March 2024 – Page 9

Visit of China’s Foreign Minister and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi

Tomorrow I will welcome China’s Foreign Minister and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr Wang Yi, to Canberra.

I will hold the seventh Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue with Minister Wang. The Dialogue is a long-standing mechanism to discuss the bilateral relationship and regional and international developments.

I look forward to a frank exchange of views on our shared interests, points of difference, and our respective roles in upholding a region that is peaceful, stable and secure.

Minister Wang’s travel to Australia follows Prime Minister Albanese’s successful visit to China in November last year.

The Australian Government continues to pursue a stable and constructive relationship with China, which is in the interests of both countries.

Australia’s approach is consistent; we seek to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest.

Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations 2024

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will this week welcome the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs the Rt Hon Lord Cameron and Secretary of State for Defence the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP to Australia for the annual Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN).

The United Kingdom is Australia’s close and enduring partner. Together we are working to shape a peaceful and secure world.

AUKMIN 2024 is an opportunity to identify new ways we can grow and strengthen collaboration in key strategic areas of our partnership.

Australia and the United Kingdom will discuss ways to deepen cooperation across defence, climate action and clean energy, cyber, and economic security.

Both Secretaries of State will visit Canberra on Thursday, before travelling on to Adelaide for AUKMIN Consultations on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“In an increasingly complex strategic environment, the United Kingdom remains a critical partner in support of a rules-based global order.”
“I look forward to working with our United Kingdom counterparts this week to progress ambitious new initiatives to deepen our defence partnership.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Australia and the United Kingdom are building on our longstanding strategic partnership to address our challenging and rapidly changing world.
“We are working together, including in the Indo-Pacific, for a world that is peaceful, stable, prosperous and respectful of sovereignty.”

RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION REVIEW CAN’T BE A TROJAN HORSE FOR HATE

The Australian Law Reform Commission’s review into religious educational institutions and anti-discrimination laws will be tabled in Parliament this week ahead of Labor’s Religious Discrimination Bill anticipated to be tabled in the coming months.

The mere debate around Scott Morrison’s 2018 bill gave far right activists licence to peddle anti-LGBTIQA+ hate in our media and community.

The Greens will be carefully considering the report and Labor’s bill when it’s tabled.

Stephen Bates MP, Australian Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson

We’ve been through this already in 2018 when Scott Morrison’s bill unleashed a torrent of LGBTIQA+ hate in our political system, our media and our community.

Anti-discrimination laws can’t be a trojan horse for other kinds of discrimination. Right now, religious institutions running schools, aged care, disability services, social housing and hospitals deny people of their rights to be themselves or access to services they’re entitled to.

Last time, Labor stopped short of extending protections to LGBTIQA+ staff. The LGBTIQA+ community should not have to wait their turn when it comes to anti-discrimination law.

We can’t afford this debate to act as cover for more hate and division in our community.

We want to work with Labor over the next few months to get the laws right to make sure people are free to practise their faith without discrimination and that people who rely on religious institutions for employment, social services or community aren’t discriminated against either.

Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Australian Greens schools spokesperson

Australia’s fee-charging private schools received $20 billion in combined government funding in 2022.

Why should private religious institutions subsidised from the public purse be exempted from the rules that apply to public schools?

Our kids deserve an enriching school experience that exposes them to the full diversity of Australian life.

Allowing some of the most privileged schools in the country to discriminate against staff on the grounds of their gender or sexual orientation perpetuates prejudice and division and must be consigned to the dustbin of history.

GREENS TO INTRODUCE DIVESTITURE LEGISLATION FOR POWER TO BREAK UP SUPERMARKETS

The Australian Greens will this week table a Bill in the Senate to introduce divestiture powers into Australian competition law.

Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator McKim

“The giant supermarket corporations have had it their way for far too long.”

“It’s time that the interests of people took precedence over the profits of corporations.”

“We need to stop supermarket corporations ruthlessly using their market power to gouge prices while raking in billions of dollars in profits.

