The Coalition's Grassroots Gravy Train

John Howard is on the campaign trail and electioneering is not just the things that make the headlines in the major dailies and the network television news at night. The Government gravy train stops at a lot of local stations. Just take a look at the list of the mainly Prime Ministerial give aways. John Howard and his colleagues truly believe that all elections are local.

20 November 2007 - The Midland Highway is the major artery linking Hobart with the rest of
Tasmania. It is critical to ensuring the smooth passage of people and goods around the State. The Coalition has had funds on the table for an upgrade of the Bridgewater Bridge since 2002 and our commitment remains unchanged. A re-elected Coalition Government will provide $100 million or 80 per cent of the cost of a new two lane bridge, whichever is the greater.

20 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will support renewable energy technology, including a contribution of $50 million funding to a major geothermal power project in South Australia, and a $20 million grant for solar thin film technology in the Hunter.

20 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will deliver practical urban water projects and implement a National Urban Water Plan to deliver urban water security for Australia. In particular, a re-elected Coalition Government will invest more than $340 million over three years, to deliver practical urban water projects that promote stormwater reuse and recycling.

19 November 2007 - The Coalition will improve the forest sector’s recruitment rates and professional standards through access to new and expanded skills training programmes worth $560 million over the next four years.

18 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will also work with the States and Territories to introduce nationally consistent penalties for all illicit drug offences, including a national standard relating to the quantities involved in the trafficking and possession of illicit drugs. A re-elected Coalition Government will expect the States and Territories to adopt these national standards. The Coalition is proud to stand by its record in the fight against dangerous illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine and amphetamines and will provide $36 million over four years for these measures.

16 November 2007 - Federal Sports Minister, Senator George Brandis, and Federal Member for Blair, Cameron Thompson, today announced that a re-elected Coalition Government would provide $400,000 to the Ipswich Hockey Association for an upgrade of their facilities.

16 November 2007 - The Minister for Environment and Water Resources, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, and the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP have today announced plans to establish a $30 million Centre for Groundwater Research and Training to seek solutions to Australia’s water scarcity problems.

16 November 2007 - The Minister for Environment and Water Resources, the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP and the Liberal Candidate for Lindsay, Karen Chijoff, today announced that a re-elected Coalition Government would invest up to $15 million to create two new conservation reserves on Commonwealth land in western Sydney.

15 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will take the pressure off public hospitals by providing capital funding of $250 million for more aged care beds, and by helping more older Australians to transition from hospital care to care in the community. We will also negotiate with the States and Territories to open more public hospital beds. This will be another way to help take the pressure off public hospitals and reduce waiting lists.

15 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will provide $360,000 for the installation and maintenance of ten closed circuit TV cameras in Chapel Street, Prahran outside the South Yarra railway station and in Toorak Road.

15 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will provide $100 million to construct the Coonabarabran Bypass, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, said. This announcement is part of the Coalition’s 2020 Plan for Australia’s Transport Future, an integrated vision tackling local roads and national highways.

15 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will provide $350,000 to the Dubbo City Council to restore the historic grandstand at the Dubbo Showground.

15 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will commit $50 million from the National Plan for Water Security to invest in infrastructure projects that deliver water efficiency savings that help deliver additional environmental flows for the ailing Snowy River.

15 November 2007 - Federal Sports Minister, Senator George Brandis announced a re-elected Coalition Government will provide $1 million towards the construction of an amenities block, improved lighting and fencing for Harris Creek Oval, Moorebank.

14 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will further strengthen our seafood industry by developing a $10 million National Aquaculture Development Strategy to boost the value of aquaculture in Australia; establishing a $4 million Environmental Recognition Fund to assist the Australian seafood industry to capitalise on its premium environmental performance; providing funding of $7.9 million for a full buyout of non-islander licences in the Torres Strait fin fishery to provide for full islander ownership of licences in the fishery; providing funding of $7.9 million to increase islanders’ share of the Torres Strait Tropical Rock Lobster Fishery while also managing Australia’s obligations to Papua New Guinea under the Torres Strait Treaty; providing up to $600,000 over three years to encourage the development of a broad based and inclusive national seafood industry peak body.

14 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will establish a Regional Airline Pilot Scholarship Scheme to encourage pilots to work in regional airlines across Australia. Under the Scheme, a Coalition Government will invest $9 million to reimburse up to 25 per cent of the training costs for pilots if they remain with a nominated regional airline continuously for a period of two years.

