Rising electricity costs and more red tape for farmers wanting to maintain their land is what people can expect from Labor’s proposed Emissions Trading Scheme says Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt.

He said Labor’s plan to bring back an ETS is yet another tax on hardworking Australians.

“People need to remember the damage caused by the carbon tax introduced by Labor, which saw electricity prices rise by 101%.

“The carbon tax also increased the cost of production for Queensland cane growers by $20 million which hurt the industry’s international competitiveness.

“The Coalition Government fought hard to successfully repeal the carbon tax which reduced the cost of living for families and got industry moving again,” Mr Pitt said.

But as well introducing an ETS and increasing the target to 45%, Labor intends to reinstate native vegetation laws and restrict land clearing.

“Farmers do not need more red tape and should be appalled at this plan. Labor wants to restrict land clearing and overrule state government policies.

“This would mean not only will we have state vegetation police, but a possible federal vegetation police on top of this. This will restrict farmers’ use of their own land and drown them in red tape.”

“It’s ridiculous to think that a farmer wouldn’t be able to touch vegetation on their own land – vegetation that might be invasive, or interfering with production – without the threat of causing not only a state offence, but a federal offence too.

“How are they meant to stay productive on their own property?”

Road safety in Bundaberg has received a boost with a new round of funding announced under the Black Spot Program.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today announced funding of $890,000 to fix three black spots on local roads.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the projects were recommended by a panel of independent road safety experts and would be delivered during the course of 2016-17.

“The annual economic cost of road crashes is estimated at $27 billion per year. Governments of all levels have made significant progress over several decades in reducing fatalities, yet there is still work to be done,” Mr Chester said.

“This investment is helping to make our local roads safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.”

Mr Pitt said the community of Hinkler will benefit from a safer local road network through the improvement of Black Spot locations recommended by the Consultative Panel.

The approved projects in Bundaberg are:

• Intersection of Walla Street and George Street at Bundaberg South: $390,000 to upgrade the intersection, extend the kerb and install a new bike lane and pedestrian facilities;

• Intersection of Scotland Street, Eastgate Street and Steindl Street at Bundaberg East: $410,000 to upgrade the roundabout and improve signage line marking and bike lanes;

• Intersection of Commercial Street, Production Street and Brickwork Circuit at Svensson Heights: $90,000 to install street lighting, new signs, line markings, a refuge island and bike lanes.

“Residents will recognise the history and notoriety of each of these locations, including through their own near misses and seeing emergency services at the site first-hand,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Black Spot Program allows anyone to make a submission for a safety upgrade to a road or intersection in their local area.

“According to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, there were 1,242 road deaths in Australia in the 12 months to February 2016. This is far too many and we must continue the campaign to make our roads safer.

“We are committed to reducing crashes on our roads.  Accidents take a huge toll on families, our communities and the economy and I am delighted to see these upgrades approved,” Mr Pitt said.

The Australian Government has committed $500 million to the Black Spot Programme from 2014‑15 to 2018-19, including an additional $200 million over two years from 2015-16 to improve road safety and infrastructure across the country.

For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, or to nominate a black spot, visit http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots/.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt has congratulated Bundaberg para-athlete Nathan Donaldson who has been named a Local Sporting Champion by the Australian Sports Commission.

Fourteen-year-old Nathan is one of 14 Local Sporting Champions from across the Hinkler electorate, who have each been awarded a $500 grant under Round Three of the program.

“These Local Sporting Champions grants help cover some of the costs associated with travelling to and from state, national and international sporting competitions for sports men and women aged between 12 and 18,” Mr Pitt said.

“Sport is not only essential to the health and fitness of our young people; it helps build self-confidence and teaches them the importance of team work. That’s why we’re helping to make it easier for young people to participate in sport.”

Paul Donaldson said funding grants such as the Local Sporting Champion program helped recoup the costs involved in getting his son to events around the country and overseas.

“We are going to the events regardless, but if you get something back to help cover the costs it’s an added bonus,” Mr Donaldson said.

Nathan’s next major goal is to compete in the Junior World Titles in Switzerland next year.

He has also been selected by Athletics Australia to join an elite development squad, which will help him transition into senior athletics.

“Nathan is the only junior wheelchair racer in Queensland, so it’s great to see him getting this opportunity to progress,” Mr Donaldson said.

Mr Pitt encourages all young Hinkler sportspeople to apply for the next round of the Local Sporting Champion program which closes on June 30.

For more information: www.ausport.gov.au/participating/local_sporting_champions

LOCAL SPORTING CHAMPIONS

Mariah Robinson                    McDonalds State Athletics Championship

Gamon Hall                             State Boys U19 Softball Titles

Amy Easton                             2016 World Outrigging Sprint Titles

Zion Woetai                            Junior Rugby Union Gold Cup

Lachlan Smith                         U14 Cricket Intra State Championships

Thomas Kidd                           QLD School U19 Cricket State Championships

Taleah Delfs                            IFMA World Championships

Joshua Mason                         2016 Futsal National Championships

Johnathon Barrett                   Pacific School Games

Mitchell Beacham                  Australian U15 Regional Softball Championships

Briahna Connolly                    Pacific School Games

Christian Devon                      Australian All Schools Athletics Championships

Nathan Donaldson                  Australian Junior Athletics Championships

James Stromquist                    FFA National Futsal Championships

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt and State Member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorensen are pleased Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has ‘got on board’ with the Wide Bay military dive wreck proposal.

