Men’s Sheds Grants Open

Men’s Sheds across Durack are being invited to apply for funding as part of the latest round of the National Men’s Shed Development Programme (NDSP).

Funded by the Morrison Government, Round 21 of the NSDP will specifically prioritise applications with a strong health, wellbeing or safety emphasis, in acknowledgement of the impact of COVID-19 and the needs of Sheds in the recovery period and beyond.

Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price, encouraged all Sheds in Durack to apply.

“Now more than ever, Sheds offer men a critical avenue for social support and engagement, this new funding round will provide financial support to assist in both setting up and maintaining Men’s Sheds across Durack,” Ms Price said.

“I appreciate every opportunity I get to visit the many superb Men’s Sheds in Durack and witness the social and health benefits the sheds provide. This funding can help deliver programs with a strong health, wellbeing or safety focus,” Melissa Price said.

Men’s Sheds can apply for financial support across the following funding categories:

• Category 1: Health, Wellbeing, and Events $8,000 maximum

• Category 2: Shed Improvements $8,000 maximum

• Category 3: Equipment $5,000 maximum

Since 2013, the Coalition Government has provided $5.4 million to support Men's Sheds across Australia. Applications for the current funding round close Friday 27 November.

For more information, visit https://mensshed.org

ENDS Media Contact: Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.

Boosting Investment Opportunities in Durack

New measures in the 2020-21 Budget will make it easier for projects in Durack to access Australian government funding to help create jobs and economic development across northern Australia.

Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price, has welcomed the reforms following a review of the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).

“The reforms will speed up funding decisions and widen the scope of projects eligible for funding. The changes followed a widespread review of the $5 billion NAIF program, and the government decision in July to extend NAIF’s operations for five years until mid-2026,” Ms Price said.

“We have listened to communities across the north and we are making changes to ensure NAIF has the flexibility it needs to further drive economic activity, create jobs, drive population growth and open up new opportunities for people across northern Australia,” Melissa Price said.

NAIF funding has already made a significant impact on developments in Durack, assisting operations like Strandline Resources Gascoyne development, one of the world’s largest mineral sands projects, announced in July.  

The changes to NAIF will make sure more factors, including local jobs, regional income, and opportunities for local suppliers, Indigenous business and communities are considered.

To date, NAIF has invested around $2.4 billion in projects in health, education, resources, energy and agriculture, supporting more than 7,200 jobs in Australia’s north and supporting around $4.4 billion in total project value.

Ends

Media contacts:

Rose Crane 0427 587 395. Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au

Federal Budget 2020 to Drive Economic Growth in Durack

The Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price has welcomed the Morrison Government’s budget as a plan to support hard working Durack constituents with a plan for future employment opportunities and tax relief that will benefit many.

I believe the focus on minimising the impact on younger workers across my electorate coming out of the COVID-19 crisis and building a local economy for jobs growth reflects a budget focused on recovery.

“There is no budget recovery without a jobs recovery. This budget is all about jobs. The new JobMaker hiring credit to encourage businesses to hire younger Australians will have a positive impact across Durack,” Ms Price said.

The Jobmaker hiring credit will be payable for up to twelve months and immediately available to employers who hire those on JobSeeker aged 16-35. It will be paid at the rate of $200 per week for those aged under 30, and $100 per week for those aged between 30-35. New hires must work for at least 20 hours a week.

“We have also committed an additional $1.2 billion to create 100,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships, with a 50 per cent wage subsidy for businesses who employ them,” she said.

There has also been $39.8 million to improve the education and employment prospects for up to 12,500 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, by funding additional places with the Clontarf Foundation.

Our support for apprentices and trainees includes the $1.2 billion Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement Scheme with 50 per cent wage subsidy to all businesses who take on new apprentices from 5 October 2020 and will support 100,000 new apprentices and is available until 30 September 2021.

“I also believe the $16.3 million over two years from 2020-21 to create temporary incentives in the income support system to encourage recent school leavers to undertake seasonal horticultural work and help address the expected critical workforce shortages for the upcoming harvest season, is very helpful for Durack,” she said.

As well as those employment incentives, many already working in Durack will benefit from the more than 11 million taxpayers who will get a tax cut backdated to 1 July this year. Lower- and middle-income earners will this year receive tax relief of up to $2,745 for singles, and up to $5,490 for dual income families compared with 2017-18.

Building on the successful expansion of the Instant Asset Write Off during the COVID crisis, the Morrison Government will now provide the largest set of investment incentives any Australian Government has ever provided. Over 99 per cent of businesses will be able to write off the full value of any eligible asset they purchase for their business.

Around 7 million Medicare subsidised mental health services have been delivered since March. Access has been improved for Durack residents with a doubling of the number of Medicare funded psychological services through the Better Access Initiative, from 10 to 20. We are also providing more funding for Lifeline, headspace, Beyond Blue and Kids Helpline.

I welcome the extra 2 payments for pensioners who will receive an additional $250 payment in December and a further $250 payment in March next year, while for those in Durack with the dream of homeownership, can receive more assistance with an additional 10,000 first home buyers being able to purchase a new home sooner under our First Home Loan Deposit Scheme.

Indigenous Business Australia will receive an additional investment of $150 million over three years to deliver 360 home loans for new housing construction in regional Australia. The extension of Indigenous Business Australia’s Indigenous Home Ownership Programme will support over 1,000 jobs by unlocking financing for shovel-ready construction projects in regional Australia and increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in appropriately sized housing.

Tourism support and infrastructure will benefit from the next round of Building Better Regions Fund announced in the budget along with recent changes to make backpacker visa requirements working in the north more flexible.

