16 News – Page 1012 – Newcastle and Australian News

Labor Commits $1 Million to Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Upgrades

An Albanese Labor Government will invest $1 million to upgrade Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre in Sydney’s Inner West.

The upgrades will include a landscaped Waterplay area with BBQs and a shared recreation space. The Waterplay area will include;

A combination of waterplay features allowing interactive aquatics play, as well as seating, grassed areas and biodiverse plants.
a zero-depth water play area where children can play safely.
Accessible design features ensuring inclusivity for all.

This important contribution will complement commitments already made by the Inner West Council to upgrade the Aquatic Centre.

“I am delighted to announce this funding for upgrades to Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre,” Anthony Albanese, Member for Grayndler and Leader of the Australian Labor Party, said.

“The Inner West community has embraced upgrades to Dawn Fraser Baths and the Ashfield Aquatic Centre. I’m sure the local community will benefit from these upgrades just as much.”

“Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre is a fantastic facility and community hub which has been enjoyed since 1961. This investment will ensure that the pool continues to be enjoyed by our local swimmers and families for generations to come.”

With communities in lockdown and cases on the rise, Greens call for urgent action to lift First Nations vaccination rates

With First Nations vaccination rates lagging across Western Australia and the state’s largest remote First Nations community now in lockdown, The Greens have today again called on the WA Government to lift vaccination rates for First Nations people.

With WA recording 617 new cases and Premier Mark McGowan warning of a new 1,000+ daily case total, vaccination rates for First Nations people are “disgraceful”, Yamatji-Noongar woman and Australian Greens Senator for WA Dorinda Cox said today.

The rate of double vaccinated First Nations people in Western Australia is reportedly sitting about 25 per cent below the overall state figure – at 70 per cent, compared to 95 per cent.

“It is disgraceful that into the third year of this pandemic, governments at all levels are still leaving First Nations people behind,” Senator Cox said today.

“As COVID numbers go up, our communities are more vulnerable than ever. First Nations people know what is best for our communities, and should be better supported in their health promotion efforts to get more vaccines in the arms of vulnerable people. Aboriginal-led health organisations are best placed to lead on this.

“The Liberals botched the vaccine rollout last year, but with case numbers on the rise, there is absolutely no reason for this level of incompetence to continue.”

It comes as seventeen people have tested positive in Bidyadanga since Wednesday – a community now in lockdown.

“As a Malgana woman, I am horrified to see that COVID has made its way into the Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community,” Bianca McNeair, Malgana woman, and Greens candidate for Durack said today.

“First Nations COVID vaccination rates in WA continue to lag behind the rest of the population, with some Aboriginal communities still less than 50 percent vaccinated.’

‘It is disappointing that the major parties have failed to properly support our regional and remote health systems. The McGowan Government needs to do more to ensure First Nations communities are protected from COVID, especially once the domestic and international borders are lifted on March 3.”

Greens plan to subsidise wages of coal workers and support communities through winding down of coal

To stop coal communities collapsing, every coal worker should have a decade of generous financial support, including wage subsidies to assist in moving to paid employment in new industries including renewables, minerals mining and green manufacturing, retrain, or take an early retirement, Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt MP has announced today.

Announcing the $19 billion community support package and Job-for-Job Guarantee in Newcastle today, Mr Bandt will meet with coal workers to outline how the generous package will mean they will have long term financial certainty, and their communities will continue to thrive beyond coal.

The plan is the latest climate announcement in the Greens balance of power push for this election, with Mr Bandt saying the Greens will make it a priority in balance of power in the next Parliament to kick the Liberals out and develop a national plan to support coal workers and communities.

Before entering Parliament, Mr Bandt represented coal-fired power station workers, helping protect their wages and conditions against attacks from big power corporations. Mr Bandt has also previously visited coal communities across the country to discuss the need for a jobs plan that supports workers as we phase out coal.

Funded by taxing Australia’s billionaires and big coal and gas corporations, the Greens’ plan for coal workers includes three interlocking components:

Establish a Job-for-Job Guarantee with workforce pooling to ensure workers get good jobs without loss of pay as coal is phased out.
Create local authorities that bring each coal community together to develop their plans for new employment overseen by a National Coal Communities Commission; and
Finance those locally developed plans with an initial $2.8bn seeding through an independent National Coal Communities Commission.

