Household electricity prices across the National Electricity Market (NEM) have fallen to eight-year lows under the Morrison Government, driven by key government reforms, including the default market offer price cap.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) latest report from its ongoing inquiry into the NEM confirms electricity prices have fallen substantially for both households and business customers over the past two years.

The ACCC report found the average annual cost of electricity for a residential customer in 2020–21 was $1,434, down by $128 or 8% across the past two financial years.  Costs for businesses have fallen even further, down 10% for small businesses over the last two years, and down 12 per cent for large businesses.

The ACCC also said it expected electricity prices would continue to fall over the coming 12 months as the impact from falling wholesale costs over the last two years continue to flow through to consumers.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Morrison Government is focused on ensuring access to affordable, secure and reliable electricity.

“Energy costs are continuing to fall and this is good news for families and small businesses right across Bonner,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our plan is delivering real savings for Australians, and this is yet another report, following recent reporting from the AER, the AEMC and the ABS, showing how this government’s actions are supporting sustained and substantial electricity price falls.”

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Government has a clear expectation that these falling costs are passed onto consumers, and that the energy market delivers the best outcomes for Australian households and businesses.

“The ACCC has found electricity prices are expected to fall further over the next year, due to lower wholesale costs, reflecting lower costs for coal and gas, increased supply from solar and wind generation, and lower transmission costs,” the Treasurer said.

“These findings are great news for Australian families and businesses, with lower electricity costs further supporting Australians as the economy recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said government programs, such as the Default Market Offer and the “big stick” legislation for energy companies, are directly helping customers to benefit from reduced electricity costs.

“Households and businesses rely on affordable, reliable power to grow and thrive. They cannot afford a repeat of the doubling of electricity costs we saw under Labor, driven by the carbon tax and goldplating of our poles and wires.

“This is why the Government’s plan for energy has been about putting customers first, and making sure households and businesses have more money in their hip pockets”

The ACCC’s latest report into the NEM is available at https://www.accc.gov.au/.

ENDS
Minister Taylor’s office — Caitlin 0428 389 880

Mr Vasta’s office – Kaylah 0402 845 576

As COVID-19 restrictions ease and Australians’ minds turn to long-awaited travel over the upcoming festive season, the Australian Government is urging people in Bonner to drive safely.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the best holidays are those where everyone stays safe and well, and that means taking road safety seriously at all times.

“These holidays are a great opportunity for everyone to take a well-deserved break off the back of another tough year, to reconnect with family and friends, and spend quality time together,” Mr Vasta said.

“With border restrictions only recently easing, this means we expect more people to be on our roads than we’ve seen for a while, especially those embarking on long journeys or even going interstate. It means more children, pedestrians and cyclists on or near our roads, especially at holiday destinations. That makes it even more vital for us all to take road safety and our role in promoting it seriously.

“Devastatingly, this year there has been over 250 casualties on Queensland roads. I recently caught up with Carina Police Station Senior Seargent Brendan Jorgensen to get his advice for how we can all stay safe on the roads this festive season.

“Brendan is strongly advising all drivers to take their time, make sure their car is fit for purpose, leave early to avoid being rushed and to not use or be distracted by their mobile phone.”

The Australian Government is determined to do what it can to help improve road safety and drive down the number of people who die or are seriously injured on our roads.

Across Bonner, the Morrison Government is delivering new and better roads to get residents home sooner and safer:

• Upgrading the M1 between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill – $510 million.
• Fixing the Rochedale Road roundabout – $14 million.
• Delivering the Brisbane Metro depot, including four stations locally – $300 million.
• Upgrading the Newnham Road and Wecker Road intersection – $12 million.
• Fixing Lindum Crossing – making it safer – $85 million.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said these holidays are the first chance for many Australians to reconnect with loved ones, friends and even their homes, and it’s on all of us to promote road safety to ensure no one is missing at those reunions.

