Minister for Youth and Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the role offers an opportunity to lead the national agency as it plays a vital part in shaping the future of the sector, with a particular focus on high performance sport.
“It has been a difficult period for sport across Australia, creating challenging circumstances for sporting organisations and athletes at every level,” Minister Colbeck said.
He said the appointment would usher in new leadership as the sporting community works its way through the new COVID-19 environment and towards the Tokyo Olympics.
“This is an exciting chance for a well-credentialed professional with a passion for the advancement of sport, as Australia begins its recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The newly formed Sport Appointments Selection Committee will convene to consider candidates with the administration of the selection process managed by a recruitment specialist.
Its members include former Minister for Sport and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Sydney Olympics, The Hon. Warwick Smith, AO, as panel chairman, Department of Health Associate Secretary Caroline Edwards, Paralympic wheelchair racer and leading coach Louise Sauvage, OAM, former Matildas’ vice-captain Moya Dodd and former Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimming champion Samantha Riley, OAM.
The successful candidate will require high level stakeholder engagement skills to ensure Sport Australian continues to create pathways for athletes to reach their potential.
The recruitment campaign follows the announcement that John Wylie, AM, will step down from his role as Chair of the Board on 5 November.
Minister Colbeck said throughout his eight year tenure Mr Wylie has displayed great dedication to developing Australia’s sport capacity, particularly through his contributions toward the National Sport Plan, Sport 2030 and supporting athletes to the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games and numerous world championships.
“Mr Wylie’s passion and commitment to the promotion of sport and increasing involvement at all levels has been a notable highlight of his work with Sport Australia,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The Government thanks Mr Wylie for his passion and commitment to Australian sport during his role as Chair of Sport Australia.
More information about the Sport Australia role can be found here.
Expressions of interest close on 16 October, 2020.
Month: September 2020
Hundreds of millions of public funds used for Liberal-National slush fund
NSW Labor have obtained documents that reveal the NSW Liberals and NSW Nationals used around $400 million in grants as a slush fund to buy votes.
The Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF) was designed to fund projects throughout regional and rural NSW, however, analysis shows funding decisions were based more on political self-interest rather than the best interests of the community.
About 1550 projects received funding under rounds one, two and three, with more than 80 per cent of those located in electorates held by Coalition MPs.
In rounds one and two – announced prior to the 2019 NSW election – more than 87 per cent of grants were allocated to seats held by Coalition MPs, while projects that were clearly allocated in Labor-held seats accounted for less than four per cent.
It is unclear where some projects in council areas crossing multiple electorates were located.
$100 million worth of funds was distributed during rounds one and three, with $200 million being distributed in round two – just months before the 2019 state election.
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said it was blatantly obvious the SCCF was not to assist communities throughout rural and regional NSW: “This was designed to buy the last election.”
“This taxpayers money. It is not the Liberal-National Parties’ slush fund.
“We should not normalise this type of behaviour,” she said.
Four of the largest grants in round two went to marginal seats, two to fairly safe Coalition seats, one to a National seat with changing members, one to a safe Nationals seat and one to a safe Labor seat.
The largest of all three round– a grant worth more than $3 million in round two – went to Snowy Monaro Regional Council, located in the marginal seat of NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro.
An NSW Parliament Upper House inquiry examining the NSW Liberals and NSW Nationals distribution of funds as part of certain grants, will begin on Monday, September 21. Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren, said the SCCF revelations were just the tip of the iceberg.
“The Berejiklian-Barilaro Government were elected to represent the entire state – not just areas that suited their own political agenda.”
“These were public funds meant to benefit the public – not to bolster the NSW Liberals and NSW National re-election prospects,” Mr Warren said.
Labor welcomes parliamentary inquiry into 'dysfunctional' rural & regional health
Labor is welcoming the establishment of a Parliamentary Inquiry it called for into rural and regional health in NSW.
