Month: January 2019

Murray Darling Basin Plan managers get an F

The Productivity Commission’s scathing report into the Murray Darling Basin Plan shows it is failing and needs serious reform and transparency, the Greens say.
“The Productivity Commission’s scathing assessment of the Murray Darling Basin Plan is summed up perfectly in one sentence:

“Recovering water through efficiency measures has become increasingly divorced from the environmental outcomes it is meant to achieve.”(p22)

“This report is a damning assessment of the Federal Government and its agencies’ mismanagement of the Murray Darling Basin. It shows that the original purpose of the Plan to restore the heath of the River has been undermined and the money spent is going not to the environmental outcomes but instead filling then pockets of irrigators,” Greens environment and water spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The $13 billion of taxpayers money is not going where it was intended.  Political interference from both state and federal governments has undermined the independence of the Murray Darling Basin Authority, making it an agency of government, not an Authority that looks after the River.
“No wonder the Government is trying to bury this report. Releasing it on a Friday before the Australia Day long weekend, shows just how desperate the Minister is to keep Australians in the dark.
“The Productivity Commission makes a number of salient points, but overall the scathing assessment shows that river communities and the environment have been failed by the mismanagement of the Murray Darling Basin Plan and urgent reforms are needed.
“The report calls out the lack of independence and teeth of the Murray Darling Basin Authority, showing it cannot be trusted to enforce the management rules of the River. They have a conflict of interest and are not genuinely independent. The Basin states, Federal Government and Murray Darling Basin Authority have ignored what this Plan was set out to do – improve the environmental health of the River.
“We need a cop on the beat – a independent authority with teeth – that can crack down on the mismanagement and corruption ignored by Governments, bureaucrats and corporate irrigators. We need an urgent Royal Commission.
“The Productivity Commission again proves that water buy backs are the most economically efficient and environmentally effective way to restore health to the River.
“With the River in environmental collapse, those responsible must be held to account. The big cotton lobby, corruption, mismanagement and lack of transparency have undermined the Plan that was meant to save the Murray Darling Basin. Heads should roll. Only a Federal Royal Commission can sort through the rot. It’s clear the Water Minister and his corporate irrigator mates cannot be trusted.
“People in river communities are without clean drinking water and the environment is suffering. We need urgent action now to reverse the River’s fate before it is too late.”

Nine police employees make Australia Day Honours List

Eight NSW Police Force officers and one civilian employee have been recognised as part of the Australia Day Honours List.
Acting Commissioner Gary Worboys APM extended his congratulations to the nine recipients whose collective policing experience covered from administrative, crime scene, general duties, road policing, investigations and public order management.
“This award recognises the important and valued contribution officers make to their local communities every day,” A/Commissioner Worboys said.
“Combined, the recipients bring 299 years of service to the people of NSW. This is volumes of knowledge, experience and professionalism serving the people of NSW.
“Policing is a unique career, whether you’re a sworn officer or a civilian employee, you are exposed to the best and worst situations imaginable and this award is recognition of that selfless duty to service.
“I would encourage today’s nominees to look upon their nominations as a thank you, not just from the communities you serve so diligently, but the entire state,” A/Commissioner Worboys said.
The Australian Police Medal (APM) recipients are:

  • Sergeant Phillip Elliott
  • Chief Inspector Paul Fownes, OAM
  • Detective Superintendent Darren Bennett
  • Detective Superintendent Kenneth Finch
  • Superintendent David Johnson
  • Superintendent Dean Smith
  • Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte
  • Assistant Commissioner Gelina Talbot

