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MORRISON MUST ORDER FULL REVIEW OF EARLY SUPER ACCESS SCHEME

Scott Morrison must order a full review of the early access to superannuation scheme and explain to Parliament next week how it came to be rorted by fraudsters who have stolen retirement savings of at least 150 Australians.
The Government’s failure to listen to warnings from Labor and the superannuation industry that there were serious flaws in the early release superannuation program has now cost people up to $10,000 of their hard-earned retirement dollars.
Yesterday it was nothing to see here. Today the Government has been dragged into action
Money should be going to people in dire financial need, not fraudsters and crooks.
We welcome the news that the scheme has been frozen. It should have happened a week ago when this fraud first came to light.
The Government has designed a system for speed not accuracy.
If you want to implement major reforms quickly you need to listen to stakeholders. The Government has placed the hard-earned savings of Australians at risk because they refused to listen to advice.
 
We expect a full explanation from Government Ministers on what measures they are taking to protect the integrity of our superannuation system and to ensure no further fraud takes place.
Just like the automated Robodebt fiasco, this is a Government error which requires a Government solution. Individuals and super funds should not be left thousands of dollars out of pocket because the Government did not heed warnings from Labor and industry.
No one should be out of pocket because of a Government mistake. They must fix it and compensate those affected.
Australia has a world class superannuation system. We must protect the integrity of retirement savings at all costs.

LABOR STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT DECISION TO DELAY BANKING ROYAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS

It is a failing of the Morrison Government that the Banking Royal Commission recommendations were not implemented in full before the COVID-19 crisis.
We join with consumer groups in holding the Government to account until they keep their promise with the Australian people and implement the recommendations.
Labor calls for the Royal Commission implementation delays to be limited to no more than 6 months.
The Government resisted the Banking Royal Commission for years, voted against it 26 times and have dragged their feet on implementation.
After receiving the Banking Royal Commission’s final report, Prime Minister Morrison and Treasurer Frydenberg took six months to release an implementation timetable.
One year after the report was on their desks, the Government had only completed 6 out of the 76 recommendations made by Commissioner Hayne.
Labor acknowledges the role that the banks are playing in the current crisis.
We support a strong banking system and the recent measures that have added needed liquidity and financial support during COVID-19.
But the Australian public also have an expectation that the Banking Royal Commission recommendations will be implemented.
With almost half the workforce on JobKeeper or JobSeeker, consumers need to be sure that they are protected from financial misconduct.
We agree with consumer groups who wrote to the Treasurer on 16 April 2020 expressing concerns.
While there is a reasonable case for a six-month extension to deadlines, the Australian community still expects to see action on the Banking Royal Commission.
Australians just want fair treatment from our financial institutions.
It is Josh Frydenberg’s job to make sure that still happens.

Update on Coronavirus Measures

The National Cabinet met today to further discuss options for easing restrictions over the coming months, helping prepare Australians to go back to work in a COVID-19 safe environment and getting the economy back to a more sustainable level.
The Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy provided an update on the measures underway, the latest data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19.
There have been 6,899 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 97 people have died. There are now only around 1,000 active cases in Australia, and over the past week, daily infection rates have remained low. Testing remains high, with more than 730,000 tests undertaken in Australia.
We need to continue to have the right controls in place to test more people, trace those who test positive and respond to local outbreaks when they occur. These are precedent conditions to enable Australia to relax baseline restrictions and enable Australians to live and work in a COVID-19 safe economy.
National Cabinet again encouraged Australians to download the COVIDSafe app to ensure that we can protect Australians and reset baseline restrictions. More than 5.3 million Australians have already downloaded the COVIDSafe app. This is an enormous achievement, but more is needed.
National Cabinet will meet again on Friday 15 May 2020.
Re-opening a COVID-safe Australia and economy
The National Cabinet met today to finalise the three-step plan to gradually remove baseline restrictions and make Australia COVID-safe.
Australia has so far been highly successful in ‘flattening the curve’. The number of new COVID-19 cases in Australia each day is very low. We can now begin to take careful steps to ease some of the restrictions that have helped us suppress the spread of this virus.
We are confidently and cautiously taking the first step to lifting restrictions. Our success so far means we have slowed the spread of COVID-19 and built the capacity in our health system to manage the impact of the virus. We can now start to progressively ease the restrictions we have in place. The AHPPC has provided strong advice on the conditions that must be met as we establish COVID safe ways of working and living so that we can reopen parts of the economy in the safest possible way while living with COVID-19. This means that many Australians can start getting out to the shops, undertaking some local trips and travel, visiting playgrounds and public parks, and having friends and family around with a bit more freedom.
But the National Cabinet is very clear: continued suppression of COVID-19 is about collective action. Success depends on maintaining our new community norms – physical distancing, good hygiene practices and downloading the COVIDSafe app to keep us all safe while we are out and about.
For businesses, this also means taking the time to prepare and develop a plan to operate in a COVID safe way to protect their customers and workers. With every one of us playing our part, we should all feel safe and confident in leaving the house and starting to do some of the things we’ve missed in the last few months – like getting back to work, having a quick bite in a restaurant or cafe, attending auctions and open houses, and participating in group exercise.
Each step we take needs to be underpinned by a strong commitment from all of us to:

  • stay 1.5 metres away from other people whenever and wherever we can
  • maintain good hand washing and cough/sneeze hygiene
  • stay home when we’re unwell, and getting tested if we have respiratory symptoms or a fever,
  • download the COVIDSafe app so we can find the virus quickly, and
  • Develop COVID safe plans for workplaces and plans.

Our success depends on us making these behaviours part of our daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep us COVID safe.
Australian governments are taking a measured approach. Our three-step plan provides a pathway for jurisdictions to move towards COVID safe communities in a way that best suits their individual circumstances. States and territories are able to move between the steps on the pathway at different times, in line with their current public health situation and local conditions. They’ll need to maintain steady case numbers and be able to rapidly contain outbreaks, which we’re set to do – with our enhanced testing regime, strengthened health surge capacity, and improved ability to quickly identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.
For each of the major areas of restrictions we have set out three key steps between where we are now and where we want to be.

  • Step 1 will focus on carefully reopening the economy, and giving Australians opportunities to return to work and social activities, including gatherings of up to 10 people, up to 5 visitors in the family home and some local and regional travel
  • Step 2 builds on this with gatherings of up to 20, and more businesses reopening, including gyms, beauty services and entertainment venues like galleries and cinemas.
  • Step 3 will see a transition to COVID safe ways of living and working, with gatherings of up to 100 people permitted. Arrangements under step 3 will be the ‘new normal’ while the virus remains a threat. International travel and mass gatherings over 100 people will remain restricted.

A detailed plan of the steps, as well as a summary, is attached.
Under the three-step plan, states and territories continue to make decisions to their individual circumstances and local conditions.
Jurisdictions may ease restrictions at a different pace. Individuals and business should look to local authorities for the most up to date information, or visit www.australia.gov.au to be linked to state and territory resources.
Special arrangements will need to be continued in Indigenous biosecurity areas and for vulnerable groups.
National Cabinet also committed – as part of the three-step plan – to regular reviews and stocktake assessments of our progress every three weeks. We will be closely monitoring the situation as restrictions are eased. This will enable us to assess the impact of changes, track progress against our agreed precedent conditions, determine the pace of moving through the steps, and make any further decisions. The AHPPC and National Cabinet were very firm on this. We are prepared for an increase in case numbers or possible outbreaks, but relapse should not be an option. A second wave is not something we can afford to go through. The cost to our people, our economy, our social fabric, is too high. We should look to build success in each step, and move forward safely and with confidence.
So long as Australians keep living and working in a COVID safe way, we’ll be able to keep case numbers low and continue taking steps on the pathway to relaxing more restrictions.
National Cabinet’s goal is to have a sustainable COVID safe Australia in July 2020. We’ve shown what we can achieve when we work together – we flattened the curve. Now, let’s work together to get Australia COVID safe.

$100 Million Paid To Keep Australian Apprentices And Trainees On The Job

More than $100 million has been paid out to almost 13,000 employers assisting 22,035 apprentices and trainees remain on the job since the Morrison Government launched the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees measure on 2 April 2020.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said apprentices and trainees are vital for our ongoing economic growth and building a sustainable future workforce.
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the Australian economy. This support measure ensures employers can keep their apprentices and trainees despite the economic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Cash said.
The support is through a wage subsidy which covers 50 per cent of wages paid to apprentices and trainees. Subsidies will cover wages paid from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020 and businesses will be reimbursed up to $7,000 per quarter, up to a maximum of $21,000, per eligible employee.
The support package is part of the Morrison Government’s Economic Response to COVID-19. The wage subsidy is available to small businesses that employ fewer than 20 full-time employees and retain their Australian apprentice or trainee. In addition, employers of any size and Group Training Organisations that re-engage an eligible out of trade apprentice or trainee are also eligible.
Apprentices and trainees who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are also being connected with new work and training through the new Apprentice and Trainee Re-engagement Register as part of this measure. The re-engagement register can be found here.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, The Hon Steve Irons MP, said the Morrison Government is committed to delivering targeted, scalable support in the face of COVID-19 and the first priority is those businesses that are most vulnerable.
“This critical measure will help ensure the Australian economy recovers well and continues to enable employers to be more competitive, more innovative and to create more job opportunities. Most importantly, it is keeping apprentices connected to work,” Minister Irons said.
Further information on how to apply for the subsidy, including information on eligibility, is available at:

Stockton Community Liaison Group welcomes latest briefing on long-term coastal planning

The Stockton Community Liaison Group has responded positively overall to a final briefing on the long-term plan for managing the suburb’s coastline prior to it going to councillors for endorsement on Tuesday.
City of Newcastle will be one of the first councils in the State to submit a Coastal Management Program (CMP) when it lodges the plan for Stockton by the end of June, meeting a shortened deadline of 18 months set by the Local Government Minister.
Stockton Community Liaison Group Chair Barbara Whitcher said after years of very robust engagement with City of Newcastle and lead agencies like the Department of Planning Industry and Environment, it appeared a positive way forward could be set through Stockton’s CMP.
“The Stockton Community Liaison Group has been meeting regularly with City of Newcastle for more than two years, advocating for our community’s interests through what is complex issue of managing ongoing coastal erosion,” Ms Whitcher said.
“Yesterday our Liaison Group was given an overarching brief on the draft Stockton CMP and overall we are pleased and relieved that sand nourishment is at the centre of the plan for both amenity and asset protection in line with our constant feedback.”
“The draft CMP will be put on public exhibition next week and we will be encouraging everyone to have their say before it is submitted to the NSW Government for approval.”
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Stockton Community Liaison Group had played a pivotal role in shaping the CMP.
“Thank you to the Stockton Community Liaison Group for your dedication, leadership and advocacy in developing a long-term solution for Stockton that returns sand to the beach for both amenity and asset protection,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The collaboration between City of Newcastle staff, the NSW Government and community has been key to the development of the draft CMP, which has sand nourishment as the cornerstone of our long-term solution to coastal erosion.
“I want to acknowledge commitment and genuine cooperative approach that been achieved by our shared passion and dedication to achieving a positive future for Stockton.”
Formed by the Lord Mayor in February 2018, the Stockton Community Liaison Group includes local community leaders who advocate for a positive long-term solution to erosion at Stockton Beach with the City of Newcastle, NSW Government representatives and Hunter Water Corporation.
Yesterday marked the 21st formal meeting of the group as they continue to advise the City on the development of the CMP for Stockton.

$15 MILLION TO TRANSFORM OUR STREETS AND PUBLIC SPACES FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING

An extension of George Street’s car-free zone in Sydney’s CBD, a new pedestrian-only boulevard in Liverpool’s Railway Street and a ‘people’s loop’ in Parramatta Park have been given the green light today as part of a plan to transform streets into shared spaces in response to COVID-19.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes today announced three trial pedestrianisation programs alongside a new $15 million Streets as Shared Spaces program that will fund council projects to provide more space for communities to safely walk, cycle and exercise.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the demand for more public spaces – and easy, safe access to it,” Mr Stokes said.
“Whether it’s new cycle lanes, pedestrian-only streets or wider footpaths, we’re committed to working with councils and communities to fund projects that can make life better for everyone – both now and once the pandemic is over.”
Councils will be able to apply for Streets as Shared Spaces program grants of up to $100,000 for immediate temporary projects, such as widening footpaths and cycle lanes and up to $1 million for medium-term pilot projects, such as extra crossing points, wider kerbs and trialling lower speed limits.
The community can also submit their ideas for local projects through an new online social pinpoint map that allows users to click on an area and leave their comments and ideas.
The three trial programs announced today include:

  • Eastern Harbour City: The NSW Government is partnering with the City of Sydney to extend George Street’s car-free zone in both directions between Bathurst and Campbell Streets and extended in the southbound direction to Rawson Place. The existing temporary closure in the southbound direction from Bathurst to Campbell Street will be made permanent.
  • Central River City: World Heritage-listed Parramatta Park’s People Loop Trial will see temporary changes made to vehicle access, parking and circulation for two-months from 19 May 2020, to improve the experience of walking and cycling in the Park.
  • Western Parkland City: The NSW Government is partnering with Liverpool City Council to install temporary street furniture and trees to slow vehicle traffic and pedestrianise the laneway behind Railway Street in the Liverpool City Centre.