The expansive probe will consider:
- Health outcomes for people living in rural, regional and remote NSW
- Access and availability of services
- Planning systems
- Capital and recurrent health expenditure
- Staffing challenges and allocations
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said a Parliamentary Inquiry is desperately needed and long overdue.
“Health outcomes should not be determined by postcodes. We need to do much better for families living in regional NSW,” Ms McKay said.
“This is about equality, fairness and a fundamental right to healthcare. The state of healthcare across rural and regional communities is appalling. It’s systemic crisis that must be addressed now.”
Labor first called for an urgent inquiry into rural and regional health in October last year after a death at Tenterfield Hospital was reportedly linked to a lack of clinical resources.
Since then, the significant disparity in health outcomes between the city and country areas was laid bare in data from the Public Health Information Development Unit.
The analysis shows:
- Avoidable deaths can be twice as likely in rural and regional communities when compared to cities
- The median age of death for those in Sydney (79) is more than a decade higher than residents in our most remote communities (66)
- The highest rates of preventable hospitalisation and preventable chronic disease are in regional and rural areas
The Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park said: “It’s no secret rural and regional hospitals are overstretched and under resourced. The health system can’t cope with the growing cuts and cost blowouts from the Liberals and Nationals. I hope this Parliamentary Inquiry is the wake up call the Government needs to address the dysfunctional state of rural and regional health in NSW.”
The Shadow Minister for Rural Health Kate Washington said: “Doctors and healthcare workers across regional and rural NSW have gone above and beyond to do the best they can with what they have. But the reality is, there’s a severe lack of funding and shocking staff shortages. After nine years in Government, the Liberals and Nationals are responsible for this mess.”
The Government has continued to spruik hospital upgrades but an Auditor-General’s inquiry revealed at least three regional projects are already over budget or with missed deadlines. There have been $2.2 billion blowouts in health and hospital projects including at the Dubbo and Macksville Hospitals.
A 60 Minutes investigation on Sunday exposed the dire situation across rural and regional hospitals. The program investigated a pattern of incidents and failings all over the State.
A growing number of regional and rural health practitioners have also spoken out about the unprecedented challenges they’re grappling with amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including staff shortages and limited ICU capacity.
Premier approved multi-million dollar Government slush fund, inquiry hears
A Parliamentary Inquiry has heard the Premier approved a $90 million taxpayer-funded grant for a Liberal electorate in Sydney’s north. The grant for Hornsby Shire Council was finalised within 24 hours of the Council being notified it was eligible.
The Office of Local Government chief executive Tim Hurst said his agency held no record of a written, signed approval for the project from the Premier. The Stronger Communities Fund payment for Hornsby Shire Council was approved via an email from Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s office.
Two other eligible applicants were not aware the fund existed.
NSW Labor has slammed the Government’s handling of the $250 million Fund which was supposed to support forcibly-amalgamated councils.
The Inquiry heard 95% of the money went to Councils in or near seats held by Liberal or Nationals MPs, and that the decisions were approved by either the Premier, Deputy Premier or the Local Government Minister.
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said: “This Stronger Communities Fund was a quarter of a billion dollars. 95% of that went to Liberal and National seats. How is that appropriate?”
Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour told the Inquiry he contacted former Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton in July 2018 about potential funds for merged Councils. He was informed there were no State Government funds available.
In contrast, Hornsby Shire Council General Manager Steven Head said was notified by the Office of Local Government chief executive, Tim Hurst, around 5pm on 27 June 2018, informing him funds under the Stronger Communities Fund – Tied Grants were available. Their grant was finalised the following day.
Ms McKay said: “This Inquiry is incredibly important to get to the bottom of what’s been happening with grant distribution across NSW. These programs should be fair and based on merit.”
“We support grant programs to help communities across a range of portfolios but we know some are being mismanaged.
“Tax payers should have confidence that decisions are fair and transparent, not politically driven.”
Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren, said the Stronger Communities Fund – Tied Grants program was a farce.
“This was a taxpayer-funded Government slush fund,” Mr Warren said.
“Not only were councils like Canterbury-Bankstown and Inner West denied access to the program, they were actually told there was no State Government funding available when clearly there was.
“Make no mistake, this fund was a rort.”
The Inquiry into Integrity, Efficacy and Value for Money of NSW Government Grant Programs will continue on Friday, October 16.
Almost $4 billion gouged out of Western Sydney in five-year span
NSW Labor have condemned the Government for selling more than $3.7 billion worth of public assets in Western Sydney over a five-year period, while giving next to nothing back.
Documents obtained via Freedom of Information have revealed in the 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20 financial years, an incredible 4428 state government-owned properties were sold in the region.
Western Sydney – the fastest growing region in the state – has been plagued by problems resulting from a lack of infrastructure since the NSW Liberals came to power in 2011.
Wait times in the region’s hospital emergency departments continue to blow out and schools continue to fill beyond capacity, while public transport is predictably unreliable and sub-standard.
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay condemned the privatisation-happy Government’s treatment of Western Sydney residents.
“The Government has sold electricity assets, ports, the desalination plant, the New South Wales Land and Property Information and part of the Westconnex. Enough is enough,” Ms McKay said.
“As we’ve seen in the past, sell-offs result in job losses especially in rural and regional areas. We need to put an end to this privatisation madness, especially as the state struggles through recession and high unemployment.”
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney and the Member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren, said this was proof of the NSW Liberals disdain for the people of Western Sydney.
“When it comes to Western Sydney, this Government take, take and take – but when it comes time to give something back, their keep their hands stuffed in the cash-filled pockets,” Mr Warren said.
“Almost $4 billion worth of Western Sydney public assets have been flogged off by this mob and what have Western Sydney residents got to show for it?
“The short answer is very little.
“This Government has sold off and sold out Western Sydney.”
ANTHONY ALBANESE & PENNY WONG – STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF THE HON SUSAN RYAN AO
Labor is deeply saddened by the passing of the Honourable Susan Ryan AO.
We remember Susan not just for the things she did first. We remember her for the legacy she leaves.
She changed Australia for the better. Before her, Australian women were – in so many ways – second-class citizens.
She was responsible for so many of Labor’s greatest modernising reforms, including the Sex Discrimination Act.
Until then, it had been legal to discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status or pregnancy. Women were locked out of education, jobs and opportunity; refused access to home finance and faced the sack for being pregnant.
As unremarkable as this reform might sound today, Susan fought widespread opposition. 26 members of the House of Representatives voted against it.
Susan was also instrumental to the Equal Employment Opportunity and the Affirmative Action Act, and drove improvements in perhaps the most powerful equaliser: education.
As Education Minister, she was responsible for seeing more Australians complete school and increasing participation in tertiary education.
Her life after politics was also dedicated to bettering rights and equality, serving as the Age Discrimination Commissioner and later the Disability Discrimination Commissioner.
Susan was also a strong advocate for superannuation as head of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia.
Outside of her career, she spent time mentoring those within the labour movement who sought her trailblazing advice.
We have much work to do in continuing to advance her legacy, toward a truly equal Australia.
The Australian Labor Party give condolences to all Susan’s family and loved ones.
The entire movement mourns the passing of one of our greatest.
Digital Business Plan To Drive Australia’s Economic Recovery
The Morrison Government is investing almost $800 million to enable businesses to take advantage of digital technologies to grow their businesses and create jobs as part of our economic recovery plan.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies by Australian businesses and consumers, which has enabled many to transform their operations and continue to trade through the crisis.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this year’s Budget would support businesses to recover, build back and create more jobs as part of our economic recovery plan.
“Many businesses moved online quickly when the pandemic hit, undergoing a decade of change in months, finding new customers or new ways of doing things,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our JobMaker Digital Business Plan provides significant backing to continue that digital push and expand opportunities for businesses to grow and create more jobs.
