‘Love to Celebrate’ is the theme which hundreds of thousands of NSW seniors will embrace for the 2020 NSW Seniors Festival.
Acting Minister for Seniors Geoff Lee helped officially launch the state-wide festival today with the first of four Premier’s Gala Concerts at the ICC Sydney.
“Our seniors are the heart and soul of our communities and we love putting on these free concerts to see their smiles and hear them sing along with some of Australia’s greatest talent,” Mr Lee said.
“The theme ‘Love to Celebrate’ captures the spirit of our older generation perfectly because they can all celebrate the wonderful contributions they have made to help NSW become what it is today.”
Australian music legend John Paul Young is joining a star-studded line up of talent including Vanessa Amorosi and Paulini at the Premier’s Gala Concerts, which are a highlight of the 12-day festival.
“The Premier’s Gala Concerts enjoy packed houses every year with free world class entertainment and this year the ultimate headline act is John Paul Young, singing ‘Love is in the Air’ on Valentine’s Day,” Mr Lee added.
After tapping their feet to the tunes at the concerts, seniors can learn from dozens of exhibitors at the NSW Seniors Festival Expo, at the ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre.
“The Expo is bigger and better than ever with seniors getting the chance to practice chair yoga, strengthen and tone with Curves gym Balance classes, try out speed friendship sessions, or sharpen up on their gardening skills with Bunnings.”
More than 500,000 seniors are expected to take part in events across the state over the course of the festival from 12-23 February.
For more information on events in greater Sydney and regional NSW go to: https://www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au
Author: admin
Man charged with fraud offences – Gateshead
A man will face court later this month charged with alleged fraud offences in Lake Macquarie.
About 10am yesterday (Wednesday 12 February 2020), officers attached to the Lake Macquarie Target Action Group executed a search warrant at a home on Cassia Crescent, Gateshead, where they spoke with a 25-year-old man.
During the search warrant, police located and seized a number of items believed to be purchased with fraudulent funds, including batteries, spray paints and household goods.
The 25-year-old was arrested at the scene; a short time later, the man suffered a medical episode and NSW Ambulance paramedics were called for an assessment.
He was treated at the scene before being taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with five counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception and two counts of receive stolen property.
Police will allege he purchased goods from several Newcastle and Lake Macquarie building supplies stores using stolen purchase cards attached to a Charlestown business.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 26 February 2020.
Respite carer charged over alleged indecent assaults of two girls near Newcastle
A respite carer has been charged following an investigation into the alleged indecent assaults of two children near Newcastle.
In October 2018, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation following reports two young girls had been indecently assaulted by a man while they were in his care.
Following extensive investigations, detectives arrested a 69-year-old man at a home in Newcastle just before 1pm yesterday (Wednesday 12 February 2020).
He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with six counts of indecent assault person under 16 years of age.
Police will allege in court that the man indecently assaulted the girls – then aged six and 11 – on several occasions while they were in his care in October 2018.
The man has been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 13 February 2020).
Two charged with total of 38 offences over alleged supply of MDMA and cocaine across Newcastle
Two men have been charged over the alleged supply of MDMA and cocaine across Newcastle.
In October 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad, established Strike Force Pallamana to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs, including MDMA and cocaine, in the Newcastle and Hunter region.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with assistance from Strike Force Raptor North, executed two search warrants at homes in Elermore Vale and Macquarie Hills from 7.30am today (Thursday 13 February 2020).
During the searches, officers seized 28g of MDMA, steroids, $15,000 cash, mobile phones, documents and other items relevant to the investigation.
Two men – aged 24 and 28 – were arrested during the operation and taken to Waratah Police Station.
The 24-year-old Macquarie Hills man was charged with 32 offences, including supply prohibited drug (between indictable and commercial quantity x9), supply prohibited drug (between small and indictable quantity x20), supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis (x2) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
The 28-year-old Elermore Vale man was charged with supply prohibited drug (between indictable and commercial quantity x2), supply prohibited drug (between small and indictable quantity x3), and supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.
Police will allege in court that the younger man was involved in the supply of 37g of MDMA and 35.5g of cocaine on several occasions between November 2019 and January 2020.
