The Labor leadership needs to stick firm in its opposition to the Government’s tax cut package, despite the pressure it may be feeling from a handful of backbenchers, Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale said.
“Labor said during the election that they wouldn’t back in the Government’s disastrous tax cuts and Anthony Albanese should stand firm, do the right thing for the country and continue to oppose these cuts,” Di Natale said.
“These tax cuts would do nothing to improve the economy and everything to lock in the growing inequality in our country over the long-term.
“No matter what Labor MPs like Peter Khalil in Wills may say, backing in these tax cuts is just more of the same failed trickle-down economics that Labor has been criticising for years.
“The lessons from the last election for Labor should be clear. People want them to stand up for what they believe in, not flip flop on important issues like economic inequality and climate change.”
Month: June 2019
NSW BUDGET: BUDGET DELIVERS FOR STUDENTS IN REGIONAL NSW
The 2019-20 NSW Budget features significant investment in regional school infrastructure, with funding for 18 new and upgraded schools and hundreds of millions committed to clear the maintenance backlog in regional schools.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government is continuing its record $6.7 billion investment in school infrastructure, with a total of 190 new and upgraded schools being rolled out across the State, with 40 projects currently underway in regional areas.
“Investment in education is a core priority for this Government, and I am very proud that we are also providing more pathways and opportunities for families and students in regional NSW,” Mr Perrottet said. “The 2019-20 Budget also allocates $917.4 million in funding for 40 new and upgraded schools the Liberals & Nationals Government committed to as part of the recent elections.
“Eighteen of these new and upgraded schools are in regional NSW, including two new high schools, a new primary school and upgrades to multiple schools across the State.”
There are a number of projects planned or currently underway across regional NSW, including:
- New primary schools in Murrumbateman and Googong prioritised for planning in 2019;
- Major upgrades underway at schools in Queanbeyan and at Karabar High School;
- New high schools committed at Bungendore and Jerrabomberra;
- Major upgrades to schools in Murwillumbah, Kingscliff, Tweed Heads, Lennox Head, Byron Bay and Pottsville; and
- Upgrades to Bexhill Public School, Bangalow Public School and Teven-Tintenbar Public School.
The Government has invested a further $449 million to clear the school maintenance backlog in all public schools by July 2020 bringing the total maintenance investment to more than $1.3 billion over five years.
Ms Mitchell said that it will be the first time in the State’s history that the school maintenance backlog will be wiped to zero and that more than $300 million will be invested in regional school maintenance for the coming twelve months.
“Children in regional NSW deserve a great public school education – to be educated close to home, in top-quality facilities from early childhood to year 12, and I am thrilled this Government is delivering that,” Ms Mitchell said.
The NSW Government is investing $6.7 billion over the next four years to deliver 190 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. In addition to this, more than $1.3 billion is being spent on school maintenance over five years, along with a record $500 million for the sustainable Cooler Classrooms program to provide air conditioning to schools announced as part of the 2018-19 Budget last year.
This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.
$50 WEEKLY PUBLIC TRANSPORT CAP STARTS MONDAY
The $50 Opal weekly travel cap will take effect on Monday, saving tens of thousands of regular public transport users up to $686 a year.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the decision to slash the current cap by around 20 per cent will help to ease cost of living pressures for around 55,000 train, bus, ferry, metro and light rail customers.
“We want to make public transport more affordable and that is why we are lowering the cap,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“From Monday adults will pay no more than $50 a week and the concession cap will also be reduced from $31.60 to $25 a week.”
Regular customers on the new North West Metro will be among those to benefit from the lower cap, with an adult customer travelling to and from Tallawong Station and Central five days a week to save $563 a year.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the NSW Government has also rejected IPART’s recommendation to increase public transport fares by 4.2 per cent.
“Fares will only rise in line with inflation from Monday, meaning the rise will be 1.9 per cent or roughly 10 cents a week,” Mr Constance said.
“This means catching the train, bus, ferry, metro or light rail is still a much cheaper option than driving.”
Opal benefits already in place will remain, including the Weekly Travel Reward, the Opal Transfer Discount and the $2.50 daily cap for Gold Opal cards.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has saved households more than $800 million over the last year through a raft of cost of living measures, including cheaper Green Slips, $100 Active and Creative Kids vouchers and Free Rego.
