2014 Resilient Australia Awards open

Applications for the 2014 Resilient Australia Awards are now open.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt is encouraging local residents to nominate before July 2.

“Hinkler residents endured tornadoes, two major floods in two years and are now in the midst of a drought,” Mr Pitt said.

“The awards acknowledge community efforts in recovery, building resilience, preparedness, providing mental health support and education, emergency broadcasting and volunteering.

“These are all things the Hinkler community has done exceptionally well in recent years.”

To apply or nominate someone you know go to www.emknowledge.gov.au  

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Canegrowers concerns about Japan FTA

Statement from Keith Pitt MP re Canegrowers concerns about the Free Trade Agreement with Japan: 

“Japan is Queensland’s largest trading partner.

“The Free Trade Agreement with Japan is a major win for Australian beef, horticulture, seafood and wine.

“The Hinkler region is Australia’s largest producer of heavy vegetables. As such, producers of a wide array of fruit and vegetables – such as macadamia nuts, strawberries, mangoes, tomatoes, pumpkins and tomatoes – will benefit from the elimination of tariffs.

“The agreement with Japan has been endorsed by the Australian Food and Grocery Council, Wesfarmers, Universities Australia and several of Australia’s most respected and successful businessmen.

“The Japan agreement is about much more than agriculture – it will benefit Australian consumers by eliminating tariffs on household appliances, electronics and cars.

“I recognise, however, that no Free Trade Agreement will ever be a silver bullet for every single industry.

“South Korea is Australia’s biggest export market for sugar. This week the Prime Minister also signed an agreement with South Korea that eliminates tariffs on key agricultural exports like sugar. The sugar industry was one of the main benefactors in the Korean Agreement.”

[ENDS] 

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Meeting to discuss mobile telephone coverage in Hinkler

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher and Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today met with residents and businesses in Hervey Bay to discuss mobile coverage blackspots across the region.

In December last year, Hinkler residents were invited to comment on a discussion paper on how to structure the Coalition’s $100 million programme to improve mobile coverage in regional Australia.

Mr Fletcher briefed Bundaberg and Hervey Bay Mayors Mal Forman and Gerard O’Connell, State Member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorenson and Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce representatives about the $80 million Mobile Network Expansion Project and $20 million Mobile Blackspot Project.

Mr Pitt said local residents, health workers, real estate agents and telecommunications providers also voiced their concerns about mobile coverage issues.

“Inadequate mobile phone coverage is a significant concern for regional communities. Lives can literally depend on accessing mobile phone networks in emergencies, so expanding mobile phone coverage has clear benefits to public safety – as well as to the productive and economic capacity of regional communities like Hinkler,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Fletcher opted to drive along the Bruce Highway as part of his tour throughout southern and central Queensland. 

“I wanted to experience firsthand the many mobile coverage issues along Queensland’s major arterial road,” he said.  

While formal submissions closed on February 28, the Department of Communications continues to accept nominations of locations to be included in a database of areas reported to have poor or no mobile coverage. Locations can be emailed to mobilecoverage@communications.gov.au

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814        

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Keith Pitt urges Hinkler residents to donate blood

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today donated blood, and is urging local residents to do the same in the lead up to Easter.

Mr Pitt and two of his staff gave blood at the Australian Red Cross Donor Centre, at Bundaberg Base Hospital, this morning.

“It takes just an hour of your time, and each donation can save up to three lives,” Mr Pitt said.

“One in three Australians will need blood in their lifetime, and yet just three per cent of the population gives blood.

“Australia needs more than 27,000 donations every week.”

Mr Pitt said the Easter long weekend was a particularly challenging time on the roads for emergency service workers.

“Unfortunately, more traffic typically means more accidents and that’s why giving blood at this time of year is so important,” he said.

“I urge Hinkler residents to stay safe and put their blood – not their body – in a bag this Easter. One fatality is one too many!”

Mr Pitt encouraged Hinkler residents to support the Red Cross’ Easter Egg-straction blood drive.

