Month: November 2019

PREMIER DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN NSW

The NSW Government has taken a critical step to protect the residents of the State from bushfires by declaring a State of Emergency ahead of catastrophic conditions predicted for this week.
Last night, the Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons wrote to Premier Gladys Berejiklian requesting she declare a State of Emergency under Section 33 of the State of Emergency and Rescue Management Act.
Together with the advice of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, and other frontline agencies across the State, the declaration was made, granting emergency powers to the RFS Commissioner.
“Our State has already been hit by some of the most devastating bushfires we have ever seen, with three lives lost and more than 150 structures destroyed,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“With catastrophic weather conditions predicted for this week, particularly Tuesday with hot weather and strong winds, I have decided to take the Commissioner’s advice and make this declaration.
“It will ensure our State is best placed to respond to the predicted fire conditions.”
Worsening bushfire conditions are expected over the coming week, including anticipated catastrophic conditions in the Greater Sydney and Greater Hunter areas, and the potential for significant existing bushfire activity to be exacerbated in Northern NSW, and the North and Mid North Coast.
This is the first time since new fire danger ratings were introduced in 2009 that catastrophic fire danger has been forecast for Sydney.
The State of Emergency declaration, the first since October 2013, allows powers to be transferred from the NSW Government to the RFS Commissioner. These powers include the ability to:

  • Direct any government agency to conduct or refrain from conducting its functions;
  • Control and coordinate the allocation of government resources;
  • Evacuate people from property within the declared area;
  • Close roads and thoroughfares to traffic;
  • Pull down or shore up infrastructure at risk of collapse;
  • Order the shutdown of essential utilities in the declared area including electricity, gas, oil and water; and
  • Enter or take possession of property in the course of the emergency response.

Mr Elliott said this was an appropriate decision and sends a strong message that the directions of the RFS to the public during this period should be swiftly followed.
“Today’s announcement shows the NSW Government will always put the safety of the people in this State ahead of anything else. Our bush firefighters will be empowered during this period to ensure their directions are followed and community safety can be enhanced.”
The declaration is valid for a period of seven days from today.

JIM MOLAN CHOSEN BY LIBERAL PRESELECTORS

Hundreds of NSW Liberal Party preselectors have today chosen Major General (Retd) Andrew James (Jim) Molan, AO DSC to fill the pending NSW Senate vacancy.
Major General Molan has been chosen to return to the Senate, having served as the NSW representative from 2017 to 1 July this year. He returns to serving the people of NSW and Australia, after a 40-year career with the Australian Army where he had served as a field commander, infantryman, a helicopter pilot and a military diplomat in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Germany, the US and Iraq.
Deployed to Iraq in April 2004, Jim took up the post as the Chief of Operations for the new Headquarters Multinational Force in Iraq, in the process earning the Distinguished Service Cross and the American Legion of Merit for distinguished command and leadership in action.
Jim said that this special opportunity to continue serving the people of NSW would be treasured as a chance to continue his work in the Federal Parliament.
“I look forward to having the opportunity to re-join the Senate, and continue to work with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and my Liberal colleagues on delivering our vision for this great country.”
“I am thrilled to be able to continue supporting the Morrison Government to deliver a stable economy and a secure Australia, and making our state and our nation the best that they can be.”
Major General Molan lives near Queanbeyan in rural NSW with his wife Anne and they have three adult daughters and a son.
Jim Molan and the Liberal Party has thanked the outgoing NSW Senator, the Hon Arthur Sinodinos AO for his outstanding service as a Parliamentarian, Minister and Chief of Staff to the Hon John Howard OM AC. We wish Arthur, Elizabeth and family, all the best as he embarks on a diplomatic career, representing our nation’s interests in the United States.

$88 MILLION BOOST FOR ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Court cases requiring legal aid will be finalised more efficiently and effectively with the NSW Government investing an additional $88 million in Legal Aid NSW, driving a fairer and more efficient justice system.
Attorney General Mark Speakman said the new funding would reform the way private lawyers provide legal representation to economically disadvantaged people.
“Legal Aid NSW relies on private lawyers in almost 70 per cent of all cases run using legal aid funding. In regional areas that number rises to 80 per cent,” Mr Speakman said.
“This injection of funding will enable greater access to legal representation for disadvantaged people and help create a more sustainable system for small country law firms supporting communities through the worst drought in a century.”
The reforms will allow the Legal Aid NSW Board to increase lawyers’ hourly rates progressively to levels comparable with other states and territories. Solicitors’ hourly rates will rise progressively from the current $150 to $195 in 2023-24, with barristers’ fees also increasing over the same period.
This overhaul of private practioners’ fees in legal aid matters will encourage more lawyers across NSW to offer their valuable services to Legal Aid. In addition, structural changes introduced progressively for pre-hearing work will allow lawyers to spend more time with their clients and preparing for cases, as well as promoting the timely finalisation of criminal matters.
These reforms build on the NSW Government’s record investments into the legal assistance sector, with the State already providing $224 million in funding to Legal Aid NSW in 2019-20, more than doubling its funding compared with 2010-11.
Chief Executive Officer of Legal Aid NSW Brendan Thomas thanked the NSW Government for its robust response to the recommendations of Legal Aid’s business case.
“Legal Aid plays a crucial role in creating a fair and accessible justice system for every member of the NSW community – from the Downing Centre to Dubbo and beyond,” Mr Thomas said.
“We are delighted that the NSW Government has made such a significant commitment to Legal Aid, enabling us to build greater partnerships with the private profession and ensuring our clients get the best legal service possible.”
Structural reforms will commence from 1 January 2020 and private lawyers’ fees will increase from 1 July 2020.

