Three months after the Parliament agreed to re-establish a committee to oversee the implementation of the National Redress Scheme, the Morrison Government has failed to appoint four of its six members.
When Labor put forward a motion to re-establish the committee, the Government cynically used its numbers to dump the former multipartisan approach and wrested control for itself. Now, in the final week of Parliament for 2019, it has failed to appoint four of the six committee members it demanded.
The National Redress Scheme is the outcome of the four-year long royal commission into child sexual abuse in institutions but it’s failing to deliver on multiple fronts. It was projected to provide redress to an estimated 60,000 survivors. Yet, almost 18 months after its commencement, only 469 payments have been made, and some institutions still haven’t signed up to participate.
The Committee is a critical means of providing Parliamentary oversight of the National Redress Scheme. It’s also one of the few ways survivors can share their experiences of the scheme directly with the Parliament.
Because the Government has been dragging its feet, the committee held its first meeting on the very last day of Parliament for 2019, which has all but ensured it won’t be able to get started on its important work before February 2020.
The Government’s failure to appoint members to the joint committee may be evidence of a concerning lack of interest – or, worse, an active attempt to hold off scrutiny for as long as possible.
Survivors deserve a fair, effective and timely scheme, but this will require the Government to participate fully and actively in the committee process.
The Redress Scheme is lagging. People are dying waiting for their redress payments. And key institutions are yet to sign up. Survivors deserve better from this Government.
Author: admin
DAMNING NDIS REPORT PROMPTS CALL FOR NEWCASTLE HEARING
The release of a scathing report into the NDIS has prompted Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon to write a letter to request that a hearing of the Parliamentary NDIS committee be held in Newcastle.
Ms Claydon said the independent report painted a picture of a system in crisis.
“This confirms everything my constituents have been telling me about an under-resourced system plagued with delays and inconsistency and gravely lacking in transparency,” Ms Claydon said.
“Many people in our community have also seen their NDIS plans slashed for no good reason. Regretfully, the situation seems to be getting worse with each passing year.”
Ms Claydon said the Liberals have ‘utterly neglected’ the NDIS in the six years they have been its custodians.
“The fact that that 1200 Australians died while waiting for an NDIS support package is damning evidence of this Government’s neglect,” Ms Claydon said.
“But in the face of the obvious and desperate need for proper resourcing, the Morrison Government instead choose to rip a further $4.6 billion out of the NDIS to prop up their ailing budget. That’s a recipe for disaster, not a remedy, and it’s time the Morrison Liberal government fixed this mess.”
Man charged over alleged online procurement of child – Strike Force Trawler
A man will appear in court today charged by Strike Force Trawler detectives over the alleged online procurement of a child and possession of child abuse material.
In December 2019, detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crime Squad’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit (CEIU) began engaging online with a man from the Hunter region.
Police will allege in court that the man believed he was speaking with a 13-year-old girl and engaged in conversations about sexually-explicit acts he wished to perform on the child and sent sexually-explicit material.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 48-year-old man at Williamtown just before 12.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 21 January 2020).
Shortly after, a search warrant was executed at a home in the Hunter region, where detectives seized laptops, mobile phones and electronic storage devices.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with use carriage service to procure person under 16 years for sex and possess/control child abuse material using carriage service (x2).
The man was refused bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today (Wednesday 22 January 2020).
Strike Force Trawler is an ongoing investigation by the CEIU into the sexual abuse and exploitation of children facilitated through the internet and related telecommunications devices.
Dodgy water deals done at double the price highlight need for Royal Commission
The Australia Institute analysis released today showing the Federal Government paid exorbitant prices for water rights to a company linked to Minister Angus Taylor is further evidence of the need for a Royal Commission into the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, the Greens say.
In April 2018, Greens Spokesperson for Water Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, referred allegations that the Department of Agriculture significantly overpaid vendors for water in the Warrego catchment, Tandou and the Condamine-Balonne Valley to the Auditor-General for investigation. In April last year, Senator Hanson-Young asked the Auditor-General to audit all water purchases signed off by former Water Minister Barnaby Joyce.
Senator Hanson-Young said she would be drawing the Auditor-General’s attention to the latest documents showing the Department had rejected offers made by Eastern Australia Agriculture for water rights in the Condamine-Balonne valley many times on the basis they were ‘not value for money’ before ultimately paying almost double the price EAA had offered.
