Police are renewing their appeal for public assistance to help locate a man who went missing from the Maitland area yesterday.
Michael McGarity, aged 61, was last seen leaving Maitland Hospital about 1.30am yesterday (Monday 24 June 2019).
He has walked out of the hospital and was seen heading towards Telarah.
Police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to medical reasons.
Today, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District conducted an extensive land search around the Telarah and Maitland areas, with the assistance of the NSW Police Dog Unit, Police Rescue, PolAir and police trail bikes.
Mr McGarity is known to frequent the Newcastle and North Rothbury areas.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 190cm tall with a thin build, black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his left lower arm ‘TY’.
He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket and white T-shirt with grey jeans and navy-blue shoes.
Anyone with information on Michael’s whereabouts is urged to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police investigate fatal house fire – Singleton
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal house fire at Singleton overnight.
About 3.30am (Wednesday 26 June 2019), officers from Hunter Valley Police District were called to Brittliffe Close, after reports a house was well alight.
Officers from Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the house was destroyed.
An 11-year-old boy was located deceased inside the home.
NSW Ambulance paramedics transported a 31-year-old woman, and three young girls to Singleton Hospital.
Two girls, aged five, were pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
The woman and an eight-year-old girl were transferred to John Hunter Hospital where they remain in a stable condition.
Police and fire investigators will examine the home to identify where and how the fire started.
An investigation has been commenced and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Emergency services have praised the efforts of neighbours who came to the family’s aid.
LITERACY, NUMERACY STANDARDS TO BE LIFTED UNDER NEW PREMIER’S PRIORITY
The NSW Government will redouble its efforts to lift literacy and numeracy standards across NSW public schools to ensure students are given every opportunity to be their best.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian was at Panania Public School on Monday to unveil a new Premier’s Priority which aims to increase the number of public school students in the top two NAPLAN, or equivalent, bands for literacy and numeracy by 15 per cent by 2023.
Under the new Priority, an additional 18,700 students will improve their literacy skills and 13,500 students will boost their numeracy skills across NSW.
Ms Berejiklian said it was an ambitious target but one the NSW Government is confident will be achieved.
“We successfully achieved the 2015 Premier Priority of increasing the number of students in the top two NAPLAN bands by eight per cent by 2019 and now we have set the bar even higher,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are unashamedly for lifting standards in our schools and unlocking the massive potential of our young people.”
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell confirmed that the Government’s Bump It Up program, which identifies schools that have the greatest potential to lift their students’ performance in literacy and numeracy, will be extended to all schools across the State.
“Since introducing the 2015 Premier’s Priority, around 20,000 students achieved results in the top two NAPLAN bands for literacy and numeracy in the last year alone,” Ms Mitchell said.
“By 2023, we expect to see significant, tangible improvement in literacy and numeracy, right across the State.”
Panania Public School has participated in Bump It Up since 2016. The school now has 130 students sitting NAPLAN each year, with around 20 additional students in the top two bands of NAPLAN in 2018.
Ms Berejiklian will reveal her full Premier’s Priorities later this week.
City backs diverse events calendar
A historic rugby Test, an eclectic music festival and a legendary bikers’ charity ride are among a range of the events to be staged in Newcastle over the next 12 months with $180,000 funding support from the City.
The Wallaroos rugby team, which will play Japan at No.2 Sportsground in the national women’s first standalone match on Saturday 13 July, was among 17 recipients officially congratulated today for gaining support under City of Newcastle’s 2019/20 Event Sponsorship Program (ESP).
All successful ESP recipients at City Hall this morning
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Newcastle Pride Festival celebrates sexuality and gender diversity in Newcastle and the Hunter
“I want to congratulate all of our successful events,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said at this morning’s presentation at City Hall.
“The quality and variety of this year’s applications was remarkable. I’m always impressed by the many fantastic events showcasing our city, big and small, and both new and well established.
“Over the next 12 months, we will welcome a range of major events kicking off with a celebration of women’s sport when we host the Wallaroos and Japan at No.2, which will hopefully be the first of annual Wallaroos fixtures here.
“It will be followed by the Newcastle Music Festival and Newcastle Pride festivals in August, with funding for both building on the back of their previous successes.”
Angus and Max Owens will ride in the King of Concrete event in December
Wallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy accepting Rugby Australia’s cheque from Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes
Wallaroos winger Mahalia Murphy, a former sevens rugby specialist who was selected for next months’ Test on Friday, was all smiles collecting a $20,000 cheque on behalf of her teammates.
“It’s a great thrill to be in Newcastle to receive the funding from the City to raise the profile of women’s rugby here,” Murphy said, “and an even bigger thrill knowing I’ll be coming back in three weeks’ time to play a Test.”
ESP support was also extended to major cultural and charitable events.
More than 350 performers will play 34 gigs next month at multiple venues across the city as part of the fourth, annual Newcastle Music Festival, which received $10,000.
