Month: November 2023

National Ministerial forum discusses reforms to prevent child sexual abuse

Federal, state and territory governments have met to discuss a national information sharing scheme to better combat child sexual abuse.

Participants at the one-off National Ministerial Forum on Child Safety on Friday reaffirmed commitment to nationally consistent child safety reforms in response to the shocking allegations brought to light in August by Operation Tenterfield.

The Australian Federal Police investigation led to a former childcare worker being charged with 1623 child abuse offences against 91 children. The alleged offences took place in New South Wales, Queensland and overseas.

Following the revelations, the NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington and the Queensland Government called for a meeting to discuss ways to strengthen national information sharing arrangements, and to deliver better outcomes for children and young people. 

The National Ministerial Forum on Child Safety was hosted by the Commonwealth Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus.

At the Forum, NSW led discussions seeking jurisdictions’ agreement to improve information sharing across agencies and jurisdictions, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Minister Washington highlighted the need to work towards national reform and consistency to improve child safety across Australia.

The NSW proposals were unanimously supported by all jurisdictions at the Forum.

Jurisdictions reaffirmed commitment to a suite of child safety reforms, emphasising the need to ensure national consistency to protect Australia’s children. This included:

  • prioritising working with children check harmonisation, ensuring this work complements broader worker screening reforms
  • adoption and alignment of reportable conduct schemes
  • renewed commitment to embedding the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations in legislation, as NSW has done with amendments to the Children’s Guardian Act 2019
  • raising awareness and understanding of child safety issues
  • possible legislative and administrative arrangements for an information sharing scheme as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

It is essential that all jurisdictions partner together to educate, prevent and respond to child protection matters.

The Ministerial Forum provided an opportunity to prioritise and shape future policy discussions. This includes commitment to aligning existing reforms to ensure national consistency, and tasking officials to consider additional reforms.

NSW Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington said:

“The NSW Government welcomes the agreement by all ministers to strengthen information sharing across agencies and jurisdictions, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.”

“Whilst NSW has some of the strongest laws in Australia to prevent child abuse in organisations, there’s still some confusion and complexities when it comes to sharing information across borders.

“Working together with the Commonwealth, States and Territories, we want to ensure that any loopholes that could be exploited by perpetrators of child abuse are closed for good.”

Christmas shoppers warned about surging battery fires

Christmas shoppers have been warned about the dangers of charging Lithium-ion products and to beware of sub-standard Lithium-ion battery-powered devices as fires surge across the state.

Consumers are advised to shop safely as well as for value, to ensure the gifts under the tree do not ruin the festive season.

The latest Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) statistics show an increase of nine per cent in Lithium-ion battery fires to date, compared with the entire year of 2022. There have been 180 battery related fires so far this year, already outnumbering the 165 Lithium-ion battery-related fires to which FRNSW responded to last year.

The NSW Government is raising awareness of how to prevent these potentially deadly fires and save lives. Households are urged to use, store and dispose of batteries safely to combat the surge in house, garbage truck and waste facility fires.

To help ensure batteries are used safely, FRNSW also advises to:

  • not over-charge Lithium-ion batteries or leave them charging overnight unattended
  • not charge Lithium-ion batteries on beds, sofas or around highly flammable and insulating materials
  • always use compliant and approved charging equipment for Lithium-ion batteries, don’t mix and match components and voltage
  • avoid dropping, crushing or piercing the Lithium-ion battery cells
  • store Lithium-ion batteries in a cool, dry area away from combustible materials, and larger devices like e-bikes and gardening tools should be stored outside of bedrooms and living spaces
  • not charge or use Lithium-ion batteries that show signs of damage

Find out more about battery and charging safetylaunch.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Firefighters are responding to an average of more than three battery fires a week from in-home charging issues or incorrect disposal. Batteries are featuring more prominently in fire statistics, with lithium power packs and charger fires an increasing concern for fire crews.”

“When shopping for gifts this Christmas don’t cut corners when buying Lithium-ion battery-powered products, we don’t want a gift under the tree to ruin the festive season.”

