Australian Greens Education Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has called news that the former Education Minister, Senator Simon Birmingham, personally intervened to block research grants outrageous. She has also called for a completely independent process, free from Ministerial interference.
Senator Faruqi said: “As a former academic, I am horrified that the Minister intervened to block research grants. This is a massive and outrageous overreach from the Government.
“Research Grants are not there for the Minister to pick and choose based on his own political prejudices. The Australian Research Council should be trusted to guide research funding, free from political interference.
“Academic research is too valuable to be hijacked by a narrow ideological agenda.
“No Minister can be trusted with the power to block research grants. There should be a completely independent process, separate from Ministerial interference,” she concluded.
Author: admin
Infrastructure Australia report highlights massive under-investment in public transport by both major parties: Greens
Residents in outer suburbs have been appalling neglected by successive governments failing to properly invest in public transport, say the Greens, following the publication of Infrastructure Australia’s Outer Urban Public Transport report.
‘This report shows just how successive Liberal and Labor governments around the country have failed to properly plan transport solutions for people in outer suburban areas, who are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic jams for several hours a day,’ said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens transport spokesperson.
‘People are crying out for accessible, reliable and affordable public transport. Instead we have governments throwing money into expensive, polluting toll roads that do nothing to solve congestion and mean that people living in the outer suburbs have no other option but to drive.’
‘As our cities grow, we have to give people the choice of high quality, fully integrated public transport – trains, trams and buses. That’s the only way we will solve our transport problems.’
‘We have to make sure public transport is planned properly. It’s not just a matter of announcing big flashy projects. We need comprehensive integrated transport plans across the country that prioritise public transport, and walking and cycling.’
Greens refer National Party funding to Auditor-General
Greens environment and water spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will today write to the Auditor-General to investigate reports of more scandal in the National Party.
“Reports that the National Party executive was paid $850,000 for drought-proofing that never eventuated are serious allegations. Today I will be referring this to the Auditor-General for investigation,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“Another day, another scandal involving the Nationals. Scott Morrison’s Special Drought Envoy Barnaby Joyce’s ‘nothing to see here’ attitude in response to these reports of rorting is typical of the former Deputy Prime Minister.
“The drought is crippling our farmers and to add insult to injury, the Nationals are brushing off these reports like they do with every scandal they find themselves in.
“The Nationals cannot be trusted with spending billions of dollars on drought relief and water management properly.
“Rorting and misusing taxpayers’ money are serious allegations and another reason why we need a federal anti-corruption body.
“The fact that Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack believes we don’t need a federal anti-corruption body says it all. The Nationals will always protect their own – no matter what their indiscretions – above the interest of our nation, our river, and the Australian taxpayers.”
Greens Senator Slams Lack of Transparency of Private School Slush Fund
Australian Greens Education Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has called the Government’s so called ‘Choice and Affordability” package a private school slush fund. The fund is part of extra money announced for private schools by the Prime Minister in September, which Senator Faruqi has previously described as “hush money”.
In Budget Estimates today, the Department confirmed that it was a “decision of Government” and couldn’t answer how the figure was $1.2 billion figure was arrived at. The Greens have also confirmed that they will move to disallow the fund and call on the Government to reallocate it to the public system.
Senator Faruqi said:
“What has become pretty clear is the Government plucked the $1.2 billion figure out of thin air as a way to pay off the private school sector.
“This whole program is a farce. There are no rules, no criteria and the Department seems to have no idea how the amount of the enormous $1.2 billion private school slush fund was arrived at.
“The Greens unashamedly believe that with public money, public schools have to come first. It is beyond reprehensible that while one in ten public school classrooms in New South Wales are demountable, the private schools will be getting billions in special funds.
“There is absolutely nothing stopping the schools spending this money to subsidise school fees for wealthy parents. What a slap in the face for public schools.
“The Greens will be moving to disallow this fund as soon as it comes to Parliament,” she concluded.
‘BELFORD’ SEMILLON HONOURED AT 2018 ROYAL MELBOURNE WINE AWARDS
A proud, Australian family-owned company of 160 years, Tyrrell’s Wines continued its wine show success in 2018 at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards. We were the recipients of 2 trophies for our 2013 Belford Semillon, for Best Semillon and Best Mature Wine. We also won the Consistency of Excellence Medal for Vat 1 Semillon (vintages 2005, 2009, 2013). This award is given when the same label receives a gold medal in the same class three years in a row.
The Belford vineyard, planted on very fine talcum-powder soils in 1933, is isolated and tucked away down a secluded off-road track, like a secret garden, and produces Semillon with an intense flavour profile. The 2013 vintage has been one of the best vintages from this vineyard in recent years and, in addition to the above trophies, the wine has also won The Finlaysons Trophy for Best Semillon in Show at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show and a Gold medal at the NSW Wine Awards.
