May 2022 – Page 4

City of Newcastle’s investment in waste to lock in future affordability

City of Newcastle (CN) has lodged a development application (DA) for its new organics processing facility as part of a plan to locally manage waste from all three kerbside bins, saving millions of dollars on current transport costs.

The DA paves the way for a fully-enclosed facility at Summerhill Waste Management Centre that will be able to receive 50,000 tonnes of food and garden organics per annum, which will be processed into compost for reuse in agriculture, landscaping and home gardens.

The facility is one of four “city-shaping” projects included in the draft 2022/23 Budget, with $9.4 million allocated to begin construction as part of the record $132 million capital works program.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the draft Budget also includes $5 million dollars towards planning a new material recovery facility at Summerhill, with the major waste infrastructure projects designed to ensure Newcastle ratepayers maintain the lowest waste charges in the region well into the future.

“City of Newcastle is delivering on its commitment to the community to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and increasing the level of recycling,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The draft Our Sustainable Waste Strategy focusses on increased diversion, circular economy and co-location of waste assets in the Summerhill precinct, which would allow Newcastle’s red, yellow and green-lid bin domestic waste to be processed at the one location.

By investing in additional resource recovery and organics processing at the site, we’re also locking in low costs by reducing transport expenses and gaining efficiencies through co-location.”

CN Director and Interim Manager Waste Services Alissa Jones said the biggest cost when it comes to kerbside collections is in transporting the waste, and the biggest cost efficiencies will come from co-locating these facilities at Summerhill, avoiding long-distance transport to other facilities.

“Currently garden organics are shredded prior to being transported 173 km in a return trip to a third-party processing facility in the Upper Hunter for composting. Building the organics processing facility at Summerhill will reduce both transport costs and current carbon emissions,” Ms Jones said.

“These new facilities will ensure the Summerhill Waste Management Facility plays a key role in the region’s move towards a circular economy and its ability to address future NSW and Federal government targets on waste diversion and recycling.”

Ms Jones said investing in the new infrastructure would deliver a wide range of benefits for the community and the environment at Summerhill.

Since 2015 City of Newcastle has invested $54 million into developing and expanding its waste and recycling facilities. In the past 10 years, CN has also paid $270 million in section 88 waste levies to the NSW Government, while receiving only $6.5 million back in grants to help fund that infrastructure and deliver waste education programs to encourage behaviour change.

“The NSW Government currently makes around one third of the waste levy revenue available for councils and businesses to deliver waste and environmental programs,” Cr Nelmes said.

“But in the past decade we have received less than two per cent back from the levies we have paid.

“City of Newcastle continues to invest at significant levels in waste improvement programs and infrastructure because it’s the right thing to do for our residents and ratepayers, and it’s the right thing to do for our environment.

“We look forward to soon being able to share our long-term plans for our sustainable waste future with the community for feedback and in the meantime will continue to move forward with the key projects needed to deliver that vision.”

Community consultation for the planned material recovery facility began in May, while the organics processing facility DA will be placed on public exhibition for feedback in coming months.

The early works associated with the organics project are expected to begin towards the end of this year, while construction of the facility itself will commence by mid-2023, subject to the project being approved by the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel.

Stay Safe This Winter Get your Flu Shot Now

NSW residents are being urged to book in for their flu vaccine without delay, with winter just a week away and hospitals already seeing a surge in influenza cases.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said NSW hospitals are facing a triple threat with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, a surge in flu cases and staff furloughing due to illness.

“NSW Health has been warning us for months of the likelihood of a horror flu season, so please, help yourselves and our health staff and get a flu shot,” Mr Hazzard said.

“After two years of COVID, our hospitals do not need the added challenge of avoidable influenza, when flu shots are readily available at GPs and pharmacies.

“With almost no exposure to flu these past two years, it is imperative we all get a flu jab to protect ourselves and the community.”

NSW’s Chief Paediatrician Dr Matt O’Meara said there is particular concern for children aged six months to five years old.

“We are encouraging parents to be alert this flu season as young children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of flu,” Dr O’Meara said.

“At least 10 per cent of children admitted to hospital with flu will be so sick that they need intensive care. Parents can reduce the risk of that happening, just by getting their child vaccinated.”

