Clubhouse upgrade on the way for Bayside BMX

Bayside BMX will be able to upgrade their clubhouse and storage facility thanks to a $20,000 Morrison Government Stronger Communities grant.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the grant would help the club build a permanent club house facility for club operations and equipment storage.

“Bayside BMX is a great local club in the Bonner community providing coaching, running BMX competitions and loaning equipment,” Mr Vasta said.

“Thanks to a $20,000 Stronger Communities grant they will be able to upgrade from their existing shipping container to a new clubhouse and storage facility to improve the safety and operations for members, volunteers and the community.”

Mr Vasta said the project would increase security of their assets and allow the club to increase its capability to loan equipment to the public, run more coaching and provide a better canteen and rider registration services.

“The Stronger Communities Program is aimed at funding projects that deliver social benefits as part of the government’s continuing commitment to strengthen communities across Australia,” Mr Vasta said.

“Our local communities are the heart of this great country and this investment in local projects under the Stronger Communities Program is about invigorating these organisations and ensuring their continued success.”

The Stronger Communities Program funds small capital projects in each of the 151 federal electorates.

Each electorate nationwide has received $150,000 to allocate towards successful projects, with a maximum of 20 projects to be funded per electorate.

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Sailability Bayside awarded Volunteer Grant

Salaibility Bayside volunteers have been able to obtain their First Aid and Resuscitation certification thanks to a $3000 Morrison Government Volunteer Grant.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said while the work of volunteers was unpaid, it was not unrecognised and the Volunteer Grant program went a long way to supporting organisations and their volunteers through what has been a trying year.

“Sailability is a fantastic volunteer organisation that offers a fun, safe and welcoming environment for people with disability to enjoy sailing and other water-based activities,” Mr Vasta said.

“I was very pleased to secure $3000 for the club as part of this program, which has funded their First Aid and Resuscitation certification.”

Mr Vasta said covering the out of pocket costs for Sailability volunteers to obtain their first aid would better support the organisation and clients who selflessly give their time to create a fun experience for people with disability.

“It takes a special kind of person to become a volunteers and help people with disability to enjoy a hobby like sailing,” Mr Vasta said.

“Sailability Bayside is a very deserving recipient of this Volunteer Grant.”

Nationally, volunteering has an estimated annual economic and social contribution of $290 billion.

The awarded grants are between $1000 and $5000 and this funding recognises the sacrifices volunteers make to help deliver vital services to those who need it most.

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Manly Lota RSL awarded BEST Grant

Manly-Lota RSL Sub-branch has received a $23,000 Building Excellence in Support Training (BEST) grant to help provide advocacy services to veterans and their families in the Bonner community.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the local RSL was one of 164 recipients across Australia to benefit from this grant program.

“Ex-Service Organisations and veteran groups play a crucial role in supporting the health and welfare of the veteran community,” Mr Vasta said.

“The BEST grants program provides these groups with an opportunity to expand on their services to further support veterans and their families.

“I’d like to congratulate the team at Manly-Lota RSL Sub-Branch who continually support veterans and their families to access the assistance and services they need, and I encourage veterans in our community to reach out to them.”

The BEST grants program funds a range of essential support measures from Ex Service Organisations (ESOs), advocates and welfare practitioners who continue to provide advice and assistance to the veteran and defence community. This round of BEST saw $4.2 million provided nationally to support organisations.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said staying connected with local ESOs and other veteran groups providing advocacy services was vital to ensure our veteran community received the support they needed.

“These organisations complement the support provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and show just how deeply the community is committed to putting veterans and their families first,” Minister Chester said.

“At this time more than ever, advocacy services through ESOs can help our veterans and their families with their claims, entitlements and other services.”

For more information on BEST grants visit the grants page on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website at www.dva.gov.au/grants

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$2 Billion skills package to deliver economic growth in Bonner

The Morrison Government will invest $2 billion to give hundreds of thousands of Australians access to new skills by retraining and upskilling them into sectors with job opportunities.

