It’s been my privilege to participate in the Raise Our Voice Australia Campaign this year, and to now amplify, Bonner student, Araminta’s voice in parliament.

This is Araminta’s speech…

I was asked the question “what do you want your community to look like in the next 10 years and what can the next parliament do to achieve it?”.

My answer is simple, In the next 10 years, I want our community to be a place where mental health is openly discussed, where everyone feels supported.

My name is Araminta, and this is a piece of my story.

For years, I struggled with anxiety and depression, feeling lost in a world too complex for me to comprehend.

I thought there was something wrong with me.

I’d wake up feeling like a lead weight was on my chest, and my mind would race with worries all day long.

Sometimes the world felt like it was closing in, and I just wanted to disappear for a while.

But here’s something crucial: I wasn’t alone.

Youth mental health has been an ongoing crisis.

In the last year, 38.8% of Australians aged 16 to 24 have experienced a mental health disorder.

Suicide is the leading cause of death among young Australians, more than 350 young people aged 18 to 24 take their own lives every year.

I want people to understand, these are not just figures, not just numbers, these are people, these are children, with real lives, and real struggles.

They are our classmates, our friends, our family.

This issue is more prevalent than we often acknowledge or wish to believe and should deeply concern us all.

I want people to understand, mental health is just as crucial as physical health; they are intertwined and both deserve equal attention and care.

Schools play a pivotal role in young people’s lives, they are where you make friends, learn, explore, figure it all out.

They play a vital role in shaping who we are, which is why we need to make sure they are equipped and supported to support us as students.

They may be here for us academically, but what about when we are struggling emotionally?

Which is why I’m urging our government to prioritise youth mental health.

We need increased funding for mental health programs in schools, better early intervention, and more support for mental health professionals.

Destigmatizing mental health is crucial.

Please support future generations so no one has to face these struggles alone.

Please fix our broken system.

Thank you, Deputy Speaker.

The Bonner Senior’s expo is just around the corner, and I cannot wait!

My electorate of Bonner is home to some wonderful community organisations, dedicated to improving the lives of our seniors.

In fact, every year, locals tell me they had no idea about some of the valuable resources they can access as older members of our community.

We have government services, innovative business and dedicated not for profits.

Bonner really does have a lot to offer those who are part of, care for, or work with senior Australians.

That’s why I host the annual Bonner Senior’s Expo, to bring together those who provide and benefit from these resources!

This year we have an exciting line-up of over 50 vendors, across a range of topics.

If there are any organisations still interested in having a stall at the expo, please send me an email.
We have limited spaces left, but I would love to include as much of our community as possible.

In addition to vendors, we’ll have expert speakers, live entertainment, and delicious refreshments to ensure this year’s expo is Bonner’s best yet…

There might even be a fashion show in the works.

This year’s Bonner Senior’s Expo is being held at the Waterloo Bay Leisure Centre, on Thursday October 3rd.

It will run from 9am to 12pm, and is sure to be an informative, social, and most of all FUN, morning out!

RSVPs are not necessary, but if anyone has any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to my office!

I hope to see you, or your loved ones, there!

Thank you, Deputy Speaker.

One of the most important responsibilities I have as a father, and member of Parliament, is to ensure the next generation grows up knowing they are safe, valued and supported.

Last week, thousands of organisations rallied behind National Child Protection Week.

As a dad, there is nothing more terrifying than the thought of something happening to one of my boys.

For Bruce and Denise Morcombe, this fear became reality when their 13-year-old son Daniel was abducted and murdered.

As many Australians know, Daniel was simply waiting at a bus stop in Queensland, on his way to buy Christmas presents for his family.

Following this unthinkable day, Bruce and Denise, in the midst of their grief, saw an opportunity to make a difference.

Together, they started the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to educate other children on how to stay safe.

National Child Protection Week is not only about responding to the current issue but also proactively equipping children with the confidence to recognise and escape unsafe situations.