It will be further alleged that the older man was involved in the supply of 27.5g of cocaine between November 2019 and January 2020.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Friday 14 February 2020).
Investigations under Strike Force Pallamana are continuing.
NSW moratorium on floodplain harvesting must be reinstated
The NSW Government is again putting the Murray-Darling river system in jeopardy by lifting the moratorium on floodplain harvesting before water from recent rains has made it down the river, and they should urgently reinstate it, the Greens say.
“When parts of the Darling are still dry, it defies logic that corporate upstream irrigators would be permitted to pump water and harvest floodplains, preventing precious flows from making it downstream,” Greens Water Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“There are towns still without drinking water, dry catchments and storages, and there are fish facing species collapse being pulled out of the river to save their DNA, yet corporate irrigators are being allowed to cash in on the recent rainfall.
“The River belongs to all of us. We cannot have upstream Basin states making decisions that only benefit them and their corporate mates, at the expense of everyone else who relies on a healthy river system.
“Just last week we had NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey criticising Qld for allowing irrigators north of the border to access flows – it seems what’s good for the goose is good for the gander but only when it suits them.
“The moratorium on floodplain harvesting should be reinstated and if the states won’t do it themselves then the Federal Water Minister needs to.
“At a time when the river is on the verge of collapse, family farms, river communities and the environment need leadership in government, not another National Party fizzer doing the bidding of the big corporates.”
Welfare dependence in Australia continues to fall
The proportion of working-age Australians receiving welfare benefits has fallen to its lowest level in more than 30 years.
Department of Social Services analysis of recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics population data shows 13.5 per cent of the working-age population was receiving working-age income support payments at June 2019.
This is a drop from the previous year’s level of 14.3 per cent and marks a significant reduction over the past decade when in 2009 the proportion of working-age Australians relying on welfare was 17.2 per cent.
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said these figures show that the Morrison Government’s plan to provide pathways from welfare to employment was working.
“We are focussed on growing the economy, getting more people into work, and delivering well-targeted social security funded through a strong budget,” Minister Ruston said.
“More than 1.5 million jobs have been created since the Coalition was elected. As more people find employment we are seeing a fall in the number of working-age Australians on welfare.”
In 2019-20 the Government is forecast to spend $180 billion on social security and welfare – about one in every three dollars of taxpayer money spent.
“The safety net our social security system provides is vital to support the most vulnerable among us is which is why it is crucial that the system remains sustainable,” Minister Ruston said.
PARK’NPAY PUTTING MORE POWER IN DRIVERS’ HANDS
Sydney drivers have given the NSW Government’s new Park’nPay app the thumbs up, with 9,500 app downloads and more than 7,823 transactions since it went live in October 2019 in Liverpool City Council, The Rocks and parts of Darling Harbour and Pyrmont.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said drivers will receive a significant boost, with commercial parking giants Wilson Parking and Secure Parking coming on board in the next few weeks, by supplying data on their parking stock via the app. Central Coast Council will also trial the app.
“The app is convenient and makes life easier for drivers by putting the power of parking in their hands,” Mr Dominello said.
“The technology eliminates the need for drivers to walk to a parking meter by allowing them to pay and top up via the app. It also helps drivers avoid parking fines, by sending a notification when their meter is running low or their park is about to turn into a no stopping zone.”
Mr Dominello said having Wilson Parking and Secure Parking come on board is a game changer for drivers, with tens of thousands more parking bays across Sydney soon to be available on the app.
“Wilson Parking and Secure Parking collectively operate about 250 commercial car parks across metro Sydney, comprising of more than 125,000 parking bays, accessed by millions of drivers each year,” Mr Dominello said.
“This is a big win for drivers. Whether you’re visiting family and friends or doing some shopping, there will be more opportunities to use the app to find that ideal spot and reduce congestion.”
