Bundaberg and Hervey Bay have been selected for phase one of the Coalition Government’s new Work for the Dole arrangements for young job seekers.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today announced 18 to 30 year olds, who have been unemployed for 12 months or more and receiving Newstart and/or Youth Allowance (other), will be required to Work for the Dole in 2014/15.

He said the first phase of the program would be rolled out in 18 communities across Australia, five of which are in Queensland. The program will be rolled out nationally in 2015.

“I’m extremely pleased Bundaberg and Hervey Bay have been selected. I have been fighting to get this program established in Hinkler, to help address the region’s high unemployment rate,” Mr Pitt said.

“Earlier this year, Assistant Minister for Employment Luke Hartsuyker visited Bundaberg to discuss some of the issues confronting young Hinkler job seekers, and our region more broadly.

“Work for the Dole is an important part of the Government’s plan to help young job seekers gain the skills and experience they need to move from welfare to work.

“The Coalition Government firmly believes that all Australians, who are capable of working, should be working.  They should be earning, learning or Working for the Dole.      

“Work for the Dole was a huge success in Hinkler when it was in place under the Howard Government.”

State Member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorensen said Work for the Dole participants helped build the footpaths and walkways along the town’s picturesque esplanade.

“I was Mayor at the time, and saw firsthand how the program helped build self-confidence and gave participants a sense of achievement,” Mr Sorensen said.

“Many of the participants gained long-term employment as a direct result of their involvement in Work for the Dole.”   

From 1 July 2014 participants will complete around 15 hours per week for six months in a work-like environment.

Local Work for the Dole Coordinators will be appointed, with tenders to be called this week.

Coordinators will have the vital, on-the-ground task of identifying local organisations willing to host a Work for the Dole place, and connecting those organisations with employment-service providers in the area.

Work for the Dole placements will be sourced in not-for-profit organisations, local councils and federal and state government agencies.

From 1 July 2015, when the program is rolled out nationally, all job seekers aged 18 to 30 and in receipt of Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) will be required to undertake Work for the Dole for 25 hours per week when in receipt of payment.

Further information on the tender for the Work for the Dole Coordinators will be available at www.tenders.gov.au  from May29.

1. Fairfield, Liverpool (NSW)
2. Nepean, Outer Western Sydney (including Blue Mountains NSW)
3. Central Coast (NSW)
4. Shoalhaven (NSW)
5. Richmond, Tweed, Clarence Valley (including Ballina and Byron Bay NSW)
6. Coffs Harbour, Macleay, Hastings (NSW)
7. Bundaberg (Qld)
8. Fraser Coast (Qld)
9. Outer North Brisbane (Qld)
10. Cairns (Qld)
11. Logan (Qld)
12. Westgate (north west Melbourne Vic)
13. Goulburn Valley (Vic)
14. Peninsula (south eastern Melbourne Vic)
15. Geelong (Vic)
16. Central and West Metro (south west Perth WA)
17. Northern Adelaide, Gawler (SA)
18. West and North West, Launceston (Tas)

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814       

Last week, the Minister for Small Business took the opportunity to visit my electorate. It was a very successful visit, and I would like to thank the minister for taking that opportunity. He opened the Bundaberg Business Expo, which was much appreciated by local businesses, and he held a roundtable discussion. There was a very simple message from the businesses at the roundtable. The message was that they want us to get out of the way. They are tired of having reams of red and green tape which hold up their businesses and stop them from doing the work that they do every single day.

The message came from people like Peter Barone, from the Red Capsicum coffee shop, Andrew Murchie from Murchie Constructions. Mr Murchie has built numerous buildings in the district but cannot currently build anything under the federal program because he cannot get the accreditation, which costs an absolute fortune. These are good, strong local businesses which have opportunities in the regions to build things under federal funding, but they cannot do it. The message is simple. We need to get out of the way and let them get on with what they do best and get the work done.

It was a great opportunity for Minister Billson and it demonstrated that the government does not have its ears painted on. Minister Billson was there to listen. It was very much appreciated by the local businesses.

Mr PITT(Hinkler) (14:50): My question is to the Assistant Minister for Employment. Will the minister update the House on the progress of the government’s plans to rebuild Work for the Dole?

Mr HARTSUYKER (Cowper—Deputy Leader of the House and Assistant Minister for Employment) (14:51): I thank the member for his question and may I commend the member for Hinkler as a member who understands the importance of job creation in his electorate and understands the benefits that work for the dole can provide to young job seekers. I can advise the House that today I announced details of the government’s arrangements for the first phase of our rollout of a revamped Work for the Dole program, which will offer to young job seekers aged 18 to 30 who have been unemployed for over 12 months the opportunity to participate in the Work for the Dole program. Phase 1 will be rolled out in some 18 selected areas around the country and will deliver to many young job seekers the types of experience which will assist them in getting a job and becoming more competitive in the job market.

