March 2019 – Page 13

Local flora exhibition blossoms from partnership

A cross-pollination of science, environment, education and art has spawned a vivid depiction of Newcastle’s diverse flora, now on exhibition at Newcastle Museum.
The Flora of the Hunter Region exhibition features 33 natural illustrations of plant life carefully reproduced from images in a newly released book published by the University of Newcastle in partnership with the CSIRO.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Museum Director Julie Baird at Newcastle Museum
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the exhibition had several layers to it, which have come about through an important collaboration of scientific, academic and artistic minds.
“This is a striking and colourful art exhibition that wraps the science and history of Newcastle’s endangered flora all into one,” the Lord Mayor said.
“The level of thought and the detail to which this exhibition has been planned and curated is truly remarkable and a credit to our staff and exhibition partners.
“What was first simply a conversation to launch a book has now turned into an established partnership between the University of Newcastle, CSIRO and Newcastle Museum that adds serious credibility to the book’s meaning, and in turn, the museum’s exhibition.”

Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said the exhibition captures the exceptional level of detail and history of the local plant life contained within the book.
“The University approached us about a space to launch a new book they were publishing on endangered plant life of the Hunter.”
“Three months since that December meeting, we’re proud to say we’ve been able to achieve that vision.”
The book, Flora of the Hunter Region – Endemic Trees and Larger Shrubs, piqued the interest of the CSIRO, Australia’s chief science agency, due to its level of rare and insightful scientific information.
Co-authored by Hunter-based botanist and University Conjoint Stephen Bell, Christine Rockley and Anne Lewellyn, it details 54 endemic trees and large shrubs native to the Hunter.
Information includes the identification, habitat, ecology and distribution of each of the 54 different each species.
The exhibition itself will showcase 33 of the images contained within the book, including three plant species new to science and two presumed extinct. Everyone one of them is native to the Hunter.
_{^{Broad-Leaved Pepperbrush: Installation by Esther Bolz}}
The exhibition will be on display in Newcastle Museum from 12 March until 10 June 2019. For more information, visit http://www.newcastlemuseum.com.au/Exhibitions/Exhibitions/FLORA-of-the-Hunter-Region.

Greens release policy to help give babies breast start in life

The Greens will boost maternity care and breastfeeding support with a $10million per year pledge announced by party leader Senator Richard Di Natale and co-deputy leader and first person to breastfeed in federal parliament, Senator Larissa Waters today.
Public hospitals will receive the additional $10m a year to understand the experiences of mothers who have recently given birth through a survey of experiences of care, including breastfeeding support, and to expand the number of public hospitals that are accredited as Baby Friendly.
“We recognize that maternity care is complex and the system is currently underfunded and not sufficiently focused on new parents and babies,” Dr Di Natale said.
“We want to ensure everyone is able to get best-practice pregnancy and post-birth care regardless of where they live in this country.
“Our breastfeeding and maternity care policy will help breastfeeding mums get the support they need, and will also increase access to up-to-date information in the antenatal and postnatal period. It complements other Greens’ initiatives to improve our healthcare system and support women’s rights and address the roots of gender inequality.”
Senator Waters said she had received great care and support when she had her two daughters, which helped her to be able to breastfeed her daughter Alia in the Senate in 2017, but not all new mums received that, especially in rural and regional areas.
“Breastfeeding isn’t possible for everyone, but where it is possible, it gives babies a great start in life. Our health system must do more to support breastfeeding mums and increase rates by breaking down the known barriers.
“It’s just not good enough that only 23 per cent of hospitals are accredited under the Baby Friendly Health Initiative and that women in so many areas outside of metropolitan areas are unable to access maternity care and breastfeeding support.
“Our plan for a survey of prenatal and antenatal care will collect valuable data about birth and care experiences of women in hospitals so policy decision makers can ensure our health system is meeting their needs. We’ve allocated $4m per year for four years for this important initiative.
“We will also ensure all public hospital maternity facilities meet best practice standards for promoting and supporting breastfeeding by giving $6m per year over four years of additional funding for public hospitals to become Baby Friendly accredited.
“Together with a reversal of the cuts made to public hospitals by the major parties, our plan will go a long way to helping give babies the best start in life and that’s in the best interests of us all.”

