Sid Sidebottom MP - Federal Member for Braddon

BottomLineIssue 10 December 2011

Christmas Special

A key feature for the Australian Government in consideration of the switchover to digital television has been to provide equal television services to viewers in regional and remote Tasmania as well as metropolitan areas. Southern Cross Television is currently building a 100m mast for the Circular Head community including Smithton. By the end of the year the site should be operational and all three digital commercial stations will be switched on at the same time. Viewers will only need to rescan their televisions or set top boxes once to find all the new channels. Sid understands that work to West Coast transmission sites should begin early in 2012, as soon as the installation of North West Coast digital services is complete. Commercial digital services at existing analogue sites at Rosebery, Strahan and Queenstown should be switched on around the end of June 2012. Waratah will need to be added to the West Coast digital signals. The residents of Tullah are currently served by a ‘self-help’ retransmission site that is not being upgraded by broadcasters, but viewers may be able to receive service from the Rosebery transmitter. Viewers living in any areas serviced by self-help sites that are not being converted to digital and who are unable to get adequate reception of digital services upon the change over will be eligible to receive their TV services through the new Government-funded digital Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service. (See: http://www.digitalready.gov.au/what-is-the-switch/VAST-service.aspx.) Further Government assistance to viewers will also be provided including the Satellite Subsidy Scheme (SSS) which will be made available around six months prior to the switchover. Under the SSS, households receiving signals from a self-help tower that is not going to be converted to digital may be eligible for the SSS to switch to the VAST system.

Centrelink will contact its customers who may be eligible for a set top box around January 2013. Contact Centrelink on 1800 556 443 before you decide to purchase a set top box, otherwise you may not be eligible for assistance.

Stay Tuned

In August, Prime Minister Gillard announced her Government is starting work to build the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). An NDIS would entitle all Australians to support in the event of significant disability. This means that those Australians with a significant disability will get the kind of care and support they deserve. It also means that any Australian who acquires a disability or whose child is born with a disability can have confidence that they will get the helping hand they need. Recently Sid met with Julie Butler and friends from Every Australian Counts who have been campaigning for a NDIS – and heard their personal stories about the challenges they have experienced with the current disability service system and how they will benefit from this reform. Tasmanian National Disability Services is preparing a submission for Tasmania to be the launch site for the NDIS. “A good idea”, says Sid.

Every Australian Counts

THE

Merry Christmas to each and every one

Consuming alcohol while pregnant can be harmful to the developing foetus. Disabilities and brain damage in children can be triggered by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. There is still NO known safe level of drinking for women while pregnant. Expert studies from 30 years of research reveal that alcohol can be harmful to the developing foetus throughout the entire pregnancy. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders result in disability. Sadly, it’s incurable, but it is preventable.

Beware mums and dads...

Devonport’s Indoor Aquatic Centre has moved a step closer to reality with the final conceptual plans endorsed by Devonport’s City Council in October. The capital cost of the new indoor centre will be $14 million with Council required to borrow up to $4 million to complete the project.

The new pool design will incorporate the current outdoor facilities, a new 25 metre indoor eight lane pool, infant awareness pool, warm water pool, foyer, fitness gym and café/kiosk and change rooms just to mention some of the features.

The construction of this community lifestyle amenity will complement Devonport’s existing sporting, commercial and cultural facilities.

The Council will close the outdoor pool over the summer of 2012-13 so that the new indoor centre construction can progress smoothly and allow the existing outdoor pool area to be upgraded safely. The centre should be completed by December 2013.

Federal Labor has committed $5million to the project.

Some of what Federal Labor has delivered locally • School upgrades – 63 schools, 95 projects and over $100 million in funding• Four new Trade Training Centres in our schools to build skills • $17 million for business innovation and job creation • Millions in funding for regional infrastructure projects like Formby Rd, West Park, shared pathways, surf clubs, community and sporting centres • Additional funding for the Mersey Community Hospital of $197 million• Burnie and Devonport GP Superclinics • More housing for the homeless and disadvantaged• Residential accommodation units - NWRH ($3 million)

Some of what we will deliver

• A Regional Cancer Centre

• More health funding

• Devonport Indoor Aquatic Centre

• Targeted support for single parents and long-term unemployed

• More superfast broadband (NBN) across the coast

• Localised decision making and delivery of health services

• Extra funding for mental health (Headspace)

• Reform for the disability and aged care sectors

• A clean energy future

Cancer Centre Funding

On September 9, the Gillard Government delivered on a major election commitment for the North West community. The Health and Hospitals Fund Board approved funding for the development of the North West Regional Cancer Centre (NWRCC). This investment, up to $16.5 million, will provide cancer services in Burnie for North West Coast residents. The investment will, among other things, fund the construction of a bunker and installation of a linear accelerator at the NWRCC in Burnie. Sid worked closely with Minister Nicola Roxon to deliver this project funding so that communities on the North West and West Coasts can look forward to having access to high quality, safe and sustainable cancer care services. Sid will continue to work with the State Government to deliver the project.

