October 2022 – Page 14

RACING TO A FUTURE MADE IN AUSTRALIA

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic toured ABC Refinery in Marrickville today and viewed the iconic Melbourne Cup trophy.

ABC Refinery is part of Pallion which employs more than 300 people in Marrickville, and hundreds more across Australia, processing, refining and working precious metals.

Pallion employs metallurgists, chemists, assayers, engineers, traders, jewellers and gold and silver smiths.

Pallion refine and manufacture billions of dollars of precious metals each year, including gold bars and coins, jewellery items, through to trophies including the Melbourne Cup.

The Melbourne Cup is mined, processed, refined, crafted and manufactured by highly trained goldsmiths here in Australia – not one element in this process occurs overseas.

Australia is the second largest gold producer in the world, with gold our fifth-largest export commodity, valued at $23 billion in 2021-22. Our gold production was 308 tonnes in 2021-22, and is forecast to reach 331 tonnes in 2022-23.

An Albanese Government will rebuild our proud manufacturing industry through our Future Made in Australia policy.

As part of that policy, we want to take the raw minerals we mine and value add by using local highly trained workers, before we export to the rest of the world.

The Albanese Government will establish the National Reconstruction Fund to provide finance to support projects that create secure well-paid jobs, drive regional development, and invest in our national sovereign capability, broadening and diversifying Australia’s economy.

Our policies will support local jobs, create training and apprenticeship opportunities in key industries and show the world the value of Australian manufacturing.

PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE said:

“Pallion is a great local business, right here in my electorate, that employs hundreds of local workers and delivers top quality unique products including the iconic Melbourne Cup.

“The Melbourne Cup trophy is mined, refined and manufactured right here in Australia – not one part of this process occurs overseas.

“This is the definition of Australian made and shows what we can achieve when we back Australian businesses.

“Through our ‘A Future Made in Australia’ policy, we will strengthen local manufacturing and create good, secure jobs for Australians.”

MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND SCIENCE ED HUSIC said:

“A Future Made in Australia means investing in a future for all Australians.

“The Albanese Labor Government backs local businesses. Pallion is a prime example of self-sufficient manufacturing right here in Australia, based on our resources and our renowned know-how.

“The National Reconstruction Fund will be central to rebuilding our industrial base. It will show faith in Australian ideas, Australian manufacturing and deliver secure, well-paid jobs in the cities and the regions.”

BOOSTING PARENTAL LEAVE TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC SECURITY, SUPPORT AND FLEXIBILITY FOR AUSTRALIA’S FAMILIES

The Albanese Labor Government will deliver the biggest boost to Australia’s Paid Parental Leave scheme since it was created by the former Labor Government in 2011, giving every family with a new baby more choice, greater security and better support.

Labor will add an additional six weeks of Paid Parental Leave (PPL) for families, bumping the total leave payable up to 26 weeks. A full six months.

Increasing PPL was one of the most frequent proposals raised by participants at the successful Jobs and Skills Summit in September. The Albanese Government has listened, has continued to consult and will now act to extend PPL to boost productivity, boost the economy and increase the time parents have with their newborns.

Families will have access to more leave and enjoy greater flexibility, with extended PPL able to be taken in blocks between periods of paid work. Single parents will be entitled to the full leave payable so their children don’t miss out.

Importantly, the government will maintain “use it or lose it” weeks to encourage and facilitate more dads and partners to access PPL, so that both parents can share in those precious early days and share the caring responsibilities more equally.

Labor made commitments around gender equality during the Federal Election and we are determined to deliver on them.

This reform has a significant benefit to families, and is an investment in women’s economic equality and in the broader Australia economy.

The Government will introduce reforms to modernise the system and improve flexibility from July next year. From 1 July 2024, the Government will start expanding the scheme with two additional weeks a year until the scheme reaches its full 26 weeks from July 2026.

The inaugural Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, chaired by Sam Mostyn AO, will examine the optimal model for 26 weeks and what mix of flexible weeks and use it or lose it component for each parent will deliver the best outcome for families and encourage more shared parenting.

Further detail of this important measure will be released on Budget night.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “This is a modern policy to support modern families. We know that investing in parental leave benefits our economy. It is good for productivity and participation, it’s good for families and it’s good for our country as a whole”.

