New payments to councils in Bonner are being made today under the Australian Government’s Financial Assistance Grant programme, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said today.

 “Brisbane City Council will receive a total of $38.4 million this financial year,” Mr Vasta said.

 “The Coalition Government is providing $2.3 billion to local councils nationwide in 2014-15 alone, including $453.1 million to Queensland councils.”

 Mr Vasta said the Government is committed to supporting local communities to deliver the services and facilities they need.

 “We will deliver a further $9.3 billion to Local Governments from 2014-15 to 2018-19 through the Financial Assistant Grants programme to deliver services and build community infrastructure,” Mr Vasta said.

 “Councils are free to spend this untied grant funding according to local priorities, including for infrastructure, health, recreation, environment, employment and roads projects.

 “The first quarterly payment for 2014-15 has been made.”

“I am looking forward to seeing our local councils target local priorities with this funding, along with additional funding provided by the Federal Government under the Roads to Recovery, Black Spot and Bridges Renewal programmes.”

 Local councils will receive the following funding under the Australian Government’s Financial Assistance Grant programme:

 NB: Some councils jurisdictions cross multiple federal electorates.

Electorates are as at 2010.

Full details of the allocations to councils under the Financial Assistance Grant programme are available online at www.regional.gov.au/local/assistance/index.aspx.

Young people in Bonner will be among the first 17 to 24 year olds to join the Australian Government’s Green Army and become part of the largest environmental movement in Australia’s history, Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“The first round of Green Army projects is set to get underway in the coming weeks, and I’m pleased to announce Bonner will be one of the first to host a Green Army project team,” Mr Vasta said.

“Young Australians will now have the opportunity to be a part of one of the Government’s major environmental initiatives and help our community deliver important local conservation outcomes.”

A number of Green Army rehabilitation projects are set to be rolled out soon in Bonner, with the aim of restoring habitat and creating connectivity. The projects will commence in:

 Mansfield;

 Wynnum North;

 Minnippi Parklands;

 Rochedale; and

 Clem Jones Centre at Carina.

“The Green Army provides opportunities for young Australians aged 17-24 years to gain training and experience in environmental and heritage conservation fields and explore careers in conservation management, while participating in projects that generate real benefits for the Australian environment,” Mr Vasta said.

“Participants will receive a Green Army allowance for the duration of their project. Participants will also be supported to obtain Certificate I or II qualifications or nationally endorsed skills set to help them prepare for the workforce or improve their career opportunities.”

The Green Army was a key Coalition election commitment, and with $525 million budgeted over four years, the Green Army is one of the Government’s major environmental initiatives. It will encourage practical, grassroots action to support local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia, providing training to 15,000 young Australians by 2018.

This investment in the Green Army will bring the Government’s total investment in natural resource management to more than $2 billion over four years.

Young Australians interested in joining the Green Army can apply through the appointed Service Providers for each state and territory. Contact details for Service Providers are available from www.environment.gov.au/green-army.

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today welcomed the restoration of Australian Government funding to assist ex-service organisations (ESOs) in continuing their important work with the local veteran community.

Mr Vasta said the Queensland RSL Manly-Lota Sub-Branch would receive $13,525 in funding under the restored Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program.

“This funding will help Manly-Lota RSL with staff wages, the purchase of computer equipment and office supplies, and other office expenses including Internet and telephone costs,” Mr Vasta said.

“I congratulate them for the wonderful work they do for our local veterans, and thank them for their ongoing commitment to the local veteran community.”

BEST grants assist the largely voluntary ESO workforce to help the veteran and defence communities and their families access Department of Veterans’ Affairs entitlements and services.

Overall, 141 organisations will share in a total of nearly $3.8 million (GST Exclusive) in funding allocated in BEST Round 16.

Mr Vasta said this round of BEST funding included an additional $1 million reinstated as part of the 2014-2015 Budget.

“The Abbott Government has restored advocacy and support funding for the veteran community that was cut by Labor,” Mr Vasta said.

“The 2014-15 Budget provides an additional $1 million per year to the BEST programme over the forward estimates. This funding will support the work of veterans’ advocates in helping veterans, war widows and widowers to access important information and services.”

“The additional funding will support the work of veterans’ advocates, welfare officers, and pension officers right across the country and provide them with greater certainty into the future.”

