AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE OLYMPIANS ‘UNLEASHED’ IN NSW SCHOOLS

Every public high school in NSW will experience the Olympic spirit in the lead up to Tokyo 2020, with some of the nation’s most elite athletes to visit students as part of an initiative supported by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres were joined by past and present Olympians Matt Shirvington, Jessica Fox, and Aidan Roach as well as the CEO of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Matt Carroll to announce the NSW Government’s support for Olympics Unleashed, a program for school students coordinated by the AOC.

“Matt, Jessica, and Aidan are so inspirational and they set a great example for kids: if you set goals and work hard, you can achieve your dreams,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Olympics Unleashed will give students a chance to learn from one of the 100 past, present or aspiring Olympians who are involved with the program.”
Mr Ayres said the program will be targeted at Year 9 students who attend the State’s 460 plus public high schools and central schools, giving them insight into what it means to be an elite athlete, while promoting the Olympic values of friendship, respect and excellence.
“We want more young people to participate in sport and learn about setting goals, and having these athletes visit schools could be no greater motivation,” Mr Ayres said.
“In turn, our athletes will be heading towards Tokyo 2020 knowing that back home, they have the support and admiration of the next generation.”
While all public high schools will be able to have an Olympian visit their school, the Olympics Unleashed program is also available to Catholic and independent schools, so that every school can share the Olympic spirit.
Mr Stokes said the program would inspire students to aim higher not just in sports but also in their academic endeavours and other life goals.
“By hearing the athletes’ personal stories, students will learn the importance of effort and commitment,” Mr Stokes said.
“The lesson taught by the example of our most successful athletes is that great results follow hard work, commitment and discipline. What an encouraging and inspiring message for young people across NSW schools,” Mr Stokes said.
Matt Shirvington, Australian sprinting legend and Sydney 2000 Olympian, knows the value athletes can provide to the community.
“The Unleashed program comes at a perfect time, with our kids inundated with confusing and conflicting messages across so many forms of media these days,” Mr Shirvington said.
“Having an Olympian standing in front of them telling their story, a story of determination, time management and humility is brilliant. These are all traits any up and coming generation would benefit from.”
Two-time Olympic medallist Jessica Fox said Olympics Unleashed will allow athletes to motivate the next generation and help them achieve their dreams.
“Being able to set goals, working out steps to achieve them and overcoming challenges is so important for all of us. Olympians understand this really well and we are keen to pass these lessons on,” said Ms Fox.
AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll said Olympians have unique stories of hard work, goal-setting and resilience.
“The AOC is committed to use the spirit of the Olympics and Australian Olympians to inspire NSW youth to be their best, in the classroom, on the sporting field, and in their personal lives,” Mr Carroll said.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will provide $1 million to the Australian Olympic Committee over two years to support the rollout of the program in high schools across the State and to provide our students with personal access to some of our greatest sportspersons.
Schools can apply to be part of Olympics Unleashed directly through the AOC website, www.olympicsunleashed.com.au

BOOROWA DROUGHT SECURITY SCOPING STUDY FUNDED 50/50

Member for Goulburn Pru Goward joined Hilltops Council Mayor Brian Ingram and Liberal Candidate for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman on Tuesday to announce that funding has been secured through the NSW Government’s Restart NSW – Safe and Secure Water Program.
The Scoping Study will investigate the construction of a new bulk water supply pipeline from Harden to Boorowa.
“This funding reiterates the State Government’s understanding of how vital a decent supply of good quality water is to Boorowa families and how it will help the town to grow,” Ms Goward said.
“The NSW Government has recognized that this is a high priority project for the community of Boorowa and is providing up to $265,000 for 50 per cent funding of the estimated cost of $530,000 for this important project”.
“This funding is part of the NSW Government Safe and Secure Water Program to ensure regional communities have the right infrastructure into the future,” Ms Tuckerman said.
Mayor Brian Ingram welcomed the announcement and the support of the state government in the delivery of a scoping study for the Boorowa water security project.
“This pipeline is the number one infrastructure priority for Hilltops Council and I look forward to completing the business case so that we can move forward with delivery for the community.
“Thank you to Pru Goward MP for her help in securing this much needed funding,” Cr Ingram said .
The Safe and Secure Water Program enables local water utilizes to construct modern infrastructure to provide safe, secure and reliable water and sewerage services for their communities.

