admin – Page 656

Ryan park flags budget health cuts

The Opposition is calling on the Minns Labor Government to guarantee health funding after they again refused to rule out cuts in the upcoming Budget.

For the second day in a row Health Minister Ryan Park was asked in Parliament about health funding and refused to rule out cuts to funding for frontline health workers including nurses.

Shadow Health Minister Matt Kean said that the Health Minister’s bizarre performance in Parliament yesterday announcing that 1100 nurse positions were at risk, was compounded today when he refused to rule out significant cuts to the NSW Health Budget.

“The Coalition Government delivered record investment of more than $33 billion in the state’s health system, including more than $30 billion in recurrent funding. This funding included an increase to the health workforce of more than 10,000 full time equivalent staff over four years.”

“The Coalition’s last Budget included a record health spend, a return to surplus, and secured two Triple A credit ratings. It is clear that Labor’s unfunded promises to union bosses will blow the Budget, adding the state’s health workers and programs to the long list of Labor’s broken promises and cuts.”

“Instead of guaranteeing funding for key services, programs and infrastructure the Minns Labor Government cut Active Kids, Metro West, environmental subsidies, and have given a tax break to the Star Casino following revelations it allowed organised crime to flourish.”

“I stand in support with the medical professionals who today have condemned Ryan Park’s attack on the health system,” Mr Kean concluded.

Opposition calls on Labor not to sack 1100 nurses

The Health Minister has today cast doubt over the futures of 1,100 nurses funded by the former Coalition Government’s record health spend.

Last year’s Coalition Budget delivered a record spend of more than $33 billion, including more than $30 billion in recurrent funding. This investment in our health sector included an increase to the health workforce of more than 10,000 full time equivalent staff over four years. An additional 1,100 COVID nurse positions were created to deliver world class healthcare.

But today in Parliament, Health Minister Ryan Park suggested that under the Labor Government many of the nurses could be out of a job, when during a bizarre display he described 1,100 staff as “gone”.

Shadow Health Minister Matt Kean said that during the election Labor had promised not only to match the Coalition’s investment, but to employ 1,200 additional nurses on top of that, yet now it appears 1,100 are not going to have their contracts extended by the Labor Government.

“If Labor were telling the truth during the election, Ryan Park would be renewing the contracts for every one of these essential workers – otherwise this is just another broken Labor promise.”

“Our record investment in the health system and on health workers had raised the bar, but it appears that Premier Chris Minns, Daniel Mookhey and Ryan Park are more interested in paying former Labor staffers to write reports than they are in keeping these nurses.”

GREENS WELCOME OVERDUE AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL REFORMS

Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has welcomed the Government’s decision to accept the recommendations of the Review of the Australian Research Council Act (ARC Act).

Senator Faruqi said:

“This is a victory for the research community and the Greens, who have long called for the ARC to be given autonomy to make decisions over research grants.

“It’s good to see that Labor, who rejected a bill I introduced back in 2018 to stop political interference in the ARC, has finally accepted the need for the ARC to be given autonomy to make decisions over research grants.

“Board appointments will remain a matter for the Minister, so there must be strict guidelines to ensure the Board’s membership is composed of a diverse range of academics and members of the research community and there are no corporate or political appointments.

“Ending political interference in the ARC is key to a thriving and independent research sector, but so is sufficient funding, which the Government has so far failed to address in both the ARC Review and the Universities Accord.

“Australian research has so much potential, but will never reach its full potential without substantial, long-term public funding. The Government must immediately commit to an increase in research funding.

“We also desperately need better working conditions for researchers who are struggling to stay afloat in this cost of living crisis on a stipend that sits below the poverty line.

“At a bare minimum, researchers deserve a generous, liveable research stipend and a full entitlement to paid parental leave.

“University funding is vital if we are to solve the complex and wicked problems of the climate crisis, inequality, global justice and health emergencies amongst others.”

DEFENCE HANDS $8.5 MILLION TO CONFLICT-RIDDEN CONSULTANT EY TO DESIGN NEW NUCLEAR SUBMARINE REGULATOR

In the face of a national revolt over outsourcing of key government functions to consultants, Defence has handed another big four consultant, Ernst & Young, an $8.4 million contract to design Australia’s nuclear submarine regulator. This is despite its deep involvement with the nuclear power industry (including with the company responsible for the Fukushima nuclear disaster) and recent reporting uncovering conflict of interests in the energy sector.

