It is no secret that the koala is an iconic symbol worldwide for Australian wildlife.

Despite greater awareness and an overwhelming understanding of the need to do more for koala conservation, it is unfortunate that we continue to see a dramatic decline in koala numbers across the country.

South East Queensland alone has seen our koala population decrease by 80 per cent over the last 20 years.

In my electorate of Bonner, the koala has been under threat due to the impact of illness, loss of habitat, car strikes, and the devastating recent floods in February.

However, there is a shining beacon of hope for the protection and rehabilitation of Bonner’s local koala population, and that comes from the team at Queensland Koala Society and its president, Angela Christodoulou.

I first updated the House on the Queensland Koala Society in June 2020, after Angela had established this wonderful not-for-profit organisation in Belmont.

Since then, Angela and her team have been working tirelessly to protect, rescue and rehabilitate koalas in our local area.

Angela has personally rescued over 800 koalas, and in one night alone her team recorded 7 koala rescues in South East Queensland.

The Queensland Koala Society do an incredible job, and it is no small thing for me to say that I am in awe of the passion, dedication and determination from Angela and her team to create a better future for koalas.

But the Queensland Koala Society is missing just one major component from a truly comprehensive rehabilitation plan, and that is a Koala Kindy.

Since the foundation of the society, Angela has had a vision for the development of a Koala Kindy.

A Koala Kindy would allow locally rescued koalas, especially joeys, to be rehabilitated, grow and develop in one location before being released back into the wild.

Currently, koalas rescued by the Queensland Koala Society need to be transported to Australia Zoo or to the Moggill Koala Rehabilitation Centre for the final stages of treatment and vet checks before release.

Not only is the transport time-consuming and costly for volunteers, it can also cause further trauma for rescued koalas.

That is why, before the last election, I fought to secure funding for the establishment of a Koala Kindy in Bonner.

I’m here to say that, despite the election results, I am still committed to fighting for the funding of a Koala Kindy.

A Koala Kindy in Bonner would not only prove vital in the fight to save our koala,  but would also be an incredible educational tool for local schools and universities.

There is no better way to help create future leaders in wildlife protection than providing hands-on learning opportunities for students.

The Koala Kindy would also be in a prime position to highlight Australia’s commitment to wildlife rehabilitation during the 2032 Olympics, as it would be located opposite a future Olympic venue, the Chandler Arena, where many Olympic events will be held.

The need for a Koala Kindy in Bonner is clear.

I am calling on the new government to honour this commitment and help establish a Koala Kindy at the Queensland Koala Society, not just for the benefit of my community, but for all Australians and for generations to come.

A eucalyptus fodder farm to help the conservation efforts of the Queensland Koala Society will be established at Iona College in Bonner, thanks to the Australian Government’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Tree Planting Grant.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP said the partnership between Iona College and the Queensland Koala Society is a fantastic way to help with local koala conservation and to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“The partnership between the Queensland Koala Society and Iona College to establish a local fodder farm will help create a sustainable future for koalas,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Queen is passionate about the protection of native flora and fauna, so to be creating a fodder farm with over 500 trees for koalas is an exceptionally fitting way to honour her 70 years of service.

“I am proud to have advocated for this grant on behalf of Iona College and hope other schools across Australia follow their example where they are able to do so.”

Co-founder of the Queensland Koala Society, Ms Angela Christodoulou, said the fodder farm at Iona college will help reduce time volunteers spend collecting much needed eucalyptus leaves.

“Fodder farms play an essential role in the koala’s rehabilitation process,” Ms Christodoulou said.

“On a typical week, my team travel up to two hours per day, seven days per week to collect fresh fodder.

“The collaboration with Iona is exciting and not only provides us with a valuable resource but also provides the potential for the establishment of a habitat for koalas and other local wildlife.”

Principal of Iona College, Mr Trevor Goodwin, and Rector, Father Michael Twigg OMI, as well as the College Board have fully supported this use of College grounds in order to develop deeper ties with the local community and to promote sustainability.