14 November 2007 - Redarc will receive a grant of $1.635 million from the Structural Adjustment Fund for South Australia to help it expand with new purpose-built premises, Industry Minister, Ian Macfarlane has announced.

14 November 2007 - Bendigo Art Gallery will receive $50,000 under the latest round of the Coalition Government’s Visions of Australia cultural touring program, Federal Arts Minister, Senator George Brandis said today.

13 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will deliver $10 million towards the upgrade of Wanneroo Road, Perth Treasurer Peter Costello announced today. The Treasurer made the announcement with Liberal Candidate for Cowan, Luke Simpkins. This announcement is part of the Coalition’s 2020 plan for Australia’s Transport Future, an integrated vision tackling local roads and national highways.

13 November 2007 - Treasurer Peter Costello and Steve Irons, Liberal Candidate for Swan, today announced a re-elected Coalition Government would commit $375,000 towards a new premises in Como for local community Christian radio station 98.5 Sonshine FM.

13 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will provide $9 million to extend and expand the successful Food Processing in Regional Australia Programme; provide $6 million to ensure the provision of agricultural and veterinary chemicals to specialist producers; commit a further $15 million to support the National Livestock Identification System; provide $6 million to maintain existing horticultural markets and achieve new market access opportunities; commit $11 million to establish an Export Partnerships; allocate $10 million to establish the Expanding Australian Food and Beverage Exports Programme, focusing on opportunities in the key markets of China, the United States,the United Kingdom, India, Singapore, Thailand and Japan; provide $15 million to establish a consolidated national programme of pest and feral animal control and eradication; provide an additional $30 million to the Defeating the Weed Menace programme.

12 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will introduce Tax Free Home Saver Accounts from the 2008-09 financial year to provide a simple, tax effective way to help Australians to save for their first home. Contributions up to $1,000 per year to the accounts will be tax deductible. All interest and earnings from the accounts will be tax free. A Coalition Government will commit $1.6 billion over the next four years for this measure.

12 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will help parents to increase education opportunities and invest in their children’s future. We will introduce a new refundable tax rebate of 40 per cent for education expenses, including school fees, for every student from preschool (kindergarten in some states) until the end of secondary school. The rebate for secondary school will be up to $800 annually for each student. The rebate for primary and preschool will be up to $400 annually for each child. It will apply to education expenses, including school fees and voluntary contributions and levies, at government and nongovernment schools and preschools in the year before children start school. This new rebate will be available to all Australian parents irrespective of income and is costed at $6.3 billion.

12 November 2007 - a re-elected Coalition Government would implement a number of measures to increase the supply of new housing stock, aimed at relieving pressures on house prices. These measures would include the creation of a Community Infrastructure Projects Program costing $500 million over three years, and a $100 million Streamlining Residential Approvals Program.

12 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will introduce a new scheme to help young adults aged between 18 and 35 years to help them access expert financial advice in order to achieve their financial goals. The Coalition will provide $12 million over three years for this programme, which will contract appropriately qualified financial literacy educators to deliver the service.

12 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will provide an additional 120,000 individual days of respite and an additional 10,000 weeks of round the clock respite per year at a cost of $223.5 million over five years.

12 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will ensure that Australian teachers have the opportunity to gain the skills they need by establishing a new Summer School for teachers dedicated to addressing the needs of students with special needs. The Coalition will invest $14 million over four years for the new Summer School.

12 November 2007 - From April 2008, a re-elected Coalition Government will pay the 30 per cent Child Care Tax Rebate directly to child care services so that they can pass on this benefit to parents immediately, when they need it most. A re-elected Coalition Government will increase access to places in areas of need by providing capital funding to local governments of up to $1 million to build or extend 35 child care centres over the next 4 years, which include places for younger children. A re-elected Coalition Government will implement an even stronger Child Care Quality Accreditation System by July 2008, including more random spot checks to ensure quality care is being provided on a daily basis. The funding is costed at $652.4 million.

11 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will provide $45 million capped contribution, based on 50 per cent of the current $90 million estimated cost of construction of Stage 4B of the Geelong Ring Road – on the condition that the Victorian Government in turn funds it own responsibilities on the Princes Highway.

10 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will fully fund a new and dedicated children’s television channel on the ABC with an emphasis on educational and entertaining content for all ages from pre-school through to late teens. The Coalition will provide the ABC with an extra $82 million over four years to establish this new dedicated children’s television channel and, importantly, this new channel will be advertising free.

