Australian Space Agency funding cuts by Labor

Yesterday in Parliament I spoke on the Coalition Government's funding initiatives for the Australian Space Agency and subsequent funding cuts by the Albanese Labor Government.

Our nation deserves to be at the forefront of space innovation, and it is our duty to ensure that we seize the potential that awaits us in the cosmos.

Please join me in sending best wishes to all Australian students who are participating in the Spaceport America Cup this week in New Mexico, USA. Many Australian universities are very well represented, including from The University of Western Australia, my home state.

Carbon Farming Outreach Program

Federal Member for Durack, The Hon Melissa Price MP invites farmers and land managers in her electorate of Durack to apply for the Carbon Farming Outreach Program, administered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

The purpose of this grant opportunity is to deliver training and advice to empower Australian farmers and land managers, including First Nations peoples, to participate in carbon markets and integrate low emission technologies and practices into their farming operations and land management practices.

“These grants will enable farmer groups, agricultural businesses, and organisations to adapt their practices and enhance their farming systems to assist with low emission technologies and aid their participation in carbon markets” Melissa Price said.

The program has two aspects, a procurement process to develop a training package on behalf of DCCEEW and a grant program to deliver the training package. Successful applicants will receive training developed by DCCEEW (via a train-the-trainer model), information and tools under the program to support their extension activities.

The objectives of the program are:

·         support farmers and land managers to make decisions to reduce emissions

·         build capacity of trusted advisers to deliver independent advice

·         facilitate access to clear, consistent and culturally appropriate information on carbon farming and low-emissions technologies and practices 

This program will assist farmers and land managers in making informed decisions to lower emissions, increase their knowledge of greenhouse gas emission management and facilitate connections through trusted advisers who have the information resources, knowledge and skills to continue to provide advice beyond the life of this grant opportunity.

Applications for this funding round close Monday 24 July 2023.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please follow this link – Carbon Farming Outreach Program or visit grants.gov.au – Carbon Farming Outreach Program.

Ends.

Media Contact:

Jackie Perry 0427 587 395, jackie.perry@aph.gov.au

Community child care fund – Establishing child care in limited supply areas

Federal Member for Durack, the Hon Melissa Price MP, encourages Child Care Subsidy approved providers across the Durack electorate to apply for funding as part of the Community Child Care Fund – Establishing Child Care in Limited Supply Areas. This is a federal funding round facilitated by the Department Education.

“I am strongly of the opinion that we need to encourage and promote regional living, which obviously requires having childcare options available for local residents.  I believe this funding round will help our regional towns to flourish, socially and economically.  Families will enjoy increased childcare options, allowing them to participate in the work, social and physical activities they may have been unable to do because of the lack of childcare in their area” Melissa Price said.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are to:

·         establish new early childhood services in communities experiencing disadvantage in regional or remote areas, where there is a gap in the supply of approved services.

·         support newly established services in communities experiencing disadvantage in regional and remote areas, to operate sustainably, engage local workforce, and address community level barriers to participation in early childhood education.

·         increase the number of children from communities experiencing disadvantage in regional and remote areas accessing early childhood education.

·         increase the availability of approved ECEC in communities experiencing disadvantage in regional and remote areas, with high unmet demand through capital works projects.

“By investing in child care centres in regional areas, communities can support families, promote child development, and create a brighter future for their children and the broader community.” Ms Price said.

Applications for this funding round close Thursday 1 June 2023.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit the Grant Connect website

Ends.

Media Contact:

Jackie Perry 0427 587 395, jackie.perry@aph.gov.au

Black Spot Roads Funding to Save Lives in Durack

Federal Member for Durack, the Hon Melissa Price MP, welcomes the announcement that three recipients from her electorate will benefit from the latest round of funding announced under the Western Australia Black Spot Program 2023-2024 (the program).

The program funding targets road locations with a history of crashes in need of safety upgrades such as lighting, signage, traffic lights and roundabouts. History shows that these upgrades reduce crashes causing injury and death at identified sites by around 30 per cent.

Melissa Price MP said “The Durack community’s input is critical to identifying key black spots in the electorate. These projects would not be delivered without the community’s vital input and I encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects in the event of future funding rounds,” said Melissa Price.

The successful Durack projects for the Western Australia Black Spot Program 2023-2024 are:

·         SOUTH HEDLAND - $275,000 to install speed plateaus on Limpet Crescent and Clam Court between Trumpet Way and Baler Close and formalise pedestrian crossing points.    

·         KUNUNURRA   - $173,340 to clear vegetation, improve sight distance at approach to information bay and install flag lighting on Victoria Highway.

·         CHITTERING - $336,600 to seal shoulders, improve clear zone, extend culverts and install audible edge lines, pavement markings and signs on Julimar Road. 

According to the WA Road Safety Commission, there were 3,432 people killed or seriously injured, in regional WA alone, between 2017 and 2021. “This is far too many and we must continue the campaign to make our roads safer. Accidents take a huge toll on families, our communities and the economy and I am delighted to see these upgrades approved.” said the Hon Melissa Price MP.

For more information and to nominate a project in your area visit the Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s website at https://bit.ly/3A6EbpZ

Ends.

Media Contact: Jackie Perry 0427 587 395, jackie.perry@aph.gov.au

Parliament and Civics Education Rebate Available

 The Federal Member for Durack, the Hon Melissa Price MP, is encouraging schools across the electorate of Durack who are interested in traveling to Canberra to apply for the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER).

PACER is an Australian Government initiative that provides financial assistance for students in Years 4-12 across the country to travel to Canberra, our nation’s capital. The program aims to bring civics and citizenship education to life for students by providing them with the opportunity to experience our capital first-hand.

