Local Government News

Larry Anthony
National News

Free Trade Agreement

While the US Free Trade Agreement does not include more access to the lucrative, but highly protected, US market for sugar growers there is still positive news in the package for the people of Richmond.

The region will benefit from the fact that an immediate zero tariff will apply to mangoes, macadamia nuts and seafood and avocado growers will have access to the US market for the first time.

Those benefits will lead to more jobs and more investment in our region.

Alstonville bypass

The State Labor Government must mirror changes made to the Kays Lane intersection at the other two Alstonville Bypass intersections to ensure the safety of the travelling public.

After meeting with representatives of the Community Liaison Group last Friday it is obvious to me that additional on/off ramps at the intersections east of Alstonville and west of Wollongbar are required to ensure that drivers seeking to turn right and head to Lismore are not forced to cross on coming traffic travelling at 100 km/h and then merge with a line of traffic travelling from Ballina in a 100 km/h zone.

By altering the Kays Lane intersection the RTA is admitting to a safety concern which will still exist at the other two intersections.

I am confident that the changes can be incorporated without blowing out the cost of the bypass.

The bottom line is that many elderly residents will find it difficult to cross a lane of oncoming traffic and then exit a merging lane in to another line of traffic travelling at 100 km/h. This is a recipe for traffic accidents and perhaps even a loss of life.

It is important that the safest possible design, within budgetary constraints, is achieved.

Medicare

It is heartening that Labor has finally seen the light and agreed to back the Government's plan to pay an extra $5 for every bulk billed service a doctor provides to children under 16 and the seven million Australians with a Commonwealth Concession Card.

This payment is an important component of the Government's MedicarePlus package, which provides more than $2.4 billion to protect and strengthen Medicare into the future.

Labor must now go a step further and support the safety net legislation that will reimburse 80 per cent of the out-of-pocket costs for medical services provided outside hospital once a $500 per family threshold has been reached by concession card holders and a $1000 threshold for all other families.

Larry Anthony MP
Federal Member for Richmond
Minister for Children & Youth Affairs
PO Box 6996 Tweed Heads South 2486 ph: 07 5524 2466 fax: 07 5524 9366
www.larry.com.au Toll Free: 1800 812 125 larry.anthony.mp@aph.gov.au

Ian Causley
Canberra Connection

FTA - an offer we can't refuse

Although a United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA) without increased market access for sugar is a bitter pill for the industry to swallow, it will leave growers in a much stronger position to negotiate on government assistance to move the industry forward.

It is important to remember the FTA, as negotiated, does not leave our sugar industry any worse off. Australia's single-desk arrangements for marketing our commodities to the world, such as for sugar, rice, wheat and barley, are not affected.

The deal isn't perfect, but it is better than the alternative - no deal. The US economy is 18 times the size of Australia's. Australia needs access to US markets far more than the US needs access to Australia's.

In the Northern Rivers there are other rural industries - fishing, fruit-growing, timber, beef and dairying - and the Government has a responsibility to these industries too, so we must support this FTA and the benefits it will bring.

The deal will be worth between $130 million and $160 million to farmers in its first year and more than $500 million annually within 15 years.

Improved access to US markets should result in a $60 million increase in dairy trade by 2005, with a five per cent rise each year thereafter. Beef producers are set to gain $22 million in the first year, rising to $80 million by year two or three.

Under the deal, the quota of dairy products exporters can supply to the US each year has been trebled, and tariffs previously applied to that quota have been removed.

Existing bans on products such as whole milk powder, milk, cream, ice cream and some butterfat products will also be lifted.

Importantly, critical elements of Australian public policy have not been compromised. The systems we have in place to ensure that our health and our environment are protected, such as our quarantine regime, are not affected.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), in particular the price and listing arrangements which ensure Australians access to quality, affordable medicines, remains intact.

Our right to ensure local content in Australian broadcasting and audiovisual services, including in new media formats, is retained.

Volunteer grants

Community organisations in the Northern Rivers should apply for funding under the new round of the Australian Government's highly successful Volunteer Small Equipment Grants.

The Grants program provides up to $5000 to volunteering groups and goes a long way to make their valuable work easier, safer and more enjoyable.

Last year's funding round provided more than $67,000 to 26 community organisations in the Northern Rivers.

This year's grants will focus on organisations which provide family support and strengthen local communities. This round will also give the many worthy organisations which missed out last year another chance at receiving funding.

Applications close on Friday, March 5. Guidelines and applications are available from my electorate office by phoning 1300 301 735.