March 2024 – Page 10

Netball NSW welcomes Sideline Sport as Streaming Partner

Netball NSW is excited to announce a new streaming partnership with Sideline Sport who will broadcast every game of the 2024 Netball NSW Premier League.

Competition gets underway on Wednesday 20 March at Netball Central in Sydney Olympic Park and every centre pass, intercept and goal will be streamed live and on demand via netballnsw.tv.

In 2024 the Premier League Opens and Under 23s divisions will both feature 10 teams, with each division playing out over 18 minor rounds and their respective Finals Series.

Foundation franchises Central Coast Heart, ERNA Hawks, GWS Fury, Manly Warringah Sapphires, North Shore United, Panthers Netball, Sutherland Stingrays and UTS Randwick Sparks all return alongside South Coast Blaze, who joined in 2020, and a brand-new franchise in the South West Mounties Magic.

All matches taking place on Netball Central’s Show Court and Court 1 will be free to view live and for up to one week after the matches conclude.

All other content will be accessible via Daily, Monthly or Season Viewing Passes from netballnsw.tv.

Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott is thrilled that the Premier League, the state’s top club competition, will continue to be easily accessible for the netball community to watch.

“We are now in our ninth year of the Netball NSW Premier League and have seen it grow year on year,” she said.

“Sideline Sports have expertise in bringing pathway and community sport to life on the screen and their people know the game of netball well.

“They will bring a fresh approach to the content which is top quality live sport and will provide a broadcast fitting of our athletes, coaches and officials taking part.”

Hamish Bayliss, Sideline Sport’s Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“Sideline Sport is thrilled to partner with Netball NSW to provide a premium streaming service to watch the best netball competition in the state, showcasing the best players and emerging talent every Wednesday night.”

Man charged after two hit by car – Pt Stephens

A man has been charged after two people were allegedly hit by a car in Port Stephens last week.

About 11.40pm last Friday (15 March 2024), emergency services were called to Somerset Drive, North Arm Cove, following reports two people had been injured by a car.

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have been told a white Ford Falcon was allegedly performing burnouts in front of a crowd of people, when the driver lost control, hitting a power pole then two people standing nearby.

The vehicle caught fire with the driver allegedly leaving the scene.

A 20-year-old woman and 14-year-old girl were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

A crime scene was established, and the incident was subsequently investigated with the assistance of the Crash Investigation Unit.

Following extensive inquiries, a 22-year-old man was arrested at Maitland Police Station about 7am today (Monday 18 March 2024).

There he was charged with two counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct (in charge of motor vehicle), interfere with person’s enjoyment or risk safety, drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury, negligent driving, and drive motor vehicle while licence suspended.

He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 6 May 2024.

Correctional officer charged over alleged assault of male inmate – Cessnock

A Correctional officer has been charged following the alleged assault of a male inmate at Shortland Correctional Centre, Cessnock, in January this year.

The matter was referred to detectives from the Corrective Services Investigation Unit (CSIU), who commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Following extensive inquiries- a 46-year-old man was arrested at Wyong Police Station today (Monday 18 March 2024).

He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and threat/cause injury/harm to prevent information to police.

He was given conditional bail to appear before Cessnock Local Court on Wednesday 3 April 2024.

Pups put their paws up for free microchipping at Lambton Park

City of Newcastle (CN) has stepped up its campaign to ensure lost dogs can be more quickly reunited with their owners.

CN Rangers offered free microchipping and registration advice as part of today’s Pups in the Park event at Lambton, which encouraged Novocastrians to take the lead on keeping their four-legged friends safe.

Councillor Katrina Wark, Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen and Councillor Margaret Wood with City of Newcastle Rangers at the Pups in the Park event at Lambton Park.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said educational events encouraging responsible pet ownership are one of the key actions of CN’s Dogs in Open Space Plan.

