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Labor sees Illegal Maritime Arrivals sent to Nauru for the first time in nine years

Today at Senate Estimates the Australian Border Force revealed that last month a vessel was intercepted and its passengers taken to Nauru for the first time in nine years. This is the ninth people smuggling venture to attempt to arrive illegally in Australia since the May 2022 Federal Election.

Once again Minister O’Neil and Labor have shown that they can’t be trusted to keep our borders safe.

The Coalition warned Labor that its dismantling of Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) would re-incentivise people smugglers and put lives at risk. The latest venture comes at the same time as a planned $600 million cut to border security in Labor’s most recent budget, which the Australian Border Force Commissioner confirmed in Senate Estimates in May 2023 would leave his frontline forces “stretched”.

The most recent venture is a chilling reminder of the illegal arrivals we saw the last time Labor was in Government.

Between 2008 and 2013, more than 50,000 people arrived in Australia illegally on more than 820 boats, and tragically at least 1,200 died at sea.

By contrast, the Coalition’s OSB sent a clear message of deterrence to people smugglers looking to sell illegal voyages to Australia. This work is now being undone.

Only the Coalition can be trusted to keep our borders safe.

NBN prices to skyrocket for 6 million Australian customers. Increases follow approval of Labor price hike plan

More than 6 million Australian customers face an average increase of 8% on their monthly NBN costs.

The price increases have been revealed following on from the approval by the ACCC last week of Labor’s plan to increase NBN prices.

Under the new plan, the prices the NBN charges to retailers will increase. Retailers will then pass on those increases to Australian families. Retailer Aussie Broadband is the first retailer to reveal its increased prices following on from the new plan.

According to the ACCC, more than 6 million Australian customers currently have a 12, 25 or 50 Mbps NBN plan. This represents about 75% of all NBN customers.

Aussie Broadband has revealed price increases for those plans of an average of more than 8%. For families on the lowest cost plan, who are likely to feel the impact the most, the increase is more than 10%.

Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman said that these huge increases were coming at the worst possible time, during a cost of living crisis.

“The Albanese Government has said that the NBN price increases represent a ‘positive outcome for households’ (Rowland statement, 17 October 2023). But families will now be forced to pay much more for their Internet. How can that be a ‘positive outcome’ in the middle of a cost of living crisis?

“Mr Albanese promised to reduce electricity prices by $275 – instead, they have gone through the roof. Now his Government is describing big increases on Internet prices as a ‘positive outcome’ for families. The Government has decoupled from reality, and is completely out of touch with the huge cost of living pressures being faced by Australian families,” Mr Coleman said.

Mr Coleman said the Coalition would be pursuing questions on this issue in Senate Estimates in Canberra today.

Indigenous Cultural Heritage Laws in tatters following disastrous WA lesson

Labor’s planned Indigenous cultural heritage laws are in tatters following explosive revelations at Senate Estimates that the reforms have been delayed indefinitely.

In the evening session of the Senate Environment and Communications Estimates hearing on Monday, representatives from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water admitted that it was “unclear” whether the cultural heritage law reforms would be finished before the end of the current term of parliament.

This is despite Labor’s 2022 election commitment to introduce standalone cultural heritage reforms and follows the Western Australian Labor Government’s disastrous handling of similar laws that were ultimately scrapped following community and industry backlash.

Shadow Environment Minister Jonno Duniam:

“The Government’s environment and cultural heritage reform program is a joke.”

“We know that the Labor Government’s EPBC Act reforms are well behind schedule. Now we hear that their revamped cultural heritage laws may not even be introduced this term.”

“It’s another significant setback at the hands of Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek following her year-long delay to the promised EPBC Act reforms that are meant to be introduced by the end of this year.”

“Labor have bungled these reforms that they put to the Australian people at the last election. This is no coincidence following the backlash to the laws introduced by their West Australia Labor Government that drew wide condemnation.”

“How can they commit to reforms with an unlimited timeframe when they might not even be in government next term? It’s an empty promise and shows a lack of urgency, secrecy and delay that are typical of the Albanese Government.”

Funding increased for community sport

In a massive boost for community sport, the NSW Government has today announced that sport clubs across NSW can now apply for more funding under the Local Sport Grant Program.

The program provides $4.65 million funding to NSW sporting organisations with $50,000 available per electorate and grants up to $20,000 available to individual clubs.

In 2022 and 2023, $3.5 million was awarded for 592 projects, including development clinics, uniforms and sporting equipment.

