May 2022 – Page 2

$2000 IVF rebates for NSW women

In an Australian first, women in NSW undergoing IVF and accessing other assisted reproductive treatments (ART) will be given a cash rebate of up to $2,000 to reduce treatment costs as part of the NSW Government’s 2022-23 Budget.

About 12,000 women who are using private fertility clinics will benefit from the rebate, while another 6,180 women will be given access to publicly supported IVF treatment under the $80 million package.

Treasurer Matt Kean said about one in 20 births in Australia involve some form of assisted reproductive treatment.

“We know that the costs of these treatments can be prohibitively expensive,” Mr Kean said.

“No-one should have to face the impossible choice between looking after their household budget and starting a family. I’m so proud NSW continues to lead the nation, helping thousands of families fulfil their dream of having a baby.”

The fertility package will also:

extend rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing
boost the number of fertility preservation services for patients with cancer and other medical needs
provide five days of paid fertility treatment leave for teachers, nurses and other public servants across NSW.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said IVF and fertility preservation can be a difficult process for women, both emotionally and financially.

“We want to make sure the costs don’t stop women from accessing fertility services which would give them the best chance of being able to conceive,” Mr Hazzard said.

“This investment builds on the NSW Government’s $42 million election commitment for affordable IVF, which was successfully achieved during the past two years despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The $42 million Affordable IVF initiative includes enhanced publicly supported IVF clinics at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Westmead Hospital and Royal Hospital for Women and the establishment of the state’s first publicly-funded fertility preservation service for cancer patients.

The NSW Government will also invest funding towards the establishment of a hub and spoke model that expands publicly supported IVF services to regional NSW.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said that one in every six couples experiences fertility issues.

“Fertility challenges can be stressful and heartbreaking. I hope that by lowering the cost of treatments, we can help more women on their journey to start a family,” Mrs Taylor said.

Eligible families will be able to receive up to $2,000 depending on the cost of their required treatment. Rebates are only available for eligible treatments offered by accredited clinics, ensuring the highest standards for all families.

The $2000 rebate will open 1 January 2023. Women who have undergone an eligible procedure from 1 October 2022 will be able to submit a claim when the rebate scheme opens.

The rebate scheme will initially be open to 12,000 eligible women, after which a full evaluation will be completed to ensure private fees have remained low and competitive before any extension is considered. The NSW Government will also advocate with the Commonwealth to lower the cost of IVF for all families across Australia.

The Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand and the IVF Directors Group have committed to working in partnership with the NSW Government to implement the rebate and ensure that patients directly benefit from the cost savings.

43 million investment to support return of Me-Mel to Aboriginal community

The NSW Government has committed $43 million to supporting the transfer of a Sydney Harbour island to the Aboriginal community, and commenced the first step in the official transfer process.

In one of the first NSW Budget 2022-23 announcements, Premier Dominic Perrottet said returning Me-Mel (Goat Island) to the Aboriginal community is a personal priority.

“Returning Me-Mel to the Aboriginal community is the right thing to do, and it helps deliver on my commitment of improving outcomes and opportunities for Aboriginal people across all parts of Government,” Mr Perrottet said.

“A big part of my commitment is ensuring the island is remediated before it’s transferred to the Aboriginal community.

“Through the NSW Budget 2022-23, we’re delivering $42.9 million to regenerate and restore Me-Mel, and ultimately pave the way for the transfer back to the Aboriginal community.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said the significant NSW Budget funding will go towards important maintenance and safety work that will help ensure Me-Mel can be safely enjoyed for generations to come.

“This $43 million investment from the NSW Government demonstrates that we’re dedicated to improving outcomes for the Aboriginal community,” Mr Kean said.

“This funding over four years will go towards work such as repairing seawalls and buildings, improving the wharf and access, upgrading services such as water and sewers, and removing contaminants like asbestos.”