Man charged after alleged carjacking and police pursuit – Raymond Terrace

A man has been charged after an alleged carjacking and police pursuit at the weekend.
About 8.40pm on Saturday (9 March 2019), a 45-year-old man was at his home on Corelli Close at Raymond Terrace, when a man, known to him, and a woman attended and requested to be driven to another address.
The trio left the home in a Mitsubishi Lancer and a short time later, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attempted to stop the vehicle on Irrawang Street for a random breath test.
The man allegedly threatened the 45-year-old man who was driving, and a police pursuit was initiated after the vehicle failed to stop.
On Adelaide Street, the Mitsubishi slowed down, and the driver jumped out.
The Mitsubishi took off again and the pursuit continued for a short time before it was terminated due to safety concerns.
Following inquiries, police attended Maitland Road at Mayfield about 9am today (Tuesday 12 March 2019), after the couple were sighted.
Following a short foot pursuit, officers arrested a 40-year-old man nearby on Hanbury Street.
The woman was last seen fleeing in a blue Nissan Navara.
The man was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in it – in company, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic), custody of knife in public place.
He appeared in Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 12 March 2019) and was formally refused bail to reappear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 25 March 2019.
Inquiries are continuing to locate the woman.

Labor acts: fair go for fresh food and dairy

A Daley Labor Government elected in March will stamp out unfair practices in fresh food and dairy to give farmers and producers a fair go.
A Daley Labor Government elected in March will stamp out unfair practices in fresh food and dairy to give farmers and producers a fair go.
Daley Labor’s announcement comes in response to two parliamentary inquiries and calls by organisations such as Dairy Connect and NSW Farmers who have cited the supermarket “milk wars” and other unsustainable and unfair practices that have plunged the industry into crisis.
NSW Labor Leader Michael Daley would compel the negotiation of fair and sustainable prices, name and shame businesses that engage in unfair practices, ensure workers are not exploited and open the supply chain to transparency.
The Berejiklian Government has failed to protect dairy farmers and fresh food producers who have been pushed to wall by big businesses with too much market power.
Mr Daley said he believes in a local, productive farming industry and understands the benefits of locally grown produce for local jobs, the environment and community health.
“The Berejiklian Government is splurging $2.2 billion on stadiums and sitting on its hands while our fresh food producers and dairy farmers get a raw deal. It is more evidence the Liberals and Nationals in NSW have put big business and powerful interests first.”
“I will lead a Labor Government that puts everyday people first. That’s why helping struggling dairy farmers and fresh food producers is a no-brainer. It’s about restoring balance and giving farmers, farm workers and consumers a fair go.”
Daley Labor would achieve this by establishing a powerful Dairy and Fresh Food Pricing Advocate with a dedicated unit to investigate and report on contracts and prices across the dairy and fresh food supply chain.The Advocate would also work on recommendations stemming from recent Parliamentary inquiries, including:

work with Commonwealth and industry bodies to ensure that the Mandatory Code of Conduct is implemented as a matter of urgency,
investigate ways to provide better access to the Farm Innovation Fund, and
work with universities to find opportunities for collaboration and research.

The Advocate would also identify other areas in the primary industries sector where there is market abuse and unfair contractual arrangements.
“Our farmers are already doing it tough with the devastating effects of this drought,” Mr Daley said.
A NSW Parliamentary inquiry into the dairy industry has heard current farm-gate price for milk is not covering production costs.
NSW Labor Leader Michael Daley said the Advocate would also work with the sector to find opportunities for collective or co-operative arrangements between producers, processors, wholesalers and big retailers.
“The drought has put more pressure on farmers than ever, especially dairy and fresh food farmers. Electricity prices are through the roof, and fodder is getting more expensive and harder to find,” Shadow Minister for Primary Industry Mick Veitch said.
“Yet farmers have limited bargaining power in the market and the more perishable the product, the less bargaining power you have.”
“Daley Labor will give farmers, producers and workers in fresh food and dairy a fair go.”
The unit’s first task would be to engage with all stakeholders to determine priorities, legislative requirements and resourcing beyond the next financial year.

