Two people have been issued Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) over alleged breaches of the Public Health Act in the Northern Beaches.
Just after 4pm yesterday (Sunday 20 December 2020), officers conducting patrols of Manly stopped a man and woman on East Esplanade.
The 60-year-old Padstow man and 39-year-old Bankstown woman did not have a lawful excuse or exemption for being in the Northern Beaches.
Both were issued an infringement notice for fail to comply with requirement of public health order – COVID-19. They were also directed to leave the area.
Officers continue to conduct patrols of the Northern Beaches area to enforce the Public Health Orders.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone with information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of COVID-19-related ministerial directions is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Tudge Shouldn’t Be A Minister, Let Alone Education Minister
Australian Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that Alan Tudge’s appointment as Education Minister is a disturbing development.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Anyone who a federal court judge has found to have acted criminally is not fit to be a minister of the government.
“It’s no surprise that this is the sort of ‘talent’ the Prime Minister wants to elevate in the government’s efforts to defund and privatise education.
“This disturbing appointment shows how little the government values the education system.
“While many educators will be glad to see the back of Dan Tehan, sadly his replacement is no better.
“What we need is a return to free and universal early learning, fully-funded public schools, well-funded and fee-free TAFEs and universities, and serious government commitment to a world-class education system to drive our rebuild after the pandemic,” she said.
Greens support findings and recommendations of majority report into Tobacco Harm Reduction
The Greens recognise the potential role of e-cigarettes in tobacco harm reduction but support a precautionary approach in the regulation of e-cigarettes.
The Greens support the recommendations of the majority Select Committee on Tobacco Harm Reduction report and have made some additional comments.
It is recognised that e-cigarettes can assist some to quit, but can also prolong smoking in others, and that further research of the benefits across a population, rather than on an individual-to-individual basis, is required.
The Greens share the view of many academics and public health officials that there is not enough evidence at a population level to claim that nicotine containing e-cigarettes have, on average, a positive benefit for all.
The Greens support calls to take a precautionary approach in the regulations of e-cigarettes to ensure we do not undo many years of outstanding public health campaigns to reduce the levels of tobacco smoking in Australia.
There remain deep concerns with the tobacco industry’s predatory tactics, particularly in encouraging and normalising vaping for young people and there are significant concerns about the active involvement of the big tobacco in the debate around regulatory reform of e-cigarettes in Australia.
It is very clear that e-cigarettes present an emerging market to the big tobacco industry, and subsequently they have an obvious interest in any regulatory reform that may restrict access and consumption.
The Greens support a prescription-based model for e-cigarettes containing nicotine until further research on the long-term impacts are completed.
The Greens recommend that GPs be urgently provided with opportunities to upskill in smoking cessation options, including the use of e-cigarettes, to ensure they are fully informed of all options when assisting patients.
The Australian Greens support the recommendations of the Majority Report and further recommend:
1. That any decision-making on e-cigarettes by the Australian Government be based on public health principles as part of a harm reduction approach, rather than commercial considerations.
2. The Australian Government continue to invest in evidence-based harm reduction strategies, incorporating new approaches as evidence of their long-term effectiveness becomes available.
3. Should the TGA recommend that nicotine containing e-cigarettes and nicotine liquids for use in e-cigarettes be available only via prescription, the Australian Government implement that decision and commit to reviewing that decision in two years’ time as more research and data becomes available.
4. GPs urgently upskill in smoking harm reduction and cessation options, including the use of nicotine containing e-cigarettes, to ensure they are fully informed of all options when assisting patients.
5. Prohibit the sale of nicotine containing e-cigarettes and nicotine liquids for use in e-cigarettes in convenience stores.
The full report can be found here.
MYEFO shows yet again that the Liberals are locking in inequality and damage from climate change, the Greens say.
“The economy continues to be underpinned by Government spending, with state governments’ investment in social housing and public transport responsible for a lot of the improved outlook,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“But wages growth has been revised down following the Government’s announcement that they will reduce public sector wage increases.”
“Unemployment, underemployment and insecure work will continue to be persistent problems.”
“Tax cuts are not going to save the Australian economy. Instead Australia needs to get on board a green recovery with government spending on clean energy.”