“More generous and more flexible paid parental leave rewards aspiration and provides every parent of a new baby with greater choice and better support.”

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said boosting women’s workforce participation and encouraging more dads to take parental leave was a priority for the Government.

“This will benefit mums, it will benefit dads, it’s good for children, and it will be a huge boost to the economy,” Minister Rishworth said.

“We know that treating parenting as an equal partnership helps to improve gender equality.

“It is important that we have a Paid Parental Leave scheme that supports modern Australian families and that complements other parental leave schemes offered by a growing number of employers.”

Minister for Women and Minister for Finance, Senator Katy Gallagher said that this investment in families would not only boost individual choice but would have flow on benefits to the broader economy.

“The issue of increased flexibility and access to Paid Parental Leave was consistently raised at the Jobs and Skills Summit and today’s announcement is evidence that the Albanese Labor Government has listened and taken action to deliver for Australian families.”

“Having a child shouldn’t be an economic barrier for families or indeed act as a handbrake on the broader economy.

“Right now, this burden is borne disproportionately by women but we know that good women’s policy is also good economic policy and this decision is evidence of that,” Minister Gallagher concluded.

Labor: Statement on the Future of Education in NSW

Every child has the right to an education of the highest quality every day. That is what Labor believes and what has always guided us in the decisions we make.

Unfortunately, this government’s neglect and inaction has led to widespread teacher shortages which are having a detrimental impact in schools every single day.

If nothing is done these shortages will only worsen and more children will miss out.

At a time of rising enrolments there has already been a 30 per cent slide in the number of people studying to become teachers. Sixty per cent of teachers say they plan to leave teaching within five years.

This is a crisis that this government created and has no plan to fix.

It is a government that won’t listen to teachers, won’t address the real causes of the shortages and is unwilling to take the decisions necessary to secure the teaching workforce we need for the future.

The ongoing attempt by the Government to impose a three year Award on teachers at 2.53% on teachers while also failing to act on the excessive workloads experienced by teachers is wrong and will make an already bad situation worse.

This will not be the approach of a Labor Government. We are committed to putting forward a comprehensive education plan in the lead up to the March election.

We will listen to teachers and we will work with the union to address the teacher shortages and the crippling workloads that are forcing more and more people to walk away from the profession.

Over the last 10 years, the Liberal-National Government has undermined the independence of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC). Labor has already committed to scrapping the Perrottet Government’s wages cap.

If we are elected in March, Labor will also instruct the Department of Education to immediately begin negotiations with the union. We expect a full bargaining period with a view to reaching a comprehensive agreement to reduce workloads and make salaries more competitive while protecting the NSW budget.

This can be achieved, if necessary, with the assistance of an independent Industrial Relations Commission who will have the capacity to assess salaries based on the changing nature of teachers’ work and its value to our society, using an interest-based bargaining framework.

The Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award would be reopened to reflect the agreement reached with the union.

The excessive administration workloads of teachers cannot be allowed to continue.

The blueprint for the change needed to rebuild and reposition the teaching service back to its rightful place is well documented in the Gallop Inquiry report.

We will have more to say before the election on the steps we will take to remove the red tape burden, give teachers the time to plan and allow teachers to focus on delivering the best education for every child.

Calls for submissions on Australia’s new international development policy

Public submissions are invited to inform the design of Australia’s new international development policy, announced by the Foreign Minister at the United Nations General Assembly.

The Government is designing a new policy to set the long-term direction for Australia’s Official Development Assistance, which is being increased by more than $1 billion over four years.

The policy will deliver on Australia’s commitment to work in partnership with our neighbours to achieve a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

It will also see Australia contribute to a global system that can help meet present and future development needs.

The Government is listening to the priorities of our partners and seeking their ideas on how we can work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Public submissions to inform the design of the new policy can be made until 30 November 2022.

More information, including the Terms of Reference and submissions process are available on the DFAT website.

Inquiry into poverty in Australia starts in Anti Poverty Week

The first hearing of the Greens’ led Senate inquiry into the nature and extent of poverty and cost of living pressures in Australia begins on Thursday in Melbourne.