“Currently there are more than 65,000 identified canines calling the local government area home, which is one of the highest rates of dog ownership in the state,” Cr Clausen said.

“Novocastrians love their dogs and we want to help owners care responsibly for their canine family members as best we can.

“We also want to make sure our beloved pets are as safe as possible, which is why through the provision of free microchipping and pet registry advice, we can help busy pet owners take these important tasks off their to-do list.

“Each year, our hardworking City of Newcastle Rangers are able to return around 100 lost pets to their worried owners thanks to up-to-date registration details and microchips.

“But out-of-date registration details, a lack of collar, ID tag or microchip, all make it much harder for our Rangers to make these reunions possible.

“The heartbreak of a lost pet can be easily prevented by taking a few simple registration steps, which our rangers are very happy to help pet owners achieve.”

All cats and dogs in NSW, other than exempt animals such as working dogs, must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away. They must also be registered with a one-off lifetime fee before they reach six months of age.

The free microchipping initiative at Pups in the Park, is one of many priority actions being delivered as part of the Dogs in Open Space Plan, which was adopted by CN in 2019.

The pet-centric plan has been used to inform community education and encourage responsible dog ownership, as well as guide the provision, improvement, and management of off-leash dog areas.

In July 2023, CN celebrated the opening of the city’s third fenced off-leash dog park in Maryland, featuring a dog bubbler, shelter with seating, informal sandstone garden beds, and extensive landscaping including trees for shade delivered under the first stage of the project.

A full list of the city’s off leash areas is available on CN’s website, along with more information about how to register and microchip your pet.

Appeal after two people hit by car doing burn-outs – Port Stephens-Hunter PD

Detectives are appealing for information after two people were hit overnight in the Port Stephens area.

About 11.40pm yesterday (Friday 15 March 2024), emergency services were called to Somerset Drive, North Arm Cove, following reports two people had been injured by a car.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived to find a white Ford Falcon sedan had been performing burn-outs in front of a crowd of people when the driver lost control and hit a power pole and two people standing next to it. The vehicle then caught fire with the driver leaving the scene.

Emergency services were called to the scene, Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the fire with the car seized for forensic examination.

A 20-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for pelvic and leg injuries before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

Police have established a crime scene and are investigating the crash with the assistance of officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit.

As inquiries continue police are hoping to speak to the driver of the sedan who may be able to assist with the investigation.

Funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and Additional Support for Gaza

Australia will lift its temporary pause on funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), following steps to strengthen the integrity of UNRWA operations.

The decision to pause an additional $6 million in funding was taken after serious allegations were made, resulting in UNRWA’s dismissal of staff alleged to have been involved in the Hamas terrorist attacks of 7 October.

The nature of the allegations warranted an immediate and appropriate response.

The Australian Government has been working with a group of donor countries and with UNRWA on the shared objective of ensuring the integrity of UNRWA’s operations, rebuilding confidence and ensuring aid flows to Gazans in desperate need.

Australia and our partners welcome the decisive actions from UNRWA and the UN Secretary General António Guterres to strengthen the integrity of operations. This includes the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services’ investigation of the allegations, and the independent review into UNRWA and the principle of neutrality, led by former French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna.

We welcome UNRWA’s immediate work to deliver an action plan for donors, including Australia. The plan includes strengthened internal controls to ensure its neutrality, including rigorous requirements of staff.

We see this as an ongoing process of diligence and vigilance.

In disbursing the $6 million to UNRWA’s flash appeal, Australia is finalising an updated funding agreement that will include stringent conditions such as guarantees of staff neutrality, and confidence in supply chains.

These steps provide the necessary confidence that the $6 million in urgent humanitarian funding to be released will go directly to those in need, satisfying Australia’s rigorous humanitarian controls, sanctions and legal requirements.

Australia’s decision is in line with steps taken by Canada, Sweden and the EU. It is expected that more countries that have paused will take a similar approach.

