February 2025 – Page 2

Universities thinly veiled attempt to shut down criticism of Israel is nothing short of shameful

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for Higher Education Senator Mehreen Faruqi has slammed universities for trying to shut down criticism of Israel by adopting a definition of anti-semitism that has been called “dangerous, politicised and unworkable” by the Jewish Council of Australia.

o Senator Faruqi:

“Shamefully, universities have betrayed their students, their staff and their reputation by shutting down free speech and criticism of Israel. They are weaponising anti-semitism to sanitise campuses of anyone who speaks up for Palestinian human rights or against Israel’s genocide and occupation.

“I’ve taught in universities for more than a decade, and I’ve never been more ashamed of how far the academic integrity of universities has fallen. Universities should be spaces for critical thought, open debate, and intellectual diversity, not for political censorship.

“By adopting a definition of anti-Semitism that threatens academic freedom, silences Palestinian voices, and prevents legitimate criticism of Israel, they have failed their staff, students, and the very mission of higher education.

“Universities have shown utter cowardice in succumbing to conservative political forces and the Murdoch media, rather than standing up and defending political debate. They are also taking advantage of this political moment to silence legitimate criticism of their partnerships with companies complicit in genocide.

“Universities should be politically active places encouraging critical thinking and debate not quashing it with dangerous censorship. This is all embarrassing and galling at the same time.”

Boosting Australia’s economic ties with India

The Albanese Government has today launched A New Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India, to maximise Australia’s trade opportunities, benefit our businesses and consumers, secure our supply chains, and create jobs.

India’s economy is on track to be the world’s third largest by 2030, and Australia is working to realise the enormous trade and investment opportunities that come with this.

The Roadmap sets out a pathway to focus our ongoing efforts, including to boost two-way investment, and work with Indian-Australian communities and businesses. It identifies four ‘superhighways of growth’ in sectors where we have natural strengths and a competitive edge: clean energy, education and skills, agribusiness, and tourism.

It also identifies nearly 50 specific opportunities to focus and accelerate our engagement across fields such as defence industries, sports, culture, space, and technology.

To help kick start this ambitious plan, we are investing $16 million for a Australia-India Trade and Investment Accelerator Fund, which will help Australian business unlock new commercial opportunities in India.

We are also investing an extra $4 million for our Maitri (‘friendship’) Grants program, enhancing our people-to-people, business-to-business and cultural links.

Our free trade agreement with India, has saved Australian businesses hundreds of millions of dollars and is on track to save exporters around $2 billion in tariffs by the end of the year.

The savings are having a direct impact for Australians, reducing costs at the checkout and creating local jobs.

Australia continues to make progress in its negotiations with India on a new free trade agreement, which will unlock even more trade opportunities for Australian business.

The Roadmap is informed by over 400 consultations across every state and territory, as well as in India.

Imagery will be available from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Media Library, and a live stream of remarks on Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Youtube channel.

the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“India is an essential partner as we diversify our trade links to boost prosperity for all Australians.
“This Roadmap is critical to helping us fully realise our potential with India, which will be a boon to Australia’s economy, our businesses and jobs, and our prosperity”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong:

“Growing Australia’s economic security and diversifying our partnerships is a key element of our statecraft and central to our national interest.
“By boosting our economic ties with India, we are not only creating more jobs and opportunities for Australians, we are advancing our shared interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific”

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Don Farrell:

“Australia has a rich and diverse Indian community, with strong personal and economic ties.
“The potential of our relationship with India is almost unmatched, opening a fast growing market of over 1.4 billion people.
“The Roadmap, the result of significant consultation with businesses and the community, offers a blueprint for Australian businesses to seize this extraordinary opportunity”

Stronger regulations needed in private education sector

The ACT Greens have called on the ACT Government to step up their support for the Brindabella Christian College community as students, parents, teachers and staff are being left in the dark about the future of the school.

“We are alarmed that a rogue private operator has been allowed to descend into this level of turmoil without stronger, swifter government intervention,” said Laura Nuttall MLA, ACT Greens spokesperson for education.

