March 2023 – Page 15

HMAS Canberra to deploy to Vanuatu

The Australian Government will today deploy HMAS Canberra following a request from the Government of Vanuatu.

The 230-metre long Landing Helicopter Dock has completed loading equipment, stores and personnel and will sail from its homeport of Sydney to Vanuatu to provide support to the country following Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin.

The Ship and more than 600 ADF personnel will bring a versatile set of capabilities to support the Whole-of-Government response to the cyclones, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The deployment of HMAS Canberra follows two Royal Australian Air Force aircraft which have already reached the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila.

A C-17A Globemaster has delivered a 12-person Rapid Assessment Team and Australia’s initial humanitarian assistance, which includes, shelters, water purification supplies and other essential items for impacted communities.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP said:

“HMAS Canberra has a significant capacity to provide ship-to-shore connections via its Landing Craft and three embarked Australian Army CH-47 helicopters, fresh water and has its own hospital facilities.

“The ADF personnel on board bring recent experience from other relief efforts in the region over the past two years and Defence is proud to support a member of the Pacific family.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“Our close partnership with Vanuatu means we have been able to mobilise assistance quickly and contribute to the Government of Vanuatu’s immediate requests following Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin.

“With HMAS Canberra we are providing more humanitarian supplies and much needed logistical support. This shows our continued commitment to the Pacific family.”

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP said:

“The Pacific family can rely on Australia to work with them in times of crisis.”

“The deployment of HMAS Canberra follows two RAAF aircraft and Australia’s rapid assessment team, who are supporting the Government of Vanuatu to assess the impacts of these cyclones.

Historic global agreement reached on the high seas

An Australian-backed global treaty to conserve the world’s high seas and ensure they are used sustainably has been agreed to at the United Nations.

The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to see a Nature Positive Australia and a Nature Positive World.

The treaty builds on the Government’s work at the Montreal Biodiversity COP where Australia led negotiations for a high-ambition Global Biodiversity Framework – protecting 30 per cent of the oceans by 2030.

Australia’s leadership and cooperation with like-minded countries has seen the new Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions treaty (High Seas Treaty) agreed overnight.

The new treaty creates stronger protections for our oceans and increases opportunities for international collaboration, including on marine science and marine protected areas (MPAs) on the high seas.

The treaty:

creates a framework to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on the high seas,
puts in place a rigorous environmental impact assessment process to achieve nature positive outcomes,
ensures that the interests and contribution of Indigenous Peoples and local communities are recognised,
and puts in place a regime to regulate the use of marine genetic resources.

High seas make up 60 per cent of the Earth’s surface and there is a growing interest in using the marine resources found in them.

As a member of the High Ambition Coalition, Australia like many other countries, including Pacific Island countries, sought and achieved a highly ambitious treaty.

The formal adoption of the treaty text will take place in the coming months.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:

“The new global oceans treaty is a remarkable milestone to protect the world’s oceans.
“This outcome is particularly significant for the Blue Pacific Continent – the basis of livelihoods and food security for many in the Pacific family.
“The Albanese Government is delivering on its election commitment to protect the world’s oceans.
“Australia’s support has also enabled Pacific participation in the historic negotiations.”

Minister for the Environment and Water the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP said:

“The High Seas cover 60 per cent of the world’s surface. International cooperation to protect and manage them is vital. This treaty will give us a huge boost towards meeting our global biodiversity goal of protecting 30 per cent of our earth’s oceans.
“Australians know how important marine protected areas are in our own country – sanctuaries for marine life to grow and flourish. This treaty puts a framework in place to establish Marine Protected Areas in the high seas, leading to stronger protections for oceans around the world.
“Since coming to office the Albanese Government has been a leader on the world stage in ocean protection – from our role at the UN Oceans Conference last year to our strong leadership in seeing the high-ambition Global Biodiversity Framework signed in Montreal last December.
“Australia is proud to have joined with other nations in working tirelessly to achieve an ambitious oceans treaty. Our oceans need stronger environmental protections world-wide and this will help to deliver that.”

Come From Away cast takes final bow in Newcastle to rave reviews

The curtain will come down one last time tonight bringing Come From Away’s record-breaking Newcastle season to a close, after sweeping audiences to their feet for a standing ovation after all 23 shows.

