Ratings agency Moody’s has given the NSW Government’s strong financial and economic management the seal of approval by re-affirming the State’s Triple-A credit rating.
Moody’s latest credit opinion report states the Triple-A rating reflects “our expectation that the State’s large and diverse economy will continue to perform well, and that the State’s debt burden and interest expense coverage will remain manageable over the medium term.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Triple-A credit rating reflected the underlying health of the NSW economy and sound financial management.
“Maintaining the highest possible credit rating allows the Government to deliver our record breaking $93 billion infrastructure program and spend more on health, education and transport at the lowest possible cost,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We are building new hospitals, schools, train lines and roads for the people of NSW as we get on with the job of delivering the biggest infrastructure pipeline in the State’s history.
“The biggest threat to our economy is the Labor party, which hasn’t learnt the lessons of both state and federal elections and continues to put forward policies that will destroy jobs, businesses and local communities.”
The Moody’s report also noted the establishment of the NSW Generations Fund and its important role in managing debt, the State’s strong liquidity, and the NSW Government’s ongoing contribution towards reducing the State’s unfunded superannuation liability in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 target.
Standard & Poor’s rating agency also assigned the NSW Government a Triple-A rating in September last year.
NSW is one of only two states in Australia assigned a Triple-A rating – the highest possible measure of safety for lenders to Government entities such as TCorp and state-owned corporations.
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Investigation underway after shots fired near Cessnock
Police are investigating after shots were fired in the Hunter Valley today.
Just before 3pm (Tuesday 17 September 2019), emergency services were called to Cessnock Road at Weston, following reports shots had been fired.
On arrival, officers from Hunter Valley Police District located a 27-year-old man with a wound to his head.
He was treated on scene and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A short time later, a Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD with bullet holes was located on Boundary Street, Kurri Kurri. It will be seized to undergo forensic examination.
Police have established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage is urged to come forward.
Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up to work on Friday is a bum: Bandt
Greens climate change spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, has this morning introduced a private members bill which will amend the Fair Work Act to protect workers who strike for climate action, declaring that any boss who sacks anyone for striking this Friday 20 September as part of the Global Climate Strike is ‘a bum’.
The Fair Work Amendment (Stop Work to Stop Warming) Bill 2019 will put beyond doubt that employees covered by the Fair Work Act have a right to take industrial action to demand that governments do more to address the climate crisis. The Bill will also allow employees to include matters pertaining to climate change within their enterprise agreements.
“Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up to work on Friday is a bum,” said Mr Bandt.
“Students have been striking to demand governments take action to stop the climate crisis and now they have asked workers and everyone else to join them this Friday September 20.
“Millions of people across the world will walk out of their classrooms, workplaces and homes as part of the Global Climate Strike, because pollution is rising under the Coalition and we’re headed towards climate collapse.
“As this government refuses to act with the urgency required to meet the climate emergency, Australians of all walks of life will take to the streets and demand we do more.
“The climate crisis is the greatest existential threat facing us. The constitution protects workers’ rights to political free speech, including, I’d argue, by attending events like the climate strike, but workers deserve to know that when they strike for urgent climate action they’ll be protected by this Parliament and by the Fair Work Act.”
A HELPING HAND ON THE PATHWAY TO INDEPENDENCE
Students nearing the end of high school, or who are undertaking tertiary education, can now apply for $1,000 cash grants to help pursue their learning goals.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the scholarships help cover education-related expenses for young people living in social housing or out-of-home care.
“We want to make sure that young people living in social housing or who are in out-of-home care have every opportunity to break the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage,” Mr Ward said.
“These scholarships provide a helping hand for young people while they complete their studies and can be used to purchase things like a laptop, internet connection, textbooks or tools for tradies.
“This is about giving vulnerable young people a pathway to independence while improving school and tertiary education rates as well as better preparing them for the workplace develop work readiness.”
To be eligible students must either be a social housing tenant, a social housing applicant, be living in crisis or supported accommodation, or living in out-of-home care.
Scholarships are available to students in Year 10, 11 or 12 at a NSW high school or TAFE equivalent. They are also open to young people completing a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, or studying a VET subject at school in 2020.
Young people who received the scholarship last year and are moving on to tertiary education, a traineeship or apprenticeship, can also apply.
The program will give priority access to young people living in supported accommodation, identifying as at risk of homelessness, having experienced domestic and family violence, or have been in contact with the youth justice system.
An initiative under Future Directions for Social Housing in NSW, the scholarship program has assisted more than 1,000 students since 2017.
For more information on how to apply, visit www.facs.nsw.gov.au/scholarships.
CCTV TO CAPTURE CROOKS ON CANDID CAMERA
Criminals will soon be under the scrutiny of up to a thousand electronic eyes as the NSW Government rolls out high-definition CCTV to help protect local businesses in western Sydney.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Attorney General Mark Speakman and Police Minister David Elliott today announced the first round of successful applicants from the Government’s $5 million CCTV fund.
“Community safety is our top priority and these grants will help keep small businesses and communities safe from crime and anti-social behavior,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“CCTV cameras boost community confidence and send a strong message to would-be criminals that if you do the wrong thing, you will be caught and punished.”
There are 31 successful applicants in first round, and include a music school in North Parramatta, a kindergarten in Auburn, a café in Cabramatta, a registered charity in Penrith and a health facility in Liverpool.
Mr Speakman said that the fund will provide at least 1000 small businesses and community organisations with support to enhance security.
“CCTV footage can really make or break a case. The more visuals we have, the greater the chance of successful investigations and prosecutions,” Mr Speakman said.
“I encourage eligible businesses to apply as we know increased CCTV can deter anti-social behaviour and will ultimately make our suburbs safer.”
Mr Elliott said the new cameras would be entered into the NSW Police Force CCTV Register, providing another crime-fighting tool to identify and catch criminals.
“CCTV puts the spotlight directly on offenders, to help reduce crimes like malicious damage, break and enter, shoplifting and assault,” Mr Elliott said.
“Stepping up monitoring of small businesses, community organisations and key locations around western and south-western Sydney will be a big help to frontline police.”
The funding provides up to $5,000 towards cameras and installation. It is open to not-for-profit community organisations and small businesses with a turnover of less than $2 million.
The program is being rolled out across the Blacktown, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Liverpool, Parramatta, Penrith and Wollondilly local government areas.
Applications under the Community and Small Business CCTV Fund can be submitted via www.crimeprevention.nsw.gov.au
Police vehicle hit, drugs seized after pursuit near Newcastle
Two police officers escaped serious injury after their stationary fully-marked vehicle was struck by a car being pursued near Newcastle.
Traffic & Highway Patrol Command officers were patrolling Nelson Bay Road, Bobs Farm, shortly before 12.50am yesterday (Sunday 15 September 2019), as part of Operation Northern Roads, when they saw a Toyota Corolla travelling in excess of the speed limit.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle; however, the driver of the vehicle failed to comply with directions and a pursuit was initiated.
The vehicle was followed through Williamtown and Tomago towards Hexham, where road spikes were successfully deployed north of the Hexham Bridge.
The vehicle continued across the bridge and hit the Newcastle Highway Patrol vehicle as the driver turned right onto the New England Highway.
Two officers sustained soft tissue injuries when the airbags activated.
The Corolla stopped nearby after driving into a chain-wire fence and three people were arrested.
They were taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where the driver was charged with:
• Police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed
• Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
• Drive while licence cancelled
• Possess prohibited drug (Methamphetamine), and
• Not give particulars to other driver.
Police also executed four outstanding warrants relating to offences including assault, damage property, fraud, contravene AVO, reckless wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The 19-year-old Cessnock man was refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 16 September 2019).
The officers were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Man charged following stand-off with police – Mayfield West
A man has been charged following an alleged stand-off with police near Newcastle yesterday.
Police were called to a unit building on Maitland Road, Mayfield West, about 12.45am (Friday 13 September 2019), after reports of a man damaging vehicles, climbing on the roof of the single-storey building, and then throwing tiles at vehicles below.
A police operation commenced coordinated by officers from Newcastle City Police District, with assistance from Police Rescue, Tactical Operations, the Dog Unit, and Police Negotiators.
About 9.40am, the man came down from the roof and was safely arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station, before being taken to hospital for assessment.
A crime scene was established, and an investigation commenced into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Upon release from hospital, the man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, malicious damage (x4), wilful and obscene exposure, intimidation, resist arrest, and breach bail.
He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 14 September 2019).
Additional Australian Government assistance to help people affected by the Queensland and New South Wales bushfires
The Australian Government will deliver new income assistance to people affected by the bushfires in Queensland and New South Wales.
We have activated the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) to ensure assistance is directed to those who need it most.
The devastation we have seen on the ground in South East Queensland today was heartbreaking and we want to be there to help the communities rebuild. There are hundreds of these stories of survival across NSW and Queensland in the face of tough odds, and hope for the future.
Multiple bushfires continue to burn across large parts of southern Queensland and northern NSW.
These fires have had significant impacts on many communities and businesses, both direct and indirect, and are impacting people’s livelihoods and incomes.
Our assistance is designed to help those who have lost their income and need additional support to get back on their feet.
The DRA provides a short-term support payment to assist those whose income has been affected as a direct result of the bushfires.
People eligible for DRA can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance.
In Queensland, the DRA has been activated in the local government areas of Noosa, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs and Sunshine Coast.
In New South Wales, the DRA has been activated in the local government areas of Armidale, Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha.
Claims for DRA can be made through the Australian Government Department of Human Services (DHS) from Monday 16 September 2019.
Customers can call DHS on 180 22 66, visit www.humanservices.gov.au or visit a DHS Service Centre.
Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visa, subclass 444 holders) affected by the bushfires.
The Australian Government assistance being announced today is over and above the support already being provided for under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
We stand ready to provide further support if it is requested.
We are monitoring the impacts of the bushfires closely and will ensure bushfire affected communities receive the support they need, including:
- personal hardship and distress assistance for individuals and families;
- Includes immediate emergency assistance, grants for essential household contents and grants for essential structural repairs to homes.
- The amounts granted depend on the assessed needs of the affected individuals/households.
- support for affected local councils and state agencies to help with operational response costs and restoring damaged essential public assets;
- Includes funding for counter disaster operations (e.g. firefighting operations) and to repair damaged assets.
- The amount available is uncapped.
- concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations;
- Includes loans of up to $130,000 at a fixed concessional interest rate for small businesses and primary producers and up to $25,000 for non-profit organisations.
- freight subsidies for primary producers, and
- Includes subsidies up to $15,000 per annum.
- grants to eligible non-profit organisations.
- Includes grants of up to $2,000.
This assistance is administered by the NSW Government.
Anyone in need of assistance should contact the NSW Government Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444.
Southern Queensland Bushfires
Disaster recovery assistance is being provided under the jointly funded Commonwealth-state DRFA.
DRFA assistance is available in the local government areas of Noosa, Scenic Rim, Southern Downs and Sunshine Coast.
A range of assistance is available, including:
- Personal hardship and distress assistance for individuals and families; and
- Emergency Hardship Assistance Grant – provides assistance as a contribution to support people directly impacted by an eligible disaster to meet their immediate essential needs for food, clothing, medical supplies or temporary accommodation. $180 per individual and up to $900 for families of five or more.
- Essential Services Hardship Assistance – provides assistance for people directly impacted by an eligible disaster to meet their immediate needs where they have experienced the loss of one or more essential services for more than five days. $150 for individuals and up to $750 for families of five or more.
- Essential Household Contents Grant – provides a contribution towards replacing or repairing essential household contents, such as beds, linen and whitegoods that have been lost or damaged by an eligible disaster. $1,765 per individual or $5,300 for couples or families. Assistance is subject to means testing.
- Structural Assistance Grant – provides a contribution towards repairs or replacement of a dwelling damaged by an eligible disaster, to return it to a safe, habitable and secure condition. $10,995 for single adults or $14,685 for couples or families. Assistance is subject to means testing.
- Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme – To assist residents with the inspection and reconnection of essential services that have been damaged by an eligible disaster. The scheme provides financial assistance to individuals and families as a contribution towards safety inspections of and repairs to residential essential services (i.e. electricity, gas, water and sewerage) damaged by an eligible disaster. Up to $5,000 per household. Assistance is subject to means testing.
- Support for affected local councils and state agencies to help with operational response costs (CATEGORY B).
- Counter Disaster Operations – To assist local governments and state agencies to undertake activities that alleviate personal hardship and distress, address the immediate needs of individuals and protect the general public, immediately prior to, during or immediately after an eligible disaster. The amount available is not capped.
In addition, assistance for the restoration of damaged essential public assets has been made available in Scenic Rim (CATEGORY B).
This assistance is administered by the Queensland Government.
Anyone in need of assistance should contact the Queensland Government Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.
Other Australian Government assistance:
- Firebombing aircraft have been in action against these fires. We are proud that our national aerial firefighting arrangements are ensuring the best possible aerial firefighting equipment is available to protect Australians.
- The Australian Government annually invests around $14.8 million in aerial firefighting.
With the early start to this bushfire season, it is important that all members of the community are well prepared and have a plan.
More information on Australian Government disaster assistance is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au
Police seek dash cam vision over serious crash at Hexham
Police are urging two motorists who may have witnessed a serious crash at Hexham last month to come forward.
Shortly after 10am on Friday 2 August 2019, emergency services were called to Maitland Road, Hexham following reports a Mack truck and a Honda motorcycle had collided.
The 21-year-old male motorcycle rider from Woodberry was airlifted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and taken to John Hunter Hospital with serious leg injuries. He has since been released from hospital.
The 54-year old male truck driver from Torryburn was uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
The two motorists, one in car and another in a truck, were stopped at traffic lights on Maitland Road prior to the collision and are urged to come forward.
The Hexham Bridge was closed for three hours and one east bound lane on the Pacific Highway was closed for five hours while the scene was being examined.
As investigations continue by officers from the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit, anyone with information or dash cam vision is urged to come forward.
Greens: ADF must urgently develop & implement climate change strategy
Australian Greens Peace and Disarmament spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has reiterated calls for Australia’s defence force to urgently develop and implement a climate change strategy, after revelations today that senior bureaucrats have been wargaming climate change scenarios.
Senator Steele-John also called on the government to immediately release the details of the climate change scenarios, which they have so far refused to release through Freedom Of Information.
“It’s abundantly clear that the Morrison is out of step not only with the Australian public on the impacts of climate change, but also their own advisers,” he said.
“As droughts, floods, wildfires and extreme weather events become increasingly common in Australia and our region, it’s clear that climate change is causing more harm than ever before. These disasters will be a significant challenge in our region and we should be prepared to lend a helping hand to our friends and neighbours.
“Internal Australian Defence Force documents have identified food and water shortages and mass displacement of people as significant challenges into the future, yet we continue to follow along behind the Unites States rather than developing our own independent foreign policy.
“We need a new approach. It’s time to refocus our defence forces on preparing for the impacts of climate change and build cooperative relationships with our friends and neighbours so that we can work together to create a peaceful future for all of us and give everyone what they need to live a good life.”