The Morrison Government is reducing the claim threshold of the no fault COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme to enable more people access to compensation for costs associated with a vaccine injury.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme is designed to ensure that people who have suffered a recognised adverse event as a direct result of a COVID vaccine have rapid access to compensation.
Reducing the threshold for access to the scheme from $5,000 to $1,000 will ensure more people can claim for eligible costs including lost earnings and care costs, providing greater levels of comfort to those yet to make the decision to vaccinate.
The Government has been considering this policy change for a number of weeks now and I thank all colleagues and stakeholders who have contributed to this decision.
Australians will now have ready access to compensation from $1,000 for COVID-19 claims related to the administration of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved COVID-19 vaccine delivered through a Commonwealth Government approved program.
Most importantly, this provides additional support and confidence for Australians as part of the vaccine rollout.
Further details are available at health.gov.au.
Month: November 2021
Domestic Violence Commissioner and 500 more sector workers under Labor
Right now, women fleeing violence are being turned away from accommodation and services because of insufficient funding towards sector workers, and the failure to recognise this tragedy as a national priority.
A Labor Government will appoint a Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Commissioner and fund 500 new community sector workers to support women in crisis.
Across the country domestic violence organisation tell us how much more they could do with an extra pair of hands.
Labor’s commitment to fund 500 new community sector workers will allow:
Across the country domestic violence organisation tell us how much more they could do with an extra pair of hands.
Labor’s commitment to fund 500 new community sector workers will allow:
- Services to employ an extra case worker to help women go through the complex task of setting up a new, safer life.
- Community organisations to hire a financial counsellor to help women escape the debt their abuser has run up in their name,
- Specialist women’s services to gain a support worker to sit with children and help them work through their experiences.
Half of these 500 new community sector workers will be located in rural and regional communities.
This is part of Labor’s ongoing commitment to tackling the scourge of domestic violence. It builds on our promise to invest $100 million in crisis accommodation and build 4,000 homes for women and children fleeing violence and older women on low incomes who are at risk of homelessness.
Over the past 8 years, Coalition governments have failed to take this task seriously.
Not enough workers are funded.
It’s past time to stop just talking about it – and elevate women’s safety to a national priority.
This is why, an Albanese government will establish a new Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Commissioner. The Commissioner will:
- Act as an advocate for victim-survivors.
- Work with States and territory organisation to ensure we have the data we need to invest resources where they will make the most difference.
- Help co-ordinate key national frameworks so safety and access to services doesn’t depend on where you live.
- Provide accountability and transparency by measuring progress against the National Plan and delivering a yearly report.
We know this is just the beginning. Labor is committed to action and bringing down the rates of violence in our communities.
Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 23 November 2021
Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 23 November 2021. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.
Lord Mayoral Minutes
Newcastle says no to Sydney’s toxic waste from Northern Beaches Link project
A Lord Mayoral Minute (LMM) was supported that noted with concern the NSW Government’s announcement of plans to ship toxic waste from the construction of the Northern Beaches Link to Newcastle. The LMM called for City of Newcastle to write to Premier Dominic Perrottet, and Minister Rob Stokes, advising that City of Newcastle will not accept toxic sludge from the Northern Beaches Link project at Summerhill Waste Management Centre.
Save Newcastle’s After Hours GP Service
Councillors voted to support a Lord Mayoral Minute (LMM) for City of Newcastle to write to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Health Greg Hunt, asking them to restore the full services of the Hunter Primary Care GP Access After Hours Service in Newcastle and the Hunter and reverse a decision to close the service at the Calvary Mater Hospital.
End of term and recognition of outgoing Councillors; Councillors Dunn, Rufo and Luke
A Lord Mayoral Minute (LMM) noting that this meeting was the last Ordinary Council Meeting of an extended term, which began on 26 September 2017, and congratulating all staff and Councillors for their contribution, was supported by Councillors.
The LMM noted that this was the final meeting of retiring Councillors Jason Dunn, Andrea Rufo and Brad Luke and congratulated them for their contribution to the betterment of the City of Newcastle.
Ordinary business
Councillor Kath Elliott stay of suspension
Council noted the stay of suspension of Councillor Kath Elliott from Civic office, in accordance with Orders issued by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). The NCAT will hear Councillor Elliott’s appeal against her suspension by the Office of Local Government on 13 December 2021.
Code of Conduct annual statistics
Council noted a report on City of Newcastle’s annual Code of Conduct complaints statistics for 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021, in accordance with Office of Local Government requirements.
