From your Federal Member for Dickson
PETER DUTTON
Despite the lack of a mandate, the Green Labor government has not listened to the Australian people and pushed ahead with a Carbon Tax. This tax will cost households dearly at a time when they are already struggling to meet cost of living increases and despite the fact that it will have no impact on climate change

There have also been new warnings from the Australian Crime Commission about carbon credit fraud who describe the carbon credit market as a ‘honeypot’ for criminals, including the Italian mafia.  One case currently underway in Europe involves alleged fraud of $5 billion. Labor could not administer pink batts, school halls and now GP super clinics.  How will Australians know that the money is reducing emissions and not going into the pockets of criminals? The Coalition’s Direct Action Plan invests only in Australia and is fully costed and capped at $3.2 billion over four years.
On top of the Carbon Tax, the Bligh State Government is introducing a new levy on commercial and industrial waste at landfill and waste management sites with $35 per tonne to apply from 1 December 2011.  While it is important we all play our part in reducing waste and finding opportunities to recycle where possible, there are concerns the levy may place an additional financial impost on local business and their customers. 
When I visit local businesses within Dickson it is very evident that recycling and waste reduction is a big priority and there are many initiatives in place to help contribute to waste reduction. In the current economic climate the State government’s new levy is another cost burden to local businesses, the employment opportunities they provide and ultimately the consumer.  You can lodge your protest with the Office of the Minister for Environment on (07) 3239 0844 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Private Health Insurance Rebate Petition
In further efforts to stop the government means testing the private health insurance rebate, the Coalition is currently collecting signatures on a petition to the House of Representatives.  Means testing the rebate will see many people cancel or reduce their level of cover and place further pressure on an already stressed public hospital system. A copy of the petition can be downloaded from my website at www.peterdutton.com.au  or contact my office on 3205 9977.
Remembrance Day
On 11 November I ask you to continue the tradition to pause for one minute’s silence at 11am to remember the servicemen and women who gave their life in wars, conflicts and peace operations.  Educational and commemorative resources can also be found at www.dva.gov.au or alternatively at the Australian War Museum at www.awm.gov.au
Pool Safety
With the weather warming up I would like to take the opportunity to remind families about water safety.  Over the last five years over 150 Australian children under the age of five drowned.  Fifty percent of drownings occurred in the home swimming pool where your immediate action can make a difference.  The Royal Life Saving Society have a home pool safety checklist on their website at www.homepoolsafety.com.au and other fact sheets that may help prepare parents and carers for summer.  If you are unable to access the website you can contact Royal Life Saving on
1300 737 763.
With the help of water safety experts Australia wide, Laurie Lawrence, in conjunction with the Australian Government, has put together a comprehensive water safety resource for parents and caregivers of children under 5. The DVD ‘Living with Water’ covers all aspects of water safety with an easy to view format and is broken down into developmental stages to outline specific water hazards as your child grows.
For a free copy of the DVD please call my office on 3205 9977 or drop in to Shop 3, 199 Gympie Road, Strathpine.
Movember
November will see more men than usual sporting moustaches in an effort to raise discussions, funds and awareness of men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men. For more information on how to donate go to www.movember.com.au or call 1300 476 966.