24^th March, 2014

One hundred and sixty two (162) veterans living in the Hunter electorate will benefit from the Federal government’s legislation to deliver Fair Indexation.

The legislation has been introduced into Parliament confirming the Coalition’s commitment to the veterans in Hunter and those around Australia.

Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter John Williams said in Opposition the Shadow Veterans Affairs Minister Senator Michael Ronaldson had travelled the length and breadth of the country signing pledges with local veterans groups.

“The Government promised to deliver Fair Indexation to Defence Forces Retirement Benefit (DFRB) and Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefit (DFRDB) scheme superannuants aged 55 and over from 1 July, 2014. 

24^TH March, 2014

The despised carbon tax will continue to impact on families and industries in the Richmond electorate thanks to the Member for Richmond Justine Elliott and her Labor colleagues.

Last week in the Senate Labor and the Greens, who claimed the marriage was over, stood side by side to defeat the government’s carbon tax repeal legislation.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams said Ms Elliott should be asked by every person in the electorate “why?”

“Why has she voted to keep electricity prices high?

24^th March, 2014

Last Thursday the Federal government tried to reduce your cost of living by repealing the carbon tax legislation.

 The Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter John Williams says Labor and the Greens decided you don’t need a break and will let you and many industries continue to battle high energy prices.

By blocking the repeal of the carbon tax legislation Labor and the Greens have again thumbed their noses at the decision of the Australian people last September.

 “They voted for a Coalition government knowing the abolition of the carbon tax would be a priority.

14^th March, 2014                

The Federal government is helping small and medium-sized businesses in the Hunter electorate reach their export potential with a $50 million boost to the Export Market Development Scheme (EMDG).

The Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter John Williams says under Labor the EMDG scheme had been cut by $25 million a year, but new legislation which has been introduced into parliament will make the scheme more accessible to businesses looking to export.

Senator Williams said in the 2012-13 financial year, 9 business enterprises in the Hunter electorate had shared in $336,000 worth of grants under the program.

Aged care providers in the Richmond electorate will be able to apply for funds under the next Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) from May.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams says the Round will continue to expand the Home Care Packages program which provides individually tailored packages of home care services to help older Australians remain living independently in their own home.

Senator Williams said the residential aged care places will also be made available in the next ACAR.

The Government will make funding available for capital grants under the Rural, Regional and Other Special Needs Building Fund.

“The Government recognises that many older Australians wish to remain in their own home for as long as possible.

The man who advised the Gillard government’s Multi-Party Climate Change Committee is not concerned about the transport industry being hit by the carbon tax from the 1st of July this year.

Under questioning from the Nationals Senator for NSW John Williams during the Environment and Communications Senate hearing into the Direct Action Plan, Professor Garnaut was asked did he support a tax that would add an extra $515 million in diesel costs.

Professor Garnaut replied "Yes I do Senator" to which Senator Williams commented "the truckies will love you".

Senator Williams said he is disappointed but not surprised by Professor Garnaut’s response and it shows he is out of touch with the impact the carbon tax has had and will have on regional Australia.