The Federal Government this week released its Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda as part of the Coalition’s Economic Action Strategy to build a strong, prosperous economy for a safe, secure Australia.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said Australia had experienced 23 years of economic growth, but that there would no doubt be some challenges ahead.

“Commodity prices have fallen from their peak in 2011, Government finances have deteriorated significantly since 2008, we have an aging population and productivity has been flat,” Mr Pitt said. 

“This Agenda focuses on Australia’s strengths to tackle these challenges head on. 

“We’ve already scrapped the carbon and mining taxes; cut over 10,000 pieces of unnecessary legislation and regulations; commenced the largest infrastructure construction programme in Australia’s history and signed Free Trade Agreements with Japan and Korea.”

The Agenda sets out four ambitions that will ensure job creation and higher living standards:

1. a lower cost, business friendly environment with less regulation, lower taxes and more competitive markets;

2. a more skilled labour force;

3. better economic infrastructure; and

4. industry policy that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship

Agenda highlights include:

• From 1 July 2015, the Commonwealth Government will invest $200 million each year to establish the new Australian Apprenticeship Support Network to lift apprenticeship completion rates and provide employers with the skilled and productive employees they need to grow their business.
• The Government will invest $38 million to provide 7,500 scholarships in specific regional areas where youth unemployment is high
• The new Youth Employment Pathway will support community programmes for 3000 disengaged 15-18 year olds in regional areas
• The Government will implement new measures to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills in Australian schools
• The Government will improve the integrity of the 457 visa programme to ensure that sponsored workers are a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the local workforce

Mr Pitt said the Government would also allocate $188.5 million to fund Industry Growth Centres in five key sectors:

• food and agribusiness;
• mining equipment, technology and services;
• oil, gas and energy resources;
• medical technologies and pharmaceuticals; and
• advanced manufacturing sectors

“This region is renowned for its seafood, fruit and vegetables and sugarcane and, as such, I will be asking the Minister to consider basing the food and agribusiness centre in the Hinkler electorate,” Mr Pitt said.

The Government will host a series of roundtable meetings around Australia over coming months to consult the business community, industry associations and peak bodies on the policy directions outlined in the Competitiveness Agenda.

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814

A new headspace centre, providing mental health services for young people, will be established in Hinkler.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today announced that Bundaberg will be one of 15 additional communities across Australia to receive a headspace facility.

Mr Pitt said the Bundaberg headspace would provide essential mental health services to young people aged between 12 and 25.

“It is our youth that have greatest prevalence of mental illness – more than any other age group – with three quarters of all mental illness presenting in people aged under 25 years,” Mr Pitt said.

“The onset of mental illness is typically around mid-to-late adolescence and headspace centres provide nationally coordinated support services to youth with mental health, drug or alcohol problems.

“This new headspace site will allow more young people in Hinkler to receive the help they need to fully recover or better manage their conditions and avoid serious and debilitating conditions later in life.

“Through this single entry point, young people can receive mental health services or be referred to other appropriate services.”

Each centre employs youth workers and mental health professionals who understand the issues facing young Australians.

“This Government made a commitment to provide more mental health services catering for the needs of young Australians, and we are delivering,” Mr Pitt said.

The headspace programme was established by the former Coalition Government in 2006 and the 15 new sites will bring the total number of headspace locations across Australia to 100, helping more than 80,000 young Australians each year.

The additional 15 centres will be established in stages over the next two years.

Mr Pitt encouraged local organisations to monitor the headspace website for the timing of the Expression of Interest process for the management of the new centre at www.headspace.org.au

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt has welcomed the release of a database of locations, which have been nominated by Australians as having inadequate mobile coverage.

Locations on the database will be eligible for a new or enhanced mobile base station, under the Abbott Government’s $100 million Mobile Black Spot Programme.

Mr Pitt said he first called for local public input in December last year, before hosting a community forum in Hervey Bay in April with Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher.

“I’m delighted so many Hinkler residents have engaged in the process, to nominate 25 local locations for upgrade,” Mr Pitt said.

“The volume of locations nominated is evidence of the strong demand for improved mobile phone coverage in regional Australia.

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

Mr Pitt said the $100 million would be allocated nationally through a competitive selection process, under which telecommunications companies will nominate locations – drawn from the 6,000 on the database – where they would build a new or enhanced mobile base station.

The process is expected to leverage at least an additional $100 million in investment from bidding parties, state governments and local councils. The government expects that between 250 and 300 new mobile phone base stations will be built around the country.