More than 21,500 theatregoers attended from across the Hunter and beyond, who flocked to the Civic Theatre during Come From Away’s three-week extended run to share in the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from around the world who were grounded in Newfoundland Canada in the wake of 9/11.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Come From Away has impressed theatregoers during its Newcastle debut and whet the city’s appetite for more musical theatre already proven on Broadway.

“Newcastle has waited 30 years to see the return of a professional Broadway production and Come From Away has been well worth the wait. Having smashed previous box office ticket sales records, our city’s appetite for live musical theatre is alive and well,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Attracting a professional Broadway production of this calibre is a testament to Newcastle’s growth as a world-class cultural city and indicative of our thriving live performing arts scene. As a city, we can’t wait to welcome the next Broadway hit to Newcastle.”

Of the more than 21,500 theatregoers, almost 50 per cent of tickets were purchased by visitors outside of Newcastle and the Hunter, from intrastate destinations like Narrabri and Bellingen to interstate destinations like Tasmania, delivering a ripple effect to accommodation providers, local businesses and the wider visitor economy.

Local accommodation providers like QT Newcastle have been welcoming guests from far-flung country NSW to Melbourne during the past three weeks according to General Manager Michael Stamboulidis.

“We’ve been run off our feet with guests here to catch a glimpse of Broadway,” Mr Stamboulidis said.

“Our accommodation/theatre packages have been popular among theatregoers and the hotel has seen high demand whilst Come From Away has been showing.”

Among the opening night crowd was Canadian-born super fan Zarina Varley Scott, who travelled to Newcastle from Sydney’s Northern Beaches to experience Come From Away’s Newcastle debut.

“This is the ninth time I’ve seen Come From Away, in various locations around the world, and I couldn’t wait to see it again in Newcastle. It did not disappoint,” Ms Varley Scott said.

Novocastrian Di Flemming was also thrilled to see Come From Away in Newcastle at the historic Civic Theatre on the opening night.

“It was a rollercoaster of a ride, I had the best time,” Ms Flemming said.

$56 million upgrade for Parramatta’s green oasis

One of the state’s most important public parklands is set for a $56 million makeover thanks to the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s WestInvest program, making it one of the best places to walk or ride a bike and soak up Parramatta’s history.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding would future-proof the World Heritage-listed Parramatta Park as a crucial public space for the growing Western Sydney community.

“Parramatta Park is an 87-hectare green oasis on the doorstep of the Parramatta CBD and Westmead Health Precinct and it must be able to cater for the growing number of families flocking to the area,” Mr Kean said.

“We’re building two new pedestrian and cycling bridges over the area known as Little Coogee, making it easier than ever to walk or ride between the park and the Parramatta CBD, Commbank Stadium and Westmead Health Precinct.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said funding would go towards reconfiguring the way people move around the park.

“We can now realise our vision for the People’s Loop, a 3.2 kilometre path for walkers, runners and bike riders, while creating new access points and parking bays for families who need to drive to the park,” Mr Stokes said.

“We’ll also restore the original vision for the town of Parramatta, reinstating the historic connection between Old Government House and the Parramatta River, with an uninterrupted walk through the old gatehouse along George Street.”

Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said Parramatta’s heritage would be further celebrated with the restoration of Wistaria Gardens and Glengarriff House.

“Parramatta Park is a heritage gem and I’m delighted to see that these two important pieces of Parramatta’s history will be restored to their former glory,” Mr Lee said.

Liberal candidate for Parramatta Katie Mullens said this investment would mean the park can accommodate the community for generations to come.

“The park welcomes two million visitors every year and that’s expected to grow 65 per cent by the year 2036, which is why this funding is so crucial to ensuring everyone can continue to enjoy it,” Ms Mullens said.

The project will be delivered by Greater Sydney Parklands over the next five years in consultation with the community.

A new high school for Sydney’s growing south west

Liberal candidate for Leppington, Therese Fedeli, has welcomed the announcement that a re-elected NSW Liberal Government will deliver a new high school for the growing suburbs across Sydney’s South West, as part of its record investment in public education infrastructure.

“This a terrific announcement for families in the south west,” Ms Fedeli said.

“The Liberal Team knows how to manage the state’s finances and that means significant investments like a new high school for this community are able to be made, and will be delivered.

“The Perrottet Government has a long term financial plan for the future to keep NSW moving forward.”

The new school will be located within the South West Growth Area and service suburbs such as Austral, Leppington, Denham Court, Gregory Hills and Gledswood Hills.