“One injury, one death is one too many – no family should have to endure the loss of a loved one on our roads,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Our Government is also playing a vital role in road safety, with record funding flowing through initiatives such as our $3 billion Road Safety Program to deliver the safe and efficient road infrastructure Australians need and deserve.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the most important thing these holidays is everyone arriving and returning safely at the end of each trip.

“Whether it’s a short trip to the local beach, an interstate roady to one of our sunny coasts, or one of our truckies pulling a long haul to deliver last-minute presents or fresh produce for Christmas lunches, each trip matters and every one of us deserves to make it back safe and sound,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said.

“That’s why our Government continues to ramp up its road safety commitments, as part of our broader ambition to achieve Vision Zero – that is no road deaths or injuries occurring on Australian roads by 2050.”

For more information on the Australian Government’s road safety initiatives, visit officeofroadsafety.gov.au.

The Morrison Government is backing more manufacturers in Bonner to grow and create new jobs as they help secure our economic recovery, with $280 million in funding on offer.

The matched funding is available through Round 2 of the Integration and Translation Streams of the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI).

Applications will soon open for businesses in the six National Manufacturing Priority Areas; Space, Medical Products, Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing, Food and Beverage, Recycling and Clean Energy, and Defence.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said our Modern Manufacturing Initiative has already proven to invest phenomenal projects which support businesses to scale-up, introduce new products to market, strengthen our supply chains and create more local jobs.

“This matched funding will help businesses turn innovative research and ideas into reality, as well as unlocking new opportunities and investment both here at home and for overseas export,” Mr Vasta said.

“With so many incredible, home grown manufactures in Bonner, we want to continue to support them to grow and prosper and this funding will help them do just that. We know our manufacturers are central to our ongoing economic recovery.”

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the matched funding will help manufacturers break into new markets and translate great ideas into commercial outcomes.

“Our manufacturing sector is going from strength to strength, with more than a million Australians employed in manufacturing and strong confidence in the future of the sector.”

“We know our manufacturers will lead the charge when it comes to our economic recovery from the pandemic – and that’s why we’re investing in them to help secure our future,” Minister Taylor said.

The MMI is the centrepiece of the Government’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy, designed to position Australia as a globally recognised, high-quality and sustainable manufacturing nation.

For more information and to read the guidelines visit business.gov.au/mmi

Applications will open in two tranches, starting 13 December 2021.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP has announced 30 of Bonner’s community groups have been awarded a total of $116,768 in funding as part of the Morrison Government’s Volunteer Grants.

The 2021 grants round was representative of $20 million for groups across the country, to support the crucial role they play in our communities as Australia moves forward out of the pandemic.

Mr Vasta said funding was awarded to Bonner’s community organisations across sport, environment, rotary, and foundations supporting disadvantaged women and children.

“I spend a great deal of time in our community and am constantly in awe of the impact our of volunteers who have hearts for making a difference.”

“Even during this challenging year, their dedication and hard work continues to strengthen our community. It is privilege to be recognising their efforts.

“For the awarded organisations, the funding will go towards training and retention of volunteers, strengthening of participation in volunteering, supporting organisational activities and funding technologies like laptops to assist in the delivery of services.

“I look forward to visiting these organisations, thanking them for their contribution and seeing how the funding has made a difference to their work.”

The 2021 Volunteer Grants provide organisations with grants of $1,000 to $5,000 to help purchase equipment, training and background screening checks for their volunteers.

Volunteers are integral to many Australian organisations, with more than 8.7 million volunteers across the country giving their time freely to support their communities.

