August 2023 – Page 6

Regional and remote communities disproportionately impacted by the cost of living crisis

Australians are sleeping in cars, businesses are struggling, and crime is tearing through regional and remote communities, the Cost of Living Committee has heard.

At the hearing in Alice Springs, Senator Jane Hume and Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price heard harrowing stories about the impact the cost of living crisis is having on locals.

High inflation, freight and transport costs has pushed up the prices of goods in regional and remote Australia, meaning that the $50 food voucher the Salvation Army used to provide to feed a whole family is no longer enough.

Mayor of Alice Springs, Mr Matt Paterson, said that the cost of freight to regional areas like Alice Springs increased the costs of goods across the board, noting that “a dollar doesn’t go as far in regional Australia as it does everywhere else”.

Witnesses from the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce told the Committee there was less tourism flowing into Alice Springs and similar communities as Australians reprioritise their spending to cope with the cost of living.

While a representative from a local women’s support organisation said if they could ask for one thing from the Government, it would be for more jobs, not welfare.

Mr Gavin Morris, Principal of the Yipirinya School, said it was harder to attract and retain teachers at the school due to high accommodation costs, with the staff turnover causing more anti-social behaviour with students and in the community.

Locals who appeared at the Community Forum reported that the deteriorating law and order situation in Alice Springs was yet another pressure for businesses who are already doing it tough.

One witness said the increase in crime and damage to property was costing small businesses, which could barely afford to pay for the repairs.

Senator Hume said the cost of living crisis goes beyond those primary issues like struggling to pay a bill, with secondary effects having a serious impact on Australians too.

“Cost of living pressures are contributing to family and relationship breakdowns, negatively impacting education outcomes, and creating anti-social behaviour.

“The cost of living crisis can’t be looked at through a single lens but the Albanese Government isn’t even willing to acknowledge there is a problem.

“With no plan to get inflation under control, Labor has waved the white flag on the cost of living. Those in regional and remote Australia are bearing the brunt of this crisis,” Senator Hume said.

Senator Nampijinpa Price said the Labor Government had shown it is not interested in listening to communities like Alice Springs.

“We have heard today about the impact crime is having on driving up business costs, and that there are community members who are desperate because their children’s basic needs are not able to be met.”

“This is best summarised by the fact the Prime Minister was forced into Alice Springs for a few hours earlier this year.

“He announced $250 million for a package to provide relief to residents yet this money has not been allocated and local initiatives such as the Yipirinya Boarding School still can not get a look in,” Senator Nampijinpa Price concluded.

Senator Hume and Senator Nampijinpa Price called on all Australians to share their stories of how the cost of living is impacting them by providing submissions to yourcostofliving.au.

Declining NAPLAN results are a national embarrassment

The Albanese Government must take urgent action to address Australia’s declining school standards which have become a national embarrassment.

In shocking NAPLAN results released today, one in three students is failing numeracy and literacy tests, with only 15 percent of students achieving above the expected standard.

“On almost every score, Australian students are going backwards. That one in three students is not meeting expected standards in literacy and numeracy is just shocking”, Senator Henderson said.

“The NAPLAN results released today mean students are twice as likely to fail than to excel in the classroom,” Senator Henderson said.

“Fixing this is not about funding. The Albanese Government needs to focus on the foundations of a good education – reading, writing and mathematics – by mandating evidence-based teaching methods in every Australian classroom,” said Senator Henderson.

“The refusal by Labor governments – state and federal – to mandate best-practice teaching and learning methods in every Australian classroom is not only failing students but grossly negligent”, Senator Henderson said.

“The Albanese Government and the states and territories must take urgent action to reverse these results,” said Senator Henderson.

“This is not about the quality of Australian teachers who are hard-working and dedicated. Many universities are offering deficient teacher training courses which are not adequately preparing teachers for the classroom, and our tertiary education system must wear some of the blame for this shambles. Teachers can only excel if they are supported by the best evidence-based teaching and learning methods,” said Senator Henderson.

“In proposing catch up tutorials, Education Minister Jason Clare is just tinkering at the edges. Why is he not addressing the fundamental cause of this appalling decline in Australian school standards?” said Senator Henderson.

