Close to forty energy jobs are set to go at the CSIRO – with up to nine coming from Newcastle’s energy research flagship, the CSIRO Energy Centre.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has slammed the cuts, saying she was ‘deeply concerned’ about the impacts on the capacity of the Energy Centre.
“The scientists at Newcastle’s CSIRO Energy Centre are at the absolute forefront of driving innovation in the energy sector,” Ms Claydon said.
“It’s unconscionable to be cutting staff in an area of research that is so critical to our region and our nation.”
Ms Claydon said that the decision to diminish national energy research capacity was ‘unfathomable’.
“As we grapple with the urgent need to assess and plan for our future energy needs as part of the move to a low-carbon economy, it is short-sighted beyond belief to be slashing our world-class energy research capacity,” Ms Claydon said.
Ms Claydon said any energy research job losses would compound the impacts of the lack of a national energy policy.
“The Morrison Government’s failure to deliver any sort of coherent national energy policy has repelled investment and stopped the creation of thousands of jobs in regions like ours,” Ms Claydon said.
“Even before these cuts, the CSIRO was set to lose more than 500 jobs by the end of this financial year. I call on the Minister to step in and stand up for these important local and national jobs.”
Month: June 2020
Man charged with damaging police vehicle – Newcastle
A man has been charged with damaging a police vehicle after he allegedly kicked the door during an incident where officers were threatened with a knife earlier this week.
Two men, aged 28 and 35, where charged after allegedly threatening officers with a knife during a brawl in Hamilton South about 2.10pm on Tuesday 23 June 2020.
During the brawl, officers will allege in court that a 22-year-old man damaged the police vehicle then ran from the scene.
Investigations led police to arrest the man in Hamilton South, while they were conducting pro-active patrols of the area.
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, malicious damage, and affray.
He was refused bail and appeared in Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 25 June 2020).
Defence 'the worst way' to spend $200 billion
Australian Greens Peace & Disarmament spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said today that buying new military technology to equip Australia for future wars was the “worst way to spend” $200 billion, especially during a pandemic.
“Hundreds of thousands of people across our community are struggling right now and are unable to access the support they need,” Steele-John said.
“Aside from investing it directly into coal, this government would be hard pressed to come up with a worse way to spend $200 billion during a global pandemic, and against the backdrop of a climate crisis.
“Casual and migrant workers, people on the DSP and carer payment and renters have all been forgotten by this government in the economic response to COVID-19 and in just a couple of months time the JobKeeper payment will cease and the rate of JobSeeker will be cut almost in half, putting even more financial stress on thousands of Australians families and businesses.
“We need a new approach to defence spending that is focused on preparing our defence forces for the impacts of climate change instead of wasting public funds on unnecessary and outdated weapons.
“For Defence MInister Linda Reynolds to double-down on this commitment now is to rub salt into the wounds of every single Australian who is struggling right now.”
$250 Million Jobmaker Plan To Restart Australia’s Creative Economy
Thousands of jobs across Australia’s arts industry will be backed with a new $250 million targeted package to help restart the creative economy and get the entertainment, arts and screen sectors back to work, as they rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19.
A range of new grant and loan programs will roll out over the next 12 months to different parts of the arts sector to support the $112 billion creative economy and the more than 600,000 Australians it employs.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the commercial arts and entertainment sector was one of the first sectors to be impacted by COVID-19 and will be one of the last to come out of hibernation as social distancing restrictions are eased.
“Our JobMaker plan is getting their show back on the road, to get their workers back in jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“We’re delivering the capital these businesses need so they can start working again and support the hundreds of thousands of Australians who make their living in the creative economy.
“These measures will support a broad range of jobs from performers, artists and roadies, to front of house staff and many who work behind the scenes, while assisting related parts of the broader economy, such as tourism and hospitality.
“This package is as much about supporting the tradies who build stage sets or computer specialists who create the latest special effects, as it is about supporting actors and performers in major productions.
