Historic legislation to establish the Net Zero Economy Authority

The global shift to net zero emissions is Australia’s opportunity to become a renewable energy superpower.

That is why today the Albanese Government has introduced legislation to establish the Net Zero Economy Authority to ensure Australian workers and regions realise and share the benefits of the net zero economy.

The Government is also announcing $189.3 million over four years from 2023-24 (and $53.3 million per year ongoing) in resourcing for the Authority.

The Authority will support the economy-wide net zero transformation that is underway by acting as a catalyst for private and public investment, major project development, job creation and transition, and skills and community development.

Global efforts to reduce emissions have already started transforming traditional industries, creating new opportunities to broaden Australia’s industrial base and strengthen our sovereign capability.

The Albanese Government is already delivering a strong policy agenda to reduce emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

This Authority will be pivotal to delivering this goal and realising the broader benefits for our nation.

Today’s legislation is another step forward in our plan for a net zero economy.

The Net Zero Economy Authority, an independent statutory body housed in the Prime Minister’s portfolio, will:

  • Facilitate public and private sector participation and investment in emissions reduction and net zero transformation projects across Australia, including working with established investment funds.
  • Support workers in emissions-intensive industries to access new employment, or acquire skills to improve their employment prospects, including an Energy Industry Jobs Plan to help workers in closing coal-fired power stations transition to new jobs.
  • Support communities – including First Nations communities – to participate in, and benefit from, the economic shift to net zero emissions.
  • Share information about Australia’s transformation to net zero economy, educating communities and supporting social licence for the transition.
  • Promote coordination and consistency across government policies and programs.

It will play a key role in our plan to make Australia a renewable energy superpower, building on more than $40 billion in job-generating investments.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“There is no nation on earth better placed than Australia to achieve the energy transition here at home and power it in the world.

“We are home to every metal and critical mineral essential to net zero. Our workforce is skilled and valued, our safety standards are the highest in the world and we have a proven track record as a reliable producer and exporter of energy and resources.

“The Net Zero Economy Authority will play an important role in one of the most significant economic events in Australian history and position us as a renewable energy superpower.

“We are committed to working across governments, with regional communities and industries, and our international partners, to secure the opportunities of Australia’s net zero future.”

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen

“Neither government funding nor private capital alone can meet this challenge. It will take both, working together, to secure the opportunities of Australia’s net zero future.

“Our local and regional communities are at the forefront of the economic shift. Through this new body, we can better support them to seize the opportunities of a net-zero economy.

“We will work in genuine partnership with business, unions and communities to help make sure no one is left behind as we seize on this once in a generation opportunity.”

New President of Australia’s Policy Advisory Council for International Agricultural Research

Today I announce the appointment of Dr Nick Austin as President of Australia’s Policy Advisory Council for International Agricultural Research.

The Council provides expert advice and insights into the development priorities and food security needs of our regional partners. It considers how Australia’s expertise in agricultural research can contribute to these priorities, including through research collaborations with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

Dr Austin has extensive experience in international agricultural development and a long association with ACIAR, having served as Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to 2016.

He has held senior roles in international bodies, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, representing Australia on the CGIAR Fund Council for 7 years, and with the board of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

The Council is made up of 11 expert members from across the Indo-Pacific region and Africa. Dr Austin’s skills and networks across Australia, North America, Europe and the Indo-Pacific in both industry and government will help forge stronger partnerships and innovative solutions in agricultural research.

I thank outgoing President Professor Wendy Umberger for her service to the Council and for her ongoing commitment to sustainable agricultural development as the ACIAR Chief Executive Officer.

Cyber targeting of UK democratic institutions

The Australian Government joins the United Kingdom and other international partners in expressing serious concerns about malicious cyber activities by China state-backed actors targeting UK democratic institutions and parliamentarians. 

The persistent targeting of democratic institutions and processes has implications for democratic and open societies like Australia. This behaviour is unacceptable and must stop.  

Australia calls on all states to act responsibly in cyberspace.  

