Ross Vasta member for Bonner said Australians want an election so they can choose their government and prime minister.

“As I talk with people throughout Bonner they are telling me that they feel let down and disappointed in a government that is focused on itself rather than the challenges facing the country.  They know that the next election is the most important choice before our country in a generation”, said Ross Vasta.

“Once again the faceless men of the Labor Party, rather than the people, have chosen a Prime Minister – and that disappoints everyone.

“For too long we’ve had chaos, division and dysfunction – and people want an end to the soap opera. 

“They want an election – and they want the opportunity to choose their government. 

Ross Vasta said when he spoke with people at shopping centres, sporting fields and community events it was clear people wanted real change that helped families, helped the economy and stopped the boats.

“I will be campaigning every day explaining our Real Solutions Plan to build a strong prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia – with more jobs, higher wages and better services for all Australians.

“Our Plan will abolish the carbon tax, keep fortnightly pension and benefit increases, help small business employ people, get the Budget under control and secure the borders.

 “Only the Coalition offers our country a competent, experienced and united government that is focused on delivering real change for our country.

“After six years of division, dysfunction and chaos of Labor: Only an election will deliver a genuinely united government and a better future – for all Australians.”                      

 Ross Vasta, Member for Bonner said the election on 14 September will be a choice between Labor and its carbon tax and the Coalition with its commitment to abolish the carbon tax.

“Labor’s carbon tax will go up 5 per cent next Monday, and another 5 per cent next year and will expand to include the diesel costs of heavy trucks”, said Ross Vasta

‘The increases in the carbon tax and the expansion of the carbon tax to include heavy vehicle fuel costs will increase transportation costs as well as prices.

“When I speak to families, retirees and pensioners they are telling me that they are already under great cost of living pressures and many small businesses are operating day-to-day.

“Julia Gillard promised before the last election that “there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead” and instead we have the world’s biggest carbon tax which is going up and up.

Ross Vasta said he would campaign against the carbon tax every day until election day.

“If the Coalition is elected as the government on September 14, repealing the carbon tax will be the first order of business for an incoming Coalition government. Repealing the carbon tax will reduce electricity and gas prices and protect local jobs.

“We have nailed our colours to the mast – if elected, the carbon tax will go.  No ifs, no buts.

“Repealing the carbon tax is a central part of our Real Solutions Plan to build a strong, prosperous economy and create one million new jobs over the next five years.

“The carbon tax represents for the people of Bonner a clear difference between myself and Labor’s candidate.  The Coalition has a plan to abolish the carbon tax, Labor has a plan to increase it.   

Ross Vasta said repealing the carbon tax was the best thing that we can do to take pressure off families and to help the economy.

Ross Vasta is urging residents in the Bonner to nominate fellow community members in the search for the 2014 Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero.

The Australian of the Year Awards are accepting public nominations for the four award categories until Friday 2 August 2013. 

Nominations can be made online at www.australianoftheyear.org.au  or you can call 1300 655 193 for more information.

Ross Vasta said nominating someone for the Australian of the Year Awards is simple to do and a great way to recognise community members who are making a difference.

“To be considered for the Australian of the Year Awards, an individual must be nominated,” said Ross Vasta.

“There are many people in our community who work tirelessly to help others, whose contributions make our region a better place and whose achievements make us proud – these are the people who deserve to be nominated for the Australian of the Year Awards.

“The four award categories mean there is an opportunity to recognise people in all areas of our society, whether they are humble community volunteers or people who are achieving on a national stage.

“It’s an easy process to nominate someone, and you could be helping to find the next Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year or Local Hero.”

 There are four award categories:

·                     Australian of the Year – open to all Australians who deserve
                      recognition for their extraordinary achievements, contributions to the
                      community and nation and who are inspirational role models to all
                      Australians;

·                     Senior Australian of the Year – recognises those Australians aged 60
                       years and over who continue to achieve and contribute to the 
                       community;

·                     Young Australian of the Year – recognises those extraordinary young
                      Australians aged 16 – 30 years who are making their mark on our
                      community;

·                     Australia’s Local Hero – recognises Australians who make a real
                      difference in their local communities and whose outstanding          
                      contributions enrich the lives of those around them.