The inquiry will hear from community organisations and those experiencing disadvantage with the first hearing focused particularly on housing.

On the first day of anti poverty week Greens spokesperson for social services, Senator Janet Rice, is calling for a raise of all income support.

Senator Rice said:

“The theme for anti-poverty week this year is halving child poverty by 2030.

“Poverty is a political choice and currently one in six kids are living in poverty in Australia. No parent should have to wonder how they’re going to pay the rent, feed their kids this week or afford new school shoes that their kids desperately need. Currently income support payments are up to $40 a day below the poverty line, and there are 300,000 female single parents relying solely on Centrelink as their source of income.

“Poverty is a political choice and the Labor Government is choosing tax cuts for the wealthy instead of making life easier for these families.

“The Greens are calling on Labor to raise the rate of all income support payments above the poverty line and provide people with a guaranteed liveable income.

“Everyone deserves the right to live in safety with a roof over their head, food in their cupboard, medical care and hot showers. Families are having to decide which of these they will have to sacrifice right now. The Labor Government can change this through a guaranteed liveable income.

Parliamentary poverty inquiry first hearing this Thursday 20th October

Senator Rice said:

“Poverty is impacting so many Australians and it is only getting worse. With skyrocketing rents, interest rate rises, and months of inflation, so many are struggling to get by. From not being able to afford nutritious food, an education, housing, the resources to get a job, this is having a significant impact on their physical health and mental wellbeing.

“This inquiry will hold wide-ranging hearings across the country. It’s about time we heard from the people who have been forced to rely on woefully inadequate payments to have their voices heard, and take that evidence into Parliament.

“There are over 120,000 people waiting for a safe, affordable home in Victoria. The first inquiry hearing this Thursday will give a voice to some of those people.”

City of Newcastle advocates for greater recognition and inclusion of carers

More than 15,000 carers across Newcastle who provide round the clock care and support to a family member or friend will be recognised by City of Newcastle ahead of National Carers Week.

National-Carers-Week-forum-at-Fort-Scratchley-Function-Centre.JPG
Councillors unanimously supported a Notice of Motion at the September Ordinary Council Meeting to seek further ways to acknowledge and support community inclusion of carers.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle will ramp up championing inclusion of carers so that everyone feels valued.

“City of Newcastle support the rights of every person to participate fully in the social, economic, civic and cultural life of our community,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The statistics relating to carers across Australia are alarming and any one of us could find ourselves in the precarious role of carer for a loved one at some point in our lives.

“All levels of government have a role to play in recognising the incredible work of carers, providing leadership for cultural change, and developing and acting on strategic priorities to achieve measurable improvements in financial and social wellbeing.”

Across Australia, based on 2018 figures, 37.4% of primary carers to someone with a disability also have a disability themselves.

Access Inclusion Advisory Chair Councillor Margaret Wood said caring responsibilities create significant barriers to economic and community participation, with options for replacement care limited by workforce shortages and funding shortfalls.

“On average, 28% of primary carers spend more than 60 hours per week caring for the main recipient of care,” Cr Wood said.

“Carers are people who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or drug issue, or who are frail aged,” Cr Wood said.

City of Newcastle kicked off National Carers Week 2022 with a Carers Forum at Fort Scratchley today, with the event providing an opportunity for carers to receive up-to-date information about local groups, resources, and activities.

The event was attended by council representatives, as well as Carers NSW, Hunter Multicultural Communities, One Door Mental Health, Hunter Ageing Alliance, and Dementia Australia.

National Carers Week will celebrate the 2.7 million Australians who provide care nationwide from 16 to 22 October.

Visit www.carersweek.com.au for more information.

Precinct to transform health in Hunter region

The new $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct is on track to deliver first-class health services and thousands of jobs, with the appointment of the main works contractor.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said Multiplex had been appointed the main works contractor for the redevelopment, which will provide Newcastle, Greater Hunter and Northern NSW communities with access to exceptional, cutting-edge health services.

“The NSW Government is investing in a major health redevelopment for the Hunter community, bringing the latest technology and most up-to-date research into the hospital to ensure patients receive the best and most contemporary healthcare,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The precinct will be a centre of excellence and innovation, attracting the most skilled and experienced clinicians to work in outstanding facilities, and boost health outcomes for local patients.”

