March 2022 – Page 8

Claydon calls on Newcastle to lead the campaign towards a better future for all Australians

55 years ago, the nation backed-in the 1967 Referendum to change the Constitution so that the Commonwealth could make laws in respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and included them in the census. Now we have the chance to make good on the unfinished business that remains.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart represents an overwhelming consensus of First Nations peoples on a proposal for a Voice to Parliament and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission to oversee truth-telling and treaty-making.

The Uluru Statement is a generous gift to the nation – inviting us to walk together with First Nations people in a movement to build a better future.

Last night I had the privilege of hosting Thomas Mayor, a Torres Strait Island man born on Larrakia country in Darwin and author of Finding The Heart of The Nation: The journey of the Uluru Statement towards Voice, Treaty and Truth in Newcastle.

Thomas Mayor was entrusted to carry the sacred canvas of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. He embarked on an eighteen-month journey around the country to garner support for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations voice, and a Makarrata Commission for truth-telling and agreement-making or treaties.

Labor has repeatedly called for the Voice to Parliament to be enshrined in our Constitution, and if we form government at the next election, we will progress a referendum as a matter of priority in consultation with First Nations.

Labor is the only party committed to implementing the Uluru Statement of the Heart in full.

Along with truth and treaty, a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament will be a momentous step towards unifying our nation and creating a shared future.

It’s time we attended to the unfinished business of this nation. That’s why I’m calling on the Newcastle community to get involved with the campaign to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

It’s been a long journey and there is still much work to be done.

After 55 years of unfinished business – the time for a referendum on a First Nations Voice is now.

2022 AIR AND SPACE POWER CONFERENCE CONCLUDES

National and international leaders and experts from military, academia and aerospace industry met in Canberra this week for the biennial 2022 Air and Space Power Conference (ASPCon22).

The two day conference, examined resilience and innovation in an increasingly contested air and space power environment. The challenges presented by space as an operational domain were also addressed.

Minister for Defence, the Hon Peter Dutton MP said significant change across the geopolitical, societal and technological spectrums has made it vital to harness collective expertise to shape and deliver air and space power.

The Minister for Defence also officially announced the establishment of Defence Space Command at ASPCon22, with Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts, AO, CSC, as Commander Defence Space Command.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld said ASPCon22 was an opportunity to enhance thinking both collectively and individually, about air and space power within the context of national and international objectives.

“Credible air and space power that enables Australia to shape, deter and respond also requires resilient support systems combined with an organisational culture that embraces innovation,” Air Marshal Hupfeld said.

“I enjoyed discussing our respective approaches to, and lessons learnt, on air and space capability issues, as well as identifying opportunities for future cooperation in these areas.”

ASPCon22 featured an Innovation Expo aimed at connecting cutting-edge research and innovation from Defence, research institutions, academia, start-ups and industry to key innovators and stakeholders.

A variety of domestic and international military, industry and academic speakers included Chairman of the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore Mr Bilahari Kausikan, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld AO, DSC, and president of Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Dr Brendan Nelson AO.

Due to COVID-19 limitations, ASPCon22 was delivered as a hybrid event (virtual and in-person) from 22-23 March at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.

For further details about ASPCon22 visit: https://airpower.airforce.gov.au/events/aspcon22_event

Greens refer alleged carbon credits fraud to Auditor General

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP, has referred allegations of a $1 billion taxpayer funded climate fraud through the government’s carbon credits scheme to the Auditor General and called for a full, independent inquiry into the claims.

Overnight a whistleblower, the highly-renowned former head of the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee, Andrew Macintosh, described the program as “largely a scam”.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“This is yet another rort from a terrible government.

“This climate fraud must be fully and independently investigated.

“When the former head of the government’s Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee reveals that the carbon credits scheme is ‘largely a scam’, we need an open transparent inquiry with powers to get to the bottom of it.

“This is a critical issue. Both the Morrison Government and Labor are claiming to take climate seriously while planning to open up 114 new coal and gas projects, relying on permits and offsets to cover up their duplicity. If carbon credits are fraudulent too, then Australia will definitely blow its climate targets”

Greens spokesperson for agriculture, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said:

“The Morrison Government’s botched carbon credit scheme undermines farmers wanting to do their bit for climate change.

“I meet plenty of farmers who care deeply about the land they’re on, understand the changes they are seeing around them and want to act, but these serious allegations about the integrity of the Government’s carbon credit scheme threaten that goodwill.

