Hinkler residents of all ages have shown Australians just what we’re capable of. Following a forum in Maryborough, Kepnock State High School student Mantshologane (Garnee) Maile was selected to represent the Wide Bay Burnett Region at the 20th National Schools’ Constitutional Forum in Canberra. Shalom College graduate Britteny Hunter was a winner in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s National Heywire Awards for her entry about homelessness and disadvantage. Knowing that we have such thoughtful young people living in our region, gives me great confi dence that our community’s future is in safe hands. Photos of both students can be found on Page 5.Two Hinkler schools have recently been named Reef Guardians by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. St Joseph’s Catholic School in Bundaberg received the Habitat Heroes Award for its ‘Cut the Glow’ campaign during the turtle nesting season at Mon Repos. Kepnock State High School received a ‘Ripples of Change’ grant to continue its project on water quality and farm fertilisers. Bundaberg North State School was announced as a joint winner of the 2014 Resilient Australia Awards for assisting students to overcome trauma associated with the 2013 fl oods.In March this year, seven local people

were awarded a Group Bravery Citation for selfl essly putting themselves in jeopardy, going well beyond their call of duty, to save the lives of three people in January 2013. The lengthy and diffi cult swift water rescue, carried out by members of the Bundaberg and Moore Park Surf Lifesaving Clubs and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, was nothing short of extraordinary. I’m delighted my nomination of Joanna Tolvanen, Reid Tucker, Martin Cole, John Davis, Julie Davis, Andrew Smith and Trevor Farraway was accepted by the Governor General. In Australia, there is no statute of limitations or expiry date on recognising those who have shown immense courage. Awards are an important part of showing our appreciation and refl ecting on how far we’ve come. Last month, Australian Defence Force (ADF) members who served with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) in Vietnam 50 years ago were awarded the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation. We are fortunate to have many of these retired ADF members living in the Hinkler region.If someone you know has achieved something great, I’d love to hear about it. You can email keith.pitt.mp@aph.gov.au.

The Hinkler community has always punched above its weight. We’re a relatively small region that has a history of achieving big things! In recent months, our latest accomplishments have been celebrated at events and ceremonies across the nation.

Budget News p6 - 7Pitt in Parliament p4 - 5

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From the desk of Keith Pitt MP

Bundaberg North State School Principal Veronica Geiger, Chaplain Selina Taggart & Guidance Offi cer Alan Bowmaker travelled to Canberra to receive their national award for resilience.

Keith congratulated fi refi ghters Trevor Farraway and Andrew Smith on receiving a group bravery citation.

| Hands off our pipeline! Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt thanked the Hinkler community for getting behind the ‘HANDS OFF our gas pipeline’ social media campaign.“Within its fi rst 24 hours, more than 450 people signed up to help put pressure on the State Labor Government to follow through with the State LNP’s gas pipeline project,” Keith said. In March, Keith wrote to each of the relevant State Ministers and the State Labor Member for Bundaberg, asking them to guarantee funding to extend the gas pipeline from Bundaberg to the Port. “I’m pleased Labor has seen sense and decided to honour the agreement that was put in place prior to the state election,” Keith said. “It’s great news for the Bundaberg community, jobs and the local economy.” Keith said businesses looking to invest in the Port, such as Knauf Plasterboard, would now fi nally have the certainty they’d been waiting for.

| JobactiveFederal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt and Assistant Minister for Employment Luke Hartsuyker recently visited Sarina Russo Job Access in Hervey Bay, where they met staff and job seekers.The pair also met with local businesses to hear fi rsthand what they expect from job applicants and training organisations. Sarina Russo is among the six organisations that have been selected to deliver improved employment services to job seekers and businesses in Bundaberg, Childers and Hervey Bay.

A new $5 billion employment services model, known as Jobactive, will replace Job Services Australia from July 1. “Under Labor, employment services were allowed to focus on process rather than results. The new jobactive model, service providers will now be paid for getting people into work and not just fi lling out paperwork.” The program includes a range of new fi nancial incentives for job seekers and businesses. Job seekers can also get assistance and advice to start up their own small businesses through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme.

| Strong focus on community wellbeingMinister for Health Sussan Ley travelled to Bundaberg to meet local GPs, after Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt voiced his concerns about the previously proposed $7 GP co-payment. “Ms Ley showed she’s listening by hitting the pause button on the proposed Medicare changes and agreeing to consult further,” Keith said. “Hinkler was the second stop on her listening tour and I’m pleased the Ministerial team has since taken the co-payment off the table.” Keith said the Government would be working to identify other ways to make Medicare sustainable for Australians in the long term. “The cost of Medicare has more than doubled from $8 billion in 2004 to $20 billion today, and is projected to climb to $34 billion by 2024. We currently only raise $10 billion through the Medicare levy.”Keith announced Bundaberg would be one of 15 locations nationally to receive a Headspace facility in the next two years, providing essential mental health services to young people aged between 12 and 25.“Each centre employs youth workers and mental health professionals who understand the issues facing young Australians,” he said. Keith said the Coalition had also recently established a National Ice Taskforce.“The highly dangerous drug, Ice is having a devastating impact on regional communities and our young people. This taskforce will ensure the fi ght against Ice is coordinated and effectively targeted.”

