Bruck Textiles denies free speech to worker

The ALP candidate for Indi, Zuvele Leschen, today expressed her disappointment about reports that Bruck Textiles had taken disciplinary action against a worker who wrote a letter to the local newspaper.

Maurie Mahoney, a Bruck worker and unionist, was a speaker at a rally against Workchoices in Wangaratta in September, and followed this up with a letter outlining workers’ dispute with Bruck’s.

According to media reports, the company has disciplined Mr Mahoney for these actions.

“I can understand that Bruck Textiles does not want its workers criticizing its actions, but the solution surely is to lift your game as an employer, not punish people for exercising their right to free speech,” Zuvele Leschen said.

“Bruck can put their case in the public arena in the same way Mr Mahoney has.”

Mrs Leschen also challenged Mrs Mirabella, the Federal member for Indi, to speak out against Bruck’s actions.

“Mrs Mirabella’s speeches in Parliament quite rightly emphasise the importance of freedom of speech in our democracy.”

“I challenge her to demonstrate her belief in this by speaking out against Bruck’s actions.”

“I think this is especially important, considering that Mrs Mirabella has received at least $10 000 in donations from Bruck Textiles in the past.”

“She needs to demonstrate that, no matter how indebted she may be to an organization, she will stand up for basic human freedoms.”

“Mrs Mirabella has said before that she will not sell her political soul in exchange for donations.”

“I challenge her to prove this by speaking out in support of Mr Mahoney.”

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Mirabella welcomes enhanced drought assistance

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, has today welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister of a significant extension of the Government’s Exceptional Circumstances (EC) drought assistance measures.

“Travelling around the electorate, I know how hard the drought is impacting on the region. These new measures announced by the Howard Government today will make a real difference,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“We are dealing with an ongoing crisis in our local communities throughout the North-East as the drought continues to bite, and I am pleased that the Prime Minister has announced this major enhancement to drought assistance which will greatly benefit farmers in Indi.”

Today’s announcement of an additional $714 million package offers a number of practical measures which will go a long way towards assisting those in our community who have been hit by the worst drought in living memory. They include:
• easing farmers’ access to exceptional circumstances assistance.
• broadening assistance for small businesses who rely heavily on agriculture and have experienced a significant downturn
• doubling the off-farm income exception for income support from $10,000 to $20,000
• increasing the off-farm assets test for interest rates subsidies from $473,000 to $750,000
• widening of the government’s employment assistance to farmers

“Today’s announcement comes on top of last week’s announcement that the Government will extend the EC assistance from the current expiry date of March 2008 out to September 2008,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The extension of EC assistance until September 2008 reflects the Howard Government’s commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers though this devastating drought.”

“Just one part of the Howard Government’s EC assistance is the EC Relief Payments, which are currently being paid to 1,452 farms in the Northern and North-East Victorian regions. This measure alone has injected some $33 million into our local communities over recent years to provide assistance to struggling families,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“This assistance will allow farmers to plan through to next year’s season, knowing that assistance will continue to the end of their next opportunity to plant crops.

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40,000 in Indi to benefit under Rudd dental scheme

Figures provided by the Federal Department of Human Services show that nearly 40,000 health card holders in Indi will benefit from the reintroduction of the Commonwealth public dental scheme.

The scheme, axed by the Howard Government in 1996, ensured that waiting lists for public dental services in Indi were virtually non existent. This encouraged health card holders to access dental services.

With the axing of the Commonwealth scheme by the Howard Government, waiting lists in Indi blew out almost immediately.

Recently, the Howard Government introduced Medicare cover for dental services. To access this scheme, patients have to be suffering from a chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer and be referred to a dentist for treatment by their doctor. Treatment can only be accessed every two years.

“The contrast between the two schemes is obvious,” Zuvele Leschen, the ALP candidate for Indi, said. “Under the Rudd scheme, nearly 40,000 residents of Indi – and their dependants - will be eligible for Government subsidized dental treatment on a regular basis. Under the Howard Government’s scheme, access will be available to only a very few.”

Zuvele Leschen attacks Sophie Mirabella's stand on Vic police

Sophie Mirabella has insulted the Victorian police and should apologise.

In parliament last week, she made an extraordinary attack on our local police, saying that the police force was engulfed by ‘perversion’ and that Victorians could not have confidence in a police force with an ‘endemic corrupt culture’.

For a leader of our community, let alone our local Federal representative, to refer to our police in this way is outrageous. The police serve the community, doing a difficult and often dangerous job, one that sometimes requires them to lay down their lives for others. They should be respected and supported in this – not only by Mrs Mirabella, but by the whole community.

Few organizations are entirely free of corruption, and any allegations should be investigated fully and dealt with appropriately. This can be done, however, without tarring the whole of a profession with the same brush.

Mrs Mirabella should immediately withdraw her damaging comments and express her full support for our local police.

Regards
Zuvele Leschen

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Sykes alerts community to smart water fund

Individuals, not-for-profit community groups, business, research and development organisations and industry in the Benalla Electorate interested in undertaking projects innovative water saving projects, water recycling or bio-solids management projects are being urged to apply for funding through the Smart Water Fund.

The fund will provide a total pool of $5 million dollars for innovative water projects in metropolitan and regional Victoria.

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said, “Victorians need to be smarter in how they use water and the Smart Water Fund will invest in projects that deliver broad environmental, community and commercial benefits across metropolitan & regional urban Victoria.

“Grant recipients from previous rounds include Ovens & Murray Football League and Tennis Victoria.”

The Smart Water Fund only provides financial support, so there is a need to demonstrate that all other resource requirements are available to enable successful completion of the project. Projects will need to be completed within three years of receiving grant funding.

