March 2022 – Page 29

New Grants, Same Rorts – 70 per cent of Tourism Grants go to Coalition Seats

It has been revealed that yet another NSW grant program has been rorted, with nearly 70 per cent of grants being awarded to businesses in Coalition electorates.

The Refresh and Renew Grants program 2020-21 offered grants for tourism operators to improve their facilities to meet consumer expectations, with successful applicants receiving $10,000 in unmatched funding.

Although the Refresh and Renew Grant guidelines provide for an objective assessment process, 70 of 103 awarded grants were awarded to businesses in Coalition electorates.

Although the grants are for regional businesses, more than half of regional electorates which are eligible for the grants are held by Labor and crossbench Members of Parliament.

One of these grants was awarded to a café owned by a Government appointed director of Destination North Coast. This grant was favourably assessed by Destination North Coast staff ahead of 141 other applications within the Destination Network which missed out on funding. Documents obtained by the Opposition showing that Destination North Coast staff were aware of the conflict.

Assessment of these grants is highly subjective, with evidence requirements largely being based around providing negative customer feedback from websites like Tripadvisor and Google Reviews to show consumer expectation gaps. An example of demonstrating a consumer expectations gap is given as follows:

A hotel proposes to paint the rooms and replace the mattresses. They supply copies of or links to reviews on Tripadvisor, customer feedback surveys, the businesses [sp] own website and/or other platforms where consumers criticise/comment on the uncomfortable mattresses and marked up or peeling paintwork in the rooms.

Pork barrelling is out of control under the NSW Liberal/National Government, last year Labor also revealed that:

95% of the $252m Stronger Communities Fund grants went to councils in Coalition-held or marginal electorates.
92 per cent of the projects chosen for the Schools Renewable Energy Infrastructure Pilot Project were in Coalition seats
Three-quarters of the grants from the Greater Sydney Sports Facility fund were awarded to Liberal-held seats in the lead-up to the March 2019 election; and
Backbench Liberal and National MPs and MLCs were given the right to assess and announce grant funding in non-government electorates.
75% of ClubGRANTS Infrastructure funds were awarded to Coalition-held seats.

In November last year the Premier said:

“I think it’s important there is public confidence to the expenditure of taxpayer funds.”
[Dominic Perrottet, Press Conference, 3 November 2021]

In a historic vote, Labor’s Private Member’s Bill to stop the rorts passed the Upper House in November 2021 in a show of solidarity against the culture of pork barrelling in NSW.

Enough is enough. The Premier must end the rorts and make the grants process more accountable and vote for Labor’s Bill in the Legislative Assembly.

Labor’s Bill will make the grants process fairer and more accountable by:

Creating a single Grants Register – centralised, transparent and published;
Requiring Ministers to give reasons in writing for departing from Departmental recommendations;
Giving “follow the dollar” powers to the Auditor-General to audit grant recipient effectiveness.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns said:

“Yet again the NSW Government has been caught treating public funds like its own piggy bank.”

“Thousands of eligible small businesses outside of Coalition electorates have missed out on a fair share of grant funding.”

“Dominic Perrottet needs to put the community ahead of his political party and mates. He should back Labor’s bill and end the grant rorts in NSW.”

NSW Shadow Special Minister of State, John Graham said:

“The Premier needs to explain to small businesses that missed out, why another grant program has been rorted.”

“Enough is enough, we need to fix the broken grants culture in NSW.”

“The grants bill is a fork in the road for the Premier. There is cross party support for this bill. Why is the Premier opposing it?”

Australia should join push for new UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

The EveryAGE Counts campaign and the Older Persons Advocacy Network are calling on the Australian Government to support the development of a new UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, claiming the human rights of older people are currently poorly defined and routinely overlooked.

Today marks an international day of action in support of the Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, with gathering momentum to create and ratify a new convention. But although Australia has historically played an active role in advancing similar conventions – relating to rights of children, women, and people with disabilities – the Australian Government is yet to throw the nation’s support behind the new global initiative.

