Month: July 2020

Extra support urgently needed for disabled people & carers

The Australian Greens have reiterated their calls for people on the Disability Support Pension (DSP) and Carer Payment to receive extra economic support to help them get through the COVID-19 crisis.
Spokesperson for Families, Ageing and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said that in the wake of the second wave of the COVID-19 crisis we are now seeing, especially Victoria, the Government must urgently top up the DSP and Carer Payments so that disabled people and carers can meet the additional costs they are facing because of the pandemic.
“Disabled people and carers have been doing it extremely tough for the last few months without extra support to assist them with the higher costs they’ve been facing for groceries, transport and access to essential supports and medical supplies,” Senator Siewert said.
“With further lockdowns and economic hardship now inevitable, it is incumbent on this government to acknowledge the thousands of Australians on the DSP and Carer payment who need extra support.”
Spokesperson for Disability Rights and Services Senator Jordon Steele-John said people had been desperately holding out for the second $750  economic support payment, which will be paid today and should be reaching people over the course of this week.
“Frankly, this extra payment has been barely enough for people to hold on,” Steele-John said.
“Since this crisis began my office has been flooded with calls and emails from people saying they are struggling to make ends meet, and that the first payment was only able to cover things like rent arrears, bills that had been piling up or had simply enabled them to buy fresh fruit and vegetables for the first time in months.
“I know that this second payment will be the same; people will use it to cover the costs of essentials and very quickly it will disappear, putting many thousands of disabled people and carers back in a precarious financial position if they don’t receive extra, ongoing support from the government.
“We are once again calling on the Government to provide a top-up payment to Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment recipients so that these payments are equal to the new rate of Jobseeker Payment to make sure that eveyrone has the support they need to get throught his crisis.”

PRIVATISED REEF PROTECTION PLAN STILL IGNORES CLIMATE CRISIS

The release of the 2020-2021 workplan for the Reef Trust Partnership once again shows the Reef requires comprehensive, science-based protection by its proper management authority, and government-wide action on the climate crisis, says Greens Leader in the Senate and Queensland Senator Larissa Waters
“The Liberals would privatise their mothers if they could, and the Great Barrier Reef is the latest casualty of this ideology,” Senator Waters said.
“The Great Barrier Reef has faced three of the worst coral bleaching episodes in its long history in the last five years because of coal-driven climate change. This workplan talks about the need to tackle climate change and transition to clean energy, but does nothing towards that goal.”
“The proposal for tackling coral bleaching is not job-creating climate action, but research into shadecloths.
“The proposal for a ‘national behavioural change challenge’ to tackle climate change focuses on community projects, not changing the behaviour of the fossil fuel industry.
“The climate crisis worsens as the Morrison government dances to its fossil fuel donors’ tune, and now they want praise for researching a glorified sun umbrella for the 50% of coral left in the Reef.
“Shadecloths and Crown of Thorns starfish research are bandaid solutions while the big threats to the Reef – climate change and water quality – continue to be ignored or underfunded.
“This workplan is more rearranging of the deck chairs on the Titanic by a federal government that ignores and worsens the climate crisis, and underfunds water quality improvement by orders of magnitude.
“The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Australian Institute of Marine Science, who have an actual mandate to protect and manage the Reef, have been undermined and continue to be underfunded by the Morrison Government.
“The 60,000 people who rely on a healthy Reef, and the World Heritage status of this biodiversity icon, demands so much better from the fossil fuel donation-hooked large political parties.”

More Australian Defence Force Personnel To Join Victoria’s Coronavirus Response

A further 1000 Australian Defence Force personnel will be deployed to Victoria to support the coronavirus response.
Since the offer from the Commonwealth Government of additional resources was accepted on Sunday, the Victorian Government has been working with the Emergency Management Commissioner and the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police to determine their best use.
Due to the evolving situation, from today an open Request for Assistance model will be in place for ADF personnel to be deployed. The additional ADF support will be deployed across the following areas, based on need:

  • State Control Centre planning, logistics and intelligence reporting
  • Public health response focusing on contact tracing data management and analysis, information flow as well as the allocation and tracking of tasks and the onboarding staff to undertake interviews
  • Support for supply and logistics to ensure physical care packages such as food and toys and other essential supplies are provided to public housing residents
  • Support focusing on testing in metro, regional/rural and tourist locations
  • Assisting relevant agencies with community engagement focusing on community awareness and outreach, particularly in high risk areas as well as critical infrastructure and regional workplaces
  • Partnering with Ambulance Victoria paramedic response crews to expand Ambulance Victoria’s response capabilities by providing personnel to act as a second crew member that can support paramedics at scenes and drive back to hospital
  • Compliance checking to support Victoria Police’s enforcement of the Chief Health Officer’s stay at home orders
  • Surge capacity as required in relation to vehicle check points

It is expected this will see the current contingent of over 400 personnel remain in Victoria for at least the duration of the Stage 3 restrictions set to conclude on Wednesday 19 August. The extra 1,000 ADF personnel will begin to deploy in coming days and it is expected this will continue over the next four weeks.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Commonwealth Government would continue to work with Victoria to support the state’s response to the deadly virus.
“We will help Victoria with whatever it takes to save lives and to save livelihoods,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our highly trained ADF personnel will work alongside state authorities to surge support for Victoria to ensure they get the backing they need to help respond to the situation. This is a serious situation facing not just Victoria, but the whole country.”
Premier Daniel Andrews thanked the Commonwealth and other states for their continued support and collaboration to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
“This is a public health bushfire – just as we help out other states in summer, help is coming from across the nation now, including Australian Defence Force personnel in addition to the strong support provided over recent months – and we are grateful for that,” the Premier said.
“As all Victorians work together to follow the rules they should be assured we have a massive team working around the clock to keep every Victorian family safe.”
At the request of the Victorian Government, the Commonwealth through the National Cabinet last week also agreed to extend the cancellation of all scheduled international passenger airline services to Victoria until further notice.

New map offers helicopter view of local development

A bird’s eye view of all development applications in Newcastle is now available online via an interactive aerial map on the City’s website.
The map makes it easy for residents and interested parties to access information about current development applications (DAs), modifications, reviews and complying development certificates (CDCs), as well as all development determinations made in the 12 months prior.
Development locations are marked on a Google Earth-style map with a pin showing properties, street names, suburbs and local landmarks.
The coloured markers represent applications on exhibition (yellow), pending applications (blue) and those approved (green) or refused (red) in the past 12 months.
DA-map-courtesy-CN.jpg
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the map was a great way to see what development was underway in any part of the city.
“The map is a great convenience for residents and customers who previously had to search individual properties or streets on our website to obtain a list of proposed or approved developments,” the Lord Mayor said.
“For the first time, Novocastrians can, from the convenience of their phone or computer, scroll through an aerial map of developments across the city and see what’s happening and where.
“Users can also link to our development application tracker via the “more info” option when they scroll down in the pop-up box, which links to relevant documents, plans and application details.”
The map’s launch comes amid marginally increased development activity across Newcastle, despite the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City received six more development applications in the three months from March (332) than it did during the corresponding period last year (326).
“The number of development applications being lodged with the City of Newcastle this year is consistent with last year, including through the period since COVID-19 started to impact the economy,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Development applications for the three months were worth $141 million, which is estimated to sustain up to 830 local jobs.
“This indicates that there continues to be opportunities in the construction sector in Newcastle with a mix of development types – the majority on existing sites or home improvements.
“The HomeBuilder program, which is offering $25,000 to build a new home or substantially renovate an existing one, may create further opportunities for the construction industry in Newcastle over the coming six to 12 months.”

