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LABOR’S RECORD BOOST FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES RESEARCH FOR KIDS

A Shorten Labor Government will provide a record boost for Type 1 diabetes research by investing $50 million in clinical trials and supporting our best and brightest researchers in their quest for a cure for Australian children.
Labor will extend funding for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Clinical Research Network, an effort we established in 2010, which takes research where it’s needed most – directly to the people living with this chronic disease.
More than 120,000 Australians have Type 1 diabetes and Labor has a proud record of supporting them. Today’s announcement is all about helping kids living with diabetes and finding a cure to protect them in the future.
Under the Liberals, the Network’s funding is due to expire in June 2019 – less than six months away. In its first Budget, a Shorten Labor Government will extend and increase that funding for a further five years to 2024 – meeting the request of JDRF and its thousands of advocates.
Labor’s extra funding would allow the CRN to enter phase three of its mission, which would involve:

  • Increasing the volume and impact of type 1 diabetes clinical trials;
  • Translating research findings into new technologies and treatments; and
  • Supporting Australia’s world-class type 1 diabetes researchers in their bid to find a cure.

Labor’s commitment will cost $50 million from 2019-20 to 2023-24. Labor is able to make investments like this in health because we’ve made the right calls on unaffordable tax giveaways to wealthy Australians.
Of course Scott Morrison could end the funding uncertainty immediately – and we urge him to do just that by matching Labor’s commitment. The JDRF CRN is a world-leading research effort that deserves strong bipartisan support.
So far the Network – a collaboration between researchers, patients and industry – has enrolled 13,000 Australians in clinical trials of new drugs and devices, as well as prevention and early detection projects.
In addition to establishing the JDRF CRN in 2010, we went to the last election with a major commitment to expand support for Continuous Glucose Monitoring devices so that pregnant women and high-risk adults could get access to this life-changing technology. We are glad that the Liberals have recently emulated this policy after consistent advocacy from Labor and diabetes groups.
Labor believes in making health care affordable and accessible to all Australians, and in the power of health and medical research to achieve breakthroughs that improve lives.

LABOR’S FAIR GO PLAN TO HELP CLOSE THE GENDER PAY GAP

Labor will deliver a fair go for Australian women by strengthening the ability of the Fair Work Commission to order pay increases for workers in female dominated industries such as early childhood, aged care, and disability services.
Labor will change the Fair Work Act to make it clear that the Commission must consider pay equity a central objective of the workplace relations system.
Labor will give the Commission greater capacity and funding to conduct Pay Equity Reviews and order pay increases in undervalued feminised industries. Low paid workers should not have to rely on fighting complex, expensive legal cases to secure a decent wage rise.
Pay Equity Reviews will be conducted by a new Presidential member of the Commission, supported by an expert Pay Equity Panel.
We don’t need to compare female dominated jobs with male dominated jobs to know that female dominated industries are often poorly paid – that’s just a fact.  So we will change the Fair Work Act to make it clear that establishing undervaluation of female dominated industries does not require a male comparator.
These reforms are an important part of Labor’s plan to close the gender pay gap.
A fair go for all Australians means fair pay and conditions for Australian women.
The gender pay gap is one of the most persistent forms of inequality in the Australian economy.  When you consider total remuneration, women still get paid about 23 per cent less than men.
One of the key drivers of the gap is the fact work in traditionally female dominated industries is undervalued.
The average woman working in the most feminised industries such as health care, social assistance and education is paid around $30,000 less than the average man working in the most male dominated industries such as mining and construction.
Australia’s equal pay laws are not working well enough to tackle this problem. Of the 21 applications made since 1994, only one equal remuneration order has been made by the Fair Work Commission.
The Commission’s President, Iain Ross, recently said “it is likely [the gender pay gap] will widen again absent any measures to stop it.”
That’s why Labor will:

  • Make gender pay equity an object of the Fair Work Act;
  • Establish a statutory Equal Remuneration Principle, to guide the Fair Work Commission’s consideration of whether feminised industries are paid fairly;
  • Establish a new Pay Equity Panel within the Commission led by a new Presidential Member with specific expertise in gender pay equity; and
  • Fund the Commission to establish a Pay Equity Unit that will provide expert research support during equal remuneration matters, and more generally.

This announcement builds on commitments Labor has already made to tackle the gender pay gap, including:

  • Reversing cuts to penalty rates, which disproportionately impact women;
  • Investing $400 million to boost women’s superannuation balances;
  • Setting staged and progressive targets to close the gender pay gap, and making an annual statement to Parliament on progress;
  • Legislating so companies with more than 1,000 employees have to report their gender pay gap publicly;
  • Changing the Fair Work Act to prohibit pay secrecy clauses and give employees the right to disclose (or not disclose) their pay;
  • Requiring the Workplace Gender Equality Agency to publish a list that shows whether a company has undertaken a gender pay gap audit and reported the results to its board; and
  •  Requiring all Australian Government departments and agencies to conduct gender pay audits within the first year of a Labor Government.