“These batteries are used to power everything from mobile phones and laptops to vacuum cleaners and e-scooters. We would encourage people to choose carefully and consider how they use them in the home.”

“These fires can cause significant damage to a home and we encourage homeowners to take care when charging devices, follow charging instructions and dispose of used battery products safely.”

“If you are unsure about using batteries, our firefighters are part of the local community and I encourage you to ask their advice.” 

Minister for Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Since March 2023, NSW Fair Trading has conducted inspections of 166 retailers selling electrical articles, including 39 models of e-bikes and e-scooters powered by Lithium-ion batteries. Inspectors found 30 models with non-compliant chargers and the retailers were instructed to remove them from sale.”

“When these products fail, it can come at terrible cost. I’m reminding buyers to store batteries safely and if they have concerns they should reach out to the manufacturer or NSW Fair Trading.”

“NSW Fair Trading is continuing to inspect products and businesses to inform the public of any concerns and to educate consumers about the dangers of Lithium-ion batteries.”

Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“Bins are not the place for batteries. When damaged or crushed, such as in a garbage truck, they can start fires that are difficult to put out.”

“More dedicated battery recycling points are popping up in shopping centres and office blocks, and at many council facilities, so do the right thing and take them to a drop off point for safe disposal.”

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said:

“If a battery is compromised through damage or overheating, it can go into what we call ‘Thermal Runaway. It will pop and crackle, then give off toxic gas before exploding in intense flames that are extremely difficult to extinguish.”

“If you’re buying presents that require Lithium-Ion batteries this Christmas, make sure those batteries are manufactured by a trusted company. You’d want peace of mind…if the price is too good to be true or there’s no recognised brand on the batteries, steer clear and ensure you’re shopping for a quality product.”

Rozelle Interchange opens to traffic

The Rozelle Interchange will open to traffic in the early hours of Sunday morning, marking the final completion of WestConnex.

After four years of construction in which 20,000 skilled workers built one of the world’s most complicated underground interchanges, the project was officially opened on Saturday ahead of first vehicles expected by 6am on Sunday morning.

The Rozelle Interchange solves one of Sydney’s enduring traffic bottlenecks, connecting motorists to the M4 and M8 tunnel extensions, Anzac Bridge, the City West Link, the Western Distributor, a toll-free underground bypass of Victoria Road and the future Western Harbour Tunnel.

The interchange will provide faster access to the CBD and the inner-west for millions of people from west and south-west Sydney, as well as those heading out of the city to the west and south-west.

Around 100,000 vehicles a day are expected to use the Rozelle Interchange, completing the WestConnex project that began in 2015 with the new M4 tunnel.

The Rozelle Interchange is part of the $16.8 billion WestConnex Project which was jointly funded, with $1.5 billion from the Australian Government, and a $2 billion concessional loan, and with NSW Government contributing $1.8 billion.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“The opening of the Rozelle Interchange is fantastic for the residents of Sydney, who will enjoy faster access to the CBD, and reduced traffic around notorious bottlenecks.

“Infrastructure such as this is vital for our cities, improving access for residents right across the city and cutting down on time spent waiting in traffic.”

NSW Roads Minister John Graham said:

“On behalf of the many millions of motorists who will use this impressive piece of Australian engineering, I want to thank the 20,000 workers who built the Rozelle Interchange, moving 6.5 million tonnes of earth in the process to create these 16.6 kilometres of road tunnels that complete WestConnex.

“There has been a total of 65,000 people who have worked on WestConnex over its life which has created a highly-skilled, highly-experienced workforce that will go on to other infrastructure and construction projects as the Minns Labor Government delivers the state’s biggest ever infrastructure spend through Budget 2023-24.

“The Rozelle Interchange is a game-changer for motorists in Sydney’s west and south-west, providing access to the CBD and inner-west without the traffic lights.

“We are warning motorists that there is expected to be some impacts on surface roads around the interchange post-opening which Transport for NSW will monitor and seek to alleviate over the coming weeks and months.”