On Sunday it was revealed that many staff at Brindabella Christian College had not been paid their salaries this week, as the future of the school remains in doubt. The school also owes money to staff in superannuation and over $8 million to the Australian Taxation Office.

“Hundreds of students, parents, teachers and staff are rightly concerned about the school’s future, and the subsequent impact on educational outcomes for students and employment security for staff.

“We’ve spoken to many families, including those involved in the group Reform BCC who are invested in the future of the school and they are rightly disappointed with the Government’s lack of action.

“The ACT Government has an obligation to ensure that every child in the ACT has access to a good education. There must be greater protections in place to ensure that an independent operator cannot get to this point.

“The ACT Greens are urging the ACT Government to take every action they can to support the school community. The ACT Government should seriously look into the feasibility of bringing Brindabella Christian College into public administration in the short term, if that’s what it takes to provide certainty for the BCC community.

“What we have witnessed is the failure of our current regulatory systems to intervene before a school reaches an inevitable crisis point. The regulatory action available to government has not been sufficient to ensure students and staff can confidently return to a safe, well-supported learning environment or, in the latter case, be paid their due salary during a cost of living crisis.

“This is not the first time government has been unable to act swiftly in the face of uncertain conditions for students or delayed payments for staff in a private institution.

“Both the ACT and Commonwealth Governments’ inability to intervene before the majority of staff at Gowrie Genius Childcare resigned over unpaid super and adverse working conditions earlier this year demonstrates that we do not have strong enough regulatory settings for independent education providers.

“The ACT Government needs to enact better legislative safeguards to ensure it is never again in a position where it cannot act swiftly to support student and staff wellbeing.

“The ACT Greens will always advocate for a strong education sector and where this is private it must have sufficient safeguards for the good of students, educators and parents,” said Miss Nuttall.

The Coalition will invest $9 Billion into Medicare

An elected Dutton Coalition Government will invest an historic $9 billion into Medicare to fix Labor’s healthcare crisis and ensure all Australians have timely and affordable access to a doctor.

Under Labor’s bulk billing crisis, it has never been harder and more expensive to see a doctor. Australians are now paying 45 per cent more to see their GP, as bulk billing has collapsed from 88 per cent under the Coalition, to 77 per cent under Anthony Albanese.

This has had a serious impact on Australians’ access to healthcare at a time when they can least afford it. Last financial year alone saw 40 million fewer bulk billed GP visits under Labor, in comparison to the Coalition’s last year in government.

This crisis has forced 1.5 million Australians to avoid seeing a doctor in 2023-24, adding further demand to already under-pressure hospitals across the country.

The Coalition recognises the urgent need for better access to bulk billed services in the middle of Labor’s healthcare crisis.

That is why a Dutton Coalition Government will match the $8.5 billion investment into Medicare dollar-for-dollar to fix Labor’s mess and restore bulk billing back up to Coalition levels.

This investment builds on the $500 million commitment already announced by the Coalition to restore critical Medicare funding for mental health support, after it was slashed in half by the Albanese Government. We continue to call on Labor to match this funding and support vulnerable Australians with more complex or chronic mental health conditions.

The Coalition welcomes the Government’s decision to finally listen to our calls to address the health workforce crisis with a comprehensive package of training measures. The Coalition led the way with our $400 million plan to grow a strong pipeline of homegrown GPs, which will provide junior doctors who choose to train as a GP in the community with financial incentives, assistance with leave entitlements and training support, to help fill the shortages in our suburbs and regional areas.

In Government, the Coalition increased hospital funding by 16 per cent and established the now $22 billion Medical Research Future Fund which has delivered cutting edge research, medical breakthroughs and advancements for all Australians.

The Coalition supported the additional $1.7 billion in funding for the public hospital system, because we know that Labor’s primary care crisis is putting unprecedented pressure on our hospitals.

The Coalition has a strong record on health.

Without sound and prudent economic management – something Labor is incapable of – investments like this cannot be delivered. Only the Coalition can guarantee a strong economy to deliver better healthcare.

