Month: April 2023

GREENS BACK CALL FOR CLIMATE SECURITY REPORT RELEASE

Greens Leader Adam Bandt has backed today’s call by former defence and security chiefs for the government to release a recent review of the security implications of the climate crisis.

The Office of National Intelligence climate risk assessment report, commissioned by the government after taking office, has not been made public despite similar assessments being declassified and released in the past.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“The Government wants to believe that the climate wars are over, but as the climate crisis gets worse, defence chiefs are warning that conflict from global heating is just warming up,” Mr Bandt said.

“Australia’s safety is under threat from coal and gas. 

“Labor is refusing to confront the scale of the climate crisis, keeping secret a report that would likely deliver a body blow to new coal and gas mines.

“The climate crisis is the biggest threat to our nation, yet the government is keeping people in the dark.

REVIEWS ARE IN: AAD CULTURE IS BAD FOR WOMEN

With yet another damning report confirming widespread cultural problems at the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), the Greens are calling for The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and the AAD to act immediately to comply with Respect at Work reforms.

Senator Larissa Waters has today written to Minister Plibersek to request a briefing about the proposed workplan for responding to the Russell review.

Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on women said:

“The Russell review has confirmed Professor Nash’s report that revealed appalling sexism, discrimination and harassment at Antarctic stations. Women working in Antarctica need an assurance that the Department is taking this issue seriously.

“Antarctica is the ultimate “fly in fly out” workplace, and its remoteness has allowed an unacceptable culture to develop. I have written to the Minister to request a briefing from the Department about a proposed workplan for responding to the Russell recommendations.

“The Respect at Work reforms were the centrepiece of the government’s response to workplace harassment, and the AAD cannot continue to operate without regard to the new legal framework.

“The AAD must act immediately to comply with its positive duty and ensure base stations are not hostile work environments. If additional funding is required to support changed work practices, that should be allocated in the upcoming Budget.

“It is critical that we encourage and facilitate women working in STEM and in places like Antarctica. But that comes with an onus on the Department to make those work environments safe and respectful.”

Pickleball hits Newcastle for the first time

Beresfield netballers and pickleballers have been given a boost ahead of the new season with upgraded training facilities delivered as part of a $65,000 project to create a new multisport space for the community.

The revitalised community space has been upgraded with a dual netball and basketball court alongside a previously unused tennis court, which has been re-purposed to include facilities for Newcastle’s first pickleball court.

Hunter Pickleball President John Morris, Beresfield and District Netball Club Treasurer Christine Davies, Cr Elizabeth Adamczyk, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Beresfield and District Netball Club Secretary Leanne Blackie, Cr Deahnna Richardson and Hunter Pickleball Treasurer Margaret Smith celebrate the upgrade to the multisport facility in Beresfield.

City of Newcastle completed the transformation of the Allendale Street facility in collaboration with the Beresfield and District Netball Club, which secured a $50,000 grant from the NSW Government with support from the State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said local projects such as the upgrade to the Beresfield netball court offer important opportunities for the community to engage in active and healthy lifestyles.

“We are pleased to have worked with the Beresfield and District Netball Club to deliver this innovative multisport community space ahead of the upcoming netball season and in time for the school holidays,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The project has also created Newcastle’s first pickleball court, giving residents a place to try their hand at this inclusive, low-impact sport, which is now one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.

“This upgraded multisport facility will provide a great place for kids and adults to catch up with friends and enjoy some friendly competition.

“City of Newcastle is committed to enhancing our sporting and recreational facilities across the local government area, with plans to invest almost $20 million into new and improved parks, playgrounds, sporting and aquatic facilities as part of a record capital works program in our 2023/24 Budget.”

The upgrade of the Beresfield netball courts was designed to provide safer, high performance court surfaces for the local netballers as training for the upcoming season begins.

The project involved court surface repairs, top coating and a new anti-slip surface on the netball court, where the installation of reversible towers with both basketball and netball hoops and dual line marking extended the potential use of the space. New tennis netting on the adjacent court and line marking for both tennis and pickleball completed the multiuse upgrade of the facility.