Transport for NSW has worked with the City of Sydney to continue to deliver on the benefits of the Light Rail to transform George Street into the civic spine of the CBD.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said: “The George Street light rail has changed not just how people get around the city, but how they experience the city.
“With new street trees, planter boxes, outdoor dining, seating and pedestrianisation, people were already taking back and enjoying George Street before COVID-19 hit. When the crisis passes, it will once again be a place to linger and gather rather than just hurrying through,” Ms Moore said.
The Streets as Shared Spaces program will also help the NSW Government reach its ambitious target to increase the proportion of homes in urban areas within 10 minutes’ walk of quality green, open and public space by 10 per cent by 2023.
Councils can apply for Streets as Shared Spaces grants until 10 June 2020.
For more information visit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/streets

NSW WWII VETERANS SHARE MEMORIES OF VE DAY

Incredible firsthand video accounts from veterans who served in the Second World War have recalled the moment victory in Europe was declared 75 years ago.
Acting Minister for Veterans Geoff Lee said the remarkable stories take us back in time to commemorate VE Day, an important event in Australia’s war time history.
“We are privileged to have these recordings of our veterans’ eyewitness accounts of VE Day so their stories can be told again and again to future generations,” said Mr Lee.
“Our soldiers escaped dangerous situations, risking their lives to support the Allied Forces’ fight against German occupation in Europe.”
95 year old Max Barry was a Royal Australian Air Force rear gunner and tells his story of great escapes and survival, after parachuting from a Lancaster bomber in 1944.
“We caught on fire and one engine after another packed up. The pilot said we had to bail out… so we did,” said Mr Barry.
Mr Barry spent 11 months as a prisoner of war before VE Day led to his freedom but he always had a deep sense he would make it back home.
“I was always confident I was going to survive. I’m still doing it!”
100 year old Bill Geoghegan who served with the Royal Australian Air Force and Bomber Command said he is lucky to have survived.
“One night there were two crews and they tossed up to see who would go on the operation. The other crew went and they never came back. It wasn’t my time,” said Mr Geoghegan.
Mr Lee encourages everyone to watch and read the veterans’ incredible accounts on the new NSW Stories section of the War Memorial Register website, which has been launched especially for the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Nearly one million Australians served in the Second World War with 39,000 Australians losing their lives and another 30,000 taken prisoner.
For more information: www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/nsw-stories

LOCAL NDIS STAFF CUTS TO HIT HARD

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has slammed the Morrison Government for awarding a contract that will see tens of NDIS jobs slashed from the region.
Ms Claydon said 29 Local Area Coordinator roles, including 16 designated Aboriginal positions, are likely to disappear when Uniting takes over the Hunter New England NDIS contract from St Vincent de Paul on 1 July.
“It’s unfathomable that the Morrison Government would enter into a tendering process that would see the loss of so many important jobs and the end of a highly successful and innovative indigenous program,” Ms Claydon said.
“To lose these vital frontline roles at any time is outrageous, but for the Morrison Government to support this in the middle of a pandemic – when people with disability are already facing increased levels of anxiety and unemployment rates are skyrocketing –  is utterly unforgivable.
“The NDIS is already in the top three Federal agencies that people complain to me about in Newcastle. This is just going to make a service that is already severely under-resourced even worse.”
Ms Claydon said the loss of dedicated Aboriginal positions would be particularly damaging.
“For the last four years, St Vincent de Paul has been delivering a landmark program to deliver dedicated, intensive and culturally-informed support for Aboriginal people with disability and their communities.
“We’ve seen their great work with Aboriginal communities to help overcome a deep, historical distrust of government and agencies. And we’ve seen a significant and sustained increase in Aboriginal participants as a result.  I’m very worried that the loss of key Aboriginal-identified positions will put all of this hard work at risk.”
Ms Claydon said attempts to discuss her concerns with Uniting have been frustrated by the NDIA.
“I’ve reached out to talk directly with the Executive Director of Uniting about my concerns, but the government has effectively gagged the organisation from talking with me, insisting that the NDIA plays the role of gatekeeper instead,” Ms Claydon said.
“Almost every day I meet with organisations about services and issues affecting our community – indeed it’s one of my most fundamental responsibilities. For a Government agency to insert itself and try to dictate the terms and conditions of my private conversations is unprecedented in my experience – and deeply concerning.”