This is further endorsement in the Tyrrell’s unwavering belief that the Hunter Valley produces wines which are unique to their microclimate and show a true sense of place.
In addition to the 2 trophies and Consistency of Excellence medal in Melbourne, Tyrrell’s also received 3 Gold, 7 Silver and 10 Bronze.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS FOR 2018 ROYAL MELBOURNE WINE AWARDS
Trophies: Trophy for Best Semillon – 2013 Belford Semillon
Trophy for Best Mature Wine – 2013 Belford Semillon
Consistency of Excellence Medal – Vat 1 Semillon (2005, 2009, 2013)
LANDMARK CHILD PROTECTION REFORM TO ENSURE CHILDREN NO LONGER LANGUISH IN CARE
The NSW Government will introduce a landmark child protection Bill into parliament this week to streamline court processes for guardianship and open adoption to ensure a permanent home for every child within two years.
Amendments to the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act and the Adoption Act will also give parents and extended family members an opportunity to resolve child protection risks and avoid the removal of children from their families.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said short-term court orders will mean children no longer spend years moving between homes in the out-of-home care system.
“We want all children to know that they have a loving and safe home for life,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“When it is no longer safe for a child to stay at home, we want them to have a permanent home as quickly as possible through guardianship or open adoption. These reforms will help speed up that process.”
The reforms follow a wide-ranging public consultation process led by the discussion paper, Shaping A Better Child Protection System, released in October 2017.
Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward said the landmark reforms pave the way for family networks to support parents struggling to care for their children.
“For the first time ever, we will legislate for families to be offered alternatives such as Family Group Conferencing, giving parents and extended family the opportunity to address child protection risks so that their children can stay safely at home,” Ms Goward said.
“We are also looking to make guardianship easier for families with parents that know they can no longer care for their children and want to ensure their children have safety and security with a loving member of their family.”
Adam Bandt says Labor backing of Liberal coal plan outrageous
Greens climate change and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today slammed revelations from Labor that they would allow the construction or refurbishment of coal-fired power stations if the contracts were signed under the Liberals before the election. Mr Bandt also attacked Labor’s apparent confirmation that they would revive the zombie NEG to be their climate and energy policy for the electricity sector.
“Labor will have blood on their hands if they honour a contract to build a new coal-fired power station,” said Mr Bandt.
“If a contract to build or extend a coal-fired power station is signed before the next election, Labor has just confirmed they’d wave it through if they proceeded to form government.
“While Labor would ‘honour’ any contracts, the Greens would rip them up.
“Labor will pay dearly at the ballot box if they continue with this policy announced by Chris Bowen today. Bill Shorten needs to overrule his Shadow Treasurer.
“Signing a contract for a new coal-fired power station is like signing a death warrant for the Australian people.
“This despicable admission from the Labor party shows that they’re as bad as the Liberals on coal.
“If that wasn’t enough, it appears that Labor confirmed it would take the zombie NEG as their policy to the next election.
“The NEG is an unproven, opaque mechanism that was cooked up to get through a climate-denying backbench. Instead of reviving a discredited policy, Labor should be revisiting policies that actually work.
“Labor have only committed to a pro-rata 45% reduction in the electricity sector and do not appear to have any plan to reduce emissions in other parts of the economy.
“What we’ve learnt today is that Labor is a pro-coal party with no credible climate plan.”
Contact: Gideon Reisner, 0429 109 054
TW: @AdamBandt FB: facebook.com/Adam.Bandt.MP
The relevant excerpts from Labor’s press conference are below:
Phillip Coorey: On energy, one of the things Angus Taylor said yesterday is that using this recommendation to under-write the investment in new plants, either through a loan or a purchase guarantee, that they’ll have a shortlist of projects ready to go early in the new year, which we understand could be as early as January. If any of these projects are contracted before the election, would Labor reserve the right to reverse any contract? I know it’s a bit hypothetical, but you can see where the government is going here. Would you be locked into any coal-fired power station for example that the government contracts?
Chris Bowen: As Mark said, this is policy on the run and if the Liberal/National government wants to engage in such poor policy that they are prepared to risk the national interest in doing this quickly, in a haphazard way, that is on them. Labor honours contracts, we don’t create sovereign risk. That’s been our consistent position across the board when it comes to any matter in the economy. We honour contracts, we don’t create sovereign risk…To answer your question, our position has always been consistent on a range of matters. An incoming Labor government honours contracts, even ones that we thoroughly and completely disagree with.
