Month: October 2020

Economic Recovery Plan For Australia

Our Economic Recovery Plan for Australia will create jobs, rebuild our economy and secure Australia’s future.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has provided $257 billion in direct economic support to cushion the blow and strengthen the recovery.
The 2020-21 Budget commits a further $98 billion including, $25 billion in direct COVID-19 response measures and $74 billion in new measures to create jobs.
Under our plan, the economy is forecast to grow by 4¼ per cent next calendar year and unemployment is expected to fall to 6½ per cent by the June quarter 2022.
We will do this by:

  • Supporting nearly half a million young Australians with a new JobMaker hiring credit
  • Investing a record amount in skills and training to make sure Australians have the skills they need to get a job
  • Supporting our manufacturing industry to build our sovereign capability and help create jobs
  • Incentivising business to invest in their business, creating more economic activity and more jobs
  • Providing tax relief for more than 11 million hard working Australians, to put more money in their pockets to spend in small businesses across the country and help create jobs
  • Investing more in infrastructure now to create more jobs

JobMaker Hiring Credit
The $4 billion JobMaker Hiring Credit will be payable for up to 12 months for each new job and is available from tomorrow to employers who hire eligible employees aged 16-35.
The Hiring Credit will be paid quarterly in arrears at the rate of $200 per week for those aged between 16-29, and $100 per week for those aged between 30-35. Eligible employees are required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
To be eligible, employers will need to demonstrate an increase in overall employee headcount and payroll for each additional new position created.
Treasury estimates that this will support around 450,000 jobs for young people.
Skills and training
Our JobMaker Plan includes the establishment of the $1 billion JobTrainer Fund to create up to 340,000 free or low cost training places for school leavers and job seekers.
We are building on our existing support for apprenticeships by committing an additional $1.2 billion to create 100,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships, with a 50 per cent wage subsidy for businesses who employ them.
To help more Australians get a job, in this Budget we are also funding 50,000 new higher education short courses and 12,000 new Commonwealth supported places for higher education in 2021.
Tax relief
The Budget provides an additional $17.8 billion in personal income tax relief for more than 11 million hard-working Australians to support the economic recovery, including an additional $12.5 billion over the next 12 months.
The Government is supporting economic activity by allowing over 99 per cent of businesses employing 11.5 million Australians to deduct the full cost of eligible depreciable assets of any value in the year they are installed. Small, medium and larger businesses with a turnover of up to $5 billion will be eligible.
Complementing this measure, the Government will also allow companies with turnover up to $5 billion to offset losses against previous profits on which tax has been paid to generate a refund. Providing much needed cashflow support, this measure will support investment and help keep Australians in work.
Building our capability
The Budget invests $1.5 billion in our Modern Manufacturing Strategy – ensuring we have an internationally competitive and resilient manufacturing sector, and in the process create more high value jobs.
We are also helping to secure our future by providing:

  • an additional $2 billion through the Research and Development Tax Incentive
  • $1 billion for new research funding for our universities
  • $1.9 billion in new funding to support low emissions and renewable technologies

Infrastructure
The Government’s infrastructure investments are supporting 100,000 jobs on worksites across the country.
The Budget expands our record 10 year infrastructure pipeline to $110 billion.
The measures announced in this Budget, together with what we have announced since the start of the crisis, will see $14 billion in new and accelerated infrastructure projects support a further 40,000 jobs.
The Budget will fund major projects across each state:

  • The Singleton Bypass and Bolivia Hill Upgrade in New South Wales
  • The upgrade of the Shepparton and Warrnambool Rail Lines in Victoria
  • The Coomera Connector in Queensland
  • The Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network in Western Australia
  • The Main South Road Duplication in South Australia
  • The Tasman Bridge Upgrade in Tasmania
  • The Carpentaria Highway Upgrades in the Northern Territory
  • The Molonglo River Bridge in the Australian Capital Territory.

