Local organisations can apply for SmartTech grants

Local councils, companies, not-for-profits and research organisations in Forde can now apply for up to $5 million in funding to support smart tech projects for their local communities. The Coalition Government’s $50 million Smart Cities and Suburbs Program has been opened by Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor. Mr Taylor said he…

Innovative approaches will help young people in to work

The Australian Government has today announced the organisations successful in their applications to deliver the second round of Empowering YOUth Initiatives. Empowering YOUth Initiatives seeks to empower young people who are disengaged from the workforce or school and who face complex issues that affect their future. Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said…

International Women’s Day – Helping women get to work

With today marking International Women’s Day, Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen MP has welcomed the announced expansion of a successful employment partnership between the Turnbull Government and UnitingCare Australia. “The Turnbull Government is proud to have developed an effective partnership with UnitingCare to deliver meaningful pre-employment training to women looking to engage in…

Fair Work Commission cuts Sunday penalty rates

Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen MP said the independent Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) decision to cut Sunday penalty rates for the retail, hospitality and fast-food industries was a result of Bill Shorten’s time as Workplace Relations Minister. “When the Opposition Leader was Workplace Relations Minister under a Gillard-Rudd-Labor Government, he specifically amended the…

New support for youth jobs

A new Federal Government incentive is now available to help local businesses hire additional staff. Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen MP said the changes introduced through the Coalition Government’s jobactive PaTH Program would help local business hire young people in the community. New wage subsidies are a key component of the Government’s new…

Pre-schoolers can learn a second language

Young children have the opportunity to learn a second language before they start school, with preschools and child care centres in Forde encouraged to sign up to the Turnbull Government’s popular Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) program. Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen MP said the ELLA program was open nationally for the first…