South Croydon’s Football and Cricket Clubs’ home ground will get a makeover under a re-elected Gillard Labor Government.

Cheong Park Reserve will receive a significant upgrade under a re-elected Gillard Labor Government, Federal Labor Member for Deakin, Mike Symon, announced today.

“The Bulldogs’ club rooms are 30 years old and badly in need of upgrading,” Mike Symon said. 

“That’s why I was determined to secure this funding and I’m proud to say that under a re-elected Gillard Labor Government it will be delivered.

“These clubs have a long and proud local history with the Cricket Club established in 1953 and the football club in the 1970s.

“This is great news for their players, supporters and officials.”

This commitment builds on Federal Labor’s investment in local sporting facilities, including:

• Re-building the Ringwood Soccer and Multi-purpose Stadium.
• Improvements to Glen Park Pavilion.
• Upgrading Heathmont Reserve.

Funding for this $250,000 contribution will be fully offset over the forward estimates, consistent with the Government’s commitment to return the budget to surplus in three years.

This is part of the Gillard Labor Government’s additional investment in new hospital beds in Victoria.

Investing in health and hospital infrastructure is part of the Gillard Labor Government’s plan to build a stronger regional economy and improve health services.

This investment is a direct result of the National Health and Hospital Network agreement reached between the Federal and Victorian Governments.

Federal Labor Member for Deakin, Mike Symon, said the $5.7 million investment will deliver 20 sub acute beds to Maroondah and 10 sub acute beds to Angliss Hospital.       

“This investment means more hospital beds for patients who need them,” Mike Symon said.

“It means shorter waiting lists – sick grandparents will get their surgery quicker, and families will get better access to the health care they need.”

“While Federal Labor is investing in new hospital services like these, Tony Abbott’s cuts to services will make it harder to access health care when families need it.”

Mike Symon said that these investments would make a significant difference to people accessing health services in his community.

 “These additional beds are on Tony Abbott’s hit list and will not be delivered to this community if he becomes the Prime Minister next Saturday,” Mike Symon said.

Nicola Roxon said only a Gillard Labor Government would build better hospitals for Australian families.

 “Tony Abbot will take us backwards on health – scrapping improvements for elective surgery, Emergency Departments, GP Super Clinics and the after hours GP helpline,” Nicola Roxon said.

Nicola Roxon and Mike Symon announced the new investments with Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews at Maroondah Hospital.

Funding for these announcements is already included in the Budget.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, August 4th, 2010, by Federal Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor, and local Member for Deakin, Mike Symon.

The redevelopment will include a complete internal refurbishment of the public areas of the Library, with increased public floor space and disability access. There will also be improved library services, including an upgrade to public access computers and internet.

The redevelopment will also improve the library’s environmental sustainability by reducing energy and water consumption through the use of water tanks plumbed to cisterns, low energy lighting and additional natural lighting and solar hot water heating.

“The Nunawading Library Redevelopment is a fantastic example of Federal Labor’s plans to build stronger communities,” Minister O’Connor said.

“The refurbished facility will provide better library services to our local community,” Mr Symon said.

“Public libraries are among the great shared spaces in our communities. They are places of learning and interaction,” Mr Symon said.

“Redevelopments like this one show that the Gillard Labor Government is committed to improving the local infrastructure and services that support quality of life in our local communities,” Mr Symon said.

APV Nominees received over $470,000 from the Green Building Fund last year to reduce the environmental impact of its premises at 33 Lakeside Drive, East Burwood.

 “This local project will cut emissions and deliver an upgraded asset. I applaud the Green Building Fund for helping local innovation and for dealing with climate change,” said Mr Symon.

 “The Green Building Fund is an essential part of the Gillard Government’s strategy to tackle climate change,” Senator Carr said.

 “So far, it has provided over $70 million to building owners to retrofit existing buildings and to build industry capabilities, resulting in a cleaner and greener built environment.”

 The project included the installation of a new, evaporative, air-cooled chiller and the application of high-performance window film, significantly reducing the property’s energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

 The Gillard Government recently announced an additional $30 million in support for the Green Building Fund. It is estimated that this will assist another 80 owners to reduce the environmental footprint of their commercial properties. The expanded Green Building Fund will also be open to some hotels and shopping centres.

 Liberal leader Tony Abbott has said that if elected, a Coalition Government would cut support for the Green Building Fund, with many Australian businesses missing out on help to prepare for a greener future. 

 “Cutting a program as successful as the Green Building Fund is a short-sighted move that will damage both the environment and business,” said Senator Carr.

For more information on the Green Building Fund, visit www.ausindustry.gov.au, call the hotline on 13 28 46, or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au.

Mr Combet, who visited Forest Hill College in Burwood East with the Federal Member for Deakin Mike Symon, said that the school was one of more than 1,000 schools around the country that would help the cut around 7,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

“Forest Hill College students and teachers are at the frontline in the fight to cut Australia’s carbon emissions and tackle climate,” Mr Comet said.

“Under the Gillard Labor Government’s National Solar Schools Program Forest Hill College has joined local schools around Australia in installing hundreds of solar panels on classroom roofs.

“The big effort by schools like Forest Hill College will help to cut the amount of carbon emissions equivalent to taking 2,800 cars off the road per year.”  

Mr Symon welcomed the steps Forest Hill College had taken to reduce their carbon emissions, saying that everyone in the community had a role to play in tackling climate change.

“Climate Change is such a big challenge that it requires everyone in our community, including our schools, to do what they can to save electricity and reduce carbon emissions,” Mr Symon said.

“Forest Hill College students and their teachers ought to be congratulated for doing their bit and showing the community how renewable energy like solar power can do to help combat climate change.”