The Budget also includes a $2 billion investment in road safety upgrades to save lives.
Funding for these shovel ready projects will be provided on a use it or lose it basis.If a State drags its feet, another State will get the money.
The Government is also expanding the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program.
Investing an additional $1 billion to support local councils to immediately upgrade local roads, footpaths and street lighting to create jobs now.
Australians can be confident that the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan for Australia will create jobs, rebuild our economy and secure Australia’s future.

Tax Relief To Back Hard-Working Australians And To Create More Jobs

The Morrison Government will deliver significant tax relief as part of our Economic Recovery Plan for Australia to create jobs, rebuild our economy and secure Australia’s future.
Bringing forward Stage two of our Personal Income Tax Plan will see more than 11 million taxpayers get a tax cut backdated to 1 July 2020.
Business will be supported with time‑limited tax incentives that will provide immediate expensing and loss carry-back.
This will generate economic activity and create jobs by lowering the cost of investment.
It is estimated these measures to reduce the personal income tax burden and encourage business investment will create around 100,000 jobs by the end of 2021-22 and boost GDP by around $6 billion in 2020‑21 and $19 billion in 2021-22.
Tax relief for individuals
Personal income tax cuts announced in the last two budgets helped to put more money into the pockets of hard‑working Australians and in the process strengthen our economy to respond to the impact of COVID-19.
As part of the 2020-21 Budget we will bring forward Stage two of our Personal Income Tax Plan by two years. From 1 July 2020:
The Government will also provide additional targeted support to low- and middle-income Australians. In 2020‑21, low-and middle-income earners will receive a one-off additional benefit of up to $1,080 from the low and middle income tax offset (LMITO).
The LMITO was to be removed with the commencement of Stage two, but the one‑off additional benefit in 2020-21 will provide support to households and stimulus to the economy.
Together, bringing forward Stage two and providing the additional LMITO means more than 11 million Australian taxpayers will get a tax cut, with effect from 1 July this year, providing them with more money to spend on what matters to them.
As they spend their tax cuts this will help local businesses to keep their doors open and hire more staff.
More than 7 million individuals are expected to receive tax relief of $2,000 or more for the 2020-21 income year compared with 2017-18 tax settings. Low and middle income tax payers will receive relief of up to $2,745 for singles and $5,490 for dual income families.
This will reward effort and creates jobs.
Tax relief for business
Around eight in every 10 Australians are employed in the private sector.
To help rebuild our economy and create more jobs we need to kick-start activity in the private sector.
Building on the successful expansion of the instant asset write-off in our response to COVID-19, we will now allow 99 per cent of businesses to write off the full value of assets they purchase.
Businesses with a turnover of up to $5 billion will be able to immediately deduct the full cost of eligible depreciable assets acquired from 7:30pm (AEDT) on 6 October 2020 and first used or installed by 30 June 2022.
It will unlock investment, expand the productive capacity of the nation and create tens of thousands of jobs.
Small businesses will buy, sell, deliver, install, and service these purchases.
To complement this full expensing, the Government will also temporarily allow companies with a turnover of up to $5 billion to offset tax losses against previous profits on which tax has been paid.
This will provide a targeted cash flow boost that businesses across the country desperately need.
Normally, businesses would have to return to profit before they can use their losses, however, these are not normal times.
Losses incurred to June 2022 can be offset against prior profits made in or after the 2018-19 financial year.
In order to keep their workers, these businesses need help now.
The Government is also providing $105 million in tax relief to expand access to a range of small business tax concessions by lifting the aggregated annual turnover threshold for these concessions.
Businesses with an aggregated annual turnover between $10 million and $50 million will, for the first time, be able to access up to ten small business tax concessions.
The expanded concessions will apply in three phases, with the first phase starting from 1 July 2020. The changes will reduce red tape and support around 20,000 businesses to attract workers and retain jobs.
The Government will also enhance previously announced reforms to invest an additional $2 billion through the Research and Development Tax Incentive. These changes will commence from 1 July 2021 and help more than 11,400 companies that invest in research and development to create the jobs of today and tomorrow.
Tax relief for hard-working Australians and businesses is part of the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan to create jobs, rebuild the economy and secure Australia’s future.