Adoption of 2022 Council meeting schedule
Council resolved to adopt a meeting schedule for 2022 and amend the 2021 adopted meeting schedule to vacate the December 2021 Committee and Ordinary Council meetings due to the rescheduling of the Local Government Election to 4 December 2021.
Tabling of Register of Disclosures of Interest
Council noted the tabling of the Register of Disclosures of Interest for the period 1 August to 31 October 2021 by the Chief Executive Officer.
Adoption of Gregson Park Masterplan and Heritage Places Plan of Management for Gregson Park
Council unanimously voted to adopt the amended Gregson Park Masterplan and the Heritage Places Plan of Management for Gregson Park, which included retaining the ‘Sportsground’ category over the southern section of the western tennis court.
Planning Proposal – Lingard Private Hospital – endorsement for public exhibition
Council unanimously voted to commence the statutory process for amending the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 for the rezoning and expansion of the Lingard Private Hospital on land at 23 Merewether Street and 8 Lingard Street, Merewether. This includes endorsing the Planning Proposal for the site and forwarding it to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for a Gateway Determination and public exhibition.
Variations to Development Standards
Council received a report on approved development variations between 1 July to 30 September 2021 in accordance with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s concurrence to vary development standards in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012.
Endorsement of the 2020/21 Annual Report
Council unanimously voted to endorse City of Newcastle’s 2020/21 Annual Report and its submission to the NSW Minister for Local Government.
September quarterly performance report on the 2018-2022 delivery program
Council unanimously voted to receive the 2018-2022 Delivery Program – September Quarterly Performance Report.
Executive Monthly Performance Report
Council voted to receive the Executive Monthly Performance Report for October 2021.
Tender report – supply of four green waste trucks
Council unanimously resolved not to accept any tender for the supply of four green waste trucks for Contract No. 2021/714T, and instead continue maintenance of the current fleet until a business case is completed considering a transition to electric or alternative fuel vehicles to meet City of Newcastle’s Climate Action Plan commitments.
Notices of Motion
End of term review – Councillor productivity
Council adopted a notice of motion (NOM) acknowledging that this is the final meeting of the 2017- 2021 term of Council and noting that Councillor-initiated motions are one of the key mechanisms that allow a Councillor to fulfill their role. During the 2017-2021 term of Council, there have been 51 ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the Council where a total of 287 Councillor-initiated motions were considered.
Building on Local Centres Program success
Council unanimously adopted a notice of motion that commended City of Newcastle staff for the successful implementation of the Local Centres Program, which has seen almost $16 million invested into the delivery of infrastructure renewal at Beresfield, Carrington, Kotara, Merewether, Hamilton and Wallsend.
Projects are currently underway at Mitchell Street, Stockton and Shortland Local Centre, while detailed design and community consultation at Orchardtown Road, New Lambton is underway. Planning for the next stages of the Wallsend Local Centre almost complete, while Georgetown and Waratah Local Centres have been initiated following a successful Notice of Motion carried in May 2021.
The NOM called for City of Newcastle to initiate detailed planning for Local Centre upgrades at Maitland Road, Mayfield, in consultation with the recently re-formed Mayfield BIA.
Two-year anniversary of Summerhill solar farm
Council unanimously adopted a notice of motion to mark the two-year anniversary of City of Newcastle’s (CN) solar farm at Summerhill Waste Management Centre, noting that success of the solar farm and its role, alongside the Sapphire Wind Farm power purchase contract, in allowing CN to meet 100 per cent of its power supply through renewable energy sources.
The NOM calls for CN to commit to taking all actions required to meet net zero emissions for CN’s operations by 2030.
The NOM also noted CN now has more than 800 kilowatts of photovoltaic solar systems installed across 16 key sites with additional systems being delivered and called for CN to explore options to further increase our solar energy generation capabilities at all available Council sites.
Local sporting facility upgrades 2017-2021
Council adopted a notice of motion that noted that City of Newcastle (CN) has invested more than $87 million on the city’s open spaces since 2017 and congratulated CN staff for the delivery of more than $21 million worth of capital works upgrades for local sporting facilities during the last term of Council.
It called for CN to write to the new Deputy Premier, Paul Toole, asking that the NSW Government provide fair and equitable access to significant grant funding programs, not currently available to Newcastle, to improve our female sporting facilities, including change rooms.
Koala habitat
Council adopted a notice of motion that noted the significant decline in NSW koala populations since 1990 and the need for coordinated action to ensure future generations can see these iconic species in the wild.
The NOM called for City of Newcastle to write to the NSW Premier and several Ministers asking for the retention of various environmental planning provisions, and for planning certainty, resources and support to identify core koala habitat and the development of Koala Plans of Management.
Protecting the green corridor
Council adopted a notice of motion that advocates for greater recognition and the permanent protection of the ‘Green Corridor’, an intact ecological corridor that links the Watagans and Yengo National Parks with the coastal plains of the Tomago Sand beds, Stockton Bight and Port Stephens, as part of the review of the Hunter Regional Plan.
Community feedback sought for Tennis Strategy
City of Newcastle is inviting community feedback to help inform a new strategy that will guide the future provision and direction of tennis and bat ball facilities across the Newcastle local government area.
Community members can have their say via an online survey, and direct consultation will also be undertaken with tennis clubs, neighbouring councils, Tennis NSW and Venues NSW.
A review of the provision of tennis courts throughout Newcastle was a recommendation made in the city’s Strategic Sports Plan, a ten-year plan that provides strategic guidance and facility advice for 13 outdoor sports, including tennis, to 2031.
The consultation will inform the development of a draft Tennis Strategy, which will then be reported to Council and placed on public exhibition for further community comment.
There are currently 61 tennis courts within 14 tennis centres throughout the city, and a further three bat ball courts, which prove popular amongst Newcastle’s active community members.
City of Newcastle is committed to providing sporting infrastructure to provide opportunities for the community to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
To find out more and to provide feedback visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay
City trials world-leading technology in raingardens to keep waterways clean
City of Newcastle is leading the trial and implementation of a new sustainable technology that improves cleanliness of stormwater runoff through an innovative filtration system used in garden beds along our city streets.
Filter soils have been installed at test sites in Newcastle suburbs using compost soil and specially processed recycled materials like glass and green waste.
Raingardens are small garden beds located along the street featuring soil and plants that slow down and filter pollution in stormwater, so it doesn’t harm waterways and beaches.
The raingardens are usually found on street corners where cars can’t park and have more grass-like shrubbery than usual roadside plantings and are set in lowered beds over drains.
Recycled glass and green waste is now being used as a filter material that creates a healthy environment for plants increasing biodiversity in the suburbs. In addition to filtering the water, the raingardens also create a habitat for flora and fauna and absorb heat, meaning our streets are cooler in summer.
Data collected from these test sites will be verified by University of Newcastle as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Centre for Organic Research and Education (CORE) and City of Newcastle.
City of Newcastle is the first council to use the biofilter material that contains recycled products within the soil mix, such as crushed recycled glass instead of virgin sand, and organic composted waste products instead of artificial fertiliser and clay.
The unique material can remove pollutants such as sediment and heavy metals that come from our tyres and brake pads as they wear down; grease, oil, petrol and air conditioner coolant that drips from motor vehicles; and excess nutrients from parks and gardens that can cause algal blooms.
The water is carried away through drains, pipes and channels to local creeks, wetlands, estuaries and finally to the ocean, which is a great outcome for the environment.
Biofilter raingardens have now been installed at sites in Cooks Hill, Merewether, Mayfield West, Stockton, The Junction and Wallsend. Existing systems in Beresfield and Fletcher will soon be renewed with biofilter material.
Costa Georgiadis, Chair Centre for Organic Research and Education Eric Love, City of Newcastle Asset Services Manager Peter McMurray and City of Newcastle Asset Engineer Luke Jaszczyk at a biofilter raingarden in Wallsend.
Filter soils have been installed at test sites in Newcastle suburbs using compost soil and specially processed recycled materials like glass and green waste.
Raingardens are small garden beds located along the street featuring soil and plants that slow down and filter pollution in stormwater, so it doesn’t harm waterways and beaches.
The raingardens are usually found on street corners where cars can’t park and have more grass-like shrubbery than usual roadside plantings and are set in lowered beds over drains.
Recycled glass and green waste is now being used as a filter material that creates a healthy environment for plants increasing biodiversity in the suburbs. In addition to filtering the water, the raingardens also create a habitat for flora and fauna and absorb heat, meaning our streets are cooler in summer.
Data collected from these test sites will be verified by University of Newcastle as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Centre for Organic Research and Education (CORE) and City of Newcastle.
City of Newcastle is the first council to use the biofilter material that contains recycled products within the soil mix, such as crushed recycled glass instead of virgin sand, and organic composted waste products instead of artificial fertiliser and clay.
The unique material can remove pollutants such as sediment and heavy metals that come from our tyres and brake pads as they wear down; grease, oil, petrol and air conditioner coolant that drips from motor vehicles; and excess nutrients from parks and gardens that can cause algal blooms.
The water is carried away through drains, pipes and channels to local creeks, wetlands, estuaries and finally to the ocean, which is a great outcome for the environment.
Biofilter raingardens have now been installed at sites in Cooks Hill, Merewether, Mayfield West, Stockton, The Junction and Wallsend. Existing systems in Beresfield and Fletcher will soon be renewed with biofilter material.
Costa Georgiadis, Chair Centre for Organic Research and Education Eric Love, City of Newcastle Asset Services Manager Peter McMurray and City of Newcastle Asset Engineer Luke Jaszczyk at a biofilter raingarden in Wallsend.
New Police Commissioner for NSW
Deputy Commissioner Karen Webb APM will be appointed the NSW Police Commissioner, Premier Dominic Perrottet and Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott announced today.
Deputy Commissioner Webb brings more than 34 years of service to the community as a member of the NSW Police Force, including four years as Assistant Commissioner of the Police Transport & Public Safety Command and more recently, Deputy Commissioner of Corporate Services, managing a $4.6 billion police budget. Ms Webb also served as the Deputy State Emergency Operations Controller during the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20.
“This appointment follows a robust recruitment process involving talent from the top tiers of the NSW Police Force and a number of external candidates,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Community safety is the highest priority to the NSW Government, and I’m certain Deputy Commissioner Webb will lead the state’s more than 17,000 police officers with distinction in detecting, disrupting and combatting crime.”
Minister Elliott congratulated Deputy Commissioner Webb on her appointment and said the NSW Police Force is in safe hands with a strong, capable and committed leader at the helm.
“Deputy Commissioner Webb will build on the successes of the last decade, bringing continued unity and a fresh perspective to the oldest and largest force in the nation,” Mr Elliott said.
“During her time as a senior executive, Deputy Commissioner Webb has led important law enforcement reform, informed by intelligence and social issues. As the Corporate Sponsor for Victims of Crime, she is acutely aware of the wide-ranging impacts that crime can have on victims, their families and the community at large.”
The Premier and Minister paid tribute to outgoing Commissioner Fuller, who has led the Police Force with great integrity and tenacity.
“During his time as our Commissioner, Mick Fuller has faced the challenges of unprecedented natural disasters, a continued high level of threat by terrorist organisations, an experiential growth in cybercrime and a once-in-a-century pandemic,” Mr Perrottet said.
“I know I speak on behalf of the community in acknowledging a debt of gratitude to Commissioner Fuller and his family for the exemplary service he has given to our state,” Mr Elliott said.
Fourth man charged after fatal shooting – Port Stephens
A fourth man has been charged following a fatal shooting in Port Stephens earlier this year.
About 1.45pm on Sunday 29 August 2021, emergency services were called to Hideaway Drive, Salt Ash, following reports a white Ford Ranger utility had hit a tree.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended, along with NSW Ambulance paramedics, and located a male driver suffering a fatal gunshot wound.
He was later identified as 45-year-old David King.
A short time later, officers located a burnt-out white Santa Fe on Masonite Road, Heatherbrae, which police believe is allegedly linked to the shooting.
Detectives established Strike Force Breve to investigate the incident, with assistance from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
Three men – aged 26, 27 and 39 – have since been arrested and charged. They are currently before the courts.
Following further inquiries, about 10am today (Tuesday 23 November 2021), police arrested a 28-year-old man at Newcastle Police Station.
He was charged with murder, take/detain person in company without to obtain advantage, and possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority.
The man was refused bail and appeared in Newcastle Local Court today where he was formally refused bail to reappear in Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 17 January 2022.
Former youth workers charged over alleged historical child sex offences – Strike Force Eiraban
Investigators have laid additional charges and charged a second former youth worker over alleged historical sexual offences, as part of Strike Force Eiraban
In November 2020, detectives from Lake Macquarie Police District established Strike Force Eiraban to investigate allegations of alleged child sexual offences against two teenage boys between 1990 and 2004 in Muswellbrook and Gateshead.
As part of inquiries, detectives charged a 71-year-old man on Thursday 29 July 2021 with 15 offences. He remains before the court.
Strike Force detectives also investigated reports that two men – who are known to each other – allegedly sexually abused multiple children between the 1960s and mid 2000’s, while employed at a youth centre in Muswellbrook.
Following further inquiries, police arrested the 71-year-old man at Lake Macquarie yesterday (Tuesday 23 November 2021), and laid an additional 85 charges including;
- sexual assault person under 16 years of age
- sexual assault and commit act of indecency (x2)
- sex assault indecent assault person younger than 16 under authority (x5)
- aggravated indecent assault – victim under authority of offender (x2)
- aggravated indecency – victim under 16 and offender in company
- incite aggravated indecency – victim younger than 16 under authority of offender (x9)
- incite aggravated indecency – victim younger than 16 and offender in company
- sexual intercourse – person aged between 10 and 16 under authority (x6)
- buggery (x7)
- indecent assault on male (x29)
- indecent act with male (x5)
- sexual intercourse with person 10 or over and under 16 years (x11)
- aggravated indecent assault (x5)
Further, investigators arrested a 67-year-old man at a house in Wauchope yesterday. The man was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station and charged with 28 offences:
- sex assault indecent assault person <16 under authority (x5)
- sex assault incite indecent act, <16 & under authority (x2)
- aggravated indecent assault – victim under authority of offender (x3)
- aggravated indecency-victim under 16 & offender in company (x1)
- incite aggravated indecency-victim <16 & under authority of offender (x2)
- incite aggravated indecency-victim <16 & offender in company (x1)
- sexual intercourse with person under the age of 10 years (x2)
- sexual intercourse-person 10 & under 16 under authority (x12)
Both men were refused bail and appeared at Port Macquarie Local Court today (Wednesday 24 November 2021).
The older man was formally refused bail and the younger man was granted conditional bail, both to appear before Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 19 January 2022.
Investigations under Strike Force Eiraban continue.
New laws at odds with Independent National Security Legislation Monitor
After passing over 70 counter-terrorism laws in the past two decades, the Government passed the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill into law.
This new law will amend the Criminal Code Act 1995 to introduce extended supervision orders, which may be imposed on terrorist offenders released into the community if a court is satisfied that the individual poses an unacceptable risk of committing certain serious terrorism offences.
The Criminal Code already contains a framework for the control or detention of high risk terrorist offenders through a control order. This new law would keep the control order regime and it would exist side by side with the new extended supervision order regime.
“The Greens do not oppose the introduction of an extended supervision order, in fact the Australian Human Rights Commission recommended the introduction of these orders as they are a more proportionate way of securing the community.” Said the Greens spokesperson for Justice, Senator Lidia Thorpe.
“At the very least, the extended supervision order regime should replace the continuing detention order regime. These two extensive powers should not sit side by side. There is no need for these two regimes to exist at the same time.”
“In the last twenty years, this Parliament has passed over 70 counter terrorism laws and many of them create really broad, extensive and often overlapping powers. This means that it is becoming more and more probable that peoples human rights are being impacted due to the snow balling nature of all of these laws.”
“The new extended supervision order regime would add to this country’s already extensive and often unjustified counter-terrorism powers. These powers, once given to police and spy agencies, do not come back.”
Senator Lidia Thorpe introduced an amendment to the Bill urging the Morrison Government to act on the advice of the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor but the Government did not agree to these amendments and passed the Bill into law
Coalition continues to push through legislation no one wants
The Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2021 was passed into law yesterday despite some key stakeholders opposing it. Senator Lidia Thorpe moved an amendment to the Bill to alert the Senate of these concerns, including the lack of proper consultation and the overregulation of industry.
The Senate ignored these concerns and passed the bill into law anyway.
“This Bill is a greedy little power grab. It is not supported by key stakeholders in the logistics, technology, and education sectors, among others.” Said The Greens spokesperson for Justice, Senator Lidia Thorpe.
“With the new powers in these new laws, The Minister can authorise the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs to gather information, undertake an action (or direct that an action not be undertaken), or authorise the Australian Signals Directorate to intervene, when a cyber security incident has occurred, is occurring, or is likely to occur.”
“Even the Government controlled Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security reported that there had been insufficient consultation by the Government but the Bill was passed by the Senate anyway. ”
“The Government and its spy agencies can now take over the operations of an industry based on the decision of the Minister.”
“This new law will give the Minister considerable powers under the guise of protecting the security of critical infrastructure.”