Site options in the area are being considered as part of the project’s early planning phase, alongside analysis of community needs.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the site for the new high school needs to be carefully considered so that it supports all future students in the community.

“We are looking at all options to determine where this new high school will be located, and how it can best serve the entire local community,” Ms Mitchell said.

“We know there is strong community interest for a new high school here, and we want to ensure the correct site is chosen to allow us to deliver a project that supports the best for all local students.

“This investment adds to an already historic school building program, with new schools in Gregory Hills and Edmondson Park opened this year, planning for a new high school in Edmondson Park underway as well as upgrades for Austral Public School and Leppington Public School announced in the 2022-23 NSW Budget.”

The NSW Liberal Government will work with the community through the planning phase and provide further updates as they become available.

This commitment comes with confirmation the new selective high school for South

West Sydney will be built in Leppington on land adjacent to the train station.

“After careful consideration, with a particular focus on of transport links, a site owned by government near the train station has been identified as the most suitable location for the new selective high school,” Ms Mitchell said.

“This allows us to progress to the next stage of the project as we look to offer aspirational families in South West Sydney access to a world-class selective high school.”

The NSW Liberal and Nationals 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.

Support for Indian cultural celebrations

The state’s Indian communities will once again be supported to hold cultural celebrations and festivals by a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said in its next term of government, the NSW Liberals and Nationals will invest $900,000 over four years to help Indian communities celebrate major events and festivals across the state.

“We believe in helping our state’s diverse communities be proud of who they are, and one of the ways we do that is by helping them celebrate their culture with everyone,” Mr Perrottet said.

Over the past four years, the NSW Liberals and Nationals invested $900,000 into Indian community groups and organisations to host events and festivals throughout the state.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the Perrottet Liberal Government is proud to invest further funding for our Indian community in NSW to run festivals and events such as for major cultural celebrations like Holi and Diwali.

“Over the past four years we have seen so many incredible events, which showcase the colour and vibrancy of the Indian community. We want to see more of that continue, and that is why we are committing to providing $225,000 a year for four years to help Indian communities host these wonderful events,” Mr Coure said.”

Liberal candidate for Londonderry, Samantha Talakola, said the Indian community has been making an important contribution to our state for generations.

“As someone who migrated from India to Sydney because of the great opportunities and the wonderful and welcoming local community, I know how important it is to come together and celebrate our new home and our traditions,” Ms Talakola said.

Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens, said the Indian community has grown to become an integral part of the state’s multicultural society.

“The Indian communities are a true reflection of our state’s multicultural society—each community brings its own diversity and vibrancy that adds to the rich mosaic of cultures we have in the Parramatta electorate and the entirety of NSW. I am so pleased a re-elected Perrottet Liberal Government will continue to help these communities showcase their diversity to everyone,” Ms Mullens said.

Liberal candidate for Riverstone, Mohit Kumar, added that Indian events are some of the brightest and most inviting.

“Indian communities are incredibly inviting to all those who want to learn and immerse themselves in Indian culture, and one way they do that is through events. The more we support communities to celebrate their diversity, the more we can help build harmony across our communities,” Mr Kumar said.

Families set to save with voucher swap scheme

Parents will have more choice when it comes to cost of living support thanks to the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Active Kids and Creative Kids voucher swap initiative.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said families would be able to use the two vouchers interchangeably from Term 2, letting kids do more of what they love.

“Our Active Kids and Creative Kids vouchers have been incredibly popular with parents across the state, with almost 7 million vouchers already downloaded and redeemed saving families $694 million,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We want to give our kids the opportunity to do more of the things they love the most, which is why we’re making our voucher program more flexible to better suit each family’s needs.

“Only a Liberal and Nationals Government can take pressure off family budgets thanks to our long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the change would allow families to lean in to the activities their kids loved.

“Whether it’s playing netball, footy or the violin, we want kids to be able to extract the most out of every day. Helping families with costs like these means they can focus on seeing their kids grow and kick goals, no matter what they love doing,” Mr Toole said.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said families across the State could use the digital voucher in just a few clicks through the Service NSW app.

“Under a re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government, parents will be able to switch an unused Active Kids voucher for a Creative Kids voucher, or vice versa,” Mr Dominello said.

“This is all part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s commitment to supporting families with more than 70 waysto save across the Savings Finder program.”

The voucher swap program will commence from the start of Term 2 (26 April) and only apply to:

· $100 Active Kids voucher for sport and recreation costs including school holiday programs.