EveryAGE Counts campaign co-chair and human rights advocate Robert Tickner said the time was perfect for Australia to formally get behind the global movement.

“Ageism is a barrier to older people enjoying general human rights protections. Because our society often values older lives less than other lives, we tend to see the diminishing status of people as they age which pushes them to the margins as rights holders,” Mr Tickner said.

“While in theory, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights has no expiry date, as advocates for children, people with disability, and those who experience racial or gender discrimination have already found, general human rights protections are no substitute for specificity.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a turning point in recognising the burning need to step up on human rights protections for older people around the world. During the pandemic, we have seen human rights – such as the right to health and the right to participate in decision-making about personal circumstances – arguably denied to many older people, especially those in some parts of the aged care system in many parts of the world.

“Meanwhile, we know older Australians seeking employment currently face discrimination on a mass scale, with a recent survey finding almost 30 per cent of Australian employers confirming they are reluctant to hire workers over ‘a certain age.’ For more than two thirds of this group, that age was over 50.

“What we need is a defined international rights framework that calls out the discrimination of ageism and places the human rights of older people alongside those guaranteed to others. Without this framework, we lack even a commonly understood language or set of values to talk about the rights of older people and whether they might have been violated.

“Historically, both sides of politics have supported Australia playing an important role in leading the world on passing and implementing conventions designed to dismantle prejudice and discrimination. However thus far Australia has not played a comparably significant role in working for the establishment of an International Convention on the Rights of Older People. That needs to change.”

Older Persons Advocacy Network chief executive Craig Gear said the proposed new convention was necessary.

“Australia supporting an international convention would provide an explicit universal statement that reaffirms the essential truth that older persons are entitled to human rights and fundamental freedoms on the same basis as everyone else,” Mr Gear said.

HOW LIFELINE CAN HELP IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH DISTRESSING CURRENT EVENTS AND HEADLINES

With distressing events continuing both at home and overseas, Lifeline is reassuring the community that it is normal to be experiencing some level of psychological distress.

Patron John Brogden said it’s critical that every Australian knows they can access services like Lifeline when they are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe.

“Our thoughts go out to anyone directly impacted by the floods in Queensland and NSW. Our 13 11 14 crisis line is available 24/7 and our Lifeline Centres on the ground are ready and primed to provide practical and psychological help at a local level.”

“The vision and stories of war in Europe are very distressing to us all – more so for Australians whose family, friends and homelands are at war.”

Mr Brogden revealed Lifeline has received approximately 192,000 calls and 32,000 text and webchat contacts since January 1st, 2022 and continues to see elevated call volumes compared to those before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During January and February, calls to Lifeline were up 5% on the same months last year. We are consistently seeing this trend towards increased help seeking behaviour, and I am pleased to say that Lifeline’s call answer rates remain around 90%,” said Mr Brogden.

“Even for the most resilient of us, some of the news we are reading and images we are seeing at the moment are very confronting, and we know there will be an increasing number of people who will be struggling with heightened anxiety and distress.”

“If you are feeling overwhelmed, I encourage you to connect with Lifeline in the way you feel most comfortable, whether that be on 13 11 14, or via our 24/7 text and webchat services”.

“Our trained Crisis Supporters are ready and waiting day and night to listen without judgement, chat about your needs, worries and feelings and work with you to explore the best ways to stay safe and get support in your community.”

Lifeline has also developed a range of free toolkits to provide you with practical information and assistance during challenging times. Anyone can browse, print or and download them at www.lifeline.org.au/resources/toolkit-downloads/.

There is tailored support for anyone being impacted by floods at www.lifeline.org.au/floods.

Lifeline is Australia’s leading suicide prevention service, with 41 centres around the nation. The service responds to over one million requests for support each year, creating an average of 120 safety plans to keep a person experiencing suicidal ideation safe every day.

You can phone Lifeline to speak to a Crisis Supporter on 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days), text 0477 131 114 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or chat to Lifeline online at www.lifeline.org.au (24 hours/7 days).

