Improvements to the My Aged Care website have been made to provide easier access to the online portal for older Australians.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the My Aged Care website and it’s helpline were key resources for delivering care to those who need it most.

“The helpline has a strong record of answering calls quickly with unanswered calls dropping below two per cent in 2019-2020,” Mr Vasta said.

“With improvements to our helpline and online portal, we’re now exploring opportunities for further face-to-face support.”

Minister for Aged Care Richard Colbeck MP said the department was also exploring new support opportunities so there was no wrong door to access aged care services.

“In 2018-19, over 440,000 face-to-face assessments were completed to support older Australians, so we’re exploring opportunities for further face-to-face support to be provided through a wider range of community organisations,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Elderly and senior Australians deserve the highest possible standards and practices when it comes to delivering care and offering families’ peace of mind.“We will continue to implement changes and remain focused as the important work of the Royal Commission continues and anticipate its final recommendations on November 12.”

For more information visit www.myagedcare.gov.au

The Morrison Government has launched a new education campaign targeted at parents of young children to help boost low vaccination rates.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said although almost 95 percent of five-year-old children were vaccinated in Australia, there were areas where the immunisation rate was too low.

“The ‘Get the Facts about Immunisation’ campaign will help parents access evidence-based information to support their decision making about childhood vaccinations,” Mr Vasta said.

“The science is proven and the medical experts’ advice is absolute – vaccinations save and protect lives and are essential to a healthy society.

“Skipping or delaying vaccinations puts children and those around them at risk of catching serious diseases.  “It’s important children receive their vaccine on time, every time, for the best protection.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged five years are above the National Immunisation Target at 96.87 percent as a direct result of a micro-targeting advertising campaign.

“I am confident this campaign will boost immunisation rates across the country to the national target of 95 percent,” Mr Vasta said.

The eight week campaign will run nationally on television for the first time, supported by a range of online channels.

For more information visit immunisation coverage rates

The Australian Academy of Martial Arts (AAMA) officially opened their new training facility doors to showcase the new and improved dojo.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he was so pleased to be able to support this much deserved upgrade with $185,000 Morrison Government grant to enhance the club’s training facility.

“Through the Community Development grant we were able to contribute $185,000 to the enhancement of AMMA and help them continue the 47 year legacy they’ve established in the community,” Mr Vasta said.

AAMA President Lyndon Kurth said the welcome upgrade ensured their sporting club would continue its impactful future on young people in the region.

“This new Dojo will ensure the sustainable future of our volunteer operated club whilst also offering affordable karate tuition fees for families,” Mr Kurth said.

“Our classes are more than self-defense but rather about enhancing the mind, body and spirit through excellence in karate.

“It’s also a great inclusive sport for women and children.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government’s investment in community infrastructure would provide long term benefits to the Mt Gravatt region.

“This investment will contribute to people feeling more socially connected and building self-esteem, particularly among vulnerable youth and provide positive health benefits,” Mr McCormack said.

The Morrison Government has invested $20 million as part of round 8 of the Cooperative Research Centres Project (CRC-Ps) to help businesses reduce their plastic waste, boost recycling initiatives and build a sustainable environment through job creating projects.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said these projects are driving Australia’s waste-recycling industry forward.

“There are nine projects in this round which will see Australia reduce its plastic waste and boost plastic recycling,” Mr Vasta said.

“By working with the waste and recycling industries, we believe the CRC-P grants will help foster innovative ideas that will help boost and strengthen our environment and economy.

“We have seen $289 million committed to CRC-Ps since 2016 as part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to strengthening Australian industry and create 1.25 million jobs in the next five years.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews MP said the projects showed the great economic opportunities in waste recycling.

“Not only are these new projects ensuring Australia’s environmentally sustainable future, they are also creating further opportunities for new jobs,” Minister Andrews said.

“This funding will support Australian businesses and researches as they forge new markets to limit the use of plastics and create recycled products.”

Applications for Round 9 of the CRC-P grants open February 13. For more information visit www.business.gov.au/crc-p

Construction has started on Bayside United Football Club’s new female amenities, referee facilities and parent’s room thanks to the Morrison Government’s Community Development Grant.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he was proud to deliver the $580,000 in Federal funding to greatly benefit women in sport in his electorate.

“This development tells the 140 plus women and girls who play for Bayside United FC there is space for you to grow and develop your skills as an athlete or referee,” Mr Vasta said.

“Female players should not be getting ready for a game behind a tree because there are no facilities to accommodate them.

“We want women and girls to keep playing sport and feel included by their local club, which is why I am glad to help make this possible.”

Bayside United Football Club President Greg Pascall said this renovation was a valuable step in the right direction.

“We have our returning female team back again and they’re looking forward to having a private cubicle,” Mr Pascall said.

“Because of renovated facilities, we’ve had an additional 20 new players sign up this season.”

Minister for Youth and Sport Richard Colbeck said The Australian Sports Commission’s 2017 report Women and Girls Participation found that women are less active than men in sport-related activities.

“Every Australian should be able to undertake the exercise they need and want in a safe, fun and inclusive way through sport,” Minister Colbeck said.

“The Government is working hard to increase opportunities for women in sport by investing in sporting groups to build equal and adequate representation for females.”

A dedicated mental health hotline and email service has been established to support international students impacted by Coronavirus.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the call centre would provide support for students with loved ones back home and more information about the virus.

“Our message to students is that you’re not alone and the Australian community is here to support you,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Government will continue to work closely with universities to make student’s transitioning back into Australia as seamless as possible once travel resumes.

“Students in China who hold a student visa and are currently affected by the travel restrictions can be assured their visa remains valid.”

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said international students studying in Australia could access the same health and medical services as any other Australian.