EY has long and deep ties to the nuclear industry, repeatedly advocating for an expanded nuclear industry and working with major nuclear power companies, including NuScale Power Corporation, China General Nuclear Power Co as well as TEPCO, acting as its long-term auditor, during and since the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

EY is already under investigation for undisclosed conflicts of interest with the NSW government already investigating its contract with EY to develop a Future of Gas Statement while EY was also working with gas giant Santos.

The Greens are calling for the Albanese government to cancel the contract and bring this core work of government back into the public service.

Greens Senator and Defence Spokesperson David Shoebridge said:

“It’s genuinely unbelievable that in the middle of a national scandal about outsourcing core government functions to the big four consultants, Defence has gifted an $8.5 million contract to one of them to design a new national nuclear regulator.

“It was always wrong to have Defence in control of its own regulator for the AUKUS nuclear submarines and now we can see how they have hand picked a pro-nuclear consultant to design the whole thing.

“This wasn’t an open tender at all, Defence chose Ernst and Young from a large panel without going to market or, it seems, even considering serious conflicts of interest.

“No one can have any comfort in a nuclear regulatory body designed by a hand picked consultant with so many obvious conflicts of interest.

“Ernst and Young has deep conflicts of interest here, as it repeatedly pushes for an expanded global nuclear energy industry and through its role as the ongoing auditor of TEPCO, the Japanese energy giant responsible for the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

“In its Australian operations Ernst and Young is already under investigation by the NSW government over conflicts of interest related to the gas industry, but none of this seems to trouble Defence.

“International nuclear energy standards make it clear that nuclear regulators must be structurally and functionally independent which means the nuclear submarine regulator should never have sat with Defence in the first place.

“This contract needs to be torn up and then this core duty of government, designing a nuclear oversight agency, needs to be done by an independent government agency not by a hired gun from the big four,” Senator Shoebridge said.

High Court appointments

The Coalition congratulates Justice Stephen Gageler AC on his appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and recognises his extensive experience both as a High Court Justice and previously as Australia’s Solicitor-General.

The Coalition congratulates Justice Robert Beech-Jones on his appointment to the High Court and acknowledges his long service as a Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW and as Chief Judge at Common Law.

The Coalition also acknowledges the outstanding service of Justice Susan Kiefel AC, who has served with distinction as Australia’s Chief Justice, including being Australia’s first female Chief Justice, and wishes her well in her retirement from the High Court.

Inspirational Matildas midfielder receives Key to the City of Newcastle

Novocastrian footballer Emily Van Egmond has been awarded a Key to the City of Newcastle in recognition of the Matildas’ heroic efforts during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The inspirational midfielder played an impactful role during the Matildas’ history-making campaign, which saw them achieve the highest ever finish of any Australian team in a World Cup competition.

Playing her fourth World Cup, Van Egmond came on for the Matildas in the 73^rd minute of their opener against the Republic of Ireland before making her mark on the competition with a superb goal in their narrow 3-2 loss to Nigeria.

She secured significant game time for the remainder of the competition and played a key role through the middle as the Matildas went on to finish fourth overall, smashing television ratings and crowd records along the way.

City of Newcastle has a long and proud association with Van Egmond, helping to secure the first paid transfer of a player into the Australian W-League in 2017, when Emily transferred from VfL Wolfsburg to the Newcastle Jets.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Van Egmond, along with fellow Newcastle player and Matildas squad member Claire Wheeler, would be role models for generations of local footballers as a result of the team’s game-changing efforts.

“The performance of the Matildas during the Women’s World Cup has been nothing short of spectacular, capturing the imagination of the Australian public and igniting a women’s sport movement that will be felt for years to come,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Whether cheering from the stands, watching on from our Wheeler Place live sites or tuning in from lounge rooms across the city, Novocastrians were there every step of the way.

“We’re proud to be able to present this key to the city to Emily Van Egmond today for her stellar efforts on and off the pitch, showing women and girls everywhere that anything is possible.”

Van Egmond thanked Novocastrians for turning out to support the Matildas and welcomed the recognition of women’s sport.

“Newcastle is a special place for me and I am honoured to receive the Key to the City,” Van Egmond said.

“Novocastrians have shown their passion for football and I’m thrilled so see the next generation of girls sharing my love of the game.”