Assistant Minister for Trade and Manufacturing Senator Tim Ayres said:

“Today’s opening is fantastic news for the people of Sydney, better connecting residents across Western Sydney with our CBD and inner suburbs.

“Not only will the Rozelle Interchange bust traffic for millions of residents in our city, it represents the final culmination of the long-awaited WestConnex project.”

Pharmacy prescribing trial will expand to include some skin conditions

In 2024, it will be easier for people suffering from certain skin conditions to access prescription medicines, as part of the NSW Government’s pharmacy prescribing trial.

It marks the next phase of the trial which sees participating pharmacists authorised to supply certain medicines without a prescription, after having a consultation with a pharmacist.

The trial is designed to safely expand the capacity of pharmacists in order to relieve pressure on general practitioners and other primary care settings.

From late March next year, pending ethics approval, the trial will include treatments for impetigo (school sores) and shingles.

Impetigo is a relatively minor condition but one that disproportionately impacts First Nations and Pasifika children. Recurrent infections of it can lead to increased risk of Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD).

One in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. Pharmacists will be able to provide first line medicines for the management of straightforward herpes zoster (shingles) in patients over the age of 18.

Under the trial, additional topical treatments for dermatitis and mild plaque psoriasis will also be included.

In May, the Minister for Health Ryan Park announced the commencement of stage one of the initiative, which trialled the prescribing of treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) at 100 participating pharmacies.

In September, it expanded to more than 900 pharmacies and extended the trial to the prescribing of the resupply of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP).

The trial has now expanded to over 1,100 community pharmacies – or around 60 per cent of pharmacies around the state.

More than 6,000 women have benefited from this trial so far with improved access to essential health care and improving timely access to care.

The skin condition treatment component of the trial will run for 12 months.

For information about the clinical trial and for a list of community pharmacies participating in the triallaunch.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said:

“Everyone knows it is sometimes difficult to get in to see our very busy GPs.

“And people know where to find a pharmacy and this trial offers patients who can’t see their GP another treatment pathway.’

“Through this trial, we are making it easier and more convenient for people to access the medications they need but working hard to ensure their care is not fragmented.

“By bolstering the capacity of pharmacies, we can take pressure off other parts of our primary care system, so that those who need them can access them.

“Where we can do things better, we should, and these are the kind of innovative initiatives that I am keen for our health system to embrace.”

Opening of the Melbourne Holocaust Museum

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Abram Goldberg OAM for his words and his presence.

I am grateful for your invitation to be here with you today to open the Melbourne Holocaust Museum. It is an honour as great as it is solemn. And its importance cannot be overstated. Especially now.

This Museum stands because we must never forget the Holocaust. Not the scale of it, not the depths of its cruelty. A savagery that was long in the planning and cold in its calculation.

It is to the great credit of all who shared the vision for this Museum, the architects who made it possible, and the builders who made it real.

Within its walls, quiet dignity co-exists with awful truths, each one of them giving meaning to the words we keep repeating: Never again.

Those are words that stand on the foundation of memory.

But memory must be a conscious act – as this museum is. Like a flame, memory must be carefully tended and nurtured. And it must be passed on.

In the words of that great scholar of Judaism, Jacob Neusner:

Civilisation hangs suspended, from generation to generation, by the gossamer strand of memory.

If only one cohort of mothers and fathers fails to convey to its children what it has learned from its parents, then the great chain of learning and wisdom snaps.

If the guardians of human knowledge stumble only one time, in their fall collapses the entire edifice of knowledge and understanding. 

The guardians of knowledge have been so surefooted here.

For many Australians, the Holocaust is family history.

And it became part of our nation’s story.

Some 9000 Jewish refugees from Central Europe found asylum in Australia before the outbreak of World War II.

Among them was Gerda Cohen, the grandmother of the member for McNamara, Josh Burns. And the composer George Dreyfus, who is the father of the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus. I’m very pleased to say George is with us today.

We consider how much that generation alone has contributed to the story of modern Australia.

Then consider the contribution that generations of Jews have made to Melbourne, the city that is home to the highest per capita population of Holocaust survivors outside Israel.

