A man has been charged with murder after allegedly running down another man with a 4WD in the Hunter in 2018.
Police were called to a home on Edith Street, Cessnock, about 11pm on Tuesday (25 September 2018), and found a 36-year-old man seriously injured in the backyard.
He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established Strike Force Lirki to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, police arrested a 34-year-old man on Maitland Street, Cessnock, about 10am today (Wednesday 17 June 2020).
He was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with murder and drugs offences.
Police will allege in court that the man drove a Nissan Patrol 4WD into the backyard and pinned the man between the car and a shed, causing fatal injuries.
Police will also allege the pair were known to each other.
He was refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today (Wednesday 17 June 2020).
Month: June 2020
Live Export: Minister Must Intervene To Prevent Departure
Following an unsuccessful last-minute court challenge by Animals Australia, Australian Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the Agriculture Minister, David Littleproud MP, must urgently intervene to halt the departure of the RETWA live export ship from Australia.
Senator Faruqi will move a motion in the Senate this afternoon calling on the Minister to intervene and stop the RETWA ship from departing Australia.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Minister Littleproud should do his job and enforce the new rules that are designed to protect animal welfare. This whole farce has revealed that the ‘independence’ of the Department as the regulator is a joke.
“It’s outrageous that for this government, when business interests and animal welfare collide, profit wins out every time.
“50,000 sheep will face inevitable suffering and great risk of death if this journey goes ahead.
“This exemption makes a complete mockery of the new animal welfare rules which were only very recently introduced, to prevent animals being shipped during the dangerously hot northern summer conditions.
“We are now halfway through June, and it’s only going to get hotter as this ship makes its way towards the equator.
“We need an Independent Office of Animal Welfare, operating at arm’s length from other functions of government. Animal welfare should be protected on principle and not thrown out the window whenever there’s a buck to be made,” she said.
Motion 670 available on the Senate Notice Paper.
Senate calls for urgent confidentiality legislation for Disability Royal Commission
The Senate has supported a Greens motion calling on the Government to urgently legislate protections for witnesses seeking to make a submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Exploitation and Neglect of People with Disability in confidence.
Australian Greens Disability Rights spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said confidentiality protections were not only essential, but time-sensitive to ensure that the Royal Commission could do its job properly.
“The Government has already wasted the best part of a year of a Royal Commission process that has only been scheduled to take three years,” he said.
“Failure to act quickly has had, and will continue to have, a chilling effect on the Royal Commission.
“I have people contacting my office all the time – people who have lost all faith in the system because of the violence, abuse, exploitation or neglect they, or their family, have suffered – wanting to know when it will be safe for them to tell their stories.
Under current legislative arrangements confidentiality can only be guaranteed until the end of Royal Commission.
The Government indicated in the Senate today that they were “considering their options” and that “a decision would be made shortly”.
Greens push to ban dirty political donations and restore democracy
The Greens will today introduce a bill in the Senate that will prohibit political donations from certain industries, and impose a cap on all other donations.
Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson on Democracy, Senator Larissa Waters said:
“We must put a stop to the rorts and favours for mates that are rife under the Morrison Government.
“Since 2012, the Liberal, National and Labor parties have received over one hundred million dollars from corporate donors. And we’ve seen those donors benefit from favourable policy outcomes and project approvals.
“My bill today sends a clear message – the community is fed up and our democracy should not be for sale.
“The Banning Dirty Donations Bill seeks to stop all political donations from industries with a track record of seeking to influence decisions: the mining, banking, gambling, alcohol, pharmaceutical, defence, tobacco and property development industries.
“It also caps all other donations at $3,000 per parliamentary term, so wealth doesn’t equate to influence.
“Big money should not run politics, the public interest should.
“If you want evidence of donors guiding policy, look no further than the National Covid Coordination Commission (NCCC).