“The Australian Education Research Organisation has confirmed what it will take to reverse declining standards, but that means we need tough action and not more talk from Jason Clare,” said Senator Henderson.Young Australians and their families deserve better than this, and so does our country.

Expert panel helping to raise the bar for urban design in Newcastle

An independent panel of experts are helping to set a new benchmark for urban design in Newcastle, working with City of Newcastle to evaluate major commercial, industrial, residential, community and civic developments proposed for the city.

The Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP) considered 71 items collectively worth more than $600 million during 2022, with a view to assess the design quality of development proposals and identify how they could be improved by design changes.

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Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the annual report of the Panel, tabled at Tuesday’s Council meeting, demonstrated their track record of ensuring design excellence for a number of significant developments, which will lead to positive outcomes for the community.

“City of Newcastle’s Urban Design Review Panel is reputedly the oldest continuously serving urban design and architectural advisory body in the state of New South Wales,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Newcastle is coming of age by transforming into a modern metropolitan city, with significant redevelopment occurring right across the Local Government Area.

“By strengthening the expertise of CN’s existing team with a panel of independent design experts, City of Newcastle is achieving excellence in urban design.”

The UDRP has considered a number of significant developments including both the landmark Dairy Farmers and The Store redevelopments in Newcastle West.

Urban Design Review Panel Chair Dr Philip Pollard also acted as CN’s jury representative for two design competitions in 2022, including The East End Stage 3 and 4 redevelopment and $100 million redevelopment of the former Spotlight site in Newcastle West.

“The UDRP panel is continually looking for ways to take urban design excellence in Newcastle to a new level,” Dr Pollard said.

“We are currently considering some exciting development applications and working together to strike a balance between sustainability and quality design outcomes.

“We are also looking for more ways to make connections to Country in the design of public domain spaces.

“Good design is not merely creating good looking public spaces and buildings. It is anchored in an understanding of city making, and in creating enduring, functional and uplifting environments, for work, recreation and living.”

Community invited to celebration of First Nations creativity and culture 

City of Newcastle (CN) will serve up a feast of First Nations culture at Hamilton’s James Street Plaza on Saturday as part of Newcastle Art Gallery’s outdoor projection project.

Launched in July during NAIDOC Week, the project has included nightly screenings of DEAD TONGUE 2015, a major video work of art from the Newcastle Art Gallery’s collection by internationally renowned First Nations artist Dr Christian Thompson AO.

The moving video, which is accompanied by a stirring soundtrack of the artist singing in Bidjara language, pays homage to the survival and reclamation of First Nations’ languages.

To celebrate the final weekend of projection, Newcastle Art Gallery is collaborating with local artist Wanjun Carpenter to host an evening of First Nations performance, food and music in James Street Plaza.

The event will feature local and national First Nations artists including Nardi Simpson, Adam Manning, Lacey Bilger and Lena Parkes presented by Catapult Dance, alongside DJ Wanjun Carpenter.

Aboriginal-owned food truck, Blackseed Catering & Café, will also be set up in the Plaza with delicious food and drinks made with native ingredients available for purchase.

Chair of City of Newcastle’s Community and Culture Advisory Committee, Councillor Carol Duncan encouraged everyone to join in the free celebration of First Nations art and culture.

“City of Newcastle is committed to providing opportunities for our community to acknowledge the extraordinary creative and cultural practices of First Nations people,” Cr Duncan said.

“Newcastle Art Gallery’s projection project has provided a wonderful avenue through which we can gain new perspectives and celebrate the work of First Nations creatives.

“I encourage our community to head along to James Street Plaza on Saturday night for the culmination of this project and enjoy the First Nations food, live music and performances on offer.”

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the project was another way of connecting with the community.

“The projection project has been presented as part of Newcastle Art Gallery’s ambitious offsite, outreach and digital programming, which is being delivered while the Gallery undergoes its major expansion,” Ms Morton said.

“The expanded Newcastle Art Gallery will launch with an artistic program of ground-breaking temporary exhibitions alongside permanent displays of the collection.

