Luke Howarth MP, Federal Member for Petrie would like to remind young sports competitors that there’s a limited time to get applications in for Round 3 of the Local Sporting Champions program.

Mr Howarth said financial assistance of up to $750 was available for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships through the grant program.

“This year we’ve had 48 successful applicants awarded over $35,000 that can to go towards competition fees, transport costs, accommodation, uniforms and sporting equipment,” said Mr Howarth.

“So be sure to nominate your budding sports professional and help them reach the next level.”

Applications close 31 December 2019. Visit www.sportaus.gov.au/lsc for more information.

The Morrison Government is delivering for senior Australians through a $537 million funding investment, responding to the three priority areas identified in the Aged Care Royal Commission Interim Report.

Luke Howarth MP, Federal Member for Petrie welcomed the major funding boost, which will   deliver 10,000 new home care packages, improve medication management for aged care residents with dementia and facilitate getting younger people out of residential aged care.

“Delivering quality aged care is a priority for people in Petrie so I’m very pleased the Australian Government is providing more support in these three priority areas identified by the Aged Care Royal Commission,” Mr Howarth said.

“This year I’ve been out to visit Palm Lake Resort in Deception Bay, Lodges on George in Kippa-Ring, Arcare in North Lakes, Aveo in Bridgeman Downs, Tricare Compton Gardens in Aspley and Youngcare in North Lakes and they will all benefit as a result of the interim report.

“With so many senior facilities in my electorate, families want the confidence knowing their loved ones will be treated with dignity and respect when they need care and I am committed to delivering that for people in my local area.

The funding package includes the following measures:

• investing $496.3 million for an additional 10,000 home care packages
• providing $25.5 million to improve medication management programs to reduce the use of medication as a chemical restraint on aged care residents and at home, and new restrictions and education for prescribers on the use of medication as a chemical restraint
• delivering $10 million for additional dementia training and support for aged care workers and providers, including to reduce the use of chemical restraint; and
• investing $4.7 million to help meet new targets to remove younger people with disabilities from residential aged care.

“These 10,000 new packages will be rolled out from 1 December 2019 and will help more seniors to live in their own homes for longer. The additional packages are strongly weighted towards people with highest needs, as recommended by the Royal Commission,” said Mr Howarth.

“There is a concerning over-reliance on the use of chemical restraint in aged care. To reduce the inappropriate prescribing of anti-psychotic drugs we will be providing nearly 200,000 more medication management reviews, plus delivering more education and training to aged care workers to better manage dementia patients so that restraint is only ever used as a last resort.

“Under the package announced today, the Morrison Government will implement targets to end the flow of younger people under age 65 of entering residential aged care by 2022 and assist in ensuring that no people under the age of 65 are living in residential aged care by 2025, except in exceptional circumstances,” Minister Robert said.

Full details of the Government’s Aged Care Royal Commission Interim Report response package is available at https://www.pm.gov.au/media/response-aged-care-royal-commission-interim-report

Australia will become a world leader in hydrogen production and exports thanks to a new fund set up by the Federal Government.

Luke Howarth MP, Federal Member for Petrie, said following the release of the National Hydrogen Strategy, the Australian Government launched a funding package focused on growing an innovative, safe and competitive hydrogen industry in Australia.

“Australia has the potential to develop a thriving hydrogen market over the coming decades, similar to the scale of Australia’s LNG industry,” said Mr Howarth.

“The development of our hydrogen resources could create new jobs for Australians, especially in regional areas, and an export industry valued in the billions.

“By growing a strong domestic hydrogen industry, we will be able to see the practical benefits of hydrogen here at home with cheaper power bills, improved system reliability and emissions reduction.

“Residents in Petrie would certainly benefit from hydrogen facilities being built and operated in the electorate with the creation of jobs so I hope investment opportunities from both government and the private sector come as a result of this fund.”

The Australian Government will reserve $370 million from existing Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funding to back new hydrogen projects.

This package takes the Federal Government’s commitments to the hydrogen industry to over $500 million since 2015 and is part of a plan to deliver a fairer, more affordable and reliable energy system and a stronger economy for all Australians.

The Energy Policy Blueprint here www.energy.gov.au/energy-policy-blueprint-fair-deal-energy.

The Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to supporting Australian farmers and their families doing it tough during the ongoing drought, and to help them be more resilient to deal with the next drought when it comes.

Changes to Farm Household Allowance (FHA) passed the Australian Parliament last week that build on improvements made by the Liberal and Nationals Government by making sure farmers receive the full rate of payment and a $10,000 training supplement.

Luke Howarth MP, Federal Member for Petrie, said the support payment was changed to better meet the needs and special circumstances of farmers experiencing hardship, particularly at a time when drought was putting so many under pressure.

“FHA is designed to lift the burden from our farming families so they don’t have to worry about how they will fill the car, afford a school lunch or pay for groceries,” Mr Howarth said.

“We’ve already extended the payment so it’s available for four in every 10 years, we’ve made the treatment of income much simpler and we’ve introduced the ability for the Minister to make lump sum payments, with the payment becoming available from 16 December, in time for Christmas.

“The changes passed last week have simplified the asset test to allow farming families to combine farm and non-farm assets together as long as they are valued under $5.5 million. Those farmers who have looked to diversify as a buffer against the hard times may now be eligible thanks to these changes.

“Farmers receiving FHA have more certainty about their rate of payment as it will no longer be varied as their incomes fluctuate for example, if they take on contract work—if farmers qualify they’ll be paid in full.

“The activity supplement has more than doubled – from $4000 to $10,000 – and can now be used to pay for travel and accommodation costs when farmers are undertaking eligible training and study.

“Service providers, like Rural Financial Counsellors, farm consultants, or local accountants can now conduct farm financial assessments for farmers to help them improve their circumstances.

“The changes are in line with the recommendation of the independent farmer-led review of the FHA.

“Since March 2014 farmers and farming families have accessed more than $375 million in support to provide some breathing space to decide how best to get through these tough times.”

Visit www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Farm-Household-Allowance-Program to find out more about FHA.

Trainees and apprentices will be taught skills that better match the needs of employers in the mining industry, under a Skills Organisation pilot announced by the Morrison Government.

The Mining Skills Organisation pilot will ensure trainees and apprentices, particularly those in remote areas, are part of a growing workforce to support the mining industry, as well as the broader Australian economy.

Luke Howarth MP, Federal Member for Petrie said the pilot will prepare more Australians for highly skilled jobs in the mining industry.

“The pilot program is great news for local businesses and the community, but especially for young people as it will give them better employment opportunities knowing which jobs are required,” said Mr Howarth.

“We will make sure we teach the skills employers are demanding, whether they require heavy diesel fitters, automotive electricians, communication technicians or mine engineers.

“It will help ensure the ongoing availability of a highly skilled workforce to support the mining industry, as well as the broader economy.

“The Morrison Government is committed to ensuring all Australians have opportunities for employment and prosperity and this pilot is great news for my electorate.”

For more information visit www.employment.gov.au/SO.

The Morrison Government is today calling for organisations to apply for $60 million worth of grants to expand emergency accommodation across Australia under our record commitment to keep women and children safe.

Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services Luke Howarth said the funding would deliver up to 450 additional safe places for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.

“Unfortunately we know that domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women. Specialist Homelessness Services reported supporting more than 121,000 clients who experienced domestic violence during 2017-18,” Assistant Minister Howarth said.

“We hope this increase in emergency accommodation will help at least 6,500 women and children each year across remote, regional and metropolitan Australia.

“Applicants who bring forward additional investment will be prioritised as this will mean even more safe places can be provided to women and children.”

The grants will help organisations construct, repurpose, renovate or purchase new buildings to create additional safe places.

The $78 million safe places package forms part of the $340 million Morrison Government investment in the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

Included in the package is $18 million in dedicated funding to continue implementing the Keeping Women Safe in Their Homes program. This program provides security upgrades and safety planning so women and children at risk of, or experiencing domestic and family violence can remain in their own home, if it is safe to do so.

Applications for Safe Places Emergency Accommodation grant funding are now open to eligible organisations and close 14 February 2020. Visit the GrantConnect website for more information. 

The Morrison Government is delivering for senior Australians through a $537 million funding investment, responding to the three priority areas identified in the Aged Care Royal Commission Interim Report.

