Today I rise to speak on a vital issue in my electorate: the issue of youth unemployment. I would like to address the effect of youth unemployment on the community, and what this Government is doing to help young people find and stay in work. I’d also like to mention a local organisation in Bonner that is doing fantastic work with young locals to help boost their job prospects.

I’m pleased to say the latest figures show unemployment is continuing to fall and jobs growth is on the rise under this Coalition Government. Over 50,000 more young Australians have found jobs in the last 18 months. This is a great accomplishment. However, there’s more to be done to address the barriers young people face to employment.

I’ve heard many heartbreaking stories from young jobseekers and their parents about the mental strain of searching for work for months on end. I want to assure my constituents the Government is tackling this issue head on.

This year the Government expanded on its existing youth employment initiatives, such as the Transition to Work service and Empowering YOUth Initiatives programme, by introducing the $840 million Youth Employment Package. A central part of this package is the Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare-Trial-Hire) programme.

Youth Jobs PaTH will give thousands of young Australians a chance to get real work experience and a real job, through pre-employment government-funded skills training, internships lasting 4 to 12 weeks, and a Youth Bonus Wage Subsidy up to $10,000 for employers.

This programme presents a great opportunity for local youth and local businesses when it launches in April 2017. It will help young people be better prepared for the workplace and encourage more businesses to hire them. I’ve been happy to hear from local businesses interested in Youth Jobs PaTH and I encourage more businesses in my electorate to register online to participate and host an intern.

I’m proud that local businesses and groups in Bonner have already rallied to help disadvantaged youth find work. BABI Youth and Family Service is one outstanding local organisation that for years has been giving young people training and employment opportunities.

Recently BABI’s general manager Michelle McNamara shared with me a promising new social enterprise project that will involve the whole community to help vulnerable and disadvantaged young people find work. The two-year program would see BABI team up with local businesses and RTOs to deliver valuable counselling, training and work experience for young locals.

The program will address the barriers young people face getting into employment, from mental health issues to lack of transport. I’m proud to support this project and look forward to seeing it get off the ground.

BABI has serviced the Bayside and Redlands area for over 30 years. I commend them for their outstanding work and I wish them the best in their future work helping young people where they need it most. The Government will continue to support local youth employment programs like those run by BABI. I look forward to seeing Youth Jobs PaTH begin next year and seeing more positive employment outcomes for young people in my electorate.

I’m pleased today to provide a positive update on the nbn rollout in Bonner. Under the Coalition’s revised rollout plan, thousands of people are being connected to the nbn each month. More people can access the nbn every month than Labor managed to connect the entire time they were in office!

The nbn has hit every rollout target the Coalition has set since coming to Government. This includes for Bonner.

Construction of the nbn network is now underway around the Eight Mile Plains and Capalaba exchanges. Right now, 1,100 premises in Eight Mile Plains are being equipped for fibre to the node connections. By Christmas it’s expected construction will begin for around 14,000 premises in the area.

Work is planned to progress south of the Eight Mile Plains site over the next few months. It is also expected to extend west of the Capalaba site, with nbn construction expected to begin in Chandler, Ransome and Gumdale before the end of the year.

There’s also good news for the Mt Gravatt region. Nbn network construction is planned to start in the Mt Gravatt area in the first half of 2017–mainly in areas of Upper Mt Gravatt, stretching toward Mackenzie. This is an area that, thanks to Labor’s mismanagement, has had to wait even longer for superfast broadband.

I’m thrilled for the locals in these areas who’ve been sharing with me for years their frustrations with slow, choppy internet. I’ve fought hard to bring the nbn to Bonner on their behalf and now it’s well on its way.

The vast majority of residents and businesses in Bonner will have access to the nbn in the next few years. Everyone in my electorate will have the nbn by 2020. This is a remarkable achievement and I thank my colleagues and nbn™ for working so hard to make this a reality.

I’d like to speak today about Gundala Kindergarten, an outstanding local institution in Wynnum. Gundala is the only indigenous kindergarten in the local area. They have been meeting the early educational needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children since 1978.

Gundala services Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander families in Wynnum as well as from all over the Brisbane southside. Principal Deb Meates tells me many parents travel for up to half an hour to 45 minutes to bring their children to Gundala.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Gundala with the Cabinet Secretary. We saw firsthand the outstanding services they provide. Gundala offers a deeply-imbedded cultural program based on Quandamooka culture that teaches Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander culture to its students. This is a great example of the importance of Government funding for early childhood learning.

Over the last year Gundala has been raising funds for a school bus. They decided on the bus after looking at studies and recognising the barriers for some Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander families in getting their children to school. I’m pleased to report they now have a new bus!

Deb has also told me about their side project to have a local Indigenous artist design a mural that will go up on the bus as well as the Gundala building. I commend Gundala for their work closing the gap for local Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander families and making available to them these services and opportunities.

