Month: August 2023

Volunteer firefighter charged over alleged deliberately-lit fires – Hunter region 

Detectives have charged a volunteer firefighter over several alleged deliberately-lit bushfires in the Hunter region.

Earlier this month, Arson Unit detectives from the State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad established Strike Force Glenarvon to investigate a number of suspicious bushfires in the Hunter Valley.

Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives attended a home in Aberglasslyn about 8.20am yesterday (Wednesday 30 August 2023), where they arrested an 18-year-old man.

He was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with 15 offences, including:

  • Intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread (13 counts); and
  • Destroy etc property in company use fire etc <=$2000 (two counts).

He was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court today (Thursday 31 August 2023).

Police will allege in court the man deliberately lit fires in grassland at Weston, Pelaw Main, Bellbird, Greta, Aberglasslyn, Melville, and Cessnock, on several occasions in July and August this year.

It will be further alleged that the man later attended some of the fires as an NSW RFS volunteer and assisted in extinguishing the blazes.

Financial Crimes Squad Commander, Acting Superintendent Richard Puffett, said as the bushfire season in NSW approaches, his team is committed to investigating any fires suspected of being suspicious or known to be deliberately lit.

“Our state has had a number of years of extreme weather from floods to fires – and the coming months will only get warmer,” Det Acting Supt Puffett said.

“With a large amount of dry vegetation across our state, we are urging members of the public to be vigilant during this year’s bushfire season. If you see or notice anything suspicious, please contact police.

“Strike Force Tronto officers are committed to targeting arsonists who wish to bring devastation to our environment and our communities. Bushfires can not only be damaging, they can be deadly.”

Strike Force Tronto, comprised of detectives from Arson Unit, is the lead investigative team on suspicious or deliberately-lit bushfires which lead to death, serious injury or significant property loss. Strike force detectives work closely with officers at Police Area Commands and Police Districts across NSW.

Penalties relating to bushfires under the NSW Crimes Act, the Rural Fires Act, and Rural Fires Regulation include:

• Damaging property with the intention of endangering life – up to 25 years’ imprisonment;

• Manslaughter – up to 25 years imprisonment;

• Starting a bushfire and being reckless as to its spread – up to 21 years’ imprisonment;

• Lighting a fire when a total fire ban is in place – up to 12 months’ imprisonment and/or a $5500 fine;

• Not putting out a fire that you have lit – up to 12 months’ imprisonment and/or a $5500 fine;

• Failing to comply with a bush fire hazard reduction notice – up to 12 months’ imprisonment and/or a $5500 fine;

STATE AND FEDERAL LABOR GOVERNMENTS FAST-TRACKING EXTINCTION OF GREATER GLIDER THROUGH DESTRUCTION OF THEIR NATIVE FOREST HABITAT

The Greens have condemned the Forestry Corporation of NSW for threatening endangered species by logging the habitat of the great glider in Tallaganda state forest.

They are calling on state and federal governments to urgently act to scrap the Regional Forest Agreements to end native forest logging and protect endangered species.

Australian Greens’ spokesperson for forests Janet Rice said: 

“This forest and these gliders are national heritage – the Commonwealth has a responsibility to protect them, particularly in light of how much forest burnt in 2019 in NSW and Victoria. 

“It shouldn’t be up to the vandals of the NSW forestry commission to send greater gliders closer and closer to extinction. 

“If we want zero extinctions as Tanya Plibersek has promised then we need to end native forest logging across the country immediately.

“Forests are going to be under even greater threat from fire in the future with more extreme conditions due to global heating.

“The Regional Forest Agreements have allowed for decades of reckless destruction of native forests across Australia, pushed native wildlife to the brink of extinction, endangered our water supplies, heightened bushfire risk, and made the climate crisis worse.

“Native forest logging is a dying industry and there’s no way around it. 

“We need a permanent, national ban on native forest logging and a just transition plan for forestry workers.” 

NSW Greens’ spokesperson for forests Sue Higginson said:

“The NSW Government must immediately pause all plans to log Tallaganda Forest. We can not allow Greater Glider extinction logging and make no mistake, that’s what this is. 

