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Greens move to disallow the Gene Technology Regulations 2019

Senator Janet Rice today introduced a motion to disallow the Gene Technology Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2019.

“The deregulation of new genetic modification techniques being pursued by this government has huge economic risks to Australia’s $48 billion agricultural export industry,” Senator Rice said.

“This deregulation could potentially kill our organic farming industry and massively hamper our traditional agriculture export industry too.

“While the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has assessed this issue on a scientific and health basis, it has paid no consideration to the market impact of deregulation, nor has it properly consulted with the farmers whose livelihoods will be affected.

“There is a strong chance organic regulators locally and internationally will decide that since Australia has deregulated this technology, farmers will lose their organic certification. Without that certification, the organics industry would collapse entirely.

“Europe already says these new technologies are genetic modification technologies, and the risk is that if we proceed with this deregulation, countries such as China and the European Union could reject our exports.

“Australian agricultural exports to China alone are a nearly $12 billion industry,covering a huge suite of agricultural commodities.

“Many in the farming community are concerned that they’re going to lose access to export markets and the government hasn’t allayed those concerns.

“The Greens hope to receive cross-party support when this disallowance motion comes to a vote in the September sitting weeks.”

Greens reintroduce fracking ban and landholder rights bill

A bill to ban fracking and give farmers the right to say no to coal seam gas mining and fracking on their land was introduced to the Senate this afternoon for the sixth time by Greens mining and resources spokesperson and Co-Deputy Leader Senator Larissa Waters.
Senator Waters said:
“The Coaltion, led by the Energy Minister, is rolling out the red carpet for the gas industry and with Labor’s push to open up dirty natural gas drilling in the Galilee and Betaloo Basins there’s now even more urgency in giving farmers the right to say no.
“We are in the middle of a drought and climate emergency – we should not be opening new or expanding existing unconventional gas mines which threaten land and water when we have abundant renewable energy that is reliable, jobs rich and genuinely clean. Fracking just the Betaloo Basin would increase Australia’s emissions by 6.6 per cent according to the NT Government’s own report.
“The Greens have been campaigning against the polluting unconventional gas industry since 2010. Instead of expanding gas mining and fracking, the government should be driving a jobs and investment boom in clean renewable energy.
“We have energy alternatives which don’t threaten our climate, health, land, and that will create new jobs for workers and communities – CSG can frack off.
“Since 2011 the Greens have introduced this same bill to give landholders, including traditional owners, the right to say no to coal and gas, and to ban fracking six times now. Labor, Liberal and the National parties have previously voted against it.
“It is particularly shameful of the Nats who just this week have been claiming they stand for farmers’ right to farm yet they never back them against the fossil fuel industry which donates to their political party.
“This bill is a test for the Coalition on where they really stand on food security and the longevity of our rural communities.
“We have precious little good quality agriculture land in Australia and it should be protected from all other inconsistent land uses.
“Farmers should have the legal right to decide that they want to keep farming their land, rather than take the risk of possible long-term groundwater depletion or contamination from coal seam gas mining and fracking.”

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF VOLUNTEERING

Individuals and organisations can help shape the future of volunteering in New South Wales by having their say in developing the third NSW Volunteering Strategy.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward today urged anyone interested in volunteering to take part in a public consultation survey aimed towards boosting volunteerism in our State.
“The NSW Government is committed to supporting our State’s valuable volunteers and the organisations to which they freely dedicate their time,” Mr Ward said.
“In developing this important Volunteer Strategy, we want to hear what’s working well and what can be improved, to ensure we maintain a vibrant volunteering sector.”
The NSW Volunteering Strategy will support the 2.1 million volunteers across the state and will be guided by the views and ideas expressed through the online consultation.
It will build on the work of the previous strategy and provide the blueprint for work in the sector over the next decade.
“Volunteers in NSW contribute a combined 240 million hours of their time each year. This contribution needs to be recognised and supported in the best way possible.” Mr Ward said.
“Responses to the surveys will directly help us to develop the next strategy, and influence how we invest in and support volunteers.”
“The new strategy will help reduce barriers to volunteering, improve volunteer recognition and make volunteering attractive to a greater number of people.”
The survey will be open to members of the public and another available to organisations today. The online surveys will close at 5pm on Friday 6 September 2019.
To complete the surveys or to find out more information about the current NSW Volunteering Strategy, visit www.volunteering.nsw.gov.a