Today I rise to reflect on the enormous contribution Australia’s informal carers make to our nation. I’d also like to inform the House on how Bonner will be celebrating its local carers this National Carer’s Week.

National Carer’s Week is a time to celebrate and honour our unpaid carers. More importantly, it’s a time to raise awareness of the work carers do and the huge difference they make. There are over 2.8 million unpaid carers in Australia. The unpaid work they put in represents close to 2 billion hours a year.

Carers deserve our appreciation and support. That’s why I’m pleased to have partnered with FSG Australia to host a Carers Morning Tea in Wynnum this Friday. Carers from the Wynnum-Manly community are invited to attend. This will be a great opportunity for local carers to learn more about the support services available to them.

As one of my constituents Gillian has put it to me, it’s important to let carers know they’re not alone and that there’s help out there for them. Gillian had to give up full-time work to care for her father for five years, while also caring for her multiple handicapped son. She tells me people often struggle to understand just how difficult it is for carers in her position. 

This is why I continue to be a proud supporter of National Carers Week. The amazing contribution our unpaid carers make can’t be stated enough. I thank FSG for giving me the chance to personally acknowledge local carers and the vital role they play in our society.

Today I rise to speak about a stalwart of the Wynnum community that, sadly, has shut its doors last week after 60 years of service. It’s with great sadness I announce that Bayside Electrical Services is no longer. I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on the difference this small business on Tingal Road has made in the community over the last 60 years, thanks to its owner Brian Turpin.

Brian first opened Bayside Electrical back in 1957 when he was just 21 years old. He speaks with pride about the rundown 1938 Bedford he bought for 350 pounds back in the day, and restored to use for his business.

From there, Bayside Electrical became a fixture of the Wynnum area, known and loved by all. Brian didn’t just provide outstanding products and service; he also donated generously to local community groups. He made a difference to so many and asked for no recognition in return.

I was touched to receive a call from Brian’s granddaughter Kayleene last week inviting me to come down to shake Brian’s hand at the very last close of business. I could see how much the shop had meant to him, and I could see how much it had meant to the people of Wynnum.

Congratulations to Brian on a well-deserved retirement. Your generosity has been an inspiration. I wish you all the best in the future.

Today I’d like to speak on one of the most serious health issues this country faces: type 1 diabetes. I’d like to share the personal stories of some of my constituents who have type 1 diabetes, to highlight the importance of this issue and to show what this Government is doing to support diabetics and their families.

Type 1 diabetes is not preventable or curable. It’s a chronic, life-long and life-threatening condition. Type 1 diabetics face a constant struggle to keep their blood sugar levels stable. Without around-the-clock checks the consequences can be dire. This ranges from minor complications to something as terrible as passing away in one’s sleep from Dead in Bed Syndrome.

Many parents have shared with me the stress and anxiety of life with a child with type 1 diabetes. Imagine living with the fear your little one might not wake up every time they go to sleep. One mother wrote to me about the constant battle to keep her 2-year-old boy’s sugar levels within a safe range. This little boy has to be woken by his parents several times in the night to monitor his blood sugar levels.

Another father shared with me how he has to check his 6-year-old son three times a night, every night, and spend hours getting his blood sugar back to normal. He gets 20 minutes of sleep between checks. Just imagine the toll this would take.

That’s why I was thrilled when the Coalition Government announced in May this year that it will invest $54 million to subsidise continuous glucose monitoring technology for children and young adults under 21 to help them manage their type 1 diabetes. Our commitment to subsidise CGM devices on the National Diabetes Services Scheme will benefit an estimated 4000 young diabetics.

CGM devices help children and their parents monitor their blood sugar levels around the clock through a small, wearable device that will instantly warn them if glucose levels are getting too low. This removes the need to draw blood through a finger prick multiple times a day. 

I’ve received overwhelming support for this initiative from my constituents. One young woman who’s already trialled the technology told me it’s saved her many times. She’s able to sleep right through the night for the first time in five years! The peace of mind CGM devices give to type 1 diabetics is priceless and I’m proud to be part of a Government that’s supporting the use of this amazing technology.

I’m also proud to support initiatives working toward a cure for type 1 diabetes. Just recently I met with Cheryl Burton and her 18-year-old son Joshua. Josh has been living with type 1 diabetes since he was 4 years old. He’s passionate about a cure that would help him and thousands of others live a normal life free of fingerpicks and the lingering fear that comes with this autoimmune disease.

Right now Josh is fundraising for the JDRF One Walk. JDRF’s mission is to raise funds for scientific research to better treat, prevent, and ultimately cure type 1 diabetes. The JDRF One Walk is the world’s biggest type 1 diabetes fundraising event, raising over $85 million each year for life-changing research. Well done to Josh for supporting this vital cause. I wish him all the best in future.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening disease that sadly is too often confused with type 2 diabetes, which is caused by lifestyle factors. I will continue to raise awareness of this condition and I will continue to support this Government’s efforts to support Australians living with type 1 diabetes.