“Since forming Government, the Coalition has ripped up nearly all existing climate policies such as the carbon price and clean energy package, ramped up fossil fuel exploration and production, and has instead offered farmers a rort.

“While Australia’s leading farmers and the nation’s major farm groups endorse emissions reduction targets and set their own ambitious climate goals, the Coalition has sabotaged climate policy and shot farmers in the foot.

“It’s in Australian farmers best interest for a full independent inquiry into this matter, so we can get it right, and have full public confidence in the effectiveness of any carbon credit scheme.”

Greens Environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Our environment can’t afford any more short-changing when it comes to protection.

“While casual rorting and cooking the books may be easily glossed over in the corporate world, Mother Nature keeps a very clean balance sheet. No amount of spin or tricky accounting can cover-up the biodiversity crisis our environment is in.

“Pretending things will get better, while doing little to stop things getting worse is pushing our biodiversity to breaking point. We need stronger environmental protection laws and an independent watchdog to enforce them.”

Community group grants to encourage organ and tissue donation

Community organisations across the country will share in more than $500,000 from the Morrison Joyce Government help raise awareness about organ and tissue donation in Australia and encourage more Australians to take the easy step to sign up on the Australian Organ Donor Register.

Ten community organisations will get a share of the $512,000 to promote this important cause.

Minister responsible for the Organ and Tissue Authority, Dr David Gillespie said there are around 13 million Australians aged 16+ who are eligible to register as organ and tissue donors – but haven’t.

“You never know if you or a loved one may one day be in need of life-saving transplant,” Dr Gillespie said.

“What we need is more people to register their wish to be an organ donor, and importantly, to tell their family.”

Dr Gillespie, a former regional doctor, said increasing awareness about organ and tissue donation, and encouraging families to talk about donation and registration, is vital to getting more people to say “yes” to donation.

“Support from organisations across the country – undertaking research, running events or online promotional activities – helps to share about the importance of organ donation and show how easy it is for people to register,” Dr Gillespie said.

“Organ donation is such a generous gift that can help so many people and their families. These new community grants will help spread the word, especially to our culturally and linguistically diverse communities, First Nations Peoples and our young Australians.”

With around 1,850 Australians on the organ transplant waiting list and a further 13,000 people on dialysis, some who may benefit from a kidney transplant, the demand for donors has never been greater.

“For some of the 1,850 Australians currently on the organ transplant waitlist, it’s a matter of life and death,” Dr Gillespie said.

Details of all successful 2022 grants is available below and on the Organ and Tissue Authority website.

The DonateLife 2022 Community Awareness Grants are provided by the Organ and Tissue Authority as part of its national Community Awareness and Education Program.

Registering to be an organ and tissue donor is easy. You just need your phone, Medicare card and just one minute. Head to donatelife.gov.au or you can join through the Medicare Express Plus app where you download your COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

Successful 2022 Community Awareness Grants

Applicant	Category	Project focus	Funding $(GST ex)
LaTrobe University	Research	Research into the barriers to registration amongst young people.	$22,319
Gift of Life Inc.	National event (up to 3 years funding)	Canberra-based public awareness event (community walk) with national footprint and expansion plans through coordinated activities including school engagement and social media engagement.	$50,000 per year for 3 years
Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media	Publicity	Three-month radio campaign to support DonateLife Week targeting First Nations Peoples, including segments in four key Indigenous languages and social media content	$42,760
Pixel 42	Publicity	Produce targeted video content to First Nations People and young people with distribution through TV, Indigenous broadcasters as well as other DonateLife partner organisations.	$50,000
Southern Cross University	Research	Research into beliefs about donation in with Indian and Bangladeshi communities in Sydney including dissemination strategy for national roll out and future engagement with CALD communities.	$48,580
Migration Council Australia	Education	Integration of videos (animations) and articles in 20 languages into the MyAus app for migrants and refugees new to Australia.	$48,000
Multicultural Communities Council WA	Education	Co-design development of educational material (booklets) on donation in ten languages and the distribution of educational material.	$33,600
Multicultural Services Centre WA	Education	Co-designed development of online tools and publications (including 12 podcasts) to reach CALD communities, with further distribution though ethnic and community radio, to be scaled nationally.	$49,947
Podshape Podcasting	Publicity	Podcast series about donation targeting young people and First Nations Peoples, hosted by former NRL star Sam Thaiday.	$48,500
SMRD	Publicity	Saffron Day event, which promotes awareness about donation amongst people of SE Asian origin, and to the broader Australian public through digital promotional activities.	$18,000

$4 million boost for suicide prevention research

The Morrison Government is extending the National Suicide Prevention Research Fund with an additional $4 million over two years, as part of our commitment to increase Australia’s world leading research into suicide prevention and treatment.

In 2020, a total of 3,139 Australians died by suicide. While it represents a 5.4 per cent reduction in the number of suicides compared to 2019 and the lowest national suicide rate since 2016, suicide remained the leading cause of death among those aged 15-44. In addition, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to die by suicide at more than twice the rate of non-Indigenous people.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said suicide has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities.

“Our Government is fully committed to working towards zero suicides. Zero is the only acceptable target as it recognises the immense value of each and every life,” Minister Hunt said.

“Research into suicide prevention is a critical part of this effort – enabling us to find new and better approaches to reducing the number of Australians lost to suicide every year.”

The Suicide Prevention Research Fund was established by the Coalition Government in 2016 and is managed on behalf of the Government by Suicide Prevention Australia. Since its inception, it has supported over 50 projects, including more than 30 that have now successfully completed their work.

The additional $4 million brings the Morrison Government’s total investment in the Suicide Prevention Research Fund to $20.5 million (2016–17 to 2023–24). It builds on considerable suicide prevention research funding delivered through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman, said that ongoing research is helping ensure the delivery of the most effective evidence-based programs and services in suicide prevention, such as those funded through the landmark $2.3 billion Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan announced in the 2021-22 Budget.

“Suicide prevention is one of the critical pillars of the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. The Plan includes more than $298 million in suicide prevention programs and initiatives,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.

“Importantly, this includes universal aftercare for those who have been discharged from hospital following a suicide attempt. This is something I am personally passionate about and am committed to seeing rolled out in every state and territory as soon as possible.”

The Plan also included $61.6 million to expand the successful National Suicide Prevention and Leadership Support Program which supports services that work to reduce suicide deaths and suicidal behaviour, particularly in at-risk populations and communities.

In addition, $12.8 million was provided for the establishment of a National Suicide Prevention Office which will work across governments and government agencies to address broader social factors that often contribute to suicide. This continues the Morrison Government’s significant work to reform the approach to suicide prevention demonstrated by initiatives such as the appointment of the first National Suicide Prevention Adviser, the establishment of the National Suicide and Self-harm Monitoring System, and the delivery of postvention supports for families and carers bereaved by suicide.

“While we have made considerable progress in the last few years, we know there is more to be done. The Morrison Government is committed to continuing to deliver world-leading suicide prevention initiatives to protect and save lives,” Assistant Minister Coleman said.

More information about the Fund, research grant and scholarship opportunities are available online – www.suicidepreventionaust.org

Anyone experiencing distress can also seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or the Government’s digital mental health gateway, Head to Health.

If you are concerned about suicide, living with someone who is considering suicide, or bereaved by suicide, the Suicide Call Back Service is available at 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Young Australians needing support can access free services through Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), their local headspace or online through eheadspace (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/).

Australians needing support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic can access the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Wellbeing Support Service any time via telephone at 1800 512 348 or online at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au

Labor Targets 1.2 Million Tech Jobs by 2030

An Albanese Labor Government will work with industry to reach 1.2 million Australian tech-related jobs by 2030.

As we look to the future, there are real opportunities for Australians to be employed in the sector and drive future economic growth.

Too many experienced workers and businesses have left our shores due to the failure of the Morrison Government to back tech jobs in existing and emerging businesses.

Labor will work closely with the tech sector, including the Tech Council of Australia (TCA), to develop an industry plan that will look to strengthen existing firms, build new ones, and grow jobs here at home.

This plan will build on the TCA’s work scoping out what will be required to build a stronger sector by 2030.

Technology is a core pillar for our economy and is considered equivalent to the third largest sector in the economy behind mining and banking.

It stands as Australia’s seventh largest employing sector.

During the pandemic, it was technology that helped many businesses to stay afloat and allowed many Australians to continue to work from home.

Currently tech is responsible for 861,000 jobs. Working with the sector we want to grow an additional 340,000 jobs by 2030.

Australians with either TAFE or university qualification can build great tech-related careers.

Australia’s tech sector is massively important to our economy.

Growing tech related jobs to 1.2 million by 2030 would boost the sector’s contribution from $167 billion annually to $250 billion.

Labor believes that Australia has the smarts and know-how to meet this demand.

In contrast Scott Morrison doesn’t want to develop new tech here, he just wants to import it from overseas: “We’ve just got to be the best at adopting.

Taking it on board. Making it work for us. And we’re really good at that.” (Morrison, Address to the Australian E-Commerce Virtual Summit, 21 October 2020)

Labor will support more tech related jobs through:

465,000 fee-free TAFE places and 20,000 additional university places, focused on areas of skills shortage including tech.
Establishing Jobs and Skills Australia to plan for the future workforce needs of the nation.
Strengthening our sovereign capability through smarter government procurement and the establishment of the National Reconstruction Fund to support growing businesses.
Supporting the creation of new firms and jobs through Startup Year, by offering 2,000 Commonwealth supported places at accredited university accelerators.
Support the creation of new firms and strengthen existing ones by leveraging Commonwealth spending under Labor’s Buy Australian Plan.

Only an Albanese Labor Government can deliver a better future for Australia.

COVID-19 reforms promise $2.4 billion in economic benefits

A raft of temporary regulatory measures introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have now been made permanent, in a move that will provide $2.4 billion of net economic benefits over the next decade.

These positive reforms, designed to support businesses and communities to operate flexibly throughout the pandemic, were originally set to expire from March 2022.

Acting Premier Paul Toole said it was critical to make permanent these changes as we emerge from a tough couple of years so that the economy comes back stronger than ever.

“NSW continues to lead the way through the COVID-19 recovery, and we’ll continue our record support so that more businesses re-open, jobs are filled and communities are buzzing again,” Mr Toole said.

Treasurer Matt Kean said when the pandemic struck it was clear that a business-as-usual approach from Government would not be enough to help people continue to run businesses, do their jobs, and access critical goods and services efficiently.

“These practical measures allowed the community to adapt through this period of disruption. Now as we emerge from a challenging two years, we are securing the benefits of these changes permanently to help rebuild the economy,” Mr Kean said.

“Retaining these changes permanently will provide net economic benefits of $2.4 billion over the next decade through greater flexibility and time savings.”

The temporary changes made permanent include:

More flexibility for strata owners’ corporations, community land associations and incorporated associations to meet and vote electronically;
Allowing planning panels and the Independent Planning Commission to hold public hearings and meetings online or in person;
Greater flexibility for employees and businesses to access long service leave under the Long Service Leave Act 1955; and
Allowing audio link or audio-visual link to conduct interviews and questioning remotely.

Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts said the NSW Productivity Commission’s White Paper recommended retaining COVID-19 changes if they deliver net benefits.

“These changes, combined with the resilience, creativity and determination of our people and businesses, mean that our State will be in a better and stronger position to recover and flourish,” Mr Roberts said.

Updated COVID response for schools

More rapid antigen tests will be supplied to teachers and students and flexible school based measures are being rolled out to help schools continue to operate through increased COVID-19 impacts.

The adjustments are outlined in COVID-smart school guidelines released today by the NSW Government in response to increasing COVID-19 cases in the community.

Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell said the temporary measures have been put in place until at least the end of Term 1.

“A multipack of at least five RATs will be available for students and teachers at every school as needed to use when symptomatic because we know rapid antigen testing is an effective measure in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Additional tests will also be provided for early childhood educators and staff,” Ms Mitchell said.

Where a community is experiencing an increase in COVID cases, the Department may direct the local school to adopt additional proportionate measures for a short period of time, such as requiring staff, adult visitors or high school students to wear masks indoors, or moving assemblies or large gatherings outdoors.

“These tailored measures will support the continuity of face-to-face learning and help to protect students and staff by reducing in-school transmission of COVID-19,” Ms Mitchell said.

“With a significant proportion of new cases being school aged children, it is important that we all do our part to help schools remain operational by staying home if you’re sick and test if you’re experiencing any symptoms or are a close contact.

“It is prudent that we continue to review and adjust our settings to deal with the challenges we will face throughout the school year to ensure students continue to receive face-to-face learning.”

Details of the COVID-Smart school settings are available on the NSW Department of Education website: https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.

New Digital Vehicle Registration a win for drivers

Forgetting or losing vehicle registration paperwork is now a thing of the past, with the NSW Government launching a fully digitised, paperless rego service.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the new Digital Vehicle Registration service is a one-stop shop for millions of drivers, offering digital renewal notifications and a Certificate of Registration all in one place.

“Around 16 per cent of registrations are not renewed on time due to paperwork being damaged, misplaced or simply stuck on the fridge and forgotten about,” Mr Dominello said.

“Through the new service, motorists can opt-in to get electronic reminder notices and access their digital Certificate of Registration through their MyServiceNSW Account.”

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the service will save drivers time and will also help reduce the 7.2 million paper renewals sent by Transport for NSW each year.

“This service has been piloted using more than 1000 vehicles to great success, with 95 per cent of drivers giving the opt-in process the thumbs up,” Mrs Ward said.

“Although you can already renew your rego online, this additional option makes life easier for drivers by providing them with more information in the palm of their hand.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the service will benefit drivers across all communities.

“Whether you’re a parent in Western Sydney, a young professional in the bush or a retiree on the coast, we want to take the hassle out of renewing your rego,” Mr Farraway said.

“My message to drivers is simple – give the new service a go and reap the rewards.”

Customers who opt-in will receive reminder notifications six and two weeks before their registration expires and one day after via email, in their MyServiceNSW account and by push notifications in the Service NSW app.

The service was jointly funded between the Digital Restart Fund and Transport for NSW.
The service is optional meaning customers will continue to receive a paper renewal notice unless they opt-in.
To opt-in to Digital Vehicle Registration, visit service.nsw.gov.au.

PARTNERSHIP SECURES AUSTRALIAN-MADE MRNA VACCINES

The Morrison Government has finalised an agreement with global pharmaceutical company Moderna that secures the production of up to 100 million Australian made mRNA doses every year and hundreds of manufacturing jobs too.

The landmark agreement is part of a 10-year strategic partnership between the Federal Government, Moderna and the Victorian Government, which will help protect Australians against future pandemics while supporting local industry.

The strategic partnership will ensure Australia can meet its ongoing COVID-19 vaccine needs, and any other new and innovative respiratory mRNA vaccines.

It will also make Australia a critical regional hub for mRNA technology development and production, bolstering our local biotechnology sector.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the agreement was an important milestone in securing Australia’s future pandemic preparedness and our place among the world’s best medical researchers.

“This is an Australian made shot in the arm that will protect Australians from future pandemics and secure a new manufacturing capability right here on our shores,” the Prime Minister said.

“This landmark agreement means that Australia can make up to 100 million world-leading mRNA doses every year, which can protect against evolving strains of COVID-19 or new respiratory diseases that emerge into the future.

“This will be the first mRNA production facility in the Southern Hemisphere, and will ensure Australians have quick and easy access to these lifesaving vaccines.

“This next generation of Aussie-made, innovative health care will also support around 500 direct jobs during construction, plus hundreds of indirect jobs, with up to 200 highly skilled staff to work at the facility when it’s up and running from 2024.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt said securing a sovereign on-shore mRNA technology was critical and would soon be a reality.

“This agreement and strategic partnership with Moderna and the Victorian Government is crucial insurance for the health of the Australian population,” Minister Hunt said.

“It means Australians will have access to the most cutting-edge vaccination technology available both now and into the future.”

Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham said the Government’s investment into the next generation of mRNA vaccine manufacturing would increase Australia’s future prosperity.

“Moderna is a global leader in mRNA technology and has an incredibly strong pipeline of innovative products,” Minister Birmingham said.

“By establishing its headquarters for Australia, South East Asia and Oceania in Victoria, Moderna will be a key player in the development of Australia’s broader RNA ecosystem which will help drive incredible economic benefits.”

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said this investment would not only protect lives, but also help further grow medical manufacturing in Australia.

“This partnership with Moderna will further strengthen our medical manufacturing sector and create high skilled local jobs, as well as provide great opportunities for the broader industry through domestic supply chains, clinical trials and research and development,” Minister Taylor said.

“The facility will make Australia one of very few countries in the world with the capability to manufacture mRNA vaccines at scale, and builds on our commitment to medical products through our $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy.”

The Government will continue to work closely with the Victorian Government and Moderna, which has established an Australian entity, to ensure this significant new manufacturing capability is established as quickly as possible.

Vaccine production will start in 2024, pending regulatory and planning approvals.