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Temporary Visa Holders

The Greens welcome moves by some state governments to support temporary visa holders, but they show how people have been abandoned by the federal government, Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim says.
“Moves by the Tasmanian and South Australian governments to support some temporary visa holders are welcome, but it should be the federal government taking this action,” Senator McKim said.
“The federal government has the resources to help and direct responsibility for Australia’s visa system.”
“People who hold temporary visas need proper income support and access to Medicare, both of which are federal responsibilities.”
“The Tasmanian Premier is correct – many people need support and cannot simply go home at the moment.”
“It should not just be left to the states to help those who have been hurt by Scott Morrison’s callous indifference.”

RBA Governor right about need for tax reform, but that doesn't mean tax cuts: Greens

The Australian Greens have joined RBA Governor Dr Lowe’s calls for tax reform, with Australian Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, saying that means removing unjustifiable tax breaks for polluters, shifting tax concessions towards research, development and innovation and boosting public sector investment.
In responding to Dr Lowe’s speech, Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP warned the Liberal Party against using it as an opportunity to further give tax breaks to their corporate backers, saying everyday Australians should be the chief beneficiaries of any reforms.
“We back the call for major tax reform, which must mean getting rid of unjustifiable tax breaks to the big polluters and instead offering incentives to research, development and innovation. To get our economy out of this crisis we need new thinking, not just tinkering around the edges,” Mr Bandt said.
“The pathway out of this crisis will be green growth, not blue cuts.”
“You have to accelerate out of a corner. The government is flagging an era of aggressive deregulation, but that will only prolong the pain and leave us poorly-equipped to deal with future economic shocks.”
“To get our economy back on track we need a Green New Deal, with people back in secure work and government investment to kickstart the economy. Slashing workers’ rights and the corporate tax rate won’t just fail to encourage investment, it will be another setback in the attempt to recover from this crisis.
“The government must immediately shelve its plan to cut the R&D tax concession and instead come back with a new plan to increase it.
“This is the perfect opportunity for a price on carbon that will encourage innovation, foster growth in new jobs and industries, and end the piecemeal approach to emissions reduction that we’ve seen over the past decade. It won’t just cause a spike in economic activity as companies avoid paying for pollution, it will create a truly 21st century industrial sector that is secure well into the future.
“Australia’s labour laws already breach international standards, our wages are stagnating, and job insecurity was increasing, our efforts should encourage people to come back into the workforce and give them the security they need to start spending again.
“Unemployment is expected to surge to 10-16%, and unsurprisingly young people will be hit the hardest. Recent data shows people under 20 have seen drops in employment of up to 9.9%, with wages plummeting by 12.7%.
“The Greens will block any attempts to drive through massive tax cuts and further strip away protections for workers and the environment. We hope the government will instead accept the Greens’ call for targeted measures to support R&D, help manufacturing and lift wages.”

COVID-19 Mutual Obligation Arrangements – Further Extensions of Suspension and Assistance to Job Seekers

The lifting of mutual obligations will continue until 22 May 2020 as a result of the impact of COVID-19.
During this time employment services remain open and available to support job seekers to prepare for and find available jobs.
The Government has a strong expectation that job seekers will continue to work positively with their employment service provider, and take advantage of all the support that is available.
To further assist job seekers to prepare for and move quickly back into work, the Morrison Government is also bringing forward the Employment Fund credit for the most job-ready job seekers to be available immediately, rather than after 13 weeks, which is currently the case.
This change will apply to job seekers who commence in jobactive from 4 May 2020.
The Employment Fund can be used by employment service providers to purchase work-related items including licences, equipment, training or qualifications to ensure workers are prepared and able to take up critical roles in the economy.
These arrangements by the Morrison Government continue to support Australians through the challenges presented by COVID-19 and will be continually reviewed.