Those considered to be at higher risk of severe illness from influenza are eligible for a free flu vaccine. This includes children from six months to under five years of age; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age; people with serious health conditions, pregnant women, and people aged 65 and over.

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce said emergency departments across NSW are currently under significant pressure due to high numbers of COVID-19 cases and now a surge in flu cases, which is impacting the availability of staff.

“Our wonderful frontline healthcare workers are here to help give you the right care if you need it. If you are seriously injured, seriously unwell or have a life-threatening medical emergency, you should call triple zero or attend an emergency department without delay,” Ms Pearce said.

“We are urging the community to support us during this challenging period by making sure those who need emergency medical care can receive it by saving ambulances and emergency departments for saving lives. Please do not call triple zero or attend emergency departments for non-urgent issues.”

If you are not sure if you should go to an emergency department, visit Healthdirect.gov.au or call Healthdirect for free on 1800 022 222 for fast, expert advice on what to do next. Healthdirect is a 24-hour telephone health advice line staffed by registered nurses. You can also get in touch with your GP for advice and support.

So far this year in NSW, there have been 14,812 reported flu cases and 3,349 people have presented to emergency departments with influenza-like illness.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant urged the community to continue to do the little things that can make a big difference when it comes to curbing the spread of viruses this winter.

“It is important people continue to take simple precautions to protect themselves and each other. This includes wearing a mask indoors when you can’t physically distance, staying at home when you’re unwell, and remembering to practise good hand hygiene,” Dr Chant said.

We can help reduce the COVID-19 and flu risk to ourselves and others by:

Staying home if we’re unwell, taking a COVID-19 test straight away and self-isolating.
Wearing a mask indoors or wherever we can’t physically distance
Getting together outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces with open doors and windows
Practising good hygiene by washing or sanitising our hands often
Taking a rapid antigen test to test for COVID-19 before visiting vulnerable loved ones or going to large gatherings and events
Staying up to date with our vaccinations – for both flu and COVID-19.

Days away from lightweight bag ban

Marking a major pivot away from single-use plastics, the NSW Government’s ban on lightweight plastic bags will come into force next week.

Minister for Environment James Griffin said the lightweight plastic bag ban is the first of many plastic items being banned in NSW this year.

“I think all of us can see the impact plastic pollution is having on our environment, which is why we’re making major changes in NSW this year,” Mr Griffin said.

“The ban on lightweight single-use bags comes into place from 1 June, and then from November, we’re banning more problematic plastics, such as cutlery and plates.

“Single-use plastic is used by many of us for just a few convenient minutes, but it remains in our environment for many years, eventually breaking into microplastics.

“Single-use plastic items and packaging make up 60 per cent of all litter in NSW. By stopping the supply of problematic plastic in the first place, we’re helping prevent it from entering our environment as litter, or going into landfill.

“We each have the power to make positive environmental change at an individual level, and I encourage everyone to choose to go plastic-free as often as they can.”

The NSW Government passed the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021 in November, and introduced the Plastics Action Plan last year.

The ban will prevent almost 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from entering the environment in NSW over the next 20 years.

In addition to the 1 June lightweight plastic bag ban, from November the NSW Government is banning:

single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls and cotton buds
expanded polystyrene food ware and cups
rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads.

So-called “compostable” and “bioplastic” alternatives to the above items are also being banned. That’s because they don’t biodegrade unless they’re treated in an industrial composting facility, creating just as much of a problem as conventional plastic.

To ensure small businesses are ready for the changes this year, the NSW Government engaged the National Retail Association (NRA) to deliver a comprehensive retailer education campaign.

Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said the NSW Government is supporting more than 40,000 businesses across NSW to phase-out single-use plastics.

“The NSW Government has worked with stakeholders to support small businesses to understand how they will be affected, how to comply with new laws and what alternatives they can use to single-use plastics,” Ms Petinos said.

“Through the NRA, we’re running a retailer education campaign, conducting store visits, and providing online webinars and resources to help businesses make the adjustment away from single-use plastics.”

