Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said there is a massive opportunity for the region to develop the Port of Bundaberg in the 2017 Budget.

“Contrary to some media reports that stated Bundaberg has missed out, there is $10 billion on the table for rail infrastructure.

“State and local governments need to be on the front foot to investigate the possibility of developing the inland rail through to the Bundaberg Port, which could be developed as a container facility,” Mr Pitt said.

The Government is establishing a $10 billion National Rail Program to fund rail projects that will improve regional rail services to better connect our communities.

The program will allow the Government to partner with State Governments to plan and deliver key rail infrastructure projects.

“While we’ve been talking about additional opportunities at the Port of Bundaberg I’m calling on the State and Local Government to fight for the significant expansion which will result in jobs.”

Also announced in last night’s Budget was the establishment of a Regional Growth Fund.

The fund will include $272.2 million to provide grants of $10 million or more for major transformational projects which support long term economic growth and create jobs in Australia’s regions.

“The Government is investing in regional Australia by delivering infrastructure that will drive economic growth and secure more and better paying jobs,” he said.

Mr Pitt plans to meet with State and Local Government representatives when he gets back from Canberra to gauge their interest in this opportunity.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the 2017 Budget delivers greater opportunities for small business.

“We will extend the instant asset write off to small businesses for a further 12 months which is great news for the 8500 small businesses in Hinkler,” he said.

“And we are taking action to safeguard Australian jobs and make sure that Australians have the necessary training and skills to be job-ready with a new Skilling Australians Fund.”

The Coalition Government is guaranteeing Medicare with a Medicare Guarantee Fund that will only pay for Medicare and medicines.

“We are fully funding the NDIS to provide a secure future for Australians with a disability. We are launching a fairer schools funding model that is needs-based, simple and transparent. And we are delivering affordable, accessible childcare for families with a simplified Child Care Package. These essential services have been secured in the Coalition Government’s Budget 2017.”

The Government will continue to ensure multinationals pay their fair share of tax.

“Our actions have already raised $2.9 billion in tax liabilities this financial year against a group of just seven large multinational companies, and are expected to raise more than $4 billion in total this financial year from large public groups and multinationals,” he said.

“We will also continue to focus on stopping people trying to take an easy ride on our welfare system by strengthening mutual obligation requirements for payments and cracking down on those seeking to get out of those obligations,” Mr Pitt said.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt is encouraging small business owners to attend a small business forum with Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack on Monday May 15 in Bundaberg.

“This is a great opportunity for small businesses to interact directly with the Government and agencies to learn about the Government’s plan for small business, fair competition, assistance functions, obligations and making it easier to do business,” Mr Pitt said.

“The session also allows for the Minister and agencies to hear direct from the public current issues that are affecting small business operation.”

Dr Craig Latham, Deputy, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and a senior executive from the ATO will also attend the forum.

The small business forum will be held on Monday May 15 from 8.30am – 10am at Rowers on the River, Bundaberg.

For more information or to register for the forum please contact Keith Pitt’s office on 4152 0744.

A new demonstration project to power irrigation pumping systems with solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is set to kick off in Bundaberg.

Minister for the Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg said the project aims to reduce irrigators’ dependence on grid-supplied electricity, which powers the majority of irrigation systems in Bundaberg.

“In an effort to combat rising electricity prices, the project aims show the cost efficiencies that can be achieved by using solar PV to power high pressure irrigation systems,” Mr Frydenberg said.

“The Bundaberg Regional Irrigators Group (BRIG) will deliver the $890,000 project, which is supported by a $447,000 investment from the Australian Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

“The investment aligns with the Coalition Government’s technology neutral, non-ideological approach to provide affordable, reliable electricity as we transition to a lower emission future.”

Launching the demonstration project today, Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said many canegrowers were looking at alternative options with electricity costs continuing to rise.

“Electricity is a major, unavoidable cost, which does impact farm productivity and economic viability for canegrowers, so it’s hardly surprising they are looking at other options when it comes to energy supply.”