Keith inspected the site of the new manufacturing plant with representatives from Knauf, Gladstone Ports Corporation and Bundaberg Regional Council.

Engineers Australia will plant some 200 trees in the Pin Oak Forest in the National Arboretum to commemorate the achievements of Australian engineers, including those currently sitting in the Australian Parliament. The forest will include a Cochlear Implant-inspired installation, titled Freefall. Engineers Australia presented certifi cates to Parliament’s three professional engineers: West Australian Senator Zhenya Wang, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Science Karen Andrews, and Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt.

Friendly Society Private Hospital CEO Alan Cooper, Keith, Minister for Health Sussan Ley, and CCU Nurse Unit Manager Michelle Lohse inspect the coronary care and cardiac investigation units.

www.headspace.org.au

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| Fuel PricesFederal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt wrote to Minister for Small Business Bruce Billson on December 11 last year to express his concern that the ACCC was not meeting its obligation to protect consumers from unfair commercial practices at the petrol bowser. As a result, on December 17, Minister Billson issued a new direction to the ACCC under section 95ZE of the Competition and Consumer Act of 2010.“The ACCC will now conduct at least four investigations a year into specifi c geographic markets and produce monitoring reports on a quarterly basis,” Keith said. “With crude oil prices dropping by 40 per cent since June last year, the big fuel retailers were enjoying record profi ts of up to 30 cents per litre in some cases. “At the time, I urged Hinkler constituents to use social media to highlight examples of highway robbery, and shop at the smaller local independent retailers wherever possible. “Together, we were able to put pressure on retailers to do the right thing and reduce their prices!”

The Coalition Government has committed to establish a multi-agency taskforce to target unscrupulous labour hire contractors that exploit foreign workers. Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt welcomed the news, saying he’d been pushing for the taskforce since May last year. “I’ve had countless meetings and discussions with the relevant Ministers about this issue, and today’s announcement shows they share my concerns and are listening to their Backbench,” Keith Pitt said.“This is also a signifi cant win for The Nationals, who at Federal Council in August voted unanimously to seek a multi-jurisdictional taskforce.”Keith said allegations and complaints made to his offi ce ranged from the underpayment and sexual exploitation of workers to tax evasion, visa breaches, racial discrimination, intimidation of farmers and

overcrowding in private residential dwellings. “Queensland Nationals Senator Barry O’Sullivan and I hosted a stakeholder forum in Brisbane last year. The very clear message we received from that meeting was that new legislation and further inquiries are not the answer,” Keith said. “Stakeholders wanted real action. They said there needed to be greater enforcement of existing laws and greater cooperation between the many relevant agencies, across all three levels of Government.“The taskforce should focus on disrupting highly organised criminal networks, rather than simply carrying out surprise audits on law-abiding farms.”

| Multi-agency Taskforce

The National Party has been advocating for country-of-origin food labelling for two decades. On March 27 last year the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Agriculture and Industry agreed to undertake an inquiry. They released their report, “A Clearer Message for Consumers” in October. The recent frozen berry contamination scare has increased public awareness and support for something that the farming and fi shing industries have long been calling for. Widespread media coverage and public debate has brought the issue to a head, prompting the relevant Ministers to prepare an urgent submission for Cabinet consideration.I have written to Ministers to make it clear that Hinkler consumers, growers and manufacturers want easy-to-understand labelling that promotes brand-Australia.Any mandated labelling should include a symbol and set of words that distinguishes between products that are processed, manufactured and sourced either wholly or

partially from Australia.The information should be easy to locate on the packaging and list which countries the product has been sourced from.We are fortunate to have several major food manufacturing plants right here in the Hinkler electorate. They export to the world and together they employ hundreds of local people. Intent on cutting costs wherever possible, the major supermarkets chains favour products from overseas markets where labour is cheap, and biosecurity and health regulations are almost non-existent. The Government will take action on this issue to support our farmers and give consumers real choice, but Australians also need to get on board – shop local and always read the label!Hinkler residents can have their say at www.industry.gov.au/cool