Dr Sykes concluded, the Smart Water Fund also offers an advisory service for community groups and individual applicants who require additional guidance and advice in completing the application. To access this service please phone us on 1800 882 432 or email us at advisory@smartwater.com.au.

Further information, guidelines and application forms are available from the Smart Water Fund website www.smartwater.com.au or by phoning the Smart Water Fund Free call 1800 882 432 or by contacting Peta Clark at Dr Sykes’ Electorate Office on 5762 2100.

Applications close for Round 5 funding on Friday 9 November 2007.

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Sykes takes bullets for shooters

Nationals Spokesperson for Police, Bill Sykes had to withstand a full blooded attack by Labor MPs in Parliament this week when he moved a motion to simplify the renewal of firearms licences.

Dr Sykes and The Nationals supported the majority of the proposed changes to the Firearms Act but he also wanted to put an end to the excessive paperwork and long delays involved with renewing existing firearms licences.

Dr Sykes said, “The Labor Party attached was symptomatic of their “not invented here” syndrome ie. because they didn’t think of the idea, they rejected it.

“Shooters and firearms collectors have repeatedly complained about the paper work and delays in renewing licences, one simple solution is to accept a system similar to driver’s licences, whereby the licence is automatically renewed upon payment of a fee and subject to there being no disqualification due to a violation of licence conditions.

“Labor MPs claim that my amendment was from “left field” and that the idea had not been raised with them directly. This is untrue, shooting organisations have stated that they have raised the issue repeatedly via the Government’s Firearms Consultative Committee and with MPs directly as recently as August 2007.

“There is also doubt about Labor MPs additional claim that such an approach would be inconsistent with the National Firearms Agreement.

“On a positive note, the Labor Government acknowledges the gross inefficiency of the Licensing Services Division (LSD) and is currently conducting an overhaul of it – something which The Nationals and firearms owners have been demanding for several years.

“Let’s hope that this results in a substantial improvement in LSD efficiency.

“In the meantime I will continue to work towards streamlining of the licences renewal process and the addressing of other inefficiencies and anomalies”, Dr Sykes concluded.

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Mokoan pressure in parliament continues

Bill Sykes, Nationals MP for Benalla and vocal advocate for retaining Lake Mokoan in some form, kept the issue up front in Parliament this week and directly with the Minister for Water.

Dr Sykes said, “I’m doing my part to ensure that the new Minister for Water is well informed on Lake Mokoan, in particular the flaws in the Government’s proposal to decommission the Lake and the benefits of the alternative to retain a mini Lake Mokoan.

Dr Sykes actions this week included:

• A notice of motion congratulating the Minister on the change in attitude of Government organisations such as Goulburn Murray Water (GMW), who at long last are prepared to make flood information available, and requesting the Minister to support an independent expert assessment of the mini Mokoan proposal;

• Statements during debate on The Fisheries Amendment Bill highlight the benefits of the mini Mokoan proposal;

• Speaking directly with the Minister for Water (who as indicated his desire to make a decision on Lake Mokoan sooner rather than later) and suggesting that the Minister inspects Barren Box Swamp – a successful working example of the mini Mokoan proposal.

Dr Sykes concluded, “Mr Holding is a capable Minister who says that he has an open mind on Mokoan.

“Given that the mini Mokoan proposal is a winner on all fronts I remain cautiously optimistic about a favourable outcome.

“In the meantime I have plenty more Questions on Notice for the Minister and several more requests under the Freedom of Information Act to flush out the true facts on Lake Mokoan and to keep the issue at the top of the Minister’s Water Reform Agenda.

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Indi super co-contributions exceeds $22 million

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, today announced that over $22.7 million has been paid into the superannuation accounts of local workers over the first three years of the Howard Government’s Super Co-contribution scheme.

Mrs Mirabella emphasised the important role that superannuation can play in helping people achieve financial security in their retirement years. The Howard Government’s Super Co contribution scheme is practical help for low and middle income earners, directly boosting their retirement savings.

Despite this, the Labor Party wanted to abolish the Super Co-contribution scheme at the last election.

Mrs Mirabella encouraged local residents to check their eligibility for the co-contribution scheme as more people can now benefit from this initiative. In particular, for the first time the self-employed are eligible for the co-contribution.

Under the Super Co-contribution, the Howard Government contributes $1.50 for every $1 of after tax superannuation contributions made by eligible local residents. The maximum co contribution of $1,500 is payable to individuals with a total income of $28,980 or less who contribute $1,000 to superannuation.

Those earning up to $58,980 are still eligible to receive some Super Co contribution.

You will be eligible for the co-contribution scheme in 2007/08 financial year if:
• You make after tax contributions to your superannuation account;
• Your total income is less than $58,980;
• 10% or more of your total income is from eligible employment, running a business or a combination of both;
• You do not hold an eligible temporary resident visa at any time during the year;
• You are less than 71 years of age at the end of the year of income.

The introduction of the Super Co-contribution scheme has only been possible through the Howard Government’s strong economic management.

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Brumby Government Dodges Budget Accountability

Bill Sykes, Nationals Treasury Spokesperson has refused to endorse a Public Accounts & Estimates Committee (PAEC) Report on the 2007/08 Budget Estimates because it lacks critical analysis of many of the Brumby Government’s dodgy claims.

Dr Sykes submitted a Minority Report in which he stated:-

I wish to congratulate the PAEC staff for their efforts in preparing the PAEC Report on the 2007-08 Budget Estimates within a very tight time frame with very limited resources.

However, I am unable to endorse the final report as I believe that there has been insufficient critical analysis of statements by Ministers and Government Departments.

