Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today said the new $5.5 billion Growing Jobs and Small Business package will help small businesses in Bonner invest more, grow more, and employ more.

“This package will help employers in Bonner to create jobs and assist Australia’s unemployed, particularly unemployed youth, to build the skills to get into work,” Mr Vasta said.

“This is the biggest small business initiative in our nation’s history.”

Mr Vasta said at the heart of the Growing Jobs and Small Business package are tax cuts for over 2 million Australian small businesses to help drive investment and employment across our economy.

The 2015 Budget delivers $3.25 billion in tax cuts for small business and $1.75 billion in accelerated depreciation measures, in addition to the benefits Australian small businesses are gaining from the abolition of the carbon tax:

• From 1 July 2015, the Government will cut the company tax rate for up to 780,000 incorporated businesses with annual turnover up to $2 million by 1.5 percentage points to 28.5 per cent;

• From 1 July 2015, the Government will also provide a 5 per cent tax discount for over one and a half million sole traders, trusts and partnership structures which are unincorporated businesses with annual turnover up to $2 million, capped at $1,000, through their end of year tax return; and

• From 7:30pm tonight until 30 June 2017, small businesses with turnover below $2 million can claim an immediate tax deduction for every asset they acquire that is valued up to $20,000 for tax purposes—a substantial increase from the previous $1,000 threshold.

Mr Vasta said small businesses in Bonner will have the lowest company tax rate for public and private companies since 1967.

The Growing Jobs and Small Business package also includes measures to reduce the red tape and regulatory impediments that hinder small business growth:

• Changes to the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) system will expand the FBT exemption for work related portable electronic devices;

• Reforms to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rollover will enable small businesses to change the legal structure of their business without incurring a CGT liability; and

• The Government will consult on potential changes to the Corporations Act to reduce compliance costs and make it easier for small proprietary companies to raise new capital.

The Growing Jobs and Small Business package will encourage business start-ups and entrepreneurship:

• Start-ups will be able to immediately deduct professional expenses incurred when they begin a business, such as legal expenses on establishing a company, trust or partnership, rather than writing them off over five years. This will provide immediate cash flow benefits for small businesses;

• Streamlined business registration processes will make it quicker and simpler to set up a new business. A single online registration site will be developed for business registration including company registration;

• The Government will remove obstacles to crowd-sourced equity funding to help promote small business access to finance by increasing the availability of innovative sources of funding; and

• From 1 July, expanded tax concessions for Employee Share Schemes will make it easier for small start-up companies to attract and retain the skills and talent they need to grow.

These measures will help encourage investment, innovation and the start-up of new businesses, which will help Australia’s economic future.

Mr Vasta said the Growing Jobs and Small Business package will also help employers to take on inexperienced and mature workers.

In the first eighteen months of the Government, around a quarter of a million new jobs were created–but there is more work to do.

“New measures will focus on making job seekers more employable, reducing the costs of taking on new staff, and bringing job seekers and job providers together,” Mr Vasta said.

The Government is investing $6.8 billion to establish jobactive to improve the quality of services delivered to job seekers and employers. The new jobactive system will be focused on results and reward performance not process.

There will be a $1.2 billion pool for wage subsidies to support employers to provide job opportunities and assist job seekers into work.

The Government will also deliver a $331 million Youth Employment Strategy, an $18 million National Work Experience programme, and changes to Restart to make it easier for small businesses to receive Government support when they employ older workers.

“The Government’s Growing Jobs and Small Business package will create the right conditions for Australian small businesses to thrive and grow,” Mr Vasta said.

Further details on the Government’s Growing Jobs and Small Business package can be found at www.budget.gov.au.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, is urging all local primary schools, clubs and coaches in Bonner to sign up to Sporting Schools, the Abbott Government’s new initiative to get more kids active and healthy.

Mr Vasta said the Abbott Government is tackling the activity levels and the health of children across the country with its before, during and after school hours Sporting Schools programme to be rolled out in July.

He said ambassadors Adam Gilchrist and Michael O’Loughlin had this week taken to radio airwaves across the country to encourage schools, clubs and coaches to register.

“Registering as a school or coach is easy via the Sporting School’s website and once completed, schools and coaches can access online resources and materials to deliver tailored sport programmes,” Mr Vasta said.

