Month: January 2024

Appeal to locate missing man – Maitland 

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

David Lyall, aged 39, was last seen in Tenambit about 7:30pm Monday (8 January 2024).

When he couldn’t be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Family and police hold serious concerns for David’s welfare.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 175cm tall, slim build, with brown hair and a tattoo on his neck.

David was last seen wearing a red check flannelette shirt and shorts and is known to frequent the Lake Macquarie and Maitland areas, including Maitland River.

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

Port dispute could cost NSW badly

The NSW Opposition has called on the Minns Labor Government to stand up for NSW businesses and regions in the ongoing industrial dispute at the State’s busiest port that is causing millions of dollars of damage to the NSW economy.
 
Acting Leader of the Opposition Natalie Ward said Chris Minns has a chance to stand up for the thousands of people across NSW who will be impacted by the by the Maritime Union of Australia industrial action, by calling on the Albanese Labor Government to urgently intervene.
 
“Chris Minns needs be a man of his word – when Port Botany was previously under siege by protesters he said having it blocked would be ‘hugely damaging to our economy’. Now that the damage is coming from a union strike, Chris Minns needs to show us that he’s not just all words and no actions,” Ms Ward said.
 
Shadow Minister for Regional NSW Dugald Saunders said the disagreement between DP World and the Maritime Union of Australia is causing more than $25 million worth of damage in NSW each week and having a negative flow on effect to regional communities.
 
“Residents and businesses in the bush rely on the smooth flow of goods to and from Port Botany every day, and the last thing they need is industrial action crippling major supply chains,” Mr Saunders said.

 
“This is already being widely felt by our primary producers who need to be able to import and export their goods, with the delays not only costing time, but also devaluing perishable products like meat and fresh fruit and vegetables.
  
DP World already has a backlog of around 48,000 shipping containers nationwide, with delays on essential items ranging from two to eight weeks and set to worsen.
 
 
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Damien Tudehope said Chris Minns and the federal Labor Government were running out of time before the escalating industrial action begins to have a serious impact on everyday consumers who will end up paying higher prices as a result.
 
“The Albanese Labor Government could have ended this strike with a stroke of a pen, by forcing both parties to the Fair Work Commission,” Mr Tudehope said. “Instead, the Labor Government are endangering our state’s economy and proving that they are under the thumb of union bosses.”
 
Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the dispute will significantly impact freight which will have serious repercussions for regional businesses.
 
“DP World plays a big role in the port’s operations, handling containerised freight that carries everything from grain to fresh produce, meat, farming equipment and machinery,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“Port Botany handles more than 90 per cent of containers in NSW and this industrial action has massively blown out the time to move those containers and get vital supplies to our rural communities.

“This is costing the regions millions of dollars and if it is not rectified, it will start costing jobs. It’s a no win situation at the moment and the Government needs to step up and do something about it.”

Managing Director of Fletcher International Exports, Roger Fletcher says he has already seen four months of impact on his business.

“This dispute has been affecting our trade for longer than people realise, and the ramifications are felt every step of the way,” Mr Fletcher said.
 
“The farmers produce the lamb or sheep, which then gets transported to the abattoir for processing and is then packed by hundreds of staff, before it is taken to the port where it fails at the last step.
 
“It costs everyone involved all the way down the line. It isn’t fair on the farmers, it isn’t fair on our employees and it isn’t fair on our customers overseas, and quite frankly this is destroying Australia’s reputation.”

Appointment of Dr Craig Emerson as Independent Reviewer of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct

The Albanese Government has appointed Dr Craig Emerson to lead the 2023-24 review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (the Code) to ensure that the supermarket sector is working as it should.

The Food and Grocery code is prescribed under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and Metcash are signatories to the Code and are bound by it.

The Code was introduced to improve standards of business behaviour in the food and grocery sector.

The Code regulates the conduct of these retailers and wholesalers towards suppliers.