4000 NEW COMMUTER CAR SPACES READY FOR NORTHWEST METRO OPENING

Thousands of new commuter car parking spaces have been completed along the Northwest Metro rail line, which will open to customers from Rouse Hill to Chatswood within months.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it is another major milestone on the $8.3 billion Metro project, which has only been made possible because of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s strong economic management.
“Sydney Metro will provide turn-up-and-go train services up to every two minutes and revolutionise the way we get around our great city,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“As part of the major investment we are providing 4000 new commuter car spaces to make it as easy as possible for commuters using the Metro.
“This is the first time 4000 new commuter spaces have been opened at once in Sydney and it is 1000 more than we originally proposed.”
The capacity of the Sydney Metro Northwest car parks is:

  • Tallawong -1000 spaces;
  • Bella Vista – 800;
  • Hills Showground – 600;
  • Cherrybrook – 400;
  • Kellyville – 1360

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said all of the new commuter car parks will open at the same time as the Metro Northwest rail line.
“The Metro Northwest rail line is being delivered by the NSW Government on time and more than $500 million under budget,” Mr Constance said.
“This project shows the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government delivers on its promises.
“You can’t trust Labor – when they were last in office they promised 12 rail lines and did not complete one in full.”
There are more than 340 spaces for bikes, 16 new bus stops, 52 taxi spaces and provisions for more than 100 kiss and ride spaces across the Sydney Metro Northwest line
Sydney Metro is being extended from the north west into the CBD, with services to start in 2024 – when Sydney will have 31 metro station and a new 66km standalone metro railway.

RICHARDS TO LABOR – DON’T PLAY POLITICS WITH OUR NATIONAL SECURITY

Liberal for Macquarie Sarah Richards is calling on Labor and their local Member Susan Templeman to reject a dangerous bill by federal newcomer Kerryn Phelps.
A briefing note from the Department of Home Affairs, based on advice from ASIO and the Australian Border Force, has today warned that Dr Phelps’ bill would dismantle regional processing – one of the three pillars of the Liberals’ successful border protection policy that has stopped the boats.
Labor has committed to removing Temporary Protection Visas and has endorsed legislation that will end regional processing.

“Labor’s support of this Bill would render us powerless to effectively security check people applying for a transfer to the mainland for a medical assessment – those in detention could essentially shop around for a doctor to approve the move.”

“Our intelligence agencies’ advice is that the Department of Home Affairs would be unable to stop people with violent criminal histories from coming to the mainland.
“Labor’s actions would undoubtedly be exploited by criminals and people smugglers who would view the move as a serious weakening of our borders.
“In 2016, the Labor member for Macquarie encouraged people smugglers, who make a profit by putting thousands of people’s lives at risk, by promoting an open borders policy. ‘Let them stay’ she said of illegal immigrants. But there is nothing compassionate or humane about a policy that will ensure boat arrivals start again.
“She said her open borders policy was about ‘fairness’, but there is nothing fair about a policy that also threatens the safety of Australians at home.
The Liberal Government has removed every child from Nauru or have delivered a clear path off it and strong border protection policies have stopped the boats meaning no more children are arriving.
“The Labor member for Macquarie said she was concerned about children ‘living a life in limbo’, but you don’t get children off Nauru by putting more on. That is what Labor wants to do, by tearing apart our strong border policies.”
“Our intelligence agencies have made it clear. A weakening of our border protection policies will have dire consequences for both national security and the potential victims of people smuggling.
“I call on Bill Shorten and his Labor member to rule out supporting this dangerous Bill.”

Greens Welcome Tertiary Education Union Call for Free Higher Education

Australian Greens Senator for NSW and Spokesperson for Education, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has welcomed the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) pre-budget submission, which has called for an end to the university funding freeze, an end to student fees and for better conditions for university staff.
Senator Faruqi has said that the Greens platform for higher education, including fee-free uni and TAFE, funding boosts for universities, more secure conditions for workers and expanded student payments fits well with the NTEU’s submission.
Senator Faruqi said:
“The National Tertiary Education Union’s pre-budget submission hits the mark for what needs to be done to remove the burden of debt from students and to support staff. I am pleased to say that the Greens five point plan, including fee free university and TAFE, increased funding to universities and better job security for workers,  is much needed transformative and education policy.
“For too long universities have been asked to do more with less. It’s been decades since the last real increase in funding to universities. Our plan delivers billions more to universities over the decade to improve learning and teaching conditions, reduce class sizes and and give researchers the resources they need.
“We are ranked 30th out of 34 in the OECD for public investment in tertiary education which shows how far behind we are globally. We need to properly fund our public university system and reverse the cuts imposed by the Liberal-National Government.
“As a former academic, I know that we will not begin to address the challenges of the years to come unless our best minds are given the time, resources and support to tackle them. We will work with universities to reduce casualisation in the sector and improve staff working conditions.
“I welcome the National Tertiary Education Union’s submission and call on the other political parties to get on board with proper funding of universities and to support our plan for fee free uni and TAFE,” she concluded.
The Greens plan for higher education is available here: https://mehreen-faruqi.greensmps.org.au/articles/fee-free-university-and-tafe-greens-launch-transformational-5-point-plan-higher-education