For Durack agriculture, the Secondary Freight Network has had another $80 million committed, while the On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure scheme has been extended. The Bureau of Meteorology has received extra funding of $254.6 million to be provided over four years from 2020-21 to help ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Durack’s farmers.

Ends;

Media contact Rose Crane 0427 587 395. Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au

Infrastructure Investment Laying the Foundations for Durack's Economic Recovery

The Morrison Government will continue supporting job-creating, economy-boosting infrastructure, as part of our Economic Recovery Plan for Australia, rebuilding our economy to secure Durack’s future. The Government’s record $110 billion transport infrastructure program will support local jobs and businesses at the time it is needed most.

Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price, said the Government would invest an additional $2 billion for a new road safety program which will support upgrades.

“Improving road safety in Durack is a core priority for the Government and that is why this additional investment builds on the $500 million we are already delivering for targeted road safety works,” Melissa Price said.

“Our community-led recovery plan empowers local governments nation-wide to deliver roads and community infrastructure through an additional $1 billion for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

“Across Durack, all 51 Shires will share in more than $25 million to build shovel-ready local priorities, supporting local jobs and local business, commencing in 2020-21. This investment, together with the new Road Safety Program, will support around 10,000 jobs nationally over the life of the projects and I look forward to locals in Durack benefiting from the local procurement this investment brings,” Ms Price said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Budget delivered on our economic plan for a stronger and more resilient Australia.

“The Budget includes new and additional funding in the 2020-21 Budget for projects and initiatives, supporting more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs over the life of the projects, to get Australia back to work and back in business following the pandemic,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the Government was driving the delivery of major infrastructure projects to build the economy and provide certainty for business over the long term.

Ends. Media Contacts:

Deputy Prime Minister – Joanne Williamson 0418 475 668 | Dean Shachar 0418 202 860

Minister Tudge – Michael Bennett 0434 782 923

Minister Price – Rosemea Crane Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au 0427587 395

More than two million dollars for Kimberley Tourism

Durack will be receive $2.6 million of investment in nine of our best Kimberley and West Coast attractions, for environmental restoration and recovery measures through the $1 billion COVID Relief Fund.

Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price, said this very welcome investment will create jobs, boost local tourism and preserve our environment as part of our economic recovery plan.

“The visitor’s centre at the iconic East Kimberley Purnululu National Park will receive a $350 000 upgrade, while West Kimberley attractions including Danggu Geikie Gorge will have a visitor facilities upgrade, a walkway and lookout built at Miluwindi Conservation Park and a redevelopment at Reddell Beach will be significant improvements to assist local tourism operators and visitors. We want to bring people closer to our wonderful Durack natural environment and we want to be part of protecting and promoting it,” Melissa Price said.

“Importantly this funding will play an important role in helping the local tourism economy, particularly in the northern parts of Durack who have been severely hit by the impact of COVID-19. These initiatives invest in projects that sustain jobs and local businesses, improve facilities and encourage people to visit regional communities when they are able to do so,” she said.

Projects in Durack have received more than half the $5.1 million dollars allocated to Western Australia under this program, creating an estimated 12 extra jobs.

Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said that the announcements showed the Morrison Government is delivering practical and lasting environmental outcomes, partnering with both State and Territory governments. Please see a full list of Durack investments attached.

Ends;

Media Contact: Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.

Purnululu National Park - Visitor Centre upgrade (Current building) Upgrade the current Visitor Centre including plumbing, electrical and internal fit out works. This will provide improved visitor experience and cultural heritage information to increase the awareness of local Aboriginal culture and other heritage values. Use of local builders, supply of materials, transport contracts, use of local design contractors. $350,000

West Kimberley Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park - Re-develop the Visitor Hub including construction works, landscaping and interpretation signage. This will increase visitor awareness and experience of cultural significance of Danggu and other heritage values. Provides local Aboriginal employment and supports commercial tour operators, construction contracts, IT contracts and transport contracts. $556,000

West Kimberley Miluwindi Conservation Park (Kind Leopold Conservation Park) - Design and construction of Lennard Gorge Walkway and Lookout Design and construct a new walkway and lookout. It will provide an improved experience to visitors by allowing safe access to gorge views, preventing damage to the Gorge. Commercial tour operators, construction contractors, materials suppliers, aviation companies, engineering companies will benefit. $320,000

Shark Bay World Heritage Area - Mia Rejuvenation Project interpretation signage Monkey Mia Rejuvenation Project -Interpretation signage $50 000

Shark Bay World Heritage Area - Monkey Mia Trail and Landscape works. $200 000

West Kimberley - Reddell Beach (Jabarragun) - precinct redevelopment to provide visitor infrastructure ,Redevelop the Reddell Beach precinct including landscaping and construction works. It will result in increased visitor awareness and experience of the cultural significance of the place. Benefits through construction contracts, cultural heritage surveys, local Indigenous suppliers, employment and training for Aboriginal rangers. $800 000

Lesueur National Park- Universally accessible walking trail at Cockleshell Gully Picnic Area. Construct a universally accessible walking trail at Cockleshell Gully Picnic Area, particularly for those with mobility restrictions and the elderly. Benefits through construction contracts and increased visitors to the local area. $40,000

The Ningaloo Coast - Development of a Ningaloo Marine Park Kayak Trail Design and construct a new kayak trail including signage and digital tools. It will raise awareness and enhance the presentation of heritage values. Additional tourism attractions in the area such as this could increase visitor length of stay providing economic flow on within the region. $150,000

The Ningaloo Coast - Refurbishment of the Milyering Discovery Centre, Cape Range National Park Refurbishment of the Milyering Discovery Centre. It will raise awareness and enhance the presentation of heritage values, plus involve construction contracts and potential increased visitor spend and economic flow on into the region.$150,000

Ends,