Australia’s electoral systems were not compromised by the cyber campaigns targeting the UK. Australia remains well positioned to continue to resist and address threats to our electoral roll. This is critical to maintaining public trust in our democracy. 

The Australian Electoral Commission has strong measures in place to ensure Australia’s electoral roll is secure. This includes working closely with members of the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce, to ensure Australia’s systems are protected from the threat of foreign interference. 

The Government continues to invest in protecting our public institutions and strengthening our national cyber security defences, including through the implementation of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.   

Australia will continue to cooperate with our international partners to promote international law and the agreed framework of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace and call out states if they act contrary to these international obligations and expectations.  

LABOR’S CRUEL NEW PLAN FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM IS A DESPERATE AND FUTILE ATTEMPT TO OUTFLANK THE COALITION

The Albanese Labor Government is continuing its race to the bottom on migration and refugee rights today by rushing through legislation that will unfairly punish and jail some of the most marginalised people in the country.

The Migration Legislation (Removal and other Measures) Bill 2024 is designed to force unwilling people to apply for passports to their countries of origin, like Russia, Iran or Sri Lanka, despite their fear of arrest and persecution on return. If people do not comply and facilitate their return to regimes that are known to be brutal, the Government intends to jail them for non-cooperation.

The Bill gives the Immigration Minister the power to direct people in Australia who are legally on a ‘removal pathway’ to take certain actions, If the person fails to do this they will face criminal offences, with a minimum year in prison and up to five.

This means a mother and her children who fled a country like Iran, who went through an unfair refugee determination system Labor is currently dismantling, will all be ordered to seek a passport from the country they fled or face years in jail.

The Bill also creates a list of countries where people can no longer seek a visa in Australia, similar to US President Trump’s 2017 travel ban.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens spokesperson for Immigration said:

“The Albanese Labor Government is desperately trying to outflank the Coalition to the right, in a cruel contest they can never win.

“This Bill will undoubtedly break up families and betray the multicultural values that Australians are so proud of.

“Jailing mums who refuse to return their kids to cruel regimes like Iran or Russia never used to be a Labor value, at least until today.

“Even the Coalition didn’t think of this in their decade of creative cruelty towards refugees and people seeking asylum.

“This is part of an ongoing cruelty agenda from Labor as they are scheming to come up with novel ways to punish and harm people seeking asylum in this country.

“The Greens will be joining with millions of Australians who want fairness and decency in our immigration and asylum laws and oppose these changes in both houses of Parliament,” Shoebridge said.

SECRETIVE NDIS CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED TO PARLIAMENT

NDIS Legislation is to be introduced into the House of Representatives tomorrow, Wednesday 27th March 2024. 

Senator Steele-John Greens Spokesperson for Disability Rights and Services, says: 

“This NDIS Legislation has been done behind closed doors, with non-disclosure agreements abound. Making advocates sign non-disclosure agreements is not genuine co-design. 

“The question on my mind is why has the Labor Government prepared NDIS legislation behind closed doors? What have they got to hide? 

“Let’s be very clear; there should be no changes to the principle of Choice and Control that underpins our NDIS. Disabled people should continue to have choice and control over the people who are paid to support them. 

“Today, we have seen Premiers, Chief Ministers and the Federal Government bickering at the 11th hour over the future of disability supports in this country. The time for bickering is over, and the time for ensuring these supports work for disabled people is now. 

“No disabled person should be pushed by abled-bodied politicians from the NDIS into the vast gaping hole that is non-NDIS disability supports in this country.”

EMISSIONS BILL FACING ROADBLOCK FOLLOWING LABOR’S GAS FAST-TRACK

The Greens say that Labor’s continued attempts to weaken First Nations voices and fast-track new gas projects is a “roadblock” to the government passing national vehicle emissions standards. 

Prior to the watering down of the NVES, the Greens offered to pass the bill as initially proposed if Labor ceased trying to work with Peter Dutton’s Liberals to fast-track offshore gas using the OPGGS Amendments bill.

Since then, Labor and the Liberals have voted together to gag debate on the OPGGS bill and rush it through Parliament. 