· $100 Creative Kids voucher for arts and cultural activities costs including school holiday classes and workshops.

Families can download their child’s vouchers via the Service NSW app or website and by calling 13 77 88.

For further information, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/concessions-rebates-and-assistance/vouchers

$1.2B boost for hospitals and health facilities

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will inject $1.2 billion in critical health infrastructure to build and upgrade 20 hospitals and health facilities, providing a major boost to communities right across state.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this investment would improve the quality of healthcare facilities delivered across the state.

“Since 2011, the Liberal and Nationals have delivered more than 180 health infrastructure projects across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This major $1.2 billion investment will see a further 20 hospitals and health facilities built or upgraded right across the state, future-proofing our health system and ensuring our communities continue to have access to world-class healthcare.

“As part of this investment, $260 million will be allocated for stage two of the Concord Hospital redevelopment, which is already transforming patient care in Sydney’s inner west following the completion of stage one earlier last year.

“These critical investments in health infrastructure are only possible thanks to the Liberal and Nationals long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government had driven the biggest investment in regional hospitals and health services in the State’s history to deliver better care closer to home.

“With these new projects in the pipeline, we are on track to have built or upgraded more than 150 hospitals and health services in the regions by 2027 including in some of our most remote communities like Wentworth and Buronga,” Mr Toole said.

“At the last election, Labor threw everything at blocking the new $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital, the single largest hospital project ever seen in regional NSW. The Liberal and Nationals knew it is what the community needed and look where we are now – on track for it to be treating patients later this year. Labor can’t be trusted when it comes to regional health.”

Regional Health Minister Bronnie Taylor said only a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government can guarantee that regional health projects are delivered.

“While Labor plan on dumping the Regional Health portfolio, the NSW Liberal and Nationals in Government are focused on improving health outcomes for our regional, rural and remote communities,” Mrs Taylor said.

“It is only the NSW Liberal and Nationals that are committed to future-proofing health care in the bush – that is our track record. We will continue to ensure our rural and regional communities have the health facilities they need and deserve.

“We are also investing in our workforce, with regional communities reaping the rewards of our $883 million incentive scheme. Thousands of health workers have taken up the package and they will be the ones working in our new hospitals and health facilities that are being delivered by this government.”

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said since 2011, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has more than tripled Labor’s previous annual health infrastructure spend.

“These world class facilities are only as good as the people who work there, which is why last year we also announced the largest workforce boost in the nation’s history of 10,148 staff for our metropolitan and rural/regional hospitals,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The physical surroundings in which you spend your working life can be an important source of job satisfaction, productivity and wellbeing but especially so for health staff.

“Building new health facilities plays a big part in helping to attract and retain health workers and ensuring better health outcomes for patients.

“Unlike Labor, every hospital and health facility that our Government has promised to build, has been delivered or is in progress and planning.”

The $1.2 billion investment includes $260 million to deliver stage two of the Concord Hospital redevelopment, and $243 million for two new integrated health hubs recently announced for south west Sydney, which will help ease pressures on local hospitals by providing many of the same services closer to home.

It also includes $114 million announced for the Manning Base Hospital redevelopment, $66 million for a major upgrade of the Warren Multipurpose Service and $7.5 million for improved health services at Milton-Ulladulla Hospital.

#CRACKINGTHECODE this NSW Women’s Week

Raising awareness about menopause, more opportunities for regional and rural women, and promoting careers for young women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are among the issues being tackled this NSW Women’s Week.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said this year’s theme is #CrackingTheCode, with the focus on promoting gender equality and celebrating the social, cultural and political achievements of women.

“The 2023 NSW Women’s Week is an important celebration of women from every corner of NSW. So many incredible women and girls call NSW home, and this week we are putting their achievements in the spotlight,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Driving forward gender equality is pivotal for the future of NSW and we are leading the country with the delivery of the biggest blueprint in the state’s history to level the playing field for women, investing $16.5 billion over 10 years to empower women’s economic opportunities and child development.”

The 2023 NSW Women’s Week is set to be the biggest ever, with events including a Menopause Mixer, One to Watch Awards, Engineering Your Future Summit, and a networking event for women from regional and rural NSW.

Mrs Taylor said women from all ages and walks of life will be celebrated in the schedule of events.

“The NSW Liberals and Nationals are committed to supporting women through every lifestage – from the introduction of a universal pre-Kindergarten year, free menstrual hygiene products in every NSW public school, making it easier and more affordable to have IVF, helping women enter and re-enter the workforce, supporting small business owners and entrepreneurs, to raising awareness about menopause – we are here with you,” Mrs Taylor said.

“We know that women thrive, everyone thrives.”

NSW Women’s Week runs from Monday, 6 March to Sunday, 12 March. International Women’s Day is on 8 March and the NSW Women of the Year Awards is on 9 March.

45 organisations across NSW have received $200,000 in funding from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to host events during NSW Women’s Week.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to supporting women’s economic opportunities, health and wellbeing, and participation and empowerment.

For more information about events in your area this NSW Women’s Week, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/womens-week

MINISTER OPENS NEW MUSWELLBROOK GREYHOUND FACILITY

The Minister for Hospitality and Racing the Hon. Kevin Anderson has today officially opened the new multi-million dollar Muswellbrook Greyhound Racing facility in the NSW Upper Hunter Valley.

The Minister, the Member for the Upper Hunter David Layzell, and Greyhound Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer Rob Macaulay attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the upgraded facility – including latest safety measures – to enable imminent TAB race meetings.

“Muswellbrook is a greyhounds heartland and this funding will ensure the long-term success of the club and the health and safety of greyhounds,” Mr Anderson said of the $1.2 million investment the NSW Government has made to the project through the Capital Grants Fund.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has worked hand in hand with the greyhound industry to support track upgrades, including the one at Muswellbrook.

“I first visited the track back in 2021 and the club was concerned about the future of greyhound racing in the region. There was a real risk that the doors would close on Muswellbrook greyhound racing.

“How far we have come in the last two years. I know that Muswellbrook is buzzing with excitement at the return of TAB quality race meets here in the Upper Hunter.

“Right across Regional NSW there are major track safety upgrades being delivered in places like, Gosford, Gunnedah, Goulburn, Kempsey and Grafton, with more to come. The support for these safety measures has meant NSW is leading the way in greyhound safety and welfare management.”

GRNSW purchased the track from the Greyhound Breeders, Owners & Trainers Association back in 2021 with the target of rebuilding the facility, and the focus of the rebuild at Muswellbrook – as it is with all track upgrades – has been firmly on safety.

Among the work conducted at the track has been a full refurbishment with the remediation and re-profiling of the track and the turf surface, a new safety rail, safety padding on the turns and in the catching pen, and the installation of a Safechase lure system has all been installed.

The kennels have new insulation and air conditioning installed, new starting boxes and new synthetic mats at the boxes are in place, and a new swabbing bay and stewards’ room have been built.

Mr Macaulay said the new track is something Hunter locals can be proud of, as a venue and economic driver for the region.

“Muswellbrook is the latest major investment into track facilities in the State. The strong support of the NSW Government, Minister Anderson and local MP Dave Layzell have made this possible,” Mr Macaulay said.

“We are all excited about what it means to the Upper Hunter. We estimate the facility will bring an additional $20 million into the Muswellbrook economy, and 20 additional jobs.

“This is what greyhound racing does within local communities, it supports livelihoods of participants and flow on benefits throughout the towns.

“The reason why we are investing in these tracks around the State is to bring all of our racetracks up to the safest standard for our greyhounds, and we have done exactly that here at Muswellbrook.

“The safety and welfare of our animal is paramount and that is not just rhetoric.”

Mr Macaulay said the first TAB meeting at Muswellbrook, which had earlier been scheduled for March 11, would be rescheduled.

“Unfortunately nature has intervened, and the grass laid on the track has not completely knitted,” he said. “It’s one of those things out of our control, but as a result, because the track isn’t yet 100% ready, we will not compromise for the sake of scheduling. I look forward to announcing the new date shortly.”

Mr Macaulay also pointed out that it hasn’t been and won’t be just industry participants who have benefited from the rebuild of the Muswellbrook track.

“The local community will see an influx into the economy from those coming to race, and, as part of a new GRNSW policy initiated last year, local suppliers are the preferred supplies for work,” he said.

“Among the works which local suppliers have been used for, include track and turf including ongoing maintenance, kennels, wash bays and the tower, consultancy, irrigation and onsite security.”

The completion of the upgrade at Muswellbrook will offer participants another state-of-the-art venue in the region to race at, as well as The Gardens in Newcastle and the Maitland track.