The new JobTrainer skills package will also guarantee support for tens of thousands of apprentices in jobs across Australia, including the Bonner electorate, by subsidising their wages to keep them employed and training secured.

The new $1 billion JobTrainer Fund will provide up to an additional 340,700 training places across Australia to help school leavers and job seekers access pre-apprenticeships, short courses and full qualifications to develop new skills in growth sectors and create a pathway to more qualifications.

Courses will be free or low cost in areas of identified need, with the Federal Government providing $500 million with contributions matched by State and Territory Governments.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the JobTrainer skills package was focused on getting people into jobs.

“JobTrainer will ensure more Australians have the chance to reskill or upskill to fill the jobs on the other side of this crisis,” the Prime Minister said.

“COVID-19 is unprecedented, but I want Australians to be ready for the sorts of jobs that will come as we build back and recover.”

The package also includes an additional $1.5 billion to expand the wage incentive to help keep apprentices in work, which builds on the initial $1.3 billion package announced in March.

In addition to small businesses already covered, the wage subsidy will now be available to medium businesses with less than 200 employees for apprentices employed as at 1 July 2020.

Around 180,000 apprentices and 90,000 small and medium businesses employing them will now be supported, with the program extended by six months to March 2021.

The initiative covers 50 per cent of the wages paid to apprentices and trainees, up to $7000 per quarter.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said the JobTrainer skills package would form a vital part of the national recovery efforts.

“Our nation has faced many challenges, and it is critical we keep our apprentices in jobs and help those looking for work,” Minister Cash said.

“This package will be essential as the economy rebuilds so people looking for work can reskill and upskill for in-demand jobs, provide school leavers with a pathway into their careers, and ensure businesses are able to get the skilled workers they need.”

Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships Steve Irons said the expanded wage subsidy would more than double the number of supported apprentices and trainees.

“The Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy will now help almost 90,000 businesses employing around 180,000 apprentices and trainees throughout Australia,” Assistant Minister Irons said.

“This will dramatically improve the viability of tens of thousands of apprenticeships and the businesses employing them right across the country.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Skills Package would provide a much-needed boost to jobseekers and school leavers in his electorate to ensure jobseekers were trained in the skills needed by our local businesses community.

“Backing training, apprentices, and jobs is all part of the Morrison Government’s plan to restore our economy after the coronavirus pandemic and keep Australians in our local area in work.,” Mr Vasta said.

States and territories need to sign up to a new Heads of Agreement to access JobTrainer funding, with the agreement setting out immediate reforms to improve the vocational education and training sector, and providing the foundation for long term improvements as outlined by the Prime Minister in his recent speech to the National Press Club.

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Grants open for local NAIDOC Week events

Community groups in Bonner can apply for new NAIDOC local grants to help showcase the best of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture during this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said NAIDOC Week 2020 would be held between November 8 – 15 and there was $1.4 million available to support local communities to host events and other activities during the week.

“All Australians are excited to start planning and attending in-person and virtual events in a COVID safe way and NAIDOC Week will be an opportunity to celebrate our resilience,” Mr Vasta said.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people play a vital role in the story of our nation and through these grants, events will be held to celebrate our proud history and shared culture, and also recognise and honour the contributions and achievements of Indigenous Australians.”

Mr Vasta said this year’s theme was Always Was, Always Will Be.

“I look forward to our local community groups engaging with Indigenous culture, gaining a greater understanding of our nation’s shared history and celebrating the unique place Indigenous peoples have in our society,” Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage everyone to plan how they will get involved with NAIDOC Week and look forward to unique events and other activities to showcase the best of Indigenous Australia in a safe way.”

Information on the 2020 NAIDOC local grants round is available on the National Indigenous Australians Agency website www.niaa.gov.au/naidoc

Applications close 17 August 2020 and all applicants from the previous round in March will be contacted by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and provided guidance on how to re-apply.

