Moreton Bay College year seven student Amy Campbell took her class project to the next level when she contacted her local Member of Parliament to donate a tree to show how one small deed could make a big difference.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP visited the school on Tuesday (March 10) to personally deliver the donated tree to Amy, which will be planted on the school campus.

“Late last year Amy sent me an email because she has been researching deforestation as part of a class project,” Mr Vasta said.

“She organised a meeting with the school’s director of business and the groundsmen for permission and sent me an email asking for the tree donation.

“Amy requested a flowering tree to support animals on the school grounds with a place to live, to improve air quality and also to show other students what can happen when a young kid takes action to try and make a difference.”

Mr Vasta said Amy was an inspiration to her fellow classmates and encouraged the school to consider taking action to support the environment.

“I shared with the school how just last weekend we removed more than 2.5 tonne of rubbish from Bulimba Creek for Clean Up Australia Day,” Mr Vasta said.

“Every day we make a decision to improve our environment and I know Amy’s tree planting will inspire others to think about the environment and take action.”

The Morrison Government is further investing in technology solutions to reduce the energy bills of Australian families and businesses, and drive down carbon emissions.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the government was investing $68.5 million in the Reliable Affordable Clean Energy for 2030 (RACE for 2030) Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) to improve energy affordability and reliability, and help Australia play its role in reducing global emissions.

“The RACE for 2030 CRC will lead collaborative research and innovation to grow Australian energy technology businesses, improve clean energy uptake, while at the same time tackling the grid stability challenges facing new energy technologies, with long-term benefits for all Australians,” Mr Vasta said.

“With cost of living and rising power prices among top concerns for families and businesses, investing in technology to not only reduce emissions but the cost of energy is something everyone can get behind.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the CRC would drive the development of clean energy solutions which were stable and economically viable.

“This investment is a perfect example of how the Morrison Government is taking climate action now, without dipping into the pockets of hard-working Australians,” Minister Andrews said.

“Supporting cutting-edge energy technology and research is a sure-fire path to lower emissions, cheaper power and a reliable grid.

“The cost and reliability of energy is a vital component of running a business. Reducing energy costs for businesses means more money for investment, more production and more jobs – essential elements of a healthy and growing economy.

“For Australian families, this clean energy research offers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint, while also lowering their power bills and freeing up more money in the household budget.”

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the work of the CRC is yet another example of the Government delivering innovative measures for a fairer deal on energy for all Australians.

“Technology, not taxes, will be the way we deliver practical action on emissions reduction. This is why it is so important that we work together with industry and researchers to deploy the right technology when and where it is needed for cheaper bills and lower emissions”, Minister Taylor said.

“We have seen wholesale prices for electricity reduce by an average of 35 per cent on the east coast over the last quarter compared with the same time last year. The CRC’s work will assist in unlocking new technologies for reliable generation to continue this downward cost trend and keep the lights on.

“We’re committed to sensible, practical solutions that reduce emissions, cut power bills, and protect and create jobs.”

The RACE for 2030 CRC’s potential benefits include reducing energy costs by up to 25 per cent, reducing emissions by up to 20 million tonnes and an $8 billion economic benefit by 2034.

The CRC has generated around $280 million in cash and in-kind contributions from industry and researchers to drive its work which will be supported by the $68.5 million in Government support under round 21 of the CRC program.

Since 2013, the Government has committed $1.1 billion to support the establishment of 30 CRCs, with industry and research partners contributing $3.4 billion in cash and in-kind contributions.

Two breakthrough melanoma treatment options have been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to bring hope to over 2000 Australians with advanced melanoma.

On March 1 the current PBS listing of Opdivo ® (nivolumab) will be expanded to include adjuvant treatment of IIIB, IIIC, IIID and stage IV malignant melanoma.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said Australia had one of the highest rates of melanoma and particularly in his electorate around the bayside, it was important to get regular skin cancer checks.

“The Morrison Government has delivered for melanoma patients by listing this breakthrough treatment on the PBS,” Mr Vasta said

“Without this listing the cost for the course of treatment would be significantly higher.

“It is estimated more than 1500 patients might otherwise pay more than $100,000 per course of treatment without this subsidy.

“With one Australian diagnosed with melanoma every five hours, supporting them with subsidised treatment is making a difference and saving lives.”

The Government is also expanding the listing of Opdivo and Yervoy (nivolumab and ipilimumab) to allow use as a first-line therapy in the treatment of BRAF V600 mutant positive Stage III or Stage IV of unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the expanded listing of Opdivo on the PBS would improve patient recovery.