The Government consulted with the ESO community to determine how best to spend the additional money and these changes have since been actioned.

 For more information on DVA grants, visit www.dva.gov.au/grants or call 133 254 (or 1800 555 254 for regional callers).

The 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games has been an outstanding success for our athletes from the Bonner area, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“There were 27 athletes hailing from Bonner who qualified to compete at the Commonwealth Games this year, and they should be extremely proud,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our local athletes picked up a total of 20 medals – 10 Gold, 4 Silver, and 6 Bronze.”

Mr Vasta said the results were a testament to the hard work and dedication of the athletes, and wished them well for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

A list of Bonner’s local 2014 Commonwealth Games competitors and medal winners can be found below. More information on this year’s Games can be found at www.commonwealthgames.org.au

List of local 2014 Commonwealth Games athletes and medal winners

Diving

·         Anabelle Smith

·         Dominic Bedggood

·         Emily Boyd

·         Georgia Sheehan

·         Lara Tarvit

·         Maddison Keeney (Silver-1m Springboard; Bronze-3m Springboard Synchronised)

Gymnastics

·         Danielle Prince

 
High jump

·         Hannah Joye

·         Nik Bojic

 
Hockey (Kookaburras) – from Easts Hockey Club

·         Daniel Beale (Gold)

·         Jacob Whetton (Gold)

·         Mark Knowles  (Gold)

·         Matt Gohdes (Gold)

 
Judo – from Ohori Judo Club

·         Arnie Dickins

·         Chloe Rayner (Bronze-under 48kg)

 
Long jump

·         Robbie Crowther

 
Rugby Sevens

·         Tom Lucas (Bronze)

Shooting

·         Dane Sampson

·         Michael Diamond

·         Paul Adams

 
Swimming

·         Daniel Fox (Gold-200m Freestyle Para Sport S14)

·         Emma McKeon (Gold-200m Freestyle; Gold-4x100m Freestyle Relay; Gold-4x100m Medley Relay; Gold-4x200m Freestyle Relay; Bronze-100m Butterfly; Bronze-100m Freestyle)

·         Mitch Larkin (Gold-200m Backstroke; Silver-100m Backstroke; Silver-50m Backstroke; Silver-4x100m Medley Relay)

 
Weightlifting – from Cougars Weightlifting Club

·         Damon Kelly (Bronze-over 105kg)

·         Erika Ropati-Frost

·         Robert Galsworthy

·         Tegan Napper

Young people in Bonner will be among the first 17 to 24 year olds to join the Australian Government’s Green Army and become part of the largest environmental movement in Australia’s history, Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

“The first round of Green Army projects is set to get underway in the coming weeks, and I’m pleased to announce Bonner will be one of the first to host a Green Army project team,” Mr Vasta said.

“Young Australians will now have the opportunity to be a part of one of the Government’s major environmental initiatives and help our community deliver important local conservation outcomes.”

A number of Green Army rehabilitation projects are set to be rolled out soon in Bonner, with the aim of restoring habitat and creating connectivity. The projects will commence in:

·         Mansfield;

·         Wynnum North;

·         Minnippi Parklands;

·         Rochedale; and

·         Clem Jones Centre at Carina.

“The Green Army provides opportunities for young Australians aged 17-24 years to gain training and experience in environmental and heritage conservation fields and explore careers in conservation management, while participating in projects that generate real benefits for the Australian environment,” Mr Vasta said.

“Participants will receive a Green Army allowance for the duration of their project. Participants will also be supported to obtain Certificate I or II qualifications or nationally endorsed skills set to help them prepare for the workforce or improve their career opportunities.”

The Green Army was a key Coalition election commitment, and with $525 million budgeted over four years, the Green Army is one of the Government’s major environmental initiatives. It will encourage practical, grassroots action to support local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia, providing training to 15,000 young Australians by 2018.

This investment in the Green Army will bring the Government’s total investment in natural resource management to more than $2 billion over four years.

Young Australians interested in joining the Green Army can apply through the appointed Service Providers for each state and territory. Contact details for Service Providers are available from www.environment.gov.au/green-army.

The Coalition Government maintains its commitment to fund measures that will improve safety near the Minnippi Parklands in Tingalpa.

Federal Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan joined Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, and Councillor for Doboy, Ryan Murphy at Minnippi Parklands to discuss the Government’s funding of $70,000 for the area.

