Plans finalised for Newnham and Wecker roads upgrade

UPGRADES to the dangerous Newnham and Wecker road intersection at Mt Gravatt East is a step closer with a concept design determined and preliminary design phase currently underway.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said growing congestion and safety concerns on the notoriously dangerous intersection prompted a $12 million Morrison Government investment towards a solution.

“This funding is part of the $33 million solution to be delivered by Brisbane City Council and I am happy to say, by working with my colleagues we are a step closer to getting this intersection fixed,” Mr Vasta said.

“Once the design phase is complete, construction is expected to get underway mid-2021, with completion planned for 2022.”

Mr Vasta said the proposed intersection upgrade would improve overall intersection operation, road safety, reduce congestion, improve travel time reliability and improve active transport accessibility.

“The concept includes a right turn lane on Newnham Road northbound, with a dedicated traffic signal right turn arrow, which will make a tremendous difference to safety,” Mr Vasta said.

“Other plans include and additional right turn lane from Wecker Road onto Newnham Road, signalisation for pedestrians crossing the existing left turn slip lane on Newnham Road southbound, as well as improved active transport infrastructure.”

Mr Vasta said better coordination of the traffic signals of the Newnham Road/ Creek Road and Newnham Road/ Wecker Road intersections would also maximise traffic flow capacity.

“Once the preliminary design phase is complete, I look forward to working with Councillor Ryan Murphy to deliver this vital upgrade to our local community,” Mr Vasta said.

More information on the project can be found here.

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Morrison Government’s Defence Strategy delivers jobs and investment to Queensland

The Morrison Government’s updated Defence Strategy and ongoing commitment to maximising Australian industry involvement in Defence capability projects will create new jobs and investment in Queensland over the coming decade and beyond.

As detailed in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan released by Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP and Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC today, the Government will invest a record $270 billion in Defence capability and infrastructure over the next decade across Australia.

Through this Plan, there will be a $3 billion investment over the coming decade into the refresh and redevelopment of Defence facilities in Queensland including:

  • Southern Queensland sites including Gallipoli Barracks (Enoggera), Swartz Barracks (Oakey), Borneo Barracks (Cabarlah), Kokoda Barracks (Canungra) and RAAF Base Amberley; and
  • Northern Queensland sites including Lavarack Barracks (Townsville), RAAF Base Townsville, RAAF Base Scherger; HMAS Cairns; and Shoalwater Bay and Townsville Field training areas.

Local industry involvement in the delivery of these projects will be maximised through this Government’s Local Industry Capability Plan initiative.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said this would ensure local suppliers, contractors and tradies had the opportunity to secure more of this work, creating more jobs for local communities in Queensland.

This investment comes on top of the Government’s significant investment in building and sustaining Australian Defence Force capability in Queensland.

Over the 12 months to March 2020, Defence has invested around $3 billion in Queensland. Examples of key programs and activities in Queensland include:

  • The supply of medium and heavy trailers to support Army’s field vehicles providing around 95 jobs
  • Satellite ground station delivery planning and management and planning for Defence operations maintaining around 20 highly skilled jobs
  • The provision of tactical communications networks for the Army supporting around 245 jobs
  • The sustainment of hydrographic ships and associated vessels at facilities in Cairns supporting approximately 120 jobs
  • Support, maintenance and training services for Army’s rotary fleet at Oakey supporting around 175 jobs
  • Sustainment management of the KC-30 air-to-air efueling capability supporting around 270 jobs
  • Maintenance and upgrades of the Australian-built Bushmaster providing around 80 jobs to ensure ADF personnel are protected against explosive and ballistic threats on the battlefield.

Significantly, the Morrison Government is investing $5.2 billion to deliver, 211 Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles, 186 of which will be built in South East Queensland.

Today, Queensland is home to around 28,000 Defence personnel, including ADF permanent and reserve members and Australian Public Service employees. This number is forecasted to grow over the coming years.

The policies and investment in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan will make the ADF more capable for the wide range of scenarios Australia will face in the future, more agile to rapid changes, and more potent if a situation should call for it.

What is more, much of this investment in Australia’s defence capabilities will go directly to Australian industry, creating jobs and skills. This Government’s investment in defence capability is already benefitting around 15,000 Australian businesses, who support around 70,000 Australian workers. These numbers are set to increase in line with these new opportunities for Australian industry.

This is a comprehensive plan to further build the resilience, agility and capability of the ADF, and create a more secure and safe Australia. The people of Queensland can have confidence that this Government will ensure that we can defend our nation and protect our interests today and into the future.

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Scam foiled by quick thinking staff

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP has praised the quick actions of one of his team members who saved a Bonner couple in their 80s from losing $29,000 from a sophisticated phone scam.