ATAGI recommends Novavax for use as a COVID-19 booster

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended the use of the Novavax vaccine as a booster in Australians aged 18 and over where an mRNA vaccine is not suitable.

Novavax is the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccine to be provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

It has been proven safe and effective in protecting against severe illness or death associated with COVID-19 infection, with clinical trial data showing a robust immune response providing around 90 per cent protection from infection.

Protein vaccines use a non-infectious protein component of the virus manufactured in a laboratory. After vaccination, immune cells recognise the vaccine protein as foreign and launch an immune response against it.

More than 25,000 Australians have received a first dose of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine since it was approved for use last month, ensuring that Australia continues to be one of the most highly vaccinated countries in the world.

Australia was one of the first countries in the world to commence a whole-of-population COVID-19 booster program. More than 11.6 million Australians have received a booster dose.

Approximately 94.5 per cent of people in Australia have completed their primary course of vaccination.

The Australian Government has secured 51 million doses of Novavax to compliment the vaccine rollout.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is currently considering an application for whole of population use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine as a booster following a two-dose course of either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine or the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The TGA and ATAGI continue to review emerging evidence on all COVID-19 Vaccines.

All Australians who are currently eligible for their primary course of vaccination, or for their booster dose, and who have not yet acted are urged to make a booking as soon as possible to get vaccinated.

Please use the COVID-19 Clinic Finder and make your appointment.

Live performances give Novocastrians something to smile about as restrictions ease

Newcastle’s rich cultural scene is set to be reinvigorated with almost 70 live performances being delivered across 18 venues during the next two months with support from City of Newcastle.

The newly-opened Newcastle Comedy Club will join venues across the city showcasing the talents of local performers as COVID-19 restrictions ease, encouraging more people to get out and about to experience the thrill of a live show and support the local industry.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle is committed to reactivating Newcastle and creating new opportunities for live performances through the Locally Made and Played funding program, as part of support for the COVID-19-disrupted performing arts industry.

“Few industries have been harder hit by the economic impact of the pandemic than the performing arts and hospitality sectors,” Cr Nelmes said.

“With the NSW Government easing COVID-19 restrictions, now is the perfect time to incentivise our city’s venues to host live performances as people start to return with a renewed confidence.

“Due to the current uncertainty for many venues relating to higher COVID-19 case numbers, we have extended the performance timeframe to include April, affording the venues greater flexibility to navigate these challenges.”

Following two successful funding rounds in 2021, the criteria for Locally Made and Played has been broadened to allow a wider variety of venues and performance types including live comedy and micro-theatre.

Venues were invited to apply for up to $1500 to host the live performances, with the funds used to support individual performers and artists at $300 per performance.

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Community and Culture Advisory Committee, Cr Carol Duncan said Newcastle’s embattled live music and cultural scene is set to rebound with the support of the Locally Made and Played grants.

“Live performances funded by the Locally Made and Played grant will apply to performances that take place between 2 March and 30 April 2022, to coincide with the easing of restrictions,” Cr Duncan said.

“The funding will not only provide a boost to local venues financially hit as a result of COVID-19 but will also help support our home-grown talent right here in Newcastle.”

Newcastle Comedy Club part-owner Allan Brady said the New York-style venue is the first dedicated comedy club to open its doors in Newcastle and comes at a critical time.

“Novocastrians are craving a good time at the moment and live comedy is the perfect antidote to beating the COVID-19 blues,” Mr Brady said.

“Many local comics and performing artists are relying on venues like ours to remain open to invite them to perform, so the funding comes at a critical time for our industry and performers livelihoods.”

The Locally Made and Played grant program forms part of City of Newcastle’s COVID-19 Community Economic Resilience Program.

Visit City of Newcastle’s What’s ON page for more event information.

Data shows phonics reaping reading rewards

Making phonics compulsory in NSW public schools is already having a positive impact on student results, according to NSW Department of Education data.

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Sarah Mitchell, said analysis of the Phonics Screening check data has revealed that 57 per cent of Year 1 students were meeting or exceeding the expected target, up from 43 per cent when the check was trialled in 2020.

