September 2022 – Page 16

Man dies following shooting – Hamilton South

Police will speak with the media following the death of a man after a shooting in Newcastle overnight.

About 11pm (Tuesday 6 September 2022), emergency services were called to a unit on Fowler Street, Hamilton South, after reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, police located a 57-year-old man at the front door of a premises suffering a gunshot wound.

The man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however, he died at the scene.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District established a crime scene and have commenced Strike Force Alcheringa to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

Initial inquiries suggest this is a targeted incident.

Greens: It’s time for Lowe to go

Philip Lowe should resign as Governor of the Reserve Bank for misleading Australians about interest rate rises, the Greens say.

“Dr Lowe induced hundreds of thousands of Australians into taking out massive mortgages by effectively saying that interest rates would not rise until 2024,” Greens Treasury and Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“Having failed to keep that commitment, he should now resign.”

“The preconditions that Philip Lowe set for increasing rates have not been met.”

“Australians are in a cost of living crisis that is being driven by global supply problems and corporate profiteering, not wages.”

“Today’s rate increases will not clear supply chains or bring down energy prices, but it will smash small business, mortgage holders and renters who are not responsible for the problem.”

“And instead of highlighting record high corporate profits, Philip Lowe has called for workers to shoulder the load and brace for further cuts to real wages.”

“The RBA Governor should not be jawboning down wages.”

“Philip Lowe has been captured by corporate interests.”

“The RBA themselves have said that inflationary pressures may be transitory.”

“Consumer sentiment is very low.”

“People are already walking on eggshells.”

“They don’t need to be hit with a sledgehammer.”

“There is no need for the RBA to blindly follow the US Federal Reserve.”

Greens get Government first steps on native forest burning

During the Climate Change Bill negotiations, the Greens secured a commitment from the government to look at the destructive practice of burning wood from native forests and counting it as renewable energy under Federal legislation. The practice was legislated under Tony Abbott and was opposed by the Greens and Labor at the time.

The Senate Committee enquiring into the Climate Change Bill heard evidence of damage being done to both forests and climate through the burning of native forest wood for energy and a majority of the Committee (both Labor and Greens Senators) recommended that the Minister review the use of native forest wood waste for renewable energy and undertake further consultation.

This morning in an interview with Tom Connell on Sky, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen accepted the recommendation and announced that the government would release a consultation paper on the matter.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP: said

“It’s time to end Tony Abbott’s practice of burning wood from native forests and calling it ‘renewable energy’.

“The Greens have secured important first steps from the Government, but we won’t rest until this terrible practice stops.

“I welcome the Minister starting this consultation process, but with our environment under threat and the climate crisis increasing, the only logical conclusion is to stop burning native forests. The Greens and Labor opposed this practice under Tony Abbott and it needs to end now.

“The Greens will continue to fight alongside Traditional Owners and land defenders to stop trashing songlines and endangering totems by burning native forests.”

Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for forests said:

“I welcome the government committing to review the use of native forest wood for renewable energy beginning with the release of a consultation paper on the issue.

“The Senate committee heard clear evidence that the burning of wood from native forest for energy is far from renewable and that in fact it actually creates more pollution than burning coal.

“Our forests are worth far more standing both for our environment and for soaking up carbon than being destroyed to fuel forest furnaces.”

“However I know that the fight’s not over, and we shouldn’t need a consultation paper to remind the ALP what their position was 2011 and 2015. We’ll make sure it’s not just talk: the government must take action to protect our forests, not allow them to be burnt for fake renewable energy.”

Treasurer fails to defend Stage 3 tax cuts

In response to a simple question from the Greens Member for Brisbane during Question Time – “How are Labor’s Stage 3 tax cuts actually good for the economy?” – the Treasurer today failed to outline even one economic benefit of the tax cuts.

Greens MP for Brisbane, Stephen Bates said:

“The Treasurer can’t make even one argument in favour of Labor’s Stage 3 tax cuts.

“The Treasurer has just confirmed Labor’s Stage 3 tax cuts deliver no benefit to the economy.

“Labor is spending $243b on tax cuts for the wealthy without offering even one argument in support.

“It’s a massively expensive exercise that not even the government can justify. Labor’s Stage 3 tax cuts must be axed now.

“Instead of giving tax cuts to billionaires and the wealthy, Labor should spend this money providing cost of living relief by getting dental and mental health into Medicare and wiping student debt.”

Trainees building a career in construction

More than 70 trainees are set to enter the construction sector following the NSW Government Traineeship program, as application open for the next round.

The two-year traineeship program is a collaboration between NSW Government infrastructure agencies and industry partners, offering Year 12 school leavers a rounded experience in the infrastructure sector.