“We have been blessed with a large and expansive campus that compels us to share with others,” Father Michael said.

Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee has the intention of:

• increased community awareness and celebration of Her Majesty’s Jubilee
• to create a legacy of tree plantings across the nation
• increase and/or enhance the area of tree canopy

Let’s face it, if you can’t find your dad, there is good chance he is wondering the aisle at Bunnings, making a wish list of the latest tools or planning the next greatest DYI project for the backyard.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP is running a Father’s Day Draw to say thank you to all the amazing dads in the electorate of Bonner.

“Bunnings is an unofficial Australia icon; a place loved by dad’s the nation over,” Mr Vasta said.

“If you would like a chance to win a $100 Bunnings gift card for your dad this Father’s Day, make sure you enter my Father’s Day Draw.

“For your chance to win, fill out the form on my website and tell me why your dad is the best dad in the world.

“Out of all the jobs I’ve had, being a father is my favourite. I am lucky to have two beautiful boys that bring me so much joy.”

This competition is only open to residents of Bonner and closes at 5pm on Thursday 1 September 2022.

The entry form can be found at Mr Vasta’s website: www.rossvasta.com.au/fathers-day-draw-2022/

Thank You Deputy Speaker. I rise today to highlight the incredible mental health initiative You Are Not Alone.

Established at the end of last year, You Are Not Alone was born out of the passion and determination of Bonner constituent and year 12 Villanova College student Tom Price.

Tom, along with a group of his fellow classmates, felt more needed to be done surrounding mental health for students, especially after the challenges of COVID-19.

Instead of waiting for solutions, these inspirational young men took matters into their own hands and founded You Are Not Alone, which aims to help break down the stigma surrounding mental health through meaningful connections and real conversations.

I am happy to say that they are already fast on their way to achieving their goal.

In June of this year, the inaugural You Are Not Alone fun run was held in Brisbane, and I had the pleasure of attending and supporting it.

This event raised over $37,000 for Lifeline Queensland and had over 2,000 participants.

I would like to highlight what an incredible result this is, especially when considering many of the people behind this fun run are currently completing year 12.

Massive congratulations to Tom and the team from You Are Not Alone.

I look forward to sharing their future successes with the House.

I thank you Deputy Speaker.

I know with great certainty that I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for the tremendous sacrifice and efforts of my supporters, volunteers, team and family and the Queensland LNP.

Whilst I won’t be able to list all those who have played an integral role in my achievements, please know how much I truly appreciate your time and dedication.

There are a few in particular, though, that I would like to pay tribute to: Renee, Benjamin, Charles, Paul, Steve, Kate, Toby, Emma, Ryan, Rod, Jess, Ashley, Erin, Michaela, Tom, Rae, Georgia, Maddie, Michael and Matthew. Thank you for going above and beyond.

I’d also like to acknowledge the passion and dedication of the YLNP during the last election. To stand up for your values and beliefs can, at times, be a daunting task, particularly when you come from the Right of politics.

Far too often, Young LNP members are labelled in a way that is unfair and unjust. Yet when I saw the determination of the YLNP to fight for the core values and beliefs of our party, it was truly inspirational.

Finally, I would like to thank my constituents. To the people of Bonner: my commitment to you is that I will continue to fight for our community, to make sure that our voices are heard and that we receive our fair share of funding. Thank you.

Federal funding delivered to train Lovewell Foundation Volunteers

The Lovewell Foundation has been awarded a Federal Government Volunteers Grant by Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP, which will allow the foundation to help upskill and train volunteers.

Mr Vasta visited the Lovewell Cafe, at the top of Mt Gravatt Lookout, to talk with volunteers and see how the funding will be used.

“I am proud to work with the Lovewell Foundation and provide funding to help support women from vulnerable backgrounds so they can train and gain new skills,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Lovewell Cafe is an empowering social enterprise that supports women from vulnerable backgrounds to help rebuild their lives in a safe and welcoming environment.

“The training these women receive from Lovewell helps increase their self-esteem, as they have an avenue to gain independence and financial stability through training and employment.”