“There are dozens of Greater Glider den trees in Tallaganda that are proposed to be logged, but Forestry Corporation have only mapped a single tree for habitat protection across the 5,000 hectares that they want to destroy.

“Forestry Corporation are legally required to conduct pre-logging fauna and flora surveys but they can not have done this adequately as their report has drastically under-assessed the Greater Glider habitat and population in this area that is critical for the survival of the Greater Glider.

“I’ve called on the NSW Minister for Environment and the Environment Protection Authority to use their powers and issue an immediate stop work order for logging operations in Tallaganda State Forest until an independent review of the Greater Glider habitat can be undertaken.

“The NSW Government has committed to zero extinctions in NSW but the continued logging of critical Greater Glider Habitat, one of only two remaining in the state, is a blatant failure to take the necessary actions to prevent the extinction of Greater Gliders.”

SA MAKE OR BREAK IT STATE IN THE REFERENDUM

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is urging all South Australians to support the YES campaign as it kicks off in Adelaide today.

“Today’s YES campaign launch is a historic moment for our country, and it’s taking place in Adelaide because South Australia is a crucial state in this referendum.

“SA is the make or break state in this referendum. The positive polling results we have seen today show the Yes vote leading narrowly, but that it can’t be taken for granted.

“There will be no “maybe” box on the ballot paper. It is either Yes or No. Yes for doing what is right, or No for continuing the wrongs of the past.”

“SA was the first State to give women the vote and now we can take Australia forward again. 

“Now that the official YES campaign has kicked off, I urge all South Australians to get involved and help us get this really important reform across the line.

“Over the coming weeks, we will be out and about around the state campaigning to make sure South Australia returns a strong YES vote.”

Senator Hanson-Young will be attending the announcement of the date event in Adelaide this morning.

Services Australia staffing crisis exposed on air

The Albanese Labor Government is presiding over a staffing crisis at Services Australia, with a top agency official conceding that understaffing is drastically impacting the delivery of vital government services and payments during the cost of living crisis.

In an interview on 3AW radio yesterday, Services Australia’s long-time agency spokesperson, Mr Hank Jongen PSM, admitted that widespread delays to the processing of Paid Parental Leave was a result of understaffing, saying “in reality, we are understaffed in our service delivery,” adding that “we are currently actively trying to recruit staff to help us address call centre and processing delays.”

Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy Paul Fletcher said Government Services Minister Bill Shorten must urgently order a review into Services Australia’s workforce arrangements.

“Labor has unleashed waves of job cuts at Services Australia without doing any proper planning which is clearly affecting service delivery,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Labor cut average staffing levels for this financial year, going from 36,685 in 2022-23 to 35,956 in 2023-24.

“In June, 600 call centre jobs were axed after a multi-million contract with Serco was scrapped, with no public explanation offered.

“It’s no wonder that Mr Shorten has repeatedly refused to release data about how long Australians are having to receive a Centrelink or Medicare payment.

“Across the country, major businesses are deploying smart technologies to improve how they engage with customers without increasing the headcount.

“Learning from the positive digital transformation journeys of the private sector and translating those lessons into the public sector should be on Mr Shorten’s to do list.”

Mr Fletcher said digital technology could help address many of the government’s service delivery challenges, but just isn’t being prioritised.

“Australians going online to access services via MyGov are also being let down by this government, which puts digital transformation in the too hard basket,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Over 1000 specialist ICT jobs were abolished in December last year and, more than six months on, Mr Shorten still hasn’t responded to the MyGov User Audit.

“The government needs to urgently review the viability of Services Australia’s current workforce arrangements which includes an examination of the impact of its contractor cuts and the health of its digital service delivery channels.”

Do your day job minister

The Immigration Minister Andrew Giles is flying around Australia campaigning for the Yes vote as the number of failed asylum seekers in Australia passes 75,000 and a Labor-commissioned report that recommends action gathers dust.

