Better health services for our community

At this time of year, we face the possibility of bushfire. I have included below some useful information about how to be prepared for the bushfire season:

• Preparing for the unexpected risk
• Country Fire Authority
• Disaster watch smartphone application
• CFA locations and contact details
• The Go List - Emergency Leave Early Resource
 

The Education Tax Refund (ETR) helps with the cost of educating primary and secondary school children. It means eligible parents, carers, legal guardians and independent students could get 50% back on some education expenses. This includes items like computers, educational software, textbooks and stationery.

Most people are eligible for the ETR because they receive Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A. However, there are some payments that prevent you from receiving FTB Part A, but which still entitle you to receive the refund. You can also claim the refund if you are an independent student. For more information, see Am I eligible?

You can claim the ETR for children in primary and/or secondary school, or if you are an independent student. Remember to keep your receipts as they will help you calculate your entitlement and you may be required to produce them as proof of purchase.

You can claim the ETR even if you are not required to lodge a tax return. For more information, see How do I claim?
  

The National Broadband Network will deliver affordable, world class broadband services to all La Trobe homes, businesses, schools and hospitals.
The NBN will be based on future proof fibre optic technology that will deliver speeds of 100 megabits per second – 50 times faster than most people experience today.

Broadband is the superhighway of the future and without it, our companies and small businesses will not be able to compete with the likes of Japan, Korea or Singapore.

The network will be progressively rolled out over 8 years, supporting 25,000 jobs per year on average over the rollout. The rollout is already well underway with first services switched on in Tasmania in July 2010, over 800km of fibre optic backbone already laid, and mainland ‘first release’ sites already selected with work underway for more information click here or contact my office on 03 9796 1788.