The Morrison Government has launched a new education campaign targeted at parents of young children to help boost low vaccination rates.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said although almost 95 percent of five-year-old children were vaccinated in Australia, there were areas where the immunisation rate was too low.

“The ‘Get the Facts about Immunisation’ campaign will help parents access evidence-based information to support their decision making about childhood vaccinations,” Mr Vasta said.

“The science is proven and the medical experts’ advice is absolute – vaccinations save and protect lives and are essential to a healthy society.

“Skipping or delaying vaccinations puts children and those around them at risk of catching serious diseases.  “It’s important children receive their vaccine on time, every time, for the best protection.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged five years are above the National Immunisation Target at 96.87 percent as a direct result of a micro-targeting advertising campaign.

“I am confident this campaign will boost immunisation rates across the country to the national target of 95 percent,” Mr Vasta said.

The eight week campaign will run nationally on television for the first time, supported by a range of online channels.

For more information visit immunisation coverage rates

The Australian Academy of Martial Arts (AAMA) officially opened their new training facility doors to showcase the new and improved dojo.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he was so pleased to be able to support this much deserved upgrade with $185,000 Morrison Government grant to enhance the club’s training facility.

“Through the Community Development grant we were able to contribute $185,000 to the enhancement of AMMA and help them continue the 47 year legacy they’ve established in the community,” Mr Vasta said.

AAMA President Lyndon Kurth said the welcome upgrade ensured their sporting club would continue its impactful future on young people in the region.

“This new Dojo will ensure the sustainable future of our volunteer operated club whilst also offering affordable karate tuition fees for families,” Mr Kurth said.

“Our classes are more than self-defense but rather about enhancing the mind, body and spirit through excellence in karate.

“It’s also a great inclusive sport for women and children.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government’s investment in community infrastructure would provide long term benefits to the Mt Gravatt region.

“This investment will contribute to people feeling more socially connected and building self-esteem, particularly among vulnerable youth and provide positive health benefits,” Mr McCormack said.

The Morrison Government has invested $20 million as part of round 8 of the Cooperative Research Centres Project (CRC-Ps) to help businesses reduce their plastic waste, boost recycling initiatives and build a sustainable environment through job creating projects.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said these projects are driving Australia’s waste-recycling industry forward.

“There are nine projects in this round which will see Australia reduce its plastic waste and boost plastic recycling,” Mr Vasta said.

“By working with the waste and recycling industries, we believe the CRC-P grants will help foster innovative ideas that will help boost and strengthen our environment and economy.

“We have seen $289 million committed to CRC-Ps since 2016 as part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to strengthening Australian industry and create 1.25 million jobs in the next five years.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews MP said the projects showed the great economic opportunities in waste recycling.

“Not only are these new projects ensuring Australia’s environmentally sustainable future, they are also creating further opportunities for new jobs,” Minister Andrews said.

“This funding will support Australian businesses and researches as they forge new markets to limit the use of plastics and create recycled products.”

Applications for Round 9 of the CRC-P grants open February 13. For more information visit www.business.gov.au/crc-p

The turn-up-and-go Brisbane Metro public transport system has notched up another milestone with early works starting in South Brisbane.

Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Brisbane Metro would get commuters home considerably quicker, with frequent peak hour services to be provided once the project is completed.

“New high-frequency services will link with suburban bus and train services, really helping to connect the city to the suburbs and easing congestion bottlenecks,” Mr Tudge said.

Federal Member for Brisbane Trevor Evans said the project was a great example of what could be achieved when different levels of government work together.

“The $944 million Brisbane Metro project has been jointly funded by the Australian Government and Brisbane City Council, with the Australian Government committing $300 million, and the Brisbane City Council providing the remaining funds,” Mr Evans said.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the early works were part of the first stage of the project, which would connect 18 stations along dedicated busways between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street, and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and University of Queensland.

“There will also be a new fleet of comfortable electric metro vehicles, with USB charging points, on board Wi-Fi and large doors for quicker boarding,” Mr Vasta said.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the early works included geotechnical investigations, sewer pump station construction, piling and excavations had started on the mass public transport system.

“This is a critical milestone for the Brisbane Metro. We have work ramping up at the Rochedale depot and now early works underway in the city centre to allow for the new underground station,’’ Cr Schrinner said.

“This project is creating jobs and a world-class public transport system to ensure residents get home quicker and safer, while also catering for future city growth.

“The new underground station at the Cultural Centre will be a key part of Brisbane’s greater transport network and will help link the city to the suburbs, making it easier for you to connect to the people and places you love.”

Once the pump station is built, Alexander Smith Place Park will be rejuvenated with plants, new street furniture and a drinking fountain.

The sewer pump station works are expected to take 12 months to complete at a construction cost of approximately $8.7 million, jointly funded by Council and Urban Utilities.

In November, Cr Schrinner announced the new fleet of 60 high-capacity Metro vehicles would be fully electric and have zero tail-pipe emissions, with the first pilot vehicle to be built by world-leading electric vehicle manufacturers HESS and its partners.

