Medicinal cannabis legislation passes Parliament

The Federal Parliament this week passed historic legislation which delivers the missing piece to legally-grown medicinal cannabis treatment in Australia.   Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP said welcomed the historic moment and looked forward to informing the many patient advocates in his electorate who played a key role in bringing this important…

Dob in a dealer

The Coalition Government in partnership with Crime Stoppers Australia have launched a new million dollar Dob in a Dealer campaign to encourage communities to help tackle the issue of manufacturing and distribution of drugs in their local area.   Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP said crimes relating to methamphetamine, or ice, continued…

End to excessive card charges

The Turnbull Government’s tough new laws to protect consumers from excessive card surcharging have passed Parliament.   Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP said the Government’s Competition and Consumer Amendment (Payment Surcharges) Bill 2015 passed the Senate on Monday (February 22) and would come into effect this year.   “While many merchants do…

One million families benefit from child care reforms

Almost one million Australian families will benefit as a result of the Turnbull Government’s Jobs for Families package. The Government’s new child care package includes more than $3 billion in additional funding and will support around 1.2 million families in 2017-18 as they balance work and family responsibilities, as well as protect those most vulnerable, and…

Helping young people transition to work

The Australian Government today announced 11 successful organisations that will help young people and early school leavers become work ready under the first round of the new Transition to Work programme.   Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP said the initiative would ensure young job seekers aged 15-21 receive intensive support from community-based…