July 2023 – Page 13

Community invited to have their say about volunteering for emergency services and disaster response

Strengthening support for spontaneous volunteers who turn up to help in a crisis is a key focus of a new consultation being led by the NSW Government aimed at strengthening volunteering.

Communities across NSW regularly band together to support each other through volunteering with emergency services organisations like the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and Rural Fire Service (RFS), and spontaneous volunteering when natural disasters hit.

While almost five million volunteers in NSW contribute around 1.5 billion hours each year, the face of volunteering is changing, with existing participants growing older or having less time to help, and the growing frequency of disasters is also increasing the demand for volunteers.

The consultation aims to improve understanding of when and how NSW residents sign up to volunteer programs, and why they choose to spontaneously volunteer in the face of a crisis or recovery. It will explore volunteer experiences, motivations and any barriers to joining, to help the Government enhance recruitment, retention and recognition programs.

The consultation will also inform approaches to supporting volunteer efforts during disasters to leverage support available on the ground.

Emergency services agencies including the SES, RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW are being consulted along with volunteers across the state, with all community members also able to have their say online.

The consultation follows the Independent and Parliamentary Flood Inquiries which identified a need to strengthen emergency services volunteering and will inform a report which will address:

Emergency management volunteering in NSW and trends, including a particular focus in regional and remote NSW.
Opportunities to better integrate spontaneous volunteers into the emergency management framework.
How well-placed NSW is to meet projected future demand for emergency services volunteers, and additional actions that would assist.

People are encouraged to have their say by 4 August 2023launch.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Volunteering is essential to NSW’s emergency response, whether it be frontline volunteers working to protect life and property, or volunteers providing support to communities before, during and after a disaster.

“It is one thing to recognise the heroic efforts of these volunteers, but it is also important to ensure we are doing all we can to support them, boost their numbers and equip them to stand on the frontlines safely.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Volunteers are the heart, soul and backbone of local communities, particularly in times of natural disasters.”

“Volunteers are often the very first responders. Their commitment is often the very reason people are kept safe.”

“It is of utmost importance to me that we understand our volunteer ecosystem and ensure the right support is available, including education and training along with the right equipment for those who turn up to help.”

Minister with responsibility for Volunteering Jodie Harrison said:

“This work is being launched to answer a number of questions: what our state can do better to support existing volunteers, boost numbers, and embrace spontaneous volunteers who have assisted in the recent floods and bushfires.”

“I look forward to hearing about the experiences from those on the frontline and their ideas for the future of volunteering during emergency situations.”

NSW sends fourth group of firefighting specialists to assist with Canadian wildfires

More than 50 specialists from NSW firefighting and emergency service agencies are on their way to Canada as more than 800 fires continue to burn across the country.

Marking the fourth deployment from NSW, this group will join an Australian and New Zealand contingent of more than 120 first responders departing this week, bringing the total number of deployed personnel to more than 700 this year.

Team members include arduous firefighters who will provide welcome relief to their Canadian colleagues on the fire front, along with incident management and specialist aviation support officers.

Canada has had more 3,900 fires burn through more than 9.7 million hectares since DATE which is almost twice the amount of bush and grass which was burnt in NSW during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.

Following briefings in Sydney and Brisbane, NSW personnel will begin departing for Vancouver on Friday and Saturday. The deployment of the Australian team is coordinated through the National Resource Sharing Centre.

There are 22 firefighters from the RFS, 15 from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, eight from the NSW SES, and three from both Fire and Rescue NSW and Forestry Corporation NSW.

Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib said:

“We appreciate the support of our Canadian colleagues during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires and it is with deep appreciation we continue to return the favour with our fourth emergency services deployment during this difficult fire season that Canada is facing.”

“I thank these men and women who are leaving their homes and loved ones to help their international colleagues battle this huge number of fires.”

“I wish them well, thank them for the hard work they will undertake in Canada and look forward to their safe return.”

Commissioner of the RFS, Rob Rogers said:

“Canada continues to see significant fire activity and the RFS is fortunate to be in a position to assist in coordinating the NSW contribution to the international response.”

“I thank those who are departing this week, along with those involved in the logistical task of organising this deployment, potentially of up to 42 days.”

“Continued international requests for Australian assistance are a testament to the professionalism, skill and experience of our fire specialists.”

NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said:

“At the NSW SES, we know that protracted campaigns put incredible strains on human resources.”

“We’re proud to be able to offer the assistance of some of our most skilled members in this fourth deployment to Canada.”

“At short notice we’ve seen people put their hand up for this deployment – it wouldn’t be possible without the support of their workplaces, family and loved ones.”

Labor’s wrong priorities leave flood-affected communities behind

Once again the Minns Labor Government has demonstrated their wrong priorities, failing the flood-affected communities of the Northern Rivers by failing to convene a single meeting of the Advisory Board of the Reconstruction Authority.

Shadow Minister for Emergency Services and the North Coast Gurmesh Singh said the Government’s inaction was inexcusable, as local residents continue to suffer while they wait for help to arrive.

“Minister Jihad Dib told ABC Radio National today that ‘circumstances have changed’ and ‘a reset is important’,” Mr Singh said.

“The Minister also confirmed the worst fears of the community by saying that the total number of buybacks and home retrofits is now limited to just 2,000 homes.

“It is extremely disappointing that on top of all this, the Reconstruction Authority Advisory Board hasn’t even met yet.

“The Minister claimed today that the board is still awaiting appointments before convening. However, the previous Coalition Government appointed enough members for the board to meet in March this year – more than four months ago.

“The Federal Labor Government is responsible for nominating the remaining two members to sit on the Board and we’ve heard nothing from them either.

“I agree with Minister Dib this is not a blame game, but the flood-affected communities of the Northern Rivers expect certainty, better lines of communication and a higher degree of transparency moving forward.

“The Opposition are calling on the Minns Labor Government to commit to funding a full recovery package which doesn’t neglect housing, and which also supports the business and tourism sectors.”

Australia supporting safe, quality medicines in our region

The Albanese Government is supporting access to high-quality, safe, and effective medicines in the Pacific and Southeast Asia by investing $13.3 million in new partnerships between the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and governments in our region.

These partnerships will work to strengthen regulatory frameworks for medical products and help to increase the availability of safe and effective medicines, which will result in better-quality healthcare for communities.

This investment includes $1.3 million towards the Indonesia-Australia Contaminated Medicines and Vaccines Program, which will help address the systemic regulatory challenges of substandard and falsified medicines.

Today’s announcement is part of the Australian Government’s five-year $620 million Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, which supports partner countries to build resilient and equitable health systems.

It builds on work done during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Australia played a key role in our region supporting partner governments, especially in Southeast Asia, to access life-saving vaccines and medical supplies.

Australia is listening to the region’s needs and is committed to working with our partners to address our shared health challenges. This in turn contributes to regional prosperity and stability.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong said:

“Improving the health and wellbeing of communities across our region, including through better access to safe and effective medicines, is critical to ensuring our shared prosperity and security.
“These new partnerships between the TGA and regional governments will help achieve the best possible health outcomes for the peoples of the Pacific and Southeast Asia.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said:

“Australia’s investment in the health of our region is an important contribution to the Pacific and Southeast Asia’s recovery from COVID-19.
“I’m pleased the TGA is partnering with the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority to jointly tackle the challenge of substandard and falsified medicines.”

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

“Strong, resilient and responsive health systems are an essential part of sustainable development.
“Australia has long supported strengthening health systems through our international development program.
“Partnerships for a Healthy Region demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our partner countries in this critical sector.”

Meeting with China’s Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi

Today, I met Wang Yi, Director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, in the margins of ASEAN-related meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia.

We had a constructive discussion about the bilateral relationship and the value of ongoing dialogue under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

I reiterated Australia’s position on a range of issues, including trade impediments, consular cases, human rights and Hong Kong.

In the context of ASEAN meetings, we discussed the importance of the institutions, rules and norms that underpin sovereignty, security and prosperity in the region. I conveyed Australia’s clear views on security in the Pacific and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

As we agreed at the Foreign and Strategic Dialogue in December, Australia will continue to work with China to grow the bilateral relationship, navigate differences and engage in the national interest.

See the meeting with China’s Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi opening remarks by Senator the Hon Penny Wong.

Artists to make their mark on Newcastle Art Gallery expansion

Its doors may be temporarily closed to visitors but that hasn’t stopped Newcastle Art Gallery bringing art to the city, commissioning new works to be displayed on the construction fencing around the site.

More than 300 artists from across Australia put their names forward to take part in the street hoarding commission project, with Newcastle’s Izabela Pluta one of four artists chosen to have their work presented on the temporary fencing.

Newcastle's Izabela Pluta is one of four artists whose work will be presented through the street hoarding project as part of the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion. Photo courtesy of Anna Kucera. Proud Yuwi man Dylan Mooney from Brisbane, and Sydney-based artists Diana Baker-Smith and Agus Wijaya will also have their work on show to passers-by during the construction phase of the Art Gallery’s major expansion project.

Each artist will produce a striking new work for the street hoarding, working closely with the Art Gallery’s Curatorial and Exhibitions team to develop their ideas.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the high level of interest in the EOI process was testament to the city’s reputation as an active and vibrant centre for the arts in NSW.

“Newcastle Art Gallery is held in high regard in the Australian arts community, home to a nationally significant collection worth more than $126 million and with an award-winning artistic program,” Cr Nelmes said.

“This esteem will grow further as we progress with our long-awaited Gallery expansion project, which will significantly increase the Gallery’s capacity to present works of art of local, national and global importance while also providing our audiences with greater access to the city’s renowned public collection.

“In the meantime, the hoarding commission project offers a unique opportunity for audiences to enjoy new site-specific works of art made by these four well-regarded contemporary Australian artists, which will also help to improve the external view of this work zone in the heart of our city.”

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the selection panel was very impressed with the calibre and diversity of the artists’ proposals, with the selected artists capturing themes of renewal, change and anticipation through photography, drawing, painting, text, and digital illustration.

The four new works of art will be digitally reproduced and presented on the temporary street hoarding that will be erected around the Art Gallery site in coming months by Hansen Yuncken, who were awarded the contract for the main construction works by Council in April.

The expansion project recently reached another milestone, with remediation of the historic mine tunnels, 80 metres below the building, now complete.

Around 13,500 cubic metres of grout, which is equivalent to five-and-a-half Olympic-size swimming pools, was successfully placed in the Dudley and Borehole seams to ensure the safety of the site ahead of the main expansion works.

The remediation work was made possible with the support of the Newcastle Mines Grouting Fund, administered by the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation. Construction is scheduled for completion in late 2024.

The Gallery’s temporary street hoarding commission project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government, as well as $10.5 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $2.5 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.

The Regional Recovery Partnerships initiative seeks to broker connections between all levels of government to increase information flow, share technical expertise and strengthen regional development outcomes.

Artificial intelligence in the spotlight at City of Newcastle’s Humble Lecture 

Award-winning journalist Tracey Spicer will seek to turn the page on the emerging bias in artificial intelligence as part of an annual lecture created in memory of Newcastle librarian Jennie Humble.

Once confined to the science fiction books Ms Humble loved to read, AI has become the most transformative technological advancement in the modern era.

Award-winning journalist Tracey Spicer will be the guest speaker at City of Newcastle's Humble Lecture in August. Picture courtesy of ELLADEX.

But, according to Ms Spicer’s new book Man-Made, its development has the potential to further embed gender and race-based bias into our society.

Ms Spicer will explore the future of tech and AI through a feminist lens as the guest speaker of this year’s the Humble Lecture, which will be held at Wallsend Library on Friday 4 August from 7pm.

The free annual event was established by City of Newcastle five years ago in honour of Ms Humble, a valued member of the Library’s Digital Services team who sadly passed away following a battle with cancer in 2018.

With a focus on innovation, the inaugural lecture featured globally recognised futurist, Shara Evans, while subsequent events have included renowned journalist Stan Grant and founder of food rescue charity, OzHarvest, Ronni Kahn.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Humble Lecture provided a fitting tribute for the devoted City of Newcastle staff member.

“Jennie Humble was a passionate librarian, who helped shape our digital engagement with our loyal library membership and wider community via our website, social media channels and digital library service design,” Ms Nelmes said.

“The Humble Lecture has become a highly anticipated annual event featuring innovative and inspiring speakers, which we are proud to present as an ongoing tribute to Ms Humble’s own passion and dedication to her work.

“I encourage anyone interested to register for their free ticket now as numbers are limited and this event always books out quickly.”

The Humble Lecture is being presented as part of National Library and Information Week, which runs from 31 July to 6 August with the theme ‘Where’s the Source?’.

To find out more about the Humble Lecture and secure your ticket visit https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library/home

Warning to businesses: Workplaces are not playgrounds, especially during school holidays

The NSW Government is warning workplaces and kids to remain vigilant in the final days of school holidays after a business was convicted and fined in the Downing Centre Local Court for using a forklift to lift children up in a makeshift elevated work platform.

Sky Cool Pty Ltd was fined $6,000 in total for two offences, while the forklift driver was fined $1000 after video footage showed children being lifted using a forklift at a commercial site in Hornsby.

The footage showed two children, entering, being lifted, and exiting the bucket multiple times, while SafeWork confirmed the man did not possess a high risk licence to operate the forklift at the time of the incident.

The man was found to be operating a forklift with a makeshift bucket, made from a plastic bulk container with its top cut off, placed on the tines and used to move and store containers of material used by the business.

The Court noted the bucket used was uneven and lower than 900mm as recommended as a minimum by the Australian Standards. The court also noted that the children could have lost balance and fallen from the bucket, landing head first.

The prosecution comes while SafeWork Inspectors examine an incident which occurred on the 4th of July 2023 in Sydney’s northern beaches, where a child suffered serious injuries to their fingers after they were caught in a chain used to raise an industrial roller door during the school holidays.

Over the past three years, SafeWork has been notified of more than 1300 incidents involving children under the age of 18.

Sophie Cotsis, Minister for Work Health and Safety sadi:

“We are reminding businesses and parents they have obligations to supervise children especially around machinery, hazardous chemicals and other risks, there is zero tolerance to anyone who puts someone’s safety at risk at work”

“If you are a business where children may have access to your place of work, there needs to be protections in place to protect not just kids but all visitors to the workplace”

“We take workplace safety seriously in NSW, this is a warning to any workplace that there will be consequences for not following the rules”.

New Secretaries appointed to Transport for NSW and Department of Planning and Environment

The NSW Government has today announced the appointment of a new Transport Secretary and a new Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment. Both are ongoing, permanent roles.

Josh Murray has been appointed Secretary of the Department of Transport and comes to the role with more than a decade’s leadership experience at global construction firm, Laing O’Rourke. The appointment follows a market testing and recruitment process led by the Acting Secretary of the Premier’s Department, Peter Duncan AM, in consultation with the Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen.

Ms Kiersten Fishburn has been appointed to the role of Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment, and has a distinguished career in leadership roles in planning and local government, including most recently as Acting Secretary of the Department.

The highly qualified appointments come at a critical time when strong and fresh leadership is required to deliver the government’s priorities in these key areas.

Minister Haylen said:

“We were elected with a clear mandate from the people of NSW to fix our state’s public transport system and to do that we need strong and innovative leadership.

“As Group Leader of People at Laing O’Rourke, Josh Murray has the right skills and experience to lead an organisation that is heavily reliant on an engaged and enthusiastic frontline workforce.

“I’m looking forward to working with Josh to ensure our state’s public transport is not only accessible, affordable and reliable, but is also a system that the people who use it and run it every day can be proud of.

“I’m grateful to Howard Collins for his stewardship of the department over the past few months and I am looking forward to continuing to work with him.”

Minister Scully said:

“Kiersten Fishburn is a well-regarded leader in the NSW public sector and is recognised for driving positive change across her various roles.

“Housing, planning and the environment are key priorities for this government, and I am confident Ms Fishburn has the dedication and fresh perspective to guide the department to important policy reform.”

About Josh Murray

Josh Murray has been at international engineering and construction company Laing O’Rourke since 2008 and has since held executive roles across the agency, including in global roles since 2017 and in London 2017-2021. He joined the Laing O’Rourke Global Executive Committee in 2019. He has significant experience in NSW Government having worked in previous Premier, Deputy Premier and ministerial offices, including in transport portfolios.

About Kiersten Fishburn

Kiersten Fishburn is a highly regarded leader in the NSW public sector. Ms Fishburn moves into the permanent role after acting in the Secretary capacity since May. She was previously the Deputy Secretary Cities and Active Transport with Transport for NSW, and prior to that role served in a number of senior positions across the former NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, including as Secretary and Coordinator General of the Planning Delivery Unit. Ms Fishburn also served as Chief Executive Officer of Liverpool City Council.

NSW Government announces independent panel to oversee gaming reform roadmap

The NSW Government is taking the next step in reducing gambling harm and tackling criminal activity through money laundering by establishing an independent panel into gaming reform.

The panel will oversee the cashless gaming trial and recommend an implementation roadmap for gaming reforms in NSW.

This delivers on the Minns Labor Government’s election commitment to establish an independent panel made up of representatives from law enforcement, gambling and health experts, academics and industry.

The panel will be chaired by former NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing Commissioner Michael Foggo.

The panel will consist of 16 members, with 3 independent Executive Committee members with extensive experience in government-led inquiries and committees – including Mr Foggo, former Labor Senator Ursula Stephens and former MLC and Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals, Niall Blair.

The panel will also include:

4 industry representatives
4 harm minimisation representatives
2 academics with relevant expertise
1 Cyber Security NSW representative
1 NSW Police representative
1 United Workers Union representative.

The panel will also have the power to seek input from a wide range of external experts in the field and government bodies such as the NSW Crime Commission, NSW Information and Privacy Commission and AUSTRAC.

The NSW Government is focused on delivering reform which ensures the protection of participants’ privacy. Representatives from Cyber Security NSW and NSW Police will provide valuable insight into the panel’s consideration of robust privacy and data protection measures.

The panel will establish, implement, evaluate and review the trial of cashless gaming in electronic gaming machines across NSW.

This will include mandating certain requirements to participate in the trial. The NSW Government will make this the panel’s first priority.

At the conclusion of the trial, the independent panel will deliver its report, findings and recommendations to the NSW Government.

The panel will develop recommendations for government to consider in relation to the possible introduction of cashless gaming in hotels and clubs, taking into consideration infrastructure investments required, impact on employment and industry, options to further reduce gambling harm, and the impact on reducing the risk of money laundering.

Finally, the panel will provide additional advice to the government in the form of a gaming reform implementation roadmap by November 2024. This will include making recommendations to the government on:

use of the $100 million harm minimisation fund
expanding the self-exclusion register to the whole state and providing for third-party exclusions:
- the use of facial recognition technology to support the enhanced exclusions schemes
- milestones for the possible delivery of gaming reform in all NSW hotels and clubs
- technical and system standards and privacy and data protections that should be adopted by government.

The NSW Government will also undertake a review of the ClubGRANTS Scheme to be conducted by Liquor & Gaming NSW in consultation with NSW Treasury and The Cabinet Office separately to, but concurrently with, the panel’s work.

The ClubGRANTS scheme has not been formally reviewed since 2013.

The announcement builds on a number of reforms the NSW Government has already introduced to curb gambling harm and tackle criminal activity in clubs and pubs including:

a ban on external signage for gaming rooms across NSW beginning 1 September
lowering the cap for poker machine entitlements by over $3000
reducing the cash input limit from $5000 to $500 on all new machines.

The Minns Government has already passed legislation to ban political donations from clubs with pokies in NSW.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said:

“We know the harmful effects of problem gaming on families, and I want to make sure we stamp out criminal activity in clubs.

“This panel is an important next step.

“The panel has a big job to do but we have the balance right to ensure we have an evidence-based roadmap for future gaming reforms.”

Minister for Gaming & Racing David Harris said:

“We have taken the time to get the right people around the table to ensure we get the best possible trial that will protect consumers and provide confidence in cashless gaming.

“Michael Foggo and the independent panel will advise on the technology, infrastructure, cost, impact on industry and employment, and options to reduce gambling harm, that is their primary purpose.

“I look forward to the panel’s expert contribution as we continue to deliver on our commitment to gambling reform.”

Chair of the Independent Panel Michael Foggo said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the Independent Panel overseeing the expanded cashless gaming trial.

“Throughout my career I have taken a keen interest in the field of gaming reform and am pleased to once again be working alongside the NSW Government on this important initiative.

“Harmful gambling not only impacts individuals but also their loved ones and the broader community, which is why it is so important that we work together to reduce gambling harm.

“We must also ensure that there are appropriate mechanisms in place to stop the money laundering and criminal activity associated as outlined in the NSW Crime Commission report.

“We want to make sure we get the balance right and consider all relevant factors so that any future reforms implemented by the NSW Government, work.

“The Independent Panel will get straight to work and will meet in the coming weeks to confirm the framework of the cashless gaming trial and recommend an appropriate mix of venues for the trial to the NSW Government.”