“They need 81 more people to fill appointments at the Hervey Bay and Bundaberg donor centres over the Easter weekend.”        

To find your nearest donor centre, telephone 13 14 95.   

 

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Gallipoli ballot applicants to be notified from today

Hinkler residents who applied to attend the Anzac Centenary Dawn Service in Gallipoli in 2015 will find out in coming weeks whether they have been successful in the ballot.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said 42,273 applicants would receive initial email advice from today, with formal letters being sent in coming weeks.

The Australian and New Zealand Governments initiated the ballot process after the Turkish Government advised they had capped attendance at 10,500 people.

Mr Pitt said the fair, open and transparent ballot would enable 8,000 Australians and 2,000 New Zealanders to safely and comfortably attend 100th anniversary commemorations in 2015.

“Successful applicants will receive two tickets – one for themselves and one for a guest,” Mr Pitt said.

“More than 24 per cent of successful applicants are from Queensland. The oldest applicant is 99-years-old and the youngest is just 16.

“The overwhelming response is indicative of our respect and appreciation of the sacrifices made by those who served our country.

“I congratulate the applicants who have been successful in the ballot. Those without tickets may consider visiting Gallipoli on August 6 next year for the Battle of Lone Pine Centenary commemoration service.

“There will also be plenty of opportunities in Australia for people to pay their respects, with services and events being held right across the country.”

Mr Pitt said he looked forward to announcing the successful applications for funding under the Centenary of Anzac Local Grants Program later this year.

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814

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ICJ ruling on whaling in the Antarctic

Statement from Keith Pitt MP re International Court of Justice ruling regarding  whaling in the Antarctic:

“I welcome the Court’s decision.

“The Government is working with Japan to implement the judgement.  

“Australia and Japan have consistently agreed that our differences over whaling should not affect our close bilateral relationship, including our trade negotiations.

“Both countries have stated that they will accept the decision of the Court.”

[ENDS]  

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Coalition keeps promise to veteran community

The Coalition Government has delivered its election promise to 57,000 military superannuants and their families.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said 556 local veterans, aged 55 and over, will benefit from changes to the Defence Forces Retirement Benefits scheme (DFRB) and Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB) schemes.

“From 1 July next year military superannuants will have their pensions indexed in the same way as age and service pensions,” Mr Pitt said.

“The fair indexation provisions will also extend to reversionary (widow) pensioners aged 55 and over.” 

“This has been a long fought campaign for equity, justice and fairness by the Australian veteran community.

“The Coalition promised our veterans a fair go before the 2010 and 2013 elections and now, with the passing of this legislation, we have delivered on our promise.

“The legislation recognises of the unique nature of military service and the sacrifices military personnel and their families make on behalf of all Australians.”

Mr Pitt said it was important the Government, on behalf of the Australian community, recognise the contribution and sacrifice made by military personnel.

He said Certificates of Appreciation were now available under the Saluting Their Service commemorations program, for those who served during the Second World War (both in the armed forces or as civilians on the home front), with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) Japan, Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan and during peacekeeping operations.

They are also available as a lasting legacy to the family of deceased veterans.  Certificates can be requested by email Keith.Pitt.MP@aph.gov.au or telephone on 07 4152 0744. 

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Bundy offers ideal lifestyle for a family

Opinion piece published in the NewsMail on March 27, 2014 as part of Good News Week:  

I’ve been asked to tell you why I love the Bundaberg district.

I could talk about the climate, turtles, Bert Hinkler, Ginger Beer or Rum. But you already know all that!

What you may not know is that my family has a long history of farming in the region, and I’m proud to be raising a fourth generation in the same community!

One of my earliest childhood memories involved watching my father work on his truck at our house on Chards Road, surrounded by cane. 

When I wasn’t at school, we were cutting sleepers in the bush or playing cricket in the backyard. 

From the age of 16, I spent every waking hour at the beach with my mates; preparing for our next surf lifesaving carnival. 