LABOR’S TEN- YEAR PLAN FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MORE CONSTRUCTION JOBS

A Shorten Labor Government will help more Australian families with the cost of rent and turbocharge housing construction in Australia, with a ten- year national plan to build 250,000 houses –  Australia’s biggest ever investment in affordable housing.
This is a cost of living plan, a jobs plan and a housing plan. It will give working families a fair go to put a roof over their head now – and save for their own home in the future.
Labor will support affordable housing for renters by offering 15 year subsidies – $8500 per year – to investors who build new houses – conditional on them being rented at 20 per cent below market rent.
Support for 250,000 new units and houses will be available – with 20,000 new units and houses estimated to be built in the first term of a Shorten Labor Government.
These properties would be available to rent to eligible Australians – including those on low and moderate incomes – taking pressure off budgets and helping people save.
A family paying the national rental average of $462 a week could save $92 a week under Labor’s plan.
Labor’s plan will provide investors with certainty to build – knowing that they will have long term government support and guarantees beyond the decade. The existing rental scheme – the National Rental Affordability Scheme – has attracted private investment of approximately $12.9 billion to deliver 37,000 affordable rental dwellings in the ten years since 2008.
Despite this success, the Liberals have abandoned affordable housing and axed the subsidies that encourage affordable housing. There is a severe shortage of affordable rental housing in Australia and many families are struggling to find and keep a roof over their heads. The number of Australians experiencing rental and mortgage stress is at record levels.
Access to housing stands as one of the biggest challenges in addressing intergenerational inequality – there is a persistent and increasing wealth gap which is locking Australians out of the housing market.
Increasing the supply of affordable housing is critical to addressing pressures on disposable income, and in turn, addressing inequality.
The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) has estimated that there is a shortfall of more than 525,000 affordable rental properties in Australia.
Labor’s plan will deliver affordable, environmentally sustainable housing that help to reduce energy consumption and cost of living pressures on Australian families. Overseas students, temporary foreign workers, other non-residents will not be eligible tenants.
Labor will work with community housing providers, the residential construction sector and institutional investors to generate economic growth and new construction jobs. The plan will support Labor’s negative gearing reforms which direct concessions to newly built premises and encourage housing construction.
Consistent with Labor’s commitment on major infrastructure projects, one in ten jobs during construction and maintenance of properties will go to an Australian apprentice.
Only Labor will give families a fair go by investing in the plans, infrastructure and services needed to build a better and more equal Australia and help working families with cost-of-living pressures.
Labor’s policy has been costed independently by the Parliamentary Budget Office and will have an impact of $102 million over the forward estimates (to 2021-22), and $6.6 billion over the decade to 2028-29.
More information is available here.

Greens call on Shorten to commit to scrapping the cashless debit card

The Greens are calling on opposition leader Bill Shorten to commit to abolishing the cashless debit card, should they win Government this year.
“With Mr Shorten in Bundaberg today and the card set to rollout out in just over a week, he has the perfect opportunity to commit to scrapping this expensive, ineffective, punitive card,” Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters said.
“I was in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay late last year with my colleague and Greens spokesperson for family and community services, Senator Rachel Siewert, and the local community is devastated by what this card will mean for them and their children.
“Labor did not support the rollout in Queensland and they should commit to scrapping the card if, but most likely when, they win Government.
“Control of your personal finances is very important for your dignity and sense of self-worth, that is taken away with compulsory income management and it should therefore be completely abolished in Australia.
“The money wasted on income management needs to be spent on better employment services, raising Newstart and drug, alcohol and mental health services. I’ve spent the last week in north and central Queensland and it’s been very apparent that all our regional areas need urgent improvements to these services and that’s where the Government’s focus should be.”

Greens supporting local residents on PFAS contamination and sand mining: Senator Mehreen Faruqi visiting Tuesday 22 January

Greens supporting local residents on PFAS contamination and sand mining: Senator Mehreen Faruqi visiting Tuesday 22 January

WHEN:  TIME 2.30 pm Tuesday 22 January

WHERE:  Pauls Corner Saltash – public car park behind eastbound bus stop

WHAT:

NSW Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi will visit Port Stephens on Tuesday 22 January to hear first hand from local residents about their concerns over multiple threats in the Williamtown, Saltash and Bobs Farm areas, including PFAS contamination and a proposed massive increase in sand mining.

Senator Faruqi has been active on the Williamtown PFAS contamination scandal both as an MP in the NSW Parliament as Greens NSW Environment Spokesperson, and since taking over from Lee Rhiannon in mid 2018, as a Greens Senator for NSW. She also sat on the Senate inquiry into PFAS in and around Defense bases that focused on the issue at Williamtown.