“These results are extremely pleasing and show the importance of the government’s reforms requiring phonics to be used to teach all students to read as part of our new English syllabus for Kindergarten to Year 2.

“The percentage of Aboriginal students that met or exceeded the expected achievement score increased from 18.4 per cent in 2020 to 29 per cent in 2021.”

“We know that early proficiency in phonics is the pre-curser to achievement in reading and writing.

“The best results in reading for our students occur when phonics is explicitly and systematically taught in Year 1 alongside other components of reading instruction.

“Therefore, phonics is a compulsory component of the teaching of reading under the K-10 English syllabus.”

Following a successful trial in 2020, the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check was made mandatory for public school students in 2021.

In 2021 the check was completed by more than 66,000 Year 1 students across 1,615 schools.

The Year 1 Phonics Screening Check includes 40 words, which consists of 20 real words and 20 pseudo words. The words are set each year to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their ability to use their phonic knowledge to read a word.

The inclusion of pseudo words ensures that students will need to use their knowledge of letter/sound correspondences to blend through the sounds in the word to read it correctly.

The check is completed in Term 3 each year, with results immediately available for teachers.

Supporting people impacted by flood disaster

The Department of Communities and Justice alongside partner agencies has registered more than 1,300 people impacted by the major floods that have engulfed parts of the Lismore region.

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the NSW Government was committed to ensuring people affected by the flood disaster would be supported.

“We are doing everything we can to help those who are stranded and isolated due to this devastating event,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“In partnership with Resilience NSW and non-government agencies, DCJ is working to provide emergency accommodation to people affected by floods in northern NSW.

“DCJ staff are managing and assisting agencies with evacuation centres at 10 locations across the region.

“DCJ has existing partnerships with local accommodation and support providers in this region and is working closely with these services to meet demand.

“It’s heartbreaking to see so many people being evacuated from their homes due to such severe flooding, but I want to reassure everyone that we will continue to support flood victims and work with our government and non-government partners to respond to local needs as they evolve.”

DCJ Disaster Welfare provides support to people who have been affected by floods, storms, bushfires and other emergencies.

People needing assistance due to the flood disaster should contact the State Emergency Service on 132 500 and for emergency accommodation they can contact the Link2Home hotline 24 hours a day on 1800 152 152.

Small Business Month kicks off across NSW

Today marks the kick off Small Business Month with more than 220 grant recipients and 165 collaboration partners hosting over 360 in-person and online events and activities throughout the month.

Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said the theme of this year is Rebuild, Recharge, Renew. The festival will feature events focused on helping small business owners rebuild following the COVID-19 pandemic and will include local councils, business chambers, industry associations and not-for-profits.

“There are more than 800,000 small businesses employing over 1.6 million people and who contribute $400 billion to the state economy each year,” Ms Petinos said.

“The theme for the 2022 Small Business Month is Rebuild, Recharge, Renew and focuses on helping operators bounce back from the economic impacts of the pandemic.

“Small businesses are an integral part of our communities, especially in our smaller towns and regions, forming part of the social fabric and a place where community bonds are strengthened.

“From Bondi to Bega to Broken Hill and everywhere in between, a wide array of in-person and online events will be available to small business owners. The calendar of events will provide them with new skills, ideas and networks to navigate the challenging economic environment.”

Small Business Month will be launched online at 10am by Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos, Small Business Commissioner Chris Lamont, and Small Business Month Champion Kate Carnell, along with a panel of small business owners and representatives from Afterpay, Amazon, Meta, Service NSW and ANZ.

To view the launch, visit: smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au/activity/launch-of-nsw-small-business-month-2022/

Further information on Small Business Month is available at: smallbusinessmonth.nsw.gov.au

EOI sought for $10 million fund to drive health solutions of tomorrow

The NSW Government is calling for expressions of interest from global health innovation partners to transform world-leading research at the Westmead Health and Innovation District into new lifesaving technologies.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said applications for the $10 million Westmead Innovation Ecosystem Fund are now open.