A concept plan of NWRCC entrance

Sleepovers Now Possible Patients travelling to the North West Regional Hospital for care will have better access to on-site accommodation following the official opening in August of a new $3 million residential accommodation complex. Patients who need to be at the hospital before and after a day procedure or surgery can be using a hospital bed for the entire period, even though they may only be an acute patient on the day of their procedure. Having the units available for people to stay in the day before and after their treatment or surgery will free up acute hospital beds for acute patients. This is great news for patients because it means more beds, more services and better care for the community. This is just another example of the Federal Labor Government delivering services that matter to the community. The $3 million project was funded by the Federal Government as part of its $9.9 million Tasmanian Patient Transport Initiative.

The official opening of the NWRH new residential accommodation complex

The BottomLine

Indoor Aquatic Centre artist’s impression

Devonport Indoor Aquatic Centre

TheBottomLineHelping Burnie jobless On August 5, Minister for Human Services, Tanya Plibersek and Sid joined a roundtable meeting with community groups in Burnie to discuss Better Futures, Local Solutions, a new Gillard Government initiative to tackle disadvantage. Burnie was one of only 10 locations across Australia selected for programs which will address entrenched disadvantage and workforce participation. These programs will provide more intensive and tailored support for people in Burnie, helping them back into the workforce or into further education or training. The aim is to work with local organisations – the not-for-profit sector, communities and local government – to address disadvantage through tailored initiatives that draw on local expertise. Several people have been specifically employed to help with this process and to work with the community to provide local solutions to local challenges.

New era for school

M Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett and Sid visited Burnie’s new Romaine Park Primary School in July for a tour of the new school grounds and facilities including its ultra-modern classrooms, the early childhood centre, library, performing arts facility and multi-purpose hall. It has an innovative design with 6 ‘pods’ or classrooms and a discovery centre built around a shared central space. The buildings are energy efficient, harnessing and capturing natural light through double glazed windows. The school also takes part in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program, helping kids learn about food production and healthy eating. Romaine Park received $6.4 million funding from the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) scheme. Romaine Park is the result of an amalgamation of Brooklyn, Acton and Upper Burnie Primary Schools with around 500 pupils and 70 staff moving into the new buildings. Sid had the pleasure of officially opening the campus on October 7 with his former teaching colleagues from the Don College, Paul O’Halloran MHA, Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Mr Malcolm Wells, Deputy Secretary of the Tasmanian Education Department.

The Roundtable meeting in Burnie

Romaine Park Primary building works in progress, April 2011

headspace is a national service that helps young people who are going through a tough time. Young people aged 12-25 (there are around 18,000 in our region) can get health advice, support and information from headspace about general health, mental health and counselling, alcohol and drug support, education, employment and other services. Mental health is the single biggest health issue facing young Australians. It is estimated that 1 in 4 Australian families will be directly impacted by mental health. In addition, eheadspace is a national service for young people that provides online and telephone counselling services, as well as referrals to other services and advice about how to navigate the mental health system. (see: www.headspace.org.au.) On October 24 it was announced that the North West is 1 of only 2 places in Australia to benefit from a new Government funded headspace ‘outpost’ service. The area covers the North West Coast to Smithton and the West Coast. Sid has worked with Minister Mark Butler for some time to secure a headspace service for our local area. The North West headspace outpost service will be overseen by an existing headspace centre and will work with relevant local organisations and service providers to explore how the Outpost can best improve care and support for our young people. Launceston is the ideal candidate to auspice the North West headspace outpost. It will benefit from Launceston’s expertise and workforce while forging its own identity in the region.

