The head of the United Nations office in Australia is the special guest of our UN city today just months after City of Newcastle adopted the UN Sustainable Development Goals as part of our long-term strategic plan.
Christopher Woodthorpe, Director of the United Nations Information Centre, is a keynote speaker at a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Symposium at Newcastle City Hall.
Christopher Woodthorpe with Josh Wilkes and 94-year-old Hamilton resident Jean Campbell
“The SDGs are our plan for a better world for all, and it’s inspiring to see how City of Newcastle is pursuing this aspiration,” said the Canberra-based UN veteran, a regional spokesperson on the multilateral program adopted in 2015.
This morning he caught up with Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and another of the City’s on-the-ground SDG flagbearers, Josh Wilkes. As a bin positioner for our Waste Management team, Mr Wilkes practices at least five of the SDGs on his daily rounds.
He drives across the local government area ahead of garbage trucks – and in their wake – to help around 200 people with mobility challenges by taking out their bins and then tucking them back inside again.
“This is a fantastic example of how we already put the spirit of the SDGs into practice in an attempt to make life better for residents in a smart, liveable and sustainable global city,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The SDGs explicitly include disability and persons with disabilities 11 times, so I’m delighted to show Mr Woodthorpe how the City of Newcastle is changing our processes and practices to align with them while improving services to our community.”
Today’s symposium, organised by the City in partnership with the Australian Library and Information Association, is looking at how the UN SDGs can be applied to the arts sector.
Representatives from the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museum (GLAM) sector from across the Hunter Region are discussing how they can collectively embrace and further the goals.
The 17 UN SDGs are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership to end poverty and other deprivations, improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth.
The bin positioner role emerged from the City’s Social Strategy, out of which also came the capability to support residents recently displaced from non-compliant boarding houses.
The City will begin engaging with the community next month to update the strategy, which will be closely aligned to the SDGs, and refresh our goals to further support social connections in our communities.
The 17 sustainable development goals to transform our world are:
GOAL 1: No Poverty
GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
GOAL 4: Quality Education
GOAL 5: Gender Equality
GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality
GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
GOAL 13: Climate Action
GOAL 14: Life below Water
GOAL 15: Life on Land
GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
The City of Newcastle was officially made a UN City in 2016 when the UN’s training arm announced that the University of Newcastle would host an International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders in Australasia and the Pacific region.
Month: October 2018
DR BRIAN OWLER TO STAND FOR LABOR IN BENNELONG
The Australian Labor Party is pleased to announce that Dr Brian Owler has nominated to be Labor’s candidate for Bennelong at the next federal election.
Dr Owler is a neurosurgeon, former president of the Australian Medical Association and past president of the AMA NSW.
As President of the AMA, Dr Owler led the campaign against the Liberals’ Medicare Freeze and GP Tax.
“As a doctor, a surgeon and a health advocate, I’ve dedicated my career to caring for people and serving the community.
“I’ve seen the pressure that’s been placed on hospitals and staff because of the Liberals’ funding cuts, and I’ve seen how undermining Medicare is bad for patients and for GPs,” Dr Owler said.
“I believe there is a critical choice at the next election over the future of health care in Australia. We can’t risk more Liberal cuts to health care. That’s why I’m putting my hand up.
“I want to pay tribute to our former candidate, Lyndal Howison. She is a formidable local campaigner with strong Labor values, and I’m pleased I’ll be able to rely on her support and advice during the campaign.
“I want to represent Labor in Bennelong because only a Shorten Labor Government will prioritise Medicare and local hospitals, and provide a positive vision for Australia.”
Labor Leader Bill Shorten welcomed Dr Owler to the Labor team.
“Labor believes it should be your Medicare card, not your credit card, that determines your access to health care in this country,” Mr Shorten said.
“Brian has spent his career fighting for quality, affordable health care, because he knows firsthand the difference it makes to people’s lives.
“Brian lives and breathes Medicare and he’ll be an outstanding addition to the party that created Medicare and defends it every day”.
Deputy Labor Leader Tanya Plibersek said a vote for Labor in Bennelong is a vote for better healthcare.
“The next election is a choice between protecting Medicare and hospitals, or more of the same Liberal cuts and chaos under Scott Morrison.
“The Liberals in Canberra have cut hospitals, frozen the Medicare rebate, and now they are outsourcing Medicare jobs to labour hire companies.
“Morrison and the Liberals will always attack Medicare. Bill Shorten and Labor will always protect it.”
Joint operation targeting visitors at Cessnock Correctional Complex
Three people have been charged during a joint operation between NSW Police Force and Corrective Services NSW at Cessnock Correctional Complex.
On Saturday (27 October 2018), police from Hunter Valley Police District Target Action Group assisted CSNSW officers in the operation, focusing on the screening of visitors to the centre.
During the operation three offences were detected including a charge of drive whilst suspended, a 34-year-old man charged with possess prohibited drug (2 grams of methamphetamine) and a 28-year-old man was charged with introduce item to correctional facility (tobacco).
Field Court Attendance Notices were issued for these offences. Court dates are yet to be set.
Another small quantity of cannabis was seized from a vehicle however no charges are expected due to insufficient evidence of possession.
Further operations are expected.
Man hit by car near Taree
Police are appealing for information after a man was hit by a car near Taree last night.
Emergency services were called to Wingham Road, Wingham, just after 9pm (Sunday 28 October 2018), following reports a man had been struck by a Landcruiser.
The 30-year-old man was treated at the scene by paramedics before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
The driver of the Landcruiser, a 74-year-old woman, drove a short distance before contacting Triple Zero (000).
Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit attended the scene and are continuing to follow a number of lines of inquiry.
Any witnesses, or anyone with dashcam footage or other information that may assist the investigation, is urged to come forward.
Greens say it's time to move from bank-bashing rhetoric to bank-changing policies
Greens Treasury spokesperson, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, provides the following comments alongside the release of the Greens submission in response to the Hayne Royal Commission Interim Report.
Senator Whish-Wilson said, “It’s time to move on from bank-bashing rhetoric to bank-changing policies. If we all agree the system is broken then it’s incumbent on us all to put forward policies to fix the system. We can’t just rely upon political jawboning the banks to make them act properly, it’s going to take serious legislative reform.
“And if we agree the system is broken, then we can’t wait any longer to start the reform process. To delay starting the necessary reforms is to accept the continuation of a system where we know consumers remain at risk.
“The Greens have engaged with the substantive problems exposed in the Hayne interim report and have put forward the sorts of solutions we believe will reduce the systemic and consumer risks that exist in Australia’s financial system.
“We have had a track record of driving reform in this sector whether it’s been through our push since 2014 for a Royal Commission, our calls for a bank levy or our proposed reforms to penalties for white-collar crime. Now it is time to move onto more structural issues like the separation of banking from financial advice and superannuation, changes to executive remuneration and making the ACCC the conduct regulator for consumer issues (rather than ASIC),” he concluded.
Senator Whish-Wilson said, “It’s time to move on from bank-bashing rhetoric to bank-changing policies. If we all agree the system is broken then it’s incumbent on us all to put forward policies to fix the system. We can’t just rely upon political jawboning the banks to make them act properly, it’s going to take serious legislative reform.
“And if we agree the system is broken, then we can’t wait any longer to start the reform process. To delay starting the necessary reforms is to accept the continuation of a system where we know consumers remain at risk.
“The Greens have engaged with the substantive problems exposed in the Hayne interim report and have put forward the sorts of solutions we believe will reduce the systemic and consumer risks that exist in Australia’s financial system.
“We have had a track record of driving reform in this sector whether it’s been through our push since 2014 for a Royal Commission, our calls for a bank levy or our proposed reforms to penalties for white-collar crime. Now it is time to move onto more structural issues like the separation of banking from financial advice and superannuation, changes to executive remuneration and making the ACCC the conduct regulator for consumer issues (rather than ASIC),” he concluded.
Newcastle City goes back to back with women Jets
The City of Newcastle has become a major sponsor of the Newcastle Jets W-League team for the second consecutive year, celebrating the partnership at the team’s season launch tonight.
The $20,000 sponsorship of the local W-League team, which narrowly missed out on making the premiership decider last year, will see the squad one again promoting the city throughout the 2018-19 season.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna
The deal, approved under an annual application process, will once again see the iconic “Newcastle – See Change” tourism logo on the back of players’ jerseys and the team act as ambassadors for the city.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said she was thrilled that the City would again partner with the Jets after they were instrumental in showcasing our City last season.
“The performance of the women’s team during last year’s competition was amazing,” the Lord Mayor said.
“On the back of this, they are brilliant ambassadors for Newcastle through the work the players and coaches are doing off the field. As well as promoting the city around the country, they’re helping to activate the inner city through matches at No.2 Sportsground and making for double celebrations at McDonald Jones Stadium when they play ahead of the men’s A-League team.
“Their successes are also helping cultivate home-grown talent, with youngsters also finding inspiration in guest appearances by Matildas representative Emily van Egmond.”
The Jets W-league team will play four home matches at No.2 Sportsground, with two double-header matches before the Jets A-League team at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The W-League team will kick off their 2018-19 season against Melbourne Victory away this Thursday.
Westfield W-League Coach Craig Deans said the partnership with City of Newcastle proved invaluable in the 2017-18 season.
“To have City of Newcastle back on board is really important for us,” Deans said.
“Their overall support and the access they’ve provided to No.2 Sportsground has given us a training base we can call our own.
