Month: November 2022

Free travel next week across the entire Sydney train network

The Premier today announced five days of free travel on the train network across NSW next week to ensure commuters are not inconvenienced by planned industrial action by the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU). 

The RTBU has agreed to stop the planned industrial action next week, which would have led to the union refusing to operate more than 70 per cent of trains across the network. 

Travel will be free on Sydney Trains, NSW Trainlink and Sydney Metro networks from 12.01am Monday 21 November 2022 to 11.59pm Friday 25 November 2022 and commuters will be asked to continue to tap on and off, but will not be charged. 

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the decision was made because commuters have to come first. 

“People need to get to work, go to school and go about their normal day without being disrupted by union strike action, Mr Perrottet said. 

“I’ve taken this action to put Sydney commuters ahead of union disruption and make sure businesses across our city don’t take a financial hit. 

“On Thursday I had a very constructive meeting with Alex Claassens and the RTBU but it’s now time to remove barriers and take it all before an independent umpire for a resolution. 

“Sydney commuters deserve nothing less.” 

NSW Government estimates that the RTBU industrial disruption and strike action costs the economy between $10 million to $20 million a day. 

On Tuesday, the NSW Government will enter into negotiations with the RTBU seeking to agree terms to start a Fair Work managed arbitration. 

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said commuters have had enough of disruptions to the rail network and just want to be able to go about their daily routines without additional cost or stress. 

“Offering five fare free days is in the best interest of commuters and demonstrates to the rail union bosses and all their members that the NSW Government is acting in good faith and determined to reach a resolution. I ask the union to reciprocate this act of good faith,” Mr Elliott said. 

“This week while we are before the Fair Work Commission to determine the scope of arbitration, it is imperative that all parties come to the table with a strong desire to put an end to these continued disruptions on our rail network.” 

Minister for Finance Damien Tudehope said “Arbitration by the independent umpire is the fastest way to resolve the issues in dispute and get the government’s fair and reasonable pay offer in the pockets of rail workers.” 

Almost 1 million (886,500) commuter trips are taken each week day across the Sydney train network. The cost of free travel on the network is around $1.5 million per day. 

Steps closer to Great Southern Walk

Construction has begun on the Great Southern Walk, a brand new multi-day experience that will take walkers on a 67-kilometre adventure through three magnificent coastal areas.
 
Minister for Environment James Griffin said work is underway on the first section of the new track on the Illawarra Escarpment, linking Bald Hill with Stanwell Park.
 
“This is such an exciting project for NSW because it will be five-day experience like no other, traversing a spectacular route from Sydney’s Kamay Botany Bay National Park, along the coastline of Royal National Park, then down to Bulli Tops in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“Our NSW national parks already attract more than 60 million visits a year, and we know that more people are looking for unique, multi-day adventures in nature, which this walk will deliver.
 
“The Great Southern Walk is right on Sydney’s doorstep, and the project is part of the biggest infrastructure investment in the history of NSW national parks.
 
“This is all about helping people get into nature because as the great David Attenborough said, no one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
 
The Great Southern Walk is a five-day, four-night journey through stunning coastal scenery and places of national heritage significance.
 
New camping and accommodation facilities are earmarked for sites along the route, so walkers of all levels of experience can enjoy an overnight walk in the NSW bush.
 
Member for Heathcote Lee Evans said the new walk will deliver exceptional nature-based tourism that supports Aboriginal owned businesses.
 
“An Expression of Interest process is underway to provide opportunities for Aboriginal people to bring visitors onto Country and showcase local culture,” Mr Evans said.
 
“The NSW Government is seeking an Aboriginal owned business or an operator partnering with the Aboriginal community to deliver multi-day walking experiences that connect Great Southern Walk visitors with the world’s oldest living culture.”
 
Parliamentary Secretary for Wollongong and the Illawarra Peter Poulos said the construction that has started on a new track between Bald Hill and Stanwell Tops will create a link between the southern end of Royal National Park and the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.
 
“This truly ‘Great Walk’ will boost the local tourism economy, create local jobs and drive visitation to our national parks,” Mr Poulos said.
 
“It will showcase our spectacular coastline, our communities and highlight the beauty of this part of the world, right here on Sydney’s doorstep.”
 
Since 2019, the NSW Government has secured 600,000 hectares for addition to the national park estate to protect threatened habitats, wildlife and cultural heritage in perpetuity.
 
National park management and visitation generates $18 billion in economic activity annually and supports more than 74,000 jobs. About 75 per cent of the economic benefits of national parks are delivered in rural and regional NSW.
 
The Great Southern Walk Project is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver more than 200 visitor infrastructure projects by 2024, including 750km of new and upgraded walking and mountain-biking tracks, 61 new or improved picnic and visitor areas, and 36 campground upgrades.
 