Fixing Labor’s health care crisis and bulk billing crisis is all part of our plan to get our country back on track.

Newcastle City Council appoints new Directors to Airport Boards

Newcastle City Council has appointed Deputy Lord Mayor Callum Pull to the Boards of Newcastle Airport.

The Council also reappointed City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath to the Airport Boards, following his initial appointment in 2017.

In October last year City of Newcastle staff had recommended that Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge be appointed to the role of ‘Nominee Director’ of the Airport Boards, however he subsequently declared a significant conflict of interest in relation to matters involving the Airport, due to the employment of his son in a senior executive role at Qantas.

The Council subsequently resolved that a merit-based process be followed to determine who would represent the Council on the Boards of Newcastle Airport, which are 100 per cent owned by Newcastle City Council and Port Stephens Councils.

The Council also resolved that Councillors Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk and Jenny Barrie should be appointed to Airport-related companies known as Newcastle Airport Companies 1 and 2, which are the trustees for the Council’s 50 per cent shareholding of the Airport.

Deputy Lord Mayor Pull said he was deeply honoured to have received Council’s endorsement to join the Airport Board.

“The Airport is a key driver for economic growth – an important asset for not just Newcastle but the entire Hunter region,” Cr Pull said.

“I will be joining the board during a time of enormous change, and in a big leap forward.

“The international terminal is on its way, and we are seeing manufacturing returning to the Hunter through the Airport’s investment in the defence sector.

“The changes happening at Newcastle Airport are critical to our growing and changing regional economy.

“My focus will be on delivering more opportunities and better services for travellers, the business community and ensuring the best possible value for ratepayers.

“As part of this new role I will be advocating for important Government investment, to unlock these economic opportunities for our region.”

Councillor Jenny Barrie said she was excited by the opportunity to join the Board of one of the four companies that act as trustees of the Airport (Newcastle Airport Company 2).

“I’ve been a councillor for close on four years. In many ways being a councillor is similar to being a company director. We provide support and direction to the CEO and Executive staff, we are asked to approve annual budgets worth hundreds of millions of dollars, we award contracts worth tens of millions of dollars, and we advocate to the state and federal governments to support Newcastle and the Hunter,” Cr Barrie said.

“Newcastle Airport is one of our true regional assets. It bears the name of Newcastle but it’s something that represents the region.

“I remember when it was little more than a tin shed flying to just a handful of destinations. Today it flies to 11 destinations and in just a few months it will open a new terminal capable of receiving international flights.

“We know that the average international tourist spends almost $200 per day when they visit Newcastle. This is money that will overwhelmingly end up in the pockets of local cafes, restaurants and hotels.”

Councillor Dr Elizabeth Adamczyk said she appreciated the vote of confidence by the Council in appointing her to Newcastle Airport Company 1.

“As a proud Novocastrian I have watched the evolution of Newcastle Airport from a small regional facility to a global gateway, establishing a unique role as integral community infrastructure,” Cr Adamczyk said.

“Securing international flights to Newcastle will enable accessibility to services, education, trade, and knowledge that will help to further support the social and economic potential of our region, and generate more than 700 new jobs for our community.

“I know the Airport is also currently advocating to our Federal Government for a Regional International Air Cargo Facility. By unlocking the region’s economic potential and opening the region’s manufacturing industries to the world, this will create a further 100 local jobs, and boost our regional economy by $6.5 billion annually.”

“As one of only two airports in Australia to have attained Level 4 Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) from Airports Council International, Newcastle Airport has created a real point of difference with its environmental leadership, which speaks to its management.

“I’ll continue to ensure our Airport remains at the forefront of environmental sustainability in its operations and future development.”

City of Newcastle Executive Director City Infrastructure Clint Thomson said he was looking forward to the opportunity to join the Boards of the Airport trustee companies.

“With more than 25 years of engineering and infrastructure experience between Hunter Water Corporation and the Australian Defence Force, including a term as a Non-Executive Director on the Dial Before You Dig NSW/ACT Board, I feel well prepared to assist the Airport to reach its potential,” Mr Thomson said.

