Ross Vasta has today welcomed the start of Carers Week 2012 and thanked carers in Bonner for the enormous contribution they make.

 

Carers Week 2012 is being held between Sunday 14 October and Saturday 20 October.

 

There are over two million carers in Australia who are of all ages. Carers can be children, parents, grandparents, friends and neighbours.

 

Carers often dedicate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide love, care and support to family and friends. It is important that carers are aware of the support services available to them in the community, as the commitment can often affect their health and wellbeing. This is reflected in the theme of Carers Week, “Be Care Aware“.

 

Carers Week provides Australians with the opportunity to get to know more about our carers, who they are, what they do and how they can be supported.

 

Without the dedication of Australia’s unpaid carers who provide support to family and friends with a disability, an illness or chronic condition, many Australians would not be able to continue living at home or participate in the community.

 

 “Carers Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the enormous contribution that carers make to Bonner and to the people they care for,” Ross Vasta said.

 

“Carers make an invaluable contribution to our community. I encourage all Australians to recognise and support our fellow citizens, young and old, who care for a family member or friend.”

 

For further information on Carers Week 2012 visit http://carersaustralia.com.au/events/carers-week/

 

 

Ross Vasta, Member for Bonner said local communities in Bonner will be able to apply for crime prevention infrastructure such as better lighting, CCTVs and mobile CCTVs, under a major plan announced by the Coalition.

 

Ross Vasta said he welcomed the announcement that a Coalition Government will provide $50 million to tackle crime hotspots and help local communities deal with the problems of gangs, graffiti and alcohol fuelled violence.

 

“What I like about this policy is that the best place to tackle crime is at the local level and this policy seeks to involve residents, shop owners and chambers of commerce, state and local government in identifying local projects to make our streets safer”, said Ross Vasta

 

“The Howard Government had a very effective grants programme to tackle local crime and it is disappointing that the Labor government scrapped it.  Not only did they scrap it, but Labor cut $400 million from the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Crime Commission and Customs inspections.

 

“If we make our communities safer, we will make our country stronger.

 

“The best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it happening.  The prevention of crime means less senseless deaths and needless injuries, it means reduced costs in the justice system, and it means stronger communities.

 

Ross Vasta said he would be talking with local residents, police, community and business leaders in identifying clear projects that are needed throughout Bonner

 

“I am also pleased that the Coalition has committed itself to once again commandeering money used under Proceeds of Crime legislation to use on crime prevention projects.  The Labor Government has taken almost $60 million collected from the proceeds of criminal actions and used it to prop up their budget black hole. 

 

“As a matter of principle, I believe that money collected from criminals and their criminal activities should be used to fight crime.  The Coalition’s Plan for Safer Streets ensures it will happen again”.

 

Ross Vasta said the Coalition’s commitment is for the grants programme to start in the first year of a new government and he would work with the community to identify and assist local projects needing support.

Ross Vasta, Federal Member for Bonner believes that the Australian victims of overseas terrorism atrocities should receive victim compensation payments just like domestic victims of crime receive.

“In a few weeks, we will be commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Bali bombing and I believe it is appropriate for the victims of terrorist events overseas to receive support just like the victims of crimes committed in Australia receive”, said Ross Vasta.

“Since 2009, the Coalition has been calling on the federal government to provide support for Australians caught by terrorist events overseas since 10 September 2001. Our proposal is to provide a modest sum of $75,000 to the victims or their next of kin, which is in keeping with the level of assistance provided to domestic victims of violent crime.

“The government recently passed legislation providing payments for any future terrorist events, but not for the events since 10 September 2001. Sadly, this has left the victims of September 11, the Bali bombings, the London and Jakarta bombings and the Mumbai terrorist attacks with no assistance.

“Many of the victims of the terrorist attacks still to this day suffer physically and emotionally from these atrocities. While compensation can never bring a victim back, or heal a physical or emotional injury, it is a way we can support those who have suffered and send a message that the Australian people will always look after their own.

“I believe this matter is above politics and I would welcome and applaud any decision by the government to provide support to the victims of all terrorist attacks. We should always be united in supporting Australians who have been the victims of terror.”

Ross Vasta said the petition calling for compensation for terrorist victims could be downloaded from www.rossvasta.com.au

Local Federal MP, Ross Vasta is standing up against the Gillard Government’s abrupt closure of the Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme (CDDS), on the 30 November 2012.

The Coalition is fighting against this Medicare cut, which abandons chronic disease sufferers.

“Many people in Bonner have contacted me to express their anger and worry about the abrupt closure of this Medicare dental scheme”, Ross Vasta said.

Labor is closing the scheme because it was implemented by Tony Abbott when he was Health Minister.

Labor’s planned replacement is an unfunded $4.1 billion re-election promise.

“The Coalition is standing up for chronic disease sufferers. Labor is standing only for re-election. The long gap until July 2014 reveals Labor’s shallow political motive,” Ross Vasta said.

