NSW tourism will receive a welcome boost through a Tourism Recovery package to encourage visitation to NSW, fund new local events and assist tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell their tourism products.
The first phase of the plan launches with a new community-driven campaign – Now’s The Time To Love NSW – urging travellers to book a getaway which gives back.
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the new campaign, developed by the state’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, taps into the outpouring of public support in the wake of the bushfires.
“The prolonged drought and unprecedented bushfires have broken our hearts and had a devastating impact on thousands of tourism operators in our beautiful state,” Mr Ayres said.
“That’s why now’s the time to love NSW – we need to show the world that our many spectacular sights and experiences are in great shape, and they’re welcoming visitors right now.”
To kickstart the campaign, people are being invited to take a #RecoveryWeekend in NSW, stay and spend locally, take photos showcasing NSW’s beauty featuring hands in the shape of a heart and share them on social media with the tag #LoveNSW generating authentic, real-time imagery of NSW’s many holiday destinations.
The recovery package was informed by input from the tourism industry, tourism associations and the Destination Networks and will target domestic and international markets.
“Recovery will take time and the NSW Government is here for the long haul. This $10 million will provide immediate help and set up long-term support for the industry to help businesses get back on their feet,” Minister Ayres said.
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said with one in 13 Australians relying on tourism and hospitality for their jobs, it was important to holiday here this year and help the industry get back on its feet.
“Australia’s tourism industry has taken a massive hit. Right across Australia tourism businesses, including in NSW are feeling the pressure as tourists delay or cancel their travel plans, even in many areas that haven’t been affected,” Minister Birmingham said.
“That’s why we’re backing this campaign through our $20 million domestic tourism commitment to get Aussies into fire-affected communities as they open up again, as well into unaffected tourism towns that are also feeling the pinch.
“I urge Australians to support our tourism businesses and save local jobs by booking a trip in NSW this year.”
In addition to Now’s The Time To Love NSW marketing campaign, the package includes trade partner conversion campaigns with Qantas Airways, Accor, Webjet, TripAdvisor and Tigerair and a $1 million regional events program to support flagship events and a new stream of micro events.
Now’s The Time To Love NSW builds on and complements Tourism Australia’s recently launched Holiday Here This Year domestic tourism campaign and is funded by both State and Federal investments.
Author: admin
Greens ask Auditor General to investigate new sports rorts
The Greens have today written to the Auditor General asking for a full investigation of $150 million in sports funding channelled to Liberal-held marginal seats ahead of the election.
Greens Senator Leader Larissa Waters said, “This is yet another rorts scandal which has the Prime Minister’s fingerprints all over it.
“Memo to the Government – you can’t use public money to buy election outcomes! It’s called rorting and it’s a corruption of democracy.
“Australians are suffering a dual climate and inequality crisis, and they need a Government that’s helping the community, not itself.
“When will the rorts stop? The rorts will only stop when we have a federal corruption watchdog which applies to MPs.
“That’s why I’ll be moving next week to compel the Government to vote on my Senate-passed Greens ICAC bill in the House this month.”
Greens Sports spokesperson Senator Rice said, “The rorts just keep on coming. In light of reports of an additional $150m doled out before the election, today we have written to the Auditor-General to seek an audit of this scheme cooked up by Morrison’s government.
“Yesterday, the government voted down the Greens motions to fund those deserving clubs recommended for funding by Sport Australia who missed out. From reports today, turns out the Coalition is happy to spend extra money on sport, but only if it helps them buy and cheat their way back into power.
“Morrison and his mates have nothing but contempt for fairness and a level playing field.
“Today’s news shows exactly why we need the sports rorts senate inquiry, and I am eager to begin as Deputy Chair to investigate the full extent of the Coalition’s pork barrelling and hold this government to account.”
Bandt in push to double firefighters with coal levy
As part of the Green New Deal to solve the climate crisis, Greens Leader Adam Bandt has called for the doubling of the number of paid firefighters across the country paid for by a levy on the coal, oil and gas industry.
Mr Bandt will make the announcement alongside a dozen active firefighters in Parliament House, who will join in calls for the government and opposition to back the plan.
Adam Bandt MP said:
“The Greens are the firefighters of Australian politics. We are the only ones recognising it’s a climate emergency and acting like the house is one fire.
“Our emergency services need to be equipped to fight the climate emergency.
“The first job of a government is to keep Australians safe. To protect Australians from the climate crisis, our Green New Deal will plan for a phase out of coal, oil and gas and double our firefighting forces. We call on Liberal and Labor to back our call.
“Five of Australia’s top coal companies, Peabody, Yancoal, CITIC, Sumitomo and Whitehaven had earnings of $54 billion between them over the past five years, yet paid zero income tax in Australia.
“The burning of coal, oil and gas is fueling the climate crisis and putting Australian lives at risk. It’s time that fossil fuel companies start meeting the costs of tackling the climate emergency.
“Firefighters and experts such as the Climate Council have said that doubling the number of firefighters is necessary to fight these catastrophic fires.
“The people of Australia need more than thoughts and prayers. We need emergency action that matches the scale of the emergency we face.”
Rachel Cowling, Senior Station Officer said:
“Firefighters know an emergency when they see one and this is a climate emergency. There are no skeptics at the end of a firehouse.”
Background
The intensity and duration of the fires has exhausted our firefighters. Despite the incredible efforts of volunteers to manage the fires turbo-charged by coal and climate change, we need to double the number of paid firefighters to protect us from future megafires.
Australia is the world’s biggest exporter of coal and LNG. So by levying a $1 per tonne levy on the CO2 potential from all of Australia’s coal, oil and gas production driving the climate crisis, $1.53 billion a year can be raised from our overseas customers, to be spent on the Australian community.
This money raised each year from the coal, oil and gas industry will be directed to the twin tasks of rebuilding the devastated communities in the short term and as a Commonwealth contribution towards covering the costs of training and employing a doubling of our paid firefighters over the medium term.
On Wednesday Mr Bandt participated in an Emergency Services Summit in Parliament House, hearing directly from emergency services workers who have responded to the bushfire crisis.
Mr Bandt has a long history of working with firefighters. One of Adam’s first acts in Parliament was to introduce a private members bill extending protection for firefighters who contract cancer through their work, which passed into law with unanimous support, becoming one of only 7 private members bills to become law in the past two decades.
Greens slam cabinet of climate criminals
The Australian Greens have slammed Scott Morrison’s cabinet reshuffle, which further cements the climate denialism of this government.
Australian Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:
“Moving Keith Pitt, a nuke-loving climate denier, back onto the front bench makes the intentions of this government even clearer.
“We are in a climate emergency but this Prime Minister shamefully thinks it’s appropriate to put on the frontbench a man who previously quit cabinet over opposition to the Paris Agreement.
“Appointing a nuclear advocate is a ‘dead cat’ strategy, an attempt at distraction from a Prime Minister who desperately doesn’t want to talk about coal.
“It’s time to turf out this is government of climate criminals.”
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment, Water and Nuclear Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“The cabinet reshuffle today looks like more jobs for the boys.
“The Prime Minister has promoted more turkeys to the Cabinet table who are there simply as lackeys of the coal and nuclear industry.
“The new Resources and Water Minister Keith Pitt is one of the country’s most vocal opponents for global action on climate change. The PM’s promoted a bloke who wants Australia to go nuclear and build more coal.
“This is a disaster for the environment, the Murray-Darling Basin and puts a question mark over Scott Morrison’s intentions when it comes to nuclear power in this country.
“The PM must rule out any support for the further expansion of the nuclear industry in Australia. He must reassure the Australian people that there will be no new plans, money spent or suggestions coming from his government for nuclear in Australia.”
Precautionary action taken ahead of hazardous conditions
City of Newcastle is taking precautionary actions ahead of predicted large ocean swells and high tides with heavy rainfall predicted for Saturday and Sunday (7 and 8 February 2020).
The east coast low like conditions and a predicted 2-metre high tide on Sunday 9 February increases the likelihood of erosion at Stockton Beach, and potentially create dangerous conditions for coastal activities, increase potential for localised flooding and risk of fallen trees.
City of Newcastle will be undertaking proactive reinforcement of the sand-bag wall at north Stockton near Griffith Street and Stone Street using additional one-tonne sandbags.
The following traffic and pedestrian arrangements will be in place for Stockton from Friday 7 February to facilitate these works:
- Barrie Crescent in Stockton will be open for one-way traffic only
- No parking zones will be established in Barrie Crescent Stockton
The Stockton Beach accessways along the Mitchell Street seawall and the northern access at Stone Street will be closed and the accessways at the Stockton Surf Life Saving Club and near Lexie’s Café will be monitored and may be closed subject to conditions.
Other locations across Newcastle that may be affected by hazardous conditions include:
- Shortland Esplanade and promenades along City beaches, including the Newcastle and Merewether Ocean Baths
- All beaches in the Newcastle Local Government Area (LGA)
- Low-lying roads
- Local roads across the Newcastle LGA.
In addition, the City has also made the decision to close all of its sportsgrounds for competition games and training. Sportsgrounds will be reassessed on Monday and a further update will be provided regarding their suitability for use.
City of Newcastle requests all residents and visitors to be aware of changing conditions and potential road closures and follow directional signage, warnings notices and instructions of City of Newcastle staff and other authorities.
Please stay safe when moving in and around the City in the predicted weather event.
To stay up to date on the most current weather warnings, please follow the Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/
For emergency advice contact State Emergency Service www.ses.nsw.gov.au Phone 132 500
BUILDING REFORMS BOOSTED WITH NEW TRANSFORMATION TEAM
Dodgy developments will be a thing of the past under NSW Government plans that will see the implementation of ratings systems for professionals in the building industry and strong new powers to prevent occupation certificates from being issued on suspect developments.
The new rating system will help the building regulator determine who the risky players are in the industry and prevent dodgy apartments from being sold to unexpecting buyers.
The changes form part of the NSW Building Commissioner’s work plan which, for the first time, outlines publicly how the government plans to overhaul the building and construction industry in NSW under Six Reform Pillars.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the reforms will improve transparency, accountability and quality of work within the industry.
“These reforms are a complete game changer for consumers, the government and the building industry as a whole,” Mr Anderson said.
“Simply put, customers need better built buildings, and our reforms will deliver that. Anyone who doesn’t want to get on board with that concept will get left behind.”
The six reform pillars cover legislation and regulations changes, ratings systems, improving skills within the industry, ensuring contracts help meet standards, digitising the industry and establishing NSW as a leader in modern construction methods.
NSW Building Commissioner, David Chandler said the old days of being reactionary to problems in the industry can’t continue.
“The government has a great deal of resources available, including inspectors, which is why we need to make sure we’re using those resources in the best way possible to protect consumers from major defects,” Mr Chandler said.
Mr Anderson said passing the Design and Building Practitioners Bill, which is currently held up in the NSW Upper House, is crucial to the progression of building reforms.
“We asking the opposition and the cross bench to put consumers ahead of politics and let us get on with the building reforms, every day these reforms are delayed is another day homeowners go without the necessary protections,” Mr Anderson said.
The NSW Upper House will resume debate on the Design and Building Practitioners Bill in the last week of February.
Man charged after copper cable stolen at Newcastle
A man will face court today over the alleged ongoing theft of copper cable in Newcastle.
In January 2020, officers attached to Newcastle City Target Action Group commenced an investigation into the alleged theft of a large amount of copper cabling from an area of the Port of Newcastle.
Following extensive inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home on Tully Street, Carrington, and arrested a 45-year-old man about 2.30pm yesterday (Thursday 6 February 2020).
Police will allege the man broke into a storage area located at the Port of Newcastle on Thursday 30 January, Saturday 1 February, Tuesday 4 February and Wednesday 5 February, removed a large amount of copper cabling and damaged equipment.
The 45-year-old man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with:
- Aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal less than $60,000
- Break and enter house etc steal value less than $60,000 (x3)
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
- Deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000
He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 7 February 2020).
Investigations are ongoing.
Police investigate reported child approach – Scone
Police are appealing for the public’s help to locate a man as they investigate an alleged child approach at Scone yesterday.
About 8.40am (Thursday 6 February 2020), police have been told that a 10-year-old boy was riding his bicycle eastbound on Liverpool Street, Scone, on his way to school when a man sitting on the side of the footpath has spoken to the child for a short time.
The boy left shortly after and rode to school and reported the incident to a teacher.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified later in the afternoon and commenced an investigation.