For more information visit https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/community-engagement/walking-tracks-and-trails-in-national-parks/great-southern-walk

Firefighting air tanker to touch down after marathon mission

After a three month deployment in support of the US fire service’s firefighting efforts, the NSW Rural Fire Service’s (RFS) Marie Bashir Large Air Tanker will arrive in Sydney this afternoon.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the plane and a crew of aviation personnel have spent hundreds of hours in the air, fighting 37 fires across six US states and dropping more than 1.23 million litres of suppressants.
 
“What was initially a four week posting for the Marie Bashir and her crew was extended to more than three months, undertaking life-saving work in order to protect American communities,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“Our thoughts are with impacted communities including in Idaho, Nevada and California, as well as the firefighters and other personnel who battled the recent fires.
 
“NSW firefighters are all too familiar with the threat of bush fires and have a proud history of helping others, both here in Australia and overseas.
 
“Our personnel and resources are among the best in the world and the request to have our Large Air Tanker help out is testament to this.”
 
RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers said NSW has the nation’s largest aerial firefighting fleet and continues to assist interstate and international firefighting agencies.
 
“It’s great to be able to provide this support to US fire authorities for the second year in a row,” Commissioner Rogers said.
 
“We welcome the Marie Bashir back to home soil at RAAF Base Richmond, where she will be ready for dispatch in NSW and interstate this bush fire season as warmer conditions begin to return.”
 
The 737 Large Air Tanker has a cruising speed of 850 kilometres per hour and can drop more than 15,000 litres of fire suppressants at a time.

NSW Government’s agenda passes State Parliament

The NSW Government used the final two sitting weeks of the year to continue to deliver historic reforms for first home buyers, women’s safety, enhanced integrity and responding to, and recovery from, natural disasters.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said these reforms show that the NSW Government remains committed to securing a brighter future for the people of NSW.
 
“This is a Government with big ideas to improving the lives of people across NSW, whether you live in the city or out in the bush,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“These reforms will have a positive impact across all areas of the community. They will assist first home buyers to own their own home sooner, ensure we save lives with our landmark coercive control justice reforms, enhance integrity across Government and bolster our response to, and recovery from, natural disasters.
 
Bills passed in the last two weeks include:
 

  • Property Tax (First Home Buyer Choice) Bill
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Bill
  • NSW Reconstruction Authority Bill
  • Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Amendment (Family is Culture) Bill
  • Aboriginal Land Rights Amendment Bill
  • Crimes Amendment (Protection of Criminal Defence Lawyers) Bill
  • District Court Amendment Bill
  • Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Bill
  • Privacy and Personal Information Protection Amendment Bill
  • Fisheries Management Amendment Bill
  • Government Sector Audit and Other Legislation Amendment Bill
  • Integrity Legislation Amendment Bill
  • Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Amendment Bill
  • Treasury and Energy Legislation Amendment Bill
  • Electronic Conveyancing Enforcement Bill
  • Building and Other Fair Trading Legislation Amendment Bill
  • Government Sector Employment Amendment Bill
  • Motor Accident Injuries Amendment Bill 

STRENGTHENING AUSTRALIA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PHILIPPINES

Today Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines in the margins of the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. 

Prime Minister Albanese and President Marcos agreed to strengthen the already warm and deep ties between the two countries by formally elevating the relationship to a Strategic Partnership. The Prime Minister has asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs to take forward negotiations with the Philippines on this important step forward.

The elevation will build upon the Comprehensive Partnership signed in 2015, and 76 years of formal diplomatic relations between Australia and the Philippines.  

Through the Strategic Partnership, Australia and the Philippines will seek to expand existing defence and maritime cooperation, counter-terrorism and law enforcement links, and facilitate deeper cooperation in a range of areas including addressing climate change.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“In the Filipino spirit of bayanihan and the Australian tradition of mateship, we have stood by each other in good times and bad.

“Elevating our relationship to a Strategic Partnership will reinforce our focus on strengthening ties between our two countries, and working together to build a region that is resilient and prosperous for all. 

“I look forward to continuing the work between our two nations.”

APEC ECONOMIC LEADERS’ MEETING

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined counterparts from across the Asia-Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting from 17-19 November. 

During the Economic Leaders’ Meeting, the Prime Minister joined others to condemn Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and the resulting economic impacts on our region. 

The Prime Minister welcomed the meeting’s endorsement of the Bangkok Goals on the Bio-Circular Green Economy, which will drive action to develop quality infrastructure, financing and investment to support the region’s clean energy transition. 

He emphasised the importance of a rules-based, free and open trade and investment environment that will support economic recovery and the strengthening of supply chains. He welcomed the meeting’s commitment to inclusive growth, including through the economic empowerment of women and First Nations people.

With other Economic Leaders, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of digital confidence in realising the full benefits of the digital economy and committed to work together across the region to strengthen business and consumer trust in digital transactions.