Me-Mel is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register and has a rich and diverse array of important Aboriginal, historical and natural heritage values, including more than 30 buildings and other structures dating from the 1830s to the 1960s.

Minister for Environment and Heritage James Griffin said the official process to transfer Me-Mel to the Aboriginal community is now underway through the opening of an Expressions of Interest.
“It’s easy to see why Me-Mel is such a cherished Aboriginal site – it sits in the middle of magnificent Sydney Harbour, surrounded by a vibrant ecosystem,” Mr Griffin said.

“This is a significant transfer from the NSW Government to the Aboriginal community and we need to ensure it’s done right, which is why the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is now calling for Expressions of Interest to join the Me-Mel Transfer Committee.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said the Committee will make recommendations for the transfer to Aboriginal ownership, and help determine how the island is managed and used into the future.

“The Me-Mel Transfer Committee includes Aboriginal people and NSW Government agency representatives, and importantly, its establishment is supported by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC),” Mr Franklin said.

“Me-Mel holds great significance to Aboriginal people, including in the creation story Boora Birra, where the great eel spirit created the water courses known today as Sydney Harbour.”

Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council Deputy Chair Yvonne Weldon said acknowledging and respecting all histories so they can be respectfully enjoyed by everyone will help healing and progress.

“Me-Mel is a place where we can go to be within our culture, pass culture on to our younger generations and share with other people,” Ms Weldon said.

“Me-Mel is an opportunity for truth telling, and it’s about recognising the past and unlocking the future.”

Me-Mel is a complex site and a range of expert advice, including legal, heritage, planning, and governance will be offered to the Committee to help it develop a plan and a business case for future ownership and management of the island.
Me-Mel will continue being managed by NPWS until the transfer is finalised. It will remain open to the public through NPWS.

Community Representative nominations for the Transfer Committee should be received by close of business on Monday 27 June 2022.

For further details please visit https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/community-engagement/sydney-harbour-national-park/me-mel-goat-island

Helping Households with energy bills

Households experiencing difficulty paying their energy bills will be able to access up to $1,600 a year in help after Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean today increased support payments.

The Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) program has helped 49,000 NSW households experiencing short-term financial hardship with their energy bills. From Monday, each application will have its limit increased from $300 to $400, up to a maximum of $1,600 a year.

“Eligible customers can receive payment assistance of up to $400 per application for electricity and up to $400 per application for gas bills twice a year,” Mr Kean said.

“This means the annual maximum limit of vouchers has increased from $1,200 to $1,600 per household.”

The boost to assistance for electricity and gas bills comes as the Australian Energy Regulator released its final determination today showing NSW energy customers on standing offers will face price increases from July 1.

The price increases are driven primarily by external factors including the Russian invasion of Ukraine which has affected supply and led to global price pressures on coal and gas. Extreme weather events in NSW and Queensland have also had an impact on prices.

The extra assistance is part of a $330 million per year package the NSW government is providing which also includes energy rebates to around 1 million households.

“With cost-of-living pressures increasing, colder weather arriving and days shortening, we want to make sure households in NSW not only keep the lights on but keep their families safe, warm and comfortable,” Mr Kean said.

Eligible households can also apply for different rebates including the Low Income Household Rebate, Gas Rebate, Family Energy Rebate, and Seniors Energy Rebate.

Around 800,000 households received the Low Income Household Rebate last year and 286,000 received the Gas Rebate.

Customers can see what they are eligible for by using the Service NSW Savings Finder at www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/savings-finder, by phoning 13 77 88 or visiting a Service NSW centre.

“I encourage all households to shop around to find the best deal for their energy,” Mr Kean said.

Households and small businesses can also use the free and independent Australian Government service – Energy Made Easy to compare energy plans: www.energymadeeasy.gov.au

HSU launches legal crackdown on aged care outsourcing

The Health Services Union today commences a precedent-setting legal push to prevent aged care operators slashing pay by engaging catering staff under the hospitality award through labour hire operators.