The Job-for-Job Guarantee package will provide 50% of a coal worker’s wage for a decade, provided as a wage subsidy to employers who provide an equivalent paying job. Workers over 55 will be able to receive the wage subsidy for up to 12 years as they transition to retirement. Workers who cannot find alternative work can receive the subsidy directly.

A generous financial support package to support coal workers move to new industries was a central component of the successful strategy employed by Germany to phase out their coal industry without a single worker losing their job.

The Greens plan builds on and supports the work and proposals being developed by local communities such as the recent plan put forward by the Hunter Jobs Alliance – Future-proofing the Hunter.

This announcement sits side by side with the Greens’ initiatives to invest billions of dollars to grow new industries in affected regions. In addition to the Diversifying Coal Communities Fund, the investment mandates of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and Export Finance Australia will be amended to prioritise the financing of the plans developed by local authorities.

The Greens have already announced a jobs-rich $40bn plan to convert Snowy Hydro into a massive renewables generator, with a big build of solar, wind and storage, creating over 110,000 jobs, many of which will be in current coal and gas areas and able to access the Job-for-Job Guarantee subsidies. The Greens will also announce further plans to grow new industries in coal and gas areas, including in manufacturing, steel and energy, as well as in the mining of minerals necessary in a zero emissions world.

The Greens plan is based on Australia exiting thermal coal by 2030, but will also extend the timetable for the phase-out of metallurgical coal until 2040, ensuring there is enough time to transition to replacements in the manufacture of green steel and other products.

Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP said:

“Change is happening quickly but there’s no plan for coal workers,” said Mr Bandt.

“Governments are leaving coal workers exposed. With coal closures being brought forward and our coal customers moving to zero emissions, Australia is sleepwalking into the closure of the coal industry, but every single worker is being told by the Liberal and Labor parties that they have nothing to worry about.

“Liberal and Labor are lying to workers and communities, saying coal can keep going for decades when science says it clearly can’t.

“The Greens’ plan secures new jobs for coal workers, including in mining and energy, without loss of pay.

“In many places around the country the best job for a coal worker is another mining job, and the Greens’ plan will help make that a reality. There are enormous opportunities in developing critical minerals and green metal processing.

“Australia doesn’t need to shut down the mining industry, we’ve just got to get out of coal.

“We can’t have a devastating repeat of the collapse of our car manufacturing industry. Instead of leaving their fate in the hands of overseas boardrooms of big corporations, the Greens plan gives local communities control over their future.

“We owe coal workers a debt of thanks for powering our country. We don’t need to choose between taking urgent climate action and supporting coal communities. We can do both.”

NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge said:

“The move away from coal may be a win for the climate, but we must make it a win for workers as well,” said Mr Shoebridge.

“Across the Hunter, coal workers know that the clock is ticking on coal. They’re watching local coal-fired power stations bring forward closures, seeing ships from fewer nations arrive for our coal, and can hear the demands for a safer future getting stronger and more urgent.

“Eraring’s accelerated closure is literally the canary in the coal mine. It’s telling us that whether we like it or not, the end of coal isn’t decades away, but years and months.

“Coal workers have powered our nation and contributed to our national wealth for a long time, we must not leave them behind.

“I don’t want Newcastle’s future to be determined by corporate bosses in New York or Sydney or politicians in Canberra.

“The Hunter Valley Authority will kickstart new local industries, while the Job-for-Job Guarantee will help employers take on new staff and ensure every worker knows they’ll be able to pay the bills for the next decade.

“The Hunter’s opportunities are endless. With its deepwater port, Newcastle will be a crucial hydrogen export hub – exporting solar and wind power to Asia, plus products manufactured locally with endless and cheap renewable energy.

“We need to make this transition a win for the economy and the region. If state and federal government stop lying about the future of coal and start planning for change, we’ll get a win for workers and the climate.”

Days before border reopens, Greens back letter urging McGowan Government to protect Perth’s urban homeless

With COVID cases on the rise, The Greens today have back calls from prominent public health experts urging the McGowan Government to both house and address the low rates of vaccination among rough sleepers and chronically homeless people in Perth.

It comes as leading public health experts, including Professor Fiona Stanley, have issued an open letter to Premier McGowan urging him to “activate (a) plan immediately, in collaboration with First Nations organisations, to ensure that all the have the basic security and protection of safe shelter.”