Beresfield and District Netball Club Committee Members worked with City of Newcastle to come up with a plan for the multisport upgrade, making it a community facility that would be embraced by current and future players.

“Beresfield Netball Club are very pleased with the outcome of this project. We are beyond grateful to all involved for delivering important sporting facilities that will without a doubt drive our local community teams ahead of the new season,” Beresfield and District Netball Club Secretary Leanne Blackie said.

Children thrown on the pavement in Labor’s brave new? world

There has been an 11% increase in the number of Aussies being forced to sell their homes since Labor took office (Courier-Mail 04/04/2023). While the Australian treasurer Jim Chalmers spent yesterday begging for pats on the back over the announcement from the RBA that interest rates didn’t jump again, the forced sale statistic should have been his focus.

Jim Chalmers was called a ‘factional hack’, ‘backstabber’ and described as a weak crybaby by former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in his book ‘The PM Years’. In that same book, Rudd reports Chalmers admitted to him that the now former PM wouldn’t have wanted him in parliament (pages 586,587).

Families are crying right now as their homes are being stripped from underneath them by a callous and mean-spirited Labor government. Children are being thrown out on the street into a market that has no rental availability by a grossly incompetent Labor government and Treasurer.

Labor has splashed cash since taking office on vanity projects like a referendum, and this spending has contributed to the Reserve Bank’s decision to increase interest rates.

People feel stabbed in the back by Treasurer Jim Chalmers when he gloats about opening the floodgates to hundreds of thousands of immigrants, which the ABC has admitted is the primary cause for the rental crisis and will be for some time (ABC News 03/04/2023).

Rudd’s treasurer Wayne Swan was widely accepted as the most incompetent Treasurer next to the disgraced Jim Cairns of the Whitlam era. Swan employed Jim Chalmers as his chief of staff. Chalmers’ training ground, as documented by Kevin Rudd, was the factional backrooms of the Canberra bubble. It’s no wonder Labor hasn’t got a single policy to help Aussies in financial strife.

One Nation proposes reducing government spending to balance the budget and reduce immigration significantly.

Why can’t you find a rental anymore?

The ABC has published a story (03/042023 ABC news – Why can’t you find a cheap rental anymore?) about the real cause of the rental crisis. It seems that event societies elites are coming around to the reality that the exact reason for the rental crisis is immigration.

Finally, the ABC takes One Nation’s core policy points and delivers the hard cold facts about immigration that must send a shiver down the spines of those elitists in the inner city who just don’t want to hear it.

There are several statistics related to the rental crisis in Australia. The number of long-term rentals available is low, while the number of short-term holiday rentals, mostly on Airbnb, is six times higher.

The median Capital City increase in rent over the past year is triple the high inflation rate, at 20%. The real cause of the rental crisis is immigration, which is running at unprecedented levels, with potentially 400,000 net migrants this year. Most of these migrants are students or people who initially said they were coming for a holiday but then changed their visa status. They mostly arrive in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane and will take up available accommodation in those cities within one month.

Migrants are arriving at the rate of 1000 per day. Increasing the supply of housing is being discussed, but it will take years to result in actual buildings.

Meanwhile, the demand for housing from immigration is immediate due to staff shortages, and the rental crisis is unlikely to end soon because it’s easier and quicker to get people than to build houses.

PROTECTING AUSTRALIA’S CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL INSTITUTIONS

The Albanese Labor Government will secure the future of Australia’s most cherished cultural and historical institutions in this year’s Federal Budget – restoring them as a source of national pride and reversing a decade of decline under the Liberals and Nationals.

The Government will invest $535.3 million towards the nine National Collecting Institutions over four years – addressing the decade of chronic underfunding inflicted by the former Coalition Government.

This is yet another example of the former Government’s underhanded approach to budgeting that Labor has been left to fix. The Albanese Labor Government is cleaning up the mess left behind by the previous Government and providing the necessary funding for the services that Australians rely on and cherish.

This investment will guarantee ongoing, indexed funding into the future and ensure that vital repairs and urgent safety improvements can finally be made.

It means staff will finally have ongoing certainty about their jobs.

It means our institutions will be able to meet their financial obligations and invest for the future knowing they finally have a Government that values them just as the Australian people do.