Prime Minister Albanese had an audience with Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand, and met with Prime Minister Prayut of Thailand and President Marcos of the Philippines. 

Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:

“I congratulate Prime Minister Prayut for Thailand’s success in delivering on it ambitious priorities as Chair during a challenging year.”

“APEC’s member economies comprise around three quarters of Australia’s trade. The forum provides us with a seat at the table to shape our region’s economic future.”  

“A focus of my participation at the Summit was reiterating Australia’s commitment to sustainable growth, trade and investment – and sharing our perspectives on trade liberalisation.”

“I look forward to working closely with President Biden as the US assumes its position as APEC Chair for 2023.”

Professor Sean Turnell Returns Home

I am pleased to confirm that Professor Sean Turnell has arrived safely home to Australia, and has been reunited with his wife and family, after more than 21 months of unjust detention in Myanmar.

His return will be an enormous relief to his family, friends and many supporters in Australia and across the region.

The Australian Government has worked tirelessly for Professor Turnell’s release, and we will continue to provide whatever consular support he and his family require.

Australia thanks all those who have advocated for his release, including regional partners, and especially members of ASEAN.

We are grateful for the efforts of Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam, the ASEAN Chairs over the term of his detention, and the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar.

We appreciate the arrangements that were made by Myanmar authorities for Professor Turnell’s release and welcome the news of the release of other prisoners alongside Professor Turnell, including foreign nationals from the UK, US and Japan.

The Australian Government remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, and we will continue to advocate for the release of the remaining political prisoners.

As Professor Turnell returns to his life in Australia and reunites with this family, we ask that the media respect his family’s wishes for privacy.

Delivery of verdicts in MH17 trials in the Netherlands

Australia has been steadfast in our enduring commitment to seeking truth, justice, and accountability for the victims of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

Yesterday, the District Court of The Hague found Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinskiy and Leonid Kharchenko, guilty of contributing to the downing of Flight MH17 and the murder of all 298 individuals on board. A sentence of life imprisonment was imposed on the three men, who have been tried in absentia. A fourth man has been acquitted.

While nothing can take away their grief, we hope the outcome of the trials brings some comfort to the bereaved loved ones of the victims, 38 of whom called Australia home.

The delivery of these verdicts is an important milestone in our collective efforts to hold those who are responsible to account.

We commend the work and professionalism of the Joint Investigation Team officials, including the Australian Federal Police, that have conducted rigorous investigations to support bringing those responsible to justice.

The Australian Government committed financial support to ensure that Australian next of kin could meaningfully engage in the trial process, both virtually and in person.

Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives, their families and loved ones.

NO PUBLIC MONEY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITHOUT FULL TRANSPARENCY

The Greens spokesperson for schools, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, has written to Education Minister Jason Clare calling on the government to make public funding to private schools conditional on full transparency of how those funds are used.

The call comes after a report that headmasters in some Sydney private school are being paid five times more than their counterparts in government schools, and revelations earlier this year that the King’s School – which received $17.2 million in federal funding in 2020 – had planned to pay for a plunge pool for the headmaster’s residence and business-class flights for staff to attend a sporting event in England.

Greens spokesperson on schools, Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“The Department of Education conceded during budget estimates last week that they have no ‘clear line of sight’ to how private schools are using the money

“This is unacceptable. Not only is the federal government over-funding the non-government school sector by giving private schools more than the Schooling Resource Standard says they need, it has absolutely no idea how or where the money is being spent.

“The government has committed to $70 billion in private school funding over the forward estimates. It’s not unreasonable for Australians to want to know precisely how that $70 billion is being used, particularly during a cost of living crisis when most people are having to watch every dollar.

“In the next National Schools Reform Agreement the government should ensure that every non-government school is required to give a full, itemised accounting of how they spend government funding as a condition of receiving that funding.

“I also call on the government to ensure that every public school is funded to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard from the commencement of the next Agreement. The persistent underfunding of our public schools is a national shame that punishes students and families and widens inequality.”

Letter to Minister Clare

WA GOVERNMENT IGNORING SOLUTIONS TO YOUTH DETENTION

No child should be in detention. 

In WA First Nations youth are 21 times more likely to be incarcerated, making up 60% of the youth in detention. Most of the youth in detention under 14 are First Nations. 

However WA Premier, Mark McGowan, has categorically ruled out raising the age of legal responsibility to at least 14, defying the experts and his own party.

Greens spokesperson for resources, Yamatji-Noongar Woman Senator Dorinda Cox said:

“As a former police officer and researcher in this space, I know there are better solutions than locking children up and treating them like animals.

“Recommendations have previously been presented to the government so why are they now calling for a meeting with ‘stakeholders’? 

“When will the WA government start listening to the advice already presented to them from experts?

“We already have guidance on the solutions to the crisis, we should be looking at fast tracking the use of the $81.5 million dedicated to restorative justice by the federal Labor government.”