Mr Vasta said his electorate office often received calls from constituents to report attempted scams, but in this case, the couple fell for the professional-sounding callers.

“It makes me sick to my stomach to think this couple almost lost $29,000 and I am so glad we could stop it at the last minute,” Mr Vasta said.

“One of my team members received a call from a lady whose husband had been on the phone for two hours by a man purporting to be from the NBN.

“He was asked by to caller for access to his computer to hook up the NBN and logged on as requested. He was then advised the ACCC noted he had been overcharged by an internet company for three years and they were entitled to a refund.”

Mr Vasta said after asking for bank details and depositing the refund, he was then told by the caller they deposited too much and needed to transfer the overpayment back.

“The scammer also told the constituent not to tell the bank and that’s when his wife called my office,” Mr Vasta said.

“My team member immediately informed him it was a scam and the NBN would never ask for account details or remote access. She advised the lady to call her bank immediately and freeze the account, which she did.”

Mr Vasta said the couple then called back and advised his office the bank had just blocked an attempt to withdraw $29,000 and it was reported immediately to the fraud squad.

“It is a relief the bank blocked it just in time and it really serves as a reminder no matter how professional a caller may seem; you can never be too careful about your private information.”

According to ScamWatch, remote access scams are quite common. Warning signs include:

  • Receiving a phone call out of the blue and the caller claims to be from a large telecommunications or computer company, or a technical support service provider.
  • They tell you your computer is experiencing problems and they need remote access.
  • They ask you to buy software or sign up to a service to fix the computer
  • They ask for personal details and your bank or credit card details
  • The caller is very persistent and may become abusive.

ScamWatch tips on how to protect yourself from a scam:

  • Never give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer.
  • Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone
  • If you receive a phone call out of the blue about your computer and remote access is requested – hang up – even if they mention a well-known company such as NBN or Telstra.

If you receive a call believed to be a scam, report it to Scam Watch at www.scamwatch.gov.au

NBN Co also has a webpage advising of common scams and how to protect yourself at www.nbnco.com.au/learn/protect-yourself-from-scams

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Heartwarming donations needed for the Bonner Winter Essentials Drive

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP has officially launched the Bonner Winter Essentials Drive to donate goods to local charities and organisations supporting people in our community doing it tough.

Mr Vasta said the coronavirus pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on local communities and as a result, local organisations supporting vulnerable people were finding their resources stretched.

“Nationally our government has delivered emergency relief funding to many of these organisations, including an additional $200 million under the Community Support Package,” Mr Vasta said.

“However, with more than 21,000 people in Queensland living rough, either through boarding houses, supported accommodation or sleeping out in the cold, at a local level there is always more we can do.

“Bonner’s local charities and organisations always go above and beyond to support vulnerable people in our community and this is our chance to make a difference and give back.”

Mr Vasta said he was seeking donations of non-perishable food items, hygiene products and blankets to donate to Bonner charities.

“My office in Wynnum will be a drop off point for donations, and local Councillors Steven Huang and Ryan Murphy have also offered to be collection points for the Bonner Winter Essentials Drive,” Mr Vasta said.

“This is the first global pandemic we have faced and just like in times of natural disaster, we need our community to come together and help each other out.”

Drop off locations:

  • Office of Ross Vasta MP – 69 Clara Street, Wynnum
  • Office of Cr Ryan Murphy – Shop 8 Millenium Centre, 14 Millenium Blvd, Carindale
  • Office of Cr Steven Huang – 2072 Logan Rd, Upper Mt Gravatt

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Small business tax cuts kick in from July 1 2020

From July 1 2020, more than 17,000 small and family businesses in Bonner will be paying less tax as a result of legislated tax cuts passed by the Morrison Government.

As the 2020-2021 financial year begins, incorporated small and family businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million will see their company tax rate reduced from 27.5 per cent to 26 per cent.

Unincorporated businesses will also benefit as the rate of the small business income tax offset increases from 8 per cent to 13 per cent.

The changes mark the next stage of the Morrison Government’s accelerated small business tax cuts, legislated in October 2018, which brought forward tax relief for small and medium businesses by five years.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said this was a big win for the small business sector.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and with 3.5 million small businesses across the country, they are a vital part of our COVID-19 recovery,” Minister Cash said.

“As COVID-19 health restrictions ease and the economy re-opens, this tax relief will support Australian small and family businesses to bounce back stronger and get to the other side of this crisis.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said bringing forward these tax cuts would be a shot in the arm for hard working small and family businesses in Bonner.

“At a time when they need it most, these tax cuts will lead to more investment, increased employment opportunities for Australians and helping small business owners keep more of their money,” Mr Vasta said.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said these legislated tax cuts would provide further support to small business during the COVID-19 crisis.

“The Coalition Government has delivered extensive support for small and medium sized businesses during the COVID-19 crisis,” Minister Frydenberg said.

“We have extended the Instant Asset Write Off to $150,000 for another six months, are providing the Cash Flow Boost of up to $100,000 for employing small businesses, and are boosting access to capital through our COVID-19 SME Guarantee Scheme.

“This is in addition to the extensive income support JobKeeper, JobSeeker, and our Supporting Apprentices & Trainees wage subsidy are providing to support small businesses and sole traders across Australia.”

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10,000 First Home Loan Deposit Scheme guarantees available

The Morrison Government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme has had an incredibly successful first year and from today, an additional 10,000 loan guarantees are now available for first home buyers over the next 12 months through participating lenders.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme was a key election commitment of the Morrison Government, and cut years off the time it took for Australians to save for a deposit.

“The Scheme has so far provided 10,000 guarantees to eligible first home buyers to allow them to purchase a modest home with a deposit of as little as five per cent,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Scheme can also be used in conjunction with the Morrison Government’s First Home Super Saver Scheme and HomeBuilder, and first home buyers may also be eligible for state and territory grants and concessions.

“National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) data shows applications for guaranteed loans are being received from all parts of our community, be it in our capital cities, regional centres or rural areas.”

In the Scheme’s first year of operation, data also showed guaranteed loans went to applicants whose income were well below the Scheme’s caps.

The average income of single applicants is $66,488 ($125,000 cap) and for couples $109,410 ($200,000 cap).

The Scheme has proven most popular with first home buyers under the age of 30 years of age who secured 59 per cent of guarantees, and 12 per cent of guarantees have been secured by Australians over the age of 40.

The largest amount of applications for guaranteed loans, 45 per cent, were made through mortgage brokers.

For more information and eligibility criteria visit NHFIC’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme website: https://www.nhfic.gov.au/what-we-do/fhlds/

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More job-ready graduates in Bonner

The Morrison Government has announced reforms to higher education to increase the number of graduates in areas of expected employment growth and demand.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said university students would now pay less for their degree if they study in areas of expected employment growth.

“Our Government’s new package is focused on better preparing students to succeed in the jobs of the future,” Mr Vasta said.

“To power our post-COVID economic recovery, we will make a bigger contribution to degrees in areas of expected employment growth such as nursing and teaching, making them cheaper for students to undertake study in a job with a guaranteed career pathway.

“The Coalition Government will also provide an additional 39,000 university places by 2023 to meet the expected increase in demand because of COVID-19.”

Mr Vasta said the package would restructure higher education funding to better align the cost and revenue of a university degree, with around 60 per cent of students seeing a reduction or no change in their student contribution.

“Course fees for current students will be grandfathered, with the new funding model applied to students who commence their studies from 2021,” Mr Vasta said.

“Students in Bonner will continue to have access to the world’s most generous income contingent loan scheme­, the Higher Education Loan Program.”

From 2021, students will pay:

  • 46 per cent less to study teaching, nursing, clinical psychology, English and languages
  • 62 per cent less to study agriculture and math, and
  • 20 per cent less to study health, architecture, environmental science, IT, and engineering.

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BYAC talk waste and recycling

Cutting down on our waste footprint and improving recycling methods were the main topics of the first Bonner Youth Advisory Council (BYAC) meeting on Monday, June 22.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said each high school in his electorate was invited to select students to take part in the program, as a chance to be the youth voice of the region.

“The BYAC participants were chosen as future leaders and the youth voice for their school to discuss and share the issues that matter most to them,” Mr Vasta said.

“The first meeting was held on Monday via Zoom and our special guest was the Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management Trevor Evans.”

Mr Vasta said topics discussed included how young people could encourage others to cut down on their waste footprint, and how the Government could support young people to achieve a reduction in their waste footprint.

“We had some great questions including how we’ve improved recycling in Australian and what policies we’re looking at to keep going down the path of plastic free, like supermarkets have done,” Mr Vasta said.

“The BYAC meeting was also a great opportunity to learn more about the role Assistant Minister Evans plays in shaping this policy area and the students who took part really did a fantastic job asking questions.

“I also shared some insight on some of the great waste management programs already operating in Bonner, including the Ocean Crusaders bottle cap recycling scheme.

“The more young people learn about the role we play in the community, it provides them a greater opportunity to get involved, give feedback and influence change on the issues they care about.”

Mr Vasta said he wanted to congratulate everyone who took part in the BYAC Zoom meeting, and he looked forward to organising the next one.

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More essential support for patients through community pharmacy

Australians will have better access to subsidised medicines and medication management services through community pharmacy with the Morrison Government finalising a seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA).

Under this landmark agreement, the government will continue to partner with community pharmacy to ensure Australians have access to more than 200 million subsidised Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions each year through their community pharmacy of choice.

