THEBottomLine
Issue 13 September 2012
Sid Sidebottom MP
In this issue...
Forestry and Agriculture
Federal Member for Braddon Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry Community Development
Did You Know?...
Health and Education
Tassie Leads the Way Forest Industry on Disability Reform I was thrilled with the announcement that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will be launched across Tasmania from mid-2013, focusing on young people between the ages of 15 and 24. This is fantastic news for people with disability, their families and carers in Braddon. It means people with disability will gain more control over their lives, more certainty over the level of care they’ll receive, and more opportunities to get involved in work, school and community life. I’ve lobbied hard for the NDIS to come to Tasmania because I know people with disability and their carers have waited long enough for change. The fact that the scheme will be launched in Tasmania is a real tribute to the dedicated disability advocates in our community who have campaigned tirelessly for this. They’ve been phoning, emailing and knocking on doors to push the case for an NDIS, and now they will begin to see the results of all their hard work. The Australian Government has established the NDIS Advisory Group to help steer the development of the scheme and ensure people with disability are involved in the design. You can visit http://yoursay.ndis.gov.au/ to have your say in this process. There is a forum (http://yoursay.ndis.gov.au/ first-forum) to present your views on design elements of the NDIS and there’s also space for you to share your own stories and experiences. Your views and opinions will be critical in helping to deliver the first stage of an NDIS. You can also sign up for updates on the NDIS at: www.ndis.gov.au/talking-about-ndis/sign-up/.
There is no doubt that forest industries around Australia are going through pretty tough times. However, as I have seen in my recent travels in my role as Parliamentary Secretary for Forestry, there are businesses that are investing in technology and developing new products that are finding new and varied markets. For example, businesses investing in the latest technologies that allow far greater recovery from their resource through processes like finger jointing small pieces together, making laminated veneer lumbers or laminated beams. Others are innovating by increasing their speed to market meaning they can provide products much faster and more efficiently than overseas competitors. Australian Sustainable Hardwoods at Heyfield in Gippsland processes roughly the same amount of timber as the entire Tasmanian sawmill industry, yet they are investing in product lines that make it far simpler for their customers to use their products like window frames through pre-cutting and routing. All their customer needs to do is assemble it. My visits throughout the mainland and knowledge of the capabilities and ingenuity of Tasmanians make it clear to me that the Tasmanian timber industry has a future, but only if there is resource security, investments in new technology and the continual development of new products. A number of these were proudly on display at the National Expo of Wood Products in Sydney which I recently Sid at Warrnambool Timber Industries Victoria attended.
Celebrating Australian Year of the Farmer 2012 I am using the Australian Year of the Farmer 2012 to showcase and celebrate our producers and the hard work Australian farmers do daily in feeding the nation, leading the world in innovative farming techniques, as well as sustaining the vital agribusinesses that underpin our economy - I hope you’ll join me. As the Governor General so eloquently put it in her 2012 Australia Day address, agriculture is integral to Australia’s past, present and future prosperity. So it’s essential that we help build a positive image for the sector, especially the broad range of rewarding and varied career opportunities to ensure we continue to attract talented and dedicated people into the industry.
Health and Education
Prime Minister’s Visit Gonski Review Update As a former teacher, the future of our schools is close to my heart. The recommendations of the Gonski Review into education funding which was released in February have the potential to make a major positive difference to the quality of our children’s education. Our local schools are great and our teachers do a fantastic job. But the review tells us that we need to put more funding into our schools and make sure that it is going where it’s most needed. Since the release of the review, the Federal Government has undertaken wide ranging consultations with state and territory governments, schools and school communities to gauge responses to the recommendations and we are currently working on an action plan for school funding. Recently, there has been considerable comment on the levels of future Government funding that will be available to our schools. I can assure families in our region that under the Labor Government’s plan, funding for all schools - Government, Independent and Catholic - will continue to rise. We have already doubled funding for local schools and every school in the region has benefited. I will be communicating further with families in the region to provide more updates on this important issue.