Trainees run through three rotations of eight months each with government agencies, contractors and consultant organisations. The trainees are now entering their third and final work rotation with a majority of them pursuing a future career in the infrastructure sector.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said that 78 trainees from the 2021 intake are set to graduate in early 2023 and will leave with a diverse knowledge in areas of Business, Project Management, Practice and Procurement and Contracting.

“The program has been a great success so far and attracted trainees from all backgrounds from across the state,” Ms Mitchell said.

“The program expands the benefits of the NSW Government’s ongoing investment in infrastructure, opening up fantastic careers in the sector for our young people.

“The success of the program led to the opportunity being extended to school leavers again in 2021 and I am excited to say that we will offer new amazing opportunities for 2022 school leavers with applications now open for the program starting in February next year.”

Sapphira Chu from Campsie was part of the inaugural cohort of the NSW Infrastructure Traineeship program. Sapphira is studying a double degree at UNSW, and recently secured employment in the industry.

“I’m now in my last third of the program and working with construction company UrbanCore.

“I started out with School Infrastructure NSW and my favourite thing was collaborating with a range of consultants and see how a variety of perspectives, whether that be the analytical outlook from an engineer or the contemporary vision of an architect, joined together to work towards an end result – a new school for the community.”

Hayley Lennon from Grafton began her traineeship on a Transport for NSW project in early 2021, followed by eight months with a global business specialising in the delivery of public services. Hayley is now finishing the trainee program with Lipman.

“I signed up for the traineeship because I wanted to move into project management and now I would definitely encourage others to apply.

“This traineeship sets workers up for success while they are being educated on the skills of the job and learning how to apply them at work. I have learnt how to adapt to many different work environments and how to be a time efficient worker.”

Applications are now open for the 2023 Infrastructure Traineeship and 2022 high school leavers are encouraged to apply.

For more information, please visit: www.apprenticeshipcareers.com.au/infrastructure-traineeships.

New $6 million fund to accelerate synthetic biology and biomanufacturing capability

The NSW Government is investing $6 million in a new synthetic biology and biomanufacturing development program, designed to improve access to manufacturing and production facilities and equipment across the State.

Synthetic biology and biomanufacturing involves the design and manufacture of new and existing living systems to make products with applications in areas including biofuels, food production, manufacturing, environmental protection and healthcare.

Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the NSW Government is calling for applications from universities, research organisations, industry and consortiums for infrastructure and programs to support the scale-up and commercialisation of synthetic biology and biomanufacturing products.

“The NSW Government’s 20-Year R&D Roadmap identified Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing as an area of comparative advantage for NSW,” Mr Henskens said.

“This program will attract applications with enormous potential to grow our economy, create jobs, turbocharge industries and secure a brighter future for NSW.”

NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said the program will support shared synthetic biology and biomanufacturing research infrastructure, facilities and programs to enable research translation and small-scale manufacturing involving collaboration between university and industry groups.

“There is opportunity for NSW, with its leading researchers and technologies, to become a major global player in this dynamic space,” Professor Durrant-Whyte said.

“By 2025, the global economic impact of synthetic biology in the biofuels, chemicals, agriculture and healthcare sectors is expected to reach up to US$1.6 trillion.”

The Emerging Industry Infrastructure Fund (EIIF) will support the new program and applications close Thursday 20 October 2022. More information on the fund and eligibility can be found at www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/synthetic-biology-and-biomanufacturing.

New safe haven for vulnerable women in East Gosford

A disused aged care facility in East Gosford has been transformed into a 14-room transitional housing facility for displaced older women under an innovative partnership between the NSW government, Pacific Link Housing and Women’s Community Shelters.

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the vacant site had been given a new lease of life while providing much needed housing for vulnerable older women.

“Rather than remaining vacant and unused, this site has been transformed into a new facility that will provide wrap-around support for women aged 55-years and older who are escaping domestic and family violence or who are at risk of homelessness,” Mrs Ward said.

Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said this facility will provide transitional accommodation for women for up to 36 months while more permanent housing was being secured for the occupants.

“This initiative is a great example of how unused private buildings can be put to good use to benefit vulnerable people at risk of homelessness and provide DFV escapees with a safe place to heal as they begin to rebuild their lives,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

The NSW Government provided $300,000 to develop the facility as part of the Domestic and Family Violence National Partnership Agreement 2021-23.

Spearheaded by the Sydney based Women’s Community Shelters (WCS), the partnership agreement allows for the premises to be used as a women’s shelter for up to three years.