TOUGH NEW COVID-19 COMPLIANCE MEASURES FOR PUBS

New rules will be introduced to pubs across NSW that will limit group bookings to a maximum of 10 people and cap the number of customers inside a venue to 300 people following a concerning rise in COVID-19 cases.
Tough new compliance measures will also see dedicated Hygiene Marshalls patrol venues to keep customers safe and ensure the mandatory implementation of a COVID-Safe plan.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new measures, agreed to by the NSW Australian Hotels Association, will come into force at 12:01am Friday, 17 July.
“We are at a crucial stage of the pandemic in NSW – we want venues strictly implementing their COVID-Safe plans and customers abiding by the rules of the venue they are in,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It is critical people remember when they are at a venue they remain seated. This reduces the risk of transmission.”
Under the new measures, pubs across NSW will be required to implement the following:

  • The number of people per booking or table will be reduced from 20 people to 10;
  • A cap of 300 people in a venue at any one time;
  • Compulsory COVID-Safe registration through Service NSW;
  • A dedicated COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall in distinctive clothing must oversee social distancing, cleaning and hygiene at the venue;
    • Large hotels with a capacity of greater than 250 people are to have a COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall on duty whenever the hotel is open.
    • Smaller hotels with a capacity of less than 250 are to have a COVID Safe Hygiene Marshall employed in peak periods (lunch 12pm to 3pm and dinner 5pm to 9pm).
  • Paper sign-in will still be permitted, but hotels must create a digital record of patron names and phone numbers (excel or word) to be submitted within 24 hours;
  • Ensure all patrons provide their name and contact details accurately; and
  • Encouraged to strongly promote QR code sign-in.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said venues enforcing COVID-Safe plans is a crucial element in reducing the chance of an outbreak and keeping the community safe.
“These new measures will reduce the number of people in venues at any one time and ensure customers’ details are recorded accurately so they are immediately available to contact tracers should there be an outbreak at a venue,” Mr Hazzard said.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said these new rules will be enforced with random and covert inspections and that strict penalties will apply to any venues that breach them.
“These new measures strike the right balance in protecting the health and safety of the people of NSW and ensuring venues remain operational,” Mr Dominello said.
“There will be random inspections and there will be zero tolerance for non-compliance.”
AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the NSW Government had worked closely with industry to develop these new requirements which help keep the community safe.
“We all know how important it is for our venues to stay COVID-Safe – we are in constant contact with our members and will ensure they understand how vital it is they comply with these new measures.”
Any business found in breach of the public health orders will be held to account and could face a penalty of up to $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day an offence continues. On the spot fines can also be issued.
Liquor and Gaming NSW also have the power to enforce the following penalties:

  • FIRST OFFENCE: $5,500 fine or relevant penalty for breach of the Public Health Order.
  • SECOND OFFENCE: Business will be closed for one week.
  • THIRD OFFENCE (repeated and willful non-compliance): Shutdown for up to one month.

Police conduct Public Health Order compliance checks across the state in effort to stop the spread of COVID-19

The NSW Police Force is continuing to conduct Public Health Order compliance checks state-wide in an ongoing effort to protect the health and safety of the community, with approximately 300 home visits being conducted in the past 24 hours alone.
On Tuesday 7 July 2020, the NSW government introduced requirements under a Public Health Order for those returning to NSW from Victoria to self-isolate for a period of 14 days.
With a significant number of checks already undertaken and more planned as part of the ongoing operation, Operation Corona Virus Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke, said the aim of the checks was to protect the people of NSW.
“Over the past few months, we have seen the overwhelming success quarantine measures have had in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in NSW,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
“In order to prevent a significant increase of cases in our state, we need to remain vigilant and ensure those returning from Victoria are self-isolating as required.
“Police will continue to do their part by enforcing all ministerial directions, but we are also appealing to people to remain patient and continue to work with us in the way they have so far throughout the pandemic.
“Our combined efforts are the best chance we have at stopping further spread,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
Police are also conducting regular foot patrols of licensed venues to ensure compliance with ministerial directions, as well as regular licensing requirements.
With several venues currently under investigation, Acting Assistant Commissioner Cooke issued a timely reminder to all businesses about their responsibilities.
“Let me be clear, we are taking all breaches of ministerial directions extremely seriously. Those who disregard the safety and health of the people of NSW will be held to account,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
The maximum penalty for contravening a Public Health Order is a fine of up to $11,000 and/or six months imprisonment.
The standard penalty will be a fine by way of an on-the-spot Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) – $1000 for individuals and $5000 for businesses.
Information on current Public Health Orders can be found at www.health.nsw.gov.au
Anyone with information about potential breaches of ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers using the online reporting tool at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Feds' funding for Parks shows jobs in green recovery but much more needed