“Otherwise, people who are homeless in WA may be caught in a perfect storm when borders open next Thursday,” the letter states.

Recent research finds that only 7% of the overall homeless population in Perth have received their booster shot, of which just 38% of First Nations people had received two doses of the COVID vaccine by the end of January.

Yamatji-Noongar woman and Australian Greens Senator for WA Dorinda Cox today urged the WA Government to take its lead from public health officials – and act now to protect these vulnerable cohorts prior to the March 3 border reopening.

“In a wealthy place like Perth, everyone should have a roof over their head and access to a strong social safety net,” Senator Cox said today.
“The Greens today welcome calls from prominent health officials for a public health-based response to this growing crisis. We are now into the third year of this pandemic, and with cases on the rise, the Government has failed to not only house but to vaccinate homeless people in our city.
“This is especially devastating for First Nations people, who make up around 40% of Perth’s homelessness cohort. First Nations people know what is best for our communities, and should be better supported in their health promotion efforts to get more vaccines in the arms of vulnerable people. Aboriginal-led health organisations are best placed to lead here on this.”

Earlier this week WA Greens State MP Dr Brad Pettit questioned the WA Government’s limited funding support for health organisations, specifically to improve vaccine uptake for those experiencing homelessness.

“It is essential that the McGowan Government immediately invest in a plan alongside First Nations organisations, to ensure that First Nations people are given the vaccines and housing they need at this critical time,” Dr Pettit said.

At every level, the Greens will continue to advocate for health-based responses to the COVID pandemic.

$25.5 million to improve Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service infrastructure

The Morrison Government has opened a $25.5 million funding round for critical infrastructure projects at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) to support these services to continue their critical work.

The Service Maintenance Program (SMP), which provides funding for repairs, maintenance and minor upgrades for ACCHS is part of a $1 billion national commitment to help achieve Closing the Gap (CTG) Outcomes, and part of the $254.4 million CTG health infrastructure measure announced by the Prime Minister in August 2021.

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the funding round will give priority to projects related to ventilation and infection control.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said that ACCHS are a core part of the Australian health system, delivering comprehensive primary health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“ACCHS set the benchmark for delivering holistic, culturally safe and responsive care and services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities and have played a major role in the Government’s response to COVID-19. This funding will improve their facilities so they can maintain the high level of care they offer their communities”, Minister Hunt said.

“These grants help ensure fit-for-purpose health infrastructure, which is integral to closing the gap in life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

The SMP and the Major Capital Program make up the Closing the Gap health infrastructure measure. The opening of the Major Capital Program, which will fund the building and purchase of health clinics and staff housing, as well as major renovations, is due to be announced shortly.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, said the funding round announced today showed the Government was serious about closing the gap in health outcomes and life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“This investment in the ACCHS sector is a key component of the Government’s commitment to closing the gap through improved health infrastructure,” Minister Wyatt said.

“Key to making real progress, and one of the fundamental principles in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, is to work in true partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.

“Accordingly, we worked in partnership with the ACCHS sector, through the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), to co-design these grant opportunities”.

Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks and CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Ms Pat Turner, said, “NACCHO has advocated for a long time for increased funding for infrastructure for the health sector and this funding supports and recognises the critical role that ACCHS play in the Australian primary health care architecture”.

“I am pleased to see that this funding is being delivered in line with the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement, where programs and services are developed in partnership with our peoples and where funding is delivered through our community-controlled organisations”.

Information about the SMP grant opportunity can be found on GrantConnect.

The Morrison Government continues to prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and ageing outcomes, providing $781.1 million in the 2021-22 Budget and ongoing funding through the Indigenous Australians Health Programme of more than $4 billion from 2021-22 to 2024-25 to deliver culturally appropriate initiatives to increase access to health care and improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

$2.5 million for expansion of Odyssey House drug and alcohol service

The Morrison and Perrottet Governments have provided $2.5 million to support construction of expanded facilities at Odyssey House drug and alcohol treatment service near Campbelltown in Sydney.

This capital works funding will assist with expansion of the Parents and Children’s Program at Eagle Vale, which enables people impacted by drug and alcohol misuse to obtain treatment without being separated from their families.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the Government is committed to reducing the impact of drug and alcohol use on individuals, families and communities.