WCS COO Simone Parsons said there is a high number of older women experiencing homelessness and at risk of homelessness in NSW.

“Affordable and stable housing is important to help women re-establish their lives post violence, especially for older women,” Ms Parsons said.
“Through this partnership additional housing is being supplied. WCS will also provide residents with case management support and coordinate community engagement and wellbeing activities as well on-site support services.”

Pacific Link CEO Ian Lynch said his organisation was proud to partner with like-minded organisations who were willing to take an innovative approach to support women escaping domestic and family violence.

“Now that refurbishment work is complete, the first group of new tenants are readying to move in,” he said. “Each tenant will receive their own refurbished studio apartment and the site has also been fitted out with communal lounges, kitchens, laundry facilities and gardens.”

For confidential advice, support and referrals, contact: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), The NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63) or Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491).

Sourcing the minerals and metals of the future

Applications are now open for the first round of a new fund set to turbocharge the critical minerals and high-tech metals sector and position regional NSW as a major global supplier.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Activation Fund would help diversify and accelerate mining projects in regional NSW.

Mr Toole said the State is rich in critical minerals and high-tech metals, such as rare earths, cobalt, copper, antimony, and scandium, which are crucial to a range of emerging technologies including the defence space, the manufacture of electric vehicles, solar panels, and wind turbines.

“The NSW Government is investing more than $130 million towards the growth and future of the mining sector and I’m pleased to announce applications are now open for the first stream of this Fund,” Mr Toole said.

“It will help deliver a diverse, vibrant, investment-ready industry, ensuring NSW is ready to meet the rapidly expanding global market and giving a vital economic boost to our regional economies.

“To give projects the best possible start, grants of up to $500,000 will support key studies, research and development, such as feasibility studies, mine re-use processing studies, metallurgical testing and infrastructure, water, and environmental studies.”

Grants will be awarded through a competitive process and successful applicants will be required to provide a funding co-contribution.

For further information on the Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Activation Fund, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to regional.nsw.gov.au/activation-fund.

Woman reported missing from Maitland area located

A woman missing from the Lower Hunter Valley area has been found safe and well.

The 41-year-old was last seen in the Maitland area in late August 2022.

Officers from Brisbane Water Police District were notified of her disappearance by family members on Sunday 4 September 2022, after they were unable to contact her.

Following inquiries, the woman was found safe and well at Darling Harbour about 4pm yesterday (Monday 5 September 2022).

Thank you to everyone who shared our appeal.

LGBTIQ HATE CRIMES INQUIRY APPEALS TO PUBLIC FOR INFORMATION

The Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes in NSW is calling for the public’s help as it scrutinises dozens of deaths in the state between 1970 and 2010.

Led by the Honourable Justice John Sackar, the Special Commission is inquiring into all the unsolved deaths, that may have been hate crimes, of LGBTIQ people (or people assumed to be LGBTIQ) in that 40-year period. The early 1980s to the mid-1990s, in particular, saw significant numbers of such cases.

NSW Police Force in a report by Strike Force Parrabell in 2018, and by a Standing Committee of the NSW Parliament in two reports issued in 2019 and 2021. As well as looking into those cases, the Special Commission is also assessing many other unsolved deaths and missing persons cases over the same period, in order to cast more light on a dark period for LGBTIQ people in this state.

So far, the team of dedicated barristers, solicitors and investigators has obtained, and is analysing, well over 100,000 documents drawn from 40 years of police files, coroners’ files, and other sources.

Peter Gray SC is Senior Counsel Assisting the Inquiry. He says it is critical for both family members and friends of the victims, and members of the public generally, to come forward if they have any information which might help.

“Any recollections or pieces of information that you might have, however major or minor, could provide a vital link in understanding what happened. In some cases, it may ultimately lead to arrests and prosecutions.”

“Justice in these cases has been long-delayed, and long-awaited. This may be the last chance for the truth about some of these historical deaths to be exposed. We need to hear from you.”

Mr Gray says the Inquiry also represents a vital opportunity for those who were actually involved in, or saw, events that resulted in the death of an LGBTIQ person a long time ago.

“If you have had something weighing on your mind for years about these things, now is your chance to do something to make some amends. Now is the time to break your silence,” he says.

Launched by the NSW government in April 2022, the Special Commission of Inquiry has extensive powers to undertake its work, including the authority to compel witnesses to give evidence, to compel the production of documents, and to hold both public and private hearings.

It is expected that the first public hearings will take place in October-November 2022, and that there will be further hearings in 2023. Justice Sackar is required to deliver a final report to the Governor on or before 30 June 2023.

Information can be provided (anonymously or confidentially if you prefer) either: