The NSW Parliament got behind the Coalition’s efforts to amend the Crimes Act in a way that allowed NSW Police to prosecute those publicly threatening or inciting violence but prevented this law from being weaponised by private citizens.
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the Government’s poor drafting could have had an adverse impact by allowing private prosecutions by people trying to shut down free speech rather than protecting people from threats and calls to violence.
“We supported legislation that would allow NSW Police, and not just the DPP, to prosecute public threats or inciting of violence on the grounds of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex or HIV/AIDS status,” Mr Speakman said.
“We had moved amendments that would allow Police to do so, while stopping private prosecutions, which the Minns Government voted down before being forced into accepting something similar by the Legislative Council.”
Shadow Attorney-General Alister Henskens said Minns Labor Government’s proposed legislation could have resulted in the opposite effect of what was intended and further inflamed tensions within the community.
“Our intention was always to support a law that would promote community harmony and ensure that people don’t feel fearful in their own community,” said Mr Henskens.
“However, without our amendments, people could have faced private criminal prosecutions from a person motivated to use the law to create disharmony in the community.”
“Thanks to our approach, it is easier for Police to use powers to bring a case while avoiding a situation where private individuals may have been targeted by others who might simply disagree with them.”
“The Parliament has also passed an amendment that will see a statutory review of these laws in two years, to ensure that they are working as intended.”
Author: admin
Labor’s Christmas gift for the Unions
The NSW Opposition has condemned the Minns Labor Government for rushing through major industrial relations reforms through Parliament without any consultation except with their union mates.
Shadow Treasurer and Industrial Relations Minister Damien Tudehope said that the Industrial Relations Amendment Bill is just a kickback to the Labor Party’s union mates.
“These changes are just the unions cashing the cheque for helping Labor get elected,” Mr Tudehope said.
“This is a regressive change that winds back the clock on reform by decades, at the behest of their union masters.”
Mr Tudehope also warned that these changes will do irreparable damage to the State’s budget.
“Labor is handing over control of half of the budget to the unions, who will blow any chances of returning to surplus.”
“This is the cost of doing business with the unions – and Labor will gladly pay with taxpayers’ money.”
The Government rejected an amendment that would have required wage rises be fully offset by productivity improvements to maintain budget neutrality as it promised before the election.
“It is now crystal clear that Labor’s election commitments were worthless and that the Minns Government does not keep its promises”, Mr Tudehope concluded.
Labor Government risking NSW health services
The Minns Labor Government is risking leaving the NSW Health system without more than 1500 paramedics – with 3 in 5 threatening to boycott their professional registration, leaving them as ambulance drivers.
Shadow Health Minister Matt Kean said Chris Minns and his Health Minister Ryan Park are putting patients across NSW in potential danger if they allow paramedics across the state to boycott their professional registration tomorrow.
“The Minns Labor Government will be giving people a very unhappy Christmas and New Year by leaving NSW badly short of paramedics able to handle patients,” said Mr Kean.
“This is the result of Chris Minns’ false election promises to give union bosses a pay rise without having to pay for it – while in his first Budget cutting NSW Health’s funding, leaving the community to pay for it either with higher costs or worse services.”
We are seeing all talk and no action from this Government. A Government that was voted in on the premise of delivering its promises. And a Government that has failed to do so.”
Shadow Minster for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor is calling on the Premier to stop the lies, saying paramedics are rightly angry.
“For months, the Premier has told the people of NSW that professional recognition for paramedics was the first step in Labor’s Health Plan,” Mrs Taylor said. “The cornerstone of Labor’s election campaign was the promise of a pay rise in line with inflation, but so far we have seen nothing and this level of deceit is utterly disgraceful.”
“The Government promised an additional 500 paramedics for regional NSW and now we are left asking if this will also be another broken promise.”
GREENS TABLE 35,000 STRONG PETITION TO STOP MILITARY EXPORTS TO ISRAEL AND CALL FOR A PERMANENT CEASEFIRE, ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
The Greens marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People by taking two actions in the Parliament. First, by tabling a petition supported by over 35,000 members of the public calling on the Albanese Government to stop fueling violence by exporting military equipment to Israel, and second calling for a permanent ceasefire to stop the killing of civilians.
Over recent weeks, the State of Israel’s attacks on Gaza have killed thousands of innocent civilians and destroyed hospitals, schools and places of worship. Legal scholars around the world recognise these actions as amounting to collective punishment and war crimes.
While the conflict rages, the Albanese Government has refused to provide the Australian public with clear information on what military equipment has been exported to Israel from Australia and used in this brutal war.
According to figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, between 2017-2022, Australia directly exported to Israel over $13 million in “arms and ammunition.” This will likely be only a small amount of the equipment contained within the 350 military export permits between Australia and Israel over the past five years.
Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Defence Spokesperson, said:
“The Government knows exactly what military equipment we sell and what countries we sell it to, but refuses to be honest and transparent with the public.
“We are calling on the Government to provide essential information on military exports, which is the standard practice in countries like the US. This information is needed to ensure military equipment is not exported to countries actively involved in human rights abuses.
“There is clear evidence of Australia providing weapons and military equipment to Israel over the past five years, whether that is the millions of dollars in exports of arms and ammunition reported through DFAT, or the 350 military export permits since 2017.
“Australia must not be complicit in war crimes and the Government must immediately cease all military exports to the State of Israel,” Senator Shoebridge said.
Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens Foreign Affairs Spokesperson said:
“What we need right now is a ceasefire, not the continuing proliferation of arms in a conflict that has already taken the lives of over 15,000 people.”
“The goal must always be a just and lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis and to do that we must seek to stop the senseless cycle of violence. That means ending the State of Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories, an end to the crime of apartheid currently being committed on the Palestinian population, and the release of all hostages and political prisoners.
“The Greens condemn the war crimes of Hamas and the State of Israel and will continue to seek a peaceful and diplomatic outcome because the violence on October 7 and the atrocities in Gaza have no place in our society and push a just and lasting peace further out of reach.
“Today, the International Day for Solidarity with the Palestinian people, we must remember that Palestinian people have the fundamental right to self-determination,” Senator Steele-John said.
LABOR’S NEW ‘HARD TO GET’ HOUSING POLICY TINKERS AT THE EDGES WHILE HOUSING CRISIS GETS WORSE
Greens leader Adam Bandt has today responded to Labor’s shared equity scheme, calling it deeply inadequate and raising concerns that it could make the housing crisis worse.
The Greens will consider their position on the legislation and intend to further scrutinise the bill through an inquiry process. With an entire generation of young people locked out of housing, a key concern is the extremely small number of beneficiaries of the scheme, as well as the prospect that it will further push up the price of homes.
As the Housing Australia Future Fund debate has shown, Labor will not take meaningful action on the housing crisis without the Greens pushing them. Earlier this year the Greens were able to secure $3 billion in funding for social housing and a guaranteed spend of $500 million per year.
The Productivity Commission has said that there is not a strong case for government assistance to be targeted at purchasing a home. Instead, they should focus housing assistance on the needs of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, which will have overall benefits to the housing market. They outlined that there is a risk that demand-side policies, like the Help-to-Buy scheme will push house prices up further and lock more people out of home ownership.
Adam Bandt, leader of the Australian Greens said:
“Labor is tinkering around the edges of the housing crisis instead of stopping unlimited rent increases and ending unfair tax breaks for rich property moguls,” Mr Bandt said.
“We will look at this legislation, but are concerned about approaches that allow a tiny proportion of applicants to buy a house while potentially pushing up prices for everyone else.
“It’s Labor’s ‘hard to get’ scheme. Getting a spot in this scheme will be like finding a Willy Wonka golden ticket. You shouldn’t have to win a lottery to be able to have a home.
“Housing is an essential service and in a country as wealthy as Australia, the government has an obligation to ensure everyone has an affordable, quality home.
“Property developers will be happy to hear that Labor is dressing up another boost to their profits as a solution to the housing crisis.”
“The Greens want housing and rents to be cheaper. That means freezing rent increases, massive investment in public housing and phasing out unfair tax concessions for property moguls.
“With Labor backing rich property investors and developers, the Greens are proudly the party of renters and people trying to buy their first home.”
EMISSIONS UP AS LABOR APPROVES NEW COAL AND GAS
With official emissions data revealing today that emissions under Labor have risen 3.6 million tonnes this year, the Greens have said that Labor’s talk of climate action is gaslighting when they continue to open new coal and gas projects.
The Government has also confirmed that they will refuse to back the Climate Change Authority’s recommendation to reduce gas demand through phasing out new and existing gas connections, while instead focusing the government’s energy on building new gas fields.
Additionally, they have refused to fully support net-zero based Fuel Efficiency Standards as recommended by the Climate Change Authority, leaving Australia at risk of becoming the dumping ground for old and dirty ICE vehicles.
Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP, has called for Labor to stop opening up new coal and gas. Gas is as dirty as coal, and the federal government must play a role in ensuring households don’t get stuck on the expensive and polluting fuel source.
Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens said:
“Climate pollution is rising under Labor and they’re still approving new coal and gas mines,” Mr Bandt said.
“Labor must stop gaslighting the public. Opening new coal and gas isn’t climate action.
“By opening new gas fields and refusing to help phase out gas in homes, Labor is trying to prop up the gas industry by trapping customers on the expensive, polluting energy source.
“Labor isn’t even going to meet its unscientific 43% emissions reduction target, which will see Australia blitz past 2 degrees of warming and see our country’s agriculture pushed to the brink.
“There are ten coal and gas projects on Tanya Plibersek’s desk that will create ten times more pollution than what the government’s weak 2030 targets will save.”
New partnership to help fight HIV
The Albanese Government is investing up to $12 million in a new partnership that will support local communities and governments in Southeast Asia and the Pacific to improve HIV testing and treatment, reduce stigma and discrimination, and lower transmission.
Australia will work with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Health Equity Matters to deliver this new initiative, which aims to accelerate access to new HIV prevention and treatment solutions, through community-led responses.
HIV responses which are specifically crafted for and implemented by communities, are key to addressing stigma and discrimination, and reaching all those who need help.
From prevention to treatment, addressing stigma and discrimination is critical. HIV is a virus that affects all parts of the community, women and girls accounted for almost half of all new HIV infections in 2022. Therefore, community-led responses are an effective way of reaching all people who need assistance.
This is part of the Australian Government’s five-year $620 million Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative, and is in addition to Australia’s ongoing support to UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
World AIDS Day, on 1 December, is a time to reflect on the remarkable progress made in the fight against HIV, and the work required to end the HIV epidemic and support those living with HIV.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said:
“Globally we have made remarkable progress in the fight against HIV – but there is still more to be done.
“It is critical that Australia supports communities in our region to end the HIV epidemic, including through sharing our own knowledge and experience.”
Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP said:
“This new partnership will support locally led solutions to the HIV epidemic in our region – enabling affected communities to lead the response.
“We are building genuine partnerships across our region to reduce HIV transmission and support those living with HIV.”
CEO, Health Equity Matters, Adjunct Professor Darryl O’Donnell said:
“The most effective way to treat and prevent HIV is to empower the people who most feel its impact.
“We endorse the Government’s resolve to fight stigma and expand access to prevention, treatment and testing.”
Regional Director, UNAIDS Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe Central Asia regions, Eamonn Murphy said:
“UNAIDS values Australia’s long-standing partnership globally and in the Indo-Pacific region, and particularly its commitment to community leadership.
“By supporting expanded access to HIV prevention and treatment while reducing stigma and discrimination, we can accelerate progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat.”
Five-year investment secures long-term future for flagship New Annual festival
City of Newcastle (CN) has reaffirmed its support for the region’s creative arts industry, locking in a five-year commitment for the New Annual festival and opening expressions of interest for local artists.
Councillors voted at last night’s Council meeting to expand the festival from a year-by-year event to one guaranteed to continue as the city’s flagship art and culture event until at least 2028.
This will enable strategic long-term planning for the ongoing growth of New Annual, which attracted around 95,000 visitors and involved more than 1,500 visiting and local artists and performers during its first three years.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said New Annual will continue to develop as a significant cultural tourism attraction for Newcastle.
“Our vision is to see New Annual elevate Newcastle’s reputation as a creative hub on the national and international stage,” Cr Nelmes said.
“A five-year commitment provides the platform for securing high-profile collaborations, attracting renowned artists, and achieving national recognition.
“New Annual’s significance extends beyond its support for the arts by strengthening our position as a cultural tourism destination, which in turn generates an economic boost for local businesses through longer stays and increased visitor spending.”
CN is also calling for applications for New Annual’s ‘Made New’ program, which provides an opportunity for local artists and those with a connection to Newcastle to become part of future festival programs.
Chair of CN’s Community and Culture Advisory Committee Cr Carol Duncan said New Annual would continue to play an important role in celebrating the depth of talent in Newcastle’s cultural and arts sector.
“City of Newcastle is committed to supporting local artists and organisations through flagship events such as New Annual, which provide a high-profile platform to showcase their talents alongside leading national and internationally-renowned practitioners,” Cr Duncan said.
“Local artists and performers accounted for more than 60 per cent of this year’s programming, including the recipients of our ‘Made New’ program, who were supported by City of Newcastle to deliver sold-out productions across the 10-day festival.
“This included a stunning new dance production performed by Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub, an AI-driven interactive theatre experience by The Parallel Effect and the hilarious debut of Newcastle-based play, Spewy, by Novocastrian-born playwright Ang Collins.
“I look forward to seeing the performances produced under the next round of Made New funding, which will form part of the wider programming of local performers at New Annual.”
Local artists working across interdisciplinary art forms, visual arts, dance, theatre, music, and multimedia are encouraged to submit an expression of interest before 5pm on 14 January, 2024.
The selected projects or works will be presented as part of New Annual 2024, which will be held from 27 September – 6 October, 2024, or New Annual 2025, which is scheduled for 26 September – 5 October, 2025. This flexibility is designed to support those with large-scale projects that may benefit from an extended development period.