Example of yearly savings for regular commuters:
| Weekly Cost | Today | From 24 June | Yearly Saving |
| Tallawong to Central (Metro) | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Penrith to Town Hall | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Campbelltown to Town Hall | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Engadine to North Sydney | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Seven Hills to Wynyard | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Panania to Chatswood | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Tuggerah to Central | $63.20 | $50 | $686 |
| Kiama to Sutherland | $63.20 | $50 | $686 |
| Meadowbank to Barangaroo (Ferry) | $63.20 | $50 | $686 |
| Leppington to Blacktown | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
Carrington upgrade hailed in park celebration
City of Newcastle and the local community have celebrated the revitalisation of Carrington following a $3 million upgrade of its local centre.
Dramatic infrastructure improvements – to roads, pathways and parking – along Young Street and the addition of street trees, bike racks and bins will be followed by the installation of a smart bus shelter that will provide free Wi-Fi coverage.
The local centre overhaul was marked by the City staff and locals in Jubilee Park this morning.
The Lord Mayor opening the upgraded Carrington Local Town Centre with the help of City staff, locals and students
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(L-R) Laila Michelini, 6, and sister Allegra Michelini, 8, perform at this morning’s open day
“I’m proud to say that after more than 12 months of construction, Young Street is looking brand new and has been future proofed with new drainage and infrastructure to improve the amenity of the Carrington Local Centre,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The City continues to deliver on our vision for city-wide urban renewal, setting the direction for growth and revitalisation.
“We want our city’s local centres to reflect a sense of place and local character, and I’m particularly pleased with finishing touches like the stone inlays celebrating Carrington’s heritage.
“Planning for this project included extensive community consultation on all aspects of the upgrades, including the choice of Brushbox and Tuckeroo street trees and the provision of more designated on street car parking.”
“We have also chosen best practise drainage solutions tailored to the area, including permeable paving and rain gardens.”
Max Weinhold, 3, enjoying the jumping castle at Jubilee Park, Carrington
Patrick Burgess, Sarah Horan and Chris Martin take a stroll across the revitalised Young Street
The City consulted with locals to hear their ideas and ensure their feedback was incorporated into the public domain plan for the area.
The Young St Carrington renewal project included:
• Drainage renewal
• Permeable paving to improve stormwater capacity
• Water sensitive urban design
• New site appropriate street trees
• Pedestrian-friendly street design
• Existing street furniture retained where possible, and new bike racks and bins
• New kerb, gutter and footpath
• Renewed road surface
• Road and pedestrian lighting upgrade
• Improved pedestrian crossings at both ends
Dramatic infrastructure improvements – to roads, pathways and parking – along Young Street and the addition of street trees, bike racks and bins will be followed by the installation of a smart bus shelter that will provide free Wi-Fi coverage.
The local centre overhaul was marked by the City staff and locals in Jubilee Park this morning.
The Lord Mayor opening the upgraded Carrington Local Town Centre with the help of City staff, locals and students(L-R) Laila Michelini, 6, and sister Allegra Michelini, 8, perform at this morning’s open day“I’m proud to say that after more than 12 months of construction, Young Street is looking brand new and has been future proofed with new drainage and infrastructure to improve the amenity of the Carrington Local Centre,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The City continues to deliver on our vision for city-wide urban renewal, setting the direction for growth and revitalisation.
“We want our city’s local centres to reflect a sense of place and local character, and I’m particularly pleased with finishing touches like the stone inlays celebrating Carrington’s heritage.
“Planning for this project included extensive community consultation on all aspects of the upgrades, including the choice of Brushbox and Tuckeroo street trees and the provision of more designated on street car parking.”
“We have also chosen best practise drainage solutions tailored to the area, including permeable paving and rain gardens.”
Max Weinhold, 3, enjoying the jumping castle at Jubilee Park, CarringtonPatrick Burgess, Sarah Horan and Chris Martin take a stroll across the revitalised Young StreetThe City consulted with locals to hear their ideas and ensure their feedback was incorporated into the public domain plan for the area.
