October 2020 – Page 9

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS EASED

Gatherings in outdoor public spaces and group bookings at restaurants will be increased to 30 people under a relaxation of COVID-19 rules.
From this Friday, 23 October:

30 people can gather outdoors in public spaces (previously this was 20);
30 customers per booking, and 30 customers per table at hospitality venues (previously the rule was a maximum of 10);
In addition, as of last Friday 16 October, corporate functions of up to 300 people can now be held at any appropriate premises, including at restaurants, subject to a COVID-Safe plan (previously just function centres).

Additionally, from 1 December, the number of people who can attend weddings will be lifted to 300 people subject to the four square metre rule indoors and two square metre rule outdoors.
This will allow people to make plans and book venues knowing the capacity ahead of time.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government remains focused on managing COVID-19 and opening up the economy in a COVID-Safe way.
“These changes will provide a big boost to our hospitality venues,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“As we ease restrictions and find new ways to get businesses moving it is vital that customers and venues continue to be COVID-Safe.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this was another important step in driving our economic recovery while returning to life in a COVID-Safe way.
“We continue to remain focused on stimulating the economy, keeping businesses in business and people in jobs,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The easing of restrictions and safely increasing capacities will lead directly to more jobs and more opportunities for businesses across NSW, which is integral for the State’s recovery.”
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said lower case numbers are a good sign but we are by no means out of the woods.
“It is vital as we ease restrictions people continue to do the right thing, stay home if unwell and get tested, even with the most minimal of symptoms,” Mr Hazzard said.
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government remains focused on creating jobs and stimulating the economy, key goals of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan.
“We want to see NSW get back on track in a COVID-safe way and this is another important step,” Mr Ayres said.
NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said people still need to continue to follow the personal hygiene recommendations, maintain physical distancing and wear masks in indoor settings where you cannot physically distance.
“As we ease restrictions, we all need to maintain COVID-safe behaviours and practices,” Dr Chant said.
Businesses wishing to take advantage of the relaxed restrictions must use electronic methods, like QR codes, to record and keep contact details.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT STUDENT STUDIES

Young people in out-of-home care or living in social housing can now apply for a $1,000 scholarship to help cover their educational and training costs in their final years of high school.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the Department of Communities and Justice Scholarships program aims to improve educational outcomes for some of the state’s most disadvantaged students.
“We want to give young people every opportunity to achieve their education goals so that they can break the cycle of disadvantage,” Mr Ward said.
“Students can use the funds for educational expenses such as text books, laptops, tutoring and course costs, to help ease the financial burden.
“The scholarships help remove some of the barriers vulnerable students may face, so they can focus their attention on the classroom instead.”
Scholarships are available to students in Year 10, 11 and 12 at a NSW high school or TAFE equivalent. They are open to young people completing a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, or studying a VET subject at school in 2021.
To be eligible students must either be a social housing tenant, a social housing applicant, be living in crisis accommodation, or be living in out-of-home care.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the scholarships would support vulnerable students through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Many families are feeling financial pressure right now and it is important that our most vulnerable students remain connected to education and are given the best possible chance to succeed,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We need to support young people nearing the end of high school to develop work readiness and these scholarships will provide a hand up for vulnerable young people during this incredibly challenging time.”
Applications close of 19 February 2021, with successful students to be announced in Term 2. For more information, visit https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/support-programs/all-families/dcj-scholarships.

EARLY PAYMENTS MADE FOR AFFECTED EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES

Not-for-profit community and mobile preschools and not-for-profit long day care services across the State who have been affected by the challenges of 2020 will benefit from early payments of the NSW Government’s Quality Learning Environments program.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Quality Learning Environments program helps to support the delivery of quality early childhood education for children across NSW.
“Between bushfires and COVID-19 our communities have faced a number of challenges. Early learning services play a critical role in supporting children and families, and this funding is being made available to support the work of these services,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The NSW Government is committed to strengthening education for early learners, and we are showing this support by making these payments early to services who need them.”
The Quality Learning Environments program provides grants of up to $15,000 to eligible early childhood services to purchase resources and activities which improve physical or educational learning environments.
Early payment is being made available to those services that have indicated an urgent need for funding. This may include quality improvement initiatives to meet the needs of services impacted by bushfire and recent severe weather events or other emergency situations such as COVID-19.
Further grant applications not requiring early payment will be progressed in December 2020.
For more information on the 2020 Quality Learning Environments program, visit the Department of Education website.

