Issue 5 May 2010
Sid Sidebottom MP For a Fair Go in Braddon Sid Sidebottom MP - Federal Member for Braddon 1300 135 547 (Toll free) ; sid.sidebottom.MP@aph.gov.au ; www.sidsidebottom.com ( 1300 135 547 (Toll free) ~ 6431 1333 7 6431 5680 ; sid.sidebottom.MP@aph.gov.au ; www.sidsidebottom.com
Boost to cancer care Partnership delivers $16.5m centre
A partnership between the Federal and State Labor governments will deliver a new $16.5m Cancer Care Centre for the North-West and West at Burnie. The Centre will include a patient support centre and a new chemotherapy treatment service, with 12 chemotherapy treatment chairs. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit will also be included. When fully operational this new facility at Burnie will provide an estimated extra 6,000 chemotherapy treatments per year, with $4.78m in Federal funds going toward the Cancer Centre. The Rudd Government funding is part of a $47.67 million state-wide partnership with the Tasmanian Government and private contributors to enable a balanced and coordinated cancer treatment project across Tasmania. The Tasmanian Government will provide almost $24 million towards this project, with $3.95
Sid turns the sod on the Burnie GP Super Clinic with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Health Minister Nicola Roxon and Dr Bekithemba Bulle representing the clinic’s developers. million in other contributions. Sid says Tasmanians have the second-highest incidence of cancer in Australia, and survival rates for people suffering from cancer are lower in rural and remote communities. “This investment will mean people in the North West suf-
fering cancer will have better access to essential cancer services closer to home and have the important support networks closer to hand to help them cope with cancer treatment. “This important partnership will make a real difference to the lives of Tasmanians,” says Sid.
“Many people have shared with me their personal stories fighting cancer, and I hope this will go part of the way to helping them take on this terrible condition closer to home and with greater support from family and friends.” The Cancer Centre will build on other significant investments in health in the region made over the past two and a half years. These include: • $3 million toward new patient accommodation in Burnie, with building expected to start in six to 12 months. • Another $1 million toward increased patient accommodation in Launceston for those who have to travel from the NW for treatment. • $7.5 million for GP Super Clinics in Devonport and Cooee • $180 million for the Mersey Community Hospital • $10 million for the Tasmanian Patient Travel Scheme • $1.2 million for a NW integrated IT Health Network.
The Rudd Government intends to Federally fund and locally run our hospital and health network.
• Community Cabinet comes to Burnie - Pages 4 and 5 • A ‘tail’ of companionship - Page 7 • More sports grants - Page 3
Fund means 430 new jobs
John Van Der Woude (R) from Penguin Composites shows Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Industry Minister Kim Carr, State MP Brenton Best and Sid around the plant after the announcement of the North-West and Northern Tasmania Innovation and Investment Fund. Sid was thrilled to welcome Prime Minister Rudd to Braddon last month to announce 36 projects expected to create 430 new jobs in the region. The announcements came under the North West and Northern Tasmania Innovation and Investment Fund, set up to help cushion the jobs challenge created by a number of large industrial closures in the region. The $17 million program was a joint initiative of the Australian and Tasmanian governments, aimed at providing families and communities with sustainable jobs. The announcement was made at Penguin Composites, which will receive $1.3 million to expand workshop capacity at two sites and to fund new plant and equipment, generating 46 new jobs.
Sid says he was very pleased to see Penguin Composites, which makes fibreglass, composite and metal products for industry, among the successful applicants. “I visited Penguin Composites last year with Small Business Minister Craig Emerson and they were telling us about their plans to expand – now it can become a reality and also boost the number of jobs in the region,” he said. The 36 projects will lead to $34 million in investment to create new, high-skill jobs in a diverse range of industries from agriculture, meat processing, manufacturing, transport, construction, biotechnology and printing. A full list of the grant recipients can be found on Sid’s website www.sidsidebottom.com
Jobs boost spread across region
Broadband moving ahead despite threat The National Broadband Network is pushing ahead in Smithton despite a threat to the future of the network from the Liberal Opposition. Smithton is one of the three foundation locations in Tasmania where the superfast broadband is being rolled out. But a question remains over the future of the network in other parts of the North-West if the Liberal Party was to take power at the next election. Sid says the Broadband project
is vital for the development of the North-West and West, and for the country as a whole. “We can’t really begin to imagine some of the opportunities that will present once the network is up and running. “It will give business a chance to open up to the world, and people a chance to communicate quickly and efficiently. “For too long places like Smithton have been at the end of the technological revolution - but now they
have the chance to be right at the front of the line.” Sid says he is keen to see the Broadband network extend further along the Coast as the project expands. “I will do anything I can to see it continue in Tasmania, it is too important to let it go.” The first connections in Smithton are expected to begin in July, along with the two other foundation communities of Scottsdale and Midway Point.