SOURCE: The NewsMail and Fraser Coast Chronicle published Keith’s attendance record for Parliament House.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt announced $656,000 in 2015-16 to fi x fi ve dangerous blackspots on State and Local Government roads in the Hinkler electorate. “Black Spot funding targets dangerous roads to save lives and reduce road trauma, ensuring our local road network is safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians,” Keith said.In February, construction started on the $1 million upgrade of Old Toogoom Road that Keith promised during the 2013 Federal Election. Work is also due to start on River Heads Road this month. Construction has also started on the Coalition’s $7.1 million upgrade to a 2.2 kilometre stretch of the Bruce Highway, south of Torbanlea.

|$656,000 to fi x blackspots...

Keith attended the launch of Australia’s 10th bank. Auswide Bank, which started as the Burnett Permanent Building Society in 1966 and went on to become Wide Bay Australia, is committed to maintaining its head offi ce in Bundaberg. Auswide currently employs about 130 local people, and has been a springboard for many young people over the years. Congratulations to Managing Director Martin Barrett and all the team at Auswide Bank!

Keith encouraged Hinkler families to ride, walk, scoot or skate to school for National Ride2School Day, to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity for children. Keith met with Grade 7 students Tim Leis and Kyle Amos, who ride their bikes to Shalom College each day.

Hinkler residents attended a public forum at Hervey Bay Boat Club to discuss the impacts and causes of crime in the community with Federal Minister for Justice Michael Keenan, Keith and State Member for Hervey Bay Ted Sorensen (pictured with Bob Davis from Operation Hard Yakka).

Keith congratulated Hervey Bay Computers on being among the fi rst businesses in Australia to benefi t from the Coalition Government’s $476 million Industry Skills Fund (ISF). Surveyors at Work, from Hervey Bay, were also successful in obtaining an ISF grant to help upskill their staff and expand their business. Keith also announced $660,000 for the Bundaberg Business Enterprise Centre to assist small businesses in Bundaberg, the Fraser Coast and Gympie Council areas.

$200,000 Burnett Heads Rd and Mittleheusers Rd at Burnett Heads

$180,000 Burnett St and Targo St at Bundaberg South

$105,000 Elliott Heads Rd and Hummock Rd at Windermere

$78,000 Windermere Rd and Hummock Rd at Windermere

$93,000 Maggs Hill Rd from Main St to Doolong Sth Rd at Nikenbah

APPROVED PROJECTS

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Keith met students at St Joseph’s School at Childers, which will receive $325,000 from the Australian Government for a new administration area and work space for teachers. The school is contributing $500,000 to the project. Mr Pitt also announced the Government will contribute $500,000 towards a $2.86 million expansion of St Luke’s Anglican School in Bundaberg.

Keith visited the YMCA 60 and Better program in Bundaberg to inspect their Seniors’ Kiosk. Pictured with regular users Jan Jensen and Ann Duffy, Keith announced 14 Hinkler locations that will participate in the $1.3 million Broadband for Seniors’ Kiosks program.

Keith attended the offi cial opening of a new $1.8 million middle school building at St James Lutheran College in Hervey Bay, which was built with the help of a $470,000 grant from the Australian Government. Keith (pictured with Principal Shane Altmann) also announced the school will receive $250,000 to build three general learning areas in 2015.

Hervey Bay scuba diving and recreational fi shing enthusiast Syd Tanner showed Keith possible locations for a military dive wreck. Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Darren Chester visited Hervey Bay to speak to locals about their proposal. Regional Development Australia has since established a steering committee.

Keith was excited to meet the Diamonds, Australian Netball Team.

Keith met Kepnock State High School student Mantshologane (Garnee) Maile , who was chosen to represent the Wide Bay Burnett Region at the 20th National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC). More than 120 students came together for three days to discuss whether Australia needs a Bill of Rights.

Keith showed National Heywire Award winner, Shalom College graduate Britteny Hunter around Parliament House and introduced her to Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce. Britteny’s fl ooded home was among those that Keith, Mr Joyce and Prime Minister Tony Abbott (then Opposition Leader) helped clear during the 2013 natural disasters.

