Month: January 2023

Targeted sanctions in response to human rights violations in Myanmar and Iran

The Australian Government is imposing targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on individuals responsible for egregious human rights abuses in Myanmar, as well as sanctions on entities enabling the repression of its people.

The Government is also imposing additional sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities over abhorrent abuses of human rights.

Sanctioned individuals include 16 members of the Myanmar military regime’s governing State Administration Council (SAC), as key individuals directly responsible for the coup d’état two years ago today.

Two Myanmar military controlled entities, Myanmar Economic Public Holdings Ltd (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), will also be subject to targeted financial sanctions.

Over the past two years Australia, ASEAN and international partners have repeatedly called on the Myanmar regime to engage in constructive dialogue and find a peaceful and durable resolution to the ongoing crisis.

Despite these calls, the regime has continued its anti-democratic actions against the people of Myanmar, including violence and recent steps targeting opposition voices.

The military regime has responded violently to any form of political expression, including peaceful protests. There is evidence thousands of civilians, including children, have been jailed, tortured, or killed.

Australia will continue to closely monitor the regime’s actions. We will be looking to see improvements for people on the ground and moves towards the restoration of democracy, including credible elections.

In this context, we will continue to keep our targeted sanctions toward Myanmar under review.

Australia strongly supports ASEAN’s leadership as a key element in responding to the Myanmar crisis. 

The Australian Government is also imposing Magnitsky-style sanctions on 16 Iranian individuals and one Iranian entity.

Among those subject to Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions are the Basij Cooperative Foundation, and senior law enforcement, political and military figures – including those within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – involved in the violent crackdown on protests following the death of Mahsa ‘Jina’ Amini and the continued oppression of the people of Iran.

Additionally, Australia is joining partners to impose additional targeted financial sanctions on four Iranian individuals and four entities involved in the production and supply of drones to Russia.

Iranian-made drones have been used by Russia to target Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Australia stands with the people of Myanmar, the people of Iran and with the people of Ukraine.

We employ every strategy at our disposal towards upholding human rights – ranging from dialogue and diplomacy to sanctions – consistent with our values and our interests.

For further information on Australia’s sanctions frameworks, please visit: Sanctions regimes | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

ONE MORE SLEEP TIL AEC’S #DONATIONDATADROP

Annual political donations data will be revealed tomorrow and is likely to confirm that our democracy is still for sale to the highest bidder. It’s long past time to reform political donations laws, and the Greens are committed to pushing Labor to get it done.

Late last year, Senator Larissa Waters re-introduced a bill to ban donations from coal and gas corporations and other sectors with a track record of buying influence, and cap all other political donations at $1,000 per year. Both the major parties accept huge sums of money from big industries, and their policies show it.

February 1st is the one time of the year we get to find out just how much these powerful industries are paying for their influence over the government.

Greens deputy leader and spokesperson on democracy Senator Larissa Waters said:

“On 1 February we will learn just how much big money is spending to buy influence with political parties and buy our democracy. With Greens in the balance of power, we have the opportunity to remove the influence of big money from politics once and for all.

“Even before this year’s release, we know that over $230M in corporate donations have been made to Labor and the Coalition parties since 2012 – it’s our democracy for sale!

“Like every year before, tomorrow’s data will confirm it is long past time to reform the system and end the legalised bribery that sees big polluters buying policy outcomes.

“Coal, gas and oil corporations don’t donate millions every year to the Liberals, Nationals and Labor because they’re huge fans of democracy – they do it because it gets results. Let’s call this what it is: legalised bribery.

“The influence of dirty donations on government decisions is why Australia has waited so long for stronger environmental protections and real action on climate change. It’s why reforms to hold the financial sector to account keep stalling. It’s why governments continue to spend millions on consultants at the expense of the public service.

“The Greens have legislation to cap political donations to $1,000 per year no matter who the donor, and to ban donations from dirty industries with a track record of seeking to buy policy outcomes, including the fossil fuel sector.