UNRWA must continue to do all it can to ensure the highest standards of governance and accountability are met, as its work is vital. There can be no tolerance for members of terrorist organisations working for UNRWA.

Only UNRWA has the infrastructure to receive and distribute aid on the scale needed right now in Gaza. We urge Israel to recognise its mandate and work transparently to support its integrity.

In resuming funding, the Government is responding to a humanitarian situation in Gaza which is dire, and only worsening.

More than 1.7 million Palestinians have been displaced, most living in crowded and unsanitary conditions. Access to health care and food is limited; the risk of widespread famine is growing. Women and children are facing the most acute impacts, but the suffering is widespread and threatens to have enduring health effects.

Relief agencies have briefed the Australian Government on large stocks of food outside Gaza’s borders, but that there is no way to move it across the border into Gaza and deliver it at scale without Israel’s cooperation.

To address the urgent need, Australia will also support efforts by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to assist with the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.

A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster will deliver a supply of 140 Australian Defence Force (ADF) aerial delivery parachutes for use in humanitarian assistance airdrops by Jordan and the UAE.

The Australian Government will also provide an additional $4 million to UNICEF to provide urgent services, including for women and children, and $2 million to the new mechanism of the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, to facilitate expanded humanitarian access into Gaza.

This support is in addition to more than $46 million committed by the Australian Government towards humanitarian assistance for civilians affected by the Hamas-Israel conflict, bringing the total to $52.5 million.

Australia reiterates our call for an immediate and enduring humanitarian ceasefire that will enable unconditional release of hostages, and the urgent humanitarian relief that is needed.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Richard Marles, MP:

“Australia remains deeply concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. We are pleased to support the efforts of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to provide crucial humanitarian aid to civilians through airdrops.”
“We continue to call for safe, unimpeded and sustained access for humanitarian supplies to enable lifesaving support for the civilians in Gaza.”

Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong:

“The Australian Government will work with UNRWA on an ongoing basis to ensure its integrity and neutrality are beyond reproach.
“The additional assistance provided, including support for airdrops, is recognition that we need to pursue all avenues to address the suffering in Gaza.
“Only UNRWA has the infrastructure to receive and distribute aid on the scale needed right now in Gaza. But aid can only reach the civilian population at scale if Israel lets it into Gaza. Australia implores Israel to allow this to happen.

Minister for International Development, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“The need for immediate humanitarian assistance in Gaza is undeniable. We continue to call on Israel to allow full and unfettered access to help those most in need.
“The release of funding for UNRWA, with additional assurances, backs in Australia’s longstanding support for the organisation, recognising its unique position and capability in the region.
“UNRWA does lifesaving work. That is why successive Australian Governments have funded it since 1951, and it is why the Albanese Government doubled its core funding to UNRWA to $20 million.”

GREENS WARN LABOR AGAINST DEALING WITH LIBERALS ON CLIMATE

Following reports that Energy Minister Chris Bowen is considering further extending public subsidies for fossil fuel powered cars, the Greens have warned Labor must stop trying to weaken environmental laws in collaboration with Peter Dutton.

The AFR today reports that the government is considering extending a legislated time limit on tax benefits for plug-in hybrids, undoing a November 2022 deal with the Greens to pass EV legislation. This change would require legislation, likely requiring the Liberals’ support.

Over the past few weeks, Labor has publicly stated their intention to deal with the Liberals on several pieces of climate damaging legislation:

Fast-track massive gas projects, through bypassing environmental protections and First Nations consultation by allowing the Resources Minister to overrule the EPBC Act
Extending a fossil fuel subsidy for hybrid vehicles, which would undo an existing Greens deal to limit the generous handouts to April 1 2025
Keeping tax paid by massive gas corporations low in reform to the PRRT, bypassing the Greens and crossbench members demanding massive gas corporations pay their fair share of tax
“Streamlining” approvals through the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation process, details of which Mr Chalmers has not revealed.