Yesterday in State Parliament, Mr Sorensen asked the Premier a question without notice if the government would support the HMAS Tobruk being sunk in the region to provide a tourist dive wreck.

Ms Palaszczuk told the house she believed it was “a great opportunity that the Commonwealth government has afforded the state”.

She said she understood there were a couple of sites currently under consideration, including Hervey Bay and the Gold Coast.

Mr Sorensen was given an undertaking by the Premier that she would consider it very carefully and would speak at length with her tourism minister and the Minister for State Development.

The Premier also later confirmed that the director-general had indicated to the defence department that the State Government will take part in the tender process being run by the Federal Government, and would consult with local governments.

Mr Pitt said it was great to finally see the project progressing with the State Government’s support.

“This is a unique opportunity to bring a new tourism venture to the Hinkler region, which will bring a much needed boost to the local economy and more importantly, create jobs.

“Increased tourism numbers to the region will have a flow on effect with increased spending in local restaurants, shops and businesses,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Sorensen said the Hervey Bay’s community spirit and determination shone in Parliament yesterday.

“The Premier has shown her commitment in putting forward the expression of interest of having the HMAS Tobruk in our region as a dive wreck,” Mr Sorensen said.

“Congratulations to Scott Rowe and the Regional Development Australia – Wide Bay Burnett Group who have worked so hard on this project.

“Scott was able to unite Federal, State and local governments together, along with interested local tourism stakeholders, who could see the boost in tourism dollars, with such a project,” he said.

Information days and ship tours will be held in June in Sydney for state and territories that have registered their interest.

Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham said he hoped a future “great Australian breakthrough” will be produced by a student inspired by the new science facilities launched today at St James Lutheran College in Urraween.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt joined with Minister Birmingham to tour the new senior science block and additional learning areas, which were developed with the support of a Federal Government grant of $650,000.

“I was pleased to visit St James Lutheran College with Minister Birmingham and see firsthand the new state-of-the-art learning facilities,” Mr Pitt said.

“Students and the whole school community will benefit from these new facilities, which include a covered outdoor learning area,” Mr Pitt said.

Minister Birmingham said the Coalition Government was committed to putting science, technology, engineering and mathematics at the heart of school education.

“It is critical to Australia’s future that more students study science, technology and maths subjects, and facilities such as this new science block at St James Lutheran College will help with that,” Minister Birmingham said.

“Students and the whole school community will benefit from these new learning spaces that incorporate the latest in education research and will help students learn more effectively.

“While buildings alone do not make a great school, I hope students and staff will enjoy learning and be inspired by these new facilities.

“The Australian Government is committed to improving the quality of our schools and equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.

“This is why we are providing higher levels of school funding than ever before – a record $69.4 billion in total Commonwealth funding over the forward estimates in all states and territories, an increase of 27.3 per cent from 2014–15.”

Minister Birmingham is responsible for the Capital Grants Programme, which provides funding for non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure where they otherwise may not have access to sufficient capital resources. 

With a date now set for the NDIS rollout in the Hinkler electorate, Federal Member Keith Pitt and Assistant Minister for Disability Services Jane Prentice held a roundtable discussion today with local service providers.

The NDIS will begin in Bundaberg on October 1, 2017 and on the Fraser Coast from July 1, 2018.

Representatives from services providers such as Impact, Bridges, Steps and Endeavour met with Mr Pitt and Mrs Prentice to discuss the NDIS and what it will mean for Hinkler residents.

Mr Pitt said it was a great opportunity to talk to people at the coalface of disability and mental health services.

“The NDIS has the potential to create numerous job opportunities in the region which we need to be ready to capitalise on and encourage,” Mr Pitt said.

It is estimated that the NDIS would see around 13,000 jobs created across Queensland by mid-2019.

Mrs Prentice said she valued the insight and advice that local organisations, like the ones she met with today, can provide.

“I want to speak with the broadest possible cross section of the community so I can develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people with disability,” Ms Prentice said.

“I am also looking for advice on opportunities that the Australian Government can provide in helping to meet those challenges,” she said.

Mr Pitt and Mrs Prentice also toured Endeavour Industries in Bundaberg which employs 75 workers.

Some of the jobs done by workers at the organisation include packing fresh produce such as cherry tomatoes, potatoes and onions, as well as putting together sampler packs of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks.

More people will be able to cheer on the Bundaberg Bulls and Bears – and take part in community events – thanks to a Stronger Communities grant from the Federal Government.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said Bundaberg Basketball Inc had been awarded $20,000 to improve disability access at WIN Stadium.

“The installation of a disability access ramp will enable better access for the elderly, those with mobility issues and parents with prams,” Mr Pitt said.

“Currently, the outdoor courts are inaccessible for players and spectators without them going out into the carpark and then entering through the gates.

