I’d make a joke about meat, but I’m afraid I’d butcher it…. “badum tish”

If you can beat this corny dad joke, enter for your chance to win a barbecue pack and meat tray this Father’s Day.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, September 6 he was running a competition for the best dad jokes.

“If you’d like the chance to win a barbecue pack and $100 meat tray from one of Bonner’s butchers, email in your best dad joke for your chance to win,” Mr Vasta said.

“I love being a dad to my two boys. They are full of energy and bring me so much joy every day.

“They’re definitely not a fan of my dad jokes though, but if you can send me one that impresses them, you’ll be our lucky winner.

To enter, email your name, suburb, contact details and dad joke to ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au

“You can also enter on behalf of your dad and surprise him if you win,” Mr Vasta said.

“It has been such a difficult year for everyone, and I hope this competition brings out some smiles and laughter for Bonner families.

“I’ll also share some of the best dad jokes with the Bonner community over the Father’s Day weekend on Facebook.”

National Skills Week 2020 will focus on the critical role the vocational education and training (VET) sector has in the nation’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

As a part of the Morrison Government’s economic response to COVID-19, we have committed a further $3.3 billion to skills, including funding the creation of an additional 340,700 VET training places in areas of demand.

The Government’s reforms and investments in the VET sector will strongly assist our economic recovery.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said National Skills Week was an opportunity for people to think about their career and consider where vocational education and training could take them.

“In response to the impacts of COVID-19, the Morrison Government is investing an additional $3.3 billion to give hundreds of thousands of Australians access to upskilling opportunities, rollout critical infection control training and keep apprentices and trainees connected to work,” Minister Cash said.

“Our JobTrainer Fund is an investment of $500 million from the Commonwealth Government, matched by the State and Territory Governments and providing around 340,700 additional free or low-cost training places.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said National Skills Week was also about recognizing the valuable work of our vocational education and training sector, as it responds quickly to COVID-19 and helps set up our economic recovery.

“We have some great local training organisations in Bonner committed to supporting people to change career paths and even upskill and now is definitely the time to do it,” Mr Vasta said.

Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP said additional investment was being made to support the nation’s apprentices and their employers through this challenging environment.

“The Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy is being expanded and extended so that it can support almost 90,000 businesses employing around 180,000 apprentices throughout Australia,” Assistant Minister Irons said.

For more information about National Skills Week activities and virtual events across Australia visit  www.nationalskillsweek.com.au/

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP has thrown his support behind Save our Seton, a group of parents and students committed to saving Seton College following the announcement by Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) to close the school in 2024.

Mr Vasta and LNP Candidate for Mansfield Janet Wishart held a teleconference with BCE today, declaring he would do whatever it takes to keep Seton College open.

“Unfortunately, the decision to close this wonderful institution will have a devastating impact on our local community,” Mr Vasta said.

“I’ve been contacted by many parents who are so upset about the closure and had been told it was a “compliance issue” or “funding issue” with the Australian Government.

“I can confirm I have received a letter from Education Minister Dan Tehan to clarify that is not the case, and the department will work with the school to assist in any way possible.

“The good news is BCE advised there are no plans for the site to be repurposed so that means we have an opportunity to save Seton College.”

Ms Wishart said as a parent of a child with a disability, she knows firsthand just how hard these families fight every day for their kids.

“The decision to close Seton College is devastating for our local community and to date, the current Palaszczuk Labor Government and local member have refused to speak with families, and they simply deserve better,” Ms Wishart said.

“Working with Ross I’ll be fighting to ensure the voices of local families are heard, local families who have been let down by this decision and Labor’s inaction.”

Carina State School’s journalists in the making had the opportunity to ‘put the heat’ on Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP when he visited to see the new shade sails funded by a $35,000 Morrison Government grant.

Mr Vasta dropped into Carina State School following the completion of the shade sail installation.

“Here I was to see these fantastic new shade sails funded by a $35,297 Community Development Grant, but they couldn’t protect me from the heat of the school’s Magazine Committee,” Mr Vasta said.

“Erika, Mikayla, Safina and Khaow-Too sat me down for an in-depth chat and I was pleased to share stories of why I went into politics and answer all their great questions,” Mr Vasta said.

“When they asked me what advice I had for school captains Liam, Addison, Macey and Sandy who also joined the meeting, I told them leading by example and helping others is what made great leaders.

“The Magazine Committee did a great job asking questions, recording my answers and even organising a photo. I have no doubt I met some future budding journalists.”