“This is further proof these were dodgy deals and exactly why I referred the procurement of water rights to the Auditor-General,” she said.
“The Federal Government has refused to release independent valuations of water rights, companies involved are allegedly linked to Energy Minister Angus Taylor, and taxpayers footed an $80m bill for water that’s never been seen. Then-Water Minister Barnaby Joyce has some explaining to do, the whole thing stinks.
“The Murray-Darling Basin has been riddled with dodgy accounting, mismanagement, and out-right water theft, and it looks more and more like it’s just another slush fund for the National Party and their corporate irrigator mates.
“These scandals aren’t going to go away and the more we find out the worse the story gets. The LNP’s management of the MDB has been woeful from the beginning.
“We need a Royal Commission to get to the bottom of these scandals and I urge all sides of politics to back my bill to establish one.
“Corporate greed and the climate emergency have pushed our biggest river system into drought which is having devastating impacts on river communities and the environment. Getting to the bottom of what’s gone so wrong for the MDB is the least we can do right now to give such a precious water resource a chance of survival.”
Light rail eases pressure on parking
The overwhelming popularity of Newcastle’s light rail has helped free up more on-street parking in the CBD, with the number of parking transactions declining in 2019.
More than a million light rail passenger trips in the service’s maiden year exceeded City of Newcastle expectations, based on the State Government’s projection of 657,000, and saw the number of parking transactions decline by seven per cent to 916,704 in the second half of 2019, down from 983,392 in the final six months of 2018.
City of Newcastle Governance Director David Clarke said the resulting $335,000 decline in parking revenue was bitter-sweet because it was evidence that the general public is embracing public transport in the city.
“The fact that light rail has been more successful than anticipated is a good planning problem to have,” Mr Clarke said.
“The parking transaction numbers for 2019 tell us that plenty of parking remains available for inner-city shoppers and visitors, which is news we want both traders and shoppers to know about even though it amounts to a hit to our bottom line. Opal card data shows an average of 100,000 light rail trips are occurring each month, which translates into fewer cars in the city and 11,000 less parking transactions.
“The positive uptake of public transport helps reduce greenhouse emissions and traffic congestion and supports activation of our City, so it’s good to see plenty of people using the light rail, with ferry patronage also increasing by 34,000 rides last year.”
The City’s 2019/20 budget has absorbed a further $280,000 from temporary discounts offered to motorists who took up the EasyPark app, with phone transactions skyrocketing to 339,126 in the second half of 2019 to account for 37 per cent of all parking payments.
With just 77,799 transactions, or eight per cent made via the app in the same period in 2018, Novocastrians have enthusiastically embraced the digital convenience of EasyPark, which allows them to pay remotely and save money by receiving a refund for any unused paid parking time.
“Now that the app has been widely embraced to become the dominant platform for paid parking, it’s time to end the introductory discount to bring consistency back to pricing in line with that charged when paying at the meter with cash or by credit card,” Mr Clarke added.
“With that, the temporary 15 per cent discount applied to EasyPark transactions will cease from 1 February.
“The app’s popularity has been rising every month, to the point it now accounts for almost 40 per cent of all payments for on-street parking.
“We anticipate that more than three quarters of parking payments will be made through EasyPark within the next few years given the continued roll out of features such as parking refunds, the car-space finder and SMS reminders 15 minutes before your paid parking expires.”
BACK TO SCHOOL ADVICE NOW JUST A CLICK AWAY
Parents preparing their children for the new school year will now have personalised advice at their fingertips, with the NSW Government today announcing a new online hub of quick, reliable back-to-school information.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the ‘Back to School Hub’ holds a suite of information to make it easier for parents to get specific advice they need for their children.
“As a mother myself, I know I had a lot of questions before my daughter started kindergarten, so I wanted to make sure we had advice available on every aspect of school preparation for parents like me right across the State,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We have information ranging from practical things like stationery, uniforms and lunches, to advice about what is expected in terms of study and behaviour, and how to prepare students to be safe online.
“We know that parenting is a juggle, so we wanted to make this advice as easily accessible as possible.”
Ms Mitchell added that there is a tailored section on the Back to School Hub for the many families impacted by the recent bushfire season.
“We know that back-to-school preparations have probably been the last thing on the minds of those affected by the fires – so we have made sure to provide access to useful information to accommodate for these families after what has been a very traumatic time.”