For example in Chapter 4 – Productivity – Impact of new initiatives and portfolios spending on productivity in Victoria it is stated, “The Shepparton irrigation project illustrates how productivity is improving through the budget, whereby that irrigation system will be more efficient by some 50 billion litres a year”.

A technical discussion paper prepared for the local Water Services Committee, using the Government’s own figures on water losses, clearly demonstrates that substantially less than 50 billion litres of water savings will be available in dry years, the time when savings are most needed.

Critical analysis would identify this significant error of fact and lead to different conclusions on the economic, social and environmental impact of the project, in particular the availability of “water savings” for Melbourne via the North-South pipeline.

In Appendix 4 – Response to questions on notice, a ministerial response to a question regarding the level of funding for non government schools in Victoria is reported.

The response refers the reader to the 2005 National Report on Schooling in Australia website rather than reporting the specific information.

Why is the specific information not included in the report? Is it because the tables show that Victorian non Government schools are very poorly funded in comparison with non Government schools in other Australian States & Territories?

Finally, at time of announcing the Budget the then Treasurer and Treasury staff pointed out that the predicted rate of economic growth was reduced by around 20% due to the impact of the prevailing drought. It was stated this effect was predicted to disappear during 2007/08. The budget estimates are based on this improvement in conditions.

Given the current seasonal conditions it would be reasonable to re-assess the continuing impact of the drought and modify key projections accordingly.

The PAEC must retain its independence to ensure that it is able to fulfil its responsibility to provide thorough critical analysis of future budget estimates and to generally hold the Government accountable.

Dr Sykes said, “Premier Brumby is continuing to promulgate outrageous claims, working on the basis that if you say something often enough it becomes fact.

“He is currently doing this in relation to claimed water savings for the North South Pipeline. Rather than agree to an independent audit he just repeats his unsubstantiated claimed water savings.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I will continue to use my position on PAEC and every other means available to hold Mr Brumby and his Government to account.”

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Labor candidate supports Liberal dental policy

“This week in Parliament, the Australian Labor Party voted against a Bill which offered $385 million worth of dental treatment under Medicare,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“Surprisingly, the Labor Party’s candidate in Indi is on the record as supporting the Government’s policies on dental care, which substantially bring dental health care under the Medicare system.”

In June, the Labor Candidate for Indi said: “I have actively worked with the State Government to develop policy in this area and have made numerous submissions to the Federal Labor party to include dental health as part of Medicare. I firmly believe that dental health will one day become part of Medicare and I will continue to advocate for that.” (ALP Candidate for Indi, Corryong Courier, June 28 2007)

“The only problem for her now is that her party’s policy does not fund dental health under Medicare, it simply gives money to the states for a flawed scheme. If she really was true to her word, she would be supporting the Government’s Medicare dental health policy, which gives $100 million more for dental care than what Rudd Labor is offering,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“But her Labor colleagues do not agree with her, because Labor voted against the Government’s legislation.”

“If Labor had its way, hundreds of thousands of Australians with chronic disease requiring dental treatment under Medicare would miss out on dental treatment worth $4,250 over two years,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Labor’s dental plan simply rehashes a 1990s scheme by giving $290 million to the state governments who already mishandle their respective dental services.”

“Every last dollar of the Howard Government’s $385 million dental plan will be spent on services such as dental assessments, preventative services, extractions, fillings and dentures,” Mrs Mirabella said.

Earlier this year, the Labor Candidate for Indi was forced to retreat from announcing a dental policy that didn’t exist: “It is true that I jumped the gun on this announcement and I apologise.” (Labor Candidate for Indi, Corryong Courier, 28 June 2007)

“Now, she has supported Liberal Party dental care policy.”

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Mirabella slurs Victorian police

Zuvele Leschen, the ALP candidate for Indi, today demanded that the local member, Sophie Mirabella, apologise to local police for comments she made in Parliament.

“Mrs Mirabella’s speech refers to ‘perversion’ engulfing the Victorian police force and to an ‘endemic corrupt culture’,” Zuvele Leschen said.

“This clearly indicates that she believes that the majority of Victorian police are corrupt.”

“Nothing is further from the truth.”

“There are over 10,000 sworn police officers in Victoria. The vast majority of them are decent, honest, hardworking people who are willing to lay their lives on the line for us.”

“For our local member to undermine our police in this way is outrageous.”

“Any profession has its bad apples, and it is appropriate that steps be taken to identify these and deal with them.”

“There is no justification, however, to imply in any way that the police in general are not to be trusted.”

“Mrs Mirabella should go back into Parliament as soon as possible, retract her comments and apologise to the Victorian police.”

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Long overdue: seatbelts for school buses

Sophie Mirabella, Federal Member for Indi, today welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister that the Howard Government will spend $40 million over four years to fit seat belts to school buses in rural and regional areas across Australia.

“The Howard Government is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our children – particularly when it comes to travelling to and from school,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“This new initiative will fit at least 1,500 rural and regional school buses across Australia over the next four years.”

Subsidies for rural and regional private bus route operators of up to $25,000 per new or retrofitted bus and will be paid directly to them on an application basis.

“Ensuring that seat belts are fitted to school buses is firmly a state and territory responsibility however the Victorian State Government has failed to deliver.

“Safety for children on school buses is paramount and I strongly welcome this initiative”, Mrs Mirabella said.

The Howard Government still expects the Victorian State Government to take measures to fit their own school bus fleets with seat belts.

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State support for drought affected families

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has been able to source additional funding from the Victorian Government for local outreach worker, Ivan Lister.