Events and information about NAIDOC Week 2020 will be posted to www.naidoc.org.au

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More job-ready graduates in Bonner

The Morrison Government has announced reforms to higher education to increase the number of graduates in areas of expected employment growth and demand.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said university students would now pay less for their degree if they study in areas of expected employment growth.

“Our Government’s new package is focused on better preparing students to succeed in the jobs of the future,” Mr Vasta said.

“To power our post-COVID economic recovery, we will make a bigger contribution to degrees in areas of expected employment growth such as nursing and teaching, making them cheaper for students to undertake study in a job with a guaranteed career pathway.

“The Coalition Government will also provide an additional 39,000 university places by 2023 to meet the expected increase in demand because of COVID-19.”

Mr Vasta said the package would restructure higher education funding to better align the cost and revenue of a university degree, with around 60 per cent of students seeing a reduction or no change in their student contribution.

“Course fees for current students will be grandfathered, with the new funding model applied to students who commence their studies from 2021,” Mr Vasta said.

“Students in Bonner will continue to have access to the world’s most generous income contingent loan scheme­, the Higher Education Loan Program.”

From 2021, students will pay:

  • 46 per cent less to study teaching, nursing, clinical psychology, English and languages
  • 62 per cent less to study agriculture and math, and
  • 20 per cent less to study health, architecture, environmental science, IT, and engineering.

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Government invests $50.6 million to back our athletes

The Morrison Government is backing high performing athletes by investing $50.6 million over the next two years to ensure Australia remains a world-leading sporting nation.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said there had never been a more important time to ensure talented athletes and coaches were supported as they worked towards their ultimate goals.

“This funding will support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches across Bonner, many who use the Brisbane Aquatic Centre and Anna Meares Velodrome at Chandler, as they prepare for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and Paralympics,” Mr Vasta said.

“We also have the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games coming up our athletes need to prepare for.”

Minister for Youth and Sport Senator Richard Colbeck said the government was committed to helping Australia’s sporting sector impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics likely to be the first major international sporting event to take place following the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian athletes are set to inspire the next generation,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Sport Australia will distribute the high-performance grants to our national sporting organisations who will identify, train and develop their most promising athletes.

“The Government is aware many national sporting organisations have had to stand down staff and reduce their hours because of COVID-19.

“Without this investment to high performance funding, there is a significant risk our best coaches and high-performance support staff will face an uncertain future.”

Minister Colbeck said the measure would ensure core funding for athletes and coaches was maintained at record levels, and build on the Morrison Government’s recent investments to support athlete wellbeing and pathways for young aspiring Olympians and Paralympians.

Additionally, as part of the previously announced $70 million Supporting Sport and Physical Activity election commitment, Minister Colbeck said more than $3.9 million would be brought forward to invest in five projects to improve infrastructure at high performance facilities across Australia.

It forms a part of the $11.5 million to support infrastructure upgrades at high-performance facilities.

“One of these recipients will be the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, which will receive $800,000 to improve training equipment available for aerial skiing and snowboarding,” Minister Colbeck said.

Other recipients include Swimming Australia which receives $725,000 to equip at least one pool in each state with the latest technology, including cameras and instrumented turning plates and Paddle Australia which will benefit from an allocation of $1.25 million to improve its high-performance facilities.

Minister Colbeck said the investments support the Australian Government’s Sport 2030 objective of backing our best athletes, coaches and sporting bodies to develop a high-performance culture.

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Supporting senior Australians to stay connected

The Morrison Government is supporting senior Australians through two new initiatives to prevent loneliness and social isolation under a $6 million communications package.

The Be Connected program will provide digital devices and support to older residents to help them connect with friends and family during the coronavirus pandemic, while also helping to boost IT skills.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said with more than 22,000 seniors in his electorate, these grants would also help many of them to build confidence using digital technology.