10 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will continue to ensure that veterans and their families share in the prosperity arising from our strong and growing economy by contributing $50 million across a range of new and enhanced support mechanisms and schemes. 

10 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will provide a grant of some $5 million for the expansion and upgrading of the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre. The Centre is a very important part of the Penrith region, with some 25,000 people using this facility every month.

10 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will implement a $6 million Natural Sequence Farming (NSF) national demonstration and study. The funding commitment for this project was jointly announced today by the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Malcolm Turnbull, the Minister for Agriculture, Peter McGauran, and Assistant Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, John Cobb.

9 November 2007 - The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, visited The Children’s Hospital at Westmead today to announce the provision of $7.2 million in funding to connect chronically ill and disabled children to a new dedicated online network. This is the first time the Starlight Children’s Foundation have received any funding from any level of Government since they were launched 19 years ago.

9 November 2007 - The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan joined the Member for Corangamite, Stewart McArthur, today to announce the allocation of almost $9 million to provide Victorian independent and government schools with high speed broadband connections and innovative and online networking services.

6 November - A re-elected Coalition Government will fund significant improvements at the Noarlunga and McLaren Vale and Districts War Memorial Hospitals. These include $1.8 million for the construction and fitting-out of a 10 bed high-dependency unit at the Noarlunga Hospital; and $1 million for the upgrade of facilities at the McLarenVale and Districts War Memorial Hospital, including the upgrade of the Manning Wing of the hospital to support a Community Health Clinic. 

5 November 2007 - As part of its comprehensive Plan to help Australia go for growth, a re-elected Coalition will deliver a comprehensive, long-term and bold plan to upgrade South Australia’s road and rail freight network. The Coalition’s 2020 Plan for South Australia’s Transport Future will provide a further $1.6 billion for projects between now and 2014, with more to follow.

4 November 2007 - As part of its comprehensive plan to help Australia go for growth, a re-elected Coalition Government will deliver a comprehensive, long-term and bold plan to upgrade Sydney’s road and rail freight network and will construct a major new intermodal facility at Moorebank. The Coalition’s 2020 Plan for Sydney’s Transport Future will provide a further $3 billion for construction projects between now and 2014, with more to follow.

4 November 2007 - As part of its comprehensive plan to help Australia go for growth, a re-elected Coalition Government will implement a targeted longterm plan to upgrade Victoria’s road and rail network. The Coalition’s 2020 Plan for Victoria’s Transport Future will provide a further $2.45 billion for construction projects and maintenance between now and 2014.

4 November 2007 - As part of its comprehensive plan to help Australia go for growth, a re-elected Coalition Government will implement a targeted, long-term plan to upgrade South East Queensland’s road network.The Coalition’s 2020 Plan for South East Queensland’s Transport Future will provide a further $5.2 billion for construction projects between now and 2014. Key components of this plan include a ring road for Brisbane, an upgrade of the Port of Brisbane Motorway, the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing and upgrades of the Pacific Motorway and the Brisbane Valley Highway intersection with the Warrego Highway.

3 November 2007 - Malcolm Turnbull joined Will Jones, the founder and Chief Executive of the Marine Discovery Centre, to announce a series of grants to the Marine Discovery Centre, totalling (over) $250,000, which will enable the completion of the Marine Discovery Centre, which will give visitors to Bondi a fish's eye view of the wonders of the waters off Bondi Beach.

3 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will provide $7.3 million over three years to improve cardiac services at the Royal Darwin Hospital by increasing the number of beds in the hospital’s cardiac unit, providing a full-scale cardio-thoracic surgical unit, and securing the services of a cardio-thoracic surgeon and medical support staff.

1 November 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will establish 50 Family Emergency Medical Centres across Australia in areas where they are needed most. This will include 25 Centres operating on a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and a further 25 Centres open until at least 11pm. The Coalition will also increase Medicare rebates for procedures and for after hours services. This will help increase the number of after hours services and medical procedures undertaken by GPs in Family Emergency Medical Centres and other GP practices around Australia. Together, these initiatives, worth $433 million over 5 years, will make general practices even more flexible and responsive to family needs, especially outside regular working hours.

1 November 2007 - Treasurer Peter Costello announced that a re-elected Coalition Government will provide $3 million to AFL Cairns towards the upgrade of Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns.

31 October 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will provide $15 million over three years for a new South Coast Sustainable Regions programme to boost jobs, economic growth and community infrastructure. Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals, Mark Vaile announced the funding today which will cover Shoalhaven City Council and the shires of Eurobodalla and Bega Valley on the NSW South Coast.

31 October 2007 - A Coalition Government will commit $310 million for the training of hundreds of extra nurses and doctors. A re-elected Coalition Government will increase the number of general practice training places by a further 50 per cent. By 2011 there will be 900 GP training places a year. The number of GP training placements available for junior doctors to get more experience in general practice will be increased by 80 per cent. This will provide 510 junior doctors each year with the opportunity of training in a GP surgery by 2011. A re-elected Coalition Government will also double the number of medical specialist training positions in private settings. By 2011 there will be 300 training places a year.

30 October 2007 - Sadly, each year many Australian families experience the devastation caused by losing a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or prematurity. Individuals and families who have experienced the loss of a much wanted pregnancy should be able to access specialist, dedicated, family-focussed grief counselling and support, at the time they need it. To ensure that families and individuals can receive the support they need during this difficult time, a re-elected Coalition Government will contribute $800,000 to enable the Bonnie Babes Foundation to establish a free-call number for their counselling service and to help produce and distribute their information resources to support families who have lost a baby.

30 October 2007 - The Coalition will upgrade vital industry links in regional Australia by providing $300 million over six years for roads vital for our regional industries including mining, beef, forestry and other primary industries. The Coalition will continue to assist local councils to fund key transport infrastructure projects that boost local and regional economies and create jobs as well as improving safety by providing $850 million over six years, an increase of $550 million on the funding announced in the 2007-08 Budget.

30 October 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will assist small business owners and their employees to improve their skills by providing at least 100,000 training vouchers worth up to $1,500 each. The value of the vouchers would depend on matching contributions from small business owners with fewer than 20 employees. The Coalition will invest $168 million over the next five years to provide these vouchers.

30 October 2007 - Australian Industry, Tourism and Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane today at Beaconsfield announced a special $300,000 grant towards the upgrade of Beaconsfield's Grubb Shaft Gold and Heritage Museum. The funding adds to the original $980,000 grant, from the $8 million Beaconsfield Community Fund established last year by the Prime Minister after the mine disaster on Anzac Day.

30 October 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will provide funding of $400,000 towards the establishment of Anam Cara House in Colac and Geelong.
Anam Cara House is a community hospice project that will provide palliative care services, short-term respite and support for carers and families.
The funding will be used to purchase equipment, and undertake alterations and refurbishment of the two hospices. This funding will come from within existing resources.

29 October 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will establish a further 100 Australian Technical Colleges, 30 through direct funding and a further 70 existing state or independent secondary schools being funded to convert to Australian Technical Colleges. Two of the new Colleges will be dedicated to skilling the Australian Defence Force. These initiatives will invest a further $2.1 billion over 10 years into skills training in Australia and will build on the Coalition’s strong track record of supporting and encouraging technical trades training in Australia.

29 October 2007 - The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Senator Helen Coonan announced $4.8 million in funding to incorporate an innovative team of 16 silicon chip design researchers from North Ryde into the National ICT Australia (NICTA). “The team was retrenched following the closure of their North Ryde facility by an American-based multinational company. The Coalition Government has moved to keep this highly valued team together and in Australia which is a prime example of our commitment to investment in ICT innovation," said Senator Coonan.

28 October 2007 - To help achieve its target of a three per cent unemployment rate, a re-elected Coalition Government will uncap the Work Skills Voucher programme providing an estimated 110,000 additional $3,000 vouchers between 2007-08 and 2010-11. This will provide opportunities for thousands of Australians to enter the workforce with practical and marketable skills. Additional funding of $392.9 million will be provided to deliver on this commitment. This will result in an estimated 60,000 vouchers per year.

26 October 2007 - As part of its commitment to renewable energy, a re-elected Coalition Government will provide $75 million in competitive grants to support new and emerging renewable energy technologies, enabling Australia to remain at the forefront of renewable energy development.

26 October 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will improve treatment and services for young Australians by contributing funding to CanTeen to help establish six collaborative cancer centres dedicated to the needs of Australians with cancer aged 15 to 25 years. The Coalition’s investment will provide a $15 million contribution to enable CanTeen to establish and equip the new centres. This will meet half of CanTeen’s fundraising target of $30 million for the centres.

25 October 2007 - As part of its comprehensive Plan to help Australia go for growth, a re-elected Coalition will deliver a comprehensive, and long-term plan to upgrade Perth’s urban road network. The Coalition’s 2020 Plan for Perth’s Transport Future will provide a further $405 million for construction projects between now and 2014, with more to follow.

