Local Government News

Larry Anthony
National News

More money for veterans

Veterans and war widows in the Alstonville and Wollongbar region will receive a pay rise from April 1 following recently announced rises in pension rates.

Following on from the recent rises in the aged pension, the maximum rate for veterans' service pensions will rise by $11.40 to $464.20 a fortnight with the maximum rate for couples increasing by $9.60 to $387.80 each a fortnight.

War widows and widowers will notice an $11.40 increase with fortnightly payments now $489.20. In addition war widows and widowers will see an increase in the ceiling rate of their income support supplement to $137.90 a fortnight.

The TPI pension will increase by $8.40 a fortnight to $771, the Intermediate rate will increase to $532.20 a fortnight and the Extreme Disablement Adjustment will jump to $438.45 a fortnight.

In the electorate of Richmond over 7000 residents received a disability pension, war widow pension, service pension or income support supplement from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

While it may seem only a small rises it will certainly make a big difference in the lives of our veterans.

When it comes to putting fuel in the car or paying an electricity, telephone or rates bill every little bit counts.

The increases, coupled with the recently announced $267 million response to the Clarke Review of veterans' entitlement, is further evidence of the strength of the Government's commitment to the local veteran community.

And while on veterans, new copies of the Veterans Affairs Guide is available by contacting my office on 1800 812 125.

Labor slug for small business

Labor plans to slug Australia's 1.1 million small businesses with a new tax for a 'National Portability of Long Service Leave' policy.

The new tax is in the ALP National Platform - "Labor will facilitate schemes that provide portability of leave entitlements between employers where those entitlements would otherwise be lost to the employee."

This means that long service leave entitlements will be able to be accrued with consecutive employers.

This impost is already being considered by the ACT Labor Government -

starting at 2.5% of payroll - a precursor to its national introduction. Somebody will have to pay for this - either small businesses and their customers via a payroll tax or by the taxpayer directly funding this Labor extravagance.

Labor forgets that Long Service Leave was a loyalty reward - recognising long service to one employer!

Ian Causley dinner

It was a pleasure to attend a special celebration in Grafton on Saturday to recognise my colleague Ian Causley's 20 years of political service.

Ian has been a wonderful advocate for the people of Page and I wish him many more years in Parliament fighting for his constituents.

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

Comment on free trade agreement

Interested residents have three weeks to lodge submissions to comment on the proposed Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States (AUSFTA).

Submissions will close on Tuesday, April 13, and will be followed by a series of public hearings at various locations around Australia, starting on Monday, April 19.

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will carry out an open and accountable inquiry into the AUSFTA and is expected to report back to Parliament by June 23.

The inquiry is an important stage in the democratic process because it allows people to have their say before the proposed AUSFTA legislation is debated in Parliament.

Before the Coalition Government established the Treaties Committee, which has six Labor members, the previous Labor Government was able to sneak through legally-binding international treaties. Missing was the required public scrutiny the Treaties Committee provides.

Labor's plans for a separate Senate Select Committee smacks of nothing more than wasteful duplication for the sake of political opportunism. It has been established with a set outcome in mind to try to give weight to their short-sighted opposition to the AUSFTA.

Submissions should be emailed to jsct@aph.gov.au or sent by post to The Secretary Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, R1-109 Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600.

The Committee would appreciate receiving submissions by email or on disc to assist with the electronic publishing of submissions. A full text of the Agreement can be found at www.dfat.gov.au. It is in draft form and subject to legal review for accuracy, clarity and consistency.

Register for MedicarePlus

For 20 years Medicare has been the bedrock of Australia's healthcare system and the Coalition's $2.85 billion MedicarePlus ensures its future.

For the first time there is now a safety net to support all Australians against high out-of-pocket medical costs for medical services provided outside hospital. The number and range of these services has increased over the past 20 years and includes GP and specialist consultations, blood tests, x-rays, radiotherapy and pap smears.

For concession cardholders and families who receive Family Tax Benefit (A), the Government will cover 80 per cent of the out-of-pocket costs for medical services outside hospital above $300 per individual or family a year. This will support 12 million Australians, including about four out of every five families with a child.

For all other individuals and families, the Government will cover 80 per cent of the out-of-pocket costs for medical services outside hospital above $700 per individual or family per year. This supports a further 8 million Australians.

The new safety net will benefit on average 450,000 individuals and families a year while all Australians will have the peace of mind that the safety net provides.

To make sure your family is registered for the new MedicarePlus safety net simply obtain a form from your Medicare office, call 1800 011 163 or visit www.health.gov.au.

A score of service

I would sincerely like to thank all the people who helped me celebrate 20 years in politics on Saturday.

It was interesting to take a look back over my time as a Parliamentary representative and to catch up with friends and former colleagues.

The evening provided me with the opportunity to not only see the positive outcomes I have helped achieve for the region, it also reinforced my determination to continue to fight for the people of the Northern Rivers and its industries.

For further information please contact my electorate office on 1300 301 735, or send me an email: ian.causley.mp@aph.gov.au.