“In the meantime, however, it is important to give our community as many avenues as possible to stay connected to us and we are thrilled to have been able to share this important First Nations work from our collection with the wider community during the past two months.”

The free closing celebration for DEAD TONGUE 2015 will kick off at James Street Plaza in Hamilton from 6pm on Saturday, 26 August.

Janelle Saffin appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery amid key government appointments

NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced the appointment of the Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, as the Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery.

Janelle Saffin experienced the devastation of a natural disaster when unprecedented floods hit the Northern Rivers in early 2022.

The Member for Lismore has remained a fierce advocate for her community’s recovery since the beginning and will have an even stronger voice – for the Northern Rivers and communities across NSW in this role.

This announcement represents another stage in the new government’s reset of the Northern Rivers disaster recovery response.

Premier Minns met with local mayors and MPs from the Northern Rivers in June to directly listen to their concerns.

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, and the Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, visited the region together last month to further hear community feedback and to see first-hand how reconstruction programs are progressing and what more needed to be done.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority will continue under its current arrangements reporting to the Minister for Planning and the Minister for Emergency Services, now supported by the new Parliamentary Secretary.

Further strengthening the government’s focus on natural disaster preparedness and recovery, Premier Minns announced NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive officer Simon Draper PSM as the new Secretary of the Premier’s Department.

Mr Draper’s experience will bolster the Premier’s Department’s whole-of-government disaster response coordination role and the department’s focus on supporting frontline agencies to deliver for communities.

Mr Draper’s appointment recognises his reputation as one of the state’s most respected and experienced public servants.

He will commence in his role as Secretary of Premier’s Department on 1 September 2023.

Premier Minns thanked outgoing Acting Secretary Peter Duncan AM who has overseen the establishment of the Cabinet Office and the Premier’s Department since the March election.

Further work will be undertaken in relation to the recruitment of the Secretary of the Cabinet Office. Deputy Secretary, Policy William Murphy PSM will be Acting Secretary of the Cabinet Office.

Mr Draper will continue as NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO as the state enters the summer bushfire season.

Simon Draper has worked in NSW Government for the last decade. He was a Deputy Secretary Economic Policy at the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Secretary of the Department of Industry and was CEO of Infrastructure NSW from 2019 to February 2023. He joined the newly formed NSW Reconstruction Authority as CEO in February 2023.

Prior to joining government, Mr Draper worked in the infrastructure, utility and energy sectors, as CEO of 2 airport companies (Northern Territory Airports and Wellington Airport in New Zealand), CEO of Lumo Energy, and General Manager Commercial at Integral Energy (now Endeavour Energy).

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Simon Draper is a highly regarded leader in the NSW public sector.

“A leader of Simon’s calibre qualifies him to head both the NSW Premier’s Department and continue his critical stewardship of the state’s disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts.

“I am thrilled that the Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin has accepted the important role of Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery.

“Janelle is a tireless advocate for her community and, having personally faced a devastating natural disaster and its aftermath, I can think of no-one better for this role.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“I’m honoured to take on the important role of Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery.

“I’ve seen first-hand the devastation that natural disasters such as floods can cause communities such as my local Northern Rivers community.

“I’ve also experienced first-hand the vital role that a well-coordinated response and recovery, throughout the short-term and long-term stages of disaster recovery can play and the need for continuous improvement in preparedness. 

“The better prepared, the better response, the better recovery.”

Incoming Secretary for the Premier’s Department, Simon Draper said:

“I am honoured to be appointed to this role leading the 430,000 outstanding public servants who work hard each day for the people of NSW.

“I have done many things in my career – I saw the best of what can be achieved when the public service came together during COVID and again in our work in the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

“I look forward to supporting the Premier and his priorities and driving effort from the heart of government to improve the lives of the NSW community.”

NSW Government passes tough new penalties for confidential tax disclosure, relief for GPs

The NSW Government today passed legislation which provides tough new penalties for the disclosure of confidential taxation information, as well as relief for GPs.

The Revenue, Fines and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 contains multi-million-dollar penalties for individuals, corporations or other organisations if they are caught using or disclosing confidential government taxation information.

