Welcome to the Spring 2007 E-News

Philip Ruddock MP

In this issue:

• THE ENVIRONMENT
• SUCCESFUL VETERANS’ HEART HEALTH PROGRAM EXTENDED
• NEW OFFENCE FOR DRINK AND FOOD SPIKING WELCOMED
• A 1000 JOBS A DAY
• NETALERT – PROTECTING AUSTRALIAN FAMILIES ONLINE GOES LIVE
• NEW ONLINE SERVICE EXPLAINS PATHOLOGY TESTS
• THE LORD FLOREY STUDENT PRIZE (FORMERLY THE AUSTRALIAN STUDENTS PRIZE) LOCAL
• MORE DENTAL CARE THROUGH MEDICARE – GOOD FOR CONSTITUENTS
• LOCAL FEDERAL MP CONGRATULATES BEROWRA PUBLIC SCHOOL ON ITS INVOLVEMENT IN MUSIC. COUNT US IN
• CALL FOR LONG TIME VOLUNTEERS IN THE ELECTORATE OF BEROWRA TO BE NOMINATED FOR A CERTIFICATE
• GOVERNMENT DELIVERS TO LOCAL VOLUNTEERS

THE ENVIRONMENT

The $627 million package of climate change measures announced recently by the Prime Minister will have practical benefits for Australian communities and tackle environmental challenges. This will include $336 million for green vouchers for schools to improve energy and water efficiency. Every school in my electorate will be eligible for a voucher of up to $50,000 to help install solar hot water systems and rainwater tanks. Not only will this help reduce energy and conserve water, but it will provide students and our local community with a firsthand lesson in how we can act locally to preserve the environment.

Residents will also be able to apply for $1,000 rebates for replacing energy inefficient electric storage hot water systems with solar or heat pump hot water systems in existing homes.

These initiatives will complement the emissions trading scheme announced by the Prime Minister that will include:

• a long-term emissions abatement goal and an associated emissions pathway which is periodically calibrated by government to changing international and domestic circumstances;
• the largest coverage of emission sources compared with other schemes currently operating in the world;
• recognition of credible domestic and international carbon offsets;
• a capacity to link other national and regional schemes; and
• a system of permit allocation that:
  • compensates businesses that suffer a disproportionate loss in asset values;
  • ameliorates the carbon-related exposures of existing and new investments in the trade exposed emissions intensive sector until key international competitors face similar constraints;
  • allows for the auctioning of remaining permits;
  • provides abatement incentives in the lead up to the commencement of emissions trading; and
  • ensures early abatement actions do not disadvantage Australian business.

Trading under the scheme will commence no later than 2012. However, work will begin immediately on the design and implementation of the scheme, with the objective of being in a position to commence trading in 2011. In 2008, following careful economic modelling, the Government will announce a long term goal to set the context for Australia’s overall abatement effort.  The Federal Government will work closely with industry and other stakeholders in developing the key details of the emissions trading scheme. The design of an emissions trading scheme and setting long-term targets will be among the most important economic decisions
Australia takes in the next decade.

SUCCESFUL VETERANS’ HEART HEALTH PROGRAM EXTENDED

The Heart Health group program is an extremely successful initiative, originally introduced to improve the health of Vietnam veterans. Run over a 52 week period, Heart Health focuses on improving the mental and physical well-being of Vietnam veterans through regular exercise and information sessions about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and promotes strategies to help veterans maintain those improvements. Since it first started in 2000, Heart Health has assisted more than 5000 veterans towards a healthier lifestyle. More than 70 per cent of participants continue the good habits learnt on the program, reaping significant health, fitness and social benefits. Participants of the program report overall increase in fitness levels, improved nutrition and increased energy for life. They also report social and psychological benefits, including decreased depressive and PTSD symptoms, less need for counselling, increased motivation, and improved relationships with others. Veterans interested in the Heart Health program can contact their nearest Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service (VVCS) on 1800 011 046.

NEW OFFENCE FOR DRINK AND FOOD SPIKING WELCOMED

I welcome a report recommending new offence for drink and food spiking. The Final Report on Drink and Food Spiking establishes ‘prank spiking’ as a criminal offence and recognises the potential harm caused by spiking of drink and food. The report, prepared by the Model Criminal Law Officers’ Committee of Commonwealth, State and Territory criminal law experts, was endorsed at the meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General in Hobart last month. I look forward to further progress towards a national approach to harmonising the law where there is no basis for differences across state and territory jurisdictions.

The report recommends model provisions which:

• define offences of drink and food spiking, and
• provide for a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment for offenders.

State and Territory Ministers have agreed to consider implementing the model provisions in
their own jurisdictions.  Currently, there is a risk that, if a spiker’s only intention is to embarrass or humiliate, then the spiker can not be prosecuted and punished. The recommended model provisions define all conduct relating to the spiking of drink and food as criminal, as long as a person’s intention is to impair another person’s senses or understanding. The report is available at www.ag.gov.au.