Executive Director of Lovewell Foundation Annie Stonehouse said the support Mr Vasta had given to the organisation was invaluable and had helped over 80 women from vulnerable backgrounds.

“Everyone at the Lovewell Foundation is grateful for Ross’ support and the funding delivered by Ross has gone directly to recruiting and training our volunteers,” Ms Stonehouse said.

“A woman escaping a vulnerable situation like domestic violence, often lacks the support, skills, confidence and self-esteem to work towards rebuilding their life, as they have been in a survival frame of mind for many years.

“That is why training our volunteers and mentors is so important, it helps empower our women to find the self-belief they need to rebuild their lives and gain independence and move toward training or employment.

“With support from staff, volunteers and mentors, our women find themselves and their new purpose, and this leads to a decrease in mental health issues and increases their quality of life and gives them self-confidence.”

Mr Vasta has been working closely with the Hope Lovewell Foundation for many years. Mr Vasta delivered funding for infrastructure upgrades at the Lovewell Cafe and will continue to support the foundation to achieve their goals.

If you would like to volunteer or mentor with Lovewell Foundation, please email hello@lovewellfoundation.org.au

Thousands of school students across Bonner will benefit from the expansion of the Morrison Government’s popular Sporting Schools program.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said extending and expanding the program reinforced the Morrison Government’s commitment to ensure children and teenagers across Bonner continued to pursue healthy and active lifestyles.

The Morrison Government is investing $79.6 million to extend the Sporting Schools program for an additional two calendar years to the end of 2024, with a further $20.2 million to be provided to expand the program to students in Years 9 and 10.

“The Sporting Schools program isn’t just an investment to keep kids across Bonner active,” Mr Vasta said.

“It is also a program which creates a tangible pathway for those students who want to make their sporting dreams a reality.

“Extending Sporting Schools across Bonner is also particularly important to support children and their families to reconnect with sport in a safe and healthy way as schools and community sport bounce back from the impacts of the pandemic.”

Established by the Coalition Government in 2015, Sporting Schools partners with 35 National Sporting Organisations to provide free sport-based activities to students of all abilities, to help schools increase children’s’ participation in sport and connect them with community sport opportunities.

More than 8000 schools have received funding through the program which has reached more than 2.2 million students annually.

Currently, the program caters for primary schools students and students in secondary schools up to Year 8.

Expanding the program to include Years 9 and 10 will address the significant decline in sport participation, physical activity and social connectivity in secondary students aged 12-16, particularly amongst girls.

Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said expanding Sporting Schools to students in Years 9 and 10 increases the reach of the program to 1800 secondary schools and an additional 700,000 students, expanding the reach of Sporting Schools to 2.9 million students every year.

“It marks a huge step forward as we continue to support the individual health and wellbeing of students at all levels,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Importantly, the expansion will help focus on talent identification among a cohort of children who could be our athletes of the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

“After the successful performances of our athletes in Tokyo, there has never been a better time for our young sports stars to chart a path to their own success.”

The Lovewell Foundation has been awarded a Federal Government Volunteers Grant by Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP, which will allow the foundation to help upskill and train volunteers.

Mr Vasta visited the Lovewell Cafe, at the top of Mt Gravatt Lookout, to talk with volunteers and see how the funding will be used.

“I am proud to work with the Lovewell Foundation and provide funding to help support women from vulnerable backgrounds so they can train and gain new skills,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Lovewell Cafe is an empowering social enterprise that supports women from vulnerable backgrounds to help rebuild their lives in a safe and welcoming environment.

“The training that these women receive from Lovewell helps increase their self-esteem, as they have an avenue to gain independence and financial stability through training and employment.”

Executive Director of Lovewell Foundation Annie Stonehouse said the support Mr Vasta has given to the organisation has been invaluable and has helped over 80 women from vulnerable backgrounds.

“Everyone at the Lovewell Foundation is grateful for Ross’s support and the funding delivered by Ross has gone directly to recruiting and training our volunteers,” Ms Stonehouse said.