Both commercial parking operators will continue to manage payments through their own platforms. The app has a 92 per cent customer satisfaction rating. It is free and available on iPhone and Android phones. Drivers simply download the Park’nPay app, create an account with their licence plate and payment details. Users have the option of paying with Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Parking inspectors will check to see if a meter has been paid by searching licence plate details using an app on their phone. Parking meters will continue to accept coins and credit cards. For more information visit www.parknpay.nsw.gov.au
BUSHFIRE CLEAN-UP UNDERWAY AS EXCAVATORS MOBILISE ACROSS THE STATE
The operation to clean-up homes and businesses destroyed and damaged by bushfires across NSW took a major step forward today with debris being cleared from Rainbow Flat properties on the North Coast.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro and NSW Police Assistant Commissioner and State Recovery Coordinator Mick Willing joined Laing O’Rourke Managing Director Cathal O’Rourke in Rainbow Flat to oversee the start of clean-up operations.
Mr Barilaro said excavators will clear approximately 40 destroyed properties at Rainbow Flat in the coming days, as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to cover the cost of the clean-up on a 50:50 basis with the Federal Government, so insured and uninsured owners will have more money in their pockets to rebuild their homes.
“The sooner we can safely clear the 2,400 plus houses and thousands of other buildings that have been destroyed across the State, the sooner people can rebuild,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Initial building assessments have already been done for over 41,000 properties. Now the clean-up resources are rolling out across the State.
“Having excavators in place and working so quickly is a testament to Laing O’Rourke’s expertise. I thank them and Public Works Advisory for making this happen, especially given the challenges caused by the weekend downpours.”
Assistant Commissioner Willing said co-ordinating a safe, efficient and timely clean-up effort across the State will be challenging.
“The clean-up includes managing hazardous materials such as asbestos, dangerous trees that are near homes or commercial buildings, along with damaged driveways that could impact on the safety of the clean-up or impede the rebuilding process. We will also be ensuring the huge volume of waste is disposed of correctly,” Assistant Commissioner Willing said.
“This is a mammoth task and I ask people to please be patient for a little while longer, we are coming to your town as soon as possible.”
Mr O’Rourke said Laing O’Rourke will work with qualified local subcontractors and suppliers where possible to take advantage of local knowledge and expertise.
“Laing O’Rourke has pulled together a team of experts in their field from across the industry, and now we are ready to mobilise and get on with the task of helping people recover as soon as possible,” Mr O’Rourke said.
To opt-in to the free property clean-up service, bushfire-impacted owners must register online at www.service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88.
Taser and cash seized; man charged – Newcastle
A man will appear in court today after police located drugs and more than $80,000 cash in Newcastle.
In November 2019, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District commenced Strike Force Chufa to investigate the supply of methylamphetamine in the Newcastle area.
Following extensive inquiries, police attended an apartment on King Street, Newcastle, where they spoke with a 39-year-old man.
During a subsequent search of his motor vehicle, police seized a small quantity of methylamphetamine, an electrical stun device similar to a taser, and more than $80,000 in cash.
He was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with:
- Supply prohibited drug (22 counts)
- Supply commercial quantity prohibited drug
- Deal in proceeds of crime
- Possess prohibited weapon
He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 12 February 2020).
We Don’t Need No Hanson Education Bill: Faruqi
Greens Education Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has responded to Senator Pauline Hanson’s announcement of “The Prohibiting the Indoctrination of Children Bill” which, absurdly, would rewrite the curriculum to require teaching of climate denialism and dangerous conservative ideas of gender and sexuality.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Senator Hanson’s attempt to gag teachers and stuff the curriculum full of right-wing conspiracy theories would be laughable if it weren’t so terrifying.
“The curriculum should be based on evidence and expertise not Pauline Hanson’s latest bigoted thought bubble.
“There is no place for this kind of censorship of teachers in our democracy and our schools.
“This bill belongs nowhere but in the bin. Hanson’s spurious claims that human-caused climate change is ‘unsubstantiated’ and schools ‘teach gender fluidity and realignment to infants’ can go with it.
“It’s vital every child learns the realities of the climate crisis, the truth of Australia’s settler-colonial past and how to have respectful relationships in the context of a comprehensive sex education.
“Teachers, working with educational experts, do a great job supporting students, often working without the resources they need. They certainly don’t need One Nation’s meddling.”