“Many in the sector will find a new way to operate while the current social distancing measures remain in place and while that won’t be easy I know there’s a strong desire among all Australians to see the return of gigs, performances and events.
The support package includes:
- Seed Investment to Reactivate Productions and Tours – $75 million in competitive grant funding in 2020-21 through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund. This program will provide capital to help production and event businesses to put on new festivals, concerts, tours and events as social distancing restrictions ease, including through innovative operating and digital delivery models. Grants of varying sizes will be available, from $75,000 through to $2 million.
- Show Starter Loans – $90 million in concessional loans to assist creative economy businesses to fund new productions and events that stimulate job creation and economic activity. The loans program will complement the RISE Fund and will be delivered through commercial banks, backed by a 100 per cent Commonwealth guarantee.
- Kick-starting Local Screen Production – $50 million for a Temporary Interruption Fund, to be administered by Screen Australia, that will support local film and television producers to secure finance and start filming again, supporting thousands of jobs in the sector. Filming of new productions has largely been halted as insurers are not providing coverage for COVID-19.
- Supporting Sustainability of Sector-Significant Organisations – $35 million to provide direct financial assistance to support significant Commonwealth-funded arts and culture organisations facing threats to their viability due to COVID-19, which may include organisations in fields including theatre, dance, circus, music and other fields. The Government will partner with the Australia Council to deliver this funding.
- Creative Economy Taskforce – establishment of a ministerial taskforce to partner with the Government and the Australia Council to implement the JobMaker plan for the creative economy.
Minister for Arts Paul Fletcher said the comprehensive package will deliver jobs and give creative and cultural experiences back to Australians.
“We are backing over 600,000 Australians in the cultural and creative sectors whose work contributes $112 billion to our economy. These sectors have been hit hard during the pandemic, and the Government’s investment will play an important role in the nation’s economic recovery,” Minister Fletcher said.
“We are injecting $100 million per month into the arts sector through the JobKeeper program and cash flow assistance, delivering an important lifeline for many businesses, but as social distancing restrictions ease, our plan supports businesses getting back on their feet and getting people back in jobs.”
Following the successful development of COVID-19 safe working guidelines to support the reopening of our National Collecting Institutions and the screen sector, the Government is working with the Australia Council to develop broader guidelines for the arts and entertainment sector to protect the public and workers. The Prime Minister will also seek approval from National Cabinet to give our entertainment industry greater certainty about the timetable for them to be able to re-activate their business, so they can better plan their path forward.
In coming weeks, the guidelines for the grant and loan programs will be released and the members of the Creative Economy Taskforce will be announced.
This plan builds on previously announced measures, including the injection of $100 million per month into the arts through JobKeeper and cashflow support over April and May; $10 million for regional and remote organisations; $7 million to Indigenous Art Centres; $10 million to Support Act to assist with mental health and crisis support; the Australia Council’s $5 million Resilience Fund and flexible management of existing funding agreements with Government.
This package also builds on the Government’s investment of $749 million in the arts and cultural industry in 2019-20 – the largest amount ever provided to the sector. The package is in addition to the support being provided by state and territory governments, totalling more than $170 million.
For more information about COVID-19 and arts support visit: www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update
$145 Million To Unlock Infrastructure Jobs In SA
The Morrison and Marshall Governments will support construction jobs across South Australia by jointly investing an additional $145 million to deliver shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said further investment in infrastructure would play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s JobMaker plan and help the South Australian economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Partnering with state and territory governments to invest in more major infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional funding in excess of $440 million to South Australia in the past eight months.
“This package builds on the fast tracking of $327 million for infrastructure in South Australia which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will bust congestion, increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time we need it most.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government had worked closely with State, Territory and Local Governments to identify shovel-ready projects to keep the economy moving and get money flowing back into jobs and businesses as soon as possible.
