Press freedom under threat as French journalists arrested reporting on Adani

Further police crackdown on journalists highlights importance of Senate inquiry into press freedom, Greens say.
“The arrest of journalists in Queensland today is incredibly alarming,” Greens media spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“A free press is a fundamental pillar of democracy and it seems, here in Australia, it is under threat. Arresting journalists for doing their job has eerie echoes of a police state.
“The impact of what is happening in the Galilee Basin will affect us all and it is imperative that the community debate and concern can be reported on.
“We urgently need a thorough examination of press freedom in Australia to ensure those who hold power to account are able to keep doing their job without fear or favour. The Senate has the opportunity to vote for just such an inquiry tomorrow.
“Australia’s international reputation is at stake when foreign journalists are arrested, held and charged for reporting what is going on in Australia.”
Terms of reference
That the following matters be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by the third sitting day of December 2019:

  1. disclosure and public reporting of sensitive and classified information, including the appropriate regime for warrants regarding journalists and media organisations and adequacy of existing legislation;
  2. the whistle blower protection regime and protections for public sector employees;
  3. the adequacy of referral practices of the Australian Government in relation to leaks of sensitive and classified information;
  4. appropriate culture, practice and leadership for Government and senior public employees;
  5. mechanisms to ensure that the Australian Federal Police have sufficient independence to effectively and impartially carry out their investigatory and law enforcement responsibilities in relation to politically sensitive matters; and
  6. any related matters.

Re-introducing The Future Drought Fund

The Government will again seek to establish a new, secure, revenue stream to enable drought resilience, preparedness and recovery. The Government will re-introduce legislation to establish the Future Drought Fund (the Fund), which will grow to be worth $5 billion to support rural and regional communities.
In February, Labor abandoned Australian farmers and the rural and regional communities they support by voting against the Future Drought Fund. This despite their own Senators clearly supporting the Bill during the Senate committee inquiry into it.
Labor now have a second chance to do the right thing by Australian communities that are suffering the effects of drought by supporting this important legislation.
Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said that the Fund would guarantee a long-term source of funding to support important projects that will build drought resilience in Australia’s regions.
“The Future Drought Fund will support research, development and innovation to contribute to a sustainable and drought resilient agriculture sector in Australia,” Minister Littleproud said.
“If Labor decide to vote against this Bill again it will be one of the lowest acts I’ve seen in Australian politics. To politicise the misery of Australian farmers would be as low as you could get.”
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said that Labor needed to support the legislation, which would provide reliable and sustainable funding for drought relief and resilience projects into the future.
“The Future Drought Fund was announced in the 2018-19 MYEFO. We took it to the 2019 election. Labor needs to respect the wishes of Australia’s regional farming communities and support this legislation,” he said.
The re-introduced legislation includes amendments proposed in the House of Representatives by the former Member for Indi, Cathy McGowan, and supported by Government and other Members of the House of Representatives crossbench.
The exposure drafts of the Future Drought Fund Bill 2019 and the Future Drought Fund Bill (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019 and the accompanying draft Explanatory Memorandum are publicly available at https://www.finance.gov.au/australian-government-investment-funds/governance/.

