COVID-19 update: Three PINS issued in state's south

Two people have been issued infringement notices over alleged breaches of the Public Health Act in the state’s south.
Officers from Riverina Police District commenced an investigation after receiving information about a 20-year-old woman who was allegedly not self-isolating after returning to The Rock, in the state’s south west, from an address in Melbourne last week.
Police allege the woman, who held a border region resident permit, never resided at her nominated address, and had travelled to locations in Victoria that were outside the designated border region.
Following inquiries, officers attended a home in The Rock and spoke to the woman on Sunday 4 October 2020.
She was issued two infringement notices under the Public Health Act for providing false information with COVID-19 Border Control and failing to comply with noticed direction with COVID-19.
In an unrelated incident, a 22-year-old man was stopped by police after attempting to enter New South Wales on the Sturt Highway at Buronga about 10.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 7 October 2020).
Police allege the man was unable to provide a permit and was directed to return to Victoria; however, he allegedly attended a second checkpoint in Curlwaa a short time later and attempted to cross into NSW, without a valid permit.
The South Australian man was issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction with COVID-19.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 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.

Four PINS issued after repeated attempts to cross the border without permits

Four South Australian men have been issued Penalty Infringement Notices after making three attempts to cross the border without valid permits.
Just before 5am yesterday (Thursday 8 October 2020), officers attached to Operation Border Closure stopped a white Holden Commodore at the Tooleybuc checkpoint.
Police spoke with the four male occupants – aged 17, 18, 19 and 21 – who said they were travelling from South Australia to Sydney for a holiday; however, they had travelled through Victoria without a permit.
They were refused entry to NSW and returned to Victoria.
About 2pm, the same vehicle was stopped at the same checkpoint, and the occupants stated the GPS had taken them through Victoria without warning.
The group were advised that without a permit they would not be allowed to enter NSW and were directed to return to Victoria.
Subsequent checks revealed the group had made the earlier attempt to cross the border and a warning was circulated amongst the checkpoints.
Just after 3.30pm, the vehicle was stopped by police at the Euston checkpoint and the occupants told police they were travelling into NSW to visit a dying relative but did not have valid permits.
After suspecting the occupants may have been that as mentioned in the warning from the Tooleybuc, officers conducted checks, which revealed it to be one and the same.
The men were each issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction with COVID-19 before they were directed to return to Victoria.
Police are aware of recent changes allowing NSW residents to transit into South Australia via Victoria with relevant documentation.
At this point in time, there have been no changes for anyone wishing to enter NSW from Victoria.
To enter NSW from Victoria, regardless of the state you are from, you must hold a valid permit. For more information about exemptions or to apply for a permit, please visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-covid-19-nsw-border-entry-permit
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.