Work for the Dole also has the added benefit of delivering excellent outcomes in the community—delivering community projects that might not be possible if it was not for the labour resources that Work for the Dole can bring. Work for the Dole is a program that is supported right around the country. Let me quote the words of the former Mayor of Hervey Bay and now member for Hervey Bay, Ted Sorensen. Mr Sorensen said:

When I was mayor of Hervey Bay, Work for the Dole participants helped build the footpaths and walkways along our picturesque Esplanade. It built self-confidence and gave participants a sense of achievement. Many of the participants gained long-term employment—

Madam Speaker, gained long-term employment—

as a direct result of their involvement in this program.

Ted Sorensen understands the importance and the value of Work for the Dole. The Australian people understand the value of Work for the Dole. The coalition is committed. We are committed to creating opportunities for young people.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

The SPEAKER: You have been warned, member for Grayndler.

Mr HARTSUYKER: That is why we have a range of programs including the job commitment bonus, relocation assistance and, for those people living in Tasmania, our Tasmanian jobs plan. But the most important thing we can do for young job seekers is to build a strong economy because nothing creates more jobs than a strong economy. It is a shame that the members opposite sit in the way; they just continue to sit there in the way of the budget measures that we wish to implement. Let me say: young Australians are right to be disappointed with the members of the opposition.

Mr Shorten interjecting—

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition will desist.

Mr HARTSUYKER: On their watch, youth unemployment increased by 55,000. On their watch, the youth unemployment rate increased by almost 3 per cent. The coalition are focused on getting young people into work. The members opposite are just standing in the way.

The SPEAKER: Before I call the honourable Leader of the Opposition, I would say to him that the term he used towards the minister was unparliamentary. You are always insisting that people be addressed by their proper names; I would ask you to withdraw.

Mr Shorten: I withdraw.

Last week I travelled from one end of my electorate to the other, from Bundaberg to Hervey Bay, stopping in Childers, Woodgate, Burrum Heads and Howard. I wanted to give Hinkler residents an opportunity to speak to me directly after the release of the Coalition’s first budget. I thought that if any electorate was going to be critical of the budget it would be mine. Hinkler has the fourth-highest unemployment rate in the country, we have more age pensioners than any other federal electorate and Bundaberg has the highest rate of disability in Queensland. And we also have amongst the highest rates of smoking and obesity.

Before the budget was released, the member for Maribyrnong, Bill Shorten, shamelessly targeted my electorate of Hinkler—just like Chicken Little scaring the vulnerable, by telling them that the coalition wanted to cut pensions. Let me assure the residents of my electorate that the sky is not falling. We promised not to change age pensions in this term of parliament and we have not. At the 2013 election we promised to get the budget under control and to grow the economy, and that is exactly what we are doing.

There is no doubt that this is a tough budget, but those difficult choices will reduce Labor’s deficits by $43 billion and debt will be $275 billion lower over the decade. This is because governments, like households and businesses, must live within their means. Small business people know better than most that if you are going to borrow money to expand your operation or invest in capital that you need a plan to pay that money back. When you start borrowing money to pay the staff and keep the lights on that is when you are in real trouble.

Likewise, it is ill-advised for households to spend money on luxuries they cannot afford. But that is exactly what the former Labor government did. Did they forget that at some point the credit card would have to be paid off? Or did they just not care? Labor had no plan to repair the budget when it was in government. Labor has no plan now. They offer no alternatives; just rhetoric and scaremongering. After six years of Labor, what did Australians get? We got the bill!

In his budget reply speech, the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, said that this budget was drawn up by people who have never lived from pay cheque to pay cheque. I take great offence at remarks like that, and Labor’s constant insistence that coalition members are out of touch with working families. I am a tradesperson. I did a four-year electrical apprenticeship at Fairymead Sugar Mill. I am a farmer: my wife and I own two cane farms, and my parents continue to operate a harvesting business. I am university educated: at the age of 22 I worked part time as a lifeguard to support myself through an engineering degree at the Queensland University of Technology. I have established a small business that employed up to 15 people at any one time. It delivered vocational training and consultancy services to industrial workplaces.

I have three children, and my wife works part-time as a radiographer at one of the local hospitals. But the member for Maribyrnong, Bill Shorten, is private-school educated, studied arts and law at university and has since worked as a union bureaucrat and a politician. I would be interested to know how many times Mr Shorten has lived from pay cheque to pay cheque.