Infrastructure Investment Laying The Foundations For Australia’s Economic Recovery

The Morrison-McCormack Government will continue supporting job-creating, economy-boosting infrastructure, as part of our Economic Recovery Plan for Australia, rebuilding our economy to secure Australia’s future.
The Government’s record $110 billion transport infrastructure program and $3.5 billion rolling water infrastructure fund will support local jobs and businesses at the time it is needed most.
These investments will deliver on our economic plan for a stronger and more resilient Australia, boosting the economy, providing water security for regional and rural Australia, meeting our national freight challenge and getting Australians home sooner and safer.
This includes new and additional funding in the 2020-21 Budget for projects and initiatives, supporting over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs over the life of the projects, to get Australia back to work and back in business following the pandemic.
Funding is being delivered to critical transport infrastructure projects in every state and territory, including:

  • an additional $490.6 million for the Coffs Harbour Bypass in New South Wales;
  • $528 million for upgrades to the Shepparton and Warrnambool rail lines in Victoria;
  • $750 million for Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector in Queensland;
  • an additional $80.0 million for the Wheatbelt Secondary Freight Network in Western Australia;
  • $136 million to progress the Main South Road Duplication in South Australia;
  • $65 million for the Tasman Bridge Upgrade in Tasmania;
  • $46.6 million for National Network Highway Upgrades in the Northern Territory; and
  • $87.5 million for the Molonglo River Bridge in the Australian Capital Territory.