City of Newcastle Jeremy Bath said the next 10 years will arguably be a turning point in the Airport’s size and contribution to the regional economy.

“When I was first appointed to the Board of Newcastle Airport in 2017, the Airport was valued at $103 million. Today it is worth more than $430 million,” Mr Bath said.

“With the international terminal nearing completion and the development of its property arm well underway, the next valuation of the Airport will undoubtedly confirm an asset worth more than half a billion dollars.

“I am excited by the opportunity to work with Councillors Pull, Barrie and Adamczyk as well as Executive Director Thomson. I know they are up for the challenge of the added workload that comes with the appointment to the Airport Boards and related companies.”

Former Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes who resigned from Newcastle City Council last month, indicated to the Council in October 2024 she would be resigning from her role as a Director of the Airport Boards. This resignation enables the appointment of new nominee director Cr Callum Pull.

City of Newcastle shines a light on seniors for statewide festival

Newcastle high school students will be talking tech with seniors as part of an intergenerational IT lesson being rolled out at Newcastle Museum next week during the NSW Seniors Festival.

The digital-focused “lunch and learn”, designed to help seniors become more confident using their devices, is among 50 events and activities being delivered by City of Newcastle and local community organisations as part of the state-wide celebrations, which run from 3 to 16 March.

Seniors will receive tech advice from their intergenerational peers as part of Seniors Festival activities in Newcastle. Chair of the Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee Cr Jenny Barrie said City of Newcastle is committed to fostering inclusivity and connection through the comprehensive local program for the NSW Seniors Festival, which this year is themed “Time to Shine”.

“From accessible fitness activities like chair yoga to woodworking or garden tool repair workshops, there is something for seniors to engage, connect with, and discover new passions,” Cr Barrie said.

“City of Newcastle is proud to collaborate with leading community organisations for this inclusive celebration, fostering community connections, promoting health and wellbeing, and honouring the invaluable knowledge and experience seniors bring to our city.”

The program will kick off with a buzz of activity at the free Seniors Festival Expo on 4 March at McDonald Jones Stadium, featuring live music, interactive demonstrations and up to 50 exhibitors with a range of City of Newcastle services and facilities represented.

The Hamilton clocktower building on Beaumont Street has become a vibrant one-stop hub of information, inspiration and interaction in the lead up to and during the festival, after being temporarily transformed into Shine Central by Hunter Ageing Alliance. The space will host a series of seniors-friendly events during the festival.

Other festival events include art talks from Newcastle Art Gallery staff, and a special dementia-friendly reminiscence program at Newcastle Museum with a performance from City of Newcastle’s Community Group of the Year, The Unforgettables Choir.

Newcastle Libraries will host a range of community sessions, featuring lantern-making workshops, expert-led discussions from Hearing Australia, and informative sessions on fall prevention and stroke awareness.

The festival is curated by the City of Newcastle, alongside the Newcastle Seniors Reference Group. For more information and the full program of events on CN’s website at https://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/community/our-community/seniors/seniors-festival-2025

Consumer warning as NSW Fair Trading odometer tampering crackdown fines 28 sellers in one month

Used-car buyers are being urged to check a vehicle’s history before purchase after NSW Fair Trading issued 28 fines in a month and a man was sentenced to a nine-month intensive corrections order for unlicensed motor dealing and odometer tampering.

During the crackdown, NSW Fair Trading issued 54 penalty notices in relation to car sales and repairs valued at more than $100,000. While more than half were for odometer interference, other offences included the non-supply of goods and services, and unlicensed vehicles and sales.

Additionally, Andrew Rodney Leech pled guilty to operating without a motor dealer’s licence and odometer tampering. Between 2020 and 2022 Leech sold 16 vehicles while unlicensed, online with one car having an odometer that had been wound back by more than 200,000 kilometres.

Buyers of used vehicles are being urged to research the car’s history to ensure it has no outstanding finance, has not been written off in a crash, and has accurate odometer readings.