I can tell you there are plenty of people in my electorate of Hinkler who do live pay cheque to pay cheque every single fortnight. Some of them have been in my office this past week, deeply concerned about how the budget will affect them. But when you explain the detail, many realise just how much misinformation is being peddled by those opposite. Pensioners and children under 16 will pay no more than $70 per calendar year for medical treatment under the proposed $7 medical co-contribution. And the indexation of the fuel excise will add less than one cent per litre to the cost of petrol. The funds raised through these budget measures will go towards a medical research fund and road infrastructure.

To make matters worse, some media reports have been very one-sided or scant on detail. To promote my post-budget tour across the electorate last week, one local TV journalist asked if she and her cameraman could accompany me on a street walk. The three people I approached understood that tackling Labor’s debt would require everyone to play a part, and that our current situation was unsustainable. However, the journalist overlooked all three of these supportive constituents, and instead ran grabs she later obtained from people who were unhappy with the budget. I am grateful to those Hinkler constituents who have read the detail for themselves—those who have contacted my office or approached me directly to seek answers to their questions. My door is always open.

There is no doubt this is a tough budget: And it is only fair that everyone contributes to the repair task. Australians earning over $180,000 a year—who already pay significant taxes—will be required to pay a temporary budget repair levy of two per cent for three years. We have frozen politicians’ pay and we will put an end to the gold pass travel entitlements.

Each year, the government spends more on welfare than it does on the education of our children and the health of our people. The government is tightening the eligibility for family payments to ensure it supports those most in need of assistance because without policy changes the cost of the age pension is projected to increase by 70 per cent over the next decade, from almost $40 billion a year currently. The previous government increased the pension age to 67, and we are further increasing that age to 70 by 1 July 2035. Australians will still be able to retire at whatever age they choose, but those born after 1966 will have to be 70 before they can receive the age pension.

The government will introduce incentives of up to $10,000 to encourage businesses to employ people who are over the age of 50 who have been on unemployment benefits or the disability support pension for six months. From September 2017, pensions will be indexed to the CPI rather than wages. This way we can ensure that our pension system remains sustainable while pensions keep up with the cost of living. The family home will continue to be excluded from the social security means test.

This government recognises the contribution self-funded retirees make to the community, including saving the nation considerable pension costs. From 20 September 2014, the income thresholds for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card will be indexed annually to the CPI, enabling up to 27,000 additional people to qualify for the card over the next four years. Indexing the current income thresholds will mean more self-funded retirees will not lose out on entitlements because of changes in their income, giving them more freedom to actively contribute to their community.

Seniors Health Card holders will no longer receive the seniors supplement. However, they will continue to receive a range of concessional benefits, including lower co-payments for medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and access to the lower threshold for the extended Medicare Safety Net. Changes to the PBS will increase the cost of prescriptions for concessional patients by 80 cents to $6.90, and after 60 prescriptions it will be free for the rest of the calendar year.

But the budget contains plenty of good news too! This budget delivers on every one of my election commitments to the people of Hinkler:    $4.75 million for Old Toogoom Road and River Heads Road; $350,000 for the Hervey Bay Hockey Association to install synthetic turf; $500,000 for upgrades at the Hervey Bay and Bundaberg surf lifesaving clubs; $93,000 for Bundaberg Regional Council to install surf safety surveillance cameras at the Elliott River Mouth, Palmers Creek, Innes Park and Mon Repos; and, of course, $125,000 for the Centenary of Anzac Local Grants program across Hinkler

After repeated calls from local community groups, we have committed $245.3 million over four years to continue the National School Chaplaincy program. The coalition is delivering more than $12 billion in overall funding to the veteran community, including honouring our election commitment to deliver fair indexation for military superannuants.

Even after the carbon tax is repealed to save average households $550 per year, the associated tax breaks and energy supplements will remain in place to provide cost-of-living relief. Much to the relief of Hinkler farmers and commercial fishers, the diesel fuel rebate has been retained. The rebate will be indexed at the same rate as the fuel excise, meaning there will be no net increase in the cost of diesel for those who receive the rebate. The reintroduction of indexation on the fuel excise will cost an additional $24 per year for someone who uses 50 litres of fuel per week. As I previously mentioned, money raised from the indexation of the fuel excise will be spent on roads, bringing the government’s infrastructure budget to a record $50 billion.

