August 2023 – Page 10

GREENS FORCE ALBANESE GOVERNMENT TO SPILL THE BEANS ON VIP FLIGHTS FOR POLITICIANS

The public has paid millions to fly senior politicians around on “special purpose” VIP flights according to documents forced from the Albanese government by the Greens.

After hiding the truth for more than 12 months the documents were finally released this week and they show more than $3.75 million spent on VIP flights for the new Prime Minister since just May last year.

If flights taken to support his role as Leader of the Opposition are included the cost rises to over $5.3 million.
Meanwhile the new Defence Minister has taken $2.9 million in special purpose VIP flights and the Governor General has cost taxpayers more than $1.9 m to be flown around for his largely ceremonial duties in the same period.

While the numbers are enormous, the full details of the flights are still being hidden by Defence who allege that telling the public where politicians flew last year would cause security concerns.

Greens Senator and Defence Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

“For a government that promised transparency they sure have needed their arms twisted to spill the beans on these VIP flights.

“This is an eye-watering bill to fly senior politicians around in VIP flights.“Of course there’s a need to fly the PM around for offical duties, but this PM is billing taxpayers harder and faster for VIP flights than any before him.

“The refusal, apparently for security reasons, to tell us where the flights went is a very convenient way to avoid serious scrutiny.

“It’s hard to see what credible security risk there is from telling us where politicians were flown to 12 months ago,” Senator Shoebridge said.

Documents available for download belowFile

Attachment	Size
Defence FOI 702_22_23 – Documents.pdf	3.33 MB
Defence FOI 702_22_23 – Schedule of Documents.pdf	117.43 KB
Defence FOI 702_22_23 – Statement of Reasons.pdf	432.24 KB

Vietnam Veterans’ Day

This Vietnam Veterans’ Day will hold a special place in the hearts of our veterans of Vietnam as well as their families. This year we mark 50 years since Australia formally declared its cessation of hostilities in Vietnam bringing an end to our longest war of the 20^th century.

Today we stop to remember the 60,000 Australians who served in Vietnam, the more than 3,000 who were wounded, and the 523 Australians who fell in that foreign land.

In a controversial and polarising conflict which engendered public protest on the home front, the service and sacrifice of soldiers was often forgotten. At the time, public opinion often failed to draw a distinction between the politics of war and the people who fought in it.

Having returned home, veterans found that their communities, colleagues, friends and even families neither understood, nor wanted to understand what they had experienced. Some were subjected to outright hostility and accused of war crimes. Others were met with ingratitude or indifference. Many did not receive adequate medical support to deal with their wounds, seen and unseen. Our veterans of Vietnam deserved so much better.

In the decades since the Vietnam War, we have come to acknowledge our nation’s historical mistreatment of many who returned. And we have come to tell stories of the endeavours, valour and sacrifice of Australians who served in Vietnam – to see beyond the politics and rightfully honour the people, their character and their deeds.

Today we remember the Nashos – the 15,000 Australians who served in Vietnam having been conscripted under the National Service Scheme. Their birth dates were pulled from that ‘lottery of death’. But they went to war without complaint. As the Official History notes, contrary to perceptions at the time, the levels of compliance were high, with less than 1.5 per cent failing to register.

Today we also remember the soldiers’ experiences. The gruelling 12-month tours of duty of which a demanding 80 per cent of time was spent in the operational field. The brutal nature of a predominantly ground war with no front lines. The constant patrols. The search and destroy missions. The perils of mines, booby traps, protracted guerrilla warfare and hit-and-run attacks at night. The unrelenting risk of ambush from an enemy who had infiltrated South Vietnam and could be present in any village, jungle, mountain, swamp, rice paddy or rubber plantation. The intense engagements which began without warning and were typically fought at close quarters of less than 30 metres.

And today we remember those major battles like Long Tan, Coral-Balmoral, Binh Ba and others where, testimony to the Anzac spirit, Australians again proved their mettle.

Our dutiful act of remembrance on Vietnam Veterans’ Day is a threefold promise. A promise to the past to honour the fallen. A promise to the present to thank those Vietnam veterans still with us. And a promise to the future to afford all veterans with the proper treatment and dignity they deserve.

As we look around the world at periods characterised by resurgent authoritarianism, we can better understand the strategic reasons behind Australia’s participation in the Vietnam War. Indeed, we can better appreciate the values for which Australians shouldered arms, shed blood and sacrificed so much. Australians stood with our friends against those hell-bent on conquest.

