June 2010 . . DICKSON NEWS
From your Federal Member for Dickson
PETER DUTTON Big taxing, big spending Budget
Kevin Rudd and Wayne Swan delivered a big taxing, big spending Budget. They are addicted to spending and allergic to taking tough decisions. The pressure on family budgets across Dickson will only get worse at a time of increasing cost pressures. We all notice day by day how we’re paying more for our everyday costs such as electricity, water, petrol, rents and mortgages and the weekly grocery bill. Remember, Kevin Rudd pledged to tackle the cost of living for working families, but with six interest rate rises in the last eight months, for many people making ends meet just gets harder and harder.
The Budget presented no real plan for the economy or the future. It is a grab-bag of unrelated announcements with few real benefits for most Australians. It confirmed that Mr Rudd no longer stands for anything.
The Coalition stands for strong economic management, lower taxes, smaller government and a fair go for families. We will tackle the waste and mismanagement that has become the hallmark of Rudd Labor.
Health Reform
Over recent weeks there has been much talk about health reform. The Prime Minister hauled the nation’s Premiers to Canberra to agree to his so-called reform plan and gave them billions of dollars to sign up. The health system can certainly use the extra funds; the trouble is Mr Rudd is handing it straight to Anna Bligh and her counterparts to manage which means we just get more of the same waste and inefficiencies that Queensland Health is renowned for. As for major reform, there is very little detail to the proposals Mr Rudd has put forward and none of them take effect until 2014 at the earliest. What Rudd Labor is going to do is create up to eleven new bureaucracies in health across the nation. It’s the last thing we need. Remember Kevin Rudd promised to “fix” hospitals by mid-2009. Now he says he’ll fix them by 2020.
Home Insulation troubles
There remain grave concerns about the impact of the government’s bungled home insulation scheme with fire authorities worried that more houses could catch fire as winter approaches. Of the 120 house fires that have been linked to the failed scheme, 19 have occurred in Queensland including one in Ferny Grove. The debacle has impacted on local people in many ways, some have lost jobs others are losing their businesses. Fixing up this Rudd Government mess is going to cost another billion of your hard earned tax dollars. If you have concerns about insulation installed in your home contact my office on 3205 9977.
Local Sporting Champions Program
The Local Sporting Champions Program offers up to $500 for individuals and $3000 for a team competing in an official state or national sporting competition that is endorsed by the relevant Australian Sports Commission (ASC) recognised national sporting organisation, or national school sport competition.
To be eligible, applicants must be between 12 and 18 years of age at the time of the sporting competition, have to travel greater than 250km return to participate, be an Australian citizen and must not be participating in a professional competition that involves prize money.
Individuals and teams apply directly to the ASC via the website, www.ausport.gov.au/champions or by contacting the ASC on 02 6214 111.
Australian Defence Medal
The ADM has been established to recognize serving and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) Regular and Reserve personnel who have demonstrated their commitment and contribution to the nation by serving for at least four years, or, completion of their initial term of engagement, whichever is the lesser. The application forms for the ADM can be obtained by calling the DHA on 1800 111 321 or can be downloaded from www.defence.gov.au/medals
The Budget presented no real plan for the economy or the future. It is a grab-bag of unrelated announcements with few real benefits for most Australians. It confirmed that Mr Rudd no longer stands for anything.
The Coalition stands for strong economic management, lower taxes, smaller government and a fair go for families. We will tackle the waste and mismanagement that has become the hallmark of Rudd Labor.
Health Reform
Over recent weeks there has been much talk about health reform. The Prime Minister hauled the nation’s Premiers to Canberra to agree to his so-called reform plan and gave them billions of dollars to sign up. The health system can certainly use the extra funds; the trouble is Mr Rudd is handing it straight to Anna Bligh and her counterparts to manage which means we just get more of the same waste and inefficiencies that Queensland Health is renowned for. As for major reform, there is very little detail to the proposals Mr Rudd has put forward and none of them take effect until 2014 at the earliest. What Rudd Labor is going to do is create up to eleven new bureaucracies in health across the nation. It’s the last thing we need. Remember Kevin Rudd promised to “fix” hospitals by mid-2009. Now he says he’ll fix them by 2020.
Home Insulation troubles
There remain grave concerns about the impact of the government’s bungled home insulation scheme with fire authorities worried that more houses could catch fire as winter approaches. Of the 120 house fires that have been linked to the failed scheme, 19 have occurred in Queensland including one in Ferny Grove. The debacle has impacted on local people in many ways, some have lost jobs others are losing their businesses. Fixing up this Rudd Government mess is going to cost another billion of your hard earned tax dollars. If you have concerns about insulation installed in your home contact my office on 3205 9977.
Local Sporting Champions Program
The Local Sporting Champions Program offers up to $500 for individuals and $3000 for a team competing in an official state or national sporting competition that is endorsed by the relevant Australian Sports Commission (ASC) recognised national sporting organisation, or national school sport competition.
To be eligible, applicants must be between 12 and 18 years of age at the time of the sporting competition, have to travel greater than 250km return to participate, be an Australian citizen and must not be participating in a professional competition that involves prize money.
Individuals and teams apply directly to the ASC via the website, www.ausport.gov.au/champions or by contacting the ASC on 02 6214 111.
Australian Defence Medal
The ADM has been established to recognize serving and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) Regular and Reserve personnel who have demonstrated their commitment and contribution to the nation by serving for at least four years, or, completion of their initial term of engagement, whichever is the lesser. The application forms for the ADM can be obtained by calling the DHA on 1800 111 321 or can be downloaded from www.defence.gov.au/medals