“It is also long past time we cracked the window open with real time disclosures, lower disclosure thresholds, broader definitions, and better data. We currently wait 18 months for an indecipherable data dump about less than half of all donations made to political parties.

“Voters should have information about who’s influencing their representatives when they are deciding who to vote for.

“We welcomed the recent commitment from NSW Labor to ban donations from the gambling sector. The Greens will continue to use our balance of power in the Senate to push Federal Labor to ban all political donations from influential industries, including the fossil fuel sector, gambling, banking, defence, and pharmaceuticals.

“The Greens have been campaigning for decades to clean up our democracy. It’s time for Labor to come to the table and work with us to ensure politicians work in the public interest, not the interest of their donor mates.”

BACKGROUND

The Greens are working for:

  • Real time disclosure of all donations of $1,000
  • A ban all political donations from the fossil fuel sector (and other dirty industries) and cap all other donations at $1,000 per year
  • Definitions of “donation” that include membership fees, loans, and tickets to fundraising and cash-for-access events
  • Preventing resource ministers and advisers from working for the fossil fuel industry within five years of leaving parliament
  • Publishing a register of meetings between ministers and lobbyists (including in-house lobbyists currently excluded from the Lobbying Code of Conduct)

The Greens plan to clean up democracy also includes:

  • Election spending caps
  • Strengthening the Register of Interests and FOI laws
  • Truth in advertising rules to prevent disinformation from undermining public debate
  • Increasing the diversity of political representation so that parliament better reflects our community

More info on The Greens policy plan here.

WITHDRAW GOVERNMENT FUNDING FROM OPUS DEI-LINKED SCHOOLS

The Greens have called on the Australian and NSW governments to withdraw funding from four elite Sydney schools linked with the extremist sect Opus Dei in the wake of Four Corners’ shocking report last night.

Combined, Redfield College, Tangara School for Girls, Wollemi College and Montgrove College, operated by the Parents for Education Foundation, received more than $20 million in state and government funding in 2021.

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

“Elite and extremist private schools that indoctrinate their students into an antiquated and harmful ideology should not receive one cent of public funding.

“It’s bad enough that we know the richest schools in the country use our money for extravagences like plunge pools for headmasters and business class trips to sporting events. But to use public funds to promote bigotry and self-harm is beyond the pale.

“Instead of continuing to fund insular, out-of-touch institutions, the NSW and federal governments should show some backbone and strip these schools of funding.

“The new National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) was an opportunity for the Albanese Government to restore equity to the school system, but they’ve kicked the can down the road, consigning public school kids to another year of disadvantage. 

“The Greens will continue to fight alongside unions, parents and carers to ensure that all public schools receive at least 100% of their Schooling Resource Standard in the next NSRA.”

NSW Greens spokesperson on education, Tamara Smith MP said:

“Tangara School for Girls, which indoctrinates its students into a perverse ‘purity’ culture, received $5 million in public money in 2021. Meanwhile, just down the M7, students at Oran Park State School attend class in one of 27 demountable classrooms. About 12% of classrooms in NSW public schools are in demountables.

“Our public school system is in crisis. In NSW, public schools only receive 87% of their full Schooling Resource Standard allocation. In other words, they don’t even receive the bare minimum of funding needed to provide a decent education. Meanwhile, private schools receive 106% of their SRS.

“The NSW Greens’ education plan will increase teacher pay 15%, improve conditions for teachers and students, and ensure that NSW public schools reach 100% of their Schooling Resource Standard this year.”

Record number of teachers welcome students back to school

A record number of new graduates have received their approval to teach in NSW public schools this year, as the largest-ever teaching workforce welcomes students back into the classroom for Day 1, Term 1 2023.    

Premier Dominic Perrottet extended a warm welcome to the 4,500 new graduates who have received their approval to teach in NSW public schools – the highest number since 2011 – and to the 95,000 public school teachers, beginners and veterans, returning to schools across the State. 

“A great teacher can change the course of a child’s life. Every single doctor, nurse, police officer, lawyer, scientist, and even politician, is a product of our school system,” Mr Perrottet said. 