“These established crisis centres offer bilingual language support and can refer students to counselling services in languages other than English,” Minister Tehan said.

“If students choose to study a little more online, their highly regarded Australian world-class university degree will also remain valid.”

Students can call 1300 981 621 from 8am to 8pm AEDST Monday to Friday or email international.student@dse.gov.au to get the help and support they need.

Parents are being reminded to double check their child’s immunisation schedule is up-to-date as the school year commences for 2020.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said it was easy for parents to forget in the chaos of the New Year but it was important to protect their children.

“Many childcare providers and schools require children to be up to date with their immunisations, to protect them for harmful diseases and infections,” Mr Vasta said.

Minister for Education Dan Tehan MP said children’s health should be the priority of every parent.

“Parents who don’t immunise their children are putting their own kids at risk as well as other people’s children,” Minister Tehan said.

“Immunisation is the safest way to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert MP said by checking their Medicare account online, parents could see if their child’s immunisations were up-to-date as some Centrelink payments require it.

“You can download a copy of your child’s Immunisation History Statement if you need to provide evidence to enrol,” Minister Robert said.

For more information about immunisation requirements for family payments visit: http://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/immunisation.

The turn-up-and-go Brisbane Metro public transport system has notched up another milestone with early works starting in South Brisbane.

Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Brisbane Metro would get commuters home considerably quicker, with frequent peak hour services to be provided once the project is completed.

“New high-frequency services will link with suburban bus and train services, really helping to connect the city to the suburbs and easing congestion bottlenecks,” Mr Tudge said.

Federal Member for Brisbane Trevor Evans said the project was a great example of what could be achieved when different levels of government work together.

“The $944 million Brisbane Metro project has been jointly funded by the Australian Government and Brisbane City Council, with the Australian Government committing $300 million, and the Brisbane City Council providing the remaining funds,” Mr Evans said.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the early works were part of the first stage of the project, which would connect 18 stations along dedicated busways between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street, and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and University of Queensland.

“There will also be a new fleet of comfortable electric metro vehicles, with USB charging points, on board Wi-Fi and large doors for quicker boarding,” Mr Vasta said.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the early works included geotechnical investigations, sewer pump station construction, piling and excavations had started on the mass public transport system.

“This is a critical milestone for the Brisbane Metro. We have work ramping up at the Rochedale depot and now early works underway in the city centre to allow for the new underground station,’’ Cr Schrinner said.

“This project is creating jobs and a world-class public transport system to ensure residents get home quicker and safer, while also catering for future city growth.

“The new underground station at the Cultural Centre will be a key part of Brisbane’s greater transport network and will help link the city to the suburbs, making it easier for you to connect to the people and places you love.”

Once the pump station is built, Alexander Smith Place Park will be rejuvenated with plants, new street furniture and a drinking fountain.

The sewer pump station works are expected to take 12 months to complete at a construction cost of approximately $8.7 million, jointly funded by Council and Urban Utilities.

In November, Cr Schrinner announced the new fleet of 60 high-capacity Metro vehicles would be fully electric and have zero tail-pipe emissions, with the first pilot vehicle to be built by world-leading electric vehicle manufacturers HESS and its partners.

An initial pilot vehicle is expected to arrive in Brisbane in 2020 to commence testing in local operating conditions.

Brisbane Metro services are expected to begin by late 2023.

The proportion of working-age Australians receiving welfare benefits has fallen to its lowest level in more than 30 years.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Department of Social Services analysis of recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics population data showed 13.5 per cent of the working-age population was receiving working‑age income support payments at June 2019.

“This is a drop from the previous year’s level of 14.3 per cent and marks a significant reduction over the past decade when in 2009 the proportion of working-age Australians relying on welfare was 17.2 per cent,” Mr Vasta said.

“The data shows our Government’s commitment to building a stronger economy is creating more jobs for Australians.”

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said these figures showed the Morrison Government’s plan to provide pathways from welfare to employment were working.

“We are focussed on growing the economy, getting more people into work, and delivering well-targeted social security funded through a strong budget,” Minister Ruston said.

“More than 1.5 million jobs have been created since the Coalition was elected. As more people find employment we are seeing a fall in the number of working-age Australians on welfare.”

In 2019-20 the Government is forecast to spend $180 billion on social security and welfare – about one in every three dollars of taxpayer money spent.

“The safety net our social security system provides is vital to support the most vulnerable among us is which is why it is crucial that the system remains sustainable,” Minister Ruston said.

Registrations are closing soon for an Australia-wide roadshow to give local businesses the opportunity to be part of the Army’s biggest project – LAND 400.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the LAND 400 Phase 3 Mounted Close Combat Capabilities Roadshow was coming to Brisbane and would be a great opportunity for local industry to pitch their capabilities to shortlisted tenderers.

“Land 400 Phase 3 will acquire and support up to 450 Infantry Fighting Vehicles to replace the M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers and up to 17 Manoeuvre Support Vehicles,” Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage local companies in my electorate of Bonner not to miss out on the chance to speak directly to Defence and the Land 400 Phase 3 tenderers about how they can support the project.”

Defence will conduct the Roadshow in March and April 2020 with the two shortlisted tenderers, Hanwha Defense Australia and Rheinmetall Defence Australia, to facilitate opportunities for Australian industry involvement in the project.

The Roadshow will be coming to Brisbane the Sunshine Coast and Townsville in the week commencing Monday, March 9.

“This is the time to highlight to Hanwha and Rheinmetall some of the fantastic small businesses we have here in Bonner,” Mr Vasta said.

Registrations to participate in the Roadshow close February 21, 2020.

For more information and to register, visit www.defence.gov.au/CASG/EquippingDefence/Land%20400.asp