Dr Emerson was the Federal Minister for Small Business from 2007-2010 and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs from 2009-2010. He was Minister for Trade from 2010-2013. He is a former Queensland Government Director-General and Senior Economic Adviser to Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

Today, the Government has also released the Review of the dispute resolution provisions (Part 5) of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct and the Government’s response to the review.

The Government supports all of the recommendations in the Review to amend the
Code to:

  • Enable Code Arbiters to mediate and allow suppliers to contact and seek preliminary information from Code Arbiters without making a formal complaint, and
  • Enhance the Independent Reviewer’s role in overseeing the conduct and complaint handling practices of the Code Arbiters.

The recommendations will be implemented as part of a broader package of reforms to the Code following the conclusion of the 2023-24 review of the remaining provisions of the Code.

You can have your say on the 2023-24 review and become involved in the public consultation process by visiting the Treasury website.

The Review of the dispute resolution provisions (Part 5) of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct can be found on the Treasury website along with the Government’s response to the Review.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“We are tackling cost of living and ensuring Australian families have an economy that works for them.

“We have been clear – if the price for meat and fruit and vegetables is going down at the farm gate then families should be seeing cheaper prices on supermarket shelves too.

“Supermarkets have a duty to make sure they’re providing affordable options for all Australians, especially when they’re making savings on their own costs.

“We’ve made looking after consumers a key priority over the past 18 months and we’ll keep looking at every option to make sure Australians aren’t paying more than they should or getting less than they deserve.

“If there are further steps that are needed then the Government will not hesitate to take action.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said:

“We expect all companies to treat Australian consumers fairly including in the food and grocery sector.

“As a Government we’re taking a fresh look at the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct to make sure the sector is giving consumers and suppliers a fair deal.

“When the price of meat and fruit and veggies comes down for supermarkets, it should come down for families as well – it’s a big chance for the big supermarkets to do the right thing.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said:

“We’ve been making clear for many months now that retailers should start dropping their prices to reflect the reduction in prices farmers are getting for their produce.

“Farmers deserve a fair price for their hard work and the some of the prices supermarkets are charging just don’t pass the pub test.

“While the Government is getting on with taking action on the cost of groceries, the ball is in the court of the big retailers.

“They don’t have to wait until this review is finalised to drop their prices, they can do that right now to help Australian families doing it tough.”

Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Andrew Leigh said:

“Craig Emerson is one of Australia’s top policy economists, and will bring his wisdom and compassion to this vital economic reform. Dr Emerson’s work will form an important part of the wider review of policy settings that’s being led by the Competition Taskforce. 

“In the 1990s, the Keating Government’s competition reforms raised household incomes by $5000. History shows competition reforms can change lives for the better.

“Capitalism depends on competition. Monopolies gouge consumers and workers, and undermine fairness. Competition means better prices and more choice for Australian families.”

GREENS CALL OUT LABOR’S SNAIL PACED HIGH SPEED RAIL

Over a year since Labor’s High Speed Rail Authority Bill passed Parliament, Minister Catherine King has finally announced the appointment of CEO Timothy Parker.

Questioning in Senate Estimates last year revealed little progress from the Authority, with a corporate plan and the recruitment of their CEO being their focus of the last year – drawing comparisons to satirical television show ‘Utopia’.

Elizabeth Watson-Brown, Greens spokesperson for Transport, Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities said:

‘It’s pretty insulting to Australians that the much anticipated High Speed Rail Authority has taken over a year to even appoint a CEO.

‘Corporate plans don’t put train tracks in the ground. Australians have waited long enough for High Speed Rail, it’s time to get it on track. 

‘In 2014, independent think tank Beyond Zero Emissions showed that Australia could deliver a complete east coast high speed rail network within 10 years of project commencement, but currently Labor is not even on track to complete this project by the 2060s.

‘Minister King has explicitly said they will be looking at private sector financing, something that is only necessary  because her government has grossly underfunded the project. 

‘Sourcing private sector funding will no doubt delay the project even further, and ensure private sector profits are prioritised over service delivery for the public.’

