Member for Monash Russell Broadbent said local students could live at home and work locally while also studying a tertiary qualification at a new Regional University Centre to be established on the Bass Coast.

Mr Broadbent welcomed the Coalition Government’s commitment to tertiary education in the region and said the centre would boost opportunities for local students to gain skills and qualifications.

“The Bass Coast University Centre will be established in Wonthaggi and will service towns in shires from Cowes to Foster to Grantville. It will attract new students looking to enter current and emerging industries to support growth and development, and increase employment opportunities in our region,” Mr Broadbent said.

“Regional University Centres provide study spaces, academic support, video conferencing and other support for students studying via distance at partner universities.

“This centre opens up more opportunities for people in our region to study than ever before, without having to leave our local community and their support networks.”

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said the Bass Coast Centre was one of nine new centres being established across regional Australia under the Coalition Government’s $53.2 million Regional University Centres program.

“Our Government made a commitment at the last election to establish more Regional University Centres as part of our plan to better support education in regional Australia,”  Mr Tehan said.

“We are keeping our promise to regional Australia by delivering nine new centres. We believe every Australian, no matter where they live, should be able to attend university.

“Our Government is putting regional and rural students at the centre of our focus.

“Since 2016, we have invested more than $600 million to improve support for regional and remote higher education.”

More information about the Regional University Centres is at https://www.dese.gov.au/regional-university-centres.

Sporting clubs are central to many communities in Gippsland and getting back on the fields and courts is awaited with great anticipation throughout the region. Member for Monash Russell Broadbent has welcomed the launch of a toolkit aimed at helping clubs to do that as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

The suite of practical resources, provided by Sport Australia, focus on giving grassroots organisations a roadmap for the safe return to sport at all levels.

Mr Broadbent said the Return to Sport Toolkit, was a comprehensive checklist for sports clubs and community organisations across Monash.

It will complement the National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities, endorsed by the National Cabinet on 1 May.

“The Sport Australia toolkit provides the resources and guidance local clubs across Monash need to ensure a streamlined process,” said Mr Broadbent.

“The safe return of competition relies on a responsible rollout where everybody follows advice and takes precautions.”

The Return to Sport Toolkit guides clubs and associations at every level to document their own COVID-19 Safety Plan and appoint a COVID Safety Co-ordinator to implement and oversee it.

As part of the Toolkit, checklists provide practical and progressive steps such as relevant government and national sporting organisation approvals, facility management, training behaviours, hygiene protocols and appropriate communication with members.

The National Principles along with the Australian Institute of Sport’s framework will be used to guide the staged return of activity as efforts to stop the spread of the virus continue.

The States and Territories will be responsible for sport and recreation resumption decisions, both at the professional and community level and will determine progression through the phases, taking account of local epidemiology, risk mitigation strategies and public health capability.

Mr Broadbent said sporting clubs and organisations would play an enormous part in getting the Monash electorate back on track as the recovery from the impact of COVID-19 continues.

“We have a big challenge ahead of us – but together the National Principles, the AIS framework and Sport Australia’s toolkit offer tangible advice to ensure community sporting groups are prepared to control and deal with the virus in this new era,” said Mr Broadbent.

Sport Australia’s Return to Sport Toolkit can be found here.

The AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment can be found here.

 

Councils in Monash will be supported as part of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s $1.8 billion boost for road and community projects through local governments across Australia.

The investment will support local jobs and businesses and boost local economies struggling under the effects of COVID-19.

Federal Member for Monash Russell Broadbent said the package included the establishment of a new $500 million Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program and the bringing forward of $1.3 billion of the 2020-21 Financial Assistance Grant payment.

The new Program is based on the successful Roads to Recovery program and will enable local councils to deliver priority projects with a focus on upgrades and maintenance to local roads and community infrastructure.

Mr Broadbent said accelerating local infrastructure projects was important for supporting jobs and the local economy in Monash.

“Every single job we support makes a huge difference in our local communities, now and as we navigate out of the coronavirus pandemic,” Russell Broadbent said.

