Bonner Senior’s Expo bigger and better than ever

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.

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Men’s Shed Life Week to combat loneliness

Men’s Shed is celebrating Shed Life Week at four locations across the Bonner electorate to encourage men from all walks of life to build and create together.

With over a thousand locations across Australia, Men Shed aims to be a creative space to combat isolation and loneliness as well as reduce preventable mental health issues.

“Bonner is home to four Men Sheds that do amazing work to foster a sense of community for men of all ages to build and create with the latest shed tools,” Mr Vasta said.

“They’re also a place men can come together to openly talk about import issues relating to their physical and mental health shoulder-to-shoulder.

“Originating in Toowoomba, Men’s Shed has gained momentum world wide breaking the stigma around masculinity and to semi-retired to retired men on the same page about their issues.”

Shed Life Week encourages members to showcase their craftsmanship from around the world, open their doors to new members and promote talking about issues that matter to men’s health.

To find out how you can get involved with your local Men’s Shed visit:

mensshed.org/celebrating-shed-life-this-mens-shed-week/

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New Army combat vehicles boost for Queensland economy

The first of the fleet of new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) for the Australian Defence Force has been unveiled.

The 211 new Boxer 8×8 CRVs will be delivered by Rheinmetall Defence Australia under the $5 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability project.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the new vehicles with their high levels of protection, firepower and mobility, will provide a world-class capability to the Australian Army.

“These new vehicles are part of the Morrison Government’s $200 billion investment in our defence capability over the next decade to ensure the Australian Defence Force is equipped to succeed in our challenging strategic environment,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Boxer project will create around 330 jobs here in Queensland – a welcome boost for Defence capability and the local economy.”

Twelve small businesses across Australia have contributed to the production of this first Boxer, ensuring the delivery of these vehicles is a national enterprise.

Over the 30-year life of the vehicles, Australian industry will secure $10.2 billion of the total investment in acquiring and maintaining the fleet.

The vehicles will be able to undertake a range of missions from regional stability and peacekeeping through to high-threat operations, and will provide improved safety to Australian soldiers on deployment and on exercises around the world.

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AUSTRALIA’S 2020 CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY: BONNER HAVE YOUR SAY

Consultation on Australia’s 2020 Cyber Security Strategy is underway, with the Morrison Government seeking views from across the country to improve the cyber security of Australian citizens, community groups and businesses.

The Department of Home Affairs is hosting a public forum in Brisbane on October 17th for all Australians to discuss the 2020 Cyber Security Strategy with the local community and industry.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said the forum presented an opportunity for Australian families and businesses to talk to the Australian Government about how best to protect them online.

“Cyber security is no longer something for technical specialists and large corporations because every day Australians are increasingly affected by malicious online activity and have stories to share,” Mr Vasta said.

“We are asking all Australians to participate in the conversation and contribute their thoughts and ideas through these public forums.”

In 2018 alone, around one in three Australian adults were affected by cybercrime, hundreds of businesses, families and individuals have fallen victim to scams, ransomware, sophisticated fraud or the theft of their intellectual property.

The Australian Government has also released a public discussion paper to start the conversation. Those unable to attend the public forum are invited to contribute their views by submitting a response online.

For more information and to register for Brisbane’s public forum, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2020-cyber-security-strategy-open-forum-brisbane-registration-71026611507

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One week left for schools to apply for project funding

Schools in Bonner have one week left to apply for funding through the Coalition Government’s Local School Community Fund to support small-scale projects.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said schools could apply for grants of up to $20,000 for school projects that benefit their students’ learning experience.

“Projects could be anything from upgrading playground and sporting equipment, to library resources, new computers and mental health and counselling services,” Mr Vasta said.

“My electorate has been allocated $200,000 in grant funding for projects and I urge all schools across Bonner to submit an application for funding though the Local School Community Fund.

“I want to see applications from every school across Bonner seeking funding for projects that will help their students and the local school community.”

The Local Schools Community Fund is open to eligible state, Catholic and Independent schools.

Schools may submit one application for up to $20,000 funding for each of their campuses.

Applications close at 5pm AEST on September 30, 2019 and projects must be completed by the end of 2020.

Schools can apply for the Coalition Government program through SchoolsHUB – https://schools.education.gov.au/.

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Proud to support Bonner’s Local Sporting Champions

Local Sporting Champions continues to support more aspiring young sportspeople than ever before, with Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta encouraging families to apply for the next round of the popular grants program by 30 September 2019.

The Morrison Government’s Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to aspiring young athletes, coaches and officials between the ages of 12-18 attending eligible state, national or international sporting championships.

Mr Vasta said Local Sporting Champions, managed by Sport Australia, was an important initiative for talented young sportspeople and their families.

“Local Sporting Champions provides an opportunity for aspiring young athletes from the Bonner Electorate to take part in high level competition,” Mr Vasta said.

“This program helps support families meet the costs associated with attending sporting competitions such as competition entry fees, travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment.

Local Sporting Champions continues to grow, with the Morrison Government announcing a funding boost in 2018-19 of $11.8million over four years. Funding starts at $500 per grant, with additional provisions for longer distance travel.

Minister for Youth and Sport Richard Colbeck said assisting families to engage in high level sporting competition would help meet the Morrison Government’s Sport 2030 plan to help more Australians be more active more often.