Mr Vasta said funding for the new shade sails were announced during the 2019 election campaign, and he was happy to see the project finally completed.

“Unfortunately, construction was delayed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, however with school back on track the installation is now complete and students have a beautifully shaded quadrangle space to enjoy lunch with their friends,” Mr Vasta said.

Cricket scorers at the Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club (WMDCC) will no longer be sitting in a sauna thanks to a $5000 Morrison Government Volunteer grant.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the club would upgrade the scorer’s room with new furniture, air conditioning and proper scoring devices to make volunteers much more comfortable.

“Cricket is a summer sport and during those hot Queensland days the volunteer cricket scorers often sit in a sweltering scorer’s room,” Mr Vasta said.

“Volunteers at WMDCC give many hours of their time to the club and in return for this commitment, the club wanted to make the time spent volunteering as comfortable as possible for them.

“Currently scorers use personal devices to score games in a hot room sitting on furniture in a state of disrepair, but thanks to a $5000 volunteer grant, that’s all about to change.”

Mr Vasta said while the work of volunteers was unpaid, their efforts did not go unrecognised.

“From fighting bushfires, delivering food to vulnerable Australians in isolation and helping out with the weekend sport, they are all local champions,” Mr Vasta said.

“Their contribution is vital to ensuring that we continue to support families, provide employment pathways for young people and strengthen community resilience.”

Nationally, volunteering has an estimated annual economic and social contribution of $290 billion.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP joined members and veterans of the Manly-Lota RSL Sub-Branch for the annual Vietnam Veterans Day Service to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

Mr Vasta said today was about reflecting on the service and sacrifice of those who served during one of the longest military engagement of the 20^th Century, the Vietnam War.

“Across two decades between 1962 and 1975, almost 60,000 Australians served during the Vietnam War, sometimes fighting in extreme conditions, often with poor visibility,” Mr Vasta said.

“Each year on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, Australia remembers all those who served in the Vietnam War, including the more than 500 Australians who lost their lives.”Mr Vasta said the service was a private occasion with invited guests only to keep in line with COVID-19 restrictions.

“However, while the wider community could not be part of it, I know they were with us in spirit,” Mr Vasta said.

“Even with our younger generation with the bugle player Lewis Campbell joining us from Moreton Bay Boy’s College to deliver The Last Post.”

Mr Vasta said the Battle of Long Tan on the 18^th of August 1966, was one of the fiercest battles fought by Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War, and saw 18 Australians killed and 25 wounded.

“Today we also acknowledge and honour the Vietnam veterans who have lost their lives in the years since they returned and those who still carry the physical and emotional scars of their service and the families that have supported them.”

The Australian War Memorial will hold a Last Post Ceremony at 4:55pm AEST today, 18 August 2020, to commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day and the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

To find out more about Vietnam Veterans’ Day, the Vietnam War and the Battle of Long Tan, please visit the Anzac Portal website.

New ceiling fans to provide relief from the summer heat have been installed at Tingalpa State School’s assembly hall thanks to a $20,000 grant through the Morrison Government’s Local Schools Community Fund.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP recently visited the school to see the new fans and said the addition greatly improved the facility for students, teachers and the wider Tingalpa community.

“In the middle of summer, it can be very uncomfortable in the hall for students, staff, families and visitors,” Mr Vasta said.

“Having a cooling system in place was necessary due to the hall’s location to the noisy Wynnum Road and the need to keep doors closed for the noise and wind control.

“Thanks to this $20,000 grant, these new fans will not only benefit the school community but the wider community as well.”

Mr Vasta said with a shortage of indoor sporting venues in the area, the ceiling fan upgrade would encourage additional community use.

“Having a cooling system in place now allows the school to feature this facility as a good option for external events and sporting games for community groups, which will have tremendous benefits for the school.”

Mr Vasta said the Tingalpa P&C was instrumental in making this grant happen and it wouldn’t have been possible without their fundraising efforts and attention to detail in applying for the grant.

The Morrison Government is supporting community groups to lower their power bills and play their part in helping to reduce Australia’s emissions.

Across Australia, not-for-profit community groups have been awarded grants of up to $12,500 for energy-saving projects under the Government’s Energy Efficient Communities Program.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he was pleased to announce the Wynnum Manly Employment and Training Association, and the St Mark’s Lutheran Pre-School and Child Care Association were successful recipients in his electorate of Bonner.

“Energy Bills are often one of the biggest overheads for volunteer organisations, and we want to help ease some of the financial pressures facing our hard-working community groups,” Mr Vasta said.

“St Marks Lutheran Pre-School received a $11,364 grant and Wynnum Manly Employment and Training Association received $6000 to support their energy saving projects, which can include installing a solar system, upgrading to more energy efficient equipment, or having an energy audit done on their premises.”

Mr Vasta said the more these groups could save on running costs, the more they could spend supporting their communities.

The Energy Efficient Communities Program was announced as part of the Government’s Climate Solutions Package in the 2019 Budget.

The program will deliver grants to help businesses and community organisations to improve energy efficiency practices and technologies, and better manage energy consumption to reduce their power bills.

In addition to grants for community organisations, the program will provide $10 million for dairy farming businesses, $9 million for small businesses and $15 million for high energy-using businesses.

For more information on the Energy Efficient Communities Program visit energy.gov.au

Local homelessness support groups have received a generous donation thanks to the Bonner Winter Essentials Appeal to help them continue their great work helping vulnerable locals.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP was joined by the Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services Luke Howarth on Friday to deliver the donated goods as part of National Homelessness Week.

Over the past six weeks Mr Vasta has been collecting blankets, non-perishables and hygiene products to support local organisations that do so much for the community.

“The Morrison government provides more than $1.5 billion per year to states and territories through the National Housing and Homelessness agreement, I am always committed to going the extra mile to help local families, which is why I started the Bonner Winter Essentials Drive.

“On any given night in my electorate of Bonner there’s more than 360 locals experiencing homelessness and as our community continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, I wanted to extend an extra helping hand to as many locals as possible,” Mr Vasta said.

Mr Vasta said delivering the donated goods with Assistant Minister Howarth provided a great opportunity to hear from local frontline organisations and gives them the chance to speak directly to the Assistant Minister about their experiences during the pandemic.

Assistant Minister Howarth said National Homelessness Week was an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on the hardships faced by members of the community.

“Homelessness can affect anyone and any time and has a profound impact on those who experience it,” Assistant Minister Howarth said.

“It’s important to remember that Homelessness isn’t just rough sleepers on the street, it can often be hidden, and the majority of Australia’s homelessness is made up of people living in boarding houses, couch surfing or living in overcrowded homes.

“While state and territory governments have primary responsibility for housing and homelessness, the Morrison Government provides $6 billion each year to assist people to pay their rent and improve housing and homelessness outcomes in Australia.

“The Government is also investing up to $118 million over five years through the Reconnect program to support people aged 12 to 18 years (or 12 to 21 years for newly-arrived youth) who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, and their families.

“The Reconnect program helps more than 1,500 young Queenslanders each year to stay at school, improve relationships with their family and remain connected with their community and often prevents young people from entering into homelessness,” Assistant Minister Howarth said.

Assistant Minister Howarth said during National Homelessness Week it’s important for people to understand that each one of us can make a difference by getting involved and supporting local community organisations, just as Mr Vasta had done through the Bonner Winter Essentials Drive.

“Donating blankets, food or clothing or volunteering your time can make a difference to someone who is doing it tough.”

More than 893 jobs, including 12 apprenticeships will be on offer at the Brisbane South East and Logan Virtual Jobs fair tomorrow (Friday, August 7).

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said the Brisbane South East and Logan virtual jobs fair was an opportunity for those looking for work to see what employment opportunities were available in their area.

“As we continue to face the challenges of COVID-19, it’s important to support Australians to find employment and access training opportunities,” Minister Cash said.

“Funded by the Australian Government, jobs fairs connect local employers with local job seekers.

“The Brisbane South East and Logan virtual jobs fair will bring together job seekers and more than 27 local businesses, promoting local job opportunities available in the south-east Queensland area.

The Australian Government has held jobs fairs around Australia, with more than 31,500 people attending events over the past two years.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Virtual Jobs Fair was an excellent opportunity for local people to get online for this free event and chat with employers and employment service providers about potential career pathways.

“This jobs fair is a must for anyone who wants to connect with businesses currently recruiting, and I encourage people in our community to take advantage of all the information that will be available,” Mr Vasta said

“Job seekers can also listen in to expert workshops to hear about strategies to improve their job search, find useful resources to help improve résumés and prepare for interviews.”

The Brisbane South East and Logan Jobs Fair is a free online event from 9.30am to 1.30pm on Friday, 7 August 2020.  Registrations are required and can be made at employment.gov.au/SEBrisbaneLoganVJF