“Not only will this package support jobs, construction businesses and the economy across Monash, it will improve our local roads and provide for new and upgraded amenities to help communities stay connected.

“I will be working closely with local councils to make sure projects get under way to support jobs and businesses as soon as possible.”

Local road projects to be delivered under the Program include but are not limited to constructing or improving bridges and tunnels, street lighting, and heavy vehicle facilities such as rest areas.

A broad range of community infrastructure projects will be eligible including new or upgraded bicycle and walking paths, community facilities, and picnic shelters and barbeque facilities at parks.

Under the Financial Assistance Grant program the following funding allocations have been made to local councils in Monash this financial year:

Guidelines for the Program will be provided directly to local governments by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

Allocations under the Financial Assistance Grant and Local Road and Community Infrastructure programs can be found at https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/lrci.

 

National Careers Week 2020 runs from 18 – 24 May and is a great opportunity for Australians to consider the benefits of vocational education and training (VET) to launch or future proof their careers and help them come through uncertain times in a strong position.

Member for Monash, Russell Broadbent said that the National Careers Week highlights how important it is to continually develop your career, because you never know what’s around the corner and the more skills you have, the better equipped you will be.

“Skilled workers are essential to ensuring Australia’s economic recovery as COVID-19 restrictions around the country begin to ease. The objective of National Careers Week highlights the need for ongoing reskilling and upskilling to support careers throughout life and identifying the changing nature of work and its impact on all Australians. Given the impact of Coronavirus, this is more important than ever,” Mr Broadbent said.

“We are seeing firsthand how skilled Australians are keeping our economy open and expediting our recovery from the pandemic. Healthcare workers, aged care and disability care workers are already so important and are doing so much for the Monash electorate during this pandemic so now many more occupations are just as vital.

As a result of Coronavirus, a lot of training has moved online, giving people flexibility and opening up more opportunities than ever before, particularly for people living in Monash,” Mr Broadbent said.

The recently updated MySkills website enables prospective students to search over 2,000 online courses on offer from registered training organisations (RTOs) with VET qualifications providing a pathway into many rewarding careers.

“As part of the Commonwealth Government’s economic response to COVID-19, we are supporting apprentices, trainees and small businesses and are offering eligible employers a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentices or trainee’s wage for up to 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020 so they can continue to support their apprentices and trainees and keep the benefits of training already undertaken within their business,” Mr Broadbent said.

There are many online events, targeted education and employment opportunities as well as national webinars that can be found at www.careersweek.com.au/events-page. Websites that can help plan career and study options include www.joboutlook.gov.au, www.myskills.gov.au and www.dese.gov.au/covid-19/jobs-hub.

 

A new early childhood online safety education initiative launched today aims to help parents, carers and educators teach infants, toddlers and pre-school children basic technology and online safety concepts.

Playing IT Safe was developed by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation with funding from the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 from the Australian Federal Police and Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), with additional funding from the eSafety Commissioner’s Early Year’s program.

The initiative includes an introduction to online safety education through preventative messaging and a series of digital play-based and offline activities that children can undertake with educators in early learning environments, and at home with parents and carers.

Member for Monash, Russell Broadbent said the internet is an essential part of our lives, and for children it is becoming a part of their lives earlier than ever.

“We know that very young children have access to electronic devices and they may watch videos or play games on a mobile phone or tablet and many children are spending more time using these devices due to the Coronavirus pandemic which places them more at risk of being targeted by online child sex offenders.

“The protection of children requires a community-wide response which is why law enforcement, government and early childhood education experts have joined together to develop this initiative,” Mr Broadbent said.

The Playing IT Safe resources build on the eSafety Commissioner’s Early Years program and are designed to help parents and carers establish positive online behaviours through age-appropriate activities. Research from the eSafety Commissioner shows four out of five parents have pre-school aged children who have access to the internet, which is why it is important to establish a strong foundation for safe internet use from a young age.

“When a child first reaches for a digital device to watch an online video or play an educational based game, parents and carers are encouraged to reach for the Playing IT Safe resources.

“Programs like Playing IT Safe are critical to the protection of young children in an ever-changing online environment and the Government will continue to support initiatives which help protect Australian children from harm.” Mr Broadbent said.