The Young St Carrington renewal project included:
• Drainage renewal
• Permeable paving to improve stormwater capacity
• Water sensitive urban design
• New site appropriate street trees
• Pedestrian-friendly street design
• Existing street furniture retained where possible, and new bike racks and bins
• New kerb, gutter and footpath
• Renewed road surface
• Road and pedestrian lighting upgrade
• Improved pedestrian crossings at both ends
Evocative snaps mark 30 years since quake
A doctor tending a man seriously wounded on Beaumont Street and a Council worker whose composure amid great adversity belied her young age feature among stirring images in a Newcaste Museum exhibition commemorating the 1989 earthquake.
The Earthquake Then and Now and Again Exhibition, curated in partnership with local designers Headjam, reflects on the 1989 natural disaster that claimed 13 lives and tested the resolve of so many Novocastrians.
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Dr Garry Warner, 39 when disaster struck, was snapped by the Newcastle Herald that fateful December morning with two other men, desperately awaiting an ambulance, as they cared for a man hurt by the collapsed Kent Hotel awning visible in the background.
“I raced to Beaumont but the whole street was full of a cloud of dust which made everything difficult to see,” the Cardiologist recalls of his reaction from his Hamilton medical rooms, in a caption to a 2014 photo of himself and one of 25 newspaper pics.
“I saw the destruction and my medical training just clicked in. I was providing first aid to the injured man in the photograph who was struck by a piece of The Kent Hotel awning.”
City of Newcastle worker Melissa Dial, a 29-year-old special projects officer at the time, has only realised her own mettle in the decades since she spent two continuous months on the phone dealing with the quake’s aftermath.
She appears on one of those calls in a photograph flanked by policemen not long after the 5.5-degree tremor.
“When I look at this photo, I immediately feel stress and pressure,” she says of the then-and-now exhibit pic.
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“At first we had a lot of phone calls about missing people … then the calls started to be about demolitions and building work … slowly the calls changed to people who were trying to cope with the trauma and stress of what had happened.
“I didn’t think about it at the time but I was pretty young to be coping with the stress.”
The exhibition, which gained national media attention when first held in 2014, marks the beginning of commemorations across the city for the quake’s 30th anniversary.
“This is a very personal exhibition with members of our city sharing their stories,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The 1989 Earthquake was a defining moment for our city – it shaped us as a resilient but caring city.”
Photo credit: Luke Kellett from Headjam
The Earthquake Then and Now and Again Exhibition, curated in partnership with local designers Headjam, reflects on the 1989 natural disaster that claimed 13 lives and tested the resolve of so many Novocastrians.
Dr Garry Warner, 39 when disaster struck, was snapped by the Newcastle Herald that fateful December morning with two other men, desperately awaiting an ambulance, as they cared for a man hurt by the collapsed Kent Hotel awning visible in the background.“I raced to Beaumont but the whole street was full of a cloud of dust which made everything difficult to see,” the Cardiologist recalls of his reaction from his Hamilton medical rooms, in a caption to a 2014 photo of himself and one of 25 newspaper pics.
“I saw the destruction and my medical training just clicked in. I was providing first aid to the injured man in the photograph who was struck by a piece of The Kent Hotel awning.”
City of Newcastle worker Melissa Dial, a 29-year-old special projects officer at the time, has only realised her own mettle in the decades since she spent two continuous months on the phone dealing with the quake’s aftermath.
She appears on one of those calls in a photograph flanked by policemen not long after the 5.5-degree tremor.
“When I look at this photo, I immediately feel stress and pressure,” she says of the then-and-now exhibit pic.
“At first we had a lot of phone calls about missing people … then the calls started to be about demolitions and building work … slowly the calls changed to people who were trying to cope with the trauma and stress of what had happened.“I didn’t think about it at the time but I was pretty young to be coping with the stress.”
The exhibition, which gained national media attention when first held in 2014, marks the beginning of commemorations across the city for the quake’s 30th anniversary.
“This is a very personal exhibition with members of our city sharing their stories,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The 1989 Earthquake was a defining moment for our city – it shaped us as a resilient but caring city.”
Photo credit: Luke Kellett from Headjam
Ecosuburbia event for smart, liveable sustainable city
Laman Street behind Civic Park will come to life with eco-market stalls, a local food swap and a range of activities to get kids thinking about sustainability when Newcastle Library hosts the Ecosuburbia Fair Share event tomorrow, Saturday 22 June.
City of Newcastle is collaborating with Permaculture Hunter and Purple Pear Farm to showcase the fair and host an “Aussie Street” City Hall talk by permaculture co-originator David Holmgren tomorrow.
Author of RetroSuburbia, the downshifter’s guide to a resilient future, Holmgren espouses a way of life aligned with the City of Newcastle’s strategy to create a smart, liveable and sustainable global city.
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“Our community collaborating to host the father of an internationally recognised social and environmental movement illustrates Newcastle’s commitment to living smarter and more sustainably,” Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said.
“His Aussie Street talk cleverly brings RetroSuburbia’s ideas into our everyday lives, using 100-plus photos and water-coloured illustrations and practical concepts from his exciting new book. Come along to be part of Holmgren’s remarkably insightful, thought-provoking vision for a resilient and sustainable future.”
Tickets for the Retrosuburbia ‘Aussie Street’ talk with David Holmgren sold out within 48 hours.
The Ecosuburbia Fair Share event from 10am is proudly delivered in collaboration with Newcastle Libraries, Hunter Permaculture and Purple Pear Farm. It will also host Slow Food Hunter Valley Soup Kitchen and live music by Newcastle Folk.
Ecosuburbia is part of the City’s embrace if the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities and Goal 10 Reduced Inequalities, which are now part of the Newcastle 2030 Community Strategic Plan.
City of Newcastle is collaborating with Permaculture Hunter and Purple Pear Farm to showcase the fair and host an “Aussie Street” City Hall talk by permaculture co-originator David Holmgren tomorrow.
Author of RetroSuburbia, the downshifter’s guide to a resilient future, Holmgren espouses a way of life aligned with the City of Newcastle’s strategy to create a smart, liveable and sustainable global city.
“Our community collaborating to host the father of an internationally recognised social and environmental movement illustrates Newcastle’s commitment to living smarter and more sustainably,” Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said.
“His Aussie Street talk cleverly brings RetroSuburbia’s ideas into our everyday lives, using 100-plus photos and water-coloured illustrations and practical concepts from his exciting new book. Come along to be part of Holmgren’s remarkably insightful, thought-provoking vision for a resilient and sustainable future.”
Tickets for the Retrosuburbia ‘Aussie Street’ talk with David Holmgren sold out within 48 hours.
The Ecosuburbia Fair Share event from 10am is proudly delivered in collaboration with Newcastle Libraries, Hunter Permaculture and Purple Pear Farm. It will also host Slow Food Hunter Valley Soup Kitchen and live music by Newcastle Folk.
Ecosuburbia is part of the City’s embrace if the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities and Goal 10 Reduced Inequalities, which are now part of the Newcastle 2030 Community Strategic Plan.
Whale of a day set to mark nautical showpiece
Nature lovers should mark Sunday week down in their diaries for a whale of a double date.
This year, the City’s Whale Tales lecture at Bar Beach falls on the same day as an annual tally of humpback whales.
The Whale Tales talks by Marine Naturalist Jeannie Lawson celebrate the gentle giants by canvassing their song, lifecycle and migration.
“On the day there are four sessions to choose from,” the City’s Program Development Coordinator – Environment Karenne Jurd said.
“At each session you will have the opportunity to ask Jeannie your best whale questions and hold part of a whale skeleton while watching the passing humpback parade.”
An estimated 30,000 humpback whales will swim north to Queensland breeding grounds this season in a nautical migration that’s been growing every year; so much so the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) needs help counting the whales.
Participants at last year’s Whale Tale Lecture at Bar Beach
Newcastle’s Bathers Way coastal pathway offers great vantage point for ORRCA’s 19th one-day census, which last year saw 2,065 whales spotted, up from 233 in 2002.
For more information about Whale Tales please call Angus Weingott on 4974 2622 or email aweingott@ncc.nsw.gov.au.
For more information about Humpback Whale Census Day visit http://www.orrca.org.au/
Whale Tales
Sunday 30th June – 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm
Bar Beach Lookout
Cost: Free
This year, the City’s Whale Tales lecture at Bar Beach falls on the same day as an annual tally of humpback whales.
The Whale Tales talks by Marine Naturalist Jeannie Lawson celebrate the gentle giants by canvassing their song, lifecycle and migration.
“On the day there are four sessions to choose from,” the City’s Program Development Coordinator – Environment Karenne Jurd said.
“At each session you will have the opportunity to ask Jeannie your best whale questions and hold part of a whale skeleton while watching the passing humpback parade.”
An estimated 30,000 humpback whales will swim north to Queensland breeding grounds this season in a nautical migration that’s been growing every year; so much so the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) needs help counting the whales.
Participants at last year’s Whale Tale Lecture at Bar BeachNewcastle’s Bathers Way coastal pathway offers great vantage point for ORRCA’s 19th one-day census, which last year saw 2,065 whales spotted, up from 233 in 2002.
For more information about Whale Tales please call Angus Weingott on 4974 2622 or email aweingott@ncc.nsw.gov.au.
For more information about Humpback Whale Census Day visit http://www.orrca.org.au/
Whale Tales
Sunday 30th June – 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm
Bar Beach Lookout
Cost: Free
Labor leadership needs to stick firm in tax cuts opposition
The Labor leadership needs to stick firm in its opposition to the Government’s tax cut package, despite the pressure it may be feeling from a handful of backbenchers, Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale said.
“Labor said during the election that they wouldn’t back in the Government’s disastrous tax cuts and Anthony Albanese should stand firm, do the right thing for the country and continue to oppose these cuts,” Di Natale said.
“These tax cuts would do nothing to improve the economy and everything to lock in the growing inequality in our country over the long-term.
“No matter what Labor MPs like Peter Khalil in Wills may say, backing in these tax cuts is just more of the same failed trickle-down economics that Labor has been criticising for years.
“The lessons from the last election for Labor should be clear. People want them to stand up for what they believe in, not flip flop on important issues like economic inequality and climate change.”
Angus Taylor and Josh Frydenberg must explain their actions
It is very disappointing, but hardly surprising, to hear yet again that Coalition Ministers are more interested in profits for themselves and their mates than the people they are elected to represent, Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale said.
“It is appalling to consider that Angus Taylor would use his privileged position to approach Departmental staff and Government Ministers about an issue that directly affects his business interests,” Di Natale said.
“These new reports highlight that Coalitions MPs think it’s ok to change the rules when they don’t suit them and to put their business interests ahead of the community they were elected to work for. The Greens will not let them get away with it.
“We will be ensuring that Angus Taylor and Josh Frydenberg explain their actions to the Parliament when it resumes next month.
“This whole episode demonstrates again how urgently we need a federal ICAC that can investigate these sorts of behaviours that undermine faith in democracy,” he said.
“This Government is selling out the environment for the sake of their mates’ profits. These latest allegations are exactly why we need a federal ICAC,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“This isn’t the first time Angus Taylor’s business affairs and political links have been called into question. This latest scandal involving Angus Taylor and Josh Frydenberg smells fishy and must be probed. The full, unredacted documents and correspondence must be released.”
“We are in the midst of an extinction crisis and a climate catastrophe with a government that has tried to change the rules and cover up their self-dealing. This is a government that sees the environment as something to be exploited for the profit of a few, rather than taken care of for the benefit of all Australians.”
“Scott Morrison has shown contempt for the Australian people by promoting politicians who appear more interested in helping out their mates than doing their jobs. The Greens will continue to fight this government and hold these dodgy ministers to account.”
Greens to introduce bill to ban live export of sheep and cattle following new animal cruelty footage
Australian Greens Spokesperson for Animal Welfare, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has today announced that she will introduce a Greens bill to ban all live export for slaughter, including sheep and cows, when Parliament resumes. Footage has been released by animal welfare activists in Israel showing cruelty towards cattle being unloaded in hot and crowded conditions with electric shock prodders. Dozens of calves died on board the ship and after unloading.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Live export cannot be made be made safe for sheep, cattle or any animal. It is a business model built on cruelty and is simply incompatible with animal welfare.
“These episodes of animal cruelty are just the latest in more than thirty years of scandal, suffering and brutality in the live export industry. This is just business as usual for live exporters, especially now that they have a Minister who dismisses animal welfare.
“The Greens have long argued that we should be banning all live export for slaughter and introducing this bill is part of the campaign to make that a reality.
“The recent deaths of hundreds of Australian dairy cows in Sri Lanka has highlighted big problems with the live export of animals for breeding. This requires far more stringent safeguards, and perhaps even a ban as our New Zealand neighbours are considering.
“We make no apologies for standing up for the welfare of animals. We need a phased ban with a structural adjustment assistance fund which can transition the industry to the chilled meat trade,” she concluded.