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Questions & Answers
What is the role of an electorate office and what issues can Rob and the Burnett office help me with?
The role of a Member of Parliament and their electorate office is varied. We can assist with anything from arranging your applications for Justice of the Peace and Commission of Declarations, witnessing documents (a Commissioner for Declaration is available - upon appointment), congratulatory letters, advocating on your behalf to various Ministers and government departments, supplying letters of support for grant applications, offering advice, raising your issues in Parliament...the list goes on!
Rob and his team are able to assist you in all local and state government issues. (i.e health matters, education, main roads and transport, council issues, child safety, public housing, etc). We are happy for you to contact us on any queries and we will do our best to assist, or point you in the right direction. So don't be shy! Simply contact us.
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What are the Burnett Office's opening hours?
We are open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday - Friday.
Our office is located in Bargara, a ten minute drive from Bundaberg. Office address: 15-19 See Street, Bargara Beach Plaza. (Head towards the esplanade, turn right onto See Street at the intersection just before the Bargara pub and turn the first right into Bargara Beach Plaza.)
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Can Rob Messenger help me, even if I don't live in the Burnett Electorate?
While it is advisable to contact your local Member of Parliament first, Rob endeavours to make himself available and assist where he can.
No issue is too big or too small to handle - contact us to discuss your situation and we will do our best to assist you or steer you in the right direction.
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Does your office provide a photocopying service?
We sure do! If you are a member of a not-for-profit organisation and require photocopying for this purpose, we will do your photocopying for you, free-of-charge. Should you require a significant number of copies, we will ask that you supply some paper. Please give our office a call to find out more and arrange a time to drop off your photocopying. As we get quite a lot of photocopying jobs for community organisations, we do appreciate notice prior to you dropping off your photocopying. If you only require a small amount of photocopying, we can usually do this on-the-spot for you.
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Can I get a letter of support from Rob?
Rob proudly supports non-profit organisations and has provided many letters of support. Please write a short letter or email to us explaining who you are and why you require a letter of support (i.e - state what community non-profit organisation you come from, a brief background of your organisation, which grant you are applying for and what you intend to purchase with the funds). Rob also provides letters of support for businesses and individuals at his discretion.
If you have any further queries regarding letters of support, please contact us.
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Can I get a Queensland Flag through Rob's office?
If you wish to obtain or replace a Queensland Flag free-of-charge, and you are part of a school, community organisation or sports club, you may do so by writing a brief letter or an email to Rob's office officially requesting a Queensland Flag. Rob's office will then request a new Queensland Flag on your behalf for approval from Protocol Queensland. Please note that we are unable to order you an Australian Flag or an Aboriginal Flag - you will need to see your local Federal Member of Parliament for this purpose.
Rob can also make himself available to present your school, sporting community or organisation with your new flag if you wish.
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Is Rob available for face-to-face meetings and how I can make an appointment?
Rob is available for meetings with individuals and community groups when Parliament isn't sitting. To arrange an appointment, please contact his office.
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What are the main issues Rob has been dealing with?
Please see Rob's latest Newsletter outlining the issues he has been addressing
here
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My school is visiting Parliament soon. Can Rob meet with the students, and how can I arrange this?
When Parliament is sitting, Rob enjoys meeting with students from the Burnett while they are touring Parliament House and chatting with the students about the workings of the House. Be sure to let Rob's office know
here before your school visits and the details of the visit, and if it is a Parliament Sitting, Rob will try to meet with you. If your visit is not during a Parliament Sitting week, unfortunately Rob will most likely be unable to meet with the students, as he will be back in the Burnett electorate addressing local issues.
Rob also enjoys visiting Burnett schools and speaking with the students regarding Parliament and his role, and presenting new Queensland Flags at assemblies. If you school would like a visit from Rob, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you!
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What government grants are available for non-profit organisations & how do I apply?
The main grant available through the government is the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, which provides one-off funding of up to $35,000 to not-for-profit community groups throughout Queensland.
Non-profit organisations must demonstrate that the funds will go towards such purchases:
- Purchasing or replacing and upgrading equipment associated with activities of the organisation which would benefit the community
- Special one-off events and activities
- Community development and organisational development
- Grants are distributed on a quarterly basis
Drop in to Rob's office for an application form today, or phone us and we will send one out to you.
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How can I get a petition up-and-running?
Petitions are a great way to highlight your concerns regarding a situation and request action to address the issue. Rob, as your local MP, can sponsor your petition for you. All you will need to do is fill out an application form and send it to Rob's office for him to sign and send away to Parliament. Your petition can run anywhere from one week to six months - it is up to you how long you require. Your petition can be in the traditional paper format, as well as online. Rob's office can assist you with the wording of the petition and ensure that your petition conforms with Queensland Parliament's Standing Orders.
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When does State Parliament sit?
The remaining sitting dates are as follows:
- APRIL - 5 (Tuesday), 6 (Wednesday), 7 (Thursday)
- MAY - 10 (Tuesday), 11 (Wednesday), 12 (Thursday)
- MAY (REGIONAL SITTING IN MACKAY) - 24 (Tuesday), 25 (Wednesday), 26 (Thursday)
- JUNE (BUDGET) - 14 (Tuesday), 15 (Wednesday), 16 (Thursday), 17 (Friday)
- JULY (ESTIMATES) - 12 (Tuesday), 13 (Wednesday), 14 (Thursday), 15 (Friday), 19 (Tuesday), 20 (Wednesday), 21 (Thursday)
- AUGUST - 2 (Tuesday), 3 (Wednesday), 4 (Thursday), 23 (Tuesday), 24 (Wednesday), 25 (Thursday)
- SEPTEMBER - 6 (Tuesday), 7 (Wednesday), 8 (Thursday)
- OCTOBER - 11 (Tuesday), 12 (Wednesday), 13 (Thursday)
- OCTOBER - 25 (Tuesday), 26 (Wednesday), 27 (Thursday)
- NOVEMBER - 15 (Tuesday), 16 (Wednesday), 17 (Thursday)
- NOVEMBER - 29 (Tuesday), 30 (Wednesday)
- DECEMBER - 1 (Thursday)
If you are ever in Brisbane while Parliament is sitting, be sure to visit and view 'Question Time' via the Legislative Assembly Chamber public gallery - it is quite fascinating to watch and is the most entertaining part of the day! Question Time sits between 10.30am - 11.30am.
Parliament House is located at the corner of George and Alice Streets and is within easy walking distance of the Brisbane CBD.
Queensland Parliament also holds a 'regional parliament sitting' once every three years. This year, Parliament will sit in Mackay, on 24, 25 and 26 May, at Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre. It is your opportunity to see parliament in action, without having to travel to Brisbane.
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Am I eligible for a Seniors card and how can I apply for one?
There are two discount cards available, including the Seniors Business Discount Card and the Seniors Card. Seniors Cards are a great way to take advantage of discounts at participating businesses on a wide range of products and services...and it's free to join!
To be eligible for the 'Seniors Business Discount Card, you must be a permanent resident aged 60 or over.
To be eligible for the 'Seniors Card' you must be a Queensland resident and are either:
- aged over 65 and working less than 35 hours per week, OR
- aged 60 to 64, working less than 35 hours per week and holding a Commonwealth concession card from Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs (for example, a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Veterans' Gold, White or Orange Card).
Application forms are available at Rob's office.
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How do I update my electoral details?
If you have recently changed residential address, changed your name, or recently turned 18, you will need to update your electoral details. This can be done through the Australian Electoral Commission. Rob's office can supply you with the relevant AEC forms. Alternatively, an online form is available at: www.aec.gov.au/enrol/