The Australian Greens have joined an international delegation signing onto a letter calling for extensive debt forgiveness from international financial institutions, including the IMF and World Bank, for International Development Association countries. The letter was initiated by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and signatories include Jeremy Corbyn, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Yanis Varoufakis.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi and Adam Bandt MP are the sole Australian signatories to this unprecedented letter.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, the Greens spokesperson for International Aid and Development, said:
“The shackles of debt have crippled poorer countries for far too long. I proudly join many other leaders across the world calling for extensive debt forgiveness from international financial institutions.
“Many of these countries simply do not have the public health systems, nor the wealth, required to survive a deadly pandemic. They will need all the resources they can hang onto in order to get through to the other side of this.
“The Australian government should be urging institutions including the World Bank and the IMF to cancel developing countries’ debt and help put them on a track to get through COVID-19 with minimal loss of life and living standards.
“Though this pandemic has been devastating, it has also forced us to think in different ways about how the world should work. Governments, including Australia’s, should seize this opportunity to reset their thinking about debt, obligation and global poverty.
“We should approach debt through the lenses of human rights and social justice, and with historical context never far from our minds. Let’s be frank: the cascading legacies of brutal colonialism have locked in the poverty and economic underdevelopment which mean that it is highly unlikely that the debt of many countries will ever be fully paid off. And with the impacts of climate change to be felt most acutely in the Global South, we cannot let developing countries’ debt hold them back any longer,” she said.
Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens, said:
“The Australian Greens are proud to be adding our voice to calls from over 300 politicians, including Bernie Sanders and Ilhan Omar, to cancel debt for the world’s poorest countries.
“The COVID-19 health and economic crisis is entrenching global income inequality. But right now we have the chance to transform our world to be fairer and more equal,” he said.
Greens introduce Level Playing Field Bill to correct sports rorts injustice
Today the Greens will introduce a bill to empower Sport Australia to fund the sports clubs whose applications they recommended under the Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program, but were not funded by then-Minister McKenzie.
The Australian Sports Commission Amendment (Ensuring a Level Playing Field) Bill 2020 will correct the injustice of the Coalitions sports rorts scheme.
Senator Janet Rice, Greens spokesperson for Sport said:
“The sports rorts scandal isn’t over. While the Prime Minister is trying his best to duck and weave about his role in this saga, there are still hundreds of sports clubs around Australia who deserved funding but haven’t received a cent.
“The clubs that were recommended for funding by Sports Australia were robbed so that the Coalition could repurpose tax-payer money as a slush fund to buy elections. The Greens Level Playing Field Bill will correct this injustice for those community sports clubs.
“Many of the sports clubs have lost trust in government and felt utterly cheated by the Coalition’s corrupt process.
“This Bill won’t fix the Coalition’s failure of transparency or their active subversion of our democracy. But it will make a real difference to these clubs and communities.
“During the COVID-19 crisis, sports clubs are now in more need of support. Most of the projects are shovel-ready, and this Bill will benefit these community sports groups by providing much-needed investment stimulus in the face of the pandemic.”
“The Senate inquiry into the Administration of Sports Grants received answers yesterday that showed the Minister lacked independent authority to issue grants, instead ‘piggybacking’ on Sport Australia’s authority to do so. My Bill ensures that the Sports Minister would not have the power to direct the Commission on this new round of funding.
“As the Deputy Chair of the inquiry, I am eager to hear from Senator McKenzie. I urge her to accept the invitation to appear before the committee in a hearing next month.”
Prohibited Items Bill
The Government’s latest attempt to prohibit items in immigration detention centres is a massive overreach, Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim says.
“This is a transparent attempt to cut people in immigration detention off from the outside world,” Senator McKim said.
“Phones in immigration detention are absolutely essential.”
“They allow people to stay in touch with friends and family, and they also help shine the disinfectant of sunlight on abuses which are all too common.”
“There are many people in immigration detention who have no criminal history. These facilities are not prisons, despite the Government’s attempts to make them such.”
“This is massive overreach and must be defeated in the Senate.”
Greens call for Federal Parliament to sit in June
The Greens will introduce a motion in the Senate calling for Federal Parliament to sit in June to strengthen democracy and address ongoing issues of national importance.
“The Covid crisis response and the plan for recovery demand more transparency in government decision-making. The Senate Covid Committee plays a critical role, but is no substitute for full parliamentary oversight,” said Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Senate Leader and spokesperson on Democracy.
“We need more democracy during this time, not less. We need to ensure that Australia’s recovery is fair, effective, and guided by expert advice. We need Parliament to return.