With details of the NVES legislation still not public, modelling on the emissions reductions of the weakened bill is not yet available. However, in its original form, the climate gains from the plan would have been wiped out by a single project slated for approval under the OPGGS gas fast-track – the Santos’ Barossa project, which will release 380Mt of C02-e by 2050.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

“Resources Minister Madeline King is a roadblock to passing the government’s EV Bill. Her attempts to fast-track gas have put a handbrake on getting emissions standards through parliament,” Mr Bandt said.

“Gas is as dirty as coal, but Labor wants to open more. If even one new big gas project is fast-tracked, it will wipe out all the climate gains from the EV plan.

“We offered to pass Labor’s vehicle emission standards, even though we thought they should go further, if Labor stopped working with the Liberals to try and fast-track gas projects. 

“It makes no sense for the Greens to work with Labor on vehicle emissions standards that gradually reduce emissions over 25 years, if Labor’s deal with Peter Dutton undoes all that with a single giant gas project.

“Labor needs to choose who they want to work with on climate. If Labor works with Peter Dutton and the climate deniers in the Coalition on laws to increase climate pollution, they’re betraying everyone who voted for a change of government to stop the Liberals writing climate policy. 

“If Labor really values the NVES Bill, Madeline King should withdraw her blatant attempt to ignore First Nations voices and fast-track climate-destroying gas projects.”

GREENS CALL FOR URGENT INVESTIGATION INTO CRANBROOK GOVERNING BODY

The Greens have called for an investigation into the governing body of the Cranbrook School after revelations today that one of its members remained a member of the board for 22 years after being convicted of a child sex offence.

The offender, Peter Cullen Macarthur, was a member of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW when it investigated claims, revealed in the “Old School” Four Corners report, that a Cranbrook teacher had sent sexually explicit emails to a former female student.

The Association of Independent Schools of NSW is the governing body for around 500 independent schools in NSW and is responsible for receiving and distributing government funding to its member schools. Member schools have reported more $13.6 billion in federal funding in the past decade.

Under the Education Act 2013 all approved non-government school authorities must be a “fit and proper person”. As prescribed in the Australian Education Regulations 2023 the Minister may have regard to whether a person has been convicted of or charged with an offence, “including an offence in relation to children”, or whether the person has engaged in a “deliberate pattern of immoral or unethical behaviour”, in determining whether they are fit and proper.

Greens spokesperson on Primary and Secondary Education, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“These shocking revelations call into question whether the Association of Independent Schools of NSW is an appropriate body to be receiving federal funding.

“In the decade to 2022 the private schools governed by the authority – including Newington College, SCEGGS Darlinghurst and Scots College – reported combined federal government income of more than $13 billion.

“It’s bad enough that some of the wealthiest schools in the country continue to have their designer uniforms and gleaming performing arts centres subsidised from the public purse.

“But it’s utterly unacceptable that a body with such a profound influence over the education and wellbeing of thousands of children would allow a convicted child sex offender to remain serving on its board for 22 years.

“The Education Minister must instruct the Department of Education to launch a thorough investigation into the Association to determine whether it should continue to receive billions of dollars of government funding every year.”

Sparkly addition to Newcastle skyline as Art Gallery expansion progresses

Five-year-old Mabel Read swapped the playground for a construction site today as she helped officially name the crane being used to deliver the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery.

Mabel earned the chance to crown the crane “Sparkles” after winning a colouring competition run by City of Newcastle in collaboration with the head contractor on the site, Hansen Yuncken.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley with the winner and runners-up in the Name the Crane competition at the Newcastle Art Gallery construction site.Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley with the winner and runners-up in the Name the Crane competition at the Newcastle Art Gallery construction site.

In her entry, Mabel said that she chose the name “because it is cute and girls can build things too”.

While the hammerhead tower crane stands as high as six giraffes stacked on top of each other, Mabel was given a ground-level view of the flag bearing its new name, which now adorns the crane’s counter jib.

Competition runners up George Kimberly, aged four, and three-year-old Luka Tomasevic were also excited to see the crane in action, joining Mabel, Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley and Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes at the Art Gallery site for the special occasion.

