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Greens back call for moratorium on water trading by non-landholders

The Greens have called for an urgent moratorium on water barons and non-water users buying up water while the Murray-Darling Basin remains in crisis and farmers and communities fear more mass fish-deaths this summer.

“The crisis facing the Murray-Darling requires urgent and immediate action, before more family farms and our environment hit the wall. The government must shut down the exploitation of the River by water barons and big corporate irrigators,” Greens Spokesperson for the Water Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.

“Summer is looming and if the Government doesn’t act we will see more mass fish-deaths and more family farms in crisis. No longer is this a debate about farmers versus the environment, it is the big corporates versus everyone else – family farms, river communities and the environment.

“Water Minister David Littleproud must act to reign in the unconscionable conduct in the water market and immediately impose a moratorium on water trading by non-water uses. With less water available in the system due to drought and climate change it is also time for a moratorium on new permanent plantings, while an independent audit of all water licences is conducted.

“Our river is in crisis, small family farms are suffering and a growing number of River communities don’t even have clean water to drink. The Minister says he can’t make it rain, so there’s nothing he can do. This is a total cop-out; there is plenty the Minster can do, and he must act now. Failing to crack down on those exploiting the water market or harvesting flood-plain water upstream will make the crisis facing the River and farmers worse.

“The Government can’t even tell us who owns water licences. Lack of transparency is allowing big corporations to run amok with our water. An audit of licence ownership and trading must be conducted to shine a light on these investors playing with the future of our Rivers.

“The Murray-Darling is our nation’s food-bowl, and without a healthy river system our farms can’t survive. There are no jobs on a dead River.”

Hamilton’s heritage character to be preserved

The unique character of Hamilton’s residential streetscapes will be preserved for future generations following the creation of the City’s first substantial heritage conservation area in 20 years.
In July last year City of Newcastle proposed to the State Government to protect the historically significant Hamilton Residential Precinct, a four-block area between Donald and Tudor Streets bounded by Gordon Avenue to the east and Murray Street to the west. This proposal has now been approved by the Minister for Planning.

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it is crucial to recognise and retain Newcastle’s unique heritage.
“The City of Newcastle is dedicated to preserving our city’s rich history, and this new conservation area allows us to safeguard the significant aesthetic characteristics of Hamilton,” she said.
“The Hamilton Residential Precinct is typical of the late Victorian and Federation periods in Newcastle’s urban development, featuring small lot housing of one or two storeys.
“Opening the railway and train station back in 1887 saw an influx of residents move from the city centre to Hamilton, and the style and age of the housing reflects this growth.
“Retaining our suburb’s character helps preserve our Novocastrian cultural identity and demonstrate our sense of pride in heritage places.”
The establishment of the heritage conservation area was welcomed by Hamilton resident and passionate history buff Rod Noble, who has lived in one of Lawson Street’s grand Victorian two-storey terraces for the past 27 years. The row of five adjacent freestanding terraces were built in the early to mid-1890s.
“The Hamilton heritage precinct is steeped in history that is important to our city, with the first land sales in the area dating back to 1857,” Rod said.
“The majority of the original Victorian and Edwardian housing stock has survived and many unique dwellings from the period are contained within the precinct.
“I welcome the City of Newcastle’s decision to establish this heritage conservation area as it is important to preserve its special character for future generations.”

Establishing the Hamilton conservation area includes amendments to the Newcastle Local Environment Plan, which ensure future developments complement the original character of the suburb by clearly defining acceptable new developments as well as alterations and additions.
Hamilton’s architectural character dates from the late 19th and early decades of the 20th century, featuring late Victorian terraces and cottages, Federation cottages and bungalows in the popular styles of the time, with Italianate, Queen Anne, Edwardian, California and Spanish Mission influences.