The NSW Government routinely consults externally on tax policy and legislation on a confidential basis.

The new offence in the bill carries maximum penalties of $1,109,900 for individuals and $5,549,500 for corporations if they are found to have misused or disclosed confidential government information.

The bill also includes a 12-month pause on payroll tax audits for GPs and their practices to allow for ongoing consultation with the sector, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian Medical Association.

There will also be a 12-month pause on tax penalties and interest accrued on outstanding payroll tax debts incurred before and at the commencement of the 12-month period.

The pause comes amid increased cost pressures on GPs following the former Federal Liberal Government’s decision to freeze the indexation of bulk-billing rebates for many years.

Any threat to bulk-billing rates for NSW patients is a concern for the Government, given the potential flow-on increase in presentations to emergency departments and hospitals, which are already under significant strain.

Earlier, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners thanked the NSW Government for its approach.

The bill also contained other measures which promote integrity and compliance and improve the administration of the state’s fines system, including enhancing Revenue NSW’s ability to recover tax debts from ‘phoenix’ operators who liquidate companies to avoid paying their debts.

Phoenix activity is a major concern of commonwealth and state regulators, not only because of tax avoidance but also because of the harm caused to individuals, businesses and other creditors.

Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos said:

“Today, we provided relief to GPs who are under cost pressures because of the actions of the previous Federal Liberal Government.

“I’m grateful to the RACGP for their support on this and look forward to engaging with them and the AMA over the coming months to develop a long-term solution.

“Our new confidentiality laws ensure integrity remains at the heart of the NSW Government’s tax system.

“The new multi-million-dollar penalties send the strongest signal yet that divulging confidential government information won’t be tolerated.”

Applications open for new Crown cemetery board

In the latest step to fix the cemeteries crisis left by the former Government, the NSW Labor Government will open applications for qualified candidates to join a new professional board to help meet the needs of Sydney’s Crown cemetery sector.

The new skills-based board will oversee the Metropolitan Memorial Parks (MMP) Land Manager, which commenced on 1 July 2023 following the merger of three Crown cemetery operators: Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Land Manager, Northern Metropolitan Cemeteries Land Manager, and Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Land Manager.

Metropolitan Memorial Parks performs an important public purpose, meeting the burial and cremation needs of the community.

Essential skills and experience being sought from prospective Board members include financial management, governance and risk management, organisational performance, stakeholder management, commercial strategy, and legal skills.

Other desirable attributes include skills and experience in place management, construction, change management and information technology.

The government is also keen to have a diverse and multicultural board that is reflective of the wider community, ensuring different beliefs and cultural practices are considered in relevant matters.

Up to seven Board members including a Chair will be appointed for an initial three years.

For further information visit the Metropolitan Memorial Parks Board application portal here or visit I work for NSWlaunch.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“The former Government left the Crown cemeteries sector in crisis, with many faith groups set to run out of burial space within three years.”

“The NSW Government, alongside administrator Ken Morrison, has hit the ground running with the creation of Metropolitan Memorial Parks. Now, we are looking for talented individuals to join its new Board and work with us to help steer the future of the Crown cemetery sector on behalf of the community.”

“This exciting opportunity will see Board members supported by the government to oversee Metropolitan Memorial Parks’ operations and work on interesting opportunities and challenges, including creating more cemetery space for Sydney, helping rethink the role cemeteries play as shared public open spaces, and engaging with key faith communities and stakeholders to meet consumer needs.”

New student behaviour policy to address disruptive classrooms available from next term

A new policy to manage student behaviour and support safe and positive learning environments will be available to NSW public school teachers before the end of the year.

The Department of Education is now sharing its proposed Student Behaviour Policy with school leaders for feedback, following extensive consultation with education partners including the NSW Teachers Federation, the Primary Principals Association, the Secondary Principals Council and the Special Education Principals and Leaders Association.

The policy overhaul initiated by the Minns Labor Government earlier this year followed widespread feedback from teachers and principals that the former Liberal National Government’s behaviour strategy undermined teachers’ authority to maintain calm in their classrooms and impacted student learning.

