Feb2014_DICKSON NEWS
From your Federal Member for Dickson
PETER DUTTON
Happy New Year
I hope 2014 brings health and happiness to you and your family. This time of the year is one for reflecting on 2013 and planning for the year ahead.
This coming year is sure to hold both successes and challenges. We will mark 99 years since the landing at Gallipoli, Brisbane will host the G20 summit and for the eternally hopeful, the Broncos will make it to the NRL finals.
I wish all residents the very best for the coming year and, as always, if there is anything I can do to assist you please contact my office on 3205 9977.
Australia Day
Each year Australia Day Celebrations continue to grow and it is great to witness the growing patriotism within our community. Australia Day is a day to celebrate the opportunities available to every one of us who is lucky enough to live in Australia. It is only through the hard work and dedication of all citizens that we can enjoy a day under the hot Australian sun to appreciate what is truly a ‘Land of Opportunity’. Not only is it a great privilege to live in Australia but it is also a great responsibility to uphold our values and build upon our community spirit which makes this country unique. Australia Day provides us with the chance to teach others about our great country and the legacies we proudly uphold.
I am looking forward to hosting our annual Australia Day Community Awards in conjunction with the Citizenship Ceremony at Samford. We have the opportunity to welcome new citizens to our great country and also acknowledge some of our local heroes who go above and beyond to make the Dickson electorate an even better place.
I wish everyone a safe and happy Australia Day. Please stay safe on the roads.
Strengthening our health system
The Coalition was elected to clean up the mess and dysfunction of the previous government.
Enormous debt and a yearly interest bill that could pay for our yearly expenditure on medicines will take considerable management.
In the health portfolio I want to ensure we eliminate wasteful spending and have a sustainable system into the future. This is essential because we have an ageing population and will need to pay for expensive medical technologies, personalised cancer medicines, diabetes and dementia management over the coming decades.
Ten years ago we spent $8b a year on Medicare. Today we spend $18b. We have to have an honest conversation about how we can pay for the growth into the future so we maintain one of the best health systems in the world.
Back to school
As school and university resumes I would like to wish teachers, students and parents all the best for a successful year. Education is a pivotal area of our community and part of my job allows me the opportunity to visit the fantastic schools within my electorate. I would like to congratulate the schools in Dickson, their P&C and P&F Committees, Staff, and students on their dedication to education.
I am looking forward to visiting the local schools in the coming year and I would like to remind everyone that my Bikes for Schools program for Primary Schools and iPods for High Schools program will continue this year. If you would like information on these programs please contact my office on 3205 9977 or email peter.dutton.mp@aph.gov.au
Ph: 3205 9977
Email: peter.dutton.mp@aph.gov.au
