November 2019 – Page 14

South Australians taken for mugs, as Feds and State Govt cut deal to reduce water flowing into Lower Murray

Greens Senator for South Australia and Spokesperson for the Environment and Water, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young responded to the announcement SA is giving 100GL of Murray River water to NSW and Victoria and increasing use of the state’s desalination plant:

“South Australians are being taken for mugs, as the Federal and SA Governments cut a deal to reduce water flowing into the Lower Murray.

“The Liberal and National Parties have a history of selling SA short when it comes to the Murray.

“Firing up the desal plant doesn’t deal with the chronic over-allocation of water, corporate greed or drought.

“Cutting SA’s river water allocation in favour of turning on the desalination plant is short-term thinking and I worry SA will be left carrying the can, with less water flowing downstream, higher water prices for Adelaide, and no political will to tackle upstream greed and over-allocation.

“The State Government has still not released its report into the cost-benefit of the desal plant, which is now months overdue, and yet today they have traded away more water from the Murray.

“This looks like the SA Liberals bending over backwards for their upstream Coalition mates, while back at home South Australian taxpayers, homeowners and the environment will be left carrying the cost.

“Minister Littleproud today failed to outline how the government will ensure the water cut from SA will even end up where it should. The Murray-Darling Basin has been riddled with dodgy accounting, mismanagement, and out-right water theft, why should anyone believe that this isn’t anything more than just another slush fund for the National Party and their corporate irrigator mates?

“It’s hard to believe that putting the National Party in charge of spending more public money on water allocations will end pretty.

“In the medium and longer term, the consequences of reducing flows by 100GL to the Lower Murray could be significant for the health of the River.

“The SA Libs had a chance today to extract a proper commitment for the remaining 450GL under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, Instead SA will now prop up NSW and Victoria left struggling because of corporate greed.

“We’re all being taken for mugs, but SA is again copping it the worst. We saw five Federal Ministers front a press conference today to talk about drought and not one of them mentioned action on the climate crisis. If you don’t have a plan to tackle the climate crisis, you don’t have a drought policy.”

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.

Labor Says It’s Time To Act Now On Aged Care

Older Australians cannot wait for action on aged care and the Morrison Government must act now before Parliament resumes in November to fix our country’s broken aged care system.
Labor has today launched a new campaign urgently calling on the Morrison Government to act now on aged care.
Scott Morrison has said there might be some action by Christmas, but why is the Government waiting when we know the system is so bad?
Labor has set a deadline for the Prime Minister to take action before Parliament resumes in November.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s interim report this week laid bare the disturbing state of Australia’s aged care system.
There is not one part of Australia’s aged care system that isn’t impacted by crisis.
While Labor is prepared to work constructively with the Government to progress long-term reform challenges in aged care, there is action the Government must take now.
There are three actions the Royal Commission says the Morrison Government needs to do urgently to help fix our country’s broken aged care system:
1.    Ensure older Australians are getting the care at home when they need it most.
2.    End the overreliance of chemical restraints in aged care.
3.    Stop the unacceptable number of young people entering residential aged care.
Older Australians and their loved ones cannot wait until the final report of the Royal Commission, which is handed down in November 2020, for action on aged care.
This includes the 120,000 older Australians waiting for care at home, with waiting times blowing out to almost two years for the highest levels of care.
It is shameful that 16,000 people died in a wealthy country like Australia in just one year while waiting for this care.
The Liberals have been asleep at the wheel for six years, with four Ministers and billions ripped out while Australia’s aged care system has lurched from one crisis to another.
It’s time to act now on aged care – for our loved ones who built the country we are rightly proud and for every Australian who wants to age with dignity and autonomy in care.