Van Egmond joins a prestigious line-up of Newcastle ambassadors to receive a key to the city, including the NRLW Newcastle Knights’ 24-woman 2022 Premiership-winning squad, screenwriter and humanitarian Vanessa Alexander, and Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Cook Islands and Niue, Her Excellency the Hon. Patricia Forsythe AM.

Visit the website for more information on the City of Newcastle Ambassador Program.

Ordinary Council Meeting Tuesday 22 August 2023

Following is a summary of resolutions from the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday 22 August 2023. NB: it is not a full record of resolutions.

Lord Mayoral Minutes

City of Newcastle Seniors Reference Group

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported for City of Newcastle to create a Seniors Reference Group, whose Chairperson and members will be senior representatives of the Newcastle LGA, tasked with overseeing, organising and facilitating a range of events and activities that support the health and wellbeing of senior residents in our community, including CN’s Seniors Week Program.

50th Anniversary of the End of the War in Vietnam

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that acknowledged that 18 August 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the War in Vietnam and recognises the immense suffering endured by Australia’s service men and women, as well as by the Vietnamese people, both during and the decades since the end of the conflict. The Minute acknowledged that Newcastle was one of the first communities in the country to recognise Vietnam Veterans, through the dedication of a small memorial plaque in the early 1980s in Civic Park, which is reported to be the first memorial in Australia to the Vietnam Conflict.

Two-year anniversary of the fall of Kabul

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that acknowledged 15 August 2023 as the two-year anniversary of the fall of Kabul and the subsequent events that have unfolded. The Motion commended the efforts of local organisations, charities, and individuals who have been working tirelessly to provide aid, support, and refuge to those affected by the events in Afghanistan, and encouraged Newcastle residents to foster an environment of empathy, inclusivity, and understanding, welcoming Afghan refugees and contributing to their successful integration into our community.

Congratulations Matildas

A Lord Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported that congratulated the Matildas, including Novocastrians Emily Van Egmond and Claire Wheeler, on their remarkable success in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, having not only brought glory to our nation but have also inspired countless individuals of all ages and all genders with their exceptional performance and dedication to the sport. The Minute thanked City of Newcastle staff for their great work supporting the Live Sites, which were incredibly successful in activating Wheeler Place and allowing Novocastrians the opportunity to show their love for women’s football, women’s sport, and their community spirit.

Ordinary business

Adoption of Community Engagement Strategy

Council unanimously voted to adopt the 2023 – 2026 Community Engagement Strategy, which outlines articulates CN’s commitment to actively seeking feedback from the community to support the development of its plans, policies, programs and key activities.

Adoption of Community Infrastructure Incentives in Wickham planning proposal

Council unanimously voted to endorse the Community Infrastructure Incentives in Wickham planning proposal, and adopt Newcastle Development Control Plan 2012 Section 6.03 Wickham and the Wickham Community Infrastructure Plan.

Urban Design Review Panel Annual Report 2022

Council received the Urban Design Review Panel Annual Report 2022. The Panel evaluates and critiques the urban design aspects of major commercial, industrial, residential, community and civic developments in Newcastle.

Adoption of Darby Street revised traffic calming designs

Council unanimously voted to adopt upgrades to traffic calming infrastructure on Darby Street between Parry and Tyrrell Streets, Cooks Hill, which were installed as part of the Darby Street – Streets as Shared Spaces Trial.

Endorsement of motions for submission to the 2023 Local Government NSW Conference

Council unanimously voted to endorse the motions for submission to the Local Government New South Wales’ 2023 Annual Conference, which is being held from 12-14 November 2023.

Granting of two easements – Wallsend

Council unanimously voted to grant easements in favour of Ausgrid on two City of Newcastle land parcels in Tyrrell Street and Nelson Street, Wallsend for infrastructure purposes.

Variations to development standards

Council received the report on approved development variations between 3 April 2023 and 30 June 2023 in accordance with the Department of Planning and Environment’s concurrence to vary development standards in the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan 2012.

Tabling of Register of Disclosures of Interest 1 May to 31 July 2023

Council noted the tabling of the Register of Disclosures of Interest for the period 1 May to 31 July 2023 by the Chief Executive Officer.

Determination of number of Councillors

Council unanimously adopted an alternate motion that calls on the State Government to provide genuine reform of local government through full collaborative review of the Local Government Act 1993, in consultation with LGNSW, the USU and the local government sector.