Under Labor’s scheme, if it is ever delivered, children will wait 13 months with no care and then only be eligible for $1000 over two years, instead of $4250 under the current scheme. Adults will wait at least 19 months and even then they will be dumped onto public dental waiting lists. The lists will balloon because of Labor ramping up treatment expectations and poor policy design.

“Bonner doesn’t need another Labor policy disaster. Patient’s can’t wait 19 months or more for dental treatment,” Ross Vasta said.

Labor spin makes references to ‘millionaires’ to attack this scheme and disguise their Medicare cuts. According to the National Advisory Council on Dental Health, 80% of Chronic Disease Dental Scheme patients are concession card holders.

“Labor should drop the class war spin. Chronic disease sufferers waiting months for dental care will result in poorer dental health, jeopardise heart surgery, demoralise cancer patients and lead to other complications,” Ross Vasta said.

Ross Vasta, Federal Member for Bonner recognises the significance of Dementia Awareness Week and the ongoing contribution of Alzheimer’s Australia in supporting and advocating for those living with dementia, their carers, family and friends.

Ross Vasta said almost 280,000 people live with dementia with approximately 1,600 new cases diagnosed each week.

 “Dementia has been singled out as the biggest cause of disability amongst older Australians and the third leading cause of death.”

“When last in Government, the Coalition committed $320 million in the 2005 budget to help fund the Dementia Initiative – Making Dementia a National Health Priority,” said Ross Vasta.

“Despite this initiative proving invaluable help to dementia sufferers, and a Government evaluation in October 2009 finding the initiative successful, Labor deliberately dropped the funding for this program.

 “I am, however pleased to see that at a recent meeting of health ministers, dementia has now been made a National Health Priority,” said Ross Vasta.

The Coalition remains committed to addressing the growing numbers of dementia in Australia.

Over 22,000 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, including those living in the electorate of Bonner recently learnt they would be able to travel home to see their families at Christmas after the Labor Government was forced to backflip on its mean-spirited cut to their travel entitlements.

 

Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said this was a win for positive policy making and a win for what is right and just.

 

‘I am elated that 22,000 single ADF members aged 21 and over will have their entitlement to travel home to see their families reinstated,’ Ross Vasta said.

 

‘This will ensure military personnel in the electorate of Bonner will not be forced to make dangerous cross country trips in their cars to see their families.’

 

‘Likewise, the many mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters of Defence personnel who live in the electorate of Bonner can breathe a little easier knowing their loved ones will get home faster and safer.’

 

Ross Vasta said he was disappointed that it took a certain defeat on the floor of the Parliament for the Gillard Labor Government to wake up to the fact that it was unfairly disadvantaging 22,000 ADF personnel.

 

‘This decision represents a stunning backflip by the Labor Government,’ Ross Vasta said.

 

‘It was not compassion that changed Labor’s mind; it was forced to make this embarrassing backflip by the certain promise of political defeat.’

 

Ross Vasta thanked all those in the electorate of Bonner and right around Australia who rallied behind Australia’s military personnel and acknowledged the hard work of those who secured some 15,000 signatures in support of the troops.

 

‘Support from the community and those who rallied around this just and right cause is to be applauded and I thank all those who flew the flag on behalf of our troops,’ Ross Vasta said.

 

‘Because of the Coalition’s and public’s support, 22,000 men and women from all three services will now be able to travel to see their loved ones and even have enough time to organise their trips home for Christmas.’

 

‘ADF personnel have been spared the cost of Labor’s reckless spending and you can be sure the Coalition will continue to fight for the preservation of ADF conditions of service.’

Ross Vasta, Federal Member for Bonner, said he stood up for Fair Indexation in the Parliament today.

 

“Today the House of Representatives voted against a Coalition proposal to give our veterans a fair go”, Ross Vasta said.

 

“The Coalition moved to prevent further debate on the Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 until the Gillard Labor Government introduces Fair Indexation legislation.  However, Labor, Greens MP Adam Bandt and Independent MPs Tony Windsor, Craig Thomson and Bob Katter voted against the amendment.

 

“Independent MP Rob Oakeshott failed to show up for the vote.”

 

“Today was the day for the House of Representatives to draw a line in the sand and tell the Gillard Labor Government it was time to deliver a fair go.  That Labor failed to do that is a shameful decision.”

 

“The Coalition is committed to delivering fair indexation for military superannuants.  The Coalition believes DFRB and DFRDB military superannuation pensioners aged 55 and over should have their pensions indexed in the same way as aged and service pensioners.”

 

“At the 2010 election we committed to fair indexation.  Despite losing the election, the Coalition introduced legislation into the Senate to provide fairness, justice and equity.  Sadly, the Greens and the Labor Party opposed the legislation.”

 

“Local military superannuants are fighting for a fair go.  I took this stand in the House of Representatives today to show that I am serious about delivering the fair go my local constituents deserve.”

 

“It is no longer acceptable that this Labor Government continues to fiddle about the edges of policy while at the same time wholly dismissing the everyday concerns of veterans, ex-service personnel and their families.”