MAJOR INVESTMENTS
This Government is driving the delivery of major infrastructure projects as we map the economic road back from the pandemic, building the economy and providing certainty for business over the long term.
We remain committed to the ongoing delivery of a record, $110 billion 10 year infrastructure investment program. Our significant investment will support Australia’s recovery, with projects currently under construction expected to support over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs over the life of the projects, at a time we need it most.
This Budget provides the framework to deliver even greater benefits from these nation-defining investments. We are building on our long-term commitment of $10 billion on the Bruce Highway in Queensland and we are also looking to the future with $20 million towards the Bruce Highway Upgrade Strategy to develop future investment priorities on this key Queensland corridor. We are continuing to ensure that our regional highways are efficient through a commitment of $560 million for the Singleton Bypass on the New England Highway in New South Wales, $100 million for access upgrades to the Strzelecki Track in South Australia, $16 million each for upgrades to the Goldfields Highway and the Broome-Cape Leveque Road in Western Australia and $120 million for upgrades to the Carpentaria Highway in the Northern Territory.
Our infrastructure pipeline isn’t just driving road investment, our commitment to substantial rail investment is full steam ahead, unlocking the economic potential of our regions.
We are investing in the transformational Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project, delivering enhancements across the original program to connect regional Australia to cities and markets and establish a corridor-of-commerce for generations to come.
We are supporting regional Victoria by improving connections between people, jobs and services. We are investing a further $208 million in Stage 2 of the Warrnambool Rail Line Upgrade and $320 million towards Stage 3 of the Shepparton Rail Line Upgrade, improving the ride quality, reliability and resilience of the line for passenger and freight rail services. This builds on our existing $2.7 billion commitment to regional rail in Victoria and our $2 billion commitment to progress faster rail from Melbourne to Geelong.
In addition to building Sydney’s second international airport (Western Sydney Nancy Bird Walton International) and delivering the long-overdue Melbourne Airport Rail Link, we recently committed an additional $1.8 billion to build the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project. This commitment will ensure Western Sydney’s growing population and economy have a world class, fit-for-purpose integrated transport network with construction commencing later this year.
ROAD SAFETY PROGRAM
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and all levels of Government have a key role to play in delivering safer roads and vehicles. The next National Road Safety Strategy 2021 – 2030 will be a once-in-a-decade opportunity to positively direct road safety outcomes.
Road crashes are estimated to cost the national economy around $30 billion a year but the even greater cost is the immeasurable suffering of families affected by road deaths.
This is why we have committed an additional $2 billion for road safety which will support upgrades including the installation of wire rope safety barriers that can reduce accidents caused by running off the road or swerving into the wrong lane and rumble strips to alert drivers and riders that they are moving out of their lane.
This additional investment builds on the $500 million we are already delivering for targeted road safety works.
To monitor and evaluate our progress in this area, the Morrison-McCormack Government is also investing $5.5 million to establish a National Road Safety Data Hub. The Data Hub will establish the first nationally available road safety data collection to assess the effectiveness of road safety efforts by all Australian governments as we move towards the nationally agreed target of zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.
LOCAL PRIORITIES, LOCAL JOBS AND LOCAL BUSINESS
The pandemic has hit Australia everywhere and every region needs support. Local councils understand the immediate needs in their communities. Our community-led recovery plan empowers local governments nation-wide to deliver roads and community infrastructure. This will build shovel-ready local priorities, supporting local jobs and local business.
The Government is focused on delivering priorities for local areas as part of Australia’s road to recovery. Our investments will draw on local businesses to stimulate local economies through an additional $1 billion for local governments for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. This builds on the initial $500 million announced in May 2020.
This investment, together with the new Road Safety Program will support around 10,000 jobs over the life of the projects.
BUILDING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
The Government is building on its existing investment in water infrastructure projects with an additional $2 billion in funding for projects through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund. This more than doubles the fund to a total of $3.5 billion. The additional funding will deliver increased water security, build resilience in our regions, deliver jobs and grow our critical agriculture sector.
The fund will become a 10 year rolling program of priority water infrastructure investments, demonstrating our commitment to supporting and investing in Australia’s regional economies over the long term. This will help increase water security in areas where extensive irrigated agriculture already exists, while also helping unlock new agricultural regions, especially in Australia’s north.
This long-term focus will help identify and build the dams, weirs, pipelines, water recycling plants and other projects that will deliver the National Water Grid – a series of region-specific systems that will help secure reliable supplies of water for rural and regional Australia now and into the future.
The Government will continue to work closely with state and territory government partners, informed by a strong scientific evidence base, to identify, plan and invest in water infrastructure projects across the country that will deliver the next generation of water infrastructure through the National Water Grid.
DRIVING RECOVERY IN OUR CITIES
The Government’s ongoing commitment to the delivery of City Deals in Townsville, Darwin, Western Sydney, Hobart, Launceston, Geelong and Adelaide will help drive recovery in our cities and make them better places to live.
The Government will provide $327.5 million to support projects under the new Perth City Deal that will focus on reactivating and revitalising the Perth CBD so that more people can live, work, learn and play in the city centre. The new deal will guarantee a collaborative approach and a shared vision with Federal, State and Local Governments working together. The Perth City Deal is expected to deliver almost 10,000 jobs over the next 10 years.
BACKING OUR REGIONS THROUGH CONTINUED INVESTMENT
The 2020–21 Budget continues to build a strong regional Australia and includes a number of measures that respond to the unique way regions have been affected by the events of 2020. This Budget ensures regions which are seeing strong population growth have the services and jobs they need, that regions in transition are supported to adapt to new circumstances and build resilience and investments for all communities to make sure they continue to be great places to work and live.
Funding will flow directly to support stronger, more resilient regions through the following initiatives:

  • An additional $200 million in grants to extend the successful Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) for a fifth round, including:
    • $100 million available across regional Australia for community priorities;
    • $100 million dedicated for tourism-related infrastructure.
  • $100 million to fund Regional Recovery Partnerships, which will coordinate investments in ten regions with other levels of government to support recovery and growth
  • An additional $30.3 million for the Regional Connectivity Program to support telecommunications projects developed by local communities and providers to benefit regions.
  • $41.0 million for a Research and Development Program to continue the Government’s regional decentralisation agenda, by funding research and development activities that will benefit regional industries.
  • An additional $28.1 million to extend the Stronger Communities Programme, which provides grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 across the country to community organisations and local governments for small capital projects that deliver social benefits for local communities.
  • We will also invest $5.7 million in a new Building Strong, Resilient Regional Leaders initiative; $5 million for the Regional Australia Institute’s research program and promotion of regional living.