Murray-Darling in the spotlight as Parliament set to debate Royal Commission

The debate on establishing a Royal Commission into the Murray-Darling will begin today in the Senate, with a Greens Bill to establish a commission of inquiry.
“This Parliament has a chance to get to the bottom of the Murray-Darling’s woes and ensure those responsible for its ill-health are held to account,” Greens water spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Like the Banking Royal Commission, the Senate’s support for a bill to establish a commission is an essential step in cleaning up the management of the Murray-Darling and stopping the rorts.
“Farmers, communities and ecosystems throughout the Basin are suffering. We know there are problems with the way it is being managed, and Australians deserve answers.
“Most of the money allocated for the Plan has been spent and the River is still in deep trouble. The only way to ensure we get the answers we need, and those responsible are held to account, is with a comprehensive Royal Commission.
“The South Australia Royal Commission began this important work but was hampered by the refusal of the federal government and other Basin States to participate. A million fish dead and revelations of ongoing mismanagement mean we must have answers.
“Our Bill will be before the Parliament today and I urge every Senator to do the right thing by the River, River communities and the environment and support a Royal Commission.”
Link to Bill: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=s1187
Terms of reference
(1)    The Commission must inquire and advise the Parliament in relation to the following matters:
(a)   any misconduct relating to, or affecting, the management of the Basin water resources;
(b)   the legislative and administrative framework for implementing, managing and enforcing the Basin Plan;
(c)    the impact that the implementation, management and enforcement of the Basin Plan has had on the environment, agriculture and communities that rely on the Basin water resources;
(d)   the suitability and effectiveness of the existing legislative and administrative framework for the management of the Basin water resources, including any adverse effects that framework has had on the management of the Basin water resources (whether or not those effects are the result of misconduct);
(e)   the allocation of funds by the Commonwealth and the Basin States to implement the Basin Plan, and the impact of funded projects (including water buybacks and efficiency measures) in facilitating environmental watering in the Murray-Darling Basin;
(f)     the likely impact of climate change to the Basin water resources, and any appropriate measures to take to adapt those resources in light of that impact;
(g)   any matter reasonably incidental to a matter mentioned in the above paragraphs.
(2)    Without limiting paragraph (1)(a), misconduct includes any conduct of a person or body (whether or not a public agency):
(a)   that adversely affects, or that could adversely affect, either directly or indirectly, the honest or impartial performance or exercise of a public agency’s functions or powers; or
(b)   that constitutes or involves an offence against a law of the Commonwealth or a law of the State; or
(c)    that constitutes or involves a contravention of a civil penalty provision under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State; or
(d)   that would attract any other penalty under a law of the Commonwealth or a State, including a breach of a standard or licence condition; or
(e)   that constitutes or involves breach of trust, fraud in office, nonfeasance, misfeasance, malfeasance, oppression, extortion or imposition.
(3)    The Commission is not required to inquire, or to continue to inquire, into a particular matter to the extent that it is satisfied that the matter has been, is being, or will be, sufficiently and appropriately dealt with by:
(a)   another inquiry or investigation; or
(b)   a criminal or civil proceeding.
(4)    In inquiring and advising in accordance with subsection (1), the Commission may give priority to matters which, in the Commission’s opinion, have greater potential for harm.

Man charged over alleged sexual acts on public transport – Operation Artemis

Police attached to Operation Artemis have charged a man after alleged sexual offences were reported to police on two separate occasions earlier this year.
It will be alleged a man performed sexual acts in front of passengers on two occasions; the first incident being about 5pm on Thursday 25 April 2019 on a Hornsby to Strathfield service, and the second about 2.30pm on Saturday 22 June 2019 on a Wyee to Fassifern service.
Following inquiries, police from the Police Transport Command North/Central, arrested a 53-year-old man at a home in Glebe about 12pm yesterday (Tuesday 23 July 2019).
He was taken to Newtown Police Station and charged with two counts of committing sexual act without consent.
The man was refused bail, to appear before Newtown Local Court today (Wednesday 24 July 2019).
Operation Artemis is an ongoing operation targeting sexual offences on the public transport network.
 

New TAFE Decline Data shows Morrison Government Needs to Reverse Course and Invest in VET

Australian Greens Senator and Spokesperson for Education, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has said that new TAFE data released today shows the continued decline of TAFE and must be a wake up call to save TAFE.
A new report by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research has shown that for government funded vocational education: student numbers have dropped 1.9%, subject enrolments have dropped 5.7%, and training hours have dropped 6.4%.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This new data once again proves what communities have been saying for some time, TAFE is being slowly destroyed by government neglect and a lack of funding.
“TAFE is an essential part of our public education system but has been deliberately decimated by state and federal governments. We want to see private for-profit providers removed entirely from federal funding of vocational training and TAFE given as close to 100% of funding as possible.
“The Greens have a plan to rebuild TAFE as the vocational training provider of choice for students. We will remove the Gillard-era contestable funding requirements and make TAFE and uni free for all,” she concluded.

Police renew appeal to locate missing man Steven Fenwick – Stockton

Detectives from Newcastle City Police District are renewing their appeal for information to locate a man missing near Newcastle earlier this year.
Steven ‘Feno’ Fenwick, aged 33, was last seen about 2.30am on Thursday 31 January 2019, when he was walking with a woman near the intersection of Fullerton and Meredith streets, Stockton.
Several searches were conducted at the time, with detectives from Newcastle City Police District establishing Strike Force Kummari to investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
This month will mark six-months since Steven was last seen; his mother, Debbie, has put out an emotional plea to the wider Newcastle and Stockton communities to help find her son.
“Steven has always been the type of person who would go out of his way to help his friends, family and even strangers in need.
“Even growing up, when his friends needed help, he would always ask us, his family, if they could stay until they got back on their feet.
“Our family and Steven’s closest friends miss him dearly. Please help us find him, help us find answers,” Mrs Fenwick said.
Newcastle City Police Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Scott Parker, says any piece of information, whether it be big or small, could help find Steven.
“Any information provided to police can become a missing piece of the puzzle, and help find Mr Fenwick.” Det Ch Insp Parker said.
As investigations into Strike Force Kummari continue, anyone who may have information about Steven’s disappearance is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station on (02) 4929 0999 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