The coalition understands that well-planned infrastructure, delivered in a timely manner, is vital to our economy. It also facilitates service delivery to regional Australia and provides long-term employment and opportunities for training and development. That is why $13.4 billion will be spent in Queensland, including $6.7 billion on the ailing Bruce Highway. We are delivering a $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund. Councils and community groups will be able to apply for grants for capital works projects that will regenerate communities with high unemployment. There is $300 million for the new bridges renewal program and $100 million to address mobile telephone black spots

I understand that transport infrastructure is not the only hurdle that regional businesses have to overcome. Here in Australia, regulation is high, input costs are high, labour costs are high, the Australian dollar is high and profits are low. We are working to change that. We are cutting the company tax rate by 1½ per cent to help around 800,000 businesses. Repealing the carbon tax will help business flourish because the electricity costs incurred through irrigation and refrigerant gases, for example, skyrocketed with the introduction of the tax. We are cutting red and green tape to save businesses time and money, which will lift productivity and boost economic growth.

Building on the free trade agreements we recently signed with South Korea and Japan, the government will provide $15 million to help small exporters. There is $9 million to support our recreational and commercial fishing bodies, $100 million extra for agricultural research and development and $20 million to build a stronger biosecurity and quarantine system.

Let me tell you why we are trying to make it easier, not harder, to do business in Australia. It is business that grows our economy. It is business that creates jobs. Small businesses are the backbone of regional Australia. They employ 50 per cent of all Australians working in the private sector. Jobs are sorely needed in my electorate of Hinkler. Unemployment is our single biggest issue. Unemployment is often a contributing factor in cases of marital breakdown, domestic violence, criminal activity, poor nutrition, health problems and declining school attendance. Employment gives people the ability to pay their own way and provide for their families. The people of this great nation should be able to depend on their elected representatives, but that does not mean we should be building a nation of dependence. Under the Rudd and Gillard governments, unemployment in the Hinkler electorate increased from six per cent in the September 2007 quarter to 9.6 per cent in the June 2013 quarter. That compares to an unemployment rate of 5.4 per cent for the nation or six per cent in Queensland.

As promised, we are revitalising the Work for the Dole program to give people routine, structure, presentation skills and access to potential employers. Young people will now be required to earn, learn or work for the dole. We are fortunate to live in a country where this government provides a safety net to those who find themselves without employment. Requiring Australians to work for the dole ensures that that obligation is mutual. I recently spoke to the state member for Hervey Bay, Ted Sorensen, about the reintroduction of the Howard government’s Work for the Dole program. When Ted was the local mayor, Work for the Dole participants helped construct all the walkways and bike paths along the esplanade. Ted cannot speak highly enough of the program. He says it built self-confidence and gave participants a sense of achievement. Many went on to gain long-term employment as a direct result of their involvement in Work for Dole.

Financial incentives will be provided to employers and employees to get young people into the workforce. Long-term unemployed Hinkler residents aged between 18 and 30 will receive $2,500 if they hold a job for a continuous period of 12 months and a further bonus of $4,000 when they attain 24 months of service. For the first time, those undertaking an apprenticeship will be able to apply for concessional loans of up to $20,000 in a scheme similar to HECS. Students with low socioeconomic backgrounds or from regional areas will have access to a new Commonwealth scholarship scheme.

In the past eight months, seven federal ministers, three parliamentary secretaries and four coalition senators have visited the Hinkler electorate to hear about the issues impacting local residents and businesses. I also hosted the first Nationals party room meeting for 2014 in Bundaberg. Born and bred in the Bundaberg district, I take every opportunity to advocate on behalf of Hinkler residents. With this budget it will be no different. Constituents can rest assured that I will take their grievances to the relevant minister.

In closing, gone is the unstable Labor government that in a very short time gave us two prime ministers, two Treasurers and five Assistant Treasurers. Australians have elected a coalition government to repair the budget and build the stronger, more prosperous country that we all want. This budget starts that process. I commend the bills to the House.

Minister for Small Business Bruce Billson today officially launched the inaugural Wide Bay Australia 2014 Bundaberg Business Expo.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt welcomed Minister Billson to Bundaberg.

“Minister Billson’s visit is a show of the Coalition Government’s commitment to small business in regional Australia,” Mr Pitt said.

“After the Expo, I hosted a roundtable session to give Hinkler small businesses and representatives from the Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce an opportunity to meet Minister Billson.

“I also took Minister Billson on a short tour of Bundaberg’s industrial precinct, and showed him how far the town has come since the 2013 floods.”

Minister Billson said he was excited to travel to Bundaberg to talk face-to-face with local business owners.

“Small businesses are a key driver of growth and jobs in communities like Hinkler and it’s great to see so many people come along to the Expo to make new business connections,” Minister Billson said.

“I was delighted to outline some of the Coalition’s policies to help small business grow and create jobs. We’re working to ensure fair competition between big and small businesses, and removing unnecessary red tape to save businesses time and money.”