 Nominations close Friday 2 August 2013.

For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards or to submit your nomination online, visit www.australianoftheyear.org.au

Ross Vasta says the next election, due in exactly 100 days, will provide the people of Bonner with a clear choice.

 “The election will be a choice between the Coalition with its Real Solutions Plan to build a strong, prosperous economy, or another three years of chaos and broken promises from Labor”, said Ross Vasta.

 “As I listen to residents at shopping centres, school events, sporting grounds and at homes when I doorknock, they are telling me that they want a return to good government.

 “They also want a government that has a strong plan to help families get ahead, deal with cost of living pressures and creates more jobs.

 “The carbon tax will be a big issue, particularly as it is going to go up again by 5 per cent on 1 July.  If elected, removing the carbon tax will be the first priority of a new Coalition government.

 Ross Vasta said he was talking to people throughout Bonner about the Coalition’s plans for a stronger economy with more jobs, higher wages and better services for all Australians.

 “It doesn’t matter if you are a student, or parent or older person, you want to be able to plan your future with confidence.  Our Plan allows people to do that. 

 “We will assist household budgets by abolishing the carbon tax and take immediate pressure off electricity and gas bills.  We will also help families, retirees and pensioners by keeping the tax thresholds as well as fortnightly pension and benefit increases.  This will provide tax cuts and pension increases without a carbon tax.

 “If we are elected on September 14, we will do the important things that this government has neglected like getting the Budget back under control, repaying debt, ending the waste and stopping the boats.

 Ross Vasta said the next election was a choice between more Labor debt, deficits, division and dysfunction and the Coalition with the Plan and experience to restore hope, reward and opportunity and to help all Australians get ahead.

 “Australia needs a Coalition government to provide Australians with the good government that our country deserves.”

Mr.Vasta is urging students and young people in Bonner to apply to share in $23,500 to help them develop their talents and chase their dreams by taking part in creative, cultural, academic and community activities.

Mr.Vasta announced applications under the Australian Government’s $8 million Creative Young Stars program which is a feature of Creative Australia, the Australian Government national cultural policy. The program will invest $23,500 per financial year in Bonner, and the first funding round will open on 1 June and close 21 June 2013. The program will deliver grants of $500 for individuals and $3000 for groups of six of more in Bonner. The program will provide funding for successful applicants aged 25 and under.

“Bonner is full of young people who have many great talents and who will use those to make a fantastic contribution to our community once they get the chance to develop those talents further,” Mr.Vasta said

“But in some cases their families find it difficult to meet the extra costs associated with participating in activities, events and training.

“The Australian Government is determined to help young Australians reach their potential in all walks of life, be that at school, be that at finding a job, or be that in areas such as the arts, community service and leadership, or academia,” Mr.Vasta said.

“That’s why we are complementing our record investments and improvements in areas such as school education with a $23,500 investment each financial year to help young people in Bonner develop their potential in areas that go beyond the classroom.

“These grants will help young people further develop their creative talents by helping them take part in competitions, eisteddfods, public speaking tournaments and other cultural, artistic or academic events.

“I am proud that the Australian Government is able to make this practical investment to ensure that more young people in Bonner get the chance to reach their potential and make an even greater contribution to our community in the creative fields.

I strongly encourage students and young people, their parents and carers in Bonner to ensure that more young people in Bonner get the chance to reach their potential and make an even greater contribution in our community in the creative fields.

“I strongly encourage students and young people, their parents and carers in Bonner to apply for a Creative Young Stars grant to help them chase their dreams,” Mr.Vasta said.

In Round 1, the program will deliver grants to 12 individuals and 2 groups in each of the 150 federal electorates across Australia.