The Union will take Catering Industries to the Federal Court, insisting it should pay its employees under the aged care award rather than the hospitality award when the employee works in an aged care facility. Weekend penalty rates are 25 per cent higher under the aged care award.

Base rates are also lower under the hospitality award. Currently a full time cook who has worked in aged care for 13 years Tuesday to Saturday is just shy of $4,200 ($4195) a year worse off in wages. A full time supervisor who has oversight of an aged care kitchen working the same shifts (Tue-Sat) is $3,175 a year worse off in wages. This is before either of them have done any overtime or worked a public holiday. The drop in wages is even more profound for casual employees.

HSU anticipates the gap will widen if its separate case for a 25 per cent increase in aged care wages succeeds in the Fair Work Commission.

HSU National President Gerard Hayes said the best interests of residents were better served through keeping catering in-house.

“We saw through the Royal Commission just how important food is, with residents in some facilities being served jelly and frankfurts. It’s simply astounding that Catering Industries is trying to bolster its legal position by arguing that it bans its staff from communicating with residents. How on earth can they be attentive to the needs of residents if they are banned from communicating with them?

“Aged care’s race to the bottom must end. The endless splintering of the workforce undermines the bargaining position of all aged care staff and keeps wages rock bottom.

“Aged care residents requires holistic care and to deliver that you need a holistic workforce. You can’t carve out catering or cleaning from care and health. The same employer should be responsible for the vast bulk of the aged care effort.

“Some catering companies might argue they have seasonal or event based work. But the nutrition needs of our elderly do not stop and start. They requires constant attention.”

The HSU case arises from members at a Port Botany aged care site insisting on their right to bargain under the Aged Care Award, which Catering Industries refused to accomodate.

Two teenagers charged following alleged armed robbery near Singleton

Two teenagers have been charged after an alleged armed robbery near Singleton yesterday.

About 1.30am (Thursday 26 May 2022), a 25-year-old man was working inside a service station on Bridgman Road, Dunolly, near Singleton, when a woman entered the store.

Police will allege in court as she was exiting, a man – armed with a knife – entered the store and threatened the attendant, before demanding cash and e-cigarettes.

The pair fled on foot together towards the New England Highway.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.

Following inquiries, detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Wakehurst Crescent, Singleton Heights, shortly before 3pm (Thursday 26 May 2022).

A 14-year-old girl was arrested inside the home while a 16-year-old boy was located and arrested from inside a roof cavity.

Both were taken to Singleton Police Station, where the teenage boy was charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon, and two counts of goods in custody. He was refused bail to appear at a children’s court today (Friday 27 May 2022).

The teenage girl was charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon principal 2nd degree serious indictable offence, and dishonestly obtain property by deception. She was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Thursday 30 June 2022.

The Greens Renew Call for National Compensation Scheme for Stolen Generation Survivors

The Bringing them Home Report was released 25 years ago today. The Greens are renewing calls for a national compensation scheme: a $200 000 payment plus additional $7000 for funeral expenses to compensate for the harm inflicted by successive Australian Governments.

“They stole our children to break our people. No Government has ever brought peace to survivors of the stolen generation.” Said The Greens spokesperson for Justice and First Nations: Gunnai, Gunditjmara and DjabWurrung Senator Lidia Thorpe.

“Our pain continues and we can see that today. My mum was a co-commissioner on the Inquiry in the 90s. Just this week, she was giving testimony at the coronial inquest of a Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman who died in police custody. We need to break the cycle and stop the trauma.”

“It’s been 25 years since the Bringing Them Home report recommended that a National Compensation Fund be established to adequately compensate survivors. This is far too important to be patchy and inconsistent across state lines.”

“How many of our people have died since the Report was released? How much longer do our people have to wait for the Report’s recommendations to be implemented?”

“Sorry means you don’t do it again. Today, there’s more First Nations kids in out of home care now than when Kevin Rudd apologised to the Stolen Generations. We call on the Albanese Government to compensate survivors and stop a new Stolen Generation.”