“These significant expansions will provide melanoma patients with a new breakthrough form of treatment, with less side effects and a greater chance recovery,” Minster Hunt said.

“Each of these listings has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.”

Newly released organ donation outcomes showed organ transplants saved the lives of 1683 Australians last year from 787 organ donors.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said data released by the Organ and Tissue Authority showed innovative programs between countries had given patients a second chance.

“The Australian and New Zealand Kidney Exchange Program provided 49 out of the 239 living kidney transplants to occur in 2019,” Mr Vasta said.

“Exchange programs like this allows residents of either country to have access to vital life-saving transplants and expands the availability of viable organs and donors.”

The 2019 data also showed a decrease in organ donations if families of a potential donor were not aware of a loved one’s wishes about organ donation.

“Nine out of 10 families agree to a donation when their loved-one is registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register,” Mr Vasta said.

“The rate falls to six out of 10 when families are unaware of the potential donor’s wishes about organ donation.

“It is important to talk to family and friends about what you want to do with your organs if one day you’re not able to make that decision.

“The best thing Australians can do is jump online and join to Donor Register to help save lives.”

For more information visit www.donatelife.gov.au.

Students and schools in Bonner can test their spelling skills against the best by taking part in the inaugural Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Spelling Bee was a nationwide competition for students in years three to eight to promote reading and literacy.

“Our Government believes literacy and numeracy skills should be the cornerstone of every student’s education,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee is such a great initiative because it will help improve spelling and reading, but overall helps improve learning.

“We need to encourage our young Australians to be avid readers so they become curious, creative and informed citizens.

“I visit schools in my electorate regularly and I see firsthand the benefits of strong literacy skills amongst students.

“I also get to meet many impressive young people as part of my work and I believe the students from Bonner are amongst the best spellers in the country.

“I encourage students and schools to sign up for the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee, have some fun and improve your literacy skills.”

The first Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee gets underway from March 9, 2020.

For more information or to register visit www.kidsnews.com.au

The Morrison Government is helping manufacturers and exporters to create more local jobs and take on the world, with an extra $5 million to extend the international reach of the Australian Made logo.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said expanding the reach of the trusted symbol would give local businesses the chance to grow and create new jobs in his electorate.

“The gold kangaroo on a green triangle is synonymous with quality and makes products produced in our own backyard instantly more desirable,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Morrison Government wants to increase the impact of this trusted symbol overseas so our exporters can grow and employ more people here at home.

“This builds on the extensive work our government has done to secure trade deals and open up more opportunities for Australian businesses overseas.”

The $5 million grant will allow the trade mark to be registered and promoted in key export markets like the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada.

There will also be an effort to crack down on misuse of the logo by strengthening its legal position in key export markets.

“In these challenging economic times, with global trade being disrupted, our exporters will benefit from this extra support for our national brand,” Mr Vasta said.

The money will be provided over four years to the Australian Made Campaign Limited (AMCL), which administers the logo.

The logo is a registered trade mark in the United States, China, South Korea and Singapore and proceedings are underway to register it in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Australian Made, Australian Grown logo is Australia’s only registered country of origin certification trade mark and can be used on all classes of goods.

It must always be used with one of the following descriptors: Australian Made, Australian Grown, Product of Australia, Australian Seafood or Australian.

The dangerous London and Stanbrough roads intersection in Belmont will get a much needed safety upgrade thanks to the Morrison Government’s Black Spot Program.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he had delivered $905,000 to upgrade the black spot intersection to help commuters in his electorate get home safer and sooner.

“We’ve seen some nasty accidents at the London and Stanbrough roads intersection in the past,” Mr Vasta said.

“I’ve been working with Cr Murphy to ensure we can deliver this project with Brisbane City Council’s support to provide road users with a safe intersection, which can get quite busy around the peak hour commute.”

Mr Vasta said the Morrison Government’s Black Spot Program would reduce accidents and injuries by an estimated 30 percent across Queensland.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said Queensland would receive $25.3 million over two years under the latest round of program funding.

“The Federal Government’s record investment into upgrading roads is saving lives right across the nation,” Mr McCormack said.

Brisbane City Councillor Ryan Murphy (Chandler Ward) said the intersection was well known to motorists for its difficult navigation.

“This intersection is notorious, we’ve had fatalities here in the past,” Cr Murphy said.