“Local Sporting Champions has already delivered more than $30 million in grants to more than 52,000 young Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Sport and physical activity is a valuable part of any child’s development, so this program is a great investment in the health of our nation.”

Applications for the Local Sporting Champions program are open throughout the entire year, with four assessment periods. To be considered for the next assessment period, applications must be in by 30 September, 2019.

For more information on Local Sporting Champions grants, including the eligibility criteria and to apply, visit www.sportaus.gov.au/lsc

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Nominations open for 2020 Veterans’ Employment Awards

Local businesses can now nominate for the 2020 Prime Minister Veterans’ Employment Awards which highlights the contributions made by veterans in the civilian workforce and the businesses that support them.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the awards were a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate businesses of all sizes who employ or support veterans of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

“This is a chance to be recognised as an industry leader in supporting veteran employment by nominating for these prestigious Awards,” Mr Vasta said.

Every year over 5,500 people leave the Australian Defence Force, and the Government’s aim is to ensure every person is able to transition into civilian life in towns across Australia effectively and find meaningful employment by business that support them.

Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the awards, now in the third year, were an opportunity to recognise and celebrate veterans, their entrepreneurial nature, and businesses from across Australia who employs ADF veterans and their families.

“We invest heavily in training our ADF personnel, providing them with qualities and capabilities that are valued by civilian employers — leadership, teamwork, and a strong sense of mission and purpose are all qualities employers can expect,” Mr Chester said.

“The extensive range of skills, abilities, behaviours and attributes veterans gain makes them an asset to any workplace.”

Information on the awards can be found on the new Veterans’ Employment website.

Nominations for the awards are now open online and will close on October 22, 2019 with finalists announced in early 2020.

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Bulk billing rates hit record level in Bonner

An increased number of Australians are attending General Practitioner (GP) appointments without reaching into their pockets, with GP bulk billing rates in Queensland under Medicare hitting a record high of 86 per cent for the full year of 2018-19.

Since 2012-13, GP bulk billing rates in Queensland have increased by over four percent from 81.6 per cent, proving Medicare is stronger than ever before under this Government.

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said the new GP bulk billing figures were “evidence more Queenslanders are visiting their doctor without having to pay a cent.”

“Australia has one of the best health systems in the world, founded on Medicare,”Mr Vasta said.

“These figures show Medicare, under the Morrison Government is supporting the health and wellbeing of Australians more than ever.”

Nationally, a GP bulk billing rate of 86.2 per cent saw a four percentage point increase on the 2012-13 figure with a total cost of all Medicare services in 2018-19 of $24.1 billion which is an increase of 3.5 per cent in benefits paid.

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said the figures showed Medicare was “supporting the health and wellbeing of Australians more than ever before.”

“By increasing our investment in Medicare, the Morrison Government is ensuring it supports quality health care,” Minister Hunt said.

On 1 July this year, the Government increased the patient rebate for further GP items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Specialist procedures, allied health services and other GP services such as mental health and after hour’s services, were indexed.

The Medicare Benefits Schedule Review will ensure Medicare services are effective and appropriate for patients now and into the future.

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Local School Community Fund closing soon

Time is running out for schools in Bonner to access funding for new computers, sporting equipment or refurbishments with applications for the Coalition Government’s Local School Community Fund closing soon.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said there was less than one month to go for schools to apply for funding through the $30.2 million Local School Community Fund.

“My electorate of Bonner has been allocated $200,000 in grant funding for projects at local schools,” Mr Vasta said.

“Local schools can apply for grants between $1000 and $20,000 for school projects.

“These projects can be anything that benefit the school community, from installing solar panels, kits for robotics, hydration stations, outdoor play equipment, wellbeing programs or composting and colour coded waste bins as an example.”

Mr Vasta said schools should think about the best way the funding could help their students and school and submit an application before it closed.

Applications to the Local Schools Community Fund are open to eligible government, Catholic and independent schools until 5pm, September 30 2019.

Each proposed project will be independently evaluated by a committee appointed by the Member for Bonner.

Schools can apply through SchoolsHUB – www.schools.education.gov.au/

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Bonner business awarded defence grant

Bonner local business, Skyborne Technologies has been awarded $462,690 by the Morrison Governments Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grant to make their mark in Australia’s Defence industry through the development of their armoured drone- Cereberus.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta says Skyborne Technologies unique combination of Artificial Intelligence and lightweight weaponised drone engineering is the way of Australia’s defence future.

“The Cereberus provides air force level support that does pin-point precision strikes that reduce collateral damage,” Mr Vasta said.

“Combined with artificial intelligence, the Cereberus closes the margin of error to help defence drone operators make accurate decisions under pressure in the line of duty.

“The incredible forward-thinking by the Skyborne Technologies team is bound to have a significant impact on Australia’s defence industry and on the world stage.”

The grant will help Skyborne Technologies further their research into artificial intelligence for strategic targeting planning as well as the development of lightweight unmanned aerial drones engineered for warfare.

“The Morrison government wants to use Australian businesses like Skyborne Technologies to help build up a robust and resilient defence industry that will also contribute to driving economic growth and employment opportunities.”

The next round of the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority grants program close on 1 October 2019. Applications can be submitted through the Centre for Defence Industry Capability website at www.business.gov.au/cdic

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