Dr Sykes won the funding commitment from the Minister for Mental Health following extensive representations over the past two months.

Dr Sykes said, “Ivan Lister and fellow outreach workers play an extremely important role in connecting drought affected people with professional support services.

“Funding for Ivan has been on ongoing issue with Benalla Rural City recently needing to commit $15,000 from its limited resources to ensure Ivan’s employment until Christmas.

“I am advised that the Government’s commitment of an extra $15,000 will ensure provision of the outreach services until 30 June 2008.

“The Minister’s office has also advised that this is an interim measure whilst long term funding needs are assessed as part of ongoing overall drought assistance needs.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “There are large numbers of very ‘fragile’ people in our communities. Whilst the Government can’t make it rain they do have a responsibility to help people remain physically, financially and mentally able to survive the current tough times and to ‘bounce back’ when it is all over.

I will continue to lobby the Government to achieve this outcome.

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Huge reduction in locals on the dole

“In the 12 months to August 2007, 39,253 people across Australia have moved off unemployment benefits, a drop of 7.2 per cent. This includes around 200 people in the electorate of Indi who are now off unemployment payments,” Mrs Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi said today.

“The unemployment rate in Indi is now just 3.8%. There are 22 179 fewer long-term unemployed welfare recipients, a fall of 6.9 per cent. These are people who have been receiving income support payments for 12 months or more,” Mrs Mirabella said.

Between July and August 2007, the number of job seekers associated with the Wangaratta Centrelink office (serving Wangaratta, Benalla, and Alpine Shires) fell by 5.3 per cent (86 people); Albury office (serving Wodonga and Indigo Shires) fell by 4.5 per cent (101); and Seymour (serving Strathbogie and Mansfield Shires) fell by 2.3 per cent (14).

“The Howard Government's strong economic management has resulted in the generation of over 2.1 million (2 184 000) new jobs since March 1996, over half (1 276 500) of which have been full-time positions,” Mrs Mirabella said.

The Job Network has helped over 641 100 people find a job in the twelve months to end August alone. Of these jobs, over 123 100 have been for young Australians, aged 20 years or less, 131 900 have been for mature aged job seekers (aged 45+ years) and 84 200 jobs have been found for Australians of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

As part of the $3.7 billion Welfare to Work package, the Howard Government is investing $1.9 billion to deliver greater employment services and other assistance, including rehabilitation, long- and short-term wage subsidies, funds to modify workplaces to meet the needs of people with disability, upskilling and training of job seekers, and additional child care places.

“These new figures reflect the success of the Howard Government’s approach to helping unemployed Australians find a job and we are dedicated to ensuring this continues,” said Mrs Mirabella.

“While we have come a long way, there is still more to be done.”

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Federal drought support continued

“Farmers battling the severe effects of drought in North-East Victoria will have their Exceptional Circumstances (EC) support extended from the current expiry date of March 2008 out to September 2008,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

Mrs Mirabella said that the Howard Government initiative, worth $340 million nationwide, would provide farmers with greater security as they continued to endure the impact of the worst drought on record. This announcement covers the entire electorate of Indi.

“The extension of EC assistance until September 2008 reflects the Howard Government’s commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers though this devastating drought,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Just one part of the Howard Government’s EC assistance are the EC Relief Payments, which are currently being paid to 1,452 farms in the Northern and North-East Victorian regions. This measure alone has injected around $32.77 million into our local communities over recent years to provide assistance to struggling families.”

“This assistance will allow farmers to plan through to next year’s season, knowing that assistance will continue to the end of their next opportunity to plant crops.

“The Howard Government is also continuing to consider additional assistance to address the pressures being felt across rural and regional Australia.”

The Howard Government’s commitment to drought since 2001 now exceeds $2.8 billion with more than $26 million a week currently being provided to drought affected farmers and their families.

Small business operators employing up to 100 staff, and whose income is at least 70 dependent on supplying farm products or services to farmers within EC-declared areas, are also eligible for assistance, even if their businesses are located outside the EC area.

“I urge farmers and small business operators not to self-assess, but to contact the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16 to check their eligibility as soon as possible,” Mrs Mirabella said.

The Howard Government offers a range of other drought assistance measures including support for local farm workers under the Drought Force Programme, and financial, social and emotional counselling services.

For further information visit the DAFF website at www.daff.gov.au/droughtassist

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NE Vic to share in $300 million support package for veterans

“Around 1,400 veterans’ affairs disability pensioners in North-East Victoria alone will benefit from a substantial package announced recently by the Prime Minister John Howard,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal MP for Indi said today.

As part of a comprehensive $330 million veterans’ support package, all veterans' affairs disability pensions will be indexed more beneficially with reference to both the Consumer Price Index and Male Total Average Weekly Earnings from March 2008.

Mrs Mirabella said the significant indexation measure will benefit around 1,400 disability pensioners, including those receiving the Special Rate, Intermediate Rate and the Extreme Disability Adjustment living in the electorate of Indi.

“In addition, about 110 veterans who receive the Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) will also receive a fortnightly increase of $15, from March 2008, to the Above General Rate component of their disability pension,” Mrs Mirabella said.

The Howard Government also recognises that the General Rate Table for 'non economic loss' compensation for the pain, suffering and loss of function, resulting from an accepted service-related condition, has not been reviewed for some time, other than to be adjusted inline with movements in the CPI.

“As a result, the entire General Rate Table will be increased by 5 per cent from March 2008. This initiative will deliver all General Rate recipients a fortnightly boost of $20 from March 2008, also adjusted by the more beneficial indexation method. EDA veterans will receive a total increase of more than $35,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Our veterans’ community can also be assured that it will continue to enjoy the dedicated support and assistance of a properly resourced, stand-alone Department of Veterans' Affairs. This includes the continued operation of the DVA VAN office in Wodonga.”

