Morrison Government to Fund Hume Freeway Intersection Fix

The notorious McKoy Street-Old Barnawartha Road intersection with the Hume Freeway is set for an upgrade thanks to a new Morrison Government commitment of $64 million.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government would provide the funding required to fast-track the planning and design of the upgrade, and kickstart construction.
The Prime Minister said improving the intersection was crucial to getting local motorists and freight operators home sooner and safer.
“Our record and our plan are focused on backing the upgrades to improve our major highways and local roads,” the Prime Minister said.
“Steve Martin has listened to his local community who have long been concerned about the safety of the current McKoy Street intersection with the Hume Freeway, and has strongly advocated for a serious commitment to get this project underway.
“You need to be a member of a government to deliver results for your community. My Government can be trusted to deliver on a $64 million commitment and continue to invest in Indi because we have a plan for a stronger economy and can manage the budget without forcing new taxes on hardworking families.”
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Nationals’ Leader Michael McCormack said the project would make the Hume Freeway safer and boost productivity.
“This investment is yet another part of the Liberal and Nationals’ vision to get people home sooner and safer, no matter where they live,” Mr McCormack said.
“The upgrade will increase efficiency, productivity and improve the supply chain, which is so important for the local community who use this intersection every day.
“By making our transport network more efficient, local businesses have more money to invest in their operations, creating more jobs and providing a vital shot in the arm for the agriculture and small business, which are so important to Wodonga, Northern Victoria and Southern New South Wales.”
Liberal candidate for Indi Steve Martin said the intersection to the west of Wodonga, was well-known to local motorists and freight operators as a dangerous black spot where significant accidents and near misses have occurred.
“This has been a notorious section of the freeway as you approach Wodonga for far too long,” Mr Martin said.
“Safety concerns have only been exacerbated after the State Government took a decision to lower the speed limit through the intersection.
“Currently, it’s unsafe for trucks who need to move across the freeway and are forced to encounter vehicles travelling at varying speeds heading towards and away from Wodonga.
“Improvements to the crash history have been made in recent times but there are still far too many near misses.
“If elected, I will be pushing the State Government to utilise the funding that we have put on the table to deliver the upgrade as soon as possible.”
The Nationals candidate for Indi Mark Byatt said all road users would welcome this great announcement, noting it was unacceptable to have an 80kmh stretch on an important national freeway such as the Hume.
“I have raised community concerns about this intersection with the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, several times,” Mr Byatt said.
“Something is fundamentally wrong to have a speed restriction of 80 kilometres, that’s not what a national corridor is all about.
“This investment will benefit all road users, make this stretch of road safer and more efficient, enabling local businesses to get their produce to interstate and overseas markets.
“With regional Australia producing 70 per cent of Australia’s exports a health and growing regional economy is good for all Australians.”
Early estimates for a safety solution had been estimated at around $80 million and $64 million represents an 80 per cent commitment to the total cost.
The Morrison Government’s investment will support the Hume Freeway Access Improvement Planning Study which is currently being undertaken by the State Government.
The $64 million investment into the McKoy Street-Old Barnawatha Road intersection with the Hume Freeway comes on top of the Morrison Government’s existing transport infrastructure commitments in Indi, including:

  • $235 million to upgrade the North East Rail Line;
  • $8 million for a Fast Rail Business Case between Albury and Melbourne;
  • $4 million to upgrade the Great Alpine Road between Wangaratta and Cobungra;
  • $4 million for the Kiewa Valley Highway upgrade;
  • $3.8 million for Stage 1 and 2 upgrade of the Shelley-Walwa upgrade;
  • $2 million for the Rutherglen Heavy Vehicle Alternative Route;
  • $1.95 million for the upgrade of the Mansfield Heavy Vehicle Bypass; and
  • $840,000 for local bridge upgrades.

Indi will also benefit from the Morrison Government’s historic $9.3 billion investment in the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project.

Morrison Government Delivers Record Regional Health Funding

Regional Australians have become the latest target of Labor’s desperate health funding lies.
Having ignored regional Australia throughout the election campaign, the only election commitment they are making is to attempt to deceive regional communities.
Their claims on reduced health funding are blatantly wrong.
The Liberal National Government has increased funding every year and will continue to deliver record funding to regional hospitals.
The Government is also investing in significant regional projects through our $1.3 billion Community Health and Hospitals Programme including $63.4 million for regional radiation oncology centres for cancer treatment and $100 million for regional clinical trials.
We have also established the Murray Darling Medical Schools Network as part of a $550 million Rural Workforce Strategy that will deliver 3,000 additional specialist GPs for rural Australia, over 3,000 additional nurses in rural general practice and hundreds of additional allied health professionals in rural Australia over 10 years.
This dishonesty from Labor comes as they re-announce the Morrison Government’s investment in mental health – as though it is their own policy.
Australians deserve better than this. We have made mental health priority and delivered a comprehensive mental health plan with annual funding of $4.8 billion in 2018-19.
Hospital, Medicare and medicines funding is at record levels as a strong economy delivers the essential services that people need. Australians cannot afford to turn back to Labor, when Bill Shorten was Assistant Treasurer and failed to manage the budget, and the Labor Government stopped listing medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

