April 2024 – Page 16

Demerit point wiped for 1.1 million safe drivers

From today, more than 1.1 million motorists will begin to see a demerit point scrubbed from their licence as reward for maintaining good driver behaviour during the first year of the NSW Government’s demerit point trial that promotes safer roads.

The 12-month demerit point trial, which ended on January 16, provided an incentive for drivers to follow the rules and those who remained offence-free will now benefit with a demerit point removed.

The scheme gave 1.7 million motorists the chance to have a demerit point erased, with about 65 per cent of those to benefit from Sunday.

The trial has been extended for another 12-months as the NSW Government sharpens its focus on road safety in 2024.

Anyone with a NSW unrestricted licence, including professional drivers, and a demerit point on their record, has another opportunity to have a point scrapped if they remain offence-free between 17 January 2024 and 16 January 2025.

The vast majority of eligible motorists will see their demerit points removed immediately, but a small cohort will need to wait until offence notifications are finalised and court settlements processed.

To find out more about the Demerit Point Trial Scheme, visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/topics-tips/demerit-points.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“Thanks to the drivers who followed the rules over the twelve month trial we are all safer as a result.

“The NSW Government believes in encouraging safety and the demerit point trial is part of our carrot-and-stick approach to reward good driving behaviour as well as appropriately penalising poor behaviour on the roads.

“I urge all motorists to renew their commitment to safe driving in 2024. The demerit point trial can provide further incentive to do so.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:

“Many people in regional NSW depend on driving for their livelihood or just to get around and do not have the public transport alternatives of other more populated areas. The reward of a demerit point being removed will be a meaningful one to many of those people.

“This trial is unapologetically about encouraging safer driving and that’s exactly what we need in the regions where we have a third of the state’s population but more than two-thirds of all road fatalities.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Eligible drivers will not have to do anything as they will automatically have their demerit point returned. Drivers will be able to check this in their demerit point summary of the Service NSW app or by logging into their MyServiceNSW account via the Service NSW website.”

“Customers can also check their demerit points balance at their local Service NSW Centre by showing their NSW driver licence or people can contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 if they have any questions.”

Fee-Free TAFE removing financial barriers for people in NSW

The Albanese and Minns Governments’ Fee-Free TAFE initiative is continuing to exceed targets, removing financial barriers so more people in NSW can learn new skills in areas where the economy needs them most.

New figures reveal 182,124 people in NSW enrolled in Fee-Free TAFE during 2023, smashing the initial first-year target, with a very encouraging number of people taking up study in areas like education, health, construction and IT.

Fee-Free TAFE – which is jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments – removes financial barriers for training in areas facing significant skill shortages, with enrolments prioritised for groups excluded or under-represented in the labour market.

As of 31 December 2023, there were over:

34,630 enrolments in the Care sector
9651 in the Technology and Digital sector
8728 in the Construction sector.

Priority groups were strongly represented with the enrolment of 62,925 job seekers, nearly 10,000 people with disability and more than 15,154 First Nations people.

118,620 enrolments were women and students from regional and remote areas numbered more than 70,000.

Almost 50,000 people in NSW who speak a language other than English at home also took advantage of Fee-Free TAFE.

Fee-Free TAFE provides big savings for students.

A student studying to become an early childhood educator or undertaking a Certificate III in School Based Education and Support need not find $1600 in course fees, similarly someone undertaking a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping wouldn’t need to pay almost $2,000 in course fees.

The Albanese Government is providing a further $414.1 million over 2024 – 2026 to States and Territories to fund the delivery of at least another 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE and VET places.

the Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor MP:

“Fee-Free TAFE has transformed the lives of students from diverse backgrounds right across NSW, at the same time making sure there is a strong pipeline of workers to fill in-demand jobs.

“The initiative has helped ease cost-of-living pressures for students and is helping respond to the worst skills crisis we have experienced in 50 years.

“Fee-Free TAFE is helping people in NSW, and across Australia, to acquire skills to ensure they have meaningful work, well-paid jobs and career progression.”

the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan MP:

“Fee-Free TAFE is targeted at increasing workforce participation of priority groups and helping people get the skills they need for the jobs they want.

“We are committed to tackling the skills shortages, by supporting students with free training opportunities who can then enter the workforce in highly paid, highly skilled jobs.