“It’s time for truth, Treaty and Blak justice.” Said Thorpe.

Getting out of coal and gas key to Pacific relationship

The best thing the new Labor government could do to repair the relationship with Pacific is commit to no new coal and gas, Greens Leader Adam Bandt said today.

Pacific leaders have been making clear for years that the good relationship with Australia is dependent on climate action, with a focus on no new coal and gas.

Former President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, has said this week that ““My hope is that we will see stronger and more urgent climate action from the incoming government, including a more ambitious emissions reduction target, ramped-up support for climate-vulnerable communities in the Pacific and, most importantly, a commitment to no new coal and gas projects in Australia.”

Tuvalu’s former Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga said “This would include radical new Australian targets for emissions reduction under the Paris Agreement, no new coal or gas, and an ongoing commitment to supporting Pacific Island nations as we face the brunt of climate impacts.”

Adam Bandt MP said:

“Keeping coal and gas in the ground is the key to our relationship with the Pacific and is the best way to deal with concerns about security in the region.

“Pacific leaders want real climate action. By committing to no new coal and gas we can not only protect the Pacific, but also reestablish the relationship with the Pacific.

“Sea level rise and other climate impacts are an existential threat to the Pacific. As former President Tong has said, the Pacific Islands’ “survival is on the line”.

“Climate is the number one national security threat to the Pacific, so concerns about China will fall on deaf ears if we continue to threaten the Pacific with our coal and gas.”

Review of the Liberal Party’s 2022 federal election campaign

The review of the Liberal Party’s 2022 federal election campaign has been established and is now seeking submissions.

The review will be conducted by Mr Brian Loughnane AO and Senator the Hon Jane Hume.

The terms of reference for the review are:

“To conduct a review of the Liberal Party’s 2022 federal election result, including the campaign and the period leading up to it, and to make recommendations arising from the review.

The review will include examination of the performance of – and lessons arising for – the Federal Secretariat/CCHQ, the Divisions of the Liberal Party (including the Country Liberal Party’s campaign in Solomon), and the parliamentary team.

The review will also examine, among other things:

The long-term challenge for the Party presented by independents running in, and winning, seats from the Liberal Party.
The Liberal Party’s electoral performance among different voter segments.
The selection of candidates by the Liberal Party.”

All submissions will be treated as strictly confidential. They should be sent to the review by Wednesday 30 June 2022.

Submissions should be sent to review@liberal.org.au and include the submitter’s name, state, electorate and role in the campaign, with the submission and any supporting files as an attachment to the email.

Every Division is asked to take every reasonable step to inform Party members of these arrangements as quickly as possible. Submissions are invited from individual Party members, FECs, campaign committees, candidates, MPs, Senators, campaign staff and the Division itself.

Mr Loughnane and Senator Hume said:

“In undertaking this important review, we will consult widely across all parts of the Party. We welcome input from all Party members and encourage submissions from all involved in the campaign.”

Remediation of former Shortland landfill site ready to commence

City of Newcastle has awarded a tender to remediate a former landfill site at Shortland.

The former Astra Street landfill opened in 1974, taking waste from across the Hunter until it was closed in 1995.

Preliminary investigations undertaken in 2021 indicated that the scale of work required to improve the 20-year-old capping and drainage on the 37-hectare site would be significantly more complex and costly than previously expected.

City of Newcastle Acting Director of Infrastructure and Property Joanne Rigby said the project was an important priority for protecting the long-term health of the nearby RAMSAR- listed Hunter Wetlands, with $18.6 million allocated in the draft 2022/23 Budget towards the costs of the remediation work.

“City of Newcastle is committed to not only ensuring today’s waste is managed with the environment front-of-mind, but that historic sites like Astra Street at Shortland also adhere to modern environmental management standards,” Ms Rigby said.

