Local veterans recognised

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, has announced that the service of local veterans in wars, conflict and peace operations since the Second World War can be recognised with Certificates of Appreciation.

Mrs Mirabella has called on local residents who may be eligible for a Certificate of Appreciation to contact her office.

Certificates of Appreciation are available to those who served overseas in wars, conflicts and peace operations during the Second World War, the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Japan), Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation, Vietnam War, Gulf War and Peace Operations. They are also available to civilians and those who served in the defence forces or on the home front during the Second World War.

“We are all very proud of the fine history of service displayed by local veterans in the north-east,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“These certificates provide a small but important recognition of the valiant efforts of the many Australian veterans who served our nation.”

“Australia has always kept faith with the sacrifices of those who have served their nation in war and conflict. Indeed, there are memorials right across the North-East that clearly acknowledge our citizens’ contribution and what they have lost in war,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“For my part, I believe that one of our most important obligations as Australians is to make sure the deeds of our servicemen and women in wartime are remembered and commemorated by generations of Australians.”

“I urge anyone who thinks they may be available for a Certificate of Appreciation to contact my office on 1300 131 791 for an application form,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.

Mirabella condemns COAG water agreement

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, has condemned the outcome of the talks on the Murray Darling Basin at today’s Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) meeting held in Adelaide.

“Today’s announcement means that the Rudd Labor Government will give financial support of $1 billion to Stage 2 of the Brumby Government’s Food Bowl Modernisation Project – something they explicitly said they would not do,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The outcome of today’s talks means that the Rudd Labor Government is complicit in the actions of the Brumby Labor Government’s sinister plot to pipe water from the Goulburn system to Melbourne.”

“This is about patching up poor planning for urban water supplies and displays the utter disregard for the urban water supply of rural towns and the long-term sustainability of agriculture in north-east Victoria,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Why not invest in the upgrade of irrigation infrastructure without the agricultural and social blackmail of diverting our water to Melbourne as the necessary precondition?”

“Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this is the betrayal of our region from Environment Minister Peter Garrett. When he was asked about this matter in Parliament last month he said:

“The member sought a guarantee that no funds from the National Water Initiative would be diverted to a pipeline taking water from the Murray-Darling Basin to Melbourne. The Sugarloaf pipeline is fully funded by the Victorian government and, as such, the Commonwealth will not be contributing funds for the project.”

“Mr Brumby claimed that this will go down in history as an historic day. I am sure I am not the only one who disagrees with his lofty rhetoric. Mr Brumby and Mr Rudd have collaborated to sell our interests down the river,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“To put it simply, there is just not enough water in the Murray Darling Basin to meet our current needs – let alone factoring in Melbourne’s needs as well. This is a sneaky political fix to claw Mr Brumby out of the ridiculous political position in which he found himself.”

“Now Rudd Labor has joined Brumby Labor in the plot to rob our region’s water. They stand condemned,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.

Charity 'Pollie Peddle' coming to Indi

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, has urged residents of the north-east to show their support for the 2008 Pollie Pedal as it comes through the region next week.

Pollie Pedal 2008 will raise money for prostate cancer research at Westmead Hospital. About 15,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Pollie Pedal aims to boost funds to leading researchers studying the causes and treatments of this disease. This year, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs, the Hon. Tony Abbott, will lead the charge of Pollie Pedallers, along with a number of other state and federal politicians from both sides of the political fence.

“The north-east is well known as a centre for cycling, so it is appropriate that the Pollie Pedal will once again come through our region to support a good cause,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“I am hosting three community events – in Benalla, Wangaratta and Rutherglen – to show our region’s support for this event. All events are open to the public and I urge residents of the north-east to come out in force and make a donation to support this worthy cause.”

I have enclosed the route of this year’s Pollie Pedal. The details of the public receptions for the Pollie Pedal riders in Indi are as follows:

Tuesday 1 April 2008
6.00pm – Reception in Benalla, Café Raffety, 55 Nunn Street Benalla.

Wednesday 2 April 2008
9.30am – Public Reception and Morning Tea in Wangaratta, APEX Park.
5.00pm – Public Reception and drinks function, Rutherglen Wine Experience, Main Street, Rutherglen.