Step up in drought budget support

Drought-hit farmers, small businesses and rural towns are set for an immediate cash injection to keep stock fed and watered, keep businesses open, keep locals in work and pump funds into local economies.
The Prime Minister said the Coalition Government’s next step of measures to combat the drought’s impact was ready to flow.
“We are stepping up our drought response once again to meet the increasing needs as the drought’s effects also step up,” the Prime Minister said.
“Since the budget we have already committed an additional $355 million to step up our drought response. Today’s announcement triples this to more than $1 billion since the election, as well as more than $1 billion in new interest free loans, to see people through.
“This is money into the pockets of all those farmers and graziers who know they have a future, but are currently struggling to keep their operations running as the crippling effects of this drought continue to bite that we’ve heard from out on the ground. They are backing themselves and we are backing them to make it through to the better days that will be ahead.
“It’s not only farmers doing it tough in drought. Our next step in drought support also has an eye squarely on those communities feeling the strain as work dries up and spending in local stores slows down.
“There is no silver bullet to this drought. Each time we introduce further help we listen, we learn and we adjust our response because we know each community has different needs and priorities that need the resources and cooperation of every level of government.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government’s latest initiatives would deliver an extra $709 million worth of direct support.
“Communities across Australia are suffering the effects of the prolonged dry spell and today’s announcement is the next step in the measures to help ease the burden of the drought,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This suite of measures go to the heart of what matters to these communities. From small businesses to primary producers, we are working with communities to take the pressure off one of the worst droughts in history.
“Not only is the Government continuing to respond as the drought progresses, but we are working on measures to assist in the recovery when the rains come, which includes the Government’s billion dollar investment in water infrastructure.
“By redirecting $200 million from the Building Better Regions Fund into drought communities and an extra $138.9 million into our Roads to Recovery initiative, we’re getting local projects and infrastructure work underway to keep finance flowing, trades in work and money rolling through local stores.”
Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie said a new loans program for small businesses and making existing drought loans interest free for two years would deliver immediate support for everything from buying fodder to transporting stock and agisting cattle through to paying staff and purchasing new equipment. The Regional Investment Corporation’s mandate sets its interest rate just to cover administration and borrowing costs.
“These loans mean farmers and small business owners can do what they need to, right now at zero cost,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Farmers will not have to pay a cent for the next two years and we’ll keep assessing the program if the drought runs longer than that to ensure repayments are affordable.
“With $200 million worth of loans committed already, we estimate the new small business program and the changes to the Drought Loans for farms will see around $1.2 billion issued over the next three years that they can put to their priorities.”
Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said as the drought escalates, so does the government’s response.
“The package will boost local jobs and respond to individual community needs,” Minister Littleproud said.
“We’ve had strong demand on the Drought Communities Extension Programme and we’re extending it to six new areas.
“On top of the $1 million we’ve delivered to 122 councils we’ll make another $1 million available for those still in need.
“We’ve also set up a $50 million fund for council projects in drought-hit communities for things like community hall renovations and playground upgrades.
“This will boost rural economies with more jobs and more business for regional suppliers like the local hardware store.”
Minister Littleproud said the Federal and South Australian Governments had also struck a deal to secure up to 100 gigalitres of water for farmers to grow fodder, silage and pasture at a discounted rate.
“100 gigalitres will produce up to 120,000 tonnes of feed for animals on farms in drought,” Minister Littleproud said.
“This will help farmers maintain their breeding stock during the drought so when it breaks farmers can recover faster.”
Minister Littleproud said the Government had also released the Drought Response, Resilience and Preparedness Plan. The plan draws on the Drought Co-ordinator Major General Stephen Day’s report and the Government’s response, which was also released today. The Plan, Report and the Government’s response are available at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/drought-policy.
The Government will continue to listen to drought-affected Australia, respond and step up.
Further information on the support available for drought-affected farms and communities and how to access it is available at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/drought/
Summary of Federal Government support