Other advice available to parents includes a NSW Government school calendar, emergency information about what to do in bushfires or adverse weather, advice on how to get involved in the school community, healthcare and immunisation guides, reading lists and support on how to help students with their mental health.
“I am confident the Back to School Hub will help parents be fully involved in ensuring their children are thoroughly prepared and looking forward to the new school year,” Ms Mitchell said.
Visit the Back to School hub here www.education.nsw.gov.au/back-to-school
FORMER OLYPMIAN JOINS 2020 INTAKE OF JUNIOR DOCTORS
One of Australia’s greatest athletes, Jana Pittman, is one of 47 interns to join Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals today as part of the 2020 intake.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard visited Blacktown Hospital to welcome the recruits, who are part of a record 1027 interns that will start work in NSW public hospitals this year.
“I want to congratulate Dr Pittman and her colleagues and wish them every success as they start their medical careers at this state of the art facility,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals have had a $700 million expansion and as a result, these JMOs will benefit from world class mentors in world class surroundings.
“Dr Pittman had many wins as an athlete but swapping her running spikes for a stethoscope is a win for patients, and I thank her and the entire JMO class of 2020.”
The NSW Government is investing $107 million in the internship program this year.
Since 2011, intern positions in NSW have increased by 257 or 33 per cent. Interns rotate through metropolitan, regional or rural hospitals, as well as General Practices.
NSW guarantees intern positions to all domestic medical graduates of NSW universities, and provides internships to many graduates from interstate universities.
Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals’ medical services director Brett Gardiner said Western Sydney Local Health District hospitals will welcome 130 interns this year.
“Our interns will have the opportunity to undertake roles in emergency, surgery and general medicine in a new hospital where the well-being of new recruits is a priority.”
Jana Pittman is a dual Olympian, two-time world champion and four-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist. She has spent the past seven years juggling three children, work and study and is ready to hit the hospital ground running.
“I loved my athletics career, representing Australia was gold, but I hope my future in medicine will be even better,” Ms Pittman said.
“It’s one of those things where you think you’re never going to get there, but it shows that if you persist with something you love, then it just might happen.”
Netball NSW welcomes Valour Sport to Family
Netball NSW is delighted to welcome Valour Sport on board as the organisation’s Official Sportswear and Merchandise Partner for the next three years.
The partnership, which will also see Valour become the kit and merchandise suppliers to the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball, will commence from this season.
As well as NSW’s Suncorp Super Netball teams, Valour will be kit suppliers to the QBE Swifts Academy, the GIANTS Netball Academy and the NSW State Teams who will represent the state at the 2020 National Netball Championships in Tasmania.
Valour will also oversee production of merchandise for major Netball NSW events such as the HART Junior and Senior State Titles.
Netball NSW CEO Carolyn Campbell welcomed Valour to the Netball NSW family earlier today.
“We had strong interest when we went to market for an apparel supplier and Valour emerged as the best fit, as determined by our panel,” Campbell said.
“We have some of the best athletes in Australia, and indeed the world, in our teams and pathways at Netball NSW and it’s important they feel comfortable when competing at the highest level.
“Valour are innovative and very accommodating when it comes to meeting the needs of our athletes.
“We are delighted to have them with us and are looking forward to a very productive working relationship.”
Valour spokesman Matthew Knight said the company was equally excited about the new partnership.
“Valour is passionate about supporting and encouraging athletes of all abilities across the sporting landscape,” he said.
“Valour is proud to be entering into this partnership with Netball NSW as it provides our company with an opportunity to work with a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to empowering athletes of all ages to play netball.
“Netball NSW is a natural progression in Valour’s pursuit of supplying highly technical sportswear to professional and grassroots athletes.
“In association with Netball NSW, Valour will continue to redefine the standards of modern sportswear by offering Netball NSW athlete’s the very best in functional and technical apparel.”
ABOUT VALOUR
Since 2009 Valour have designed, manufactured and supplied high performance sportswear and sports uniforms to over 1,000,000 young athletes. Valour’s reputation in the sportswear industry for constant innovation in sportswear fabric and design is unsurpassed.
In 2012 Valour’s Company Directors established Talon Global. Talon is a 2000m2 state-of-the-art manufacturing facility created to produce Valour’s industry-leading sportswear.
Visit valoursport.com.au for more information.
