Speech Date: 1st December 2022

Earlier this year, devastating floods hit many Queensland communities hard, including in my electorate of Bonner.

During the floods, my team and I were out in the community delivering sandbags, removing equipment from local sporting clubs and checking in on local residents during this very uncertain time.

It was heartbreaking to see the impact of the floods on family homes, businesses and community infrastructure.

Two sporting clubs that were hit hard by the floods in my electorate were the Wynnum Wolves Football Club and the Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club, located at Carmichael Park.

The clean-up effort to support these great local clubs was an amazing show of community spirit.

I spent many hours with my team, volunteers and club members helping rip up damaged carpet, removing waterlogged plaster from the clubhouse and cleaning off sporting equipment.

As part of my local flood recovery plan and working alongside Wynnum Wolves president Rabieh Krayem I was able to secure $4 million of federal government funding to help rebuild, expand and future proof Carmichael Park.

I’m glad to see the new government has honoured this investment.

This funding will go directly into the execution of the Carmichael Park master plan, creating a more resilient and sustainable venue for all the community to enjoy.

There will be not only state-of-the-art cricket and soccer facilities but also a family clubhouse, an art precinct and an array of dining options.

An Indigenous canoeing adventure trail along Bulimba Creek, which backs onto Carmichael Park, is also in the works.

Overseen by bayside legend and Quandamooka man Cameron Costello, this will help bring economic, social and cultural benefits to our community.

At 101 years old, the Wynnum Wolves Football Club currently has 960 members, with predictions to grow to 1,200 next year.

It is exciting to see that 30 per cent of the participation comes from female players, with female participation expected to make up 40 per cent of the players by 2025.

The Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club is an integral part of our sporting community and I’m proud to say that it is one of the integral clubs of Brisbane, with 350 juniors and 250 senior players at the club.

This expansion and rebuild will allow the clubs a chance to host high-quality state and national championships.

It will also deliver the opportunity to connect our local community to international counterparts for the upcoming 2032 Olympics.

Once complete, I’m proud to say, Carmichael Park will be one of the best sporting multi-user facilities in South-East Queensland.

To the team behind this project—Rabieh and his wife, Vicky; Cameron; Graham Mapri; and Geoff Teys—I want to say a massive thank you for helping to create future sporting, economic and cultural opportunities for our community.

The 2022 Bonner Seniors Expo was a massive success, with almost 400 Bonner senior residents through the door. It was fantastic to have this event back in person for the first time since the easing of national COVID restrictions.

The Bonner Seniors Expo provides local businesses, aged-care groups, community groups and government organisations the opportunity to connect with local seniors.

When I was talking to local retirement home resident Margaret, she said that the impacts of COVID-19 were severe on her community, with many feeling isolated, lonely and disconnected from the rest of the world.

Margaret said that events like the Bonner Seniors Expo are important as they help her build relationships within the community and create a sense of belonging.

I would like to thank all of the community groups and businesses that donated lucky door prizes, as well as the stall vendors and speakers who helped to make this day a great success.

I would particularly like to thank Piccardi Fry Lawyers for their generous sponsorship of the seniors expo, which allowed all additional funds raised to be donated to Alzheimer’s Queensland.

The seniors expo is always a highlight in my calendar, and I look forward to making this event bigger and better in 2023.

For more on this, please click here

Deputy Speaker, small businesses are the backbone of our economy.

They’re run by our mums, dads, brothers, sisters and friends.

When small businesses thrive, so do our families and our communities.

As a former small-business owner myself, it gives me great joy to see local small businesses succeed through their passion, determination, hard work and innovation.

One such example of this in Bonner is The Nurso.

The Nurso is a cafe and plant nursery located in Chandler.

This family run business is already a much part loved part of our local community.

Earlier this month, they celebrated their first birthday.

Catching up with the owners, Marni and Dave, it was fantastic to hear about their exciting plans to expand not only their business operations but also their community events and outreach programs.

Since 4 October this year, The Nurso has been offering a free breakfast club on school days for local school students.

The team at The Nurso are passionate about giving back to the community and ensuring that all children attending school have eaten a healthy breakfast before starting a day of learning.

They are also working on a youth day to help connect local children with community groups.

There is always something happening at The Nurso—go and see for yourself.

 

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I’m pleased to say that the much-needed safety upgrades at the notorious Rochedale roundabout are almost complete.

Traffic lights have been installed recently and the final stages are well and truly underway. Over 19,000 vehicles use the Rochedale roundabout daily, largely due to the traffic flow from five local schools and a large childcare centre converging on this location.

Working with both Brisbane City Council and Logan City Council, I am proud to have secured $14 million in federal government funding to improve road safety and to cater for future traffic demands.