The Government expects to announce the locations, which have been selected for funding, in the first half of 2015. The first base stations funded under the Programme are expected to begin to roll out in the second half of 2015.

The database of mobile black spot locations can be viewed at: www.communications.gov.au/mobile_services/mobile_black_spot_programme/map

Locations nominated by the public in the Hinkler Electorate:

· Alloway

· Apple Tree Creek

· Bargara

· Bruce Highway (Between Bundaberg and Maryborough)

· Bruce Highway (Between Childers and Maryborough)

· Bundaberg

· Burnett Heads

· Childers

· Craignish

· Dundowran

· Dundowran Beach

· Elliott

· Elliott Heads

· Eureka

· Goodwood

· Goodwood Road (Between Bundaberg and Maryborough)

· Goodwood Road (Between Childers and Bundaberg)

· Goodwood Road (Foleys Road Intersection)

· Hervey Bay

· Innes Park

· Pacific Haven

· Redridge

· Urangan

· Woodgate

· Woongarra

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814

Applications under Round One of the Australian Government’s landmark $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) are now open.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the newly created Fund would target new small scale community infrastructure projects at the local level that deliver sustainable economic benefits.

“The Government’s focus is on strengthening economies in Australia’s most disadvantaged regions by improving productivity, economic opportunity, employment and workforce skills,” Mr Pitt said.

The National Stronger Regions Fund will contribute between $20,000 and $10 million, covering up to 50 per cent of the total cost of the local community project.

“The NSRF will not fund infrastructure projects which simply shift costs from Local or State governments to the Commonwealth, or projects that are eligible for NDRRA funding,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt encouraged Bundaberg and Fraser Coast Regional Councils to partner with community and not-for-profit groups, to ensure projects are well-targeted.

“I’d like to open the discussion up to all Hinkler constituents, which is why I will host two community forums next month to hear ideas from the public,” he said.

“I want to give local communities the power to identify local projects that meet local needs, ensuring communities are investing in their own future.

“I urge the Hinkler community to engage in this process, and to get behind the National Stronger Regions Fund to ensure our region gets its fair share.”

Projects seeking funding will be considered in consultation with the Australian Government’s National Infrastructure Committee, which has a strong interest in, and commitment to, harnessing the potential of Australia’s regions.

The Guidelines for the National Stronger Regions Fund detail the type of project proposals sought, how to lodge an application, how assessments will be conducted, and critical programme dates.

To access the guidelines, and to lodge a Round One application, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/nsrf

Hinkler constituents interested in attending the forums should email keith.pitt.mp@aph.gov.au or telephone 07 4152 0744

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814        

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt today welcomed delivery of the Australian Government’s $2.1 billion Roads to Recovery programme, announcing that the Bundaberg and Fraser Coast Regional Councils will receive a total of $18.42 million for local road construction and street repairs.

“Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss is writing to all councils advising them of their full allocations for the 2014-15 to 2018-19 Roads to Recovery programme,” Mr Pitt said.

“This is great news for local councils, residents and businesses.

“These funds will make a real difference in building roads, repairing streets and creating better access across our community.

“As announced in the 2014-15 Federal Budget, our Government has doubled Roads to Recovery payments to councils next year (2015-16) to $700 million, which will be a tremendous windfall for much-needed local road works.

“The Australian Government has extended Roads to Recovery for another five years to ensure councils all over Australia receive the funding they need to ensure local roads are safe, our communities are well connected and moving freight in and out of town is efficient.”

Hinkler-based councils will receive their funding allocations in November:

•           Bundaberg Regional Council will receive $1.4 million for 2014-15, bringing their total funding to almost $8.46 million by 2018-19

•           Fraser Coast Regional Council will receive $1.66 million in 2014-15, bringing their total funding to about $9.96 million by 2018-19

Mr Pitt said Roads to Recovery was just one of many funding programs provided to Hinkler Councils this financial year, including a total of $15 million through the Financial Assistance Grants Program.

“Contrary to what Bundaberg Regional Council would have their ratepayers believe, the Federal Government is not to blame for their $5 million budget deficit. In fact, funding under some of the programs has increased.”

Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814         

The age pension will increase from tomorrow; just as Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt assured the public it would.

Mr Pitt said the Coalition was committed to providing strong support for pensioners, with pensions set to increase twice a year.

“On September 20, single age pensioners will start receiving an additional $11.50 a fortnight. Couples will together receive an additional $17.40 each fortnight,” Mr Pitt said.