BUSINESS BOOST FOR CITY OF SYDNEY

Aspiring and existing business owners in the City of Sydney can now access a NSW Government one-stop shop Business Concierge service, potentially saving them time and money when starting or expanding a café, restaurant or small bar.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello congratulated the City of Sydney for coming on board, saying Service NSW puts business owners first by bringing up to 48 forms from across 15 agencies under the one roof.
“Small business is the engine room of the economy which is why Service NSW has transformed from being a one-stop shop for individual customers to also being a one-stop shop for business customers,” Mr Dominello said.
“We know that starting or growing a business can be complicated and stressful, and this online service brings everything together in one convenient location.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the service is all about making government easier for business owners to navigate from applying for a liquor or outdoor dining licence, to complying with food safety standards.
“The measure of success is simple. Less time spent dealing with government means more time spent developing your business and faster commencement of operations,” Mr Tudehope said.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said: “We’re pleased to work with the NSW Government on this initiative, which is another way we’re helping our 20,000 small businesses get on with their important work contributing to the diversity, vitality and economic dynamism of our great city.”
The service includes personalised over the phone support from the Business Concierge team and a digital platform which outlines the regulations and licences needed to start a small business across a range of sectors. It has already helped 5000 customers start or grow their business, with owners of cafes, restaurants and small bars saving up to 86 hours of effort, while slashing the time it takes to start a small bar by almost six months.
The City of Sydney is one of more than 100 Councils to join the service. The service is delivered by Service NSW in partnership with the NSW Small Business Commission. For more information visit https://mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au/

Two separate overnight robberies – Newcastle

Police are investigating two separate robberies near a Newcastle university campus overnight.
About 5.40pm yesterday (Sunday 10 November 2019), a 22-year-old man was walking across a pedestrian footbridge over the Newcastle Inner City Bypass towards Michael Street, Jesmond.
Police have been told he was knocked to the ground by an unknown male and assaulted, before the man stole his iPhone and bag and fled the scene towards William Street.
The 22-year-old was assisted by a member of the public who contacted police.
Police would like to speak to man who may be able to assist with inquiries. He is described as being of Caucasian in appearance, approximately 18-years-old, between 165-170cm tall, with a solid build and short black hair.
About 1am today (Monday 11 November 2019), a 25-year-old man was walking towards Warabrook Train Station when he was approached by a group of four males and two females.
Police have been told one of the men threatened him with a knife and demanded cash and cigarettes.
He handed over a sum of cash before the group fled in a westerly direction.
Officers from Newcastle City Police District have commenced investigations into both incidents.
Police do not believe they are linked at this time.
Anyone who may have noticed unusual activity in the area between 5.30pm yesterday and 2am today, or who may have dashcam or CCTV footage is urged to contact police.

WA gas industry is a colossal, national climate bomb: Greens

The Australian Government’s push for liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a low-emissions fossil fuel has been exposed with a new report finding no evidence LNG  is any ‘cleaner’ than coal.
The Conservation Council of Western Australia’s Clean State report states an international review of LNG infrastructure found the threat to the climate from LNG is ‘as large or larger than coal’ when levels of methane emissions are included.
Greens co-deputy leader and spokesperson on mining and resources, Senator Larissa Waters, said the expansion of the West Australian LNG industry was a massive climate bomb and the primary driver of recent national emissions growth.
“LNG is as much a ‘clean gas’ as tobacco is a ‘health product’, and the tactics of denial, influence and misinformation are disturbingly similar,” she said today.
“The Coalition is out spruiking LNG as a ‘clean gas’ when the evidence shows WA LNG facilities pump out more carbon pollution than the state’s oldest coal-fired power stations.
“The report released today tells us emissions from WA’s gas infrastructure have become Australia’s fastest-growing pollution source and places our Paris Agreement commitments at risk.
“It comes the days after an unprecedented statement from 11,000 scientists warning of “untold suffering due to the climate crisis” if the world does not take action including leaving fossil fuels in the ground.
“The Greens have also backed communities concerned about the risk from the gas industry with a bill since 2011 to allow landholders to say no to gas and to ban fracking.
“Despite the appalling lack of planning for the climate emergency, Australia is in the fortunate position of having abundant, low-cost renewable energy resources ready to power our economy and society.
“New large-scale renewable infrastructure is now ready to displace both coal and gas. Our economy is in the doldrums and nation-building projects in renewable energy can deliver the rapid de-carbonisation needed while creating new jobs, boosting regional economies and investing in coal-affected communities.
“Political donations are the major brake on a cleaner, renewable-powered future for Australia. We have the technology, the know-how and the majority of the community is ready for change,” Senator Waters said.

