Apr2011_DICKSON NEWS
From your Federal Member for Dickson
PETER DUTTON
Flood Help
It has been several months since floods hit the region and some residents are still waiting to get assistance from their Insurance company. If you are having issues with claims please don’t hesitate to contact me on 3205 9977 or by email at peter.dutton.mp@aph.gov
Legal Aid Queensland has advised me of a free legal advice and information service for people affected by floods and cyclones. Lawyers across the state are volunteering their time to provide expert advice on issues that may affect flood victims such as insurance claims, tenancy, employment, credit, debt, fencing and family law. To access Flood and Cyclone Legal Help call 1300 651 188 or go to www.floodlegalhelp.qld.gov.au .
Have your say on Carbon Tax
The new carbon tax will hit household budgets and hurt families. Julia Gillard’s carbon tax is a fundamental breach of faith with the Australian people. Just prior to the election, Ms Gillard told Australians “There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead.” Wayne Swan claimed, “What we rejected is this hysterical allegation that somehow we are moving towards a carbon tax” and “We have made our position very clear, we have ruled it out.” This tax will push up electricity bills, petrol, gas, groceries and manufactured goods. A carbon tax leaves no corner of the economy untouched with little or no global emissions being reduced. A carbon tax is the first product of the secret deal between Labor and the Greens and shows that Bob Brown and the Greens are the real decision makers in the Labor-Greens government.
You can tell the Gillard-Brown government that you reject any proposal for a carbon tax by downloading a petition from my website and collecting signatures. Please go to www.peterdutton.com.au and follow the prompts.
Health
In an unprecedented move that will affect thousands of Australian patients, Health Minister Nicola Roxon has refused to follow the recommendations of the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Advisory Committee to subsidise seven medicines and vaccines through the PBS. This move will leave patients with schizophrenia, chronic pain and lung disease, amongst others, potentially thousands of dollars out of pocket each year or choosing to forgo treatment.
Patients will also be faced with increasing out-of-pocket expenses for pathology services now that Labor have trashed a Memorandum of Understanding between the pathology sector and the government, then slashed Medicare rebates for 259 items and overseen an unsustainable 40 per cent growth in the number of collection centres in the last eight months.
The Gillard Government is now ignoring the interests of patients for political and fiscal reasons and this is a very worrying precedent for patients in need of vital medicines and tests.
ANZAC Day Schools’ Awards 2011
This year marks the 70th anniversaries of two significant battles during the Second World War, the Siege of Tobruk and the Battle for Greece and Crete. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs will once again hold the ANZAC Day Schools’ Awards in honour of our veterans and develop an understanding of why we commemorate ANZAC Day. For information on the entry criteria visit Commemorations at www.dva.gov.au. Entries close on Friday 20 May 2011.
Community Heritage Grants
Community Heritage Grants of up to $15,000 are available to assist in preserving cultural heritage collections of national significance. Not for profit organisations such as historical societies, regional museums, public libraries and indigenous and migrant community groups are encouraged to apply. For more information and application forms contact the National Library of Australia on (02) 6262 1147 or go to www.nla.gov.au/chg . Applications close on 6 May 2011.
TQUAL Grants – Tourism Quality Projects
Applications are now open for a new round of funding for tourism projects to nurture quality tourism experiences and support Australia’s marketing campaigns. Applications for projects to be funded between 1 July 2011 and 31 March 2013 must be in by 15 April 2011. Organisations and individuals considering making an application should read further information by visiting www.ret.gov.au, calling 13 28 46 or emailing tqualgrants@ret.gov.au
Have your say on Carbon Tax
The new carbon tax will hit household budgets and hurt families. Julia Gillard’s carbon tax is a fundamental breach of faith with the Australian people. Just prior to the election, Ms Gillard told Australians “There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead.” Wayne Swan claimed, “What we rejected is this hysterical allegation that somehow we are moving towards a carbon tax” and “We have made our position very clear, we have ruled it out.” This tax will push up electricity bills, petrol, gas, groceries and manufactured goods. A carbon tax leaves no corner of the economy untouched with little or no global emissions being reduced. A carbon tax is the first product of the secret deal between Labor and the Greens and shows that Bob Brown and the Greens are the real decision makers in the Labor-Greens government.
You can tell the Gillard-Brown government that you reject any proposal for a carbon tax by downloading a petition from my website and collecting signatures. Please go to www.peterdutton.com.au and follow the prompts.
Health
In an unprecedented move that will affect thousands of Australian patients, Health Minister Nicola Roxon has refused to follow the recommendations of the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Advisory Committee to subsidise seven medicines and vaccines through the PBS. This move will leave patients with schizophrenia, chronic pain and lung disease, amongst others, potentially thousands of dollars out of pocket each year or choosing to forgo treatment.
Patients will also be faced with increasing out-of-pocket expenses for pathology services now that Labor have trashed a Memorandum of Understanding between the pathology sector and the government, then slashed Medicare rebates for 259 items and overseen an unsustainable 40 per cent growth in the number of collection centres in the last eight months.
The Gillard Government is now ignoring the interests of patients for political and fiscal reasons and this is a very worrying precedent for patients in need of vital medicines and tests.
ANZAC Day Schools’ Awards 2011
This year marks the 70th anniversaries of two significant battles during the Second World War, the Siege of Tobruk and the Battle for Greece and Crete. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs will once again hold the ANZAC Day Schools’ Awards in honour of our veterans and develop an understanding of why we commemorate ANZAC Day. For information on the entry criteria visit Commemorations at www.dva.gov.au. Entries close on Friday 20 May 2011.
Community Heritage Grants
Community Heritage Grants of up to $15,000 are available to assist in preserving cultural heritage collections of national significance. Not for profit organisations such as historical societies, regional museums, public libraries and indigenous and migrant community groups are encouraged to apply. For more information and application forms contact the National Library of Australia on (02) 6262 1147 or go to www.nla.gov.au/chg . Applications close on 6 May 2011.
TQUAL Grants – Tourism Quality Projects
Applications are now open for a new round of funding for tourism projects to nurture quality tourism experiences and support Australia’s marketing campaigns. Applications for projects to be funded between 1 July 2011 and 31 March 2013 must be in by 15 April 2011. Organisations and individuals considering making an application should read further information by visiting www.ret.gov.au, calling 13 28 46 or emailing tqualgrants@ret.gov.au
