Families in Bonner will benefit from greater child care support sooner, with increased Child Care Subsidy (CCS) for multiple children brought forward from 7 March 2022, four months earlier than first expected.

The increased subsidies were due to come into effect on 11 July 2022, but the Government has been able to work with Commonwealth agencies and service providers to make necessary technical changes sooner.

From 7 March 2022, families with two or more children aged five years and under in care will have their CCS rate increased by 30 percentage points for their second child and younger children, up to a maximum rate of 95 per cent.

A family earning $11,000 a year with two kids in care, four days a week will be better off by $100 a week.

The $10,655 annual cap will also be scrapped on 10 December 2021 and applied retrospectively for the whole 2021-22 financial year, meaning families who hit the cap before the date will receive a refund on any excess fees paid.

There are around 1,700 families in Bonner that have two or more children in care and could benefit from the increased subsidy. More than half of eligible Australian families will receive the maximum 95 per cent subsidy.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the support would be targeted at those that need it most.

“We know child care costs can really add up when you have two, three or more children in care and this package will help those families by significantly reducing out-of-pocket costs for the second child and younger children,” Mr Vasta said.

“This will make a real difference in the lives of families in Bonner.

“The changes will also see this government’s total investment in child care grow to $11 billion a year they build on the Child Care Package we introduced in 2018 that is still keeping out-of-pocket costs low.”

Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said the changes would ease pressure on working families in Bonner and encourage more parents into work.

“These changes are good for families and great for the economy, and it’s significant that we are able to deliver them sooner,” Minister Tudge said.

“Removing the cap and increasing subsidies will allow more parents, particularly mothers, to return to work or take on more hours if they choose to.”

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.”