“A woman escaping a vulnerable situation like domestic violence, often lacks the support, skills, confidence and self-esteem to work towards rebuilding their life, as they have been in a survival frame of mind for many years.

“That is why training our volunteers and mentors is so important, it helps empower our women to find the self-belief they need to rebuild their lives and gain independence and move toward training or employment.

“With support from staff, volunteers and mentors, our women find themselves and their new purpose, and this leads to a decrease in mental health issues and increases their quality of life and gives them self-confidence.”

Mr Vasta has been working closely with the Hope Lovewell Foundation for many years. Mr Vasta delivered funding for infrastructure upgrades at the Lovewell Café, and will continue to support the foundation to achieve their goals.

If you would like to volunteer or mentor with Lovewell Foundation, please email hello@lovewellfoundation.org.au

A re-elected Morrison Government will invest $53 million to make it easier for more Australians in Bonner to become parents and to support the mental health of new parents.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta MP said this commitment from the Liberals would provide additional support and services for aspiring and new parents.

From 1 November 2022, the Morrison Government will subsidise the costs of storage of eggs, sperm or embryos for Australians who have cancer or are at risk of passing on genetic diseases.

This will include:

• $9.9 million to support Australians with cancer to preserve their future fertility by paying the costs of storage. This will assist an average of 4,200 Australians per year, saving them approximately $600 per year
• $4.5 million to support Australians who have been identified as being at high risk of passing on genetic diseases or conditions to their children. This will assist an average of 2,000 Australians per year, saving them approximately $600 per year.

“One in six Australian couples face difficulty trying to start a family and it can be even more difficult for those suffering from cancer or at high risk of passing on genetic diseases or conditions to their children,” Mr Vasta said.

“The subsidy will provide that much needed support and provide more options for those thinking about starting a family or expanding their family, including in Bonner.”

New Mums and Dads will also have easier access to important information and government services as we streamline the process for enrolling new babies with Medicare and Centrelink.

As part of this package, a re-elected Morrison Government will also provide $25 million to fund 20 new Gidget Foundation Australia perinatal mental health and wellbeing services across the country, to make sure new parents have access to the mental health support they need.

“Gidget has a long track record of supporting thousands of women and families each year and these additional locations will mean trusted support is available to more Australians, right across the country,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Morrison Government has guaranteed Medicare and is providing record funding for hospitals, new medicines and treatments.

“By having a strong economy, we to make investments like this and continue to provide the services Australians rely on.”

A re-elected Morrison Government will deliver $200,000 to the Queensland Koala Society at Chandler to develop a pre-release koala enclosure or ‘Koala Kindy.’

LNP Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said the Queensland Koala Society had quickly established itself in the region to help injured wildlife and provide them a safe space to recover.

“Their rehabilitation centre has already created custom enclosures for special-needs koalas, echidnas, bandicoots, gliders and birds,” Mr Vasta said.

“Since starting the centre, Queensland Koala Society founder Angela Christodoulou’s dream had been to develop a koala kindy to help prepare young, rehabilitated koalas to return to the wild and adapt them in a safe environment.

“I am so very excited we will be able to support Angela’s dream and help our furry friends with this project.”

Queensland Koala Society President Angela Christodoulou said the pre-release koala enclosure would not only help with rehabilitation projects but also help with boosting koala population numbers through increased releases after rehabilitation.

“A koala kindy will be amazing. We’ll make this funding work to deliver a facility that will help prepare our rehabilitated koalas to be released back into the wild,” Mrs Christodoulou said.

“This will allow us to help between five and eight koalas at a time.”

Mrs Christodoulou said she was in shock after receiving the news and was grateful that Ross had fought so hard to secure the $200,000 funding for the Koala Kindy.

“In 2019 we started here, and a koala kindy has always been a big part of our plans,” Mrs Christodoulou said.

“Ross is just amazing. He said he was fighting for us and it’s not just words, he delivered, and I am in disbelief over the exciting news.

“It just changes everything here. We have big plans for our site in the future with an education centre and this project and funding is the start of what will all flow on from there.”