Local Government News
 Ian
Causley
Canberra Connection
Increased payments to families
As part of the Coalition Government's commitment to families, payments for
Family Tax Benefit (FTB) and Child Care Benefit (CCB) will increase from the first
week of July.
The maximum fortnightly rate of FTB Part A will increase to $137.06 for a child
under 13 years, while the maximum rate for a child aged between 13 and 15 years
will increase to $173.74 a fortnight.
Low income families using approved child care will also benefit with the new
maximum rate of CCB assistance rising to $144 a week for a child in full-time
care.
As well, the annual Family Tax Benefit Supplement will increase to $627.80,
while other payments such as the Large Family Supplement and the Multiple Birth
Allowance will also rise.
The Coalition Government will remain committed to assisting parents with the
costs involved in raising children.
Parents support Drugs Campaign
It has been terrific to see the overwhelming and positive response from parents
to the Federal Government's television advertisements as part of the National
Drugs Campaign.
In the three weeks following the launch of the campaign there were more than
30,000 requests for the parent's booklet, 4000 calls to the information line and
more than 23,000 website visits.
There are many parents in our community who want information about illicit
drugs and how they can help their children stay away from them. Because of this,
I am particularly delighted that the campaign seems to be having such a positive
effect.
Research specifically undertaken for the campaign showed that although 99 per
cent of Australian parents feel responsible for informing their kids about drugs,
many parents actually find it a difficult subject to approach their teenagers
about.
However, the good news is that the study also revealed that more than 85 per
cent of teenagers are willing to talk to their parents about drugs - but that's
not all. Almost 80 per cent of teenagers said that their parents could influence
their decisions about drugs - that's a finding we, as parents, need to remember.
Information in the form of a booklet can be obtained through the website at
www.drugs.health.gov.au
or by calling 1800 250 015.
$25m to tackle youth smoking
Still on youth and health matters, I am also very pleased to announce that
the Coalition Government will be continuing its campaign to help reduce youth
smoking.
Cigarette smoking is the single largest preventable cause of premature death
and disease in Australia. Because of the seriousness of this matter, the Australian
Government will spend $25 million over four years in a new anti-smoking campaign
targeting young people.
The average age when Australians start smoking is just 16 - with many starting
younger. Research shows us that the earlier a person starts smoking, the more
likely he or she will become a regular, even lifelong, smoker. Studies also show
that teenagers can be strongly influenced by their parents' attitudes to smoking.
This campaign aims to strengthen the resilience of teenagers when dealing with
peer group pressure and reinforce the benefits of life without smoking.
Office contacts
Address: PO Box 1119, Lismore, NSW, 2480
Phone: 6621 9909
Fax: 6621 9959
Email: ian.causley.mp@aph.gov.au
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