 The Gillard Labor Government has committed to ensuring that at least 20 per cent of all Australia’s electricity supply will come from renewable energy sources, including the power generated at Forest Hill College, by 2020.

Mike Symon, Federal Member of Deakin, thanked Bob Hawke for opening the office and launching the campaign for this very close marginal seat.

“It was great to have Bob Hawke launch the campaign; all the volunteers were very excited and absolutely wrapped to have Bob in the office.”

“I am hopeful some of his charm and charisma can help give us a boost in what is a very tight contest.” Said Mike Symon, Federal Member for Deakin

“We have all been working incredibly hard in the campaign.”

Bob Hawke, Prime Minister of Australia from 1983 to 1991, was very happy to assist in this crucial contest.

“Mike Symon is a great local member.  He is a local, born in the area, grew up here and is now bringing up his two children in Heathmont with his wife Cheryl.”

“Before elected he worked as a qualified electrician for 20 years, I believe he understands the issues in local community.”  Said Bob Hawke

“Mike Symon has been a great local member over the last three years, and will continue to be for the next three years if re-elected.”

On Wednesday the 21st of July, Peter Garrett, the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, and Mike Symon, Federal Member for Deakin, visited Blackburn High to meet students and tour the Blackburn High School Music Centre.

Blackburn High School maintains a national reputation for excellence in Australian music education. Half of the students enrolled at the school choose to be involved in the instrumental music program. 

The school is the only year-round full Symphony Orchestra in a Government school in Melbourne.

“I am proud that we have such a prestigious music program available to students in Blackburn.  I enjoyed speaking with these talented local students about their passion for music today, and know they have a promising future ahead of them.” Mike Symon, Federal Member for Deakin said.

“I know it was also a thrill to have Peter Garrett visit the school, who is both the Minister responsible for Arts and very well known for his musical talents.”

“The Gillard Labor Government recognises the immense benefits of an arts-rich education to students’ learning and development,” Mr Garrett said.

“That’s why the Labor Government is already investing $1.3 million per year for the Artists in Residence program which means professional arts practitioners can participate as artists-in-residence in our schools.”

Over 70 residencies have been completed or are underway in every State and Territory in Australia since the program was rolled out last year.

“Importantly, the Gillard Labor Government has also secured the inclusion of the arts in the development of the national curriculum which I believe will prove to be one of the most important developments for both our students and the arts sector”.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to represent the people of Deakin over the last three years.  Since being elected, I have delivered every local promise I made in 2007 and worked hard to improve services.” Said Mike Symon, Federal Member for Deakin

Mike Symon, grew up in the area, went to school and has lived here nearly his whole life. Before being elected he worked as a qualified electrician for over 20 years and now he is raising a young family in Heathmont.

“ I have been listening to local people about what is important to them. I have worked hard to deliver major projects such as fixing Springvale Road and new buildings for every Primary School.”

Mike Symon has worked closely with local groups to deliver services and new projects for our community.

“Many local groups commented that they never could speak with Baressi, but once I got involved things really got moving.  I am glad to see how much has been achieved in such a short time, I am asking the local community for the opportunity to continue to work for them.”

“Labor has worked hard to give families a fair go, raising the Childcare Rebate to 50%, and introducing the Education Tax Rebate.” Said Mike Symon, Federal Member for Deakin

‘We have increased funding for the services that our community relies upon, like new funds for local Hospitals and our local Schools.”

“I am worried that Tony Abbott and Phil Barresi will cut services and we will see the return of the worst aspects of Work Choices.” Said Mike Symon, Federal Member for Deakin

“They have already committed to slashing the computer in schools program and trade colleges for our local secondary schools.  There is a real concern over the future of new school buildings where work has not started. “

“Together we have achieved so much since November 2007. When I look back and see the broken promises and failures of Baressi I am deeply concerned of what will happen if he gets back in.”

The surge cut the unemployment rate to 5.1 per cent, close to what Treasury calls ”full employment”.

An extra 45,900 jobs were created in June – more than 1500 a day – a rate topped only once in the past four years.

About 40,000 of the jobs were created in the mining states of Western Australia and Queensland, while New South Wales created just 15,000 jobs while Victoria lost 1600 jobs.

The June survey was conducted before resolution of the mining tax dispute at a time the mining industry said it was scaling back plans. the survey shows the two mining states between them created almost 100,000 jobs in the first half of this year, far more than NSW and Victoria, which between them make up more than half of the population.

”We’re creating ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ – this will add to debate about a two-speed economy,” said CommSec economist Craig James.

”In Tasmania, the jobless rate is 6.5 per cent but it’s below 3 per cent in both territories and it’s 4 per cent in Western Australia.”

Treasurer Wayne Swan described the figures as ”stunning”, parrying questions about an imminent election by paying tribute to the Australians who had ”got behind stimulus to keep the economy strong”.

The news boosted the Australian dollar an immediate half a US cent and contributed to an exceptional gain of US2.6¢, which lifted the dollar to US87.4¢ yesterday.

Westpac currency strategist Jonathan Cavenagh said there had been a ”big swing around on the interest rate market” with expectations of cuts priced out and expectations of hikes dramatically extended.

In evidence before a Senate committee last month, Treasury official David Gruen said it had been ”a long-standing practice” to regard full employment as around 5 per cent, meaning that if the rate falls lower ”inflation starts to rise and you end up in a situation which is inconsistent with the Reserve Bank’s mandate, and so they act”.

The Reserve indicated this week that a rate hike at its August meeting was a ”live” possibility should inflation remain stubbornly high.

”Whatever the Reserve thought beforehand, there is no doubt these figures will make a move more likely,” said ICAP Securities economist Adam Carr.

source:

PETER MARTIN
theage.com.au
July 9, 2010