Bonner’s 2021 Volunteer Grant recipients:

• Bayside Creeks Catchment Group
• Bayside Sea Scouts – The Scout Association of Australia QLD Branch
• Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee
• Care Kits for Kids Inc
• Carina, Carindale and Distract Basketball Club Inc.
• Clairvaux Football Club
• Community Sports Mentoring and Coaching
• Damini Women’s Association of Queensland Inc.
• Hope Foundation (Lovewell)
• Junior Bayside Jets Basketball Club
• Manly Lota RSL
• Mount Gravatt Hawks Football Club
• Mt Gravatt Magic Basketball Inc.
• Nature Freedom
• Ocean Crusaders
• Pacific Rifle Club Inc.
• Queensland Philatelic Council
• Queensland target Sports Inc.
• Quota International Carindale Inc.
• Right Connexions Ltd
• Sailability Bayside
• Sails at Bayside
• South Western Metro Basketball
• St Pauls Uniting Sporting Club Inc.
• The Rotary Club of Wynnum and Manly
• Waterloo Bay Leisure Centre
• Wynnum and District Horse and Pony Club
• Wynnum Christian Community Church
• Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club
• Wynnum Manly Little Athletics Club

Local residents are set to benefit from new action to crack down on frustrating and potentially costly scam messaging which has been welcomed by Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP.

“The Morrison Government has taken strong action to shut down scam text messages.  I know that many local residents have received malicious scam text messages, so this is a really positive step forward,” said Mr Vasta.

“Working with industry, our government has made an important regulatory amendment empowering the telecommunication sector to identify and block SMS scams at source.

“It won’t mean they disappear overnight, but it does mean more can be done to stop this insidious activity that affects many unsuspecting people.”

This year, SMS and phone scam reports are double those reported to Scamwatch in 2020, resulting in over $87 million being lost by the Australian community.

“Scam text messages and calls are not only annoying – they have a real impact on lives, with people being defrauded, their identities stolen, or their devices disabled.  It’s a serious problem.

“The regulatory amendment we have enacted provides the telecommunications sector with the authority they need to block malicious SMS messages at scale and protect the Australian public from scammers.”

The Morrison Government is committed to collaborating with industry to tackle new and emerging threats to the Australian community, including scams that exploit digital technologies for nefarious ends.

The regulatory announcement comes on top of the Morrison Government’s Reducing Scam Calls Code, which has resulted in more than 214 million scam calls being blocked since December 2020.

“I really encourage everybody to think twice before they click any link sent to them in a text or email – even if it appears to be from a legitimate source.  It’s worth checking on the origin of any unexpected text or email,” said Mr Vasta.

Practical information to help Australians stay secure from cybercrime is available at the Australian Government’s dedicated cyber security website. www.cyber.gov.au  While Scams can be reported to Scamwatch at www.scamwatch.gov.au

Deputy Speaker, as we come to the end of the year, I rise today to look back on the last 12 months.

It hasn’t been easy and we’ve certainly faced our fair share of challenges.

But, with the support of our Government, Australia has moved forward to secure its recovery and now we’re setting our sights on our reopening to the world.

Deputy Speaker, we know the best way to stay safe right now is by getting vaccinated.

In Queensland, there are 76% of us now fully vaccinated.

Deputy Speaker, Australia is leading the world in our response to the pandemic.

We have some of the highest vaccination rates.

We are one of the most prepared to deal with outbreaks and variants.

And our economic recovery is unrivalled.

Deputy Speaker, jobs are coming back.

Unemployment nationwide is at a 12-year low.

I’ve seen many Bonner businesses benefitting from how we’ve delivered for jobs.

In fact, over 5000 businesses in my electorate have taken advantage of Job Keeper since the start of the pandemic.

And over the year I’ve spent time visiting local businesses and their staff, from Mt Gravatt’s Badminton Espresso and Rochedale’s Cache Cache café to local Aussie manufacturers like Murarrie’s Cyborg Dynamics Engineering and Wynnum’s Couplemates Trailer Parts.

Deputy Speaker, we’re also reducing our emissions whilst growing our economy.

We’re delivering a balanced approach to achieve this is through our commitment to securing our fuel sovereignty.

This is happening in Bonner at the Ampol refinery in Lytton.

A package securing 550 direct and local jobs.

It’s backed by our expanded $250 million Future Fuels Fund investment which empowers consumers to drive the car they want.

