Month: November 2020

GROUNDBREAKING SUPPORT TO HELP BUSINESSES GROW AND CREATE JOBS

Businesses are set to benefit from thousands of dollars in tax relief and a raft of other support measures designed to improve their cashflow and help them hire more staff as the NSW Government pushes forward with its COVID-19 stimulus and economic recovery plan outlined in the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
From $1,500 digital vouchers for smaller enterprises to cover government fees and charges, to relief from payroll tax, and a three-year extension of the Business Connect program, businesses are at the forefront of the NSW Government’s 2020-21 Budget, providing billions of dollars in support.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the Budget was all about bolstering businesses as NSW plans for its post-pandemic future.
“Many businesses across NSW have faced the triple challenges of droughts, bushfires and COVID-19 this year and it’s important that we support them at this critical time,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Small businesses make up 97.5 per cent of businesses in NSW and they are the backbone of the economy; if we keep businesses in business, we keep people in jobs and help create new ones as we drive the State’s economic recovery.”
Key Budget measures to support business and jobs include:

  • A two-year payroll tax rate cut from 5.45 per cent to 4.85 per cent and a permanent increase in the payroll tax threshold from $1 million to $1.2 million. These tax cuts, worth $2.8 billion, will provide an average saving of around $34,000 a year for the next two years for businesses liable for payroll tax;
  • $500 million for an Out & About digital voucher program providing $100 worth of digital vouchers to NSW residents to spend on eating out and entertainment activities to boost businesses and encourage people to spend locally;
  • $472 million for new digital vouchers worth $1,500 which can be used by small businesses under the payroll tax threshold towards the cost of government fees and charges;
  • More than $39 million in a funding boost for the Business Connect program which has been extended for a further three years to support small businesses across the State to access targeted business advice;
  • $5 million for the NSW Small Business Commission to establish a new tendering support service under a four-year program, providing small business with practical tips and assistance to prepare and submit Government tenders;
  • Almost $2 million to continue the small business rebate program, providing up to $500 to support small business owners and sole traders who buy and install safety equipment; and
  • A temporary extension to 28 March 2021 of the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct – SME Commercial Leasing Principles for retail tenants only with an annual turnover of less than $5 million. Landlords who provide rent reductions between 1 January 2021 to 28 March 2021, to eligible retail tenants experiencing financial distress due to the pandemic, can apply for land tax relief of up to 25 per cent on the land leased for the 2021 land tax year.

More information on the payroll tax changes will be made available on the Revenue NSW website.
For information on the Out & About scheme, visit nsw.gov.au Information on the digital vouchers will become available on the Service NSW website in the coming weeks.
For information on Business Connect visit business.nsw.gov.au/businessconnect
For more on the small business rebate program visit safework.nsw.gov.au/advice-and-resources/rebate-programs/small-business-rebates.
For more information on the (COVID-19) commercial leases regulation and the land tax relief available for eligible landlords, please visit service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/covid-19-help-small-businesses/commercial-lease-support

ALMOST $50 MILLION BOOST FOR LIFESAVING GENE THERAPY

Patients with blood cancers and some rare genetic diseases will benefit from a $49.6 million funding boost for innovative new cell and gene therapies in the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding will provide faster and greater access to cutting edge and lifesaving treatments, including CAR T-cell therapy.
“This funding offers real hope to the families of children suffering from rare and often fatal diseases by opening the door to new, innovative therapies,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is an exciting time in medicine. There is a wave of cell and gene therapies now available for rare, previously untreatable, often fatal conditions.”
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said NSW has played a leading role in global research efforts in the development of novel cell and gene therapies to treat rare, fatal conditions.
“The people of NSW no longer need to leave their State to access these world-class innovations, thanks to the ingenuity and dedication of our State’s leading clinical experts,” Mr Hazzard said.
“This investment will help ensure NSW children with these rare and life-threatening conditions are given every chance possible at a longer, happier and healthier life.”
The funding will support access to:

  • CAR T-cell therapy which  modifies a person’s own immune cells to attack their cancer and offers hope for remission and long-term survival for:
    • children and young adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) CAR T-cell therapy.
    • adults with diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma.
  • Gene therapy for children with the genetic blinding eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa.  This potentially sight-saving therapy is expected to be available in Australia by the end of 2020.
  • Monoclonal antibody therapy for neuroblastoma. This therapy vastly improves the outcomes for children with this type of cancer.
  • Gene-based therapies for spinal muscular atrophy, a fatal condition with few treatment options until very recently. NSW has one of the highest volume centres globally for gene therapy treatment of this condition.

NOVOCASTRIANS URGED TO SHARE THE DIGNITY

The office of Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon will again be a drop off point for Share the Dignity’s “It’s in the Bag” campaign this year.
Ms Claydon has urged Novocastrians to donate generously to the campaign.
“You can make life better for a woman or girl experiencing homelessness or poverty this Christmas,” Ms Claydon said.
“Just fill a nice bag with sanitary items, hygiene products and everyday luxuries and drop it off to my office at 427 Hunter Street.”
Ms Claydon, who also chairs Federal Labor’s Status of Women Committee, said the donations would be given to women who can’t afford sanitary products.
“Donations will give dignity to homeless women, women who are at risk or women experiencing domestic violence,” Ms Claydon said.
“This is a great opportunity to embrace the spirit of the festive season and give something back.”
Ms Claydon said she wanted to exceed the number of donations she received last year. [pictured with Sharon and Lesley Slevin from Share the Dignity]
“Last year, Novocastrians generously donated more than 50 lovely bags filled with essentials and extra luxury items,” Ms Claydon said.
“I think we can beat this in 2020.”
Ms Claydon said people could make up an adult, a teen or a mum and bub bag.
“Cute small bags or backpacks are great for teen bags, and you can fill them with sanitary items and extras that are more likely to appeal to younger women,” Ms Claydon said.
“For mums and bubs, use a large bag and fill it with things like disposable nappy bags, baby wipes,  along with women’s sanitary items.
“If you like, you can also put in something extra like jewellery, gift vouchers or make up.”
Donations will be accepted until November 27.

Alleged cowboy hat thief charged – Scone

A man has been charged after allegedly stealing cowboy hats worth almost $10,000.
About 5.30am on Tuesday 27 October 2020, the man allegedly broke into a business in Kelly Street, Scone. The man was observed loading various brands of ‘country and cowboy’ hats into a wheelie bin, before leaving the scene.
The hats, made of straw and felt, sell for an estimated $250-$300 each.
At 1pm this afternoon (17 November 2020) a 32-year-old man was arrested by officers attached to the Hunter Valley Police District. He was taken to Tamworth police station, where he was charged with break/enter dwelling and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.
The Taminda man was bail refused and appeared today (17 November 2020) at Tamworth Local Court.

Man charged following police pursuit at border checkpoint – Monaro

A man will face court today charged after driving through a border checkpoint in the Monaro region yesterday.
About 8.30am (Monday 16 November 2020), police stopped a station wagon with Victorian registration at the border checkpoint on the Monaro Highway at Rockton.
When police spoke with the driver and two passengers about their border permits to enter NSW, the driver allegedly accelerated from the checkpoint. The vehicle was pursued by police for a short time before being terminated due to safety concerns.
A short time later, police located the vehicle crashed on the side of the road near Jimenbuen. Two men and a woman were assisted from the vehicle and arrested, before being taken to Cooma Police Station. No injuries were reported.
The driver, a 26-year-old man from Moe in Victoria, was later taken to Cooma Hospital for mandatory testing, before returning to the police station.
He has been charged with police pursuit, drive etc when visiting privileges withdrawn, drive unregistered or charges unpaid vehicle, drive uninsured vehicle, use registrable vehicle not display authorised numberplates, and reckless driving.
The man was refused bail to appear in Queanbeyan Local Court today (Tuesday 17 November 2020).
The other two occupants were released pending further inquiries.
Inquiries continue.