Cr Nelmes welcomed the collaboration with contractor Hansen Yuncken to connect some of the youngest members of the community to the city’s landmark project.

“Speaking with our project team and our contractor I was interested to hear just how busy Sparkles will be as the construction progresses,” Cr Nelmes told the children.

“Sparkles will move the same weight as around 50 elephants in reinforcing mesh for the concrete floors, beams, columns and walls. 

“It will also lift around 75 hippos worth of structural steel, and 3,000 square metres of roof sheeting, which is as big as around 300,000 ice blocks laid out next to each other.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said it was fantastic to meet the next generation of art lovers and be given a sneak peek at how the project is progressing. 

“It’s always good to see cranes above the city – it means progress and the Newcastle Art Gallery is shaping up beautifully,” Minister Catley said.

“This Gallery is an asset to the Hunter and I’m pleased to see it’s connecting with young people even while it’s being renovated.”

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM celebrated the opportunity to spark interest in both the arts and construction amongst Newcastle’s youngest students.

“The Gallery has long partnered with schools and pre-schools in the area to foster connections and creativity, and this remains a real priority for our team, even while our programming has moved off-site,” Ms Morton said.

Following extensive site preparation works, the ground floor slabs for several of the new Gallery spaces have been poured in recent weeks, with work continuing to expand the footprint of the new facility.

Celebrating the official naming of the crane by five-year-old Mabel Read at the Newcastle Art Gallery site.Celebrating the official naming of the crane by five-year-old Mabel Read at the Newcastle Art Gallery site.

The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.
 
The Regional Recovery Partnerships initiative seeks to broker connections between all levels of government to increase information flow, share technical expertise and strengthen regional development outcomes.

Sparkles the Crane fast facts:

  • The hammerhead tower crane was installed at the Newcastle Art Gallery site late last year.
  • Early learning providers across the local government area were invited to take part in a name the crane colouring competition.
  • The crane measures around 33m high, which is the equivalent of stacking six adult male giraffes, which are on average 5.5m tall, on top of each other.
  • Approximately 260 tonnes of reinforcing mesh will be used for the concrete floors, beams, columns and walls of the Art Gallery expansion, which is the equivalent of around 50 average adult African elephants, weighing 5,200kg each.
  • Approximately 112 tonnes of structural steel will be needed for the construction of the façade, the roof and the atrium, which equals the same as 75 male adult hippos, each weighing an average of 1,500kg.
  • Approximately 3,000m2 of roof sheeting will be used during construction, which equates to around 300,000 Zooper Doopers laid out next to each other.

Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 26 March 2024

Council update: Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 26 March 2024 

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 26 March 2024. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minutes  

Acknowledging 50 years of CN service: Sue Ryan

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that awards a Service Medal to Sue Ryan, commemorating her 50 years of service with City of Newcastle. Sue started as a Library Cadet at Newcastle Public Library in 1974. City of Newcastle acknowledges Sue’s many contributions and significant activities in her career.

Winten development application in Minmi 

A Lord Mayoral Minute was supported that reiterated that City of Newcastle does not support the outdated 2013 Concept Plan approved by the NSW Government for Development Application – DA2018/01351 for 858 lots at Woodford Street, Minmi and reiterates that the outdated 2013 Concept Plan approval for this site does not meet community expectations and contemporary planning instruments available in 2024. City of Newcastle calls on the NSW Government to heed community and Council concerns, immediately halt the development assessment process, and revise the proposal in accordance with contemporary planning expectations and instruments.

Mark Hughes Foundation 10 year anniversary 

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that notes that 6 March 2024 marked 10 years since the official launch of the Mark Hughes Foundation and acknowledges its founders, former Newcastle Knight Mark Hughes and his wife Kirralee, for their strength and leadership in starting the foundation in the midst of their own cancer journey, following Mark’s brain cancer diagnosis. City of Newcastle acknowledges that to date, around 1 million MHF Beanies have been sold, raising around $30 million for research, Brain Cancer Care nurses in regional Australia and supporting brain cancer patients, carers and their families.