A Safer and Stronger Australia – Budget 2020-21

The Morrison Government remains committed to keeping Australians safe, while protecting the nation’s interests as part of Australia’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, in a rapidly changing global environment.
The 2020-21 Budget sees sustained strong investment in Australia’s national security, with a focus on regional security, building defence capability and creating jobs, boosting Australia’s cyber resilience and supporting Australia’s sovereign defence industry.
The Budget delivers the Morrison Government’s commitment to grow the Defence budget to two per cent of GDP in the 2020–21 financial year and will deliver a stable funding path into the future.
2020 DEFENCE STRATEGIC UPDATE AND 2020 FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN
The 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan is a 10 year funding model with a 20 year outlook and continues to provide Defence and defence industry with the planning certainty required to support the ongoing development and delivery of critical Defence capability and Australian jobs.
This 10 year model provides Defence, including the Australian Signals Directorate, with funding of $575 billion over the decade to 2029-30.
The Morrison Government’s Budget commitments position Defence to implement the 2020 Force Structure Plan and address our increasing strategic competition, now and into the future.
BOOSTING AUSTRALIA’S DEFENCE CAPABILITY
The Morrison Government will invest $270 billion over the next 10 years to upgrade the capability and potency of the Australian Defence Force.
This includes investing in more lethal and long-range capabilities to hold adversary forces and infrastructure at risk, further from Australia, including longer-range strike weapons, offensive cyber capabilities and area denial capabilities.
We will also invest in capabilities to give Australia better awareness of our region and to support regional engagement, while also increasing our air and sea lift capability to ensure we can rapidly respond to events across our region.
More broadly, through this investment we are ensuring Defence and Australia has more durable supply chains, while further strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence industry to create more high tech Australian jobs and enhance the ADF’s self reliance.
Our investment in Defence will also expand ADF support to civil authorities in response to national crises and natural disasters with deployable health care and engineering capabilities.
This $270 billion investment provides unprecedented opportunities for Australian industry and the creation of more Australian jobs.
The Morrison Government is strengthening the Australian Industry Capability (AIC) Program to help maximise opportunities for Australian business in these projects.
Investment in critical infrastructure, facilities, wharves and ports will continue with around $30 billion being invested over the decade.
Local industry involvement in the delivery of these projects will be maximised through the Morrison Government’s Local Industry Capability Plan initiative. This ensures that local suppliers, contractors and tradies have the opportunity to secure more of this work, creating more jobs for local communities.
CYBER SECURITY SUPPORT
Malicious cyber activity against Australia is increasing in frequency, scale and sophistication.
This Government is making the nation’s largest ever investment in cyber security through our $1.7 billion 2020 Cyber Security Strategy, which includes $1.4 billion over the next decade to enhance the cyber security capabilities and assistance provided to Australians through the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
This significant investment, known as the Cyber Enhanced Situational Awareness and Response (CESAR) package, will mean that we can identify more cyber threats, disrupt more foreign cybercriminals, build more partnerships with industry and government and protect more Australians.
The CESAR package has been designed to boost protection and cyber resilience for all Australians, from individuals and small businesses through to the providers of critical services.
It includes a $470 million investment to expand our cyber security workforce, with the creation of over 500 new Australian jobs within ASD.
The package will put our nation on the front foot in combatting cyber threats and our investment in a cyber security workforce will help ensure we have the people we need to meet future cyber challenges.
SUPPORTING AUSTRALIA’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND BACKING DEFENCE INDUSTRY
Australia’s defence industry has demonstrated remarkable versatility throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to keep Defence capabilities and our Australian economy moving.
Supporting Australia’s defence industry is crucial to our economic recovery and the creation of more jobs.
We have implemented a $1 billion investment package aimed at boosting Australia’s defence industry and supporting thousands of jobs across the country.
This includes increased funding of over $110 million for Defence innovation, industry grants, skilling and micro credentialing, and cyber training for Defence industry.
The Morrison Government recently launched the Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) Grants program, which will deliver $39 million over the next three years to support a skilled workforce in the defence industry sector.
In addition to these grant initiatives, the Government is announcing a further $4 million to establish the Joint Strike Fighter Industry Support Program, delivering more opportunities for Australian industry participation. This builds on the success of the New Air Combat Capability Industry Support Program, which has delivered 46 grants to 25 Australian companies, worth $21.7 million.
Already we have fast-tracked a range of capability, infrastructure, skilling and workforce initiatives over the next two years, including a $300 million national estates works program focusing on regional areas, and $190 million on infrastructure projects in the Northern Territory.
Around 4,000 Australian jobs will be supported over the 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years through the delivery of this economic package. This reaffirms our commitment to further strengthening the defence industrial base to ensure that it is robust, resilient and internationally competitive.
The measures will continue to support and grow the 70,000-strong workforce in defence industry, supply chains, and down-stream suppliers who are benefiting from our investment in defence.
ADF SUPPORTING AUSTRALIANS
The Government remains committed to supporting Australians in need which is why we are strengthening the ADF’s ability to respond to natural disasters, domestic emergencies, and support to the near region.
Since February, Defence has provided comprehensive support worth $80.7 million to states and territories as part of Operation COVID-19 ASSIST with more than 3,200 personnel providing support across the country.
To continue to provide support, the Government will streamline the process for calling out Reservists to boost the ADF’s capacity to respond quickly when needed.
This measure builds on the Government’s commitment to increase the number of reserve days for existing ADF Reserve members, and recruiting an additional 500 Reservists to provide more employment opportunities for Australians impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic.
DELIVERING SUPPORT TO THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC
The Morrison Government will invest a further $124.3 million over 10 years to support the Pacific Step-Up through increased investment in security infrastructure in the Pacific.
This investment includes a joint Australia-Solomon Islands project to construct a border and patrol boat outpost in Solomon Islands’ western provinces, announced by Prime Minister Morrison and Prime Minister Sogavare in October 2019.
Australia’s support for a border and patrol boat outpost will enhance infrastructure and security cooperation between our countries, and support Solomon Islands’ border security.
The outpost will be used by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and other Solomon Islands agencies to conduct remote patrolling and security operations.
The design will feature environmentally sustainable elements and will be appropriate to regional conditions, and will include a wharf capable of replenishing Guardian-Class patrol boats, accommodation buildings, and storage facilities.
Under the Pacific Step-Up, Australia is working with regional partners to strengthen economic resilience, deepen personal connections and enhance security cooperation.
Our infrastructure projects in the Pacific contribute to the Australian and regional economies. These projects are providing significant economic stimulus and employment opportunities.
Defence Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) 2020-21 are available on the Defence website.