Breakdown of latest Public Health Act charges and Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs)

In the past 24 hours, five people have been dealt with under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) COVID-19, with two charged and three others issued with Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs).
Yesterday’s charges:

  • About 1.30am yesterday (Thursday 7 May 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command stopped and spoke to a cyclist on Thomas Street, Haymarket, with the 44-year-old Artarmon man saying he doesn’t like being at home. When checks revealed the man may be riding a stolen bike, police were told he had bought it cheap a few days ago, but he couldn’t recall from whom or where. Further checks revealed the man had received multiple warnings and fines, so he was arrested and charged with breach of bail, goods in custody and fail to comply with noticed direction – COVID 19. He appeared at Central Local Court yesterday.
  • About 9.45am, officers from Police Transport Command stopped a 29-year-old man at Cabramatta Railway Station for travelling without a valid ticket/Opal card. When asked why he had travelled to the area, the Wiley Park man advised he was bored and wanted to look at the pretty women. After checks revealed the man was not to attend Cabramatta, he was arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station. It’s alleged the man became irate on arrest and began swearing continuously. He was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and use offensive language in/near public place. He was refused bail and appeared at court yesterday, where he was granted conditional bail to re-appear on Thursday 21 May 2020.

Yesterday’s PINs:

  • About 9.45am (Thursday 7 May 2020), officers from Mt Druitt Police Area Command spoke to a 40-year-old man, who was drinking beer in the alcohol exclusion zone at Dawson Mall. Police directed him to dispose the drink and he was moved-on. When police responded to reports of an altercation at Dawson Mall about 2.40pm, they again spoke with the man. Officers were told he had entered a nearby shopping centre in contravention of a banning notice and purchased alcohol. The man was arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with trespass and issued a $1000 PIN.
  • Officers from Oxley Police District were patrolling at Quirindi, when they stopped and spoke to a 27-year-old man on George Street about 5pm. The man did not have any purpose for being out and during a subsequent search, police located cannabis and drug paraphernalia. He was advised he would be issued a Court Attendance Notice in relation to the seized items and after checks revealed he had received numerous previous COVID-related warnings, he was issued with a $1000 PIN and given a move-on direction. The man was again located hanging around the same area about 90 minutes later and given another warning and move-on direction.
  • About 10pm, officers from Mt Druitt Police Area Command were called to home on De Witt Place, Willmot in relation to a noise complaint. On arrival, police observed a group of at least 15 people inside the home celebrating a birthday. All non-residents were given warnings in relation to breaching Ministerial Directions and told to leave the home. Police were called back to the property about 11.35pm as the noise was continuing and a 27-year-old woman, who was not a resident and previously given a warning, was still at the property. She was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Evening Hunter operation sees eight people charged

Eight people have been charged following a high-visibility operation across the Hunter this week.
Operation Northern Engage is a proactive operation aimed to target repeat offenders and increasing crime trends across the southern zone of the Northern Region.
The operation was conducted in Cessnock and Singleton on Wednesday 6 May between 3pm and 11pm, then across Lake Macquarie yesterday (Thursday 7 May 2020) between 3pm and 11pm.
Officers from the respective police districts (Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie) were supported by 25 officers from the Northern Region – including the High-Risk Domestic Violence Offender Team, the High-Visibility Police Unit, the Police Dog Unit, the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad, Operation Utah officers and operational staff.
Some of the arrests as part of the two-night operation included:

  • A 28-year-old unlicensed woman was subjected to a roadside drug test which returned a positive result. She was taken to Cessnock Police Station to conduct a secondary test.
  • A 17-year-old girl and 20-year-old man were stopped by police in Speers Point where police allegedly located methylamphetamine inside their vehicle. It’s further alleged the teenage girl was unlicensed. The man was issued an infringement notice for driving offences while the teenage girl was issued with a youth caution.
  • A 33-year-old man was arrested in relation to contravene AVO, assault (DV) and drive vehicle whilst disqualified. He will face Cessnock Court next month.
  • A 29-year-old man was charged with supply and possess prohibited drug. He will face Maitland Local Court in July
  • A 17-year-old man was found in possession of an amount of cannabis, MDMA and a knife in Heddon Greta. He will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

Northern Region Operations Manager, Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey APM, said high-visibility policing continues to remind the community we are on the streets to protect them.
“Policing has certainly looked different in the past few months, but officers across the Hunter have continued their daily duties – targeting repeat offenders and keeping crime rates down.
“This operation is just another example of how we can continue to utilise our resources in innovative and productive ways,” Det Supt Humphrey said.
Similar operations will continue to be rolled out across the Northern region.