Last week, the Junior Bonner Youth Advisory Council (BYAC) met with Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP and CEO and Founder of Vuly Trampolines and Bonner local Joe Andon to have their say on issues important to them.

The meeting saw three students from Moreton Bay College and Gumdale State School join a Zoom call with Mr Vasta and Mr Andon to find out more about how the Vuly Trampolines business started.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said this year the BYAC was extended to junior students, providing students between years 5 and 6 with the opportunity to meet with Mr Vasta and other community leaders.

“Meeting with the Junior BYAC is always a special highlight for me, as it is a chance to meet with the inquisitive young minds and natural born leaders from schools across Bonner. I am always learning from these students,” said Mr Vasta.

“I wanted to involve Joe in this term’s Junior BYAC as he inspires me greatly with his work ethic and creative mind. I knew he would be a hit with the students and encourage them that no idea or dream is ever too big to pursue.

“The students were engaged with Joe’s story, particularly how he started working on the business venture that is now the Bonner based and internationally renowned Vuly Trampolines whilst he was still at school!

“I was very impressed with the students who took part. They asked insightful questions around how Joe started his business, what inspires him and how he handles moments when things in his business don’t go to plan.”

CEO and Founder of Vuly Trampolines Joe Andon said, “It was so good to talk to these students.”

“I really loved the questions, the train of thought they had and to be honest; it just reminded me of being a kid again. I got to relive that part of my journey and fill them in on everything that’s happened ever since.”

Moreton Bay College year 6 student Jessie Hawkins said, “I had a fabulous time during the Junior BYAC meeting and am really inspired by Mr Andon’s story. I even went home and brainstormed ideas for a business with my 2 sisters!”

“Junior BYAC participants can be chosen by their school or they can self-nominate for the chance to be the youth voice of their peers,” said Mr Vasta.

“This was a fantastic final Junior BYAC meeting for 2021 and I am looking forward to the exciting plans I have for next year.”

If you would like to be part of the 2022 Junior BYAC, contact your school and email your nomination to ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au.

Families in Bonner will benefit from greater child care support sooner, with increased Child Care Subsidy (CCS) for multiple children brought forward from 7 March 2022, four months earlier than first expected.

The increased subsidies were due to come into effect on 11 July 2022, but the Government has been able to work with Commonwealth agencies and service providers to make necessary technical changes sooner.

From 7 March 2022, families with two or more children aged five years and under in care will have their CCS rate increased by 30 percentage points for their second child and younger children, up to a maximum rate of 95 per cent.

A family earning $11,000 a year with two kids in care, four days a week will be better off by $100 a week.

The $10,655 annual cap will also be scrapped on 10 December 2021 and applied retrospectively for the whole 2021-22 financial year, meaning families who hit the cap before the date will receive a refund on any excess fees paid.

There are around 1,700 families in Bonner that have two or more children in care and could benefit from the increased subsidy. More than half of eligible Australian families will receive the maximum 95 per cent subsidy.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the support would be targeted at those that need it most.

“We know child care costs can really add up when you have two, three or more children in care and this package will help those families by significantly reducing out-of-pocket costs for the second child and younger children,” Mr Vasta said.

“This will make a real difference in the lives of families in Bonner.

“The changes will also see this government’s total investment in child care grow to $11 billion a year they build on the Child Care Package we introduced in 2018 that is still keeping out-of-pocket costs low.”

Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said the changes would ease pressure on working families in Bonner and encourage more parents into work.

“These changes are good for families and great for the economy, and it’s significant that we are able to deliver them sooner,” Minister Tudge said.

“Removing the cap and increasing subsidies will allow more parents, particularly mothers, to return to work or take on more hours if they choose to.”

The Morrison Government is encouraging all Australians to celebrate Indigenous Business Month this October by discovering the untapped potential of Indigenous businesses across our communities.

The 2021 theme ‘Powering the Indigenous Economy’ aims to promote strong networks among Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses and showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP encouraged residents to search Australia’s leading database for verified Indigenous businesses, Supply Nation, to find local businesses to support.

“Indigenous Business Month is about embracing a more inclusive, sustainable Australian economy – one that celebrates local culture and entrepreneurialism.”

“From construction to arts and entertainment, I encourage people in Bonner to reach out and support local Indigenous businesses or go to the Supply Nation website and search the more than 500 registered businesses listed.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, The Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, said supporting Indigenous businesses creates jobs and a more sustainable economy.

“Backing Indigenous businesses will not only improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it’s going to be key to the overall economic success of our country as we bounce back from COVID-19.

“This is an opportunity to examine our business-to-business supply chains, broaden our networks and, as consumers, support local jobs and Indigenous wealth creation.

“Congratulations to the alumni of Melbourne Business School’s MURRA Indigenous Business Master Class Program for launching this powerful initiative, now in its seventh year.”

Visit www.indigenousbusinessmonth.com.au for more information or supplynation.org.au to search for Indigenous businesses.

The Morrison Government is supporting Tingalpa based company Crystalaid to tap into international space supply chains and create new Australian jobs as part of the $150 million Moon to Mars initiative.

Crystalaid will receive $538,882 under the latest Supply Chain Capability Improvement grants program to improve their technical capabilities. This is on top of $461,118 awarded to them earlier this year as part of the second round of the grants program, representing a total investment of $1 million.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said Crystalaid will use this critical funding to replace and modernise their vacuum oven technology by working alongside industry leaders and research partners.

“This project is a great example of the innovation and ingenuity that exists in our Bonner community. Crystalaid is doing revolutionary work in the space industry and I congratulate them on such an outstanding initiative,” Mr Vasta said.

“By securing this funding, we are backing Crystalaid so they can meet new supply chain opportunities, create more local jobs and deliver opportunities for skilled workers. All of which are key to strengthening Australia’s space manufacturing sector.

“I am very proud to support the ongoing successes of Crystalaid, whose work contributes to better positioning Australian companies to be part of NASA’s plan to return to the moon and prepare for missions to Mars.”

Acting Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Angus Taylor said the grants will strengthen Australia’s space manufacturing base, while also boosting the economy and creating new high-skilled jobs.

“The space sector is one of our six National Manufacturing Priorities and these grants directly contribute to building the skills and capabilities of Australian space businesses so they can scale up their operations and become competitive in global markets,” Minister Taylor said.

“The grants also provide a tangible opportunity for the Australian businesses to support the transformation of our space industry and contribute to projects that will support NASA’s Moon to Mars program.”

Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said these projects again demonstrate the incredible opportunities that are present at the intersection of space and manufacturing.

“Space and manufacturing go hand-in-hand and these projects are leveraging that relationship to drive economic growth and create jobs here in Australia,” Mr Palermo said.

“With this support, these Australian companies will be able to expand their capability and tap into new supply chains around the world – which adds up to opportunities here at home.”

The $150 million Moon to Mars initiative is part of over $700 million being invested by the government into the Australian civil space sector towards the goal of tripling the sector’s size to $12 billion and creating up to an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030.

The Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement program offers grants between $250,000 and $1 million, with applications open until 1 May 2023.

To apply for a grant and for more information, visit: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/moon-to-mars-supply-chain-capability-improvement-grants/grant-recipients

Public feedback is now invited on draft legislation to deliver a better experience for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said that the release of draft legislation for consultation was a major milestone in the Morrison Government’s 2019 promise to set up the scheme for the future and embed an NDIS which works for everyone.

“In recent months, there have been wide consultations with stakeholders, listening to the experience and concerns raised by participants, their families and the disability sector. The goal is for the NDIS to be a service that can endure, for many generations to come.”

Mr Vasta encouraged NDIS participants and all stakeholders to have their say, during the four week consultation period.

“This draft legislation is the product of the extensive consultation that was undertaken during the 2019 Review of the NDIS Act, following this current consultation the legislation will be put through the parliamentary processes, which will allow for more scrutiny,” Mr Vasta said.

“Thousands of hours of consultation has led to the key measures included in this Bill which will provide improved outcomes for NDIS participants into the future.”

Eight years into the operation of the NDIS, improved participant experience is at the centre of the reforms. The proposed reforms also include making lived experience of disability one among a number of important considerations for NDIA Board membership consideration and reflecting the importance of co-design with people with disability.

Feedback on the draft legislation is open on the DSS Engage website, with submissions closing at midnight (EST) on 7 October 2021.

The Morrison Government will continue to secure Australia’s economic recovery by expanding support to help apprentices finish their training, protecting the skills pipeline delivered under the government’s successful Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program.

The $3.9 billion Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program will extend support into the second and third year of an eligible Australian Apprenticeship through the $716 million Completing Apprenticeship Commencements program.

Under the new changes from October 2021, eligible employers will receive a 10 per cent wage subsidy in the second year of an eligible apprenticeship, and five per cent in the third year. The Morrison Government’s investment is expected to continue to support the 270,000 anticipated commencements under the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program from October 2020 to March 2022.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Morrison Government was protecting the pipeline of apprentices today so they can become the skilled workforce of tomorrow through the Completing Apprenticeship Commencements program.

‘With 1,455 apprentices in Bonner this will give employers the confidence to retain an apprentice in their second and third years of training right through to completion,’ Mr Vasta said.

‘Securing the skilled workforce of tomorrow through the Completing Apprenticeship Commencements program is in addition to a record $6.4 billion investment in skills this financial year, including a $500 million expansion of the JobTrainer Fund, which recently hit more than 230,000 course enrolments.’

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert, said the new Completing Apprenticeship Commencements program will help maintain a pipeline of skilled workers right across the economy with 348,200 Australians training as at June 2021, 30 per cent more than the previous 12 months.

‘The Morrison Government has supported a generation of Australian apprentices in the face of the biggest shock to our economy since World War Two,’ Minister Robert said.

‘While other countries shed their apprentice workforces, our highly successful Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement program saw new apprenticeships increase 141.5 per cent year on year.

For further information on how to apply for the program, including information on eligibility, visit www.dese.gov.au/boosting-apprenticeship-commencements or contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider.

Motorists will soon be driving smoothly along the upgraded section of M1 between Sports Drive and Gateway Motorway.

The 3.5-kilometre upgrade, part of the broader $750 million, 8-kilometre M1 Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill project, is nearing completion with all five lanes almost ready for traffic.

The M1 upgrade is also progressing well on other sections, with Watland Street to Sports Drive ahead of schedule and two new bridges taking shape over Springwood Road.

The Morrison Government is funding $510 million towards the M1 Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill upgrade and the Queensland Government is contributing $240 million.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said more than $3.4 billion worth of major upgrades are being delivered on the M1, jointly funded by the Morrison Government and Queensland Government.

“This massive investment includes these upgrades between Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill, as well as from Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway and Varsity Lakes to Tugun further south,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Morrison Government is proud to be providing $510 million towards the M1 Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill upgrade, busting congestion and supporting 721 jobs over the project’s life to boost our economic recovery.”

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said this important upgrade would help the tens of thousands of motorists who drive between Sports Drive and Gateway Motorway every day get home sooner and safer.

“This project is one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison Government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s economic recovery,” Minister Fletcher said.

“By alleviating congestion along critical sections of roads like this one, we’re helping people to get home to their families sooner and safer, we’re helping freight move more quickly between our cities, and we’re generating jobs across the country.”

Work is expected to be complete between Sports Drive and Gateway Motorway by October, weather and conditions permitting.

The Commonwealth and Queensland Governments have reached an agreement to further target $70m from the State and Federal Governments $600m support package to boost support for Queensland’s major tourism and hospitality businesses who continue to face significant hardship.

This new package will support Bonner businesses to stay open, retain their strength and keep locals employed.

The jointly-funded $70 million package includes:

• Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program – $40 million to provide a second round of grants to small, medium, and large employing tourism and hospitality businesses that received an initial grant from round one of the program.
• Iconic Tourism Grants – $30 million for grants of up to $4m to ensure that major tourism enterprises remain viable and are ready to scale up as visitation returns.

 Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said this funding agreement delivers positive outcomes for local businesses during a time when Queensland is closed off internationally and domestically from New South Wales and Victorian markets.

“Bonner is home to some of the sunshine state’s most breathtaking tourism gems including Moreton Island which is home to Tangalooma Island Resort,” Mr Vasta said.

“We are in an incredibly fortunate position here in Queensland to have the freedom to travel across the state and support our local tourism and hospitality businesses who have been working tirelessly during this time so we can continue making special memories with our friends, families and loved ones.

“Queensland is currently open to South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. In the lead up to the summer months, we look forward to welcoming more Australians to the state and encourage them to explore Bonner’s unrivalled natural marine playgrounds.

“To secure our recovery, the Morrison Government remains committed to seeing the tourism and hospitality industry expand on a local level; bettering the economy and livelihoods.”

The Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said this package comes on top of the Morrison Government’s more than $30.2 billion in direct economic support to Queensland households and businesses since the start of the pandemic.

“The Morrison Government understands the significant impact lockdowns and border closures have had on business, but especially on those in the tourism sector in Queensland,” Treasurer Frydenberg said.

“This key funding is a part of our joint $600 million commitment with the Queensland Government, for small and medium sized businesses.

“A successful, growing and vibrant Queensland tourism industry depends on all Australians doing the right thing and getting vaccinated.  Governments must also hold up their end of the bargain and stick to the plan agreed at National Cabinet that will see restrictions ease and our borders open up as we reach our vaccination targets of 70 to 80 per cent.

Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said, “The best thing we can do for our tourism businesses is to get tourists back spending money.”

“The Morrison Government’s investment will provide financial support to these iconic Queensland tourism businesses to help ensure the industry is ready to rebound as our nation eases restrictions as our vaccination rates hit key milestones.”