Budget 2020-21: Investing in Education and Research

The Morrison Government is investing $51 billion in education to help drive Australia’s recovery from COVID-19 by guaranteeing essential services, including $550.3 million for additional university places and short courses and $1 billion for university research.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan said education would be critical to Australia’s COVID-19 economic recovery.
“Our budget is providing funding for research that will drive new technologies and support jobs, improving support for school students and teachers impacted by COVID-19, and supporting working parents with child care needs,” Mr Tehan said.
Universities
The Morrison Government is providing additional new investments in university places, research and key research infrastructure, including:

  • $1 billion to fund research at Australian universities to drive the discovery of new products, ideas and innovations to power our post COVID-19 recovery.
  • $550.3 million for additional university places and short courses, which includes:
  • $298.5 million for an additional 12,000 university places for Australian students in 2021.
  • $251.8 million for an additional 50,000 short course places in 2021.
  • $40 million to fund universities to start projects in their local communities that drive the national interest, including greater collaboration with industry.

Schools
On top of near record and growing funding for schools, the Government has committed an additional $146.3 million to deliver a range of projects to help support students, families, and school communities impacted by COVID-19.
The Government is providing:

  • $38.2 million to support an additional 76,000 disadvantaged young Australians to complete secondary school and move into work, training or further study through the Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.
  • $25.0 million to respond to education priorities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • $27.3 million to improve STEM skills in early learners and school students through a range of STEM programs, including the Australian Academy of Science’s STEM programs, the Smith Family’s Let’s Count initiative, Froebel Australia’s Little Scientists, Early Learning STEM Australia (ELSA) and the CSIRO’s STEM Professionals in Schools initiative.
  • $39.8 million to improve the education and employment prospects for up to 12,500 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, by funding additional places with the Clontarf Foundation.
  • $5.8 million for Good to Great Schools Australia to pilot program in 10 remote schools and expand their Direct Instruction literacy model to include numeracy and science, and to evaluate its impact on student learning in remote communities.
  • $3.0 million over four years from 2020-21 to the Islamic Museum of Australia to develop educational resources and online learning platforms to support social cohesion, multiculturalism and community harmony.
  • $3.0 million over four years from 2020-21 to the Anti-Defamation Commission to create a Holocaust education platform to support inclusiveness, civility and respect.

Early learning and child care
Child care services are vital for so many parents and their children. In 2020-21, the Government will pay approximately $9 billion in Child Care Subsidy payments. Due to the means-tested nature of the subsidy, families who have lost income or work during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to use care will receive a higher level of subsidy.

2020 Budget 2020-21 – Backing Our Farmers, Supporting Disaster Recovery And Protecting Australians

The Morrison-McCormack Government has invested $328 million to grow our food and fibre exports as part of our Economic Recovery Plan for Australia and our commitment to supporting the farm sector’s goal to become a $100 billion industry by 2030.
Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, said the investments we make today will drive jobs and economic growth, cementing agriculture’s role in the nation’s COVID-19 recovery.
“Agricultural exports are critical to Australia’s economic recovery. That’s why this Budget is delivering the $328 million Busting Congestion for Agricultural Exporters Package,” Minister Littleproud said.
“This suite of reforms will modernise Australia’s export systems by slashing red-tape and streamlining regulation and service delivery for our farmers.”
“We’re making it faster and cheaper for farmers to get their product to market, while retaining the levels of quality and assurance that have made our exports world-class.”
“These investments form part of our Ag 2030 Plan, supporting industry to grow Australian agriculture to a $100 billion by 2030 through modern export systems.”
The support the Australian Government is providing includes:

  • $222.2 million over 4 years for digital services to take farmers to market. This will deliver a modern and reliable digital service to help farmers do business quickly and cost effectively – a single touch point for exporters that is available 24/7.
  • $14.3 million over 3 years for improving regulation post COVID-19 including targeted intervention for the seafood and live export sectors and providing dedicated case managers to help new exporters get on the front foot and existing exporters to expand and diversify their markets.
  • $10.9 million over 3 years for building a more competitive export meat industry and working with industry to streamline export and production costs to remain competitive.
  • $10 million over 4 years for busting congestion for plant export industries. Streamlining border clearances for plant exports by reducing manual processes and improving service times and cost savings for exporters.
  • $71.1 million over 3 years for Australian export services critical to ensuring our products make it to export markets.

Minister Littleproud says “These investments will accelerate innovation and agricultural trade growth, build a resilient and agile agriculture sector and create jobs in rural and regional Australia.”

AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the seasonal agricultural workforce, posing major challenges for the 2020-21 summer harvest.
Through the Budget, the Australian Government is investing $17.4 million in relocation assistance and $16.3 million to incentivise young Australians to take up farm work by temporarily changing Youth Allowance (student) and ABSTUDY independence eligibility criteria.

BUSHFIRES AND NATURAL DISASTERS

The Australian Government is working with states and territories to reduce the impacts of bushfires and recognises the importance of having access to a sophisticated aerial firefighting capability to protect communities and support firefighters on the ground.
To ensure there were no delays in preparations this season, the Australian Government has already committed to boosting its funding to the National Aerial Firefighting Centre by $11 million each year, indexed annually.
This brings the annual Australian Government investment to $26 million, and increasing aerial firefighting capacity to meet peak demand across Australia.
The Australian Government continues to fund response to and recovery from national disasters through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The National Bushfire Recovery Agency was established by the Government in response to the severe impact of the 2019-20 bushfires and has delivered $1.2 billion of $2 billion committed for recovery assistance to support households, businesses and communities impacted by the bushfires.

FLOODS AND DROUGHT

The Australian Government is also committed to supporting communities impacted by the 2019 North Queensland floods and the ongoing drought.
The Government is investing $155.6 million over four years to support drought and flood-impacted communities. This includes:

  • $50.0 million in 2020‑21 to extend the On‑farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme,
  • $19.6 million in 2021‑22 to extend the drought function of the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency for a further year to continue coordination and community engagement for the Government’s response and recovery activities; and
  • $86.0 million over four years from 2020‑21, through the Future Drought Fund, to establish eight Drought Resilience and Adoption Hubs that support networks of researchers, farmers, agricultural business and community groups to enhance drought resilience practice, tools and technology.

The Government is also investing $60 million for 2019 Monsoon Trough: A strategy for long-term recovery to provide a blueprint for recovery from and resilience against future economic shocks as a result of natural disasters. The investment will fund five locally led initiatives that support resilience, improve access to reliable and affordable telecommunications and energy services, increase disaster planning and preparedness, encourage economic diversification and support the mental wellbeing of young people.