25 October 2007) -- A re-elected Coalition Government will maintain and improve the Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund which helps provide walk-in walk-out medical facilities, including dental clinics, in small towns in rural Australia. Up to $5 million will be available under the Regional Partnerships programme to overcome the lack of bricks and mortar and medical equipment that has in the past been a disincentive for doctors to move to rural towns.

24 October 2007 - The Government announced a $208 million Skills for Australia’s Future Defence scheme. The plan would commence in 2008, identifying and providing the priority technical skills needed by Defence and its associated industries. The plan would aim to educate young AUstralians to provide them with necessary skills in fields vital to defence. It will also assist those who serve the Australian Defence Force as Reservists to develop new skills in key fields. The plan will include:

• Two Australian Defence Technical Colleges;
• Defence Skills Scholarships;
• Training Reservists in critical Defence trades;
• An Australian Centre for Defence Skills; and
• A Defence Software Engineering Institute.

23 October 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will provide funding of $15 million to establish a consolidated national programme of pest and feral animal control and eradication. The new programme will include a $6 million community grants component with a focus on controlling pest animals during drought; a $1 million research and development component to test new feral animal control techniques; and an $8 million  fund to address the impact of nationally significant pest animals, with with dedicated funding for feral camels and rabbits.

23 October 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will allocate $4 billion to: Increase the Utilities Allowance paid to older Australians in receipt of income support to meet basic household bills like power and gas. From March 2008 the Utilities Allowance will increase from $107.20 to $500 a year for a single and $500 a year for a couple. This will benefit more than 2 million Australians; Extend the Utilities Allowance for the first time to more than 120,000 Carer Payment recipients regardless of age, in recognition of the vital role that carers play in our society and the financial and emotional burden they carry; Extend the Utilities Allowance to more than 700,000 Disability Support pensioners; More than double the Seniors Concession Allowance to $500 , which will particularly benefit self-funded retirees, people who have worked hard, made sacrifices and saved diligently for their retirement.

22 October 2007 - Tony Abbott: A re-elected Coalition Government will provide $23.8 million to the National Breast Cancer
Centre over four years to fund the first and replacement breast prostheses for all Australian women who have had a mastectomy as a result of breast cancer, up to the value of $400 per prosthesis.

22 October 2007 - A re-elected Coalition Government will establish a Climate Change Fund as a key element of the emissions trading scheme. The purpose of the Fund will be to ensure that a substantial proportion of emissions trading revenues are re-invested in climate change and related initiatives. (Amount not specified.)

19 October 2007 - The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, today announced an increase of more than $17.5 million in funding for water safety programmes, including the creation of a $10 million Beach Safety Service Development Fund to target drowning black-spots.

15 October 2007 - Treasurer Peter Costello's $34 billion tax plan - I am announcing today a tax reform plan which will cut income tax for every Australian taxpayer from 1 July 2008.

10 October 2007 - I am pleased to announce the Australian Government's commitment to the duplication of the Pacific Highway on an accelerated timetable through the provision of at least $2.4 billion between 2009-10 and 2013-14 with more to follow.

8 October 2007 - I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will fund a number of measures to improve key elements of Tasmania's health services infrastructure, totalling $35 million over four years. Funding of $8 million will be provided over three years for the construction of new purpose-built rehabilitation and transitional care facilities and a new psychiatric unit, at the Burnie Hospital. At Launceston General Hospital $16 million will be provided over three years for the upgrading of oncology, radiotherapy and transitional care facilities and the establishment of new cardiac care facilities. A further $8.5 million will be provided over four years for specific patient transport measures. … I am also announcing that the Australian Government will provide up to $1 million in 2007-08 for each of Ouse and Rosebery Hospitals.

5 October 2007 - I am pleased to announce today that the Australian Government will provide a $95 million contribution for the construction of the Townsville Port Access Road as part of the Coalition's 2020 Plan for Australia's Transport Future.

4 October 2007 - I am pleased to announce a major upgrade of the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Cairns as part of our 2020 plan for Australia's Transport Future, with a major focus on North Queensland between Sarina and Cairns. … Over the current five years from 2004/05 to 2008/9 the Australian Government is investing $800 million to improve the Bruce Highway, but we recognise more must be done. The Australian Government will significantly increase its investment by $2 billion for the five years from 2009, with further investment to follow by 2020. North Queensland will receive the majority of the funding for the Bruce Highway, with Sarina to Cairns receiving $800 million over the five years to 2014.