Vietnam is a reminder that the values we hold dear endure beyond any conflict – provided we never become indifferent to defending them. Our region would look very different today had Australians not fought to defend those values in Vietnam.

To all our Vietnam veterans:

In this important commemorative year, Australians express our profound national gratitude to you. You did your duty. You showed courage, camaraderie and commitment in extremis. You are revered equally among all the Anzacs who have served and sacrificed for our country and helped to defend liberty. You have a secure place within Australia’s pantheon of war heroes. On your day, Vietnam Veterans’ Day, we honour you. We thank you. We commit you to our national memory and to always remember you faithfully.

City of Newcastle steps up war on waste with free community workshops

City of Newcastle (CN) is empowering residents to join the war on waste with a new series of free workshops designed to encourage a more sustainable lifestyle.

Almost 30 face-to-face and online events are being delivered as part of the Low Waste Living Program, arming residents with information on how to reduce household waste and manage the rising cost of living.

The workshops will be presented by experts in their field and cover a diverse range of topics including the benefits of cloth nappies, easy green cleaning, seed saving, composting, keeping backyard chickens and how to make your own natural skincare products.

CN’s popular Repair Café at Lambton Library is also going on the road to reach more residents, with events planned at Wallsend Library and Hamilton South Community Centre, while tours of Summerhill Waste Management Centre and the Wallsend Op-Shop Trail are also included in the program.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the workshops are designed to give people the knowledge to take action, and aligns with the commitments made under City of Newcastle’s 20-year Sustainable Waste Strategy.

“Every year, Australians send more than 6.2 million tonnes of organic waste and 3.2 million tonnes of plastic waste to landfill, and spend between $2,200 and $3,800 on food that ends up being thrown out,” Cr Clausen said.

“Our Sustainable Waste Strategy is focussed on reducing unnecessary waste going to landfill and changing the way we return, reuse, repair and recycle resources.

“City of Newcastle is making a significant investment towards this goal through our planned material recovery facility and organics processing facility at Summerhill, which will provide the infrastructure needed for residents to easily increase their recycling rates.

“This investment is complemented by initiatives such as this Low Waste Living Program, which inspire changes in community attitudes and behaviours around general environmental sustainability, waste reduction, avoidance and recycling while continuing to promote local repair and reuse initiatives.

“Our Libraries and Waste Services teams are collaborating with community partners Catholic Care Social Services, Wallsend Town Business Association and Hunter Multicultural Communities to ensure these free workshops reach as many people as possible within our community so that we can encourage and empower them with practical ways to reduce waste around their home.”

The program was launched with the Newcastle Repair Café and Seed Library Workshop at the Hunter Multicultural Communities in Waratah earlier this month and will continue next week with online workshops including Get into Cloth – Reusable Nappies on 22 August.

To find out more about these and other sessions visit https://whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/blog/low-waste-living

City of Newcastle delivers million-dollar investment to support innovative local business projects

City of Newcastle (CN) has opened applications for its City Centre and Darby Street Special Business Rates (SBR) program, with $900,000 in funding available for projects designed to promote, beautify and develop the precinct.

The opening of the City Centre/ Darby Street program follows the recent awarding of $150,000 in funding for seven projects in the Hamilton, New Lambton and Wallsend precincts, with successful projects ranging from a street art festival to an op-shop trail.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Newcastle Councillors with SBR funding recipients and business community representatives.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the SBR program provided invaluable support for City Centre and suburban business precincts, with economic outcomes that flowed through to the wider Newcastle area.

“SBR initiatives such as West Best Bloc Fest, which will see 80 local music artists perform in venues across the city, and the Small Walls beautification project, are proven to not only attract an influx of visitors but also drive new and expanded economic opportunities for our local hospitality venues, arts and cultural sector,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what creative applications come through from this next City Centre and Darby Street SBR round and also congratulate the successful applicants from Hamilton, New Lambton and Wallsend, as we continue to create vibrant, activated spaces for the community and visitors to enjoy.”

SBR recipient and Newcastle Pride president Lee-Anne McDougall said the funding will help deliver a diverse range of LGBTIQ+ free and ticketed events throughout Hamilton during the Newcastle Pride Festival in October.