Homemade spikes scattered on running trail near Toronto
Police are appealing for information and are urging the public to take extra care after homemade spikes were found scattered across a running trail in Lake Macquarie yesterday.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were called to Alexanders Trail in Lake Macquarie State Conservation Park at Bolton Point, near Toronto, about 12.40pm (Monday 20 January 2020), when a runner found the devices.
Officers have been told the man was running the trail about 11.40am when he noticed a pile of leaves piled in the middle of the track.
Hidden in the leaves the man found wine corks with nails protruding from them, similar to historic weapons known as ‘caltrops’.
The man continued along the trail and found a further two piles hiding more spikes.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were notified a short time later and attended the location.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the items has commenced and police are urging anyone who may have information or noticed suspicious activity in the area to contact Toronto Police Station on (02) 4088 1099 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Inquiries continue.
Immediate small business support for bushfire affected communities
In response to the devastating bushfires, the Morrison Government has today announced a comprehensive suite of measures to immediately support impacted small businesses.
This initial package responds to the needs expressed by small businesses on the ground and at the small business roundtable last week which saw chambers of commerce from fire affected regions, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia come together with the Government to discuss the impacts of this natural disaster on small business.
This comprehensive package will make it easier for those who have suffered direct fire damage, or have been indirectly economically impacted following the bushfires, to get back on their feet.
This package deals with the challenges we know small businesses in these areas are facing, and will continue to face. Our immediate priorities for small businesses include grant funding, concessional loans, tax relief, a dedicated and single contact point to help them access the support that is available, and financial counselling services that are targeted to help small and family business owners deal with the emotional and financial challenges they face.
Grant funding
To build on the disaster recovery grants put in place by state governments, the Federal Government will provide top-up grants to eligible small businesses and non-profit organisations under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
This program is uncapped and means that businesses and organisations that have sustained damage as a result of the fires can access up to $50,000 in grant funding (tax free).
Concessional loans
As well as extra support announced already for families and communities to help keep spending in local stores, the Federal Government wants to ensure small businesses have cashflow to run their operations.
The Federal Government will boost the value and concessions for small business loans, also on offer to farmers, primary producers and non-profit organisations, under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
To provide maximum flexibility for eligible businesses, loans of up to $500,000 will be offered for businesses that have suffered significant asset loss or a significant loss of revenue. The loan would be for up to 10 years and used for the purposes of restoring or replacing damaged assets and for working capital.
The loans will be available with a repayment holiday of up to two years, with no interest accruing during this period. The subsequent interest rate would be set at 50 per cent of the ten-year Commonwealth government bond rate (currently around 0.6%).
The Government will be seeking the agreement of the states to provide these loans under harmonised, consistent terms and eligibility criteria.
Dedicated, single contact point
The Government will deliver $3.5 million to establish the Small Business Bushfire Financial Support Line as well as to fund 10 additional financial counsellors with the ability to provide advice to around 100 small businesses a day.
We want to ensure small businesses have access to the information that they need, when they need it. The Support Line will be staffed by small business specialist financial counsellors who will be able to provide information on the assistance and support available to small businesses in bushfire affected regions.
The Support Line, which will be staffed by trained financial counsellors, will provide information on the assistance and support available to small businesses in bushfire affected regions.
While the specialist Support Line is being established, businesses can visit www.business.gov.au or call 13 28 46.
The Commonwealth will also provide support as required to Recovery Centres that are being established by the states in fire-impacted regions. These Centres will be a one-stop-shop for small business owners and operators to ensure they have access to immediate expert support.
Local economic development plans
The Federal Government will work with local and state governments, business groups and other community organisations to develop Local Economic Recovery Plans.
These plans will be locally developed and locally-led to ensure the focus in each community is on the infrastructure and assets they need to rebuild.
Tax relief
The Commissioner of Taxation has agreed to provide a range of assistance measures to businesses in identified bushfire-impacted postcodes to help to alleviate cash flow pressures and assist these businesses with their recovery efforts.
In particular, taxpayers in impacted postcodes will now have until 28 May 2020 to lodge and pay business activity statements and income tax returns. Impacted businesses that pay their Pay-As-You-Go Instalments quarterly are also allowed to vary these instalments to zero for the December 2019 quarter and claim a refund for any instalments made in the September 2019 quarter.
These measures will assist small businesses with much-needed cashflow support during this difficult time.