“The transition is happening around the world, whether the Liberals and their fossil fuel donors like it or not.”
“MYEFO also shows that coal is doomed economically, with falling global demand as the world moves away from fossil fuels at a much faster rate than Australia.”
“It beggars belief that the Liberals are throwing taxpayers money at opening up new gas fields without the consent of Traditional Owners, rather than investing in renewables and helping fossil fuel communities to transition.”
“A $50m subsidy to the fracking industry is simply a crime against our climate.”
Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said:
This is yet another opportunity squandered to do what is best for our community and the economy and put money in the hands of those who need it most.
People in our community are facing Christmas and the new year with a cut to their JobSeeker payment that is dropping people further below the poverty line.
This is cruel and it is not good economic management. There is no economic ‘recovery’ unless no one is left behind.
People on JobSeeker, including single parents, disabled people and older women are being ignored, left behind in this so-called economic recovery.
We urgently need a permanent increase to Jobseeker that is above the poverty line.
The Greens are extremely worried about the impact the uncertainty of the Jobseeker rate is having on the mental health of Australians with the Christmas and New Year periods already difficult for so many people.
Changes to Federal Liberal Ministry
Today I am announcing changes to my Ministry which I propose to recommend to the Governor-General. The decisions reflect a strong focus on stability in key portfolios, together with a commitment to bring forward new talent as Australia continues its comeback from the COVID-19 crisis.
Stability and consistency are key at this time.
Key portfolios geared to Australia’s prosperity and security remain unchanged. These include the Treasury, Finance, Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Home Affairs portfolios. The representation of the Nationals in the Ministry and associated portfolio responsibilities also remain unchanged under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, the Hon Michael McCormack MP. The Ministry maintains record representation of women in Cabinet.
Following the appointment of Simon Birmingham as Minister for Finance in October, the Hon Dan Tehan MP will become the new Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Dan brings strong credentials to this role as a former officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as a keen sense of the particular interests of regional Australia in an open, rules-based trading system.
The Aged Care portfolio will be brought into Cabinet with the Hon Greg Hunt MP as Minister for Health and Aged Care responsible for the Government’s response to the Aged Care Royal Commission. Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck will retain responsibility for aged care services, including delivery of residential and home care packages, aged care sector regulation and Senior Australians. He will also continue as Minister for Sport.
The Hon Alan Tudge MP will become Minister for Education and Youth with a clear brief of improving education outcomes and helping younger Australians navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world. In recognition of the importance the Government places on driving down unemployment, the Hon Luke Howarth MP will become Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services.
The Hon Paul Fletcher MP will take on responsibility for urban infrastructure as Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts.
The Hon David Coleman MP will become Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for mental health and suicide prevention, a critical focus of the Government only heightened by the expected legacy of COVID-19.
Strengthening the economic team and in recognition of the growing importance of digital technology to Australia’s economic future, Senator the Hon Jane Hume will join the Ministry and take on expanded responsibilities as Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy.
Building on the demonstrated success of the Government’s housing policies in maintaining construction jobs during the COVID pandemic, the Hon Michael Sukkar MP will have expanded responsibilities as Minister for Housing, Homelessness, Social and Community Housing.
To further drive Australia’s pursuit of new economic opportunities in a post-COVID economy, Senator the Hon Jonathon Duniam will become Assistant Minister for Industry Development.
The Hon Alex Hawke MP will become Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs. Australia has yet again proven in 2020 that we are the most successful multicultural nation in the world and my Government will make every effort to ensure our country remains cohesive and united into the future.
Senator the Hon Zed Seselja will become Minister for International Development and the Pacific. The Government’s demonstrated commitment to our Pacific family extends far beyond the Pacific ‘step up’ with our vaccine strategy expected to be a key part of building even closer ties in 2021.
As part of bringing new talent into the executive, I am delighted to announce that Senator the Hon Amanda Stoker will become Assistant Minister to the Attorney General.
The Hon Ben Morton MP will continue in his role as Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet and will add responsibilities as Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters.
I thank the Hon Steve Irons MP for his work and passion and appreciate his making way for Andrew Hastie MP to enter the executive and become Assistant Minister for Defence.