Acts of philanthropy, humanity and generosity, all driven by a powerful instinct to elevate and expand the life of this great, multicultural city.

It is an instinct that has been coupled with an equally innate desire to support community and support education, nourishing the aspirations of the next generation.

Then consider how much the Holocaust robbed from the world. How much energy, how much potential, how much inspiration and talent.

Such a vast multitude of life. Along with six million Jews – a number that falls across the decades like a shadow – this museum tells the story of the other victims of the Nazi regime.

There was no pity. No mercy. No humanity.

The scale of what happened – of what was done, what was perpetrated – means that for Jewish people especially, the Holocaust is not softened by the passing of time. It does not recede into history. It does not offer the one, slender comfort of distance.

Since the atrocities of October 7, Jewish Australians have been bearing a pain you should never have had to bear again. And you are feeling fear. Anxious that the long shadows of the past have crept into the present.

That should not be happening in a land that offered refuge then – and embraces you now.

As the conflict continues, antisemitism is on the rise. But we will not let it find so much as a foothold here. Australia will always denounce it and reject it utterly, just as we do all forms of racism and prejudice.

My Government is acting to make it clear there is no place in Australia for symbols that glorify the horrors of the Holocaust. And there is no place for those who seek to profit from the trade in these evil symbols, or use them to promote their hatred.

We owe it to our multicultural society, our Jewish community, and our survivors.

I turn to the words of Holocaust survivor Peter Gaspar, who lost 40 members of his extended family. And I quote:

The Holocaust didn’t start with gas chambers and murders and executions. It started with stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, hate speech …

Those are words to heed. Every day.

What the Holocaust Museum so powerfully reminds us is that when we maintain meaningful contact with the past, we give ourselves our best chance of ensuring it doesn’t become our future.

To make the words ring true as we repeat them: Never again.

This Museum keeps memory alive for every visitor who steps through its doors.

I am honoured to declare it officially open.

Fatal two-vehicle crash – Hunter Valley 

A man has died following a two-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter region.

Just after 4.30pm yesterday (Thursday 23 November 2023) , emergency services were called to the New England Highway, Ravensworth, following reports a ute and sedan had collided.

The driver of the sedan – a 60-year-old man – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, he died at the scene.

The driver of the ute – a 57-year-old man – was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

GREENS SHARE LOCALS CONCERNS ABOUT PROPOSED TOOWOOMBA NORTH SOUTH TRANSPORT CORRIDOR

Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters will visit Toowoomba today to meet with local residents and concerned community members opposing the Toowoomba North-South Transport Corridor.

The Toowoomba North South Transport Corridor proposes a transport route that will have adverse impacts on residents, on endangered wildlife, on First Nations heritage sites and on the environment generally. 

Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters said:

“We’re in the middle of a climate and an extinction emergency and yet federal, state and local governments keep bulldozing areas of significant environmental importance. 

“The Queensland government has said that the corridor is necessary to future-proof Toowoomba’s transport needs. Why is it that for the big parties the only solution to transport needs is yet another road? 

“Toowoomba, like all regional Queensland cities, is crying out for a modern, frequent, accessible and affordable public transport network. Instead the government proposes yet another road, which will have adverse impacts on residents, on endangered wildlife, on First Nations heritage sites. 

“The sacred site of Gummingurru was used for male initiation rituals until the 1800s when the Aboriginal people who lived in this area were forcibly relocated. It was handed back to its traditional owners, the Jarowair people, in 2000, but they’ve had no consultation about a giant road running alongside the site.

“Community members are clearly against this project, and yet, it was only after a huge outcry from local residents and conservation groups, that the minuscule two-week public consultation period was extended.

“Queenslanders are growing tired of Labor’s outdated policy solutions. With 32% of 18-34 year-old Queensland voters listing the Greens as their first preference, if in balance of power the Greens will make sure the next Queensland Government plans for more livable and connected communities, while looking after our natural environment.”