STATE
Regional funding		 FACT FUNDING 2013-14 FACT FUNDING 2019-20 FACT FUNDING 2024-25 INCREASED NURSES INCREASED GPS
Victoria $894 million $1.6 billion $1.9 billion 2,900 1,400
NSW $1.6 billion $2.8 billion $3.5 billion 5,400 2,600
Queensland $1.2 billion $2.0 billion $2.7 billion 4,600 2,200
Tasmania $260 million $402 million $494 million 550 270
South Australia $163 million $236 million $285 million 340 160
NT $125 million $299 million $454 million 980 470
Western Australia $286 million $410 million $528 million 690 330

Economic Headwinds Require Strong Economic Management

The Reserve Bank of Australia has decided to leave the cash rate at 1.5 per cent, unchanged since August 2016.
In this year’s Budget, global growth was downgraded to 3½ per cent for 2019 and 2020 following a loss of momentum in the second half of 2018, which has extended in to the current year. The IMF has also since downgraded global growth further to 3.3 per cent in its latest World Economic Outlook warning that “this is a delicate moment for the global economy”.
The RBA in its statement said “the outlook for the global economy remains reasonable, although the risks are tilted to the downside. Growth in international trade has declined and investment intentions have softened in a number of countries.”
At home, we face our own challenges with the impact of flood and drought, as well as a cooling housing market and its impact on household consumption.
Australia’s economic fundamentals remain sound. In its monetary policy statement, the RBA stated that the “labour market remains strong” and that “strong employment growth over the past year or so has led to some pick-up in wages growth, which is a welcome development.”
More than 1.3 million jobs have been created since the Coalition was elected driving down the unemployment rate to 5.0 per cent. More than 100,000 young Australians between the ages of 15 and 24 found jobs last year – the highest number in Australia’s history. Welfare dependency is at 30-year low and we are delivering the first Budget surplus in 12 years.
The RBA expects “the Australian economy to grow by around 2¾ per cent in 2019 and 2020. This outlook is supported by increased investment in infrastructure and a pick-up in activity in the resources sector, partly in response to an increase in the prices of Australia’s exports.”
But we must not be complacent. The Morrison government is delivering pro-growth policies including lower taxes, record infrastructure spending and investment in skills. These policies will support the economy in the near term as well as boost Australia’s productive capacity, underpinning our prosperity.
We are delivering a surplus, beginning the journey towards paying back Labor’s debt. This is important as our interest bill has grown to more than $18 billion per year. The surplus will enhance our fiscal buffers, sending a strong signal to the market that we can meet the challenges that lie ahead. All at the same time as delivering record funding for schools, hospitals and roads.
In contrast, Bill Shorten has a plan to weaken the economy, create fewer jobs and deliver lower wages, with $387 billion in higher taxes. A weaker economy will put at risk Australia’s AAA credit rating, which was reaffirmed following the release of the Budget in April.
The last time Labor delivered a surplus was in 1989 – more than 30 years ago.
When Labor spends more, they tax you more and when Labor taxes you more they weaken the economy.
Australia cannot risk a return to Labor’s high tax and spend agenda

Hanson-Young challenges Minister to debate on the state of nation's Environment

Greens environment and water spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has today challenged Environment Minister Melissa Price to a debate, following the release of the harrowing biodiversity report on Monday.
“Melissa Price cannot keep hiding from her responsibilities to the environment or her accountability to voters. I challenge her to a debate in Adelaide on our environment prior to the election,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“Melissa Price has been missing in action. Yesterday we laid eyes on the UNs damning biodiversity report. Again we find this Government’s response lacking and our Environment Minister unable or unwilling to answer the hard questions.
“Melissa Price and the Liberals cannot be trusted to take the bold strides towards environmental repair and protection that are urgently needed. Australia leads the world in mammal extinctions and is the only developed country on a list of 11 deforestation hotspots. We urgently need leadership and instead we are met with silence.
“It is time for Melissa Price to front up to the public and explain her and her government’s appalling record. She has a responsibility to explain to voters, and those too young to vote who have been protesting for action on climate change, why she has failed to take the environment seriously.
“The Greens have the most comprehensive policy to restore nature and act on climate change. We will use our numbers in the Senate to push the next government to act on the extinction crisis and save our environment.”