An initial pilot vehicle is expected to arrive in Brisbane in 2020 to commence testing in local operating conditions.

Brisbane Metro services are expected to begin by late 2023.

The proportion of working-age Australians receiving welfare benefits has fallen to its lowest level in more than 30 years.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Department of Social Services analysis of recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics population data showed 13.5 per cent of the working-age population was receiving working‑age income support payments at June 2019.

“This is a drop from the previous year’s level of 14.3 per cent and marks a significant reduction over the past decade when in 2009 the proportion of working-age Australians relying on welfare was 17.2 per cent,” Mr Vasta said.

“The data shows our Government’s commitment to building a stronger economy is creating more jobs for Australians.”

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said these figures showed the Morrison Government’s plan to provide pathways from welfare to employment were working.

“We are focussed on growing the economy, getting more people into work, and delivering well-targeted social security funded through a strong budget,” Minister Ruston said.

“More than 1.5 million jobs have been created since the Coalition was elected. As more people find employment we are seeing a fall in the number of working-age Australians on welfare.”

In 2019-20 the Government is forecast to spend $180 billion on social security and welfare – about one in every three dollars of taxpayer money spent.

“The safety net our social security system provides is vital to support the most vulnerable among us is which is why it is crucial that the system remains sustainable,” Minister Ruston said.

Registrations are closing soon for an Australia-wide roadshow to give local businesses the opportunity to be part of the Army’s biggest project – LAND 400.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the LAND 400 Phase 3 Mounted Close Combat Capabilities Roadshow was coming to Brisbane and would be a great opportunity for local industry to pitch their capabilities to shortlisted tenderers.

“Land 400 Phase 3 will acquire and support up to 450 Infantry Fighting Vehicles to replace the M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers and up to 17 Manoeuvre Support Vehicles,” Mr Vasta said.

“I encourage local companies in my electorate of Bonner not to miss out on the chance to speak directly to Defence and the Land 400 Phase 3 tenderers about how they can support the project.”

Defence will conduct the Roadshow in March and April 2020 with the two shortlisted tenderers, Hanwha Defense Australia and Rheinmetall Defence Australia, to facilitate opportunities for Australian industry involvement in the project.

The Roadshow will be coming to Brisbane the Sunshine Coast and Townsville in the week commencing Monday, March 9.

“This is the time to highlight to Hanwha and Rheinmetall some of the fantastic small businesses we have here in Bonner,” Mr Vasta said.

Registrations to participate in the Roadshow close February 21, 2020.

For more information and to register, visit www.defence.gov.au/CASG/EquippingDefence/Land%20400.asp

February 11 is Safer Internet Day and to mark the occasion, Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP is hosting a Safer Internet Forum for Seniors to help educate older Australians on safely using the internet and avoiding scams.

Mr Vasta said the forum would empower older residents in his electorate to feel confident when logging on, and educate them on how to identify and avoid common scams.

“Navigating the online world for seniors can be quite daunting and full of uncertainties,” Mr Vasta said.

“We will have a guest speaker from the Office of Fair Trading who will discuss how to identify and avoid common scams online which unfortunately catch our too many people.

“The internet is a powerful tool that connects the world around us so but important we use it wisely and help vulnerable people in our community avoid getting caught out.”

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher MP said the Morrison Government’s Online Safety Act was helping combat fraudulent behaviour online.

“Australia has been at the forefront of online safety policy over the past two decades and the proposed reforms address the risk of evolving harms and build on our strong foundations,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The internet offers significant economic and social benefits, but these benefits will only be fully realised if Australians can engage confidently and safely in the online world.”

The Safer Internet for Senior’s forum will be held on Friday, February 21 at the Mount Gravatt Bowls Club from 9.30am.

For more information or to RSVP, email ross.vasta.mp.rsvp@aph.gov.au or phone (07) 3893 3488.

Australians with type 1 diabetes will soon have free access to the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system thanks to the Morrison Government’s $300 million Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Initiative.

The FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring device measures glucose levels without the use of lancets, test strips and blood.

A sensor is worn on the back of the arm and connects to a reader on a mobile phone application, which in turn stores glucose levels day and night to help people manage their diabetes, and avoid dangerous hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said he had been contacted by a number constituents over this matter and he was glad this monitoring system would now be free for people with Type 1 diabetes.

“Without Government subsidy, these Australians would normally pay $92.50 every two weeks for the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system – over $2,400 per year,” Mr Vasta said.

“The introduction of FreeStyle Libre will increase the range of products available to support Australians with diabetes from 1 March 2020.”

Minister for Health Greg Hunt MP said the government was also streamlining the eligibility criteria, to increase the number of Australians who can access fully subsidised glucose monitoring devices through the CGM scheme to 58,000 people, up from 37,000.

“This will be achieved by simplifying the clinical criteria for people with type 1 diabetes aged 21 years or older, and who have concessional status,” Minister Hunt said.