Para-glider injured in crash – Newcastle

A para-glider has sustained non-life-threatening injuries after a crash at Newcastle yesterday afternoon.
About 3pm (Wednesday 31 July 2019), a 75-year-old man launched his para-glider from Hickson Street, Merewether.
Shortly after, the pilot has crash landed and at 4pm, emergency services were called to the scene.
Officers from Newcastle City Police Area Command attended, with NSW Ambulance paramedics, Fire and Rescue NSW and the Westpac rescue helicopter.
Due to the remote location and steep gradient of the landscape, a critical care doctor assessed the pilot at the crash site and the pilot was airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.
The pilot sustained non-life-threatening injuries including a collapsed lung, rib fractures, a spinal fracture and a pelvic fracture. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Police officers and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will continue investigations to understand the cause of the crash.

Greens reintroduce fracking ban and landholder rights bill

LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE REACHES CIRCULAR QUAY

In a major milestone for the Light Rail project, trams have travelled along the length of George Street from Central Station to Circular Quay.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Transport Andrew Constance today inspected the first light rail vehicle to reach the end of the line at Circular Quay.
“It was an historic moment last night with light rail travelling along the wire-free section on George Street for the first time,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The vehicle will now spend the day at Circular Quay, giving hundreds of thousands of ferry, train and bus commuters the chance to have a look.
“By the end of the year this exciting project will be open and those customers will be able to jump on the light rail as part of their daily commute.”
Mr Constance said trams are going to be a common sight in the CBD from now on.
“Today’s milestone means there will be regular testing on George Street from Town Hall to Circular Quay at night, before daytime testing begins in the CBD within weeks,” Mr Constance said.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corby reminded people to keep their heads up and be aware around the new light rail corridor.
“We have had a few near misses during the tram testing as people get used to having trams around. Mobile phone distraction and people crossing in front of trams are particular dangers,” Mr Corby said.
“The message for all road users is the same; ditch the distraction, follow the road rules and pay attention.”
Transport for NSW’s “Heads Up, Play it Safe around Light Rail” safety campaign will continue to be rolled out as tram day testing expands to Circular Quay.

Man dies after cliff fall – Newcastle

A critical incident investigation has been launched following the non-suspicious death of a man in the presence of police yesterday.
Police were called to Bogey Hole, Newcastle about 5pm following reports that there was a concern for the welfare of a man at that location.
About 7.20pm (Monday 29 July 2019), the 36-year-old man fell from the cliff with police in attendance.
A critical incident team from Lake Macquarie Police District will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident. Police were conversing with the man prior to his fall.
That investigation will be subject to an independent review.
All information will be provided to the Coroner who will determine the cause of death and make any findings about the events leading to the man’s death.
No further details are available at this time; however, Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone who can assist Police should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Senate Calls on Government to Release PFAS Contamination Response

Australian Greens Senator for NSW, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has welcomed the Senate passing her motion calling on the Federal Government to release its response to the Senate Inquiry into PFAS.
It has been more than seven months since the Senate Inquiry into PFAS contamination handed down its report, recommending that the Federal Government appoint a Coordinator-General to coordinate the national response to the PFAS contamination issue, undertake measures to improve participation in the voluntary blood testing program for PFAS, and assist property owners and businesses in the affected areas for demonstrated, quantifiable financial losses associated with PFAS contamination, including the possibility of buybacks.
Senator Faruqi, who sat on the inquiry and is an environmental engineer, said:
“When the inquiry into PFAS contamination handed down its report in Parliament almost seven months ago, I urged the Government to take concrete action and not leave communities hanging for many months. It’s really disappoints that they have not swiftly responded to this important matter.
“This is an extremely serious issue that affects thousands of people across the country, including in my home state of NSW around the Williamtown RAAF base.
“This issue has caused significant mental, emotional and financial stress for people and it is simply not fair. The Government needs to stop stringing them along and show them the respect they deserve.
“More than 3 years after the contamination was publicly revealed, the Federal government is no closer to resolving this issue and allowing people closure. They must urgently release their response,” she concluded.
The Motion:
I give notice that on the next day of sitting, I shall move—That the Senate:
1. Note that:
a. The issue of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination has caused significant mental, emotional and financial stress for communities where PFAS have contaminated land and water, including the communities around the RAAF base in Williamtown in New South Wales, the Oakey Army Aviation Centre in Queensland and RAAF Base Tindal at Katherine in the Northern Territory.
b. It has been more 7 months since the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade tabled its report into the management of PFAS contamination in and around Defence bases and the Government has still not issued its response.
c. Communities are waiting anxiously on the Government’s response to the key recommendations of the Committee, such as, the Federal Government appoint a Coordinator-General to coordinate the national response to the PFAS contamination issue, undertake measures to improve participation in the voluntary blood testing program for PFAS, and assist property owners and businesses in affected areas for demonstrated, quantifiable financial losses associated with PFAS contamination, including the possibility of buybacks.
2. Calls on the Federal Government to release its response to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade report into management of PFAS contamination in and around Defence bases.

