The Greens will consider the Digital Platforms Inquiry report and its 23 recommendations handed down today from the ACCC.
“Social media and digital platforms have fundamentally changed the way that we receive and consume news and information. Australia’s hyper-concentrated traditional media environment is not helped by this concentrated digital environment, with too much power amassing in the hands of just a few key players,” said Senator Hanson-Young, spokesperson for media and communications
“Big corporate media giants have been getting away with too much for too long.
“Last election the Greens developed a comprehensive strengthening media diversity policy, which called for a Productivity Commission Inquiry into the role and strength of our regulatory bodies.
“This is an important report and we will consider and consult the on the recommendations thoroughly.”
City of Newcastle has released updated concept plans for the Bathers Way – Newcastle Beach project, including a beachside skate bowl positioned within the existing promenade at South Newcastle Beach.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the improvements were in response to feedback on the original design which had been partially built over the beach.
“While these are concept plans only, they demonstrate that we can have a bowl suitable for intermediate skaters and accessible for wheelchair sports, without the need for it to protrude onto the beach,” the Lord Mayor said.
“These concepts allow us to work with the community, skaters, coastal engineers, environmental and geotechnical experts to determine more detailed designs for this stage of the Bathers Way project.
“We’re now asking the community to have their say on these concepts as we undertake formal consultation, refine the detailed designs, and ultimately start construction.”
Following community engagement on the concept images, detailed design will continue towards a state-of-the-art skate park for intermediate to advanced users and wheelchair athletes. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2020.
“This will ensure that we continue to achieve our vision of delivering this fantastic public pathway along one of the most magnificent stretches of coastline in the country,” the Lord Mayor said.
The Bathers Way – Newcastle Beach is the largest and most complex stage of the Bathers Way project.
This stage, which also includes a new kiosk and amenities and outdoor exercise equipment, will transform a section of coast which has long been dormant into a vibrant and attractive place.
Further upgrades are proposed for the Bathers Way between King Edward Park and Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club, including access improvements and a community hub in the Newcastle Beach Pavilion following its redevelopment.
“When the King Edward Park and Memorial Drive sections are completed, Newcastle will boast a stairless six-kilometre coastal pathway that will surpass any in Australia,” the Lord Mayor added.
Have your say on the new concept plans, here, now until the end of August.
A fourth man has been charged following investigations into a series of armed robberies across the Lake Macquarie region earlier this year.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Bergs to investigate eight armed robberies at bowling clubs and a golf club, which occurred between February and May 2019.
As part of their inquiries, three men – aged 24, 27 and 36 – were arrested and charged by strike force detectives last month. They remain before the courts.
Following further investigations, police arrested a 29-year-old man at a home in Tamworth about 10am today (Thursday 25 July 2019).
He was taken to Tamworth Police Station and charged with two counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon.
Police will allege in court this was in connection with an armed robbery at a club in Toronto on Friday 24 May 2019.
The man was refused bail to appear before Tamworth Local Court today (Thursday 25 July 2019).
Investigations under Strike Force Bergs continue.
The Greens will today introduce a Bill to stop drilling in the Great Australian Bight and move for World Heritage Listing following a groundswell of community support around the country.
“It is high time the Great Australian Bight was protected from drilling. It is the role of the Parliament to listen to the will of the people, and the people have made their view crystal clear,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Polls consistently show a vast majority of South Australians oppose drilling in the Bight, with thousands turning out to protest at paddle outs across the state and around the country.
“The government cannot be let off the hook on drilling in the Bight. The power to stop Big Oil is in the hands of politicians in Canberra.
“It is time we in the Parliament protect the Bight, the endangered species that call it home and the vibrant fishing and tourism industries that employ thousands of South Australians.
“This Bill will not only ban drilling in the Bight, it will set it on the path to World Heritage listing. The Bight is iconically Australian, it provides critical habitat for many threatened species, and it is part of our national identity. It deserves to be protected.”
Greens spokesperson for the public service, Adam Bandt MP, today commented on reports that the Prime Minister will make ‘immediate and sweeping reforms’ to the public service, warning that the Greens will fight to defend the public service from any attempts by an increasingly authoritarian government to weaken it.
“Without a policy agenda, this government seeks only to destroy,” said Mr Bandt.
“The Prime Minister’s words today are riddled with euphemisms that foreshadow an attack on the public service.
“The erosion of the public service has been steadily occurring under the old parties, through privatisation by stealth and relentless outsourcing.
“Now, emboldened by the election, the government looks to be preparing for a direct attack.
“The Greens will take up the fight to this government to defend the public service and will not allow the outcomes of the Thodey review to be a stalking horse to weaken the public service.”