This follows the Minns Government’s significant investment in grassroots sporting organisations including:

  • $30 million to providers of grassroots sport through the Level the Playing Field Program to support the continued growth of women’s and girls’ sport and recreation
  • a 4-year $14.5 million Football in Schools Program to partner with A-League clubs Western Sydney Wanderers and Macarthur FC to provide football, education and wellbeing programs in local schools.

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“The NSW Government understands the vital role community sport plays in keeping people healthy, active and socially connected.

“Never was this more evident than during recent natural disasters and the pandemic.

“This program will provide vital funds to community sport groups to purchase new equipment, improve facilities and deliver programs that enable people of all ages and abilities to participate and enjoy the benefits of sport and active recreation.

“So, if there is a project or program your club has been wanting to deliver, I encourage you apply for a grant and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.”

Applications in the 2023 and 2024 Local Sport Grant Program close 27 November 2023.

Get more information on the Local Sport Grant Programlaunch.

Bringing motorists up to speed on the M5 South-West

The speed limit eastbound on the M5 South-West between Belmore Road at Riverwood and King Georges Road at Beverly Hills will be returned to 100km/h from the current 80km/h limit next week, benefiting the journeys of 84,000 motorists a day.

The eastbound limit in the area had been reduced to 80km/h prior to the opening of the M8 in 2020 and will be restored by Tuesday.

The change comes as Transport for NSW prepares a number of improvements to the motorway network. The Rozelle Interchange – the final piece of WestConnex – will open by the end of the year and following that the WestConnex speed limit will be adjusted from 80km/h to 90km/h, expected in the first quarter of 2024.

Restoration of the 100km/h speed limit on the section Riverwood to Beverly Hills section of the M5 will mean an uninterrupted stretch of 20kms at the same, higher speed limit.

Work to alter speed signs will take place Monday night, weather permitting, to limit disruption for motorists and to ensure safety of workers.

Temporary lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h will apply during work.

The 100km/h speed limit between Belmore Road, and King Georges Road will be in effect on Tuesday 24 October, weather permitting. The on and off ramp speed at those entry and exit points will remain at 60km/h.

NSW Roads Minister, John Graham said:

‘We are taking the first step in our plan to get commuters home faster, as we speed up our motorways.

“Safety is always our number one priority and this change follows a rigorous safety review that found it is appropriate to raise the speed limit.

“The initial speed reduction was a temporary measure to mitigate potential safety risks caused by queuing traffic onto the motorway as motorists adjusted to the new part of the network.

“Over 84,000 motorists use the M5 eastbound each day, and this action will get motorists back up to speed on their daily commute.

“Where we can increase speed limits safely, we will look to do so, so that people can get to work, home or study faster. On the flipside, the NSW Government also works with community’s and local councils on lowering speed limits in the name of safety and amenity.”

Disaster assistance following severe bushfires across NSW

Disaster assistance is now available in several parts of NSW to help communities recovering from severe bushfires.

Jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the assistance has been activated for the Inverell, Kyogle, and Tenterfield local government areas (LGAs) (for bushfires on 13 October 2023 onwards) and Mid-Western LGA (for bushfires on 17 October onwards).

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Murray Watt said the bushfires caused significant damage.

“The Australian Government is supporting impacted communities with this early assistance, so recovery can begin as soon as possible for those directly affected,” Minister Watt said.

“While we move quickly to activate this early assistance, we also continue to work alongside the NSW Government to collect information and fully understand the impact of these fires.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said bushfire-impacted communities, landowners, farmers, and primary producers will be supported in their clean-up and recovery.

“The NSW Government is committed to seeing communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible, which is why we’ve worked swiftly to make sure directly impacted people can access this funding and start their recovery,” Minister Dib said.

“We remain dedicated to NSW communities in the face of hazards and will be there long before a disaster strikes and long after the disaster has passed.”

Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

  • help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
  • support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
  • concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
  • freight subsidies for primary producers.

For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, location of your nearest recovery centre and more, please contact Service NSW on 137 788launch or visit nsw.gov.au.

To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authoritylaunch website or call 1800 678 593launch.

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assistlaunch website.

Triple-A credit rating reaffirmed by Moody’s

Global ratings agency Moody’s has affirmed NSW’s triple-A credit rating with a stable outlook, following the Minns Government’s 2023-24 plan to stabilise the State’s finances.

The State’s fiscal position had weakened in recent years but the Government’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review identified $13 billion in budget improvements, revenue and reprioritisation measures to help stabilise the fiscal position.