“The potential for breakthroughs in fields such as viral vector technology, cell and gene therapy, particle therapy, phage therapy and clinical trials being carried out across the District is huge,” Mr Ayres said.

“This fund will help turn this critical research into commercial opportunities that deliver jobs for NSW and better medical care for the world.”

The NSW Government announced the fund to catalyse the innovation ecosystem, by seeding new infrastructure and programs that will support the continued growth of the Westmead Health and Innovation District into the future.

Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard said the fund will maximise the District’s innovation and commercialisation potential to deliver the best health outcomes in NSW, across Australia and globally.

“This $10 million fund will connect our world-leading researchers with global experts in commercialisation to take our greatest breakthroughs in medicine from the laboratory benchtop to the hospital bedside,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Through this support, we can further bolster the Westmead Health and Innovation District’s capacity as a globally recognised hub for new medical discoveries and sustainable economic growth.”

The Westmead Health and Innovation District is home to four major hospitals: Westmead Hospital, the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead Private Hospital and Cumberland Hospital; and four major research institutions: WSLHD Research and Education Network, Kids Research, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead Institute for Medical Research. The District is also home to two university partners: University of Sydney and Western Sydney University; and NSW’s largest pathology service.

The fund will further develop the Westmead Health Precinct as the epicentre of health and innovation within the District, which currently provides:

$1.9 billion in public healthcare
Services more than 120 suburbs spanning 780 square kilometres
85,531 annual admissions
3,000 daily non-admitted patient occasions of service
32,767 annual surgeries

Global health innovation organisations and facilitators, with industry networks and expertise in medtech, biotechnology, commercialisation and innovation growth are encouraged to submit their proposals.

Stage 1 applications close midnight 28 March 2022. More information on the fund and its eligibility requirements can be found at investment.nsw.gov.au/westmeadfund.

Sydney Metro West tunnelling contract awarded

The NSW Government has awarded a $2.16 billion contract to deliver the next stage of tunnelling on the mega Sydney Metro West project.

The Gamuda Australia and Laing O’Rourke Consortium has been awarded the Western Tunnelling contract to deliver nine kilometres of twin metro rail tunnels between Sydney Olympic Park and Westmead.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this once in a century infrastructure investment will link new communities to rail services, slash travel times across the network and support employment growth.

“These tunnels mean you’ll be able to get from Parramatta to the Sydney CBD in around 20 minutes on a fast, safe and reliable driverless metro train, forever changing how we move around Sydney,” Premier Perrottet said.

“Sydney Metro West will double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, transforming Sydney for generations to come,” he said.

This is the second major tunnelling package awarded on the city-shaping project, with work already underway to deliver twin tunnels between The Bays and Sydney Olympic Park following the contract awarded to Acciona Ferrovial Joint Venture last year.

Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said major civil works have now commenced at the Bays, with tunnelling set to commence later this year towards Sydney Olympic Park.

“Work is well underway to get the site ready for tunnel boring machines to be in the ground at The Bays by the end of the year. Huge piling rigs have already started work to prepare the site for the excavation needed to launch the mega machines,” Minister Elliott said.

“Sydney Metro West will create more than 10,000 direct new jobs and 70,000 indirect jobs – many of those jobs generated by this major contract.”

“To build these tunnels a broad range of skills will be required including tunnellers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, concrete workers, truck drivers, labourers and security guards,” Minister Elliott said.

The Western Tunnelling contract includes:

Twin 9km tunnels from Sydney Olympic Park to Westmead;
A Tunnel Boring Machine launch site at Rosehill, tunnelling toward Sydney Olympic Park and relaunched toward Westmead;
A services facility and crossover structure at Rosehill to allow provision for fresh air ventilation and emergency egress;
Tunnel portal and dive excavation at Clyde Services and Maintenance Facility;
Earthworks, retaining structures, drainage and utilities corridor for the Clyde Maintenance Facility;
Excavation and civil works for Parramatta and Westmead Stations; and
A segment manufacturing facility at Eastern Creek constructing over 60,000 segments.

Completion of the contract is expected by the end of 2025.