The NRA has launched a free hotline (1800 844 946) to offer businesses, community organisations and consumers advice on the single-use plastic bans.

For more information about the NSW plastics ban, visit http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-ban

ADA optimistic about fixing oral health of aged care residents

There is every reason to be optimistic that the new Labor government will work with the nation’s peak dental body to fix the broken dental system for people in aged care.

Labor promised in a letter written before polling day, that it would work with the Australian Dental Association (ADA) to improve training for aged care workers, so it includes an oral health component.

“The ADA congratulates the new Labor government and looks forward to its new Cabinet delivering on the undertaking to work with us,” said ADA President Dr Mark Hutton.

“Labor has said it understands the importance of oral health to elderly Australians and acknowledges the relevant recommendation of the Aged Care Royal Commission’s Final Report.

“Further, they wrote to us saying that an Albanese Labor Government would engage with relevant stakeholders, including the ADA, to address issues with aged care vocational and university education programs, the Aged Care Quality Standards and other regulations relating to oral health needs in residential aged care.

“This is great news and will go a long way to fixing some of the biggest issues facing the 190,000 residents of aged care facilities around Australia, many whose oral health issues are not being met as often as they should be, or not at all.”

Dr Hutton added: “Within the next few weeks, the ADA will be contacting all relevant members of parliament to ask for their support in pushing for these and other advocacy issues which will improve the oral health of older Australians – primarily to back a Seniors Dental Benefits Schedule to fund dental care delivered by private and public dental services to older Australians who need it most.”

University of Newcastle sacked hundreds of staff despite recording obscene surplus

It has been revealed the same year the University of Newcastle announced plans to make hundreds of staff redundant, it also produced a surplus of $185 million.

The University of Newcastle’s 2021 annual report was tabled in parliament yesterday and reported a surplus of $185,270,000.

NTEU Newcastle Branch President Dan Conway said the University will move quickly to engage the smoke and mirrors of university accounting.

“Management, supported by the corporatised University Council, leveraged the ‘unique opportunity’ that they called Covid and sacked hundreds of staff despite admitting in as early as 2020, they knew this surplus was coming,” Mr Conway said.

“UON Management will now move to present this as a one-off, that the funds are ‘restricted’, or that it is an unrealised ‘on paper profit’ to play down the University’s financial position.

“The fact is, though, the University finances, audited by the NSW Auditor-General, don’t lie where others try.”

Mr Conway says the NTEU accepts that most organisations would be proud to have achieved such a surplus, however coupled with the job cuts, it is a scathing indictment on University management.

“Management, including those on Council, need to answer for their actions of continually cutting away at staff and, in turn, cutting away at student learning,” Mr Conway said.

“This surplus, and those for every year going back more than a decade, show that our University is among the most financially secure in the country,” he said.

While the NTEU accepts that Covid presented some uncertainty, it also cautioned against knee jerk reactions, which have long-lasting, and sometimes irreparable effects.

“These results vindicate our position. Our University was never under threat from Covid. It was, and remains however, under threat from management and successive federal governments who neglect our institutions,” Mr Conway said.

“Let‘s not forget that our University, like most, is supposed to be, and by law is, not for profit. $185 million from a not-for-profit that cries poor at almost every opportunity? Please! I am sure that any true not-for-profit would be singing from the rooftops if they had a surplus like that.

“But, then again, a true not-for-profit would also see fit to channel that profit into its core purpose. For us, that is teaching and research.”

The NTEU says in preparation for the job cuts, university management told staff, “we’re all in this together.” University management asked staff to tighten their belts and forgo entitlements like pay rises (while they took theirs). Staff were told the job cuts were the cuts “we had to have” to save an institution we all hold dear.

“The hypocrisy involved here is brazen and deeply problematic. For an institution that should be setting an irreproachable standard in ethical operating, this level of bad faith, if not downright deceit, is unconscionable,” Mr Conway said.

“At its heart, a University isn’t its buildings. The University is the staff. The University is the students. The University is its community. These are the things which need protecting.

“Newcastle and its regions deserve much better than this and the NTEU hopes the incoming federal government will move quickly to repair what has proven to be a broken higher education system.”