$1 Billion Manufacturing Agreement Secures Australia’s National Health Security

A new high-tech vaccine manufacturing facility will be developed in Melbourne to secure Australia’s long-term supply of critical health products including pandemic influenza vaccines and life-saving antivenoms.
The $1 billion agreement between the Morrison Government and Seqirus also provides the ability to rapidly manufacture vaccines when responding to health pandemics in the future.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new complex would be the largest influenza vaccine manufacturing facility in the Southern Hemisphere.
“Keeping Australians safe is my number one priority and while we are rightly focused on both the health and economic challenges of COVID-19, we must also guard against future threats,” the Prime Minister said.
“This agreement cements Australia’s long-term sovereign medical capabilities, giving us the ability to develop vaccines when we need them.”
“Just as major defence equipment must be ordered well in advance, this is an investment in our national health security against future pandemics.”
Health Minister Greg Hunt said under the agreement, Seqirus would invest $800 million in the development of the facility project, creating 520 construction jobs, commencing in 2021.
“This new facility will guarantee Australian health security against pandemic influenza for the next two decades.”
“Our government’s strategy to protect the health and wellbeing of Australians and the Australian economy, as well as having access to a world class health system.”
“This is a major milestone, ensuring that Australia can mass produce vaccines against future flu pandemics, as well as continuing onshore production of seasonal flu vaccines, Q fever vaccines and antivenoms.
Without this historic agreement, the nation would need to source these critical medical products from overseas.
Seqirus is currently the only company making influenza and Q fever vaccine in Australia, and the only company in the world making life saving antivenom products against 11 poisonous Australian creatures (snakes, marine creatures and spiders).
The current agreement between the Australian Government and Seqirus—a subsidiary of CSL Ltd—is due to end in 2024-25. To continue onshore manufacturing in Australia, Seqirus will now invest in a major new vaccine manufacturing facility close to Melbourne airport to replace its existing, ageing production facilities in Parkville, Melbourne.
The highly specialised production facility is expected to be operational by 2026 with the contract for supply of these critical products extending to 2036.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said Australia’s manufacturing capability had been a huge asset during the COVID-19 pandemic and this agreement will keep us in a strong position.
“The Morrison Government knows just how important it is for Australia to be able to stand up for itself when it really matters,” Minister Andrews said.
“This investment will not only allow us to continue to manufacture the essentials we need well into the future but it will also create and secure high paying manufacturing jobs across a range of skills.
“This agreement is just one in a range of investments we’re making to drive Australian manufacturing forward and create jobs. We’re also investing a further $1.3 billion through our Modern Manufacturing Initiative into projects across six priority areas, including medical products.”
The Morrison Government acted quickly and decisively to address the consequences of COVID-19 and as a result, Australia has achieved some of the best health and economic outcomes in the world.
More than $18.5 billion has committed to support the emergency COVID-19 health response to the pandemic, including $3.2 billion to secure access to over 134.8 million doses of potential COVID-19 vaccine candidates developed by the University of Oxford-Astra Zeneca and the University of Queensland, Pfizer-BioNTech and Novavax.
The Victorian Government has also supported the procurement of suitable land for Seqirus.