“The Plan supports Australia’s economic recovery by removing out-dated regulatory barriers, boosting the capability of small businesses and backs the uptake of technology across the economy.”
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the Government was investing in Australia’s digital economy to keep businesses in business and Australians in jobs as part of our economic recovery plan.
“The Governments’ Digital Business plan is targeted at building on this digital transformation of Australian businesses to drive productivity and income growth and create jobs,” the Treasurer said.
“Our Digital Infrastructure package is estimated to increase Australia’s GDP by $6.4 billion a year by 2024 and around $1.5 billion of this additional economic activity is estimated to flow to regional Australia each year.”
Key elements of the Digital Business Plan include:
- $256.6 million to develop a Digital Identity system to enable more secure and convenient engagement with government services, and in future, the private sector. Digital identity is already being used by over 1.6 million Australians and 1.16 million businesses to access over 70 government services.
- A further $419.9 million to enable the full implementation of the Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program, allowing businesses to quickly view, update and maintain their business registry data in one location;
- A further $28.5 million to support the rollout of the Consumer Data Right to the banking and energy sectors, which is in addition to the more than $120 million already committed;
- $29.2 million to accelerate the rollout of 5G, including an initiative to invest in 5G commercial trials and testbeds in key industry sectors such as agriculture, mining, logistics and manufacturing.
- $22.2 million to support small business operators take advantage of digital technologies through an expansion of the Australian Small Business Advisory Service – Digital Solutions program, a Digital Readiness Assessment tool and a Digital Directors training package;
- $11.4 million for a new regulatory technology commercialisation initiative to improve compliance and directly support our digital technology firms;
- $9.6 million to support fintechs to export financial services and attract inward investment;
- $6.9 million for two blockchain pilots directed at reducing business compliance costs;
- $5.9 million to boost Australia’s influence on international standards;
- $3.6 million towards mandating the adoption of electronic invoicing by 1 July 2022 for all Commonwealth government agencies to encourage greater adoption amongst businesses supplying to government and within their supply chains, and to consult on options for mandatory adoption of e-invoicing by businesses;
- $2.5 million to connect workers and small and medium sized businesses to digital skills training;
- Consulting on making permanent the temporary reforms to allow companies to hold virtual meetings and execute documents electronically;
- Reviewing the regulatory architecture applying to the payments system to ensure it remains fit for purpose and is capable of supporting continued innovation for the benefit both businesses and consumers; and
- Reforming the regulation around stored-value facilities to support innovation and competition in line with the recommendations of the Council of Financial Regulators.
These initiatives are in addition to the Government’s $4.5 billion NBN investment plan to bring ultra-fast broadband to millions of families and businesses across the economy over the next two years.
They also complement our actions to build digital skills and to improve trust and security in the digital economy, including through the $1.67 billion investment in the 2020 Cyber Security Strategy and investments in online safety.
The Digital Business Plan is part of the Government’s economic recovery plan to grow the economy and create jobs and supports our goal for Australia to be a leading digital economy and society by 2030.
$9 Million For Research Into Cancer In Children And Young Adults
The Morrison Government is providing $9 million to support research into the causes, biology and progression of cancer among children and young adults.
Cancer is the leading cause of death from disease among Australian children. In the decade to 2015, nearly 1000 Australian children under the age of 15 died from cancer.
Delays in diagnosing childhood cancers can limit treatment options, and for some cancers, there are currently no effective treatments.
Tragically, survival rates for some cancers among children have not improved in more than 25 years, and new analysis of records held by the Australian Childhood Cancer Registry shows the rates of several childhood cancers are slowly rising.
This $9 million investment from the Government’s ground-breaking Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) will provide grant opportunities for Australia’s world-leading researchers to accelerate options to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in children and adolescents.