“The Fee-Free TAFE program highlights the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments’ commitment to strengthening the VET system and placing TAFE at the heart of vocational delivery across New South Wales and Australia.”

Recovery support for flood-affected communities

Disaster assistance is now available in the Blue Mountains, Camden, Hawkesbury, Kiama, Liverpool, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong Local Government Areas (LGAs) following the impact of flooding from 5 April 2024.

The assistance measures are being provided by the Australian and New South Wales Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Support includes:

Funding for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.
Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation or small cash payments to purchase essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.
Grants for eligible residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
Grants for eligible residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, sporting and recreation clubs, and non-profit organisations to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.

Acting Federal Minister for Emergency Management Catherine King said floods had caused widespread damage across NSW in a very short amount of time.

“It’s important that we act quickly to activate disaster support so affected communities can begin their clean-up and recovery,” Minister King said.

“I want to thank those who have worked hard to start the clean-up efforts so quickly and I want to assure those whose lives have been disrupted that we will support them through their recovery.”

“The NSW Government is continuing to assess the damage and fully understand the impact of this disaster, and the Australian Government stands ready to respond to any requests for assistance.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib acknowledged the efforts of the emergency services and volunteers.

“We are grateful to our volunteers and to our communities who have worked together to keep each other safe as these intense storms passed through NSW,” Minister Dib said.

“The SES has continued to work throughout the night to reach out to communities and I’m confident that with the work they’ve been doing, that we are being incredibly proactive.”

“Work to assess the impact of flooding across the state is being conducted as quickly as possible, with disaster declarations like these a crucial first step in unlocking assistance.”

For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, location of your nearest recovery centre and more, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.nsw.gov.au.

To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit Rural Assistance Authority.

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at Disaster Assist.

Waste Levy lifted for Hawkesbury residents

The NSW Government has lifted the waste levy fee for residents in the Hawkesbury LGA, to help them recover from intense heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

The community will not have to pay to dispose of flood-generated waste and debris at landfill sites until 30 June 2024. The local landfill gate fee may still apply.

The exemption covers waste on both public and private land, including damaged building materials, furniture, carpet, gardening debris, and any other flood-related products.

Lifting the levy fee makes it easier for locals to get rid of flood-affected household items in a safe and efficient way. It also provides financial relief as the Hawkesbury community gets back on its feet as soon as possible.

This decision follows exemptions granted to Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Shellharbour, and Kiama Local Government Areas.

As the flood water recedes and clean-up efforts progress, the Environment Protection Authority could expand this benefit to other LGAs if necessary.

The EPA is working with Regional Emergency Management Committees impacted by the recent severe weather to offer assistance, including waste levy exemptions for flood-damaged items.

Labor piles additional burdens on teachers

The NSW Opposition has hit out at the Minns Labor Government’s reckless decision to add to teacher workloads while reducing critical supports, by removing assistant and deputy principals from their existing roles.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the Minns Government is failing in its promise to deliver more teachers and is instead putting additional pressures on the current workforce which is already stretched thin.

“These roles were created to ease pressure on teachers, helping them to manage discipline in the classroom, support students with additional learning needs and to guide staff who are at the beginning of their teaching career,” Mr Speakman said.

“Instead of delivering additional teachers that the Minns Labor Government had promised, they’re just moving the numbers around, stacking more responsibilities onto classroom teachers at a time when we know that burnout is a massive issue.”

Shadow Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell also criticised the lack of action on the teacher shortage issue, with today’s announcement just a rehash of a last year’s announcement.

“Labor’s suggestion that these roles can simply be eliminated without negatively impacting teachers and students is self-evidently completely untrue, and undermines the complexity of our schools and the important roles these staff play,” Ms Mitchell said.

“The simple fact is that nothing has changed since the Labor Government’s announcement four months ago, and what’s more concerning is the Education Minister still hasn’t provided any detail on how assistant and deputy principals will be expected to split their workload between their teaching and support roles or what the impacts on schools will be.”

“The Minister needs to tell parents and school staff exactly which positions will be cut, and how this will affect students and learning outcomes.”

“The Minister today let the cat out of the bag, saying “our focus is to get costs under control” – an admission that this is really about the Minns Labor Government being unable to pay for its wages deal with the unions. Labor promised its pay deal would not cost the state anything, but now it is clear our kids will be the ones who pay the price.”

Raptor Squad arrest man over alleged armed affray – Newcastle

Raptor Squad officers have arrested a man in Newcastle following an investigation into an alleged armed affray last month.

About 4.40pm on Saturday 2 March 2024, officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command were called to an address in Cranbrook following reports a man had been threatened with a knife.

Witnesses told police two men had been involved in an altercation, during which one man lunged at the other with a large kitchen knife before fleeing the scene.

Local police commenced initial inquiries, before the matter was taken carriage of by State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad.

Following extensive inquiries, about 11.40am today (Monday 8 April 2024), a 25-year-old man was arrested in Bar Beach, Newcastle.

He was taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he is expected to be charged with use offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence, use knife in public place – cause person to fear for safety, and affray.

Inquiries are ongoing.

Appointment of Julie Bishop as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar

Australia welcomes the United Nations Secretary-General’s appointment of former foreign minister the Hon Julie Bishop as the United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar.

Ms Bishop brings a wealth of experience to the role, and her appointment comes at a critical time as the political, humanitarian and security situation in Myanmar continues to worsen.

The people of Myanmar continue to demonstrate great resolve in the face of unspeakable violence and human rights abuses, and Australia remains resolute in our support for them.

The Special Envoy plays a vital role in sustaining international attention and supporting coordinated efforts towards a peaceful resolution in the interests of the people of Myanmar.

Australia will work closely with Ms Bishop as United Nations Special Envoy, ASEAN and the international community to deploy our collective efforts to build conditions for sustainable peace in the country.

We reiterate our call on the Myanmar regime to cease violence against civilians, release those unjustly detained, allow safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance, and return Myanmar to the path of inclusive democracy.

GREENS CALL FOR FULL TRANSPARENCY OF GREAT BARRIER REEF COVERT MISSION

The Greens call for full transparency from Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef Senator Nita Green and GBRMPA CEO Josh Thomas on their recent covert visit to UNESCO in Paris.

It comes as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority quietly released data late yesterday showing a shocking 75% of the Great Barrier Reef has again bleached – the fifth mass coral bleaching now recorded in the past eight years.

Transparency from the government about its mission to Paris is particularly important given the World Heritage Committee will meet in India from 21-31 July 2024 and decide whether the Great Barrier Reef meets the criteria for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“New data revealing three-quarters of the Great Barrier Reef has been bleached is shocking, and I have no doubt many Australians will feel a deep sense of despair hearing this news.

“It’s beyond any doubt the ‘outstanding universal values’ that saw the Great Barrier Reef inscribed as one of the greatest UNESCO World Heritage treasurers are in danger from warming oceans and consistent marine heatwaves, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

“Successive governments have gone to extraordinary lengths to stop an ‘in danger’ listing of the Great Barrier Reef by deliberately deceiving the world of the severity of climate change impacts on the reef, while at the same time approving massive new fossil fuel projects.

“It’s time for no more spin, deceit and distractions. The Greens are calling for full transparency of any recent lobbying of UNESCO by the Albanese government in relation to the Great Barrier Reef. We need trust in the Albanese government’s motivations and actions to save this greatest of natural icons.

“If the Great Barrier Reef’s key management body, GBRMPA, and its parliamentary envoy can’t truly advocate for securing the reef’s future, then who can?

“In 2023 the World Heritage Centre and IUCN declared the Great Barrier Reef ‘remains under serious threat’ and identified priority recommendations — many of which including mitigating the impacts of climate change — to avoid the natural icon being inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

“Mitigating the impacts of climate change is one thing, but the Great Barrier Reef can’t be protected from the political stupidity of prioritising new coal and gas over coral.

“Until the Albanese government stops opening new coal and gas, any claims we are on track to protect the Great Barrier Reef from an ‘in danger’ listing are duplicitous and need to be called out.

“If the Albanese government is serious about protecting the Great Barrier Reef it must treat the root cause of the reef’s decline, which is rising emissions from burning fossil fuels.”