The John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct is due for completion in 2026 and will include:

a seven-storey Acute Services Building
emergency department and more adult and paediatric critical care spaces
birthing suite and inpatient maternity unit
neonatal intensive care unit and special care nursery
rooftop helipad and more than 900 additional car spaces for staff and visitors
operating theatres, interventional and procedure spaces.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said the new precinct would not only transform healthcare and improve health outcomes across the region, it would be a tremendous boost to local jobs and the economy.

“Beyond the substantial healthcare benefits, the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct will create around 1,500 direct jobs, with the potential to support thousands of indirect jobs over the life of the project, which is a huge win for the local economy,” Mr Martin said.

“During the peak of construction, up to 800 workers are expected to be on site each day and about 70 per cent of the work will be supported by local businesses throughout the Hunter.

“Significant progress has already been made on site and the community can now see the scale of the project and the huge amount of work that has been done to prepare for construction of the new seven-story Acute Services Building in the coming weeks.”

Mr Martin said the redevelopment is part of the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program, and a key component of the project is the establishment of a new Multiplex Connectivity Centre to create opportunities for local job seekers during construction.

“The Connectivity Centre will help local job seekers, particularly those who may be disadvantaged, to secure jobs on the project and equip them with new skills to support a career in construction,” Mr Martin said.

The project will also feature Multiplex’s Jump Start program which will provide a mentoring program for female high school students to support the participation of women in the construction industry.

The precinct is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2025-26, with nearly a third of this financial year’s allocation going towards regional and rural health facilities.

Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 health capital works projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway. More than two thirds of these are in rural and regional areas.

For more information visit the HNE infrastructure website.

Sydney Gateway hits 50 per cent completion

The $2.6 billion Sydney Gateway project, which will transform the way motorists travel to and from the Sydney Airport precinct, has hit a major milestone.

Construction on this significant road project is now 50 per cent complete, with work set to begin on the installation of the signature twin archway bridge over the Alexandra Canal in Tempe.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said this mega project was on time and on budget and was providing strong economic stimulus through job creation.

“Sydney Gateway will generate and support more than 4,000 jobs across the construction and manufacturing industries in Sydney and regional NSW over the life of the project,” Mr Kean said.

“This includes providing opportunities for 430 young people, more than 500 women and 130 Aboriginal people, which are all well above industry benchmarks.

“This means these people are learning and applying the technical skills needed to build world-class infrastructure here in Sydney.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the project designs had been refined to incorporate community feedback.

“The Sydney Gateway project includes a new three kilometre pedestrian and cycle path along Alexandra Canal, creating a transport link for those who want an alternative way to travel to or from work or home,” Mr Stokes said.

“This is another example of the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering city-shaping projects as part of the $76.7 billion transport infrastructure investment across the state over the next four years.”

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the focus over the next few months would be the fabrication of the first of the two arch bridges that will connect St Peters Interchange with the International Terminal.

“Sydney commuters are now another step closer to faster and more reliable trips from St Peters Interchange to Sydney Airport, the M5 and the Eastern Distributor as this transformative project hits the halfway mark,” Mrs Ward said.

“The foundations have been laid, and workers will soon embark on the major engineering feat of putting together the 3,000 tonnes of 100 per cent Australian steel to form these eye-catching bridges.”

The project is on track to open to traffic in late 2024.
For more information visit nswroads.work/sydneygateway

Shared equity legislation introduced for key workers, single parents and over 50s

Teachers, nurses, police officers, single parents and older singles are one step closer to owning their first home faster with legislation for the NSW Government’s $780.4 million shared equity scheme now introduced to Parliament.

The introduction of the shared equity legislation coincides with the First Home Buyer Choice legislation which will give first home buyers the choice between paying a large upfront stamp duty and a smaller annual property fee – shaving two years off the time needed to save for a deposit.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said under the shared equity scheme, the NSW Government would contribute an equity share up to 40 per cent for a new home or up to 30 per cent for an existing home purchased by eligible buyers.

