Round Two of Australian Aid Friendship Grants are now open for charities, local government groups and organisations.

Since starting last year, this three-year program has allocated $10 million to strengthen our relationships between our not-for-profit organisations and our neighbours in the Indo-Pacific region.

Eligible non-profit organisations can apply for a one-off grant from $30,000 right up to $60,000 to assist these countries that face various needs and challenges.

Last year, World Hope International from Mackenzie was successful in receiving a Friendship Grant to further their work in Cambodia to build all-year-round climate-controlled mushroom grow houses.

Over 200 applications were received for the Friendship Grants Program that was awarded to 46 organisations through their merit-based selection process.

Round two of the Australia Aid Friendship closes 1 pm AEST 10 September 2019

To know more on how to apply for the Friendship Grant, visit the DFAT website

www.dfat.gov.au/friendshipgrants.

The $185 million Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care 10 year mission funded through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) has been well invested according to Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta during a recent to visit the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland.

Announced by the Liberal-National Government last year, The Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research at the Queensland Brain Institute was the first recipient of the mission with $10 million for dementia research.

Invited by the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR) to see the research first hand, Mr Vasta stated that this package is an advancement to the health economy of Australia.

“It is the single largest boost in health and medical research funding in Australia’s history,” Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said

“The Morrison Government’s commitment to further research into dementia and ageing is a responsibility not taken lightly and the research work done by the team at UQ is taking phenomenal strides to reduce the impact of this disease.”

Mr Vasta invited local dementia advocates from Bonner to join him on the tour and presentation at the QBI world-class research facility. The tour examined the different technologies and new methods researchers are using to reduce the risk of this neurological disease to ensure all Australians have a better quality of life.

Director of the Queensland Brain Institute Professor Pankaj Sah recognises the financial need behind the research to prevent the risk of over one million Australians to be diagnosed by the disease by 2056.

“Ross [Vasta] has been a fantastic supporter and got us in touch with the Federal Government and out of that has come the current round of funding,” Mr Sah said.

“We couldn’t really do any of the stuff we do without their support.”

Our Government is able to provide unprecedented levels of support to health and medical research because of our strong economic management, Mr Vasta said.

Mr Vasta will continue to work with the team at QBI and local dementia groups.

Around 71,375 low and middle income earners in Bonner will start to receive immediate tax relief from next week.

“The Coalition Government has delivered on its promise to build a better tax system and provide more tax relief in Bonner,” Mr Vasta said.

“This will ensure low and middle income earners in Bonner will keep more of what they earn and have more money in their pockets. This will ultimately boost household consumption, which will be good for the overall economy.

“Those earning up to $126,000 in Bonner will receive up to $1,080, and dual income couples will receive up to $2,160.”

The tax package provides a further $158 billion in tax relief, building on the already legislated Personal Income Tax Plan that we announced in the 2018-19 Budget.

The Government has also locked in the benefits of low and middle income tax relief by increasing the top threshold of the 19 cents in the dollar tax bracket from $41,000 to $45,000 and by increasing the low income tax offset from $645 to $700 in 2022-23.

In combination with the legislated removal of the 37 per cent tax bracket in 2024-25, the Government is delivering structural reform to the tax system by reducing the 32.5 cents in the dollar tax rate to 30 cents in the dollar.

“Together, these tax relief measures will create a flatter and better tax system that will improve incentives for those working hard in Bonner,”Mr Vasta said.

“It will also ensure that 94 per cent of Australians will face a marginal tax rate no higher than 30 cents in the dollar in 2024-25.

“Australians voiced their loud and clear support for our comprehensive tax package at the election. They supported a tax system that rewards aspiration and encourages effort, and we have delivered it.

“Lower taxes are part of our plan for a stronger economy.”

Frequent traffic jams and buses backed up as far as the eye can see, making the daily commute for locals a nightmare isn’t enough for the State Labor Government to give the Brisbane Metro the go ahead.

Despite not needing to contribute any funds for the project the State Labor Government has ordered the Cultural Centre Depot plans be re-drawn.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said it’s disappointing to see the State Labor Government playing political games and holding up this project at the expense of the local residents.

“I’m pleased to have lobbied to secure $300 million worth of funding for the Brisbane Metro and it’s unfair to see local residents being used as pawns in a game by the State Government.”

“This Brisbane Metro project has the potential to significantly cut travel times for local residents and will allow them less time stuck in traffic and more time spent with their families.”

Mayor Adrian Schrinner said this recent change of heart from the State Government is very disappointing, but not surprising.

“We are so frustrated, after 276 meetings; all we need the State Government to do is get out of the way so that we can get on with building the Brisbane Metro.”

Brisbane City Council is hopeful that is can still complete the Brisbane Metro by the proposed date of 2023, however this late change from the State Government could push costs for the the $944 million project into the billions.

Not everyone enjoys the luxury of having flannelette sheets and a heater to come home to during the colder months.

For the month of June Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta is encouraging all locals to spare a thought for someone doing it tough in winter and donate a blanket.

Mr Vasta said he is working alongside Rosies – Friends on the street in Wynnum, and Mt Gravatt Community Centre to gather blankets for them to give to locals in need.

“Rosies and the Mt Gravatt Community Centre do a lot of great work in our local community and I’m always keen to help out wherever I can for locals who are having a hard time.

“I’ve started the ball rolling by donating three new blankets, and I’ve already had a number of people come into the office to donate some new and pre-loved blankets to this cause as well.”

Mr Vasta said they don’t have to be new blankets as long as they’re clean and in good condition.

Donations can be dropped into Ross Vasta MP at 69 Clara Street Wynnum any weekday between now and the end of July between 9am and 4:30pm.

