Category: Media Release

$17 million funding boost for aged care in Hinkler

Older residents in the Hinkler electorate will benefit from an additional $17.236 million in funding for aged care services under the Federal Government’s 2015 Aged Care Approvals Round.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the funding boost would provide an additional 278 residential care places:

  • 144 residential care places – Bupa Bundaberg, Avoca (new service)

  • 90 residential care places – Regis Hervey Bay (new service)

  • 44 residential care places – Anglicare SQ Meilene, Bundaberg East

Mr Pitt said more than 17,300 people would benefit from new aged care places nationally.

“There is a strong demand for aged care in Hinkler and these additional places are essential in ensuring our elderly receive the quality care they deserve.”

“I’m delighted Hinkler aged care providers – both new and existing – have been able to secure this funding, by successfully demonstrating their ability to deliver care, management experience and expertise.

“Apart from the obvious benefits for our aging residents and their families, this funding presents enormous opportunity for the local community more broadly.

“As the baby boomer generation ages and demand for quality aged care and retirement villages continues to grow, there will be enormous opportunities for employment in the construction industry, mobility retail sector, medical technology and innovation, pharmacy, nursing and allied health.

Mr Pitt said competition for the funding was extremely competitive.

“Nationally this year there were three applications received for every available residential care place and 19 applications received for every available home care place,” Mr Pitt said.

This is the last ACAR to include home care places. From February 2017 funding will follow the consumer not the provider, allowing people to choose the care which suits their individual needs, to then direct funding to that provider.

“Australians want greater choice and control over the care they receive and the changes to home care we’ve created do exactly that,” Mr Pitt said.

Applications for the 2016 ACAR round will commence in June and focus on the provision of residential aged care places and capital funding, as well as introducing, for the first time, short-term restorative care places.

Short-term restorative care provides an eight week programme, designed with the care recipient, which provides reablement and restorative care services in a home setting, a residential setting, or combination of the two.

More information about the results of the 2015 Aged Care Approvals Round is available at www.dss.gov.au/2015ACAR

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Road widening works progressing well north of Maryborough on the Bruce Highway

Road widening works are progressing well on a 2.5km section of the Bruce Highway near Pig Creek and Little Pig Creek between Childers and Torbanlea.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the $3.4 million road widening works, which started in February, would help improve road safety on this part of the Bruce Highway.

“The Australian Government is committed to delivering further safety improvements like this along the length of the Bruce Highway,” Mr Chester said.

Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said Hazell Brothers Pty Ltd has been awarded the construction contract.

“An average of 10 direct jobs will be supported over the construction of the project, which is expected to be completed by mid-2016, weather permitting,” Mr Bailey said.

“The wide centreline treatment is being implemented at trouble spots along the highway as part of the Australian and Queensland Government’s $8.5 billion program of works to upgrade the Bruce Highway.

“The treatment is saving lives in Queensland, and was recognised as a leader in road safety at last year’s 3M–ACRS Diamond Road Safety Awards – an Australia wide road safety award focusing on innovation and effectiveness to save lives and injuries on road.”

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the works would also allow more space for vehicles to pass other vehicles stopped on the side of the road.

“The delivery of this important piece of infrastructure is a step closer in delivering a safer, Bruce Highway in the Maryborough region,” Mr Pitt said.

“A wide centre line treatment will also provide greater separation between vehicles travelling in opposite directions, reducing the risk of head-on collisions.” 

 Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders welcomed the improvements and encouraged motorists to always drive to conditions.

“This is another step forward in making the Bruce safer for Queensland drivers including local motorists and heavy vehicles,” Mr Saunders said.

“To carry out these works safely and efficiently, traffic controllers, single-lane closures and speed restrictions are being put in place as required. Works will generally be carried out between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.”

For further information about the project works visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au

The Bruce Highway Pig Creek and Little Pig Creek work is a jointly funded project by the Australian and Queensland Governments based on an 80:20 funding share.

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Coalition secures big win for small business

The Coalition Government has fought hard to back small business by delivering major changes to misuse of market power provisions says Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt.

 He said reforms to the Competition and Consumer Act (CCA) were a big win for the thousands of farmers and small and family enterprises across regional Australia.

“The government has fought long and hard to secure these protections for small business against big business and multi-nationals companies,” Mr Pitt said.

“There are an estimated 8,541 small businesses within the Hinkler electorate and across Australia small businesses employ more than four million people.

 â€œSmall business and farming enterprises are the engine room of our nation – many are family run by mums and dads, aunts, uncles and siblings – contributing $340 billion to the economy, including to regional economies right across Australia.

 â€œThese reforms will address a long standing weakness in the existing competition rules and will ensure that we have a more transparent and competitive marketplace that treats all supply chain participants fairly.

 â€œImportantly, and for the first time in Australia, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will have meaningful provisions to protect businesses that have been subject to misuse of market power.

 In line with the Harper Review’s recommendations, the substantive changes being proposed to section 46 of the CCA mean that conduct that has the effect of substantially lessening competition will be better regulated.