Joe Kelly: Mr. Butler, could I just clarify something? If Labor wins office at the next election, to meet the 45% emissions reduction target you’ve set, your preferred mechanism to do that would be the National Energy Guarantee that Mr. Turnbull and Mr. Frydenberg were working on, to meet that target?
Mark Butler: Well certainly in the energy sector. The Paris targets apply across the economy but the debate has been about the energy sector. The very clear view is that bringing the different stands of energy policy, reliability and emissions reduction together in the NEG, is the best way to do that.
Prime Minister avoiding party room fight over removing discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people in schools: Greens
‘The Government’s failure to introduce a Bill today proves that Prime Minister Morrison is more interested in avoiding a divisive party room so soon after the Wentworth disaster than protecting LGBTIQ+ students and staff from discrimination,’ said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.
‘Once again LGBTIQ+ people are being held to ransom by the hard right of the Liberal party.’
‘Scott Morrison himself said last week that removing discrimination in schools is “such a simple amendment” that “we should use the next fortnight to ensure this matter is addressed.”’
‘The only complexity now is because of the internal politics of the Liberal party and the hard right that control the Liberal party room.’
‘The Greens have a bill before the Senate that is already being debated and would remove all discrimination in schools against both LGBTIQ+ staff and students.’
City to make final checks on skate park design
City of Newcastle will review and finalise a coastal engineering report to ensure a skate bowl proposed for South Newcastle Beach doesn’t negatively impact the coastal environment and natural sand renourishment processes.
Following deliberation at Tuesday’s October Council meeting, a plan for broader community consultation will also be developed before the project goes ahead.
Updated render of the project.
“At this stage the City of Newcastle is comfortable with the data that has informed the engineering reports on this fantastic project to activate a long-dormant part of our coastline,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Throughout the delivery of coastal renewal and our iconic Bathers Way project, at each stage we have listened to concerns, raised similarly to those about South Newcastle, and we want to make sure they’re addressed before we move ahead.”
The bowl and skate plaza are part of the Newcastle Beach Infrastructure Renewal Project to transform the public domain between Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club and King Edward Park.
Updated render.
The project will reactivate the stretch of coast by widening the Bathers Way to between four and six metres and extending the shared path to ultimately connect King Edward Park and Nobbys.
The project involves renewal of severely deteriorated coastal infrastructure, including stairs, ramps, retaining walls and beach access, and will provide:
- new community assets including an accessible skate park and bowl modern kiosk and amenities
- an outdoor gym
- tiered seating and shade shelters
The coastal engineering report was prepared during the initial stages of design for South Newcastle to determine the level of risk involved in placing infrastructure east of the existing seawall.
It considered the impacts on sand and wave movement, compounding impacts of coastal processes on adjoining infrastructure, the maximum foreseeable water level and wave impact forces.
The report used wave data collected over 25 years and included storm surge factors, tides, wave run-up and predicted sea-level rise in its assessment.
This was then used to determine the structural design required to withstand wave impact in severe weather events, as well as the final shape to minimise impacts on the beach, maximise safety, amenity and structural integrity, and minimise maintenance.
The collection of water and sand in the bowl during severe weather events was accounted for through appropriate drainage in the design.
The City will work with the skate boarding community, as we have done at Empire Park for many years, to ensure that the facilities remain safe for all to enjoy.
Labor's hit to the property market exposed
New analysis has confirmed that Labor’s property tax will damage Australia’s property market and broader economy.
Independent economic modelling commissioned by the Master Builders Association (MBA) has confirmed that new builds will slow, jobs will be lost and billions drained from the economy under Labor’s property tax.
The MBA found that by raising taxes on housing over five years, Labor’s policies could result in up to 42,000 fewer new dwellings being built, 32,000 less full time jobs and an $11.8 billion drop in building activity.
The MBA report joins a growing list of experts saying that Labor’s policies would have a significant impact on Australia’s economy and property market, particularly at a time when the housing marking is softening.
RiskWise warned that median house prices in New South Wales and Victoria could fall about 9 per cent, Citi’s research found Labor’s policy could “accelerate the cyclical weaknesses in housing prices” and Standard and Poor’s warned of the consequences of falling house prices on the broader economy.
Labor’s property tax will punish not only the 1.3 million Australians who negative gear, but every Australian with equity in their home.
Bill Shorten must admit he got this one wrong and ditch his ill-conceived property tax plan.
With Australia’s housing market cooling over 12 consecutive months in our capital cities, this is the worst possible time for Labor to push its property tax.
Under Labor you will always pay more with its $200 billion in extra taxes whether it be on your earnings, savings, housing or retirement.