According to the latest Home Affairs data, under the Anthony Albanese Labor Government:1940 people made an asylum claim in July — which is a record number of asylum seekers under this Labor Government.21,718 asylum seekers have now arrived under Labor.There are now a record 75,017 fake asylum seekers in Australia awaiting deportation.Just 12 fake asylum seekers were deported in July.

The Immigration Minister Andrew Giles should be taking action to deal with the growing asylum seeker problem, instead he is flying around the country campaigning for the Yes vote. Giles has attended Yes campaign events in Perth, Darwin, Melbourne, and Canberra.

In March, the Government was handed a report by former chief commissioner of Victoria Police Christine Nixon that contained recommendations to stem the growing problem of asylum seekers arriving by plane. That report is gathering dust.

Since Labor were handed the Nixon report an additional 7,073 asylum seekers have arrived in Australia.

Labor would rather do nothing than try something. Labor has put the Nixon report and the problem of fake asylum seekers in the too hard basket, alongside addressing the housing crisis and cost of living pressures.

Anthony Albanese and Andrew Giles would rather fly around the country promoting the Voice than roll up their sleeves and deal with the problems hurting Australians.

Fake asylum seekers are choking our courts and visa system, denying genuine asylum seekers and Australians access to justice.

The Coalition wants a better Australia, not Labor’s big Australia.

Labor hiding Centrelink and Medicare data

The Coalition is demanding the Albanese Labor Government be transparent and reveal how long Australians are having to wait to receive government payments, including Centrelink and Medicare claims, with recent attempts to do so stonewalled.

In June, Coalition MPs asked Government Services Minister Bill Shorten how long Australians were having to wait to receive these government payments.

Mr Shorten responded to the questions by saying, “Services Australia does not collate or record data by electorate.”

However, Questions in Writing obtained by the Opposition for the previous Parliament, reveal that Services Australia does in fact use electorate-level data and that this data was provided to Labor MPs when the Coalition was in government.

Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy Paul Fletcher said the move to block the release of the data didn’t pass the pub test, especially amid a cost of living crisis.

“The Opposition is calling on Mr Shorten to urgently release the requested data to better inform policymaking and empower citizens,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Every community is different and Labor must come clean on how claims processing is going on an electorate level so we can work together to implement targeted solutions to areas most in need.”

Mr Fletcher said Mr Shorten is a serial offender when it comes to trying to avoid accountability.

“Under Mr Shorten, every question ever asked of him during Senate Estimates has been answered past the due date,” Mr Fletcher said.

“In May this year, the Speaker had to formally write to the Minister because formal Questions in Writing were left unanswered for more than 60 days.

“It has also been revealed that Centrelink call wait times have skyrocketed under his watch.”

Research confirms density close to CBD, lowers infrastructure costs

The NSW Productivity Commissioner’s latest report confirms the NSW Government’s approach to housing is on the right track.

The NSW Government welcomed the release of the latest housing study – Building more homes where infrastructure costs less – which confirms that it costs less to build in areas with existing infrastructure.

The NSW Productivity Commissioner’s conclusion that building closer to Sydney’s CBD can save up to $75,000 in infrastructure costs per new home reinforces the NSW Government’s commitment to rebalance housing targets around transport links to deliver more well-designed, well-located homes in places where people want to live.

The government has made housing a key focus since taking office, introducing:

  • an audit of government-owned land to identify properties available for housing
  • incentives to encourage the delivery of more social, affordable and market housing
  • expanded capacity for government agencies to deliver more affordable housing
  • support for councils with more resource to get more planners into the system
  • delivery of built to rent pilots by Landcom on the South Coast and in the Northern Rivers
  • reforms to first home buyer stamp duty arrangements and delivering rental reforms.

Additionally, the government’s reforms to infrastructure contributions will help to provide funds to deliver the additional infrastructure needed to support housing growth.

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The NSW Productivity Commissioner evidence shows that the housing crisis inherited from the previous government is linked to their focus on building out rather than up, instead of focusing additional housing around existing infrastructure and networks.

“We need help to deliver housing that people can afford with a fairer distribution of housing in infill locations where people want to live and work, near jobs and services and where it costs considerably less to deliver the infrastructure needed to support those homes.