Local canegrowers can lodge an expression of interest with BRIG to be involved with the three-year trial and a local committee will select a suitable applicant.

The primary outcome of the project is to demonstrate the costs savings associated with the use of solar power with the conventional “big gun” irrigation over a period of three growing seasons.

The demonstration project is expected to be completed in 2020.

Minister for Human Services Alan Tudge visited Bundaberg today at the invitation of Federal Member for Hinkler, Keith Pitt, on a listening tour to discuss unemployment and welfare.

Mr Pitt was keen for Minister Tudge to meet directly with local organisations, groups and residents to hear first-hand what some of the challenges are in the community.

“The number of people on unemployment benefits has been unacceptably high in Hinkler for many years and we need to look at different ways to address this and ensure people on welfare are being supported appropriately,” Mr Pitt said.

“The roundtable discussions will give Minister Tudge a better understanding of the issues locally and provide an opportunity to discuss ideas of how to address these.

“We know the effects of long-term unemployment on individuals, families and the wider community can be particularly damaging. We want to ensure that people who need help are getting the help they need.”

The Minister for Human Services said he was pleased to be in Hinkler to hear from community members and organisations about the issues on the ground.

“Long term welfare dependency is a poison on capable people and we will be discussing ways in which we can help move people into jobs,” he said.

“I’m also looking forward to feedback from the community about their experience in dealing with Centrelink to ensure we are doing our best to help people into work and support those who need a hand up.

“The Coalition Government is focused on creating the right economic environment to create jobs, and ensuring that unemployed people are actively seeking work and accepting jobs when they are offered.”

The Federal Government Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt held a roundtable in Bundaberg today at the invitation of the Federal Member for Hinkler, Keith Pitt, to discuss the care of older people in the electorate.

Mr Pitt was keen for the minister to meet directly with local residents to understand their aged care needs and to provide them with information about the choice of services now available to older people and their families, including both at-home care and residential aged care services.

Mr Pitt said it was a great opportunity to talk to people at the coalface of aged care services, as well as the families of people in aged care facilities.

“The Australian Government is committed to quality care for older Australians in residential care aged homes, and we want to ensure that is happening.

“The roundtable discussion is a valuable opportunity to get a better understanding from local organisations and providers can raise their concerns with the Minister.

“The Minister also wanted to seek feedback from local residents who are interacting with the industry day-in, day-out,” Mr Pitt said.

“Today’s roundtable was an excellent opportunity to talk to local people about their aims and aspiration as they or their relatives grow older, and to the many dedicated service providers who we rely on to provide safe, secure and loving residential care,” Minister Wyatt said.

“I was delighted to visit Hinkler today and look forward to keeping in touch with the needs of the local community through their dedicated Local Member, Keith Pitt,” Minister Wyatt said.

During his visit to Bundaberg, Mr Wyatt will also visit a local small business and the IWC.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today welcomed the further injection of funding by the Coalition Government to the legal assistance sector as part of the 2017-18 budget.

The Coalition Government will provide a further $55.7 million over the next three years to community legal centres ($39 million) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services ($16.7 million).

“$1.73 billion is now going to Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services over five years to 2020, which is more than ever before,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said the additional funding to Community Legal Centres would be directed to frontline family law and family violence services. 

“This is the latest in a series of commitments made by this Government to support the work of the legal assistance sector and women and children affected by family violence.”

“As the national conversation on domestic and family violence continues, more people are coming forward to seek a range of assistance measures and the Coalition Government has listened and responded.”

Today’s funding announcement builds on the Coalition Government’s existing additional investment of $45 million for frontline legal assistance and family law services as part of the $100 million Women’s Safety Package and $100 Million Third Action Plan.

The funding allocation will be finalised with the states and territories under the National Partnership Agreement.

In addition, the Government is providing $16.7 million over the next three years to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services.

“The Government is committed to achieving real and positive change in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, including by providing culturally appropriate access to justice.”

