Issue 3 October 2008

Sid Sidebottom MP ...for a fair go in BraddonThe Bottom Line

Issue 3 October 2008

( 1300 135 547 (toll free) 6431 1333 7: 6431 5680 :: [email protected]

Welcome to the October edition of The Bottom Line - the third newsletter from my office in 2008.

It’s been a very busy couple of months in our office with almost $4 million in funding and grants delivered directly to the North-West Coast.

Funding grants include:$1m towards the

upgrade of three sporting projects in Burnie

$4,050 towards local veteran groups

$2.14 million to Cradle Coast NRM

$180,000 to DairyTas

$71,250 to RJ & J Bishop (Irishtown logging contracting company)

$2.91m to NW roads under the Roads to Recovery Program.

$150,733 delivered in various grants to other NW schools

$195,000 in black spot road funding

$9,372 to Ability Tasmania Group

This is just the start of many funding announcements due for 2008.Kind regards,

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Sid’s View

INSIDE THIS EDITION... Page 3$1m to NW sport

Page 2Rego Relief

Page 4Interstate Ambo

Fee Warning

NW volunteer groups can now apply for funding to cover petrol costs under an extension to the Rudd Government’s Volunteer Grants Program for 2008.Petrol costs will be subsidised for eligible

Helping volunteers with petrol costsvolunteers who use their vehicle to support people in the community.For more information about the grants visit www.fahcsia.gov.au or call 1800 183 374. Applications close Oct 17.

Sid introduced Mr Rudd to the Port Sorell Surf Life Saving Club during his brief visit. The club will receive $200,000 toward a major expansion.

Mr Rudd was a big hit, especially with young club members, who had the chance to get a photo with the Prime Minister and Sid, and show him their beach.

The Surf Club expansion is one of nine projects worth almost $8.4 million to be funded by the Federal Government’s Better Regions program.

Sid said it was great to see Mr Rudd back in Braddon, especially on Hawley Beach.

PM visits NW CoastSid gave Prime Minister Kevin Rudd a first-hand look at what the Labor Government is doing in Braddon when he visited the region recently.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited the Port Sorell Surf Life Saving Club. Top: The PM looks over plans with club president Brendan Sullivan and Sid. Above: (l-r) Prime Minister Rudd, club member Dennis Monteiro, president Brendan Sullivan, and Sid.

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The Bottom Line Sid Sidebottom MP ... for a fair go in BraddonIssue 3 October 2008

The Bottom LineSid Sidebottom MP ...for a fair go in BraddonIssue 3 October 2008

$375 per primary school student; and

$750 per secondary school student

Residents at Devonport Garden Village will be forever grateful to fellow tenant Margaret Hills after she successfully lobbied for a door-to-door mail collection service from Australia Post.Fed up with having to walk almost 1km to the nearest street-side post box on Valley Rd, Mrs Hills wrote to her local pollie to see if something could be done for her and her 37 Garden Village neighbours.

Sid and Australia Post put their heads together and decided a three-day-per-week collection service was in order. A postie will now drop by each Monday, Wednesday and Friday to collect residents’ mail.

“It’s fantastic to be able to do something to help these folk out – Australia Post were very prompt in their response, setting up this service within a couple of weeks of our request,” Sid said.

Devonport residents stay in touch from home

Devonport Garden Village resident Margaret Hills (sitting) lobbied Sid and Australia Post successfully to gain a door-to-door mail collection service. She is pictured with fellow residents Trish Rewell (left) and Dorothy Woods.

A pre-invitation letter followed by a invitation package will be sent by mail to eligible people shortly after their birthday. Enquire with your GP if you are unsure.

Beginning on July 1, 2008, the test is offered to all Australians who turn 50, 55 or 65 years of age between 2008 and 2010.

Free bowel cancer tests: 50, 55 and 65 year olds

Who is eligible?Families receiving Family Tax Benefit (Part A) with children at primary or high schools.Parents whose children receive Youth Allowance, Disability Support Pension, ABstudy, and some Veteran’s schemes.

Parents: Keep receipts for Tax RefundNorth-West Parents should keep their receipts for school costs from 1 July, 2008 to make the most of the benefits available under the Rudd Government’s Education Tax Refund. Expenses can then be claimed when you lodge your 2008-09 income tax return.

