June 2025 – Page 18

Tunnel boring machines relaunch to construct Victoria’s longest road tunnels

The Australian and Victorian Governments’ North East Link project continues to forge ahead with two massive Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) relaunching from Lower Plenty Road to continue their journey towards Bulleen.

Earlier this year, TBMs Gillian and Zelda both broke through the earth into a 30 metre deep box at Lower Plenty Road, which will soon create a vital interchange point for the North East Link project.

Recently, the TBMs also relaunched to excavate the remaining stretch of the 6.5 kilometre tunnels to Bulleen to build Victoria’s longest road tunnels.

The TBMs are 15.6 metres in diameter and 90 metres long, and have each travelled 1.6 kilometres – or about 40 per cent of their total journey – collectively installing more than 16,000 concrete segments that were made locally in Benalla.

Construction will continue at the Lower Plenty Road site to build the entry and exit ramps to the tunnels.

Space equivalent to five MCGs will be developed into the new Borlase Reserve parklands along Banyule Creek, returning green space to the community.

Major upgrades along the Eastern Freeway and the M80 Ring Road are ongoing, with foundation structures being built to connect the freeways to the tunnels.

Crews also continue works to realign Bulleen Road onto its permanent alignment, with these works expected to be completed later this year.

More than 8,000 people are currently working across the North East Link project, with 10 per cent of work hours being delivered by apprentices, trainees and cadets.

The project is set to create more than 12,000 jobs in total.

The North East Link tunnels, M80 Ring Road Completion and Eastern Freeway Upgrades are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments and will be complete in 2028.

The project is expected to slash travel times by up to 35 minutes, and take 15,000 trucks off local roads.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“This is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Victoria’s history – creating thousands of jobs and transforming the way people move across Melbourne.

“Infrastructure projects like this help people to move more quickly and more safely around their communities, reducing commute times and reducing traffic on local roads.”

Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan

“This project has been talked about for 60 years – we’re getting on and building this missing link to get families home sooner and trucks off local roads.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King

“This project will change the way people move through the North East of Melbourne, supporting the efficient flow of freight and ensuring that journeys are faster and safer for commuters.”

Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams

“The North East Link will slash travel times by up to 35 minutes and take 15,000 trucks off local roads every day.”

Thousands descend on Sydney for 2025 Senior State Titles

This weekend more than 220 teams and thousands of passionate players, coaches, officials and supporters will descend on Camden and Campbelltown for one of the largest community sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere – the 2025 HART Senior State Titles.

At its heart, the Senior State Titles is more than a competition – it’s a celebration of spirit and resilience. Associations from across NSW bring their finest 15s, 17s and Opens players to vie for pride and points in what many describe as “the annual derby” of community netball.

“It’s an incredible display of not only competition, of agility, of skills, but also of wonderful spirit,” said Sallianne Faulkner, Chair of Netball NSW. “Players wear their association colours with pride. They’ve trained hard all season, played local carnivals, and now take the stage to test themselves against the best.”

The HART Senior State Titles is a flagship event within the Netball NSW pathway. The three-day tournament showcases the strength of grassroots netball, with players from across the state coming together to play the game they love – many representing their associations for the very first time at this level. The event is an opportunity for emerging athletes to be talented identified for the Netball NSW pathway.

“Our high-level netballers have put in a significant amount of training in the lead-up to this event. The State Titles are a pivotal part of the journey,” Faulkner added. “It’s a moment where grassroots meets greatness – and we’re proud of how our pathways support that.”

Also taking centre stage at the 2025 HART Senior State Titles is the Male Open divisions, showcasing the growth of male athletes within the netball community. In addition, six Male 17U teams and five All Abilities teams will compete in their State Challenge – a powerful reminder of netball’s commitment to inclusion, where players of all abilities can shine on the same stage.

A beloved feature of the event is “Tent City” – a temporary village of marquees where teams set up camp between matches.

“Tent City becomes the homes of all of these teams,” said Faulkner. “Whilst they’re competitive on the court, back in the tents they mix, laugh, and bond. It’s an amazing way to meet like-minded people from all over the state – and for many, friendships that start here last a lifetime.”

The off-court experience is just as vibrant. With sausage sizzles, lollies, merchandise stalls and even parents in costume, the atmosphere is equal parts sporting contest and community carnival.

“This netball facility becomes a little town over the weekend,” Faulkner smiled. “There are incredible volunteers running food outlets and cheering louder than anyone. Last year, I had a photo with a group of dads in fancy dress supporting their daughters – it’s that kind of energy that makes the State Titles so special.”

The Senior State Titles mark the first of Netball NSW’s two major representative weekends each year, with Junior State Titles to follow in July – a testament to the sport’s enormous footprint and inclusive spirit across New South Wales.

“About 4,000 participants, families and visitors swell the local area. That’s really valuable not just for the economy, but for our whole netball ecosystem,” Faulkner said. “It showcases what netball is all about – connection, community, and courage.”

The 2025 HART Senior State Titles will be held across venues in Campbelltown and Camden from Saturday 7 to Monday 9 June. Entry is free and spectators are encouraged to come and experience one of Australia’s most vibrant community sporting events.

Raising the rate crucial to tackling violence against women

The Australian Greens have urged the Albanese Government to urgently lift income support recipients out of poverty and put an end to the punitive ‘mutual’ obligations program.

Re-appointed Greens Social Services spokesperson Senator Penny Allman-Payne urged the government to prioritise raising the rate of income support, given the focus on domestic violence prevention by Minister Tanya Plibersek.

As Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody has said: “Raising JobSeeker and related payments to liveable levels in the federal budget would help lift about half a million women out of poverty. Bolstering women’s economic security is crucial to giving them the means to leave and remain free of violence.”

Australian Greens spokesperson for Social Services, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“Raising the rate of income support is a moral, economic and social necessity. Every day that the rate is not raised is another day of unconscionable suffering for those below the poverty line.

“Minister Plibersek has said that she wants to focus on women and reducing domestic violence while she holds the portfolio of social services. If that is true, nothing would improve women’s safety and security more than raising the rate of income support above the poverty line.

“Labor’s own economic advisory committee has called on them to raise the rate. Labor knows this is the right thing to do. Any politician who thinks the current rate is adequate should try to pay rent, eat, and generally survive on $20,000 per year.

“I also strongly urge the Government to end the brutal and wasteful mutual obligations system.

“Australia’s current system of privatised employment services and mutual obligations is a labyrinthine system of ticket clippers, including donors to the Labor party. It’s preposterous and it needs to come to an end.

“The minister could switch off the mutual obligations meat grinder with a snap of her fingers. I’d strongly encourage her to do so.”

Queensland Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne was reappointed to the following portfolios:

Primary & Secondary Education
Social Services (incl. Government Services & Employment Services)
Older Australians
Transition, Regional Development & Northern Australia
Sport

Labor’s Aged Care Act deferral a brief reprieve for older people who will be forced to pay more

The Greens have cautiously welcomed the deferral of the major parties’ Aged Care Act to 1 November, which will provide a brief reprieve for older people facing increased fees to access aged care.

Labor previously joined forces with the Coalition to block Greens amendments that would have stopped older people being slugged more for their care and created criminal penalties for bad providers, a reform Labor promised before the 2022 election.

Greens spokesperson on Older People, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:

“There are serious questions for the new minister to answer, including how much more older people are going to have to pay for aged care?

“Costs are going to go up for older people because of these changes, and while a deferral is welcome, we need to see a plan from the Minister to protect older people – because right now, there is none.

“Under the reforms passed by Labor and the Coalition, many older people will now be required to pay more without any enforceable rights to quality care.

“The Royal Commission offered a blueprint to reform a broken aged care system by putting the rights of older people at its heart, but Labor instead teamed up with the Coalition and the for-profit aged care industry to pass new laws that will bolster the bottom lines of providers at the expense of older Australians.

“Despite all of the shocking witness testimony about the appalling treatment many older people have suffered in this broken market-based system, Labor is simply doubling down.

“If greater reliance on a user-pays model is the answer, then we’re asking the wrong questions. Older people aren’t commodities. It should be an obligation of any moral society for the Government to guarantee high-quality care for all.

“The Greens will continue to push for a phasing out of for-profit providers and for an aged care system that puts the rights of older people first.”

GREENS SLAM STATE LABOR GOVERNMENT FOR LEAVING CRISIS UNITS EMPTY AMID FAMILY VIOLENCE CRISIS

The Victorian Greens have condemned the Labor Government for failing to fund the operation of 28 high-security crisis units for women and children fleeing family violence – leaving them empty during a worsening housing and domestic violence crisis.

Despite $7.8 million in federal funding for construction, the State Labor Government refused to provide the $3.9 million needed to run the units in 2025–26. The Sanctuary model, run by Safe Steps, has a 98% success rate and saves the state money compared to using motels.

Victorian Greens spokesperson for Family and Domestic Violence, Anasina Gray-Barberio:

“It’s unconscionable that in the middle of a family violence crisis, Labor refuses to fund crisis units that could save lives.

They can find nearly a billion dollars for prison beds, but not a fraction of that to protect women and children fleeing violence. What kind of cruel priorities are these?

Every night these units sit empty is a night someone sleeps in fear. That should haunt every person in Labor who was responsible for this decision. They should be ashamed.”

Superannuation tax

The Greens look forward to working constructively with Treasurer Jim Chalmers to make sure the proposed tax on the superannuation accounts of the wealthiest Australians is as strong and fair as it can be.

“Over time Australia’s superannuation system has become less about providing a dignified retirement for working people, and more of a vehicle for wealth accumulation. This needs to change,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“The Greens want to ensure that very wealthy Australians pay their fair share of tax, so that governments can do more to support people who need it.”

“Obviously we have not yet seen the legislation or regulations that Dr Chalmers intends to introduce.”

“We look forward to constructive discussions with the Treasurer to make sure the legislation is as strong and fair as it can be.”

“We have no intention of negotiating through the media or giving a running commentary on those discussions.”

Office of Multicultural Affairs highlights the need for Government to invest in dedicated anti-racism work

Greens Deputy Leader & spokesperson for Anti-Racism Senator Mehreen Faruqi has responded to the Albanese Government’s establishment of the Office for Multicultural Affairs, which will sit within the Department of Home Affairs, stating that it highlights the neglect of anti-racism.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The Australian Human Rights Commission has called on the government to commit to a whole-of-society anti-racism agenda, but the Government continues to bury its head in the sand.

“Skindeep versions of multiculturalism put the onus on communities to shut up, get along and be grateful when anti-racism requires those with power, like politicians, to stop harming the marginalised.

“Suffice to say, any office that sits within the Home Affairs Department, with its racialized border control regime and over policing communities of colour, will undermine anti-racism work.

“Just this week, we saw neo-Nazis openly gathering in Melbourne with their sickeningly racist calls. The need for dedicated, well-resourced anti-racism work has never been more urgent.

“The national anti-racism framework must be fully funded and implemented as a matter of priority and urgency.

“The major parties deliberately neglect, and deny racism while hiding behind whitewashed tokenism. All this does is bury the truth, harm the marginalised and entrench white privilege.

“The Greens are the only party with an anti-racism portfolio, and the only party with a plan to build an anti-racist country.”

Australia must act after the US vetoes UN ceasefire and aid resolution on Gaza

The Albanese Government must act in response to the US abusing its veto power on the UN Security Council by being the sole vote against a ceasefire and aid motion for Gaza.

The US vetoed the resolution proposed by all 10 non-permanent Security Council members that sought an immediate ceasefire, to allow aid to enter Gaza and the return of hostages. The final vote was 14-1 in favour, but lost due to the US veto.

Tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli forces as part of the ongoing genocide, with a series of killings of people lining up for food aid occurring over recent days.

Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson on Defence and Foreign Affairs, said: “Fear of Donald Trump must not gag the Albanese Government at this time. The Albanese Government has been taking its talking points from the US throughout the genocide, this has got us no closer to peace.

“The most meaningful response to the US veto would be for Australia to join the growing list of nations imposing direct sanctions on the Israeli war industry.

“The sanctions regime imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine provides a ready template. This includes sanctions on critical military resources such as aluminium and armoured steel and an immediate halt to the two-way arms trade.

“The far-right Netanyahu government has shown that it can just brush off the stern letters and concerned statements that have flowed from the Albanese government these past 18 months.

“Meaningful action right now would include the cancellation of the $1 billion arms contract with Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems as part of ending the two-way arms trade.

“Unfortunately, we have seen the Albanese Government time and time again try to appease the US instead of being a force for peace in the world. This must stop now.”

$2 million to roll out standalone Aboriginal Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Plan

The Minns Labor Government has this week announced an investment of $2 million in the upcoming NSW Budget to start rolling out the State’s first Aboriginal Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Plan to better support victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

It responds directly to calls from the Aboriginal community for a dedicated response to domestic, family and sexual violence in Aboriginal communities.

Aboriginal women in New South Wales are eight times more likely to be recorded as a victim of domestic violence than non-Aboriginal women.

Co-designed and developed in partnership with the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Aboriginal community stakeholders and the broader domestic violence sector, the standalone Plan will elevate and integrate the voices and lived experiences of Aboriginal children, women, and communities impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence.

The NSW Aboriginal DFSV Plan will support the Government’s commitments under the National Agreement to Closing the Gap, including Target 13 – to bring about a significant and sustained reduction in all forms of violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children towards zero.

The Plan will be released in late 2025.

Today’s funding announcement is in addition to the $20 million allocated from the Commonwealth National Partnership Agreement on Domestic and Family Violence to progress Target 13 initiatives.

It is also part of the Minns Labor Government’s $272.7 million domestic and family violence package to strengthen and build a more robust system to support victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“We know that Aboriginal communities experience domestic and family violence at much higher rates than other communities and this funding is another vital step in helping to keep more Aboriginal women and children safe.

“All the evidence tells us that when Aboriginal communities drive change in partnership with Government, better outcomes are achieved, and we’re fully committed to that.

“We are continuing to turn our Closing the Gap commitments for shared decision making into action, by working with Aboriginal organisations to lead the way in keeping families safe.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“Family violence wreaks devastation throughout the community. The number of Aboriginal families experiencing domestic and family violence is tragic and unacceptable.

“We are working closely with Aboriginal organisations in developing our first dedicated Aboriginal Domestic and Family Violence Plan, and will continue to do so as we roll out programs to address domestic violence in Aboriginal families and communities.

“We know that co-designed initiatives and approaches lead to better outcomes for Aboriginal women and children, supporting self-determination, healing and recovery.”

First feral-predator free area on the South Coast complete

On World Environment Day, the Minns Labor Government is proud to announce the Nungatta feral predator-free area in South-East Forest National Park is now complete, providing a safe-haven for some of NSW’s most vulnerable native species.

Covering 2,000-hectares, the project will protect more than 13 threatened native species such as the eastern pygmy-possum, yellow-bellied glider and powerful owl and allow for the reintroduction of up to nine locally extinct mammals.

A 25-kilometre-long feral-proof fence now surrounds the area, following the completion of works. It is patrolled at least three times a week, with additional patrols after storms or fires.

More than 40 remote cameras are constantly monitoring the area, to detect any potential incursions by feral animals such as feral cats or foxes.

The Minns Labor Government is proud to see the completion of Nungatta, which one of ten feral predator-free areas established by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the first of its kind on the South Coast. It was chosen from more than 35 potential sites due to its suitable habitat for reintroduced species.

The critically endangered smoky mouse became the first species to be reintroduced into the area, in September 2024. Since then, 79 smoky mice have been released and ecologists recently detected the first juvenile smoky mice known to be born in the area.

The long-footed potoroo, eastern bettong, eastern quoll and New Holland mouse are expected to be reintroduced in the coming years.

Feral predator-free areas are a critical tool in preventing further extinctions and promoting the recovery of species most at risk of predation by feral cats and foxes. Across Australia, feral cats alone are estimated to kill more than 1.5 billion native animals every year.

The program represents one of NSW’s most significant threatened species restoration initiatives, and is funded by the NSW Environmental Trust and NPWS.

For more information on feral predator-free areas visit the Feral predator-free areas project web page.

Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe:

“The opening of Nungatta demonstrates the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to protecting andrestoring our environment, including native animals and their habitats.

“The team at National Parks along with the Saving our Species program has already successfully reintroduced the critically endangered smoky mouse, and with the fence now complete, Nungatta will be a safe haven to even more threatened species.”

Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland:

“We are proud to host one the state’s ten feral predator-free areas, which is the first of its kind on the South Coast of NSW. This area of bushland was chosen because of its suitable habitat for reintroduced species.

“It’s wonderful to know this safe area will help bring locally extinct species back to this corner of the state.”