Labor to create $1 billion water fund

A Daley Labor Government in NSW will create a new $1 billion water fund to build and upgrade water infrastructure across NSW.
A Daley Labor Government in NSW will create a new $1 billion water fund to build and upgrade water infrastructure across NSW.
The Safe Water Safe Future fund will be a once in a generation initiative to help protect the drinking water supply of regional communities in a climate that will see longer and more frequent droughts.
The fund is designed to increase both quantity and quality of water supplied to regional communities. Projects funded will include environmental infrastructure solutions.
This fund will help revive rivers like the Richmond River on the North Coast and the Murray-Darling river system, in the ongoing fight against drought and climate change.
In contrast to Daley Labor, the Liberals and Nationals are splurging $2.2 billion on Sydney stadiums and are wasting $500 million in water funding on a Wentworth to Broken Hill pipeline that will effectively see the Menindee Lakes decommissioned as a result.
Local communities in Broken Hill and Wentworth were never properly consulted on this project and many locals continue to oppose the project.
“Water is the lifeblood of many regional communities and industries. Rather than splurge $2.2 billion on stadiums we must fund better water infrastructure,” Labor Leader, Michael Daley, said.
“That’s why I will establish a new water fund to back our country towns and protect their water supplies.”
“Labor will establish a new regional water fund designed to do what the Nationals cannot or will not do – protect the water supply of regional communities,” Shadow Minister for Water, Chris Minns, said.
“It is clear that climate change is having a severe and continuing effect on regional and remote communities. Many of these communities are currently facing critical water shortages and some will completely run out of water if more is not done to help them.”
Under Labor’s Safe Water Safe Future fund, regional communities will submit applications to the NSW Government for co-funding for water security or water quality projects.
The Fund will also consider water projects for communities for which co–funding is not an option due to the small number of ratepayers in the utility’s catchment area. In these instances the fund can cover the full cost of the project.

Better patient care in mental health: nurse to patient ratios

A Daley Labor Government will introduce nurse-to-patient ratios in mental health units in the State’s hospital system – as part of its Mental Health policy.
A Daley Labor Government will introduce nurse-to-patient ratios in mental health units in the State’s hospital system – as part of its Mental Health policy.
This will dramatically improve patient care, reassure family members and support hard working nurses and other hospital staff.
This was announced by NSW Labor leader Michael Daley and NSW Shadow Health Minister Walt Secord. Mr Daley will make the announcement at the NSW ALP campaign launch today.
Broadly mental health nurse-to-patient ratios will translate to:

One nurse to every four patients in mental health units during the day;
One nurse to seven patients overnight; and
One-to-one and one-to-two care for acute mental health patients needing level one and level two nursing observations – respectively; and
Supervisory nurses in charge on every shift.

Nurse-to-patient ratios in mental health wards will start in 37 acute adult inpatient units – in the first term of a Daley Labor Government.
The nurse-to-patient ratios for mental health units is part of Labor’s overall plan to provide more than 5,500 nurses and midwives to deliver mandated nurse-to-patient ratios in emergency, maternity, medical and surgical and paediatric wards.
NSW Labor also unveiled a number of other measures to improve mental health services in NSW – including more clinical psychologists and mental health workers in rural and regional NSW.
NSW Labor will continue to support existing health and hospital mental health programs – and it will:

Open more mental health beds in NSW hospitals by investing an extra $40 million;
Deliver 450 additional counsellors, psychologists and student support officers to all high schools;
Hire an extra 30 clinical psychologists across NSW;
Train and employ 50 mental health outreach workers in regional NSW, to support communities affected by the drought;
Allocate an extra $20 million to partner with not for profit mental health groups in regional areas to complement existing services;
Provide an extra $3 million for improved technology to support rural tele-health initiatives for local health districts to assist mental health workers and patients;
Provide mental health first aid training to public school principals and senior staff to better assist students and colleagues;
Provide $7 million to trial health screening and outreach in four Women’s Health Centres
Provide an extra $1 million to fund eating disorder treatment services in the Illawarra;
Establish a public sector mental health charter to support the wellbeing and safety within the NSW public sector;
Set up a NSW Legislative Council parliamentary inquiry into the NSW mental health system as there has not been a full and proper inquiry since 2001;
Work with the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission and the Attorney General’s Department to ban the practice of gay conversion therapy in NSW – if there is not a national approach; and
Double the funding for the NSW Police Workforce Improvement Program with an additional $12 million to provide frontline police officers with the support they need to respond to the stressful and challenging nature of the work they undertake. (Up to 250 police officers will suffer physical injuries a month and up to 50 officers will suffer a psychological injury a month.)

Forty-five per cent of Australians will experience a common mental disorder in their lifetime.
NSW Labor also recognises that half of all mental illnesses manifest before the age of 14 and three-quarters by the age of 25. Fourteen per cent of children between four and 17 years of age will experience a mental illness.
The NSW Mental Health Co-ordinating Council reports that more than 1.3 million people – equal to 16 per cent of the NSW population are living with a mental health condition, and 3.1 million residents of NSW million residents of NSW living with or at risk to a mental health condition. Each year, there are about 600 deaths as a result of suicide in NSW.
Doctors, nurses, paramedics and allied health staff across the health system have all witnessed an increase in patients presenting to emergency departments over the last eight years.
In 2016-17, there were more than 94,000 mental health presentations to NSW hospital emergency departments.
Mr Daley said: “Under the Berejiklian Government, mental health patients have been turned away or have languished in emergency departments due to a lack of a mental health beds – that is why Labor will deliver more mental health nurses and more mental health beds.
“There is also the added challenge of responding to families in rural and regional areas facing the mental health challenges of the drought. We need to provide access to services and if those services are unavailable, access to tele-health so that health workers can get the advice immediately.”
Mr Secord said: “Each year, thousands of Australians will experience some form of mental illness and health workers in the health and hospital system are on the frontline. That is why we need to continue to invest in health and hospital services.
“Sadly, the Liberals and the Nationals have the wrong priorities – preferring to splurge on stadiums rather than invest in mental health nurses.
“Nurse to patient ratios will improve patient care – especially in mental health. It will also help nurses and re-assure families that their loved ones are getting the best possible care.”

Labor will hire an additional 5,000 teachers

NSW Labor Leader, Michael Daley, has announced today that a Daley Labor Government, if elected this month, will hire an additional 5,000 teachers across NSW.
Mr Daley made the announcement in Lapstone today with Shadow Minister for Education Jihad Dib, Member for the Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle and Labor candidate for Penrith, Karen McKeown.
By 2036, it is estimated there will be one million students enrolled in NSW public schools. Only Labor will hire the additional teachers needed to keep up with demand and provide the best opportunities for our children.
Labor’s plan for an additional 5,065 teachers includes literary and numeracy teachers as well as specialised education teachers.
Mr Daley said: “This announcement is about more one-on-one time for students, to provide them their best chance. The current Liberal-National Government is denying them this fair chance.
“If State Government is not about good quality education for our children then what is it about?”
It follows yesterday’s announcement that a Daley Labor Government will inject $2.7 billion over the life of the current State and Federal Gonski funding agreement to become the first state in Australia to deliver 100 per cent of the standard level of funding for every student.
Once implemented it will mean more than $1,500 extra every year for every student in NSW public high schools and more than $1,200 for every public primary school student.
Currently, the NSW Liberals and Nationals are providing just 70.8 per cent of the standard level of funding each student needs, short-changing every NSW public school student.
Mr Dib, said: “Labor has a strong history of supporting teachers in NSW. Labor increased the number of school teachers by 23 per cent during its time in office.
“The Liberals and Nationals have only increased teacher numbers by just 11 per cent over the last eight years.”
This further builds on Labor’s previous education commitments, including to:

Replace 1,000 ageing demountables across the state
Make TAFE free for courses in skill shortage areas
Ensure every child can learn a second language
Allocate $5,000 to P&Cs
Give free glasses to disadvantaged school kids
Air condition every school in NSW

Ms McKeown, said: “Only Labor is putting schools and hospitals before knocking down and rebuilding stadiums.”
Background

There are approximately 66,000 public school teachers in NSW.
The Department of Education (DoE) has found that 33 per cent of NSW public school teachers are due to retire within five years.
The DoE also predicts 164,000 additional students are expected to enter public schools by 2031 (and 200,000 by 2036). This is the first major increase in the school-age population since the Baby Boom of the 1950s.

Kidnap charge as inquiries continue into fatal fight – Hamilton South

A man has been charged with kidnapping and affray as investigations continue into the death of one man and the serious injury of another in Newcastle last week.
About 3.30am on Friday (8 March 2019), officers from Newcastle City Police District were called to Donald Street, Hamilton, following reports of men fighting in the street.
When police arrived they were told the men had left.
A short time later, officers were called to a home unit on Cody Street, Hamilton South, where they found the body of a 51-year-old man, and a 23-year-old man unconscious, suffering head injuries.
The injured man was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
A 25-year-old man, who was also in the unit, was taken to Newcastle Police Station but released pending further inquiries.
Crime scenes were established at the scene of the street fight and the home unit, with Strike Force Delline created to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following extensive investigations, detectives yesterday (Sunday 10 March 2019), charged the 25-year-old man with aggravated take/detain person in company with the intention to obtain advantage. affray, and reckless grievous bodily harm.
The man, from Hamilton South, was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Monday 11 March 2019).
Inquiries continue.

Labor lights up community sports before stadiums

Michael Daley and Labor today released a $95 million ‘Community Sports First’ package to invest into local teams, local facilities, communities and programs.

Mr Daley said while the Berejiklian Government’s top priority was to spend $2.2 billion on stadiums, Labor’s ‘Community Sports First’ package would fund initiatives that benefit local communities.
This includes $40 million to install and improve lighting at sporting fields across Sydney. This will open up ovals, fields and courts that currently lie empty at night and during winter – while others often just around the corner are at full capacity.
An audit by Football NSW has already identified a large number of fields where capacity could be increased with improved lighting.
Labor’s package also includes $20 million to upgrade access to facilities for those with a disability and the elderly. This is much needed funding for many places in regional NSW, where often a simple ramp or pool hoist can make a life changing difference.
Michael Daley and Labor will commit $10 million for a Basketball Centre of Excellence in Western Sydney. While basketball is one of NSW’s fastest growing sports with 55,000 registered players, all basketball courts in the Sydney Metropolitan basin are at capacity.
Australian players are now regulars in national and overseas basketball Leagues, such as the NBA, and we want more NSW youngsters to follow in their footsteps.
This follows Labor’s commitment to cover all six courts for Merimbula Basketball.
A Daley Labor government will allocate $15 million to improve netball facilities in Sydney and Country NSW. This includes $5 million to Southern Districts Netball to build an indoor netball facility, $5 million to deliver a multi court facility in Ryde and $5 million to create the only regional 32-courts competition field in Maitland.
Michael Daley and Labor will also provide $1million to Surf Life Saving NSW for a groundbreaking Adult Swim Safe program. This comes in response to the tragic drowning of nearly 30 people in NSW since July 2018.
This unique program will take surf lifesavers to communities that are over-represented in drowning statistics. Surf safety and survival skills will be taught in local aquatic facilities to adults who are not experienced in the surf or with swimming.
“While the Berejiklian Government gives major stadiums a golden hand out, Labor will give local sports a helpful hand up,” Michael Daley said.
“At the moment we have kids and sporting teams who can’t find fields to train on because of shocking overcrowding. Parents are often stuck in traffic taking their kids across the city because their local oval is full.
“You have Netball and Basketball teams playing on courts that are outdated – some have been crumbling for years.”
“And our unsung heroes – NSW surf life savers – who want to do even more to make our beaches safer, aren’t getting that little bit of extra help to do so.
“Our 77,000 Surf Life Savers do a magnificent job. What this program does is bring them into communities that need the extra help,” Mr Daley said.
“We are about Footballers, Netballers, Basketballers and more. This government is obsessed by wrecking balls,” NSW Shadow Minister for Sport Lynda Voltz said.
As part of the Community Sport First package Michael Daley and Labor have also recommitted to:

$2 million to a Neuromuscular Training Program aimed at reducing the incidences of ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries in 12-25 year olds.
$1 million to establish a ‘Gymnastics First’ Fund to provide assistance to Gymnastics Clubs across NSW.

Labor announces largest investment in early education in NSW history

Michael Daley and Labor will extend funding for early childhood education to benefit every three and four-year-old as part of the single largest investment in early childhood education in NSW history.
Mr Daley and Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Kate Washington, made the announcement today as part of a $500 million package for early childhood education in NSW.
Mr Daley said that under the Liberals and Nationals fewer than 20 per cent of three-year-olds receive state government funding for early childhood education.
Mr Daley said: “The experts tell us that early childhood is one of the most crucial periods for a child’s learning and development. It is the time when teachers can assess a child’s learning difficulty or other issues. Labor will ensure that young kids in these vital years are given the best chance of success.”

Ms Washington said: “Participation in a preschool program, whether in a community preschool or long day care centre, is the strong foundation needed for success in school and in later life. We’ve consulted with the sector and with experts to develop these policies. We are focused on improving quality early learning outcomes, increasing access, driving greater participation and reducing fees for families.”
Labor’s package will be jointly funded with Federal Labor and will make early education and preschooling a priority by:

Immediately increasing three-year-old funding in community preschools – doubling the Berejiklian Government’s proposed funding for three-year-olds in 2019-20. This will reduce fees and support services. Currently, three-year-olds are only due to receive one quarter of the funding that four-year-olds receive in community preschools.
Funding three-year-olds in Long Day Care centres for the first time, and then doubling the current funding per three and four-year-olds in Long Day Care centres – allowing providers to reduce fees, increase wages, and improve quality learning outcomes.
Investing $292 million into a ‘Little Kids Big Futures’ fund – driving a massive increase in early childhood education access and participation across NSW. This fund will support communities with critical service gaps, improve access for disadvantaged students, boost mobile preschool services in rural and remote areas, and invest in Playgroups NSW services as a pathway to preschooling.
Launching an $18 million ‘Specialist Early Intervention’ trial program – ensuring young children receive the support they need. Increasingly, early education services are crucial to the identification of learning difficulties, disabilities and other health-related issues. This trial program will boost access to allied health professionals such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and psychologists for three and four-year-olds in early education.
Starting a $10 million ‘Early Childhood Education Professional Development’ program – providing support and training for early childhood education teachers and educators.

Establishing an additional $15 million capital grants fund to address critical service gaps throughout NSW – increasing access and participation through additional and expanded services.

Boosting funding for assessment and rating experts by $4 million – slashing the Liberal Government’s dangerous assessment and rating backlog. The Government’s failures have led to early childhood education providers waiting more than five years between assessment and rating. Labor will rebuild confidence in the assessment and rating scheme, and support centres to deliver high quality education for students.

Labor has already committed to saving parents from the “double drop off” by ensuring all new public primary schools have preschool, long day care or out-of-school-hours services on site.

“Labor will always prioritise education, from preschool to school to TAFE. We won’t splurge billions on Sydney stadiums,” Mr Daley said.

The current Liberal-National Government has a long list of failures in the early education sector, with NSW having the highest fees and lowest participation rates in the country.
Labor will also:

Establish a Ministerial Advisory Panel with broad sector representation to meet at least quarterly;
Review and improving Before-and After-School Care and mobile preschool tender processes; and
Develop a long-term early childhood education sector road-map in consultation with the sector.