He said age pensions were increasing at a higher rate than Male Total Average Weekly Earnings.

“The Coalition has delivered on its promise to repeal the Carbon Tax to provide cost of living relief and pensioners will continue to receive the associated Energy Supplement.”

Mr Pitt said many pensioners were upset by Labor’s misleading claims about cuts to pensions.

“Before we released our first Budget, Labor targeted the Hinkler electorate. They fuelled pensioners’ fears in a bid to score cheap political points,” he said.

“Despite the $12 billion per annum interest bill we inherited from Labor, we’re keeping our commitments to seniors.

“The family home is not included in the pension asset test and, under the Coalition, it never will be.   

“As promised, we’ve met our commitment to fairly index Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefit pensions.

“For self-funded retirees, we’ve indexed the income threshold to qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card so that more self-funded retirees will qualify.”

Updated Seniors’ Guides are now available from the Hinkler Electorate Office on Woongarra Street and at www.keithpitt.com.au

[ENDS] Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814         

This month marks one year since Keith Pitt retained the Federal seat of Hinkler for the LNP, helping the Coalition to win Government.

Mr Pitt said he’d worked tirelessly during his first 12 months to deliver each of the commitments he made to the people of Hinkler during the September 2013 election.

“I’ve delivered funding for surf lifesaving, community and sporting clubs, school infrastructure, flood repairs, environmental projects, industry bodies, Councils, veterans associations and war memorials,” Mr Pitt said.

“As promised, the Carbon Tax has been abolished to give regional households cost of living relief. The Government’s consumer watchdog, the ACCC, has been given additional powers to ensure savings are passed on to consumers. Families and pensioners will keep the associated tax cuts and compensation that are already in place.

“I hosted the Nationals first Party Room meeting for 2014 in the electorate. What the MPs, Senators and Ministers learnt during their visit has certainly aided their deliberations in Parliament.

“Local constituents have attended forums to voice their concerns on topics such as small business, communications, early childhood education and seniors, with the likes of senior Government figures Bruce Billson, Paul Fletcher, Sussan Ley and Bronwyn Bishop.

“As promised, we’ve abolished the mining tax and we’re stopping the boats to prevent people from risking their lives at sea. Between December 2013 and July 2014 just one vessel arrived in Australia, compared to more than 200 successful people smuggling ventures during the same period in the previous year under Labor.

“The Coalition’s first Budget laid a foundation to strengthen and build the economy by reducing projected Government debt by almost $300 billion over the next decade. This will mean we will no longer be wasting almost $1 billion of taxpayer dollars every month paying back the huge interest bill.

“The Budget included $13.4 billion to fix Queensland’s major roads, including $6.7 billion to fix the Bruce Highway.   

“Nationals Senator Barry O’Sullivan and I hosted a stakeholders’ forum in Brisbane to discuss some of the contract labour hire issues confronting the Queensland horticulture and tourism industries. I am asking the relevant Ministers for a multi-agency taskforce, across all three levels of government, to put an end to the exploitation of workers and farmers.

“I recently moved a motion in Parliament calling on the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal to immediately decorate the two officers and ten other ranks, who still have not received the individual awards that were recommended in 1966 following the Battle of Long Tan. I also seconded a motion seeking recognition for Australian South Sea Islanders in the next ABS Census.

“Free Trade Agreements have been reached with several of our major trading partners, to reduce tariffs for our farmers and fishers. 

“I wore a track to Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s office, resulting in Bundaberg being announced as one of ten sites nationally prioritised for the roll out of the National Broadband Network.

“Bundaberg and Hervey Bay were among 18 sites selected nationally for the first phase of Work for the Dole. We’ve introduced a range of financial incentives to encourage people to find and retain a job.

“My focus going forward will be to attract investment to the region, so that businesses have the confidence to expand and create jobs.

“I’ve asked for support from my State and Local government colleagues to establish a dive wreck in the Wide Bay region, which will boost tourist numbers and bring about $5 million into the local economy each year.

“As at June 30 last year, there were 630 aged-care beds across the Wide Bay region that were funded by the Federal Government but not yet built by providers. The construction of these beds 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. It would create jobs and training opportunities in nursing, allied health, pharmacy, administration and retail.

“If Hinkler residents have any suggestions for projects that will stimulate the local economy, I’d love to hear them.