3 October 2007 - Today I am very pleased to announce that the Australian Government will provide $190 million in funding over five years to assist children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), their parents and carers.

30 September 2007 - I am very pleased to announce that the Australian Government will provide funding of $1 million to the Sydney Christmas Parade Trust to assist with the presentation of the inaugural Sydney Christmas Parade to be held on 25 November 2007.

30 September 2007 - I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will provide over $12.6 million to assist rugby league celebrate its centenary in Australia.

25 September 2007 - I am pleased to announce today grants worth $560 million for health and medical research to more than 50 universities and research institutes.

25 September 2007 - The Australian Government will provide a further $714 million in drought assistance measures to support farmers through the worst drought in our nation's history. Today's funding is in addition to the $430 million announced last week to extend the 38 areas of agricultural production currently receiving Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance until September 2008.

21 September 2007 – The Treasurer Peter Costello announced a grant of $15 million to the Geelong Football Club to build a new grand stand.

21 September 2007 - Contribution gratefully received from a Crikey reader: My son's school has been invited to a "special assembly" today to welcome the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Member for Wentworth who will be presenting a cheque for $50,000 to pay for water tanks and solar water heating at the school. Double Bay Public School seems to be a favourite with Malcolm Turnbull, on his previous visit he was spruiking eco friendly lightbulbs.

21 September 2007 - The Australian Government has implemented a number of measures to help combat childhood obesity and today I am pleased to endorse the first stage of another; the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's Wellbeing Plan for Aussie Kids ... Funding of $3 million for this project was announced in the May Budget.

21 September 2007 - It gives me great pleasure to offer my congratulations to the Matildas on reaching the quarter finals of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China ... Our recent decision to provide $16 million to Football Federation Australia builds on our earlier support and will not only assist our national teams but will help to consolidate and further grow this great game in Australia.

19 September 2007 - I am delighted to announce today that the Australian Government will provide $40 million over the next four years to increase the number of school buses equipped with seat belts for students in rural and regional areas.

17 September 2007 - I am pleased today to announce an additional $430 million in drought assistance measures for Australian farming communities.

14 September 2007 - I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will invest about $170 million additional funds over five years to create 25 Australian Hospital Nursing Schools to deliver hospital based training within major public and private hospitals across the country for enrolled nurses.

13 September 2007 - I am pleased to announce that New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia are receiving $43 million in competition payments from the Australian Government following progress in implementing water reforms. These payments to the states were suspended in 2005-06 due to a lack of progress in implementing key water reforms. My decision to lift the suspension follows an independent assessment by the National Water Commission of progress by the states in implementing their COAG water reform commitments.

11 September 2007 - Can I also announce that with effect from March of 2008 all Veterans' Affairs disability pensions will be indexed with reference to both consumer price index and male total average weekly earnings and this enhancement will benefit some 140,000 disability pensioners including those on the special rate, intermediate rate and extreme disablement adjustment. We also intend with effect from the same date a $15 fortnightly increase to the more than 13,500 veterans who receive the above general rate of the extreme disablement adjustment and that will maintain the equity of t he EDA payment with other above general rate payments that were increased in the Budget. And also the Government will increase by 5 per cent the entire general rate table for non economic loss compensation for the pain, suffering and loss of function resulting from an accepted service-related condition with effect from March 2008 and that will deliver above and 100 per cent general rate recipients, including EDA veterans, a fortnightly boost of $20 from March 2008, adjusted by the more beneficial indexation method. The initiatives announced tonight involve an additional expenditure of some $330 million from March 2008 through to June 2012.

10 September 2007 - The horse flu outbreak has had a devastating impact on horse dependent industries in New South Wales and Queensland … My Government has been working closely with the industry to ensure that the people it supports - the vast bulk of whom earn modest incomes and work very hard - are supported during this difficult time. This started with an initial $4 million assistance package which was increased by a further $110 million yesterday in recognition of the seriousness of the horse flu outbreak.

7 September 2007 - Special Minister of State Gary Nairn - The Federal Government is allocating more money to help New South Wales far south coast industries cope with big cuts to the area's off-shore fishing industry. $4.5 million for local businesses in Eden, Pambula, Merimbula, Tathra, Bermagui and Narooma to set themselves up for future development. "Fifteen businesses in fact in the far south coast areas will benefit from this funding.

29 August 2007 - In response to strong representations from David Tollner MP, Federal Member for Solomon, the Australian Government will provide additional funding to allow pensioners and veterans to access concessional fares on the Alice Springs to Darwin section of world famous Ghan railway. This initiative will make travel on the Ghan more affordable for about 10,000 pensioners and veterans. It will provide around $1.5 million of additional concessions for travel each year.

28 August 2007 - Further to my announcement yesterday, I am pleased to advise that Commonwealth and state officials have identified a range of Australian expertise to be offered to Greek authorities to assist current firefighting operations in Greece. The Australian expertise being offered includes two bushfire management officers (a high-level incident controller and a senior operations officer), a bushfire investigation officer, a forest fire behaviour expert and an aviation management expert.

27 August 2007 - Like all Australians I have been saddened by the tragic loss of life and property in the fires burning across Greece. … Given the loss of life and the scale of the damage Australia will offer $3 million in assistance.

23 August 2007 - I am pleased to announce today that the Australian Government will provide $132.5 million to improve water quality in the Hawkesbury Nepean River.

20 August 2007 - The Australian Government is pleased to announce an increase in funding of $2.7 million over the next four years for the development and distribution of key national parenting information resources, the Raising Children DVD and the Raising Children website.

18 August 2007 - I am pleased to announce today the Australian Government will be assisting with the upgrade of the north-south road corridor from Darlington south of Adelaide to the CBD and the Port of Adelaide. To achieve this we will include South Road, south of Sir Donald Bradman Drive in the national road network and will commit some $1 billion to be matched by the South Australian Government between now and the estimated completion of the project by 2020.

18 August 2007 - I also announce today the Australian Government will provide $100 million towards the duplication of the Southern Expressway in Adelaide subject to the South Australian Government committing to provide the balance. I understand the Southern Expressway is the world's longest reversible one-way freeway.

17 August 2007 - I am pleased to announce today that the Australian Government will contribute $326,700 toward the expansion of Adelaide's Star of the Sea Marine Discovery Centre.

14 August 2007 - The Commonwealth will offer an independent assessment to Weemala residents who have been affected by the New South Wales Government's decision to relocate them permanently or temporarily into alternative accommodation. This independent assessment process will provide advice on the immediate and longer term needs and requirements of each individual resident and help residents, and their families or advocates, to negotiate with the New South Wales Government about the appropriateness of the alternative accommodation on offer. Assessments will be undertaken by CRS Australia.

10 August 2007 - To help Australian Families protect their children the Government has today announced a world leading $189 million initiative to protect children from online dangers.

8 August 2007 - $4 million to the receiver of a Canberra timber business employing Queanbeyan residents of Eden Monaro.

1 August 2007 - I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government is prepared to underwrite a community-based proposal to keep the Mersey Hospital in north-west Tasmania providing a full range of hospital services and treating public and private patients. Until final negotiations have been completed with the community it is not possible to determine the exact cost of this proposal. However comparable operating costs for similarly-sized hospitals indicate that this should cost in the order of $40-45 million a year.

24 July 2007 - The Australian Government is committed to helping local communities fight crime and has a number of programs, including the National Community Crime Prevention Program, that promote partnerships to address crime at the grass roots level. The Government is delighted to be able to assist the local community and the City of Stirling by providing funding of $85,000 to implement this important community project.

22 July - The reserve protects more than 135,000 hectares of high conservation value bushland on Queensland's Cape York, and was established with more than $6 million from the Australian Government's National Reserve System Program.

20 July 2007 - I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will provide $1.225 million over four years for the continuation of the Northern Advanced Manufacturing Industry Group Project, to provide more young people in northern Adelaide with an opportunity to explore careers in the advanced manufacturing and related industries.

19 July 2007 - I am pleased to announce today that the Australian Government has given in-principle approval for funding of up to $1.179 million under the Regional Partnerships program to be negotiated for the Harpers Field Development project at the City of Tea Tree Gully.

18 July 2007 - Today I announced that in addition, the Commonwealth will provide up to $50,000 to ensure every Australian school can install a solar hot water system and a water tank. These Green Vouchers for schools … Today I announce some further steps to bring solar hot water within the reach of Australian families. We intend to provide an additional $1,000 per household so that up to another 225,000 homes can upgrade to an energy saving solar hot water system.