“Teaching is an incredibly rewarding career. Every teacher standing at the front of a classroom this year, whether it is their first year or their tenth, has chosen this career because they are passionate about ensuring the next generation receives the high-quality education they deserve.” 

In another major boost for the workforce, Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell confirmed more than 15,000 existing temporary teachers and other school-based staff will be offered permanent positions during 2023, providing more job certainty and ensuring teaching remains an attractive profession.  

“We want our staff to have the choice to access the employment certainty of a permanent role or the flexibility of a temporary one,” Ms Mitchell said.  

“We’ve been able to blow our initial expectations of 10,000 permanent offers out of the water and will offer 15,000 staff permanent roles in 2023.”  

 The high number of temporary teachers in the public system is a result of record investment by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government thanks to their long-term economic plan. This has seen teacher numbers outpace student growth and increase above the required number of permanent roles. 

 The first cohort of eligible temporary staff to receive an offer of permanent employment during Term 1 this year are those working in priority rural and remote schools, at Schools for Specific Purposes, and Connected Communities schools. In addition, all eligible Aboriginal Education Officers have been included in the first tranche of offers.   

 “As the record number of applicants shows, there has never been a better time to choose teaching in NSW. I encourage anyone looking for a career change in 2023 to visit our Teaching Opens Doors website and explore our many innovative pathways into teaching,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will maintain a relentless focus on attracting and retaining NSW public school teachers, removing unnecessary admin tasks from their workload, and introducing sweeping reforms to recognise and reward our best teachers with salaries of up to $147,000 a year.”   

Since 2011, the number of teachers across NSW has increased by almost 10,000 – almost twice as fast as student growth. 

Premier’s vouchers get an A+ from NSW families

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will extend the Back to School vouchers to help cover the cost of school excursions in Term 1 and Term 2, helping to further ease financial pressure on household budgets as students return to school.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said more than 1.9 million vouchers have already been redeemed since the program was launched, with families spending more than $412 million on school items.

“Our long-term economic plan is supporting parents by easing financial pressure on household budgets through this important program,” Mr Perrottet said.

“By allowing parents to use these vouchers for school excursions we are providing yet another measure to ease financial pressure on back to school costs.

“The Back to School Vouchers are proof that only the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government can deliver real cost of living relief for families and have a plan to build a better future for the people of our State.”

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Back to School NSW vouchers are supporting every school-aged child get ready for school.

“Whether your child is about to begin Kindergarten or is heading to high school, whether that’s at a government school or home-schooling, families have until 30 June to apply for and spend their vouchers,” Ms Mitchell said.

“From new backpacks and textbooks, to a school excursion, the Premier’s Back to School vouchers are there to help.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said more than 647,000 families have downloaded the vouchers, with 97 per cent giving the program the thumbs up.

“The vouchers are a win-win – parents receive a boost to their budget, while businesses get more customers through the door, with an average of $214 spent for every $50 voucher,” Mr Dominello said.

“Applying for the vouchers is simple and easy via Service NSW. You can download them with just a couple of taps of your phone, or call Service NSW or visit a Service Centre.

“Finding a registered business is made easy with the Business Finder tool available on the Service NSW website, giving parents a bird’s-eye view of where they can spend them.”

Families have until 30 June 2023 to apply for and redeem their vouchers.

For more information about the vouchers visit: www.service.nsw.gov.au/back-to-school-vouchers.

Customers can search for registered businesses here: https://vouchers.service.nsw.gov.au/vouchers/providers-search/

Licence to build: school building program bigger and better than ever

Students and communities across NSW will continue to benefit from new and upgraded schools in 2023 with the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government historic school building program.

This commitment comes as thousands of students settle into new classrooms at 14 new and upgraded schools across NSW today.  

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell visited the new Edmondson Park Public School today to officially welcome students and families for the 2023 school year.  

Mr Perrottet said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has a clear track record of delivering public education infrastructure with more than $430 million invested in projects handed over to schools for Day 1 Term 1 2023.   

