Month: August 2024

Veterans remembered 51 years since Australia’s withdrawal from Vietnam War

Minister for Veterans David Harris will stand alongside Vietnam veterans at the Cenotaph from 11am today to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who served in one of Australia’s longest military engagements.

Vietnam Veterans Day takes place on 18 August, the day of the withdrawal of Australian forces in 1973, to remember the service and sacrifice of all who fought in Vietnam.

The arrival of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam during July and August 1962 was the beginning of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

The majority of this deployment comprised army personnel, but significant numbers of air force and navy personnel, and some civilians also took part. During its 11 years of involvement, more than 60,000 Australians fought in Vietnam, at a cost of 523 who died and almost 2,400 wounded.

Vietnam veteran and RSL NSW immediate past President Ray James, will attend today’s commemoration to reflect on the contributions he and his Navy comrades made during his service.

Mr James was one of 50 veterans from Vietnam whose stories were published by the Anzac Memorial last year during the 50th anniversary of Australia’s extraction from Vietnam. Read more about Ray’s service here.

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“Today we come together to pay tribute and remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans who fought in Vietnam for more than a decade.

“Over 60,000 Australians fought in Vietnam and sadly 523 gave the ultimate sacrifice. Almost 2,400 were wounded, with all involved carrying the scars and memories that only armed combat can bring.

“We thank them for their service.”

Vietnam veteran Ray James said:

“I was 17 on my first trip to Vietnam on HMAS Sydney, ferrying troops to and from Vung Tau port.

“Between 1966 and 1968 I did six trips to Vietnam and a seventh in 1972 on HMAS Torrens. We’d offload 400 or 500 troops, and we’d bring 400 or 500 troops back home. We sailed with equipment, vehicles, and stores.

“Today we honour those veterans who lost their lives during the battles in Vietnam, returned home wounded, ill, or injured, lost their lives in the years since they returned, and still carry the physical and emotional scars of their service since Australia withdrew from the Vietnam War 51 years ago.”

440 New Government Apprentice and Trainee Positions Opened

The Minns Labor Government is creating another 440 apprentice and trainee positions across 67 government agencies and state owned corporations over the next 12 months, as it continues the roll-out of the three-year, $93.5 million election commitment to rebuild the skilled workforce across the state, including in over 200 in regional communities.

Coinciding with National Skills Week (19 – 25 August), the 440 new jobs emphasises the importance of skills development and vocational training in shaping the state’s workforce.

The program cements the government as a leader in the employment of apprentices and trainees, and builds skills capacity within the public sector, by employing 1000 apprentices and trainees over three year, learning the skills to work in vital sectors such as Information Technology, Health and Electricity Distribution.

With broad skills shortages across the state, apprenticeships and traineeships provide a unique mix of paid on-the-job training with formal study that makes them vital additions to the future NSW workforce. In its first year, the program successfully employed 221 apprentices and trainees across 31 agencies, including Sydney Trains, Essential Energy, NSW Department of Education and NSW Health Pathology.

At Royal North Shore Hospital Health Pathology, two trainees supported by the program are already making a significant impact, including Jaime Reyes, who is part of the collections team.

Mr Reyes is living with a disability that has presented challenges to gaining full-time work and this program has provided him with valuable career opportunities.

A further 340 positions will be available in the final round of the program in the 2025-26 financial year.

To learn more about the program and apply for a position, please visit The 1,000 NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees Program.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park said:

“This Government is committed to providing people with valuable training and career opportunities within the public sector.

“This next round of apprentice and trainee roles will see more than 100 people enter the NSW Pathology workforce across the state.

“NSW Pathology is an incredible place to work, with plenty of rewarding challenges and opportunities and I really welcome this program.”

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

“This announcement, coinciding with National Skills Week, underscores the vital role that skills development and vocational training play in shaping our future workforce.

“Last year’s investment has facilitated the creation of hundreds of roles across 31 agencies, including key players like NSW Health Pathology.

“Through the 1000 apprentices and trainees program we are building skills capacity across our government agencies and offering opportunities for young people like Jaime to gain formal qualifications.

“This is just another example of how the Minns Labor Government is directly tackling the skills shortage by investing in and training the next generation of workers.”

NSW Health Pathology trainee, Jaime Reyes said:

“Prior to working at Royal North Shore Hospital as a trainee, my only knowledge of what blood collectors did was that they collected blood for my local GP. I am now learning there is a lot more to the job, and it is about working with people and making sure they feel comfortable.

“To be able to build relationships where people can see me as someone who is empathetic and help them through getting their blood collection done, this was someone that I want to be.”

$24 million to rebuild flood impacted Central West

A total of 21 projects to repair community infrastructure in four severely flood impacted Central West NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs) have received assistance thanks to an almost $24 million investment by the Australian and NSW Governments.

The Community Assets Program 2024 ­has supported the Cabonne, Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes Shire Councils to repair, restore and improve the resilience of community infrastructure directly damaged by storms and floods from August and September 2022.

Successful projects across the four councils include the repair of flood damaged parks, showgrounds, footpaths, pools, sporting fields and sport amenities.

More than $8 million is being invested in Cabonne Shire Council for projects such as the relocation of the Molong hockey fields and the restoration of Eugowra’s pre-school, Memorial Park and pool.

Forbes is also set to receive over $8 million for projects in the Forbes lake area, including improvements to amenities and upgraded footpaths that will ensure the community can continue to enjoy this much-loved precinct.

Find more information and a full list of successful projects.

The program is jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with project funding to be administered by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:

“Communities in Central West NSW were some of the hardest hit by the August and September 2022 floods, and both levels of government are working together to help them recover from and prepare for future events.  

“We’re helping rebuild community facilities like parks, sporting and recreational facilities to a more resilient standard so they can withstand increasingly frequent and intense severe weather events.” 

“We know that there is more work to be done, and we are committed to supporting Central Western communities to not only recover but rebuild for the long term.” 

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully:

“This shows what is possible when all levels of government work together in the best interests of communities.  

“This funding is delivering on what it was intended to do – help Councils build back better infrastructure for their communities to enjoy.

“Repairing community infrastructure is an essential part of getting communities back on track while helping to build community resilience.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty:

“For the four significantly flood-impacted councils, strong and resilient community infrastructure will be crucial in bringing people together and supporting the long road to recovery.”

“By assisting to repair, restore and improve flood damaged parks, showgrounds, footpaths, pools and sporting fields and amenities the Australian and NSW Governments are helping to rebuild both the communities and the vibrant spirit that makes them great places to live.”

“The Community Assets Program is not just building back for now – we’re building back better for the future by improving the resilience of these essential assets.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

“The devastating effects of the November 2022 floods cannot be overstated, and the communities of Cabonne, Forbes, Lachlan, and Parkes shires continue to feel the profound impact of this event.”

“It is encouraging to witness meaningful progress in the recovery efforts. This is the result of strong collaboration between local, state, and federal governments, alongside a number of their agencies.”

“I am confident that the newly announced funded projects will be embraced by these communities. Not only will they restore vital infrastructure, but they will also strengthen our resilience against any future flood events.”

20 years of bstreetsmart: Transforming road safety education for over 227,000 students

Australia’s largest road safety event, bstreetsmart, is marking 20 years of helping educate young road users about the responsibilities and potential risks of getting behind the wheel.

Almost 25,000 students aged from 16 to 18 years old will participate in an immersive education day at Sydney Olympic Park, from August 20-22.

Founded in 2004 by Westmead Hospital trauma nurses Julie Seggie and Stephanie Wilson, bstreetsmart includes testimonials and real-life simulated crash scenarios, which aim to reduce fatalities and injuries as a result of road accidents.

In 2023, young adults aged between 17–25 years old represented just 13 percent of all licence holders but accounted for 19 percent of all drivers and riders involved in fatal crashes.

In its inaugural year, bstreetsmart hosted 10 schools and was attended by 464 students. Two decades on, more than 227,000 NSW high school students have attended bstreetsmart, many recalling the lasting impact of the event, which is updated each year based on trends and issues observed in hospital emergency departments.

Transport for NSW has supported the event since 2015 and is contributing $300,000 to this year’s program.

For more information, visit bstreetsmart

Minister for Roads John Graham:

“Learning to drive is an exciting time for young people and bstreetsmart is a great way for new drivers to learn about the responsibilities that come with getting behind the wheel.

“This event helps drive home the message that there can be life-altering impacts for decisions made while driving.”

Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“bstreetsmart aims to prevent or reduce the deaths and devastating injuries that our healthcare system sadly sees on a regular basis.”

“By helping educate young drivers on the severe consequences of road trauma, we hope to see fewer young people in road crashes and ultimately, save lives.”

“Students and teachers learn about road trauma through simulated crash scenarios, interactive displays, theatre sports performances, powerful presentations from survivors, and personal accounts from family members of people killed in crashes.”

Minister for Police, Yasmin Catley:

“Learning to drive is an exciting time for young people, and this initiative will teach our young drivers just how dangerous our roads can be.”

“Young people make up a huge percentage of drivers and riders involved in fatal crashes on our roads, and it isn’t enough for just the police to keep them in check.”  

“This program will help young people take responsibility for their actions, hold each other accountable, and set a good example when they’re behind the wheel.”

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis:

“This event is an innovative and relatable way of demonstrating to our new drivers the responsibilities that come with driving.”