SEA EAGLES READY TO FLY HIGH WITH NEW CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

Rugby League is ready to soar to new heights on the Northern Beaches with construction beginning today on the $33.1 million Manly Sea Eagles Centre of Excellence and Northern Grandstand at Brookvale Oval.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the new 3000 seat grandstand and high performance Centre of Excellence will be the envy of other clubs.
“This project will create more than 300 jobs and provide a major boost to the construction industry on the Northern Beaches,” Mr Lee said.
“It’s one of the most iconic grounds in rugby league and this project will ensure the Northern Beaches community continues to love coming to Brookie Oval.”
ADCO Constructions will build the project and the Manly Sea Eagles aim to have it completed in time for the start of the 2022 NRL season.
Member for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard said the project is a win for the entire community.
“On the Beaches we love our sport and we love our Sea Eagles, and the Centre of Excellence will allow the club to expand its community programs and initiatives so that everyone benefits from the new facilities,” Mr Hazzard said.
Member for Manly James Griffin said the Sea Eagles Centre of Excellence will ensure future generations of young players have access to the best facilities.
“This is fantastic news for everyone on the Northern Beaches who is passionate about sport and our Sea Eagles,” Mr Griffin said.
“Our professionals will have access to the best facilities in the state and will also help our grassroots teams to dream big and aspire to play for a proud club like ours.”
Senator for New South Wales Andrew Bragg said this is yet again another great collaboration between the Morrison Government and the NSW Government to deliver for the people of the Northern Beaches.
“The Federal Government is tipping $12.5 million dollars towards this project from the Community Development Grant Funding stream further strengthening our commitment to a world class facility for the Northern Beaches,” Senator Bragg said.
Manly Sea Eagles Chairman Scott Penn said getting to this day has been a culmination of hard work from the Manly board and significant investment from the NSW Government and Federal Government.
“The Sea Eagles Centre of Excellence will be a world-class facility that will serve the community for decades to come,” Mr Penn said.
“It is one of several exciting developments that will transform Brookvale Oval into a world-class sporting venue and community facility and we thank the State and Federal governments for their generous support.”
The Sea Eagles Centre of Excellence will include high performance, training and administration facilities for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles men’s and future women’s NRL teams, as well as pathway participants.
Dedicated and multipurpose community facilities will also allow the club to expand its community programs and initiatives.

LABOR AMENDMENTS SAVE NEWCASTLE SPORTING PRECINCT FROM DEVELOPERS

The land surrounding McDonald Jones Stadium will be protected from unchecked residential and commercial hotel development, after NSW Labor successfully amended the Sporting Venues Authority Bill in the NSW Upper House.
The legislation brings together a range of sporting and entertainment venues throughout NSW under a single board, including Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Newcastle Showground.
It also would have allowed the Minister for Sport to single-handedly approve widespread residential and commercial development on Venues NSW land such as the Hunter Sports and Entertainment Precinct.
With support from the crossbench, Labor successfully removed this provision. Any proposal for these developments will now need to be approved by the Parliament.
“This poor attempt by the NSW Government to slip changes through the Parliament under guise of their Venues Bill has been rightly rejected,” Shadow Minister for Sport Lynda Voltz said.
“These changes will ensure sport and the community’s interests will always come first in our sporting precincts.”
State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said that parliamentary oversight of future development was necessary to ensure the process remained transparent.
“It’s important that a balance is achieved when the Hunter Sports and Entertainment Precinct redevelopment goes ahead,” he said.
“The last thing anyone wants to see is widespread residential development at the expense of providing the world-class sporting facilities New South Wales’ second-largest city deserves.”
Labor was also successful in securing the establishment of a Hunter advisory committee and the mandated appointment of a Hunter representative on the new Venues NSW board, in critical steps to ensuring the progressing the Hunter Sports and Entertainment Precinct is a top priority for Venues NSW.