Woman charged with common assault following egging incident – Albury

A woman has been charged after allegedly striking the Prime Minister with an egg at an event in Albury earlier today.
The Prime Minister was attending an event at Albury Entertainment Centre, when a woman approached him from behind and allegedly struck him with an egg to the back of his head about 11am (Tuesday 7 May 2019).
The Prime Minister’s security team quickly detained the woman, and in the act of restraining her, a 70-year-old woman was knocked to the ground. No injuries were reported.
The 24-year-old woman was arrested and taken to the Albury Police Station.
During a search of the woman, police located cannabis.
The Victorian woman was charged with common assault and possess prohibited drug.
She was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Albury Local Court on 27 May 2019.

Motorcyclist killed – Williamtown

A motorcyclist has been killed in a crash tonight at Williamtown, near Newcastle.
The 62-year-old man, from Medowie, was travelling along Cabbage Tree Road around 6.15pm when his motorcycle collided with a utility.
The motorcycle then careered into an adjacent fence, fatally injuring the rider.
The driver of the ute, a 24-year-old man from Williamtown, has been taken to hospital for routine blood alcohol tests.
A crime scene has been established as officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District investigate the incident.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have dash-cam footage of the crash to contact them.

Three Rebels OMCG members and an associate charged over home invasion and kidnapping

Strike Force Raptor North have charged three Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) members and an associate over their alleged roles in a home invasion, where a man was seriously assaulted, and a kidnapping in the Hunter region.
As part of ongoing targeting of the illicit activities of OMCGs, the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North investigators established Strike Force Koorool in December 2018 to investigate the activities of the Newcastle Rebels OMCG chapter.
Police will allege in court that a group of men, three who are Rebels OMCG members and an associate, broke into a home in Cessnock and seriously assaulted one of the occupants, a 24-year-old man, on Wednesday 30 May 2018.
The man was treated at John Hunter Hospital for serious head and ear injuries and was later released.
On Sunday 10 March 2019, police stopped a Ford Falcon sedan on Mount View Road, Cessnock, and spoke with the five male occupants, including an injured 22-year-old.
It will be alleged in court that the 22-year-old man had been assaulted by the other men in the vehicle.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators, with the assistance of specialist tactical officers, arrested four men – aged 24, 25, 27, and 37 – at homes in Cessnock, Edgeworth and Swansea, and at Cessnock Police Station yesterday (Tuesday 7 May 2019).
Shortly after, strike force investigators executed search warrants at the properties where they located several items, including Rebels OMCG colours, mobile phones, two Harley Davidson motorcycles, a car and a firearm.
These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
The 25-year-old Cessnock man was charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – inflict actual bodily harm, take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, and two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
He was refused bail and appeared at Cessnock Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court on Wednesday 10 July 2019.
The 27-year-old Swansea man was charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – inflict actual bodily harm, knowingly participate in criminal group assist crime, and dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
The 37-year-old Edgeworth man was charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – inflict actual bodily harm, take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage, dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, and knowingly participate in criminal group assist crime.
They were both refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court today (Wednesday 8 May 2019).
The 24-year-old Cessnock man was charged with take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage and knowingly participate in criminal group assist crime.
He was refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court today.
Investigations are continuing.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.

LABOR COMMITS TO DRIVING STEM PARTICIPATION IN NEWCASTLE AND SURROUNDS

A Shorten Labor Government will invest $580,000 in two University of Newcastle projects to boost the number of young people in Newcastle and surrounds participating in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
This election will be a choice between a united Shorten Labor Government, which will restore the Liberals’ education cuts and give students the education they deserve, or more of the Liberals’ cuts and chaos. We need real change, because more of the same isn’t good enough.
Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said that STEM capability will be fundamental to driving innovation and prosperity into the future.
“While many jobs are disappearing, STEM jobs continue to grow at a rapid pace,” Ms Claydon said.
“If Australia is to stake our place in the 21st century knowledge economy, we need to ensure that our young people have the skills and opportunity to secure the jobs of the future.”
Ms Claydon said a $400,000 commitment would allow the University of Newcastle to extend the work of HunterWiSE – a collaborative network of women in STEM focused on addressing low female participation rates in the sector – for three years.
“The funding will support HunterWiSE Outreach, a 10-week intensive program that links girls in high schools across the region with female mentors working or studying in STEM sectors to tackle problems in their local community,” Ms Claydon said.
“Participants will also benefit from campus and workplace visits, weekly workshops and a final presentation of their solution to industry representatives.”
Ms Claydon said a further $180,000 would be dedicated to the development of a pilot virtual science lab program to give regional school students opportunities to engage in science.
“The virtual science lab will foster a love of science and provide education about career pathways for year nine and 10 students from two regional high schools,” Ms Claydon said.
“Students will connect a couple of times a week in real time to explore science themes from university experts, watch live experiments and do activities.”
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO welcomed the funding commitments.
“Our university is absolutely committed to giving talented people the opportunity to get a university education and to make a difference, regardless of where they live or what gender they are,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“These projects will encourage more girls and women into STEM careers and give greater access to regional students to develop their love of science.
“We need to inspire these young people to take on STEM careers because they’ll ultimately be the ones who will need to solve the world’s greatest challenges.”
A Shorten Labor Government will also uncap university places and invest $100 million to upgrade TAFE facilities.
This election is a choice between Labor’s plans for better schools, hospitals and universities, or the Liberals’ bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town.
It’s time to end the chaos. Vote for change. Vote for Labor.

