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Further Bank Support For Households And Small Businesses

The Government welcomes today’s announcement by the Australian Banking Association (ABA) on the continued support that will be provided by banks to customers on repayment deferrals.
The ABA has today confirmed that banks will continue to support customers who need it with up to another four months of deferred repayments on already deferred loans. This initiative has been agreed with APRA who will provide the banks with extended regulatory relief so that they can continue to support their customers with greater flexibility during this time.
APRA has also provided relief to encourage the banks to restructure loans where possible as a way of helping these customers. This restructuring could include extending the term of the loan or moving from principal and interest repayments to interest-only for a period of time.
The ABA estimates that there are over 800,000 loans that have been deferred worth over $260 billion.
It is important that customers that can afford to make repayments continue to do so. Borrowers that are facing considerable financial difficulty as a result of this pandemic, should talk to their banks and work with them to find a more sustainable approach.
The Government acknowledges and thanks the Banks, APRA and ASIC for their collective efforts in support of Australians who financing financial hardship during this difficult time.
The Morrison Government continues to support both businesses and individuals that have been impacted by the coronavirus crisis and the actions of the banks and APRA today will complement this support and help more Australians get to the other side.

City Taskforce Update 3 July 2020

MEETING OF THE CITY TASKFORCE
The City Taskforce, a collaboration of 17 leading organisations and employers, chaired by Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes City of Newcastle, held its fifth meeting today via Zoom. The Taskforce was formed to develop a collaborative approach to the City’s response to COVID-19, from crisis to recovery and beyond. City leaders focused their discussion on the second edition of The Newcastle Response, highlighting significant impacts to the tourism sector, as well as commercial rental vacancies across the city and eroded business confidence in the context of further job losses and economic impacts as a result of COVID-19.
The Newcastle Response – Tourism Sector
City leaders endorsed the second Newcastle Response, which provides local insights on one of the industries hardest hit by COVID-19: tourism. Developed in collaboration with representatives of Newcastle Airport and Alloggio, and supported unanimously today by the City Taskforce, the document recognises the valuable contribution the tourism sector makes to the city’s vibrancy and its role in sustaining local jobs. It calls upon State and Federal decision-makers to:

Support an interstate destination marketing campaign for Greater Newcastle, as submitted by Newcastle Airport and partners in June 2020.
List Newcastle as a destination independent of the North Coast on Destination NSW’s websites.
Make available additional tourism product development training from Destination NSW, and pilot new training through the NSW First Program in Newcastle in 2020/21.
Advocate for the reversal of about 200 Hunter Jetstar job losses, including 112 stemming from the closure of Newcastle’s Jetstar maintenance base.

The Taskforce also recognised the need for JobKeeper to be extended or alternative targeted support measures to be introduced for tourism businesses and other sectors that are “on ice”. Despite some restrictions easing, discretionary spending is down 58% at pubs and venues and 34% on travel compared to baseline levels. Among those travel and accommodation services suffering the biggest downturn are those that derive their revenue from regional, interstate and international travellers due to ongoing border closures.
Commercial rental vacancies erode business confidence
The Taskforce heard how commercial rental vacancies across Newcastle had significantly increased from February to June, changing the city’s streetscape and eroding business confidence – an issue not localised to Newcastle, but which can be seen around the world as a result of COVID-19.
City leaders raised the concept of applying the Renew Newcastle model more broadly to redevelop and revitalise commercial precincts and the city’s overall amenity in parallel with discussions with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment around zoning and the night-time economy. Leaders agreed to workshop this further with key members of the City Taskforce, including the Hunter Business Chamber, Colliers International, Alloggio and Independent Creative Alliance Newcastle.
The Newcastle Response – Tourism Sector also advocates for the extension of the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2020.
City Taskforce work streams update
City of Newcastle received $4.2 million in applications to its Industry Response Program, offering targeted grants to businesses, groups and organisations representing those industries hardest hit by COVID-19. A funding pool of $500,000 was made available by the City of Newcastle, with the successful applicants from a wide cross-section of the community – including live music, small business, tourism and the arts – to be announced in the coming weeks.
Engagement with the local evidence base working group continues to provide valuable, granular insights specific to the region, with representatives from the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health, Regional NSW, NIB and the City of Newcastle in the areas of research, innovation and data science.
The region’s youth unemployment rate remains a concern, affecting more than one in four young people. The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to have a generational impact on this cohort in terms of skills and employment gaps. This City Taskforce work stream has seen the establishment of a working group with representatives of Hunter Young Professionals, Youth Council, Hunter Regional Employment Facilitator, Community Disability Alliance Hunter and the arts and tourism sectors. Together they will look at creative ways of tackling the youth unemployment challenge.
Vale Matthew Morris, former Charlestown MP
Taskforce members acknowledged the passing of former State Member for Charlestown, Matthew Morris, who sadly died of brain cancer. Mr Morris, 51, served two terms as the Member for Charlestown, elected in 2003 and again in 2007, and while he was a private person after he left office, his contribution to the community is his legacy.

BUSINESSES MUST EMBRACE COVID SAFE MEASURES

NSW businesses must follow the State Government’s COVID safety warnings and public health orders or risk a penalty of up to $55,000.
More than 117,500 COVID safety plans have been downloaded in less than a month but businesses also need to register to provide customers with confidence.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there are 10,500 registered COVID Safe businesses across NSW but she would like to see this number increase.
“Thanks to the hard work of the community, thousands of businesses and have been able to reopen their doors and welcome back customers,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“While communities embrace the easing of restrictions and we kick start the economy, safety must come first and businesses cannot be complacent.
“Whether it’s a café, construction business, cinema or sports club, all organisations must ensure the safety of staff and customers. There are no more excuses.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said help and assistance is available for businesses.
“Downloading an industry specific safety plan and registering as COVID Safe is simple and can be done online. Service NSW can help with any questions,” Mr Dominello said.
“Customers are encouraged to give feedback to businesses. Our focus in June was on educating industry; while our focus in July will be on compliance.”
Any business found in breach of the public health orders will be held to account and could face a penalty of up to $55,000 or an on the spot fine of $5000.
Breach of orders made under the Public Health Act 2010 is a criminal offence and attracts heavy penalties. In the case of any business, the maximum penalty is $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues.
To download a safety plan visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/covid-safe-businesses

NSW Police Force commence operation ahead of NSW/Victoria border closures

The NSW Police Force will launch a large-scale operation to enforce the closure of the NSW/Victorian border tonight.
The Public Health (COVID-19 NSW and Victorian Border) Order 2020, under section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010, will be issued later today (Tuesday 7 July 2020). It will direct that from midnight (Wednesday 8 July 2020), no one can enter NSW from Victoria, unless they can fulfil specific exemption criteria.
At present, the border is closed to those from Victorian ‘hotspot’ postcodes, with the entire greater Melbourne area now deemed a hotspot.
As the scope widens and the border closes entirely, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has appointed Assistant Commissioner Scott Whyte as Operation Commander, to lead approximately 650 police officers in support of local police.
The high-visibility operation will include General Duties officers from across NSW, as well as Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, and other specialist units, such as the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit.
Police will also be assisted by the Australian Defence Force – with 350 personnel to be deployed from Thursday (9 July 2020).
Assistance will also be provided by other government agencies; including Transport For NSW, and NSW National Parks as required.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said that as always, safety remains the top priority.
“The aim of this operation is to keep NSW safe – the broader NSW community, as well as NSW Police officers and operation support personnel,” the Commissioner said.
“I know this closure will inconvenience many on both sides of the border, but the dangers and flow-on effects that accompany a second wave of COVID-19 are not something we want to see for our state.
“We have engaged with Local Members of Parliament and the Mayors of Albury and Wodonga to ensure local communities understand how the Public Health Orders impact on them and so we can work together to minimise disruptions to everyday lives.
“We anticipate the first 72 hours will be challenging, so we ask the community to be patient and work with us. Importantly, if you don’t need to cross the border, don’t,” Commissioner Fuller said.
There are 54 border crossings within five Police Districts across two Police Regions (Southern and Western), which will require both static and mobile policing strategies.
Of the 54 crossings, 34 have been prioritised into three categories (A, B, C) depending on the traffic flow, location and characteristics, while the remining 20 crossings are tracks and trails.
The six category ‘A’ locations – which are the main crossings – are:
Wodonga Place, South Albury
Hume Hwy, South Albury
Cobb Hwy, Moama
Newell Hwy, Tocumwal
Sturt Hwy, Buronga
Princes Hwy, Tambillica
Police will also continue to assist NSW Health at Sydney Airport and regional airports with the screening of passengers arriving from Victoria, who have exemptions under the Public Health Act.
Travellers who are departing from or arriving at airports in NSW are urged to adhere to the directions of airline staff, airport security, and NSW Health practitioners/officers.
The Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) provides police with the power to enforce Public Helath Orders. It is an offence for a person to fail to comply with an order, and severe penalties apply, which include a maximum penalty of up to $11,000 and/or six months imprisonment for individuals.
The standard penalty will be a $1000 fine by way of a Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN).
Anyone wishing to travel into NSW will need to apply for an exemption online via Service NSW.
It is an offence to provide false information when applying for exemptions. A substainal fine applies.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Border closure exemptions now live through Service NSW website