For more information on the Creative Young Stars program visit:
http://www.youth.gov.au/sites/youth/news/pages/creative-young-stars 

 

Bonner households and families will get another rude shock in less than a month when the carbon tax increases by another 5 per cent.

“The carbon tax is a bad tax based on a lie and only the Coalition will abolish the carbon tax”, said Ross Vasta, Member for Bonner.

“Families, pensioners, retirees and small businesses have all seen their electricity and gas bills rise because of the carbon tax – and they will go up again after 1 July. 

“Households are trying to get ahead – yet under this government, electricity prices have gone up nationwide by 94 per cent and gas prices have gone up by 62 per cent (since start of 2008).

“Australian manufacturers, who all pay the carbon tax, have to compete against overseas companies that don’t pay it.

“The carbon tax is hurting family budgets, putting jobs at risk and damaging the economy.

Ross Vasta said he unequivocal pledge was that Coalition would abolish the carbon tax.

“We will abolish it – it’s that simple. Repealing the carbon tax will be the first piece of legislation introduced, if the Coalition wins government. 

“Julia Gillard said there would be no carbon tax under the government she leads and all Australians know that she broke her word.   

Ross Vasta said the coming election was a referendum on the carbon tax and a bad government that does not keep its promises.

“The choice in this election is clear: a Coalition government that will abolish the carbon tax, ease cost of living pressures and create more jobs or another three years of a chaotic Labor who have legislated for even more increases in the carbon tax.

Laura Fraser Hardy the Labor Candidate for Bonner has to state for the record if she supports this legislated rise in the carbon tax which is another broken promise.

The Coalition will help Bonner families, households, retirees and pensioners get ahead and plan their futures with confidence by scrapping the carbon tax as well as ensuring that tax cuts and fortnightly pension and benefit increases are kept.

Ross Vasta, Member for Bonner said the announcement by Tony Abbott that the Coalition will keep income tax cuts and fortnightly pension and benefit increases without a carbon tax is good news for Bonner families.

“We can keep tax cuts and pension and benefit increases without a carbon tax, because we’ve made the responsible savings and have a strong plan for managing Australia’s Budget.

“We’ve ensured this promise is fully paid for so we don’t add pressures to Labor’s debt and deficits and at the same time, we’ve helped families, pensioners and small businesses by removing the cost of the carbon tax from power bills and rising prices.

“We’ll also ensure households get the full benefit of the abolition of the carbon tax by requiring the ACCC to make sure companies do the right thing.

Ross Vasta said that since the election of the Rudd/Gillard Government average electricity prices had risen by 94% and gas prices by 62%.

“When I talk with people at shopping centres and sporting fields they tell me they are under pressure. 

Ross Vasta said removing the carbon tax will help household budgets, improve the competitive position of Australian businesses and make Australian jobs more secure. 

“We cannot undo all of the damage of Labor’s economic vandalism overnight but you know we can and will do it, because we’ve done it before and we’ve done the hard work on our Plan to do it again.

“Everything we do is about building a stronger economy.  A stronger economy is the key to almost everything we wish for as a nation: it means more jobs, higher wages, greater government revenue, better services and, ultimately, stronger and more cohesive communities.  

 

Ross Vasta said the coming election will provide electors in Bonner with a stark choice: between three more years of broken promises, nasty surprises and weak excuses from Labor, or the experienced Coalition team with a Plan to build a strong, prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia.

Bonner residents and businesses will benefit from the Coalition’s plan to build a more affordable NBN and deliver it sooner than Labor’s NBN said Ross Vasta Member for Bonner.

 

“When it comes to fast broadband, Labor has promised big but hasn’t delivered”, said Ross Vasta.

 

“Kevin Rudd promised everyone Australian fast broadband by 2013 at a cost of $4.7 billion.  Instead, the NBN has only signed up 10,400 users for its fibre network and the final cost is expected to be over $90 billion”.

 

“Families, small businesses, schools and hospitals need fast broadband now and not sometime after 2021 which will happen under Labor’s plan.

 

“Our plan will deliver the NBN sooner, at less cost to taxpayers and more affordably for consumers. 