“This package includes a $52 million Regional Road Network Package, which will build on investments under the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative to deliver pavement treatments, shoulder sealing and safety enhancements to benefit the freight industry and regional communities across the state,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“We will also fund a $12 million higher-capacity North-South Freight Route bypassing Adelaide. This will deliver upgrades along the route between Murray Bridge and the Sturt Highway to remove speed restrictions and improve productivity, with initial works to get under way within six months.
“In all, this package will support more than 200 jobs during construction, which is good news for locals and communities across South Australia.”
Premier of South Australia Steven Marshall said the $145 million infrastructure investment is an important part of our plan to create local jobs and help re-build our economy.
“This significant infrastructure investment is part of our strong plan to create more South Australian jobs and support local businesses,” the Premier said.
“We have worked very closely with the Federal Government to fast track funding for these shovel-ready projects which will complement our record $12.9 billion infrastructure pipeline here in South Australia.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the funding injection will deliver shovel-ready projects across SA.
“Our investment in road safety infrastructure will transform and modernise the Heysen tunnels under the South Eastern Freeway,” Mr Tudge said.
“We’re also upgrading the freeway to deliver speed-activated signage on the steep descent into Adelaide.”
South Australian Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Stephan Knoll said the focus on regional road upgrade across the state would stimulate regional economies and improve road safety.
“This massive investment in regional roads will support regional jobs, communities and more importantly, help save lives on our country roads,” Mr Knoll said.
“We are funding a suite of safety improvements across the state which will include fixing Long Valley Road through localised widening, shoulder sealing, intersection treatments, safety barriers and sight distance improvements.”
The jointly funded package is supported by investments from the Morrison ($115.6 million) and Marshall Governments ($28.9 million).
Commonwealth funding for the package has been drawn from the recently announced $1.5 billion allocation to priority shovel-ready projects and targeted road safety works.
The Morrison Government has now committed more than $9 billion to transport infrastructure in South Australia.
SA INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE
Shovel-ready projects
| Project | Federal funding | Total funding |
| Heysen Tunnel refit and safety upgrade | $12 million | $15 million |
| Regional North-South Freight Route | $9.6 million | $12 million |
| Regional Road Network Package | $41.6 million | $52 million |
| Adventure Way and Innamincka Airport access road | $4.8 million | $6 million |
Road safety upgrades
| Project | Federal funding | Total funding |
| Installation of safety barriers at high-risk crash sites across South Australia | $8 million | $10 million |
| Long Valley Road safety improvements: localised widening, shoulder sealing, intersection treatments, safety barriers and sight distance improvements | $4.8 million | $6 million |
| Activated Safety Signing on South East Freeway | $3.2 million | $4 million |
| Median Wire Rope – Dukes Highway | $4 million | $5 million |
| Audio Tactile Line Marking on strategic corridors | $8 million | $10 million |
| Shoulder Sealing Program | $4 million | $5 million |
| Road lighting improvements at critical rural intersections | $6.8 million | $8.5 million |
| Variable Speed Limit Signs | $800,000 | $1 million |
| Minor improvements to junctions along key corridors | $8 million | $10 million |
| Total | $115.6 million | $144.5 million |
Australia’s AAA Credit Rating And Stable Outlook Reaffirmed By Moody’s
Moody’s has today reaffirmed Australia’s AAA credit rating and maintained the stable outlook supported by the “underlying resilience of the economy” and our “track record of proactive and effective policymaking.”
In its report, Moody’s notes that Australia’s “diversified economy, adaptable labour markets and flexible exchange rate” will continue to support growth while our “fiscal strength will remain broadly resilient” supported by “sound institutions with track records of responding effectively to shocks”.
Today’s report confirms Australia has maintained a AAA credit rating from all three major ratings agencies in an expression of confidence in the Morrison Government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Moody’s notes that “the fall in GDP is smaller than in other advanced economies” with “the resilience of the Australian economy supporting a return to positive growth next year.”