2020-21 Budget – Manufacturing Australia’s Future

The Morrison Government is backing Australian manufacturing, as well as the science and research that underpins it, as part of our Economic Recovery Plan to lead the nation out of the COVID-19 crisis by creating the jobs needed now and for generations to come.
The 2020-21 Budget includes an investment of $1.5 billion over four years for the Modern Manufacturing Strategy to allow Australian manufacturers to scale up, compete internationally and create more jobs.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, said the investments highlight the Government’s commitment to making science and technology work for industry, which is a key pillar of the Modern Manufacturing Strategy.
“A resilient and competitive manufacturing sector should be at the heart of a modern Australian economy and this Strategy will create jobs, drive our economy forward and make Australia more secure.”
“When you combine our new Modern Manufacturing Strategy with the increased funding for the CSIRO, you have a powerful base from which to turbo-charge job creation,” Minister Andrews said.
The centrepiece of the Modern Manufacturing Strategy is the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative, which will see the Government strategically invest in projects that help manufacturers to scale up and create jobs.
“We are putting our money where our mouth is, to galvanise investment in Australian manufacturing,” Minister Andrews said.
The Modern Manufacturing Initiative will support projects within six National Manufacturing Priorities: resources technology and critical minerals processing, food and beverage, medical products, recycling and clean energy, defence, and space.
Industry will be engaged to help develop tailored road maps for each of the priority sectors.
The Strategy will also address the competitiveness of individual manufacturers in our priority sectors, with a $52.8 million expansion of the Manufacturing Modernisation Fund.
Earlier this year the Government invested $48.3 million to support around 200 projects worth $215 million, which are expected to create 2,600 jobs.
The COVID-19 crisis has also highlighted supply chain issues and opportunities. A $107.2 million Supply Chain Resilience Initiative will support projects that address an identified supply chain vulnerability.
The Budget also includes an additional $459.2 million in funding for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) over four years to address the impacts of COVID-19 on its commercial activities and ensure it is able to continue essential scientific research.
The 2020-21 Budget also includes measures to support the goal of Australia becoming a leading digital economy by 2030, with $29.7 million to help Australian businesses better use digital tools to readjust their operations and processes in a post-COVID economy.
This investment will accelerate the adoption of digital technologies by businesses, create jobs in sectors with high potential for growth, support the use of technology to make business regulatory compliance easier, and boost Australia’s influence over the development and deployment of digital standards.
The Government is committed to realising the potential of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Budget includes:

  • $35.9 million to expand the Boosting Female Founders Initiative.
  • $10 million to extend the successful Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship grants program.
  • $2 million to extend the Women in STEM Ambassador initiative. This is also an important part of the Government’s Women’s Economic Security Statement.

The Government is also building sovereign capability in life-saving nuclear medicines with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) receiving an additional $238.1 million over the next four years.

2020-21 Budget: Supporting The Future Of Indigenous Australians

The Morrison Government is investing in new services and initiatives to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have sustained economic and social opportunities as part of our economic recovery plan for Australia.
The Government is also ensuring that the challenges from COVID-19 do not slow down progress towards improving the lives of Indigenous Australians.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said the Government is reforming the way it works with and for Indigenous Australians, focusing on partnerships and shared decision making to better target investments.
“The 2020-21 Budget continues the Government’s commitment to co-designing the solutions that will positively impact the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Minister Wyatt said.
The Government is rebuilding our economy by stimulating regional economic activity by ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people secure appropriate, affordable housing that is aligned with their priorities and needs. This will also contribute to Closing the Gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Indigenous Business Australia will receive an additional investment of $150 million over three years to deliver 360 home loans for new housing construction in regional Australia.
The extension of Indigenous Business Australia’s Indigenous Home Ownership Programme will support over 1,000 jobs by unlocking financing for shovel-ready construction projects in regional Australia and increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in appropriately sized housing.
The Government is also fulfilling one of its election commitments by finalising the agreement with the Queensland Government to deliver better housing for Indigenous people.
The 2020-21 Budget reaffirms the Government’s commitment to supporting the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The Government will enhance the next phase of Closing the Gap with an investment of $46.5 million over four years to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations build their capacity and business models.
The Government is also continuing the Return of Cultural Heritage initiative by investing $10.1 million over four years for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) to secure the return of more cultural heritage to traditional owners and custodians.
The recently announced Murray-Darling Basin Package includes $3.1 million to create four new Indigenous River Ranger groups to care for Country which will bring Indigenous knowledge and connection to country to support water and natural resource management activities within the Basin.
The Government is providing $39.8 million over four years for the Clontarf Foundation, including $7.6 million through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy for 2,000 extra scholarships on top of the 10,500 scholarships currently offered under existing arrangements. This new funding provides immediate support for additional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
In addition to these measures, the July Economic and Fiscal Update included $19.8 million to support Indigenous Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic and through the recovery phase. This funding included support to three Commonwealth wholly-owned Indigenous subsidiaries that have been severely impacted in 2020 and funding to support jurisdictions with the cost of implementing COVID-19 related travel restrictions to remote communities.
The Government is also continuing its commitment to the $5.4 billion Indigenous Advancement Strategy. This will see work continuing on projects to reduce the rates of Indigenous incarceration, youth suicide, family and domestic violence as well as improving the health, safety, wellbeing, education, employment and economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Budget demonstrates that the Coalition Government is supporting Indigenous Australians through the COVID-19 pandemic and is working closely with Indigenous communities to invest in local priorities.
The Government believes in working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to make local decisions and give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities the support needed to deliver better life outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