Newcastle’s high-speed rail station location 

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that noted City of Newcastle’s support for high-speed rail and commits to writing to Chief Executive Officer of the HSRA, Mr Tim Parker regarding Broadmeadow, which is the only viable location in the Greater Newcastle region for consideration as Newcastle’s station location, due to its strategic placement and planned redevelopment.

Ordinary business 

Memorial Drive Bar Beach pedestrian and cyclist movement 

Council unanimously voted to approve pedestrian and cyclist improvements on Memorial Drive, Bar Beach, including upgrading the existing marked crossing on Memorial Drive to a raised marked crossing, with provision for a future priority bicycle crossing.

Adoption of Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservation Areas Review final report

This motion was laid on the table to be considered at the next Ordinary Council Meeting. The motion proposes council adopts the Newcastle City Centre Heritage Conservations Areas Review Final Report and commence the statutory process to amend the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012 for the revised HCA boundaries and development standards as outlined in this report.

Public Art Reference Group (PARG) – Annual Report 2023

Council received the Public Art Reference Group Annual Report, documenting the activities of PARG during 2023.

Executive Monthly Performance Report 

Council received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for February 2024.

Granting of Easement – Ausgrid-University of Newcastle feeder network upgrade

Council unanimously voted to grant an easement for electricity purposes over Operational Land at 78 Cameron Street, Jesmond.

Notices of Motion 

Skatepark for Merewether/Adamstown 

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion to investigate a suitable location for a skatepark in the Merewether/Adamstown area. The proposed skatepark design should have space for bubblers, shaded areas, seating and enough room for multiple people to skate at the same time.

Ending no-grounds evictions in NSW 

Council supported a notice of motion to commend the NSW Government’s 2023 commitment to replace existing ‘no grounds’ eviction provisions through reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act 2010, and notes that NSW Labor has been committed to ending ‘no grounds’ eviction for many years. Council will make a submission to the NSW Government to remove all provisions from the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 that allow no grounds evictions (for both periodic and fixed-term leases) and introduce provisions to The Act to ensure that a residential tenancy ends only for fair and reasonable grounds to ensure a safe, secure, stable, and affordable home for all renters.

Beachside crossing upgrade to enhance access for pedestrians and cyclists

City of Newcastle is improving access to one of its most popular coastal precincts.

Councillors last night unanimously endorsed plans to upgrade the pedestrian crossing on Memorial Drive, which will make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access Bar Beach.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen navigates Memorial Drive at the current pedestrian crossing, which will be upgraded to provide safer, easier connectivity in this busy coastal precinct.Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen navigates Memorial Drive at the current pedestrian crossing, which will be upgraded to provide safer, easier connectivity in this busy coastal precinct.

The new raised crossing will create a safer connection between Empire Park and the busy coastal precinct, increasing visibility of pedestrians and removing confusion caused by the current staged crossing and refuge island.

Councillor Carol Duncan said the upgrade would deliver on City of Newcastle’s commitment to support active transport options.

“We’ve listened to the community and are working to deliver solutions that ensure they are able to safely and easily navigate our footpaths, cycleways and road networks,” Cr Duncan said.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the multi-stage project would improve safety and accessibility in the precinct for pedestrians and cyclists.

“The precinct surrounding Bar Beach is heavily utilised by community members accessing Empire Park, the Cooks Hill Surf Club, Bathers Way and the beach itself,” Cr Clausen said. 

“This upgrade will make the road crossing between these destinations shorter and more accessible for pedestrians.

“It will also enhance the cycling network in the area, with the second stage of the project including a new shared pathway from the Memorial Drive crossing to Bar Beach Avenue, which will create an off-road link that allows cyclists to travel easily between Bathers Way and Parkway Avenue.”

Almost 90 per cent of community members who responded during the public exhibition period were in favour of the upgrade, which also includes landscaped kerb extensions and a new narrow median to create a safer and more streamlined solution for all road users in this area.

Following the Council’s endorsement, the project will move into a detailed design stage ahead of future construction works, with the project to be delivered over two stages.