Court ruling on coal and climate change a game changer: Bandt

Today’s NSW Land and Environment Court ruling preventing a new coal mine in NSW is a game changer Greens climate and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP said today.
“This ruling is a game changer,” Mr Bandt said.
“A court has ruled that a coal mine can’t proceed because Australian coal, whether burned here or abroad, will make climate change worse.”
“Now we as law makers need to follow suit. I’ll introduce legislation when Parliament resumes to stop new coal mines and phase out coal mining.”
“From floods in Queensland, drought in the Murray Darling to fires in Tasmania, climate change is hitting Australia hard. It shouldn’t be left up to judges to act. Labor and Liberal politicians must join the Greens to pass a law to keep coal in the ground.”

Sixth person charged over alleged drug supply syndicate across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie

A sixth person has been charged following investigations into alleged large-scale drug supply in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie regions.
Strike Force Castlestead was established in September 2018 to investigate and dismantle an alleged drug supply syndicate operating across both police districts.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested five men in December 2018 who were all charged with serious drug offences. They remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, a 26-year-old man was arrested at a Cameron Park home yesterday (Friday 8 December 2019).
He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with nineteen offences,
– Supply prohibited drug (x7)
– Possess prohibited drug (x8)
– Knowingly deal with proceeds of crime (x3)
– Knowingly participate in criminal group assist crime
The man was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 9 February 2019).
Investigations by Strike Force Castlestead continue and further arrests are anticipated.

Two charged over alleged 2018 Newcastle taxi robbery

Proactive police work has seen two people charged over the alleged assault of a taxi driver in Newcastle last year.
About 2.20am on Sunday 1 April 2018, a man and woman, entered a taxi on Glebe Road, Adamstown, driven by a then-38-year-old man.
During the trip, an argument ensued between the driver and two passengers, before the pair were asked to get out.
The male passenger allegedly took cash from the driver and fled.
The driver attempted to chase the man, before the woman got out of the taxi and allegedly assaulted the driver, hitting him in the face, arm, and chest with her shoe.
The male passenger returned to the taxi and allegedly punched the driver in the face, before the pair fled the scene on foot.
The driver attended Newcastle Police Station and reported the matter to police, who commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, a 39-year-old man was arrested yesterday (Thursday 7 February 2019), in Merewether, and taken to Newcastle Police Station.
He was charged with robbery in company and refused bail, appearing at Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 8 February 2019), and refused bail again to appear at the same court on Thursday 11 April 2019.
About 7.15am today (Friday 8 February 2019), officers from Newcastle City Police District Target Action Group were conducting patrols of Coady Street, Newcastle, where they sighted and arrested the 46-year-old woman.
She was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with robbery in company in relation to the alleged 2018 incident, and granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 28 February 2019.

Eleven charged following investigation into break-ins, vehicle thefts in Newcastle area

Police have arrested 11 people during a three-day operation targeting vehicle theft and break and enters in the greater Newcastle area.
Operation Disrupt was run by police from Newcastle City and Lake Macquarie police districts between Tuesday and Thursday (5-7 February 2019).
Local police were assisted by PolAir and the Dog Unit.
Eleven people were arrested during the operation and charged with a total of 18 offences, relating to alleged vehicle thefts and break and enters.
Commander of Newcastle City Police District, Superintendent Brett Greentree, said he was pleased with the results of the operation.
“Recent crime trends have seen an increase in both break and enters and vehicle thefts in the region and Operation Disrupt was established to specifically target these crimes across both commands,” Supt Greentree said.
“Through great police work we’ve been able to pro-actively target and disrupt this criminal activity, resulting in the arrest of the 11 people.”

Woman charged over alleged domestic violence-related stabbing – Pyrmont

Police have charged a woman following an alleged domestic violence-related stabbing in Pyrmont overnight.
About 11pm (Thursday 7 February 2019), emergency services were called to Bank Street, near the Western Distributor, following reports a man had been stabbed.
Police have been told the pair had an argument, before the woman allegedly stabbed the 39-year-old man in his torso.
The injured man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command established a crime scene and commenced investigations. A knife has been seized for forensic examination.
Police arrested a 49-year-old woman nearby. She was taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with reckless wounding (DV).
The woman has been refused bail to appear before Central Local Court today (Friday 8 February 2019).