Deputy Speaker, we’re delivering for better roads, faster commutes and making sure Australian’s can get home sooner and safer.

We’ve invested a further $1 billion in road safety upgrades to save lives and a further $1 billion in local road infrastructure projects.

In Bonner, long awaited upgrades to Lindum Crossing are underway.

I’ve been fighting for this upgrade since 2017 when over 7000 locals in Bonner signed my petition to fix Lindum Crossing.

We were successful and in 2019 our government committed $85 million to this worthy project.

This month, we commenced the first stage of safety upgrades to the crossing.

I recently invited Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz onsite to see the progress made to date and I look forward to welcoming him back when works are complete.

My electorate is home to Newham and Wecker Rd intersection.

I am proud to have secured $12 million in funding for this project, making it safer, which will be delivered by Brisbane City Council, with works currently underway.

Our government has also allocated $14 million towards fixing the notorious Rochedale Roundabout, which will improve the safety for commuters and cater for future traffic demands in this growing suburb.

There’s also the $15 billion Inland Rail Project connecting Melbourne to Brisbane.

Currently, plans have it terminating at Acacia Ridge in Brisbane’s southern suburbs.

This means freight for the Port of Brisbane must be trucked in on existing roads unless a dedicated Inland Rail link is constructed.

That’s why I’m fighting to deliver a dedicated underground freight rail connection between the Inland Rail and Port of Brisbane.

Deputy Speaker, when it comes to health, this year I have spoken in the house on multiple occasions about Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Also known as SMA, it sadly affects one in 10,000 births in Australia.

With no cure, this disease is the number one genetic cause of death for babies under two.

But Deputy Speaker, Queensland is one of the few remaining states left to include screening for SMA as part of its Newborn Bloodspot Screen Program.

I’ve been calling the Queensland State Government to account, sharing the stories of families in my electorate whose little ones are currently battling this disease, like Kate and Grant Gough and their beautiful girl Oakley who was diagnosed at 8 weeks old.

Lifesaving testing exists and has been rolled out in other states, while the Queensland Government continues to stand idle.

I will continue to speak up for these families.

Because, no child should be disadvantaged based on where they are born in this country.

Every Australian has the right to be safe and that is why our government remains committed to ending all forms of violence against women and children.

Since we came into Government we have invested more than $1 billion to keep women and children safe and this year we invested a further $1.1 billion in women’s safety.

I’ve been working closely alongside many hardworking services in our area like Carina’s Beyond DV and Small Steps for Hannah Foundation who provide dedicated support to women and children, helping them to escape violence and abuse.

This year, I unveiled my plan to deliver more mental health services on Bonner’s Bayside.

It was launched through a Bayside Mental Health survey, which collected over 500 anonymous responses and highlighting the needs of locals.

I kept up the momentum by convening the Bayside Mental Health Working Group, involving local mental health and community providers.

This group has since met on multiple occasions, bringing these important voices together and determining how we can fill the urgent gaps in our area.

I’ve also shared my plan with Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman who has provided his support.

Currently, I’m working with Brisbane South PHN on a mental health plan with the intention to be tailored to the youth of the Bayside.

And this year, Bonner celebrated the return of our iconic Wynnum Fringe Festival!

Taking place over six jam packed days this month, festival founder Tom Oliver has once again outdone himself.

It was a true celebration of the arts with the Morrison Government proudly securing it’s return as an annual event by delivering $236,000 in funding.

It’s been another challenging year for our arts and creative sectors, but we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Deputy Speaker, we’re also making a real difference to the lives of Australian families.

I am regularly visiting our local childcare centres and kindergartens, spending time with the staff and children and learning about what we can do to support them.

During these visits, I always read and donate ‘If I Was Prime Minister’ by Beck and Robin Feiner.

Last month, it was donated to the vibrant Kindergarten class at C&K St Catherine’s Community Kindergarten in Wishart.

The children loved the book so much that they created and sent me their own version which told the story of what they would do if they were Prime Minister.

