Local businesses in Bonner are rallying behind drought affected communities in Queensland as they begin to recover from devastating droughts and bushfires.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he was proud of the people in his electorate for rising up and helping Australians doing it tough.

“The spirit of mateship has really shone through in such a difficult time for our country and to see people in my electorate rolling up their sleeves and helping out underpins who we are as a nation,” Mr Vasta said.

“Wynnum Bar, Cedar and Pine have been purchasing their wine from scorched vineyards in Stanthorpe, as well as the storing and reselling of their stock on their behalf because of fire damaged refrigeration.

“Other businesses have organised luxury getaways to boost tourism efforts and remind people these bushfire affected regions are still thriving in spite of and the loss and hardship.”

The 2019 Ross Vasta Christmas Appeal for Stanthorpe saw Bonner locals raise $5000 for the struggling region, with many in the community appreciating the extra support during the festive season.

“Because of the generosity of the Bonner community, family-run businesses struggling through drought were able to keep their doors open, and parents were able to put presents under the tree,” Mr Vasta said.

“Even with the Christmas period over, it’s great to see creative ways people from our community are able to support or neighbouring Australians in need.”

For more information on how you can support a drought and bushfire affected community visit www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au

Australians living with advanced breast cancer now have access to life-saving medicine thanks to the Morrison Government’s listing of Verzenio® (abemaciclib) to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the new drug would treat non-premenopausal patients with advanced hormone receptor positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative breast cancer.

“Before being listed on the PBS, this drug would cost patients up to $55,000 per year,” Mr Vasta said.

“Now for the more than 3000 patients with this type of breast cancer, the drug will only cost $41 per script and only $6.60 for concessional patients.

“The Morrison Government is committed to supporting all breast cancer patients, with the hope they may overcome this horrible disease and continue leading a full and healthy life.”

Minister for Health Greg Hunt said this was just another way the Morrison Government was saving lives and protecting lives.

“It is estimated around 19,000 women and 160 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia in 2020,” Minister Hunt said.

“Australia has one of the highest survival rates or breast cancer in the world, with the five year survival rate at almost 91 per cent.

“The Morrison Government is committed to ensuring all Australians have access to affordable medicines when they need them.”

The quality of Australia’s aged care sector has been significantly strengthened following new reforms introduced by the Morrison Government.

Older Australians will now have access to an aged care system with vastly improved compliance and quality following a bolstering of the functions of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

The additional functions and responsibilities came into effect on January 1, 2020 to improve the sector’s quality and safeguard its future.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the reform was part of the government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Interim Report.

“As well as introducing compliance safeguards to the sector, other matters identified for changes were new restrictions for prescriptions of the drug Risperidone,” Mr Vasta said.

“Over reliance on chemical restraint drug was identified as a key concern the Morrison Government has taken action on to ensure older Australians get the treatment they deserve.

Minister for Aged Care Richard Colbeck said while there was a wait for more key finding from the Royal Commission, the government would continue to invest in compliance and preventative measures as well as funds into the sector.

“The Morrison Government is continuing its record funding for aged care in 2019-2020 through an additional $623.9 million investment to ensure quality measures are secured in the Aged Care sector,” Minister Colbeck said.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Final Report with key areas requiring action by the government is expected to be delivered by November 12.

Don’t forget to have your say on the Lindum Station Precinct Study with community consultation closing Friday, February 28.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said information from the community would help shape the plans to provide a safe crossing, improve traffic flow and protect the rail corridor.

“Already we’ve seen hundreds of residents put pen to paper to make sure we come up with the best possible solution to this dangerous level crossing,” Mr Vasta said.

“With $85 million from the Morrison Government delivered and $40 million from Brisbane City Council delivered, I hope at the conclusion of this study we will see the Queensland Government commit its share of funding to get construction underway.”

Mr Vasta said last year he collected more than 7000 signatures petitioning for the upgrade of Lindum Crossing.

“Since public consultation started on November 4, more than 200 online surveys have been completed with a further 155 ideas shared on the interactive ideas wall at pop-up information stalls,” Mr Vasta said.

Lord Mayor representative for Wynnum Manly Ward Megan Piccardi said tapping into local knowledge was a great way to ensure the upgrade delivered on the needs of the community.

“By meeting with residents and businesses I’ve got a good idea of the changes they want to see to ensure pedestrians and motorists are safe,” Ms Piccardi said.

“Local knowledge is greatly valued and we want to see the station improved in a way everyone benefits.”

For more information visit www.tmr.gov.au/lindumstudy

The Morrison Government has taken action to reduce ‘bill shock’ for medical patients through the development of the Medical Cost Finder website.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the website helped patients make the best decisions for their health and their pockets.

“Knowing in advance about the typical costs for a medical procedure, appointment or treatment helps everyone plan better and make the right decision,” Mr Vasta said.

“The vast majority of doctors do the right thing by disclosing the costs and charges to patients upfront.

“However, the new Medical Cost Finder allows people to compare cost estimates to the range of costs experienced by patients in the last financial year for a particular medical procedure in the hospital.”

The website is designed so patients can easily navigate to find the right information they need in minutes.

“The easy to use website directs patients to the right information and takes into account whether they’re covered by private insurance or being treated as a public patient,” Mr Vasta said.

The Morrison Government will disclose more information including costs for treatments outside of the hospital and fees volunteered by individual medical specialists.

For more information or to view the website, click here.

Families are being urged to make a New Year’s resolution that counts this year and register to be an organ and tissue donor.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said with 1,500 Australians currently on a transplant list and a further 11,000 on dialysis, registration is simple and could save a life.

“You only need to set aside one minute, have your Medicare card handy and go to donatelife.gov.au,” Mr Vasta said.

“Make 2020 the year your New Year’s resolution makes a difference by registering as an organ tissue donor.”

Over 11,000 Australians have received an organ transplant from 4,000 donors and their families, so the start of a new year surrounded by loved ones is a timely opportunity to have a life changing discussion.

“If you want to become an organ and tissue donor when you die, your family need to know-it’s as simple as that,” Mr Vasta said.

“Through organ donation, transplant recipients are given a second chance at life-having an active role within their family, returning to work and planning for a future.”

To register as an organ donor, and to find out more go to donatelife.gov.au

First home buyers will now be able to apply for a guaranteed loan as part of the Morrison Government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Scheme provided a guarantee to allow eligible first home buyers to purchase a modest home with a deposit of as little as five per cent.

“Eligible first home buyers can apply for a guaranteed loan directly from one of the 27 participating lenders,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Morrison Government is delivering on an election commitment to help make home ownership a reality for more Australians sooner,”

The Scheme will support up to 10,000 guaranteed loans each financial year.”

The Scheme has been welcomed by major industry peak bodies who are confident in Morrison Government’s plan to help first home buyers.

“All participating lenders have committed not to charge eligible customers higher interest rates than equivalent customers outside of the Scheme,” Mr Vasta said.

Along with a strong representation of smaller lenders, the Scheme will promote competition between the major and non-major lenders, to ensure a broad geographic reach, including in regional and remote communities.

For more information, including online tools to assist first home buyers to determine their eligibility, visit www.nhfic.gov.au/what-we-do/fhlds

The full list of initial participating lenders include:

Major bank lenders

National Australia Bank Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Non-major lenders

Australian Military Bank

Auswide Bank Bank Australia

Bank First

Bank of us Bendigo Bank

Beyond Bank Australia

Community First Credit Union CUA

Defence Bank

Gateway Bank G&C Mutual Bank

Indigenous Business Australia

Mortgageport MyState Bank

People’s Choice Credit Union Police Bank (including the Border Bank and Bank of Heritage Isle) P&N Bank

QBANK

Queensland Country Credit Union Regional Australia Bank

Sydney Mutual Bank and Endeavour Mutual Bank (divisions of Australian Mutual Bank Ltd)

Teachers Mutual Bank Limited (including Firefighters Mutual Bank, Health Professionals Bank, Teachers Mutual Bank and UniBank) The Mutual Bank

WAW Credit Union

Construction is ramping up on the state-of-the-art Brisbane Metro depot to house the fleet of fully-electric vehicles.

It is a major milestone for the $944 million Metro project with 165 direct jobs expected to be created during the construction phase.

Brisbane Metro will provide services every three minutes in peak periods, reducing travel times by up to half, busting congestion and improving the greater Brisbane public transport network.

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge MP said works on the Rochedale site would include the removal and relocation of a number of buildings.

“Construction is underway and this work will continue throughout 2020,” Mr Tudge said.

“The Metro project will revolutionise the way Brisbane commuters travel by doing away with the need for timetables.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said a tender was announced for a fleet of fully-electric Metro vehicles and they were finalising the depot design to include charging infrastructure for these vehicles.

“The depot will be the base for an initial fleet of 60 new electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, maintenance and staff facilities,” Cr Shrinner said.

“There is also capacity for future growth at the School Road location at Rochedale as the Brisbane Metro system expands.

“This major infrastructure development is expected to start next year and take two years to build in time for the delivery of the full Metro vehicle fleet.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said Brisbane commuters were excited to see the Brisbane Metro up and running soon.

“Brisbane Metro will have four stops in my electorate of Bonner and I have no doubt once completed we will see thousands of commuters embracing this new public transport infrastructure,” Mr Vasta said.

“This project is expected to provide significant benefits right across the Brisbane CBD and Brisbane’s southern suburbs.”

Intersection upgrades at the corner of Peel and Merivale Street and Peel Street and Cordelia Street, in South Brisbane and Skew Street and Upper Roma Street in the CBD have already been completed as part of the Brisbane Metro project.

Council is finalising the procurement process for the design and construction of the Brisbane Metro depot. The Request for Tender is expected to be released in mid-2020 and awarded by mid to late 2020.

The preferred tenderer involving Brisbane-based suppliers Volgren and world-leading electric-vehicle producer HESS to deliver 60 vehicles for the Brisbane Metro, was announced in November.

The initial Metro pilot vehicle will arrive this year and be housed at Volgren’s Eagle Farm workshop to allow for trials and testing in local operating conditions.

The project will drive jobs and economic growth, with an extra 40 jobs created in Brisbane for fit-out and maintenance of the Metro vehicles when they are delivered.

Flash charging technology at each end of the route will recharge the vehicles in just six minutes, meaning passengers will get home safer and quicker in a Metro vehicle with no tailpipe emissions.

Council is delivering the $944 million fully-funded Brisbane Metro in partnership with the Australian Government which has committed $300 million to the project.

Preliminary works for Brisbane Metro will commence around the Cultural Centre in early 2020.

Stage 1 of Brisbane Metro will provide a 21-kilometre service connecting 18 stations along dedicated busways between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street, and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and University of Queensland.

Stage 2 may see services expanded to Carindale in Brisbane’s south east and to Chermside and Brisbane Airport in Brisbane’s north.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of local communities and to further support the work they do local community groups can apply now for a Morrison Government Volunteer Grant.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said $66,000 in funding was available for his electorate and he encouraged eligible community groups to apply.

“Volunteering adds social and economic benefits to our region such as increased confidence and skill development, which is why I am pleased to offer these grants to further support Bonner’s volunteers,” Mr Vasta said.

“The grants form part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to supporting organisations whose volunteers assist in our communities and encourage the inclusion of vulnerable people in our society.

“My office will liaise with community leaders and relevant committees to identify priority volunteer support for our local area.

Mr Vasta said the grants could be used to buy small equipment for volunteers or for the reimbursement of volunteer fuel, transport or training costs. “Community groups can apply for grants between $1000 and $5000,” Mr Vasta said.

Each Federal Member of Parliament is able to nominate organisations to apply for funding in their electorate between now and 28 January 2020.

The Department of Social Services will then send an application form to nominated organisations to apply for funding in February 2020.

Successful applicants will be announced in May 2020.

For more information about the grants, please go to the Government’s GrantConnect website at www.grants.gov.au

Christmas isn’t complete without enjoying the great outdoors so sun safety is a must this holiday season to avoid a nasty burn and reduce your risk of sun cancers.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said with longer days and shorter nights, preparation was key to enjoying the warm summer weather.

“The sun is staying up longer and the days are getting hotter so don’t forget to be sun smart and stock up on the necessary supplies to be safe during the holidays,” Mr Vasta said.

“Check the weather before you leave the house and always carry a water bottle, hat, sunscreen and long sleeve shirts to limit your exposure to harsh UV rays.”

Cancer Council Queensland CEO Chris McMillian said he encouraged residents to be proactive with protective measures against the hot sun.

“This Christmas we are asking Queenslanders to take sun safety seriously and follow our five recommended sun protective behaviours,” Ms McMillan said.

“Slip on protective clothing, Slop on SPF 30 or above broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, Slap on a broad-brimmed hat, Seek shade and Slide on wrap-around sunnies.

“Remember to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, especially with the hot weather predicted for Queensland, and stay SunSmart when outdoors and the UV level is 3 or above.”

For more information on sun protection visit https://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/