Executive monthly performance report

Council received the Executive Monthly Performance Report for July 2023.

Notices of Motion

CCTV and City of Newcastle sports facilities

Council unanimously supported a notice of motion that reiterated its support for sporting clubs to install CCTV systems to protect their own assets, provided they are self-funded or supported by State or Federal Government grants. This support requires the standard approvals for club initiated capital works on a CN owned building. The motion noted recent case studies in local media where CCTV units were installed on sporting club buildings, but this did not prevent vandalism or theft and (to date) has not led to an arrest. City of Newcastle will write to NSW Minister for Police and Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley MP, noting that the Newcastle LGA has been systematically excluded from state government CCTV funding (alongside other grants) over the past 12 years. A summary of CN’s existing approach to CCTV and support for self-funded units will be included during the upcoming Sport Summit being held in September 2023.

NSW delivers a record-breaking FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

Sydney hosted 603,957 footballing fans at the 11 FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 games played in NSW over the past month – a third of the 1.9 million fans who attended matches during the biggest tournament of its kind to date.

The final was played at Stadium Australia on Sunday night, with the match attracting a sell-out crowd of 75,784 attendees.

Each of the 5 games played at Stadium Australia – including Australia’s opening match versus Republic of Ireland and the semi-final against England – reached the venue’s maximum tournament capacity.

Across the event, the average attendance at Sydney venues was 54,905 fans per match – a tournament high.

The FIFA Fan Festival site in Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, was also the largest FIFA Fan Festival across the 9 host cities, attracting 250,084 attendees.

The Sydney site was opened for 209 hours and 15 minutes across 25 days for fans to enjoy every match live streamed, along with delicious food and free, live entertainment. This included performances from Jessica Mauboy, Jack River, Jacoténe, Tones and I, BIA, Diarra Sylla, Mia Wray, Steph String and Nina Las Vegas.

FIFA has reported 777,000 fans attended FIFA Fan Festival sites across the 9 host cities in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

The NSW Government supported additional public viewing events as interest in the tournament reached unprecedented levels, opening Sydney Football Stadium, Western Sydney Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground to the public for free match viewing on venue big screens.

Sydney Olympic Park was also a hub for the knockout rounds of the tournament with additional screens and entertainment in the precinct throughout the final weeks.

Other public viewing sites across Greater Sydney and regional NSW hosted thousands of fans over the month.

According to financial infrastructure platform Airwallex, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 has seen a $2.98 billion rise in travel and retail spending in NSW directly linked to the event, by comparing consumer spending in specific months to the average for that year.

FIFA has reported that US$570 million in revenue was generated throughout the tournament, allowing the event to break even for the first time.

The NSW Government has also committed to commissioning a giant mural at Stadium Australia to celebrate the Matildas’ historic success at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

The permanent mural will capture some of the Matildas’ greatest moments during the tournament at the scene of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 final.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“NSW has a lot to be proud of in delivering a world class event.

“The Matildas’ campaign captured the imagination of NSW, Australia, and the footballing world.

“This was a once-in-a-generation moment in Australian sport.”

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“On every level, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 has exceeded our hopes and showcased Sydney to the world.

“This is one of the biggest events in Australia since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and was a record-breaking World Cup that will be remembered for generations to come.

“The tournament has brought together a diverse range of visitors and Sydneysiders breaking all attendance records and creating a vibrant, engaging atmosphere enjoyed by all.

“Our stadium crowds averaged 97% capacity across the 11 Sydney matches, showing unprecedented support for women’s sport and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

“There was a community feel across the tournament as people were out and about across Sydney, across NSW, supporting women’s football and their chosen country.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

“This tournament has been a defining global moment for women’s sports and for Sydney – a city that is rightly earning its place as the major events capital of the Asia Pacific by breaking records and offering memorable experiences for visitors and locals alike.

“We have seen an unprecedented amount of support for our Matildas – they have truly captured the hearts of the nation.

“Their heroic performances have seen stadiums and fan sites full, and television records broken.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“The Matildas have made history not just for women’s sport but have etched an indelible new milestone into the Australian history books.

“This team of mothers, daughters and sisters have been watched by the largest audiences in the history of women’s sport, and they are role models for every woman and girl in Australia and around the world.

“Every achievement on that football pitch helps kick goals for women and girls in sport for the long term.”