Newcastle inland pools smash visitor records

With a month of the season remaining, City of Newcastle’s (CN’s) inland pools have already experienced their busiest summer in almost 30 years, attracting more than 410,000 visitors.

The total, which is a 33 per cent increase compared to the same time last season, comes just one year after BlueFit began operating all five of Newcastle’s swimming centres and is the highest annual visitation since the 1997/98 season.

Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre

Further cementing their popularity, customer satisfaction surveys conducted throughout the season by BlueFit found that 88 per cent of respondents are likely to continue using CN’s inland pools in the future.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said CN has prioritised investment in the city’s much loved community facilities to ensure they are inclusive and accessible for everyone to enjoy.

“We know visitor numbers were reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, but these statistics prove our pools are more popular than ever,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Our five inland pools hosted 91 special events and carnivals across the summer, as well as six major events including the Australian Water Polo League Games, Diving NSW Country Championships and NSW Underwater Hockey championships.

“We’re committed to maintaining and investing in our network of inland swimming centres to ensure they continue to meet the expectations and evolving needs of the community.

“It’s part of our ‘Inland Pools Strategy 2043’ which includes accessibility upgrades and redeveloped changeroom facilities.”

Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre enjoyed a meteoric rise with almost 48 per cent more people choosing to cool off at the facility compared to the previous year.

CN’s first inland pool received its new $2.2 million grandstand just in time for Christmas to help accommodate more than 26,000 extra visitors across January, February and March.

BlueFit’s customer survey revealed that 95 per cent of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the new grandstand, which now includes much-needed storage space and upgraded accessibility.

CN’s decision to relocate temporary tiered seating from Lambton to Mayfield, Stockton and Wallsend during the winter of 2023 was well received, with new shade covers providing extra protection for visitors, schools, sporting groups and spectators.

Swimmers at Wallsend took full advantage with the centre receiving more than 11,000 extra visits by the end of March compared to last summer.

Ninety per cent of surveyed customers were impressed with the centre’s new accessible changeroom, which was completed in November as part of CN’s 20-year Inland Pools Strategy.

All five of CN’s swimming centres now provide accessible amenities, ensuring a more inclusive swimming experience for all members of the community.

The seating and shade were also welcome additions at Stockton Pool, which has already had 8,000 more visits than the entire 2022/23 season.

Mayfield Pool enjoyed a 24 per cent boost in swimmers until the end of March, with the customer survey showing a 97 per cent approval of its upgraded family changeroom.

December proved a peak month for Beresfield Swimming Centre, which received more than double the number of visitors compared to the same time last season, who were also able to enjoy a new playground, shade sail and picnic tables.

CN’s investment will continue this year with the installation of new heat pumps at Mayfield and Wallsend Pools.

Labor’s inflation is hurting Australian families

Today’s monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) data is a reminder of the extraordinary financial pain that hardworking Australian families are experiencing because of the Albanese Labor Government’s bad policies.

Core inflation – the RBA’s preferred measure, the trimmed mean – rose to 3.9%, which is still well above the RBA’s target band.

Since Labor came to power the price of everyday essentials for Australian families have all gone up:

Bread by 16.4%
Dairy (milk) by 17.6%
Rent by 12.1%
Electricity by 16.5%
Gas by 26.4%
Education by 10.9%
Insurance and financial services by 14.1%

These numbers are stark but they won’t come as a surprise for hardworking Australians who are at the coal face of Labor’s cost of living crisis.

Over the last two years of the Albanese Labor Government, Australians’ living standards have collapsed, and this government has no plan to restore it.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said Australians face highly uncertain economic times and the future looks grim under Labor.

“The Albanese Labor Government is patting themselves on the back, pointing to the headline figure of 3.4%. But core inflation has risen to 3.9%.

“This government keeps telling Australians they’ve never had it better. Well that just shows how out of touch Labor is.

“Speak to any ordinary Australian on the street and they will tell you that cost of living pressures have gotten worse since the 2022 election.

“The damage has been done to household budgets. Under this government, we’ve seen prices for the basic necessities like food, insurance and power, soar.

“The economy has shuddered to a halt. And instead of the government getting its priorities right, hardworking Australians have been left to do the heavy lifting.

“People are being stretched to the absolute limit because Labor keeps taking from family budgets to bolster its own.”