to be a major tourist hotspot for International travellers.

“In the year to September 2018 we’ve seen an additional 1.3m visitors flock to the Brisbane region and that’s an increase of 10% from the same time last year,” Mr Vasta said.

“Bonner has some amazing offerings for tourists such as Moreton island dolphin tours, manly harbour and an all-round great local atmosphere for tourists to experience, so it’s no wonder that visitors are flocking to the area.

“This is a testament to our local tourism operators and great news for local businesses and the local economy who benefit from every dollar international travellers spend right here in Bonner.

“It’s why I am a passionate advocate for building our local tourism sector. I have worked very closely with the Moreton Bay Discovery Centre to secure more than $450,000 worth of funding for its stage one development and I’ll continue to work closely with the team until the finished product is delivered for the Bonner community,” said Mr Vasta.

The international visitor survey results show a record 8.4 million international travellers flocked to our shores over the last year and spent record amounts with travellers injecting $43.2 billion into the local economy.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham welcomed the results saying more international travellers in Queensland meant more people in local restaurants, staying in local hotels and visiting local tourist attractions.

“It’s encouraging to see international travellers continuing to visit our great nation and enjoy all that our country has to offer,” Minister Birmingham said.

“These latest results show 2.84 million international travellers chose to travel beyond our capital cities and spent time in the bush, at the coast or even in the outback.

“Today’s results are also good news for Bonner as the more tourists we attract to the region the more they contribute to the local economy and the more they spend in local businesses.”

“Our Liberal-National Government continues to deliver record funding to Tourism Australia for cutting-edge campaigns such as Undiscover and Dundee, and these latest results demonstrate how these campaigns are helping to lure more tourists down under.

The latest International Visitor Survey results are available at: www.tra.gov.au.

The Liberal-National Government has announced up to $315,000 in grant funding to make conferences more accessible for people with disability.

The National Disability Conference Initiative grants assist eligible conference organisers to include people with disability at nationally-focused, disability-related conferences in Australia.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the grant funding will help to assist people with disability, their families and carers to attend conferences.

“Grants of up to $10,000 are available to organisations to help people with disability participate in disability-related conferences from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020,” Mr Vasta said.

The grants are designed to assist people with disability with the costs of attending the conference—assisting them with conference fees, accommodation and travel costs.

They can also be used for accessibility purposes such as funding AUSLAN interpreters, assistive computer devices or software, aids or appliances or other costs relating to venue accessibility.

“I encourage organisations in Bonner planning to hold a disability-related conference during this period to apply for a National Disability Conference Initiative grant,” Mr Vasta said.

The Government anticipates the funding will enable over 30 conferences across the country to be more inclusive of people with disability, their families and carers to attend conferences about issues that affect them.

Applications open on 9 January 2019 and close at 2pm (AEDT) on 20 February 2019. To apply for a grant or for more information on the National Disability Conference Initiative grant round, go to Australian Government Community Grants Hub at communitygrants.gov.au or Grant Connect at grants.gov.au.

The Liberal-National Government has announced up to $315,000 in grant funding to make conferences more accessible for people with disability.

The National Disability Conference Initiative grants assist eligible conference organisers to include people with disability at nationally-focused, disability-related conferences in Australia.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the grant funding will help to assist people with disability, their families and carers to attend conferences.

“Grants of up to $10,000 are available to organisations to help people with disability participate in disability-related conferences from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020,” Mr Vasta said.

The grants are designed to assist people with disability with the costs of attending the conference—assisting them with conference fees, accommodation and travel costs.

They can also be used for accessibility purposes such as funding AUSLAN interpreters, assistive computer devices or software, aids or appliances or other costs relating to venue accessibility.

“I encourage organisations in Bonner planning to hold a disability-related conference during this period to apply for a National Disability Conference Initiative grant,” Mr Vasta said.

The Government anticipates the funding will enable over 30 conferences across the country to be more inclusive of people with disability, their families and carers to attend conferences about issues that affect them.

Applications open on 9 January 2019 and close at 2pm (AEDT) on 20 February 2019. To apply for a grant or for more information on the National Disability Conference Initiative grant round, go to Australian Government Community Grants Hub at communitygrants.gov.au or Grant Connect at grants.gov.au.

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