Bundaberg BEC Manager Peter Peterson thanked Minister Billson and Mr Pitt for their attendance at the Expo.

“Well over 300 people registered for the event,” Mr Peterson said.

“It is events like these that enable businesses to share ideas, seek advice and be inspired.”

Mr Pitt congratulated Mr Peterson for putting together such a worthwhile and long overdue event.  

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814        

**CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY E&OE**

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

The Honourable Bruce Billson MP – Minister for Small Business;

The Honourable Jack Dempsey, Member for Bundaberg and Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services sends his apologies;

Mr Stephen Bennett MP – Member for Burnett;

Mayor Mal Forman and Councillors;

Wide Bay Australia Business Banking Manager Mark Moller, sponsors, ladies and gentlemen

……………………………………………

It’s great to be here to speak to you all today; some of you for the first time since I was elected to the seat of Hinkler.

It’s been a very productive eight months. 

We’ve wasted no time getting on with the job we were elected to do. And a key part of that job was to get the Budget back under control.

Earlier this month, the Coalition Government released its first Budget, laying a foundation to strengthen and build the economy by reducing projected debt by almost $300 Billion over the next decade.

Every month, the Government currently spends $1 Billion paying the interest on Labor’s debt.

Governments, like households and businesses, must live within their means.

Business people know better than most that if you’re going to borrow money to expand your operation or invest in capital, you need a plan to pay the money back.

When you start borrowing money to pay staff and keep the lights on you’re in real trouble. Likewise, it is ill advised to spend money on luxuries you can’t afford. But that’s exactly what Labor did.

Tackling Australia’s debt problem will require everyone to play a part and contribute.

For example, Australians earning over $180,000 a year will be required to pay a Temporary Budget Repair Levy and we’ve reintroduce indexation on the fuel excise. 

But the Budget contains plenty of good news too!

The Diesel Fuel Rebate has been retained. The rebate will be indexed at the same rate as the fuel excise, meaning there will be no net increase in the cost of diesel for those who receive the rebate.

The reintroduction of indexation on the fuel excise will add less than 1 cent per litre to the cost of fuel. That’s about $24 per year for someone who uses 50 litres of fuel per week.

Money raised from the indexation of the fuel excise will be spent on roads, bring the Government’s infrastructure Budget to a record $50 Billion.     

The Coalition understands that well-planned infrastructure, delivered in a timely manner, is vital to helping all of you get your products to market. It also facilitates service delivery to regional Australia and provides long-term employment, and opportunities for training and development. 

That’s why $13.4 Billion will be spent in Queensland, including $6.7 Billion on the ailing Bruce Highway. 

We’re delivering a $1 Billion National Stronger Regions Fund. Councils and community groups will be able to apply for grants for capital works projects that will regenerate communities with high unemployment.

There’s $300 Million nationally for the new Bridges Renewal Programme, and $100 Million to address mobile telephone phone Black Spots.

As a former business owner, I understand that infrastructure is not the only hurdle regional businesses have to overcome. Here in Australia, regulation is high, input costs are high, labour costs are high, the Australian dollar is high and profits are low. We’re working to change that.

We’re cutting the company tax rate by 1.5 per cent to help around 800-thousand businesses.  

Repealing the Carbon Tax will help business flourish. Electricity costs incurred through irrigation and refrigerant gases, for example, skyrocketed with the introduction of the tax.

We’re also cutting red and green tape to save businesses time and money, which will lift productivity and boost economic growth. If there is a piece of Federal legislation you think needs to be reviewed, please email your suggestions to my office.

Building on the Free Trade Agreements we recently signed with South Korea and Japan, the Government will provide $15 million to help small exporters. There’s $9 million to support our recreational and commercial fishing bodies, $100 Million extra for agricultural research and development and $20 Million to build a stronger biosecurity and quarantine system.

As a result of the State and Federal Coalition’s pro-business policies, consumer confidence is on the rise.  Earlier this month, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released data, showing retail spending in Queensland rose 0.2 per cent in March to be 5 per cent higher over the year.

That’s the eighth consecutive monthly increase in retail spending in Queensland.

Let me tell you why we are trying to make it easier, not harder, for you to do business in Australia. It is business that grows our economy. It is business that creates jobs.

Small business is the backbone of regional Australia. They employ 50 per cent of all Australians working in the private sector.

And I don’t need to tell you that jobs are sorely needed in Hinkler. Unemployment is our single biggest issue.  Unemployment and financial hardship are often contributing factors in cases of marital break down, domestic violence, criminal activity, poor nutrition, health problems, and declining school attendance.