Existing support	New support
Looking after our farming families here and now
Simplified and expanded access to the Farm Household Allowance and extended it to a 4 in 10 year payment. Households are eligible for around $105,000 as well as an additional payment of $13,000 for couples $3,000 cash payments for families under the Drought Communities Support Initiative Built the National Drought Map so all data and support services are in one place Invested $25 million to help our farmers combat pests and weeds; $2.7 million to improve regional weather and climate guides; and $77.2 million for Bureau of Meteorology radars $2 billion available in concessional loans through the Regional Investment Corporation to help farmers and small businesses prepare for, manage through and recover from drought $5 million for the Rural Financial Counselling Service	Making new and existing drought loans for farmers interest free for two years so they purchase fodder, pay for freight and pay their farm hands. Years three to five will be interest only payment and years six to 10 will be interest and principal. Current scheme is the first five years are interest only payments, and interest and principal payments for the balance of the loan term A new program for small businesses dependent on agriculture with loans worth up to $500,000 that can be used to pay staff, buy equipment and refinance. It follows the same new payment scheme as the Drought Loans for farmers $10 million to support schools facing financial hardship as a result of ongoing drought conditions, including fee concessions for boarding students $5 million from the Community Child Care Fund will help assist centres that are experiencing decreased demand and financial pressure due to families from drought-affected areas being unable to pay for child care
Supporting jobs and investment in local communities
$1 million for 122 councils and shires in drought-affected areas to invest in projects that support jobs and business income $30 million for targeted mental health support $50 million funding for major charities to assist rural Australians in desperate need with up to $3,000 in individual support payments	An additional $1 million for each of the 122 drought-affected councils and shires if they need it $1 million each for new drought-affected councils and shires including Greater Hume, Hilltops, Lockhart and Upper Lachlan in NSW, and Kangaroo Island and Tatiara in SA $50 million discretionary fund to support projects in Local Government Areas impacted by the drought Redirecting $200 million into a Building Better Regions Fund drought round to support new projects that deliver social and economic benefits to drought-affected communities $138.9 million additional Roads to Recovery funding in calendar year 2020 for the 128 Local Government Areas eligible for the Drought Communities Programme Extension
Long term resilience
Future Drought Fund worth $5 billion to be a sustainable source of funding to improve drought resilience and preparedness $1.5 billion for 21 dams, irrigation projects and pipelines across Australia	100 gigalitres of water that will be used to grow up to 120,000 tonnes of fodder as well as silage and pasture to secure supplies for the months ahead.

Guraki Committee drives reconciliation for 20 years

The City of Newcastle’s Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee is celebrating two decades of strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Novocastrians.
Guraki was officially launched as a committee of Council on June 1, 1999 with a mandate to give life to Council’s reconciliation ‘Commitment Statement’.

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Guraki Committee had a proud history of delivering cultural awareness outcomes for the city.
“Our reconciliation journey over the past twenty years has been inspiring, challenging and rewarding,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Former Lord Mayor Joy Cummings’ advocacy followed by the establishment of the Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee by the Former Lord Mayor Greg Heys has ensured that Guraki’s legacy includes the Aboriginal flag on City Hall flying permanently alongside the Australian flag, a symbolic message acknowledging the Awabakal and Worimi peoples as Newcastle’s traditional custodians.
“Another achievement has been the dual names project which has seen the formal gazettal of eight significant Aboriginal landmarks in Newcastle, featuring interpretative signage with original names and place narratives.
“The City of Newcastle’s Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee submitted the names to the NSW Geographical Names Board based on Aboriginal references to the landmarks documented in maps, sketches and geological descriptions dating back from as early as 1797.
“This project has helped to bring the language and heritage of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples to a broader audience as part of a reconciliation project,” Cr Nelmes said.
Guraki Committee Chair Rob Russell has reflected on the history of Guraki and acknowledged those who have served on the committee throughout its 20 years to build strong relationships in the community.
“Guraki celebrating its 20th anniversary is a truly significant milestone. City of Newcastle has been a leader in driving reconciliation and seen many benefits from the expertise of an active Aboriginal community voice,” Mr Russell said.
“Guraki provides high level strategic advice to assist Council to better understand the perspectives and aspirations of local Aboriginal people.
“Into the future, Guraki will continue to foster a more inclusive Newcastle community, and to promote to Council the concerns and interests that affect Aboriginal people in Newcastle.”
Guraki’s milestone was marked on Thursday evening at an anniversary event held at Newcastle Museum. The past and future came together in a unique augmented reality Aboriginal Acknowledgement ceremony highlighting the heritage and culture of local Aboriginal peoples followed by a video presentation of Guraki and Council’s journey over 20 years.