We are not through this crisis yet but with restrictions starting to ease, there are encouraging signs across the economy. Consumer confidence increased for nine consecutive weeks after the announcement of JobKeeper recovering around 93 per cent of the fall from mid-March. Business confidence rose in May and has recovered around 70 per cent of its record fall in March.
Australia entered this crisis from a position of economic strength which in the words of Moody’s provided “scope for the government to implement very large fiscal policy support packages.”
The Morrison Government’s economic response to the Coronavirus crisis is providing $260 billion or 13.3 per cent of GDP in support for workers, households and business.
This unprecedented level of support reflects the unprecedented moment that we find ourselves in.
Moody’s action today, in reaffirming our AAA rating and stable outlook, is a reminder of the importance of maintaining our commitment to medium term fiscal sustainability.
Our disciplined economic and budget management saw the Federal Budget return to balance for the first time in 11 years and the Budget was on track to achieve a surplus in 2019-20 before the COVID-19 outbreak.
Our measures are temporary, targeted and proportionate to the challenge we face and will ensure Australia bounces back stronger on the other side, without undermining the structural integrity of the Budget which Australians have worked so hard to restore.
In its report, Moody’s notes that Australia’s “diversified economy, adaptable labour markets and flexible exchange rate” will continue to support growth while our “fiscal strength will remain broadly resilient” supported by “sound institutions with track records of responding effectively to shocks”.
Today’s report confirms Australia has maintained a AAA credit rating from all three major ratings agencies in an expression of confidence in the Morrison Government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Moody’s notes that “the fall in GDP is smaller than in other advanced economies” with “the resilience of the Australian economy supporting a return to positive growth next year.”
We are not through this crisis yet but with restrictions starting to ease, there are encouraging signs across the economy. Consumer confidence increased for nine consecutive weeks after the announcement of JobKeeper recovering around 93 per cent of the fall from mid-March. Business confidence rose in May and has recovered around 70 per cent of its record fall in March.
Australia entered this crisis from a position of economic strength which in the words of Moody’s provided “scope for the government to implement very large fiscal policy support packages.”
The Morrison Government’s economic response to the Coronavirus crisis is providing $260 billion or 13.3 per cent of GDP in support for workers, households and business.
This unprecedented level of support reflects the unprecedented moment that we find ourselves in.
Moody’s action today, in reaffirming our AAA rating and stable outlook, is a reminder of the importance of maintaining our commitment to medium term fiscal sustainability.
Our disciplined economic and budget management saw the Federal Budget return to balance for the first time in 11 years and the Budget was on track to achieve a surplus in 2019-20 before the COVID-19 outbreak.
Our measures are temporary, targeted and proportionate to the challenge we face and will ensure Australia bounces back stronger on the other side, without undermining the structural integrity of the Budget which Australians have worked so hard to restore.
$46 Million To Unlock Infrastructure Jobs In Tasmania
The Morrison and Gutwein Governments are supporting construction jobs across Tasmania by jointly investing an additional $46 million to deliver shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said further investment in infrastructure would play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s JobMaker plan and help the Tasmanian economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Partnering with state and territory governments to invest in more major infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional funding in excess of $200 million to Tasmania in the past eight months.
“This package builds on the fast tracking of $173 million for infrastructure in Tasmania which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will increase productivity, improve safety and boost jobs at a time we need it most.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the funded projects in Tasmania include a number of road improvements, such as widening, surface work and bridge strengthening.
“The nine funded projects across the state will improve road safety for all users, while also enhancing accessibility and connectivity of the road network,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“$8 million is going towards main road and highway enhancements and another $7.2 million will go towards the widening of Railton Main Road and Richmond Road.”
Premier of Tasmania Peter Gutwein said the investment will create jobs for Tasmanians and save lives on the state’s roads.
“The Tasmanian Government will also invest $11.7 million in these projects, with $7 million going towards selected shovel-ready projects and $4.7 million to road safety improvements,” the Premier said.
“Many of the projects are due to start later this year, creating jobs and boosting the Tasmanian economy once COVID-19 has passed. This initiative complements Tasmania’s job-creating Construction Blitz plan to stimulate the economy and support thousands of jobs across the state.”