Concerns held for missing man from Oakhampton near Maitland

Police are appealing for public assistance to find a man missing from Oakhampton near Maitland.
Jonathon Woods, aged 38, was last seen at a home on Oakhampton Road, Oakhampton, about midday yesterday (Saturday 9 November 2019).
Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare as he requires medication.
Jonathon is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175-180cm tall, of thin/muscular build, with short dark brown hair, clean shaven, and wearing gold-framed Ray Ban sunglasses.
He was last seen wearing a white business shirt, black pants, a light bone-coloured bomber jacket and carrying a small round-shaped black sports bag.
Jonathon is known to travel by train and frequent the Maitland, Newcastle, Waratah and Carrington areas.
Anyone who may have seen Jonathon or who has information of his whereabouts is urged to call Maitland Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Liberals admit deceiving voters

The Greens have condemned the Liberals for trashing democracy and deceiving voters after the party’s acting Victorian director admitted in court today that signs written in Chinese at polling booths on election day were designed to look like official Australian Electoral Commission signage.
The signs were posted at 13 polling stations in Josh Frydenberg’s seat of Kooyong and at 29 polling booths in nearby Chisholm, which was won by Liberals candidate Gladys Liu.
Greens co-deputy leader Senator Larissa Waters said the Liberal official’s admission today was the latest in a long line of Liberal party moves aimed at weakening democracy and silencing the community from having its say.
“The Liberal Party has stooped to dirty tactics and tricks designed to hoodwink voters during elections because the community has noticed it no longer provides leadership or any real plan on critical issues such as climate change or housing affordability,” she said.
“This is not the type of democracy the community deserves, this is a circus led by a clown who holds everyday Australians, their aspirations and the issues that matter most to them in contempt.
“The Liberals have an unhealthy disrespect for transparency and accountability. It starts at the top with the Prime Minister failing to deal with Ministerial conflicts of interest and extends to allowing a revolving door between industry and government and allowing ‘cash for access’ meetings.
“This failure of integrity and culture of rampant self-interest is probably why the Prime Minister has not brought on a vote in the House of Representatives on my bill establishing a Federal corruption watchdog with teeth.
“The Liberals are governing in the best interest of their donors including the mining and gambling industries rather than delivering for our community, society or environment.
“Public trust in democracy will be further eroded by the revelations of election sign deception in court today. The Greens call for strong, urgent action to stamp out corruption, increase transparency and restore public trust in democracy,” Senator Waters said.

Greens refer Liberal election signs to AFP

The Greens have today referred the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party to the AFP over signs used at Victorian polling places during the federal election in May this year.

“The Liberals have admitted in the Federal Court this week that their signs were intended to convey the impression that they were from the Australian Electoral Commission,”  Greens Justice spokesperson Nick McKim said.
“This is a clear admission that they were trying to impersonate a Commonwealth body, which appears to be a crime under laws that the Liberals themselves introduced last year.”
“They have been exposed and it is time they were held to account.”
Greens Democracy spokesperson Larissa Waters said:

“If you’ve got to lie to the public to get votes, you don’t deserve to be in government. The AFP should investigate these frauds.”

“People want their democracy back and they deserve to be told the truth by those seeking their votes.”

WA gas industry is a colossal, national climate bomb: Greens

The Australian Government’s push for liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a low-emissions fossil fuel has been exposed with a new report finding no evidence LNG  is any ‘cleaner’ than coal.
The Conservation Council of Western Australia’s Clean State report states an international review of LNG infrastructure found the threat to the climate from LNG is ‘as large or larger than coal’ when levels of methane emissions are included.
Greens co-deputy leader and spokesperson on mining and resources, Senator Larissa Waters, said the expansion of the West Australian LNG industry was a massive climate bomb and the primary driver of recent national emissions growth.
“LNG is as much a ‘clean gas’ as tobacco is a ‘health product’, and the tactics of denial, influence and misinformation are disturbingly similar,” she said today.
“The Coalition is out spruiking LNG as a ‘clean gas’ when the evidence shows WA LNG facilities pump out more carbon pollution than the state’s oldest coal-fired power stations.
“The report released today tells us emissions from WA’s gas infrastructure have become Australia’s fastest-growing pollution source and places our Paris Agreement commitments at risk.
“It comes the days after an unprecedented statement from 11,000 scientists warning of “untold suffering due to the climate crisis” if the world does not take action including leaving fossil fuels in the ground.
“The Greens have also backed communities concerned about the risk from the gas industry with a bill since 2011 to allow landholders to say no to gas and to ban fracking.
“Despite the appalling lack of planning for the climate emergency, Australia is in the fortunate position of having abundant, low-cost renewable energy resources ready to power our economy and society.
“New large-scale renewable infrastructure is now ready to displace both coal and gas. Our economy is in the doldrums and nation-building projects in renewable energy can deliver the rapid de-carbonisation needed while creating new jobs, boosting regional economies and investing in coal-affected communities.
“Political donations are the major brake on a cleaner, renewable-powered future for Australia. We have the technology, the know-how and the majority of the community is ready for change,” Senator Waters said.