The Government will also establish clear line of sight over future capital works and improvements to ensure the institutions never again fall into the state of disrepair they did over the last decade.

This funding will ensure Australia has a strong cultural infrastructure – which is a key pillar of Revive, the Government’s new National Cultural Policy.

The funding will be provided to the Australian National Maritime Museum, Bundanon Trust, Museum of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House), National Archives of Australia, National Film and Sound Archive, National Gallery of Australia, National Library of Australia, National Museum of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery of Australia.

The Government is also acting to secure the future of the National Library’s digital archive Trove.

These institutions house a majority of Australia’s most valuable collections. They also play an important role in truth-telling for First Nations people and in fostering international cultural exchange.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“I want all Australians to be able to visit, appreciate and learn from these institutions for generations to come.

“These are special places and we should be proud of them. They preserve, protect and celebrate Australia’s stories and history. My Government is committed to preserving, protecting and celebrating them.

“This is yet another example of my Government having to clean up the mess left behind by the former Coalition Government.”

Arts Minister Tony Burke said:

“This gets our institutions back to where they should be – where the Government delivers strong core funding and philanthropists take them to the next level.

“This funding means people will be able to go to places like the National Gallery of Australia and enjoy the exhibits without worrying about the physical integrity of the building that’s housing them.

“It is a disgrace that the former Coalition Government allowed these institutions to fall into such a shocking state of disrepair.”

Minister for Finance and Senator for ACT Katy Gallagher, said:

“Canberra is the proud custodian of some of the most treasured pieces of art, literature and culture from Australia’s national story,” Senator Gallagher said.

“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to maintaining and protecting the invaluable institutions that house them, and reversing the damage and decay that occurred under the previous Government.”

“The Institutions are often the gateway to attracting visitors to the Canberra region and are a key driver of the ACT economy, so this funding will ensure local jobs and the tourism sector are supported into the future.”

Man missing from Lake Macquarie

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from Lake Macquarie.

Mark Walker, aged 45, was last seen leaving a hospital on Croudace Bay Road, Belmont, about 3am yesterday (Tuesday 4 April 2023).

When he could not be located, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police Area Command were notified. A search was conducted of the area with the assistance of SES, Surf Life Saving, Fire and Rescue and Polair.

Police and family have concerns for his welfare.

Mark is described as being of Caucasian appearance, olive complexion, about 170 – 175cm tall, of medium build, with black hair, black beard and moustache.

He was last seen wearing dark grey track pants, dark jumper, white joggers.

Mark is believed to be in the Green Point Reserve.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Community continue to have their say on Newcastle 500 

The next stage of consultation has commenced to gain feedback on the future of the Newcastle 500.

Consultancy firm KPMG held the first of four stakeholder workshops today as part of a comprehensive consultation strategy developed on behalf of City of Newcastle to capture views on the event from across the community.

Industry representatives took part in today’s in-depth focus group, which has been held to understand the perceived benefits and challenges presented by the Newcastle 500.

Additionally, in-depth workshops are being held with local residents on Tuesday and Wednesday, alongside a meeting with local small to medium businesses.

The stakeholder consultation follows an extensive online survey, which launched in February and remained open throughout the delivery of the Newcastle 500, attracting more than 10,000 responses before it closed on 31 March.

During this time, KPMG also conducted a statistically significant phone survey to Newcastle residents, while in-person surveys held around the event precinct during the race period were carried out to provide insight into attendees’ behaviours including visitation to local businesses.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was committed to capturing views from across the community on the future of the Newcastle 500.

“The community have now experienced the Newcastle 500 four times, we are committed to an open and transparent process of consultation to help inform any future decisions on this event,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We’re committed to undertaking a robust, open process of consultation through consultants KPMG, who are using a range of online, in-person and telephone surveys before, during and after the race period to gather feedback from a wide a range of people.

“This feedback will allow councillors to better understand the community’s views on issues around liveability, economic benefit or challenges, perceptions of the event and its impact on the visitor economy.”