“We are a government that is committed to preparing our children for the future and providing them with the best learning opportunities. We have invested record funding in modern learning facilities and will continue to deliver for communities right across the State,” Mr Perrottet said.  

“This investment is providing our students access to new playing fields, sport courts, libraries and classrooms that have the latest technology and learning devices to support their learning.

“We are able to continue our historic school infrastructure pipeline because of the long term economic funding of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.”

Ms Mitchell said the investment from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will continue to deliver the schools of the future for communities right across the State.  

“Today more than 9,500 students at 14 new and upgraded schools across NSW from Googong and Murrumbateman to here in Edmondson Park will be stepping through the school gate to amazing new and upgraded learning facilities,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“Since 2019, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has delivered more than 150 major school projects for communities from across Regional NSW to here in Western Sydney, and thousands of minor school projects.” 

“We want to ensure that every student has access to state of the art learning facilities no matter where they live, which is why we have continued to invest in our record program of school projects.  

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure. 

New and upgraded schools opening on Day 1 Term 1 2023:

  1. Bankstown North Public School (upgrade)
  2. Bungendore High School (new school in temporary facilities)
  3. Canterbury South Public School (upgrade)
  4. Edmondson Park Public School (new)
  5. Epping West Public School (upgrade)
  6. Galungara Public School (upgrade)
  7. Googong Public School (new)
  8. Gregory Hills Public School (new school in temporary facilities)
  9. Jannali East Public School (upgrade)
  10. Jerrabomberra High School (new school in temporary facilities)
  11. Jordan Springs Public School (upgrade)
  12. Murrumbateman Public School (new)
  13. Nangamay Public School (new)
  14. Ngarala Public School (new)

New support to make NSW Australia’s EV capital

More than 1000 electric vehicles (EVs) are set to hit the road thanks to the second round of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s EV fleets incentive.

Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said the first two rounds of Government support to transition NSW fleets are expected to boost EV registrations by more than 10 per cent.

“Round 3 is now open as we fast track the State’s vehicle fleet of the future,” Mr Kean said. 

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is investing $105 million to support commercial fleets to purchase new EVs and fuel cell electric vehicles. Across round 1 and 2 about 2,000 EVs have been incentivised through the program.

Mr Kean said Round 2 had strong take up from organisations in the rideshare and vehicle subscription sectors, resulting in bids representing 81.6 per cent of the total vehicles.

“The second round had 20 successful bidders – 17 individual fleets and three fleet aggregators – who will receive a financial incentive to shift to EVs,” Mr Kean said.

“Successful bidders will also receive financial support to co-fund a total of more than 1,000  smart chargers.”

The incentive is part of the $633 million Electric Vehicle Strategy, which aims to make NSW the easiest and most affordable place to buy an EV in Australia. It is designed to help cover the gap between the cost of a new EV and the equivalent internal combustion engine vehicle that would have been purchased otherwise.

The successful recipients are: Splend, Custom Fleet, Reliance, IAG, Woollahra Municipal Council, CarBon Leasing and Rentals Pty Ltd, Northern Beaches Council, Murray River Council, CB Cars Pty Ltd, Palm Investment Holdings Pty Ltd, SIXT Australia, Origin Energy, ElevenX, Lockhart Shire Council, Essential Energy, Campbelltown City Council, Ballina Shire Council, Karmo Cars and TAS Australia.

Mr Kean said in Australia, the transport sector accounts for around 22 per cent of total emissions and this scheme will help NSW reach net zero by 2050.

“Corporate and government fleets account for over half of new vehicle sales in Australia and are a significant source of second-hand vehicles,” Mr Kean said.

“Leveraging the bulk purchasing power of fleets can expand both the range of models and number of EVs in NSW, which means prices will fall and more vehicles will be available to private buyers via the second-hand market in coming years.”

The EV Strategy is expected to increase EV sales to 52 per cent of new car sales by 2030-31 and the NSW Government’s objective is to see the vast majority of new car sales being EVs by 2035.

Round 3 of the Drive electric NSW EV fleets incentive is open until 23 May 2023. For more information, visit here.