 Minister Keenan pledged the funds as part of the Government’s $50 million Safer Streets Programme.

 Mr Vasta said the Government had delivered on its Budget commitment to provide the funding in a significant boost for community safety in the Minnippi Parklands area.

 “The measures this funding will help provide will deter anti-social behaviour, and provide a safer and more family-friendly environment for the community,” Mr Vasta said.

 “They will build on existing measures taken by Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Police Service to improve safety in the area.”

Mr Vasta commendd Cr Ryan Murphy and the Queensland Police Service for their continued efforts to address crime in the area.

He also thanked members of the Tingalpa Model Aero Club who were in attendance for their support and assistance in implementing the new safety measures.

“The Productivity Commission’s inquiry into Childcare and Early Childhood Learning is now open for public comment,” Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

The Coalition Government tasked the Productivity Commission with investigating and making recommendations regarding future options for childcare and early childhood learning.

The Productivity Commission recently released a draft interim report as part of the Childcare and Early Childhood Learning inquiry.

“Individuals, groups and organisations in Bonner are encouraged to submit their thoughts and feedback on the draft report,” Mr Vasta said.

“This inquiry is an important step in developing a system that will encourage workforce participation, and also address children’s learning and development needs.”

The draft report can be found here: www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/childcare/draft.

If you wish to comment on the draft report, submissions are being accepted prior to finalisation of the final report. Please email submissions to childcare@pc.gov.au.

The Australian Government will hit the road in August to talk to Australian communities about getting involved in the National Landcare Programme.

 Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said community information sessions would be held in capital cities and regional centres across the country from August 4 telling people about the opportunities on offer in the National Landcare Programme and how to get involved in local projects.

 Mr Vasta said the information sessions would be held in every capital city as well as ten regional centres, so that farmers, environmental groups, local Landcare bodies and natural resource management organisations could have a say about how the National Landcare Programme could benefit their local area.

 “The Government is keen to get as many views as we can so a consultation survey will also be available online for all Australians to have their say on the National Landcare Programme,” Mr Vasta said.

 “We want to work with regional natural resource management organisations, Landcare groups, community organisations and individuals to deliver simple, local and long-term solutions to environmental challenges.”

 Online consultation will make it easier for those in regional and remote Australia to have their voices heard.

 “The Government is committed to empowering local communities to undertake projects with long-term benefits, based on local and regional priorities.”

“The consultation survey is a great opportunity for communities to help shape the programme in Bonner, and I encourage people to participate in this process,” Mr Vasta said.

 The Government will also shortly announce details of funding for future small projects and a one-off grants programme to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Landcare.

The Australian Government is working with local businesses in Bonner to create new opportunities, new markets and new jobs, Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said today.

The new $484.2 million Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme (EIP) is putting in place the supporting infrastructure to help businesses become more robust and build on their strengths, as well as provide the advice and a helping hand to support businesses take the next step into new growth areas.

This will lead to a more diverse and competitive economy, including in Bonner.

Businesses in Bonner can access Government information and services through a single website or contact number. Eligible businesses will be able to request business evaluations from skilled advisors and be able to apply for assistance to grow their business.

The programme is easily accessible for businesses in Bonner through the new Single Business Service initiative, which simplifies how businesses access Government information and services, on the web, over the phone or face to face. 

“Queensland’s 413,800 small and medium-sized businesses are the bedrock of our community, creating jobs and underpinning our economy. Our new programmes mean that they can access the services needed to develop their businesses, in a user-friendly, streamlined way,” Mr Vasta said.

“Eligible businesses can request a business evaluation, where an assessment provides detailed recommendations and assistance to implement key improvements, boost business performance and growth.”

Mr Vasta said the full range of EIP activities will be rolled out in the coming months, and will provide professional support to assist businesses in Bonner to lift their capabilities, commercialise good ideas, find market and industry information, and get easy access to business management advice and connections to research.

“Under the old system, there were too many confusing and competing programmes and layers of expensive bureaucracy,” Mr Vasta said.

“These have been removed to make dealing with Government easier and quicker.”

“This is another way that this Government is boosting innovation, cutting red tape and ensuring that Australia is open for business.”

The Entrepreneurs’ Infrastructure Programme can be accessed through www.business.gov.au, on 13 28 46 or through your local AusIndustry office.