The NSW Shadow Minister for Digital Government and Customer Service James Griffin is calling on the Minns Labor Government to come clean on the extent of cuts to the Service NSW ‘Business Bureau’.
In a shambolic display at Budget Estimates, Minister Jihad Dib, who is responsible for Service NSW, today contradicted evidence given by his Ministerial colleague a week earlier.
In an appearance at Budget Estimates last week, Minister Steve Kamper, the Minister for Small Business, was asked whether staff at the Business Bureau would be retrenched as part of foreshadowed cuts at Service NSW. Minister Kamper stated “they’re not being retrenched. I’ve got the Business Bureau fully funded”. When asked whether there would be any changes to the Business Bureau at all, Minister Kamper answered, “No.”
In stark contrast, Minister Dib today would not confirm that no retrenchments would be made to the team at the Business Bureau.
The Business Bureau provides essential support to small businesses during the current cost of living crisis. Since its inception in October 2023, it has dealt with 160,000 business inquiries and delivered more than 24,000 hours in personalised advice. However, the Minns Labor Government is now proposing an $11.7 million cut in funding to the Bureau, or 31% of its budget.
“It seems that no one is in control of the decimation of Service NSW. One Minister claims there will be no changes, the other Minister wouldn’t say the same. At the end of the day, there are hard -working staff who don’t know whether they’ll have a job once these guys sort out what is going on.
“Service NSW was once the shining light of citizen engagement and was envied right across Australia. Unfortunately, it looks like it is going through a world of pain under this Minns Labor Government,” Mr Griffin said.
“I am concerned that the Minns Labor Government have given up on pursuing the critical digital reforms initiated under the former Liberal and Nationals Government which would have continued to make life easier for citizens. Service NSW seems to be spiralling even further out of control under this Minns Labor Government. The Minister had a chance today to clarify whether they’re cutting more people or not, and instead his answer has just led to more confusion for staff at the Business Bureau.” said Mr Griffin.
Month: September 2024
Appeal to locate missing man – Newcastle
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing in the Newcastle area.
Ricky Wilson, aged 27, was last seen on the morning of Monday 5 August 2024 at Calvery Mater Hospital in Waratah.
When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Batemans Bay Police Station were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to a medical condition.
Ricky is known to frequent the Jesmond and Newcastle CBD areas.
Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Consul-General in Surabaya
Today I announce the appointment of Mr Glen Askew as Australia’s next Consul-General in Surabaya.
Indonesia is one of Australia’s closest and most important partners. We are deepening our cooperation under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to keep our region safe, grow our economies and transition to net zero.
Surabaya is Indonesia’s second largest city, with Central and East Java contributing almost one-third of national GDP and comprising a combined population of over 70 million people.
The Consulate-General in Surabaya is working to strengthen two-way trade and investment by implementing initiatives under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, as well expanding people-to-people ties in a powerhouse region of Indonesia.
The Consulate-General also provides services to Australians in Surabaya, including consular assistance.
Mr Askew is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Assistant Director, Israel-Gaza Taskforce.
He has previously served overseas in Papua New Guinea, Ghana and Indonesia and was a Peacekeeper with Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti and the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) with the Australian Federal Police/United Nations.
I thank former Consul-General Fiona Hoggart for her contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Surabaya since 2022.
Ambassador to the Organization of American States
Today I announce the appointment of Mr Jason Robertson as Australia’s Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS).
The OAS is the pre-eminent regional organisation in the Americas, with 34 Members and 75 Permanent Observers. It has four pillars: democracy promotion; human rights protection; security; and development.
Australia’s Permanent Observer status at the OAS, and the designation of our first Ambassador to the organisation, demonstrates our commitment to stronger engagement with the Americas on shared priorities.
These include support for strong interregional and multilateral rules and norms, promotion of human rights and cooperation on transnational crime.
Mr Robertson is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is currently Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC.
Mr Robertson has previously served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Beijing and as Consul-General in Guangzhou. He has had earlier postings to Australian diplomatic missions in Beijing, Islamabad and Belgrade and served in Sarajevo, Pristina and New York with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
Appointment of Ambassador and Consul-General
Today I announce the appointment of highly qualified individuals to lead Australia’s diplomatic post in Surabaya and our representation to the Organization of American States (OAS).
Australia’s diplomats drive our engagement with the world, build influence, create opportunities, support Australians overseas and promote our national interests.
I am pleased to announce the following appointments:
- Mr Jason Robertson as Australia’s Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS).
- Mr Glen Askew as Australia’s Consul-General in Surabaya.
I thank outgoing Consul-General Fiona Hoggart for protecting and promoting Australia’s interests in Surabaya since 2022.
CARE ABOUT COST OF LIVING? FREEZE RENTS
Today ACT Greens MLA Jo Clay has introduced a bill to help defend Canberra’s renters against the housing crisis, by putting a two-year freeze on rent increases and imposing strict limits on rent increases in the long term.
“It’s about time renters got a fair go in the ACT. For too long the returns of property investors have been prioritised by the government over the right of all Canberrans to a home,” said Jo Clay MLA.
“With the balance of power in the Legislative Assembly, the Greens have already helped to deliver nation-leading renters’ rights, under the leadership of Attorney General Shane Rattenbury.
“The housing market is cooked. More than 30 percent of Canberrans rent, and many are struggling to pay the rent week to week. They face terrible uncertainty. Many are worried and they can’t afford to pay.
“For the average Canberran, less than one percent of rentals on the market are affordable.
“In the current inequality crisis, we must now take the next step and recognise the unequal burden of the ‘cost of living’ on renters.”
The Greens’ bill will introduce a two-year freeze on rent increases, impose a two percent limit on increases after those two years, and close loopholes that currently allow landlords to lift rents higher than this limit.
“If the Liberals and Labor are genuine about wanting to tackle the inequality crisis and relieve cost of living pressures, addressing the spiralling cost of rent is an essential step,” Ms Clay said.
“The time for talk is over, we need real action.”
Missing boy located – West Wallsend
A boy missing from the state’s Hunter Region has been located.
The 11-year-old was last seen at Wallsend about 8.50pm yesterday (Saturday 7 September 2024).
When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Following inquires, the boy was located about 1am today (Sunday 8 September 2024) safe and well.
Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.
Appeal to locate missing boy – West Wallsend
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a young boy missing from the state’s Hunter Region.
Alexander – also known as Alex – Curran, aged 11, was last seen about 8.50pm today (Saturday 7 September 2024) at West Wallsend.
When he could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Police and family hold serious concerns for her welfare due to his young age and that he lives with a medical condition.
Alexander is described as Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall, of thin build and short brown hair.
He was last seen wearing dark blue pyjamas with Dungeons and Dragons logos.
Alexander is known to frequent the West Wallsend area.
Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact Belmont Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Another Hunter Valley earthquake sounds alarms on Coalition’s nuclear scheme
The third earthquake in two weeks in NSW’s Hunter Valley today highlights the serious questions about the Liberal National Coalition’s plans for nuclear reactors they are still refusing to answer, says Solutions for Climate Australia.
The earthquake’s epicentre was again very close to the existing Liddell power station, where the Coalition aims to build at least one nuclear reactor. Solutions for Climate Australia Senior Campaigner Elly Baxter said the Coalition has not answered the many questions already raised about safety, emergency response, radioactive waste and water availability at the site.
“Five of the seven sites proposed by the Coalition as suitable for nuclear reactors experience earthquake activity,” Baxter said. “Their energy spokesman Ted O’Brien told ABC Radio Newcastle that a nuclear reactor at Liddell would not proceed if it was deemed unsafe, but what about the four other sites? If these sites are ruled out, where will the Coalition build their nuclear reactors? And will those communities be informed ahead of the federal election?
“Meanwhile, the safety issues we raised two weeks ago remain unanswered. Would local firefighting volunteers handle the nuclear material? What training would local firefighting volunteers receive in handling nuclear radiation? Who would train them? Would the army come in to help?
“How would iodine tablets be distributed to locals to try to reduce cancer risk? What would be the fallout zone and where would the local emergency staging area be? Where would nuclear refugees be accommodated?
“Would the Federal Government be responsible for the emergency management given under the Liberal National policy, the Federal Government would own the nuclear reactor?
“What would happen to the radioactive waste and who would be responsible for that? Where would the enormous volume of water come from to deal with the toxic, radioactive emergency?
“The safety issues highlighted by these earthquakes only compound our concerns that nuclear reactors will take far too long to build to protect Australians from the worst impacts of climate change.”
Emergency services alerted to earthquake near Muswellbrook
NSW Police and other emergency services have been alerted to an earthquake in the Hunter Valley this morning (Saturday 7 September 2024).
The earthquake recorded a magnitude of 4.7 near Muswellbrook.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have not been made aware of injury or damage to infrastructure.
Residents are advised to alert their local relevant authorities of any injury or damage.