The Morrison Government is further investing in technology solutions to reduce the energy bills of Australian families and businesses, and drive down carbon emissions.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the government was investing $68.5 million in the Reliable Affordable Clean Energy for 2030 (RACE for 2030) Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) to improve energy affordability and reliability, and help Australia play its role in reducing global emissions.

“The RACE for 2030 CRC will lead collaborative research and innovation to grow Australian energy technology businesses, improve clean energy uptake, while at the same time tackling the grid stability challenges facing new energy technologies, with long-term benefits for all Australians,” Mr Vasta said.

“With cost of living and rising power prices among top concerns for families and businesses, investing in technology to not only reduce emissions but the cost of energy is something everyone can get behind.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the CRC would drive the development of clean energy solutions which were stable and economically viable.

“This investment is a perfect example of how the Morrison Government is taking climate action now, without dipping into the pockets of hard-working Australians,” Minister Andrews said.

“Supporting cutting-edge energy technology and research is a sure-fire path to lower emissions, cheaper power and a reliable grid.

“The cost and reliability of energy is a vital component of running a business. Reducing energy costs for businesses means more money for investment, more production and more jobs – essential elements of a healthy and growing economy.

“For Australian families, this clean energy research offers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint, while also lowering their power bills and freeing up more money in the household budget.”

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the work of the CRC is yet another example of the Government delivering innovative measures for a fairer deal on energy for all Australians.

“Technology, not taxes, will be the way we deliver practical action on emissions reduction. This is why it is so important that we work together with industry and researchers to deploy the right technology when and where it is needed for cheaper bills and lower emissions”, Minister Taylor said.

“We have seen wholesale prices for electricity reduce by an average of 35 per cent on the east coast over the last quarter compared with the same time last year. The CRC’s work will assist in unlocking new technologies for reliable generation to continue this downward cost trend and keep the lights on.

“We’re committed to sensible, practical solutions that reduce emissions, cut power bills, and protect and create jobs.”

The RACE for 2030 CRC’s potential benefits include reducing energy costs by up to 25 per cent, reducing emissions by up to 20 million tonnes and an $8 billion economic benefit by 2034.

The CRC has generated around $280 million in cash and in-kind contributions from industry and researchers to drive its work which will be supported by the $68.5 million in Government support under round 21 of the CRC program.

Since 2013, the Government has committed $1.1 billion to support the establishment of 30 CRCs, with industry and research partners contributing $3.4 billion in cash and in-kind contributions.

Two breakthrough melanoma treatment options have been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to bring hope to over 2000 Australians with advanced melanoma.

On March 1 the current PBS listing of Opdivo ® (nivolumab) will be expanded to include adjuvant treatment of IIIB, IIIC, IIID and stage IV malignant melanoma.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said Australia had one of the highest rates of melanoma and particularly in his electorate around the bayside, it was important to get regular skin cancer checks.

“The Morrison Government has delivered for melanoma patients by listing this breakthrough treatment on the PBS,” Mr Vasta said

“Without this listing the cost for the course of treatment would be significantly higher.

“It is estimated more than 1500 patients might otherwise pay more than $100,000 per course of treatment without this subsidy.

“With one Australian diagnosed with melanoma every five hours, supporting them with subsidised treatment is making a difference and saving lives.”

The Government is also expanding the listing of Opdivo and Yervoy (nivolumab and ipilimumab) to allow use as a first-line therapy in the treatment of BRAF V600 mutant positive Stage III or Stage IV of unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the expanded listing of Opdivo on the PBS would improve patient recovery.

“These significant expansions will provide melanoma patients with a new breakthrough form of treatment, with less side effects and a greater chance recovery,” Minster Hunt said.

“Each of these listings has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.”

Australians will now be reunited with the superannuation they are owed but have not yet been paid after the Morrison Government this week passed new legislation to encourage employers to do the right thing.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the government had implemented a one-off amnesty for historical underpayment of superannuation to incentivize employers to come forward and do the right thing by their employees.

“This policy will reunite hardworking Australians with their super by offering employers amnesty to come forward, admit the error and pay any unpaid super in full,” Mr Vasta said.

“The amnesty will make it easier for workers to secure the super they are owed by not hitting employers with the penalties usually associated with late payment.”

Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology Senator Jane Hume said they anticipate at least $160 million of super will be paid to Australian workers who would otherwise miss out.

“Since the one-off amnesty was originally announced back in 2018, over 7000 employers have already come forward to voluntarily disclose historical unpaid super,” Assistant Minister Hume said.

“We estimate an additional 7000 employers will come forward in the next six months before the amnesty ends. Employers will not be off the hook.”

To use the amnesty, employers must still pay all super owed to their employees, including the high rate of interest.

If employers do not take advantage of the amnesty, they will now face significantly higher penalties when they are caught – in general, a minimum 100 per cent penalty on top of the SG shortfall they owe, and up to 200 per cent for the most serious cases.

In addition, throughout the amnesty period the ATO will still continue its usual audit and enforcement activity against employers for historical obligations they do not own up to voluntarily.

The Amnesty will expire six months after the day the Bill receives Royal Assent.

The amnesty complements recent changes to the superannuation system to improve the visibility employees have over their superannuation.

“We encourage employers to check they don’t owe outstanding super – and if they do, to take advantage of this once-only opportunity to set things right before much tougher penalties apply,” Assistant Minister Hume said.

“Together, these measures reflect the Morrison Government’s ongoing commitment to reuniting Australians with lost and unpaid super.”

Improvements to the My Aged Care website have been made to provide easier access to the online portal for older Australians.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the My Aged Care website and it’s helpline were key resources for delivering care to those who need it most.

“The helpline has a strong record of answering calls quickly with unanswered calls dropping below two per cent in 2019-2020,” Mr Vasta said.

“With improvements to our helpline and online portal, we’re now exploring opportunities for further face-to-face support.”

Minister for Aged Care Richard Colbeck MP said the department was also exploring new support opportunities so there was no wrong door to access aged care services.

“In 2018-19, over 440,000 face-to-face assessments were completed to support older Australians, so we’re exploring opportunities for further face-to-face support to be provided through a wider range of community organisations,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Elderly and senior Australians deserve the highest possible standards and practices when it comes to delivering care and offering families’ peace of mind.“We will continue to implement changes and remain focused as the important work of the Royal Commission continues and anticipate its final recommendations on November 12.”

For more information visit www.myagedcare.gov.au

Bonner  veterans and their families will benefit from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ (DVA) Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program.

Federal Member, Ross Vasta MP said this funding will help Bonner  ex‑service and community organisations to continue to put veterans and their families first.

“It is through the dedication and hard work of ex-service and community organisations that veterans and their families receive services, support and opportunities allowing them to continue active roles in their local communities,” Mr Vasta said.

“I congratulate the Manly-Lota RSL for receiving a $24,207.75 grant through DVA’s Building Excellence in Support and Training grants program.

The Manly-Lota RSL have provided continued to support to our veterans and their families through their programs.”

MR Vasta said that ex‑service and community organisations, veteran groups and private organisations play a crucial role in supporting the health and welfare of the veteran community.

“Thank you to these organisations for provide support to our veterans and their families when it is most needed.

“The Government will continue to support veterans and their families by providing more than $4 million to 139 projects across the country.”

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

Men’s Shed is celebrating Shed Life Week at four locations across the Bonner electorate to encourage men from all walks of life to build and create together.

With over a thousand locations across Australia, Men Shed aims to be a creative space to combat isolation and loneliness as well as reduce preventable mental health issues.

“Bonner is home to four Men Sheds that do amazing work to foster a sense of community for men of all ages to build and create with the latest shed tools,” Mr Vasta said.

“They’re also a place men can come together to openly talk about import issues relating to their physical and mental health shoulder-to-shoulder.

“Originating in Toowoomba, Men’s Shed has gained momentum world wide breaking the stigma around masculinity and to semi-retired to retired men on the same page about their issues.”

Shed Life Week encourages members to showcase their craftsmanship from around the world, open their doors to new members and promote talking about issues that matter to men’s health.

To find out how you can get involved with your local Men’s Shed visit:

mensshed.org/celebrating-shed-life-this-mens-shed-week/

The first of the fleet of new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) for the Australian Defence Force has been unveiled.

The 211 new Boxer 8×8 CRVs will be delivered by Rheinmetall Defence Australia under the $5 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability project.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the new vehicles with their high levels of protection, firepower and mobility, will provide a world-class capability to the Australian Army.

“These new vehicles are part of the Morrison Government’s $200 billion investment in our defence capability over the next decade to ensure the Australian Defence Force is equipped to succeed in our challenging strategic environment,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Boxer project will create around 330 jobs here in Queensland – a welcome boost for Defence capability and the local economy.”

Twelve small businesses across Australia have contributed to the production of this first Boxer, ensuring the delivery of these vehicles is a national enterprise.

Over the 30-year life of the vehicles, Australian industry will secure $10.2 billion of the total investment in acquiring and maintaining the fleet.

The vehicles will be able to undertake a range of missions from regional stability and peacekeeping through to high-threat operations, and will provide improved safety to Australian soldiers on deployment and on exercises around the world.

Consultation on Australia’s 2020 Cyber Security Strategy is underway, with the Morrison Government seeking views from across the country to improve the cyber security of Australian citizens, community groups and businesses.

The Department of Home Affairs is hosting a public forum in Brisbane on October 17^th for all Australians to discuss the 2020 Cyber Security Strategy with the local community and industry.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta said the forum presented an opportunity for Australian families and businesses to talk to the Australian Government about how best to protect them online.

“Cyber security is no longer something for technical specialists and large corporations because every day Australians are increasingly affected by malicious online activity and have stories to share,” Mr Vasta said.

“We are asking all Australians to participate in the conversation and contribute their thoughts and ideas through these public forums.”

In 2018 alone, around one in three Australian adults were affected by cybercrime, hundreds of businesses, families and individuals have fallen victim to scams, ransomware, sophisticated fraud or the theft of their intellectual property.

The Australian Government has also released a public discussion paper to start the conversation. Those unable to attend the public forum are invited to contribute their views by submitting a response online.

For more information and to register for Brisbane’s public forum, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2020-cyber-security-strategy-open-forum-brisbane-registration-71026611507

Round Two of Australian Aid Friendship Grants are now open for charities, local government groups and organisations.

Since starting last year, this three-year program has allocated $10 million to strengthen our relationships between our not-for-profit organisations and our neighbours in the Indo-Pacific region.

Eligible non-profit organisations can apply for a one-off grant from $30,000 right up to $60,000 to assist these countries that face various needs and challenges.

Last year, World Hope International from Mackenzie was successful in receiving a Friendship Grant to further their work in Cambodia to build all-year-round climate-controlled mushroom grow houses.

Over 200 applications were received for the Friendship Grants Program that was awarded to 46 organisations through their merit-based selection process.

Round two of the Australia Aid Friendship closes 1 pm AEST 10 September 2019

To know more on how to apply for the Friendship Grant, visit the DFAT website

www.dfat.gov.au/friendshipgrants.

The $185 million Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care 10 year mission funded through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) has been well invested according to Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta during a recent to visit the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland.

Announced by the Liberal-National Government last year, The Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research at the Queensland Brain Institute was the first recipient of the mission with $10 million for dementia research.

Invited by the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR) to see the research first hand, Mr Vasta stated that this package is an advancement to the health economy of Australia.

“It is the single largest boost in health and medical research funding in Australia’s history,” Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said

“The Morrison Government’s commitment to further research into dementia and ageing is a responsibility not taken lightly and the research work done by the team at UQ is taking phenomenal strides to reduce the impact of this disease.”

Mr Vasta invited local dementia advocates from Bonner to join him on the tour and presentation at the QBI world-class research facility. The tour examined the different technologies and new methods researchers are using to reduce the risk of this neurological disease to ensure all Australians have a better quality of life.

Director of the Queensland Brain Institute Professor Pankaj Sah recognises the financial need behind the research to prevent the risk of over one million Australians to be diagnosed by the disease by 2056.

“Ross [Vasta] has been a fantastic supporter and got us in touch with the Federal Government and out of that has come the current round of funding,” Mr Sah said.

“We couldn’t really do any of the stuff we do without their support.”

Our Government is able to provide unprecedented levels of support to health and medical research because of our strong economic management, Mr Vasta said.

Mr Vasta will continue to work with the team at QBI and local dementia groups.