“It’s had a massive impact, we love playing and training there – I can’t thank them enough for their support.”
Since announcing the inaugural partnership deal with the Jets last year, the City has welcomed a number of major football announcements including the Matildas’ 2019 World Cup qualifier against Chile at McDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday 13 November.
“Newcastle is beginning to boast a very strong track record for supporting elite women’s sport,” Cr Nelmes added.
“First we welcomed the Matildas, who hosted football giants Brazil on Newcastle soil, then we had the Australian women’s netball team play against England last month, and of course we have been selected as Australia’s bid for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“We are a healthy, active and vibrant city undergoing major revitalisation and our continuing sponsorship with clubs like the Jets will open new doors for Newcastle as a major tourism destination.”
LABOR: $20 MILLION INVESTMENT ENSURES NETBALL AUSTRALIA CONTINUES TO SCORE
A Shorten Labor Government will make the biggest investment ever in Australian netball by a federal government, committing $20 million over two years to Netball Australia.
This investment will help fund a range of Netball Australia’s grassroots participation and engagement programs, and ensure a strong future for netball in Australia – from local netball clubs, to our Super Netball stars and our outstanding national team, the Diamonds.
The funding will also support Netball Australia’s bid to host the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia.
Labor’s commitment is great news for more than 850,000 women and girls who participate in netball, and will ensure that both grassroots and elite netball gets the best support it has ever received from government.
Netball has the highest rate of female participation of any club sport in Australia. AusPlay research released in April this year showed netball is particularly important for girls’ participation in organised activity outside of school hours. The benefits of team sport for kids is well known, particularly for girls in helping to develop confidence and self-esteem, learn new skills and make new friends.
The rapid rise of elite female sport in Australia is a great thing. It means Australian girls are seeing more sporting role models more often on the TV, and are inspired to take up sport themselves.
But it also means that netball isn’t competing on a level playing field in television coverage and sponsorship space. While the expansion and broadcast of women’s footy and cricket has been supported by revenue generated by their elite male competitions, this is not an option for netball.
Labor’s $20 million investment will ensure that netball, which has done so much for women’s sport for so long, can keep pace with the rapid expansion of elite women’s competitions in other sports.
Labor has made hard budget decisions to ensure our priorities are fully paid for – we will make multinationals pay their fair share and close unsustainable tax loopholes, because we want to help a new generation of young girls fall in the love with netball and inspire the next generation of Aussie Diamonds.
Greens say Education Ministers Interference in Research Grants "An outrageous overreach"
Australian Greens Education Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has called news that the former Education Minister, Senator Simon Birmingham, personally intervened to block research grants outrageous. She has also called for a completely independent process, free from Ministerial interference.
Senator Faruqi said: “As a former academic, I am horrified that the Minister intervened to block research grants. This is a massive and outrageous overreach from the Government.
“Research Grants are not there for the Minister to pick and choose based on his own political prejudices. The Australian Research Council should be trusted to guide research funding, free from political interference.
“Academic research is too valuable to be hijacked by a narrow ideological agenda.
“No Minister can be trusted with the power to block research grants. There should be a completely independent process, separate from Ministerial interference,” she concluded.
Escapees located and charged – Glen Innes
Two prisoners who escaped from a minimum security correctional facility in the state’s Northern Tablelands yesterday have been located.
The two men aged 49 and 32, were reported missing from the facility on the Gwydir Highway, near Glen Innes, about 4.30pm yesterday (Friday 26 October 2018).
About 10am today (Saturday 27 October 2018), officers attached to the New England Police District were involved in a short pursuit with a car on the New England Highway at Armidale.
The pursuit was terminated and the car was abandoned in Beardy Street. Police searched the area and located the two men in a nearby house. They were arrested without incident and taken to Armidale Police Station.
The 49-year-old man was charged with inmate escape lawful custody, take and drive conveyance, police pursuit – not stop, larceny, enter enclosed lands and drive unregistered and uninsured car.
The 32-year-old man was charged with inmate escape lawful custody, being carried in a conveyance and enter enclosed lands.
The men will appear in Armidale Local Court tomorrow (Sunday 28 October 2018).
Officer charged – Specialist Command
A police officer has been suspended after being charged with alleged child sex offences.
The 43-year-old senior constable was arrested about 3:50pm yesterday (Thursday 25 October 2018), by detectives from the Professional Standards Command, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
He has been charged with aggravated act of indecency, two counts of aggravated indecent assault, attempt sexual intercourse with a child under 10, grooming child under 14 years for unlawful sexual activity, two counts of have sexual intercourse with a child 10-14, and peep or pry.
The charges relate to offences that allegedly occurred between 2007 to 2018.
The officer, who has been suspended from duties from a specialist command, has been refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Friday 26 October 2018).
The current matters before the court are not related to the officer’s employment.