“Giving our courts and competition regulators the power to smash the supermarket duopoly will help rein them in.”

“This isn’t a controversial or radical proposition. The UK has this power, and the US has been using it for well over a century.”

“The competition agencies of Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands have all recently required the divestment of supermarket assets in order to increase local competition.”

“The market domination of Coles and Woolworths gives them the power to crush farmers, squeeze out competition and shaft their customers.”

“Political donations from Coles and Woolworths have meant that successive governments have stood by and watched the supermarket duopoly dominate. It’s time to stand up.”

“This is not just about supermarkets. Australia has competition issues in many sectors of the economy.”

“RBA Governor Michelle Bullock agrees that some corporations are using a lack of competition and the cover of high inflation to hike prices above what would be required to meet increases in their input costs.”

“The very existence of divestiture powers will mean that dominant supermarkets, banks or energy companies will think twice about pocketing higher margins and instead pass on savings to their customers.”

“The Greens will be seeking support for this bill across party lines – from the Government, to the Coalition and crossbench, because I have no doubt that most Australians support it.”

Media statement – Minmi development application

City of Newcastle (CN) has finalised its assessment report for an 858-lot residential subdivision proposed for Woodford Street, Minmi, by the Winten Property Group.

The development application, DA2018/01351, which was publicly notified on two separate occasions by CN, is due to be determined by the NSW Government’s Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel next week.

CN Executive Director Planning and Environment Michelle Bisson said the DA has been assessed by CN in accordance with legislated requirements and is considered to now be consistent with the Concept Plan approved by the NSW Government in 2013.

It is acknowledged that significant community concern has been raised in relation to the development, with the majority of submissions citing the existing heritage, bushland and semi-rural outlooks as features that would be detrimentally impacted by the proposed development.

“The community expressed concerns with the development in regards to urban sprawl and transport impacts. The community has correctly cited the development’s inconsistency with City of Newcastle’s vision and ambition, and is only possible given the State Government’s 2013 approved Concept Plan,” Ms Bisson said.

“CN largely agrees with these concerns. However, the development is on land subject to a Concept Plan approval, issued by the NSW Government Planning Assessment Commission in 2013.

“As a result, CN is unable to enforce contemporary planning principles as the parameters for the future development of this land.

“It is CN’s strong hope that as the development progresses the applicant will consider more contemporary planning principles to reduce urban sprawl and reduce footprints, noting that this would also require an amendment to the Concept Approval.”

The assessment report documents CN’s previously raised concerns regarding the approved Concept Plan and the various amendments, to the Planning Department, over many years. These concerns include (but are not limited to) traffic impacts and required road upgrades, recreation facilities, vegetation loss, impacts on the Summerhill Waste Management Facility and the proposed design guidelines.

The current DA was refused in December 2022 on the basis of 15 concerns. However, the applicant has now, in the opinion of CN planning staff, addressed all 15 concerns and has secured support from a range of NSW Government departments and organisations including Transport for NSW. The latter has supported the proposal regarding traffic considerations and recommended upgrades to the regional road network to support the development as conditions of consent.

In December 2023, the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Planning Panel approved a separate neighbouring application from Winten, located within the Lake Macquarie City Council LGA, to develop a 1079-lot housing estate on land between the location of DA2018/01351 and the Newcastle Link Road.

CN will continue to advocate for the protection of a corridor required for a future southern access road into the Summerhill Waste Management Centre, which would remove the majority of large waste trucks from Wallsend and surrounding areas. The proposed corridor would require access via a paper road owned by Winten, Lake Macquarie City Council and another developer Eden Estates.

Design team appointed for $120 million Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital Project

The major upgrade of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital is moving forward with the project’s lead design team appointed.

Health Minister Ryan Park said the NSW Government is investing $120 million in the Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospital Redevelopment to add another 60 beds across the 2 facilities to meet the growing health needs of Sydney’s west.