AUSTRALIAN SUPPORT FOR US AND UK STRIKES ON YEMEN IS A DANGEROUS ESCALATION AT A TIME FOR PEACE

The United States announced today that Australia is supporting the US and UK in attacks in Yemen, reportedly targeting several cities in Yemen, including the port city of Hudaydah and the capital Sana’a.

These strikes follow an attempted blockade in the Red Sea from the Yemen-based Houthi movement, which was said to be in response to the State of Israel’s invasion of Gaza. 

The Albanese Government late last year announced it would support the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, in the Red Sea and would send additional personnel to the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said these personnel were involved in supporting the attacks. 

The attacks from the US and UK, supported by Australia, follow a devastating decade-long conflict in Yemen that has killed at least 370,000 people with 60% of the deaths being due to lack of healthcare and food, and 70% being children under the age of five according to the UN. 

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson for Defence, said: 

“The Biden and Albanese administrations repeatedly say they want to avoid the conflict in Gaza spreading in the region, then they do this. The hypocrisy is astounding and damaging to both nations’ credibility.

“Supporting the bombing of one of the only ports in a country that desperately needs to receive medicine, food and supplies is horrific. In the context of Yemen, it is an effective death sentence for thousands of people.

“If you want any clearer proof that the Australian Government has given up any pretence at independence, look at the fact that it was the President of the US, not the Australian Prime Minister, who announced that Australia is involved in bombing another country. 

“An immediate, just and enduring ceasefire in Palestine is the only way to stop the bloodshed.”

Senator Jordon Steele-John Greens Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, said: 

“Today Australia joined in yet another American-led conflict without the support of the Australian community or their parliament.” 

“This is a dangerous escalation in a conflict that our government has spent the last month saying they were trying to avoid.” 

“This military operation is a dangerous contribution to a humanitarian disaster in Yemen that has seen hundreds of thousands of people killed through conflict, starvation and epidemics.” 

“The Australian government has supplied little aid to Yemen in the last decade but had no reservations about getting involved in a military strike that will make a catastrophic humanitarian disaster even worse.”

“Australia must play a constructive role in the global community and that means implementing a parliamentary vote for the deployment of ADF personnel, an end to the AUKUS agreement and to pursue an independent and peaceful foreign policy.”

Australia-Japan Foundation grant recipients

Today I announce the recipients of the Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) grants for 2023-24.

The AJF advances Australia’s foreign and trade policy interests with Japan by supporting partnerships in areas of shared interest and increasing Australian engagement with Japan.

The 21 recipients in 2023-24 include:

  • An inaugural 1.5-Track Trilateral Dialogue between representatives of Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea hosted by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. The dialogue will provide a new forum to enhance coordination, strengthen ties and support shared strategic objectives. This will be co-funded by the Australia-Korea Foundation.
  • A new partnership between Australian Blind Football and the Japan Blind Football Association to support cooperation and international matches in women’s blind football, men’s blind football and partially sighted futsal.
  • Support for The Shepherd Centre to share Australian expertise and build Japanese capability in listening and spoken language early intervention for children with hearing loss in Japan.
  • In celebration of 40 years of cooperation, support for Meals on Wheels South Australia and Meals on Wheels Japan to develop innovative responses to the challenges of ageing populations, poor nutrition, food insecurity of children and seniors, and social isolation.

A full list of successful grant recipients is available on the AJF website.

Australia-Korea Foundation grant recipients

Today I announce the recipients of the Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF) grants for 2023-24.

AKF grants strengthen collaboration between Australia and the Republic of Korea by advancing our shared political, economic, and social interests.

The 26 recipients in 2023-24 include:

  • An initiative led by Monash University to deepen the joint response in gender equality and the prevention of violence against women by promoting discussions, enhancing institutional links and creating evidence-based outcomes.
  • An inaugural 1.5-Track Trilateral Dialogue between representatives of Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea hosted by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. The dialogue will provide a new forum to enhance coordination, strengthen ties and support shared strategic objectives. This will be co-funded by the Australia-Japan Foundation.
  • Sport Inclusion Australia’s inclusive cultural exchange for athletes to share Australia’s expertise and Korea’s strengths and knowledge in sport, including coaching, sport science, and inclusive para sport pathways.
  • Support for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to tour stand-up comedy performances in Busan and Seoul.