Under the scheme, from 1 March 2020, the Government will provide fully subsidised CGM products to a wider range of Australians, including:

· Children and young people, under 21 years of age, with type 1 diabetes.

· Children and young people with conditions very similar to type 1 diabetes, such as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes and neonatal diabetes, who require insulin.

· Women with type 1 diabetes who are planning for pregnancy, pregnant, or immediately post-pregnancy.

· People with type 1 diabetes aged 21 years or older and who have concessional status.

The Morrison Government is committed to supporting Australians with type 1 diabetes, investing over $300 million over four years from 2019-20 in the CGM Initiative.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of local communities and to further support the work they do local community groups can apply now for a Morrison Government Volunteer Grant.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said $66,000 in funding was available for his electorate and he encouraged eligible community groups to apply.

“Volunteering adds social and economic benefits to our region such as increased confidence and skill development, which is why I am pleased to offer these grants to further support Bonner’s volunteers,” Mr Vasta said.

“The grants form part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to supporting organisations whose volunteers assist in our communities and encourage the inclusion of vulnerable people in our society.

“My office will liaise with community leaders and relevant committees to identify priority volunteer support for our local area.

Mr Vasta said the grants could be used to buy small equipment for volunteers or for the reimbursement of volunteer fuel, transport or training costs. “Community groups can apply for grants between $1000 and $5000,” Mr Vasta said.

Each Federal Member of Parliament is able to nominate organisations to apply for funding in their electorate between now and 28 January 2020.

The Department of Social Services will then send an application form to nominated organisations to apply for funding in February 2020.

Successful applicants will be announced in May 2020.

For more information about the grants, please go to the Government’s GrantConnect website at www.grants.gov.au

Thanks to the generosity of the Bonner community, more than $5000 was raised through the Ross Vasta Christmas Appeal for Stanthorpe to help bring some Christmas cheer to the drought and bushfire affected region.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said Team Vasta and representatives from GIVIT online charity visited the region on Tuesday to distribute the donations, and the community response was both overwhelming and humbling.

“We joined GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant to help buy goods and vouchers for people in need, and the response from the community was just outstanding,” Mr Vasta said.

“Stanthorpe’s St Vincent de Paul Society branch identified a number of families needing support, so we went to work purchasing good and vouchers from IGA, some toys to ensure these kids would be visited by Santa, as well as vouchers to buy school uniforms.

“Thank you to everyone who donated to this appeal. You have helped bring so much joy and relief to those who really need it.”

GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said all funds received were spent at local businesses to further support the regional community.

“We purchased hair dressing vouchers from Stanthorpe salons, and gift cards from a local family-operated service station to provide some relief to drought-affected farmers,” Ms Tennant said.

“Hampers of household essentials, children’s toys, gift vouchers and festive mince pies we also donated to lighten the financial pressures on families celebrating what’s been an extremely testing year.

“As well as visiting St Vincent de Paul, we gave festive items for Christmas care packages to Granite Belt Drought Assist’s facility where people across the region can access vital donations of water.”

Ms Tennant said they had barely driven out of the city when Lee Stroud from St Vincent de Paul – Stanthorpe called to say she had already given some donations to a local family in need.

“The mum was so overwhelmed. She was nearly speechless and so grateful,” Ms Tennant said.

“We were so happy to partner with Ross Vasta to help bring some Christmas cheer to the Stanthorpe community during such a tough time.

“GIVIT is here for the long-term for the Southern Darling Downs region, as well as all communities in need across Queensland.”

Mr Vasta said he was pleased they had already received some heart-warming responses from the community.

“Sally Orreal from Stanthorpe Sport and Camping said she had goosebumps and was holding back tears when we came in to shop up a storm for toys for local kids,” Mr Vasta said.

“She thanked Team Vasta and GIVIT with a big hug for buying locally.”

Items donated are listed below:

Lee Stroud, St Vincent de Paul – Stanthorpe

4 x $50 Stanthorpe Quality Meats butcher
2x $40 haircut vouchers
4 x $50 Howard & Son’s Mitre 10
$400 worth of Spano’s IGA Stanthorpe $20 vouchers
20 Toys purchased from local sports shop
100 groceries including cleaning products and hygiene products
12 Chrisco hampers
Pack of bonds singlets baby
1 baby skirt
5 x $80 fuel from Stanthorpe Fuel & Services
19 Christmas cards/decorations

Glenda Riles – Granite Belt Drought Assist

4 x $100 Gleesons Mercery, school uniform vouchers
2 x $40 hair cut vouchers
4 x $50 Howard & Son’s Mitre 10
4 x $50 Stanthorpe Quality Meats butcher
4 x $80 fuel from Stanthorpe Fuel & Services
$620 worth of Spano’s IGA Stanthorpe $20 vouchers
25 toys
Large Box of hanes underwear
10 Chrisco hampers

Sandra Head – Southern Downs Emergency Relief

10x $50 BP Fuel vouchers
10x $50 Spano’s IGA Warwick
10x $50 Woolworths wish cards – donated from Queensland Rail