The Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter today announced funding has been restored to a program that will assist veterans in the Maitland area.

Senator Williams said $8,407 has been allocated to the Hunter Legacy Appeals Fund based at East Maitland under the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program.

He said the funding assists ex-service organisations (ESO’s) continue their important work with the local veteran community which includes helping veterans and their families access Department of Veterans’ Affairs entitlements and services.

It is used for salaries for trained advocates and pension staff, and administrative needs including essential office supplies such as computer equipment and internet access.

“Overall 141 organisations throughout the nation will share in a total of nearly $3.8 million including an additional $1 million which was reinstated as part of the 2014-15 Budget.

Eight Green Army projects have been approved to commence in the Richmond electorate this financial year.

This has been announced by the Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams who said the Green Army provides opportunities for young Australians aged 17 to 24 to gain training and experience in environmental and heritage conservation fields.

Senator Williams said participants will receive a Green Army allowance for the duration of the project and they will be supported to obtain Certificate 1 or 2 qualifications or nationally-endorsed skills to help them prepare for the workforce or improve their career opportunities.

 “$525 million is budgeted over four years and will encourage practical, grassroots action to support local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia whilst providing training to 15,000 young people by 2018.

Residents in the Hunter electorate have until this Friday to nominate areas that need better mobile phone communications.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter says the Federal government is investing $100 million to improve mobile coverage in outer metropolitan, regional and remote Australia.

Senator Williams said the Mobile Black Spot programme will improve mobile coverage along major transport routes, in small communities, areas with high seasonal demand and in locations that are prone to experiencing natural disasters.

SENATE CONSIGNS CARBON TAX TO HISTORY

(Statement from Nationals Senator for NSW John Williams)

Today the Federal parliament voted to remove the carbon tax from the lives of Australians.

This was despite opposition from the Australian Labor Party which promised before the 2010 election that Australia would not have a carbon tax and then promptly introduced one.

And it was despite opposition from the Australian Greens who now want an Emissions Trading Scheme despite virtually ending the career of then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2009 when they voted against his ETS.

Apprentices are now able to access a Trade Support Loan to help them in their training following the passing of legislation in Federal parliament.

The Coalition government is fulfilling an election promise to provide loans of up to $20,000

The Richmond electorate has fared badly in the latest report into the incidence and impact of stroke.  The National Stroke Foundation has released data which shows Richmond features regularly in the Top 10 Federal electorates for the number of people affected by stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Richmond is 8^th out of the 150 Federal electorates for the number of stroke survivors with 3,599, and is 10^th on the list for the number of strokes estimated to occur this year (438).