“After years of receiving donations from the gas industry, the government handpicked a NCCC stacked with gas representatives. So it’s no surprise the NCCC is recommending a ‘gas-led recovery’ that benefits Commission members but will be toxic for the climate, our precious water supplies, and farmland.
“Trust in politics is at an all-time low and the best way to fix this is to stop selling our democracy to the highest bidder. The major parties should join with the Greens and help clean up politics,” Senator Waters said.
CLAYDON PREPARES TO SLEEP IN CAR IN CANBERRA
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon will spend the night sleeping in her car in Canberra after a fortnight in Federal Parliament. Canberrans are expecting a minimum overnight temperature of 3 degrees.
“The night is being run slightly differently this year as a result of COVID, with participants taking part from their cars, couches or backyards,” Ms Claydon said.
“The CEO Sleepout provides some insight into homelessness and demands that we focus on some of the issues that homeless people confront every day.”
Ms Claydon said the CEO Sleepout raises money for local Vinnie’s services providing food, accommodation, healthcare and support for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
“Last year, the donations to the Newcastle CEO Sleepout delivered funding for the Matthew Talbot Centre in Wickham to employ a property officer and a specialist mental health worker to give people the assistance and support to successfully transition to the private rental market.
“The CEO Sleepout will deliver a concrete positive outcomes for our community in Newcastle. I’d encourage everyone to dig deep and support it.”
Ms Claydon said it was a national tragedy that more Australians are homeless than ever before.
“On any given night, close to 120,000 Australians will be homeless. For a wealthy country like Australia – that’s to our great shame.
“Stable and secure housing, is absolutely central to developing wellbeing in all areas of our lives.”
Ms Claydon commended the work of Vinnie’s and all frontline services working to help people facing homelessness, but said that governments need to do more.
“We’ve seen through the COVID-19 crisis that where there is genuine commitment, we can rapidly reduce the number of people sleeping on the streets, in cars, or on couches,” Ms Claydon said.
“Now we need to take that political will and commit to genuine long-term solutions to drive down homelessness.”
To support Sharon and donate to the CEO Sleepout, visit https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/sharon-claydon-sharon-claydon-mp/newcastle
Wanted man charged over alleged road rage incident – Newcastle
A man has been charged with outstanding warrants and firearm offences after a public-place shooting in Stockton earlier this month.
Just after 7pm on Tuesday 9 June 2020, police responded to reports of an alleged road-rage incident on Fullerton Street, Stockton.
Police have been told two vehicles – a blue SUV and a utility – were involved in a driving incident before the SUV driver allegedly produced a firearm and discharged it towards the utility.
The SUV was driven away, last seen turning onto King Street.
Following inquiries, officers from Newcastle City Police District, attended licenced premises on Maitland Road, Mayfield, and arrested a 31-year-old man at about 8.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 16 June 2020).
During a search of man, police located a sawn-off firearm and several rounds of ammunition.
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with possess unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) w/o authority, not keep firearm safely – prohibited firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority and for two outstanding warrants.
The man has been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today.
MORRISON GOVERNMENT VOTES AGAIN TO SLASH AUSTRALIA POST DELIVERIES
The Morrison Government has voted eight times over two days to slash Australia Post deliveries and threaten jobs and wages.
Today Labor Leader Anthony Albanese moved to disallow the Prime Minister’s regulations which cut the frequency of postie delivery rounds, extend mail delivery times for millions of Australians and put the jobs of up to one in four posties and many others at risk.
This follows Labor’s move to disallow the regulations on Friday.
Many Australians, including isolated, vulnerable and older Australians and those living in regional areas, rely on regular postal services.
The Prime Minister’s regulations rip away Australia Post services from Australians who need them most.
The Prime Minister has used the coronavirus pandemic as cover for an attack on essential services and frontline workers.
Labor considers the parcels boom an opportunity to preserve and create jobs — not cut them.