For the last eight years, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation has helped keep kids safe through the ‘Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson’ initiative.

This year’s lesson was live-streamed across Australia, from Manly State School in my electorate of Bonner!

The biggest safety lesson provides an easy way for teachers, parents, and carers to confidently discuss enthusiastic and affirmative consent.

What does this mean?

It means teaching our kids the importance of not crossing or blurring boundaries, and ensuring that consent is always truly, freely, clearly and whole-heartedly given.

It was awesome to see this event live-streamed from Bonner, to hundreds of thousands of students across Australia.

Thank you to our hosts – Koko and Fynn – for keeping us informed and engaged.

Remember, always ask for consent, and wait for enthusiastic and affirmative confirmation.

I’d also like to acknowledge David Crisafulli, and Queensland LNP opposition who, yesterday, standing alongside Bruce and Denise, committed to establishing a public sex offender register.

Named ‘Daniel’s Law’, this register is a tangible step toward making our community safer.

Lastly, thank you to Bruce and Denise, for your continued advocacy and commitment to helping our kids stay safe.

By teaching our young ones the skills needed to recognise, react and report unsafe situations, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation has not only become a powerful symbol of hope but undoubtedly saved lives.

While nothing will bring Daniel back, Bruce and Denise have courageously turned a tragedy into a powerful platform to raise awareness and bring change.

It was an honour to be part of last week’s Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson and I look forward to continuing to work with this driven team.

For over 115 years, the Girl Guides have been uplifting, supporting and empowering young, Australian women and girls.

From instilling resilience and practical skills, to fostering life-long friendships, their mission and impact extend far beyond cookies and badges.

In fact, the Girl Guides are the largest youth organisation for girls and women in our Sunshine State, with almost 3,000 Youth Members and 1,000 volunteer Leaders and Adult Members.

Last Saturday, I joined the Mount Gravatt Girl Guides in repainting their facilities.

It was a big job, but thanks to Cheryl’s organisation and coordination, we were able to get the job done.. and have fun too!

Shout out to Glynis, Carol and Kathy who are also from the Guides!

Fun Fact – Kathy was my year 6 teacher… how times have changed!

Thank you to Pinky Singh, our LNP candidate for Mansfield, for coming out in support of our Guides – and rallying an army of volunteers.

Thanks also to Taubmans and Dulux for donating the paint, and to Bunnings at Mt Gravatt for the work platforms.

It was certainly a community effort!

The time and care put into this project is a testament to the contribution the Guides make to our locals in Mount Gravatt and the surrounding suburbs.

I hope this fresh look brings new energy and pride, to the timeless mission of the Girl Guides.

I commend the organisation for their commitment to uplifting young Bonner women, and look forward to continuing to support Cheryl and the team!

Thank you and well done, Mount Gravatt Girl Guides!

Thank you, Speaker.

We all know that Australia is in a cost-of-living crisis that is indiscriminately affecting households, small businesses, students and families. Basic needs have all gone up in price. Housing and rents are up 15 per cent.

Electricity is up 22 per cent; gas is up 25 per cent. Unfortunately, this means that demand for not-for-profits has skyrocketed alongside rising inflation, costly overheads and reduced donations.

While our local charities and community organisations are going above and beyond to provide support, it is sad to see that they are receiving little in return.

The economic contribution of these charities is estimated to sit at $129 billion, a sector roughly equivalent in size to our retail sector.

Furthermore, charities often provide better quality services than the government and for-profits due to client relationships that are built on trust.

In May, the Senate Select Committee on the Cost of Living handed down its second interim report on solutions to address the cost-of-living pressures in Australia.

The report included two key findings concerning volunteer organisations.

Firstly, the cost-of-living crisis is causing an increase in the demand for services provided by the charitable and not-for-profit sector.

Most major charities focus on the delivery of essential services, such as emergency response work, supporting people in crisis and social services.