Prime Minister, Julia Gillard with Sid at Ulverstone High School
Prime Minister, Julia Gillard with Don College student Mitchell Leedham and Sid
Prime Minister, Julia Gillard recently made a surprise visit to Ulverstone High School. She was highly impressed with the school’s new science centre where students demonstrated some of the equipment. Staff then had an opportunity to chat with the PM before she took part in a brainstorming session with students in the region on ways to reduce our carbon footprint in the school setting.
Federal Funding for Tassie Health
Sid at the Federal health funding announcement with Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek and Senator Anne Urquhart
During a recent visit to Tasmania, the Federal Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek announced that the Government would invest an additional $325 million into the Tasmanian health system. This is on top of the Federal Government’s existing record health investments in the state. As part of the package, $53.9 million has already been committed over four years to provide more scholarships for nurses and allied health professionals and to train more medical specialists. We will continue to work with the State Government to have further funding flow into the Tasmanian health system as quickly as possible to address the most urgent issues, including elective surgery.
Cancer Centre Progress On a recent visit to the North West Regional Hospital, the Federal Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek and Sid inspected progress on the car park at the Cancer Centre. The tender for works to build the centre will go out later this year with construction to commence in 2013.
Sid with Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek at the Cancer Centre site
External Perspectives - North West Regional Hosiptal, Cancer Centre
Community Development
Dental Assistance Package The Federal Labor Government has announced a $2.7 billion new assistance package to ensure our children are able to see the dentist when they need to. From 2014, the Government will deliver its new Dental For Kids program which will benefit more than 8 000 local families and almost 16 000 children in Braddon. Eligible children will receive dental treatment to the value of $1 000 over a two year period from the age of two until they turn 18. Now you’ll be able to take your children to the dentist in the same way you go to your local GP and use your Medicare card. In addition, the Government is investing around $1.6 billion so adults who are struggling to see a dentist get a fair go in the public dental system. This funding is targeting low income earners, pensioners and those holding concession cards. This is great news for the people of Braddon. If you’d like more information about Dental for Kids, or to find out what else the Gillard Government is doing to support local families, call my office or go to www.alp.org.au.
Digital TV Switchover Congratulations! While there have been some unfortunate delays due to weather, progress continues to be made on construction of infrastructure for digital TV. For more information on the switchover to digital TV contact Digital Ready on: 1800 201 013. The Household Assistance Scheme provides assistance to convert to digital TV. Those who are eligible will receive a letter from Centrelink approximately six months prior to the switchover. For set top enquiries contact 1800 556 443. The Federal Government is also funding a new free to air satellite service – the Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST). VAST will provide digital television to viewers in remote areas of Australia for viewers who are unable to receive digital TV through their normal antenna because of issues relating to local interference, terrain or distance from the transmitter in the area. For VAST Scheme eligibility and application enquiries contact 1300 993 376.
It’s always gratifying to see the wonderful work undertaken by our community members given the recognition it deserves. I want to congratulate the following recipients of the Queen’s Honour List, Order of Australia Medal and thank them for their tireless work and achievements for communities in our region: Mr Barry Dudman
For service to youth through the Scouting movement, and to the community of Burnie. Mrs Beryl Marshall For service to the community of Ulverstone, and to local government. Ms Lynette Peebles For service to the community through fundraising support for medical research organisations.
Federal Grants
The Federal Government continues to support our local community through a range of funded programs designed to encourage employment, tourism, agriculture, natural resource management, sport and the arts. Recent innovative projects funded by the Federal Government are:
Federal Grant
Tourism Quality (T-QUAL)
Applicant
Project Description
Spreyton Fresh
Creation of an apple orchard experience, including orchard walk
Mt Gnomon Farm Pty Ltd
Rare Breed Experiences including a commercial kitchen and gallery
King Island Getaway Holidays Pty Ltd King Island Fine Food – Paddock to plate Circular Head Tourism Assoc
Multilingual digital Stanley Interactive Heritage Trail
Cradle Huts Pty Ltd
Feasibility assessment of guided tented walks products in Tasmanian National Parks
Regional Development Central Coast Council Australia Fund (RDAF) Burnie City Council
Penguin Regional Athletics Centre upgrade
Caring for our Country DairyTas Board Inc
Managing nutrients to improve dairy farm sustainability in Northern Tasmania
Local Solutions Fund
Regional Arts Fund
Stormwater Infrastructure Development
Tasmania Community Resources Inc (Mersey NRM)
Emu River Employment project
Exploring the Past to Create New Options for the Future
Community capacity building
Animated Anthologies
Project development
140th Anniversary Gala Concert / Debut Commissioned Work
Small cultural project
Mentorship with Raymond Arnold
Artist professional development
THE
Did You Know?...