A full list of successful grant recipients is available on the AKF website.

Jason Donovan in The Rocky Horror Show sets new box office record for Civic Theatre

The cast and crew have taken to the Civic Theatre stage ahead of the first performance of The Rocky Horror Show this evening and the official opening night on Saturday.

Record-breaking audiences will spend the next three weeks doing the time warp in Newcastle as the 50th anniversary production of the iconic rock’n’roll musical launches its national tour at the Civic Theatre.

The cast of The Rocky Horror Show on stage at the Civic Theatre.

Almost 23,000 tickets have already been snapped up for The Rocky Horror Show, breaking the box office record set by Come From Away last year to become the most successful production ever staged at the Civic Theatre.

Australian superstar Jason Donovan leads a talented cast as the charismatic Frank N Furter and will be joined on stage by radio and television personality Myf Warhurst as the Narrator.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the record ticket sales again prove there’s a strong appetite for international-quality touring productions amongst Novocastrians and visitors.

“The Rocky Horror Show is living up to its status as one of the world’s most popular and highest-selling musicals, drawing both first-time and repeat theatregoers from throughout the Hunter and across the country,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Ticket sales so far have come from every state in Australia and as far away as the United Kingdom, ensuring this production will not only provide local theatregoers with an experience to remember but will help boost visitation to our city from those travelling to see The Rocky Horror Show in our majestic Civic Theatre.

“The record-breaking success of The Rocky Horror Show and Come From Away demonstrate the huge demand for high calibre, Broadway and West End productions in Newcastle.

“Major events are a clear economic driver and The Rocky Horror Show is another significant drawcard for our city that will provide considerable benefits for Newcastle’s visitor economy.”

Sir Howard Panter, Jason Donovan, Myf Warhurst, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath ahead of The Rocky Horror Show opening at the Civic Theatre tonight. Photo credit Daniel Boud.

The Rocky Horror Show will be the first in a new line-up of world class productions brought to Newcastle by leading British theatre producer Sir Howard Panter of Trafalgar Entertainment.

“We are thrilled to be here in Newcastle bringing the first of many new international smash hit theatre productions to the city, and what better way to start the party than with the ultimate rock ‘n roll celebration, The Rocky Horror Show,” Sir Howard Panter said.

“The response has been phenomenal so far and we can’t wait for audiences to witness this incredible production.”

The Rocky Horror Show has been seen by more than 30 million people in over 30 countries since making its debut in London in 1973.

Its Newcastle season will run from 12 January until 4 February, with tickets on sale now. For more information, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

Sydney Metro West tunnelling in full swing at The Bays

Work is ramping up at The Bays to construct the new 24-kilometre metro railway line that will transform Sydney as part of the NSW Government’s enhanced Sydney Metro West project.

Two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) Daphne and Beatrice are preparing to re-launch in the coming weeks, as they make their way from the Five Dock Metro Station site to Burwood North Station site.

Hundreds of pre-cast tunnel segments have been delivered to The Bays Metro Station site, ready to meet the machines as they progress up to 90 metres below Sydney’s inner west.

Each day, more than 250 precast tunnel segments will be transported from The Bays, through the newly built tunnels beneath Iron Cove to Five Dock, where they’ll meet Daphne and Beatrice.

TBMs Beatrice and Daphne launched last year from the western side of The Bays Station. Both machines have progressed significantly in their tunnelling journey, having installed approximately 30,700 of 150,000 segments that will line the new tunnel walls.

At the eastern end of the site, work has commenced to prepare the 32-metre-deep station box for two new TBMs that will launch from The Bays to tunnel under Darling Harbour towards the city in mid-2024.

These TBMs, each weighing about 1,300 tonnes, are the final two of six mega tunnelling machines for Sydney Metro West.