These funds will be reinvested into essential services to help keep the State’s overall expenses at a manageable level. As a result, the 2023-24 NSW Budget projects an improved surplus of $844 million in 2024-25.

The Government has also taken steps to reduce the impact of the NSW Generations Fund and Transport Asset Holding Entity on the State’s balance sheet, with gross debt projected to be $173.4 billion by June 2026, which is $14.8 billion below the 2023 Pre-election Budget Update.

Net debt is now projected to peak at 12.6 per cent of GSP by June 2027, around 1.4 percentage points lower than at the 2023 Pre-election Budget Update.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“The Minns Government has begun the task of repairing the budget, reducing debt and rebuilding our essential services, as well as supporting families and providing targeted cost-of-living relief.

“We are still in the early stages of setting NSW’s finances on a sustainable footing. We look forward to continuing this work in the next budget.”

True impact of teacher shortages in NSW public schools revealed: nearly 10,000 lessons without a teacher each day

Students in almost 10,000 lessons every day are being left without adequate instruction in disruptive class arrangements, due to a 42% shortfall in the number of casual teachers available to teach classes, a new survey by the NSW Department of Education has found.

Public schools across NSW have been left short on average 3000 casual teachers every day – nearly half of what is required to meet the state’s educational demand – after 12 years under the former Liberal National government, which denied there was a problem and refused to collect data on it.

In the state’s primary schools, 40% of the lessons unable to be covered by a casual teacher resulted in merged or collapsed classes. In high schools, students in nearly 30% of uncovered classes were left to their own devices with minimal supervision.

The numbers were significantly worse in parts of Sydney’s west and south-west, rural and remote areas and at schools for specific purposes – but the issue was widespread with almost 90% of schools across the state reporting a shortfall in casual teachers on a given day.

The survey is the first of its kind to gather data on the true extent and impact of the teacher shortage faced by NSW public schools. It provides damning evidence of the gravity of the issue inherited by the Minns Labor government.

On average, NSW’s casual teacher shortage looks like:

  • A daily shortfall of more than 3000 teachers, or 42% of what is required to fill classes.
  • More than 9800 lessons without a teacher across the state every day.
  • 87% of NSW public schools impacted by a shortage of casual teachers each day.
  • Worse at schools in the metropolitan south and west (47%), rural north (47%), rural south and west (59%), Connected Communities (72%) and at schools for specific purposes (68%).
  • 40% of primary school lessons requiring alternative supervision arrangements covered by merging/collapsing classes.
  • 28% of high school lessons without a teacher covered by minimal supervision.

The survey also reveals how the severe shortfall in casual teachers results in a domino effect – including cancellation of library lessons, programs providing additional support to those most in need and time set aside for professional development.  

The Minns Labor government is delivering on its promise to listen to teachers and parents and take action to turn around the teacher shortage crisis that has been failing NSW public school students for years. 

Since being elected in March, the Minns Labor government has taken steps to reduce teacher workload, delivering teachers their largest pay rise in a generation, and making more than 16,000 teachers and support staff on temporary engagements permanent.

A number of other programs and recruitment initiatives are in place or under development to attract more teachers to areas where they are particularly in demand.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“We already knew from listening to teachers and parents that NSW has been facing a teacher shortage crisis leaving huge numbers of students without quality teaching every single day – but the former government told teachers it was a ‘lie’ they had made up.

“This survey lays bare the extent of the crisis that the former Liberal National government denied and ignored while they claimed teachers weren’t working hard enough to get a pay rise.

“Even to this day the former government is in denial about their legacy. The Minns Labor government was elected on a mandate to fix this mess and we are addressing it head on.

“It is vital for a child’s education that they have a qualified teacher in front of them for every lesson, and that is what we’re working towards.”

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL APOLOGY TO VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF INSTITUTIONAL CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Sunday 22 October 2023 marked the fifth anniversary of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.

The National Apology was delivered in response to a five-year Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse initiated by former Prime Minister, the Honourable Julia Gillard AC.

More than 17,000 victims and survivors bravely came forward in response to the Royal Commission and nearly 8,000 victims and survivors recounted their horrendous abuse in private sessions.

The apology that followed honoured the courage of victims, survivors and advocates who spoke out to expose abuse in institutions, often at great personal cost, by having to re-live the trauma.

Their courage also paved the way for ongoing initiatives that seek to prevent and respond to all forms of child sexual abuse and provide support to victims and survivors.