“The $100 million Sporting Schools programme will become Australia’s largest school-based participation program reaching over 850,000 children in primary schools nation-wide.”

“By using the windows of opportunity we have, before, during and after school, we are making the most of schools, resources and the time available to get primary school children outdoors, playing sport and having fun developing social skills and improving their health.”

“Registrations should be done now if schools or coaches want to kick start their sporting programme for term three this year.”

The Abbott Government is establishing a new $246 million pilot programme to extend subsidy support to nanny home care services to help support families who struggle to access affordable child care services when working, studying or looking for work.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said subsidised care will be provided to about 10,000 children through this pilot programme across Australia, especially in middle to low income families.

“This two year Interim Home Based Carer Subsidy Programme represents the first major tranche of the government’s new child care package, which will ensure our child care system is more accessible, flexible and affordable and better meets the needs of modern families to be in work,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Abbott Government understands many families in work and wanting to work find it difficult to access mainstream child care services. Key workers in Bonner such as nurses, police and ambulance officers, firefighters, and other shift workers, are too often unable to access child care or take advantage of government support due to the nature and hours of their work.”

“The same often applies for families who have children with special needs, for whom mainstream child care services are often inaccessible, lack the necessary flexibility, or do not cater for their specific needs.”

“The two year pilot programme, commencing in January 2016, will determine whether a sustainable programme can affordably be put in place for in-home care nanny services, including integrity measures.”

“The government will be working with employee organisations such as police associations, and other key stakeholders to both establish the programme and identify participants.”

“Government assistance will be provided to parents through an hourly subsidy to be paid per child towards the cost of using a nanny. The subsidy will be paid directly to services and will be adjusted according to family income, consistent with the broader child care subsidy model soon to be announced,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Productivity Commission Report into Childcare and Early Childhood Learning recommended nannies be an eligible service for government assistance to families. This has been reinforced to the government through our targeted consultation process.”

“A major focus of the pilot programme will be on services in rural and regional areas.”

“Nannies are not meant to replace mainstream child care services, however families need to be able to choose the care type that suits them best, including using nannies in addition to other forms of child care.

“Bonner families with young children will receive more support to help them get work and stay in work as further initiatives under the Abbott Government’s families package are released in the coming weeks,” Mr Vasta said.

More information about the Interim Home Based Carer Subsidy Programme will be available on the Department of Social Services website at www.dss.gov.au.

Seniors in the Bonner electorate will continue to have free access to computers and internet training to ensure they are not left behind in the digital age, thanks to a $1.3 million Abbott Government investment.

The Abbott Government has invested $1.3 million to assist more than 97,000 older Australians to continue building their digital skills under the Broadband for Seniors programme.

The Assistant Minister for Social Services, Mitch Fifield, made the announcement in Carindale on Wednesday at local aged care facility Carindale Brook, where he was hosted by Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP.

Mr Vasta said that older people in Bonner would be able to learn important online skills including how to send emails, be cyber safe and use social media to stay in touch with friends and family.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to build confidence and skills using the computer and the internet,” Mr Vasta said.

“This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring older people in Bonner don’t get left behind in the digital age.”

Mr Vasta said there were around 1600 Broadband for Seniors kiosks across Australia, set up in facilities such as community centres, libraries, clubs and aged care homes.

“Volunteer tutors provide one-on-one or small group training covering topics such as how to send emails, be cyber safe and use social media in a supportive and welcoming environment,” Mr Vasta said.

“Broadband for Seniors provides support to help older Australians feel confident using technology.”

Broadband for Seniors kiosks in Bonner will continue to have access to training tools and resources to support their volunteer tutors to provide one-on-one or small group training for seniors.

There are Broadband for Seniors kiosks in the following locations:

• Carindale Brook

• Garden City Retirement Home

• Manly Gardens

• Mt Gravatt Community Centre Inc.

• Queensland Rehabilitation Services Pty Ltd, Carindale Court

• Wynnum and Districts Chamber of Commerce Inc.

For more information about the Broadband for Seniors programme visit www.necseniors.net.au.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today encouraged the local community to remember Australian servicemen and women from all wars and conflicts.