MORATORIUM ON CSG HUGE WIN FOR TOOWOOMBA

Toowoomba Regional Council has become only the sixth in Queensland to oppose development of new gas wells after farmer concerns about sinking soil and water contamination.

The Greens welcome the vote for a moratorium on coal seam gas projects from Toowoomba Regional Council as a huge win for farmers and the environment. 

Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters said:

“The unanimous vote by Toowoomba councillors is a huge win for Toowoomba farmers, the environment and the community.

“It sends a strong message legally that Council won’t approve any local-level permissions required for coal seam gas, and sends a strong message politically to the state and federal government that farmland, water and the climate are more important than private fossil fuel profits. 

It’s time for governments at all levels to say no to new coal and gas, and stop caving to the fossil fuel industry destroying the water, land and communities of regional Queensland.

“For over a decade I have had a private members bill to give farmers, traditional owners and other landholders the right to say no to coal seam gas and coal mining on their land.

“Labor should join the Greens in standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Queensland farmers and regional communities to protect them from risky fossil fuel extraction and the climate change it drives. 

“The government cannot claim to be serious about “climate action” while continuing to support new fossil fuel projects in Australia.

“It’s long past time for the major parties to act on the science, not the demands of their coal & gas donors.”

RICHEST SCHOOLS POCKET $4.8 BILLION WHILE PUBLIC SYSTEM REMAINS UNDERFUNDED

With a new school funding agreement between the Commonwealth and the states and territories due to be negotiated in the new year, new analysis shows that Australia’s richest 100 private schools by parent fees and contributions banked $4.8 billion in 2021.

The total figure includes $776 million in funding from the Commonwealth and state governments – enough to fund the annual shortfall in the WA, SA, NT and Tasmanian public school systems.

Greens spokesperson on Education (Primary & Secondary), Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:

“It defies logic that when 98% of public schools are underfunded, rich private schools that are banking forty or fifty thousand dollars per student in fees and other contributions are still subsidised from the public purse.

“The quarter of a billion in annual funding these 100 super rich schools pocket from governments would be enough to close the combined annual public school funding gap in South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

“That’s more than half-a-million kids being denied a fully funded education because governments are too afraid to stand up to private schools.

“Instead of simply closing the public school funding gap when it was elected, Labor postponed the new National School Reform Agreement by a year, initiating yet another review.

“We don’t need another review to tell us what the problem is: public schools are underfunded. It’s literally that simple. 

“Labor says any new funding will be ‘tied’ to targets. This sounds like weasel words to justify either not delivering 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard to all schools, or for attaching onerous conditions to desperately needed funding increases.

“Labor is in power federally and in every mainland state and territory. There is absolutely no excuse for them to not end decades of decline and deliver 100% minimum funding to every public school at the start of the next NSRA, in January 2025.”

Labor doubles down on failed energy policy

Labor’s decision to write a blank cheque on behalf of Australian Taxpayers to bring more renewables online is a glaring admission that its climate and energy policies have failed.

Labor’s decision to underwrite new renewable energy projects responds to a 40% drop in investment since Labor came to office, making its 82% renewables target to 2030 unachievable.

Instead of learning lessons from its failure, Labor is doubling down and it will be everyday Australians that have to pay the bill.

And how much will it cost? Labor refuses to say. In other words, it’s a blank cheque.

Instead of keeping Australians safe, building critical roads and rail and fixing its cost-of-living crisis Labor is doubling down on a ‘renewables only’ plan that has lost all credibility.

Labor’s 43% emissions reduction target, 82% renewable energy target, 89% electric vehicle target and the all-important $275 reduction in power bills are all set to fail.

This risks locking Australia into a path from which there may be no return, and future generations will be destined for energy poverty and energy insecurity.

Labor is failing on all counts when it comes to climate change and energy.

In fact, under Labor, electricity prices have hit record highs with families paying up to $1000 per year more on their bills.

Labor must abandon its reckless ‘renewables only’ ideology and adopt an ‘All-of-the-Above’ approach, as the Coalition has done, if it wants to cut emissions while keeping the lights on and prices down.