“The Black Spot funding Brisbane City Council will be receiving will go a long way to make this intersection safe for motorist.”

The Black Spot Program upgrade for the London and Stanbrough road intersection includes:

• Installation of splitter islands
• Re-surfacing, kerbing and channelling
• Re-grading
• Upgrade to traffic signs and line markings
• Installation of pedestrian refuges

Construction is soon to be underway for Wynnum Ladybug’s $1.8 million netball court upgrade for as part of the Morrison Government Community Development grant.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the freestanding courts would make the sport more accessible for everyone.

“We want to encourage all Australians to participate in a sport and be more active and healthy,” Mr Vasta said.

“I was proud to get this grant on behalf of the Ladybugs as part of our commitment to see communities prosper and grow.

“The Morrison government wants to ensure sporting clubs have the best resources available to help our rising sport stars.”

Wynnum Ladybugs President Leah Webb said the upgraded facilities would benefit the club’s growing membership.

“We’ve gone from 190 members last year to 240 this year which means we really need our own space,” Ms Webb said.

“When we get a home base with the facilities we need, the girls won’t have to travel elsewhere for a tournament.

“We’re building a community for kids sport and this upgrade will help facilitate that.”

Wynnum Ladybugs team sign on has commenced for the season. For more information visit www.facebook.com/wynnumnetball/

More than 50 local seniors learned about how to avoid common scams online after attending Ross Vasta’s Safer Internet Forum for Seniors at the Mt Gravatt Bowls Club last Friday.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the free forum included presentations from Queensland Police and the Office of Fair Trading to shed light on the latest scams and frauds catching out internet users.

“As the online world gets craftier with their scams and ripping off more Australians every day, it’s important we remain informed of their latest fraudulent attempts, especially for older Australians who aren’t often used to using the internet,” Mr Vasta said.

“I was very pleased to be able to put this event together to help our seniors and give them access to some great information and resources.”

Forum attendee Joan Rowlands said the presentation was entertaining as well as informative.

“Ross’s presentation on cyber security was very, very interesting and we need more politicians like him,” Ms Rowland said.

Holland Park Officer In Charge Senior Sergeant Kylie Doyle said the presentation informed the audience on how to be better protected online and trust your gut instinct.

“If something doesn’t feel right it usually isn’t, so make sure you seek assistance if you’re feeling uncertain,” Sgt Doyle said.

“Keeping the community safe online by learning online protective behaviours is the best way the police can ensure online safety.”

Mr Vasta thanked the Mount Gravatt Bowls Club for supplying the venue and the LNP State candidate for Mansfield Janet Wishart for her support.

Australians will now be reunited with the superannuation they are owed but have not yet been paid after the Morrison Government this week passed new legislation to encourage employers to do the right thing.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the government had implemented a one-off amnesty for historical underpayment of superannuation to incentivize employers to come forward and do the right thing by their employees.

“This policy will reunite hardworking Australians with their super by offering employers amnesty to come forward, admit the error and pay any unpaid super in full,” Mr Vasta said.

“The amnesty will make it easier for workers to secure the super they are owed by not hitting employers with the penalties usually associated with late payment.”

Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology Senator Jane Hume said they anticipate at least $160 million of super will be paid to Australian workers who would otherwise miss out.

“Since the one-off amnesty was originally announced back in 2018, over 7000 employers have already come forward to voluntarily disclose historical unpaid super,” Assistant Minister Hume said.

“We estimate an additional 7000 employers will come forward in the next six months before the amnesty ends. Employers will not be off the hook.”

To use the amnesty, employers must still pay all super owed to their employees, including the high rate of interest.

If employers do not take advantage of the amnesty, they will now face significantly higher penalties when they are caught – in general, a minimum 100 per cent penalty on top of the SG shortfall they owe, and up to 200 per cent for the most serious cases.

In addition, throughout the amnesty period the ATO will still continue its usual audit and enforcement activity against employers for historical obligations they do not own up to voluntarily.

The Amnesty will expire six months after the day the Bill receives Royal Assent.

The amnesty complements recent changes to the superannuation system to improve the visibility employees have over their superannuation.

“We encourage employers to check they don’t owe outstanding super – and if they do, to take advantage of this once-only opportunity to set things right before much tougher penalties apply,” Assistant Minister Hume said.

“Together, these measures reflect the Morrison Government’s ongoing commitment to reuniting Australians with lost and unpaid super.”