Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent believes the activation of a Telstra base station in Kongwak will go a long way to addressing coverage issues in the area.

Mr Broadbent met with representatives of Telstra in the town on Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s fantastic to see the activation of this new mobile phone tower at Kongwak, which addresses a major black spot problem in the area. In the end, this is not just a matter of providing better service to rural mobile phone users, but a matter of providing a higher level of safety too,” Mr Broadbent said.

“The Coalition’s Mobile Black Spot Program has been a huge success – and this tower adds to the more than 200 active mobile base stations activated since we started the roll out.  The Mobile Black Spot Program has already changed the lives of so many Australians living in McMillan.

“The pace of the Mobile Black Spots roll out is accelerating towards the total of 765 base stations. Mobile data and phone coverage is a crucial part of our daily lives for education, business growth and keeping in contact with family and friends. The Mobile Black Spots Program will deliver coverage to 32,000 homes and businesses across 86,000 square kilometres.”

 

Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent has announced that Australian Paper in Maryvale will receive $2.5 M in funding as part of the Latrobe Valley Local Jobs and Infrastructure Package.

"The money is being delivered under the Community Development Grants Programme for Australian Paper's Energy from Waste Planning and Development project. This funding delivers on the the Australian Government's commitment to the region," Mr Broadbent said.

"The project will deliver planning, preliminary designs and cost estimates for the potential construction of a waste plant that would turn hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste into power. It's something could be operational within four years, creating hundreds of extra jobs locally."

Australian Paper expects that about 800 people would be employed to build the facility, which would provide 46 full-time jobs in the region.

The project is expected to save about 500,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually at the mill.

 

Mr Broadbent has long been advocate for Australian Paper, urging - along with Member for Gippsland Darren Chester - exclusive use of the company's recycled paper by Federal Government departments and member's offices.

 

 

Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent said Prom Coast Ice Cream and Sorbet's recent gongs at the Australian Food Awards were no surprise.

"It's clear that the best food products come out of this region, whether cheese, wine, ice cream, beef or a multitude of others. I congratulate Prom Coast Ice Cream and Sorbet on their innovative and delicious desserts," Mr Broadbent said.

"They are one example of the many producers in McMillan who are having a real impact here and across the nation."

The ice cream makers were awarded two gold and four silver medals at the awards. Their Passionfruit Coco Cream (dairy-free ice cream) and Blood Orange Sorbet both won gold. The Vanilla, Coffee and Creme Brulee Ice Creams and Mango Sorbet gained silver.

'It's About Time' we detected all types of diabetes earlier

Today marks the beginning of National Diabetes Week. Diabetes Australia’s 'It's About Time' campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and early treatment for all types of diabetes.

Too many Australians are being diagnosed with diabetes too late. This is true for both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The delay in diagnosis is putting many people at risk of major life threatening health problems.

'It’s About Time' we detected all types of diabetes earlier and save lives.

'It’s About Time' we knew the early signs of type 1 diabetes

Too many Australians are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes too late. Over 600 people end up in hospital emergency rooms each year very sick, and then find out they have type 1 diabetes. Find out more.

'It’s About Time' we detected silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes

Up to 500,000 Australians may have type 2 diabetes, and not know it. They may have type 2 diabetes for up to seven years before it is diagnosed. During this time type 2 diabetes may be causing serious damage. Find out more.

The National Disability Awards offer a platform to recognise the efforts being carried out by individuals, teams and organisations that have improved the lives of Australians with disability.

Do you know someone who is bringing about a change for people with disability?

A nomination for a National Disability Award is a great way to honour individuals and organisations that raise awareness of disability issues within our community.

Help us celebrate those Australians who work tirelessly to reduce social discrimination and uphold the rights of people with disability.

Nominations for the National Disability Awards close at 11.59pm AEST on 6 August 2017.

Nominate now at www.idpwd.com.au.

Key dates

2017 National Disability Awards nominations open 21 June 2017
2017 National Disability Awards nominations close 6 August 2017
2017 National Disability Award finalists announced Early October 2017
2017 National Disability Awards ceremony 3 December 2017
International Day of People with Disability 3 December 2017

Award categories

  1. Lesley Hall Leadership Award – recognises excellence in development of reform opportunities that improve the lives of people with disability.

 

  1. Employer of the Year Award – recognises excellence in workforce diversity by providing sustainable employment opportunities for people with disability.

 

  1. Community Excellence Award – recognises excellence in improving access and participation in Australian life for people with disability.

 

  1. Excellence in Innovation Award – recognises excellence in innovation in services, places, communities or accessible technologies to improve the lives of people with disability.

 

  1. Excellence in Education and Training Award - recognises excellence in inclusive education or vocational training that delivers improved economic and social outcomes for people with disability.

 

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself. Find out more about the origins and history of NAIDOC Week.

Each year, a different city hosts the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony. The host city, National NAIDOC Poster Competition and the NAIDOC Awards recipients are selected by the National NAIDOC Committee.

Local community celebrations during NAIDOC Week are encouraged and often organised by communities, government agencies, local councils, schools and workplaces.

Have you thought about organising a NAIDOC event in your area? A few suggestions about how you can celebrate NAIDOC can be found on this website.

For many years, the Australian Government has supported national NAIDOC celebrations as well as providing funding grants through the Regional Network to fund local celebrations.

Wherever you live, you can take part in NAIDOC Week celebrations. To find out about NAIDOC Week activities in your area, contact your nearest Regional Office.

Russell Broadbent MP
Sign up here to receive the latest news from my inbox.
crossmenuarrow-up-circle