Local Government News

Larry Anthony
National News

Medicare safety net

I am a big supporter of the new safety net that the Australian Government has added to Medicare because it will support all Northern Rivers families. For the first time ever all local families will be protected against high out-of-pocket medical costs for medical services provided outside hospital.

The safety net covers services such as GP and specialist consultations, blood tests, x-rays, radiotherapy and pap smears.

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

For all other families and individuals, the Australian Government will cover 80 percent of the out-of-pocket costs for medical services outside hospital above $700 per individual or family per year.

The safety net provides peace of mind and is already in action with costs incurred from the start of this year counted towards the safety net.

It concerns me greatly that Labor Party policy will scrap the new safety net in order to fund other programmes. This Labor policy would drastically hit the hip pocket of local families.

Volunteer grants up for grabs

The Volunteer Small Equipment Grants I manage as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs have been a huge success in the Northern Rivers with numerous local volunteer groups benefiting from funding.

Due to this overwhelming success I have announced a new round of grants for the program.

The Volunteer Small Equipment Grants scheme provides up to $5,000 to volunteering groups and goes a long way to make their valuable work easier, safer and more enjoyable.

I urge local groups to apply for this funding along with those groups that missed out in previous rounds. Applying is now simpler with an application form that can be completed and submitted online.

To register interest in the Volunteer Small Equipment Grants 2004, phone the toll free hotline on 1800 050 199 or visit the website at www.facs.gov.au/volunteergrants. Applications close on Friday, June 18.

Have your say on the XPT closure

I encourage readers of the Northern Rivers Echo to have their say on the NSW Labor Government's decision to scrap the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line. This Friday, June 4, 2004, at 5pm is the deadline for written submissions into the NSW Parliamentary inquiry into the closure. This is an opportunity for you to write a letter about how you feel over the decision to cut the Countrylink XPT, what you think the social and economic ramifications will be of the decision and what your vision for rail is on the Northern Rivers.

People can fax a letter to the inquiry on (02) 9230 3416 or email gpscno4@parliament.nsw.gov.au.

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

Nationals MP Ian Causley is the bearer of good news to Ellangowan Public Hall Reserve Trust members Stan Attenborough, Joan Red and Ken Baglin. The Trust received $3181 from the Government's Volunteer Small Equipment Grants scheme.

Funding for crime prevention initiatives

I urge community groups to quickly apply for grants to fund community safety and crime prevention projects as part of the Coalition Government's $20 million National Community Crime Prevention Program (NCCPP).

The key element of the NCCPP is a national community grants program which will provide the additional resources community groups need to develop their own crime prevention projects.

Growing evidence shows that locally organised crime prevention initiatives can be very effective in reducing and preventing crime and the fear of crime.

Well-planned crime prevention strategies not only prevent crime and victimisation, but also contribute to the social and economic well-being of communities.

Neighbourhoods that are active and have strong community participation and connections are safe communities. Improving safety in streets and neighbourhoods targets the places where people go about their daily lives.

To be eligible for funding, organisations must be not-for-profit, incorporated and community-based or local government associations or agencies.

There are three funding streams: the Community Safety Stream - grants of up to $150,000; the Indigenous Community Safety Stream - grants of up to $150,000; and the Community Partnership Stream, which will offer a contribution of up to $500,000 to support promising and innovative collaborative community safety and crime prevention demonstration projects in high-need areas.

Application forms and detailed information about the NCCPP are available from my electorate office on 1300 301 735. Early submission of applications is encouraged. A first round of successful applications is expected to be announced after July 1.

More money for volunteer groups

Northern Rivers organisations who missed out on funding from the last round of the Coalition Government's Volunteer Small Equipment Grants have another chance at getting some money to buy much-needed equipment.

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

This latest allocation builds on the most recent round, which delivered more than $85,000 to 45 community organisations across the Northern Rivers, like the Ellangowan Public Hall Reserve Trust.

The Trust received $3181 for three work benches, which will help make the valuable work done by dedicated volunteers easier, safer and more enjoyable.

To register interest in the Volunteer Small Equipment Grants 2004, contact my office on 1300 301 735. Applications close on Friday, June 18.

Study boosts uni scholarship plan

A report just released underlines the importance of the Coalition Government's decision to spend more than $327 million over five years providing university living scholarships, particularly for low-income rural students.

The report, Factors Impacting on Student Aspirations and Expectations in Regional Australia, which explores the views of Year 10 to 12 students, parents and teachers from 15 places in regional Australia, shows that living and accommodation costs challenge many of the around 10,000 students from rural and isolated areas who move away from home each year to attend tertiary education centres.

The study also showed some students did not understand that HECS is not a cost on students during study, but an interest-free loan repayable through the tax system when the beneficiary is earning more than $36,000 a year - or that the only compulsory up-front uni fees students face are student union fees of up to $600 a year. Read the full report at www.dest.gov.au/highered/eippubs.htm.

Bill to cut bankrupt high life

Draft legislation designed to stop high-income earners using bankruptcy to avoid debts they can afford to pay has been referred to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs by Attorney General Philip Ruddock. One provision of the draft legislation would give the bankruptcy trustee enhanced power to apply to set aside property transfers. The exposure draft Bill is available at www.ag.gov.au.

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