Newcastle Libraries have more for members: including an extended fee free period

As part of the City’s response to COVID-19 overdue fines were suspended for an initial 6 months. However our community is continuing to face challenges so we’ve extended the fee free period to the middle of next year.
Since the pandemic we’ve had more than 1,300 new library members and we’re constantly looking at ways we can continue to provide them with more. More access, more services, and more ways to connect.
Extending our fines free period is another way we can offer more to all Library members. Plus we hope it will encourage new people to join and discover all their local library has on offer.
Membership is free and open to anyone who lives, works or regularly travels in the Newcastle region.  Find out more about becoming a member here or contact the Library team on 4974 5300

Seed library harvests new community partnership

Newcastle Libraries will harvest the flourishing momentum for home vegetable gardens with the launch of the City’s first free Seed Library today.
One of the unexpected outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a national surge in the number of people growing their own fresh herbs and vegetables at home.
NewcastleSeedLibrary-1.jpgNewcastle Libraries will help cultivate this trend further by offering a variety of free seeds that residents can ‘borrow’ from the library to plant in their own gardens.
Residents will be encouraged to share in the fruits of each other’s labour by returning seeds from their ensuing harvest to the library in order to help re-stock and expand the collection.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the Newcastle Seed Library was an innovative community partnership project that would continue to flourish and grow as more people became involved.
“Gardening is a fantastic pastime with many benefits for your physical and mental health and wellbeing,” Cr Clausen said.
“Growing your own vegetables is also a fantastic way to teach children about the life cycle of plants, while learning new seed-saving skills yourself. The best thing is you don’t need a huge amount of space to get started, with many of the plants able to be grown in pots.
“City of Newcastle already has for years been collaborating with residents to successfully establish community gardens throughout the local government area. The Seed Library initiative takes that support one step further by offering free, easy to grow seeds that locals can take and plant in their own gardens.”
The Newcastle Seed Library will start with certified organic varieties including basil, tomato, zucchini, pumpkin and bush bean.
Manager Libraries and Learning Suzie Gately said residents were encouraged to stay involved beyond their initial library ‘loan’ by returning their own seeds to share with the community.
“Our motto is ‘borrow and grow, harvest and share’. Newcastle Libraries members are invited to take home the free seeds for their garden, grow and return the same variety after harvest, and add other varieties of seeds to the library too,” Ms Gately said.
“Sharing seeds through the Newcastle Seed Library will help preserve rare, tasty and historical varieties for gardeners in our community, while the return of successful seeds will allow us to develop a collection adapted to local conditions.”
The Seed Library is being piloted at Wallsend Library from 6 October, with additional branches to potentially be added depending on demand.
Locals will be encouraged to subscribe to the Newcastle Seed Library newsletter for free seed saving tips, while tutorials on the Newcastle Libraries website and regular free seed saving workshops will help them build skills and confidence to grow from seed.
For more information visit the Newcastle Seed Library website.