“We’ve developed a program of LGBTIQ+ community events aimed to delight and entertain the Hamilton community and visitors with ‘Roving Real Queens of Hamilton’, drag bingo, a dance party and much more thanks to SBR support,” Ms McDougall said.

Councillor Carol Duncan said initiatives like the SBR program provide a great way to involve local businesses and the community in the development and promotion of their own business precincts.

“The SBR suburban program will this year support seven truly innovative projects, which I can’t wait to see come to life in Hamilton, New Lambton and Wallsend,” Cr Duncan said.

“Beaumont Street is set to come alive in October with LGBTIQ+ community events delivered by Newcastle Pride, bringing visitors to the area and building on the recent success of the Hamilton Night Noodle Markets.”

Expressions of interest for the City Centre and Darby Street SBR funding round close on Friday 15 September.

For more information about the Special Business Rate program visit City of Newcastle website.

Hamilton SBR projects:

Newcastle Fringe 2024
The project will build on the Fringe Festival’s existing presence on Beaumont Street by expanding the number of shows with more family-friendly events and micro-performances in local businesses.
Newcastle Pride Festival 2023 – Hamilton
Newcastle Pride has developed a diverse range of free and ticketed events to be delivered throughout Hamilton during the Newcastle Pride Festival in October. The project incorporates daytime and evening events for all ages, including ‘Roving Real Queens of Hamilton’, drag bingo, cocktails and a dance party.

New Lambton SBR projects:

Little Festival New Lambton
A whimsical street art festival walking trail featuring live street art painting on temporary and permanent structures, miniature installations, sculptures, stencils, chalk artworks, paste ups, yarn bombs, repurposed found objects, workshops, pop-up exhibitions and activations throughout the business precinct.
Joan’s Inner Power Creative Program
A four-day cultural and creative program set to activate the New Lambton precinct during New Annual festival. With a focus on the voices of women and gender diverse artists, this program will connect communities, celebrate stories and inspire social change through art and creative dialogue.

Wallsend SBR projects:

Wallsend Op Shop Trail
In collaboration with Wallsend Town Business Association, Samaritans, and the other four op shops on Nelson Street, the Wallsend Op Shop Trail is designed to encourage visitors to visit Wallsend on weekends.
Streets Alive Wallsend!
A series of all-inclusive two-hour pop-up events will be held in the Wallsend business precinct, providing entertainment and activities that encourage the local community and visitors to inhabit their public spaces with a sense of play, wonder and connection.
Up&Up Inspirations ArtScape Community Festival
UP&UP Inspirations will transform Wallsend Skate Park into a vibrant hub of creativity, catering to youth and families, featuring street art workshops, DJs, live music performances, and live street art painting exhibitions.

Changes to the public sector to provide laser focus on housing and energy challenges

NSW Premier Chris Minns has today announced that the Department of Planning and Environment will become two new departments to better deliver on the Government’s priorities of addressing the energy challenges, climate change, the environment and housing.

The NSW Government is committed to keeping the lights on for NSW households, leading the essential transition to clean renewable energy, setting up the Energy Security Corporation, securing the future of our natural environment, as well as addressing the cost of living by ensuring housing is more affordable.

From 1 January 2024, the Department of Planning and Environment will be split into two new dedicated entities, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

The new departments will be joined by the Office of Energy and Climate Change which is currently in Treasury.

There will be no changes to Ministerial portfolios. The changes have been made following a detailed review and analysis of services and programs.

The Public Sector Review is ongoing and any further machinery of government changes will take place post the budget.

The 2023-24 Budget and Appropriations Bill will be presented on 19 September on the basis of current administrative arrangements.

All changes to machinery of government covered in today’s announcement, due to take effect from 1 January, will be reflected in full in the 2024-25 Budget.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Our government will always keep people at the heart of our decisions, and it’s clear that we need to align our agencies with the most important issues facing our communities.

“That’s precisely what this change is designed to achieve.”

“The new Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water pulls together the collective environmental expertise of government into one place – creating a team ready to tackle one of our biggest challenges in energy security.

“The changes announced today will also provide a renewed focus and deep expertise to address the housing crisis.”

Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“We went to the election with a commitment to taking serious action on Climate Change and addressing the decline in biodiversity.

“This new department brings these key tasks together and will allow the Minns Government to deliver on our election commitments and focus on the future of NSW.

“This future secures clean energy, drives economic growth for households and businesses and protects our air, our water, our soil and our plants and animals.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“It’s my job to make sure there is enough housing for people in NSW.