“These works will allow City of Newcastle to help protect and maintain the local environment well into the future, safeguarding the water quality of surrounding wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, increasing biodiversity values and promoting long-term native vegetation growth.”

City of Newcastle has been working with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on a plan to remediate the site to ensure adherence to modern environmental management standards.

Two detailed design alternatives for the capping solution were developed being a geosynthetic clay lining, and a clay capping solution.

The successful tenderer will deliver a clay capping solution to meet environmental requirements reducing cost and risk compared to the alternate geosynthetic clay lining solution.

Works will include the final capping and reprofiling of the site, drainage improvements to aid in management of surface water and sediment runoff, followed by revegetation and landscaping.

Work is scheduled to commence in July and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Excavations to explore archaeology of Cathedral Park as part of plan to revitalise site

An archaeological dig that kicked off at Newcastle’s oldest European cemetery this week will delve deeper into the heritage of the site ahead of its planned revitalisation.

Located high on the hill behind Christ Church Cathedral, Cathedral Park is the resting place of more than 3300 of the city’s earliest European inhabitants, and prior to settlement was the site of an Aboriginal camping ground for thousands of years.

(Rear L-R) Guraki Aboriginal Advisory Committee Chairperson Luke Russell, Awabakal Descendants Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation Managing Director Peter Leven, City of Newcastle Heritage Planner Tom Smith, City of Newcastle Manager Regulatory, Planning & Assessment Michelle Bisson, AMAC Group Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Director Ben Streat, AMAC Group Principal Director Martin Carney and (front) AMAC Group archaeologist Prue Newton at Cathedral Park for the archaeological excavations.

City of Newcastle Manager Regulatory, Planning & Assessment Michelle Bisson said the archaeological dig was an essential part of the process to ensure the history of the site was protected and preserved.

“City of Newcastle has engaged the Archaeological Management and Consulting Group (AMAC) to undertake a series of excavations to test for the presence of historical archaeological relics or Aboriginal archaeological objects in areas subject to planned landscaping and heritage interpretation works,” Ms Bisson said.

“This test excavation program will be supervised by Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) from the local community.

“Appropriate safety measures will be put in place by City of Newcastle to ensure the park will remain open to the public for the duration of these archaeological works, which are required before we can progress with the next stage of the proposed landscaping project.

“The archaeologists on site are also happy to engage with the public and answer any questions they may have.”

Cathedral Park was used as a burial ground by the penal settlement from 1816 until 1884 and is the final resting place of notable early settlers including Newcastle’s first Mayor, James Hannell, former Mayor James Kemp, and magistrates John Bingle and Major Archibald Clunes Innes. The 1826 grave of Mary Martin is thought to be the oldest remaining headstone on the site. Several Aboriginal infants and adults are buried at the cemetery and entered on the burial registers, including the 1860 burial of an Aboriginal man named Jacky Jacky.

After falling into disrepair, the site was acquired from the Church by City of Newcastle in 1966 for the establishment of a public park.

Since 2012, City of Newcastle has been carrying out a number of improvement projects as part of a masterplan proposal to transform Cathedral Park into a showpiece destination. The plan is designed to respect the site’s heritage while also making the most of its spectacular views over the city and harbour and its position adjacent to the Christ Church Cathedral, which attracts upwards of 80,000 visitors each year.

The proposed future landscape and heritage interpretation works will help stabilise the surviving headstone monuments in line with their state heritage significance and recreate the original cemetery layout where possible, while also creating a beautiful, contemporary and engaging public space that integrates parkland and heritage interpretation uses.

Other plans include the erection of an infant memorial as well as a monument remembering the 60 people who died in the Cawarra shipwreck of 1866, 31 of whom were buried on this site. A rotunda is proposed for the site of ‘Mulimbah’ to acknowledge the former Colonial Georgian style family home and garden built by Simon Kemp in the 1840s and to tell the story of early Novocastrians and their way of life.

To find out more visit the Cathedral Park page on our website.