Eligible parents can claim refunds of up to:

What can I claim for?

printers

laptops

home computers and associated costs

home internet

connection

LEVIES

trade tools for use at school

education software

Health care card holders are now entitled to a $106.15 discount on car registrations. This can also be claimed retrospectively. Check with your local Service Tasmania for your eligibility.

For driver licences the discount will be:

One year: $8.95 Two years: $17.95 Three years: $25.60 Four years: $34.55 Five years: $43.55

New Rego Concession

Under a Rudd Government initiative, all North-West Coasters aged 50, 55 and 65-years who have a medicare card or DVA gold card are entitled to a free bowel cancer screening from their local GP.

Sid has been busy working to deliver $8,371,000 in funding to NW Coast under the Rudd Government’s Better Regions program.

A total of nine projects across Braddon are to be funded.

The funding for the projects was allocated in the May budget and has now been approved by Cabinet.

Sid said the relevant councils or community groups would be contacted by the Department of Infrastructure soon.

The projects include:

Burnie Waterfront and Cultural Project: $3m.

Circular Head Community Recreation Centre: $750,000.

Oakleigh Park Railway Crossing, Burnie: $500,000.

Mersey Bluff Redevelopment: $1m.

King Island Recreation and Food Trail: $171,000.

Port Sorell Surf Club extensions: $200,000.

Ulverstone to Turners Beach Walkway: $750,000.

Ulverstone Showground Development: $1.8m

Wynyard Multi- Purpose Hall: $200,000.

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Sid delivers $8,371,000 for Better Regions

Did you know?

Sid delivers $1m to sporting projects

Sid has been working hard for months to secure these funds for the Burnie City Council and its three priority sporting projects.

The Council approached Sid’s office earlier this year about the $1m originally promised for the aquatic centre.

These funds were at real risk of being lost because they had not been secured by the former Government.

Sid received great cooperation from a number of Ministers to ensure the people of Burnie and surrounding areas would get even better value from a contribution to the three projects.

Sid said it was great to see the money being used to benefit so many different people and a number of different sports.

The funding will go towards a number of projects, including:

$450,000 towards the redevelopment of the Burnie United Football and Sporting Club soccer facilities at Montello.

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Sid and the Rudd Government will provide $1 million to upgrade three community sporting projects in Burnie.

Sid looks over plans to redevelop the Burnie United Football and Sporting Club facilities with Burnie United Soccer Club president Sheryl De Bomford (centre) and Burnie City Council Deputy Mayor Anita Dow

$350,000 towards the development of an indoor sport facility at West Park; and

$200,000 towards the relocation of the Burnie Bowls Club to Les Clark Oval.

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Rudd Government commends North-West businessmanSid has commended North-West businessman Royce Fairbrother after he was honoured nationally with the inaugural Commitment Award, presented recently as part of the Minister’s Awards for excellence.Mr Fairbrother was awarded for his commitment to apprenticeships, with the prize handed to him by Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Mr Fairbrother and his wife Thea purchased their first joinery company in 1973.They employed their first apprentice in 1976. They have since employed many, many more.About 500 peope attended the awards night, which was held at Parliament House, Canberra.

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Sid invited Minister Ludwig to the Coast so the senior community could speak directly to him about issues and concerns they had about services for seniors.

Minister Ludwig is responsible for areas including Centrelink benefits, Commonwealth Rehabilitation Services, Australian Hearing and Medicare.

More than 40 people attended the forum, with all participants given ample time to voice their opinions.

Sid said it was important to host such forums so that the views of the North-West community could be relayed directly to Federal Government Ministers.

Seniors have their say at forumSid recently invited Federal Minister for Human Services Joe Ludwig to Devonport for a seniors’ forum where participants could voice their opinion.

Seniors attending a recent seniors’ forum in Devonport with Human Services Minister Joe Ludwig.

Some people have been caught out this year, receiving a large bill upon returning home from holiday.

Sid said he did not want to discourage sick people from calling an ambulance while in Qld or SA, but wanted to make them aware of the cost.

Tasmania is currently the only state where people make no contribution to ambulance service costs. The downside to this privilege is that they have to make other arrangements, or pay accounts, when they use an ambulance in either Qld or SA.

Sid has written to the Tasmanian and Queensland health ministers to ask for the issue of reciprocal arrangements between states to be raised at a future meeting of the Coalition of Australian Governments (COAG).

Travelling interstate? Check ambo servicesPlease remember if you are travelling to Queensland or South Australia on holiday that if you require an ambulance you will be charged, in some instances upwards of $800.

The first discussion papers on the Henry Inquiry into the Australian taxation and welfare system has now been released.

The Henry Inquiry’s findings are due to be handed down by the end of February 2009.

The Rudd Government will respond quickly to the recommendations when they are delivered.

The inquiry isn’t only reviewing the provisions of the aged pension.

It will also review all other pensions, including the disability support pension and carers pension.

First discussion paper for welfare system inquiryreleased to public

Some key findings so far:

More than 2 million older Australians (almost 80%) aged over 65 depend on either a part or full aged pension.30% of aged pensioners report having a bank balance of less than $1000.The average amount of time living on an aged pension is 13 years.The Pension Review Background Paper and information about how to make a submission can be found at: www.fahcsia.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/seniors/pension_review.htm.

Sid lends a hand and nose to Red Nose Day

Sid recently helped to raise money for SIDS and Kids Tasmania in their annual Red Nose Day fundraiser.

Just two hours in the Devonport mall managed to generate more than $250.

SIDS and Kids Tasmania executive officer Sharon Davis presented Sid with a certificate of appreciation for his time and support.

Sid and his office try to support as many charities as they can through the year, also including Jeans for Genes Day and National Blood Donor Week.

Contact Sids and Kids Tasmania on 6431 9488, by

emailing:[email protected] or

visit the website: www.sidsandkids.org

Sid is presented a certificate by SIDS and Kids officer Sharon Davis. His office raised more than $250 towards Red Nose Day.

Your rights: Mobile premium servicesBefore you download anything on your mobile phone please remember to check the fine print to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting and how much it will cost.

Many consumers have been caught out recently, thinking they have paid a one-off cost for a mobile premium service, but instead are charged an ongoing subscription fee for every text message sent or received.

Mobile premium services refer to extra services you can access from your mobile phone. They include:

downloading ringtones or music, pocketnews, competition entries, registering votes for television programs, checking sports scores or horoscopes etc.

If you have problems with a premium service, you should first talk to your phone carrier or the company providing the premium service to try and sort out the issue.

If they can’t resolve the issue within 30 days, you can contact the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) on: 1800 062 058, or by email at: [email protected].

The Federal Government delivered a $63,500 grant to Devonport Christian School to refurbish their multi-purpose room.

Sid plants a tree at the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden open day with the help of Burmese refugee Nyi Nyi Lwin.

Sid out and about on the North-West Coast




Three North-West Coast schools have shared in 194 new computers under the Rudd Government’s $1.2 billion Digital Education Revolution.

The funding comes from Round One of the National Secondary Computer Fund.

Under the program:

Ulverstone High School received 133 computers

Leighland Christian School received 77 computers

NW School of Special Education (Devonport) received 4 computers

Grants of $1000 per computer were provided, which allow for the bulk purchasing of computers and also enables any extra funds to be used for infrastructure and support of IT systems.The National Secondary

Rudd Government delivers almost $200,000 in computers

Computer Fund aims to enable all schools to achieve a computer to student ratio of 1:2. These three NW schools formerly had a ratio of 1:8 or worse.Round Two of the scheme is now open. Applications will close on October 9.

For more information about the Rudd Government’s Digital Education Revolution visit:http://www.digitaleducationrevolution.gov.au

The Federal Government delivered funding for 113 computers to Ulverstone High School under the Computers in Schools program. Sid is pictured with principal Glen Lutwyche and students (l-r) Jordan Kelly, Donna Allen and Jack Vanderfeen.

North-West families battling with autism will soon have access to $12,000 towards early intervention support for their children.Announced in July, North-West children aged six and under diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and not yet at school will now have access to support through the Rudd Government’s four-year $190m Helping Children with

NW families share in $190m for children with autism

Autism package.

Under the new package, eligible families will receive up to $6,000 per year for two years before they go to primary school.

Sid has welcomed the funding, which comes in conjunction with the upcoming establishment of a new autism specific centre on the North-West Coast.

Families in rural and remote areas, like the North-West Coast, will also be eligible for an additional $2,000 to assist in affordability of early intervention services.