OUTDOOR DINING COMING SOON

Summer is coming and outdoor spaces are being opened up for alfresco drinking and dining just in time for the warmer weather with the NSW Government slashing red tape to allow quicker approval times for venues.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said government agencies are getting the “Alfresco Job” done, allowing the new measures to be rolled out first in The Rocks from 16 October and in the city from November 1 for a 12-month pilot.
“We have cut through red tape to make this happen in a very short timeframe,” Mr Dominello said.
“We’re working with City of Sydney and Place Management NSW, the landowner for The Rocks, to condense what was previously a three-month process involving multiple agencies, into a single application that takes a week.
“An amendment to the Liquor Regulation will also allow expanded liquor licence boundaries to be approved in as little as three days – a process that previously took up to 51 days.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said cafés, bars, restaurants and hotels will be able to apply for an outdoor dining licence without needing to get a planning approval, making things easier for business owners.
“The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the hospitality industry so this solution will not only keep our communities safer, but draw people back into the city so we can support local business and boost the economy,” Mr Stokes said.
“What we’re doing is getting out of the way – making processes simpler and easier for business owners to quickly take advantage of our unbeatable summer climate and set up outdoor areas for patrons to enjoy.
“We are doing this by trialling policy changes that mean a planning approval will  not be needed for restaurants, bars and cafés to extend their business to outside areas.”
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said while The Rocks and City of Sydney will be the first areas to take up the new outdoor dining opportunities, they won’t be the last.
“Councils across the State are being encouraged to examine how they can fast-track outdoor dining area approvals at their end while ensuring public amenity and safety,” Mrs Hancock said.
“We’re exploring introducing further changes so that all councils can take advantage of the new arrangements and implement similar streamlined processes in time for summer.
“By slashing government approval times, we want businesses and councils to work together to identify spaces for outdoor dining. For example, there might be an unused car park next to your premises, or some sunny pavement out the front of your restaurant – these could be perfect spaces to apply to use.”
Consultation is now open for feedback on the proposed changes to the codes SEPP to allow pubs, small bars and cultural venue with a food or drink outlet to participate in the outdoor dining trial in the City of Sydney.

NO BRIDGE TOO FAR FOR LIGHT RAIL PROJECT

Six new bridges will be built and another five bridges modified in the Greater Parramatta area, as part of the Parramatta Light Rail works.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the bridges at Westmead, Parramatta, Camellia, Rosehill and Dundas will support dual-track light rail as well as an active transport link.
“Greater Parramatta will be revitalised over the next three years with much more than a new light rail network – there will be better connections between communities thanks to new walking and cycling paths,” Mr Constance said.
Work on the 11 bridges across the Parramatta region includes (see map attached):

  • A former rail bridge at Kissing Point Road in Dundas converted to active transport alongside a new three-span bridge for light rail;
  • Replacing the James Hardie Underpass in Camellia with a new bridge for light rail and the active transport link;
  • Encasing support structures for Victoria Road Bridge and Pennant Hills Road Bridge in concrete for protection;
  • Modifying the Adderton Road Bridge, Telopea, to support active transport;
  • Replacing Vineyard Creek Bridge and Leamington Road Underpass, both in Dundas and recently demolished, with new bridges for light rail and active transport;
  • Building a new two-span bridge for light rail and active transport across Parramatta River alongside the existing Bridge Road Bridge in the Cumberland precinct;
  • A new 417-tonne steel arch bridge over James Ruse Drive at Rosehill (the biggest bridge construction on the project).

Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said light rail will be incorporated into a number of historic bridges, with the 1839 Lennox Bridge in Parramatta’s CBD to support light rail and pedestrians instead of car traffic, and the Parramatta River Bridge at Camellia, built in 1895 and modified in 1995, widened to accommodate an active transport link.
“The upgraded bridge designs have been sensitively engineered to pay respect to the past, while supporting new technology and infrastructure,” said Dr Lee.
“We are also taking care to minimise the impact construction of the new bridges has to the local community, by using pre-cast materials that can be installed over just a few days.”
The Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is expected to open in 2023.

Operation Border Closure continues at NSW/Victoria border

Police are reminding the community that restrictions remain in place at the NSW/Victoria border.
Since midnight on Wednesday 8 July 2020, thousands of police officers from across the state have been deployed to support border crossings between NSW and Victoria.
While the NSW/Victoria border zone was extended on Thursday 1 October 2020, travel to these areas is only permitted for border region resident permit holders.
NSW Police are reminding all other NSW residents that anyone who travels to Victoria, including within the border zone ‘border bubble’, will require a valid permit to re-enter NSW.
The NSW/Victoria border remains closed, unless you have a valid permit.
Operation Border Closure Forward Commander, Superintendent Paul Smith, said police will continue to enforce border closures.
“We have had several reports of people attempting to travel from South Australia to NSW – and vice versa – via the Sturt Highway in Victoria, as this is the most direct route,” Supt Smith said.
“Anyone wishing to enter NSW from South Australia will need to do so directly, via an alternative route.
“If you attempt to travel into NSW via Victoria and do not have a valid permit, you will be turned around at the border checkpoint and refused entry to NSW.”
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
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.