“I congratulate Bundaberg Basketball on making it easier for members of the community to get involved with local sporting teams, or take part in events held at the stadium,” he said.

Bundaberg Basketball operations manager Kerri Savidge said the disability access upgrade meant everyone would be able to enjoy the stadium.

“The disability access will give access to the courts for people in wheelchairs, those with prams and those with limited movement, creating an accessible venue for all to enjoy the game of basketball or participate in the many physical activities we have on at the stadium”.

“The venue is not only used by sporting groups, it is also used by several community groups and other sporting organisations, that need the spectator access to make their events feasible.”

Bundaberg Basketball has been located at Flint St for more than 30 years and the association built the stadium and courts over the years.

The stadium was impacted by both the 2010-11 and 2013 floods, but the association managed to bounce back each time and now look forward to improving the facilities for the community to utilise.

Through the Stronger Communities Program, eligible community groups can 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. Applications for Round Two have now closed. For more information go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/SCP 

The Australian Government Mobile Service Centre Desert Pea will hit the road to give people in Queensland’s Bundaberg region easy access to essential government payments and services in April. 

Minister for Human Services, Alan Tudge said the Mobile Service Centre will visit Booyal, Cordalba and Woodgate to offer Centrelink and Medicare payments and services, Child Support information and hearing health checks.

“We are pleased to bring the Mobile Service Centre to Central Queensland,” Minister Tudge said.

“The Mobile Service Centre is a travelling outreach service that shortens the distance between rural and regional communities and government services. In 2015, the centres travelled 92,000 kilometres across the country, visited 480 towns in rural and regional areas, and directly helped over 700 people affected by large scale disasters.”

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the Mobile Service Centres ensure people in rural communities are connected with the latest government services. 

“Desert Pea is a truck set up as an office, custom-built with the same technology as any other Service Centre that delivers Medicare or Centrelink payments and services, including access to self-service facilities. It is wheelchair accessible and has a soundproof room where staff can conduct free hearing health checks,” Mr Pitt said.

“This trip will include a social worker on board, and a staff member from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will also be available to assist individuals and small business taxpayers with advice and information about tax and superannuation.

“I encourage local residents to come along and visit the Mobile Service Centre while it is in your area.”

For more information visit www.humanservices.gov.au/mobileoffice or call 132 316.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt has welcomed today’s agreement by the states and territories to sweeping reforms to country of origin food labelling which will give Australian consumers clear information about the products they buy.

“This is as big win for consumers. It is important consumers have the information they need to make informed choices about the products they buy.

“Australians made it clear they wanted better country of origin labelling and the Coalition Government has delivered that for consumers,” Mr Pitt said.

“Consumers deserve peace of mind about labels claiming that a product is ‘Made in’ or a ‘Product of’ Australia – and the new system will ensure that’s the case.”

Mr Pitt said many foods found on Australian retail shelves will be required to include a kangaroo in a triangle logo to indicate if the food is made, produced or grown in Australia.

“The new system will also include a bar chart indicating the proportion of Australian ingredients,” Mr Pitt said.

“This will make it much easier for consumers to choose which product they want to buy, armed with the knowledge of where it has been grown and packaged, without imposing an excessive burden on businesses.”

Businesses will have two years to transition and update labels with their existing production processes and labelling cycles, and all stock in trade can see out its shelf life.

The changes will also close the loop-hole which allows food from one country that is packed in another to just say where it was packed – it will need to make an explicit country of origin claim.

The reforms will be introduced from 1 July with labels expected to appear in retail outlets later this year.

The Government has provided the ACCC with additional funding of $4.2 million over five years to undertake compliance and enforcement activities in relation to the new requirements.

Ex-service and service personnel in Bundaberg will benefit from a $44,090 Veteran and Community Grant which has been used to purchase a 12-seater bus.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt congratulated the Bundaberg RSL Sub-Branch on its successful application.

“Reducing social isolation is an important part of the work the Bundaberg RSL Sub-branch’s welfare officers carry out, and this bus will make this job easier,” Mr Pitt said.

The 12-seat Toyota Hiace bus will be used to transport RSL members to group morning teas, lunches, as well as shopping trips.

Bundaberg RSL Sub-Branch secretary Rudy Valzan said it was identified during the organisations strategic planning sessions that a bus would be a valuable resource.

“We’ve needed it for a while and when we surveyed the members, we got a positive response, so we applied for the grant,” Mr Valzan said.

“We’ve employed a full time welfare co-ordinator, who will work with our 13 volunteer welfare offices to coordinate the use of the bus.

“The welfare officers visit our members in hospital, nursing homes and in their own homes, to address social isolation.”

Mr Pitt said funding provided under the Veteran and Community Grants program aims to enrich the lives of Australian ex-service men and women and help them, especially the elderly, to remain independent, healthy and active, in particular for those who may live alone.

Ex-service and community organisations, veteran representative groups, private organisations and projects that promote improved independence and quality of life for veterans are eligible for funding through the Veteran and Community Grants program. 

In Round 2, Veteran and Community Grants worth over $822,000 were awarded to 45 projects across the country.

For more information or to apply visit the DVA website (www.dva.gov.au/grants).