“Essential workers like health workers, teachers, police, firefighters, cleaners, security guards, truck, bus and train drivers deserve the opportunity to live closer to where they work.

“Density done well is the focus of the Minns Government’s recent announcements.

“More infill development means people can stay in their communities and neighbourhoods through different stages of their life. Everyone wants family and friends to be able to afford to live nearby.

“It’s vital we look at different ways to deliver more homes, including focusing on inner city suburbs with existing infrastructure that can be scaled relatively quickly and easily.

“We reformed infrastructure contributions to close the gap between housing growth and the infrastructure needed to support that growth.

“Investing on scaling up infrastructure for infill development means we’re able to spread every dollar further.

“The Productivity Commissioner notes that established suburbs already have good access to roads, schools, health services and open spaces and to existing water and wastewater services, so it makes much more sense to increase density in those places.”

Centenary of service celebrated this Legacy Week

Legacy Week was officially launched at a commemorative service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place today, commemorating 100 years of Legacy in Australia.

Minister for Veterans David Harris attended the commemoration alongside Legacy Sydney Acting President Tim Becker and other members of the veteran community to lay a wreath in memory of our veterans, and to show support for the widows, widowers, and children whose loved ones served our country.

“This Legacy Week we pay special tribute to Legacy for their support for the families of those Australian Defence Force personnel who served our country and gave the ultimate sacrifice as a result of their service.” Minister Harris said.

“Legacy was built on a promise to a dying soldier, to look after his family and 100 years on that promise continues to be kept, an amazing achievement and one we are all thankful for.”   

The Legacy badge is a special emblem of support for our veterans’ families, it symbolises our nation’s greatest values of mateship, compassion, and courage. Legacy badges will be sold throughout the Sydney CBD and across NSW over the coming week.

“I encourage everyone to purchase a Legacy badge this week. Your donation will help widows and families of defence forces personnel who gave their lives serving our country,” Mr Harris said.

Today, Legacy ensures that 43,000 partners and children of our servicemen and servicewomen across Australia do not suffer financial or social disadvantage as a result of the loss or serious injury of their loved one.

Acting President of Sydney Legacy Tim Becker acknowledged Legacy Week as exceptionally meaningful as they mark Legacy’s centenary.

“As we reflect on the past 100 years, we stand ready to support our veterans’ families for as long as they need us,” Mr Becker said.

To all those donating, volunteering or spreading the word this Legacy Week – thank you. Your contributions are the heart of our mission. With your continued support, we can fulfil our promise that was founded in the trenches of World War One to care for the families of our veterans.”

Legacy beneficiary Kelly Randall spoke at the commemoration, sharing her story about the support her family has received.

“I am extremely grateful for the public’s support each Legacy Week. Your support helped my family pay for my school uniform growing up. You supported me through uni with textbooks and lab equipment,” Ms Randall said. 

It’s nice to see the unity between the community and volunteers, with everyone coming together with the same aim of supporting veterans’ families.”

Find out more about the work of Legacy and how to donatelaunch

Big facelift for Wiley Park station

Wiley Park station is more accessible than ever before, as new lifts are put into service for the first time in the station’s history.

After years of community campaigns, passengers on the 128-year-old Bankstown Line are starting to see the benefits from major accessibility upgrades that have been delivered as part of the Sydney Metro Southwest project.

Having changed very little since it opened in 1938, Wiley Park station visitors will now benefit from a renovated concourse, a new station entry plaza with seating, lighting and extra bicycle parking, new platform canopies and re-surfaced platforms and platform access ramps.

The installation of the lifts took place during weekend trackwork closures, using a 350-tonne crane to lift the shafts into place.

New lifts will also be operational at Punchbowl, Canterbury, Hurlstone Park and Dulwich Hill before the end of the year, making the stations fully accessible for the first time.

When the Bankstown to Sydenham Metro Southwest line opens in 2025, Wiley Park will be one of 10 stations that will see a modern, frequent and reliable metro services in Sydney’s southwest.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“This is an exciting milestone for the south-west Sydney community, as their local stations finally see long overdue upgrades to improve accessibility.

