May2011_DICKSON NEWS
From your
Federal Member for Dickson
PETER DUTTON
Thank you to local residents who made it along to our recent meeting regarding those who are having difficulties with insurance companies. We have been able to help several residents and 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.au.
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 .
RED SHIELD APPEAL
As Chairman of the Pine Rivers Red Shield Appeal I am calling on volunteers to join with us on the weekend of May 28 and 29 to assist in the Annual Doorknock. For 130 years the Salvation Army has helped not only the homeless and addicted, but ordinary, working Australian families who never expected to need their help.
All volunteer collectors must be registered to participate in the Doorknock. You can register online at www.salvos.org.au or by phoning the volunteer hotline 13 SALVOS (13 72 58). A local doorknock co-ordinator will then contact you closer to the time and give you information about arrangements in your area.
CUTS TO MEDICAL RESEARCH
The Gillard government needs to come clean with the universities and research sector on whether it intends to cut $400 million out of the medical research budget. It would be tragic if the National Health and Medical Research Council was to feel the government’s axe as Labor tries to find money to offset its waste and fiscal mismanagement in other areas of spending. Australia has a particularly proud and distinguished history of medical research and advances, demonstrating that as a small country we have always punched well about our weight. In fact nine of Australia’s eleven Nobel Prizes have been awarded for groundbreaking medical or medical-related research. These cuts will not only affect the research community, but millions of people who benefit from advances in medical cures, treatments and preventions.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
National Volunteer Week will be held from May 9 – 15 and aims to celebrate volunteering around Australia. Statistics show that more than five million Australians over 18 years of age do some voluntary work annually contributing over 710 million hours. They are the people we aim to recognise during National Volunteer Week. Resources for volunteers and groups include tips on promoting their organisation, a downloadable certificate of appreciation and a register of activities can be found at www.nationalvolunteerweek.com.au
SAVER PLUS
Saver Plus is an initiative of Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ and supported by the Australian Government. Saver Plus participants set a savings goal, complete financial skills workshops and save regularly and consistently towards a savings goal. Once you reach your savings goal, ANZ will match your savings dollar for dollar, up to $500, by paying for agreed items that relate to your own or your family’s education. For more information and to check eligibility go to www.anz.com/saverplus or call 1300 610 355.
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.
MY FIRST SPEECH
A competition for high school students in years 10, 11 and 12 is being run by the International and Community Relation’s office in Parliament House, Canberra. Students are asked to write a three minute speech on an issue or issues they think are important. They then video their speech and send in a CD or DVD of their speech along with a written copy. The winner will receive a cash prize of $250 for themselves and $500 for their school with the runner up receiving $100 and $250 for their school. Both students will be invited to Canberra to attend the opening of a public exhibition on first speeches in Parliament House in July 2011. Competition closes on Thursday 16 June and details can be found at www.aph.gov.au/myfirstspeech .
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.
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 .
RED SHIELD APPEAL
As Chairman of the Pine Rivers Red Shield Appeal I am calling on volunteers to join with us on the weekend of May 28 and 29 to assist in the Annual Doorknock. For 130 years the Salvation Army has helped not only the homeless and addicted, but ordinary, working Australian families who never expected to need their help.
All volunteer collectors must be registered to participate in the Doorknock. You can register online at www.salvos.org.au or by phoning the volunteer hotline 13 SALVOS (13 72 58). A local doorknock co-ordinator will then contact you closer to the time and give you information about arrangements in your area.
CUTS TO MEDICAL RESEARCH
The Gillard government needs to come clean with the universities and research sector on whether it intends to cut $400 million out of the medical research budget. It would be tragic if the National Health and Medical Research Council was to feel the government’s axe as Labor tries to find money to offset its waste and fiscal mismanagement in other areas of spending. Australia has a particularly proud and distinguished history of medical research and advances, demonstrating that as a small country we have always punched well about our weight. In fact nine of Australia’s eleven Nobel Prizes have been awarded for groundbreaking medical or medical-related research. These cuts will not only affect the research community, but millions of people who benefit from advances in medical cures, treatments and preventions.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
National Volunteer Week will be held from May 9 – 15 and aims to celebrate volunteering around Australia. Statistics show that more than five million Australians over 18 years of age do some voluntary work annually contributing over 710 million hours. They are the people we aim to recognise during National Volunteer Week. Resources for volunteers and groups include tips on promoting their organisation, a downloadable certificate of appreciation and a register of activities can be found at www.nationalvolunteerweek.com.au
SAVER PLUS
Saver Plus is an initiative of Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ and supported by the Australian Government. Saver Plus participants set a savings goal, complete financial skills workshops and save regularly and consistently towards a savings goal. Once you reach your savings goal, ANZ will match your savings dollar for dollar, up to $500, by paying for agreed items that relate to your own or your family’s education. For more information and to check eligibility go to www.anz.com/saverplus or call 1300 610 355.
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.
MY FIRST SPEECH
A competition for high school students in years 10, 11 and 12 is being run by the International and Community Relation’s office in Parliament House, Canberra. Students are asked to write a three minute speech on an issue or issues they think are important. They then video their speech and send in a CD or DVD of their speech along with a written copy. The winner will receive a cash prize of $250 for themselves and $500 for their school with the runner up receiving $100 and $250 for their school. Both students will be invited to Canberra to attend the opening of a public exhibition on first speeches in Parliament House in July 2011. Competition closes on Thursday 16 June and details can be found at www.aph.gov.au/myfirstspeech .
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.