“The NSW Government is helping make home ownership a reality for more people across our State including teachers, nurses, police officers, single parents and older single people,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Key workers, single parents and older singles will be able to have the security of home ownership with a lower upfront deposit, a smaller loan, lower repayments, no lenders mortgage insurance and no interest on the Government’s equity share in a property.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said many older Australians struggle to find stable housing, with 37 per cent of individuals over 65 who are not homeowners relying on social or community housing.

“We know that housing security is an especially serious issue for older, vulnerable women,” Mr Kean said.

“Owning your own home is one of the best ways to set yourself up for financial security now and into the future and this scheme will help those facing significant barriers to home ownership buy their own place sooner.”

Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said this trial scheme would help participants overcome the deposit barrier to home ownership, as well as reducing the size of their mortgage and repayments.

“Under this scheme, buyers will borrow less for their home and lower their monthly mortgage repayments, making home ownership more affordable and easier to access for eligible people,” Mr Roberts said.

“We’re addressing the barriers to home ownership for people facing the highest hurdles, to make owning your own property a reality for more people in NSW.”

Under the NSW Government’s shared equity scheme:

Up to 3,000 spots will be available each year for two years;
Key worker first home buyers who are nurses, teachers or police officers – as well as singles over 50 years old and single parents with a child or children under 18 years old can apply;
Participants must have a maximum gross income of $90,000 for singles and $120,000 for couples;
Participants must have a minimum deposit of 2 per cent of the purchase price;
The Government will make a maximum equity contribution of 40 per cent for a new home and 30 per cent for an established home, and
The maximum value of the property that can be purchased under the scheme is $950,000 in Sydney and regional centres including the Central Coast, Illawarra, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and the North Coast of NSW, and $600,000 in other parts of NSW.

For more information visit https://nsw.gov.au/shared-equity-scheme

BIGGER PAY SLIPS FOR AUSTRALIAN WORKERS

More than 400,000 low-paid workers in key industries will take home a bigger pay slip from today, thanks to a 4.6 per cent increase to minimum wages under their awards.

Industries in which workers are set to benefit include hospitality, tourism and aviation, with full-time workers seeing a minimum $40 extra per week.

It will be the first pay cycle for many workers set to get a bump in pay after the change came into effect on 1 October.

Workers under 111 other awards received their pay rise in July.

Supporting a minimum wage increase was a promise the Albanese Government took to the election, and one of its key priorities on taking office.

Boosting workers’ pay is a critical step to tackling cost of living pressures, alongside cheaper child care and medicines.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“My Government is focused on tackling the spiralling cost of living that is making life tough for too many Australians.

“That’s why we put forward a submission to the Fair Work Commission to increase the wages of people who are on the minimum wage and successfully argued for the result, which was a 5.2 per cent increase.

“We must get wages rising again and make health care, child care and housing more affordable, while we work to grow the economy.

“This Government will deliver a future where no one is held back and no one is left behind.”

Quotes attributable to Treasurer Jim Chalmers:

“We are working around the clock to get wages moving again.

“Wage suppression was a deliberate design feature of the former Government’s economic policy – that era is well and truly over.

“We’ll continue to fight for more secure jobs and better pay for workers. This month’s Budget will take forward initiatives from the Jobs and Skills Summit to build a bigger, better trained and more productive workforce, creating opportunities for more Australians.”

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Tony Burke said:

“This pay rise is higher than it otherwise would have been because – for the first time in nearly a decade – the Federal Government actually argued in favour of a pay rise.

“Many low-paid workers are young, female, in casual employment, and are far more likely to find themselves experiencing financial hardship.

“Many of these same workers were at the frontline of our pandemic response, keeping our supply chains moving and delivering essential services during the pandemic.

“Workers like these deserved this pay rise. And we’re going to keep fighting for them.”

Additional background:

More than 2.7 million workers, covered by the combined July and October award increases, will receive a pay bump due to the Fair Work Commission decision.

Pay rise broken down by States/Territory:

STATE	NO. OF WORKERS TO RECEIVE A PAY RISE
New South Wales	1,048,000
Victoria	546,100
Queensland	466,900
South Australia	227,200
Western Australia	234,200
Tasmania	75,900
Northern Territory	22,000
Australian Capital Territory	39,400