NSW residents are being encouraged to check whether they are owed any of the millions of dollars waiting to be claimed with Revenue NSW.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said more than $146 million in “forgotten money” was sitting with Revenue NSW, including money from share dividends, trust accounts, deceased estates, overpayments and a range of other sources.
“The value ranges from $20 in share dividends to a trust fund worth more than $1 million, Mr Tudehope said.
“Cost of living is a major issue facing families and households across the State, which is why we want people to check their eligibility. It only takes a few minutes and you could walk away with extra money in your pocket.”
Revenue NSW holds more than 414,000 unclaimed items from private companies, State Trustees, local councils and government agencies that can’t be returned to owners because their contact details are out of date and they cannot be tracked down.
“Finding out if you are eligible is quick and simple. If you enter your name into the free search tool on the Revenue NSW website you can see if you have an eligible claim. If you do have a claim, notify Revenue NSW and collect your money,” Mr Tudehope said.
“You can also make an appointment at a Service NSW centre with a cost of living specialist and they can help you check your eligibility for any unclaimed money, as well as other rebates and incentives including Active Kids vouchers, CTP refunds, and free registration for regular toll users.”
The NSW Government will hold the money indefinitely until it is claimed.
To find out if you are eligible for any unclaimed money, click here.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals in Government have today delivered on their election commitment to address attacks on farming families, such as those carried out by Aussie Farms, with the introduction of tougher penalties for activists who illegally enter farmers’ properties from next month.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall today announced a major shakeup of the State’s Biosecuity Act.
A new offence has been created that will see illegal trespassers on farms, creating biosecurity risks, handed an immediate on-the-spot fine of $1,000 and further fines of up to $220,000 per person and $440,000 for corporations.
The new penalties will kick in from 1 August 2019 and are the first stage of a broader suite of measures being developed by the Liberals & Nationals in Government to protect NSW farmers’ right to farm.
“Vigilantes who are entering our farmers’ property illegally are nothing short of domestic terrorists – our farmers have had a gutful. They don’t deserve, nor have time, to be dealing with illegal trespass and vile harassment from a bunch of virtue-signalling thugs,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals in Government are putting in place the harshest penalties in the country and sending a strong warning to those who think it’s okay to illegally invade farms and harass our hard-working farmers.
“But we aren’t stopping there. We are also looking at ways we can further deter this kind of behaviour, including introducing legislation and potential gaol time for offenders.”
Mr Marshall said the government was determined to clamp down on illegal farm invasions and was working on additional changes with further penalties, including gaol time, for those committing criminal acts associated with farm trespass.
“Today we are putting these vigilantes and thugs on notice – your time threatening our primary producers by illegally trespassing and creating biosecurity risks is done,” Mr Marshall said.
“The agricultural industry and community have had a gutful of this vile behaviour. These thugs are not only harassing and traumatising hard-working farmers and their families, they’re also posing serious biosecurity risks by potentially bringing contaminants and diseases onto properties that could wipe out an entire farming operation.
“Today’s announcement complements the work the Commonwealth Government is doing in targeting the online incitement of farm trespass.”
Member for Albury Justin Clancy said: “I welcome today’s announcement and look forward to further work from the NSW Government to protect farmers’ right to farm in the Albury electorate.”
Under the changes to the Biosecurity Regulation 2017 it will become mandatory for site visitors to comply with a Biosecurity Management Plan.
Anyone who enters a designated biosecurity area without permission and without complying with the plan’s requirements may be guilty of an offence under the Biosecurity Act 2015, and subject to the new, harsher penalties.
To access the new offence, farmers will need to have a biosecurity plan in place and appropriate signage. Farmers are encouraged to contact the Department of Primary Industries or their Local Land Services office for more information.
At the Australian Greens National Conference last weekend, the Australian Greens moved and passed a motion declaring a climate emergency, and a motion calling on people to join in the September 20 climate strike. Greens Deputy Leader and climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP said it was now time for other parties and parliaments across Australia to join the Greens by demonstrating their unequivocal recognition of the scale of the crisis facing us.
“A climate emergency requires an emergency response. It means putting the climate crisis at the centre of all policy and planning decisions and mobilising the whole of government and society to protect Australia’s people and ecology,” said Mr Bandt.
“The Greens have declared a climate emergency and now the Australian Parliament must follow suit.
“If our politicians refuse to acknowledge we’re in a climate emergency, we’ll never act with the urgency and speed required to avoid this existential threat.
“Even BHP has acknowledged the climate crisis. When a multinational mining giant and one of the world’s top polluters shows climate leadership, the Australian Parliament can no longer refuse to act.
“By the end of the year, we hope to pass a motion through Parliament acknowledging the climate emergency.