Share your ideas for Waratah Local Centre upgrade

City of Newcastle has begun community consultation with local residents and business owners to understand their views on how to improve safety, parking and public spaces in the Waratah Local Centre area.

Following input from the community, a public domain plan will be developed to guide the revitalisation of the area surrounding Station Street in Waratah.

City of Newcastle Senior Project Planner Sarah Horan, Stacey Bernard from Tillys Play and Development Centre and Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz discuss the start of community engagement for the Waratah local centre upgrade.

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said the future upgrade aims to create a more accessible, attractive and safe local centre for the Waratah community.

“Our public domain plan will upgrade the streetscape and improve access to shops, as well as address traffic and safety in the area,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

“Our upgrades often include new footpaths, trees and street furniture – so it’s important that the community shares their feedback about what they would like to see.

“By improving the functionality, look and feel of the area we hope to see more people visiting and spending time at the local centre.”

Last year the elected Council resolved to initiate an upgrade of the Waratah town centre, and a community survey was conducted in late 2021 for similar upgrades at Georgetown.

Once developed, the Waratah Local Centre draft public domain plan will go on public exhibition. The plan will be finalised based on community feedback and will go to the elected Council for approval, ahead of construction in coming years.

The planned upgrade at Waratah follows similar local centre upgrades at Carrington, Beresfield, Joslin Street in Kotara, Llewellyn Street in Merewether, James Street Plaza in Hamilton, and the upgrades currently under construction in Stockton, Shortland and at Orchardtown Road in New Lambton.

Have your say via the online survey at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay before 13 June.

Finding a way through loneliness and isolation

Community organisation Inclusee is encouraging Australians who are feeling isolated or lonely to visit their new website (inclusee.org,au) to access the power of connection.

“Our service has hundreds of participants and volunteers across 19 regions who have had thousands of hours of connection, laughter, education and conversation together,” Rachael Cook, CEO of Inclusee, a community organisation designed to combat loneliness particularly in the lives of senior Australians in remote and regional areas, says.

“Loneliness can greatly impact physical health, mental health, and overall well-being.”

Covid lockdowns and border closures have exacerbated the problem with many Australians reporting that their isolation from family and friends has worsened.

Inclusee is calling for participants who are over the age of 65, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over the age of 50, who feel they are at risk of social isolation and loneliness.

The service has been in operation for nearly 50 years, connecting qualified volunteers with older Australians who are in need of social interaction through face-to-face visits, telephone and digital catch ups.

“The programs are absolutely fantastic,” says 79-year-old Jan Wilson, “The idea of having someone to connect with every week and having a laugh is just the best feeling. And it’s like they are sitting there right beside you.”

Ms Cook explains that the Inclusee programs are completely free for participants, though some eligibility conditions apply.

“Volunteers get partnered with participants who have similar interests, and they meet at regular intervals over video. We provide this service to a broad and diverse number of people around Australia and respect the individuality and culture of all people who participate in our programs,” Ms Cook explains.

“While there will never be a substitute for one-on-one, person-to-person contact, simple technologies are opening up exciting prospects for the future of care.

“We use video chat and a user-friendly mobile tablet to keep connected and create enjoyable experiences related to the interests of the individual. The device is pre-configured with bespoke software designed to easily facilitate video chatting for those not already confident with mobile technology.”

Inclusee launched in 1973 under its original name of Golden Years Senior Centre and was recently known as Aurous Ltd. It is funded by various government grants including the Commonwealth Home Support Program and the Federal Community Visitors Scheme throughout the eastern states of Australia.

“We connect Australians experiencing isolation or loneliness with individuals, groups, family and friends through our easy-to-use digital technology so they can engage, learn and enjoy experiences. We are a community that encourages and empowers our participants to connect, learn new skills, join in on exciting events, as well as play games or learn about different cultures.

“We offer a virtual community centre that is open 8am-5pm weekdays where participants bring a cuppa, connect with our volunteers and other participants and talk about everything and anything that they wish,” Ms Cook explained.

Inclusee has a range of online clubs and interest groups from learning to shop online to bingo, men’s shed, Greek culture club, and caters for travel enthusiasts and trivia buffs too.