Indi residents lose out on Broadband & future technology

Sophie Mirabella MP, the Federal Member for Indi, today spoke on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Communications Fund) Bill 2008 in the House of Representatives.

Mrs Mirabella opposed Labor’s Bill, which – according to the Bills Digest of the Parliamentary Library “removes the requirement that was inserted by the 2007 Act that required the Minister to take reasonable steps to keep the balance of the Communications Fund above $2 billion.”

In essence, Labor can play politics with the Communications Fund and use it for its own political purposes.

“Labor’s plan cannot and will not deliver broadband to many residents in Indi. Labor either doesn’t understand telecommunications technology or they simply don’t care,” Mrs Mirabella said.

In her speech, Mrs Mirabella noted “I believe this bill represents a sneaky raid on important future-proofing measures that were implemented by the former coalition government and that readily protected the interests of consumers in rural and regional Australia. Labor has now turned its back on these consumers so that it can raid the fund to pay for its half-baked policy.”

Mrs Mirabella’s speech follows.

I rise to speak on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Communications Fund) Bill 2008.

By way of background, it is important to note the significant record of assistance given by the former Coalition Government in upgrading telecommunications infrastructure over the past decade.

The crowning glory of these achievements was the $2 billion Communications Fund created by the former government which is under threat by this Bill. We know the Labor Party never liked this fund.

They wanted to raid it – just like they want to raid the Future Fund – to suit their own political motives. The former Government, of course, reinforced the integrity of the Communications Fund by passing the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Protecting Services for Rural and Regional Australian into the Future) Bill 2007 which augmented the effectiveness of this fund through making it a perpetual fund and requiring it to maintain a minimum principal of $2 billion. Sadly, as my colleagues have noted, the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Communications Fund) Bill 2008 – among other things – essentially reverses this important mechanism.

This is yet another example of what we can expect under Labor. They are going to raid the Coalition’s Communications Fund for their own purposes – leaving many thousands of consumers and telecommunications users in the lurch.

It is clear that the Communications Fund is of critical importance to some of the potentially more disadvantaged consumers – namely those in rural and regional areas.

Here we have another prime example of Labor’s disdain for the bush. It is nothing new to people in my electorate – they are used to Labor Party saying one thing and doing another.

But the very legislation we debate today removes an inherent and ingrained aspect of the former government’s legislation that proudly protects the people rural and regional Australian – who rely so heavily on telecommunications and access to quality services.

All throughout the recent election campaign, the Coalition challenged the Labor Party to provide the costings, coverage maps and technical information about their broadband proposal for the full scrutiny of the Australian public.

It became quite clear that the Labor Party did not have a genuine broadband strategy for Australians beyond the major capital cities. Their plan continues to be light on detail with no technical backing.

The Labor Party’s city-focused plan is to build fibre to the node services that will cost taxpayers around five times more - yet deliver speeds that are no faster than ADSL2 or WiMax. It will not provide for fibre to every isolated farmhouse unlike the satellite subsidy that was the Coalition Government’s policy.

Over the last few years, Labor has failed to keep up with the Government in having a policy to bring telecommunications to rural areas. Does anyone genuinely believe that Labor will now install new fibre to every isolated farmhouse node? Of course not - which is why a wireless service is much more practical and affordable for rural internet users.

My Labor opponent in the Indi electorate at the recent election blundered badly when she said “Labor’s broadband plan is to connect all exchanges to broadband, so if you’re connected to a telephone exchange, you’ll have access.”

This confession that fibre will only be laid to the exchange was a major blow for the Labor Party’s rural broadband credentials. It means that the so-called “last mile” between telephone exchanges and residences will not be upgraded.
This is where the bottle necks currently exist – between the exchanges and the users. This is exactly what the Coalitions Government’s clear plan addresses using innovative wireless technology.

Further, the technology advocated by the Labor Party is only accessible by users who are within four kilometres of an exchange. This means that anyone who is currently unable to access broadband services will remain unable to access broadband services under Labor’s plan – which some wits described quite cleverly as ‘fraudband’.