Another important project that is getting people home sooner and safer is the Newnham and Wecker Road intersection upgrade.

Deputy Speaker, I’m happy to say that the on-road construction works are now complete, with the intersection being fully operational for all road users.

Voted by RACQ as the fifth-most dangerous intersection in Queensland, there was a desperate need for traffic and safety improvements at this intersection.

Working closely with Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and the Brisbane City Council, I was able to deliver $12 million in federal funding for this vital project, which now improves the safety for around 35,000 vehicles and 474 buses, as well as for cyclists and pedestrians every day.

Deputy Speaker, I am determined to keep fighting for the people of Bonner, to ensure that they have safe and reliable roads so that they can spend less time on the road and more time with their loved ones.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Your Update | Newnham Rd and Wecker Rd

Your Update| The Rochedale Road and Priestdale Road Intersection[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Deputy Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to pay tribute to father of 3 and Bonner local, Michael Warburton.

On the night of the 26th of September 2022, Michael passed away from a tragic hit and run incident in Hemmant.

A victim of youth crime, Michael was driving his beloved Vespa home from the gym when he was hit by a stolen car being driven by a 15-year-old teen.

Deputy Speaker, Michael was only 59 years old and recently celebrated 33 years of marriage to his beloved wife, Anita.

Michael had no greater love than his family, and it is heart breaking to think that Anita, his mum and dad, Jean and Graham, and 3 children, Jessica, Blake and Riley will now spend the rest of their lives without their husband, son and father.

Michael’s other great love and passion after his family were the Penrith Panthers.

He was ecstatic to watch his favourite team fight for another premiership win this Sunday and wore the Panthers jersey every chance he had.

Michael was a Navy Man and dedicated much of his life to the service and protection of this great country.

Michael was known as a kind, generous and caring man, who would go out of his way to help those in need.

Deputy Speaker, no family should have to go through this heart break.

We wish him and his family all the very best.

Watch my speech here

It is no secret that the koala is an iconic symbol worldwide for Australian wildlife.

Despite greater awareness and an overwhelming understanding of the need to do more for koala conservation, it is unfortunate that we continue to see a dramatic decline in koala numbers across the country.

South East Queensland alone has seen our koala population decrease by 80 per cent over the last 20 years.

In my electorate of Bonner, the koala has been under threat due to the impact of illness, loss of habitat, car strikes, and the devastating recent floods in February.

However, there is a shining beacon of hope for the protection and rehabilitation of Bonner’s local koala population, and that comes from the team at Queensland Koala Society and its president, Angela Christodoulou.

I first updated the House on the Queensland Koala Society in June 2020, after Angela had established this wonderful not-for-profit organisation in Belmont.

Since then, Angela and her team have been working tirelessly to protect, rescue and rehabilitate koalas in our local area.

Angela has personally rescued over 800 koalas, and in one night alone her team recorded 7 koala rescues in South East Queensland.

The Queensland Koala Society do an incredible job, and it is no small thing for me to say that I am in awe of the passion, dedication and determination from Angela and her team to create a better future for koalas.

But the Queensland Koala Society is missing just one major component from a truly comprehensive rehabilitation plan, and that is a Koala Kindy.

Since the foundation of the society, Angela has had a vision for the development of a Koala Kindy.

A Koala Kindy would allow locally rescued koalas, especially joeys, to be rehabilitated, grow and develop in one location before being released back into the wild.

Currently, koalas rescued by the Queensland Koala Society need to be transported to Australia Zoo or to the Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre for the final stages of treatment and vet checks before release.

Not only is the transport time-consuming and costly for volunteers, it can also cause further trauma for rescued koalas.

That is why, before the last election, I fought to secure funding for the establishment of a Koala Kindy in Bonner.

I’m here to say that, despite the election results, I am still committed to fighting for the funding of a Koala Kindy.

A Koala Kindy in Bonner would not only prove vital in the fight to save our koala,  but would also be an incredible educational tool for local schools and universities.

There is no better way to help create future leaders in wildlife protection than providing hands-on learning opportunities for students.

The Koala Kindy would also be in a prime position to highlight Australia’s commitment to wildlife rehabilitation during the 2032 Olympics, as it would be located opposite a future Olympic venue, the Chandler Arena, where many Olympic events will be held.

The need for a Koala Kindy in Bonner is clear.

I am calling on the new government to honour this commitment and help establish a Koala Kindy at the Queensland Koala Society, not just for the benefit of my community, but for all Australians and for generations to come.

 

 

A eucalyptus fodder farm to help the conservation efforts of the Queensland Koala Society will be established at Iona College in Bonner, thanks to the Australian Government’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Tree Planting Grant.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP said the partnership between Iona College and the Queensland Koala Society is a fantastic way to help with local koala conservation and to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“The partnership between the Queensland Koala Society and Iona College to establish a local fodder farm will help create a sustainable future for koalas,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Queen is passionate about the protection of native flora and fauna, so to be creating a fodder farm with over 500 trees for koalas is an exceptionally fitting way to honour her 70 years of service.

“I am proud to have advocated for this grant on behalf of Iona College and hope other schools across Australia follow their example where they are able to do so.”

Co-founder of the Queensland Koala Society, Ms Angela Christodoulou, said the fodder farm at Iona college will help reduce time volunteers spend collecting much needed eucalyptus leaves.

“Fodder farms play an essential role in the koala’s rehabilitation process,” Ms Christodoulou said.

“On a typical week, my team travel up to two hours per day, seven days per week to collect fresh fodder.

“The collaboration with Iona is exciting and not only provides us with a valuable resource but also provides the potential for the establishment of a habitat for koalas and other local wildlife.”

Principal of Iona College, Mr Trevor Goodwin, and Rector, Father Michael Twigg OMI, as well as the College Board have fully supported this use of College grounds in order to develop deeper ties with the local community and to promote sustainability.

“We have been blessed with a large and expansive campus that compels us to share with others,” Father Michael said.

Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee has the intention of:

• increased community awareness and celebration of Her Majesty’s Jubilee
• to create a legacy of tree plantings across the nation
• increase and/or enhance the area of tree canopy

Let’s face it, if you can’t find your dad, there is good chance he is wondering the aisle at Bunnings, making a wish list of the latest tools or planning the next greatest DYI project for the backyard.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP is running a Father’s Day Draw to say thank you to all the amazing dads in the electorate of Bonner.

“Bunnings is an unofficial Australia icon; a place loved by dad’s the nation over,” Mr Vasta said.

“If you would like a chance to win a $100 Bunnings gift card for your dad this Father’s Day, make sure you enter my Father’s Day Draw.

“For your chance to win, fill out the form on my website and tell me why your dad is the best dad in the world.

“Out of all the jobs I’ve had, being a father is my favourite. I am lucky to have two beautiful boys that bring me so much joy.”

This competition is only open to residents of Bonner and closes at 5pm on Thursday 1 September 2022.

The entry form can be found at Mr Vasta’s website: www.rossvasta.com.au/fathers-day-draw-2022/

Thank You Deputy Speaker. I rise today to highlight the incredible mental health initiative You Are Not Alone.

Established at the end of last year, You Are Not Alone was born out of the passion and determination of Bonner constituent and year 12 Villanova College student Tom Price.

Tom, along with a group of his fellow classmates, felt more needed to be done surrounding mental health for students, especially after the challenges of COVID-19.

Instead of waiting for solutions, these inspirational young men took matters into their own hands and founded You Are Not Alone, which aims to help break down the stigma surrounding mental health through meaningful connections and real conversations.

I am happy to say that they are already fast on their way to achieving their goal.

In June of this year, the inaugural You Are Not Alone fun run was held in Brisbane, and I had the pleasure of attending and supporting it.

This event raised over $37,000 for Lifeline Queensland and had over 2,000 participants.

I would like to highlight what an incredible result this is, especially when considering many of the people behind this fun run are currently completing year 12.

Massive congratulations to Tom and the team from You Are Not Alone.

I look forward to sharing their future successes with the House.

 

I thank you Deputy Speaker.

I know with great certainty that I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the tremendous sacrifice and efforts of my supporters, volunteers, team and family and the Queensland LNP.

Whilst I won’t be able to list all those who have played an integral role in my achievements, please know how much I truly appreciate your time and dedication.

There are a few in particular, though, that I would like to pay tribute to: Renee, Benjamin, Charles, Paul, Steve, Kate, Toby, Emma, Ryan, Rod, Jess, Ashley, Erin, Michaela, Tom, Rae, Georgia, Maddie, Michael and Matthew. Thank you for going above and beyond.

I’d also like to acknowledge the passion and dedication of the YLNP during the last election. To stand up for your values and beliefs can, at times, be a daunting task, particularly when you come from the Right of politics.

Far too often, Young LNP members are labelled in a way that is unfair and unjust. Yet when I saw the determination of the YLNP to fight for the core values and beliefs of our party, it was truly inspirational.

Finally, I would like to thank my constituents. To the people of Bonner: my commitment to you is that I will continue to fight for our community, to make sure that our voices are heard and that we receive our fair share of funding. Thank you.