North West Headspace Outpost PM visit to King Island full of energy! Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited King Island on July 25 with Sid, meeting with locals and visiting the Island’s pioneering renewable energy project. This is only the second time the community has enjoyed a visit from a PM after Robert Menzies visited on 26 June 1961 and Sid has been keen to get her to the Island for some time. The PM was delighted to tour the new renewable energy plant on King Island and to discuss renewable energy and energy efficiency along with Labor’s Clean Energy Future Scheme with locals. The PM was very impressed, saying “It’s this kind of move to clean energy sources that putting a price on carbon is all about. What we want to see is less carbon pollution, what we want to see is a clean energy future. Putting a price on carbon pollution will drive new investments and new opportunities in that clean energy future”. A major component of the Government’s Clean Energy Future plan is promoting innovation and investment in renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. King Island is a pioneer in this future and Federal Labor has contributed $14.5m to help this happen.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard & Sid visiting King Island

TheBottomLine

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Well, 2011 is coming to an end already!

The Federal Labor Government has forged ahead with significant legislation including our Clean Energy Future plan. Contrary to the negative views and predictions of some commentators and sections of the media, the 43rd Parliament has worked, and worked well. Our region continues to experience challenges but is also positively responding to new opportunities. The forest industries sector is undergoing significant change and whilst currently this is accompanied by uncertainty, it is important that its future is sustainable and certain. The Federal Labor Government has committed $276 million to support this process. On the other hand, the dairy industry in our region is undergoing massive investment and expansion – all good news given its employment opportunities and infrastructure investments. Whilst some parts of the manufacturing sector have declined in our region, others continue to expand, especially in relation to agriculture, dairying, mining and renewable energy technologies. Indeed, we have some world-class, pioneering businesses right across the Coast. The Federal Government has supported growth through our NW Innovation and Industry Fund, Forest Package, and through agencies such as Enterprise Connect and AusIndustry to name a few. My hard working staff and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a very Happy New Year in 2012.

Sid’s byte

The Skilled Burnie Ten race started at 11.15am, Saturday 15 October but Sid had been in ‘advanced’ training for the challenging event! Liberal MHA Adam Brooks, The Advocate’s Editor Julian O’Brien and Sid made up the ‘3 Tenners’ training group. This trio was made even more complete with matching tuxedo style t-shirts. The crew stirred each other up and spurred each other on. Of course, it’s the spirit of the event that counts. Julian sported a time of 1 hour 19 minutes and 19 seconds, taking line honours between the three tenners. Sid was happy with 1 hour 24 minutes and 26 seconds. Adam’s race was solid, finishing with a time of 1 hour 47 minutes and 40 seconds. The trio proved they do not just talk the talk; they can also walk the walk or in Julian’s case, run the walk!

The 3 Burnie 10’ers

The Government is investing in green jobs and renewable energy technologies to secure a clean energy future for Tasmania. Minister for Skills and Jobs, Senator Chris Evans, and Sid visited a new $4.4 million purpose-built facility in Wynyard in July. Southern Prospect specialises in a range of products and services relating to renewable energy, including supplying, installing and repairing wind turbines. As an example of Governments working in partnership with innovative, creative industries to help grow our economy, funding for the new $4.4 million Southern Prospect facility included a grant of $1.5 million from the North West and Northern Tasmania Innovation and Investment Fund (NWNTIIF), a joint Australian Government and Tasmanian Government initiative. The Government wants Australia to take advantage of the opportunities for new jobs and new skills as we move to cut our carbon pollution and embrace a clean energy future. This facility already employs 35 employees and aims to increase this to a 45 by 2013. Labor’s $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation exists to support investment in renewable energy technologies. The Government is also supporting the development of renewable energy skills through the $200 million Critical Skills Investment Fund (CSIF) - targeting training for new and existing workers in the construction, infrastructure,renewable energy and resources sectors.

Renewable Energy in Braddon

TheBottomLine

Ageing Forum In October, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, and Sid met with local seniors in Devonport as part of a national conversation on healthy and positive ageing. The Gillard Government is working to deliver a system that is based on four key principles. First, every older Australian has earned the right to be able to access quality care and support that is appropriate to their needs, when they need it. Secondly, older Australians deserve greater choice and control over their care arrangements than the system currently provides. Thirdly, funding arrangements for aged care need to be sustainable and fair, both for older Australians and for the broader community. And finally, older Australians deserve to receive quality care from an appropriately skilled workforce.

Senator Anne Urquhart, Minister Mark Butler & Sid

Sid in training

( 1300 135 547 (Toll Free) 6431 1333

; sid.sidebottom.MP@aph.gov.au

www.sidsidebottom.com

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SID SIDEBOTTOM MP Federal Member for Braddon

Shop 2/32 Wilmot St (PO Box 908) BURNIE TAS 7320