For more information on the program go to Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program | Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (dtis.qld.gov.au)

To further support Australia’s world-leading medical researchers, the Morrison Government will invest almost half a billion dollars in funding for health and medical research.

Funded through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Queensland will receive $83,598,051 for 49 projects. These grants include support for the next generation of research leaders seeking to develop more effective vaccines for respiratory diseases, investigate the missing genetics of rare diseases and help make the revolution in genomic medicine accessible and useful to everyone.

More than $12 million in funding nationally is dedicated to research on SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – and over $84 million for research in infectious diseases.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said this funding would support hundreds of research leaders and teams around the country to undertake research that will ultimately save lives and make Australians healthier.

“Every day we acknowledge the extraordinary work of Australia’s health and medical researchers not only to confront the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to continue their outstanding research to find solutions to the ongoing health issues we face,” Mr Vasta said.

“This funding will enable projects to have the potential to expand medical research to new heights and show how Australia is a world-leader in this field.”

“The remarkable quality of projects funded in these schemes shows that Australia’s health and medical researchers are as passionate and skilled as ever to explore solutions for the range of health problems that concern us most.”

$471.9 million has been invested into projects across the nation, including:

• $399.7 million for 254 Investigator Grants, NHMRC’s largest scheme, which provides funding over five years for the highest performing researchers at all career stages.
• $44 million for 17 Centres of Research Excellence over five years, building collaborative teams and developing capacity to improve research translation into better health outcomes.
• $4.6 million in targeted funding to support four projects developing coordinated and best practice interventions for better care at the end of life.
• $1.5 million for collaborative research on osteoarthritis to be funded in partnership with the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health Research.
• $1.8 million to fund a clinical trial at Melbourne Health involving combination immune therapy for type 1 diabetes.

In addition, thanks to our Government’s ongoing collaboration with health providers and other sectors, $28.6 million has been committed by partners alongside $20.4 million from the Australian Government to fund 16 projects through the NHMRC Partnership Project scheme.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt MP, said the over $472 million committed would help Australian researchers continue to make life-changing and life-altering discoveries.

“The grants include support for the next generation of research leaders seeking to develop more effective vaccines for respiratory diseases, investigate the missing genetics of rare diseases and help make the revolution in genomic medicine accessible and useful to everyone,” Minister Hunt said.

“Through decades of investment, the NHMRC has helped build the foundations of this critical sector based on competitive, peer-reviewed health and medical research of the highest quality and the highest standards of ethics and integrity.”

Details of all grants are available on NHMRC’s website.

South West Metro Basketball and home of the Pirates have been awarded $43,305 in Federal funding to support the integration of migrants and multicultural communities.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP emphasised the instrumental role South West Metro Basketball plays in providing a space which brings locals together and supports Australia’s diverse social fabric.

“Thanks to the Morrison Governments Fostering Integration Grants program, South West Metro Basketball will be supporting youth participation through sport. This facility in Mt Gravatt is surrounded by schools, a TAFE and a University, making it a hub for people of different cultures and backgrounds to come together through their shared love of sport,” said Mr Vasta.

“The funding will be put towards a weekly sports program rolled out in various local schools and community organisations. Participants will be mentored and upskilled to become peer leaders and engage with at-risk migrant youth.

“Funding will also see the establishment of a series of basketball carnivals with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) youth where they will learn how to build the skills and confidence to participate in the community and enter the workforce.

“I was very pleased to congratulate the team at South West Metro Basketball who have established themselves as being a safe and welcoming space for everyone in our community. I look forward to seeing how the funding will contribute to stronger community participation of multicultural communities in Bonner.”

South West Metro Basketball General Manager Rob Tankey said, “We really appreciate the opportunity with this grant. It will enable us to get more participants into our structured sport programs and get kids off the streets.

“It’s healthy for them and it will teach them what it means to be a part of a team. We’re really looking forward to getting this out into the community and getting them involved.”

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alex Hawke, said that programs such as this are crucial to building connections and supporting migrants to better participate in Australian social, economic and civil life.

“The Fostering Integration Grant Program is about supporting organisations that work alongside the community and enabling them to better understand and overcome the barriers faced by our multicultural communities.

“Projects that are being funded aim to encourage participation in social, sporting and employment activities that both celebrate our multicultural communities and help migrants to gain valuable skills to be utilised within the community and in the workforce,” said Minister Hawke.

Since 2018, the Government has awarded $11.3 million through the Fostering Integration Grants program to help local community organisations support the integration and social cohesion of migrants and multicultural communities.

Further information on the program, including the successful grants, is available on GrantConnect, the Government’s grant information system: www.grants.gov.au.