Exemptions for those wishing to cross the border from Victoria to NSW are now available online via the Service NSW website.
The Public Health (COVID-19 NSW and Victorian Border) Order 2020 states that from 12.01am tomorrow (Wednesday 8 July 2020), no one can enter NSW from Victoria, unless they can meet exemption criteria.
Fines apply to those who breach Public Health Orders, or who falsify information when applying for exemptions.
A large-scale police operation will be in place to ensure compliance with the Public Health Order, with officers assisted by personnel from the Australian Defence Force, and other government agencies.
As those with exemptions begin to pass through checkpoints, police are asking people to come prepared and ready to produce relevant documents and identification information; such as drivers’ licences, and medical certificates. Those without exemptions will be turned back.
It is anticipated that the first 72 hours will be challenging while the process is in its infancy. Police are asking those who don’t need to cross the border to avoid doing so.
For more information about exemptions or to apply for a permit, please visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-covid-19-nsw-border-entry-permit

Man charged after attempting to cross border without permit – Corowa

A man has been charged after allegedly attempting to cross the NSW/Victoria border near Corowa earlier today.
About 11am (Wednesday 8 July 2020), a Mitsubishi Outlander bearing Victorian number plates attempted to drive into NSW on Carlyle Road, Wahgunyah.
Police spoke with the driver, who allegedly declared his intention to cross into NSW despite not having a valid exemption.
Police allege the man was given several opportunities to comply with police directions, which he refused.
The man’s wife and three children complied with police direction and returned to Victoria.
The 34-year-old Barnawartha man was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction – COVID-19.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in Albury Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 9 July 2020).
The public is reminded it is an offence to enter NSW from Victoria without a valid exemption.
Since midnight (Wednesday 8 July 2020), more than 50,000 vehicles have crossed the border from Victoria into NSW.

Man charged as part of investigations into Cessnock death

A man has been charged as part of investigations into the death of another man at a rubbish tip at Cessnock.
Emergency services were called to the waste management facility on Old Maitland Road just after 5pm on Sunday (5 July 2020), after a 54-year-old man was found critically injured. He died at the scene.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District attended and established a crime scene which was examined by specialist forensic officers.
Local detectives, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, established Strike Force Nargal to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death which is being treated as suspicious.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives executed a crime scene warrant at a property at Lovedale just before 10.30am today (Wednesday 8 July 2020), where they seized a Toyota Landcruiser.
A 30-year-old man was arrested at the property and taken to Cessnock Police Station.
Shortly after, investigators executed a search warrant at a home at Aberdare, where a number of items were seized.
The man was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death-driver manner dangerous, negligent driving (occasioning death), fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death and driver not disclose identity of driver/passenger as required.
Police will allege in court that the man was driving the Toyota Landcruiser when he struck the 54-year-old – who is known to him – at the waste facility.
The Aberdare man was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 9 July 2020).
Inquiries are continuing.

Morrison Government must rule out killing more jobs by abolishing local content rules

The Greens are calling on the Morrison Government to rule out killing more Australian jobs by permanently abolishing local content rules and to get on with requiring streaming giants to produce Australian-made shows.
Greens Spokesperson for Communication and the Arts Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said now the consultation period for the local content options paper had closed, Minister Fletcher needed to get on with the job.
“Letting broadcasters out of local content requirements and failing to immediately regulate streaming services put the jobs of every person who works on Australian drama, documentaries and children’s TV shows from actors, to writers, to crews at risk,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“The big wigs of streaming and broadcasting can’t be allowed to call the shots when it comes to Australian stories on our screens.
“Regulating streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon, Apple and Stan should be part of the government’s arts and entertainment industry Covid recovery package, which is woefully inadequate, and therefore treated as a matter of urgency.
”The Government can help create jobs and generate investment in the domestic market by backing requirements on the giant tech companies and streaming services. Local content requirements must also be reinstated for free-to-air broadcasters.
“Australian stories are vital for our culture and social fabric and the sustainability of our arts and entertainment industry.
“Good quality children’s content is good for the community and it creates jobs.
“The time for reviews and consultation is over. Minister Fletcher needs to come out and tell the community and the industry what he is going to do to protect Australian-made stories and jobs.”