FREE DENTAL CHECKS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL KIDS

The first of thousands of kids are today getting their teeth checked for free in new mobile clinics that will visit primary schools, setting them up for a lifetime of good dental health.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell officially launched the NSW Health Primary School Mobile Dental Program at Penrith South Public School.
Ms Berejiklian said 35 mobile dental clinics will provide checks and basic dental care to up to 136,000 primary school children, made possible by an investment of $70 million over four years.
“The mobile dental program builds on existing NSW public dental services that make dental care available to all Medicare eligible children for free,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This program will bring NSW Health dental practitioners into NSW primary schools, to make it easier for children to access vital services.”
Mr Hazzard said thousands of children are admitted to NSW hospitals every year with potentially preventable dental conditions and this program could reduce presentations.
“Children’s oral health can influence their general health,” Mr Hazzard said.
“A healthy mouth ensures kids can eat, speak and socialise without discomfort and embarrassment, so it’s important that we treat and teach them about oral health early.”
Ms Mitchell said dental problems can make it very hard for school children to stay focused in class and complete their homework, and it can also lead to school absences.
“Dental problems can disrupt a child’s sleep, so they arrive at school tired making it difficult to concentrate. It can also affect their chewing and swallowing,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Children are like sponges in primary school; so educating them on the importance of regular health check-ups when they’re young will hopefully transpire to later in life as well.”
Primary school children will be offered a dental check-up, teeth clean and x-rays to look for dental decay under the program, which will initially focus on Western Sydney, the Mid North Coast and the Central Coast.
For more information on the NSW Primary School Mobile Dental Program click here.

CONTACTLESS TRANSPORT PAYMENTS HIT THE ROAD

Bus customers will be able to tap their credit cards on Opal readers as a simple new way to pay under the NSW Government’s latest Australian-first innovation in transport payments.
Minister for Transport Andrew Constance today announced contactless transport payments will be rolled out on Opal-enabled buses from August.
“Launching this technology on buses marks the final piece in the contactless payments puzzle and we expect all buses on the Opal network to be able to accept credit and debit cards by the end of September,” Mr Constance said.
There will also be more savings for existing customers who choose to tap on with their credit or debit card, with full fare parity with Adult Opal cards.
“A credit card will now qualify for the same fare and travel benefits of an Adult Opal card on trains, light rail, ferries and buses once fully-implemented.
“From tomorrow, the weekly travel reward, the transfer discount and off-peak pricing, will be available for all contactless transport payments. This is a huge win for regular commuters who now have another convenient payment option with all the benefits of Opal,” Mr Constance said.
Customers wanting to pay for their trip using contactless will continue to have the option to tap on and off using mobile wallets on smartphones, tablets and wearable devices that are linked to their American Express, Mastercard or Visa card.
“Opal remains the foundation for customers to access the transport network in a digital world and contactless transport payments are just another piece of our expansive Opal network,” Mr Constance said.
“For the NSW Government, the drive towards technology and digital products is part of turning Sydney into a smart city.
“In 2017, we became the first state to accept contactless transport payments and today only a handful of transport networks around the world offer similar options in this space.”
To date, 6.5 million contactless transport payments have been recorded across the Opal network – which is an average of one million a month, or roughly 250,000 per week.
ROLL OUT OF CONTACTLESS TRANSPORT PAYMENTS ON BUSES
(in order of location)

LOCATION	NUMBER OF BUSES
Outer Metro – Wollongong	16
Seven Hills	672
Blacktown Further areas of Wollongong	513
Central Coast Terrey Hills Western Sydney Inner West	1,378
Hunter Valley Newcastle Leppington Punchbowl Burwood	1,046
Campbelltown Blue Mountains Northshore, Eastern Suburbs & Inner west	1,648