Clearly, this Labor candidate didn’t realise that the current hurdle to high-speed broadband services is the copper cabling from a telephone exchange to a residence. This is due to the physical properties of copper cabling, not due to any Government or telecommunications company policy.

It is simply not physically possible to send data at broadband speeds down copper cabling more than about four kilometres long. This left a big hole in Labor’s claim that their broadband service will serve people in rural areas of North-East Victoria.

I believe this Bill represents a sneaky raid on important ‘future proofing’ measures that were implemented by the Coalition Government and which readily protected the interests of consumers in rural and regional Australia. Labor has now turned its back on these consumers, so it can raid the fund to pay for its half-baked policy.

The Communications Minister was said to be grumpy with his Department recently when wanting to implement Labor’s so-called broadband plans.
He’ll have to do better than that if he wants Australians to believe his utopian promise that they are somehow going to be better off as a result of Labor’s plot to raid the Communications Fund.

I hold grave reservations for the future state of telecommunications facilities and standards in rural and regional areas as a result of the measures contained in this Bill.

Trucking and Bus Industry taxes rise

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, has voted against a federal, state and territory government agreement to raise taxes on the trucking and bus industry, to increase charges on registration and fuel. The vote took place today in the House of Representatives following debate on the Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill 2008.

“This tax slug on the truck and bus industries will mean an extra 1.37 cents on the cost of fuel and an increase in registration charges for 69% of the country’s heavy vehicles,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“We have a very strong trucking and bus industry throughout the Border and north-east. Local transport operators will feel the impact of Labor’s price rises on their everyday operations, which in turn will be a burden imposed on local consumers through higher prices for food and groceries.”

“When in government, I chaired the Government Backbench Committee on Transport, Regional Services and Local Government and we forcefully opposed any increases in the taxes on the trucking and bus industry. Back in 2006, my committee colleagues, including the Minister for Transport at the time, Warren Truss, took the view that the proposed National Transport Commission charges would have resulted in an unjustified level of over-recovery from the heavy vehicle industry,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“For some years now, it has been the position of the Coalition to hold off further price rises in heavy vehicle registration charges. In fact, this tax rise that was endorsed by Labor federal, state and territory governments was almost identical to the one that was blocked by the Coalition Government in 2006.”

“This industry, which makes a significant contribution to the Australian economy, is already under pressure from higher fuel prices. I have long argued that our transport industries had endured enough through these times of high petrol prices and ongoing fuel demand,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“This large increase in road user charges in the current climate will make things very difficult for the industry. Labor claimed they would put downward pressure on grocery prices, yet just after its first 100 days in government, it has delivered an increase in costs for consumers.”

“The Labor Party has not yet explained what impact these price rises will have on ‘working families’ in the north-east. Already, local families are feeling the pinch at the supermarket check-out. Labor’s decision to raise the cost of transport will have certain flow-on effects in inflating the cost of groceries,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.

ALGA urges Government to 'reconsider' cuts to environment program

ALGA President Cr Paul Bell will fly to Canberra today to make urgent representations to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, about the Government's decision to slash funding to the Local Government Natural Resource Management Facilitator Network.

Under the decision announced on Friday in a joint media release by the Ministers, funding for the Network has been discontinued as part of the Federal Government's new arrangements for natural resource management - the 'Caring for our Country' program.

Cr Bell said the decision was shortsighted and made without adequate consultation with the Australian Local Government Association and its members.

"Local Government is the closest sphere of government to the community," he said. "It plays a key role in environmental and natural resource management throughout Australia. This role is particularly critical now, given the challenges we all face in terms of climate change and management of our precious water resources."

"I call on the Rudd Government to reconsider its decision."

"Today I will personally deliver letters to Ministers Garrett and Burke urging them to reinstate Federal Government funding of the Local Government Natural Resource Management Facilitator Network."

Cr Bell said the Network had been operating effectively for almost five years and, through its strong leadership and focus on locally-based programs, played a major role in the remediation and stewardship of the environment.