Collaboration to deliver for community at Rozelle Parklands

The Minns Labor Government will work with Inner West Council and Transport for NSW to undertake a new masterplan for Rozelle Parklands to salvage the project.

A new masterplan is necessary after the former government left behind a parklands project that was not going to provide the sporting facilities, accessibility and car parking that the community had been promised.

This included the failure to deliver on a promised facilities including:

An all-weather sporting field for use by local sporting clubs
Sufficient car parking to allow for the utilisation of the park
Four multipurpose sports courts
Toilet facilities for the inclusive playground

All-weather sporting fields benefit local clubs and communities as they can be used all year round in various weather conditions and had been the preference of local sporting clubs and Inner West Council.

The former government’s Rozelle Parklands plan placed the field above a power cable that would cost more than $57 million to relocate to safely install the field.

The review will also consider disability parking near the Parklands, which had not been planned for previously.

The Minns Labor Government has agreed to address this failure through a new masterplan for the Parklands.

The parklands are due to open with the Rozelle Interchange of WestConnex later in the year.

With the park due to open in only a few months, the masterplan will identify ongoing improvements that will need to be made to the parklands after it has opened.

The masterplan will finalise next steps and ensure the inner west community is getting the best possible outcome from Rozelle Parklands.

The community, who weren’t consulted properly by the previous government, will be involved in the development of this masterplan. The recurrent costs of maintaining the parkland will be transparently disclosed so that Inner West Council can take care, control and management of the site in the future.

Plans are also being developed to ensure an accessible toilet is provided in the children’s play area and a review is underway to assess how to progress plans that had promised up to 150 new car parking spots around the perimeter of the parklands on Lilyfield Road.

People in NSW are doing it tough right now with the cost of living rising sharply all over Australia, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for families in NSW to make ends meet. The last thing our community needs is more disruptions and delayed plans.

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“The Inner West, and specifically the Rozelle community, has accepted much more than its fair share of disruption during the construction of WestConnex.

“The former government promised their reward would be a new parkland that met the wishes of the community.

“What was left behind was not that – and what is worse is that the previous government had given up on communicating directly with the community.

“We are working with council to salvage this project and make sure the community really does get the best facilities as promised.

Mayor of Inner West Council Darcy Byrne said:

“The former Government promised the Rozelle Parklands as compensation to our community but now we know they were planning to off-load a half-finished park to us.

“With no parking provided and multiple sporting facilities and basic amenities deleted, our community was being ripped off.

“The Inner West will now undertake a Masterplan with the new Government to clean up this mess and ensure that the high-quality park that was promised is actually delivered.”

Auslan syllabus to become available to NSW schools for first time

The first Auslan (Australian Sign Language) syllabus for primary and secondary students has been released to NSW schools by the Minns Labor Government.

Developed in consultation with the Deaf community, teachers, students and parents, this new syllabus will give NSW students the opportunity to experience a unique part of Australia’s linguistic heritage and learn a valuable communication skill.

Teachers will have up to a year in extra time to plan and prepare before the syllabus is taught in classrooms at the beginning of 2026, as part of the Minns Labor Government’s decision to extend the Curriculum Reform delivery timeline.

Giving schools extra time to deliver these reforms to the curriculum is key to improving outcomes for teachers and students in NSW, after the previous government ignored advice from teachers and experts that curriculum reform timelines were unworkable and had been hastily rushed through the system.

Auslan is an optional course and decisions about teaching the syllabus will be made by schools and education sectors in consultation with the Deaf community.

The clear and explicit presentation of the Auslan syllabus supports teachers to plan their lessons and new evidence-based support materials, including teaching advice, will be available online through the NSW Curriculum website.

The syllabus enhances the languages offering in NSW schools following the redevelopment of the Aboriginal, Classical and Modern Languages syllabuses into frameworks covering all languages.

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

“As well as beginning learners of Auslan, this new syllabus will give students who are first language Auslan users the opportunity to formally study the language of their community, and I am delighted to see it being released to NSW schools.

NSW offers one of the most comprehensive school languages curriculum in the world and I am committed to exploring how we can make that even better, in a way that is accessible for all students.

“Studying a language at school gives students the skills to participate in our linguistically dynamic world and improves broader communication and literacy skills.”

Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:

“This is a really exciting initiative, where students will have the opportunity to learn Auslan at school.

“By rolling out a K-10 Auslan syllabus, we’re delivering on our commitment to create a more inclusive community.”