“On Anzac Day, I encourage all Australians to reflect upon the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have served our nation in wars, conflicts and on peace operations,” Mr Vasta said.

“Anzac Day is one of the most important dates in our commemorative calendar.”

“It is a time to remember all those who have defended our nation and in doing so have sacrificed their good health and, in many cases, their lives.”

“On this day we are able to demonstrate our eternal gratitude for their service and for the freedom they have afforded us today.”

This year marks 100 years since Australian troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

Between 2014 and 2018, Australia will commemorate the Anzac Centenary, marking 100 years since our nation’s involvement in the First World War.

The Centenary is the most significant period of commemoration in our nation’s history. It is an opportunity for all Australians to recognise and thank all of those who have served our country and worn our nation’s uniform over the past one hundred years.

The Anzac Centenary is also a time to remember the essential contribution of those on the home front who support and care for those in service, and often face the loss or injury of loved ones.

“I encourage everyone in Bonner to attend a service this Anzac Day, or at least to take the time to pause and reflect, and remember those who gave their lives in the service of our country,” Mr Vasta said.

Australians are also encouraged to utilise the Anzac Centenary photo app, which will allow them to share commemoration photos and embrace the spirit that helped forge our national identity.

Further information about Anzac Day and the Anzac Centenary can be found on the Anzac Centenary website at www.anzaccentenary.gov.au.

Bonner ANZAC Day services:

Bayside Combined ANZAC Centenary Service
5:15am- George Clayton (Bandstand) Park, The Esplanade, Manly. This will replace all other dawn services and parades in Wynnum and Manly on ANZAC Day.
Parking- The Upper and Lower Esplanades will be closed off from 4:30am until the end of the service between Pine Street and Darling Point Special School.

Holland Park/Mt Gravatt Sub Branch March and Service
6:30am- Assemble for march on Cnr Logan Road and Barter Avenue, Holland Park West.
6:50am-  March begins.
7:20am- The service will commence at the Memorial and will be completed by 8:00am.

Rotary Club of Wishart & Mt Gravatt Showgrounds Trust
10:45am- Service begins at Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, Logan Road.

Sunnybank RSL Dawn March and Service
4:15am- March starts at Cnr Turton Street and Gager Street, Sunnybank. March concludes at 19 Gager Street, Sunnybank.
4:28am- Dawn service begins at 19 Gager Street, Sunnybank.

Sunnybank RSL Main March and Service
8:00am- Main march starts at Cnr Turton Street and Gager Street, Sunnybank. March concludes at 19 Gager Street, Sunnybank.
8:30am- Main service begins at 19 Gager Street, Sunnybank.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, has welcomed the release of the Australian Government’s Energy White Paper, which puts one of our most important economic sectors in the box seat for further growth.

“People in Bonner are more aware of energy issues than ever before,” Mr Vasta said.

“Whether it’s about electricity prices or ensuring our long-term energy security and export growth, the energy sector underpins our lives and our economy.”

“That’s why the Energy White Paper is so important for Australia’s future, because it sets the path for economic growth.”

“Importantly for homes and businesses, the White Paper reaffirms the Government’s commitment to putting downward pressure on electricity prices, by ongoing work with States and Territories on energy market reform.”

Mr Vasta said the White Paper included several measures to reduce pressure on gas prices, the result of increasing demand from international exports which is also providing revenue and jobs.

“The White Paper addresses the issue of access to affordable and reliable energy for all States and Territories, including measures to ensure an open and transparent gas market, which is essential for economic and industry growth,” Mr Vasta said.

“Competition amongst gas suppliers and increasing supply will help ease price pressures. The Australian Government is working with the States and Territories to remove unnecessary barriers to responsibly developing more supply.”

“The White Paper will deliver efficient, transparent markets that support competition and give consumers information to make choices about their energy use.”

“In addition, the National Energy Productivity Plan will promote more efficient buildings, transport, and equipment and appliances, also helping to reduce household and business energy costs.”

“The plan will deliver up to 40 per cent improvement in energy productivity, encouraging economic growth, as well as helping to reduce emissions.”

Mr Vasta said the Energy White Paper would build on other initiatives to reduce pressure on energy prices and increase Australia’s competitiveness as a global energy supplier.

The Energy White Paper is available at www.ewp.industry.gov.au.