“From Blacktown to Mount Druitt and Riverstone, this investment will deliver modern health care facilities to serve one of the country’s fastest-growing communities and provide the best possible workplace for our dedicated health staff.

“In the coming months, the design team will work with Health Infrastructure and Western Sydney Local Health District to determine key clinical service priorities and progress the planning for the redevelopment,” said Mr Park.

Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital operate as a single hospital, providing health care for approximately 90,000 patients in their emergency departments each year.

Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali said the $120 million investment was critical to allow Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital to meet the future health needs of its diverse community,

“Consultation with staff and consumers will continue throughout 2024, their valuable feedback will help shape an upgrade that is purpose-built and welcoming to everyone in our communities,” said Mr Bali.

“I’ve stood alongside my community advocating for investment in Blacktown Hospital for a long time and it’s exciting to be one step closer to seeing it become a reality.”

Member for Mt Druitt Edmond Atalla welcomed the progress on the redevelopment and the significant boost to jobs and opportunities it would have.

“Throughout the life of the project, the Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital Redevelopment is estimated to support approximately 200 direct jobs with the potential for supporting hundreds of indirect jobs,” said Mr Atalla.

“I’m proud to be part of a government prioritising the healthcare needs of Western Sydney through investments like this one.”

The NSW Government is investing $3 billion for new and upgraded hospitals and health services across greater western Sydney, one of the largest investments in the region’s health infrastructure in recent years.

The 2023-24 NSW State Budget also included:

an additional $400 million to build the $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital
$550 million for Fairfield Hospital, in its first major redevelopment since it opened in 1989
$350 million for Canterbury Hospital, in its first major redevelopment since 1998
$1.3 billion to build the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on a new site, the first major investment since the two hospitals merged in 1997.

The scope of the project and indicative timing of the works will be finalised during planning and design. Staff, stakeholders, and the community will be kept informed and consulted as the project progresses.

New Bankstown Hospital a step closer as master planning begins

Master planning will commence this month on the new Bankstown Hospital.

The NSW Government has committed $1.3 billion for the new hospital to meet the healthcare needs of one of South Western Sydney’s fastest growing and most culturally diverse communities.

The new hospital will be located in Bankstown’s CBD, with convenient access to public transport.

The master plan will outline the vision for the site including an ongoing TAFE NSW presence. It will also identify the location of key aspects of the hospital, including clinical services, parking and future expansion zones.

Master planning will also explore how the new facility will integrate with the community and connect with local road and existing and future public transport networks.

The existing Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital provides a wide range of general medical and surgical care and a variety of sub-specialty services to the community.

Speciality areas include emergency medicine, cardiology, intensive care, maternity, women’s and children’s health, rehabilitation, aged care, drug health and mental health.

The scope for the new Bankstown Hospital will be determined through the planning process, and is anticipated to include:

emergency services
intensive care
surgery and interventional procedures
women’s and children’s Health
aged health
mental health
ambulatory care services.

Community consultation and an Expressions of Interest for the project’s Community Reference Group will be advertised in the coming months.

The site of the new Bankstown Hospital offers precinct opportunities for health, education, research partners, including TAFE NSW and universities, to meet the learning needs of the local community, improve educational outcomes, and support the state’s priority skills need.

TAFE NSW will consult with its employees and students about relocating TAFE NSW facilities during construction of the new hospital.

Services will continue to be delivered at the existing hospital while construction on the new hospital is underway. When the new facility is completed and services have transferred, the existing site will be considered for repurposing for health uses.

Find out more information about the Bankstown Hospital redevelopment

Health Minister Ryan Park:

“The new Bankstown Hospital master planning will outline a vision for a world class health care facility which makes the most of its location.”

“This master plan will be developed in consultation with the local community, so we can deliver a hospital which will support the needs of this growing community well into the future.”

“Key stakeholders including council, planning agencies, staff and community members can contribute to both clinical and site planning.”

The Hon. Jihad Dib MP, Member for Bankstown:

“The new Bankstown Hospital is going to have a big impact on our community and it’s important that we work with members of the community so we can have the best and most practical hospital possible.”