Ms Roslyn Lang, Local Area Manager of the Mid North Coast Police District, has been awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM).
AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL –
Sergeant Phillip Joseph Elliott – Crime Scene Command – Sergeant Phillip Elliott joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and confirmed as a Constable at the Mona Vale Police Station. Sergeant Elliott performed general duty roles in the Chatswood area until 1990 where he transferred to the Crime Scene Unit. Sergeant Elliott is the most experience operational forensic supervisor in New South Wales. He has attended countless crime scenes including the Rozelle building explosion (2014).
As a qualified Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Co-ordinator, Sergeant Elliott has been tasked to many high-profile crime and disaster incidents including the 1996 Port Arthur shootings in Tasmania, the 2005 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Thailand and in 2006, Sergeant Elliott travelled to Baghdad, Iraq as part of a NSWPF team to investigate the shooting death of Australian Defence Force Member Private Jake Kovco. Further noteworthy forensic investigations include the bushfires in the Wentworth Falls and Casula areas and leading a team of forensic investigators into the Quakers Hill Nursing Home Fire.
Chief Inspector Paul Philip Fownes OAM – Traffic and Highway Patrol Command – Chief Inspector Paul Phillip Fownes joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and was confirmed as a Constable of Police at the Maroubra Police Station. Chief Inspector Fownes spent a considerable period in General Duties in the eastern parts of Sydney from 1987 to 1996, predominantly at Maroubra. In 1996, Chief Inspector Fownes transferred into the Highway Patrol Command initially at Maroubra and then similar duties in the City CBD where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1999. He then transferred to Botany Bay Local Area Command where he continued in the Highway Patrol Command as a Supervisor. Chief Inspector Fownes has a long and extinguished service in community engagements in the Maroubra area. In particular, during the aftermath of the Cronulla Riots in 2005 and also driver education programs he developed and facilitated with the Eastern Suburbs PCYC.
Chief Inspector Fownes was a key presenter on Traffic Offender Programs in the Eastern Beaches area and an avid Life Saving Club member at the Maroubra Surf Club.
In 2012, Chief Inspector Fownes became the Region Traffic Tactician for the Central Metropolitan Highway Patrol Command. A position which Chief Inspector Fownes still holds. Chief Inspector Fownes was instrumental in the development and ongoing review of the NSW Police Force operating procedures on the Emergency Medical Transfer
Detective Superintendent Darren Murray Bennett – Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Coammand – Detective Superintendent Darren Bennett joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and confirmed as a Constable at the Wagga Wagga Patrol. Superintendent Bennett then transferred to the Kings Cross Patrol and into his chosen career path of criminal investigation. In his role as Commander of the Terrorism Investigation Unit, Superintendent Bennett has played integral roles in the following high-profile Counter Terrorism related operations; Operation Appleby where he received a Commissioners (AFP) Group Citation. Operation Chillion – foiled an attack at Parramatta Westfields, Operation Castrum – arrests of individuals in acts of preparation for, or planning a terrorist act and further operations relating to alleged plots of terror including the Curtis Cheng murder in 2015.
He currently holds the role of National Counter Terrorism Investigations Capability Advisor and has completed the Leadership in Counter Terrorism Program. Superintendent Bennett developed the ANZCTC Multi-Jurisdictional Preventative CT Investigation Protocol and is currently the Co-Ordinator of Exercise Northern Harrier, the Senior Executive Protocol training into multi-agency response to terrorism incidents.
Detective Superintendent Kenneth James Finch – State Intelligence Command – Detective Superintendent Kenneth James Finch joined the NSW Police Force as a cadet in 1977 and confirmed as a Constable of Police at the Chatswood Police Station. Superintendent Finch is one of the longest serving officers at the rank of Superintendent. He has had a long and distinguished career in criminal investigation in the State Crime Command leading Licensing, Firearms and Organised Crime squads. Superintendent Finch was a Police Prosecutor from 1990-1997 when he was promoted to the rank of Inspector in the role of Duty Officer in the Wagga Wagga Local Area Command until 2000. Since being promoted to Superintendent in 2000, he has been the commander of areas such as Griffith, Investigations Unit, Professional Standards Command, Newtown and The Rocks. Superintendent Finch has continued in Commander roles in the State Crime Command as the Director of the Organised Crime Directorate where he successfully managed the operational activities and administration of all 6 Organised Crime Squads.
In 2013, Superintendent Finch was commended for his role in Strike Force Maxworthy, an investigation which resulted in the dismantling of a crime syndicate involved in the major importation of handguns into Australia.
Superintendent David Johnson – Burwood Police Area Command – Superintendent David Johnson joined the NSW Police Force in 1985 and confirmed as a Constable at the Petersham Police Station. Superintendent Johnson has been commended for his work at the ABCI in Canberra by the NSW Crime Commissioner and received an Olympic Citation medal for his services at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Superintendent Johnson has been seconded to numerous Task Force investigations including Task Force Air (Ivan Milat), Task Force Colo (paedophile syndicates) and the investigation review into the murder of Sydney underworld figure Angelo Duros.
Once returning to Sydney from Canberra in 2002, Superintendent Johnson was promoted to the rank of Inspector in the Operational Information Agency where he managed the Pawnbrokers Unit, Child Protection Register and Missing Persons Unit.
In 2005, Superintendent Johnson became the Project Director for the introduction of Computer Aid Dispatch System (CADS) which culminated in Superintendent Johnson being awarded the Commissioners Certificate of Merit and Unit Citation.
In 2008, Superintendent Johnson was promoted to the rank of Superintendent performing the role of General Manager, Business Technical Services, Client Services – Field and from 2012 became the Commander, Ashfield Local Area Command.
In 2018, Superintendent Johnson was appointed as the inaugural Burwood Police Area Commander.
Superintendent Dean Smith – Lake Illawarra Police District – Superintendent Dean Raymond Smith joined the NSW Police Force in 1988 and was confirmed as a Constable at Sutherland Police Station. Superintendent Smith performed general duties at the Sutherland Police Station and shortly after moved into criminal investigation duties at the same location. In 1994, Superintendent Smith transferred to the Drug Enforcement Agency and later the Organised Crime Squad where he was performed criminal investigations into major crime syndicates. At the completion of a seconded relieving opportunity at the Olympics Security Command in 2000.
In late 2017, Superintendent Smith was appointed to the position of Commander, Lake Illawarra Police District Command. In this role, he has had an immediate impact with the Aboriginal and CALD communities within the district including attending many community events and building relationships. Without exception, whatever location Superintendent Smith takes on, becomes a better workplace for employees in terms of equity and support whilst delivering strong outcomes in terms of crime and community.
Chief Superintendent Scott Andrew Whyte – Office of the Commissioner – Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte joined the NSW Police Force in 1990 and was confirmed as a Constable at Bankstown Local Area Command. During his career, Chief Superintendent Whyte was the lead on multiple strike forces that have successfully resulted in substantial convictions of offenders charged with serious offences throughout south and south-western Sydney. In 2011, he became Operations Co-ordinator, Gangs Squad, State Crime Command.
In the State Crime Gangs Squad, Chief Superintendent Whyte developed and led Strike Force Kinnara – one of the first investigations to utilise a 3-tiered approach of Disruption, Response and Targeting. This investigation led to the arrest of 45 members of OMCG members culminating in over 150 charges being laid. In 2013, Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte was successfully promoted to the rank of Superintendent and performed the role of Commander at the then Rosehill and Bankstown local area commands. In 2018, Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte was appointed as the Chief of Staff to the NSW Police Commissioner.
Assistant Commissioner Gelina Talbot – Professional Standards Command – Assistant Commissioner Talbot joined the NSW Police Force in 1990 and confirmed as Constable at Kings Cross Police Station. Assistant Commissioner Talbot has undertaken general duties from 1990 to 2007 at various metropolitan and regional NSW Commands including a secondment to the NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet as a project officer for Crime Prevention Partnerships.
In 2013, Assistant Commissioner Talbot relieved as a Local Area Commander across many Commands in the Central Metropolitan Region before becoming appointed as Commander of the Barwon Local Area Command, Western Region. In that time, she successfully managed escalating public order issues relating to coal seam gas operations in the area to which she was commended. In 2018, Assistant Commissioner Talbot was appointed as Assistant Commissioner, Professional Standards Command.
Assistant Commissioner Talbot has made significant contributions to the safety of metropolitan and regional NSW communities as Commander of Police Commands in those areas. Assistant Commissioner Talbot has been awarded the St Johns Emergency Services Award and the NSWPF Commissioners Perpetual Award for Advancement of Women in Policing – Dynamic leader Award
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Ms Roslyn LANG – Mid North Coast Police District – As a long standing and highly respected administrative member of the New South Wales Police Force, Ms Lang has held her current role of Local Area Manager, Mid North Coast, since 1997.
She is responsible for managing and supporting a Local Command workforce of almost 200 police officers and administrative staff and she has a detailed knowledge and understanding of corporate policies and standards, and always implements processes for high quality work to minimise risks to the organisation. She contributes to a number of significant and varied projects from major reviews of Human Resources practices and policies, to large scale property projects which require detailed stakeholder consultation. She is recognised as an experienced and well-balanced leader, and has developed many systems for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of new work practices which have been replicated by other Commands in NSW. In 2012, her outstanding service was acknowledged with the NSW Police Force Employee of the Year Award in recognition of her contribution to the core business of the NSW Police Force, through the maximisation of resources and in the provision of a safe and comfortable workplace across the Mid North Coast Command.

Order of Australia Medal nomination for NSW Police Force trio

Two current and one former NSW Police Force employees have been named in the Australia Day Honours list as recipients of the Order of Australia Medal
Chief Inspector Colin Lott of Tuggerah Lakes Police District and Mr John Hughes of Penrith Radio have been nominated alongside retired Detective Chief Inspector Reginald Lemme.
Acting Commissioner Gary Worboys APM extended his congratulations to the three recipients whose community service ethic has been recognised at the highest level.
“These three men have dedicated their lives to the NSW Police Force, and this is the highest recognition for their selfless contribution to the communities they have served,” A/Commissioner Worboys said.
Chief Inspector Colin Lott has been recognised for his service to the community through a range of roles. This includes his work with the NSW Police Force, St Johns Ambulance and Hornsby Hospital.
Mr John Hughes of Penrith Radio has been recognised for his service to the community through emergency response organisation. This includes his work as a senior communications officer at Penrith Radio Operations since 2001.
Detective Inspector (retired) Reginald Lemme has been recognised for service to the community through pipe bands. Mr Lemme has been a drum major in the NSW Police Force Pipe band since 1997. He also assisted with the band’s reformation as a voluntary unit. The former Officer in the Charge of the Homicide Squad also assists as the Dress and Drill Tutor, Pipe Band Program, The Scots College, since 2007.

South Newcastle Beach project update

City of Newcastle will review the location of a proposed skate bowl at South Newcastle Beach following community consultation in December on the latest stage of the Bathers Way project.
While the overall project is strongly supported by the community, a number of respondents surveyed on the Newcastle Beach Bathers Way section expressed concerns about the design of the bowl – most notably its location on the beach.
inside2.jpgUpgrades at Newcastle Beach will be part of the next stage of the City’s Bathers Way project
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the City was aware of the community’s concerns and would look to address the December feedback in a design review on a small part of the broader plans for Newcastle Beach.
“The Bathers Way – Newcastle Beach is the largest and most complex stage of the Bathers Way project,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
“It’s therefore critical that we continue to engage with people to enable us to consider what needs to be addressed so that we can deliver a project that is in the best interests of the community.
“Changes in State Government legislation, which came into effect in July 2018 for development in coastal areas, also means the planning pathway to approval is uncertain. At the least, additional assessment criteria would be required meaning the project would be under continued uncertainty for possibly another twelve months.
“Given this uncertainty and the community concern, the sensible action from Council is to re-examine the location of the skate bowl, with a view to potentially delivering the project within the existing footprint. This would enable the skate bowl to proceed but without it being located on the beach itself,” she said.
While the overall project was welcomed by those who attended the Bathers Way – Newcastle Beach drop-in sessions, concerns were raised regarding some aspects of the skate bowl design, mirroring the results of an online survey.
A total of 191 of the 335 people surveyed opposed the project, citing the skate bowl’s protrusion onto Newcastle Beach as their main concern.
The City will now undertake a review of the placement of the skate bowl to address community feedback, and enable the project to progress.
“This will ensure that we continue to achieve our vision of delivering this exciting public pathway along one of the most magnificent stretches of coastline in the country,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Currently the project timeline expects that design documentation could continue until the end of this financial year. The construction is scheduled to commence in 2019/20 and take up to two years to complete.”
In recent years, Council has invested around $27million in coastal revitalisation projects including the Bathers Way, along with significant investment in infrastructure renewal to support the delivery of this regionally significant project.

EQUIPPING OUR ADF PERSONNEL WITH GREATER CHOICE

A Shorten Labor Government will give our ADF members choice to select their issued boots for service – our ADF members aren’t one size fits all, and their boots shouldn’t be, either.
Our military personnel are our most critical ADF capability. It is vital they are well equipped to perform at their best and deliver on their mission.
ADF members work day in, day out, in their kit and, like us, our ADF personnel are not one-size fits all.
That’s why Labor will recognise the importance of our ADF personnel being fitted with a more individual approach.
Labor’s approach will see Defence provide a greater range of pre-approved boots to fit the needs of the ADF personnel and Defence’s requirements.
Labor will establish a panel of providers to let ADF members choose from a range of pre-approved boots that best meet their individual needs while also meeting the requirements of their service.
This will give members more choice and flexibility to suit their individual needs while maintaining ADF requirements.
The success of the ADF depends, in part, on the quality and appropriateness of personnel clothing and equipment.
Labor is committed to supporting the principle of greater choice for packs. We will work with experts in Government to determine the feasibility of expanding greater access to packs which suit both our ADF personnel and their operational requirements.
Our ADF personnel’s safety and wellbeing is a priority to Labor. That is why we are committed to ensuring our ADF members have the best possible equipment that meets their individual needs, ensures their physical health, and in turn produces better outcomes for the ADF.

LABOR WILL INVEST IN 100 EXTRA JOBS FOR CAIRNS

A Shorten Labor Government will create 100 permanent full time Department of Human Services jobs in Cairns.
These 100 new and secure jobs will inject up to $7.2 million into the local economy each and every year.
This announcement will further cement Cairns as a national hub for Commonwealth Government service delivery and administration.
It is a further example of Federal Labor’s commitment to the decentralisation of Commonwealth Government service delivery.
The 100 jobs will include local service delivery and call centre roles that will provide support for people across Australia.
Regional centres like Cairns have been ignored when it comes to decentralising Government service delivery.
The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government has turned its back on North Queensland, with a campaign of cuts to DHS and Centrelink that are leaving Cairns residents waiting longer to receive support.
Medicare and Centrelink services help the Cairns community when they need it the most – when people are sick, processing aged care pensions, child care support, disability support pensions and carers allowance payments.
These jobs will improve access to Medicare and Centrelink and reduce waiting and processing time for older Australians – important services that have been left to deteriorate under the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government.
Income support is complex and that’s why it is important there are properly trained and permanent staff who are familiar with the personal circumstances facing income support recipients.
There are 13,000 age pensioners in Cairns, who have endured lengthy phone wait times to Centrelink as well as lengthy wait times for their pensions to be approved. There are 1,700 young people on youth allowance, who are studying or undertaking an apprenticeship – all who will benefit from the increased support as a result of these jobs.
The truth is Centrelink is in crisis under the Turnbull Government. It’s under staffed and under resourced.
The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government has cut and outsourced over 1,700 staff from DHS and Centrelink and cut thousands of public sector jobs in regional Australia.
These cuts have coincided with increased Centrelink phone wait times, and income support recipients being pushed to the edge of poverty waiting months for their payments.
These roles will be permanent and full time, and staff will be properly trained to assist Australians on income support.
Labor can afford this because we have made the tough decisions to make multinationals pay their fair share of tax, close tax loopholes used by the top end of town.
We will also clamp down on blowouts in spending on contractors and consultants, and unnecessary and unreasonable travel.
Labor’s focused on Cairns jobs and Cairns services – we’re listening to the local community and making the investments needed to build a stronger local economy and create genuine job opportunities.

LABOR WILL INVEST IN 200 EXTRA JOBS FOR TOWNSVILLE

A Shorten Labor Government will create 200 permanent full time Department of Human Services jobs in Townsville.
These 200 new and secure jobs will inject up to $14.4 million into the local economy each and every year.
This announcement will further cement Townsville as a national hub for Commonwealth Government service delivery and administration.
It is a further example of Federal Labor’s commitment to the decentralisation of Commonwealth Government service delivery.
The 200 jobs will include local service delivery and call centre roles that will provide support for people across Australia.
Regional centres like Townsville have been ignored when it comes to decentralising Government service delivery.
The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government has turned its back on North Queensland, with a campaign of cuts to DHS and Centrelink that are leaving Townsville residents waiting longer to receive support.
Medicare and Centrelink services help the Townsville community when they need it the most – when people are sick, processing aged care pensions, child care support, disability support pensions and carers allowance payments.
These jobs will improve access to Medicare and Centrelink and reduce waiting and processing time for older Australians – important services that have been left to deteriorate under the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government.
Income support is complex and that’s why it is important there are properly trained and permanent staff who are familiar with the personal circumstances facing income support recipients.
There are 15,000 age pensioners in Townsville, who have endured lengthy phone wait times to Centrelink as well as lengthy wait times for their pensions to be approved. There are 2,700 young people on youth allowance, who are studying or undertaking an apprenticeship – all who will benefit from the increased support as a result of these jobs.
The truth is Centrelink is in crisis under the Turnbull Government. It’s under staffed and under resourced.
The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government has cut and outsourced over 2,700 staff from DHS and Centrelink and cut thousands of public sector jobs in regional Australia.
These cuts have coincided with increased Centrelink phone wait times, and income support recipients being pushed to the edge of poverty waiting months for their payments.
These roles will be permanent and full time, and staff will be properly trained to assist Australians on income support.
Labor can afford this because we have made the tough decisions to make multinationals pay their fair share of tax, close tax loopholes used by the top end of town.
We will also clamp down on blowouts in spending on contractors and consultants, and unnecessary and unreasonable travel.
Labor’s focused on Townsville jobs and Townsville services – we’re listening to the local community and making the investments needed to build a stronger local economy and create genuine job opportunities.