I also want to take this opportunity to recognise Bonner’s amazing and hardworking school communities who have demonstrated this resilience once again this year.

I brought Parliament House to several local schools through Mock Parliament where they debated topics such as whether junk food should be served in school cafeterias and whether Brisbane should host the 2032 Olympics.

Which we now will be!

Deputy Speaker, the Bonner Youth Advisory Council also met each term this year and we even kicked off the Junior B – Y- A – C  for students in year’s 5 and 6!

It’s exciting to see our leaders of tomorrow in action!

Deputy Speaker, it’s been a big year.

But our government has continued to deliver, across all sectors, for all people, in all communities.

Deputy Speaker, I rise today to share the news of the completed all abilities senior playground for students in years 4 to 6 at Wishart State School.

This playground has been a part of the school’s vision over the last 20 years, being made possible thanks to $350,000 in funding by the Morrison Government.

A playground which will be enjoyed by the school community for years to come.

Since announcing the funding, I have been following the upgrades closely and have made regular visits to the site.

The school undertook an extensive consultation process to make sure staff, students and parents could all have a say in the designs.

In fact, some of the designs prepared by the year 6 students have been incorporated.

The consultation process was a fundamental step in ensuring all senior students were considered.

Including specialty equipment for those with special needs.

This month, I visited the school once again to see the completed playground and catch up with Principal Yolanda Tognini.

Mrs Tognini said she has been overwhelmed by how pleased students, staff and parents are with the new playground.

It’s already making an incredible difference and the entire school community is grateful for our government’s significant contribution.

Over the last few years, Wishart State School has seen enrolment numbers increase by hundreds and this new playground will support student experience as it continues to grow.

Deputy Speaker, our government continues to back local schools; enabling real improvements just like these to Wishart State School.

Manly-Lota RSL Sub-Branch in Bonner have been awarded $23,609 from the Morrison Government to support local veterans and their families.

They are among 127 ex-service organisations (ESOs) sharing in $4.35 million through the 2021 round of the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) Program.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said that ESOs in Bonner play a crucial role for local veterans and their families, ensuring they are well supported.

“I would like to thank all ESOs that provide advocacy services in Bonner who continue to provide vital services to our local veteran community,” Mr Vasta said.

“Manly Lota RSL Sub-Branch has been providing a respectful, supportive and inclusive space for our veterans for decades. They are dedicated to keeping the memory of Anzac Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, and Remembrance Day alive for generations to come.

“Currently, they are managing over 250 veterans’ cases, meaning a key focus of their work is staying up to date with matters of interest to veterans and the broader community.

“This funding is critical to supporting this; equipping the branch with the technology to research cases, ensuring software is up to date as well as the contacting of veterans and ongoing administration.

“It will also extend into making sure the branch can continue to host meaningful community events like morning teas, Remembrance Day ceremonies and various occasions where they can reach out to veterans.

“It will not only make an invaluable difference to the branch, but also to its members and our community.”

Manly-Lota RSL Sub-Branch Advocate Mark Gallagher said, “Thank you to the Morrison Government for their significant contribution to our branch.”

“It will make possible our day-to-day work to deliver veterans the support they need and deserve to get on with their lives.”

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Andrew Gee said the BEST Program assists ESOs across the country to deliver the highest quality services.

“This additional funding will help these groups provide veterans even greater transition support, assistance with claims and entitlements, and access to services such as rehabilitation and wellbeing programs,” Minister Gee said.

“It will make a real difference to those on the ground, providing critical support and resources for veterans in Bonner.

“This year has been tough for many and this funding boost is a clear commitment of the Australian Government’s ongoing support for our ESOs and the local veteran community.”

To apply for future rounds of the BEST Program or for further information, including a full list of successful recipients, visit the Community Grants Hub website https://www.communitygrants.gov.au

 

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP has welcomed the Morrison Government’s world-leading reforms to Australia’s defamation laws that will protect Australians and Australian businesses from online trolls, as well as significant legal liabilities.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Attorney-General Michaelia Cash announced urgent reforms that will both address the significant harm dealt by trolls, bots and bigots and respond to the High Court’s decision in the Voller case.