For early childhood online safety resources and information visit www.playingitsafe.org.au and www.esafety.gov.au

The Foster & District Agricultural Show will receive $90,309, to renew and reinvigorate their show grounds, under the Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants program.

Member for Monash, Russell Broadbent said this grant would benefit both the agricultural show society and regional communities in and around Foster.

“Agricultural shows like Foster are the heart and soul of our regional communities, bringing and keeping communities together through a fun family day out while providing a key economic injection into the local economy.

“Upgrading show facilities means more visitors to these regional events, more local employment, and more purchases for local businesses.

“While many regional towns have had to cancel events this year due to the outbreak of COVID-19 this grant will help the Foster Show Committee refurbish their grounds so that next year the Show will be even bigger and better than ever.

“I would like to take this opportunity to also congratulate the Foster Show committee and community for putting together another fantastic show earlier in 2020 after a short hiatus.

“The success of this year’s Foster Show is a testament to the passion and commitment of locals in supporting both the history and future of their show,” Mr Broadbent said.

Foster Agricultural Show Secretary, Denia Gilheany said that the grant will be used for a range of infrastructure works including the refurbishment of the Foster Showgrounds exhibit shed, installation of a marquee, portable sheep yards and portable tiered seating.

“The Show Committee are thrilled to receive this grant and look forward to undertaking some very overdue works on the existing exhibit shed, and purchasing portable infrastructure that will enable us to offer new competitions and further promote agriculture of South Gippsland.

“We hope that our planned use of this funding can be beneficial not only to the development and future of our show, but also to other community groups throughout the year.

Our committee would like to extend a huge thank you to the Commonwealth Government for financially supporting our project and for the community members who have supported this application and our Show,” Ms Gilheany said.

Foster Show Avenue of Agriculture Coordinator, Robbie Davidson said that the purchase of a marquee will allow the Show to not only host a special sheep and goat show but also expand sheep shearing, wool classes and provide sheep and goat milking demonstrations while also expanding displays of South Gippsland produce.

“By enhancing this section of our show, we will be able to further promote the important role agriculture plays within our community, in and around Foster,” Mr Davidson said.

Show Fast Facts:
• There are around 580 agricultural shows across Australia.
• Agricultural shows contribute around $965 million to the economy each year.
• Nearly 6 million Australians visit an agricultural show each year.

The Morrison Government is backing a local company in Monash to modernise how they do business, as they grapple with the impact of the coronavirus.

DJM Fabrications Pty Ltd will receive $100,000 from the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund (MMF) for a $201,062 project that will allow DJM Fabrications to pursue additional rail projects and enter the defence supply chain which will in turn extend DJM’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and create higher value jobs.

Mr Broadbent said the support came at an incredibly important time for the local manufacturing sector.

“The Morrison Government is committed to Australian manufacturing and supporting small and medium sized businesses like DJM Fabrications Pty Ltd here in Monash,” Mr Broadbent said.

“This investment will not only strengthen this businesses and create jobs, it will provide a much needed confidence boost for the whole region as we face this unprecedented pandemic.”

200 projects worth more than $215 million dollars are being supported through the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund (MMF). The Federal Government is contributing $48.3 million.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the projects are expected to create 2,600 Australian jobs and were about preparing Australian manufacturing beyond COVID-19 and the challenges of today.

“We established the MMF before the coronavirus pandemic to help small and medium sized manufacturers invest in capital equipment and new technologies to transform and upgrade their manufacturing operations,” Minister Andrews said.

“Now as we face the coronavirus pandemic and look to come out the other side stronger, this investment will be more critical than ever.

“I am determined to further strengthen Australian manufacturing and the current pandemic gives us the opportunity as a nation to reassess and commit to the values of Australian-made goods.”

The MMF builds on other Federal Government investments in manufacturing growth and competitiveness, including the $100 million Advanced Manufacturing Fund, the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre, the Entrepreneurs’ Programme, and the $40 million Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre.

For more information on the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund visit www.business.gov.au/MMF

Russell Broadbent MP
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