The Greens say that this represents a substantial shift from the government – instead of working with the Greens and crossbench to create stronger laws to protect the climate and environment, Labor has decided that they would prefer to weaken laws with Coalition support.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“Labor are climate con artists, pretending to take action on climate change while working with the Liberals to weaken laws meant to stop emissions and protect the environment,” Mr Bandt said.

“This could be one of the most significant fortnights in the life of this Parliament. Labor is breaking an election promise by working with Peter Dutton to weaken environment laws, fast tracking new gas mines in the middle of a climate crisis and taking away the voices of traditional owners.

“Labor’s political decision to work with the Liberals to weaken environmental protections, instead of with the Greens to strengthen them, is spitting in the face of everyone who voted to kick Scott Morrison out.

“Labor has a clear choice: they can work with Peter Dutton to open up new gas mines and make the climate crisis worse, or they can work with the Greens.

“While everyday people are working to try and stop climate change, Labor’s doing deals with the Liberals to make it worse.

NSW urges a fairer, more transparent way forward on GST distribution

States and territories have today been put on notice that NSW will advocate hard for substantial change in the system of distributing GST funds collected by the Commonwealth.

At a meeting of the nation’s treasurers, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey proposed reforms to overhaul how the GST is distributed across the states and territories.

He also said the GST distribution should in future be determined by the Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC) on a per capita basis with the Commonwealth stepping in to support horizontal fiscal equalisation for the smaller states.

This would eliminate the wild fluctuations which prevent states from being able to plan for future GST contributions to their budgets.

NSW’s share of the GST pool was slashed from 92.4 per cent per capita to 86.7 per cent per capita in one hit this week, just three months out from the state budget.

That amounts to a $1.65 billion impact in a single decision at the Commonwealth level.

Mr Mookhey laid out a series on proposals for how the CGC’s approach could be improved, including:

Providing its updates to cover four-year budget forward estimates, rather than the single-year approach currently employed, so the full implications of CGC decisions is transparent.
Issuing a draft determination aligned with the states’ and territories’ half year review cycles so that states can properly prepare their budgets.
Sharing data on service delivery costs provided by states and territories which are used for the determinations, to improve transparency and accountability.

NSW will advance these propositions with the Federal Treasurer directly.

NSW maintains there are tough conversations ahead regarding other Commonwealth funding obligations.

That includes making sure NSW doesn’t miss out on money for schools and hospitals, that it gets the funding it deserves in the middle of a housing crisis and that missing infrastructure money is clawed back.

Mr Mookhey acknowledged the constructive approach of Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers in bringing forward the GST discussion.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“A system this absurd cannot last. It is not set in stone and it is time for it to change.

“This will be to the benefit of all the states and territories, including the smaller ones.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure every State in the Federation can thrive.

“I thank Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers for facilitating these discussions constructively. There are plenty of hard conversations ahead.”

Secretary appointed to lead The Cabinet Office

Kate Boyd PSM, has been appointed as Secretary of The Cabinet Office.

The appointment process was led by the Secretary of the Premier’s Department, Simon Draper, in consultation with the NSW Premier, Chris Minns.

Ms Boyd has been acting in the role since late last year, and prior to that appointment had held the role of Deputy Secretary, General Counsel, in both The Cabinet office and the former Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Ms Boyd has profound experience of central department responsibilities, having worked at the Department of Premier and Cabinet since 2007 and then The Cabinet Office. In that time, she has provided advice on constitutional and electoral law, parliamentary matters, integrity and accountability, privacy and access to government information.

Ms Boyd is a highly regarded NSW public servant and was awarded a Public Service Medal for her outstanding work during the 2019-2020 bushfire season and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Established on July 1, 2023, The Cabinet Office is a central NSW Government department that enables robust Cabinet decision-making by ensuring policies and proposals submitted for consideration are of the highest quality and in line with government priorities.