To keep up-to-date with the latest news or submit an expression of interest for Made New, visit www.newannual.com
Hamilton’s green heart prepares for reimagined playspace
City of Newcastle will invest more than $3 million into a new inclusive playspace at Hamilton’s historic Gregson Park, with construction set to kick off early next year.
Councillors voted Tuesday night to accept the tender for the project, which will include a variety of traditional play equipment, as well as a range of accessible and nature-based play options, with traditional Indigenous elements, including a yarning circle to encourage knowledge sharing and a bush tucker garden to enrich learning of native edible plants.
Additional shade, a water feature, formal and informal seating, and footbridges will also feature, complemented by an upgraded, accessible amenities building and new covered picnic area, with construction expected to be completed in late 2024.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes welcomed the next step in the delivering this important project for Hamilton residents and the community.
“City of Newcastle is committed to delivering quality playgrounds and green spaces across Newcastle for locals and visitors to enjoy,” Cr Nelmes said.
“We know our community values Gregson Park’s rich Indigenous history and what it offers as a diverse recreational space.
“Construction of this playspace in the new year signifies an important milestone in delivering our shared vision for Gregson Park, and was identified as a high priority action as part of the adopted Masterplan for the much-loved park.
“We’ve undertaken extensive community engagement in preparing the Gregson Park Masterplan 2021, with feedback incorporated into the final design for the playspace and upgraded amenities, along with consultation with First Nations Australians to appropriately capture Indigenous elements in the design.”
Councillor Carol Duncan, who is also the Chair of the Community and Culture Advisory Committee, said she looked forward to the project progressing.
“Gregson Park is a well-loved destination for Hamilton residents and the wider Newcastle community, offering a tranquil green space, just a short stroll from bustling Beaumont Street,” Cr Duncan said.
“The enhanced inclusive elements of the new playspace and upgraded amenities will ensure Gregson Park is made even more accessible for the future generation’s enjoyment of the space.
“I’m excited to see more members of our community interacting with this space in years to come.”
Newcastle Art Gallery expansion reaches new heights
The expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery will reach new heights today with the installation of a 33 metre high hammerhead tower crane on site.
The crane will facilitate the next stage of the long-awaited Art Gallery Expansion project, which will more than double the size of the Gallery, modernising the facility into a fitting home for City of Newcastle’s nationally significant $126 million collection.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was pleased to see the main construction works progressing, bringing the community another step closer to a world class space for education and enjoyment of the arts.
“Due to its smaller size, the Gallery has only ever had the capacity to display around one percent of its amazing collection at any one time,” Cr Nelmes said.
“The expanded Gallery will mean we can welcome many more people into the space and give our collection the home it deserves.
“The newly installed crane is a welcome albeit temporary addition to our city’s skyline, and I am really pleased to see the construction activity forging ahead.”
Once completed, the expansion project will deliver multiple exhibition spaces with the ground floor galleries dedicated to permanent collection display, a café, retail shop, multi-purpose program space, and a secure international standard loading dock.
The crane’s arrival followed the presentation on Tuesday of a $1.3 million cheque for the expansion to City of Newcastle from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation. The milestone payment is drawn from the Art Gallery Redevelopment Fund, which consists of funds raised by the community over many years and held in trust by the Foundation on behalf of the City of Newcastle since 2013.
Foundation Chair Suzie Galwey said the Foundation had so far secured philanthropic donations and pledges totalling $12 million for the expansion project, with a further $1 million being sought to achieve its $13 million fundraising goal.
“This cheque represents two decades of community passion, advocacy and fundraising for a world class gallery for Newcastle and the Hunter,” Ms Galwey said.
“It’s wonderful to celebrate this milestone payment alongside such exciting progress in the construction works and we look forward to seeing the expanded building continue to take shape.”
To celebrate the arrival of the crane, City of Newcastle is collaborating with Head Contractor Hansen Yuncken and a range of early learning providers in a family-friendly ‘Name the Crane’ colouring competition.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the fun competition would help spark interest in both the arts and construction amongst Newcastle’s youngest students.
“The Gallery has long partnered with schools and pre-schools in the area to foster connections and creativity, so this seemed like a lovely way to continue this legacy while our programming has moved off-site,” Ms Morton said.
Results of the competition, including the reveal of the crane’s name, will be announced early next year.
The Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project is supported by $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships and $5 million from the New South Wales Government under the Regional Recovery Package, as well as $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, Margaret Olley Trust, and community fundraising over many years. A further $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public fundraising campaign.
The Regional Recovery Partnerships initiative seeks to broker connections between all levels of government to increase information flow, share technical expertise and strengthen regional development outcomes.