“These commitments respect and honour the long established principles of our world-class repatriation system, and again demonstrate, in a practical and meaningful way, our special duty to those who have served our nation,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The disability pension enhancement package is in addition to fortnightly increases of $50 for the Special Rate pension and $25 for the Intermediate Rate pension which took effect in July under a $159.6 million Howard Government measure.”

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ALP Dental Policy

The ALP candidate for Indi, Zuvele Leschen, today welcomed Kevin Rudd’s announcement that the Commonwealth public dental health scheme would be reintroduced under a Labor Government.

“I have been campaigning for the reintroduction of this scheme since it was axed in 1996,” Zuvele said.

The Federal Government introduced a subsidy for public dental health in 1994, to address the backlog of low income patients waiting for dental care. The scheme was abolished by the Howard Government in 1996, with the Government claiming at the time that it was no longer necessary.

“I predicted then that the waiting lists would blow out again, and they did very quickly,” Zuvele Leschen said today. “In April 1999, when I raised the issue again, the waiting list in Wangaratta reached 2745 people.”

“Now, Australia wide, there is a waiting list of 650,000 people.”

“As health card holders, these people would find it very difficult to afford private dental services.”

Mrs Leschen said that she had also campaigned within the Labor Party for the system to be reintroduced, making submissions to various policy inquiries over the years.

“Most recently, as President of the Victorian Country Labor Executive, I had an opportunity to submit policy suggestions to the Federal Labor Party,” Zuvele said. “The restoration of a Commonwealth funded public dental health system was on that list.”

“I welcome the Rudd Government’s scheme and will continue to advocate for improved dental health services for the people of Indi.”

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Alpine Valleys Agribusiness Forum receives funding

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, today announced that the Australian Alpine Valleys Agribusiness Forum had received funding of $77,910 from the Howard Government to help improve the financial management skills of small business.

The Australian Alpine Valleys Agribusiness Forum was offered the funding assistance for its project to develop the daily management, administrative and IT operational skills of 18 wineries and 2 craft breweries in North-East Victoria to enable their individual customer lyalty programs to achieve their full potential.

The funding was made under the Howard Government's Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business program and is one of 44 projects around the country announced by Small Business Minister Fran Bailey. The projects received more than $10 million in total.

“I congratulate the Australian Alpine Valleys Agribusiness Forum for securing this funding. It is a commendable initiative and will bring considerable benefits to our local community," Mrs Mirabella said.

"This initiative is part of the Howard Government's strong support for small business, which has seen the number of employing small businesses grow by 31 per cent over the past three years."

In the latest round of funding training and mentoring component will fund 35 projects valued at over $8.3 million and the succession planning element will fund nine projects valued at $1.9 million.

"The third round of funding also focussed on projects targeting financial management and reiterates the message that practical support is available to equip small business improve financial skills."

For further information on the Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business (BESB) please contact my Office or visit www.ausindustry.gov.au.

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Successful Mokoan meeting

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has welcomed the release of extensive information on the estimated increase in flood risks to Benalla and downstream property owners in the event that Lake Mokoan is decommissioned.

Dr Sykes said, “The information tabled at a briefing by Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) in Shepparton today answers many of the questions which the Victorian Government had previously refused to answer – in spite of repeated requests including requests made under the Freedom of Information Act.

“It is now a matter for the Benalla & District Flood Awareness Group and the Justice for the Broken Valley Group to consider the information in depth.

“On the surface some of our flood risk concerns have been addressed but we need to look more closely at the data.

“For example, the model used to predict flood levels and flood frequencies has been validated against limited actual information – no use has been made of extensive local knowledge and private rainfall records going back for over fifty years.

“We need to have this local information considered and also have a clear understanding of the level of confidence that can be placed in the modelling predictions.

GMW have agreed to do further investigation into:-
• The impact of local runoff entering the Lake bed via the inlet channel;
• The impact of decommissioning the Lake on the increased frequency of over spillway flows from Lake Nillahcootie and resultant uncontrolled floods.
Dr Sykes concluded, “When Parliament resumes next week I will personally thank the new Minister for Water, Tim Holding for bringing about this more open and transparent process.

“I will also thank the Minister for agreeing to meet with the Justice for the Broken Valley Group to listen to their alternative ‘Mini Mokoan’ proposal and seek to have this meeting as soon as possible.

“This battle has been going on for over six years. Favourable resolution of it in the near future would remove one major uncertainty in the lives of local people looking down the barrel of another tough dry 6-12 months.”

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Mirabella releases ACTU strategy manual

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, has today released the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ Federal Election 2007 Union Political Strategy Manual. (3.5Mb pdf file)

“I am releasing the ACTU’s political campaigning document so people are informed of the steps that the union movement is going to in deceiving people with their rhetoric on the Government’s new workplace relations system,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“ACTU president Sharan Burrow is in town today. She will talk about the rights of workers but the only thing she is really concerned about is the rights of union bosses.”

“If anyone wants to start believing the unions and their campaign of misinformation and deceit, they should take a look at a number of examples in this document where union members are forced to misinform members of the community,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“For instance, page 46 of the manual gives the instruction that when talking to members of the community about the laws, there is the invocation: “Don’t read out (Minimum wage, 4 weeks annual leave…10 Sick/carer’s leave; 38 hour week; Unpaid parental leave”).”

“In other words, this manual implores union heavies to lie about the Government’s policy and misinform.”