The announcement by Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley today of funding for tourism and infrastructure at five natural attractions shows there are jobs in a green recovery and much more must be done to look after our environment, the Australian Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“Any funding from the Federal Government that goes to improving and protecting our natural world is welcome. This announcement shows there are jobs and economic stimulus in a Green Recovery.
“But to really do justice to a green jobs recovery, the Morrison Government is going to need to find a lot more money and scrap its plan to weaken environmental laws.
“The return on investment will be well worth it, not just in the creation of jobs across the country but in rehabilitating bushfire devastated areas, protecting native wildlife and restoring our iconic rivers to make them swimmable again as the Greens have proposed.
“Australians want stronger environmental protections, not weaker ones which only serve the fossil fuel industry and will undermine any green recovery efforts, including today’s announcement.
“The Environment Minister is still sitting on the interim report into the 10-year review of environmental laws, handed to her 12 days ago by the independent reviewer. If Sussan Ley wants to be taken seriously then she needs to release the interim report immediately and get on with legislating to save our endangered animals and special places in nature.”

Extend Free Childcare And Provide JobKeeper For ECEC Workers: Greens

The Greens have said that returning to expensive fee-paying childcare today will harm families, disproportionately impact women and threaten the viability of early learning as the Covid-19 pandemic continues.
The federal government should extend free childcare and ensure all early childhood education and care workers are eligible for JobKeeper payments.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens spokesperson for Education, said:
“It’s downright cruel and shortsighted to scrap free childcare before practically every other Covid-19 support measure.
“Reverting to expensive, fee-paying childcare now will preclude struggling families from accessing early learning and put centre viability at risk. This government is failing women who will disproportionately feel the impact of this senseless snap back.
“As Covid-19 cases continue to rise, Dan Tehan should extend free childcare and ensure JobKeeper eligibility for all ECEC workers.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that the first sector to have its support withdrawn is early learning, and the first workers to lose JobKeeper are ECEC staff – the vast majority of whom are women. They have been treated very poorly by this government.
“This is a real missed opportunity to reimagine early learning as a universal, essential service. Instead, the Liberals are more interested in deepening the crisis via austerity,” she said.
Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson for Women, said:
“The Morrison government has a 1950s attitude to women and its policies will condemn more women to the kitchen.
“Numerous reports show that women are suffering the worst economic impacts from coronavirus, losing more jobs or hours of work than men, and performing a much higher care load.
“Free childcare helped ease the financial burden families face and ensured women had more ability to do paid work.
“Returning to expensive childcare, and axing JobKeeper early for childcare workers, will force many women to reduce their work hours to juggle childcare.
“You want economic stimulus, then help women return to the workplace by making childcare permanently free.”

Backroom Labor boys doing their coal donors’ bidding

The Labor party backroom boys are pressuring Queensland’s Labor Premier to approve stage 3 of the New Acland coal mine, showing fossil fuel donors still call the shots, say the Australian Greens.
“Proving how powerful the coal mining lobby and their donations are on federal Labor, there’s now three federal Labor party MPs pushing the Premier to approve the Acland coal mine despite the mine’s approval currently being before the High Court,” said Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Senate Leader and Mining and Resources spokesperson.
“Anthony Albanese should tell his backroom boys to leave the Premier alone and wait for the High Court to do its job.
“It’s ludicrous that any political party would back more bushfire turbo-charging coal mines after the summer we faced, and as the climate crisis intensifies.
“It’s about time Labor listened to the climate science and the community, not its corporate fossil fuel donors.”
Michael Berkman, Queensland Greens MP for Maiwar and one-time lawyer for the farmers opposing the mine said that after 15 years of court cases it’s time for the Premier to listen to farmers and residents and refuse approval for New Acland Stage 3.
“The New Acland Coal Mine is vehemently opposed by local farmers, who are terrified about the impacts on water, prime farmland and their health.
“Queenslanders are sick of decisions being made in the best interests of donors, rather than the community.
“While Labor’s fighting everyday people so their coal donors can make a profit, the Greens will keep fighting for real, well-paid, sustainable jobs in tourism, education, social housing construction and publicly owned renewable energy,” concluded Mr Berkman.