6/10/2016

Maisie Kaufmann Centre’s technology upgrade assisted by Coalition Government

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien and Minister for Regional Development, Fiona Nash today announced the Liberal Nationals Government is contributing $13,185 to the Maisie Kaufmann Learning Centre’s technology upgrade project.

“The funding will be used by the Centre to upgrade its facilities, including a new fit out of the training room as well as computer equipment that will be used to teach digital literacy,” Mr O’Brien said.

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5/10/2016

Coalition supports Gympie Girl Guide Jacana Hut renovation

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, today announced the Liberal Nationals Government will invest $7,800 towards the renovation of Gympie’s Jacana Girl Guide Hut.

“The funding will be used to purchase air conditioning and restore the internal timber flooring and external decking,” Mr O’Brien said.

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5/10/2016

Llew O’Brien welcomes Minister for Regional Development to Maryborough

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien today said the Minister for Regional Development, Senator Fiona Nash will visit Maryborough for the third time in recent months, to speak at the Regional Economic Development Growth Forum at the Brolga Theatre on Thursday, 6 October.

“Minister Nash lives in regional Australia and understands the challenges and opportunities that regional communities face,” Mr O’Brien said.

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4/10/2016

Coalition supports St Vincent de Paul Gympie refurbishment

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien today said a Coalition Government investment of $14,364 has helped to refurbish Gympie’s St Vincent de Paul shop.

“The recent renovations including the replacement of the shop counter and the lowering of shop fixtures to create a more accessible and welcoming space for volunteers to work and people to shop,” Mr O’Brien said. 

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30/09/2016
Age Pension Guide now available

An Age Pension Guide which explains the terms and conditions that apply to the Age Pension has been released by the Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien.

“The easy to use Guide contains information about the guidelines, payments and eligibility tests that relate to the Age Pension,” Mr O’Brien said

“The Age Pension rules can be confusing and complicated, so it’s important to ensure that pensioners have access to information that is easy to understand.  This Guide is very popular amongst pensioners because it conveys details about the Age Pension through a series of commonly asked questions of answers.

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30/09/2016
Coalition Government assistance for Cooloola Coast Medical Transport

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien today announced the Liberal Nationals Government will provide $11,752 to Cooloola Coast Medical Transport to assist it to update its fleet of vehicles.

“This investment will help the service to renew its fleet of vehicles so it can continue to provide safe, reliable transport for people living on the Cooloola Coast to their medical appointments,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Cooloola Coast Medical Transport is a fantastic community organization run by volunteers who drive people to medical appointments.  The service, operating from Tin Can Bay, provides door to door transport for people from the Cooloola Coast to their medical appointments, all the way from Brisbane to Hervey Bay. 

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29/09/2016
Coalition Government supports Noosa’s historic Tait Duke Community Cottage

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien today announced the Coalition Government will invest $20,000 to renovate Noosa Council’s historic Tait Duke Community Cottage.

“This is a great project that is restoring a 98 year old Queensland cottage and providing new skills to young people,” Mr O’Brien said.

“When completed, the cottage will provide a one stop shop for community information, as well as providing meeting and office spaces for local community groups.

“This is a great example of the Council and the community working together to renovate a building that will become an important community asset.

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26/09/2016
Llew O’Brien welcomes Assistant Minister for Rural Health to Gympie

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, will welcome Assistant Minister for Rural Health, Dr David Gillespie, to Gympie on Wednesday, 28 September.

Prior to entering Parliament, Minister Gillespie was a medical specialist gastroenterologist and head of physician training at a regional teaching hospital.

“While in Gympie Dr Gillespie will meet with staff from Gympie Hospital, Gympie Radiology, and the Wide Bay Primary Health Network,” Mr O’Brien said.

The Coalition Government is investing a record $36,855,529 this year into the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast Primary Health Network (PHN).  PHNs are the Government’s key primary organisation for health system planning and integration at a regional level.  They are the central regional point for planning and commissioning of primary health services and health system integration and coordination.

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23/09/2016
National Landcare Awards winner from Dagun

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, today congratulated Stephen Burgess, of Dagun, the winner of the 2016 Bob Hawke Landcare award, who was recognised at the National Landcare Awards gala dinner in Melbourne last night.

Stephen Burgess has run Wurraglen Nature Refuge for nearly 20 years and has successfully developed the property, combining sustainable market farming and light grazing.  Stephen’s blend of biological and organic farming principles combined with holistic management practices demonstrates every aspect of the Landcare ethic.

“Mr Burgess’ contributions to Landcare will continue to make a real difference across the region long after his projects have been realised,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This award is a reflection of the remarkable achievements Mr Burgess has accomplished through the National Landcare Programme.

“We can only improve agricultural productivity and the environment in Wide Bay if the future of our precious natural resource base is assured.

“The work of Mr Burgess is making a lasting contribution, not only to the health of our land, but to the economic and social prospects of Wide Bay.

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23/09/2016
Building better incubators to support local start-ups

Existing and new business incubators across Wide Bay can now apply for grants from the Coalition Government to help local start-ups access advice, capital and connections.

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, said the Liberal Nationals Government’s $23 million Incubator Support initiative would provide matching grants of between $10,000 and $500,000 for the creation of new incubators in regions or business sectors with strong links to international trade, and for existing, high-performing incubators to expand their services. 

“Business incubators are programs intended to help small businesses get off the ground and this initiative is focused on bringing local businesses together in new ways, to increase collaboration and local knowledge,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Ultimately it’s about providing the opportunity and tools for local businesses to be competitive and it puts them, and their ideas, in the driving seat for potential success.”

Incubators can also access matching grants of up to $25,000 to engage experts-in-residence from Australia and overseas.

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