COVID-19 update; Two CANs, eight PINs issued

Police have charged two people and issued eight infringements since the last COVID-19 update.
Officers from Monaro Police District stopped a vehicle on the Monaro Highway, Lords Hill, about 11am on Saturday (3 October 2020), after allegedly evading a checkpoint to enter NSW. The occupants, two men aged 41 and 52, were issued with $1000 PINS after being issued warnings the previous day for attempting to enter NSW at the Jungellic Road checkpoint without a valid permit. They were directed to return to Victoria. About 9.15pm the same day, the men allegedly tried to enter NSW again through a checkpoint at Hayden Bog and Lower Bendoc roads. They were issued with field court attendance notices for attempting to enter NSW for a third time and will face court at a later date.
About 10.45am on Saturday (3 October 2020), police attached to Barrier Police District were conducting border closure operations when they stopped a Ford Falcon sedan, travelling on the Sturt Highway, Balranald to conduct a permit check. Police spoke to the male driver, aged 24, and he was issued with a $1000 PIN for violating the conditions of his border permit.
Officers from Richmond Police District attended a licensed premises on Keen Street, Lismore about 7.50pm on Saturday and issued a $5000 PIN for failing to effectively implement a COVID-19 safety plan 2020.
Just after midnight on Sunday (4 October 2020), police were called to Malabar Headland after complaints were received about a party that was taking place. Officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command attended and located more than 80 people at the event. The crowd dispersed and officers spoke to the organiser, a 31-year-old man. He was issued $1000 PIN for failing to comply with a required public health order – COVID-19 and an infringement for use park or part of park for other than which it is reserved. Inquiries continue.
Officers attached to Richmond Police District attended a licensed premises on Brighton Street, East Ballina about 7.30pm on Sunday, and issued a $5000 PIN for failing to adhere to venue operation laws. Police will allege no provisions were being made to effect proper social distancing within the establishment.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command attended a venue at Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Park about 6.45pm on Sunday and issued the manager a $5000 PIN after allegedly being unable to produce a COVID-19 safely
Sydney City Police attended a second venue at Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Park, about 9.30pm on Sunday. Police allege the manager was unable to produce a COVID-19 safety plan and was issued a $5000 PIN.
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.

Greens call on Labor and Crossbench to oppose unfair, wasteful tax cuts

Greens Leader Adam Bandt says Labor and the crossbench must join the Greens in opposing tax cuts to the super-wealthy, warning that Scott Morrison’s COVID recovery budget looked set to supercharge inequality and create a ‘lost generation’ of young people.
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers refused to rule out supporting a fast-tracking of Stages 2 & 3 of the government’s $286 billion tax cut package, which overwhelmingly benefits people on higher incomes. Mr Bandt said with economists discrediting the Government spin that Stage 2 was ‘kinder’ than Stage 3, both should be opposed.
“The Government is choosing to create a high unemployment future. We must stand up to this government. Labor can’t roll over and vote with the government again,” Mr Bandt said.
“Blocking this handout for the super-wealthy would be Labor’s first step in fixing the mistake of supporting these tax cuts in the first place.
“Tax cuts mean nothing for the million people out of work in Australia, and will strip away money that could be invested in public housing, high speed rail and free childcare.
“We’re risking a lost generation of young people if the government doesn’t invest in nation-building, planet-saving projects with a jobs guarantee.
“A government that always demonised debt is now borrowing money to give a tax cut to super-wealthy people like Clive Palmer.
“Instead of giving handouts to big corporations and millionaires, we should invest in a Green New Deal to get to full employment, tackle the climate crisis and reduce inequality.”