The review delivers on a key commitment of the NSW Government to improve student behaviour management procedures so teachers can support safe, responsible and respectful student conduct.

It also reaffirms a commitment to help all students, including those with complex learning and support needs, to reach their full potential.

The proposed changes provide teachers and principals with the authority they need to appropriately manage student behaviour. This includes a scale of measures schools may use to address problem behaviour, including suspension and expulsion as critical safeguards where necessary.

Schools will continue to employ positive teaching strategies in classrooms to minimise disruption and encourage a productive learning environment.

The new policy will be released to NSW public schools in Term 4, 2023, for teacher training and familiarisation, before coming into effect in Term 1, 2024.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“Students and teachers have a right to learn and work in safe classrooms.

“We have heard loud and clear from teachers and principals that the procedures introduced by the former government did not enable safe and respectful classrooms to be maintained for students and staff.

“Our schools must be safe learning environments and our staff must have the support and authority they need to manage disruptive and challenging student behaviours.

“It’s important all students have a classroom environment that minimises disruptions, maximises teacher instruction time and enhances learning.”

Concessions now available to pensioners for council rates

Eligible pensioners across NSW can now apply for a rebate on their council rates to help with the rising cost of living.

An annual concession of up to $250 per property is available to pensioners for ordinary rates and domestic waste charges.

A further rebate of up to $87.50 is available for annual water rates and up to $87.50 for annual sewerage rates, where councils provide those services.

The NSW Government funds 55 per cent of the pensioner rebate, while councils pay the remaining 45 per cent. The Government’s share of the funding is provided to councils, which administer the entire rebate to eligible ratepayers.

Eligibility for the pensioner concessions is determined in accordance with the Australian Government’s policies on pensioner eligibility and income thresholds.

A range of further savings and support is available from the Government to help ease the cost of living for NSW pensioners.

Find out more on the Savings Finder pagelaunch of the Service NSW website

Applications for payment of the Pensioner Concession Subsidy to local councils are now open. Councils have until Friday 6 October 2023 to submit their claims covering concessions provided to pensioners for the 2023-24 year.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“The NSW Government understands people are doing it tough right now, with pensioners especially vulnerable to rising cost of living.

“The rate rebates provided each year by the Government and councils are an important relief measure to help ease the financial burden of day to day living expenses for pensioners.

“Councils also have the discretion to provide and fund further rebates for pensioners should they wish to do so.

“I encourage councils to submit their concession subsidy forms to the Office of Local Government before the October deadline and take full advantage of the funding available.”

NSW Government moves to pause payroll tax audits for GPs for 12 months

Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos today announced the NSW Government will move to pause payroll tax audits for GPs and their practices for 12 months to allow for ongoing consultation with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Australian Medical Association.

This follows the release on Friday 11 August 2023 of a practice note by Revenue NSW on payroll tax rules affecting GPs. The note was released after the conclusion of a series of court cases contested by the former government on the matter.

There will also be a 12-month pause on tax penalties and interest accrued on outstanding payroll tax debts incurred before and at the commencement of the 12-month period.

The change will be implemented through an amendment to the Revenue, Fines and Other Legislation Amendment Bill.

NSW GPs face cost pressures due to the former federal Liberal government’s decision to freeze rebates for many years.

Any threat to bulk-billing rates for NSW patients is a concern for the government, given the potential flow-on increase in presentations to emergency departments and hospitals, which are already under significant strain.

Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos said:

“This matter is historic and dates back to before 2018. Its resolution has been hampered by multiple court hearings and the neglect of the previous Coalition government. We understand this neglect has created great uncertainty in the GP community.

“That is why we will need time to satisfactorily resolve the matter.

“We also want time to assess the effects of the bulk-billing changes being introduced federally by the Albanese Government.

“The former federal Liberal government’s failure to index the bulk-billing rebate for Medicare against the CPI for a decade imposed cost stresses on GPs and patients alike.

“We are working hard to rebuild and restore essential services ignored by the previous government.

“This will take time but we are committed to doing this carefully and thoughtfully to achieve the best result we can.”