Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt says it’s a great honour that Hervey Bay has been chosen as one of four locations in regional Australia to host the international exhibition The Belgians Have Not Forgotten.

It was a year ago that Mr Pitt met with His Excellency Belgian Ambassador Jean-Luc Bodsen to discuss bringing this exhibition to Hervey Bay.

“The Ambassador visited Freedom Park for the Centenary of Anzac Memorial in 2014 and was impressed with the proud returned services community in the region.

“At the ceremony he said: “We often have Australian visitors to our memorials and shrines and I assure you that Belgium doesn’t forget.”

Mr Pitt said the exhibition demonstrated that the words spoken by the Ambassador still rang true today and the strong relationship continues between the people of Belgium and Australia.

The exhibition features wartime artefacts, photographs, maps and film footage from the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 in Zonnebeke, Belgium.

Mr Pitt is encouraging residents to visit the exhibition and tell family and friends about it also.

“How often do we get the opportunity to have an exhibition of this scale here in Hervey Bay? People have already travelled from various locations to see it and have been very impressed,” he said.

“I’d like to thank everyone that has been involved in bringing this project to fruition: the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, the Zonnebeke Council, the Flemish Government, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Australia, and lastly, the Australian Government for providing a grant to transport the exhibition to regional areas,” Mr Pitt said.

In September, Australia, with the assistance of Belgian authorities, will honour the service and sacrifice of those who fought in the Third Battle of Ypres with a Dawn Service at Buttes New British Cemetery on the 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Polygon Wood.

The Belgians Have Not Forgotten exhibition is at the Hervey Bay RSL from now until March 17, 2017.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt has encouraged parents and families to take advantage of the resources from a new website that has been launched by the Coalition Government to help school children with their learning and homework.

Mr Pitt said the new website Learning Potential Resources was filled with hundreds of ideas, activities, games and videos to assist parents of primary school children get involved in their child’s learning.

“The Learning Potential website will help parents and families to bring school lessons to life at home,” he said.

“Now that the flurry of books, school uniforms and lunchboxes are taken care of, I know that parents are turning their attention to how best to support their child’s learning at school. That’s where Learning Potential Resources comes in.

“This new website gives parents access to the resources that teachers are using in the classroom, adapted for the home environment.

“Learning Potential Resources shows how to turn everyday activities like cooking, watering the garden or walking the dog into a fun and interactive learning opportunity.”

Learning Potential Resources supports the Australian Curriculum for primary school and contains three main sections, which include:

• 41 ‘every day ideas’ to show parents how to practice literacy and numeracy skills with their child during everyday life.

• 80 ‘practice together’ articles to guide parents on how they can reinforce literacy and numeracy skills their child is learning at school.

• 80 ‘practice online’ activities, including internet games and videos that parents and children can do together to practice these same skills.

Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said parental engagement is a key factor in enhancing a child’s learning, supporting the vital work teachers do.

“Parents are their children’s first teachers and a high level of engagement in their education is absolutely critical to success in the classroom,” Minister Birmingham said.

“The most important things that parents can do include having high aspirations for their children, reading together, talking with their children, exploring things their children have learned at school, and demonstrating that they value education.”

Minister Birmingham said the new website complemented the popular Learning Potential app, which has been downloaded more than 119,000 times since it was launched in August 2015.

“The Coalition Government is committed to making use of ever-evolving digital technologies to provide engaging ways for children to access information and to learn,” Minister Birmingham said.

The Learning Potential Resources website, www.learningpotential.edu.au, was created by Education Services Australia with support from the Coalition Government.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt is calling on locals to have their say on growing jobs in regional areas, after the launch of a new inquiry into the decentralisation of Commonwealth agencies.

“I have long believed that the government should consider shifting federal government departments out of the capital cities to give people the choice of living and working in regional areas, but now it is time to ensure your views are heard,” Mr Pitt said.

“This is a chance for councils, chambers of commerce and community associations in Hinkler to put forward their case into what it could mean to our region to have an injection of Government investment.

“I urge every interested party to have their say in this important national conversation.”

The inquiry will look into the operation, effectiveness and consequences of relocating corporate Commonwealth entities, as well as the economic, environmental and capability implications.

“With 33% of Australians living outside of capital cities, it’s time for a fairer share of the job opportunities that that capital city counterparts can access.

“Housing is still affordable in regional areas like Hinkler, whether you buy a home in Hervey Bay, Bundaberg or Childers.

“I’m proud to be raising my family in regional Australia, but we need to provide jobs for the next generation.”

As well as offering housing affordability and a better environment for families, Mr Pitt said there were significant savings in moving Commonwealth agencies to regional areas.

“It’s estimated that relocating the Rural Industries RDC to Wagga Wagga from Canberra will deliver savings of about $1.2 million per year, including $266,000 in rent alone,” he said.