The Grant Opportunity will fund projects in two streams of research:
- Cancers that occur in children aged 0-14 years.
- Cancers that occur in adolescents aged 10-19 years.
Funding of $3 million will be allocated to each of the two streams. The remaining $3 million will be earmarked to support the overall best research, irrespective of streams.
Consultation with The Kids’ Cancer Project and Cancer Australia, has informed the scope and priorities of the 2020 Childhood Cancer Research Grant Opportunity.
The Government’s MRFF is a $20 billion endowment fund. The MRFF is a long-term investment supporting Australia’s best and brightest researchers. Further information about the MRFF is available at www.health.gov.au/mrff.
Guidelines to apply for grants under the 2020 Childhood Cancer Research Grant Opportunity are available at https://www.grants.gov.au/
NSW PAYS TRIBUTE TO FALLEN POLICE OFFICERS
NSW has paused to honour our fallen police officers this National Police Remembrance Day with a COVID-safe ceremony and lighting of the Sydney Opera House sails in blue and white.
This year, Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, and Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM joined the family of the late Constable Aaron Vidal to pay tribute to his life and service by adding his name to the Wall of Remembrance.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said although the ceremony is different this year, it is no less meaningful.
“In previous years, hundreds of officers have come together to pay tribute to the sacrifice of fallen officers but this year we reflect on the duty, sacrifice and memory of our NSW Police Officers in separate solidarity,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The men and women of the Force put their safety on the line everyday to serve and protect their communities and we cannot thank them enough.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the extraordinary events of this year have proven how crucial our police officers are to the fabric of our society.
“Our State owes a debt of gratitude to all the members of the NSW Police Force, who have been on the frontline in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and were integral in the response to last season’s bushfires,” Mr Elliott said.
“This year, we pay tribute to NSW Police Constable Aaron Vidal, a beloved member of the Sydney City Police Area Command. His passing is a loss to the whole community. And we mourn with his family, friends and colleagues.”
Police Commissioner Michael Fuller APM said despite having to physically distance, the police family have come together to make sure their fallen colleagues were not forgotten.
“It’s a very solemn day for all police officers across the state as we remember those who have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty,” Commissioner Fuller said.
“Sadly, we have another name to add to this list with young Constable Aaron Vidal, who had a bright future ahead of him, joining those who have come before him.
“We ask the community to keep him, his family and all police families in your thoughts today and remember their service.”
GOULBURN HOSPITAL REACHES NEW HEIGHTS
The $150 million Goulburn Hospital redevelopment is approaching completion, with the new four-storey Clinical Services Building reaching its highest point of construction.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the redevelopment is boosting jobs and the local economy, a key part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
“The redevelopment will see a new, modern health facility built that will service the Goulburn community now and into the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“This $150 million investment has also brought nearly 500 new construction jobs to the region helping stimulate the local economy.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the $150 million investment is one of many health infrastructure projects across regional and rural NSW under the NSW Government’s record investment of $10.1 billion this term.
“Goulburn Hospital will soon have the world-class health facility the community deserves and one that will be a magnet for health staff to the region,” Mr Hazzard said.
“More than 65 per cent of the 80 hospital and health facility redevelopments or upgrades underway in NSW are in regional and rural areas.”
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the new building will bring Goulburn’s facilities into the 21st century.
“This is a great opportunity to thank the staff, builders and everyone in the community involved in getting this incredible project off the ground,” Ms Tuckerman said.
The Clinical Services Building at the Goulburn Hospital and Health Service includes:
- Emergency Department and Medical Imaging Department;
- Intensive Care Unit;
- Operating theatres, day surgery and recovery areas;
- Medical, surgical, paediatric, rehabilitation and geriatric inpatient units with designated palliative care beds; and
- Maternity unit and ambulatory paediatric and antenatal clinics.
Community Mental Health will also be expanded and there will be more onsite parking.
Construction is due for completion in late 2021 ahead of opening to patients in 2022.