Regional trade deal to boost export opportunties for Aussie farmers and businesses

Australian farmers and businesses are set to benefit from better export opportunities with the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement between Australia and 14 other Indo-Pacific countries.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the signing of this long-awaited agreement signalled our region’s shared commitment to open trade and investment, despite the challenges of COVID-19.
“Our trade policy is all about supporting Australian jobs, boosting export opportunities and ensuring an open region with even stronger supply chains. RCEP builds on our trade successes and is good news for Australian businesses,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“With one in five Australian jobs reliant on trade, the RCEP Agreement will be crucial as Australia and the region begin to rebuild from the COVID‑19 pandemic.
“This agreement covers the fastest growing region in the world and, as RCEP economies continue to develop and their middle classes grow, it will open up new doors for Australian farmers, businesses and investors.”
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said RCEP would be the world’s largest free trade agreement and would improve export opportunities for Australian farmers and businesses, especially in the services sector.
“This deal will further integrate Australian exporters into a booming part of the globe, with RCEP countries making up nearly 30 per cent of world GDP and the world´s population,” Minister Birmingham said.
“RCEP has been driven by the ten ASEAN nations, who collectively constitute Australia’s second largest two-way trading partner and have successfully brought Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea into this regional trading block with them.
“This agreement may have taken eight years to negotiate but it could not have come at a more important time given the scale of global economic and trade uncertainty.
“Economic cooperation of this scale sends a strong signal that our region is committed to the principles of open trade for the post COVID-19 recovery, just as we advanced them during the previous years of strong economic growth.
“Greater openness within our region, as well as the greater integration of value chains and more common rules of origin which this deal delivers, will make it easier for Australian businesses and investors to operate throughout our region, helping Australia to continue to grow our exports.
“There are particular gains for Australian providers within the financial services sector, education, health, engineering and other professional services, who can become better integrated within the region and have more access within RCEP countries.
“Australia is committed to fully ratifying RCEP as soon as possible so Australian farmers, businesses and investors can start to access the benefits of this agreement. It will also be an inclusive agreement, with the door open for others, especially India, to join if and when they are ready.”
Australia will also commit $46 million to provide technical assistance and capacity building to help eligible ASEAN countries implement their RCEP commitments, ensuring RCEP delivers on its full potential.
When finalised, the main benefits for Australia will be:

  • A new single set of rules and procedures for accessing preferential tariffs in any of the 15 RCEP markets
  • New scope for trade in services throughout the region including across telecommunications, professional and financial services.
  • Improved mechanisms for tackling non-tariff barriers including in areas such as customs procedures, quarantine and technical standards.
  • Greater investment certainty for businesses.
  • Rules on e-commerce to make it easier for businesses to trade online.
  • A common set of rules on intellectual property.
  • Agreed rules of origin that will increase the competitiveness of Australian inputs into regional production chains.

For more on the Regional Economic Partnership Agreement visit:
https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/negotiations/rcep

Netflix’s Escape from Spiderhead and Pieces of Her to film in Australia

The recovery of Australia’s screen production sector is boosted today with the announcement of two major Netflix titles – a feature-film and a series – to be filmed locally with $21.58 million in support from the Morrison Government’s Location Incentive program.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said this latest investment will inject around $160 million into the economy and create 770 local jobs.
“These jobs will be in many different areas – from carpenters, lighting technicians and set designers to actors, crews and special effects teams,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Australia’s world-class production sector is renowned for being hardworking and these productions will support hundreds of jobs – from carpenters, lighting technicians and set designers to actors, crews and special effects teams.
“This is also an exciting opportunity for locals to work alongside home-grown stars including our very own Chris Hemsworth and Toni Collette, who have taken Australia to the world stage,” Minister Fletcher said.
Escape from Spiderhead, a Netflix film featuring Chris Hemsworth, and directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick, Tron Legacy, and Oblivion) is set in the near future, where two young convicts grapple with their pasts in a facility run by a brilliant visionary, who experiments on inmates with emotion-altering drugs. Filming will take place on the Gold Coast, commencing in November.
Pieces of Her, an eight-episode Netflix series starring Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress Toni Collette, is set in a sleepy Georgia town where a random act of violence sets off an unexpected chain of events. Australian Bruna Papandrea (Wild, Big Little Lies, The Undoing) is an executive producer on the series. Production will take place at Homebush, in New South Wales, commencing in January.
Toni Collette said, “Given the challenges the film and television industry has faced this year on a global level, I am thrilled that the producers and Netflix have been able to relocate Pieces of Her to film in Australia so that production can remain on track and this story can be told. On a personal level, for me, it also brings with it the great joy of shooting at home in Australia.”
Debra Richards, APAC Director of Production Policy for Netflix, said, “We greatly appreciate the support of the Australian Government through its Location Incentive program, together with the Queensland and New South Wales governments, and the City of Gold Coast, to secure these productions which will deliver significant contributions to Australia’s screen industry and economy. We’re looking forward to working with more of Australia’s great talent and crew, as well as the award-winning production service businesses.”
Escape from Spiderhead and Pieces of Her are supported under the Australian Government’s $400 million boost to the Location Incentive to create a pipeline of international projects during the recovery from COVID-19, which will generate tens of thousands of Australian jobs in the screen industry over the next seven years
The Government recently announced the new live-action feature film Blacklight starring Liam Neeson will be produced in Victoria thanks to the Location Incentive program.
For more information on the Location Incentive program visit: www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/screen/australian-screen-production-incentive.