An updated Ministry list is available at https://www.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/ministry-list-proposed-20201218.pdf
Signage collaboration all about keeping our kids safe
Once again, City of Newcastle has teamed up with Little Blue Dinosaur to promote safety and reduce child pedestrian injuries and fatalities across the city.
Over the coming weeks, road users will start to notice unique signage at local beaches, parks and other popular spots which urge people to slow down and take care during the holiday season.
One location where the ‘Holiday Time; Slow Down, Kids Around’ signage has been installed is along Wharf Road, at Newcastle Harbour.
On Friday 18 December, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz visited the location of the sign and spoke about the importance of keeping our kids safe when they are out and about.
Founders of Little Blue Dinosaur Michelle and David McLaughlin tragically lost their son Tom at age four to a roadside accident on the Central Coast, and now work tirelessly with organisations like City of Newcastle to prevent further tragedies from occurring on our roads.
The signs are colourful and highly visible, and incorporate simple messaging reminding drivers to slow down, and children and families to take care as pedestrians. Newcastle will be a popular holiday destination over the coming weeks and months, so it is crucial we work together to ensure we have an incident-free Christmas period.
The Holiday Time; Slow Down, Kids Around campaign is supported by 65 councils across four states in Australia.
To read more about Michelle and David’s story, or the Little Blue Dinosaur Foundation, visit http://www.littlebluedinosaur.org
Choose your own journey through innovative new exhibition at Newcastle Museum
Visitors will be able to explore multiple truths in Newcastle Museum’s latest exhibition, 1X4, which turns the traditional museum experience on its head.
The innovative 1×4 exhibition was conceived by Newcastle Museum as a way of highlighting the role of curators and historians in shaping how we perceive the significance of things.
Newcastle Museum Director Julie Baird said visitors would be presented with four diverse “stories” for each object, reflecting a range of different but valid perspectives that can be used to interpret the displays.
Ms Baird said the radical concept could change the way museums create exhibitions and had already attracted state-wide and international interest. Even the way the stories are presented is different, on your own phone or device instead of labels on the walls.
“By using their own phones, visitors can read or listen to each object’s stories plus listen to its accompanying song, in an accessible and COVID Safe way, so when you come, don’t forget to bring your mobile or device,” Ms Baird said.
“1X4 breaks the power that museums have when they choose what to collect and how to interpret.
“An object as simple as a child’s dress can tell of the Baby Boom generation, the symbolism of the colour pink, an individual’s childhood or the science of the Nylon revolution.
“The exhibition begins as many conversations as it concludes, allowing visitors to enjoy deeper engagement and a more philosophical view on rare, beautiful and ordinary objects. We are hoping visitors leave the show and go home to explore the links, songs and stories more after the have visited in person.”
“While 1×4 is currently on exhibition at Newcastle Museum it will also travel to other local government-funded museums in NSW.
“The approach is considered so ground-breaking that local government funded museums in Canada have been in contact and are interested in creating their own version of the 1X4 concept.”
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the interest generated by the self-curated exhibition reflects the quality of exhibitions, collections and programming produced by the Museum.
“Newcastle Museum is on the cutting edge of contemporary museum practice, creating insightful and immersive ways to interpret and preserve our city’s fascinating history,” Cr Nelmes said.
“As a vibrant, award-winning cultural attraction, its collection and exhibitions also add to the rich diversity of experiences that help attract visitors to our city.”
Visitors will need to use a phone or device to experience the audio or written labels, links and songs for every object. 1×4 opens at the Museum tomorrow and will remain on display until May 31, with free entry. Visit the Newcastle Museum website for more information.
Newcastle Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm, and Mondays during NSW public and school holidays.
13 PINs issued to airline crew over Public Health Order breaches
Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued to 13 airline crew after they allegedly failed to comply with self-isolation ministerial directions.
Police received information a crew member who had arrived in Sydney on a flight from South America on Saturday 5 December 2020 had left his accommodation at Mascot in breach of the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order 2020.
As part of inquiries, officers from South Sydney Police Area Command attended the hotel about 9.30pm that day, before speaking with management and air crew members.
It will be alleged several crew members left the hotel and attended nearby businesses at Mascot.
Officers subsequently issued $1000 PINs to 13 crew members for not comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
MYEFO Report Response: Greens
MYEFO shows yet again that the Liberals are locking in inequality and damage from climate change, the Greens say.