As inquiries continue, investigators would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist.
He’s described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 70-years-old and with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue and white cap, a t-shirt, shorts and thongs.
Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the nearby area to contact Scone Police on 02 6544 0199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Powerful New Body to Tackle ADF and Veteran Suicides
A powerful, new independent body will be created to investigate all suspected veteran and Australian Defence Force (ADF) suicides and causes to help save lives.
The Morrison Government will establish a permanent National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention.
The National Commissioner will have the enduring power, scope and resources to investigate suicides and related issues as they arise, rather than being restricted by a one-off review looking at past practices.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the independent Commissioner would also have the power to compel witnesses to give evidence.
“This is about being forever vigilant for the care and well-being of our veterans,” the Prime Minister said.
“Those veterans and all serving men and women protect our community and our freedoms. It is our duty to do the same for them.
“I have thought long and hard about the best response to this issue. I have spoken to veterans right across Australia and I have met with their families and also local, state and national organisations.
“I believe what we have developed addresses the needs of those veterans, their families and our serving men and women.
“We will be permanently vigilant about their welfare.”
The National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention will be empowered to perform two roles:
- The Commissioner will be an independent and permanent public accountability body, with the same powers of a Royal Commission to compel the production of evidence and summon witnesses, and make findings and recommendations to Government.
- The Commissioner will also provide an ongoing investigative function of individual cases of suicide, working with each state and territory coronial office, making recommendations to Government.
The Government will invest an initial $40 million to support the Commissioner’s work and this will be expanded to ensure they have whatever resources they need.
The Government will also establish an immediate, independent review of historical veteran suicide cases, conducted by the Commissioner, focusing on the impact of military service and veterans’ post service experience.
An interim report will be delivered within 12 months. Families will be engaged in this process if they wish, with an opportunity to participate and tell their stories openly and safely.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, along with coronial and legal experts, will provide technical expertise in support of this work.
Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the Commissioner would also deliver an Annual Veteran and Defence Suicide Death Report to the Parliament.
“This will be a transparent report directly to the Parliament on an annual basis on suicides within the defence and veteran community, including an update on the implementation and evaluation of measures to reduce suicide risk factors,” Mr Chester said.
“The Government is committed to ensuring ADF members, veterans and their families have access to the right support, at the right time, especially those who are vulnerable or at risk.”
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the Chief of the Defence Force and each Service Chief was committed to being open and transparent, to support improved health outcomes for ADF personnel and veterans.
“The mental health and wellbeing of our vets and Defence Force members is an issue of national and enduring importance.
“These comprehensive measures have been developed with a very clear focus on finding the most effective and practical ways of better identifying, preventing, understanding and acting on suicide and suicide risks among our vets and service men and women.”
A Veteran Family Advocate will also be appointed to directly engage with the families of veterans, to improve the design of all veteran programs and services, including mental health supports and services.
“The new Veteran Family Advocate will focus on mental health and suicide prevention, and contribute to our understanding of risk factors relating to the wellbeing of veterans and their families, particularly during transition from the ADF,” Mr Chester said.
“The Advocate will represent the views of veterans and their families by engaging and advocating to help shape policy and the administration of veteran benefits and support.
“We want to assure defence and veterans’ families that help is available now and it can make a difference. Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling provides support and counselling to current ADF members, veterans and their families and can be contacted 24/7 on 1800 011 046.”
Two charged over alleged fraud offences – Newcastle
Two people have been charged with alleged fraud offences in the Newcastle area.
About 7.20am yesterday (Wednesday 5 February 2020), officers attached to Newcastle City Police District executed a search warrant at a home on Watkins Street, Merewether, where they spoke with a 27-year-old woman.
During the search warrant, police allegedly located and seized a large quantity of property believed to be stolen, including credit cards, driver’s licences, jewellery, and medication.
The 27-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Waratah Police Station.
Following further inquiries, police attended a home on Callen Street, Stockton, and arrested a 24-year-old man.
He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with six counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, and one count each of larceny and destroy/damage property. He was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 5 February 2020), where he was granted conditional bail to face the same court on Thursday 13 February 2020.
The woman was charged with two counts of larceny. She was refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 5 January 2020), where she was again refused bail to face the same court on Thursday 12 March 2020.