“The Greens are calling for both houses to sit in June to fix gaps in the JobKeeper scheme, introduce rights to pandemic leave, consider banking royal commission legislation, and debate the merits of the government’s proposed gas-led recovery.
“We must ensure we don’t come out the other side having brought this coronavirus under control but finding ourselves with our democracy eroded and hard-fought for rights lost.”
Expansion of ASIO powers unjustified
The Government’s latest attempt to expand ASIO’s powers is cynical and unjustified, the Greens say.
“Yet again, Peter Dutton is trying to increase powers of security agencies without even trying to explain his reasons,” Greens Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“Nor has he tried to give any possible justification for the need to interrogate children as young as 14.”
“To use the pandemic as cover for the increased scope of the surveillance state is dangerous and cynical.”
“The National Terrorism Threat in Australia hasn’t increased for more than five years, and yet we have been confronted with wave after wave of legislation.”
“There have been more than 200 pieces of ‘counter terror’ legislation passed in Australia since 2001 and very few have been relaxed or withdrawn.”
“Australia desperately needs a Charter of Rights to protect our basic freedoms.”
COALITION CUT BARTON HIGHWAY INVESTMENT
The Abbott Turnbull Morrison Government has slashed average annual investment in the Barton Highway by more than 65 per cent in the last seven years.
Under the former Federal Labor Government, it averaged $5.4 million per year. Now, it stands at a meagre $1.7 million.
While funding for the Barton Highway keeps dropping under the Liberals and Nationals, traffic between Yass and Canberra, keeps going up.
Local residents should use the upcoming Eden-Monaro by-election to send Mr Morrison a clear message that his neglect of the electorate’s road infrastructure needs is not good enough.
The Barton Highway is used by 12,500 vehicles a day, including about 1000 trucks.
Mr Morrison should be working with the New South Wales Government to expedite the full duplication of the road.
This would not only improve road safety for motorists, but also boost economic productivity by expediting the movement of freight around the region.
Instead, the Liberals and Nationals are leaving the people of Yass behind.
Indeed, the Coalition has cut road investment in regional Australia and tried to conceal its cuts with promises of investment not due until years into the future.
Opening of 100th COVID-19 GP-Led Respiratory Clinic
The 100th GP-led respiratory clinic opens today in Mudgee, New South Wales, as part of the Australian Government’s $2.4 billion health response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Since the first GP-led respiratory clinics opened in Macquarie Park and Morayfield on the 21st March, more than 100 clinics have since opened around the country to assess and test patients with mild to moderate COVID-19-like symptoms, reducing pressure on hospital emergency departments and local general practices.
Clinics in Wodonga and Morwell in Victoria; and Hazelbrook in NSW also opened today.
Throughout Australia there are now 436 clinics operating nationwide that include:
- 102 GP led respiratory clinics funded by the Commonwealth
- 305 state fever clinics funded jointly by the Commonwealth and States
- 29 ADF clinics funded by the Commonwealth.
The clinics supplement a range of measures, including additional practice incentives and the expansion of telehealth, to enable the medical workforce to continue to care for Australians through the pandemic.
“While Australians and our wonderful health professionals have done an outstanding job of containing the virus so far, we need to be prepared for further cases,” Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said.
“With 100 GP-led respiratory clinics open across all states, with more on the way, we will be extremely well-prepared to stamp out any new outbreaks, wherever they occur.
“In collaboration with the states and territories, these clinics have been rolled out extremely fast since the initiative was announced on 11 March.
“This has only been possible because of the dedication and professionalism of our GPs, their staff and their representative organisations, all of whom deserve our thanks.”
Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton said the clinics are helping to ensure rural patients with mild respiratory issues could see a doctor, without putting other patients at risk, almost half of the clinics are located in regional, rural or remote areas.
“Regional Australians are doing a brilliant job of protecting their communities by following the advice of experts, however if you have a fever, cough, sore throat or other respiratory symptoms, I urge you to make an appointment at one of these clinics to get tested,” he said.
“Regional people and communities must remain vigilant as we see the number of cases decline and continue to practice good hygiene and social distancing.
“It’s equally important that people keep appointments and continue to consult their doctor without delay if they have a non-COVID related health issues.
“I’ve convened regular roundtables to ensure our response recognises the unique challenges in rural and remote areas, and I acknowledge the work of the Rural Health Commissioner supporting local doctors to establish these GP clinics.
Included in the 100 operational clinics are nine Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHS)-led clinics. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are significantly overrepresented in the high-risk categories for COVID-19 – including through a much higher burden of respiratory and other chronic diseases. A further seven ACCHS-led clinics are being offered contracts.
“It is critical that respiratory Clinics are easily accessible to ensure safe and culturally supportive screening and follow-up care management,” Minister Hunt said.
All Australians are encouraged to download the COVIDSafe app to improve tracing and help keep more people safe.
The respiratory clinics have thorough infection prevention and control protocols to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19. They provide assessments and testing for all people with symptoms to detect cases and allow them to be isolated as early as possible.
Patients attending a GP-led respiratory clinic should make a booking via the online booking system on health.gov.au or by phoning their nearest clinic.
COVID-19 costs City of Newcastle $18m
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on City of Newcastle’s finances is forecast to be $18 million by the end of June.
The March Quarterly Budget Review Statement to be considered by the elected Council later this month forecasts that City of Newcastle’s income will fall by $17.849 million at 30 June, when compared to the most recent budget update three months ago.
The impact of COVID-19 on the City’s bottom line is furthered through the Council-approved $5.5 million community support program that commenced in April and runs until the end of June.
A second round of support measures in response to COVID-19 will be announced next month as part of the 2020/21 budget.
The overall impact on this year’s (2019/2020) budget is now forecast to be an $8.33 million deficit. This compares to a forecast $4.138 million surplus immediately prior to the state and nation-wide lockdown measures started in March to contain the spread of COVID-19.
City of Newcastle will fund the $8.33 million budget deficit via its existing reserves.
The $18 million reduction in the City’s forecast income for this year is spread across multiple areas of City of Newcastle’s services and includes:
- Reduced waste volumes to the Summerhill Waste Management Centre
- Loss of ticket sales from the closure of Civic Theatre
- Loss of bookings from the almost-complete closure of the Stockton Beach Holiday Park
- Reduced Newcastle Airport dividend
- Reduced income from investments
- Reduced parking meter revenue
- Reduced traffic infringements.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said despite the $18 million COVID-19 hit, the organisation’s long-term financial sustainability remained sound.
“Just like the majority of businesses and organisations in our city and region, our income has been significantly affected by COVID-19,” Mr Bath said.
“However, because of the prudent management of the City’s finances in recent years, we have the ability to get through this economic downturn, all be it with a budget deficit this year.
“Our focus over the remainder of this year and next year will be to carefully manage our finances in order to respond to COVID-19, as well as fund projects aimed at supporting the local economy.
“We know that in times of significant economic downturn, the most effective way of supporting the local recovery is to fund community infrastructure. It’s for this reason that City of Newcastle will not take its foot off the pedal of our capital works program, which this year will be a historic $100 million.
“In March, Councillors unanimously adopted a $5.5 million Community and Economic Resilience Package.
“Among a broad range of support for our community, we have already initiated a $800,000 grants program to empower the community sector to support the most vulnerable, as well as offered interest-free rate deferrals for 15 months, and a 50 per cent discount to those small businesses renting a City-owned building.”
For the latest updates on the City of Newcastle’s response to the COVID-19 and changes to services, visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Our plan to save Stockton Beach is now on public exhibition
Using offshore sand to save Stockton Beach will protect local homes and community land from the threat of coastal erosion as well as protect $2.5 million in public assets.
This is the finding of a cost benefit analysis undertaken as part of the Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP), which concludes initial actions to address coastal erosion will cost $19 million over five years, in addition to the requirement for mass offshore sand nourishment which will take an estimated $21 million investment followed by $12 million in maintenance every decade.
Coastal engineers have recommended an initial mass marine sand nourishment campaign of 2.4 million cubic metres to restore the beach and protect coastal assets. It also identifies actions to take over the next 12 months to address immediate risks, while the NSW Deputy Premier’s Stockton Erosion Taskforce determines a legal pathway to secure the required volume of sand from approximately two kilometres offshore.
Research undertaken as part of the CMP has also found that 112,000 cubic metres of sand is being lost each year, far more than previously estimated.
Immediate actions include an initial sand nourishment program of 50,000 cubic metres from land-based (or other permissible) sources, while undertaking essential protection works to the ends of existing seawalls to address the imminent risk of losing both private property and community assets.
The draft Stockton Coastal Management Program is based on years of engagement with the local community, includes the latest expert engineering advice, and provides a way forward that has sand nourishment as the cornerstone of the program.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Stockton CMP struck a balance between the needs of a sandy beach for the community to enjoy, and protecting coastal assets and properties from erosion.
“The call for mass sand nourishment for both beach amenity and asset protection has been very clear, and through cost-benefit analysis we’ve confirmed this option stacks up with a $2.5 million return on investment,” the Lord Mayor said.
“We’re thankful the NSW Government and in particular the Deputy Premier has recognised the importance of this issue and has committed to using its many agencies to deliver a mechanism to get sand onto Stockton Beach.
“We are now at a critical point in delivering an outcome for Stockton which is why it’s so important for the community to have their say on the plan before it goes to the NSW Government at the end of June.”
Members of the Stockton Community Liaison Group (CLG), which was formed in 2018 and has met formally 21 times, stressed the importance of the public exhibition period.
Barbara Whitcher, Chair, Stockton Community Liaison Group, Stockton resident:
“It’s my hope that the Stockton CMP is considered by the broader community in context, that is City of Newcastle defining its preferred long-term management option while addressing what it can do now.
“Now is our chance to present a united front between the Stockton community and City of Newcastle so we can get the outcome we need,” Ms Whitcher said.
Simon Jones, President, Northside Boardriders, Stockton resident:
“I’m glad that the plan put forward is one which is focussed on returning the sandy beach that I enjoyed as a kid so as the next generation of Stockton can swim, surf, fish and make friends on the beach like we did.
“While the Stockton CLG represents a good cross-section of the community, it’s so important that the broader community takes advantage of this public exhibition period to have their say,” Mr Jones said.
Professor Ron Boyd, Professor Earth Sciences, Stockton resident:
“The Stockton CLG has been providing technical background for the local community and also giving plenty of feedback to City of Newcastle on issues that are important to Stockton.
“My hope is that the Stockton community can achieve some agreement through the public exhibition process so that we provide a consensus position to City of Newcastle and as a result, generate a strong Coastal Management Program submitted to the State Government,” Professor Boyd said.
Callan Nickerson, Stockton Surf Lifesaving Club President and CLG member:
“While it has been a sometimes-frustrating process, City of Newcastle has listened and recognised the importance of the beach to Stockton’s identity and the wellbeing of the community,” Mr Nickerson said.
Every coastal council in the State is currently preparing a CMP in line with the NSW Coastal Management Act 2016, with a deadline of December 2021.
City of Newcastle will become one of the first to submit a CMP at the end of June, in line with a direction from the Local Government Minister.
The Stockton CMP is on public exhibition until 10 June 2020.
You can view the draft Stockton CMP at www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/stockton.
Key facts:
- The Stockton CMP area stretches from the northern harbour breakwall to Meredith Street.
- Sand lost from the Stockton CMP area is now estimated at 112,000 cubic metres per year, which is far more than previous estimates.
- The required volume of sand for mass nourishment for the Stockton CMP area is estimated to be between 1.8 and 4.5 million cubic metres initially, depending on the sand source, followed by maintenance campaigns every decade, making marine offshore sand the only viable source.
- Existing seawalls at Stockton will be repaired, while also being extended at each end with minimal buried structures to protect private and public assets from immediate risk.
Key figures:
- Delivering the initial 50,000 cubic metre sand nourishment from available land (or other permissible) sources, protection structures, and other seawall maintenance and associated work is expected to cost $9 million in the first year and a total of $19 million over five years.
- Mass offshore sand nourishment is expected to cost $21 million for an initial campaign followed by maintenance campaigns every 10 years at $12 million.
NSW GOVERNMENT EXTENDS FEE-FREE COURSES TO HELP BUSHFIRE IMPACTED COMMUNITIES
The NSW Government further extends its support to the communities recovering from bushfires with a range of fee-free vocational education courses, following an initial suite of courses announced earlier this year on the South Coast.
Fee-free courses are being introduced in areas such as Port Macquarie, West Kempsey, Wauchope, Tuncurry, Taree, Macksville, Cooma and Tumut. Courses available range from First Aid, White Card, Chainsaw and Fell Trees, Dozer Operations and more.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said more than 500 people were enrolled in the fee-free courses in the South Coast.
“One of the best ways we can support disaster affected communities is with practical training programs,” Mr Lee said.
“These courses will equip communities with the skills they need as they rebuild and repair critical infrastructure such as homes and businesses. They also create new employment opportunities to assist locals to get back on their feet.
“The training will be delivered by TAFE NSW and other Registered Training Organisations.”
For more information about the range of fee-free courses available to bushfire affected communities, visit www.training.nsw.gov.au or call 13 28 11.