“In addition to the Be Connected program, an additional $5 million will be used to expand the Friend Line, a national telephone support service for older Australians, to answer 60,000 calls a year.

“These grants will help improve the online skills of our senior residents who are increasingly turning to the internet to access online services during the coronavirus while expanded access to Friend Line will make sure that no seniors in Bonner will feel lonely or isolated.”

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said access to timely support as well as digital and social connections was essential to support older Australians to live independently.

“With a third of all senior Australians living alone there is a real need for this assistance to alleviate loneliness and social isolation,” Minister Ruston said.

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the Government’s Be Connected program was making modern technology available to seniors for free as well as building their online skills and know-how through step-by-step training.

“These grants will help provide devices such as a laptop or tablet and data plans to older Australians who would otherwise be at risk of disconnecting,” Minister Fletcher said.

“The Be Connected program, delivered in partnership by the eSafety Commissioner and the Good Things Foundation, plays a critical role delivering digital skills workshops to older Australians helping build their confidence online as they increasingly turn to virtual services, including telehealth, during COVID-19.”

Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said the funding for Friends Line would enable its provider Friends for to expand the service through to 30 June 2024.

“Friend Line is a free and anonymous telephone service that will provide older Australians an opportunity to chat with a friendly volunteer,” Minister Colbeck said.

“In the first year Friend Line anticipates answering 20,000 calls scaling up to at least 60,000 a year after that up from 5600 calls a year currently.”

Friend Line (1800 4 CHATS) will rapidly expand to be available outside normal business hours between 10am to 8pm, seven days a week.

The latest investment comes on top of a new support line offering specific advice and counselling for senior Australians seeking assistance because of COVID-19.

Established in conjunction with the Council on the Ageing Australia, National Seniors Australia, the Older Persons Advocacy Network and Dementia Australia, the COVID-19 support line will operate Monday to Friday, except public holidays, from 8.30am to 6pm on 1800 171 866.

To find a Be Connected program near you visit https://beconnected.esafety.gov.au/find-local-help

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Commonwealth and States sign five-year $131 billion hospital agreement

Public hospitals across the country will have record funding for the next five years after all states and territories signed onto the Morrison Government’s new health reform agreement.

This record funding agreement will deliver more doctors, more nurses and more services across public hospitals in every state and territory.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the funding commitment would ensure the Australian health system remained stable and nationally coordinated, particularly throughout this unprecedented time.

“Overall, the Commonwealth will invest an estimated $131.4 billion in demand driven public hospital funding to improve health outcomes for all Australians and ensure the sustainability of our health system now and into the future,” Mr Vasta said.

The new 2020‑25 National Health Reform Agreement provides an estimated $31.4 billion in additional funding to public hospitals over five years from 2020–21. This is in addition to the over $8 billion health investment by the Commonwealth during the COVID-19 response.

As part of the new Agreement, the Morrison Government has provided a funding guarantee to all states and territories to ensure no jurisdiction is left worse off as a result of the COVID‑19 pandemic, and guarantees the Commonwealth’s funding contribution for public hospitals over the next five years.

This guarantee is critical to ensuring state and territory governments can continue to deliver safe and effective public hospital services for all Australians, especially when all Australian governments are working to respond to the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Under this Agreement, a small number of very sick children across Australia will receive lifesaving, high cost therapies such as immunotherapy, to reduce and rid cancer from their body, free of charge.

Commonwealth and states have agreed to jointly fund this cancer treatment. Without this support patients could pay around $500,000 per treatment for cancer immunotherapy.

States are also funded to deliver more flexible care, including hospital care in the home, to give patients care where and when they need it.

This will include rehabilitation after a stroke in the home. This provides better long term outcomes for patients. It will help many Australians with approximately 50,000 strokes occurring per year.

This agreement also builds on the collaboration between the Commonwealth and the states in responding to COVID-19.