Budget fails on Closing the Gap

Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe shares the disappointment of Aboriginal communities and peak bodies of the lack of funding for First Nations in the 2020-21 Budget, in particular the lack of funding to achieve Closing the Gap strategy.
“I’ve been in the senate for one day and this Budget has been a clear example of how this government treats the  First People of this country,” said Senator Thorpe, Greens First Nations spokesperson.
“Not even two months ago the Morrison government recalibrated all of the Closing The Gap targets and they have failed again, they have no intention of Closing the Gap, thats been blatantly clear in this budget.
On July 30 this year the Morrison government told the country it had been working with Aboriginal community leaders on developing a refreshed Closing the Gap strategy, this is all talk and no action.
At the time a $46.5 million commitment was made over four years to community-controlled organisations to “build their capacity and business models”, however no additional funding to Aboriginal communities has been allocated in the 2020-21 Budget.
And the lack of new funding is a further insult when $52 million has been given to the gas industry alone.
“This Budget shows that it’s business as usual, more money to desecrate our land and water,  and destroy the climate. Meanwhile Aboriginal people are given the trinkets of the budget,” Senator Thorpe said.
“All I see in this Budget is government mates being looked after, rich getting richer and poor getting poorer and no guarantee for grassroots people who need it most.
“Deals with non-Aboriginal corporates and infrastructure projects with no guarantee of jobs or business opportunities for Aboriginal people are not going to fix things. This is a Budget for the millionaires, not the millions of unemployed and struggling people in this country.”

An Anti-Education Budget

Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi spokesperson has said that from early learning through to university and vocational training, the 2020-21 budget fails public education.
Senator Faruqi said:
“There’s nothing new in the budget for early childhood education. The government kept the sector on life support at the start of Covid-19, but early childhood education and care has been completely neglected now. Make early learning fee-free and everyone benefits.
“The public-private school funding gap remains disgusting. Private schools will receive $19 billion more than public schools over the next four years. The gap is growing, too. It’s time for the government to rip up the private school special deals and properly fund our public schools.
“Vocational education continues to be neglected and cut over the medium term. Well-funded and fee-free public TAFE, not privatisation and a mishmash of microcredentials, is the answer to giving everybody the opportunity to study, upskill and retrain throughout life.
“Funding a few short courses instead of making generational investment in post-school education is a naked attempt by the Liberals to save money and throw their for-profit education provider mates a bone.
“Let’s be clear about the supposed ‘new money’ for university research in the budget. It will barely cover the university funding cuts the government is ramming through right now, and won’t come near the loss from international students and projects on hold.
“We need generational new investment in research to aid our recovery, JobKeeper for universities to retain researchers who have lost their jobs, and free university for all to develop new talent,” she said.

Housing And Homelessness Funding Left Out In The Cold

Australian Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said the 2020-21 budget delivers nothing for social housing while cutting funding for homelessness services. Millions will be let down and thrust into very difficult circumstances by the Liberals’ failure to commit to funding basic services.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This budget is an abject failure for social housing. During Covid-19, there has almost been a political consensus that strong investment in social housing would be needed to build homes and create jobs. But the Liberals have left many out in the cold.
“With Covid-19 government support being cut back and more Australians at risk of homelessness while we remain stuck in recession, we urgently need more social housing to ensure everyone has a roof over their head.
“The government has cut funding for homelessness. More than $40 million will be cut from National Housing and Homelessness Agreement funding in 2021, putting services and their clients in the lurch.
“This inhuman budget has billions for corporations, but cuts for people experiencing or at risk of being homeless.
“It’s actually quite unbelievable that the Liberals would neglect essential housing services at this time. They had no problem finding almost $700 million for expensive renovation handouts through the HomeBuilder program,” she said.