$11 000 for Facility Upgrades to the Business Education Network

Mackellar MP, Jason Falinski has today provided $11 000 towards the upgrade of the car park for the Business Education Network (BEN) in Ingleside. The money is from the federal government’s ‘Stronger Communities’ grant program.

“I am proud to support the great work of the Business Education Network. Located in the beautiful bush at Ingleside, they have needed an upgrade to their car park for some time” said Mr Falinski.

The BEN is a not-for-profit led by Executive Officer, Sam King that helps young people transition from their teenage years to adulthood. They provide vocational programmes, mentoring and support to young people around Sydney.

“I have known Sam King and the work she and her team does at the BEN for many years. It is a pleasure to be able to support her in this way.”

Mackellar NDIS providers receive $20 000 grants

The Australian Government has awarded two organisations in Mackellar a share of $5.6 million for business supports to help them transition into the NDIS.

The successful recipients received funding under the first round of the Boosting the Local Care Workforce program’s Transition Assistance Funding, which is designed to support a skilled and sustainable NDIS workforce in communities across Australia.

Mackellar MP, Jason Falinski said House with No Steps and Ability SDA pty ltd will receive $20,000 each in funding to build their workforce and develop their capabilities to effectively operate in the NDIS.

“These funds will help local organisations transition to the market-driven NDIS model. This will ultimately empower people with a disability right across our community through providing them more choice when it comes to support options”.  Mr Falinski said.

These local providers can use the funding for tailored business advice, software upgrades and other one-on-one supports that will help them to transition from block funding to the consumer-driven model of the NDIS. The objective of the Transition Assistance Funding is to help providers transition to the NDIS while also creating more jobs in the disability and aged care sectors, particularly within regional, rural and outer metropolitan areas across Australia.

“The NDIS provides a great opportunity for local businesses, and these grants will give them a hand up when it comes to having the tools and capabilities needed to deliver first-class supports to NDIS participants.”

­“An additional 90,000 full-time equivalent employees are required to meet the demand for NDIS services over the next five years, which is why the Government is investing in programs that support providers to transition and develop their workforces.’ Minister for the NDIS, Stuart Robert said.

‘I would encourage local organisations eligible for grants through this program to apply for future funding rounds, because a solid provider market is the foundation for a sustainable NDIS’

A further funding round for the Transition Assistance Funding program will open later this year. Providers are encouraged to visit the Boosting the Local Care Workforce website at blcw.dss.gov.au, to access business resources, including NDIS Demand Map and the NDIS readiness assessment tool.

Northern Beaches Council approves RSL War Vets phone tower

Following pressure from Mackellar MP Jason Falinski, Northern Beaches Council has approved Telstra’s application to build a phone tower at the RSL War Vets site. 

Initially, the council intended to block Telstra’s development application to build the War Vets phone tower. They had approached Telstra and encouraged them to withdraw their application citing visual concerns.

“When this issue was brought to my attention, I immediately thought of the hundreds of residents who are in desperate need for the phone reception that this tower will provide.” Mr Falinski said.

“The tower is not just about giving the residents the convenience of phone reception in their own homes – it’s actually a matter of life and death.”  

“Considering the age demographic of residents, even something as simple as a fall, can prove fatal. Being able to call for help on a phone is vital.”

Mr Falinski created an online petition which quickly grew to just under 300 local signatories. Following multiple emails to council and local media attention, the Council removed the DA from the planning committee agenda where it was scheduled to be rejected and agreed to meet with Telstra to revisit the proposal. Following this meeting Northern Beaches Council decided to approve Telstra’s development application.

Government Launches Inquiry into Supporting Australia’s Exports and Attracting Investments

A government inquiry has recently been launched to investigate Australia’s export industry and how to attract more investment for local business. The inquiry is being led by the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth, chaired by the Member for Dawson, George Christensen.

Mackellar MP Jason Falinski, wants Northern Beaches based businesses to contribute to the inquiry.

“The Northern Beaches is home to a number of businesses which currently export overseas or who could potentially expand their business into the overseas market.” Mr Falinski said.

“We want to hear from the front line – the businesses which are affected the most by government red tape and bureaucracy. Where there is room for us to change, we will do so but first we need to know what gets in the way of a business being able to grow through exports and attract more investment.”

The inquiry’s Terms of Reference are as follows:

The Committee will inquire into and report on:

• Understanding Australian businesses' ambitions to grow via export and attracting investment;

• Identifying local regulatory barriers to businesses being able to realise their ambitions; and

• Identifying best practice regulation that evidence shows supports export and investment growth, whilst protecting the national interest.