Second person charged with murder over suspicious death of New Zealand firefighter in the Hunter

A woman was arrested and charged with murder following the suspicious death of 43-year-old New Zealand man, Ian Pullen, two years ago in the Hunter region.
Just after 5.30am on Saturday 29 September 2018, emergency services were called to Carrington Street, Glenridding, after a man’s body was located on the side of the road.
The man was later identified as 43-year-old New Zealand firefighter, Ian Pullen, who had arrived in the Hunter region to assist with bushfire efforts.
Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District established Strike Force Awabakil to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Pullen’s death.
Following extensive inquiries and numerous public appeals, a 29-year-old man was arrested last week; he was charged and remains before the courts.
After further inquiries, police attended a home on Dominion Avenue, Singleton, and arrested a 30-year-old woman about 9am yesterday (Monday 16 October 2020).
She was taken to Singleton Police Station before being taken to Singleton Hospital under police guard for an existing injury. She later returned to Singleton Police Station and was charged with murder.
Police will allege in court the 29-year-old man was driving a white Toyota Hilux utility when Mr Pullen was struck in the early hours of Saturday 29 September before leaving the scene.
It will be further alleged that the vehicle returned a short time later, with the man and woman exiting the utility and striking Mr Pullen in the head with an object.
The woman was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court today (Tuesday 20 October 2020).
Investigations under Strike Force Awabakil are ongoing.

20 PINs issued following weekend breaches of COVID rules

Police have issued 20 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) following a number of alleged breaches of Ministerial Directions under the Public Health Act across the state at the weekend.
Officers from Richmond Police District were conducting duties at a sports ground at Ballina on Saturday, when they became concerned about the increasing crowd numbers.
Police observed that people were not being counted as they entered the ground and after it was estimated that more than 1000 were in attendance, event organisers were directed to reduce the crowd size.
Play was suspended for a short time while the crowd was reduced by half and appropriate control measures were established.
Officials for the club were subsequently advised a $5000 PIN would be issued for failing to adhere to venue operation laws.
About 12.45pm on Saturday, police from Operation Border Closure stopped a Hyundai SUV at the Tocumwal border checkpoint and spoke with the male driver.
The 26-year-old man told police he was returning to Queensland and was unaware he required a permit to transit through NSW. He was provided advice on applying for a permit before being refused entry and directed to return to Victoria.
About 7am the following day (Sunday 18 October), police were advised an SUV was seen driving on the Tocumwal Railway Bridge into NSW.
Following patrols, police stopped the Hyundai SUV on the Newell Highway at Finley and spoke to the same driver. He was escorted back to border and issued a $1000 PIN for failure to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District were called to a home on Letchworth Parade, Balmoral, about 10.30pm on Saturday, following reports of a large party.
Police arrived to find more than 100 young people congregated and spoke with the resident – a 47-year-old woman – who said many of the guests were uninvited, but she had not asked them to leave.
As police attempted to disperse the crowd, they became hostile towards the officers and threw bottles, rocks, and other projectiles before damaging property, including fences, trees and street signs.
The crowd was eventually dispersed and investigations into the incident are continuing.
Officers have since issued the woman with a $1000 PIN.
About 1.25am (Sunday 18 October 2020), officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command responded to reports of a loud party at a unit block on Hall Street, Bondi.
On arrival, police observed at least 35 people inside the unit before the group scattered and attempted to run from the area. In total, 17 people were spoken to, some of whom were found hiding in a stairwell, and were advised they would each receive a $1000 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.
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 information via NSW Police social media pages.

$8.5 million to continue long-term women's health study

The Morrison Government is funding the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH), the nation’s largest health survey, for another three years.
Partners in the ALSWH, the University of Queensland and the University of Newcastle, will receive more than $8.58 million over the next three years. This funding boost complements the Australian Government’s commitment to provide ongoing funding for this important project.
Since 1996, the Government has funded the ALSWH to enable it to continuously collect important data on women’s health status and trends from across the nation.
The Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said, “For a quarter of a century, the ALSWH has played a leading role in nurturing our understanding of how health issues impact on the everyday lives of women, how women negotiate these issues, and the ways in which women engage with the health system.
“The study has been integral in guiding national approaches to developing services and supports that are tailored to women’s needs, and provide the best means of realising improved health outcomes for women, at all stages of their life.
“The new funding will allow the study to continue to fulfil this important function at a time where improvements in the women’s health space are being prioritised in response to the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030.”
The Minister for Women, Marise Payne, said, “The views of everyday women have never been more valuable. Having such a robust and internationally renowned mechanism for informing national policy on women’s health is incredibly important.
“The study follows more than 57,000 women who are broadly representative of the entire Australian population, spanning four generations.
“The three original cohorts were women born in the years 1921-26, 1945-51 and 1973-78. A new cohort of more than 17,000 women born in the years 1989-95—who were then aged 18 to 23 years old — was added in 2013.
“As well as continuing the study, the additional funding will finance a project to improve the representation of women from South East Asia, North East Asia, and Southern Asia. This will focus on women in the two younger cohorts, who are currently aged 25 to 31 years old and 42 to 47 years old.”
ALSWH’s methodology is internationally renowned and assesses:

Physical and emotional health—including wellbeing, major diagnoses, symptoms.
Use of health services—GP, specialist and other visits, access, satisfaction.
Health behaviours and risk factors—diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol, other drugs.
Time use—including paid and unpaid work, family roles and leisure.
Socio-demographic factors—location, education, employment, family composition.
Life stages and key events—such as childbirth, divorce, widowhood.

Data from the study is also made available for national and international research use. Since the study began, it has been used in more than 800 scientific publications.
During 2020, the ALSWH has conducted a series of surveys and reports on women’s experiences of COVID-19. They include information on living arrangements during the pandemic, involvement in paid work and home-schooling, and general health and wellbeing.
This information will be beneficial in assessing the impacts of COVID-19 on Australian women.

Case against Dan Oakes dropped but media freedom laws must be fixed

The Commonwealth DPP’s decision to rule out charges against ABC journalist Dan Oakes is welcome but the lengthy ordeal should never have arisen in the first place, the Greens say.
Greens spokesperson for Media and Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Press Freedoms, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“This case was designed to have a chilling effect on the media by a secretive government.
“Mr Oakes’ reporting was always in the public interest and the fact it’s taken so long for the AFP and CDPP to reach this conclusion highlights our laws are broken and need fixing.
“Journalism is not a crime. We need a Media Freedom Act to ensure no journalist is treated like this ever again.”
Senator Hanson-Young said she is pushing ahead with introducing a Media Freedom Act to the Parliament.
The Media Freedom Act that Senator Hanson-Young will introduce will:
• Ensure a contested warrants process, where law enforcement would need to apply to a judge to search a media outlet or access a journalist’s metadata;
• Protect whistleblowers by introducing a public interest defence;
• Put the onus on prosecutors to disprove public interest rather than journalists to prove it;
• Overall, enacts shield laws to protect journalists from being forced to reveal their sources.
“A contested warrants process would mean police can’t just raid a news outlet’s premises or the home of a journalist like we saw in the Smethurst and ABC raids. There would be checks and balance and consideration of what is in the public interest,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“Journalists should not be charged for doing their jobs full stop. They should not have their homes raided. They should not be intimidated or threatened. They should not be attacked by the government for reporting what is in the public interest.
“Whistleblowers who speak truth to power must be better protected, it is essential for an accountable and transparent democracy, and to protect the public’s right to know.”

Morrison must urgently increase resources to get stranded Australians home

Greens Foreign Affairs spokesperson Senator Janet Rice said Morrison’s delay in getting stranded Australians home is unacceptable and has called on the government to urgently increase federal resources to boost quarantining capacity across the country.
Senator Rice said:
“Morrison has finally acted in announcing an expansion to quarantine facilities at Howard Springs, but it has taken him too long, and the solution is nowhere near good enough.
“While the Prime Minister has been gallivanting around Queensland on the campaign trail, almost 30,000 Australians have been waiting anxiously to find out when they’ll be able to see their families again.
“The Government’s delay has been devastating for Australians and their families stuck overseas. Over and over again we have heard heartbreaking stories of Australians who are separated from their children, from the medical care they need and from their jobs.
“The fact that tens of thousands are still waiting to get home is an indictment on Morrison’s inaction.
“The Greens have repeatedly said that most Australians wanting to come home can’t wait until the end of the year – they are desperate and fearful of yet again having flights cancelled. Not only that, as the virus continues to impact travel in other countries, getting home could become even harder for many.
“The Morrison Government urgently needs to increase federal resources to boost quarantining capacity across the country. Only then will Australians be able to get home when they need to and at reasonable cost.
“With transport networks all across the world in disarray, the government must also provide assistance for Australians to reach the point of departure. Otherwise, many would-be travellers could be watching a crucial lifeline leave without them.”