Sept2011_Dickson News
From your Federal Member for Dickson
PETER DUTTON
Recent weeks have seen a series of demonstrations and protests against the carbon tax in Canberra. People have come from all over the country to show their concern and anger at the Gillard Government’s insistence that it will impose a carbon tax on the Australian economy. People are rightly asking – given the uncertainty in the international and local economy – is this really the best time to be imposing the world’s biggest carbon tax. Anna Bligh has put the lie to Julia Gillard’s claim that most households will be compensated for this new tax. The Queensland Premier joined those of New South Wales and Victoria calling for further compensation for their states. The carbon tax will hit the value of Queensland’s state-owned coal fired power stations and you can only imagine what all this is going to mean for power prices. They’ll go up even further and with them the cost of everything we buy and use will rise – year on year an endless savage price increase for families to cope with. This carbon tax will hurt Australia and all Australians.
NATIONAL STROKE WEEK
September 12 – 18 is National Stroke Week and aims to encourage people to understand their stroke risk. Every 6 seconds someone, somewhere regardless of age or gender will die from stroke. Stroke can happen to anyone but many strokes are preventable. There are 6 steps people can take to reduce the risk and the danger of stroke.
1. Know your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol
2. Be physically active and exercise regularly
3. Avoid obesity by keeping to a healthy diet
4. Limit alcohol consumption
5. Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, seek help to stop now.
6. Learn to recognise the warning signs of a stroke and act FAST.
FAST wallet cards can be obtained from my office. To find out more about Stroke Week visit www.strokefoundation.com.au/national-stroke-week or call 1800 787 653
LYMPHOMA AWARENESS WEEK
September 12 – 16 is National Lymphoma Awareness Week. Five Queenslanders are diagnosed every day with leukaemias, lymphomas, myloma and related blood disorders and cancers.
The Leukaemia Foundation is dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders and fund vital research into better treatments and cures. The foundation supports patients and families by providing cost-free services including patient transport to and from treatment, fully-furnished accommodation located near major hospitals for regional and rural patients, counselling, emotional support, disease education, and practical support. You can donate directly to the Leukaemia Foundation or participate in one of many fundraisers.
On Wednesday 5 October 2011, the Leukaemia Foundation’s Light the Night walk will take place in the Cultural Forecourt at South Bank. You can help create a sea of lights by lighting a lantern to carry on the walk. Each coloured lantern contains a tiny light and has a special meaning. The event will begin from 5pm with lantern collection, entertainment and onstage events and the walk will begin at 7pm. You must register by 5pm on 4 October. For more information on Lymphoma or the Light the Night walk go to www.leukaemia.org.au or call 1800 620 420.
You can also help by donating blood. To donate blood contact the Australian Red Cross Blood Service on 131 495 for a collection centre near you.
INSURANCE INQUIRY
I encourage anyone who has made an insurance claim related to the recent natural disasters to take part in an anonymous survey. The online survey can be found at www.aph.gov.au/insurance and will help inform an inquiry into the operation of the insurance industry during disaster events and how it can be improved in the future. For more information about the inquiry, visit the website or contact the Committee Secretariat for the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs on (02) 6277 2358.
FREE TAX HELP FOR LOW INCOME EARNERS
With tax time upon us, local low income earners will again be able to access free help with their tax returns at my office. A volunteer tax helper will assist residents to work through the process of preparing and lodging their tax return.
Tax Help is available to anyone who is classified as a low income earner, which for individuals, is a person who earns less than $50,000.
To make an appointment please contact my office on 3205 9977. All tax returns must be lodged by October 31.
NATIONAL STROKE WEEK
September 12 – 18 is National Stroke Week and aims to encourage people to understand their stroke risk. Every 6 seconds someone, somewhere regardless of age or gender will die from stroke. Stroke can happen to anyone but many strokes are preventable. There are 6 steps people can take to reduce the risk and the danger of stroke.
1. Know your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol
2. Be physically active and exercise regularly
3. Avoid obesity by keeping to a healthy diet
4. Limit alcohol consumption
5. Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, seek help to stop now.
6. Learn to recognise the warning signs of a stroke and act FAST.
FAST wallet cards can be obtained from my office. To find out more about Stroke Week visit www.strokefoundation.com.au/national-stroke-week or call 1800 787 653
LYMPHOMA AWARENESS WEEK
September 12 – 16 is National Lymphoma Awareness Week. Five Queenslanders are diagnosed every day with leukaemias, lymphomas, myloma and related blood disorders and cancers.
The Leukaemia Foundation is dedicated to the care and cure of patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders and fund vital research into better treatments and cures. The foundation supports patients and families by providing cost-free services including patient transport to and from treatment, fully-furnished accommodation located near major hospitals for regional and rural patients, counselling, emotional support, disease education, and practical support. You can donate directly to the Leukaemia Foundation or participate in one of many fundraisers.
On Wednesday 5 October 2011, the Leukaemia Foundation’s Light the Night walk will take place in the Cultural Forecourt at South Bank. You can help create a sea of lights by lighting a lantern to carry on the walk. Each coloured lantern contains a tiny light and has a special meaning. The event will begin from 5pm with lantern collection, entertainment and onstage events and the walk will begin at 7pm. You must register by 5pm on 4 October. For more information on Lymphoma or the Light the Night walk go to www.leukaemia.org.au or call 1800 620 420.
You can also help by donating blood. To donate blood contact the Australian Red Cross Blood Service on 131 495 for a collection centre near you.
INSURANCE INQUIRY
I encourage anyone who has made an insurance claim related to the recent natural disasters to take part in an anonymous survey. The online survey can be found at www.aph.gov.au/insurance and will help inform an inquiry into the operation of the insurance industry during disaster events and how it can be improved in the future. For more information about the inquiry, visit the website or contact the Committee Secretariat for the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs on (02) 6277 2358.
FREE TAX HELP FOR LOW INCOME EARNERS
With tax time upon us, local low income earners will again be able to access free help with their tax returns at my office. A volunteer tax helper will assist residents to work through the process of preparing and lodging their tax return.
Tax Help is available to anyone who is classified as a low income earner, which for individuals, is a person who earns less than $50,000.
To make an appointment please contact my office on 3205 9977. All tax returns must be lodged by October 31.