Elective Surgery Restrictions Eased

The Australian Government in partnership with states and territories, peak surgical bodies, the AMA and the private hospital sector will be increasing the availability of elective surgery in a safe and carefully considered way which ensures the wellbeing of both patients and healthcare workers.
This is possible due to the strong collaboration across governments to build capacity and strengthen the health system to reduce the threat of COVID-19.
Through our containment measures we have successfully suppressed the virus: closing our borders, testing, tracing, and in particular, the social distancing and the isolation. These continue to be our strongest weapons against the coronavirus.
We have been boosting the capacity of the hospitals and in addition secured over 3000 new ventilators and we have now received 60 million masks into the national stockpile. From that, perhaps most importantly, we have secured an extra 100 million masks over the next six weeks to protect our vital health care workers in what has been an intensely competitive global environment.
Through testing we have had a rate of increase of less than 1 per cent per day for nine days straight now.
All these measures are helping to bring down the rate of transmission, flattening the curve and giving us the opportunity to relax some of our measures.
Restrictions on elective surgery have been a difficult but important part of ensuring the capacity across the health system to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, thanks to the efforts of all Australians – National Cabinet has agreed with the health advice that we are in a position to reintroduce some elective procedures.
We particularly acknowledge those patients who have had their elective surgery deferred and recognise the effect this has had on their lives and wellbeing.
The first phase of the reintroduction will occur on 27 April.
Our central aim is to increase the availability of elective surgery in a safe and equitable way, on a nationally consistent basis for public and private patients.
Reintroduction of elective surgery will be done using a staged and controlled process which balances the ongoing need for the capacity to treat COVID-19 patients, while allowing our hospitals to treat elective surgery patients.
The selection of patients to undergo elective surgery will ultimately be a clinical one, guided by the following principles, recommended by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and endorsed by National Cabinet:

  • Procedures representing low risk, high value care as determined by specialist societies
  • Selection of patients who are at low risk of post-operative deterioration
  • Children whose procedures have exceeded clinical wait times
  • Assisted reproduction (IVF)
  • Endoscopic procedures
  • Screening programs
  • Critical dental procedures.

This first stage of reinstating elective surgeries will require health administrators to monitor supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), ICU and bed capacity, while preparing for the next phase.
On the advice of AHPPC, in addition to Category 1 elective surgeries, hospitals will initially recommence one in four closed operating lists, with a focus on Category 2 and some important Category 3.
In reintroducing elective surgery we acknowledge the safety of patients and healthcare workers is paramount. A thorough risk assessment of patients planned for elective surgery is essential, based on national guidelines.
There will be a national a study into asymptomatic carriage of COVID-19 in elective surgery patients to further inform testing policy.
Personal protective equipment is a critical element of staff safety and the use of PPE should be in accordance with national guidelines. The grade of PPE should be determined according to the national suspected case definitions.
The Australian, state and territory governments have put in place clear timeframes to monitor and review the situation as part of our commitment to protect patients, health care staff and consistent with AHPPC advice.
An overall review for additional support will be undertaken at two weeks and at four weeks based on:

  • The number of positive cases, in both healthcare workers and patients, linked to increased activity
  • PPE use and availability
  • The volume of procedures and hospital/system capacity.

City welcomes State Government progress on sand nourishment for Stockton

City of Newcastle has welcomed a long-term plan to address erosion at Stockton Beach using large-scale sand nourishment.
Councils across NSW are preparing plans to manage coastal areas in line with the NSW Government’s Coastal Management Act 2016, with City of Newcastle working through COVID-19 isolation arrangements to meet an early deadline of 30 June 2020.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said a range of options would be considered, with sand nourishment the primary driver in line with community feedback and the support of the Deputy Premier’s new Stockton Taskforce.
“The Deputy Premier’s decision to form a Stockton Erosion Taskforce means City of Newcastle can outline a long-term plan based on sand nourishment, knowing the NSW Government is working in tandem with us to help cut the red tape and get suitable sand on the beach. 
“The Taskforce takes some uncertainty out of the long-term planning for Stockton given the support provided to source suitable sand to replenish the beach and overcome regulatory hurdles across various government departments.
“The overwhelming call from the community is for a sandy beach where coastal roads, houses, parks and services are protected, and no more historical pollution is exposed through erosion. This will be reflected in our Coastal Management Program (CMP)
“The Taskforce outcomes to date will be included in the CMP. This progress is welcome news for the city and community.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro visited Stockton with the Lord Mayor in March to announce the cross-departmental Taskforce to address erosion.
A spokesperson from the Deputy Premier’s office, provided a Taskforce update on the work underway to identify sand sources at the recent virtual Stockton Community Liaison Group meeting.
“There is some desktop work that’s already been done by the Department of Resources and Geoscience in terms of identifying areas where there might be suitable sand,” the spokesperson advised during the online video conference.
“There’s some good work which has been done by the department over the years, and they hope that by the end of this month they’ll have a very good idea as to where the best locations might be for investigation as source sand that would potentially be suitable for replenishment of Stockton Beach.”
Development of terms of reference and resource commitments for the Taskforce was underway and Mr Barilaro’s office also confirmed that discussions had begun to determine the necessary approvals to change the placement area,  for  the currently dredged sand from Newcastle Harbour, as a short-term measure to better replenish Stockton Beach near the Surf Life Saving Club.
A draft Coastal Management Program for Stockton will be on public exhibition from 13 May to 10 June, with all residents encouraged to have their say.