“Odyssey House is one of the few drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres in Australia that allows children up to 12 years old to stay with their parents while they undertake treatment,” Minister Hunt said.

“This new facility will allow Odyssey House to meet the ever-changing demand for drug and alcohol treatment from couples, single mothers and, increasingly, single fathers.”

The Odyssey House parents and children program aims to repair the bond between parents and children through physical and mental health and education services, interpersonal and social skills, and child development.

Once they have completed their treatment, parents are encouraged to move into community housing if they can demonstrate they are able to responsibly take care of their children.

NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the $2.5 million expansion of Odyssey House services would help keep families together when they were at risk of being torn apart by the damaging effects of drug and alcohol misuse.

“This will increase the support network at Odyssey House, bringing parents together with their children at the right stage of their treatment program to give families the best chance for a fresh start,” Minister Hazzard said.

Senator for Western Sydney, Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, said the expanded faculties would enhance Odyssey House’s important work.

“This significant investment will help ensure that families in Western Sydney have access to essential health programs when they need it most,” Senator Payne said.

Alcohol as well as illicit drugs can cause terrible damage not just to individuals, but to husbands and wives, parents and other family members, and friends.

Odyssey House CEO, Julie Babineau, and Chairman of the Board, Doug Snedden, thanked the Morrison and Perrottet Governments for their support of the program.

“The new Odyssey Family Recovery Centre, co-funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments, is one of the only centres of its kind in Australia that keeps families together by allowing parents to undertake treatment whilst their children live with them in specialised accommodation,” they said.

“Our Parent’s and Children’s Residential Rehabilitation Program helps parents break the cycle of generational drug and alcohol use, while developing the skills to establish and manage a safe and healthy family home. Thanks to the Commonwealth and NSW Government’s funding assistance of the new centre, twice as many families will be able to access treatment.”

“Odyssey House is very grateful for the financial support provided to this program.”

The capital funding is in addition to more than $3.8 million in operating funding provided by the Government to Odyssey House in 2021-22, to deliver a range of drug and alcohol treatment services.

Odyssey House was founded in 1977 by Sydney businessman, Walter McGrath, after his son died from a heroin overdose, and has grown into one of Australia’s largest and most respected rehabilitation services.

Landmark PBS listing for Australians with leukaemia

From 1 March 2022, Australians with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) will have access to a new treatment option through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

AML is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow in which the bone marrow makes immature white blood cells in high numbers. These abnormal cells crowd the bone marrow, preventing it from making normal blood cells.

Mylotarg^®(gemtuzumab ozogamicin) is being listed for the first time for the treatment of patients with previously untreated de novo CD33-positve AML, for use in combination with standard intensive chemotherapy.

Mylotarg^® works by stopping the abnormal growth of these cells and destroying them.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said around 900 Australians each year are diagnosed with AML.

“AML is one of the rarer forms of cancer, accounting for 0.8 per cent of all cancers diagnosed, but it can occur at any age and is more common among adults over the age of 60,” Minister Hunt said.

“The PBS listing of Mylotarg® will benefit around 60 Australians each year, who without PBS subsidy may pay around $18,000 per course of treatment.

“Instead, from March 1, Australians with AML will pay $42.50 per script, or just $6.80 with a concession card to access Mylotarg^®.

“Since 2013, the Coalition Government had approved more than 2,800 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $14.3 billion.”

This PBS listing has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

The Morrison Government’s commitment to ensuring Australians can access affordable medicines, when they need them, remains rock solid.

Labor to Combat Tasmanian Skill Shortage With Jobs Hub and Training Centre

An Albanese Labor Government will invest $1 million in a targeted boost to our local economy by creating a SERDA Jobs Hub, expanding the local Trade Training Centre in Sorell, upskilling and creating new local jobs in south east Tasmania.

For too long, skills shortages have impacted the region due to the neglect of the Morrison Government, with the existing Trade Training Centre at capacity.

The current facility is too small and too out of date for what is required to build a local workforce.

For too long, the Liberals have neglected skills in Tasmania. The local numbers reflect this story, with more than 30,000 completing their apprenticeship and traineeships under the former Labor Government, compared to just 17,000 completions in the same period of time under the Coalition – a drop of more than 44 per cent.

Only with this investment by Labor can we turn around the skills shortage caused by the Morrison Government and invest in homegrown, Tasmanian skills.