“The Greens are also proud to support the growing climate strike movement and the September 20 strike in Australia and across the world.
“Greta Thunberg and the students all around the world who have joined her are demanding action from politicians and there’s no doubt that the mob in power in Australia are failing them.
“Over the weekend, the Greens reaffirmed that we back these climate strikers all the way.
“The Greens are encouraging as many people, students or otherwise, to turn out for the global climate strike on September 20.
“We are running out of time. On September 20, we will speak truth to power about the climate emergency and push for the action that the science and the students are demanding.”
Newcastle’s popular Park and Ride will continue with a family friendly tweak, starting the afternoon service to McDonald Jones Stadium earlier to support parents who need to pick their kids up from school or childcare.
Keolis Downer Hunter has been awarded the contract to continue operating Park and Ride until at least 30 June 2020, beginning Monday 29 July 2019 with a new fee of $4.60.
City of Newcastle has kept the service running since Transport for NSW pulled its funding earlier this year and during that time surveyed current and prospective passengers on cost, preferred running times, and barriers to use. Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Park and Ride plays an important role in freeing up around 200 car parks in the city centre each day by giving commuters a convenient and affordable alternative to driving and paying for all day parking.
“Since taking over Park and Ride in April, the City has assessed passenger feedback, running times and patronage to determine whether the service should continue and how it could be improved,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We’ve heard from the community, city businesses and major employers, and the message is clear; Park and Ride is making the daily commute easier for more than 1,000 regular weekly users, keeping cars out of the CBD, and should be continued.
“For a person who switches from parking in the city each day to using the Park and Ride express bus from Broadmeadow, they will be on average $900 a year better off.”
New Lambton resident Jenni Payne, a graphic designer who works in the city, takes Park and Ride three days a week and said the earlier afternoon return service would make her life easier.
“I’m always in a mad rush to get back to the car and pick the kids up from school,” said the mother of two New Lambton Public School students. “So, getting the return bus at 2.25pm will definitely take the pressure off and make Park and Ride a more convenient option for me.”
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said the price increase, along with in-kind support from Venues NSW and McDonald Jones Stadium, and a competitive agreement with the operator, made continuing the service viable for the City.
“The return price of $4.60 for an express service is substantially cheaper than the $7-return Opal bus fare or the $8.50 all-day city parking,” Mr Bath said.
“Venues NSW must be thanked for throwing its support behind Park and Ride by agreeing to waive the parking fee it previously charged City of Newcastle to locate the Park and Ride at McDonald Jones Stadium.
“There have been more than 120,000 passenger trips on Park and Ride since it commenced in November 2017, and with the future of the service now secured, the City of Newcastle is committed to further increasing passenger numbers by ensuring the service is convenient and reliable and saves its users time and money.”
Venues NSW CEO Paul Doorn said Venues NSW was keen to continue its support for the park and ride.
“Venues NSW is happy to work with the City of Newcastle to deliver Park and Ride and ensure assets like McDonald Jones Stadium benefit the Newcastle community outside of event days,” he said.
Park and Ride continues from Monday 29 July. For more information visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/parkandride New Lambton’s Jenni Payne boards the Park and Ride bus before embarking on the busy school run
Lambton commuter Jordan May loves how afforadable the service is
Farmers and rural and regional communities which have been suffering years of unrelenting drought will now have access to the tools they need to prepare for, manage and sustain their businesses with the passage of the Future Drought Fund legislation through the Senate today.
The Future Drought Fund will grow from $3.9 billion to $5 billion over the next decade, while facilitating a $100 million a year additional investment into drought resilience and preparedness, even in the good years, every year from 1 July 2020.
The Government is backing in our farmers, and we will always stand up and support our drought-affected communities. The Future Drought Fund is about more than just money – it is about giving our farmers the best possible tools to face drought, now and in the future.
Despite Labor’s attempts to stop the Government from establishing the Future Drought Fund, the Government has delivered on its election commitment to guarantee a sustainable source of funding for vital drought resilience projects in rural and regional communities.
A consultative committee will soon begin engaging with farmers and rural and regional communities to ensure the money is well spent when the additional funding becomes available from next year.
The Government will work swiftly to establish the Future Drought Fund Consultative Committee and put in place rigorous governance arrangements for the appropriate selection and prioritisation of projects.
Drought is a fact of life in this country. Our Future Drought Fund will ensure our farmers, who are among the best in the world and regional communities are better equipped to deal with its effects when it happens again.
The Future Drought Fund comes on top of the Government’s $2 billion in additional drought initiatives we have already previously announced.
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New Lambton’s Jenni Payne boards the Park and Ride bus before embarking on the busy school run