Cutting Red Tape by Modernising Business Communications and Improving Occupational Mobility
The Government today announced the next two priority areas for its Deregulation Taskforce, both of which will assist COVID-19 economic recovery by cutting red tape.
Modernising Business Communications
Commonwealth and state laws have not kept pace with the way Australians engage with digital communications and add compliance costs, for example, by mandating that businesses use certain methods of communicating or storing information – preventing them from using electronic delivery or adopting new technologies such as blockchain applications.
The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (ETA) facilitates commerce by removing impediments to using electronic communications to satisfy legal obligations but, in the 20 years since its introduction, digital communication has proliferated while the number of exemptions, currently 147, has hardly changed. State and territory jurisdictions have similar ETAs, also with numerous exemptions.
The Taskforce will also examine other legislation which can be made technology neutral.
In order to reduce business costs and better reflect the way Australians want to engage and communicate, the Deregulation Taskforce will work with business and consumers to identify and address these issues, and with state and territory governments to explore complementary reforms.
Improving Occupational Mobility
Occupational licensing and registration requirements often vary across states and territories, which increases costs on business and workers who operate or move across Australia.
20% of workers in the economy are required to be licensed or registered, while there are in excess of 800 licenses in manual trades across states and territories.
The Deregulation Taskforce’s work area is aimed at cutting red tape by exploring greater mutual recognition of qualifications and improved information flows between jurisdictions.
State and territory Treasurers have written to the Commonwealth asking that the Deregulation Taskforce consider potential reforms to Australia’s mechanism for the mutual recognition of occupational licences.
The Government is seeking to partner with state and territory governments to progress this work.
This will let business access skilled workers more quickly and provide more opportunities for people such as builders, trades workers, and architects and engineers. It will also facilitate labour movement across borders in response to disasters, such as bushfires.
The work of the Deregulation Taskforce continues the Australian Government’s commitment to reducing red tape, to make it easier for businesses to invest and create jobs. Further information is available on the Deregulation Taskforce webpage.
Modernising Business Communications
Commonwealth and state laws have not kept pace with the way Australians engage with digital communications and add compliance costs, for example, by mandating that businesses use certain methods of communicating or storing information – preventing them from using electronic delivery or adopting new technologies such as blockchain applications.
The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (ETA) facilitates commerce by removing impediments to using electronic communications to satisfy legal obligations but, in the 20 years since its introduction, digital communication has proliferated while the number of exemptions, currently 147, has hardly changed. State and territory jurisdictions have similar ETAs, also with numerous exemptions.
The Taskforce will also examine other legislation which can be made technology neutral.
In order to reduce business costs and better reflect the way Australians want to engage and communicate, the Deregulation Taskforce will work with business and consumers to identify and address these issues, and with state and territory governments to explore complementary reforms.
Improving Occupational Mobility
Occupational licensing and registration requirements often vary across states and territories, which increases costs on business and workers who operate or move across Australia.
20% of workers in the economy are required to be licensed or registered, while there are in excess of 800 licenses in manual trades across states and territories.
The Deregulation Taskforce’s work area is aimed at cutting red tape by exploring greater mutual recognition of qualifications and improved information flows between jurisdictions.
State and territory Treasurers have written to the Commonwealth asking that the Deregulation Taskforce consider potential reforms to Australia’s mechanism for the mutual recognition of occupational licences.
The Government is seeking to partner with state and territory governments to progress this work.
This will let business access skilled workers more quickly and provide more opportunities for people such as builders, trades workers, and architects and engineers. It will also facilitate labour movement across borders in response to disasters, such as bushfires.
The work of the Deregulation Taskforce continues the Australian Government’s commitment to reducing red tape, to make it easier for businesses to invest and create jobs. Further information is available on the Deregulation Taskforce webpage.
Vital Funding For Regional Airports
60 regional airports will receive a share of $41.2 million, in another step taken by the Federal Government to help Australia’s aviation industry get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Regional Airports Program would assist the owners of regional airports to undertake essential works, promoting aviation safety and access for regional Australians.