A second, supersized shed on the western side of The Bays site is being used for storing excavated material after it is transferred from the TBMs on conveyor belts. The shed holds a maximum of 40,000 tonnes of material that is continuously being moved for reuse on other sites across Sydney.

As announced by the NSW Government, The Bays is one of the priority precincts to be rezoned to allow for a major new housing uplift.

The Bays Metro Station will deliver a rail service to the area for the first time and support this renewal of the harbourside precinct.

Sydney Metro West is expected to be complete by 2032.

Get more information about the project.launch

Quotes attributable to Transport Minister Jo Haylen:

“Our Metro Review has ensured a new and improved Sydney Metro West will be delivered for the people of NSW, with a focus on driving housing supply.

“The Bays is in full tunnelling mode and teams here are laser-focused on constructing this new metro line that will deliver unrivalled public transport for all of Sydney.

“The benefits of this city-shaping mega project extend beyond fast, reliable travel. Sydney Metro West will transform communities, act as a catalyst for new housing and support new precincts like at The Bays which hasn’t previously been serviced by a rail connection.”

Road safety forum to assemble top experts on road toll

International and Australian road safety experts, advocates for motorists and road traffic victims, academics, as well as federal and state stakeholders will be brought together on Thursday 22 February to focus on safer roads and saving lives.

The NSW Government road safety forum will be the first time in the state’s history that experts from interstate and around the world will be brought together to tackle the issue of deaths on our roads. It will take advice from Scandinavian countries that have succeeded in reducing road fatalities over the last 20 years.

The government is hosting the forum in Sydney to lead the conversation on how to address the road toll, which has risen across Australian jurisdictions as traffic volumes have rebounded following COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

There will be a particular focus on preventing regional road fatalities. A third of the NSW population resides in regional areas, but two thirds of the state’s road fatalities take place in our regions, including urban centres in regional areas.

Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown will provide a federal perspective, with NSW keen to increase cooperation between the states and territories on this shared challenge on our roads.

The NSW Government is inviting the state opposition and members of the crossbench to be part of the forum, to be hosted by Transport for NSW.

The Minns Labor government has been active in introducing new road safety measures, including the use of mobile phone detection cameras that will this year begin enforcing the use of seatbelts.

The government has also pioneered the carrot-and-stick approach through the demerit point scheme. More than 1.3 million NSW drivers remain eligible to have a demerit point removed from their licence when the first 12 months of the trial ends on 17 January if they maintain a spotless record for a year.

Minister for Roads Minister John Graham said:  

“The Minns Labor government is focused on improving road safety and making sure everyone gets home to their loved ones every time.

“The road toll has increased across Australia and many parts of the world after Covid. This forum is an opportunity to hear from experts who have had some success in reducing the road toll and identify new measures and actions from the Road Safety Plan that could be accelerated.

“In 2023, NSW experienced the tragic loss of 351 lives on our roads. The NSW Government is issuing a resounding call for every individual to make safe driving a resolution in 2024.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility that requires the collective efforts of government agencies, communities, and individuals. The forum will provide a platform to discuss new actions to save lives. 

Minister for Regional Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said:

“While one third of our population lives in regional NSW, over two thirds of fatalities (70%) occur on regional roads.

“I have been out in the far north-west of regional, rural and remote NSW this week hearing directly from those communities about the road toll.

“Any death on a road is one too many but for regional communities where everyone knows everyone, it hits particularly hard.

“We all need to take responsibility for our actions when it comes to road safety. We need community involvement, particularly in the regions, if the government’s road safety initiatives are to succeed.  

“I hope regional leaders will participate in the forum to share their experiences and work with the government to find solutions to road safety issues.

“The forum will include discussion of how we can strengthen road safety enforcement and tackle unsafe road user behaviour.” 

Senator Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport said:

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility – from local, state and territory governments as well as the Australian Government and individual road users.

“I look forward to the discussions had at the forum and how the outcomes can be carried through to the National Road Safety Conference shortly after. 

“The National Road Safety Conference has been convened to bring together road safety ministers and police ministers from across the country to engage on the worrying trends we are seeing on our roads.”