The Liberal National Government will provide a record $1.45 billion for community mental health services and change the funding model to ensure security for both jobs and services.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta welcomed the announcement, and said the funding will be provided through the Government’s innovative 31 Primary Health Networks (PHNs).

“PHN’s were setup as an independent regional health organisation to commission health services including mental health, in response to the needs of local communities throughout Australia, including that of Bonner, said Mr Vasta.

“The Brisbane South PHN is expected to receive more than $52 million over a three period to help tailor services to meet the specific needs in our region and help deliver a stronger, more integrated mental health system.

“This funding means more services for the 150,000+ adults and children here living in the Bonner region, including funding specifically allocated for indigenous mental health services.”

It is estimated that one in five people in Australia experience a common mental disorder each year. Nearly half of the Australian population will experience mental illness at some point in their lives, but less than half will access treatment.

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said PHNs coordinate local support for child and youth mental health, psychological therapy, severe and complex illness, community-based suicide prevention and Indigenous mental health.

“In 2017–18, about 200,000 Australians accessed over 900,000 mental health services through local providers commissioned by PHNs,” said Minister Hunt.

“The record three year $1.45 billion funding commitment will commence from July this year until 2021-22 and is $170 million more than what was provided for the previous three years.”

“It will continue to support important services such as headspace centres, psychological services for hard to reach groups, suicide prevention activities, mental health nurses and mental health support for older Australians.”

It is estimated that the $1.45 billion funding includes:

• $177 million for mental health nurses
• $77 million for suicide prevention including Indigenous suicide
• $74 million for the mental health of those in residential aged care
• $89 million for Indigenous mental health
• $617 million for youth mental health including headspace
• $399 million for psychological therapies for hard to reach populations

Minster Hunt said the Government will also change the way that PHNs are funded to ensure that the staff and mental health professionals who deliver these critical services will no longer face uncertainty on short term contracts.

“This will allow longer term planning, provide job certainty for thousands of people employed in the sector, and deliver a stronger mental health system,” said Minister Hunt.

“The new funding process will dramatically improve their ability to ensure that services can be commissioned well in advance at any point in time, and provide greater funding certainty for the community-based mental health sector.”

“This will particularly benefit those living in rural and remote areas, where staffing shortages due to employment uncertainty have historically reduced access to mental health services.”

“Our Government has an ongoing commitment to supporting the mental health of Australians,” said Minister Hunt.

The Liberal National Government has prioritised better mental health for all Australians with $4.7 billion expected to be spent on mental health this financial year.

The Government’s strong economic management ensures continued investment of record funding into vital health initiatives including mental health, life-saving medicines, Medicare and hospitals.

Thousands of Bonner residents are being asked to take new online Life Checks, as the Liberal National Government continues rolling out its More Choices For A Longer Life measures, to support local people to live longer, better lives.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said Life Checks are about empowering people to make the best choices for their future.

“Taking a Life Check gives you a clearer picture of how you’re currently tracking and helps you prepare for the next stage of life.

“This is one of the best New Year’s resolutions you can make in 2019 and it’s something to tell you friends about, because spending a few minutes taking a Life Check could make a lifetime of difference.

The new Life Checks website offers two free quizzes, one for 45 to 64 year olds and the other for 65s and older.

Each quiz is broken into four parts – health, work, finance and social life – the key areas that determine our wellbeing and ultimately how we will live our future lives.

The questions in each section have been shaped by research showing Australians are not adequately prepared for their next stage of life.

“Many of us are not taking action to reduce preventable diseases and most do not have financial plans in place,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our health and financial circumstance are crucial to our ability to live comfortably.”

The work and social life inclusions in the quiz encourage people to stay engaged with work and their local communities.

“I want everyone living in our local communities to be adequately prepared to live the life they want,” Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage every person over the age of 45 to visit lifechecks.gov.au today.”

Brisbane continues to benefit from strong International traveller numbers, according to the latest International Visitor Survey data.

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the latest results showed South East Queensland and Brisbane continued to be a major tourist hotspot for International travellers.

“In the year to September 2018 we’ve seen an additional 1.3m visitors flock to the Brisbane region and that’s an increase of 10% from the same time last year,” Mr Vasta said.

“Bonner has some amazing offerings for tourists such as Moreton island dolphin tours, manly harbour and an all-round great local atmosphere for tourists to experience, so it’s no wonder that visitors are flocking to the area.

“This is a testament to our local tourism operators and great news for local businesses and the local economy who benefit from every dollar international travellers spend right here in Bonner.

“It’s why I am a passionate advocate for building our local tourism sector. I have worked very closely with the Moreton Bay Discovery Centre to secure more than $450,000 worth of funding for its stage one development and I’ll continue to work closely with the team until the finished product is delivered for the Bonner community,” said Mr Vasta.

The international visitor survey results show a record 8.4 million international travellers flocked to our shores over the last year and spent record amounts with travellers injecting $43.2 billion into the local economy.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham welcomed the results saying more international travellers in Queensland meant more people in local restaurants, staying in local hotels and visiting local tourist attractions.

“It’s encouraging to see international travellers continuing to visit our great nation and enjoy all that our country has to offer,” Minister Birmingham said.

“These latest results show 2.84 million international travellers chose to travel beyond our capital cities and spent time in the bush, at the coast or even in the outback.

“Today’s results are also good news for Bonner as the more tourists we attract to the region the more they contribute to the local economy and the more they spend in local businesses.”

“Our Liberal-National Government continues to deliver record funding to Tourism Australia for cutting-edge campaigns such as Undiscover and Dundee, and these latest results demonstrate how these campaigns are helping to lure more tourists down under.

The latest International Visitor Survey results are available at: www.tra.gov.au.

The Liberal-National Government has announced up to $315,000 in grant funding to make conferences more accessible for people with disability.

The National Disability Conference Initiative grants assist eligible conference organisers to include people with disability at nationally-focused, disability-related conferences in Australia.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the grant funding will help to assist people with disability, their families and carers to attend conferences.

“Grants of up to $10,000 are available to organisations to help people with disability participate in disability-related conferences from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020,” Mr Vasta said.

The grants are designed to assist people with disability with the costs of attending the conference—assisting them with conference fees, accommodation and travel costs.

They can also be used for accessibility purposes such as funding AUSLAN interpreters, assistive computer devices or software, aids or appliances or other costs relating to venue accessibility.

“I encourage organisations in Bonner planning to hold a disability-related conference during this period to apply for a National Disability Conference Initiative grant,” Mr Vasta said.

The Government anticipates the funding will enable over 30 conferences across the country to be more inclusive of people with disability, their families and carers to attend conferences about issues that affect them.

Applications open on 9 January 2019 and close at 2pm (AEDT) on 20 February 2019. To apply for a grant or for more information on the National Disability Conference Initiative grant round, go to Australian Government Community Grants Hub at communitygrants.gov.au or Grant Connect at grants.gov.au.

Bonner seniors and their families will benefit from a new era in Australian aged care, with the independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission now open, offering a one-stop quality and safety website and the single new contact number for local aged care concerns and queries: 1800 951 822.

Ross Vasta said the new Commission was a landmark Liberal National Government aged care reform and would better target sub-standard care and ensure the safety and security of local seniors.

“For the first time, local seniors and their loved ones have one place to go when they need help, want to raise a concern, or access information about an aged care service,” said Mr Vasta.

“While the vast majority of aged care homes and their dedicated staff provide outstanding care, the new Commission is about giving confidence to residents and their families and ensuring quality care is delivered at all times.

“The Commission will also be empowered by the new aged care Charter of Rights and will implement the new, stronger set of Aged Care Quality Standards, the first upgrade of standards in 20 years.”

The Commission has a budget of almost $300 million over four years, with more than $48 million to continue ramping up compliance checks and risk management, including the employment of dozens of new compliance officers and developing options for a Serious Incident Response Scheme.

“The new Commission’s key focus is to safeguard all people receiving aged care services, including the hundreds of recipients in Bonner,” said Mr Vasta.

“The new website has been carefully designed and tested to ensure it is user-friendly, with easily searchable information.”

The website includes details on:

• Aged care consumer rights
• Access to free advocacy services to support senior Australians
• Consumer Experience Reports about individual aged care services
• Access to audit reports on aged care homes
• How to register complaints, including tips on documenting concerns
• New resources to help providers meet the Standards
• Translation services to support non-English speaking clients

“The new Commission is another example of our Government’s aged care reform agenda,” said Mr Vasta.

“We are dedicated to providing senior Australians and their families in Bonner with confidence and certainty in quality aged care delivery.

“The establishment of the new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is part of our Government’s record aged care funding boost, increasing aged care spending by $5 billion over four years.”

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission can be contacted on 1800 951 822 or by visiting agedcarequality.gov.au.

The Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta is calling on all local sport and physical activity providers to apply for funding for a national $28.9million program aimed at encouraging Australians to get more active.

The Liberal Nationals Sport Participation Grants program was launched today by Federal Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie, enabling sporting organisations, sporting organisations for people with a disability, non-government and local government organisations, to apply for grants that will genuinely impact the level of activity of Australians.

Mr Vasta urged sporting groups and local government organisations to create or enhance programs that would help attract people across a wide range of age, ability and location to participate in physical activity and sport.

“We know how important sport and physical activity is to help both children and adults lead a happy, healthy life. Our goal is to get more Australians more active more often, Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage eligible organisations to consider impactful ways to innovate with new programs, or enhance existing physical activity initiatives that will improve the lives of all Aussies across my electorate. We need help get adults to “Find their 30” minutes of exercise a day, and children to reach the 60 minutes per day recommended by the Dept of Health.

The Sports Participation Grants follow the recent announcements of the Better Ageing grants and the Community Sport Infrastructure Grants.

Applications will open on Monday January 7th 2019 and close on 18^th of February 2019 for more info visit: www.sportaus.gov.au/participationgrants

The Liberal National Government is giving Aussie small businesses the opportunity to be part of a nationwide mentoring program to transform and grow their business through improving digital capabilities.

Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the Government’s Small Business Digital Champions Project, will create relatable, real-time case studies to inspire and inform small business owners across Australia about how to go digital.

Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said 100 small businesses, including those in Bonner, from diverse sectors across Australia will be chosen to receive a digital transformation valued at up to $20,000. This will include the hardware, software and digital skills training required for them to thrive in their particular field.

Fifteen of these businesses will be selected to become a ‘Digital Champion’ – to undergo their transformation in the public spotlight, with the mentoring assistance of high profile Australian entrepreneurs including: Larry Kestelman – founder of Dodo internet, Dr Sam Prince – founder of hospitality chain Zambrero and Michelle Bridges –founder of the online 12WBT Program.

Mr Vasta said the project was part of the Government’s elevation of small business as a key economic contributor and an important acknowledgement of the productivity gains offered by digital technology.

“The Liberal National Government is committed to ensuring that all 13,000 small businesses in Bonner have the support they need to grow and prosper and employ more Australians. That includes helping them go digital so they can fulfil their true potential in the modern economy.

Local small businesses will be able to follow the 12 month digital transformation of the Digital Champions, learning as they learn, and gaining the confidence and understanding they need to make these tools work for them, and their own business.

The Digital Champions’ business upgrade will be boosted by expertise and resources contributed by a range of corporate partners, including Facebook and Google.

The project will formally commence in early 2019.

For more information or to register your interest in being a Digital Champion, a Digital Mentor or a corporate partner visit: digitalchampions.jobs.gov.au

Bonner locals who are planning to study or start an Australian Apprenticeship in 2019 should plan ahead and lodge their claim for Youth Allowance or Austudy now.

Youth Allowance is designed to provide financial assistance for eligible school leavers who wish to complete further study or training, while Austudy is available to eligible students and apprentices aged 25 or older.

Prospective students can submit a claim for Youth Allowance or Austudy up to 13 weeks before the start of their course or apprenticeship.

Minister for Human Services and Digital Transformation Michael Keenan encouraged students to apply early to avoid the last minute rush which occurs every year.