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said Tasmanians will benefit from improved road connections right across the state.
“Working with the Tasmanian Government, we are developing heavy vehicle rest areas, installing roadside barriers and upgrading the Huon Highway and Sandfly Road junction,” Mr Tudge said.
“Roads are vital for keeping population centres connected in Tasmania, and this funding package will improve reliability of the network and make sure more people get home sooner and safer.”
Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said the package will particularly improve the safety of school students across Tasmania.
“$3 million will be used to provide electronic signs in school zones across the state, while $6 million will also go to the construction of a pedestrian underpass, with an improved new engineering design including disability access, on the Midland Highway at Campbell Town,” Minister Ferguson said.
“The safety of all road users in the state is a priority, whether they are pedestrians, cyclists or drivers.”
Senator for Tasmania Richard Colbeck said getting shovels in the ground on local construction projects was crucial in maintaining jobs and economic growth across the state.
“This funding forms part of the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s record $100 billion dollar pipeline of infrastructure projects which is laying the foundations of a financial bridge to recovery on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Senator Colbeck said.
The jointly funded package is supported by investments from the Morrison ($34.3 million) and Gutwein Governments ($11.7 million).
Commonwealth funding for the package has been drawn from the recently announced $1.5 billion allocation to priority shovel-ready projects and targeted road safety works.
The Morrison Government has now committed nearly $2.9 billion to transport infrastructure in Tasmania.
TASMANIAN INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE
Shovel-ready projects
| Project | Federal funding | Total funding |
| Railton Main Road shoulder widening | $2 million | $4 million |
| State Road Network enhancements: Bass Highway, Arthur Highway, West Tamar Highway, Channel Highway, Bell Bay Main Road and Bridport Main Road resurfacing | $8 million | $10 million |
| Richmond Road shoulder widening | $5.2 million | $6.5 million |
| Pedestrian underpass on the Midland Highway at Campbell Town | $4.8 million | $6 million |
| Bridge Strengthening Upgrades | $2 million | $2.5 million |
Road safety upgrades
| Project | Federal funding | Total funding |
| Electronic school zone signs | $1.5 million | $3 million |
| Heavy Vehicle rest areas | $4 million | $5 million |
| Roadside barriers | $1.8 million | $2 million |
| Huon Highway/Sandfly Road junction | $5 million | $7 million |
| Total | $34.3 million | $46 million |
Solar farm powering City operations and revenue
City of Newcastle’s solar farm has exceeded expectations in its first six months of operation, generating almost twice the revenue it was expected to make annually.
The five-megawatt solar farm installed at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre generated more than $420,000 in revenue between when it went live in mid-November and the end of April, well above original forecasts used in the business case’s projected average of $250,000 a year.
The Summerhill Solar Farm at dawn.
Selling energy back into the electricity market, the solar farm further demonstrated its value during the January bush fires when the City supported the state’s damaged energy grid as a net exporter.
A renewable power purchase agreement with a wind farm that came into effect on 1 January, making the City the first NSW Council to be powered 100 per cent by renewables, saved a further $30,000.
“The business case showed the solar farm would save rate payers around $9 million, after costs, over its 25-year lifespan – and so far, it’s on track to do even better,” Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“The solar farm helped us exceed our renewable energy goals under the Newcastle 2020 Carbon and Water Management Action Plan, which targeted 30 per cent of our electricity needs from low-carbon sources.
“By combining solar installations, battery storage and the purchase agreement to power all our operations, the City has created a resilient energy strategy that will protect us from future electricity price spikes.
“Working in concert with the power purchase agreement, these investments give us price stability, create financial savings for rate payers and have already enabled us to reduce our operational carbon emissions by 77 per cent, compared to the 2008 baseline.”
The Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership Director David Craven said the solar farm was a “fantastic accomplishment by the City of Newcastle”.