More help for young local athletes Budding sports stars in the North-West and West will have a greater chance to chase their sporting dreams with a doubling of the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champion’s fund. Up to $25,000 will now be available for our young athletes wanting to compete in state and national events. The Australian Government has doubled the number of Local Sporting Champions grants available in 2010-11, with an increase in the 2010-11 Budget to $3.17 million, giving every electorate throughout the nation more chances to support local youth sports stars. This means 26 individual grants and four team grants for young people in our electorate. Sid says the program had been hugely popular for young athletes in Braddon since it was launched in 2008. “We need to invest in our sporting champions and for some time I’ve been arguing for more money to increase the benefits,. Some of our kids in could well be our next Olympians, Paralympians, tennis stars, football or netball professionals.’’ To be eligible for individual grants of $500 and $3000 for teams, Australians aged between 12-18 years must have to travel more than 250km to compete in endorsed state or national sporting competitions, or national school sport competitions. The grants can be used to meet travel costs, accommodation, uniforms or equipment. Grants are also open to young coaches, umpires and referees. More details of the Local Sporting Champions program is available at www.ausport.gov.au or Sid’s website
Sid Sidebottom MP For a Fair Go in Braddon
The Bottom Line Extra kick for NW apprentice numbers
Marking the opening of $30 million of upgrades to the Bass Highway are Waratah-Wynyard Mayor Kevin Hyland, Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam, Sid and road campaigner Trevor Duniam.
Road celebration part of long journey The opening of $30 million in improvements to the Bass Highway in the Sisters Hills was a major milestone on a long journey for Sid. He was very happy to represent Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese at last week’s launch of the eight projects which were part of the joint project with the Tasmanian Government. Sid was able to tell the big crowd at Rocky Cape that he had been lobbying for work on the road since 1996. The road has changed dramatically since that time, and now allows a much safer drive for people coming and going from the Circular Head region. Sid says the upgrade to the road was vital, not only for people travelling along the route, but also because of its important economic links for the region and state. Circular Head is a major contributor to the wealth of Tasmania with significant amounts of primary produce coming from the region, from vegetables, timber and dairy products through to poppies and pyrethrum. It is very important for the travelling public,
whether it be for work or pleasure, to have a good road to travel on, and this is being achieved through projects such as the recent upgrades. At the opening Sid paid tribute to road campaigners such as Trevor Duniam and Kevin Walker along with the local mayors in Circular Head and WaratahWynyard, who have been very important in putting the case to get both Federal and State funds for the upgrades. He said their arguments about the economic and social value of the road helped to gain significant funding to complete major projects. Sid also thanked groups involved in the projects - such as Pitt and Sherry, Shaw and Hazell Bros - for their work, with cost savings on the initial package of works allowing the delivery of two complementary projects, making a total package of eight projects. The projects included road alignment, widening the road significantly and provided overtaking lanes and improved a number of key road junctions.
Eight projects boost road safety
The Rudd Government will invest almost $80 million to extend the Apprentice Kickstart initiative which boosted traditional trade apprenticeship numbers above pre-global recession levels in just one year. Apprentice Kickstart more than triples the commencement bonus for employers of traditional trades apprentices in the first year from $1500 to $4850. Sid says the initiative has been so successful it has smashed its target of 21,000 with about 24,400 young people starting an apprenticeship in the traditional trades last summer. “In our own region we helped 51 local apprentices get a start last summer. “During the 1990s recession, apprenticeship commencements in key traditional trades fell 34 per cent and it took 13 years before we recruited the same number of apprentices again. “Thanks to the Rudd Government we have done it in one year, not 13. “But we still need more apprentices. “That’s why we’re investing almost $80 million to support around 22,500 new apprenticeship places in traditional trades experiencing skills shortages. “This funding will be targeted at helping small and medium businesses with fewer than 200 employees put on more apprentices. Sid says the economic downturn particularly hurt apprenticeships, but with the support of employers and young people Apprentice Kickstart had been a great success. “Increased apprenticeship training is crucial to building a stronger economy. “Thanks to Apprentice Kickstart we’re training more electricians, carpenters, plumbers and bakers.” Apprentice Kickstart will be extended for six months from 12 May to 12 November this year, with more detail available at www.australianapprenticeships. gov.au
Cabinet com Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his cabinet came to Burnie recently, for the 23rd Community Cabinet since the Labor Government was elected. The Community Cabinet at Parklands High School marked the end of a full day of engagements for Prime Minister Rudd, as Sid gave him a good look around Burnie. The day began with the turning of the sod at Burnie’s new GP Super Clinic at Cooee, with the Rudd Government putting $2.5 million into the project. The PM got a chance to help kick off the work and meet the group of doctors behind the project and hear about their plans. This was followed by a Civic Reception hosted by the Burnie City Council at the Makers Workshop, which was partly built using Federal Government funds. Mr Rudd spoke to the guests about the many projects around Burnie which the Government had supported, worth almost $50 million. He was soon off to another project nearby, performing the official opening of the West Park Sports Facility, which was built using $2.35m in Federal funds.
Parklan impress
Cabinet in Pictures (anticlockwise) • Prime Minister Rudd gives a hand to kick off the GP Super Clinic with Jamie Dent from Vos Construction and Sid. • Minister Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister Rudd and Sid head out for a kick. • The Prime Minister celebrates a goal. • Sid welcomes people to the Cabinet forum.
Sid Sidebottom MP For a Fair Go in Braddon
mes to Burnie The afternoon gave Mr Rudd a chance to try out his football skills on the famous West Park oval, along with Sid and Minister for Infrastructure, Anthony Albanese. The PM showed that despite a lack of background in AFL he could have some potential, putting the ball through the big sticks. More than 300 people gathered at Parklands High School for the Community Cabinet, where they were given a chance to ask the Prime Minister and his Cabinet about a variety of issues and get an insight into the rationale behind current government decisions. About 100 people were also given the opportunity to have private meetings with the PM and Cabinet following the open forum. Parklands High principal Anne Walker, her students and staff proved wonderful hosts, with the school’s Vocal Ensemble providing a musical backdrop to the evening as the guests arrived. The Cabinet were impressed with the response of the community, with people coming from all parts of Braddon and well beyond to be part of the forum. Thankyou to everyone involved!
nds High ses PM
• • • •
The Prime Minister speaking at the forum. The PM and Sid speak to Jenny Cox, Russell Steers and Rob Simpson at the Makers Workshop. Sid introduces the PM to Lynn Price of Burnie. Ruby Doherty from Wynyard gets a chance to quiz the Prime Minister.
The Bottom Line
New funding for relationships program More support for mentally ill and their carers
Sid and Minister for the Status of Women Tanya Plibersek (R) with Youth and Family Focus chief executive Ros Atkinson Minister for the Status of Women Tanya Plibersek and guidance needed to ensure greater respect among famiMember for Braddon Sid Sidebottom announced that lies and communities.” The Mersey Respectful Relationships Program will use Devonport organisation Youth and Family Focus would receive over $327,000 from the Australian Government a three stream approach: • The Community Small Grants Stream will target 17 to to fund the Mersey Respectful Relationships Program. Ms Plibersek, who with Mr Sidebottom visited Youth 24 year olds by issuing small grants to sporting clubs and and Family Focus in March, said the group was one of community groups during ‘Week without Violence’. Up ten organisations nationally sharing in $2.3 million under to 300 young people would be supported to participate in events to raise awareness for their peers and commuround two of the Respectful Relationships program. “The Respectful Relationships program aims to prevent nity. violent behaviour by helping young people to develop • The Schools Stream will deliver a peer education modskills and knowledge to better understand their relation- el to all year seven students attending high school in the region. Students will explore and share information on ships and responsibilities within their family. “Helping young people to make healthy and respon- contemporary issues affecting relationships in their age sible relationship choices is an important part of reduc- group, such as internet culture. • The Lighthouse ing violence and protecting children,” Ms ...will give young people the knowledge and Project Stream will target ‘at risk’ young Plibersek said. people aged 12 to 19 Sid says the fund- guidance needed to ensure greater respect years who are disening was an excellent among families and communities gaged from educaoutcome for the tion. Up to 60 participants are expected to benefit from North West. “I congratulate Youth and Family Focus for developing youth development activities such as mentoring and life this important program which could potentially be ad- skill based programs that prevent anti-social behaviour which encourage them to be responsible members of the opted by schools across the country. “This project will give young people the knowledge and community.
Getting a fairer share for our resources
The Rudd Government’s plans for a Resource Super Profits Tax are aimed at ensuring the country shares in the benefits of the resources boom. This will mean greater retirement savings for Australians, more roads, rail and ports and less business tax and red tape - especially for small business. Sid says he fully appreciates the concerns of local mining companies in relation to the tax.
“But I believe that many of these concerns will be dealt with during the consultation process that is now underway. “I will show a close and keen interest in these consultations, and have invited the Resource Tax Consultation Panel to visit our region.” Sid says the tax could be a boost for mining in Tasmania, with incentives for exploration and investment in mines which could boost the industry into the future.
He says while some mines in Tasmania have struggled to cover royalties under the old regime in times of low prices, the new system could help improve the balance. “Further negotiations will highlight the benefits of the overall program to Tasmania. “Australian people own 100 per cent of Australia’s natural resources and they deserve a fairer share of the super profits mining companies make during a boom.”
BRADDON is sharing in a $32.3 million funding boost to support people with a mental illness and their carers, with $553, 888 for the region. Minister for Community Services, Jenny Macklin, recently announced the increase to funding, which will include an extra $136,332 for Family Based Care for respite care. Anglicare will receive $310,000 toward its activities based in Burnie and Aspire will also receive $107,556 for its work in the North West. Jenny Macklin said that caring and living with a person with a mental illness could be challenging and demanding due to the episodic nature of the illness. “With the right support, we know that carers and families are critical to assisting people with a mental illness to recover and live meaningful lives,” Ms Macklin said. “These projects do great work in our local communities bringing families together to share their experiences and helping them learn the skills they need in their caring role. “This additional funding for respite services is also critical to give carers some time out from their caring duties, which is essential to prevent social isolation. “Carers of people with mental illness have diverse and changing needs and this flexible funding will continue to give carers much-needed support.”
Sid Sidebottom MP For a Fair Go in Braddon
The Bottom Line
A tail of companionship SOME four-legged friends have been doing their bit to brighten the lives of some two-legged friends. The Delta Pet Partners Program, which operates out of Devonport, sees temperament tested dogs and trained volunteers visit North West hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres and children with special needs. Interaction with animals is said to greatly enhance the quality of life of people, particularly those who are ill or struggling a little in life. The program covers the area from Port Sorell to Wynyard. The Delta Pet Partners welcome any sponsorship or donations sent their way. For more information on how to donate contact North West Coordinator Claire Curtis on 6424 8948. You can also visit the website at www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au
Sid meets a couple of the stars of the Delta Pet Partners program with Claire Curtis from Delta.
Budget builds for the future The 2010 Budget builds on the Government’s investment in sustaining both our local and national economies at a time of unrivalled economic challenge. Importantly, this budget is targeted to get the budget back into surplus ahead of schedule in 2012. This is crucial because it allows us to pay our way without having to reduce services or increase taxes beyond what we would regard as acceptable. This budget delivers in three main areas, each of which will have positive benefits for Tasmania and our region in particular - in health and hospitals, in tax relief and support for small business, and increasing and supporting skills development. In addition families can look forward to a further tax cut in this financial year, and fairer and simpler tax returns that will increase after tax income. From July 2012 people have the option of choosing a standard deduction of $500 on their tax return, instead of claiming work-related expenses. This will be increased to $1000 from July 1, 2013. More Australians will also be able to increase their superannuation nest-egg, to be better prepared for the future. From July 1, 2011 Australians will be able to obtain a 50 per cent tax discount for the first $1000 of interest they earn, on deposits held in banks and credit unions, creating incentive to save. Importantly for Tasmania, the $652 million Renewable Energy Future
Fund will give further impetus to developing renewable energy projects, which are currently on the drawing boards around our region. Apart from the increase in health spending associated with our Health and Hospital Reforms, there is extra funding to help improve access to GPs and primary health care and funding to upgrade GP and health clinics in our region. Another $523 million will go into additional support and training for nurses, including those in the aged care sector, which will be of great benefit to our region. This budget provides more funding for guaranteed training places and apprenticeships with $80 million for a new phase of the highly successful Apprenticeship Kickstart program, which many local businesses took advantage of when it ran last summer. A greater skilled workforce makes our region more attractive to future investment and to sustain the industries and jobs we already have. Every one of the 7068 small businesses in Braddon will get a tax break. For example, where appropriate there will be a reduction in company tax, and also the ability to instantly deduct the cost of assets valued up to $5000. This budget complements the stimulus measures of the previous budget and together they will encourage the transition from government stimulus to private investment and growth, putting our economy on an even firmer footing to grow into the future.
Simpler tax and cuts for families
Cabinet Extracts
Some snippets from Sid’s welcome to the Federal Cabinet. • Prime Minister, I mentioned that our region faces many challenges - economic, health wise, in providing affordable housing, comparatively low education and retention rates, and a comparatively aged population. • Our region is trying to tackle these head on and we are seeking to bring local solutions to these. Experience is telling us more and more that many of these challenges are interrelated and I think our message to governments and their agencies of all types and persuasions – including my own - is that greater policy and funding flexibility is needed to genuinely promote and achieve local, integrated solutions. For example, your expectation in our Hospital and Health Reforms of ‘funded nationally, run locally’ fits in well with what this region is currently evolving with its regional health advisory group. This is local in membership, nature and action. This how we like it and this is what we want. • Finally Prime Minister, our greatest asset isn’t our physical environment – beautiful and plentiful as it is, or our picturesque towns and life-style. Nor even our long tradition of skills, craftsmanship or stewardship. No, it is our people and their spirit and together we welcome you and my parliamentary colleagues to our home.
Sid’s hope for cycleway Sid’s byte
Sid gets a hand from Braddon MHA Bryan Green and Mayor Alvwyn Boyd to kick off the Burnie cycleway. It is Sid’s dream to one day have a coastal cycle and pedestrian pathway stretching across our region, from Latrobe to Stanley. Our region has one of the most beautiful and accessible coastlines in the country, and Sid has been working for some time with his Federal, state and local council colleagues in an effort to get such a project off the ground. He hopes to be able to build on a number of plans and reports created over the last decade which seek to build on the opportunities for cycle tourism. Expanding the network will also have great benefits for the health and wellbeing of people across the region. So far, Rudd Government-funded cycle and pedestrian pathways worth $3.8 million have been created in • Burnie: from the Emu River at Wivenhoe to Cooee • Turners Beach to Ulverstone • Tullah: between the two parts of the township • Strahan: a pathway between the town’s tourist and recreational activities • Smithton: a new pathway long the western and eastern side of the Duck River, including the West Esplanade Foreshore Park.
Our region is going through challenging times. Fortunately, the Rudd Government’s local stimulus plan has helped retain local jobs in the face of growing unemployment. The $17m Rudd Government North West Innovation Fund expects the 36 successfully funded projects to leverage $34m in investment to grow some 430 new jobs across our region. Our economy is more diversified now and there are also opportunities to be had and successes to build on. It is good to see so many BER school projects springing up within our region. Indeed, I have been privileged to celebrate many of these already. Not only are they wonderful additions to the teaching and learning environments of our schools but valuable community assets. Also, some 102 projects spread across our 63 schools and colleges have injected nearly $95m into our local economy and employed many hundreds of workers. The National Broad Band Network (NBN) is rolling in from the far North West and will bring with it immense capacity and capability for all sorts of enterprises and activities – a one-stop-shop for your telephone, TV, internet, video conferencing, etc. But there is a threat. Tony Abbott has said he is going to axe the program if elected to government! Finally, Prime Minister Rudd visited our region again, along with the Cabinet. He opened a number of new venues, turned the first sod of the Burnie GP Super Clinic at Cooee, and joined with both the Federal and State Ministers for Health to commit to a $16m Cancer Clinic for the Coast, including an MRI unit.
SID SIDEBOTTOM MP
Federal Member for Braddon
PO Box 908 Burnie TAS 7320 ( 1300 135 547 (Toll free) ~ 6431 1333 ; sid.sidebottom.MP@aph.gov.au ; www.sidsidebottom.com
This material has been printed at Australian Government expense by Sid Sidebottom MP Authorised by Sid Sidebottom, Shop 2/32 Wilmot St, Burnie, Tasmania 7320