"The message has always been to 'think globally, act locally' and I am concerned that in this case, we are overlooking the extraordinary achievements of Australian communities in conserving our environment, and the work that still needs to be done."

Cr Bell said the Network has made substantial contributions to local and regional natural resource management throughout the country.

Sykes: Victalent grants for sports clubs

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, reminds sporting and recreational clubs in the Benalla Electorate that the popular Victalent Grants are once again available.

Victalent encourages and supports developing athletes, coaches, officials and teams who travel extensively to train and compete in rural and regional Victoria.

“The grants are particularly helpful to country clubs and individuals”, explains Bill Sykes, “because of the distances between venues and the high cost of fuel.”

Applications for phase two of funding for travel between 1 July 2008 – 31 December 2008 are to be submitted by 11 April 2008.

Grants of up to $500 are available. Guidelines and application forms can be found at www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au.

Applications can be submitted in a number of ways:

Preferred method: online at www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au

By email to: grantsapplications@dpcd.vic.gov.au

By fax to: 03 9208 3680

By mail to: Grants Unit, Department of Planning and Community Development, GPO Box 2392, Melbourne Vic 3001

Information about the program can be obtained by contacting the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 between 8.30 am and 10 pm or contact Peta Clark at Bill Sykes’
office ph 5762 2100.

Funding to encourage a healthy lifestyle

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes encourages community groups in partnership with secondary schools or councils to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to promote healthy lifestyle choices and a positive body image in young people.

Dr Sykes said the ‘Go for your life’ Positive Body Image Grants aims to build self esteem and confidence and are available for groups who work with young people, especially those aged between 12-25 years.

“Research has shown that young people who get positive messages about their health and appearance are less likely to become depressed about their looks or develop eating disorders”, he said.

Dr Sykes said that suitable projects could include skill development for young people such as leadership, informal support and mentoring, peer group support, innovative activities conducted either in school or out of school that stimulate young people and practical programs that encourage healthy eating and physical activity.

Applications for Positive Body Image Grants 2008 must be submitted online at www.grants.dpcd.gov.au by Friday 18 April 2008. Guidelines are available from Peta Clark, Grant Researcher at Bill Sykes’ office telephone 5762 2100.

For further information applicants are encouraged to contact the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356.

Indi's carers may be left in cold

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, has called on the Rudd Labor Government to support carers and continue the previous Government’s carer bonuses for residents in the north-east.

Reports today have suggested that the Rudd Labor Government will axe these bonuses to our carers.

“I have said in the past that carers are our society’s ‘unsung heroes’ and they deserve this extra recognition. In recent months, constituents have stopped me in the street to ask if the bonus payments to carers will continue,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Sadly, it seems that the Labor Party has thrown compassion out the back door and if press reports are correct, carers will not receive this payment under the Rudd Labor Government.”

“Any decision to deny carers this well-deserved payment represents a callous assault on some of the most hard-working and vulnerable members of our society,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Society owes a great debt of gratitude to our carers, and the 2,696 recipients of Carer Allowance and the 669 recipients of Carer Payment in Indi who will receive this bonus clearly deserve this important extra recognition.”

The previous Coalition Government provided the carer’s bonus to recipients of Carer’s Payment and Carer’s Allowance over the last four years.

The payment was made to our carers who receive Carer Payment and Carer Allowance and offered them $1000 and $600 respectively,” Mrs Mirabella said.

These bonus payments to carers did not effect their entitlements nor is the bonus payment taxed.

“I call on the Rudd Labor Government to support our carers and continue the previous Government’s commitment to these carer bonus payments,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.

Rural Community Funding

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has urged not-for-profit organisations throughout the Benalla Electorate to apply for funding through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal “Seeds of Renewal” grants program.

Dr Sykes said the “Seeds for Renewal” program, sponsored by the ANZ Bank, targets rural communities with a population less than 15,000 people. Applications will be accepted from not-for-profit organisations with an ABN.

Preference will be given to applications which address the criteria of creating community wellbeing, supporting volunteer initiatives at a local community level and bringing diversity to the community’s economy.

Dr Sykes said it is important to note that priority will be given to applications within drought affected communities in an EC (Exceptional Circumstances) declared region who propose projects that aid the renewal and sustainability of their communities.

“This has been a valuable program and a number of community organisations in the Benalla Electorate were successful in the last round of grants,” Dr Sykes said. “Successful applicants included Alpine Valleys Community Program, Euroa Historical & Genealogical Society Inc, Mansfield Agricultural Land Trust Farm and Waminda Community House in Benalla.”

Dr Sykes said he was constantly asked about government funding for rural communities during his visits around the electorate.

“Small communities often do not have the resources which they require so I am very aware and supportive of the need to secure funding from other sources.”

As part of the 2008 grants program $450,000 has been made available for projects within rural Victoria. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to not-for-profit organisations with an ABN.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I encourage groups within the electorate to develop a good submission by carefully studying the selection criteria”.

Application forms and guidelines can be obtained from www.frrr.org.au and must be submitted by post to PO Box 41, Bendigo, 3550 before 5pm Wednesday 14 May 2008. FRRR also have an info number 1800 170 020.

Further information and copies of a “Funding Guide for the Benalla Electorate” can also be obtained by phoning grants researcher, Peta Clark at Bill Sykes’ office on 5762 2100.

Mirabellla slams bureaucrats drought aid plan

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, has lashed out at the Executive Director of the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) who has suggested that drought assistance to struggling farm families be cut.

“Phillip Glyde’s brutal assessment of drought assistance is a slap in the face to many farming families in the north-east who are battling through the drought,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“At a time like this, farmers need a government which understands their needs, not one which will take away their livelihoods.”

“I will continue to represent our farmers and fight against any efforts to threaten EC assistance,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“I have written to the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Tony Burke MP, to express my alarm at Mr Glyde’s comments and seek his undertaking that EC drought assistance will continue for north-east farmers.”

“Sadly, we are enduring one of the longest droughts in Australia’s history. There are some signs emerging that things are beginning to improve. I would have thought that as farmers begin to come out of these tough times, they need all the support and assistance they can get – not have bureaucrats in Canberra telling them they should have their assistance cut,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“North-East farmers are amongst the most efficient in the world, despite the twin challenges of a crippling drought and a strong Australian dollar.”

“The previous Coalition Government delivered record levels of investment in Australian agriculture and drought assistance,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“More than half the agricultural land in Australia is Exceptional Circumstances (EC) drought-declared, and water storage levels in south-eastern Australia are at record lows. Last financial year, almost 1,500 local farms received EC Relief Payments, over $32million since the start of EC conditions.”

“Instead of taking potshots at farmers who are doing it tough on the land at a time of drought, Mr Glyde should be concentrating his efforts on getting farmers through this period and ensuring we have a viable and thriving agricultural sector in the years to come,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.

Sykes: Multicultural Festival and Events Grants

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has urged not-for-profit organisations and local councils to apply for funding through the 2008-09 round one of the Multicultural Festivals and Events grants.

Dr Sykes said the program is administered through the Victorian Multicultural Commission and there is a pool of $400,000 being made available to 400 groups.

Preference will be given to applications which support major festivals, conferences and special ethnic community events. Festivals and events must be held between July 2008 and January 2009.

“This has been a valuable program in the past with local councils being successful with applications for street festivals, theatre performance, an annual dinner dance, community luncheons, conferences and forums,” Dr Sykes said.

Dr Sykes said he was constantly asked about government funding for rural communities during his visits around the electorate.

“I encourage groups and local councils within the electorate to develop a good submission by carefully studying the selection criteria,” he said.

Applications must be received by Friday 11 April 2008 and mailed to The Victorian Multicultural Commission, GPO Box 2392, Melbourne VIC 3001. Application forms and guidelines can be obtained from www.multicultural.vic.gov.au in word format. Completed applications can be sent to info@vmc.vic.gov.au or for further information call Information Victoria 1300 366 356 or the Festival and Events program coordinator Mr Marcus Schutenko on 03 9208 3181.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Grants Researcher, Peta Clark at Bill Sykes’ office on 5762 2100.