Local Government News

Justine Elliot
National News

Fighting for you in Parliament

New Richmond MP Justine Elliot delivers her maiden speech in the Federal Parliament.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Richmond for giving me the honour of representing them in Federal Parliament. As your Federal MP, my door is always open for you to raise any concerns or issues you might have. I will be conducting regular street meetings and appointment days throughout the electorate, so please do not hesitate to contact my office at any time if I can be of assistance on 1300 720 675.

I recently gave my first speech to the Federal Parliament. It was very exciting to make my first speech as your Federal representative. It allowed me to raise a number of issues that I will be holding the Federal Government accountable on, including the protection of our environment and funding of local projects. I also raised the issue of overdevelopment.

Coastal communities are battling every day to protect their beaches from the shadows of high rises and inappropriate development. I will be doing everything I can to make sure that any development is appropriate and that the environmental costs of any such project are taken into consideration.

The Federal Parliament recently passed laws providing an extra $1 billion to schools for capital works - $700 million for public schools and $300 million for Catholic and independent schools. I encourage all local schools to apply for these grants. Peak parent groups and principal organisations are currently involved in developing the guidelines and procedures for applying for funding.

The funding will be for smaller high priority projects like classroom improvements; library resources; computer facilities; air-conditioning and heating; outdoor shade structures; sporting fields and equipment; security measures; and amenity refurbishments. All needy local schools with projects that need extra help should apply for funding. I'm sure there isn't a single school in Richmond that wouldn't need a new classroom or upgraded sporting facilities. Our local kids deserve the best facilities available to learn and play in comfort. I'll certainly be fighting hard to make sure that Richmond gets its fair share of this new school funding. Please contact my office for more details.

Finally, I would like to wish you and your families a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year. Please take extra care when travelling and stay road safe this holiday season. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Phone: 1300 720 675
Fax: (07) 5523 4379
Email: Justine.Elliot.mp@aph.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 6996, South Tweed Heads, 2486.

Ian Causley
Canberra Connection

Historic trade deal

Australia's free trade agreement with the United States will come into force on New Year's Day. This is good for business and good for Australia because it will continue to ensure the strong growth of the national economy.

A free trade agreement just means getting rid of artificial trade barriers such as tariffs, quotas and other restrictions, enabling both countries to expand their trade in goods and services.

Contrary to a lot of misinformation, some of it verging on hysteria, the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement will not be a free-for-all arrangement, where the larger country is able to impose its will on the smaller partner.

Ninety-seven per cent of our exports to the United States will be duty free from day one. The US federal procurement program, worth $200 billion a year, will for the first time be accessible to Australia.

The 25 per cent tariff on light commercial vehicles, our little Aussie utes, goes to zero from day one. On passenger vehicles and auto parts, it goes to zero from day one. The Jones Act, which imposes a 50 per cent tariff on ship repairs and maintenance, is being removed.

Sixty-six per cent of agricultural tariffs will go to zero from day one, including lamb and sheep meat, as well as many horticultural products like mangoes, mandarins, strawberries, tomatoes, cut flowers and fresh macadamias. For the first time, 4000 tonnes of avocadoes, with quarantine applying, will go into the US.

Dairy access increases immediately from day one and is actually trebled, with a five per cent growth factor per annum. Lismore's Norco has been granted a quota entitlement to export cheese to the US under the free trade agreement, as has Fast Freeze Australia, which has a specialised frozen cream and frozen cream cheese factory in Casino. Fast Freeze will also be exporting cream under the agreement.

Twenty two million dollars worth of tariffs are immediately removed from all existing beef exports. Our beef quota, which is currently 378,000 tonnes - and we have only hit that quota twice - will be increased by 18.5 per cent over the next 18 years. Effectively, after that period, the quota will go to zero.

A free trade agreement with the United States is about improving access for Australian manufacturers and other exporters to the huge American market - the largest and most dynamic in the world today.

It follows recent free trade agreements with Thailand and Singapore and the Government hopes to begin formal talks with the Chinese early next year.

Parliament rises

As the last parliamentary week of the year ended, the contrast between the Coalition Government and Labor couldn't be starker. As the Coalition continued to introduce legislation to deliver its election commitments to benefit all Australians, Labor remained paralysed by leadership instability and policy conflict.

Interest rates and inflation remain low as a result of the Coalition's responsible economic leadership and unemployment has fallen to 5.2 per cent - the lowest rate since the Monthly Labour Force Survey began in 1978.

Last week saw the passing of the Coalition's schools legislation, which delivers an extra $2.5 billion to help build, maintain and refurbish Australian schools over the next four years - an increase of 90 per cent over the previous four-year funding period.

This package also delivers on the Coalition's election commitment to provide $700 million in grants paid directly to State school communities, parent bodies and principals - providing more power and autonomy for school parent communities in determining the priorities for their schools.

The ongoing division within the ALP over leadership and policy direction is a further example of how Labor is not up to the job of running Australia's $800 billion economy. The Australian people are being badly served by Labor Members, who should be spending their energies working for the good of our country rather than constantly fighting amongst themselves.

Community funding

The Coalition Government supports local communities in many ways - including direct grants for local projects. Comprehensive details on funding available to local groups are available at www.grantslink.gov.au.

Merry Christmas to all

May I take this opportunity to wish all Northern Rivers Echo readers and their families a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. May the true meaning of Christmas bless your heart and your home.

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