“We inherited a housing crisis more than a decade in the making and know how challenging the housing situation is for everyone.

“We’ve already established new planning rules which encourage the construction of more homes.

“We’ve reformed infrastructure contributions to get roads, schools, health services and open spaces delivered faster in areas of high housing growth.

“These changes combined with departmental changes, will hone our housing delivery focus.

“I look forward to the new approach and fresh ideas that will be generated by bringing together the best minds and expertise in the public sector.”

Minister for Housing and the Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

“Our government is focused on bringing solutions to the table that are thorough and informed.”

“We want to create a government for the future not just right now. Part of that work means pulling together the right teams.

“As the Minister for Water, this new department not only makes sense but is absolutely crucial to ensure NSW is ready for the future.

“We know that climate change, pollution and land management are some of the biggest risks to water quality and security.”

Vietnam veterans remembered, 50 years on from Australian troop withdrawal

Vietnam Veterans Day commemorations being held today around the state and Australia will hold special significance, marking 50 years since Australia’s withdrawal from Vietnam.

Vietnam Veterans Day takes place on 18 August, originally to acknowledge the Battle of Long Tan which occurred in 1966 and resulted in 18 Australian deaths and 24 wounded after 3 hours of fierce fighting before the withdrawal of the Viet Cong. But the day is used to broadly to remember the service and sacrifice of all who fought in Vietnam.

Minister for Veterans David Harris was at the Cenotaph alongside RSL NSW President and Vietnam veteran Ray James OAM, to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of our veterans of one of Australia’s longest military engagements of the 20th century.

“This year, 50 years on from the withdrawal of Australian troops, we pay special tribute to all who served in Vietnam to keep us safe,” Mr Harris said.

“Sadly, 523 lost their lives and almost 2400 were wounded, with all involved carrying the scars and memories that only armed combat can bring. We will never forget your service and sacrifice.”

RSL NSW President Ray James OAM said commemorating significant moments in our military history is vital to Australia, as people, a community, and a nation.

“Today we will honour those veterans who lost their lives during a battle; returned home wounded, ill, or injured, lost their lives in the years since they returned, and still carry the physical and emotional scars of their service since Australia withdrew from the Vietnam War 50 years ago,” Mr James said.

“For those of us who are still here today, I say we must continue to honour the dead but fight like hell for the living as we support our fellow veterans of all conflicts, and connect them with the mateship, camaraderie, and services they need.”

Vietnam veterans and nurses are also being honoured in a new exhibition at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park. The Stories of the Dat Do Dogs is a photographic exhibition with digital stories from over 50 veterans sharing their experiences from Vietnam.

Minister Harris who opened the exhibition said the memories shared by these veterans will enable their legacy to continue.

“The photographs and digital stories produced are essential to ensuring the sacrifices of these veterans are not forgotten, and their legacy is passed down to future generations.”

The exhibition will feature in the Auditorium at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park Sydney through to March 2024.

For more information, visit the Anzac Memorial event pagelaunch.

TAFE NSW Campbelltown hair and beauty facilities receive $1.2 million glow up as demand surges

The Minns Labor Government has delivered a $1.2 million upgrade to hair and beauty training facilities at TAFE NSW Campbelltown as demand for specialist skills and training in southwest Sydney grows.

The upgrade means TAFE NSW Campbelltown now has expanded training offerings and will teach hair and beauty courses for the first time, Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Prue Car said.

The funding has seen 2 generalist teaching spaces converted into specialist, adaptable classrooms, fitted with industry-standard tanning equipment, make-up bays, waxing tools, wash basins and cutting and styling tools.

Since the new facilities opening in July, some 95 hair and beauty students have enrolled at TAFE NSW Campbelltown in courses including the new Fee-Free Certificate III in Makeup, Certificate II in Salon Assistant, Certificate III in Beauty Services and Certificate III in Nail Technology.

After the Liberal National government spent 12 years cutting courses, sacking teachers and closing TAFE NSW campuses, the Minns Labor Government is committed to restoring TAFE NSW as the heart of vocational education in the state.

The Minns Labor Government is now making the careful and necessary decisions to address the holes left in the budget by the Liberals to ensure we fund the essential services people rely on.

This includes committing to a floor of 70% of its skills budget going to TAFE NSW.