Submissions from interested individuals, businesses and organisations are invited by Monday, 23 September 2019.

Submissions can be made here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/OnlineSubmission

Further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on ow to lodge a submissions are available on the Committee’s webpage here: https://www.aph.gov.au/jsctig

The Morrison Government has announced $100 million in funding for programs aimed at empowering people with disability across Australia to be independent and engage fully in social, economic and community life.

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Stuart Robert, said the Individual Capacity Building grants is now open and will fund activities in the community over the next three years that benefit all Australians with disability, their carers and families.

‘I want to see people with disability in Australia having more opportunities to participate in and contribute to the community and this funding will go towards building inclusive communities right across our country,’ Mr Robert said.

Jason Falinski encouraged local organisations in Mackellar to consider applying for a grant through the program.

‘The funding is part of the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program, which is unique in that it is for all Australians with disability, not just NDIS participants, so I would encourage all eligible organisations in Mackellar to apply today.’ Mr Falinski said.

The grants are targeted at Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPO) and Families Organisations (FO) and will fund grassroots programs that will build the capacity of individuals such as peer support, mentoring and skills-building, as well as activities to build organisational capacity including professional development, leadership training, coaching, strategic and business planning.

The grant round opens on Monday 19 August and closes at 11pm on Monday, 30 September 2019.

More information including assistance for organisations to develop their ILC grant pitch, can be found at the NDIS website www.ndis.gov.au. Grant applications can be submitted via the Community Grants Hub www.communitygrants.gov.au. 

Background:

There are two types of activity supported by these grants:

Individual Capacity Building (ICB) – Supporting activities focused on increasing the knowledge, skills and confidence of people with disability to set and achieve their goals, for example peer support, mentoring and skills-building programs.

Organisational Capacity Building (OCB) – Funding for disabled peoples organisations and families organisations to build skills in running an organisation, for example through professional development, leadership training, coaching, strategic and business planning, governance and risk management, marketing, communications and evaluation.

Who can apply?

Disabled peoples organisations and families organisations can apply for Individual Capacity Building (ICB) and Organisational Capability Building (OCB) funding.

Organisations led by ILC Priority Cohorts can only apply for ICB funding.

Launch of public consultations on Geographical indications

Mackellar producers and businesses can have their say on Geographical Indications as the Morrison Government works towards securing an ambitious and comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Union (EU).

Member for Mackellar, Jason Falinski said the public consultation process on Geographical Indications, which is now open, would give industry a three month opportunity to express their views on the EU’s proposed list of protected terms known as ‘Geographical Indications’ or GIs.

“The Morrison Government wants to hear directly from Australian farmers and businesses so that we can fully represent them in our continuing negotiations with the EU,” Mr Falinski said.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said there are enormous opportunities for Australian farmers and businesses to improve their access to markets across the EU. The EU boasts more than 500 million consumers and, even with existing trade restrictions, it is already Australia’s third largest export market.

“Whilst we understand the importance the EU places on geographical indications, our priority is ensuring our farmers and businesses can get better market access and be more competitive in the EU,” said Minister Birmingham.

“This consultation process will help us better understand the views of Australian industry, which will assist us in our ongoing discussions with the EU on why their requested protection of certain terms will not be acceptable in some cases.

“Australians can be confident that we will drive a very hard bargain – as we always do – to achieve an overall agreement that delivers more opportunity for Australian farmers and businesses. Ultimately, we will only do this deal if overall it is in Australia’s interests to do so.”

The EU is Australia’s second largest trading partner, third largest export destination, and second largest services export market. Australia and the EU have a close trading relationship, with $109 billion in two-way goods and services trade last year.

Australian industry and business are invited to read the EU’s list of proposed GIs https://dfat.gov.au/aeufta/gis and make a submission https://dfat.gov.au/aeufta/pop by 13 November 2019.

Improving facilities for students at Northern Beaches Christian School

Students at Northern Beaches Christian School in Terrey Hills will benefit from new outdoor learning and playground spaces thanks to a Morrison Government grant.

Member for Mackellar Jason Falinski today announced the Australian Government would provide $250,000 towards the project at Northern Beaches Christian School through the Capital Grants Program.

“Students and teachers thrive when their schools have modern and up-to-date facilities – that’s why the Morrison Government is proud of the Capital Grants Program, which has benefited thousands of schools across the nation,” Mr Falinski said.