Greens call on Environment Minister to immediately release interim report into environment laws

The Greens are calling on Environment Minister Sussan Ley to immediately release the interim report into Australia’s environment laws handed to her a week ago by the independent reviewer.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young who successfully moved an order in the Senate for the interim report to be released by today at the latest, said:
“The Environment Minister has sat on the interim report into Australia’s environment laws for a week already and then today tried to claim releasing it would reveal Cabinet deliberations. This is a pathetic excuse for keeping it hidden from the public.
“The 10-year statutory review into the EPBC Act is supposed to be independent of government and therefore any interim report cannot possibly reveal Cabinet deliberations.
“The Minister was handed the interim report a week ago, there is no excuse for holding onto it any longer, it should be released immediately in full.
“Graeme Samuel who is leading the review has said he intends to consult on the interim report yet he cannot do that if the community and stakeholders are unable to even see it.
“The Auditor-General’s assessment of the government’s management of the environment and our wildlife, released last month, was scathing.
“The Environment Minister and the Federal Department have failed to protect the environment and are, simply put, incompetent. Refusing to release the interim report suggests it highlights further ineptitude and failures by the government which they are trying to cover up.”

$1 Billion Waste And Recycling Plan To Transform Waste Industry

The Morrison Government will commit $190 million to a new Recycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) that will generate $600 million of recycling investment and drive a billion-dollar transformation of Australia’s waste and recycling capacity.
More than 10,000 jobs will be created and over 10 million tonnes of waste diverted from landfill to the making of useful products as Australia turbo charges its recycling capacity.
The RMF will support innovative investment in new infrastructure to sort, process and remanufacture materials such as mixed plastic, paper, tyres and glass, with Commonwealth funding contingent on co-funding from industry, states and territories.
Australia’s waste and recycling transformation is being further strengthened by an additional:

$35 million to implement Commonwealth commitments under Australia’s National Waste Policy Action Plan, which sets the direction for waste management and recycling in Australia until 2030.
$24.6 million on Commonwealth commitments to improve our national waste data so it can measure recycling outcomes and track progress against our national waste targets.
The introduction of new Commonwealth waste legislation to formally enact the Government’s waste export ban and encourage companies to take greater responsibility for the waste they generate, from product design through to recycling, remanufacture or disposal (Product Stewardship).

The moves are part of a national strategy to change the way Australia looks at waste, grow our economy, protect our environment and reach a national resource recovery target of 80% by 2030.
“As we cease shipping our waste overseas, the waste and recycling transformation will reshape our domestic waste industry, driving job creation and putting valuable materials back into the economy,” Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said today.
“Australians need to have faith that the items they place in their kerbside recycling bins will be re-used in roads, carpet, building materials and a range of other essential items.
“At the same time, we need to stop throwing away tonnes of electronic waste and batteries each year and develop new ways to recycle valuable resources.
“As we pursue National Waste Policy Action Plan targets, we need manufacturers and industry to take a genuine stewardship role that helps create a sustainable circular economy.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to remodel waste management, reduce pressure on our environment and create economic opportunity.”
Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, Trevor Evans, said that the unparalleled expansion of Australia’s recycling capacity followed close consultation with industry.
“Our targeted investment will grow Australia’s circular economy, create more jobs and build a stronger onshore recycling industry,” Assistant Minister Evans said.
“Australian companies are turning plastics and household waste into furniture, decking, fencing and clothing, and we are developing new domestic markets for recycled materials by setting national standards for recycled content in roads and making recycled products a focus of procurement for infrastructure, defence estate management and general government purchasing.
“Our targeted investment will grow Australia’s circular economy, create more jobs and build a stronger onshore recycling industry.
“Companies are already moving with The Pact Group announcing a $500 million investment in facilities, research and technology, Coca-Cola Amatil committing to new recycling targets, and Pact, Cleanaway and Asahi Beverages establishing a $30 million recycling facility in Albury.”
The unparalleled expansion of Australia’s recycling capacity follows the 2019 National Waste Policy Action Plan, Australia’s government ban on exports of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres, and this year’s first ever National Plastics Summit.