 “This opportunity is particularly important for regional, rural, and remote students who may not otherwise have the chance to visit our nation’s capital” said Melissa Price MP. “Students’ horizons are broadened when they have the opportunity to see democracy in action and learn about our nation’s government and history”.

The PACER rebate is paid directly to the school, helping to reduce costs for each participant. This funding ensures that pupils who otherwise may not have the finances to cover the trip, are now able to explore our nation’s capital.

Under PACER, students who learn about civics and citizenship in the classroom can visit Parliament House, Old Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, and many other cultural and historical sites of interest.

PACER rebates are available to all eligible Australian schools, including home schools. With a recently increased rebate by 50%, this is an opportunity that should not be missed.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit https://www.pacer.org.au/

Ends.

Media Contact:

Jackie Perry 0427 587 395, jackie.perry@aph.gov.au

Live Music Australia Grant Program now open

Federal Member for Durack, Melissa Price, encourages organisations across the Durack electorate to apply for the Live Music Australia Grant Program (the program). The program is designed to bring more live music to Australian communities and will fund applications that support quality original Australian live music that is professionally staged.

“I recognise the value of live music performances in our communities. Live music brings people together, especially when they attend an event that plays music that can transcend age, race, ethnicity, and gender. It showcases our local talent and helps to create a sense of identity and pride” said Melissa Price.

The program will provide support to the live music sector, with a focus on small to medium venues that support high quality original Australian live music that is professionally staged.

The program will also:

·         support the development, growth and innovation of Australian contemporary live music by increasing performance opportunities for original contemporary music by Australian artists.

·         support a sustainable venue-based live music industry by building professional capacity within venues, and growing and building audiences.

·         support partnerships, collaboration and networks across the Australian live music industry.

It aims to revive business ventures in local suburbs, towns and regions across the country, building capacity for a sustainable live music scene with strong community roots, in all parts of Australia.

Closing date for applications will be Wednesday 26 April 2023.

For more information and eligibility criteria visit the Australian Government’s GrantConnect website at https://www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=4ce48b7d-84c3-4b69-9195-b9daaf2f0951

Ends

Media Contact: Jackie Perry 0427 587 395, jackie.perry@aph.gov.au

Speech - Live Export Ban

Live Sheep Export Ban

I spoke in the House today about Labor's proposed live export ban. This is a typical arrogant move by a city-centric Labor Government who continually demonstrate they do not understand regional, rural or remote Australia.

Our animal welfare standards are among the highest in the world. The roll on effects from banning live sheep exports can not be understated.

Get real Labor!

Regional connectivity and mobile black spot - Program rounds now available

Federal Member for Durack, The Hon Melissa Price MP, encourages licensed telecommunications carriers and relevant communications infrastructure owners across the Durack electorate to apply for the latest round of Regional Connectivity and Mobile Black Spot funding.

The Regional Connectivity Program funds the delivery of 'place-based' telecommunications infrastructure projects to improve digital connectivity across regional, rural and remote Australia.

‘I am very aware of the challenges my constituents in Durack face every day when it comes to mobile service capabilities. I have always strongly advocated for improved infrastructure, and therefore better connectivity, in Durack. I am very proud of what we have been able to achieve under the Coalition Government, but there is always more to do in Australia’s largest electorate’ Melissa Price said.

Up to $150 million (GST exclusive) is available for this combined Round, comprising two streams:

·         A $100 million (GST exclusive) Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream for place-based solutions that deliver new or upgraded broadband services and/or upgraded mobile services; and

·         A $50 million Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) stream to deliver New Handheld Coverage to regional, rural and First Nations Australia.

This grant opportunity is administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts.

Applications for the current funding round close Wednesday 31 May 2023.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply visit Grant Connect at https://bit.ly/3ZZLvz7

Ends.

Media Contact: Jackie Perry 0427 587 395, jackie.perry@aph.gov.au

Lumsden point Infrastructure Funding - A Coalition commitment

Puzzled by the Labor Government funding announcement today where they have pledged funding to upgrade Port Hedland’s Lumsden Point, Federal Member for Durack, the Hon Melissa Price MP, stated this afternoon “This is the same announcement, for the same project, that the Coalition Government committed to in the March 2022 Budget. “In fact, I believe the amount announced today is considerably less than what we committed to”.

In the March 2022 Budget, we announced $280 million to construct additional infrastructure at Lumsden Point, as part of the Coalition Government’s Energy Security and Regional Development Plan. This plan was created to develop key regions across Australia, transforming them into next generation export hubs. The $280 million we pledged to Lumsden Point was part of a $1.5 billion commitment for projects in the Pilbara region under this plan.

Additionally, in 2021 the Coalition Government also provided $33million to Qube Holdings Limited for upgrades to the Lumsden Point Diesel Storage and Import Terminal, under our Boosting Australia Diesel Storage Program. This program was designed to contribute to the government’s long-term fuel security goal to increase our domestic fuel storage that meets our needs during an emergency and into the future.

“I am very proud that the Liberal Party has always had a regional focus, we know that rural, regional and remote funding will turbocharge our economies, enabling people to get the job they want and to pursue their dreams” said Melissa Price MP. “Our regions, when they are allowed to flourish, will drive our economy, strengthen export markets and support the growth of existing and emerging industries”.

The Labor Government continues to hijack the Coalitions ideas, commitments and policies to adapt as their own, simply rebranding them and then claiming the credit. This is typical Labor, all politics and no policy.

Can the Premier Mark McGowan tell us if this announcement is new money, or is just a repeat of the Coalition commitment?

Ends.

Media Contact:

Jackie Perry 0427 587 395, jackie.perry@aph.gov.au

Have Your Say

30 Second Community Survey