The Cabinet Office:

Leads and coordinates strategy and policy across government, including driving actionon the Government’s key priorities.
Provides expert independent policy, legal and governance advice to the Premier and Cabinet, including on National Cabinet matters.
Upholds Cabinet conventions and provides stewardship of the NSW Cabinet system to support good decision-making.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“The establishment of The Cabinet Office has ensured high-quality Cabinet decision-making processes are front and centre.

“I am very pleased to continue working with Kate Boyd as Secretary, as she leads a team of experts to provide policy and legal advice on some of the biggest challenges facing our State.”

Tram testing kicks off in Parramatta CBD

The Parramatta Light Rail project has reached a major milestone in the heart of Western Sydney overnight, when the first tram rolled through Parramatta CBD as testing ramps up ahead of services beginning later this year.

The 45-metre-long light rail vehicle travelled slowly under police escort on its inaugural 6.6-kilometre journey from the stabling facility in Camellia, through Parramatta Square, along Church St, through the hospital precinct, to its final stop at Westmead.

Parramatta locals and visitors can look forward to seeing more tram trials through the city, during the day and night, with more than 2000 hours of testing to be completed before it’s given the green light to take passengers.

When the light rail is in service, more than 16,000 people are expected to use the Church Street stop each day to connect to more than 60 local eateries, shops and businesses.

Last night’s test also marks the first time a 63-tonne tram travelled over the new Bidgee Bidgee Bridge in Rosehill, which allows vehicles to cross James Ruse Drive without disrupting traffic. The bridge, named after the famed leader of the Burramattagal clan of the Dharug People, is the largest of 6 new bridges built for the project.

The community is reminded to be alert for trams when walking, riding or driving near the light rail, and to follow signs and traffic directions. A comprehensive safety campaign continues to be rolled out in line with the testing program.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 connects Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia.

The Parramatta Square light rail stop will connect to the future Metro West station, due to open in 2032, and Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, which has now been granted NSW planning approval.

The NSW Government’s investment into public transport infrastructure will ensure our growing city is more connected than ever before, while supporting much-needed housing.

For more information visit the Parramatta Light Rail website. For information on how to stay safe around the Parramatta Light Rail during testing, visit the Testing and Commissioning Safety page.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“I am delighted to mark this milestone with a tram travelling through Parramatta CBD for the first time in over 80 years – giving us a glimpse of what the future of public transport will look like in Western Sydney.

“This is another exciting milestone in our commitment to making sure Parramatta Light Rail is on track to service tens of thousands of passengers by mid-2024.

“The light rail will breathe new life into Western Sydney, boosting local businesses, connecting key precincts and servicing an estimated 28,000 passengers each day in our west.

“The people of Western Sydney deserve reliable public transport, and that is what we are delivering.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“People living in Western Sydney deserve reliable, world-class public transport links and that’s what we’re delivering this year.

“This project has supported 5500 jobs – and I want to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this milestone possible.

“In the coming months, these trams will be a brand new public transport service connecting some of our fastest growing communities.

“We’re also pushing forward with next stage of Parramatta Light Rail, because communities like Wentworth Point and Melrose Park deserve the public transport services that they were promised.”

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said:

“It is fantastic to see how the light rail will support local businesses in our CBD, which have had a challenging few years due to COVID and construction impacts.

“I encourage everyone over the coming months to visit Parramatta, drop into a local business on the light rail route and see the light rail vehicles as they move through the city and surrounding suburbs.”

Transport for NSW Infrastructure and Place Deputy Secretary Camilla Drover said:

“The Parramatta Light Rail project is well and truly advancing, after testing on the Carlingford section of the line got underway in December last year.

“Safety remains a key priority for the project, and I encourage everyone to stay safe around the light rail as testing continues.

“This is the first time vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists have had to interact with light rail in Parramatta, so we ask all road users to remain vigilant. Please take extra care to be safe when walking, riding or driving near the light rail and pay attention to the signs and traffic directions.”