ANZAC DAY 2020: WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

NSW residents will be able to commemorate ANZAC Day from home this year with a broadcast of special services to honour our veterans and serving Defence personnel.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said with traditional marches and local memorial services cancelled this year, ANZAC Day has a renewed meaning.
“As our community works together to stop the spread of COVID-19, we draw inspiration from the brave heroes we commemorate on this day,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“One hundred and five years after they set foot on the Gallipoli shore, the ANZACs speak to us more resoundingly than ever. The legend forged more than a century ago guides us in this moment. It inspires us to dig in and look out for others, no matter the obstacles.
“The best way to honour our ANZACs is to echo them, and we will, for the ANZAC spirit lives in each of us. We will remember them.”
The day will begin with a 5:30am commemorative service  broadcast from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, followed by a NSW service at 10am.
The Premier, Governor Margaret Beazley, RSL NSW Acting President Ray James, a bugler and a vocalist will take part in the 30 minute service from the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park and the Cenotaph in Martin Place.
Acting Minister for Veterans Geoff Lee said community safety is our top priority.
“Social distancing and staying home is saving lives and so continuing that trend will keep our community and veterans safe,” Mr Lee said.
“Let’s all unite with that Anzac spirit as we pay our respects at home and remember those who bravely made the ultimate sacrifice for us.”
Acting President of RSL, NSW Ray James said despite the pandemic, ANZAC Day is forever embedded in the hearts and minds of Australians.
“Nothing can ever take away the importance of ANZAC Day and what it means to all of us as well as the eternal respect, thanks and admiration the Australian people have for those who protect us,” Mr James said.
The NSW Government is encouraging people to share videos reciting The Ode and post photos on social media using the tag #ANZACspirit.
The NSW service will be broadcast live on ABC TV and streamed on the ANZAC Memorial and RSL Facebook pages. The service will not be open to the public and the community is urged to continue following the latest health advice by commemorating at home.

FIRST LOOK UNDER CENTRAL STATION

Major construction work is well underway at Central Station to deliver Sydney Metro, including the new Central Walk, as progress continues on major infrastructure projects across NSW.
As part of the biggest upgrade to Sydney’s busiest railway station in decades, two new underground metro platforms are being built as well as the landmark Central Walk underground concourse, which will make it easier for customers to connect between light rail, suburban and inter-city trains, the new Sydney Metro and buses.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said it’s a great example of the construction industry keeping moving and keeping people in work despite difficult times.
“We are very fortunate that major Transport infrastructure projects like this continue to be delivered,” Mr Constance said.
“The health and safety of all workers and the community are our key priorities as we continue to deliver major projects, and we have put in place strict protocols to protect the safety of our construction workforce.
“More than 5,000 people are currently working across the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project, and by the time the project opens, around 50,000 people will have worked on it.
“The upcoming Sydney Metro West project will support 10,000 direct and 70,000 indirect jobs while construction of the Metro North West Line created more than 20,000 jobs.”
At Central, work to build the 27-metre deep metro station “box” is now 10 metres beneath the surface. About 6,000 tonnes of crushed rock is being excavated from the box every week.
“In an impressive feat of engineering, an 80 metre tunnel has also been built under Central Station to deliver Central Walk,” Mr Constance said.
“This six metre wide construction tunnel runs parallel to Central Walk and allows excavated crushed rock to be removed without impacting trains and customers.”
The construction tunnel has broken into Central’s ghost platforms, which were built last century as part of the Eastern Suburbs Railway line for Bondi and the Illawarra but never completed.
Platforms 26 and 27 have sat unused since, but they will now house 17 new communications and power rooms to support the new Sydney Metro at Central.
More than 270,000 customers use the 114-year-old station on a normal day, with that number expected to increase to 450,000 in the next two decades.
Central Walk is expected to be open to customers in 2022 while Sydney Metro construction continues – with metro rail services extending from Chatswood through the city and beyond to Bankstown in 2024.