“We want to know what’s important to patients, carers, visitors, staff and community members so we can plan a hospital which truly reflects our unique multicultural city.”

Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Minister, Steve Whan:

“I am thrilled to be partnering with the Minister for Health on this important and well overdue health and education campus.”

“TAFE NSW is committed to continuing its service delivery in the Bankstown CBD, both during construction of the new hospital and once it is operational.”

Kylie Wilkinson, Member for East Hills:

“We’re really pleased the community and other local stakeholders will get a good opportunity to have their say about how the new and existing hospital will meet their needs.”

“There will be ample opportunity to find out more and have your say, with a series of pop-up information sessions in key locations and opportunities to join community reference groups.”

Lynda Voltz, Member for Auburn:

“This will be a lifechanging infrastructure for the Bankstown community and surrounds.”

“I’m proud to be part of a government that is focused on the health and wellbeing of the people of NSW.”

Dr Matt Smith, Emergency Department Director, Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital:

“I am excited master planning is starting for the new Bankstown Hospital. A new contemporary hospital will offer our community state-of-the-art facilities and I am looking forward to hearing more about the vision for the site.’’

Mr Sanjay Lele, Consumer and Community Participation Member, Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital:

“I was involved in the planning of the hospital’s new Emergency Department which opened in 2021. It was a great experience and I hope to have the opportunity to contribute to community consultation for the new Bankstown Hospital. The involvement of local people in the planning of the new hospital is essential to ensure the new hospital meets the needs of everyone in our community.’’

Iconic Byron Bay locations have dual Aboriginal name added

Two well-known locations in the Byron Bay area now have Aboriginal dual names, following requests from local communities and in a nod to the cultural significance of these sites.

Since June 2001, the NSW Government has supported a dual naming policy for geographical features and cultural sites, with 45 geographical features having been dual named so far. The policy aims to recognise traditional Aboriginal place names alongside existing European names.

Where a geographical feature has a non-Aboriginal name, a traditional Aboriginal name can be assigned. The name will hold equal status to the non-Aboriginal name and can be used individually or combined.

The NSW Geographical Names Board has approved the submission from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to officially dual-name Cape Byron as Walgun and Julian Rocks as Nguthungulli, while a reserve in the suburb of Bangalow has been named Piccabeen Park.

Nguthungulli/Julian Rocks is a significant and sacred Aboriginal site associated with several dreaming stories of the Bundjalung of Byron Bay (Arakwal) people and other Bundjalung people. Nguthungulli, said to be the Father of the World, is the traditional name used by the Arakwal people.

Walgun/Cape Byron maintains significance to the Arakwal and other Bundjalung people, with the area being used for important gatherings and ceremonial practices.

Cape Byron is known by the local Aboriginal community as Walgun, which means ‘shoulder’ in the Bundjalung Language.

The dual names are supported by the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation and the Cape Byron Trust.

The GNB and Byron Shire Council have also worked together to formally name a reserve in the suburb of Bangalow as Piccabeen Park, which is located at 27 Deacon Street, Bangalow.

Piccabeen is a Bundjalung word used to describe the Bangalow Palm and/or baskets made from its palm frond. The reserve is home to many Bangalow Palms. The name is supported by the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation.

Minister for Heritage and the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“The dual naming of Nguthungulli/Julian Rocks and Walgun/Cape Byron acknowledges the traditional custodians and their special connection to these culturally, spiritually and historically significant sites.

“I want to thank the Traditional Owners who have worked to have these places dual named and I look forward to them being used so we can tell more of the stories of the these important areas.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Place naming gives communities the opportunity to unlock past stories, preserve traditions, reawaken language and provide a sense of belonging and identity.”

“The NSW Government is committed to the preservation and promotion of Aboriginal languages and acknowledging Aboriginal culture through place naming in NSW.”

“All Australians share a relationship to the land and the names we give to places convey their significance, sense of history and identity.