Medicine safety will be a key focus of the 7CPA with the Morrison Government increasing its investment in medication management services and programs to $1.2 billion over five years, which is an additional $100 million investment compared to actual expenditure in the Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt MP said elderly Australians, people with chronic conditions and Australians on concession cards would benefit from this increased investment through simplified and improved Community Pharmacy medication management, and adherence programs, such as dose administration aids and medicine checks.

“There will also be greater support for regional, rural and remote pharmacies to deliver community pharmacy services with reforms to the Rural Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance to adopt the Modified Monash Model for rural classification,” Minister Hunt said.

“Our Government will also implement reforms to improve access to medicines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by expanding the number of people eligible for the Closing the Gap PBS Co-payment measure.”

This program provides free or lower cost medicines to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who have, or at risk of, chronic disease.

There will be greater transparency for consumers on the cost of their medicines, and the government will reduce the level of discretionary fees that can to be charged on medicines priced below the general patient co-payment.

Consumers will continue to have access to cheaper medicines through the continuation of the optional $1 discount on PBS co-payments.

The Morrison Government will also work to support the adoption of a nationally consistent approach to vaccinations available through community pharmacies.

The 7CPA signed by the Commonwealth, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and for the first time the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, will commence on July 1, 2020 and be in place until June 30, 2025.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the 7CPA demonstrated the Morrison Government’s ongoing support for patients and community pharmacy.

“This agreement acknowledges the role Australia’s community pharmacies have played and continue to play in our government’s efforts to improve the health of all Australians,” Mr Vasta said.

“Community pharmacies have played a central role in supporting their community during the recent bushfires and have kept their doors open to support patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Remuneration for the dispensing of subsidised PBS medicines, community pharmacy medication management programs and services, is expected to be $18.3 billion over the five years of the agreement.

The Morrison Government will provide greater funding predictability for the dispensing of PBS medicines by community pharmacies through structural reforms to dispensing remuneration, and risk sharing arrangements to ensure Australians continue to have timely access to safe and affordable medicines for the next five years.

Reforms to pharmaceutical wholesaling and the Community Service Obligation Funding Pool arrangements will ensure pharmaceutical wholesalers can continue to support community pharmacies in providing equitable and timely access to medicines for all Australians, particularly those living outside our major cities.

The Morrison Government continues to make more medicines available for patients through the PBS. Since 2013, our Government has approved more than 2,400 new or amended medicine listings on the PBS.

This represents an average of around 30 medicine listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $11.6 billion.

Taken together, the measures agreed as part of the 7CPA underscore the Morrison Government’s rock solid commitment to ensuring that Australians can access essential, affordable medicines and community pharmacy services, when and where they need them.

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Government invests $50.6 million to back our athletes

The Morrison Government is backing high performing athletes by investing $50.6 million over the next two years to ensure Australia remains a world-leading sporting nation.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said there had never been a more important time to ensure talented athletes and coaches were supported as they worked towards their ultimate goals.

“This funding will support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches across Bonner, many who use the Brisbane Aquatic Centre and Anna Meares Velodrome at Chandler, as they prepare for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and Paralympics,” Mr Vasta said.

“We also have the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games coming up our athletes need to prepare for.”

Minister for Youth and Sport Senator Richard Colbeck said the government was committed to helping Australia’s sporting sector impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics likely to be the first major international sporting event to take place following the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian athletes are set to inspire the next generation,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Sport Australia will distribute the high-performance grants to our national sporting organisations who will identify, train and develop their most promising athletes.

“The Government is aware many national sporting organisations have had to stand down staff and reduce their hours because of COVID-19.

“Without this investment to high performance funding, there is a significant risk our best coaches and high-performance support staff will face an uncertain future.”

Minister Colbeck said the measure would ensure core funding for athletes and coaches was maintained at record levels, and build on the Morrison Government’s recent investments to support athlete wellbeing and pathways for young aspiring Olympians and Paralympians.

Additionally, as part of the previously announced $70 million Supporting Sport and Physical Activity election commitment, Minister Colbeck said more than $3.9 million would be brought forward to invest in five projects to improve infrastructure at high performance facilities across Australia.

It forms a part of the $11.5 million to support infrastructure upgrades at high-performance facilities.

“One of these recipients will be the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, which will receive $800,000 to improve training equipment available for aerial skiing and snowboarding,” Minister Colbeck said.

Other recipients include Swimming Australia which receives $725,000 to equip at least one pool in each state with the latest technology, including cameras and instrumented turning plates and Paddle Australia which will benefit from an allocation of $1.25 million to improve its high-performance facilities.

Minister Colbeck said the investments support the Australian Government’s Sport 2030 objective of backing our best athletes, coaches and sporting bodies to develop a high-performance culture.

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