You can register to participate online at www.inclusee.org.au or call on 1800 287 687.

Greenslide set to grow in coming days Greens to hold Senate balance of power Albanese will need Greens and crossbench

Greens Leader Adam Bandt has joined two QLD Green MPs-elect Elizabeth Watson-Brown and Max Chandler-Mather from Ryan and Griffith and new QLD Senator-elect Penny Allman-Payne in Brisbane today to celebrate last night’s electoral Greenslide. Mr Bandt said the Greenslide could continue in the coming days with the seats of Brisbane, Macanama and Richmond still to be decided and the Greens in a very strong position.

Mr Bandt also announced that all sitting Greens Senators would be returned and that three new Senators would be elected taking the number of Greens to 12 and balance of power in the Senate as Liberal Senate losses across States and Territories are pushing the Greens closer into sole balance of power.

Mr Bandt said it was too early to know if Labor would gain a majority or need to govern in minority with as many as eleven seats still in doubt and that Anthony Albanese would need to work with the Greens to ensure stable government and pass legislation through the Parliament. With a record breaking number of postal ballots still entirely uncounted, Labor vs Liberal seats unsettled include Bass, Bennelong, Casey. Deakin, Dickson, Gilmore, Lingiari, Lyons, Menzies, Moore and Sturt.

Adam Bandt MP said:

“We have five new MPs and Senators and the Greenslide is set to grow in the coming days.”

“People have delivered a mandate for action on climate and inequality.

“A record number of people have voted for the Greens and we will be in the balance of power in the Senate and possibly the House. The Greens are the most powerful third party in the Parliament.”

“Voters have made it clear they want the Greens to push the Albanese Government to go further and faster on climate change and inequality.”

“We want to work with Anthony Albanese to deliver the stable, effective, progressive government that Australians have voted for, but he will need to work constructively with the Greens and the rest of the crossbench.”

North Coast XPT service back on track

Customers travelling on North Coast XPT services between Sydney and Brisbane are once again able to enjoy the entire journey by train, after months of weather-related disruptions.

As well as damage to the track in NSW, flooding also delayed Queensland Rail’s completion of the Brisbane Cross River Delivery Authority project, meaning passenger trains were not able to run into Roma Street Station.

Infrastructure repairs have now been completed, so coaches will no longer be needed to replace trains on the XPT service between Casino and Brisbane.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said it was great news for customers and the north coast region as it recovers from flooding.

“I thank NSW TrainLink regional customers for their patience over recent months of disrupted journeys due to unprecedented flooding and severe weather,” Mr Farraway said.

“The north coast route between Sydney and Brisbane is NSW TrainLink’s longest XPT service, covering 1,012 kilometres over 15 hours and stopping at 24 locations.

“It’s also one of the most popular regional train trips in the country, with a total number of passenger trips in both directions of around 100,000 a year, pre-COVID.

“NSW TrainLink crews are delighted to be once again back on the tracks the entire distance between Sydney and Brisbane, serving customers on the North Coast XPTs.

“This service is so important in connecting people across state borders, including those travelling for school, medical appointments or to see family.”

Customers can book a trip on the North Coast XPT or any NSW TrainLink regional service by calling 13 22 32 or online at transportnsw.info/regional-bookings .

Electorate stands up for equality, climate, and a brighter future

Australia has handed the incoming Labor Government a golden opportunity to work in collaboration to address the significant challenges of inequality and climate change we face, as we continue to emerge from this pandemic, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) said today.

ACOSS CEO, Dr Cassandra Goldie said, “ACOSS congratulates Mr Albanese as Australia’s new Prime Minister and welcomes his strong commitment on behalf of the incoming Labor Federal Government to work in partnership with the community sector. By working together, a brighter, more resilient Australia is within grasp,” Dr Goldie said.

“This election result represents a powerful message from the community that we reject fear, abuse of government power, misogyny, racism and neglect.

The electorate has stood up for implementing the Uluru statement from the heart, addressing poverty and inequality including gender equality, acting on climate change and taking a more humane approach to refugees and people seeking asylum.

The strong influence of so many women in this election marks a new era, with the public signalling a clear desire for a collaborative, focussed Federal Government that works to bring us together to tackle the big economic, social and environmental challenges we so clearly face.