12 July 2007 - I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will fund a Medicare eligible Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit in north-west Tasmania. This unit will serve both the north-west and the west coast regions, effectively from Devonport to Strahan and Queenstown. This is the first of three new sites which were funded in the 2007-08 Budget to improve access to MRI services in under-serviced metropolitan and regional areas. This Budget measure brings the number of Medicare eligible MRI units in Australia to 115 compared to only 18 in 1998.

12 July 2007 - I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will commit $1.85 million to Stage 2 of the Ulverstone Showground upgrade.

6 July 2007 - The Prime Minister and Premier Steve Bracks have agreed to additional assistance to help communities, small business owners and primary producers recover from the devastating damage caused by the floods in the Gippsland region of Victoria. To assist small business owners and farmers, the Prime Minister and Premier have agreed to jointly funded recovery grants of up to $15,000 for eligible small businesses and primary producers. The Prime Minister and Premier Bracks have also announced the establishment of a $1,000,000 Community Recovery Fund with equal contributions from the State and Commonwealth.

4 July 2007 - I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will contribute up to $10 million towards a pipeline to improve water supply security in Bega Shire. The 20 kilometre pipeline will be used to transfer water from borefields near the lower Bega River to the Yellow Pinch Dam for use in dry times.

30 June 2007 - I am very pleased to announce that the Australian Government will provide the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) with a $25 million capital contribution towards the establishment of the Australian National Rugby Academy (ANRA) at Ballymore in Brisbane.

29 June 2007 - Given the extensive damage, I have authorised Commonwealth support in the form of cash payments to people who have suffered serious injury, or lost their principal place of residence or had that residence rendered uninhabitable for a period of 48 hours as a direct result of this disaster. This will be over and above the support being provided by the Australian Government under the long standing Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements … The additional relief will amount to $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child .

29 June 2007 - Today I am pleased to mark the 20th birthday celebration of Red Nose Day. I urge all Australians to support the very important work of SIDS and Kids in reducing sudden and unexpected infant deaths across Australia. The Australian Government will contribute $80,000 to assist SIDS and Kids in raising awareness and helping prevent infant deaths.

28 June 2007 - I am pleased to announce today a $1.8 billion package of assistance for people with disabilities, their families and carers. This assistance will be available from 1 July 2007. It is on top of the $3.275 billion which the Commonwealth has already offered to the states and territories for delivery of disability services.

27 June 2007 - It gives me great pleasure to announce the outcome of Round One of the National School Chaplaincy Program. The overwhelming majority of schools made a strong case for the benefits that new or enhanced school chaplaincy services could provide to students in those schools. Accordingly, I have decided to allocate an extra $25 million to the program, enabling the Government to provide funding to 1392 schools in Round One, a total of almost $77 million over three years. This commitment brings the total value of the program to $115 million over three years and allows for $38 million to be allocated in Round Two. More than over 1500 applications from individual school communities were received for funding under this program of up to $20,000 for three years.

27 June 2007 - The Australian Government will provide up to $26.8 million for a new school to replace the current Amberley State School in Queensland.

27 June 2007 - I am pleased to announce with the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Malcolm Turnbull, that the Queensland Government has satisfied funding conditions for the Australian Government's contribution of $408 million to the Western Corridor Recycled Water Scheme in south-east Queensland.

20 June 2007 - Reduced water allocations are placing great strain on many farmers and their communities. The Australian Government has put in place a range of new measures to support farmers and communities through this time. … The Country Women's Association (CWA) plays a valuable role in supporting drought-affected families across Australia. The government is providing an additional $8 million to the CWA to enable it to continue to distribute emergency grants to families for household essentials and to fund community activities and events to help boost the morale of drought affected communities. … For those eligible farmers that wish to re establish outside farming, the maximum FarmHelp re establishment grant has been increased from $50,000 to $75,000 .

14 June 2007 - Prime Minister John Howard and NSW Premier Morris Iemma have agreed to additional assistance to help communities, small business owners and primary producers recover from the devastating damage caused by the floods in New South Wales. The Prime Minister and Premier Iemma announced the establishment of two $500,000 Community Recovery Funds with equal contributions from the State and Commonwealth.

10 June 2007 - The violent storm and subsequent flooding in the Central Coast and Hunter regions of New South Wales has caused extensive property damage and a significant number of fatalities. … Given the devastation, I have authorised Commonwealth support in the form of cash payments to people who have suffered serious injury, or lost their principal place of residence or had that residence rendered uninhabitable for a period of 48 hours as a direct result of this disaster. This will be over and above the support being provided by the Australian Government under the long standing Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.