“For our regional communities, the local airport is an essential link to the rest of Australia,” Mr McCormack said.
“The Government is investing in regional airports because we know this infrastructure is key to securing our regional aviation network now and into the post-COVID future.
“We are investing $100 million over four years from 2019-20 to 2022-23 to help owners of regional airports right across Australia deliver safer runways, taxiways and other safety upgrades such as new fencing and safety equipment.”
The Federal Government will work with successful recipients and communities under this round to deliver the funding needed to help support regional Australia’s post-pandemic recovery.
Examples of projects funded include:
- A $5 million runway upgrade at Ballarat Airport in Victoria
- $4.5 million for runway works at Merimbula Airport in New South Wales
- $2.45 million for runway and taxiway works at Whyalla Airport in South Australia
- $1.73 million for a range of work at Gladstone Airport in Queensland
- $1.66 million for re-surfacing works at Albany Airport in Western Australia
This funding is in addition to the Federal Government’s total package of support for Australia’s aviation industry of more than $1.2 billion.
For more information on the Regional Airports Program, visit https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/regional/rap.aspx
Help shape how we manage Newcastle’s rich heritage
Community members are invited to have their say on how to manage the city’s heritage assets and better recognise Newcastle’s Aboriginal history.
A rich portfolio of local conservation areas and buildings are noted for their character and heritage significance in The City of Newcastle Heritage Strategy.
An updated version, which is on public exhibition from today, places greater emphasis on Newcastle’s original inhabitants in guiding management of the city’s historical treasures over the next decade.
Highlighted are the Awabakal and Worimi people’s early encounters with European settlers and subsequent history of dispossession, as well as the reconciliatory 2016 recognition by the Geographical Names Board of eight places and landmarks with dual Aboriginal names.
“We are engaging with the local community and stakeholders to communicate our commitment to the protection, support and promotion of Newcastle’s heritage,” Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said.
Left: Toby CEDAR Op Nor Beizam (Shark Mask) White 2018 bamboo cane, twine, raffia, pearl shell, acrylic paint, feather 80.0 x 56.0 x 31.0cm Les Renfrew Bequest 2019 Courtesy the artist. In 2019-2020, 20 of 37 works purchased for the Newcastle Art Gallery collection were by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists. This work was one of those acquisitions.
“Our city has a unique mix of heritage conservation areas, archaeological sites, heritage-listed buildings and places that are recognised and protected for their character and heritage significance.
“The Awabakal and Worimi peoples, descendants of the traditional owners of the land, have ties dating back tens of thousands of years, and this updated strategy better considers their ancient and ongoing connection as well as their hardships since settlement in an unvarnished history.
“This is important because Newcastle is home to one of Australia’s largest Aboriginal populations, a diverse community drawn from many language groups which identify with, foster and protect their distinctive cultures, beliefs and languages through connection to land and each other.
“The new strategy emphasises our rich Aboriginal and European heritage and the important role the City’s public exhibitions and performances play at our museum, art gallery, libraries and theatres, all of which celebrate our cultural heritage.”
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Joseph LYCETT Inner view of Newcastle c1818 oil on canvas 59.8 x 90.0cm Purchased with assistance from the National Art Collections Fund, London UK 1961 Newcastle Art Gallery collection.
The updated heritage strategy also builds on the Newcastle 2030 Community Strategic Plan (CSP).
“Through the CSP, the Newcastle community strongly expressed its wish for local heritage to be valued, enhanced and celebrated,” Councillor Winney-Baartz added.
“This heritage strategy allows Council to articulate a framework for achieving this vision, and to meet its statutory responsibilities.”
Community input will be considered when the draft Heritage Strategy 2020-2030 is finalised by Council later this year. Community members can review the draft strategy and have their say https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Community/Get-Involved/On-Public-Exhibition from Monday 15 June to Monday 13 July.