CLOSE to 300,000 Australian small businesses have taken advantage of the Coalition Government’s instant asset write-off according to 2015-16 tax office data, including 2800 in the electorate of McMillan.

“The instant asset write-off is directly helping small businesses in increase their bottom lines and improving cash flow which means more investment and job creation in McMillan,” Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent said.

“In 2015-16, the number of claims nationwide increased by 50,550 and the average amount claimed increased by $4,065 to $9,000. This means more money in the pockets of small businesses in so they can grow their businesses, employ workers and pay them more.

“That is why the Coalition Government increased the per-asset threshold of the instant asset write-off from $1,000 to $20,000 and extended the program in the Budget until 30 June 2018.

“Cash flow is so important for small business operators and the instant asset write-off means that tradies can invest in better tools, cafes and restaurants can upgrade their equipment and all small businesses can reinvest to grow their business.

“These great results are set to continue with tens of thousands more small businesses able to access the instant asset write-off thanks to the Coalition Government’s increase in the small business turnover threshold to $10 million per year.

“The extension of the instant asset write-off is just one part of the Government’s plan to boost the economy and help small businesses invest and grow.”

Small businesses are reaping the benefits of lower taxation after the Coalition Government recently secured tax cuts for around 3.2 million small and medium Australian businesses employing 5.6 million workers as part of its Ten Year Enterprise Tax Plan in the 2016–17 Budget.

You can find out more about the Coalition Government’s small business measures at business.gov.au/smallbusiness.

October 19, 2017

Mr BROADBENT (McMillan) (13:56):  I have been wondering why this generation of young people have so many illnesses or other issues that our previous generations didn't face. One thing we all have in common is that we all eat and drink. Is it to do with the food that this generation have a problem with? Ninety-five per cent of my electorate is rural. Good to see you, Gary. More than that, we have the number of farmers in our electorate that provide the food and soil. Healthy soil, healthy people. What has happened is that one farmer in his shed, Neil Olsen, has produced a piece of equipment that, when run through the ground, increases the carbon in the soil and improves the soil. You say, 'But that's just a plough. That's nothing special! That's just a plough.' Well, it works. It gives a one per cent per month increase in the carbon in the soil. Better soil, better food, better nutrition: that's what we've got to deliver to our children. I wonder whether, as a nation, we should be looking at what we're putting through these lips and whether it's good for us. If it's not good for us we should be doing something about it. Let's start with healthy soil.

October 17, 2017

Mr BROADBENT (McMillan) (16:23):  I would like to seek leave to table the story of Lennie Gwyther.

Leave granted.

I'd like to speak to that. Congratulations to Leongatha on the presentation and unveiling of the statue to Lennie Gwyther and his horse Ginger Mick. Lennie had a dream at nine years of age to ride from Leongatha/Koonwarra to Sydney for the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. At nine years of age, he did that after his father gave him permission.

In attending the function, there was his sister Beryl Ferrier, sister Leta Gardenal, daughter Mary Gwyther, granddaughter Sally Gwyther, sister-in-law Shirley Gwyther and brother Keith, and many other relatives and friends from near and far. Bob Newton, a local councillor and former mayor, had a dream that he would like to see a statue of Lennie Gwyther in Leongatha. Along with his committee members, the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce's Peter Watchorn, Brenton Williams and Glenn Wright, Gordon Morrison, along with the Leongatha Historical Society's Andrew Sage, Peter Farrel, who did the concrete with Jim Newton, the McDonald brothers, who did the lighting, C&L Stainless, who did the plaque and helped with the lighting, and T&M Southern Cranes—everybody got into it from Leongatha and supported this tremendous opening.

Probably the highlights of the day were the shire brass band. Certainly Jessica Stein and the children from the Leongatha Primary School were an absolute highlight of the event and they should be congratulated for their presentation. It was a most memorable day in the heat and I think I'm still sunburnt from the day because in the end we weren't undercover. Huge congratulations go to Leongatha. Lennie Gwyther actually shook the hand of the Prime Minister on his way through from Koonwarra. He was attacked by vagabonds and he survived a bushfire. You can imagine the rain and hail and slush he went through, and he arrived to great accolades at the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's a photograph of Lennie Gwyther, nine years of age, riding his horse Ginger Mick across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was most amazing. A lot of the kids on Saturday had the Lennie Gwyther storm hat on that he had worn all that way. I got the nine-year-old children up around me and said to the whole crowd, and there were hundreds of people there, 'Have a look at these children, they're nine years of age; this is the age he hopped on a horse and went from Koonwarra to Sydney.

 

https://youtu.be/6pElEGICR7M

Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent says everyone in the community can join in the fun and get healthier during Veterans Health Week, which runs from Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 October.

Mr Broadbent said the theme for this year’s Veterans’ Health Week was ‘physical health’.

“During Veterans Health Week, our local veterans, war widows, widowers, current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families are encouraged to participate in events celebrating the importance of healthy living,” he said.

“Veterans’ Health Week supports initiatives that keep people connected with their friends, families and communities and provides an opportunity to make new connections through a common cause.

“Playing sport and regular exercise is good for physical and mental health and I encourage all those in our current and ex-service community, as well as the wider McMillan community to find a fun Veterans’ Health Week event and to get involved.”

Local organisations involved in activities include the Leongatha RSL Sub-Branch (Ph. 5662 2012) and the South Gippsland & Phillip Island TPI Social Group (Ph. 5674 2060).

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has a range of health information, resources and support services for serving and ex-serving members, including:

• the Heart Health Program which aims to help increase physical health and wellbeing through practical exercise, nutrition and lifestyle management support. The program runs for 52 weeks and includes 12 health educational seminars and two individually tailored physical activity sessions per week, as either a group or an individual training program.

• the ability to obtain a referral from their GP to see an Exercise Physiologist to help develop an exercise plan for at home workouts, aimed at assisting the self-management of an accepted condition.

• the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) that may provide eligible veterans access to items to help get them back playing sport and being active, including prosthetic recreational sports aids and adaptive sports aids.

For more information on any of this support, visit www.dva.gov.au or phone 133 254.

October 16, 2017

Mr BROADBENT (McMillan) (16:37):  On Saturday there was a very important function at Leongatha, which I will talk about another time when I have more time. But at that function was the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band. They were such an integral part of the day that I thought, 'Gee, if you want to look back 100 years, you'd only have to go to the activity statement of the brass band, who were there at every important function that was held in the community through all those years.' I realise there's one at Wonthaggi, one at Pakenham, based around the Cardinia Shire, and one at Warragul and South Gippsland. I have a particular affinity with the bands, because my great-grandfather was the leader of the Bairnsdale brass band. This family connection led me to think, at a really important function the other day, that the brass band was central to the whole celebration.

Right across our electorates and across Australia, there is a history of these brass bands going back 100 and more years, and they have been consistent all the way through. I just want to pay tribute to those who are in bands today and their forefathers and mentors who have been in the bands before them. Especially I want to pay tribute to all the young children who have been able to enter into the world of music through their local brass band. I am watching that happening in South Gippsland, and congratulations to every one of you. We praise you for what you do

Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent today encouraged the local community to apply for funding under the Armistice Centenary Grants Program.

The grants program announced by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan will open in November this year and support projects or activities that commemorate the end of the First World War.

Mr Broadbent said up to $50,000 is available to organisations living in McMillan.

“Every electorate across Australia will receive up to $50,000 for local projects that appropriately commemorate the end of the war 100 years ago,” Mr Broadbent said.

“One-off grants of between $3,000 and $50,000 are available and I encourage all those in McMillan who want to contribute to a significant period in our nation’s history to submit an expression of interest to my office.”

Members of Parliament will be required to consult their community organisations or create a new Community Consultation Committee, whose role will be to seek the community’s views on how best to commemorate the Centenary of Armistice locally.

“The Committee will also assist me in reviewing all proposals before an application is submitted to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs,” Mr Broadbent said.

Applications open on 11 November 2017 and close on 28 February 2018. Expressions of interest in the grants can be lodged with my office prior to the applications opening. More information is available at www.dva.gov.au or by calling 1800 555 254.

Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Federal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent today announced that grant applications for round two of the Coalition Government’s Safer Communities Fund programme are now open.

The Safer Communities Fund delivers on the Coalition’s ongoing commitment to keep Australians safe and secure.

Only safe communities can be strong and prosperous, and the best way to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is to prevent it happening.

Local councils and community organisations are invited to apply through this open competitive round for funding for security enhancement projects, such as CCTV, bollards and lighting.

The Safer Communities Fund provides grants of up to $1 million for security infrastructure initiatives that address crime and anti-social behaviour, help reduce the fear of crime, increase feelings of safety, and contribute to the safety of communities that may be at risk of racial and/or religious intolerance.

Mr Broadbent said investment in security infrastructure at local crime hotspots would reduce fear of crime and contribute to greater community safety and resilience across McMillan.

“Round one of this programme has already helped with security and safety upgrades in Bourke Park in Pakenham and Queen Street in Warragul, helping make no-go zones safe again,” Mr Broadbent said.

“I encourage potential applicants for round two to contact my office to discuss their projects’ eligibility, and to receive all submission details.”

Minister Keenan said local Members play a key role in working with their community to boost community safety and identifying where there is a need for increased security infrastructure.

“Our Government firmly believes that all Australians have the right to feel safe and secure, and the Safer Communities Fund is one way we can achieve that,” Mr Keenan said.

“The Coalition has now committed more than $100 million to assist local communities in keeping our streets safe from crime and anti-social behaviour,” Mr Keenan said.

“We will continue to put funds towards projects that make our streets, communities, and our nation safer.”

Further information on the Safer Communities Fund is available on the Australian Government’s Safer Communities Fund website at www.business.gov.au/safer-communities-fund, or by calling 13 28 46. Applications close on 14 November 2017.

Russell Broadbent MP
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