“The Government has committed $703 million until 2022, which provides funding for
non-government schools to improve capital infrastructure.

“These upgrades will help advance Northern Beaches Christian School and ensure our classrooms have modern facilities.

“I congratulate Northern Beaches Christian School for their successful grant and look forward to seeing the impact these improvements will have in our community.”

Schools that want to learn more about the Capital Grants Program can visit https://www.education.gov.au/capital-grants-non-government-schools.

Local community infrastructure grants available in Mackellar

The Liberal and Nationals’ Government has committed $150,000 to fund local community infrastructure projects across the electorate of Mackellar.

Federal Member for Mackellar, Jason Falinski said projects will be funded as part of a $22.65 million investment nationwide under Round 5 of the Stronger Communities Programme.

“These investments in vital local infrastructure for the people of Mackellar are the sort of projects that bring our communities together, strengthen social connections, build community participation and create vibrant and viable communities into the future,” Mr Falinski said.

“The benefits of these projects will include not for profit organisations including volunteer groups and community groups, making this a major win for the entire community.”

Each electorate nationwide has received $150,000 to allocate towards successful projects, with a maximum of 20 projects to be funded per electorate. Grants values range from $2,500 to $20,000.

For further information and guidelines interested parties should contact Mr Falinski’s office via phone on (02) 8484 0300 or email at Jason.Falinski.MP@aph.gov.au. Those wishing to make an application can do so through the link below. 

Online Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ky708KpDQDtJ-ge82wujR769bk5Flo99ftQ1-FoxEow/edit?usp=forms_home&ths=true

Northern Beaches MP, Jason Falinski has today turned the first sod on the new Opal Seaside retirement village in Warriewood. Opal Seaside is the 6^th Opal care home in the Sydney North region.

“It is great to be here today to turn the first sod on this development.” Mr Falinski said.

“When I first started working in aged care some 20 years ago, I remember walking into a retirement home and the first thing I noticed was the strong smell of ammonia and how unhomely these places used to be.”

“Today, retirement homes resemble a 6 star resort more than they do a hospital and we have come a long way.”

Upon completion Opal Seaside will be a 148 bed aged care home with a total investment of $48 million. The home will include a dedicated memory support unit providing dementia care as well as exercise areas and a reablement clinic.

“It’s fantastic to see such excellent investments into aged care facilities.”

“Our seniors deserve to enjoy their retirement and as Northern Beaches residents move into their next stage of life, it is nice to know they can be well looked after here on the beaches and not have to move to the North Shore or other parts of Sydney.”

The Opal Seaside facility would also include a coffee shop and an al fresco dining area, an entertainment lounge, hairdressing and beauty salon as well as gardens and general courtyard areas.

The facility would follow the 24 hour 7 day a week nurse led care model.

Mr Falinski attended the event along with Mayor Michael Regan of Northern Beaches Council.

They were joined by Opal executives, Rachel Argamen Opal aged care CEO, Harley Wright Chief Commerical Officer, Marie Barter NSW North General Manager and Greg Zieschang National Development Manager.

Northern Beaches MP, Jason Falinski says money is available for local schools to fund projects that benefit students and the school community.

Mr Falinski said up to $200,000 was available to schools in Mackellar through the Morrison Government’s $30.2 million Local Schools Community Fund.

“All schools in Mackellar will be eligible to apply for funding ranging in value from $1,000 to $20,000 with the money going towards a school project,” Mr Falinski said.

“School leaders know what is best for their schools, and the Local Schools Community Fund allows them to pursue a project that will make the biggest difference to their students’ education. Funding for small-scale extensions or classroom refurbishments, new computer facilities, mental health and counselling services, playground equipment, library resources, or sports facilities are all covered through this Fund.”

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said projects would be assessed on the benefit they would bring to the school community.

“The Morrison Government is providing record funding for Australian schools,” Mr Tehan said. “We will increase funding for all primary and secondary schools across all sectors by an average of 62 per cent per student.

“The Local Schools Community Fund is additional funding that builds on our investment by allowing individual schools to nominate their own projects that will make the biggest difference to their school community.”

Schools can lodge one application for each of their campuses and use SchoolsHUB – https://schools.education.gov.au/ to apply. Applications open on 25 July 2019 and close on
30 September 2019. Projects must be completed by the end of 2020. Committees will be established by local Members of Parliament in every electorate in Australia to independently assess each application from schools within their electorate. The Local Schools Community Fund is open to all schools but eligibility conditions will apply.