Charities catering to this growing need are doing so in an operating environment that is becoming more difficult by the day.

The Wesley Mission Salvation Army and other charities have all shared similar experiences of unprecedented demand with OzHarvest recording a 73 per cent increase in the six months prior to March this year.

The committee was alarmed to hear that individuals in full-time employment, as well as families with dual incomes, are now often those seeking support from charities.

Secondly, the interim report found that charities have been unable to meet increasing demand due to increased overheads and less charitable giving.

The added strain not only on patrons but also on volunteers is affecting the operation of charities. As one respondent said, ‘I save petrol by stopping voluntary work.

This reduction of volunteerism is a sad state for our economy, but it is not due to any fault of the organisations or volunteers themselves.

Volunteers Australia have also noted a sharp decline in formal volunteering.

Sadly, they also contribute this to financial strain, finding that 16.6 per cent of people did not volunteer in the past 12 months due to financial reasons.

In Bonner, we have a wide range of volunteer groups, catering for the diverse passions, needs and interests of our community.

From the Wynnum Historical Society to the Red Frogs, and Beyond DV, we have many dedicated P&Cs, local churches, sporting clubs and environmentalists.

The Wynnum Community Place is a charity in my electorate of Bonner that not only provides food and financial relief but also a connection, relationship and dignity for vulnerable locals.

And other than funding secured in July 2021, the hub has operated completely unfunded.

Despite this, they have returned $1.25 million in value.

That’s an incredible return on investment. In the last two years, Wynnum Community Place lost 46 per cent of its funding while experiencing a 126 per cent increase in need since December 2022.

Unfortunately, without intervention, the community hub will be forced to close its doors on 30 September.

That is why I have written to the federal Minister for Social Services to help Wynnum Community Place.

I visited them last week to speak with Dave, who is part of the team at Wynnum Community Place.

He told me that he’d seen people come in in the depths of despair and leave as different people.

They now present relaxed and friendlier with their interactions with others in a place that they can call home.

To see Wynnum Community Place close would be a sad day for our local community.

I thank Dave, Mr Chad Gardiner and Mr Craig Moore for their representation on this urgent matter.

It is undeniably an institution of incredible value, one which we must continue to support.

Ross Vasta MP, Federal Member for Bonner, has secured funding for the Queensland Target Sports club in Belmont.

Mr Vasta said target sports are a true of test of patience, coordination and focus,  and we are fortunate to have so many talented athletes call Bonner home.

The Member for Bonner visited Queensland Target Sports earlier this month, while volunteers were hosting their school holiday training camp.

“The volunteers at Queensland Target Sports are committed to investing in the next generation, and I applaud their commitment to a sport which is not regularly highlighted,” he said.

“This funding will allow the club to unlock the full potential of their camera coaching analysis system.

I know the delivered funds will be of great value to the entire team.”

Queensland Target Sports Administrator, Mr Rex Wigney said “the system will be used by coaches to view athletes when shooting, and to assist analysis.

“Shooting is a whole of life sport for juniors aged 11 through to active shooters in their 80s, with males and females competing equally.

“For those who are interested, we provide a pathway to represent Australia at Olympic and Paralympic level.”

The volunteers at Queensland Target Sports make an invaluable contribution to our local Bonner community, and Mr Vasta is proud to champion such a dedicated team.

Ross Vasta MP, Federal Member for Bonner, has secured important funding for the St George Indian Orthodox Church in Mackenzie, to grow their capacity to run community events.

Mr Vasta said he is grateful to the one-hundred volunteers at the St George Indian Orthodox Church, for the dedication to fostering community and belonging in Bonner.

“The St George Indian Orthodox church is a hub for multiculturalism and community – particularly for our Southern suburbs of Mackenzie, Rochedale, Wishart, Mansfield and Eight Mile Plains.

“The organisation makes an outstanding contribution to the wider community, particularly through their blood donation drive, Swaad Indian Food Festival and Christmas charity work.”