The closing date for submissions is 10 March 2017. For more information visit:

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Finance_and_Public_Administration/PublicGovernance

A surf life saver who saved the lives of four people at Burnett Heads last year has been recognised for her brave actions.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt presented Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club member Teisha Towner with the National Rescue of the Month award at Parliament House today.

“Without the action and advanced rescue skills displayed by Teisha there could have been a very different outcome for the swimmers on that day in October,” Mr Pitt said.

“Today’s award is well and truly deserved and it was my honour to be able to present it to Teisha here in Canberra.

“As a former surf lifesaver, I appreciate the superb job our surf life savers carry out on our local beaches and the dedication they show to their job,” he said.

Mr Pitt was a surf life saver for more than 10 years and is a member of Parliamentary Friends of Surf Life Saving.

Excerpt from citation:

Teisha was packing up after her lifeguard shift at Oaks Beach, Burnett Heads on Saturday October 1, 2016, when she noticed four people being quickly swept away in a rip current.

Teisha grabbed a rescue board and paddled out through rough conditions to the two children and two adults that were struggling to remain above the waterline.

Two of the patients were able to grab onto the rescue board while the other two needed assistance to latch on to the board.

Unable to paddle the board back to shore, Teisha managed to squeeze the children on top of the board and float towards the safety of nearby rocks. Paramedics arrived and assessed the patient’s wellbeing whom were all in good health, albeit a little upset and shaken up from the rescue.

• Local committee to identify investment priorities for the Coalition’s $20 million jobs package announced

• Funding for local infrastructure, business innovation and skills and training.

• Coalition Government letting local communities decide their own future

Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash together with the Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien, Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd and Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt announced the members of the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Jobs and Investment Packages (RJIP) Local Planning Committee today.

Mr Bill Trevor has been appointed chair of the committee along with the following members: 

• Ms Leone Aslett

• Ms Nancy Bates

• Mr Stephen Cooper

• Ms Kathy Duff

• Mr Eric Law

• Mr Kerren Smith

• Mr Don Waugh

• Mr Glen Winney.

“These people are leaders in their local communities and have the important responsibility of representing their communities,” said Minister Nash. 

“This Local Planning Committee will nominate the sectors of local industry the package will invest in on behalf of local people.

“I aim to help build the kinds of communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to, and investing in sustainable local jobs helps grow that kind of community.”

Mr O’Brien said the Local Planning Committee will develop a Local Investment Plan that will list the forward-looking growth sectors which it thinks will create sustainable jobs for the future in Wide Bay Burnett.

“Once the Local Investment Plan is done, the applications from Wide Bay Burnett region can roll in,” said Mr O’Brien.

Mr O’Dowd said the Federal Government’s aim is to create more jobs and export opportunities.

“We aim to harness the broad range of skills in the Wide Bay Burnett region to create more jobs,” said Mr O’Dowd.

Mr Pitt said the Coalition invests in the regions because the Coalition understands Australia’s cities cannot exist without our regions, which supply cities their water, food and electricity.

“We’re so proud to give the Wide Bay Burnett region a $20 million shot in the arm,” Mr Pitt said.

“Our 10 Regional Jobs and Investment Packages across Australia are worth a total of $220 million and aim to deliver secure jobs, which will still be there well into the future,” said Mr Pitt.

Funding will be available across three streams: Local Infrastructure, Business Innovation and Skills and Training.

For more information visit the Regional Jobs and Investment Package website.

Vintage car enthusiasts will have a new clubhouse soon, thanks in part to funding from the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club had been awarded $13,200 to prepare the site and lay the concrete base with provisions for a new building.

“Once completed, the building – which is a disused Australian Army shed I helped secure for the club – will provide a much needed central meeting point for the club members,” Mr Pitt said.

“I congratulate Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club on their successful application and for contributing a further $13,200 of their own funds.”

Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club treasurer John Sweeney said the building would enable the club – which began in 1976 – to have its own club house for meetings and fortnightly club runs.

“It will also enable us to have kindred clubs visit, which will bring a great economic boost into the city.

Mr Sweeney said the club – which is for people interested in the restoration, preservation and maintenance of Bundaberg’s motoring heritage – currently has over 160 members, plus wives and partners.

Through the Stronger Communities Program, eligible community groups could apply for grants of between $5000 and $20,000 for small capital projects. All applications need to commit at least matching funding or in-kind contributions.

Each Federal Electorate is allocated $150,000 a year over two years. For more information go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/SCP 

Community groups and local councils are encouraged to apply for funding under the Building Better Regions Fund, which is available for community and infrastructure projects in Hinkler.

Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said the fund is dedicated purely as an investment in opportunities across rural, regional and remote Australia. 

“The Coalition Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) is designed to invest in projects that will create the kinds of regional communities that our children and grandchildren want to either stay in or come back to,” Minister Nash said.

“The BBRF will give communities the opportunity to think outside the square and show us the types of investments they believe will strengthen their local community and create jobs.

“Flexible, creative thinking can be a winning formula to receive funding, providing clear objectives are mapped out that show benefits for the region,” she said.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt encouraged interested applicants to attend the free information session on Tuesday, January 24 at 10am at CQUniversity.

“The information session will provide an opportunity for applicants – whether they are from a community group or a larger organisation – to find out more about the Building Better Regions Fund.”

Mr Pitt said applications will be assessed in three categories depending on the size of the project – so small community projects are not competing against huge projects worth tens of millions.

“We want to invest in the infrastructure, events and initiatives that we are passionate about and that we know will make a difference to the Hinkler region,” he said.

To register for the information session visit: www.business.gov.au/bbrf

If applicants are unable to attend the session, there is an online presentation which can be viewed at: https://www.business.gov.au/Assistance/Building-Better-Regions-Fund/BBRF-Information-sessions-presentation

Applications close on Tuesday 28 February 2017 for the Infrastructure Projects Stream and Friday 31 March 2017 for the Community Investments Stream.

The New Year has created new opportunities for Hinkler exporters with the Coalition’s landmark trade agreements delivering extensive tariff cuts.

Member for Hinkler and Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Keith Pitt said further tariff cuts on more than 7000 Australian products have come into effect, creating more export opportunities for local businesses.

“These wide-ranging tariff cuts are part of Australia’s Free Trade Agreements with China and Korea, which are continuing to deliver a competitive advantage for Hinkler businesses,” he said.

Mr Pitt said the tariff for macadamias (shelled) was 30 per cent before KAFTA, was cut to 12 per cent and now has been cut further to 6 per cent.

“This is giving local businesses an extra competitive advantage which will drive exports and help create more local jobs,” he said.

Almost $10 million worth of macadamias were exported to Korea between January and September 2016, with Australian exports tripling on two years earlier.

“The Coalition Government will continue to pursue an ambitious free trade agenda and agreements like ChAFTA and KAFTA to fuel our economy and create more local jobs,” said Mr Pitt.

“These trade agreements have put local exporters in pole position to capitalise on Asia’s growing middle class and their increasing demand for the high quality goods and services Australia offers,” he said.

Hinkler businesses looking to take advantage of Australia’s free trade agreements can find out more about the tariffs that apply to their exports at the FTA Portal: ftaportal.dfat.gov.au.

Today marks the first anniversary of the ground-breaking China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA).

Member for Hinkler and Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Keith Pitt said ChaFTA has given Hinkler businesses a competitive advantage that is driving exports and creating new jobs.

“ChAFTA is the most favourable trade deal China has ever done with a developed economy,” he said.

“It has put Hinkler exporters in pole position to capitalise on China’s growing middle class and their increasing demand for the high quality goods and services we offer.”

Mr Pitt said Hinkler businesses exporting fresh fruit and vegetables, macadamia nuts and seafood have been big winners from ChAFTA.

“Under ChAFTA, the 10 to 25 percent tariff on macadamia nuts, almonds, walnuts, pistachios and all other nuts will be eliminated by 1 January 2019.”

 Mr Pitt said another round of tariff cuts will occur on 1 January 2017.

 “Further tariff cut means that Hinkler businesses exporting products like nuts and seafood will face a tariff less than half that paid by major competitors like France, the US and Canada,” he said.

 “And every year, those tariffs will be cut again for Australia until they reach zero, building on the competitive edge ChAFTA is already providing for Hinkler exporters.

 “ChAFTA is unlocking exciting possibilities to our largest export market.

 “The Coalition Government is pursuing an ambitious trade agenda, and more agreements like ChAFTA, to create more opportunities for Hinkler to expand and employ more locals.”

Hervey Bay Rugby League Football will be kicking more goals next year thanks to a Stronger Communities Programme grant from the Federal Government.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt congratulated Hervey Bay Rugby League Football Club which has been awarded $12,885 to upgrade the ticket box and entrance at Ralph Stafford Park.

“This upgrade will provide safer cash handling facilities and personal security for volunteers,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Stronger Communities Programme has been a boost for community groups and organisations like the Hervey Bay Rugby League Football Club that would otherwise struggle to generate the funding for this type of work to be done.”

Hervey Bay Rugby League Football Club president Neil Collins said the upgrade meant there was a reduced incentive for people to not pay on entry, thus reducing valuable revenue at games/events.

“Sun safety will be improved and the facility will be an all-weather one. Upgrading this facility will assist with our vision of having the best facilities in the local area to attract other sports events to the grounds,” Mr Collins said.

“We’ve also improved patron safety by removing the need to share with vehicles entering/leaving the grounds.” 

Approximately 700 people utilise Ralph Stafford Park on any week and it is utilised all year round.

It features four fields utilised by a wide variety of clubs and demographics. It also hosts many school competitions, the QLD State Touch Football titles, is the home of Oztag and other regular community events such as rodeos and fundraisers.

Through the Stronger Communities Programme, eligible community groups could apply for grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 for small capital projects. All applications need to commit at least matching funding or in-kind contributions.

Each Federal Electorate is allocated $150,000 a year over two years. For more information go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/SCP