NSW STUDENTS TO TRANSITION BACK TO THE CLASSROOM IN TERM 2

NSW school students will gradually transition back to the classroom during Term 2 as the Government continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell outlined the plan for students attending NSW public schools to progressively return to face-to-face learning in week three of Term 2.
Ms Berejiklian said health advice continues to be that schools remain open, and parents, teachers and students can be confident that school is safe place.
“We are grateful to all families who kept their children home from school at the end of Term 1 and to teachers who worked tirelessly to deliver education online,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This allowed us critical time to prepare our schools to develop better online learning options and for considering additional hygiene measures to allow schools to return.
“We know that nothing is more important than a child’s education, and we must begin to return our students to their classrooms in a considered way.
“Under these changes, from week three of Term 2, every student will be attending school for one day a week.
“We will look to increase the number of days students are at school in a staged way and hope to have all children back at school full-time by Term 3.
“I’d like to thank the Catholic and Independent schools for working with the NSW Government at this time, as well as staff, including teachers, principals and cleaners, for working so hard to prepare for a resumption of school.
“I’d also like to thank parents for what has been a tough month, often juggling working from home and caring for children. We hope the partial resumption of on campus learning will provide some much needed relief to those families.”
During the first stage of on-campus learning, parents will be encouraged to keep their children home except on their allocated day of face-to-face learning. Initially, about a quarter of a school’s students are expected to be on site at any one time. The specific days students will be required to attend school each week will vary from school to school and will be clearly communicated to parents.
Classes will be split across schools, allowing schools to appropriately social distance students and teachers.
As always, schools will remain open for students who need them and no child will be turned away from school.
Ms Mitchell said careful consideration had been given to support the school community, providing clarity and certainty on the path forward.
“This plan provides a clear path that balances community concerns with a need to deliver continuity of quality education,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Hand sanitiser will be available in all classrooms and provisions are in place for at-risk teachers to work from home. Drop off, pick up, recess and lunchtimes will also be staggered to ensure social distancing.”
In addition to the staged return to school, the NSW Government has committed up to $95.7 million to help keep casual and temporary school staff engaged in active work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our casual and temporary teachers and other non-teaching staff across NSW schools are critical to our education system, and will help ensure the educational outcomes for our students during this staged return,” Ms Mitchell said.
A cross-sector working group of teachers will also be established to report back to the Minister on recent innovations and educational developments assembled during the COVID-19 period that are suitable to support future educational delivery.
“It’s important that we have an inventory of the cutting edge teaching solutions and recognise the best efforts of our amazing NSW teachers during a difficult time,” Ms Mitchell said.
Teachers will have an additional day to prepare for Term 2 on Tuesday 28 April making the first day of term for students Wednesday 29 April.

Woman charged after allegedly assaulting and spitting at officer – Lake Macquarie

A woman has been charged after spitting at a police officer following a vehicle stop in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
About 7.40am (Tuesday 21 April 2020), an officer attached to Lake Macquarie Highway Patrol stopped a Subaru Forester on Anzac Parade, Teralba, for the purpose of a random breath test.
Police spoke to the driver, a 30-year-old man, who initially refused to undergo both a drug and alcohol test.
The passenger, a 20-year-old woman, exited the vehicle and became verbally abusive. After being warned to maintain social distance, the woman is alleged to have struck the officer in the chest before she spat at him.
Further police attended to assist, and the driver was subjected to roadside drug test, returning a positive detection for cannabis.
He was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station for a secondary test which also returned a positive result, the sample has been sent for analysis.
This morning (Wednesday 22 April 2020), the woman was issued a court attendance notice for two counts of assault officer in execution of duty, and one count each of resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, behave in offensive manner in/near public place/school, and intimidate police officer in execution of duty.
She is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 4 August 2020.
A one-year-old child was also in the vehicle at the time and a child-at-risk notification has been submitted to the Department of Family and Community Services.

Missing man located – Lake Macquarie

A missing Lake Macquarie man has been located safe and well.
The 59-year-old Macquarie Hills man was reported missing early this morning by members of his family.
About 2pm today (Wednesday 22 April 2020), a member of the public located the man at Merewether Beach after seeing the public appeal in relation to his whereabouts.
Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.