Oct2010 DICKSON NEWS
From your Federal Member for Dickson
PETER DUTTON
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the people of Dickson for your continued support and endorsement as your federal member. I am looking forward to continuing to represent the electorate and working hard for an even better Dickson.
Locally I will be holding both the Gillard and Bligh governments to their promise to build the Petrie to Kippa-ring rail link and the resultant improvement to the parking at Petrie railway station. I will continue to fight for the Bruce Highway on-ramp at Dohles Rocks Road Murrumba Downs.
On a National level and as Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing, I want to see the Gillard government adopt the Coalition’s policy to provide more spending in the vital areas of mental health and juvenile diabetes research. After 3 years and another election our hospitals are still broken and the promise to fix them has proven to be no more than spin by the Rudd/Gillard government. The waste and mismanagement must stop so that we see an end to more bureaucracy and an increase in real support for our doctors and nurses.
The mobile office will be out and about in coming weeks, so please come and say hello and raise any questions or concerns you may have. I also welcome any suggestions on new locations for my mobile office visits so that I can provide more convenient and accessible options.
Christmas Card Competition
My 2010 Christmas Card Competition for students in Years 1 to 3 is now open and entry forms have been distributed to schools in the Dickson electorate. The theme this year is “My Family at Christmas” and the winning picture from each year level will be chosen to feature on my Christmas card for distribution to the electorate. Entries need to be handed in to school principals by October 25.
Dickson Seniors’ Expo
The Dickson Seniors’ Expo was held again this year during Seniors week. I started this Expo seven years ago and want to thank the committee who have worked hard to expand it and make it such a success each year. The Hon Bronwyn Bishop opened this year’s expo as keynote speaker and a surprise visit was also made by the Hon Joe Hockey. The Seniors’ Expo makes an important contribution to our senior community and I trust everyone who attended found the event informative and entertaining.
beyondblue Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month
October is beyondblue Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month with October 10 – 16 being National Mental Health Week. Over a million people in Australia live with depression and over 2 million have an anxiety disorder. The week aims to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma of anxiety and depression and provides the opportunity for workplaces, community groups and individuals to take part in activities to promote this. Free kits can be ordered at www.beyondblue.org.au or by calling the infoline on 1300 22 46 36.
Movember 2010
October is also the month when men can register to take part in Movember and raise vital funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men. The commitment to grow a moustache for 30 days and provoke conversations on men’s health and raise funds for research, education, support and awareness. To register go to www.movember.com or call 1300 47 69 66.
Home Sustainability Assessments
I have had several constituents contact me recently with concerns about the Governments Home Sustainability Assessment program. Under this program a qualified home sustainability assessor will visit your home to investigate energy and water consumption patterns to identify actions that your household can take to save energy and water.
Householders have told me they are being contacted by people claiming to be the federal government and offering to do a free home sustainability assessment and asking if they live alone. If you are contacted in regards to this program the person should be giving you their company name, their name and a contact number. There are conditions that need to be met to be eligible for this program but you should be careful about providing personal information. If you have any concerns or would like to check the legitimacy of the assessor please contact the department on1800 895 076.
To book a sustainability assessment, contact the Green Loans booking centre on the above number. At the time of booking your assessment you will be asked to confirm your eligibility to participate in the program.
Applicants must:
be aged 18 or over
be an Australian citizen, permanent resident and/or an Australian registered charity
be the dwelling owner, a trustee or renter listed on lease
have a taxable income below $250,000 p.a.
The house/property being assessed must:
be in Australia or its territories
have been completed and occupied for at least 12 months (not necessarily by the applicant).
On a National level and as Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing, I want to see the Gillard government adopt the Coalition’s policy to provide more spending in the vital areas of mental health and juvenile diabetes research. After 3 years and another election our hospitals are still broken and the promise to fix them has proven to be no more than spin by the Rudd/Gillard government. The waste and mismanagement must stop so that we see an end to more bureaucracy and an increase in real support for our doctors and nurses.
The mobile office will be out and about in coming weeks, so please come and say hello and raise any questions or concerns you may have. I also welcome any suggestions on new locations for my mobile office visits so that I can provide more convenient and accessible options.
Christmas Card Competition
My 2010 Christmas Card Competition for students in Years 1 to 3 is now open and entry forms have been distributed to schools in the Dickson electorate. The theme this year is “My Family at Christmas” and the winning picture from each year level will be chosen to feature on my Christmas card for distribution to the electorate. Entries need to be handed in to school principals by October 25.
Dickson Seniors’ Expo
The Dickson Seniors’ Expo was held again this year during Seniors week. I started this Expo seven years ago and want to thank the committee who have worked hard to expand it and make it such a success each year. The Hon Bronwyn Bishop opened this year’s expo as keynote speaker and a surprise visit was also made by the Hon Joe Hockey. The Seniors’ Expo makes an important contribution to our senior community and I trust everyone who attended found the event informative and entertaining.
beyondblue Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month
October is beyondblue Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month with October 10 – 16 being National Mental Health Week. Over a million people in Australia live with depression and over 2 million have an anxiety disorder. The week aims to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma of anxiety and depression and provides the opportunity for workplaces, community groups and individuals to take part in activities to promote this. Free kits can be ordered at www.beyondblue.org.au or by calling the infoline on 1300 22 46 36.
Movember 2010
October is also the month when men can register to take part in Movember and raise vital funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men. The commitment to grow a moustache for 30 days and provoke conversations on men’s health and raise funds for research, education, support and awareness. To register go to www.movember.com or call 1300 47 69 66.
Home Sustainability Assessments
I have had several constituents contact me recently with concerns about the Governments Home Sustainability Assessment program. Under this program a qualified home sustainability assessor will visit your home to investigate energy and water consumption patterns to identify actions that your household can take to save energy and water.
Householders have told me they are being contacted by people claiming to be the federal government and offering to do a free home sustainability assessment and asking if they live alone. If you are contacted in regards to this program the person should be giving you their company name, their name and a contact number. There are conditions that need to be met to be eligible for this program but you should be careful about providing personal information. If you have any concerns or would like to check the legitimacy of the assessor please contact the department on1800 895 076.
To book a sustainability assessment, contact the Green Loans booking centre on the above number. At the time of booking your assessment you will be asked to confirm your eligibility to participate in the program.
Applicants must:
be aged 18 or over
be an Australian citizen, permanent resident and/or an Australian registered charity
be the dwelling owner, a trustee or renter listed on lease
have a taxable income below $250,000 p.a.
The house/property being assessed must:
be in Australia or its territories
have been completed and occupied for at least 12 months (not necessarily by the applicant).