“And it seems that no-one is safe. ACTU President Sharan Burrow said on radio recently: ‘We’re going to work in sporting areas and volunteer organisations like Meals on Wheels’.” (3AW, 13 June 2007)

“Imagine opening your front door to Sharan Burrow and her union bosses who want to supposedly educate you about your rights at work when they give you your meal. This is from the woman who – for her television advertising – said: “I need a mum or a dad of someone who's been seriously injured or killed. That would be fantastic.” It’s a disgrace,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“This document is designed to do one thing: elect a Rudd/Union Government.”

“The union movement is not interested in workers. Its only interest lies in gaining more power for union bosses. The unions play the Leader of the Opposition like a patsy and in turn, the unions determine the policy of the Labor Party,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“More than 70% of Labor’s front bench is made up of union bosses. The unions call the shots for Labor.”

“The decent people of the north-east do not deserve to be treated like this and they do not deserve this deceitful campaign from the ACTU,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.

Everton and Oxley schools receive federal funding

“Everton and Oxley Primary Schools will finally be able to upgrade their facilities thanks to major contributions from the Howard Government’s Investing In Our Schools programme,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

Everton Primary School will receive $36,747 to build an Outdoor Learning Area, and two General Classrooms.

Oxley Primary School will receive $95,982 to build new Sheds and Storage Facilities.

“These two projects, which are desperately needed by both schools, were identified by the respective school communities as being critical to their school. They represent two of the eight schools in the Wangaratta region to receive funding from the latest round of Investing In Our Schools Programme. Thirty-two schools across the electorate of Indi will also receive funding to projects worth a total value of $1,550,817.”

“As part of the latest round of the Investing In Our Schools Programme, it brings the total funding to schools in the Indi electorate from this programme alone to over $10 million. This is in addition to the significant support that local schools also receive from the Howard Government in the form of larger capital grants and other programmes.”

“These two projects, although often desperately needed by schools, never seem to make it onto Melbourne-focused State Labor Government priority lists. Rather, school communities usually face the long and arduous task of raising the necessary funding themselves.”

Unfortunately, the Melbourne-focused State Labor Government has failed to make a contribution towards either project.

“These two projects will enhance the learning opportunities for local children, and is further evidence of the Howard Government’s commitment to investing in our education system for the future.”

“It is only possible to invest in schools like this due to the responsible management of the economy, which allows the Howard Government to invest in important infrastructure projects to give our children the best possible learning experience.”

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Drought-related trauma funding

New Howard Government funding would help people in the North-East deal with drought-related trauma, Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.

“This funding will enable community support workers to be employed in North-East Victoria to provide crisis counselling, as well as outreach services for people who have been affected psychologically by the drought,” Mrs Mirabella said.

The Howard Government has committed $10.1 million over two years to provide counselling services for individuals affected by drought and training for workforce and community leaders to recognise and respond to the early warnings of emotional distress. Funding will also raise awareness of mental health issues and services in drought-affected areas.

Mrs Mirabella said the North East Victoria and Border Divisions of General Practice were within two of the 39 Divisions of General Practice in a rural and remote area that would receive funding under the Howard Government’s Mental Health Support for Drought Affected Communities initiative. This initiative was recently launched by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Brett Mason.

Mrs Mirabella paid tribute to the work of beyondblue which, along with the Australian General Practice Network, will work closely with the Howard Government to implement this initiative.

The Howard Government recently announced that $20.6 million would also be provided to employ 114 additional allied health and/or mental health nursing professionals to strengthen the mental health service network in drought-affected rural and remote areas. This is part of the $70 million, four-year Mental Health Services in Rural and Remote Communities initiative.

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Wang private hospital recognised for veteran health service

Wangaratta Private Hospital was recognised today for its contribution to veterans’ health by Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Mrs Mirabella said the partnership of Wangaratta Private Hospital with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has enhanced veterans health services in Wangaratta.

“In most situations, medical practitioners will no longer need DVA approval to admit veterans to these hospitals, simplifying hospital access and streamlining administration,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Wangaratta Private Hospital is one of four Tier One Veteran Partnering private hospitals in North-East Victoria, offering support and health services to local veterans.”

“The Tier One Veteran Partnering program was designed to deliver quality health care service to veterans, close to home and with minimal waiting periods, and covers 236 hospitals across the country.”

In 2006, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs allocated $3 billion in funding to expand veteran access to private hospital treatment.

“Since its inception, the Tier One Veteran Partnering initiative, as part of the Repatriation Private Patient Scheme (RPPS), has almost doubled the number of private hospitals to which veterans can be admitted without prior approval. This now includes most major private hospitals, all key rehabilitation facilities and most small rural and regional private hospitals across the country.”

“These new arrangements clearly demonstrate the Howard Government’s commitment to providing the best possible health care services to our veterans. I commend Wangaratta Private Hospital for their ongoing support to ex-servicemen and women.” Mrs Mirabella said.

All hospitals contracted by DVA to provide services to veterans are licensed, quality accredited and have agreed to provide preferential access to veterans, subject to clinical need.

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Workchoices fairness test not working - Zuvele Leschen

As the Workplace Authority’s own report reveals, the government’s ‘fairness test’ for Australian Workplace Agreements is not working.

It has been estimated that it will take 10 months for the Authority to check the agreements lodged with them so far. As 15% of agreements checked are shown to be unlawful, this means that over 7000 people will continue to work under illegal conditions for nearly a year.

Unless the Government puts more resources into checking agreements, this problem will escalate, with 30 000 agreements being lodged each month. On current figures, 2000 of these agreements will be unlawful – but again, the problems won’t be identified or fixed for nearly a year.

Once upon a time, the relevant union, on hearing that there was a breach of the award, would have fixed the problem within days – at no cost to the taxpayer.