The greatest thing we can do to help communities like Hinkler prosper is provide Australians with opportunity. Opportunity for education. Opportunity for training. Opportunity for employment.

Employment gives people the ability to pay their own way and provide for their families. The people of this great nation should be able to depend on their elected representatives, but that does not mean we should be building a nation of dependence.

Under the Rudd and Gillard Governments, unemployment in the Hinkler electorate increased from 6 per cent in the September 2007 quarter to 9.6 per cent in the June 2013 quarter. That’s compared to an unemployment rate of 5.4 per cent for the nation or 6 per cent in Queensland.

As promised, we’re revitalising the Work for the Dole program to give people routine, structure, presentation skills and access to potential employers. Young people will now be required to earn, learn or work for the dole. 

We are fortunate to live in a country where the Government provides a safety net to those who find themselves without employment. Requiring Australians to work for the dole ensures that the obligation is mutual.

Those undertaking an apprenticeship will, for the first time, be able to apply for concessional loans of up to $20,000 in a scheme similar to HECS.

Students with low socio-economic backgrounds or from regional areas will have access to a new Commonwealth scholarships scheme.   

Financial incentives will be provided to employers and employees to get young people and seniors into the workforce.

Long term unemployed Hinkler residents, aged between 18 to 30, will receive $2500 if they hold a job for a continuous period of 12 months, and a further bonus of $4000 when they attain 24 months of service.

Hinkler employers will receive up to $10,000 when they hire a job seeker over the age of 50. That payment is particularly important in an aging electorate like Hinkler.

The median age in Hinkler is 44, compared to 37 for Queensland. Almost 3000 residents are over the age of 85, making it the largest single age group in the electorate.

For all the entrepreneurs in the audience, aged care is a sector that presents enormous opportunity. As the local population ages and more retirees move to Bundaberg and Hervey Bay to enjoy the lifestyle, the demand for in-the-home care, retirement villages and nursing homes is going to increase. In constructing these facilities and developing new innovative models for service delivery, we will be creating jobs for future generations. The business opportunities and economic benefits, both direct and indirect, should not be underestimated.  

During Senate estimates in 2010, the Department of Health and Ageing indicated there were 429 aged-care beds across the Wide Bay region that were funded but not built by providers. By 30 June last year, under Labor that figure had blown out to 730. So the money is there, we just need organisations to build them.

One of the negative aspects of having an aging population is that our workforce is losing critical skills. Sadly, one of Hinkler’s great exports is its young talent.

If we are to hold on to our young people, we need to provide new opportunities: real jobs with real outcomes. We need to give our young people the incentive to undertake a trade. We need to give them a reason to return once they have finished their university studies in the big smoke. 

That’s where you come in. My challenge to you is to create that opportunity. We will do everything we can to get out of your way, to let you get on with doing what you do best, and that is running your business. We will work with our State and Local colleagues to create a business environment that gives you the confidence to expand. We just need you to create opportunities.

Speaking of opportunities, I’d like to congratulate Peter Peterson and the Bundaberg Business Enterprise Centre on putting together this fantastic and long overdue event. If the turn out here today is any indication, I’m sure it will be a huge success.

I’d also like to congratulate our local bank, Wide Bay Australia, for launching business banking.

In conclusion…. 

In the past eight months, six Federal Ministers, three Parliamentary Secretaries, and four Coalition Senators have visited the Hinkler electorate to hear about the issues impacting local residents and businesses. And now, today, we are very fortunate to have the Federal Minister for Small Business, the Honourable Bruce Billson here to officially open the Expo.   

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is certainly keeping his promise to lead a Government that consults.

Gone is the instable Rudd-Gillard-Rudd Government that, in a period of just three years, gave us two Prime Ministers, two Treasurers, five assistant treasurers, and six small business ministers.

I’m proud of what we’ve achieved to date. I will continue to work hard for the people of Hinkler, to build the stronger, more prosperous country that we all want.

I’ll now hand over to Minister Billson to carry out the official proceedings.

Thank you.

[ENDS] 

Opinion piece submitted to local media on May 14, 2014.

The 2014-15 Federal Budget is not about self-interest. It is a Budget in the national interest.

At the September 2013 election, we promised to get the Budget back under control. This Budget is a key part of the Coalition’s Economic Action Strategy to build a more prosperous nation.

It is only fair that everyone makes a contribution to the Budget repair task.  That’s why we’ve frozen politicians pay and will put an end to Gold Pass travel entitlements.

We promised not to change pensions in this term, and we haven’t. We’ve also retained the diesel fuel rebate that benefits farmers and fishers.

When one person receives an entitlement from the Government it comes out of the pocket of another Australian.