Keith tabled a petition in the Australian Parliament on behalf of Marg and Leigh Evans, after which a ruling by the Australian Tax Offi ce was overturned. (Pictured in the new Hinkler electorate offi ce with Pat Allison from Bundaberg Spinal Injuries Network.)

| Have-a-go! Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt has described the 2015 Federal Budget as a ‘have-a-go’ Budget that will help local families, farmers and small businesses.Keith said measures contained in the Coalition Government’s mid-term Budget would help deliver jobs, opportunity and economic growth in a way that is responsible, measured and fair.“It is the next step in the Coalition’s long-term economic plan to build a stronger, safer and more prosperous future for all Australians,” Keith said. “We all know there are economic challenges, yet, as a direct result of the Coalition’s strong fi nancial management, Australia’s economic and Budget position has improved. “Our economic plan is working.”

In the weeks after the Budget was released, Keith held “Pitt Stops” in Bundaberg (pictured), Howard, Burrum Heads, Hervey Bay, Bargara, Childers and Woodgate to hear locals’ views.

The lowest small business company tax rate in almost 50 years

Tax cuts of 1.5% for incorporated small businesses with annual turnover of less than $2 million

Small business can claim an immediate tax deduction for each and every item they purchase up to $20,000

5% tax discount, up to $1,000 a year for unincorporated small businesses, such as sole traders and partnerships

$1.2 billion in wage subsidies for businesses that employ young or mature age job seekers, or long-term welfare recipients

| Business Booming| More affordable Child Care

Authorised by Keith Pitt, Federal Member for Hinkler, 41b Woongarra Street Bundaberg Qld 4670. Printed by The Sticker Company, 16 Southern Cross Circuit, Hervey Bay QLD 4655

| Agriculture ■ All farmers will get an immediate tax

deduction for new investment in water facilities, and will be able to fully deduct the cost of new fencing from their tax bill

| Health ■ $1.6 billion to list new medicines and

vaccines on the Pharmaceutical Benefi ts Scheme, including the shingles vaccine for Australians aged between 70-79

| Infrastructure ■ $13.4 billion of the Coalition’s

record $50 billion Infrastructure Investment Programme will be spent in Queensland, including $1.6 billion in 2015-16

■ $6.7 billion for the Bruce Highway, with $500 million provided in 2015-16

■ Roads to Recovery funding will double in 2015-16 for both Bundaberg Regional Council ($2.8 million) and Fraser Coast Regional Council ($3.3 million), bringing the national program total to $700 million

■ $45 million nationally over two years for the Stronger Communities Program to fund small capital projects in local communities

HINKLER ELECTORATE OFFICE 41B WOONGARRA STREET BUNDABERG QLD 4670 PO BOX 535, BUNDABERG, QLD 4670

1300 130 238P: (07) 4152 0744 F: (07) 4153 1752E: keith.pitt.mp@aph.gov.au

|Keith’s Pitt Crew...

|The winner is....

Larine is an award-winning newswire agency reporter, who started her career at a local daily newspaper. Before moving back to Bundaberg with her husband, she was a senior advisor in the Offi ce of Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls. She has a black pug named Pearl and is a member of the Bundaberg Art Society.

Debbie has lived in Bundaberg for over 20 years, working in local government, health and her own communications consultancy. Volunteering for several community organisations, she enjoys making a difference to peoples’ lives. On weekends you’ll fi nd her relaxing at Woodgate or driving the tractor on the family farm.

Darlene has been serving Hinkler constituents for six years, including four years with former Federal MP Paul Neville. She brings a diverse skill set to the team, with 14 years experience in the local printing industry. She’s a speedway enthusiast, and is currently restoring a HT Monaro with her husband.

Anne is new to our team, having recently moved back to her home town after 14 years. Work-ing in the fi nance and education sectors, she developed a keen interest in public policy and politics. A former surf lifesaver, Anne is married with two children.

| Media & Policy Advisor

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| Electorate Offi cer

| Electorate Offi cer

In the September 2014 issue of Hinkler Headlines, Keith invited residents to complete his online Community Survey for their chance to win an Apple iPod nano. The draw was won by Lorna Perkis. Congratulations!

The Hinkler Electorate Offi ce relocated to new premises with disability access in February, to give constituents greater access to their Federal Member of Parliament. John Balding from the Bundaberg Older Men’s Network inspected the offi ce, which was fi tted out by local builder Jeff Lennox.

Keith had the honour of presenting Mrs Alma Ing with fl owers for her 100th birthday. She recited the following words from Adam Lindsay Gordon: “Life is mostly froth and bubble. Two things stand like stone, Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own”.

The Hinkler electorate offi ce has been successful in securing several disused army sheds for local community groups, including Bargara Men’s Shed (pictured). Stored at the Wallangarra Army base in South East Queensland, many of the sheds were used as food halls during the Vietnam War.

Keith visited Gladys and Ewart Watt to congratulate them on their 70th Wedding Anniversary.