All parents with children currently in child care will be eligible for free care, including students and the unemployed if your child/children were enrolled with a provider prior to March 2nd 2020.

The Federal Government bailout will cost an estimated $1.6 billion to assist the struggling industry and provide some relief to families, many of whom have taken their kids out of care.

Under the plan, the Federal Government will pay half of the operating costs of Australia’s 13,000 childcare and early learning centres.

Federal Education Minister, Dan Tehan said, “If parents have an existing relationship with a childcare centre, they will get free childcare. We want as many people able to work as we possibly can and we want them to be able to access childcare as they need to make sure their children are being looked after while they are working and helping us deal with the Coronavirus pandemic.”

“We want to ensure your childcare centre will remain open so that where you normally take your child to get cared for, that will be there for you so you are not looking to have to go to a new centre.”

Federal Education Minister, Dan Tehan.

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A century of tradition fades as newspapers across the country halt printing or close their doors altogether due to a steep and sudden Coronavirus related downturn.

As we sit at home and consume more local news than ever, some newsrooms are being forced to close as advertising revenue dries up.

Many papers rely heavily on the real estate industry, with their large pull-out sections as well as pubs, clubs and hotels for regular weekly revenue.

With the current real estate open home and auction restrictions and widespread hospitality business closures, that bulk revenue stream has dried up and the traditional publishing industry, which was already struggling has been pushed to the brink.

Newsrooms are empty across the nation at a time when people are relying on having the news at their fingertips.

Several regional communities have been left shocked at the closure of their only print news publication. The Sunraysia Daily, Mildura’s only daily newspaper, which should be celebrating their centenary this year has announced its’ closure, along with the Swan Hill Guardian, the Gannawarra Times and the Loddon Times in the Mallee region of Victoria.

After 122 yrs in operation, Broken Hills’ only daily newspaper ‘Barrier Daily Truth’ has had to suspend operations due to a collapse in revenue. Thirty staff at the newspaper are now out of work.

Gippslands Yarram Standard, which is 145 years old and Great Southern Star, which was celebrating its 130th year in print have both suspended operations.

Newscorp has announced that it will suspend the print of 60 publications across the country from 9th April, including our Quest Community Newspapers which includes our local Pine Rivers Press, The Caboolture Herald and The Redcliffe Herald.

Other Newscorp publications to be suspended include those published by News Local in NSW, Leader in Victoria and Messenger in South Australia. All will continue to publish digitally during this time.

News Corp’s decision was not taken lightly. According to the company’s Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller, “The suspension of our community print editions has been forced on us by the rapid decline in advertising revenues following the restrictions placed on real estate auctions and home inspections and the forced closure of event venues and dine-in restaurants in the wake of the coronavirus emergency.”

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In response to the drought and bushfires, the Queensland Government is helping widlife hospitals and volunteer wildlife carers by committing $250,000, in addition to $6 million already earmarked, to wildlife hospitals and groups, including more than 770 community-based volunteer wildlife carers and care groups.

“Our local wildlife carers and groups have always done a remarkable and selfless job in caring for our local wildlife when they have been injured, and I have always been in awe of their dedication,” said Chris Whiting MP.

“Now with 67.4% of Queensland still drought declared and 2.5 million hectares impacted by the recent bushfires, they have been working harder than ever.

“With more funding available, I want our local carers in Bancroft to get the help they deserve,” said Chris Whiting.

Wildlife hospitals on the frontline of treating injured and sick wildlife, including RSPCA Wildlife Hospital, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital and Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, will share $120,000 and the remaining $130,000, will be allocated to eligible individual carers and care groups, to support the operating expenses related to the care and rehabilitation of sick or injured wildlife, including medicines, veterinary supplies and food for animals in care.

Eligible individual carers who do this selfless work on behalf of all Queenslanders can apply for a grant of up to $2,000 and eligible care groups can apply for a grant of up to $5,000.

The round opened on 29 January 2020 with grants provided on an ongoing basis until all funding is allocated. Carers who are interested in applying can register their interest via csagrants@des.qld.gov.au

Federal Member for Petrie, Luke Howarth held a Community Drought and Fire Forum on Wednesday 15th January at The North Lakes Library (The Corso) in response to the ongoing environmental disaster.

He invited Federal Minister David Littleproud and state Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, to speak with locals on the current situation and outline measures being taken by the Federal Government under the biggest federal response to a disaster since cyclone Tracey.

The forum was attended by more than one hundred locals, who also had the opportunity to ask questions of the MP’s.

There was a broad audience turnout from all corners of the electorate, with representation from various groups including ADF Veterans, Mango Hill Progress Association, Bald Hills Bushies, Redcliffe Environmental Forum, North Lakes Lions and students from The Lakes College and Dakabin State High School.

Mr Howarth thanked the local community for the offers of help his office had received in response to the ongoing bushfire crisis and made particular mention of the individuals and groups he was aware of who had rallied to raise donations. In a statement, Mr Howarth said he was very happy with the turnout and the level of engagement displayed during the forum.

“When I’m out and about in the electorate, locals will often ask me about the drought and bushfire situation, they want to know what the government is doing about it and how they can help.”

“It’s clear that a lot of locals are interested in finding out more about the Morrison Government’s response to these issues, so I made it a priority to speak to the Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management and organise for him to visit Petrie and speak to locals.”

Many of the questions during the Q&A centred around climate change and predictably, there were a range of polarised viewpoints. Some in the audience mocked the government at their perceived denial on the issue, others questioned whether the government is doing enough to address climate change and some wanted to make their point that climate change is not man made.

Both Mr Howarth and Mr Littleproud responded well to questions on climate change, reiterating that the Morrison Government both believes that climate change is real, is taking real action and is driving investment in clean energy technologies, via a $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package, which will enable them to meet the Paris 2030 target.”

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington speaks with locals after the forum.

Speaker: David Littleproud, Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management.

Mr Howarth made mention of the Japan Kyoto Protocol 2020 targets, which despite many saying at the time the targets were established, back in the John Howard era, that these targets would never be met, the Kyoto targets have not only been met, but exceeded.

Minister Littleproud, also the MP for Maranoa, hails from the region and encouraged those who wish to contribute in some way to the communities impacted by drought and fire, to visit those communities and spend some money. Opposition Leader and Minister for Nanango, Deb Frecklington also encouraged locals to visit the South Burnett region, spend some money and show support for communities doing it tough.