Mr Vasta presented the grant to Father Liju Samuel at the Swaad Multicultural Food Festival.

Father Liju Samuel said “The Grant will be used to purchase a ride-on mower for the Church community.

“This will assist our volunteers with maintaining their property’s grounds.”

The St George Indian Orthodox Church will be able to use this grant to extend their hospitality to many more Bonner locals.

Thank you, Deputy Speaker.

Too often I hear clubs and non-for-profits in Bonner are eager to get off the ground, but find it difficult to find a space to meet with members and supporters – As many Brisbane City Council libraries are at Capacity.

Fortunately, I come bearing good news…

If you are part of a community group in Bonner, my board room is free for you to use as you wish – such as for meetings or events.

That’s right, the Alan Burge Community Room is officially open!

Over the past few years, Mr Alan Burge has been expertly tuning and restoring a Beale, 1907, all Australian made piano in my office.

Alan’s perseverance and joy throughout the project has been such a testament to the goodwill and talent of so many Australians – that I have decided to name this great space after him.

It has been a pleasure to be able to host Alan, as he has restored this piano to it’s former glory.

I look forward to welcoming more of the community into the Bonner office and seeing the potential of this space fully unlocked and appreciated – just like my piano.

We have already had some booking requests come through, so I encourage interested groups to secure their spot!

If you are interested in using the Alan Burge Community Room, please send me an email at ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au

I know it will be a versatile resource for many.

Thank you, Deputy Speaker.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Daryl Wilson of Upper Mount Gravatt.

Daryl has been our Bonner Community’s representative, as part of The Brisbane Airport Community Aviation Consultation Group since 2019.

Uniting governments, industry professionals and locals, this group serves as a forum for those impacted by developments and operations at the Brisbane Airport – particularly relating to noise pollution.

It has been a pleasure to work with such an experienced and passionate advocate.

Daryl has represented our community’s interests well, and I applaud him for his service. Flight noise can be a frustrating issue for many in our community.

As someone who lives under a flight path, it is with the upmost sincerity that I say — that I am working hard to effectively advocate for common sense solutions to this issue.

Together, Daryl and I have fought and advocated for common sense solutions, in the best interests of Bonner local’s health and standard of living.

With Daryl’s assistance I have written to the Minister, submitted multiple petitions and hosted forums to ensure everyone can have their voices heard.

While our petition on the proposed flight paths for the Southern Suburbs of Bonner is still being considered by Air Services Australia and the Minister, I have been encouraged by the success of the phase 1 petition.

Thank you to the 1800 locals who signed the, I am proud to say our voices were heard! Air Services Australia have decided to stop the proposed flight changes over the Bayside.

I thank Daryl for his service and wish him every success in the future.

Thank you, Daryl!

Ross Vasta MP, Federal Member for Bonner has secured important funding for the Meadowlands Men’s Shed safety improvements.

Mr Vasta said he is proud to have been able to support such a worthwhile organisation, through the Volunteer Grants Program.

“I am proud to announce funding has been secured for the club to purchase a defibrillator, survival first aid kit and training for two first aid officers, to ensure their continued operation is safe for all involved.”

He said “the Meadowlands Men’s Shed provides a great space for gentlemen to foster meaningful relationships, particularly in their retired years.

“The contribution they make, not only in the lives of their own members but to the wider community, is of incredible value and importance.”

Bluey Lee, Secretary of the Meadowlands Men’s Shed, said “the aim of the men’s shed is chiefly to provide health and meaning through relationships and contributing to a greater purpose.

“Many of the chaps are professional men that are retired and seek to invest their vast life-experience in others rather than sit at home.”

He said the funding will help support the local community, as the Shed regularly undertakes restoration jobs for churches, schools, and individuals in the community.

“Most recently, we repaired a pulpit for a local church, refurbished a trailer, as well as flower-stands and tables.”