“As we celebrate 20 years of this important program, its impact continues to grow, thanks to the vision of two trauma nurses from Westmead Hospital who made it their purpose to get these powerful safety messages through to young people.”

Westmead Hospital Trauma Nurse, Julie Seggie:

“Driver distractions such as mobile phones, conversations, and loud music play a large role in many of the incidents we see in the emergency department. As nurses, and for many of us, as parents, we wanted to find a way to prevent death and the often-devastating injuries that occur as a result of road crashes.”

“Teaching prevention in any field of health is challenging, particularly when it comes to teenagers! What has highlighted the impact we have had with this event, is when we have met young adults who attended as students, and who talk to us about how bstreetsmart influenced them and their friends.”

“It is an amazing accomplishment to have an event run for 20 years. The dedication and determination of a select group of trauma nurses, doctors, and in particular Dr Ken Harrison, Westmead Staff Specialist, has been crucial to our success.”

Visit to Australia by President-Elect of Indonesia

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, will welcome Indonesian Defence Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto to Australia from 19 to 20 August 2024.

This is President-elect Prabowo’s first visit to Australia since Indonesia’s general election in February 2024.

Prime Minister Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Marles will host President-elect Prabowo in Canberra. They will discuss Australia’s continued commitment to working in partnership with Indonesia on shared economic, security and net zero transition priorities.

Indonesia is one of Australia’s closest partners and this year our countries celebrate 75 years of bilateral diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“Indonesia and Australia are the closest of partners and I welcome the opportunity to meet with President-elect Prabowo ahead of his inauguration in October.

“My Government is committed to working with Indonesia to shape the type of region we both seek – one that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, and respectful of sovereignty.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles

“I have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know President-elect Prabowo during his time as Defence Minister, in which we have been making great strides in our two countries defence cooperation.

“Australia and Indonesia are working closer together than we have before and are expanding the scope and complexity of our exercises together as we address shared regional challenges.”

COMMUNITY CALLING ON AUSTRALIA POST TO ADDRESS UNDER RESOURCING AT WALLSEND POST OFFICE

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon has echoed her community’s concerns around under resourcing at Wallsend Post Office.

Residents have reported having to wait over half an hour to be served and some turned away because staff don’t have time or capacity to respond to increased customer needs.

Ms Claydon has this week taken those concerns to Canberra, where she has spoken in the Parliament on the issue.

“I have received several complaints about long queues and customer wait times at Wallsend post office. Residents say they’re waiting over half an hour to be served. Some have even been turned away because Australia Post staff do not have the time or capacity to respond to increased customer needs.

“One resident told me that she often leaves work early if she wants to be served at the Wallsend post office before 5 pm. Another noted that it’s very common for there to be only three employees working during peak times, and they seem to be overwhelmed by the amount of foot traffic coming into the store.

Wallsend post office serves a large region, including the rapidly growing suburbs of Maryland, Fletcher and Minmi. Postal services are essential, providing access to vital services connecting people and communities right across the country and the globe.

“This lack of resourcing is causing considerable stress to people of all ages in my community. I really appreciate the time and effort taken by those who have contacted my office to share their concerns and personal experiences with me.

“I stand with the people of Wallsend and support their calls for a properly resourced post office that meets customer and community needs not just now but into the future, and I call on Australia Post to invest in their workforce and postal services in Wallsend. They deserve nothing less.”

Labor leaving older Australians in the dark on new Aged Care Act

The Greens say Labor is keeping older Australians in the dark on its new Aged Care Act, with the community growing increasingly anxious about secrecy and delays.

Greens Older People spokesperson, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Labor have shut out the disability community on NDIS reforms, they’re ignoring teachers on public school funding, and now they’re leaving older people out of the loop when it comes to aged care.

“With a federal election looming and time running out, those who voted for Labor in 2022 because of their commitment to delivering on the Royal Commission’s recommendations must be wondering if they’ve been duped.

“Action is urgently needed, but the community must be given enough time to properly consider and respond to this legislation. 

“We need to radically shift the way we approach aged care in Australia. We need to move away from the complex web of private providers, governments and consumers, where thousands of people fall through the cracks.

“The Greens took a policy to the last election of guaranteeing a human rights based approach to aged care, and stand more than willing to deliver one with Labor.”

50 days of free labour, a bad deal for women

On Equal Pay Day this year, women will have worked an extra 50 days, on average, to earn the same as men. 

The current national gender pay gap is 12 per cent, meaning women are paid an average of 12 cents less for every $1 a man makes. 

While this is a small improvement from last year, it will come of little comfort to working women seeing more of their salaries eaten up by the spiralling costs of housing, groceries and other essentials. 

Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women

“Today marks the 50 extra days women need to work, on average, to earn the equivalent salary to men.

“Women’s work is still undervalued, whether it’s paid or unpaid. Professions that are female dominated are on average paid less than male-dominated professions – despite being crucial to the functioning of society.

“The easiest way to close the gender pay gap is to pay women more. 

“The Greens repeat our calls for the government to legislate for above-average wage increases over 10 years in women-dominated industries. That would see women paid fairly, boost women’s economic security, and importantly ensure we can attract and retain staff in these critical sectors.

“The Government has recently announced it would increase early childhood workers’ pay, but not by the amount they asked for, despite these workers being chronically underpaid and starting to leave the sector as a result.

“Teachers, nurses, cleaners – all are female-dominated industries that are critical to society functioning but workers are leaving those industries because they are not being paid enough.

“The national gender pay gap is now at 12 per cent, and while this is a small improvement on last year, that will be small comfort for women working 50 days for free and wondering why there is any gender pay gap in 2024.

“The gender pay gap leads to a gap in retirement income, with women retiring into poverty after a lifetime of care and underpaid work. We know the fastest growing cohort of homelessness is women over 55.

“This year we saw WGEA provide employer-level data on the gender pay gap for the first time, a win for the Greens and advocates who have long-called for this to be made public. 

“Waiting 50 more years for pay equity is not a fair deal for women – we need the government to prioritise paying women fairly in what is already a cost of living crisis.” 

Australia’s contribution to the Solomons International Assistance Force

This week, we mark the return of the final Australian members deployed under the Solomons International Assistance Force (SIAF), after supporting the successful delivery of the 2023 Pacific Games and 2024 Joint Elections.

The SIAF was established after the Australian Federal Police and Australian Defence Force responded within 24 hours to Solomon Islands’ call for support in 2021.

Over the last three years, more than 1,600 Australian personnel have deployed to Solomon Islands, to work alongside military and police from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand in support of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

This is part of a tradition of Pacific forces working together to maintain peace and security, and respond to crises in our region.

AFP personnel will continue working in Solomon Islands with RSIPF counterparts providing mentorship, delivering assistance for major operations, and boosting capabilities through targeted training and exchange programs.

Our Defence Cooperation Program will continue partnering with the RSIPF to boost its maritime security, explosive ordnance disposal, infrastructure and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities.

As Solomon Islands’ number one security partner, Australia is honoured to have served alongside our Pacific partners as part of SIAF and we will continue to support Solomon Islands’ priorities.

Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“Australia has been proud to work with Solomon Islands as its security partner of choice, including by responding quickly to Solomon Islands’ needs through our Bilateral Security Treaty.

“Australia will continue working with the RSIPF to boost its maritime security, explosive ordnance disposal, border security, band, infrastructure, education and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities”.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“As Pacific family, we will always step in to help each other, and Australia is honoured to have served alongside our Pacific partners as part of the Solomons International Assistance Force.

“We share a vision for a peaceful, stable, prosperous and unified region, where security is the shared responsibility of Pacific Islands Forum members.”

Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP:

“The Solomons International Assistance Force has worked side by side with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to strengthen law and order, support major events and build Pacific policing capacity.

“Off the back of the successful Pacific Games in 2023 and safe and secure Joint Elections in 2024 the Australian Federal Police will continue to build on its strong partnership with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force through our Policing Partnership Program.”

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

“The Solomons International Assistance Force has again proved the Pacific Islands Forum family is best placed to meet the security challenges facing the region, with Pacific police and defence forces working side by side to build capability together.

“This was also a practical example of what Prime Minister Manele has set out in his three-tier approach to Solomon Islands’ security.”

Back to basics education critical to combating disastrous NAPLAN results made worse by Labor’s failed school reforms

The disastrous 2024 NAPLAN results show there is a national crisis in Australian schools, compounded by Labor’s failed school reform agenda.

This academic scorecard reflects the dire state of school education across the nation.

With one third of students continuing to fail NAPLAN, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority’s claim these “stable” results are “an important achievement” is an embarrassment.

Across the four NAPLAN test areas of reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy, Year 9 students fared the worst, with 35.3 per cent failing to reach minimum standards of proficiency, falling into either the ‘developing’ or ‘needs additional support’ categories.

The Albanese government has failed to deliver the national school reforms it promised and Australian children and their families are paying the price. Rather than put students first, Education Minister Jason Clare has become embroiled in a school funding war with the states which is a mess of Labor’s own making.

Delivering a back to basics education sharply focused on literacy and numeracy, underpinned by explicit teaching and a knowledge-rich, common sense curriculum, is critical to raising school standards.

It is shocking so many young Australians do not reach minimum standards of literacy and numeracy. Getting back to basics also means ridding the classroom of indoctrination and other activist causes.

Every child deserves to reach his or her best potential. That is why it is vital to support our nation’s hard working educators with evidence-based teaching resources so they can excel in the classroom.