LABOR WILL INVEST IN A NEW ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE FOR PROSERPINE

A Shorten Labor Government will invest $5 million to rebuild the Proserpine Entertainment Centre – generating 43 local jobs in construction and giving the local community a vote of confidence in the future of their region.
The entertainment centre is a central part of the town’s identity, but it was badly damaged through Cyclone Debbie in 2017 and has been closed since, forcing events to relocate and limiting the region’s capacity to attract new events.
Rebuilding it is an integral step in helping the community’s ongoing recovery efforts, and to boost tourism and economic opportunities in the region – one of the most unique and beautiful parts of Australia.
Labor’s investment will go towards reconstruction of a new complex, including:

  • The capacity for a 300 seat auditorium for live shows and movies.
  • A conference and function space with a capacity for 256.
  • Full access for people with disability.
  • Enhanced facilities including green room, change rooms, loading dock and prop storage.

It’s estimated that some weeks more than 1,000 people will use the centre – providing an economic and social boost to Proserpine and the broader Whitsunday community.
A new entertainment centre would also provide a large air conditioned facility for local community groups to use, particularly local senior citizen groups.
During construction the project is forecast to have an economic output of $16.7 million and create 43 jobs during construction, and once fully operational it will generate an annual $3.3 million output and 16 fulltime equivalent jobs.
This investment is the result of the hard work and advocacy of Labor candidate Belinda Hassan – who has been listening to the local community about what they want for their region.
Residents in Proserpine and the Whitsundays have done the hard work to rebuild their community after Cyclone Debbie, and Labor’s investment will give them extra support in continuing these efforts.
This is a beautiful part of Queensland – it deserves a government in Canberra that listens and acts on the things that matter. That’s what Labor will do.

Free Higher Education Essential for Jobs of the Future

Australian Greens Senator for NSW and Education Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has said free higher education is the key to ensuring equitable access to jobs of the future. An Alphabeta ‘Future Skills Report’ has found that Australians will need new skills to adjust to the future of work and will need to spend an additional three hours a week in education and training and that the average Australian worker will likely change jobs 2.4 times over the next two decades.
Details of the Greens free higher education package for universities and TAFEs can be found here.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Technology is rapidly changing the way we work and learn. Students graduating today will be working in industries we haven’t even imagined yet. If we are to take advantage of automation and technological change, we need to ensure that people are able to retrain and re-skill without incurring crushing debts over and over again.
“Automation offers incredible opportunities but if we do not properly plan for it, we are open to the risk of leaving huge numbers of people behind. We know that learning, upskilling and reskilling are essential for workers to be able to thrive in the jobs of the future, particularly those whose industries will be disrupted by technology.
“Removing fees for higher education will mean people will be able to move seamlessly between jobs and careers without the threat of huge debts. It’s time to make education free again,” she concluded.

Research demonstrating marriage equality postal survey was harmful to LGBTIQ+ people not a surprise, Greens

New research showing the harm caused to LGBTIQ+ people by the marriage equality vote including elevated levels of depression, anxiety and stress, is not a surprise, say Greens.
“We all knew the postal survey was going to cause harm to LGBTIQ+ people – everyone from medical experts, mental health organisations, community groups and LGBTIQ+ people continuously warned against it,” said Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens LGBTIQ+ spokesperson.
“This research reiterates that we never should have had a public vote to determine something that we already knew – that the vast majority of Australians support marriage equality.”
“Instead of politicians doing the job we were elected to do, Malcolm Turnbull capitulated to the hard right of the Liberal party and put LGBTIQ+ communities through months of torment.”
“The postal survey legitimised homophobia and transphobia, it gave a platform to hateful views and speech that would normally not be acceptable in our community.”
“There must never again be a public vote on a matter of human rights.”
“I’m relieved that we finally achieved marriage equality, but LGBTIQ+ people remain under threat. The anti-LGBTIQ+ movement have now turned their attention to further entrenching discrimination in our schools.”
“Schools, indeed our society, must be discrimination-free zones for all LGBTIQ+ people.”