“Dual-naming acknowledges the significance of Aboriginal culture and represents a meaningful step towards the process of unity in NSW.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“The Arakwal and other Bundjalung people have had unbroken connections to these places through Story, kinship and Language since the first sunrise.”

“It is only right to honour that history and that connection through names that bring Story and Language to life for all Australians to enjoy.”

Planning begins for $350 million Canterbury Hospital redevelopment

An important step has been taken for the biggest upgrade of Canterbury Hospital in 26 years, with the project’s lead design team appointed.

The NSW Government is investing $350 million in the Canterbury Hospital redevelopment to expand the facility and deliver upgrades to existing infrastructure.

Health Minister Ryan Park said the expansion of services will ensure the facility is able to respond to the health needs of the growing community in Sydney’s south-west.

“Canterbury Hospital has been serving the community since 1929 and received its last major upgrade in 1998,” Mr Park said.

“This investment will help build the healthcare infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing community and enable our dedicated health staff to deliver high-quality care in the latest facilities.

“In the coming months, the lead design team will work with Health Infrastructure and Sydney Local Health District to determine the key clinical service priorities and progress the planning for the redevelopment.”

The Canterbury-Bankstown Local Government Area is forecast to grow by 13% in the next 12 years, with an estimated population of 443,000 by 2036.

Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis said the $350 million investment will enable Canterbury Hospital to meet the health needs of its diverse community.

“I am so grateful for the wonderful staff at Canterbury Hospital who, through this redevelopment, will have state of the art facilities to continue providing excellent care to the community,” Ms Cotsis said.

“Canterbury is a vibrant and hardworking community, and the much-welcomed redevelopment of the hospital will provide local jobs in health, technology and clinical support services.”

The 2023-24 NSW State Budget also included:

an additional $400 million to build the $700 million Rouse Hill Hospital
$550 million for Fairfield Hospital, in its first major redevelopment since it opened in 1989
$120 million investment to expand capacity at Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals
$1.3 billion to build the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on a new site, the first major investment since the two hospitals merged in 1997.

New laws expand Paid Parental Leave – more support for working families with biggest expansion since 2011

Labor’s changes to Paid Parental Leave – expanding the scheme to a full six months – will now be law after the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023 was today passed by the Senate.

That means new parents will be eligible for more Paid Parental Leave from 1 July this year with the passage of this historic legislation.

More than 180,000 families are expected to benefit from the expansion of the scheme each year with expecting parents able to pre-claim from March 26.

The bill delivers on the Government’s commitment to expand Paid Parental Leave to 26-weeks by 2026, as announced in the October 2022-23 Budget, and represents a $1.2 billion investment in the Paid Parental Leave scheme through to 2026-27.

From 1 July, two more weeks of payment will be added each year until the overall length of the Paid Parental Leave scheme reaches 26-weeks by July 2026.

The Bill increases the number of weeks reserved for each parent on a use it or lose it basis to four weeks in order to encourage greater sharing of care and household responsibilities. It also provides more flexibility by increasing the amount of leave that parents can take at the same time, from two to four weeks.

Expanding Paid Parental Leave to 26-weeks also complements the Government’s plan, announced earlier this month, to pay superannuation on Paid Parental Leave from 1 July 2025.

More information on the changes to the Paid Parental Leave scheme can be found on the Department of Social Services website.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“This is the biggest boost to Paid Parental Leave since it was created by the former Labor Government in 2011.

“Our policy will give families more leave and more flexibility, to ensure the system works in a way that’s best for them.

“A parental leave system that empowers the full and equal participation of women will be good for business, good for families and good for our economy.”

“The Government has made great strides to ensure the scheme is more accessible, flexible and gender equitable for Australian families.

“The face of the modern Australian family has changed significantly since the scheme was first introduced by Labor in 2011.

“Our changes ensure that the scheme will be able to better address the needs of working Australian families and provide greater security as they embark on this new chapter of their life with a newborn or adopted child.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth