Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are being sought from business and community leaders to join Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees in Bonner.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said that RDA committees are part of a national network, made up of local leaders who assist in the economic development of their region and volunteer their time and energy to develop solutions to local issues.

“I encourage community minded individuals with commitment, strong leadership skills, and a vision for the Bonner area to submit an Expression of Interest by Monday, 10 November 2014,” Mr Vasta said.

“We need people with skills, experience and knowledge to strengthen networks with the business community, education sector, local industry, and all levels of government, to help drive regional economic development.”

RDA Brisbane CEO Margret Blade said that RDA Brisbane is currently working on implementing

its three year regional plan, the RDA Brisbane Regional Roadmap 2013-2016, and
has identified the skills needed of committee members to help drive Brisbane’s
economic development. These can be found at http://rda.gov.au/eoi/skills/brisbane-city.

Mr Vasta said that RDA committees provide advice on critical issues affecting economic development in their region, and enhance local awareness of Australian Government programmes.

“RDA Chairs, Deputy Chairs and Committee Members contribute to regional plans that focus on increasing investment, improving infrastructure and boosting business activity,” Mr Vasta said.

“RDA committees also help community stakeholders develop project proposals and provide advice on appropriate public and/or private funding sources, including the Government’s $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund.”

“Committee members use their skills and experience to strengthen the economic prosperity of their region by working as a team on projects that lift productivity and support jobs growth.”  

Further information, including an Expression of Interest form and information booklet, can be found at www.rda.gov.au or by contacting 1800 505 938 (Mon–Fri 9am-5pm AEDST) or email rdaeoi@infrastructure.gov.au.

To find out more about RDA Brisbane, visit their website www.rdabrisbane.org.au or contact CEO Margaret Blade at mail@rdabrisbane.org.au. 

The Abbott Coalition Government is cutting red tape to make life easier for small business, strengthen our economy, and create jobs, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said today.

 “We have listened to the concerns in our community about the burden of red tape in Australia,” Mr Vasta said.

 “I personally heard from several business owners and hard working groups and individuals at my recent Small Business Forum about the need to make things simpler.”

 In response to community concerns, the Abbott Government is dedicating two days of Parliament each year to removing red tape. During the Spring Red Tape Repeal Day taking place on Wednesday, 29 October, nearly 1,000 pieces of legislation and regulation totalling over 7,200 pages will be removed.

 “The Government promised to reduce more than $1 billion of red and green tape each year, and we have more than doubled our target, removing over $2.1 billion of compliance costs,” Mr Vasta said.

 “We need to reduce the footprint of government to enable the community to get on with creating jobs and building a stronger society for all,” Mr Vasta said.

 As a result of recent red tape reductions, nearly half a million small businesses are now exempt from pay-as-you-go requirements, and around 1.4 million MyTax users will be able to use pre-populated income tax returns, saving countless hours and costs.

 Access to government services is now much simpler, with seven services including Medicare and Centrelink now accessible through one myGov username and password.

 There is practical red tape relief across the board, from one-stop-shops for environmental approvals for major projects, to hire companies no longer needing to register concrete mixers as “vehicles”.

 “Many of the ideas to cut red tape came directly from members of the community, and I encourage business owners to let me know if you are being weighed down by rules and regulations,” Mr Vasta said.

 For further information, please visit www.cuttingredtape.gov.au to find summaries of the new initiatives, and to pass on your suggestions for cutting additional red tape.

Top Image:  Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, with Roger Gray and Scott Gray, owners and operators of the Koala Resort Motel in Wakerley, at the Small Business Forum on 14 October 2014.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, today encouraged eligible students in the Bonner electorate to nominate for the nation’s top prize for Year 12 students undertaking vocational education and training in school.

 The Abbott Government has launched the 2014 Australian Vocational Student Prize (AVSP) as part of its commitment to promoting take up of high-quality trades and training in schools.

 “With skills shortages in a range of employment sectors across the country, we really do need more of our young people pursuing training in areas of demand,” Mr Vasta said.

 “These awards are part of the Government’s strategy to increase recognition of the ‘first-class’ career pathway provided by high-quality trades and training.”

 Mr Vasta said Bonner was home to many vocational students worthy of the AVSP. He said during a recent visit to Brisbane Bayside State College with Assistant Minister for Education, Sussan Ley, he was impressed with the quality of the VET programs available and with the students’ passion for their work.

 Principal at Brisbane Bayside State College, Darren Wallwork, said the school fully supported students accessing a vocational pathway in their senior phase of learning.

 “We believe the vocational pathway provides exposure to the myriad post-school options, and allows for the development of skills for work and lifelong learning,” Mr Wallwork said.

 The 2014 AVSP will award up to 500 outstanding Year 12 students undertaking relevant VETiS qualifications as part of their senior secondary certificate with $1,000 in prize money and a certificate.

 Up to 20 AVSP winners will also be eligible for the Australian Award for Skills Excellence in School.

 Nominations close at 8pm (AEDT) on Friday, 28 November 2014. For more information, including how to nominate, visit: www.education.gov.au/Australian-vocational-student-prize. 

Scrapping the carbon tax has delivered families and businesses in Bonner the biggest drop in electricity prices on record, Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said today.

“The ABS has released the Consumer Price Index for the September Quarter 2014 — the first outcome since the Coalition scrapped Labor’s damaging carbon tax,” Mr Vasta said.

“Electricity prices had the largest fall since 1980, when the CPI electricity price series was created.”

Mr Vasta confirmed there have already been significant falls in electricity and gas prices in Bonner.

In Queensland, power bills are up to 9.4 per cent lower than they would have been with the carbon tax.

“There are likely to be further flow on benefits of lower electricity prices on the cost of other goods and services over the next coming quarter,” Mr Vasta said.

“Treasury estimates that the abolition of the carbon tax will reduce the CPI by around 0.7 percentage points through the year to the June quarter of 2015.”

The figures released today confirm that scrapping the carbon tax is delivering real and immediate cost of living relief to Australian families.

“During Labor’s time in office, electricity prices rose by 101%,” Mr Vasta said.

“We’ve scrapped Labor’s carbon tax to deliver relief to Australian families and businesses. While Bill Shorten wants to take away these savings with his plan to bring back the carbon tax, the Coalition is committed to lowering electricity prices for Australian families.”

Mr Vasta said he had been pleased to hear from local small business owners who have seen significant savings on their power bills since the removal of the carbon tax.