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

February 11 is Safer Internet Day and to mark the occasion, Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP is hosting a Safer Internet Forum for Seniors to help educate older Australians on safely using the internet and avoiding scams.

Mr Vasta said the forum would empower older residents in his electorate to feel confident when logging on, and educate them on how to identify and avoid common scams.

“Navigating the online world for seniors can be quite daunting and full of uncertainties,” Mr Vasta said.

“We will have a guest speaker from the Office of Fair Trading who will discuss how to identify and avoid common scams online which unfortunately catch our too many people.

“The internet is a powerful tool that connects the world around us so but important we use it wisely and help vulnerable people in our community avoid getting caught out.”

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher MP said the Morrison Government’s Online Safety Act was helping combat fraudulent behaviour online.

“Australia has been at the forefront of online safety policy over the past two decades and the proposed reforms address the risk of evolving harms and build on our strong foundations,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The internet offers significant economic and social benefits, but these benefits will only be fully realised if Australians can engage confidently and safely in the online world.”

The Safer Internet for Senior’s forum will be held on Friday, February 21 at the Mount Gravatt Bowls Club from 9.30am.

For more information or to RSVP, email ross.vasta.mp.rsvp@aph.gov.au or phone (07) 3893 3488.

The Morrison Government has invested $64 million into suicide prevention and mental health initiatives in response to advice from the National Suicide Prevention Adviser Christine Morgan.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the government’s action had changed the nation’s response as a whole on preventing suicide.

“Sadly, 3046 Australians have lost their lives to suicide so our government had to change our response to suicide prevention to tackle this national tragedy,” Mr Vasta said.

“Every life lost to suicide has a devastating impact on families, friends and communities.

“Mental health doesn’t discriminate and can impact anyone so it’s important we look at the advice from Ms Morgan and make meaningful change.”

Minister for Health Greg Hunt MP said the initial advice from Ms Morgan triggered a reform of Australia’s approach to suicide and support the Morrison Government in making mental and suicide prevention a priority.

“Ms Morgan’s initial advice outlines the need of lived experience, early intervention, a focus on at risk groups and ensure that all government services are working together to reduce suicide,” Minister Hunt said.

National Suicide Prevention Adviser Christine Morgan said she was pleased to provide the initial advice to the Government.

“We need to put people back in the centre of policies and planning by understand what has and has not worked for them in the past and co-design our prevention approach to work to word zero deaths by suicide.”

To read the full list of reforms click here

Australian students planning to start university in 2020 can now lodge their claim for Youth Allowance or Austudy.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Morrison Government was committed to supporting students through their studies and the earlier they claim the more likely payments will commence by the time their course begins.

“Claiming online is quick and easy,” Mr Vasta said.

“To avoid the last minute rush to access payments at the start of the semester, it’s best to put your claim in as early as possible.

“The claim process has been streamlined, with tailored questions based on the information provided.”

Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert MP said the delivery of government payments had undergone a minor transformation to modernise their services and provide faster access.

“We’ve reduced the number of questions students need to answer when claiming and they now can make changes online instead of coming into a centre or making a phone call,” Minister Robert said.

“We know many students want to access services quickly, at a time and place that suits them which is why we’re working hard to make improvements with this in mind.”

Other improvements include Digital Assistants ‘Sam’ and ‘Oliver’ which are available 24/7 to answer general questions and have helped respond to over 1.4 million queries since 2017.

A new Schooltowork website has been developed to equip parents, employers and schools with the resources needed to support secondary students making decisions about their future career.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the website was part of the Morrison Government’s Future Ready: a student focused National Career Education Strategy.

“The website was developed so students can make informed decisions and have access to the best career options possible,” Mr Vasta said

“Toolkits and industry based articles will be made available for parents and schools so they can have open discussions about career options, including post-school studies, apprenticeships and examples of transitional programs supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.”

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small Business and Family Business Senator Michaelia Cash said these resources would help students make more informed decisions about their future.

“We want young people to know all about their learning and career options so they can choose something that suits them,” Minister Cash said. Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships Steve Irons MP said the Schooltowork website was one of the many Morrison Government initiatives to get more Australians into meaningful work and empower their future career. “All these strategies will work together to provide accurate and up to date information for young people, families and career educators,” Mr Irons said. For more information visit schooltowork.gov.au

Australians with type 1 diabetes will soon have free access to the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system thanks to the Morrison Government’s $300 million Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Initiative.

The FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring device measures glucose levels without the use of lancets, test strips and blood.

A sensor is worn on the back of the arm and connects to a reader on a mobile phone application, which in turn stores glucose levels day and night to help people manage their diabetes, and avoid dangerous hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he had been contacted by a number constituents over this matter and he was glad this monitoring system would now be free for people with Type 1 diabetes.

“Without Government subsidy, these Australians would normally pay $92.50 every two weeks for the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system – over $2,400 per year,” Mr Vasta said.

“The introduction of FreeStyle Libre will increase the range of products available to support Australians with diabetes from 1 March 2020.”

Minister for Health Greg Hunt MP said the government was also streamlining the eligibility criteria, to increase the number of Australians who can access fully subsidised glucose monitoring devices through the CGM scheme to 58,000 people, up from 37,000.

“This will be achieved by simplifying the clinical criteria for people with type 1 diabetes aged 21 years or older, and who have concessional status,” Minister Hunt said.

Under the scheme, from 1 March 2020, the Government will provide fully subsidised CGM products to a wider range of Australians, including:

· Children and young people, under 21 years of age, with type 1 diabetes.

· Children and young people with conditions very similar to type 1 diabetes, such as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes and neonatal diabetes, who require insulin.

· Women with type 1 diabetes who are planning for pregnancy, pregnant, or immediately post-pregnancy.

· People with type 1 diabetes aged 21 years or older and who have concessional status.

The Morrison Government is committed to supporting Australians with type 1 diabetes, investing over $300 million over four years from 2019-20 in the CGM Initiative.

Community organisations will work directly with men through culturally appropriate initiatives under the Morrison Government’s National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022 plan.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said over the next three years $2.3 million would be added to the Plan to address the unique challenges in reducing family violence in some of our most at risk communities.

“Violence is violence no matter the cultural background or religious upbringing, and violence against family will not be tolerated, not now, not ever,” Mr Vasta said.

“These culturally appropriate initiatives funded under Men as Role Models will express this message to men and equip them with the tools to have a discussion rather than resort to violence.”

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said preventing violence before it occurred was the most effective way to break the cycle.

“Evidence indicates that Indigenous and migrant women and children experience disproportionately high rates of family violence,” Minister Ruston said.

“In order to make a long term difference in violence against women we must change attitudes to violence and to do this we must create opportunities for men within communities to be involved in their communities to be positive role models.

“Men have an essential role to play in our home, work and communities to reduce family violence.”

For more information visit www.plan4womenssafety.dss.gov.au