“As we get closer to the start of the new semester my Department usually sees an influx of claims, but prospective students can apply now to avoid the late rush and get a response in as little as 1 or 2 days,” Minister Keenan said.

“We have been working very hard to upgrade our digital services, making it easier for students to claim and manage their payments online, when and where it suits them.”

Federal Member for Bonner said the upgraded digital system improves the whole application experience and ensures students can spend more time focusing on their study.

“The online claim system tailors questions based on individual circumstances, which cuts processing times and streamlines the entire process for young Australians so they can focus more time on preparing for the next important chapter in their life”.

“The Coalition is committed to ensuring Australian students have the support they need to pursue their passion, whether that is at university or through an apprenticeship program, so I really encourage every local student who is eligible to get in early and apply now.”

Last year around 240,000 Australians applied for Austudy or Youth Allowance, with one third of these claims received in the first two months of the year.

Anyone who is interested in submitting a claim can do so online using their myGov account.

For more information you can visit humanservices.gov.au/students.

Senior Australians living in Bonner will receive more support, thanks to a half-billion dollar aged care funding boost by the Liberal National Government, including the release of 10,000 high-level home care packages within weeks.

“Our Government will also ease the cost of living for local seniors receiving home care, by reducing the daily maximum fees payable by up to $400 a year,” said Bonner MP Ross Vasta.

“We understand local people’s preference is to receive aged care services in their own homes and to live independently for as long as possible.

“The home care expansion is on top of the extra 20,000 packages funded in the past year, which combined will result in a record 40 per cent increase in the people receiving home care packages.”

The maximum basic daily fees payable for home care in Bonner will be reduced by $400 a year for Level One packages, $200 a year for Level Two packages and $100 a year for Level Three packages.

“Our Government will top up payments to providers on behalf of local seniors, to ensure there are no reductions in levels of service,” said Mr Vasta.

The $287 million release of additional high-level packages is supported by another important initiative to improve services for senior Australians receiving residential aged care.

“We are investing $98 million to fund increased payments for GPs to treat patients in local aged care homes,” said Mr Vasta.

“We recognise the important role local doctors play in supporting the health and care of people in residential care.

“Our Government is also investing more in providers who support senior Australians living in rural and remote areas and people from homeless backgrounds.

“These providers face unique circumstances and cost pressures and we want to ensure their sustainability.”

The Viability Supplement for eligible residential aged care providers including Bonner local provider Winnam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation is to be increased by 30 per cent, through an investment of $101.9 million,

Currently, more than 550 services, accounting for around 13,500 residential care places, receive the Viability Supplement to offset higher care costs in regional areas.

The Homeless Supplement will also be increased by 30 per cent, through a $9.3 million funding injection. Currently, 42 residential services receive the homeless supplement on behalf of more than 1,700 residents.

“Our Government is determined to continue improving aged care at every opportunity, to help ensure local senior Australians receive the care they want and deserve, where and when they need it,” said Mr Vasta.

“We have invested and extra $1 billion a year in aged care services since 2013 and are continuing our record investment, through the 2018-19 Budget’s $5 billion boost over the next four years.

“Even as the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety goes about its important work, our reform agenda will continue at full pace.”

Families in Bonner will have greater access to sporting facilities thanks to an announcement made today by Federal MP Ross Vasta and the Minister for Health Greg Hunt.

Mr Vasta was joined by the Minister today to officially award Carindale Cougars and the Belmont State School with $98,151 that he secured for the local families, under the Federal Government’s Community Sport Infrastructure Grants Program.

Mr Vasta said the funding will enable the Carindale Cougars to install lighting and perform much needed upgrades to the field located at Belmont State School.

“When I first met with the Cougars admin staff and they explained their project I immediately knew this was something that I needed to get behind.

“This lighting and upgrades will allow the club to train in the evenings and hold night games, in addition to this it Belmont state school students will also benefit from the funding by having access to a better sporting facility.”

“This club is passionate about its players and Carindale community and their recent acknowledgment by the Brisbane Lions as Community Club of the Year is testament to that.

“I’m proud to work alongside them and I can’t wait to see the kids out on the field next year taking full advantage of the brand new additions to the grounds,” Mr Vasta said.