Two men die in two separate road incidents – Lake Macquarie

Two people have died in separate crashes in Lake Macquarie this afternoon.
About 1.30pm today (Thursday 7 November 2019), emergency services were called to Freemans Drive, Cooranbong following reports a motorcyclist and a car had collided.
Bystanders conducted CPR on the male motorcycle rider until NSW paramedics arrived at the scene.
The man died a short time later; he is yet to be formally identified.
A male driver of the vehicle has been taken to Wyong Hospital for mandatory testing.
About an hour earlier, emergency services were called to Fishery Point Road, Morisset after reports a pedestrian was struck by a car.
Emergency services arrived at the scene and found a man suffering critical injuries. He died at the scene.
A male driver was taken to Wyong Hospital for mandatory testing.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner for both incidents.
Freemans Drive and Martinsville Road at Cooranbong are closed, as is Fishery Point Road at Morisset, with local diversions in place at both scenes whilst police undertake investigations.
Police are urging the public to avoid the area until further notice, with traffic from both incidents building up and both roads due to be closed for several hours.
Anyone who may have dashcam vision or witnessed either incident is urged to contact police.

Man charged following pursuit – Lake Macquarie

A man has been charged with several serious offences after a police pursuit with a stolen car in the Lake Macquarie region.
About 9.15am today (Thursday 7 November 2019), police were patrolling Dora Street, Morisset, when they observed a vehicle with two different registration plates.
Police pulled the vehicle over, however a short time later it drove off again and a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued to Lake Munmorah, where it was terminated due to safety concerns.
Police were informed that the vehicle entered a fire trail between Nords Wharf and Gwandalan.
The vehicle was located a short time later and monitored from a distance.
After the car stopped out the front of a home in Narara, police attended and arrested a 34-year-old man.
During a search of the man’s bag, police allegedly located an amount of methamphetamine, a knife, a key to the allegedly stolen vehicle, and a Range Rover key.
A search of the home police located further allegedly stolen items, and a spring assisted knife.
The man was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with aggravated break and enter dwelling in company, break and enter, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, unlawfully possess number plates (x2), drive motor vehicle during disqualification period (2^nd offence), police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously (2^nd offence), and possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.
He was refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court tomorrow (Friday 8 November 2019).

Safety the top priority ahead of Newcastle music festivals this weekend

Police are urging event goers to enjoy themselves at two music festivals this weekend in Newcastle but warned they won’t tolerate risky behaviour.
The “This That” Music Festival will be held at Wickham Park, Newcastle from 1.30pm on Saturday 9 November 2019 and the “Scene and Heard” festival will be held the following day (Sunday 10 November 2018) from 12:30pm at the same location.
Organisers are expecting up to 20,000 people to attend the festivals over the weekend.
A police operation will be conducted involving officers from Newcastle City Police District, with the assistance from the NSW Police Dog Unit.
Newcastle City Police District Commander, Acting Superintendent Gerard Lawson said the vast majority of patrons are well-behaved year on year, however police will act if people choose to break the law.
“These music events attract thousands of people from across the Hunter and up from Sydney. We want everyone to enjoy both events this weekend, but we want them to always have their safety and the safety of others at the front of their minds.
“Police will not tolerate any form of anti-social or criminal behaviour and will be targeting any illegal activity as well as alcohol-related crime. Please behave responsibly and look out for each other – if someone isn’t feeling well, make sure you seek medical assistance immediately,” Act Supt Lawson said.
Additional Traffic and Highway Patrol officers will be deployed to the area to make sure festival-goers and other motorists make it to and from their destinations safely.
“Community safety is our top priority, and we urge music fans and other Novocastrians to take care in and around the event site. Stay alert while behind the wheel, and always have a Plan B.
“Poor choices can have serious consequences and we urge all people attending these festivals to remain safe, look after your friends, and don’t risk your health or the health of others,” Act Supt Lawson said.

CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON SYDNEY MODERN

Construction works on the Sydney Modern Project have commenced, which will be an expansion that almost doubles the Art Gallery of NSW’s space, enabling more of our State’s art collection to go on show, as well as hosting more exhibitions from around Australia and the world.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for the Arts Don Harwin today marked the start of construction in a ceremony above the underground oil tanks that will be converted to exhibition space as part of the project.
“The Sydney Modern Project is a major public investment that will enrich the cultural life of our State and deliver economic benefits for generations to come, injecting more than $1 billion into the NSW economy,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The $344 million expansion will create an international art destination in one of the world’s most beautiful cultural precincts for everyone to enjoy. Gallery visitor numbers are expected to increase to at least two million people a year.”
Ms Berejiklian paid tribute to the generous philanthropists who had partnered with the NSW Government and the Gallery to make this once-in-a-generation project possible, raising more than $100 million.
Mr Harwin said the Gallery’s new building, designed by Pritzker-prize winning architects SANAA, would be an architectural and cultural landmark.
“The Sydney Modern Project will almost double the space to show more of the State’s outstanding art collection and host the best Australian and international exhibitions,” Mr Harwin said.
“One of the highlights of the expansion will be a prominent destination for the Gallery’s internationally renowned collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.”
President of the Art Gallery of NSW Board of Trustees David Gonski AC thanked the NSW Government and donors for their support.
“This is a truly momentous day as we embark on the next exciting chapter of this great public institution,” Mr Gonski said.
“We thank the NSW Government for making such a significant public investment in the arts, and the extraordinarily generous donors who have pledged support for the new building.”
Art Gallery of NSW director Dr Michael Brand said the Sydney Modern Project would transform the Gallery and the way visitors engage with art.
“Our expansion is more than a stunning new building. It’s about the exciting possibilities ahead of us to deliver more rich and meaningful experiences of art for everyone,” Dr Brand said.
The Sydney Modern Project is due to be completed in 2022. The Gallery remains open during construction.
Infrastructure NSW is managing the delivery of the project on behalf of the NSW Government and Gallery. Richard Crookes Constructions is the builder.

MANDATORY DISEASE TESTING FOR THOSE WHO ATTACK FRONTLINE WORKERS

People who bite or otherwise expose police and other frontline workers to a risk of disease could be subject to mandatory testing to provide peace of mind and lessen the anxiety for affected workers.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections Anthony Roberts and Attorney General Mark Speakman said the safety and protection of frontline workers was the NSW Government’s primary consideration.
The scheme will provide authorities with the power to test a person for diseases if there is a risk of an on-duty frontline worker being exposed to a blood borne virus such as HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C through the deliberate actions of another person.
Mr Elliott said our police officers, emergency services personnel and first responders put themselves in harm’s way every day, and it is vital we support them as much as possible.
“We want to give as much peace of mind to frontline workers as we can to alleviate the uncertainty they may experience if have been exposed to bodily fluids,” Mr Elliott said.
“Our Justice and Health ministers have been working hard on the details of this scheme, with the help of strong advocates like the Police Association and the Public Service Association, so I’m happy to say we are delivering.”
If frontline workers are exposed to a risk of contracting a blood borne virus in the course of their duties by a deliberate act of another person, a senior officer from their agency will carry out a risk assessment to determine if the source of the possible infection should be ordered to undergo mandatory testing.
Mr Roberts said working with prison inmates is stressful enough without our Corrections Officers worrying about their health after attacks that expose them to bodily fluids.
“These incidents can be extremely traumatic and stressful for our officers and their families, and mandatory disease testing will provide support. We will also ensure they receive prompt medical assessment, treatment and counselling,” Mr Roberts said.
Mr Speakman said anyone who refuses to comply with a mandatory testing order will be committing an offence.
“We need to provide a real deterrent so people who think it’s okay to attack our frontline workers know they will face the full force of the law. Courts will have the power to impose on those who refuse to undergo a test a maximum of 12 months imprisonment or an $11,000 fine, or both,” Mr Speakman said.
If either the victim or the person to be tested disagree with the decision of the senior officer, they may appeal within 48 hours to the NSW Chief Health Officer who must make a decision within seven days.
If the individual in question is younger than 16, or subject to a guardianship order, a parent, guardian or Local Court must approve the mandatory disease testing order.
The scheme will be available to frontline workers including the NSW Police Force, Corrective Services NSW, Youth Justice NSW, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, NSW Health, St John Ambulance and the Office of the Sheriff of NSW.
The Government aims to introduce legislation early next year.