The Minns Labor government is also conducting a comprehensive review of the vocational education system in NSW that has already begun consultation around the state.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Prue Car said:

“As southwest Sydney’s population goes from strength to strength, the demand for training skilled workers is continuing to grow.

“It is wonderful to see students at this TAFE NSW campus learning on industry-standard hair and beauty teaching facilities.

“Students will also be able to learn their trade and gain hands-on experience in an environment just like a regular salon.

“This investment will ensure people who want to start their own business or work as beauticians, hairdressers, barbers and salon assistants can learn skills in their local area for years to come.”

TAFE NSW Head Teacher Beauty, Rebecca Hamilton said:

“The new simulated beauty salon and multi-purpose learning space provides three new practical spaces for specialised training and will give students the edge they need to excel in their apprenticeships and career.

“Thanks to the new facilities, we’ve been able to meet high local demand for our hair and beauty courses, with another class already added to accommodate interest in Certificate III in Makeup,’ Ms Hamilton said.”

COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF AUSTRALIA’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE VIETNAM WAR

Today our nation will pause to mark Vietnam Veterans’ Day, the key commemoration in this 50th anniversary year of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

Thousands of Australians will gather at the Vietnam Forces Memorial in Canberra, and across the country, to honour the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam veterans.

On 18 August 1966, Australians and New Zealanders were outnumbered 10 to one in the battle of Long Tan.

It was the single greatest loss of life Australia suffered during the Vietnam War – 18 Australians were killed and 24 were wounded.

In the years that followed, Vietnam veterans gathered to commemorate those lost at Long Tan.

Now we gather on 18 August each year to mark Vietnam Veterans’ Day, paying tribute to all those who served in Australia’s longest conflict of the 20th century.

60,000 Australian personnel served in Vietnam over more than a decade, which sadly resulted in 523 lives lost, and some 3,000 wounded. For their service, and the sacrifices of their families, we say thank you.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese MP said:

“This year, as we mark the 50th anniversary since the role of Australian troops in the hostilities in Vietnam came to a close, we acknowledge the service and sacrifice made by our veterans.

“Their experiences during and after the war are a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served our country and the debt of gratitude we owe each and every one of our veterans.

“Many of our troops returned to face new battles at home and not every one of those battles was won – it is important as Australians we know the stories of service in Vietnam and what our veterans faced when returned home.

“We honour you, we thank you and we are so sorry it took us so long as a nation to do so.”

Minister for Veterans Affairs’ and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh MP said:

“When we speak of the Anzac spirit, we speak of having your mates’ backs, no matter how dire the circumstances.

“But when our veterans returned home from Vietnam many felt unsupported, unrecognised.

“In marking 50 years since the end of Australia’s involvement in Vietnam, we honour and thank all those who served, and the sacrifices of their families.

“You have made your nation proud.”

Man charged with firearm and domestic violence offences – Hunter Valley

A man has been charged with firearms and domestic violence offences in the Hunter Valley region.

About 7.30pm on Wednesday 16 August 2023, a 59-year-old man allegedly threatened a 56-year-old woman with a firearm before firing a shot on the property at Pyne Way, Mount View.

The woman was able to escape and notify police attached to the Hunter Valley Police District, who commenced an investigation into the incident.

With assistance from PolAir, the man was tracked to an address on Short Street, Speers Point, where he was arrested by specialist police attached to the Tactical Operations Unit about 1am on Thursday 17 August 2023.

The man was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with armed with intent to commit indictable offence, fire firearm manner likely injure persons/property, possess loaded firearm endanger life not public, common assault, and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm.

Following the arrest, at 2.20pm, a search warrant was executed at the home on Pyne Way, where police seized firearms, ammunition and prohibited drugs.

The man was refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court, where he was formally refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday 12 September 2023.

Inquiries are ongoing.

Appeal to locate wanted man – Newcastle

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on outstanding arrest warrants in Newcastle.

Randolph Convery, aged 49, is wanted by virtue of outstanding arrest warrants.

He was last seen on Hunter Street, Newcastle, about 3pm Wednesday (16 August 2023).

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District have commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 170cm to 175cm tall, of a large build with brown hair and brown eyes.

Randolph was last seen wearing a green shirt and green pants.

He may be driving a 1999 white Toyota Sedan with the NSW registration AHJ70U.

He is known to frequent the Newcastle and Tarro areas.

Anyone with information about Randolph’s whereabouts is urged to contact Newcastle City police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.