Industry leaders invited to deliver Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2

The NSW Government is inviting leading infrastructure organisations to help shape and build the next stage of one of the State’s major transport projects, Parramatta Light Rail.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said it was very encouraging to see industry experts from not only across Australia but internationally, register their interest to be part of the procurement process for the delivery of such a transformative infrastructure project.

“We’ve seen strong interest from industry leaders excited to design and construct the first phase of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, the new 320-metre-long public and active transport bridge over the Parramatta River between Wentworth Point and Melrose Park,” Mr Elliott said.

“Many of those shortlisted industry organisations will now be invited to participate in the Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for the enabling works package, which includes the delivery of the bridge and approaches on either side of the river – totalling 1.3 kilometres, with construction expected to start in 2024, subject to planning approvals.”

Member for Parramatta Mr Geoff Lee said this was a fantastic opportunity to be part of this Western Sydney mega transport project which will link Stage 1 of the light rail and Parramatta’s CBD to Sydney Olympic Park.

“When completed, the new bridge will be the first significant crossing over the Parramatta River since 1987 and will provide essential public transport access for the growing communities north and south of the river and onto Sydney Olympic Park,” Mr Lee said.

The Environmental Impact Statement received more than 125 submissions late last year, the team engaged with more than 850 people and over 2500 people visited the virtual engagement room. A submissions report is currently being prepared and will be released later this year. The Expressions of Interest process will close on Tuesday 14 March 2023. More information about the project is available here.

VISIT TO AUSTRALIA BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, to Australia on 7 February.

This visit will mark Prime Minister Hipkins’s first international trip as leader.

Australia values the priority that both countries place on the bilateral relationship. As partners and allies, our bilateral agenda is unparalleled in its scope.

Australia and New Zealand will celebrate important milestones in 2023, marking 40 years of our Closer Economic Relations Free Trade Agreement – one of the most comprehensive free trade agreements in the world – and 80 years of diplomatic representation.

Prime Minister Hipkins’s visit comes as New Zealand begins its recovery from the serious flooding and loss of life in Auckland. Australia stands ready to support New Zealand as needed.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Hipkins to Australia. Australia and New Zealand have an extremely close relationship, underpinned by our shared history and generations of personal, business and government links.

“I offer my condolences to all those affected by the devastating floods and loss of life in Auckland. We stand ready to support our family and friends in New Zealand, if needed.”

“I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Hipkins to Canberra and discussing ways to build on trans-Tasman cooperation.”

CCTV footage released as police continue to investigate Heddon Greta fatal shooting 

Homicide Squad detectives have released an image of a man and CCTV footage of a vehicle, as they continue to investigate the fatal shooting of a man in the state’s Hunter region late last year.

About 10.50pm on Tuesday 27 December 2022, emergency services responded to reports of a man being shot at a home on Traders Way, Heddon Greta, about 20km east of Cessnock.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the man; however he died at the scene.

He has since been identified as 25-year-old Zachery ‘Zac’ Davies-Scott, known to many in the area as ‘Donnie’.

Local police from Hunter Valley Police District conducted initial investigations, before the matter was referred to the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad under Strike Force Roslyn.

Police have been told a number of people forced entry to the home before Mr Scott was shot. The group then left the scene in a white SUV.

As investigations continue, strike force detectives have released CCTV footage of a white SUV seen driving erratically along Main Road, Heddon Greta, shortly after 10.50pm.

Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said police are examining Zac’s associates and interactions in the days and weeks leading up to his death.

“From our investigations, it appears he was better known as ‘Donnie’ to his friends and associates.

“We are treating this murder as a targeted attack, with detectives canvassing if Zac had any ongoing conflicts or issues.

“The footage we have released shows a white SUV driving on Main Road in a very erratic manner immediately after the murder, overtaking a van on the inside shoulder of a single lane road.

“We are in the Hunter again today to continue asking all of these questions, canvassing for more witnesses and CCTV, and continuing to piece together who Zac was and how he came to be a victim of an horrific crime,” Det Supt Doherty said.