BUDGET ‘
Issue 2 May 2009
09 SPECIA
The Bottom Line
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Sid Sidebottom MP For a Fair Go in Braddon
( 1300 135 547 (Toll free) ~ 6431 1333
7 6431 5680
; sid.sidebottom.MP@aph.gov.au ; www.sidsidebottom.com
Tasmania leads national super fast broadband rollout Tasmanians will begin to benefit from the fastest broadband in the world within a matter of months. Tasmania will be the launch State for the Rudd Government’s new National Broadband Network. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett and Sid announced in April that the network would begin rolling out in Tassie as early as July 2009, with the full national roll-out due in early 2010. A Fibre To The Premise (FTTP) network will deliver speeds of 100 Megabits per second, connecting over 200,000 Tasmanian households and businesses, all hospitals and almost 90 percent of schools. Tasmania’s layout will allow for a backbone trunk network to run from one end of the state to the other, ensuring broadband access to towns as small as 50 homes and businesses. This will cover the majority of North West Coast
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced Tasmania as the launch State for the new Broadband network in Devonport last month. homes. A wireless network will also be constructed and the Rudd Government’s National Broadband Network satellite solution will service the remainder of the State with speeds of 12 Mbps or more.
RUDD GOVERNMENT BUDGET DELIVERS: INCREASE TO PENSION
50% TAX BREAK FOR SMALL EXTENSION TO FIRST HOME OWNERS BOOST BUSINESS
The Bottom Line
Sid Sidebottom MP For a Fair Go in Braddon
Issue 2 May 2009
Budget ‘09 special
Sid brings Kevin Rudd to North West Jobs Forum Braddon MP Sid Sidebottom ensured Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited the North West Coast in April to speak directly with local businesses and workers. Businesses and councils were also able to directly address the Prime Minister about the local economy and their concerns and ideas. The Central Coast Council hosted the 120-strong jobs forum where Mr Rudd fielded questions from the attendees, before speaking one-on-one with people about their individual situations.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd talks with Ulverstone business woman Adele Sims at the recent Jobs Forum.
Federal Minister for Employment Participation Brendan O’Connor, and Federal Minister for Broadband, Communication and the Digital
Economy Stephen Conroy also addressed the jobs forum and where they answered questions from local business people.
NW Jobs Forum Feedback Some of the issues raised and questions answered included: The new Northern Tasmanian Employment Coordinator is focussed on coordinating government, community and business stakeholders to find effective projects to fast-track through the Rudd Government’s $650m Jobs Fund. Better support for those in temporary need. People who may have become redundant and are seeking Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance, or related payments will no longer have to wait three months to receive assistance it will be immediate in an attempt to get them back into the workforce. 10,000 new training places for eligible redundant workers at Certificate III and Certificate IV levels will be made available from July 2009, in the Targeted Productivity Places Program. This will help workers to gain new skills and qualifications to get them back into the workforce. To find a registered training organisation or to find courses visit: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/ProductivityPlaces/Pages/default.aspx.
For more information on how the Rudd Government is supporting jobs through the global recession contact Sid’s office on:
(
1300 135 547 6431 1333
Sid Sidebottom MP For a Fair Go in Braddon
The Bottom Line
Budget ‘09 special
Issue 2 May 2009
Rudd Government delivers $70m+ in new health funding for NW Coast since 2007 The 09/10 Budget has delivered the following new services in North West Tasmania: What health services did the NW Coast receive from the 09-10 budget? $1.2m to develop an electronic clinical
information and communications system to link health care providers.
$1.4m to improve cancer services in the region. $1m to provide more patient accommodation for North West cancer patients who must travel to the LGH for radiation oncology treatment.
What has Sid already delivered:
$180m Mersey Community Hospital funding
$10m towards better patient transport
$7.5m GP Super Clinics, Devonport and Burnie
Some $10m towards patient transport is among the election commitments now delivered by the Rudd Government.
Tas Cancer Council backs specialised Oncology Services unit After extensive consultations with Tasmanian cancer experts, the Federal Minister for Health Nicola Roxon announced on Budget night that the oncology unit would be delivered to the Launceston General Hospital. Sid fought hard for oncology services on the North West, but ultimately specialists in the field advised that it would not be possible, and could not be staffed. These experts included Tasmanian Health Department, The Cancer Council of Tasmania and the North West Area Health Service. The Government has to accept this expert medical and specialist advice on cancer services.
The facts on MRI services An exhaustive public tender process for an MRI licence on the NW Coast has been unable to find an operator of this business. Local health providers cannot be forced to tender for the MRI licence, so it was decided it was much better for the NW community to re-direct these funds to the three new programs announced in the recent Budget and listed above.
The Bottom Line
Sid Sidebottom MP For a Fair Go in Braddon
Budget ‘09 special
Issue 2 May 2009
Over $75m in projects delivered in 2009 so far
Projects on the North West and West Coasts are rolling out at a rapid rate, with more than $75m delivered to the region so far in 2009.
This funding demonstrates the Rudd Government’s commitment to supporting local jobs and infrastructure projects in order to cushion our economy as much as we can from the global financial crisis. Among the more significant projects:
More than $17m on local roads through the Roads to Recovery and Black Spots funding programs
$7.5m – Devonport and Burnie GP Super Clinics
$28m to North West and West Coasts schools from the Building the Education revolution program
$2m towards upgrades of Formby Rd, Devonport
$1.98m – Ulverstone Wharf and Show ground redevelopment
$1m towards upgrades to Port Sorell Main Rd
$1.44m St Brendan Shaw Trade Training Centre (Hair and Beauty Training Centre)
$12m to increase Spirit of Tasmania subsidy
$1.1 – Devonport Surf Club redevelopment
$3m towards upgrades to the Burnie waterfront precinct
(l-r) Devonport Surf Club president Michael Stolp, Devonport City Council Deputy Mayor Maurice Hill, council GM Ian McCallum and council acting strategic project planner Kate Fagan are congratulated by Sid after receiving $1.1m from the Federal Government to redevelop the Devonport Surf Club.
Sid Sidebottom MP For a Fair Go in Braddon If you require any information or help with any Federal Government issue please contact my office on:
Sid Sidebottom MP Federal Member for Braddon Shop 2 ~ 32 Wilmot Street ~ Burnie TAS 7320 ~ PO Box 908 Burnie TAS 7320 ( 1300 135 547 (Toll free) ~ 6431 1333 7 6431 5680 ; sid.sidebottom.MP@aph.gov.au www.sidsidebottom.com