Each year, the Government spends more on welfare than it does on the education of our children or the health of our people.

The time for everyone to contribute is now; before debt reaches such a level that we are forced to make even tougher decisions.

People earning more than $180,000 a year will pay a Temporary Budget Repair Levy.

The age of eligibility for the pension will not increase to 70 until 2035.  

You will be asked to make a $7 Medicare co-contribution when you visit the doctor, to help fund a $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund. Concessional patients and children under 16 will only have to contribute to their first ten visits each year.

Every dollar raised from the indexation of fuel will be spent on roads, and bring the Commonwealth’s total investment in infrastructure to a record $50 Billion by 2019-20.

I encourage you to read more at www.keithpitt.com.au

 

Hi,

There is no doubt that this is a tough Budget.

Everyone is being asked to contribute to the Budget repair task.

For example, Australians earning over $180,000 a year will be asked to pay a Temporary Levy.

But there is some good news too!

We promised not to change pensions, and we haven’t.

The Nationals fought hard to ensure the Diesel Fuel Rebate was retained.

Money raised from the indexation of the fuel excise will be spent on roads, bringing the Government’s infrastructure Budget to a record $50 Billion.

$6.7 Billion of that will be spent on the Bruce Highway.

$15 Million will go towards helping small exporters.

We’re cutting the company tax rate by 1.5 per cent to help around 800- thousand businesses.

There are incentives of up to $10,000 for businesses to employ people who are over the age of 50.

We will abolish $1 Billion worth of red tape and regulation each year to save businesses time and money.

People learning a trade will be able to access concessional loans of up to $20,000 in a scheme similar to HECS.

There’s $9 Million to support our recreational and commercial fishing bodies. And a raft of measures for the agricultural sector too.

This Budget delivers all of my election commitments.

It is a Budget in the national interest that ensures regional Australia gets its fair share and continues to be the engine room of the nation’s economy.

I encourage you to visit my website, and I look forward to discussing the Budget with you in the near future.

Hinkler residents with questions or comments about the 2014-15 Budget will be able to speak directly to their Federal Member of Parliament in their communities next week.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt will travel across the electorate, listening to constituents’ views and concerns.

“My door is always open, but I want to ensure people in Hervey Bay and Hinkler’s many smaller communities also feel their concerns are being heard,” Mr Pitt said.

“No matter where a person lives, they should have access to the person they elected to be their local voice in Canberra.”

Hinkler residents can drop into the Electorate Office on Woongarra Street in Bundaberg, between 11am and 1pm on Monday May 19.

Mr Pitt will visit the electorate’s many regional communities on Tuesday May 20:

9-10am                       Outside Burrum Heads Community Hall, Burrum Heads

10.30-11.30am           Cnr of William and Burrum Streets, Howard

Noon – 1.15pm          Cultural Centre Park, Childers

2-3pm                         Esplanade, opposite the General Store, Woodgate

Mr Pitt will also be at the Fraser Coast Show at Maryborough Showgrounds on Thursday May 22.

Mr Pitt invited constituents to interact with him on Facebook and YouTube.

“You can also send me an email at keith.pitt.mp@aph.gov.au or write to me at PO Box 535, Bundaberg Qld 4670,” he said.

Budget papers and fact sheets are available at www.keithpitt.com.au. Budget materials can also be obtained by telephoning 07 4152 0744.

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814     

The Abbott Government’s first Budget lays the foundations for a strong and prosperous economy with less debt, Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt says.

“At the election, the Coalition made the commitment to get the Budget back under control, as well as scrap the Carbon Tax, end the waste, stop the boats and build the roads of the 21^st century.  This Budget keeps that pledge,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Budget is part of the Abbott Government’s Economic Action Strategy to build a strong, prosperous economy for a safe, secure Australia.

“The Government has made the difficult but necessary decisions to put the Budget on a more sustainable footing so that we can all share in prosperity in the future.

“We are all playing a part – because it’s in sharing the load that we lighten the load.

“Labor ran up five record deficits and left $123 billion in future deficits.  If we took no action, debt would have hit $667 billion.  Every month, the government is paying $1 billion in interest costs on Labor’s debt.

“Governments, like households, must live within their means.

“Because of this Budget, Labor’s deficits have been reduced by $43 billion and debt is forecast to be about $275 billion lower in a decade.”