Ross Vasta MP today reminded personnel leaving the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and now living in the Bonner community to book in for their Veteran Health Check.

This follows the announcement made by the Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel, Darren Chester, that from 1 July 2019 all ADF personnel leaving full-time service can gain access to a fully funded comprehensive health check from a GP every year for the first five years.

“These health checks are specifically designed for veterans and allows them to keep on top of their health after they leave the ADF,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Veteran Health Check allows a veteran and their GP to act on any issues before they become major problems and for the GP to assess their patient’s current physical and mental wellbeing.”

More broadly, the Australian Government provides more than $230 million a year towards veteran mental health, as part of more than $11 billion for veterans and their families in this year’s budget.

“I encourage all veterans living here in the Bonner area to book in for their Veteran Health Check if they haven’t already,” Mr Vasta said.

“If someone in your family, or a friend, has left the ADF recently take a moment to remind them that they should be looking after their health and to talk to their GP today.”

ADF members who transition before 30 June 2019 will continue to be able to gain access to the comprehensive One-off Veteran Health Check (formerly known as the one-off ADF Post-Discharge GP Health Assessment) at any time post-transition.

For those in need of immediate mental health support and counselling, Open Arms – Veterans and Family Counselling Service can be contacted on 1800 011 046, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To find out more about Veteran Health Checks, please visit the AT-Ease website or call DVA on 1800 555 254.

Construction has officially begun on the brand new federally funded Australian Academy Martial Arts Do-Jo building in Mount Gravatt.

After years of hard work, this week ten concrete trucks arrived at the site in Carsen Lane to pour the 26m by 12m slab on which the Do-jo will be built.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta visited the site and said he was pleased to have been able to secure $185,000 worth of Federal Funding so that the project could go ahead.

“I’ve been working with Glenn and Lyndon from AAMA for years and I can’t wait to see the finished product. It’s going to be great for the growing academy here in Mt Gravatt.”

“This state of the art facility will attract more competitions and events to Bonner which is great for local clubs and participants, the sport and tourism.”

AAMA president Lyndon Kurth said the project is expected to be completed in just 12 weeks, and could be open as soon as September.

“Work has already begun on the refurbishment of the adjacent facilities building and now that the concrete slab has been poured, it will be cut in preparation for trenching and setting the plumbing.”

“AAMA would never have been able to have achieved this on our own, the only reason that this building is able to go ahead is because of the consistent support and encouragement from Ross Vasta MP over the last five years,” Mr Kurth said.

At the end of every Federal election there are always metres and metres of plastic wrap leftover, instead of putting them into landfill Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta has found a very important use for the material in Africa.

Mr Vasta said following the 2013 election he spoke to David Forde at Wynnum Christian Community Church about what they could do with the plastic wrap.

“I was glad to have been able to donate the materials over the last 3 elections to David and the team to use in conjunction with their living hope program in Zambia.”

“Last week I met with David and donated more than 60 rolls of plastic wrap which will be transported to Chingola, Zambia and used as weed matting for agriculture crops and waterproofing in village buildings and roofs.”

David from Wynnum Christian community church said the donation is very much appreciated and will be put to good use at the Fipuya Training farm.

“The wrap will be used as part of the farmer training program in the rural parts of Chingola teaching locals and school students about farming and producing crops.”

The local church has two containers filled with books, clothes, furniture, bedding, tools and of course election wrap which will be sent to Chingola in September.

Each container costs the church almost $15,000 to put together and send and this is achieved through donations and the good will of the local community.

To make a donation or to find out more about how you can help please call David Forde on 3396 7444.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta has thanked Mansfield resident Owen Doherty for his service to Australia during World War II and wished him a happy 96th birthday on behalf of the commonwealth government.

At the age of 18 years and five months Owen Doherty was enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force and served as a Warrant Officer before being taken as a Prisoner of War.

After being discharged in 1945 Mr Doherty went on to work in the manufacturing of tapware and fittings and later moved into a management role at the firm. He was very active in the bowling community giving many years of service as an accredited bowls coach at the Moorooka Bowls Club.

Mr Vasta said it is such an honour to be able to congratulate and celebrate a real life local hero who has given so much to this great nation of ours.

“It’s hard to put into words just how much Mr Doherty has given for our freedom today, he is a humble man who has achieved many things in his life and even at 96 years of age he is still as sharp as a tack.”

Mr Doherty’s daughter Diane said he was surprised and very appreciative that Ross had taken time out of his busy day to pay him a visit and present him with a congratulatory birthday card which is proudly displayed in his room.

“It will be good to be able to relive those memories with Dad on our subsequent visit.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta has this week undergone a grueling interview with 14 year-old aspiring political analyst Ryan Hixson who is currently living in Wishart on exchange at Villanova from Chicago, Illinois USA.

Ryan chose Mr Vasta and the topic of Australian politics as his subject to report back to his school St Rita’s in Chicago when he returns next week.

Mr Vasta said it was great to have been able to provide such in depth answers for Ryan to take back to educate his classmates about Australian politics.

“He asked me a number of questions about the Australian constitution, Australian gun regulations, international relations and the Westminster system.”

“Ryan’s knowledge of politics in both Australian and the US is incredible and I have no doubt he’s going to give his classmates an in depth analysis of the political climate here in Australia and the comparisons between the two countries.”

“It’s important that young people understand politics in Australia, and I’m pleased to see how interested Ryan and his host classmate Alex were to learn about what I do as a Federal Member.”

“One of the most important things I get to do as a member of parliament is host mock parliament sessions in Bonner schools,” said Mr Vasta.

“Seeing the kids’ faces when they take part is invaluable and it’s a great way add to what they’ve learned in class in a practical and fun way.”