Save paper: receive this newsletter by email and log onto Sid’s websiteTo receive The Bottom Line via email rather than post please contact our office on 1300 135 547 or 64 311 333. To find more information about Sid visit:www.sidsidebottom.com. The site includes Sid’s recent speeches and media releases, a number of information kits and links to many other informative sites.

The National Museum of Australia is running a national political cartoon competition for primary and secondary school students.For the chance to win up to $5000 in cash and prizes draw a cartoon – in black and white or colour – which depicts a recent political issue of national significance.Entries close October 17.

For entry forms visit :www.nma.gov.au/education, or [email protected].

Students: your cartoon could win $5000

Sid thanked and commended Microsoft in July for its donation of $61,050 in computer software to Mersey Skill Training, based in Devonport.Microsoft’s software donation program is designed to assist registered non-profit organisations and disadvantaged groups to better access to information technology.

Microsoft donates

$61,050 to MST

Rudd Government Ministers visit North-West CoastFederal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke visited Sassafras in July to speak to local farmers.

Minister for Employment Participation Brendan O’Connor visited the Coast in August to open a new Green Corps project at Latrobe, and to meet with other business providers.

Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot visited Ulverstone in August to meet with aged care providers.

Federal Minister for Human Services Joe Ludwig visited Devonport in July to attend a seniors’ forum.

The NW Coast has played host to a number of Rudd Government Ministers in recent months.

Federal Minister for Employment Participation Brendan O’Connor visited the North-West Coast recently to speak to local service providers.

Sid amazed by Vlastik’s gigantic run

On July 20 Vlastik and his dedicated wife Jo set out on his biggest ever fundraising run, a staggering 5768 kilometres from Shark Bay in WA to Byron Bay in NSW.He aims to raise $50,000 for the children’s cancer charity CanTeen during the 100 day run.Sid spoke about Mr Skvaril’s many achievements in Parliament in June.Anyone who would like to find out more about the run or to make a donation can contact Sid’s office or drop in to 2/32 Wilmot Street, Burnie.

Sid and his office are doing their bit to promote and support ultra-marathon runner Vlastik Skvaril in his bid to raise $50,000 for CanTeen.

Sid has jumped on board with amazing Burnie runner Vlastik Skvaril to help promote and support the latest fantastic fundraising effort for the grandfather and ultra-marathon runner.



Sid Sidebottom MP For a Fair Go in Braddon If you require any information or help with any Federal Government issue please contact my office on:

The Rudd Government’s new Green Vehicle Guide conveniently allows you to compare the running costs and carbon emissions of different cars before you make a purchase.

Website to help choose most environmental and cost effective car

Shop 2/32 Wilmot Street, Burnie TAS 7320PO Box 908 Burnie TAS 7320( 1300 135 547 (Toll free) ~ 6431 1333 7 6431 5680; [email protected]

Sid Sidebottom MP ... for a fair go in Braddon If you require information or help with any Federal Government issue please contact my office on:

Authorised by Sid Sidebottom, 684 Forth Road, Forth TAS 7310. Printed by Nova Design & Print Centre, 129 Rooke St, Devonport.

Visit www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au and check out how you can help the environment, and your wallet at the same time.The site also contains a Fuel Cost Calculator, which allows you to calculate

how much you will spend on fuel per year for each different make and model of car.

Extraordinary Devonport volunteer Judy Wild was presented with an Australian Government Community Service Award by the Federal Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot in August.Minister Elliot visited a special morning tea in Ulverstone to recognise Mrs Wild for her contribution to the Devonport community spanning more than 30 years.

Included in Judy’s resume:

30 years volunteer work at Melaleuca Home for the AgedCurrent Melaleuca auxiliary presidentAppointed to Melaleuca Board of Management in 199520 years service to Meals on WheelsSt Vincent de Paul volunteerMember of the Devonport Lions Ladies

Remarkable volunteer honoured for 30 years service

Judy Wild was honoured for service to her local community when Federal Ageing Minister Justine Elliot presented her with a Community Service Award.

Founding member of Devonport Girl Guides Hall

Participant in A.F.S. Students Abroad project.

Chief Bingo organiser at Melaleuca

Sid also gave a speech on Mrs Wild’s achievements in Federal Parliament in August. “You simply cannot put a figure on the number of lives touched by Mrs Wild in her tireless dedication to the Devonport community,” Sid said.

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Issue 3 October 2008

Documents

Transcript of Issue 3 October 2008