That is why a Labor Government will partner with Sorell Council and SERDA to create a central Jobs Hub tailored to meeting current and future demands for skilled workers and strengthening the region.

The proposed Hub will be located centrally in Sorell adjacent to a child-care centre and the local park and ride facility, making it accessible for the Hubs target market of mature age students, job seekers, young parents returning to the workforce, people up-skilling, and business owners.

Anthony Albanese said:

“We need to be doing more to invest in homegrown skills, so that we have the local workforce to that so many businesses and communities are crying out for.”

“Labor’s plan for free TAFE is a part of our commitment to Tasmania for more jobs, and today’s $1 million announcement for a local SERDA Jobs Hub is our commitment to further supporting skills and good, secure jobs.”

“The Morrison Government has completely neglected skills and training and it’s an issue which is being felt right across the country, including here in Tasmania.”

Brian Mitchell said:

“This commitment in an exciting opportunity for Sorell and for Tasmania.”

“We know the importance of up-skilling Tasmanians and addressing the Liberals’ legacy of critical skills shortages.”

“Labor’s investment will empower local people to up-skill for local jobs and strengthen our community.”

Fast-tracking jobs and technologies for space

The Morrison Government is injecting more than $65 million to get Australian technologies into space sooner and to make our nation a leading destination for launch.

And in another major boost for the Australian space sector that will drive jobs and technology investment, the Government has also instructed the Australian Space Agency to embark on a mission to put an Australian astronaut back into space.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new $65 million funding was part of the Government’s ongoing mission to expand the sector, invest in cutting edge technologies and create new jobs.

“Australia is ready to launch and we are backing Australian companies and workers to look up and aim high,” the Prime Minister said.

“The journey to sending an Australian into space means serious investment in local jobs, local technologies and local businesses.

“Any astronaut and any spacecraft has a team of thousands behind them, not to mention invaluable technology and research and carefully manufactured parts.

“All of that means new technologies that make things simpler and safer, the job opportunities that come from a booming industry or the technology advancements that can be applied in our everyday lives.

“That’s why, since 2018, we have invested more than $800 million as part of our mission to triple the size of the sector to $12 billion and create up to 20,000 new jobs by 2030.”

The Government will co-invest more than $32 million into the development of up to three new or existing spaceports or launch sites across Australia.

The Australian Space Agency will also receive more than $32 million to procure and provide spaceflights and services for the Australian space sector.

This will help the sector gain an important ‘flight qualification’ – a common barrier to transitioning space technology from the laboratory to space.

The more than $32 million includes a $3.5 million national student space challenge that would see student payloads sent into orbit.

The Agency has also been tasked with international partners to put an Australian astronaut back into space.

South Australia Premier Steven Marshall said the investment was a major boost for South Australia’s space sector.

“This election is all about building a stronger future and opening new opportunities for South Australians – the space sector does both,” Premier Marshall said.

“South Australia is unequivocally the Space State – we have already created nearly 1600 space jobs in the State and today’s announcement is going to see that number take off.

“We are the home of the Space Discovery Centre, Mission Control, the Australian Space Agency, the Australian Space Park and more than 90 space-related companies are already based right here in SA.

“This sector is going gangbusters and it’s going to mean our young South Australians can have a rewarding career in the space sector right here without having to move interstate or overseas.”

Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said this latest investment would provide Australian industry with further opportunities to grow their capability and access global supply chains – and support more launches taking off on home soil.

“This is about so much more than just the excitement or inspiration of launch,” Minister Price said.

“By investing in the growth of the Australian space sector we’re investing in the future of all Australians.

“We’re doing that through investments via the Australian Space Agency and prioritising the space sector through our Modern Manufacturing Strategy and Australia’s Economic Accelerator.”

Head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo, said the Fast-Tracking Access to Space package would help address gaps in the local sector.

“By supporting Australian businesses and researchers to get their products into space more quickly, we are helping them to demonstrate their capabilities to the world, which in turn will create new opportunities that see them grow,” Mr Palermo said.

“This co-investment in the development of spaceports makes Australia’s intentions clear – we want to become a launch nation of choice to attract further private sector investment.

“We are already a desirable launch location thanks to a range of factors, including our unique geographic perspective and political stability – this investment will cement that reputation.”