 Mr Pitt said the government consulted widely with stakeholders on the design of these reforms and was confident that they would deliver fairness to businesses and a genuinely competitive marketplace for consumers.

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NDIS roll-out to change the lives of people in Hinkler

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is set to continue being introduced in Hinkler, following the Commonwealth and Queensland governments reaching agreement on the full rollout of the scheme in Queensland.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said around 91,000 Queenslanders living with disability and their families will benefit when the NDIS is fully rolled out by July 2019.

“This is great news for people with disability, their families and carers across Hinkler,” Mr Pitt said.

“In the Hinkler electorate, Bundaberg will transition to the NDIS from 1 October 2017, and the NDIS will become available in the Fraser Coast from 1 July 2018.

“The NDIS is one of the largest social policy reforms in Australia’s history. Queenslanders living with disability, their families, their carers and their service providers will all benefit from it – and from the certainty the full scheme provides.

“The NDIS represents a significant change for people with disability and the disability services sector, and that’s why we are introducing the scheme in stages to ensure that it is carefully managed.

“This agreement is a huge accomplishment for the people of Queensland and will ensure people with disability have access to the lifetime choice and support they need,” Mr Pitt said.

FACTBOX

  • The NDIS will become available in Bundaberg from 1 October 2017. Bundaberg covers the local government area of Bundaberg.

  • The NDIS will become available in Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett and Cherbourg from 1 July 2018. This covers the local government areas of Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, North Burnett and South Burnett.

For more information and further transition details visit www.ndis.gov.au 

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Middle school officially opened at St Luke’s Anglican School

Federal Member for Hinkler and Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Keith Pitt today attended the opening of the Middle School Building at St Luke’s Anglican School in Bundaberg.

Students and staff at St Luke’s Anglican School now have full use of their new classrooms, multipurpose areas, kitchen, amenities, staff room, office, outdoor learning areas and store rooms. The Australian Government provided $500,000 in funding from the Capital Grants Programme.

Mr Pitt attended the opening on behalf of Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Minister for Education and Training.

“I was pleased to visit St Luke’s Anglican School and see firsthand the new facilities,” Mr Pitt said.

“Students and the whole school community will benefit from using the new facilities.

“These new learning spaces take into account the latest in education research and will see students learn more effectively,” Mr Pitt said.

The Australian Government is 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. This represents an increase in funding of 27.3 per cent from 2014–15.

As well as delivering increased funding, the Australian Government is focusing on quality and choice for schools.

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

“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,” Minister Birmingham said.

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. 

 

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Helping Woodgate keep cool at community events

Visitors to community events in Woodgate will be able to beat the heat this year with the help of a Stronger Communities grant from the Federal Government.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said Woodgate Community Events Inc had been awarded $5036 to purchase five marquees.

“These marquees will provide shelter during a number of annual events held in Woodgate each year such as Australia Day celebrations and Easter at Woodgate,” Mr Pitt said.

“I congratulate Woodgate Community Events Inc on their successful application and for contributing a further $5036 of their own funds.”

Woodgate Community Events Inc president Rae Scott said it was wonderful to have the marquees for the events which continue to grow.

The organisation was established in September 2011 to promote tourism and organise events to enhance the quality of community life.

Woodgate Community Events Inc organises Australia Day, Easter at Woodgate and Woodgate Arts in Spring.

Easter at Woodgate is a four-day family entertainment weekend including movies, church services and a festival/market day which attracts over 9500 visitors and 500 participants.

Woodgate Arts in Spring is a cultural weekend of visual and performing arts culminating in a family craft/market day which 2000 visitors attended.

“We’ve had lot of enquiries about these events this year, so we’re expecting them to be bigger than ever,” Mrs Scott said.

Other community groups – including the Woodgate RSL, Woodgate Singers, Woodgate Rural Fire Brigade and Woodgate SES – will also have access to the equipment which will improve the efficiency of staging events in Woodgate and reducing rental and transportation costs.

“I can see them being used for Anzac Day as it’s out in the open, and they’ll need to provide shelter and seating,” she said.

“The marquees will provide a valuable resource, making it easier to run festivals since equipment is currently hired and sourced from Bundaberg and Childers,” Mrs Scott said.

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 will close on April 1. For more information go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/SCP 

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Push for dive wreck continues

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt is still pushing to secure a military dive wreck for the electorate.

“While the fate of the HMAS Tobruk has yet to be decided, I acknowledge there is strong competition for it,” Mr Pitt said.

“One of the sticking points has been waiting for a meeting with the State Government. They have to be willing to accept a military vessel as a gift – it can’t go forward until that happens.”

Mr Pitt confirmed that Wide Bay Dive Wreck Advisory Group member Ed Gibson met with State Government Tourism Minister Kate Jones in the past week.

Mr Gibson said he received a very positive reception from Ms Jones.

“The minister was very amenable to our cause and said she would push our barrow as hard as she could,” Mr Gibson said.

“She felt it (a dive wreck) was a great opportunity for our state and our region.”

Mr Pitt will meet with Defence Minister Marise Payne in the coming weeks.

“There is a still a strong need for a new tourist attraction in Hinkler to stimulate the local economy and create jobs.

“The dive wreck advisory group estimates that a military dive wreck would contribute between $1 million and $4 million each year to the local economy—that is a great boost , and one that we need,” Mr Pitt said.

A Defence Department spokesperson said the Minister was currently considering a range of disposal options for ex-HMAS Tobruk.

“The disposal of ex-Navy vessels is a complex matter and the Minister is considering the wide range of issues associated with creating dive wrecks,” the spokesperson said.

 

 

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New program supporting young job seekers into work

Young job seekers will be able to access one-on-one support to help get them work ready through a new program announced today by Federal Member for Hinkler and Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Keith Pitt.

The Transition to Work program is a $322 million commitment by the Coalition Government to help young people aged 15-21 to improve their work readiness or find their way back to education.

Mr Pitt said the service would have a strong focus on helping young people develop the skills and attitudes expected by employers in the workplace.

“Employers I’ve spoken to say young people need the basics before they start work. They struggle to find people who dress appropriately, arrive on time and have the right attitude, because enthusiasm trumps experience every time,” Mr Pitt said.

“We know the effects of long-term unemployment on individuals, families and communities can be extremely damaging. And evidence shows that the longer a young person remains unemployed after leaving school, the more likely it is that they risk becoming long-term unemployed,” Mr Pitt said.

“Early intervention can mean the difference between a young person taking their first steps into productive and happy working lives – or entering a life of welfare dependency.

“The Coalition is committed to making sure those who are able to work have the necessary work-life skills required to enter the workforce.”

The program will be delivered by community-based organisations and the services funded in Hinkler under round 2 of the Transition to Work program are:

The Busy Group Ltd – Hervey Bay (servicing Maryborough) and Bundaberg

Job Futures Ltd Bundaberg and Childers

Providers in additional employment regions will be announced in March, as part of the final round of the Transition to Work program.

For more information on Transition to Work, including a list of successful organisations under Round 1, visit: http://www.employment.gov.au/youth

FACTBOX

The service will help around 29,000 young people each year and will target three groups of young job seekers aged 15-21 years who are considered most at risk of long-term unemployment:

â€Ē early school leavers

â€Ē disengaged young people; and

â€Ē jobactive referrals.

 

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Keith Pitt sworn in as Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister

Media statement from the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Keith Pitt:

“It is an honour to be appointed as Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to such an important portfolio as Agriculture and Water Resources.

“Coming from a farming family, and representing a major primary producing region in Australia, I understand first-hand the vital role that agriculture plays in Australia’s economy, our communities and our way of life.

“This is an exciting time to be in agriculture. We have a robust economy, a skilled workforce, a world-class clean and green reputation and—I believe—the best farmers in the world. Add to this growing global demand for quality agrifood products, and the opportunities for the sector are tremendous.

“In turn, this means the contribution that agricultural exports make to Australia as a pillar of the national economy is also poised to grow. By assuring the future of our farmers, I am determined to make a contribution to that growth.

“I am proud to be part of a government that is willing to back the sector, and help position it to leverage its strengths and capitalise on opportunities.

“A crucial component of the agricultural sector is water and water security. Under the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, the Coalition government has committed $500 million to develop the nation’s water infrastructure.

“The National Water Infrastructure Development Fund will provide future water security for farmers throughout regional Australia.

“I look forward to working with the Deputy Prime Minister to ensure that the right water infrastructure projects are built in the right locations, to grow regional economies and create jobs.

“I am very pleased to join such capable and experienced colleagues as Barnaby Joyce and Anne Ruston, who together are already implementing practical policies and sensible programmes, backed with genuine investment, that are delivering tangible benefits to farmers on the ground.

“From delivering the Agricultural Competiveness White Paper, comprehensive drought support, expanding access to premium overseas markets, modernising our 100-year-old biosecurity legislation, to the priority placed on infrastructure in implementing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, the Coalition Government’s focus is firmly on building a vibrant, strong and prosperous agriculture sector.

“I look forward to working with Barnaby and Anne to realise a bright future for agriculture in Australia.”

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Widening works set for Booyal stretch of Bruce Highway

Motorists will soon experience safer travelling conditions on the Bruce Highway between Loeskows and Inskip Roads at Booyal.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said a $700,000 pavement widening project currently underway will improve the seven kilometre stretch of the highway.

“A wide centre line treatment will be constructed to provide greater separation between vehicles travelling in opposite directions, reducing the potential for head-on collisions and allowing more space to pass vehicles stopped on the side of the road,” Mr Truss said.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said other works will include shoulder widening and improvements to embankments.

“The construction of a ‘clear zone’ on the side of the highway will also provide room for drivers to safely regain control of their vehicles if they actually leave the road,” Mr Pitt said.

Queensland Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the improvements will benefit motorists travelling the highway regularly.

“To carry out these works safely and efficiently, traffic controllers, single-lane closures and speed restrictions will be in place as required,” Mr Bailey said.

“Works will generally be carried out between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday and the project is expected to be finished in mid-2016, weather permitting.”

The project is being jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.

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