Luke Howarth MP, Federal Member for Petrie welcomed the major funding boost, which will   deliver 10,000 new home care packages, improve medication management for aged care residents with dementia and facilitate getting younger people out of residential aged care.

“Delivering quality aged care is a priority for people in Petrie so I’m very pleased the Australian Government is providing more support in these three priority areas identified by the Aged Care Royal Commission,” Mr Howarth said.

“This year I’ve been out to visit Palm Lake Resort in Deception Bay, Lodges on George in Kippa-Ring, Arcare in North Lakes, Aveo in Bridgeman Downs, Tricare Compton Gardens in Aspley and Youngcare in North Lakes and they will all benefit as a result of the interim report.

“With so many senior facilities in my electorate, families want the confidence knowing their loved ones will be treated with dignity and respect when they need care and I am committed to delivering that for people in my local area.

The funding package includes the following measures:

• investing $496.3 million for an additional 10,000 home care packages
• providing $25.5 million to improve medication management programs to reduce the use of medication as a chemical restraint on aged care residents and at home, and new restrictions and education for prescribers on the use of medication as a chemical restraint
• delivering $10 million for additional dementia training and support for aged care workers and providers, including to reduce the use of chemical restraint; and
• investing $4.7 million to help meet new targets to remove younger people with disabilities from residential aged care.

“These 10,000 new packages will be rolled out from 1 December 2019 and will help more seniors to live in their own homes for longer. The additional packages are strongly weighted towards people with highest needs, as recommended by the Royal Commission,” said Mr Howarth.

“There is a concerning over-reliance on the use of chemical restraint in aged care. To reduce the inappropriate prescribing of anti-psychotic drugs we will be providing nearly 200,000 more medication management reviews, plus delivering more education and training to aged care workers to better manage dementia patients so that restraint is only ever used as a last resort.

“Under the package announced today, the Morrison Government will implement targets to end the flow of younger people under age 65 of entering residential aged care by 2022 and assist in ensuring that no people under the age of 65 are living in residential aged care by 2025, except in exceptional circumstances,” Minister Robert said.

Full details of the Government’s Aged Care Royal Commission Interim Report response package is available at https://www.pm.gov.au/media/response-aged-care-royal-commission-interim-report

Drought-hit communities and farmers in affected regions will get a significant boost from the Coalition Government’s $709 million drought relief package.

Luke Howarth MP, Federal Member for Petrie said the package was designed to support both farmers and regional communities.

“This will see money flow right through the regional economy,” Mr Howarth said.

“Farmers in drought-affected regions will have access to loans of up to $2 million with no interest or repayments for the first two years.

“This will save farmers who refinance thousands of dollars and help them get back on their feet when the drought breaks.

“First-time businesses that are dependent on agriculture will also be able to access interest-free loans of up to $500,000.

“This will protect jobs in drought-affected regions in Queensland and make sure we can bounce back once the drought breaks.

“Nationally, another $378 million will also go into drought-affected community projects and an extra $138.9 million into our Roads to Recovery initiative.

“There’s also $10 million so schools can give concessional fees to families facing drought and a $5 million childcare fund.

“Regional Queensland has been doing it tough through this drought, and this package will help everyone get through it.

“It helps to protect our jobs and economy so when the drought breaks we will bounce back faster.”

Trainees and apprentices will be taught skills that better match the needs of employers in the mining industry, under a Skills Organisation pilot announced by the Morrison Government.

The Mining Skills Organisation pilot will ensure trainees and apprentices, particularly those in remote areas, are part of a growing workforce to support the mining industry, as well as the broader Australian economy.

Luke Howarth MP, Federal Member for Petrie said the pilot will prepare more Australians for highly skilled jobs in the mining industry.

“The pilot program is great news for local businesses and the community, but especially for young people as it will give them better employment opportunities knowing which jobs are required,” said Mr Howarth.

“We will make sure we teach the skills employers are demanding, whether they require heavy diesel fitters, automotive electricians, communication technicians or mine engineers.

“It will help ensure the ongoing availability of a highly skilled workforce to support the mining industry, as well as the broader economy.

“The Morrison Government is committed to ensuring all Australians have opportunities for employment and prosperity and this pilot is great news for my electorate.”

For more information visit the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business website at www.employment.gov.au/SO.