“The economy continues to be underpinned by Government spending, with state governments’ investment in social housing and public transport responsible for a lot of the improved outlook,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“But wages growth has been revised down following the Government’s announcement that they will reduce public sector wage increases.”
“Unemployment, underemployment and insecure work will continue to be persistent problems.”
“Tax cuts are not going to save the Australian economy. Instead Australia needs to get on board a green recovery with government spending on clean energy.”
“The transition is happening around the world, whether the Liberals and their fossil fuel donors like it or not.”
“MYEFO also shows that coal is doomed economically, with falling global demand as the world moves away from fossil fuels at a much faster rate than Australia.”
“It beggars belief that the Liberals are throwing taxpayers money at opening up new gas fields without the consent of Traditional Owners, rather than investing in renewables and helping fossil fuel communities to transition.”
“A $50m subsidy to the fracking industry is simply a crime against our climate.”
Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said:
This is yet another opportunity squandered to do what is best for our community and the economy and put money in the hands of those who need it most.
People in our community are facing Christmas and the new year with a cut to their JobSeeker payment that is dropping people further below the poverty line.
This is cruel and it is not good economic management. There is no economic ‘recovery’ unless no one is left behind.
People on JobSeeker, including single parents, disabled people and older women are being ignored, left behind in this so-called economic recovery.
We urgently need a permanent increase to Jobseeker that is above the poverty line.
The Greens are extremely worried about the impact the uncertainty of the Jobseeker rate is having on the mental health of Australians with the Christmas and New Year periods already difficult for so many people.
$13.7 million to further strengthen integrity in Australian sport
The Australian Government is providing $13.7 million to boost the integrity of sport in Australia through additional funding for both the National Sports Tribunal and Sport Integrity Australia’s efforts to tackle escalating and rapidly evolving integrity risks – critically, including child safeguarding.
Minister for Youth and Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the commitment, announced as part of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), would strengthen the ability of sporting organisations in Australia to withstand these serious integrity threats.
“We are providing $10.1 million to Sport Integrity Australia to introduce an independent complaints handling process at all levels, from elite sports to the grassroots level,” Minister Colbeck said.
“This complaints handling process will be complemented by the independent dispute resolution mechanism provided by the National Sports Tribunal.
“This opt-in model will enhance the protections for Australian sport and the community against evolving integrity issues affecting sport domestically and abroad, including harassment, bullying and child abuse, illicit drugs, manipulating outcomes and code of conduct issues.
“This is an important measure to ensure a high level of independence if and when an inquiry is sought. We know how important that can be and will ensure sporting bodies do not become a law unto themselves.
“The Australian Government has developed its National Integrity Framework covering Australia’s 98 National Sporting Organisations. This investment in Sport Integrity Australia and the National Sports Tribunal underpins the implementation of this framework and continues the work towards a stronger and fairer sporting sector across Australia.
“Australians should have confidence in the integrity of sport at all levels. They should have confidence that integrity matters will be handled both independently and fairly. This program is designed to help sports meet those expectations.”
From January 2021, Sport Integrity Australia will commence implementation of an independent and cost-effective assessment and treatment model for integrity complaints to be operational in March 2021. The funding will also support expanded education and awareness work, policy development, co-ordination, and compliance programs.
The National Sports Tribunal (NST) will also receive $3.6 million to extend its pilot program for a further 12 months, until 18 March 2023, following the significant disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NST offers national level sporting bodies and their participants an opportunity to resolve disputes efficiently and affordably, including through mediation, arbitration, conciliation and case appraisal.
Minister Colbeck said the NST would be supported to deal with and complete valid applications made to up until 18 March 2023.
“The Australian Government wants the NST to continue to deliver faster, more cost-effective, independent and transparent sports dispute resolution services,” Minister Colbeck said.
“This will be particularly important to ensure that disputes that arise under the new National Integrity Framework can be resolved independently and fairly, so that sports, their participants and the Australian community can have confidence in the outcomes.
“We anticipate Australia’s peak sporting bodies, such as the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia and Commonwealth Games Australia, will be able to utilise the NST for major future events such as the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
More information about the 2020-21 MYEFO statement is available online: www.budget.gov.au