 

“We’ll get the NBN back on track.

 

The Coalition’s Plan for Fast Broadband and an Affordable NBN will:

·Ensure households and businesses can get access to fast broadband by  the end of 2016 – with download speeds five times today’s average.

·End the delays and cost overruns and get the NBN back on track through better management, greater transparency and tighter controls.

·Give priority to regions and suburbs with the poorest existing service in the rollout.

·Deliver a more affordable NBN than Labor –saving consumers about $300 a year by 2021.

·Deliver a smarter NBN that uses a mix of technologies.  Our plan will cost less and make the NBN more economically viable.

·Lesson the strain on taxpayers who could be expected to bear the burden of Labor’s delayed and mismanaged $90 billion plus NBN.

“Our Shadow Minister for Communications, Malcolm Turnbull was one of our country’s great internet pioneers and he will ensure that local communities get the fast, affordable broadband that is so needed in the 21^st century.

 

Ross Vasta said he was looking forward to speaking to Bonner residents and businesses  about our Real Solutions Plan to deliver them fast and more affordable broadband, much sooner than Labor’s NBN.

 

A full copy of the Coalition’s NBN Policy is available at www.liberal.org.au

Ross Vasta, Federal Member for Bonner says Labor must rule out making any retrospective changes to superannuation.

 

“We can’t allow Julia Gillard to raid the individual retirement savings of residents in Bonner as a way of trying to cover up her budget black hole”, said Ross Vasta.

 

“As Simon Crean has said, Labor shouldn’t be dipping into our savings to pay for their spending.

 

“It makes no sense that people who are doing the right thing and preparing for their retirement are having their savings raided by a government that doesn’t live within its means.

 

“When I have talked with local nurses, tradies, police officers, coffee shop owners, and local families they tell me they are concerned about a government that feels it can dip its hand into their retirement savings like Pooh Bear dips his paw into the honey pot.

 

“We all have to put in to our super funds and we do so knowing the rules.  To make retrospective changes is to destroy confidence in super.  The danger is – if Labor can get away with this once, they will try it again after the election.  We can’t let Labor destroy public confidence in super.

 

“Labor has already cut the amount that can be contributed to super and raised more than $8 billion in revenue from superannuation – and now they are coming back for more.

 

“The only reason why Labor wants to raid people’s super is because they have lost control of the Budget.  Wayne Swan has delivered five deficits and Labor is currently spending almost $100 billion a year more than in the last year of the Howard Government.

 

“With Labor now paying $7 billion a year in interest on their debt you can be guaranteed that a re-elected Labor government will continue to raid Australians’ superannuation accounts for many years to come.”

Café owners, fruit and vegetable shops, butchers, tradies and retailers in Bonner should be concerned by the revolving door of federal small business ministers with the appointment of the sixth person to the role in six years, according to Ross Vasta.

 

Ross Vasta said small businesses in Bonner deserved better than a divided and dysfunctional Gillard Government more interested in itself than the country.

 

“We’ve seen six small business ministers in six years – and five ministers since late 2011.  Small business deserve better than a revolving door.

 

“The number of people employed in small business has declined under Labor by 243,000 while the rate of small business formation has halved,” Ross Vasta said.

“It’s tough running a small business – and it’s been made even tougher because of Labor’s carbon tax and red tape.

“Our local small business have had to carry the full weight of the carbon tax without any of the compensation or the carve outs afforded to others.

“At the same time, small business owners are telling me they are being bombarded with more red tape and compliance costs than ever before.

“Labor has introduced more than 20,000 regulations and only repealed 104 despite promising a ‘one in one out’ approach to regulation in 2007.

 

“Small business needs is strong, stable and reliable Government to give the community confidence in the economy and our Real Solutions Plan seeks to provide that.”

 

Ross Vasta said the Coalition has real solutions for small businesses which would double the rate of small business formation by cutting the carbon tax to boost consumer and business confidence and by cutting $1 billion worth of red-tape out of the economy.