June 2024 – Page 9

Council for Australian-Arab Relations grants program

Today I announce the recipients of the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR) grants program for 2023-24.

The CAAR grants program aims to strengthen collaboration between Australia and the Middle East and North Africa region by advancing areas of shared political, economic, and social interest and building a greater appreciation of each other’s cultures and values.

Projects under the CAAR grants program are focused on the areas of innovation and sustainability, health and sport, social cohesion and gender equality, and arts and culture.

The ten successful projects for 2023-24, which will receive a share of $452,000 in funding, include:

Workshops for Early Childhood teachers in Saudi Arabia to promote gender equity when teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics, hosted by the University of New England.
A partnership with Fred Hollows Foundation to broker linkages between St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group and Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology will improve the delivery of eye health services and lay the foundation for the early recovery phase in Gaza and future eye health missions in the broader region.
A training and leadership camp in Qatar focused on building leadership skills for Muslim youth footballers, organised by the Bachar Houli Foundation.
A project promoting circular entrepreneurship between Australian and Arab entrepreneurs through the establishment of a Blended-Living-Lab, run by James Cook University in collaboration with Abu Dhabi University (United Arab Emirates) and King Abdul Aziz University (Saudi Arabia).

More information about the CAAR, the grants program and the full list of successful grant recipients can be found on the CAAR website.

Organised Crime Squad detectives execute search warrant as investigations continue into Newcastle diver death

Organised Crime Squad detectives searched a Lurnea property last week as an investigation into the death of a Brazilian diver in Newcastle continues.

About 9.30am on Monday 9 May 2022, emergency services were called to the Port of Newcastle after a male diver was located unresponsive in the water, with 54kg of cocaine located nearby.

Despite the efforts of witnesses and paramedics, the man could not be revived.

He was later formally identified as 31-year-old Brazilian national, Bruno Borges Martins.

The location of an alleged second diver – 32-year-old Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva – remains unknown.

Local police commenced inquiries, before the matter was taken carriage of by State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad under Strike Force Groove.

During the course of investigation, detectives were assisted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF), Northern Territory Police (NTPOL) and Queensland Police Service (QPS).

To date, two men have been charged and remain before the courts.

As part of ongoing investigations, detectives identified Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva is believed to have stayed for one or two months in a granny flat at the rear of a home on Jedda Road, Lurnea.

Investigators subsequently executed a crime scene warrant at the premises about 5.45pm on Wednesday (19 June 2024).

Specialist officers forensically examined the residence including luminol, fingerprints and DNA.

Investigations under Strike Force Groove are continuing.

Hunter Valley Police charge man after seizing illegal cigarettes, vapes and cash

Hunter Valley Police have charged a driver after they allegedly located hundreds of illegal cigarette packets, vapes and cash in a vehicle.

About 8.30pm yesterday (Saturday 22 June 2024), officers attached Hunter Valley Police District stopped a Toyota SUV on New England Highway, Parkville, for a random breath test.

During the stop, police allegedly located a large quantity of tabacco in the back seat of the SUV.

Following a search of the vehicle officers located and seized 682 packets of cigarettes, 40 vapes – hidden in exercise equipment – and over $52,000 in Australian currency.

The total street value of the items seized is estimated to be over $20,000.

The driver of the SUV, a 23-year-old man, was arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.

The man was charged with deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000, custody of knife in public place, possess tobacco 5 kilograms or above, convey/possess tobacco products reckless re defraud revenue, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, restricted substance sold by non-wholesaler, deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000 and goods suspected stolen in/on premises.

The 23-year-old was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Sunday 23 June 2024).

Six teenagers charged following police pursuit – Hunter Valley

Police have charged six teenagers following a pursuit in the state’s Hunter region.

About 10.35pm last night (Saturday 22 June 2024) officers attached to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command observed an allegedly stolen Volkswagen sedan travelling at speed on the New England Highway, Whittingham.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle and when it failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated.

The vehicle was pursued through Singleton and Muswellbrook before police successfully deployed road spikes and formed a roadblock near Aberdeen, stopping the vehicle.

During the roadblock, the Volkswagen allegedly rammed into two highway patrol vehicles.

All six occupants – a 14-year-old male driver and his five male passengers, one aged 15 and four aged 17 – were arrested at the scene and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.

The 14-year-old driver was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, class A motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45km/h – estimated and destroy or damage property.

Police will allege in court the driver travelled at speeds up to 160km/h in a marked 90km/h zone during the pursuit.

The four 17-year-old boys were each charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and possess means of disguising face with intent commit indictable offence.

The 15-year-old boy was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

All six teenagers were refused bail to appear before a children’s court today (Sunday 23 June 2024).

Humanitarian Assistance to the Horn of Africa Region

In response to ongoing humanitarian crises in the Horn of Africa region, Australia is providing additional support to address critical needs including healthcare, food and clean water, as well as services for children, separated families and survivors of gender-based violence.

Assistance will be delivered through Australian and local NGOs, the International Committee of the Red Cross and UN partners.

Australia’s funding will help populations affected by ongoing conflicts and disasters. This includes:

$13 million to assist vulnerable people in Sudan and Sudanese refugees displaced to the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan,
$6 million each to Ethiopia and Somalia to support people affected by crises,
$4 million to Kenya to respond to flooding and address food insecurity.

Australia is deeply concerned by the compounding effects of ongoing conflicts and climate change on vulnerable people, including women, children, and people with disabilities.

Since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023, more than two million people have fled across borders and 7.1 million people have been internally displaced. Sudan is on course to become the world’s worst hunger crisis with 17.7 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity and almost five million people on the brink of starvation.

In Ethiopia, at least 4.5 million people have been internally displaced due to conflict, violence, drought and flooding. Ethiopia is host to over one million refugees, making it the second largest refugee-hosting country in Africa.

In Somalia, four million people, or over a fifth of the population, are experiencing acute food insecurity. Kenya is host to some 800,000 refugees and is the fifth largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. Both countries have experienced recent flooding, exacerbated by the lingering effects of previous droughts.

Australia continues to advocate for political solutions to these conflicts and for safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian organisations delivering life-saving assistance.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Australia is gravely concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa and is working with international partners to help the most vulnerable and address instability in the region.
“We continue to advocate for political solutions to these conflicts and to call for safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian organisations.”

Minister for International Development and The Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“Australia’s support will help conflict and climate affected populations in the Horn of Africa region access critical humanitarian assistance, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable, including women, children and people with disabilities.
“Australia has strong partnerships with humanitarian organisations who are vital to delivering this life-saving assistance.”

Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts MP:

“Australia’s response is part of broader efforts to support security and stability in the Horn of Africa region in the face of climate disasters and ongoing conflict.
“Australia is appalled by ongoing incidents of civilians being attacked, children being recruited to armed groups and gender-based violence increasing.”

NT GREENS LAUNCH THEIR PLAN FOR HEALTHY COUNTRY AND THRIVING NATURE

The NT Greens are excited to launch our Biodiversity Policy at a community morning tea that will be held in Gosse Street park, Eastside, on Sunday 23rd June.

This policy outlines the important initiatives the NT Greens will take to protect our land, water and culture so that it can be enjoyed by all Territorians for generations to come.

Community members are welcome to come along to the morning tea, where Asta Hill, the NT Greens’ candidate for Braitling, and Hugo Wells, the NT Greens’ candidate for Araluen, will be joined by local environmental experts to talk about the actions that need to be taken to keep the NT’s nature going strong, and the issues that the major political parties are ignoring.

Asta Hill – candidate for Braitling

“We can’t let Labor and the CLP sell us out. The NT Greens are the only party that truly backs our environment, lifestyle and right to safe drinking water, because we don’t take corporate donations.”

“Let’s not forget last summer, when ash fell on our town. Buffel is choking our country and fuelling wildfires which threaten our environment, homes and safety.”

“Here in the desert, water scarcity penetrates the psyche of so many Territorians. Except the major parties’.”

Kat McNamara – Candidate for Nightcliff

“For a healthy environment which sustains our communities and economies, we have to reject Labor and the CLP’s policy of letting big business trash our environment.”

“The Greens are pushing for stronger protections for water, country and nature.

We need more transparency on how decisions about our fragile ecosystems are made. Onl then can we can protect places like Lee Point from wanton land clearing, Litchfield from rampant Gamba infestations & make sure there’s enough water for our communities, bush & wetlands .”

New link to extend safer connections across Newcastle’s cycleway network

Novocastrians will be invited to have their say on a proposal to add to City of Newcastle’s cycling network along Chinchen and Hubbard streets in Islington.

The 665-metre stretch will connect existing cycling infrastructure on the Scholey Street rail bridge and Islington Park on Maitland Road and is proposed to utilise both on-road separated cycleway and off-road shared pathway.

The project is being delivered by City of Newcastle, utilising $950,000 from the NSW Government through Transport for NSW’s Get NSW Active program.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes with Islington Public School Principal Megan Hamilton and students Jamie and Gabriel Irvine.Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the cycleway would enhance the continuity of safe cycling connections along a key regional route, improving safety and accessibility for students travelling to Islington Public School and Tighes Hill TAFE.

“This project is part of our ongoing investment to deliver safe, connected and convenient cycleways across the city,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We’ve spoken to local parents and Islington Public School students who walk, cycle, scoot, and skate their way to and from school and are strong advocates for active transport.

“We also want to hear from residents, TAFE students, commuters, and anyone who has an interest in cycling to learn how they’re using existing cycleways through Islington.”

NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said this investment is part of giving Newcastle residents more ways to travel.

“Delivering new ways to travel on a bike, or on foot gives people another way to travel safely around Newcastle,” Minister Haylen said.

“For every person that chooses to ride a bike to the shops, work or school, that’s one less car on our roads competing for limited parking. That means investments such as these are a win-win.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said City of Newcastle is committed to encouraging the uptake of active transport.

“The best outcomes are generated when we work closely with the community and by prioritising investment in cycleways, we hope to see cycling playing a larger role in Newcastle’s transport mix,” Cr Clausen said.

“Projects such as this enhance the continuity of safe and direct cycling connections for users of varying confidence and ability.”

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said this investment was the NSW Government fulfilling yet another election commitment for Newcastle, to make Islington a safe place for cyclists.

“This is a high traffic area, with many students from Islington Public School and Newcastle TAFE riding far too close to cars and trucks,” Mr Crakanthorp said.

“This cycleway will not only protect students getting to and from school, but also encourage more to get on their bikes or go for a walk.”

The Islington project will form an important link in City of Newcastle’s ‘On Our Bikes’ Cycling Plan, which proposes the creation of cycling connections from the western suburbs of Minmi and Wallsend all the way through to the inner city.

The new cycleway will complement City of Newcastle’s $800,000 upgrade of the intersection of Chinchen and Clyde streets completed last year, featuring new traffic signals for improved pedestrian, cyclist and road user safety.

Community feedback will be used as part of the detailed design stage, with the project included as part of City of Newcastle’s 2024-25 capital works program.

Submissions open on Monday 24 June and close at 5pm on Thursday 25 July.

To view the preliminary concept designs and complete the online survey visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay

NSW Government reducing the cost of living for land lease communities

More than 40 thousand people living in residential land lease communities in NSW will be better off after changes to how these communities are regulated, making it fairer for residents.

The Minns Labor Government has today passed new laws to fix some of the biggest and most pressing challenges for these communities, including changes to fees and charges.

Residential land lease communities include caravan parks or manufactured home estates with permanent residents who own their home but lease the land on which the home sits from the community operator.

Residential land lease communities play an important part in NSW’s housing diversity, with many communities providing lower cost and affordable homes for people – especially older Australians.

The changes include:

Improving transparency of fees and charges: with rules to require operators to make it clear to prospective residents how much fees and charges will be and to make future increases more predictable.
Fairer electricity pricing: protection from excessive price rises in communities with embedded networks so residents and operators have more certainty about energy prices.
Letting residents make a house a home: with a right to make minor changes like adding window locks or screens without seeking approval.

There are more than 500 residential land lease communities in NSW, with 95 per cent of them located in rural and regional NSW.

The statutory review of the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act 2013 was completed in 2021. While the report was tabled in Parliament, the previous government did not act on its recommendations. One of those recommendations was allowing three years for land lease community providers to transition to the fairer fee structure.

To ensure relief earlier for these residents, the Minns Labor Government supported a key amendment to reduce the transition period from three years to 12 months – ensuring greater clarity sooner for people living in these communities.

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Residents in these communities have been crying out for change for years.

“We’ve heard the community, and we know they’re dealing with uncertainty and cost of living pressure, so we’re getting on with it.

“These changes make fee increases clearer and ensure electricity charges are fair and equitable.

“I am proud that we have been able to pass this legislation during our first term in government, ending the inaction of the previous government that sat on its hands for nearly a decade.”

ARPRA CEO Gary Martin said:

“We are delighted with the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to making real, impactful changes for the residents of Residential Land Lease Communities.

“These new laws will provide much-needed clarity and fairness, particularly regarding fees, charges, and electricity pricing.

“The reduction of the transition period for fixed term agreements from three years to 12 months is a significant victory for residents, who have long faced uncertainty and financial pressure.

“This legislation demonstrates a strong commitment to improving the quality of life for some of the most vulnerable members of our state.”

First fully paid class of police officers to start across NSW

The first fully paid class of police recruits will be sworn into the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) today and will start duties at their new home stations next week.

Today’s Attestation is also an opportunity to recognise the outstanding contribution of serving police officers to NSW.

Inspector Amy Scott will be awarded the Commissioner’s Award for Valour for her exceptional bravery shown during the tragic Bondi Junction attack in April this year.

169 new Probationary Constables will be welcomed into the NSW Police Force this morning following 8 months of training – 4 months in-person at the Goulburn Police Academy and four months online study.

Class 362 will now undertake 12 months on-the-job-training as Probationary Constables.

Communities across NSW will see new boots on the ground on Monday:

Central Metropolitan Region: 43
Northwest Metropolitan Region: 34
Southwest Metropolitan Region: 35
Northern Region: 22
Southern Region: 19
Western Region: 17

Last year, the NSW Government made the historic announcement that recruits will be paid up to $30,894 to study at the Goulburn Police Academy, a major measure designed to boost police recruitment, address the critical shortage of police officers and attract a more diverse range of recruits to the NSWPF.

In further evidence paid study is proving to be an outstanding success, the NSW Police Force has received more than 1573 applications to train as a police officer since the announcement on October 31, last year, a 44% increase compared to the same period last year.

This is complemented by other programs specifically aimed at attracting both regional recruits and experienced officers:

You Should Be a Cop in Your Hometown ensures people from regional NSW who may not wish to move to the city and train as police then serve in, or near, their hometown after training at the Goulburn Police Academy.
The Professional Mobility Program incentivises officers from other Australian states and territories and New Zealand to join the NSWPF while keeping their equivalent rank (up to senior constable level 6).

The NSWPF is carrying more than 1500 vacancies. These vacancies are placing significant strain and a punishing workload on serving officers. Action to tackle this is critical. These measures are vital elements of that response.

The responsible decisions made in this week’s 2024-25 Budget mean we can invest in the essential services our community relies on, pay our workers fairly and keep our communities safe.

It’s part of our plan to build a better NSW.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“Inspector Scott has been rightly labelled a hero. She was calm, decisive, and as a result she saved many lives.”

“She gives us all an example of what we ask of our police, many of whom are young, to walk into terrible situations as an ordinary part of their job.

“And if there was an emergency tomorrow, we’d ask them to do it all over again. Because the truth is, we don’t have a choice.

“Congratulations to the 169 probationary officers graduating today. You have dedicated your lives to keeping the people of NSW safe. It is the very best definition of public service.”

NSW Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“Congratulations to all 169 Probationary Constables on the dedication and professionalism you have shown throughout your training.

“Today marks the start of an unwavering commitment to make a difference to the people of NSW. I wish you all a rich and rewarding career with the NSW Police Force.

“This is a Government that backs our police 100%. I have made it my personal mission, alongside Commissioner Webb, to make the NSWPF the best place to work in NSW.

“We are paying recruits to study and have announced a suite of recruitment measures aimed at filling the 1500 plus vacancies we are carrying.”

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said:

“To wear the uniform and serve the people of NSW is a great honour. I know full well the sense of pride and satisfaction you are feeling today.”

“Policing is a job like no other. It takes special people and enormous commitment. I welcome all our new recruits to the NSW police family and wish them the very best in what will be an extremely rewarding career.”

NSW leading action to prevent battery fires

At the Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Sydney today, Ministers agreed to take urgent action to help prevent potentially deadly battery fires.

During the meeting at Taronga Zoo, Ministers determined that New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria will work together to lead action on reforms to Australia’s product stewardship arrangements for all batteries.

Product stewardship is the act of minimising the health, safety and environmental impacts of a product and its packaging throughout the entire lifecycle. The state’s Container Deposit Scheme is an example of one successful type of product stewardship model.

Ongoing fires caused by batteries, notably lithium-ion batteries embedded inside a range of devices, show the critical importance of acting quickly to protect lives and property.

In response, Environment Ministers have agreed to accelerate work towards reforming the product stewardship arrangements for all batteries, acknowledging that intervention is needed through the entire lifecycle of a battery or battery-powered device.

This includes looking at options to improve the design, packaging, importation, storage and disposal of batteries.

A key focus will be on creating financial incentives to ensure the safe disposal of all types of batteries, reducing the chances of batteries ending up in our bins and landfills.

NSW will immediately start work on a draft Regulatory Impact Statement, which will assess the costs and benefits of product stewardship models. It will also consider how reforms would relate to existing product stewardship schemes, such as the B-Cycle scheme.

New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland will also start work on model legislation.

This work will enable governments to quickly identify the best reform option to reduce the risk of fires, support the battery recycling sector and deliver the most cost-effective and efficient approach for businesses and consumers.

Ministers acknowledged work already done by Queensland on safe battery disposal and discussed the issue of managing the risks of batteries as a matter of priority.

NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said:

“Fire and Rescue NSW attended more than 270 lithium-ion battery fires in 2023 alone, but we know this is just a small fraction of the true number of battery fires. When batteries are not stored or disposed of properly, they can threaten lives and cause extensive damage to properties and waste infrastructure.

“Ministers from around the country have agreed it is time for urgent action to protect our communities. NSW is proud to work with Victoria and QLD on a regulatory approach for batteries, to drive better design and disposal.”