Darren Young and Stephen Meeks representing Newcastle Bikers for Kids, which is in its 40th year of service
The same figure will aid the 40th return of the Newcastle Bikers for Kids convoy, which sees toy-toting motorcyclists snake their way from Stockton to Wickham, in support of the Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal on 1 December.
Other ESP recipients to benefit from the $180,000 in funding include:
- Jets W-League side – Newcastle’s colourful tourism logo will be emblazoned across the team’s jerseys for prospective visitors to see on TV and live at stadia in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney ($20,000)
- Newcastle Harbour Water Polo Festival – Three-day water polo event at Queens Wharf with men’s and women’s internationals between Australia and visiting Croatian and Hungarian teams 13-15 December 2019 ($20,000)
- Oceania Para Triathlon – Olympic-selection paratriathlon and triathlons for the general public and corporate teams on Australia Day 2020 ($15,000)
- Port to Port Mountain Bike Race – Four-day stage race attracting national and international riders from 21-24 May 2020 ($15,000)
- Australian Bowl-riding Championships – National skateboard competition at Empire Park from 7-9 February 2020 (15,000)
- Celebration of Cricket – Major junior cricket carnival in January 2019 ($10,000)
- New Run – The popular festival, which offers runners a choice of marathon, 10km, 5km and 2kms, returns for the 14th consecutive year 5 April 2019 ($10,000)
- Combined Schools ANZAC Service – A nationally unique combined-schools event to commemorating the ANZAC spirit on 10 April 2020 ($8,500)
- Australia Day Cross Harbour Swim – classic event that sees locals roll the arms over during a pause in shipping ($6,000)
- Water Industry Operators Conference – 600 delegates will converge on Newcastle for the NSW water industry’s annual conference 4 April 2020 ($5,000)
- King of Concrete – a state and national level bowl-riding competition at Empire Park on 7 December 2019 ($5,000)
- Newcastle Pride Festival – Celebration of sexuality and gender diversity in Newcastle and the Hunter from August 17-26 2019 ($4,500)
- Unity in Diversity – annual festival last weekend in Hamilton celebrating Newcastle’s cultural diversity and spirit of inclusion ($3,000)
- CN T20 Summer Bash – Elite T20 cricket competition at No.2 Sportsground from 15-23 February 2020 ($2,500)
More than 75,000 veterans using DVA online services
More than 75,000 veterans are now accessing assistance through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) online claiming platform, MyService.
The Department is currently undergoing the most significant reform in its history, to ensure veterans and their families have faster and easier access to the services they need, when they need them.
Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel, Darren Chester, said the Department’s transformation and initiatives like MyService are delivering real benefits for veterans and their families by reducing the red tape and making the claiming process simpler.
“MyService is a great example of how this Government is putting veterans and their families first, and moving forward to ensure they can access the support they need, with less paperwork and faster processing,” Mr Chester said.
“Moving to an online platform has allowed veterans to submit claims by answering as few as three to seven questions, compared to the 40 questions on some paper forms. In some cases, claims for common conditions are being approved almost instantly.
“The number of people using MyService continues to grow as more services become available on the platform. MyService now has more than 75,000 users managing their business with DVA online, who have submitted nearly 50,000 claims.
“Claims for treatment for mental health conditions are among those that are available for immediate approval.
“The Department is working closely with the veteran community to ensure that veterans and their families can connect with DVA and access services and support when, where and how they want.
“Significant improvements to the Department’s telephone system and face-to-face services have also been vital to support a holistic approach in delivering services to veterans and their families.
“The Government is committed to ensuring DVA continues to improve to better serve our veterans and their families. We are focused on putting veterans and their families first and have provided funding through to 2021 for the transformation program.”
To sign up to MyService visit the MyService website.
Ramsay Centre Approval by University of Wollongong 'Outrageous'
Australian Greens Senator for NSW and Spokesperson for Education, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has called today’s approval of the Ramsay Centre by the University of Wollongong ‘outrageous’ and a slap in the face for students and academics. The Univeristy has today bypassed its own academic senate and approved the centre. Senator Faruqi is a former academic.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This is an outrageous move by the university and a real slap in the face for students and academics who have real and legitimate concerns about the Ramsay Centre.
“The lengths the University of Wollongong will go to in order to bypass their academic review processes are quite extraordinary and deeply worrying. This sends a message that any organisation with a big enough cheque book can buy extraordinary influence over our universities.
“The Ramsay Centre wants nothing more than to churn out students with an uncritical view of Western Civilisation, and they’re willing to bribe our public universities with huge amounts money to make that happen,” she concluded.
Rural fire stations targeted in crime spree – Hunter Valley
Police are appealing for information following a spate of break and enters at several Hunter Valley rural fire service properties.
Sometime between Friday 21 June and Monday 24 June 2019, police have been told of separate break and enter offences at five New South Wales Rural Fire Service buildings.
Several pieces of equipment have been taken from the properties including chainsaws, axes and petrol pumps.
Police from Hunter Valley Police District have attended each location and launched an investigation.
Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Labor leadership needs to stick firm in tax cuts opposition
The Labor leadership needs to stick firm in its opposition to the Government’s tax cut package, despite the pressure it may be feeling from a handful of backbenchers, Leader of the Australian Greens Dr Richard Di Natale said.
“Labor said during the election that they wouldn’t back in the Government’s disastrous tax cuts and Anthony Albanese should stand firm, do the right thing for the country and continue to oppose these cuts,” Di Natale said.
“These tax cuts would do nothing to improve the economy and everything to lock in the growing inequality in our country over the long-term.
“No matter what Labor MPs like Peter Khalil in Wills may say, backing in these tax cuts is just more of the same failed trickle-down economics that Labor has been criticising for years.
“The lessons from the last election for Labor should be clear. People want them to stand up for what they believe in, not flip flop on important issues like economic inequality and climate change.”
NSW BUDGET: BUDGET DELIVERS FOR STUDENTS IN REGIONAL NSW
The 2019-20 NSW Budget features significant investment in regional school infrastructure, with funding for 18 new and upgraded schools and hundreds of millions committed to clear the maintenance backlog in regional schools.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government is continuing its record $6.7 billion investment in school infrastructure, with a total of 190 new and upgraded schools being rolled out across the State, with 40 projects currently underway in regional areas.
“Investment in education is a core priority for this Government, and I am very proud that we are also providing more pathways and opportunities for families and students in regional NSW,” Mr Perrottet said. “The 2019-20 Budget also allocates $917.4 million in funding for 40 new and upgraded schools the Liberals & Nationals Government committed to as part of the recent elections.
“Eighteen of these new and upgraded schools are in regional NSW, including two new high schools, a new primary school and upgrades to multiple schools across the State.”
There are a number of projects planned or currently underway across regional NSW, including:
- New primary schools in Murrumbateman and Googong prioritised for planning in 2019;
- Major upgrades underway at schools in Queanbeyan and at Karabar High School;
- New high schools committed at Bungendore and Jerrabomberra;
- Major upgrades to schools in Murwillumbah, Kingscliff, Tweed Heads, Lennox Head, Byron Bay and Pottsville; and
- Upgrades to Bexhill Public School, Bangalow Public School and Teven-Tintenbar Public School.
The Government has invested a further $449 million to clear the school maintenance backlog in all public schools by July 2020 bringing the total maintenance investment to more than $1.3 billion over five years.
Ms Mitchell said that it will be the first time in the State’s history that the school maintenance backlog will be wiped to zero and that more than $300 million will be invested in regional school maintenance for the coming twelve months.
“Children in regional NSW deserve a great public school education – to be educated close to home, in top-quality facilities from early childhood to year 12, and I am thrilled this Government is delivering that,” Ms Mitchell said.
The NSW Government is investing $6.7 billion over the next four years to deliver 190 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. In addition to this, more than $1.3 billion is being spent on school maintenance over five years, along with a record $500 million for the sustainable Cooler Classrooms program to provide air conditioning to schools announced as part of the 2018-19 Budget last year.
This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.
$50 WEEKLY PUBLIC TRANSPORT CAP STARTS MONDAY
The $50 Opal weekly travel cap will take effect on Monday, saving tens of thousands of regular public transport users up to $686 a year.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the decision to slash the current cap by around 20 per cent will help to ease cost of living pressures for around 55,000 train, bus, ferry, metro and light rail customers.
“We want to make public transport more affordable and that is why we are lowering the cap,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“From Monday adults will pay no more than $50 a week and the concession cap will also be reduced from $31.60 to $25 a week.”
Regular customers on the new North West Metro will be among those to benefit from the lower cap, with an adult customer travelling to and from Tallawong Station and Central five days a week to save $563 a year.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the NSW Government has also rejected IPART’s recommendation to increase public transport fares by 4.2 per cent.
“Fares will only rise in line with inflation from Monday, meaning the rise will be 1.9 per cent or roughly 10 cents a week,” Mr Constance said.
“This means catching the train, bus, ferry, metro or light rail is still a much cheaper option than driving.”
Opal benefits already in place will remain, including the Weekly Travel Reward, the Opal Transfer Discount and the $2.50 daily cap for Gold Opal cards.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has saved households more than $800 million over the last year through a raft of cost of living measures, including cheaper Green Slips, $100 Active and Creative Kids vouchers and Free Rego.
Example of yearly savings for regular commuters:
| Weekly Cost | Today | From 24 June | Yearly Saving |
| Tallawong to Central (Metro) | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Penrith to Town Hall | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Campbelltown to Town Hall | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Engadine to North Sydney | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Seven Hills to Wynyard | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Panania to Chatswood | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |
| Tuggerah to Central | $63.20 | $50 | $686 |
| Kiama to Sutherland | $63.20 | $50 | $686 |
| Meadowbank to Barangaroo (Ferry) | $63.20 | $50 | $686 |
| Leppington to Blacktown | $60.84 | $50 | $563 |