“Constituents in Childers, Woodgate, Burrum Heads, Hervey Bay and Howard have had greater access to their Federal Member than ever before, as a result of the Hinkler electorate office hitting the road on a regular basis to hear their concerns.

“I will continue to work hard to be a strong local voice for the people of Hinkler and regional Australia. My door is always open.”

[ENDS] Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814       

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt is calling on the Department of Agriculture to adhere to the strictest possible import standards when inspecting fresh ginger from Fiji.

The Department of Agriculture recently announced it will lift a ban to allow importers to apply for permits to bring fresh ginger from Fiji into Australia.   

Mr Pitt said growers were understandably concerned about the threat posed by pests and diseases, like burrowing nematode and yam scale.

“I acknowledge that Fiji has exported fresh ginger to New Zealand and the United States for years, but the risk is still very real,” Mr Pitt said.

“There are 49 ginger growers in Australia, who produce around 8000 tonnes a year worth about $35 million.

“The Department of Agriculture has approved the importation of ginger and now it is incumbent upon them to make sure our Australian crops and farmers are protected.”

Mr Pitt said Australia was a member of the World Trade Organisation and, as such, Import Risk Analyses undertaken by the Department were based on science and free of political influence or interference.

“I congratulate Australian Ginger Growers Association chairman Anthony Rehbein for his strong representations on this issue. I’ve taken his concerns to Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce and the Department,” he said.

“The Department assures me that it has very stringent measures in place to ensure biosecurity risks are reduced to the lowest level possible, and that they can review import conditions at any time in light of new scientific information.

“I encourage Australians to support their local farmers and buy Australian-grown ginger.”

[ENDS] Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814      

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt and State Member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorensen today inspected progress on the construction of new facilities at St James Lutheran College.

The Federal and State Governments have each contributed $400,000 towards the $1.45 million development.

Mr Pitt congratulated St James Lutheran College on their successful applications.

“Construction began last month on three general learning areas, a science laboratory and preparation room, undercroft and veranda.

“Students starting their senior schooling next year will be the first to benefit from the new science and art facilities.”

Mr Sorensen said Government grants were important for easing the cost burden of delivering capital works for non-state schools.

“This is yet another example of how State and Federal governments can partner with the community for the benefit of our local students,” Mr Sorensen said.

St James Lutheran College Principal Shane Altmann thanked the Federal and State Governments for contributing to the growth of the college.

“St James Lutheran College recognises that the funding relationship between independent schools and government enables school communities, such as ours, to flourish in the Fraser Coast region, thus providing an authentic choice to families when educating their children,” Mr Altmann said.

[ENDS]

Media contact:

Keith Pitt: 07 4152 0744

Ted Sorensen: 07 4124 1386

The first sod has today been turned on works to upgrade Hervey Bay Hockey’s playing facilities.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the milestone showed how Governments and community organisations can partner for the benefit of regional communities.

“Having State and Federal LNP Governments working together, clearly has its benefits,” Mr Pitt said. 

“During the 2013 Federal Election I committed $350,000 to the Hervey Bay Hockey Association for artificial turf, and I’m pleased to be delivering on that promise.

“This funding will enable the Association to potentially host quite significant events, which will attract visitors from outside the region to boost the local economy.

“The ultimate aim of projects like this is to ensure Hinkler residents enjoy the proven benefits of exercise and team sports.”

State Member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorensen said the State Government had contributed $100,000 through the Get Playing Program.

“As a local club, catering to the challenging and dynamic needs of young Queenslanders who wish to get involved in sport, the Hervey Bay Hockey Association is performing an extremely important role in our community,” Mr Sorensen said.

“I appreciate the countless hours spent and the enormous collective effort involved in successfully running a club.”

Hervey Bay Hockey Association Secretary Cathy Milijasevic said the upgrade was a significant achievement for the HBHA and its members, who spent 15 years fundraising to contribute $300,000 towards the project.

“It would not have been possible without the support and commitment of Mr Pitt and Mr Sorensen,” Ms Milijasevic said.

“We are excited to be providing a state-of-the-art facility to the community, which will help us continue to promote the sport in our region and across the state.”

Hockey Queensland Chief Executive Officer Louisa Begley said regional hockey associations were important components to growing and developing hockey in Queensland.

“The funding from the State and Federal Governments will go a long way to ensuring the Hervey Bay Hockey Association can provide school-based, local and regional competitions for children and parents, to develop our talented players of the future.”

[ENDS] Media contact: Larine Statham 0427 653 814