WORKING TOWARDS ZERO SUICIDES IN NSW

Finding the best ways to accurately and respectfully talk about suicide will be the challenge for a gathering of experts today in NSW Parliament House, on World Suicide Prevention Day.
The Towards Zero Suicides Premier’s Priority Delivery Plan Workshop calls together leading suicide prevention experts, clinicians, frontline staff and people with a lived experience of suicide.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the most recent data from 2017 reveals the shocking statistic that impacts so many more people than the raw figures indicate.
“880 people died by suicide in NSW, that’s more than double our road toll, and the ripple effect on loved ones compounds the awful statistic,” Minister Taylor said.
The Towards Zero Suicides Premier’s Priority was recently announced, setting the ambitious target to reduce the rate of suicide deaths in NSW by 20 per cent by 2023, as the first step in the journey towards zero suicides.
“The Premier’s Priority is a chance to have suicide prevention prioritised as never before, and for us to make an unprecedented effort to reverse our rising suicide rate,” Minister Taylor said.
“Last year, the NSW Government announced a record $87 million investment in the Towards Zero Suicides initiatives.”
Mr John Brogden, Chairman of Lifeline Australia, will host the workshop as it helps take the next step towards reducing the suicide rate in NSW.
Mr Brogden said everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention, including government agencies, community managed and non-government organisations, the research sector, workplaces and communities.
“Suicide and attempted suicide is an issue affecting every part of our community, and the voices of people with lived experience of suicide are a key aspect of any response.”
Today’s participants will design the Delivery Plan for the Premier’s Priority, building on Strategic Framework for Suicide Prevention in NSW 2018-23.
More information on World Suicide Prevention Day is available at www.wspd.org.au.
If you or someone you know needs crisis support, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14. For mental health services in your local area call the NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511.

PARRAMATTA DIVES INTO NEW AQUATIC CENTRE

Parramatta is ready to dive into building a new aquatic centre following a $77 million funding partnership between the NSW Government and Parramatta City Council.
Minister for Sport John Sidoti said Parramatta Council has agreed to take control of building a state-of-the-art aquatic centre in Parramatta.
“Parramatta deserves a pool which caters for competition, learn to swim classes, recreation and relaxation. The commitment of $38.5 million from the NSW Government will help make this happen,” Mr Sidoti said.
“The NSW Government and Parramatta Council are on the same page when it comes to delivering an outstanding all-year-round aquatic facility that gives the community what they have asked for.”
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Clr Andrew Wilson said the winning design for the aquatic centre was by a consortium of Andrew Burges Architects, Grimshaw Architects, and McGregor Coxall.
“It was chosen from a shortlist of four exceptional entries following a high-calibre international design excellence competition,” Clr Wilson said.
“Congratulations to the consortium on their successful submission. I’m excited to see this project progressing and I look forward to working to ensure this first-class facility is delivered for the Parramatta community as soon as possible.
“I’d also like to thank Mr Sidoti and the State Government for their valuable contribution to this significant project – an aquatic centre that meets the current and future needs of our rapidly growing population.”
The design of the aquatic leisure centre was completed after extensive community consultation and will feature a 10-lane 50-metre outdoor pool, a 25-metre indoor pool, learn-to-swim facilities, fitness centre, change rooms, café and parking facilities.
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the pools will be heated, making it the place to swim and relax all year round.
“This aquatic centre will be the envy of communities all over the State. It will be a complex with versatility designed to meet the needs of Parramatta now and in the future for decades to come,” Mr Lee said.
“This funding partnership between the NSW Government and the City of Parramatta is the great news the community has been waiting for.”

BISHOP AND PYNE FACE QUESTIONING TODAY – GREENS PUSH FOR STRONGER MINISTERIAL CODES OF CONDUCT

Former senior Liberal cabinet members Julie Bishop and Christopher Pyne will give evidence today at a Senate inquiry into their compliance with ministerial standards.
Greens Co-deputy Leader Larissa Waters said democracy is under threat when ministers can retire from politics and head straight into the arms of big corporations in industries they once regulated.
“The Liberal leadership has shown more interest in enforcing the ‘bonk ban’ between politicians and their staff rather than stopping our community being screwed over by vested corporate interests,” she said today.
“Prime Minister Scott Morrison has done nothing to stop former Ministers exiting through the Canberra revolving door into lucrative positions with industries they were only months earlier responsible for keeping in check.
“The buck stops with the Prime Minister, he sets the culture for his team and he could end this toxic practice tomorrow by strengthening and actually enforcing the Ministerial Code of Conduct.
“Australians deserve parliamentarians that represent the people, not just deliver polices favourable to industry so they can line up jobs after politics.
“Ex-Minister hires are so attractive for corporates because of the expectation they will use use information, networks or influence gained during their public service to advantage their new employer – so the revolving door keeps spinning.
“Queensland is a breeding ground for the dangers of corporate cronyism. The latest example is Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s former strategy chief Evan Moorhead and former Labor party state secretary, who just became a corporate lobbyist for New Hope, big miners wanting approval to expand their controversial coal mine in South East Queensland.
“It’s no wonder the community thinks politicians are just in it for themselves. We need to clean up politics before people lose all hope of a democracy that works for them.
“To shut the revolving door we need new laws that stop former politicians from working in areas related to their portfolios for at least five years and a federal watchdog with teeth to make sure these standards are upheld,” Senator Waters said.
Background
Full Public Hearing Program and copy of submissions available here:
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Finance_and_Public_Administration/MinisterialStandards/Public_Hearings
Former senior Liberal cabinet members Julie Bishop and Christopher Pyne will give evidence today at a Senate inquiry into their compliance with ministerial standards.
Former foreign minister Julie Bishop joined the board of international aid contractor Palladium after privatising foreign aid spending during her time in office. Former defence minister Christopher Pyne became a defence consultant for professional services company EY within weeks of leaving parliament.

GREENS CORRUPTION WATCHDOG BILL PASSES THE SENATE

The Australian Senate has sent a strong message to the Morrison Government that it wants a federal corruption watchdog with teeth, voting 35 to 32 in favour of the Greens Bill today.

Greens Co-Deputy Leader Larissa Waters who introduced the bill said the Senate had sent a strong message to the Government in voting to clean up politics and restore community confidence following a series of scandals.
“Today’s vote for the Greens bill to establish a corruption watchdog with teeth shows the Senate won’t stand for the weak Government model which is already long delayed and ineffective,” said Senator Waters.
“Today’s vote is a great victory for the community who deserve a healthy democracy that works for them rather than for big corporate donors and vested interests.
“Now the pressure is firmly on the Morrison Government to back this bill in the House and do the job properly, or at the very least upgrade their toothless watchdog thought bubble.
“This is the fourth time a Greens bill has passed the Senate, and we hope for many more.
“The Greens have been pushing for 10 years for a corruption watchdog and I pay tribute to the work of Bob Brown, Lee Rhiannon and Christine Milne who were relentless in their decade long pursuit for an end to corruption, and the important work of Cathy McGowan in the House.
“Community confidence in political leaders has plummeted following scandals involving both major parties and there is no longer any excuse for running a protection racket for politicians engaged in corruption and dodgy dealings.
“This is now a test for Prime Minister Scott Morrison – will he hear the strong message for the Senate and clean up this sideshow of scandals or continue to delay and whitewash his weak body which won’t stop corruption?
“Australians deserve to have their voice and values represented in parliament, not corporate sponsorship of politicians and the undue influence of big donors including the mining industry, property developers and gambling industries.
“The Greens have pursued a national anti-corruption body for more than a decade and we will keep up the pressure until we get the job done,” she said.

Full copy of National Integrity Commission Bill here:
https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/bills/s1154_first- senate/toc_pdf/1825820.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf

SKILLED VETERANS TO BOOST LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Veterans in NSW are set to reap the benefits of a new guide designed to help them compare and match their skills from military service to jobs within local councils.
The Local Government Rank to Grade Guide has been developed by the NSW Veterans Employment Program and the Office of Local Government to help veterans in their civilian job search.
Local councils in NSW employ approximately 45,000 full-time employees across a wide range of roles. Local Government NSW’s Capability Framework sets out the essential knowledge, skills and abilities needed to work effectively in local government.
Minister for Veterans John Sidoti said the NSW Local Government Rank to Grade Guide, maps out how positions within the Australian Defence Force align to NSW Local Government job grades.
“This program targets those that do the hiring in local councils by educating them on exactly how valuable the skill sets of our veterans are,” Mr Sidoti said.
“We spend so much time and effort training our men and women to be ready for battle and we need to replicate that intensity when we help them look for work after life in the defence force.”
The Rank to Grade guide forms an integral part of the successful Veterans Employment Program, which has already exceeded expectations in the public sector.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said this is going to be a game changer because it will help our veterans’ job applications stand out from the rest.
“The guide will not only provide veterans with a rewarding career path but also bolster the ranks of local government with the invaluable skills, knowledge and experience of our military personnel.
“This is a win-win-win situation for councils wanting to utilise the skills of our veterans, for communities to benefit from the knowledge and experience they bring and for vets to have meaningful post-service careers.”
NSW local councils employ approximately 45,000 personnel across 128 council locations. For more information drop in to your local council or head to www.vep.veterans.nsw.gov.au

SES LAUNCHES NEW FLEET IN WESTERN SYDNEY

The rollout of a brand new lifesaving fleet for the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) was officially launched today at the International Peace Park in Seven Hills.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the $56.4 million Fleet Replacement Program would provide the SES with 270 vehicles, 124 marine vessels and 95 storm trailers across four years to support communities in their times of crisis.
The vehicles include storm trucks, rescue vehicles, snow mobiles and a 22-seater bus.
“SES volunteers play a crucial role in keeping the community safe and we have to make sure their vehicles are up-to-date with the latest technology to provide effective and efficient capability during emergencies,” Mr Elliott said.
NSW SES Acting Commissioner Kyle Stewart said the investment will increase the capability of the SES to support communities before, during and after emergencies.
“SES volunteers use this equipment every day to save lives and protect communities. These new vehicles and boats assist our volunteers in responding to the impacts of floods and storms across NSW,” Mr Stewart said.
The new fleet were on display for the community during a family fun day with SES volunteers showcasing their road crash, flood and large animal rescue skills as well as enjoying a free BBQ.
The SES has more than 9,500 volunteers who have responded to 40,044 Requests for Assistance since 1 July, 2018.
These requests include 96 flood rescues, 545 general land rescues, 769 road crash rescues, 50 vertical rescue and 619 community first responder activations.
More information about becoming an SES volunteer or making a donation is available here.

DAIRY ADVOCATE FOR NSW

The NSW Government has today followed through on one of its key election promises, appointing the State’s very first Fresh Milk and Dairy Advocate.
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall today announced Ian Zandstra would serve as NSW Fresh Milk and Dairy Advocate. Mr Marshall said the Advocate would play a key role in helping to grow a stronger, more profitable dairy industry in NSW.
“I’m absolutely delighted to announce Ian Zandstra will serve as our State’s first Fresh Milk and Dairy Advocate,” Mr Marshall said.
“Ian has a wealth of experience and is highly regarded across industry so is in a wonderful position to hit the ground running in this important role.
“The Advocate will champion dairy in NSW by providing advice to both government and industry on how we can better support our producers and create more value across the entire supply chain.
“There’s no doubt the NSW dairy industry has faced some serious challenges in recent years but I’m confident this role will provide the support our producers need and help ensure NSW remains a fresh milk State.”
Mr Zanstra said: “I’m absolutely honoured to be appointed to this role and look forward to working with industry and government to build a stronger dairy supply chain in NSW.
“My first priority is to establish an industry Advisory Panel, which will play a key role in identifying immediate and necessary actions for the sector and shaping advice to the Government.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Michael Johnsen said he looked forward to working with Mr Zanstra to build a stronger, more resilient dairy industry.
“Mr Zandstra is a champion of industry and his appointment will come as great news to dairy producers across NSW,” Mr Johnsen said.
Appointing a Dairy Advocate was a key election promise by the NSW Liberals & Nationals. The Advocate will help provide a united voice for industry, deliver clear advice to Government and help drive profitability across the industry supply chain. They will also assist in the delivery of a Dairy Action Plan and a ‘buy local fresh milk’ campaign.

Three men charged with commercial drug supply – Newcastle

Three men will appear in court today following an investigation into the commercial supply of ‘ice’ in the Newcastle area.
In July 2019, detectives from Newcastle Police District attached to the Drug Unit established Strike Force Betel to investigate the large commercial supply of methylamphetamine (‘ice’).
Following inquiries, three men were arrested at a unit on Marsden Street, Shortland, about 4.30pm yesterday (Friday 6 September 2019) and taken to Waratah Police Station.
A search warrant was executed at the unit, where police located and seized 2kg of methylamphetamine, a loaded Remington semi-automatic pistol and cash.
A 30-year-old man was charged with supply prohibited drugs (x2), knowingly direct activities of criminal group, deal with property proceeds of crime, possess unauthorised pistol, possess ammunition without holding licence and not keep firearm safely.
Two men, aged 28 and 27, were charged with supply prohibited drug (x2), participate criminal group and deal with property proceeds of crime.
The trio were refused bail to appear before Newcastle Bail Court today (Saturday 7 September 2019).
Investigations under Strike Force Betel are continuing.