 

“Six weeks ago, many local veterans received letters from the government giving them a few extra cents per fortnight in their pensions.  This is deeply unfair.  Had the Coalition’s Fair Indexation legislation passed the Senate last year, these increases would have been nine times higher.”

 

“Local veterans who are DFRB and DFRDB military superannuants have proudly served their nation.  It’s time the nation recognised the unique nature of military service and delivered fair pension indexation to these men and women, and their families.”

 

“It is now even clearer that we must change the Government in order to deliver this important reform for our veterans.”

Ross Vasta, Member for Bonner, said Julia Gillard’s attempt at blaming others for surging electricity prices was laughable given that she introduced the world’s biggest carbon tax only weeks ago.

“The electricity bills are starting to arrive throughout Bonner and families and businesses are starting to experience ‘bill shock’ from Julia Gillard’s carbon tax”, said Ross Vasta.

“Since the Rudd-Gillard government was first elected, electricity prices have risen by a staggering 60%.

“Julia Gillard has shown no interest in household prices during the past five years and now, after introducing the world’s biggest carbon tax, she wants the people of Bonner to believe she understands what households and businesses are facing.

“How can the Prime Minister who said “there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead” be believed when it comes to claims about electricity prices now?”

“The carbon tax is an electricity tax, it’s a gas tax and a tax on the essentials of life.

“Five weeks after introducing this tax, it’s simply not good enough for Julia Gillard to point the finger elsewhere.

Ross Vasta said Julia Gillard had designed a carbon tax that would go up and up – putting more pressure on electricity prices with every year.

“The carbon tax is now $23 a tonne, it will rise to $37 a tonne by 2020 and $350 a tonne by 2050.  According to the government’s own figures, the carbon tax will wipe a cumulative one trillion dollars from Australia’s GDP by 2050 – that’s like closing down the country for a year.

“The best way to tackle rising electricity prices is to scrap the carbon tax.  Only the Coalition has a plan to scrap the carbon tax and that plan starts on day one of a Coalition Government.

Ross Vasta said in addition to carbon tax price pressures, Julia Gillard’s own electricity regulator, the Australian Energy Regulator, had approved all electricity network price rises over recent years.

“The Rudd-Gillard Government has been in office for five years and during that time they have approved all electricity network price increases and introduced the world’s biggest carbon tax. 

“When it comes to electricity prices, the culprit for rising electricity prices is Julia Gillard and her government.”

Ross Vasta today called on Bonner community members to have their say about who should be the next Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero.

 

Nominations are now open for the Australian of the Year Awards 2013. You can nominate online at www.australianoftheyear.org.au, pick up a nomination form from any branch of Major Sponsor the Commonwealth Bank or call 1300 655 193 for more information.

 

Ross Vasta said the Australian of the Year Awards program relies solely on nominations from the public to find the recipients each year, so it was important for community members to actively express their opinion on who should be considered for the awards.

 

“Wouldn’t it be brilliant to see someone from Bonner honored with these Awards in January 2013”

 

“If there is someone you admire or who you think is an exemplary Australian, take a few minutes to nominate them – it’s a great way to say thanks for their efforts.”

 

“Show your pride in these special people and in our community.” said Ross Vasta.

 

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 at midnight on 31 August 2012. For more information on the Australian of the Year Awards or to submit your nomination online visit www.australianoftheyear.org.au.

Local households will be hit even harder, after it was revealed that the GST will be added to consumer bills on top of the carbon tax, said Ross Vasta, Member for Bonner.

“Local families will pay the carbon tax on their energy bills, they will pay it on the necessities of life and now we find, they will pay it through increased GST collections”, said Ross Vasta.

“This is a tax on a tax.  A double whammy that will hit every household in Bonner”, said Ross Vasta.

Labor’s assistant carbon tax minister, Mark Dreyfus admitted that the carbon tax was in effect a secret increase in the GST saying:

NEIL MITCHELL:  And because of the carbon price, you will take in more GST revenue, correct?                                                                   

MARK DREYFUS:   Yes, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that

Ross Vasta said in the three weeks since the launch of the carbon tax, Julia Gillard and her senior ministers have refused to visit a single small business to find out how the carbon tax is impacting their costs.

“I call on Julia Gillard to come to Bonner and visit a small business in Wynnum, Carindale or Mount Gravatt and ask them how much the carbon tax has increased their costs and prices”.

“The carbon tax has increased the costs of electricity and gas, and now we find out, it will also increase the amount of GST collected”.

“The Coalition has a plan to abolish the carbon tax.  If elected at the next election, the Coalition will implement its plan to abolish the carbon tax on day one of a new government, with legislation introduced to abolish the carbon tax on day one of a new parliament”.

“Only by abolishing the carbon tax can we take the pressure off households and help businesses grow and create jobs.

Ross Vasta said there was a clear difference between the Coalition and Labor on the carbon tax.

“The Coalition has pledged to abolish the carbon tax. Labor and the Greens have promised to increase the carbon tax.”