The NSW Government offers a free vehicle registration check where prospective buyers have access to a NSW-registered vehicle’s previous three annual odometer readings, as well as basic details like vehicle make, registration and insurance history.

Across the motor vehicle industry in 2024, NSW Fair Trading took disciplinary action against 21 licensed motor vehicle dealers and repairers, resulting in 10 licence cancellations, 13 disqualifications including three permanent, and one suspension.

For more information on consumer protections relating to purchasing a used vehicle visit the NSW Fair Trading website.

To check registration, including odometer reading visit the website of Service NSW or the Service NSW App.

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Odometer tampering is used by unscrupulous sellers to increase the value of a vehicle leaving the buyer with a vehicle which is not in the condition advertised, and likely to require repairs at cost and inconvenience to the buyer.

“Sellers of used cars who reduce the number of kilometres displayed on the vehicle can be fined $1,100 per offence, and if taken to court can receive a penalty of up to $55,000 per offence.

“Any buyer of a used car from any source, whether that be online like Facebook Marketplace or through a licenced car dealer, should do their homework including visiting the Service NSW website to run a free history check on the car they wish to purchase.”

Shannon Durrant appointed to Harness Racing NSW Board

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris has announced the appointment of Shannon Durrant to the Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) Board.

Ms Durrant brings extensive expertise in compliance, audit and risk management, with senior leadership experience in the financial services sector. She is currently the Group Chief Risk Officer at Grimsey Wealth and has previously held key roles at Colonial First State and AMP.

Alongside her corporate background, Ms Durrant is deeply engaged in equine sports. She serves as a Director and Company Secretary of Riding for the Disabled Association Australia and is a former Director of Pony Club Australia.

Ms Durrant has been appointed for a four-year term, until February 2029, following a merit-based selection process.

Her appointment replaces Peter Nugent, who is voluntarily departing the board after serving two four-year tenures.

HRNSW is the independent body responsible for the governance, regulation and development of harness racing in NSW. Ms Durrant’s appointment reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to strong leadership and strategic oversight in the industry.

For more information about HRNSW and the full list of Board members, visit the HRNSW website: https://www.hrnsw.com.au/hrnsw/about-us/board

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“Harness racing plays an important role in communities across NSW, supporting jobs, entertainment and our regional economy. This is particularly highlighted with the Carnival of Cups series currently showcasing the sport across our state.

“Shannon Durrant is highly respected in her field, and her expertise in risk management and compliance, combined with her passion for equine sports, makes her an outstanding addition to the Harness Racing NSW Board.

“Her leadership will help strengthen governance, assist growth and ensure the ongoing integrity of the industry.

“I would like to acknowledge the contributions of outgoing Board member Peter Nugent over the past eight years and thank him for his dedicated service to the industry.”

Busiest hospitals in Australia reducing wait times

Some of the busiest hospitals in Australia have significantly reduced the time people are waiting for treatment to commence in emergency departments.

Liverpool ED – which receives more than 90,000 presentations each year – has halved average time to treatment for triage 2 emergency patients, from 18 minutes to 9 minutes over the past year.

Westmead ED – which receives close to 80,000 presentations each year – has reduced average time to treatment for triage 2 emergency patients by over a third, from 15 minutes to 9 minutes.

Nepean ED – which receives close to 90,000 presentations each year – has seen the percentage of patients transferred from paramedics to ED staff on time increase from 65.1 per cent to 82.2 per cent. This figure also indicates significant a improvement to ambulance access at the hospital.

Triage 2 emergency cases are categorised as people with an imminently life-threatening condition.

People in this category could be suffering from chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke, or severe fractures.

Meanwhile, Gosford ED – which receives almost 80,000 presentations each year – has seen a reduction in wait times for non-urgent conditions from 86 minutes to 72 minutes.