New funding arrangements under the Agreement mean people with some of the rarest conditions will have better access to new innovative life-saving high-cost therapies in public hospitals around the country.

Importantly, the Agreement strengthens all governments’ commitment to ensuring equitable access to public hospitals for all Australians by removing incentives that can lead to the preferential treatment of private patients.

The new Agreement also includes a commitment by all Australian governments to a shared long-term vision for health reform, at a time when shared investment and coordination in health has never been more important.

The reforms aim to make it easier to provide flexible, high-quality care that meets the needs and preferences of Australians, and reduces pressure on hospitals.

Through this Agreement, we will ensure Australia’s health system continues to be one of the best in the world, delivering the best possible health outcomes for Australians.

State and territory funding breakdown

  • The Australian Government funding contribution for public hospital services in New South Wales is estimated to grow substantially to an estimated $40.1 billion over the next five years, delivering an additional $9.3 billion in funding.
  • The Australian Government funding contribution for public hospital services in Victoria is estimated to grow substantially to an estimated $32.4 billion over the next five years, delivering an additional $7.3 billion in funding.
  • The Australian Government funding contribution for public hospital services in Queensland is estimated to grow substantially to an estimated $30.1 billion under the new agreement, delivering an additional $8.4 billion in funding.
  • The Australian Government funding contribution for public hospital services in Western Australia is estimated to grow substantially to an estimated $14.1 billion over the next five years, delivering an additional $3.4 billion in funding.
  • The Australian Government funding contribution for public hospital services in South Australia is estimated to grow substantially to an estimated $7.8 billion, delivering an additional $1.3 billion in funding.
  • The Australian Government funding contribution for public hospital services in Tasmania is estimated to grow substantially to an estimated $2.4 billion under the new agreement, delivering an additional $400 million in funding.
  • The Australian Government funding contribution for public hospital services in the Northern Territory is estimated to grow substantially to an estimated $2.0 billion over five years to 2024-25, delivering an additional $707 million in funding.

The Australian Government funding contribution for public hospital services in the Australian Capital Territory is estimated to grow substantially to $2.5 billion in funding, delivering an additional $598 million in funding.

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Funding boost for endometriosis research

The Morrison Government is continuing its support for women and girls with endometriosis by investing over $9.5 million into five innovative research projects as part of its Medical Research
Future Fund’s Emerging Priorities and Consumer Driven Research Initiative.

Endometriosis is a common yet frequently under-recognised chronic disease affecting one in every ten Australian women with the average diagnosis taking between seven to ten years.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the funding boost was just another way the Morrison Government showed it support for women.

“These projects will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis and a better understanding of its causes,” Mr Vasta said.

“It is a highly individualised disease, with its symptoms and impact ranging significantly from person to person, including severe chronic pain and in some cases, compromised fertility and sexual function.

“The Government is profoundly committed to tackling this often misunderstood and crippling condition.”

Research projects to receive funding include:

Administering institution Project Total grant value (GST exclusive)
The University of Queensland Genetic variants, early life exposures, and longitudinal endometriosis symptoms study (GELLES).

 

$1,856,540.00
Deakin University A randomised controlled trial comparing yoga, cognitive behaviour therapy and education to improve quality of life and reduce health care costs in endometriosis. $893,981.25
Monash University Creating an evidence base for clinical care: A randomised controlled study examining the efficacy of the low FODMAP diet for the relief of gastrointestinal symptoms in endometriosis. $948,619.20

 

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Long STEPPP-A: Longitudinal study of teenagers with endometriosis, period and pelvic pain in Australia to identify early risk factors, educational and management strategies that will lead to optimal health outcomes and appropriate health utilisation.      $1,963,118.00

 

University of Melbourne Improving diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.      $3,929,233.50
Total        $9,591,491.95

 

These research projects will contribute to a greater understanding of endometriosis for the benefit of women and their loved ones across Australia.

Further information is available at www.health.gov.au/mrff.

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