The delays in investigating AWAs is bad enough, but it gets worse.

The case of the trolley collectors was raised in May. Workers in Albury and Wodonga were sacked overnight and replaced by others from Melbourne. A spokesman for the employer stated at the time that the new workers were cheaper. The Offiice of Workplace Services later revealed it was investigating claims that the original workers were underpaid.

So it would appear from this that both the past and present employees are being exploited, yet it appears that neither is any closer to having their problems resolved.

The ‘fairness test’ seems to fail some basic tests of fairness itself.
Regards
Zuvele Leschen

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New funding for prostate cancer therapy

“Australian men will have affordable access to Taxotere, a drug to help combat prostate cancer, following a Howard Government decision to fund the drug on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 November,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, announced today.

Taxotere is a chemotherapy agent for androgen independent (hormone refractory) prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for males, and the second highest cause of male cancer deaths annually. An estimated 18,700 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in 2006 and more than 2,900 died of prostate cancer in 2005.

“On current estimates, more than 120 men in the North-East will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The decision to fund Taxotere is welcome news for Australian men and their families dealing with this disease.”

“This is a landmark decision for the thousands of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer in Australia each year.”

“It means those men with advanced disease will no longer have to pay up to $18,000 for the only proven therapy to extend the duration of survival and improve quality of life.”

“The Howard Government is committed to providing affordable access to the best available medicines. The listing of Taxotere on the PBS reflects this commitment.”

“While the decision to list Taxotere on the PBS is good news for men with prostate cancer, we need to encourage men to take better care of their own health, particularly those in the at-risk categories of developing prostate cancer,” Mrs Mirabella said.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia advises men to talk to there doctor about their prostate health from age 50 onwards, or for men with a family history from age 40.

More information is available from the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia website http://www.prostate.org.au

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Local Government calls for Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund

The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Cr Paul Bell, has launched 'A 10-Point Plan to Reinvigorate Local Communities' and called on both major parties to commit to a $1 billion renewals fund.

"Councils around Australia face an infrastructure backlog of $14.5 billion and the establishment of a Local Community Infrastructure Renewals Fund would allow councils to meet local priorities and would allow other upgrading work to be brought forward," Cr Bell said.

"We are encouraged by statements made by the Federal Government and the Opposition but now is the time for a clear commitment by the major parties to establish a Roads to Recovery-style fund for community infrastructure. We call on both parties to commit to a 4-year $250 million per annum fund to support key facilities in our community."

Cr Bell said that local government had registered on-line over 1,000 examples of community infrastructure requiring urgent attention such as swimming pools, playground equipment, ovals, council-run meals on wheels kitchens, libraries without air-conditioning, senior citizen centres. Many of these facilities were built in the 1950s and 1960s and have reached their use-by date and require upgrading.

The 10-Point Plan fits into ALGA's key priorities of Fair Funding, Fair Treatment, Formal Recognition and Meeting Future Challenges, such as climate change and protecting our water resources.

Copies are available on the ALGA website: www.alga.asn.au

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Make North East Victoia child friendly - Sophie Mirabella

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, is today taking a leading role in promoting National Child Protection Week, which aims to increase both individual and community awareness and responsibility for the prevention of abuse and neglect of children.

“The week is being held from 2 to 8 September 2007 with the theme ‘make your street child-friendly’, inviting people to make their community child friendly. North-East Victoria is home to many friendly people, and this is a great opportunity to build on this,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) is funded by the Howard Government to deliver National Child Protection Week in 2007, as part of its overall strategy to increase the number of child-friendly communities and decrease the incidence of child abuse and neglect across Australia.

“Today, Tuesday, 4 September is White Balloon Day, a campaign by Bravehearts Incorporated to raise awareness of child sexual assault, send a message of support to those suffering in silence and encourage survivors to ‘break the silence’.

“Bravehearts is working closely with NAPCAN and has also been funded by the Howard Government to provide white balloons printed with “Break the Silence on Child Sexual Assault” and Ditto’s Keep Safe Adenture CDs, an education and prevention program.

“I congratulate the local volunteers who make this effort a reality. They deserve to be saluted for their efforts to overcome this challenge.”

“This week is about protecting the children of Australia, community by community, so we can provide them with a safe and friendly environment, free from harm.” Mrs Mirabella said.

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Dought Time to Think, Plan & Act - Bill Sykes

Primary producers and country business operators should be preparing for another tough 6-12 months as failing spring rains and low water allocations point towards an extremely gloomy short term future according to Nationals MP for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes who is also a farmer and Veterinarian is encouraging livestock producers to look very hard at their herds and flocks and to cull any stock which don’t have a long term value to the enterprise.
Dr Sykes said, “Livestock producers went through this process last year and unfortunately they need to do it again now, especially if there is inadequate rain to enable reasonable amounts of hay and silage to be made.

“Hay may be very difficult to access and very expensive and whilst grain may be more readily available, current indicators are that it will be very expensive due to strong world grain prices.

“On top of that, many people have had a ‘gutful’ of carting feed (& water) to stock at a cost of several hundred dollars per head of cattle and in excess of $20-$50 per head for sheep.

“Horticulturalists and other primary producers and country businesses need to undertake similar assessments of their situation, make plans and act.

Dr Sykes continued, “State Government has a responsibility to help people make and act on sound decisions and to retain their physical, emotional and financial wellbeing so that they can bounce back when the rains return.

“I continue to be disappointed with the low level of support provided by the State Government. There are several good programs in place but much more needs to be done.

“A standout example of need is funding for local councils to provide full time, long term drought response coordinators rather than the part time and/or short term arrangements which most councils in North East Victoria have currently.