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt has welcomed the Federal Government’s country of origin labelling for food campaign.

The campaign will appear on TV, radio, in newspapers, digitally and on social media over the coming five weeks.

“It’s great that the government is getting out there and letting people know what the new labels mean,” Mr Pitt said.

“The new food labelling system will provide Australian consumers with the clarity they deserve, without imposing an excessive burden on businesses,” he said.

“I look forward to seeing more of these labels on supermarket shelves”.

The broader country of origin labelling reforms came into effect from 1 July 2016 and a two-year transition period is now in place.

Since the introduction of the reforms, many foods found on Australian retail shelves have started to include the familiar kangaroo in a triangle logo to show that the food is made, produced or grown in Australia.

Imported foods that only undergo minor processing or packaging here cannot claim to be made here or carry the logo.

The new labels also include a bar chart indicating the proportion of Australian ingredients.

For more information go to foodlabels.industry.gov.au or search ‘clearer food labels’.

Further information for businesses can be found at business.gov.au/foodlabels

The Coral Coast Cluster of 10 primary schools and one high school in the Bundaberg region will benefit from a nation-wide digital literacy program run by the Coalition Government.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today announced Bundaberg East State School would receive $49,740 through the Digital Literacy School Grants Program.

“This is about making sure our students get the support and skills they need for the future,” Mr Pitt said.

“Congratulations to Bundaberg East State School which has been selected from almost 1800 applications for this funding which goes to show the potential of their project.

“Bundaberg East State School will develop a coordinated model for the teaching of coding across the Coral Coast Cluster including the training of key staff, development of teaching units and the provision of core resources to be shared between the schools.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how this project helps these schools build the digital skills of their students and sparks an interest in broader important fields like science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

Mr Pitt said $4 million had been allocated to the program as part of the Coalition Government’s $50.6 million commitment to help Australian teachers and students embrace the digital age.

“It is great to see local schools engaging with cutting edge technology and ensuring our students are well-equipped for the future,” he said.

“I encourage all Hinkler schools who missed out on this round of funding to apply for the next round which opens in the middle of this year.

“We’re committed to ensuring that each student, no matter where they live in Australia, has a strong knowledge of STEM.

“I am delighted that schools right here in Bundaberg are being empowered to teach technology in a truly modern way, often applying what they are learning in the classroom to overcome challenges in the community.”

For more information visit: www.education.gov.au/digital-literacy-school-grants-dlsg.

Young people with mental health issues and related problems are now receiving holistic support from the new headspace centre in Bundaberg, Queensland.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt visited the centre today which is operated by a consortium led by United Synergies.

headspace is funded by the Australian Government and offers early intervention for 12 to 25-year-olds in four key areas: mental health; related physical health; social and vocational support ; and alcohol and other drug use.

“There are more pressures on young people today than ever, and for some, life can become overwhelming,” Mr Pitt said.

“headspace provides holistic support – not just treating people with mental health problems but providing the right sympathetic intervention when they are at risk.”

As a key element of the Australian Government’s mental health reforms, headspace centres and other Commonwealth-funded, regionally delivered mental health programs are now funded through Primary Health Networks (PHNs).

PHNs assess local health and mental health needs and can commission services to meet those needs, as well as making sure that services work for their clients and their particular circumstances.

“headspace Bundaberg is commissioned by the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast PHN, which also commissions the headspace centres in Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Maroochydore and Rockhampton,” Mr Pitt said. 

“Funding of $450,000 for 2016-17 was provided to establish initial services at headspace Bundaberg with a further $930,113 for 2017-18 to continue operations. 

“Young people are a priority because intervention early in life, and at the early stage of illness, can reduce the impact and duration of mental illness.”

headspace Bundaberg is part of the network expansion to 100 centres nationally which will assist up to 80,000 young Australians each year.

The Government has committed to expanding the headspace network by a further 10 centres to bring the total to 110 by 2019.