“They have again stepped up as leader in renewables and as a leader amongst local governments taking significant action on climate,” Mr Craven said.
“Renewable energy is the cheapest form of new energy generation and is proving to save Novocastrians millions, while creating a healthy future for this community.”
The City is also paving the way to an electric transport future by converting fleet vehicles to electric and installing an electric vehicle charging network powered by solar panels and battery storage.
Meanwhile, the City is increasing solar-energy generation on its buildings.
“We recently added an additional 100-kilowatt roof top photovoltaic system to our Waratah Works Depot, doubling the capacity of the system installed onsite in 2013 and taking total generation of our 12 solar systems to almost 9 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy each year,” Councillor Nelmes added.
“Our five-megawatt solar farm and over 660 kilowatts of rooftop solar provide the equivalent energy needs of more than 1,770 Newcastle households a year with clean, renewable energy.”
For its commitment to renewables and reducing carbon emissions, the City won the prestigious Local Government Sustainability Award in 2019 and is currently a finalist for Environmental Leadership and Sustainability in the 2020 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.
Climate wars won't end by surrendering
The Australian Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, has said Labor’s latest offer to embrace carbon capture and storage won’t help tackle the climate emergency, saying you don’t end the climate wars by surrendering.
“You don’t end the climate wars by surrendering,” Greens Leader Adam Bandt said.
“We need a plan to get coal out of the system, not to lock it in.
“The Liberals don’t care about climate change, so holding out for bipartisanship is just a recipe for inaction.”
“An energy plan premised on the unicorn technology of carbon capture and storage is doomed to failure.”
“It’s a red letter day for coal in Australia and a terrible day for the climate. Queensland ports recorded a record export, NSW revealed that their plans were based on the world ignoring the Paris Agreement and now the ALP and Liberals want to keep coal in the system for longer.
“The Liberal, National and Labor parties accept millions of dollars in donations from coal, oil and gas companies. Today’s news demonstrates that fossil fuel interests continue to have too much influence on our politics.
“After repealing the carbon price, it’s clear to anyone paying attention that not having a plan for coal is indeed the Liberals’ plan, and today Labor offered to sign on to it too.” Bandt said.
LABOR: IT’S TIME FOR A ROYAL COMMISSION INTO ROBODEBT
Federal Labor will today call for a Royal Commission into the Morrison Government’s illegal Robodebt scheme so a disaster like this never happens to the Australian people again.
Millions of Australians were targeted for four long years by this Government, in a bid to artificially boost the budget bottom line with up to 740,000 unlawful debts.
The Prime Minister himself was the architect of this cruel scheme designed to extract $1.5 billion in unlawful debts from the Australian people.
A Royal Commission would shed light on critical questions that might otherwise go unanswered, including:
- Who came up with the idea for the scheme and what due diligence was done, what advice was obtained, prior to its implementation?
- When did the Government first learn that its Robodebt scheme was unlawful?
- Did the Government settle legal challenges, and choose not to appeal adverse AAT determinations in order to avoid a court ruling that the scheme was unlawful?
- How was such a fundamentally – and obviously – flawed scheme allowed to continue for as long as it did?
- In total, how much has the failed scheme cost the Australian taxpayer?
- In total, how many debts have been issued under the illegal Robodebt scheme?
- How many Australians have been harmed by the Robodebt scheme?
- How many Australians have taken their own lives after being pursued by the Government, or by debt collectors paid by the Government, for debts under the illegal Robodebt scheme?
A Royal Commission could also make recommendations – including for law reform – on the sole use of “data matching” and automated processes.
Australians deserve the truth. Australians deserve action to stop this from happening again.
The Morrison Government is all spin and no delivery. Whether it’s Robodebt, allowing criminals to steal people’s superannuation or the HomeBlunder package, then never deliver and it’s Australians that feel the painful consequences.
The Government has continued to hide from scrutiny and refused to answer basic questions about the scheme. Only a Royal Commission will ensure they are held to account.