The Australian Government continues to prioritise implementing recommendations of the Royal Commission, and supporting initiatives that stemmed from this inquiry, which included the establishment of the:

  1. Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation
  2. National Office for Child Safety
  3. National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse
  4. National Redress Scheme
  5. National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse.

Since the Redress Scheme was established in 2018, over $1 billion dollars in redress payments has been paid to survivors. There are more than 600 non-government organisations now participating in the Scheme, covering more than 71,000 sites such as churches, schools, homes, charities, and community groups, across Australia.

Prime Minister Albanese said:

“Five years ago, the Government apologised on behalf of Australians for the appalling institutional abuse experienced by children and young people, and our failure to protect them.

“We acknowledge the 5th anniversary of the apology and reaffirm the Government’s commitment to establish a world in which our children and young people are safe, and victims and survivors receive the support they deserve.

“The Royal Commission broke the silence surrounding institutional child sexual abuse and the National Apology marked the end of one era and the beginning of a more hopeful one.”

the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said:

“This year also marks the fifth year of the National Office for Child Safety, and two years since the launch of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030.

“The National Office oversees implementation of the National Strategy across Commonwealth, state and territory governments, to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse, and support and empower victims and survivors.

“The Government is increasing awareness of child sexual abuse and taking steps to introduce practical initiatives that support the community to respond to child sexual abuse.

“This work includes launching a national awareness raising campaign to help all Australians understand child sexual abuse is preventable, and we all have a role to play”.

Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said:

“Our focus remains on the wellbeing of survivors and ensuring they have access to redress for the harm and trauma they endured, through the National Redress Scheme.
“We cannot take away the pain of survivors, but we are committed to supporting them and working to repair our communities. There is still much work to be done.

“There have been over 30,000 applications to the Scheme from some of the most vulnerable members of our community, which shows the widespread and enduring impact institutional child sexual abuse has had on our nation.
“The Government is also supporting the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, fulfilling the recommendation of the Royal Commission to prevent child sexual abuse, by creating a viable evidence base and providing essential training to workers to identify child sexual abuse in settings where it may occur.”

***If you or someone you know needs assistance, contact the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377 or visit the National Redress Scheme website***

***For 24/7 support you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14; 1800RESPECT; or 13YARN (13 92 76) for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis support.
Blue Knot Foundation supports anyone affected by complex trauma, and is available Monday-Sunday 9am-5pm AEDT***

MICROSOFT INVESTMENT IN AUSTRALIAN INNOVATION

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that Microsoft will make an additional $5 billion investment in Australia, helping our nation become a world-leading digital economy by significantly investing in skills and training to help equip a new generation of Australians for the jobs and opportunities of the future. 

This Microsoft investment will enable expansion of its Australian hyperscale cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure over the next two years. This will grow its local data centre footprint from 20 to 29 sites in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

This will position Australia as a global leader in cloud computing, with demand expected to almost double by 2026. 

A new Microsoft Data Centre Academy will open in 2024 in NSW in partnership with TAFE NSW, focusing on building applied data centre skills. 

The academy will provide alternative employment pathways into Australia’s tech sector, with a focus on under-represented groups including women and Indigenous Australians. The new data centres will use low-carbon materials during construction as well renewable energy. 

Microsoft has committed to support programs to train an additional 300,000 Australians through its global skills program. These programs are designed to help Australians gain the skills and capabilities to thrive in the digital economy.

Microsoft will also collaborate with the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) on the Microsoft-ASD Cyber Shield to harden Australia from cyber threats to individuals, businesses and governments.

The Microsoft-ASD Cyber Shield will improve joint capability to identify, prevent and respond to cyber threats, which are growing in both frequency and severity. It will be one of the first steps that we are taking as part of the 2023-2030 Cyber-Security Strategy, to become a world-leading cyber secure and resilient nation by 2030.

The Prime Minister welcomed the landmark investment while in the United States, with science and technology a focus of the official visit. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“This is a major investment in the skills and workers of the future, which will help Australia to strengthen our position as a world-leading economy.

“A priority for my Government is to ensure all Australians benefit from economic growth. This means that we need to provide the skills to enable Australians to succeed in the jobs of the future.

“A strong economy requires protection from cyber threats. I welcome Microsoft’s collaboration with the Australian Signals Directorate to enhance cybersecurity for households and business.”

the Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic said: 

“This is a big deal for our tech sector.

“Australia is one of the world’s most advanced users of cloud technologies and this investment will keep us at the forefront.

“This significant investment from Microsoft recognises the Albanese Government’s focus on supporting and growing our tech sector, including our target of 1.2 million tech jobs by 2030.”