LABOR TO FUND WALLSEND BRIDGE REBUILD

A Shorten Labor Government will fund the rebuilding of Boscawen Street Bridge at Wallsend to protect against future flooding.
This election is a choice between Labor’s plan to invest in local infrastructure or the LNP’s bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town.
Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said Federal Labor had agreed to Newcastle City Council’s $3 million funding request for the rebuild.
“This will drive business confidence in the region and bring peace of mind to the whole community,” Ms Claydon said
“While 12 years have passed since the terrible superstorm that wrought a trail of destruction through Wallsend, residents and business owners still brace themselves every time it rains hard.”
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the funding, saying it was a priority under the Wallsend Flood Mitigation Strategy.
“Boscawen is one of the three Wallsend bridges that need rebuilding, along with Tyrell Street and Nelson Street, in Wallsend,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Council is delivering the new Tyrell Street Bridge and has asked the NSW Government to provide funding for the Nelson Street Bridge, so Federal Labor’s support for the re-construction of the Boscawen Street Bridge will make a big difference to flood mitigation in Wallsend.”
State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery, who has been a long-time advocate of the project, said it would resolve some serious flooding risks.
“A number of issues have been identified, including the low clearance on the bridge, the handrails and the intermediate piers, which pose a high risk of trapping materials in extreme weather conditions, causing blockages and leading to severe flooding,” Ms Hornery said.
“Removing the intermediate piers and creating a single-span structure will improve the flow capacity in large flood events for Hunter Water to undertake channel-widening in the future.”
Ms Claydon called on the Liberals to match the funding commitment.
“I wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister requesting Government support and was directed to a program that Boscawen Street Bridge isn’t even eligible for,” Ms Claydon.
“The Liberals need to show their support for the people of Wallsend by committing to investing in the Boscawen Street Bridge rebuild.”

Fitness stations to energise Stockton

Fitness enthusiasts who frequent Stockton’s foreshore for their outdoor exercise pursuits will now have another reason to step out and stay in shape.
City of Newcastle will install six new outdoor fitness stations along Stockton foreshore to help residents and visitors to the seaside suburb remain active.

The stations, similar to the one recently installed along the Fernleigh Track at Adamstown, will include a bench press, stretching station, cycle seat, shoulder press, sit up bench, aerobic walker, and pull up, chin up and dip bars.
Fitnessstationinside.jpgSix fitness stations will be located along the Stockton foreshore within walking distance of the Active Hub

All six stations will be built within walking distance of the recently completed $2 million South Stockton Active Hub. Work is expected to start in mid-May and take about five weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the provision of new exercise parks such as this would help meet the City’s population growth targets and reduce obesity and health risks.

“By building these new parks we are also increasing our commitment to supporting the community to be physically active, contributing to improved health outcomes and lowering obesity levels,” the Lord Mayor said.
“When complete, the facility will contribute to Stockton’s already thriving outdoor lifestyle, which was recently bolstered thanks to the completion of the $2 million all-age South Stockton Active Hub skate park and children’s playground.

“We all know that getting active improves our sense of wellbeing, so we are very pleased to be delivering these new facilities for Novocastrians to stay fit and healthy.”
skateparkinside1.jpgThe $2 million South Stockton Active Hub was opened just before Easter

Port Waratah Coal Services co-funded the stations and Chief Executive Officer Hennie du Plooy said Port Waratah is delighted to partner with City of Newcastle to deliver the fitness stations for the community of Stockton.
“Our Community Investment and Partnership Programme is something we are very proud to share with Newcastle, and the fitness stations along Stockton foreshore is one way we can help deliver positive benefits to Portside communities,” Mr du Plooy said.
The equipment is part of the City’s Outdoor Exercise Facilities Strategy, funded by City of Newcastle and a grant from Port Waratah Coal Services. It also supports the City’s collaboration with a major University of Newcastle research project called Ecofit to encourage outdoor community activity and exercise.