Senator Faruqi said: “More than 600 local families continue to face an uncertain future, with their health and finances in doubt.”

“More than 3 years after the contamination was publicly revealed the federal government is no closer to resolving this issue and allowing people closure” she said. The government has decided that there will be no property buyback scheme which is unacceptable. There are no options but for compensation to include buyback. The government must take responsibility for the pollution.

“Unfortunately this is an issue that is not going to go away. It has become increasingly clear that PFAS has affected many more sites across Australia.”

 “The Morrison government must take responsibility for this crisis, but the urgent need for a national response plan must not delay financial assistance for local residents and businesses.”

As if the contamination was not enough, 25,000 people in the eastern part of Port Stephens face the prospect of a massive increase in sand mining. A major new mine on Council owned land in the contaminated area has already been approved and another huge quarry is proposed for nearby Bobs Farm. Both will clear valuable habitat, further congest already inadequate roads and negatively impact on local residents.

Senator Faruqi said “I call on the Berejiklian State Government to step in and protect the Port Stephens community from an unacceptable increase in quarrying activity.” She concluded.

Man charged over alleged stabbing death – Bolton Point

A man has been charged over the alleged stabbing death of a man in the Lake Macquarie region last night.
About 10.45pm (Sunday 20 January 2019), police and emergency services were called to Leumeah Place, Bolton Point, after reports of a stabbing.
A 35-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he died just before midnight.
Detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad have established Strike Force Larkview to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
Following inquiries, just before 7pm today (Monday 21 January 2019), a 32-year-old man was arrested in a fast food restaurant on the corner of the Pacific Highway and Glover Street, Belmont.
He was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with murder.
He was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 22 January 2019

Fatal head-on collision near Newcastle

A man has died following a two-vehicle crash near Newcastle today.
About 11.20am (Monday 21 January 2019), emergency services were called to Medowie Road, Williamtown, following reports two vehicles collided head-on.
The sole occupant and male driver of a hatchback, believed to be travelling north, died at the scene.
He is yet to be formally identified.
The female driver and female passenger of the SUV, believed to be travelling south, are being treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and established a crime scene.
Investigations continue.
Traffic diversions are currently in place, please check Livetraffic.com before driving.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Police seek man after stabbing death – Bolton Point

Police investigating the alleged stabbing death of a man in the Lake Macquarie region overnight are urging a man who fled the home to come forward.
About 10.45pm (Sunday 20 January 2019), police and emergency services were called to Leumeah Place, Bolton Point, after reports of a stabbing.
A 35-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he died just before midnight.
Detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad have established Strike Force Larkview the investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
The Homicide Squad’s Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin said police were following several lines of inquiry but were keen to locate a man who was at the home at the time of the stabbing.
“We have spoken to a number of people who were at the gathering, including a man aged in his 50s, all of whom have provided significant information about the incident,” Detective Chief Inspector Jubelin said.
“At this stage of the investigation, we are keen to speak with a 32-year-old man who left the home prior to police arrival.
“He has been described to police as being of Caucasian appearance and 172cm tall.
“I urge that man to come forward and speak with investigators as soon as possible,” Detective Chief Inspector Jubelin said.
Inquiries into the matter continue and police have appealed for anyone with information about the stabbing to contact police immediately.

Man in custody after stabbing death – Bolton Point

A man is in custody over the alleged stabbing death of a man in the Lake Macquarie region.
About 10.45pm (Sunday 20 January 2019), police were called to an address on Leumeah Place, Bolton Point, after reports of a stabbing.
A 35-year-old man had been stabbed at the location and was conveyed to John Hunter Hospital where he died just before midnight.
A man aged in his 50s is assisting police at the scene and is expected to be arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station.
Police are also searching for a second male in relation to the stabbing, who fled the scene.
A crime scene has been established at the location which will be examined by forensic specialists.
Detectives form Lake Macquarie Police District and State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad have commenced an investigation into the incident.
Police are speaking to several witnesses and are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Inquiries continue.

Officer and woman charged over assault – Lake Macquarie

Two people, including a police officer have been charged over an alleged assault in the Lake Macquarie region.
It’s alleged the sergeant, attached to the North West Metropolitan Region, assaulted two men, aged 52 and 58, and a 49-year-old woman assaulted a 55-year-old woman during an off-duty incident at an address in Catherine Hill Bay in the early hours of Tuesday 1 January 2019.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended, and an investigation was commenced.
Following inquiries, the officer was served with a Future Court Attendance Notice for two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm yesterday (Friday 18 January 2019).
The woman was served with a Future Court Attendance Notice for the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Both are due to appear before Belmont Local Court on Monday 18 March 2019.
Inquires continue.