“Australia is far from finished with this pandemic and our future challenges are significant.

“The stress people are under could not have been clearer throughout this election campaign, with surging housing costs, increasing poverty, persistent inequality, including gender inequality, and unprecedented extreme weather events being made worse by climate change.

“There are 2.5 million people receiving income support payments that are less than $70 a day. This includes 900,000 children, 880,000 people unemployed long-term, 490,000 aged 45 or older, 390,000 with a disability, 320,000 caring for a child alone, and 180,000 from First Nations communities.

Last night’s result is a clear call to action for the Albanese Government to create a more equal community and forge a resilient and brighter future for this and the next generation. With his strong commitment to leave no-one behind, we look forward to working with all those elected to deliver on lifting income supports and wages so people can live with dignity, afford a decent place to call home, get decent employment and work together to tackle climate change, across sectors and regions, towards a brighter future.

“I want to particularly thank all the thousands of people on low incomes who have stood up and shared their stories, and all those who have stood in solidarity. Australia is a very wealthy country. Far too many people are facing hunger and homelessness each and every day. We know we can end poverty, together, and now is the time.

ACOSS will be looking to the incoming Federal Government to be bold in facing the challenges ahead by taking the following seven steps:

1. Lift Income Supports so that everyone has enough to cover the basics: The current, punishingly low rate of income support is forcing people to make heartbreaking decisions between paying their rent or buying food and medicine. An ACOSS-commissioned poll found a clear majority of people believe jobseeker should be increased, with close to 70% agreeing it should be above the poverty line of $70 a day. This Government must prioritise lifting income supports payments, so everyone can cover the basics, within this term of government.

2. Ensure everyone has a safe, stable home: Housing is the biggest cost of living pressure for people in Australia right now. Regional rents have risen by 18 per cent over the last two years while Commonwealth Rent Assistance hasn’t had a real increase in 20 years and interest rate rises threaten to push many with mortgages into financial distress. Major housing reforms, including investment in 25,000 social and affordable dwellings per year and an increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance are urgently needed by this Government to address the growing housing crisis.

3. Secure fair, fast and inclusive climate action: People on low incomes must be at the center of a fast, fair and inclusive plan to address climate change and reduce poverty and inequality at the same time. An April survey conducted by ACOSS, 43% of whom receive income supports showed overwhelming concern about the impacts of climate change and that this was important to their vote. Australia urgently needs a plan to ensure that people on lower incomes can access clean technologies like rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles and are not disadvantaged by poorly targeted subsidies, levies, and inequitable cost recovery measures.

4. Support people to secure paid employment: Hard-won reductions in unemployment are something for Australia to be proud of. But there are still fewer entry-level jobs than before the pandemic, with nine people receiving unemployment payments for every entry-level job vacancy and almost a million people struggling on unemployment payments, together with almost 900,000 people who are employed but need more paid hours, 60% of whom are women. This Government must prioritise an ambition to sustain full employment, where the vast majority of people can obtain employment or the extra paid working hours they need.

5. Raise the revenue needed to meet the big challenges: As the daily cost of living dominates our lives while Australia faces persistent poverty, high levels of inequality, a rapidly heating world, extreme weather events, and surging housing costs, we need a government that will raise the revenue needed to properly fund essential services and income supports. As an immediate first step, this Government must rescind the unfair and unaffordable ‘’Stage three’’ tax cuts for people on higher incomes.

6. Secure essential community services: The shadow of COVID is likely to be long, while the rising cost of living and recent extreme weather events are placing more pressure on community services. This year’s Australian Community Sector Survey showed workers are services are stretched beyond the limit. This Government must Create a Community Sector Continuity of Service Enabling Fund to ensure continuity of service delivery, adaptation, secure jobs, prevent loss of jobs or income, and guarantee paid special leave for all workers.

7. Deliver Self-determination and justice for First Nations Peoples: First Nations’ peoples have spoken, and Vote Compass data shows most Australians support constitutional change to give Indigenous Australians a greater say over their lives. It is beyond time the Australian government delivered Self-Determination for First Nations’ peoples.