I now enjoy taking my son to touch football on a Friday night, joining my wife and two daughters at netball on a Saturday, wetting a line at Theodolite Creek, and having an early morning cuppa with the local veterans at Teaspoon. 

Where else can you buy a bag of sweet potatoes from the side of the road for $2?

The truth is; I wouldn’t live anywhere else!

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90 second statement – Holden family

Mr PITT (Hinkler) (13:55): I rise to bring to the House’s attention the wonderful work of the Holden family from the Elliott Heads Surf Life Saving Club in my electorate of Hinkler. Bob and Shirley are life members of the club, and Craig and Freddo are their children who now have their own generation who are members of the surf lifesaving club as well. So three generations of the Holden family are in the Elliott Heads Surf Life Saving Club.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Bob and Shirley for their introduction to fundraising, because the first opportunity for me to learn as a young teenager around how it was done was at the Tattersalls Hotel in Bundaberg, selling meat raffles on a Saturday morning. Unbeknownst to me as a young teenage lifesaver, this was the only source of income for a surf club which supported up to 100 members. So $250 a week was about what they made, and at times that was all that there was. It is a wonderful effort by the family to be life members.

Their son Craig has gone on to be a local branch manager, a Wide Bay Capricorn branch manager, a Queensland surf lifesaver and is well known in surf lifesaving circles. I am sure they would like to get him to Brisbane into the state centre, but that does not seem like an opportunity. I congratulate the Holdens. They have been a substantial supporter of surf lifesaving in the region, they are wonderful members of the Elliott Heads Surf Life Saving Club and I thank them for the work they have done for our community.

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Constituency Statement – Aged Care

Mr PITT (Hinkler) (09:33): I rise to speak about an issue that has been of significant concern to my constituents for many years, and that is the issue of aged-care services. ABS data shows that the median age in Hinkler is 44 compared to 37 for Queensland. Almost 3,000 residents are over the age of 85, making it the largest single age group in my electorate. Last month, I wrote to Senator Mitch Fifield, the Assistant Minister for Social Services, to raise Hinkler residents’ concerns that there is only one aged-care assessor in Bundaberg and only two in Hervey Bay. One elderly lady who cares for her husband told my office she now has health issues and contacted ACAT for an assessment but was told it could take as long as six months for her husband to be seen. Senator Fifield agreed that a waiting time of six months is not acceptable and has referred the matter to Queensland Health, which operates the service.

The workload of our local assessors has grown significantly in volume and complexity, and more and more Australians are choosing to stay at home for longer and only enter facilities when they require a high level of care. Unfortunately, there are not enough beds. 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. The aged-care ratio in the Wide Bay region is 92.2 aged-care places for every 1,000 people aged 70 or over. That is compared to the Queensland ratio of 109.2.

I recently met with a not-for-profit aged care provider, who said the high cost of constructing new facilities meant Hinkler residents could not afford a placement. Hinkler has the fourth highest unemployment rate in the country. We have among the highest rates of disability, obesity, diabetes and smoking. The median weekly personal income in Hinkler is $411. To put that in perspective, the median weekly rental is $240, which is more than half of what they earn. This makes saving for retirement and aged care almost impossible.

Land values in Bundaberg have dropped by 40 per cent since the last valuation was issued prior to the January 2013 floods. What this means is that in many cases the nest egg they have worked their entire lives to pay off is now worth significantly less than they had anticipated or planned for. I recently announced $1.7 million to help Hinkler residents who want to remain in their homes or are waiting for a placement. The funding will enable six local organisations to provide domestic assistance like home maintenance, meals and cleaning as well as nursing care, social support and transport.

The construction of 730 beds across the region would not only reduce the waiting list for people who deserve to live out their remaining days with dignity but it would also stimulate the construction industry and the local economy more broadly. It would create jobs and training opportunities in nursing, allied health, pharmacy, administration and retail. So I look forward to working with Senator Fifield to ensure that these beds are delivered for the people of my electorate.

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