FAMILIES DOWNLOAD 250,000 CREATIVE KIDS VOUCHERS

More than 250,000 Creative Kids vouchers have been downloaded in just six months, saving thousands of NSW families $100 per child off the cost of creative and cultural learning activities.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello joined Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee at Creator Academy in Carlingford today to announce the milestone.
“Parents simply love Creative Kids and have given it the thumbs up. This voucher helps parents plan for creative and cultural activities, which can really add to a household budget,” Mr Dominello said.
“This is a significant milestone to help ease the cost of living, representing more than $25 million of savings going back into the pockets of NSW families.
“This program complements the hugely popular Active Kids vouchers which were doubled to two vouchers per child from July 1. For a family with two children, Creative and Active Kids vouchers combined will save you $600 per year.”
Mr Lee said involvement in creative and cultural learning activities is critical to a child’s growth and development – but enrolment costs can be expensive.
“School holidays are almost over and parents will be enrolling children in activities. This voucher can help unlock a child’s creative talent,” Mr Lee said.
Creative Kids brings a range of creative and cultural activities under the one umbrella, from creative arts and speech to drama, languages, digital design, coding as well as music. There are over 2,800 approved Creative Kids providers across over 2,600 locations in NSW.
There are more than 70 NSW Government cost of living rebates and savings available, including Active Kids vouchers, Toll Relief, CTP refunds and Energy Switch. The average saving from Service NSW’s cost of living appointment service per customer is $550, with households eligible for up to $2000 in savings.
Over the last year, more than $800 million in savings has been delivered to people across NSW through the Cost of Living program. More than $1 billion in savings is expected to be given back to households across NSW over the next year.
The following table lists the Sydney suburbs (north, south, east, west) with the most downloads.

Region Suburb Downloads
North Carlingford 1,890
South Engadine 1,526
East Clovelly 1,410
West Baulkham Hills 2,774

For more information on the Creative Kids program visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/creative-kids

Five seriously injured after heater explodes – Medowie

Five people have been injured – two critically – after a backyard heater exploded north of Newcastle overnight.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District and NSW Ambulance paramedics were called to a home on Carnouskie Way, Medowie, about 8.30pm (Saturday 20 July 2019), and found five people suffering serious burns.
A 50-year-old man, from Medowie, and a 42-year-old woman, from Corlette, sustained severe burns and were airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.
Three men, two aged 39 and 54 from Medowie and a 40-year-old man from Raymond Terrace, were treated at the scene for serious burns to their bodies. They were taken by road ambulance to John Hunter Hospital.
Police have been told the diesel heater was being re-fuelled when the explosion occurred.
A crime scene was established, and witnesses are assisting police with inquiries.

Off-duty officer praised for bravery – Port Stephens

An off-duty police officer and a local man are being praised for their bravery after rescuing three people, including two children, who were washed off rocks at Port Stephens yesterday.
About 2.40pm (Saturday 20 July 2019), emergency services were called to Boat Harbour after reports that three people, who had been swimming in rock pools, were washed into the ocean.
Due to high swell and windy conditions an eight-year-old boy, 15-year-old girl and 44-year-old woman – were carried south.
Onlookers alerted a local man, Mr Michael Pascoe, of Boat Harbour, in a small aluminium vessel, who went to their aid.
An off-duty police officer Sergeant Andrew Parker, from the Marine Area Command, entered the water with a rescue board and pulled the three swimmers to the boat.
Officers from Nelson Bay Police Station, Water Police, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and Surf Life Saving NSW all attended the scene.
The two children and their mother were pulled from the water with no major injuries; the girl is being checked for a suspected sprained ankle.
“The heroic efforts of Sergeant Parker and Mr Pascoe in rescuing these three people in dangerous surf conditions should be commended,” said Acting Inspector Christine McDonald.
“If not for the quick-thinking and courageous response from these men, the outcome could have been tragic for these three swimmers.”

Police seek public assistance following break and enter – Cardiff

A search is underway for a man police believe can assist with inquiries following an alleged break, enter and steal at a building site this morning.
About 6.30am (Sunday 21 July 2019), police were called to a premise under construction on Macquarie Road, Cardiff following reports of a trespassing offence underway.
When officers from Lake Macquarie Police District arrived, they located a number of tools and a collection of building supplies stacked next to a black Suzuki 4WD.
Soon after police located a man who immediately ran from the building site. A short foot pursuit followed before officers lost sight of the man.
A perimeter was established and Polair and the Dog Unit were engaged. The man was tracked to local bushland but when he was unable to be located, the search for him was suspended at 12.30pm.
Police would like to speak to a man they hope can assist with their inquiries.
The man is described as of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, aged in his 40s, with a medium build and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket and grey beanie.