Messages
We’re Back The Burnie Electorate office has returned to 2/32 Wilmot Street, Burnie. Please drop in!
Carbon Price Rip-offs
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has a dedicated carbon hotline and online complaint form for consumers who think they are being ripped off by unjustified price rises.Of course, I know the vast majority of local businesses in our region will do the right thing by their customers but to give local households peace of mind, the ACCC will be watching like a hawk for dodgy claims about carbon pricing. If you think a business is attempting to inflate prices unreasonably due to the carbon price, I encourage you to call the hotline on 1300 303 609 or find out more at www.accc.gov.au/carbon.
My office staff can help you apply for a congratulatory message. Details of eligibility are listed in the table below. We will need a copy of the birth or marriage certificate or a statutory declaration. Give the office a call about how to make the declaration. You need to apply six weeks prior to the birthday or anniversary if you want the message to arrive on time. 50th Wedding Anniversary
Message from the Prime Minister and Governor General
50th plus Wedding Anniversary
Message from the Prime Minister, Governor General and The Queen (for the 60th and every fifth year thereafter)
90th Birthday
Message from the Prime Minister
90th plus Birthday
Message from the Prime Minister, Governor General (100th birthday) and The Queen (100th birthday and every fifth year thereafter)
Opposition’s GST Threat to Tassie
The Federal Opposition says it supports a per capita system of GST distribution, based on bigger states getting more of the national pie. Any move like this would have disastrous consequences for Tasmania’s budget and economy. Under the Opposition’s plan Tasmania would lose up to $600 million a year which will take funding away from essential government services like hospitals and schools. If you wish to express your concern on this critical issue I encourage you to visit the following link: https://australianlabor.wufoo.eu/forms/say-no-to-unfair-gst-changes-for-tasmania/. The Labor Government endorses the GST funding principles that have underpinned the Federal Government’s balanced relationship with the States, meaning a fair share for Tasmania.
Sid’s byte
It is now two years since the 2010 election. Contrary to the predictions of naysayers, in this time Labor can claim a proud record of achievement which has been secured in the most closely divided Parliament in decades. We are preparing Australia for the future and delivering on core Labor values by investing in: aged care; a National Disability Insurance Scheme; health and dental care; education and skills. We have increased superannuation benefits to provide security in retirement; started a massive skills program; uncapped university places and supported more students in tertiary studies to ensure all have the opportunity to maximize life opportunities. Our national economy remains strong and continues to grow. It is the envy of advanced economies in a troubled global economic downturn. In this difficult environment, we have implemented major tax reform, delivered significant pension increases and are making major enhancements to our national infrastructure. We are also bringing our communications into the 21st century by delivering the National Broadband Network to all households. We are sharing the gains of the mining boom and by taking measures to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels we have tackled global warming to move us towards a clean energy future. While major battles have been won, of course there is a lot more to do. The Government will soon release its formal response to the Gonski Review into education funding. This will have a major impact on the way our schools are funded and result in fairer financial arrangements and better educational outcomes for our children. I’m looking forward to meeting the challenges ahead. Authorised by
SID SIDEBOTTOM MP Federal Member for Braddon
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 2/32 Wilmot Street (PO Box 908) BURNIE TAS 7320
( ;
6431 1333 or 1300 135 547 sid.sidebottom.MP@aph.gov.au
www.sidsidebottom.com Printed by Print Domain- 36 Smith St, SMITHTON TAS 7330