The Budget includes:

• Australia’s biggest infrastructure programme – with $50 billion in transport investment;
• Creating the world’s biggest medical research endowment fund – the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund.  It will find the cures of the future and be funded by the health reforms;
• Requiring young people who can work to be earning, learning or participating in Work for the Dole;
• Providing stronger incentives to businesses to hire older workers – businesses will receive up to $10,000 for employing workers older than 50;
• Funding for additional road infrastructure by reintroducing twice-yearly indexation of fuel to CPI from 1 August 2014;
• Providing Australian universities with the freedom to innovate through full deregulation;
• Reforming the Age Pension to make it more sustainable – that includes gradually increasing the Age Pension age to 70 by 1 July 2035;
• Freezing politicians’ pay and ending the life-time gold pass;
• Changing family payments to target support to those who need it most; and
• Introducing a three-year Temporary Budget Repair Levy – payable, from July, by individuals with a taxable income above $180,000 at a rate of two per cent. The Levy will ensure those on a higher income contribute to the Budget repair.

Mr Pitt said the Government was honouring its commitment to reduce the overall tax burden – so that families can plan their future and get ahead.

“Every year, the Carbon Tax is a $9 billion hit on the economy and it costs an average family $550.  We will scrap the Carbon Tax,” he said.

“Fewer than 4 per cent of taxpayers will pay the new Temporary Budget Repair Levy on high income earners making over $180,000.”

Mr Pitt said the largest roads Budget in our country’s history will improve Australia’s productivity.

“This record roads Budget will, in part, be funded by the change in fuel excise.  The change will cost about 40 cents a week, depending how far you travel.  The increase in fuel excise will be directed towards road funding.”

He said medical research will benefit from the changes to the Medicare Co-payment.  Prevention is always better than cure – and this will become a $20 billion fund in our future health.

“By making the Health system more sustainable and investing in medical research, we are ensuring that Australia remains the best and healthiest place in the world to raise a family and care for loved ones”.

“The key goal of the Budget is to strengthen the economy – because when you strengthen the economy, small businesses succeed, families have less pressure on them and jobs are created.”

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814        

WHAT IT MEANS FOR HINKLER:

• $1 Million for Old Toogoom Road
• $3.75 Million for River Heads Road
• $350,000 for the Hervey Bay Hockey Association to install synthetic turf
• $100,000 for a tower at the Hervey Bay Surf Lifesaving Club
• $400,000 to extend the Bundaberg Surf Lifesaving Club
• $27,000 for Bundaberg Regional Council to install a surf safety/surveillance camera at the Elliott River Mouth
• $27,000  for Bundaberg Regional Council to install a surf safety/surveillance camera at Palmers Creek in Innes Park
• $27,000 for Bundaberg Regional Council to install a surf safety/surveillance camera at Mon Repos
• $12,000 for Bundaberg Regional Council to install a permanent Emergency Response beacon at Mon Repos
• $125,000 for the Centenary of Anzac Local Grants program across Hinkler
• A total of $6.7 Billion to fix the Bruce Highway
• $10.3 Billion over 2013-14 to 2018-19, plus an additional $3.1 Billion from 2019-20, for  infrastructure in Queensland
• $1 Billion for the National Stronger Regions Fund to create stronger, more prosperous regional communities (specifically targeting areas with high unemployment)
• $300 Million nationally for the new Bridges Renewal Programme
• $100 Million nationally for the mobile telephone phone Black Spots Programme
• $320 Million in drought relief measures including $280 million in drought concessional loans, $12 Million for emergency water infrastructure, $10 million for pest management in drought affected areas and $10.7 million in social and mental health support
• $100 Million extra for applied agricultural research and development
• $8 Million to improve access to agricultural and veterinary chemicals
• $20 Million to build a stronger biosecurity and quarantine system
• An extra $9 Million for fisheries, including more support for recreational and commercial fishing bodies, support for these groups to meet maritime standards, and a review of invasive marine pests
• $15 Million to help small exporters with costs
• No changes to the diesel fuel rebate
• Removal of $1 Billion a year in red tape, because regulation means more staff doing paperwork and fewer staff helping customers
• Cutting company tax by 1.5 per cent for about 800,000 businesses
• $10,000 to each business that employs an Australian over the age of 50, who has been on unemployment benefits or the disability support pension for six months
• $14.9 million over two years from 2013-14 to phase in a new Work for the Dole programme for young job seekers
• From July, the Government will support those learning a trade by providing concessional Trade Support Loans of up to $20,000 over a four-year apprenticeship
• $245.3 million over four years to continue the National School Chaplaincy program
• The Coalition will deliver more than $12 Billion in overall funding to the veteran community, including honouring our commitment to deliver fair indexation for military superannuants
• $40 million for a Reef Trust to support the improvement of coastal habitat, water quality and enhancing species protection along the Great Barrier Reef
• Creating more opportunities for students with low socio-economic backgrounds and from regional areas through a Commonwealth scholarships initiative