Should Supercars Australia and Destination NSW first agree to an extension, City of Newcastle’s elected Council will vote on whether Newcastle continues as host city. A report on the feedback and insights from the community consultation will help inform the Council’s decision about any potential extension of the Newcastle 500.

street furniture theft

City of Newcastle (CN) is appealing for information about the removal of more than 35 items of aluminium street furniture from a CN storage facility.

The picnic tables and chairs were being stored at a Shortland site after being temporarily removed from Foreshore Park and the surrounding precinct for the duration of the Newcastle 500.

Work crews were due to collect and re-install the street furniture in their original locations around Newcastle Beach, Nobbys Beach and Foreshore Park last week as part of the Newcastle 500 bump-out.

The apparent theft of the items, which would have required several truckloads to remove, has been reported to Police, and CN is working closely with them to identify those responsible.

CN will work towards replacing the furniture as soon as possible, however it is incredibly disappointing that this theft will come at a cost to the community.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the aluminium furniture or their removal should contact Crime Stoppers on 131-444.

Key Milestone Reached to Restore GP Access After Hours

Patients in the Hunter region are a step closer to getting better after hours health care, with an agreement reached with the local Primary Health Network (PHN).

The Albanese Government is providing approximately $5.5 million per annum over four years to the Hunter New England Central Coast PHN to commission Hunter Primary Care to restore after hours services at four GP Access clinics and reopen the Calvary Mater Clinic.

The Former Liberal Government failed to fund the GP Access services, forcing the GP Access clinic at the Calvary Mater Hospital to close permanently and four other clinics to significantly reduce their hours from Christmas Eve 2021.

Delivering on an election commitment, the funding means people in the region will find it easier to see a GP or nurse after hours and reduce pressure on local emergency departments.

With funding for the services due to lapse on 1 July, the agreement also gives certainty to patients and healthcare professionals.

GP Access clinics offer face to face and telehealth primary care services outside business hours. These services are bulk billed to anyone with a Medicare card, and delivered by GPs and Registered Nurses.

The funding will allow the clinics at Belmont Hospital, John Hunter Hospital, Maitland Hospital and Toronto Polyclinic to restore their operational hours, which had been reduced on weekends, public holidays and nights. It will also enable a fifth clinic in Newcastle to be reopened in May 2023, using space at the Calvary Mater Hospital.

GP Access After Hours clinics are open when most general practices are closed, including weeknights (from 6pm), weekends (Saturday from 1pm, Sunday from 9am), and public holidays (24 hours).

Minister Butler said:

“After the Liberals cut the funding to GP Access After Hours the Albanese Government moved quickly to restore and expand after hours health care for people who live across the Hunter.

“It means people of all ages, families and children can get top quality care from GPs and nurses outside of standard business hours.

“Services are free and all patients need is their Medicare card.

“The benefits are many – patients get ready access to care after hours and the demand on local emergency departments is reduced.”

Minister Conroy said:

“The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitments to Lake Macquarie by restoring this unique and vital service.

“Restoring these hours will take pressure off our overcrowded emergency departments during their busiest times.”

“There are very few people in our region who have not used the services of the GP Access After Hours.”

Sharon Claydon MP said:

“The Albanese Labor Government is making good on our commitment to the people of Newcastle.”

“I hear from Novocastrians every week about how hard it is to see their doctor. The former Liberal Government’s cuts and 6-year freeze to Medicare rebates has created a crisis in general practice.”

“Restoring hours at John Hunter Hospital and reopening the clinic at the Calvary Mater Hospital will help ease some of this burden.”

Dan Repacholi MP said:

“I have seen and heard the horror stories of people waiting days and even weeks to be able to get into see their GP. 

“The restoration of the opening hours of the GP Access After Hours Service in Toronto, will mean residents can see a doctor while they are sick, and will reduce our overcrowded Emergency Departments.

“This change will mean residents in Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Morisset, Cooranbong, Toronto, and right across the Hunter electorate, will have access to quality care and will mean a reduction in Hospital waiting times.”

Meryl Swanson said:

“Our Government is delivering on our election commitments to the region by restoring vital health services.

“I’m delighted that the people of Paterson and, indeed, the wider Hunter will see these critical services restored.

“Our Government is taking a practical and common sense approach to improving critical Healthcare for the region.”