“Social media can too often be a cowards’ palace, where the anonymous can bully, harass and ruin lives without consequence,” the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison MP, said.

“We would not accept these faceless attacks in a school, at home, in the office, or on the street. And we must not stand for it online, on our devices and in our homes. The rules that exist in the real world, should exist online too.

“Anonymous trolls are on notice. You will be named, shamed and held to account for what you say.”

The Voller case made clear that Australians who maintain social media pages can be ‘publishers’ of defamatory comments made by others on social media—even if the page owner does not know about the comments.

“Since the High Court’s decision in the Voller case, it is clear that ordinary Australians are at risk of being held legally responsible for defamatory material posted by anonymous online trolls,” said Attorney-General Michaelia Cash.

“This is not fair and it is not right. Australians expect to be held accountable for their own actions, but shouldn’t be made to pay for the actions of others that they cannot control.”

The reforms will make clear that, in defamation law, Australians who operate or maintain a social media page are not ‘publishers’ of comments made by others.

The Prime Minister said these reforms will also empower Australians to ‘unmask’ online trolls who post defamatory comments anonymously.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Australian Government is committed to protecting Australians from online harms.

“These reforms are about ensuring that families and business across Bonner will be protected from harmful defamatory comments made by anonymous trolls online,” said Mr Vasta.

“Under the new powers, social media companies will be declared publishers and will be held liable for any defamatory remarks, unless they assist to identify anonymous trolls and resolve disputes.

“These will be among the strongest powers to tackle online trolls in the world. If we are going to be a world-leading digital economy, then it is critical Australians can trust the safety and security of the online world.”

The reforms will incentivise social media providers to put new pathways in place for victims to obtain the contact details of anonymous online trolls, which will assist in starting defamation proceedings.

Under a new complaints scheme, victims could complain to the social media provider about defamatory posts, and the social media provider could disclose the poster’s contact details with consent. Victims would also be able to apply for a new form of Federal Court order to unmask the identity of the anonymous poster. The new complaints scheme and court orders will be simple, accessible and affordable.

To incentivise platforms, social media providers will be deemed to be ‘publishers’ of defamatory comments made on their platforms. However, they will have the benefit of a defence to defamation proceedings if they adopt the new mechanisms to unmask online trolls.

“Social media providers should bear their fair share of responsibility for defamatory material published on their platforms,” the Attorney-General said. ‘This reflects the current law.’

“However, if defamatory comments are made in Australia, and social media providers help victims contact the individuals responsible, it is appropriate they have access to a defence.”

The urgent reforms will complement the defamation reforms currently being progressed in partnership with states and territories, and sit alongside the Government’s commitment to improving online safety.

Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to update the house that we’re keeping up the momentum with my plan to deliver more mental health services on the Bayside in my electorate of Bonner.

The last time I spoke on it was in July after convening the Bayside Mental Health Working Group which was attended by local mental health and community providers.

My aim was to bring these important voices together and start a conversation around the services locals are calling for.

Since then, meaningful progress has been made.

I’ve met with Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman who has provided his support.

I’ve also been meeting regularly with Brisbane South PHN to determine how we can fill the gaps.

And after being made aware of a mental health plan they are working on alongside Feros Care with the intention to be tailored to the youth of the Bayside, last week I reconvened the working group.

Over 20 local mental health experts and community providers heard from Brisbane South PHN and Feros Care who presented this early intervention and prevention approach.

Deputy Speaker, young people are the largest cohort of Australian’s experiencing problematic loneliness.

Social connections are the greatest protection against depression and are proven to reduce suicidal behaviour.

That’s why responding to it by delivering accessible support services is of great urgency.

The mental health of our community cannot be underestimated, and I look forward to continuing to work with Brisbane South PHN and the Bayside Mental Health Working Group.