“Another critical need is funding for outreach workers to connect people ‘at the end of their tether’ with professional support services. Locally Ivan Lister is doing an outstanding job but funding of his position is short term with ‘cash strapped’ Benalla Rural City Council needing to ‘kick in’ $15,000 recently to keep Mr Lister employed.

“Yet another need is off farm employment opportunities. The Catchment Management Authorities have operated off-farm employment programs doing very useful environmental works. Unfortunately these programs are being scaled back at a time when they should be scaling up.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I encourage all primary producers and country businesses to assess their position and to make plans according to a range of possibilities from no spring rain through to reasonable rainfalls. I also encourage people to utilise the support services which are available and which local government staff can help people access.

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NYR 2008 - Indi youth invited to apply - Sophie Mirabella

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, today called on young people from North-Eastern Victoria to apply for a place in the National Youth Roundtable 2008.

“The Roundtable is an ideal opportunity for young people, aged 15 to 24 years, in our community to meet with Government representatives and other youth to address issues important to them,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“It is important that we have a wide range of young people involved in the Roundtable and that is why I am encouraging youth with a range of experiences and from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous young people, to apply.”

“As a member of the Roundtable, participants will have a chance to meet and work with other motivated young people who are passionate about youth issues.”

“They will also develop skills in team work, problem solving, research, negotiation, interviewing, project management and leadership.”

“I call on local young people in Indi to get involved in the National Youth Roundtable 2008 and submit their applications by Thursday, 18 October 2007,” Mrs Mirabella said.

For more information or to download an application visit www.thesource.gov.au/involve/NYR

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Shooters generally support Firearms Amendment Bill 2007

There is general support by shooters for the Firearms Amendment Bill which will be debated in Parliament later this month.

According to Bill Sykes, Nationals Spokesperson for Police, shooters now feel that their voices are being heard via the Firearms Consultative Committee.

Dr Sykes said, “This is a pleasing change from bygone times when the Government imposed unreasonably strict and often impractical constrains on legal firearm owners without any consultation.

“New measures proposed in the Bill include:

• allowing hunters to carry (but not use) a firearm on Crown Land over which there is a licence, for the purpose of hunting without having to obtain consent to do so;
(This clarifies a grey area in previous legislation which had caused great concern to shooters and holders of grazing licences on Crown Land.)
• prohibition on increasing the magazine capacity of a firearm if that could cause the firearm to become a different category of firearm;
• allows firearm clubs to obtain collective permits for display or use at commemorative or historical events (only individuals can obtain such permits currently);
• clarifies information sharing requirements between the Chief Commissioner of Police, firearms clubs and individual firearm owners;
• a llows security businesses to posses, carry or use multiple handguns providing the Chief Commissioner of Police is satisfied of a genuine need.”

Dr Sykes continued, “There are still issues with delays by the Licensing Services Division (LSD) and the Nationals believe that a review of the LSD is required with emphasis on efficiency of processes and the level of resourcing.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I am interested to receive additional comments from firearm owners so that I can reflect their views and concerns when I speak on the Bill on behalf of The Nationals.”

Copies of the Bill and second reading speech can be obtained from www.legislation.vic.gov.au and comments forwarded to my office at 2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla 3672.

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Deadline nears for VEAC submissions - Bill Sykes

The deadline is nearing for submissions to a controversial River Red Gum Forests report that will significantly change the way country Victorians enjoy the natural environment, says Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

The Nationals MP reminded stakeholders they have just three weeks left to put their point of view on the Victorian Environment Assessment Council’s draft proposals, with submissions due by 21 September.

“VEAC’s draft report recommends the creation of an enormous area of national parks which will have wide-ranging and devastating consequences for country communities,” Dr Sykes said.

“In national parks, cattle grazing will be banned on public land, there will be massive cuts to the red gum timber industry, strict controls on recreational shooting, fishing and camping and control of public land will be handed to a majority Aboriginal Board of Management.

“There are also enormous implications for jobs, particularly in the timber industry.

“There is a lot of anxiety about what these proposals will mean. But the report is still in draft stage at the moment, so it’s important anyone affected by these draft proposals has their say about what they think the problems are and what they think can be done about it.”

Submissions can be sent to the Victorian Environment Assessment Council, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002.

Copies of the VEAC Draft Proposals Paper can be obtained from the Department of Sustainability and the Environment, by calling VEAC on 1800 134 803 or visiting www.veac.vic.gov.au

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Poverty on the increase in Indi - Zuvele Leschen

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show that families in Indi are slipping further into poverty.

In 2001, the median weekly family income for families in the electorate was $804. In 2006, this figure is $837 – a rise of only $33 over five years, less than $7 per year. This equates to income growth of less than 1% per year.

Inflation during the same period has risen by 14.5%.

“These figures put paid to the idea that the only reason that families in the area are struggling is that they’ve spent their money extravagantly, or taken on too much debt,” Zuvele Leschen, the ALP candidate for Indi, said.

“The increase in employment in the same period also shows it’s not just a matter of people getting a job, either. People have jobs, and their income simply isn’t keeping pace with inflation.”

Indi families are faring poorly compared with others in Australia, the ABS figures also show. In 2001, Indi ranked 116/150 in terms of median weekly family incomes; it has now fallen to 119/150.

“All of this means that the Prime Minister’s recent remarks – that people cannot possibly be in poverty, because more of them are employed – are very worrying for this electorate,” Zuvele Leschen said.

“The first step you must take to solve a problem is to admit it exists. If the Prime Minister is unable to admit that electorates like Indi are struggling, then the problems we face will not be solved.”

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