$10 MILLION GRANTS PROGRAM TO ASSIST WOMEN BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE

Women across the State will have access to grants of up to $5,000 through the NSW Government’s new $10 million Return to Work program, as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the program would provide women with financial assistance and targeted support including mentoring, advice and training to help them return to the workforce.
“These grants will help women whose employment has been affected by COVID-19 to overcome some of the obstacles in returning to the workforce,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I encourage women from all walks of life to apply for these grants and use this springboard to jump back into their former career or even start a new one.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said helping more women get back to work will not only provide a financial lifeline for them and their families, it will also boost the economy.
“We know that many part-time or casual positions and female-dominated industries were severely impacted by COVID-19, so we are looking to empower as many women as possible to be able to get back into paid employment,” Mr Perrottet said.
It is estimated that women make up 53 per cent of directly affected industries and 65 per cent of secondary industries impacted by the pandemic. These include accommodation and food services, retail, arts, and professional services.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the grants are available to all women who have been out of work for at least one month.
“There are so many costs involved in starting up again, so it is great that women looking to return to work will be able to use these grants towards things like training and education, office supplies, or whatever it is they need to get back into a job,” Mrs Taylor said.
“The money can also be used for childcare, including before and after school care and transport, which will really help mothers overcome some of the biggest barriers to getting back into work.”
Eligible recipients will be given a Return to Work Coordinator to develop a plan, which will set out the resources that will assist them getting back in the workforce. They must be a resident of NSW and plan to start paid work within six months.
The Return to Work Program aligns with the NSW Women’s Strategy, which sets the NSW Government’s priorities for supporting women and girls, especially following times of crisis.
For further information, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/register-interest-return-work-program.

NEW ROOFS FOR REGIONAL SCHOOLS

The NSW Government announced today it is investing $60 million as part of its COVID-19 Recovery Plan to replace roofs at schools across rural and regional NSW.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Roof Replacement Program will support local construction economies by providing roof repairs and replacements for high priority schools.
“The NSW Government is continuing to roll out record amounts of funding for our regions and schools are no exception,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Our regional students are amongst the most talented in the country and they deserve to have the same quality facilities as their counterparts in the city. The economic stimulus directly associated with this infrastructure spend will be great news for local communities.”
“Schools will not need to apply to take part in this program as it is based on priority and community benefits.”
Ms Mitchell said the NSW Government was committed to making sure that local communities have access to modern facilities to support learning outcomes.
“The Roof Replacement Program will accelerate school infrastructure projects with high economic stimulus potential to minimise the impact of COVID-19 by creating local jobs and supporting economic growth,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The funding will benefit local communities by supporting over 300 jobs across regional NSW. Wherever possible, local contractors and suppliers will be engaged to ensure that the positive impact of this stimulus is felt through the regions.”
The program will be prioritised by the need of the school and community benefits.