I rise today to speak on what’s in store for the Bonner community in the year ahead. All across Bonner I’ve listened to what locals want. I’m committed to delivering to them what matters most.

My flagship commitment is to the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, one of the bayside’s most iconic institutions. The club will have their dressing sheds and gymnasium fixed, giving them and the bayside sporting community the playing facilities they deserve. Other local sporting clubs that will receive vital upgrades to their facilities include:

• Mt Gravatt Youth and Recreation Club;
• Bayside PCYC;
• AAMA Karate-Do Club;
• Manly Bowls Club;
• Mt Gravatt Bowls Club; as well as
• Wynnum Bugs, to help them cover the costs of installing solar.

Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed will also receive funding to install a new solar PV system. I’ve always been proud to support local men’s sheds and their important work for the community. Wynnum and Manly Districts Men’s Shed will also receive assistance to help them install and fit out their new place at Wynnum North.

Wynnum-Manly Meals on Wheels is another organisation that does a great service to the community. They will receive funding to go toward new kitchen facilities at their Kitchen and Community Centre at Wakerley. I want to thank President Ken Edwards for his hard work on this. The new Centre is going to be a huge boost for Wakerley and surrounding areas. I can’t wait to be there on opening day.

Other local community groups that will continue to thrive under this Coalition Government include:

• Eastside Community Church;
• 215 Squadron AAFC;
• St Agnes Catholic Primary School, and
• The Moreton Bay Discovery Centre.

Under the Coalition, Bonner will receive more support through grassroots funding of community organisations than ever before.

I will continue to support my community by supporting this Government’s agenda to grow jobs and deliver real results for our local economy.

Today I would like to speak about Joshua and Benjamin Wood, two remarkable brothers from Carindale. These young men are an inspiration and an example of what hard work can achieve.

Josh is nine years old and profoundly vision impaired. I first got to know Josh two years ago when he came second for reading in the Queensland Braille Writing Association Braille Literacy Challenge. Josh worked extremely hard for this result. I’m pleased to inform the House that last week at this year’s Challenge he came first in the state in his section for reading, and second in his section for writing. This is another great result he should be proud of.

His older brother Ben has also achieved remarkable things. Ben has learnt Braille to help Joshua and attends Braille camps with him every year in Sydney. He’s also received the highest mark in the state twice for his AMEB speech and drama exams. Ben is a fantastic speaker with a big interest in politics. I look forward to seeing him in this chamber one day!

Josh recently wrote to me about his and Ben’s wish to meet the Prime Minister. Tomorrow I’ll have the pleasure of hosting both of them at Parliament House. I’m excited to introduce these young men to the Prime Minister in person. Thank you to both of you for the fine example you’ve set for the community.

Thank you Mr Deputy/Speaker. Today I rise to speak about fantastic initiatives in my Bonner electorate to increase support in the community for people living with dementia and their carers.

As you’re aware this month is Dementia Awareness Month. In Australia over 350,000 people are currently living with dementia. It’s important to let these people and the people who care for them know the community supports them and their needs.

That’s why I want to bring attention to what FSG Australia is doing in Wynnum to help people with dementia. FSG is working hard to establish initiatives that will help build a dementia friendly community in Wynnum. Just recently I had the privilege to attend their first Dementia Friendly Community Café. It was great to see this friendly group of carers and people with dementia come together in support of each other.

It’s important to raise awareness and understanding of this condition that affects so many in our community. My staff recently took part in FSG’s Dementia Education and Training Program.

Many thanks to Rae Haggarty from FSG for running this excellent program that provides individual carers and their families with education, training and support. Training sessions are available to local businesses and groups and I encourage those interested to sign up.

Today I’d like to talk about some outstanding small capital projects in Bonner. I’ve been proud to support these projects through the Stronger Communities Programme.

The fantastic thing about Stronger Communities is how it makes local communities a priority. Wayne Cameron from B4C, a local environmental group that’s received funding for a vital revegetation project, put it well to me. He said the project has many social as well as environmental benefits. Their newly funded project will help get more locals involved in the group and help build a shared love of the environment.

Stronger Communities has also helped support other activity groups that are a cornerstone of Bonner. Karen Dixon, President of Wynnum and District Horse and Pony Club, says they’re now able to go ahead with lighting and electrical upgrades that will boost safety for over 1,000 people who use their facilities each year.

Jim and Sue Horton from Mt Gravatt Lapidary Club tell me they’re now finally able to upgrade equipment that’s between 20 to 40 years old. This will help the club be more energy and cost-efficient, saving them money in the long run, and helping bring in more members.

I’d like to thank the members of my Stronger Communities Committee. They recently met to decide which submitted projects in Round 2 would go onto the next stage of the selection process, and I’m grateful for their time and assistance. I very much look forward to delivering more upgrades to our community.