A 1000 JOBS A DAY

The Federal Government welcomes another record breaking set of ABS labour force figures showing more than a 1 000 jobs a day were created in August.  The jobs figures released today exceeded market expectations, with seasonally adjusted employment increasing strongly in August, by 31 900 and with 10 513 300 Australians working, there are now more Australians in work than ever before - my own unemployment figures in the seat of Berowra as low as 3.2 percent. Importantly, full-time employment increased by 29 100, to its highest level on record of 7 541 900, while part-time employment rose by 2 700 to 2 971 400, also a record high.  Surely now, with an impressive 417 900 jobs having been created since the introduction of our workplace reforms – 84.3 per cent full-time, Labor will have to acknowledge the fact these reforms do not destroy jobs – on the contrary!  Since the Howard Government came to office in March 1996, nearly 2.2 million jobs have been created, almost 1.3 million of which have been full-time positions. While the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained steady over the month, at 4.3 per cent, this occurred in conjunction with an increase in the participation rate, rising to a record high of 65.1 per cent. The seasonally adjusted teenage full-time unemployment rate declined by 0.2 percentage points to 18.0 per cent in August and remains well below the peak of 34.5 per cent recorded under the previous Labor Government. The teenage full-time unemployment to population ratio (which refers to the proportion of the total teenage population unemployed and looking for full-time work) now stands at just 3.9 per cent. These exceptional results are a clear demonstration of how the Howard Government’s prudent policy settings have helped steer Australia along the path of sustained economic prosperity.  Indeed, with forward indicators of labour market activity pointing to further strong jobs growth in the period ahead, there has never been a better time for people to break the cycle of welfare dependency and secure sustainable employment.

NETALERT – PROTECTING AUSTRALIAN FAMILIES ONLINE GOES LIVE

Local families will be able to download free filters for their home computers and get practical advice about internet safety from a dedicated hotline and web address. Tackling internet safety can be compared to wearing a seatbelt.   Although a seatbelt goes a long way to protecting you in a car accident, it is only part of the solution to keeping safe on the roads.  Making the internet safe for our children is no different. Danger online is just a click away but this multi-faceted program, combining services, education, regulation and policing ensures that families in my constituency can get the best from the internet, whilst minimising potential harm. Every Australian family and library will have access to a free filter through the $84.8 million National Filter Scheme.  Parents, grandparents and carers will be able to download or order on a CD-ROM an accredited and tested internet content filter. All filter vendors under the scheme will be required to continually update their products to allow for advancements in technology and actively discourage the circumvention of their products. For the Australian Federal Police we are doubling the number of online police tracking down internet predators with an extra $43 million in funding, we are also working with schools and communities through a comprehensive outreach program and more internet safety officers. We are tackling the abuse of social networking sites with a new working group including industry, the Australian Federal Police and the internet regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to address the use of social networking websites by predators to contact and groom children on the internet. Parents, grandparents and carers can visit www.australia.gov.au/netalert from 10:30am today and call 1800 880 176 from 8am today seven days a week from 8am to 10pm for advice about managing online safety, as well as access to free internet content filters, and information about how they work.

NEW ONLINE SERVICE EXPLAINS PATHOLOGY TESTS

I welcome the announcement that the Commonwealth Government has launched a new Internet-based service to help Australians better understand any one of the hundreds of lab tests used to screen, diagnose or monitor illness and disease.    The Government has provided Lab Tests Online with funding of $500,000 from the Quality Use of Pathology Program.  It has been developed by the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists with support from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. By clicking on to a specific test or condition, people can access up-to-the-minute information about the tests used to diagnose or screen for particular diseases, what the relevant tests are looking for, and how they work. Lab Tests Online originated in the United States and now also operates in the United Kingdom. Overseas experience is that the service is used not only patients, but also by GPs, nurses and a range of people involved in a patient’s care.  It is now Google’s top ranked US site for health information.  The web site is at www.labtestsonline.org.au.

THE LORD FLOREY STUDENT PRIZE (FORMERLY THE AUSTRALIAN STUDENTS PRIZE) LOCAL

I congratulate the following prize winners who attended a ceremony in my office for the Lord Storey Student Prize who reside in my electorate.

Luke Albert Achterstraat of Cherrybrook – Barker College;
Frederick Yiu Fai Chung of Cherrybrook – Cherrybrook Technology High School;
Nikki Na Huang of Hornsby – Pymble Ladies’ College;
Amanda Kay Huen of Cherrybrook – James Ruse Agricultural High School;
Prishika Raj of Cherrybrook – Cherrybrook Technology High School;
David Su of Hornsby – North Sydney Boys’ High School;
Michael Su of Hornsby – North Sydney Boys’ High School; and
Sireesha Koneru of pennant hills – James Ruse Agricultural High School

BACKGROUND:

The Lord Florey Student Prize (LFSP) (formerly the Australian Students Prize (ASP) is an Australian Government initiative designed to give national recognition to academic excellence and achievement in secondary education, particularly in senior secondary years. The Prize comprises a certificate and a payment of $2000. The inaugural ASP winners were announced in April 1991 for the 1990 school year.  The Hon Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Education, Science and Training requested in January 2007 that the Prize be renamed The Lord Florey Student Prize.  Lord Florey is known for his role in developing the life saving medicine penicillin in the 1940s, and winning the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1945.  His work led to profound benefits for mankind. Funding and Legislation - The Australian Government allocation for this program is $1 million annually under the Commonwealth Annual Appropriations Act No 1. Participants - Five hundred Prizes are available nationally each year. Allocation of Prizes between the States and Territories is based on each State/Territory's relative share of the Year 12 population. Prizes are also awarded to students who won medals as part of Australia's team in the International Mathematics, Informatics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology Olympiads. In the case of dual eligibility only one Prize is awarded. Students are nominated for the prize by State and Territory Ministers for Education to the Australian Government Minister for Education, Science and Training. The criteria for selection of prize winners is decided by each State or Territory assessment board and submitted to the Australian Government prior to the selection process commencing. Prize winners must be Australian Citizens or permanent residents of Australia.

MORE DENTAL CARE THROUGH MEDICARE – GOOD FOR CONSTITUENTS

I welcome new arrangements that will provide eligible constituents with up to $4,250 worth of Medicare-funded dental treatment over two consecutive calendar years.  In the 2007 Budget, the Government provided an expansion of the existing Medicare dental items for people with chronic and complex conditions.  The Budget announcement included an annual diagnostic consultation and a maximum of $2,000 in benefits for dental treatment each calendar year.
 
The new provisions announced today will give more flexibility for constituents to receive dental treatment when they require services.  It means that many patients who require complex treatment such as restorative dental work or dentures will now receive Medicare services as part of a single course of treatment rather than having to split or defer treatment across different calendar years.    These Medicare items target people with chronic and complex conditions (such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer) where the person’s oral health is having, or is likely to have, an impact on his or her general health.  

To be eligible, a person needs to be under a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements.  Residents of aged care facilities can also have access to the dental items if they are managed by a GP under a multidisciplinary care plan.  All patients will need to be referred to a dentist by a GP.
The new Medicare dental items will commence on 1 November 2007, subject to the passage of legislation, at an estimated cost of $384.6 million over four years, up from an estimated $377.6 million on Budget night.  

LOCAL FEDERAL MP CONGRATULATES BEROWRA PUBLIC SCHOOL ON ITS INVOLVEMENT IN MUSIC. COUNT US IN

Berowra Public School is to be acknowledged on its celebrations for the innovative national school music event - Music. Count Us In. I congratulate Mrs Judy Learmonth, her staff and students in their involvement in this innovative program. Right across Australia, people heard w young people performing the song in schools and out in the community in celebration of music.  John Foreman, a well respected musical director, wrote the song especially for this exciting event. I am delighted to support Berowra Public School with its involvement in Music. Count Us In, which demonstrates how music programs can positively shape young lives and the fun young people, can have making music. The Australian Government is committed to enhancing the status and quality of music education in our schools.  Music. Count Us In is a new $300,000 Australian Government initiative that culminates in the performance of Life is a Song. Berowra Public School has accessed the song and arrangements on the Music. Count Us In website and were sent information to help them get involved.  Over 850 schools across Australia have registered their participation in Music. Count Us In. This exciting event has been organised on behalf of the Australian Government as part of the Music. Play for Life campaign, an initiative of the Music Council of Australia, the Australian Music Association, and the Australian Society for Music Education.

CALL FOR LONG TIME VOLUNTEERS IN THE ELECTORATE OF BEROWRA TO BE NOMINATED FOR A CERTIFICATE

Nominations are called for constituents to nominate a local long time volunteer to be nominated for a Certificate of Appreciation. Volunteers play an integral role in our society and they are well deserved of being recognised. Local volunteers may serve in a broad range of areas such as: sporting organisations; seniors’ and health related programs; church groups; business sponsors; and general community organisations.  Volunteers play a very important role in Australian communities and this is an opportunity to thank all who volunteer for their continued hard work and commitment. Millions of Australians volunteer their time selflessly each year to assist their communities and the needy. Volunteering is all about the community recognising and celebrating the contribution that volunteers make to our community and please call my office for a nomination form to be forwarded by 28th September on 9482.7111.

GOVERNMENT DELIVERS TO LOCAL VOLUNTEERS

Thirty (30) local community organisations received funding through the Volunteer Small Equipment Grants (VSEG). This funding in the second round 2007 provides much welcome basic support for the volunteers who give of themselves to help our local community. Successful applicants are:

In particular, the grants will allow organisations, which may not otherwise be able to afford it, purchase a variety of equipment items to make their work easier, safer and more enjoyable. Volunteers provide essential support and services to members of the community who are most in need, and I welcome the Australian Government’s support for our local volunteers. All applicants will be notified in writing as to the outcome of their application, with a full list of successful applicants available at http://www.facsia.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/aboutfacs/programs/sfsc-vseg_2007.htm.  Notice of future VSEG rounds will be available on www.facsia.gov.au and advertised in metropolitan, rural and regional newspapers across Australia.