“This upgrade is part of Wiley Park station’s transformation from an under-served train station with 4 trains an hour, to a modern metro station with 15 trains per hour.”

Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib said:

“For decades, Wiley Park was the forgotten station on the Bankstown line. There was no shelter from the rain or sun, terrible lighting and the whole place looked like it was frozen in time.

“After strong community campaigns along the Bankstown line forced action, it’s great to see vital accessibility upgrades finally being delivered.

“Mums with prams, elderly people, kids with bikes and people with disability who didn’t want to try their luck with the steep ramps will finally be able to make the most of the newly accessible train station.

“A big congratulations to Canterbury Bankstown Council and the community who have held this government and previous governments to their commitments to improve station accessibility across Sydney’s south-west.”

Drought-resistant crops research to feed future generations

A new era for agricultural research has germinated in Narrabri, NSW with today’s official opening of the world-leading $15.2 million International Centre of Crop and Digital Agriculture.

Featuring digital, genetic, agronomy and soil laboratories, plus teaching and industry briefing spaces, the research centre has been delivered by the NSW Government in partnership with the University of Sydney, Australian Grain Technologies (AGT), Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and NSW Wheat Research Foundation.

Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said the centre will enable Australian industry to grow more resilient crops essential for feeding future Australians.

“The International Centre of Crop and Digital Agriculture in Narrabri cements NSW’s reputation as a regional, national and international agricultural research hub for groundbreaking grain research,” Ms Moriarty said.

“Using the hi-tech facilities, researchers will focus on adapting crops for drought-tolerance, providing food security solutions and boosting the productivity of farmers.

“This world-class facility also enhances collaboration between researchers and growers to progress our knowledge and practical implementation of robotic farming and data-driven agriculture.”

The University of Sydney Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Emma Johnston said the mission of the centre is bold: to help transform global food security, environmental sustainability and economic resilience.

“The research undertaken at the International Centre of Crop and Digital Agriculture will focus on adapting crops for drought and heat tolerance, providing sustainable food security solutions and boosting the productivity of farmers,” Prof Johnston said.

“We have been leading agricultural innovation at Narrabri for 60 years and we are focused on delivering for the next 60 years and beyond.”

AGT CEO Dr Haydn Kuchel said the expansion of research capacity at Narrabri has highlighted the importance of the IA Watson Grains Research Centre to agricultural improvement in the north.

“We are proud of our contribution to this investment in northern Australian agriculture, which will help to bring more talented people into the region, working together to find solutions to the challenges that face Australian farmers,” Dr Kuchel said.

“AGT is committed to delivering better varieties for farmers in the north, and our collaboration with other researchers at the IA Watson Grains Research Centre is a key part of that.”

GRDC Chair John Woods said an additional $1 million had been invested by GRDC, on behalf of Australian grain growers, to improve and expand these vital research facilities.

“We appreciate the NSW Government recognising the need for an industry-led approach to improving and expanding the research capacity in Narrabri which is one of the state’s oldest, most strategically important and successful centres.” Mr Woods said.

“With our long-standing relationships with each partner, we are pleased to contribute to this opportunity where, on behalf of our growers, we can co-invest in a world-class facility and deliver long-term research outcomes in northern NSW and benefit Australian grain growers.”

NSW Wheat Research Foundation Chair Rob Long said the state-of-the-art labs and offices are a massive boost for grains research in regional Australia.

“Located on WRF’s owned IA Watson Grains Research Centre, leased to University of Sydney for over 60 years, these new facilities complement the research farm which plants over 40,000 irrigated plots every year on Narrabri’s rich vertosol clay soils,” Mr Long said.

“What an enticement for postgraduate students, national and international researchers and industry leaders to come together in Narrabri for the purpose of improving crop performance for Australian farmers. WRF led this building project and there are plans for additional future collaborative developments.”

The International Centre of Crop and Digital Agriculture was made possible by $10.5 million from the NSW Government, $1.7 million from the University of Sydney, $1.5 million from AGT, $1 million from GRDC and $500,000 from NSW Wheat Research Foundation.