It follows the Minns Labor Government’s investment of half a billion dollars to relieve pressure on NSW EDs – designed to create more pathways to care outside the hospital, as well as improve patient flow inside the hospital – which includes:

$171.4 million to introduce three additional virtual care services helping 180,000 avoid a trip to the ED;
$100 million to back in our urgent care services to become a mainstay and key instrument of the health system in providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients;
$70 million to expand ED short stay units to improve patient flow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours;
$15.1 million for an Ambulance Matrix that provides real time hospital data to enable paramedics to transport patients to emergency departments with greater capacity and reducing wait times;
$31.4 million to increase Hospital in the Home across the state allowing over 3,500 additional patients each year to be cared for in their home rather than a hospital bed; and
$53.9 million to improve patient flow and support discharge planning by identified patients early on that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“I don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves because these figures while encouraging, will fluctuate.

“Our EDs continue to grapple with record pressure and demand, and we mustn’t forget that.

“These reduced wait times are a testament to the hard working health staff in some of the busiest hospitals in one of the busiest health systems in the world.

“I want to remind people who struggle to find a GP, you can ring HealthDirect on 1800 022 222 where you will speak with a registered nurse who can direct you to an urgent care service or clinic.

“It’s free and it could save you waiting unnecessarily in an ED.”

Housing Delivery Authority fast tracks 18 projects as State Significant Developments

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces has declared a further 18 housing proposals State Significant Developments (SSDs) following the second round of recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority.

The new housing proposals, if approved, could deliver more than 8600 much-needed new homes.

At its first two meetings, the authority has declared 29 proposals with more than 15,000 potential homes as state significant.

The Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) has been established by the Minns Labor Government with a strong mandate to speed up assessment timeframes.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.

The HDA is now accepting expressions of interest for major residential developments above $60 million in metropolitan areas and $30 million in regional NSW.

To date, the authority has received over 200 expressions of interest since it first invited proposals in January 2025. At its latest meeting, a further 39 proposals were examined.

The authority is prioritising high-quality housing projects with detailed plans that can be submitted within nine months and can begin construction within 12 months of approval.

All proposals declared as an SSD will have their development applications assessed by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

Without needing to be approved by councils, this can cut approval times and speed up the delivery of new homes.

These complex proposals often require greater resources and planning capabilities and as a result, the projects can get stuck in council planning systems for years.

The HDA offers proponents a new State Significant Development pathway, with the option of concurrent rezoning and assessment.

The SSD applications will be publicly exhibited before they are determined, and the planning department will seek input from councils.

The HDA builds on the Minns Government’s recent reforms to the planning system to speed up the delivery of more homes, including:

The development of the NSW Pattern Book and accelerated planning pathway for those who use the pre-approved patterns.
The largest rezoning in NSW history around transport hubs.
The largest ever investment in the delivery of social and affordable housing in NSW.
$200 million in financial incentives for councils that meet the new expectations for development applications, planning proposals and strategic planning.
$450 million to build new apartments for essential workers including nurses, paramedics, teachers, allied health care workers, police officers and firefighters.

Once a project has been declared SSD, the proponent will be issued Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEAR). Proponents then have nine months to prepare their Environmental Impact Statement or the SEARs will be revoked.

Clear advice and guidance will be provided to all applicants by the department on the next steps to take with their development proposal. This advice includes an alternative planning pathway for major housing projects that may require a concurrent rezoning but do not satisfy the criteria of the HDA pathway.

Recommendations from the HDA are published as required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 before the SSD declaration. For more information visit the Housing Delivery Authority webpage.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“We are fast-tracking quality housing proposals to help deliver homes our state desperately needs.

“These major projects could deliver thousands of homes for young people, families and workers.

“The Housing Delivery Authority is a major change that is already making it easier and faster to get started.

“Without our changes to increase housing supply, Sydney risks becoming a city without a future because it’s simply too expensive to put a roof over your head.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Minns Labor Government established the HDA to reduce the time it takes for proposals to progress through a planning pathway, and it is pleasing to see the that the first two HDA meetings have delivered quality proposals that will now develop detailed proposals.

“So far, 29 proposals amounting to more than 15,000 potential homes have been declared state significant.

“The quality of proposals recommended to me by the HDA shows that developers are hearing the message, we’re looking for major housing developments that can get out of the ground quickly.”